User reviews

First of let me talk about the positives in this movie : The movie was totally awesome ... technically .. Its a very different approach followed by the director .. We could definitely say with pride that Gautam has taken Indian cinema to new heights ... ! The story narration was beautiful though it did not have a very strong plot ... Thanks to Hollywood ... Tamil Cinema is reaching new dimensions ... Especially the opening 15 minutes and the scene where the killer talks with Kamal in midst of vendetta .. Just too good ! Kudos to the director .. the real hero ! Though he is not commendable in the plot, as in Kaakha Kaakha, he wanted to prove a point here ... and he does it in style ... Cheers Last but not the least ... The pride of Indian cinema .. Dr Kamal Haasan .... Does a powerful role with so much of ease ... Yet another movie of his to be remembered ..

Now coming to the negatives: Though the director succeeds in a certain way .. he lets you down at certain scenes which are so Indian ... Especially.. When the hero does things out of nowhere and categorizes them as "Raghavan Instincts" .. the scene where the killers escape from the airport .. and the usual coincidence where the killers meets the hero and his girl within minutes he reaches a new city ..

Our heroes which includes Kamal .. For their lack of body maintenance .. (Got to reduce the protruding tummy) Though these are negatives, they just go vanishing because of the style in which things are told ! In a nut shell .. Its a delight to watch this film !

Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu ("hunt and play", more approriate to say "hunting game") is Gautham Menon's second venture into a cops life. This time a widowed DCP Raghavan (Kamal Hassan) hunts for "a" serial killer who has murdered his mentor Arkoiaraj's (Prakashraj) daughter first (in India) and, then later him and his wife (in US).

The story has all the qualities for a good thriller and to a certain extent engages the attention of the audience till the end. The movie contains a fair amount of violence, blood and gory scenes. So, if you do not like it, just stay away. After the first half, the story develops in a predictable style. So the key is that watch Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu, experience the thrill and, then forget about it (like any other thriller book).

As expected, Kamal Hassan gives a first rate acting performance which glues the audience attention to the screen. I like Kamal's acting but on a second thought, I feel that the character Raghavan did not really needed Kamal Hassan. In other words, it could have been played by another decent actor, for instance Surya and, same effects could have been produced. Balaji does a good job as the serial killer Amudhan. At the end of the movie, you will come to hate as well as fear him. Jyotika has done well with in the given amount of screen time. I also feel that the movie could have been done without Jyotika's character. Kamalinee Mukherjee and Prakash Raj have a short screen presence but leave a good impression.

Gautham's direction is crispy and good. With in a short space of time in the beginning, he creates the tough cop character Ragahavan. The script is good. Harris Jayaraj's music is OK. Songs are hummable and foot tapping. There is not much to say about the back ground score.

The movie has its share of "flaws". For instance,

(a) When Raghavan and his US cop partner zero onto a "suspect" Amudhan's companion, the first alert should have gone to all the ports to contain them inside US. Instead the cops go and knock on the doors of the "suspect" (psycho) without even having a backup plan.

(b) In the era of fast digital communication, it is little bit difficult to digest that the news about the serial killers reach the Indian port authorities late (inspite of some US citizens being killed). Also, given that the travel time between New York to Mumbai can easily cross 15 hrs and, the existence of numerous channels through which the information could be sent and criminal being apprehended.

(c) The serial killers kill US citizens including some police authorities. US does not even sends an investigating team to India.

(d) Amuthan keeps claiming he is a university rank holder (a brilliant and intelligent guy) but some of the events does not fit into the character. For instance, when they come to know about the police surveillance they should have vacated their usual residence.

The primary reason for these flaws is that the first half of the story is shown through the eyes of an investigating police officer and, the second half is shown through the eyes of serial killer.

Eventually what happened in the second half of the movie is that the director ended up spending time creating the fearsome serial killers character (also resulting in some more violent and gory scenes) and, Kamal spending rest of the movie running around the trees with Jyotika and ending up as the usual villain bashing hero cop. Thus, second half becomes very predictable.

Instead the character of the serial killers could have been developed through the investigation of cop, thus, keeping the audience more on the edge of seat and guessing. This would have meant that Raghavan doing some really good investigative cop work.

Nevertheless, "Vettiyadu Villaiyadu" is worth watching once at least for Kamal.

Very solid technical details. The way new york pictured is simple superb. Hats off to Ravi Varman for his cinematography. This movie is not inferior to any Hollywood one. Tamil movies are catching up with them. Great direction by Gautham. Kamal should shed some weight and continue his world class acting. The matured romance between Kamal and Jyothika needs a special mention. Too bad the other heroine Kamalini Mukherjee didn't get much attention. Absolutely no comedy sequences at all in this thriller. Thats a great attempt by the director in these times when comedy is given lots of importance in Tamil movies. Background score by Harris Jayaraj is simply superb. World class.

What do I say ... To start with Kamalji is in it!! and boy has he done a good job!!! the movie is technically brilliant!! well written,edited,shot and executed!! u couldn't ask for more!! kudos to Gautam on a fantastic job ..though I've seen several English serial killer movies , this one is awesome for a Tamil movie ... truly Kamal is India's Al Pacino and Gautam is Michael Mann in the making !!! Credit goes to the lyricist and music director for good songs!!

All in all a racy thriller with all the ingredients to watch it over n over ....

P.S: i have already seen it thrice in the theaters in its first four days and I cant wait to watch it again!!

After a decade, Kamal returns as a police office in this new high paced thriller. The movie has crossed really hard hassles until it started blasting on the silver screen and took the audience on a whirl.

With much expectations set amongst all Kamal Haasan's fans - me being one among them, definitely we were not left unsatisfied.

All songs have been picturised very well especially the love song at Manhattan - showcasing the complete day cycle.

A complete treat for any action lover.

Another feather on Kamal's cap.

• Venkat.

ONE OF THE MOST STYLISH POLICE MOVIE IN TAMIL I HAVE EVER SEEN. GVM'S DIRECTION, KAMAL'S STYLE ,JOTHIKA'S ROMANCE AND MANY MORE TO WATCH IN THIS MOVIE. THIS FILM HAD THE BEST INTRODUCTION SCENE FOR A HERO IN A POLICE MOVIE.

Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006) : Brief Review -

An action oriented cat and mouse game between a cop and a serial killers duo made strictly for masses. This film was a success at box office and it was deserving for many reasons. But when i look at its intro on Wiki 'Neo-noir thriller film' then i must say it differs a lot. There is nothing like that out there in almost 3 Hours long film and even if i agree that the team really intended to bring Neo-noir touch, the fact remains still that they didn't really managed to do it. Otherwise, it's a fine massy Flick and quite suitable for classes too for the stylish designing all over. It doesn't go like any other out-an-out mass action film where things go over the top. Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was actually a new break in storytelling. Although the film is 30 minutes long because of that typical romance and the songs, it still looked fairly gripping all the time considering the first time viewing. The film revolves around a Police Officer named Raghavan who investigates a series of brutal rapes and murders with the culprits seeming to cover more than one country. If i am not wrong then this international serial killer thing was new then in 2006 and of course it gives a new timeline to the narrative so this change in storytelling in Tamil Cinema was surely pleasant. Kamal Haasan looks great as a cop. I haven't seen his action oriented Avatar yet so for me this was a pretty nice break from his high quality classics. Jyothika has acted fairly upto the mark whereas Salim Baig and Daniel Balaji are surprisingly outstanding as serial killers. Director Gautham Menon has made a pretty watchable cop-drama and sort of a thriller too but i think he could have trimmed it by 30 minutes or so and then the final cut would have looked much better and more thrilling. Overall, a commercial draft of cop thriller that should be enjoyed according to its decent quality and not spindly hype.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The movie is really a bench mark for Tamil cinema on the technical fore front. The plot is also a bit bold and one of its kind. Kamal hassan underplays DCP Raghavan really well. Its a big boost for the movie. The duologue's are pretty good, and the subtle sense of humor of kamals character is enjoyable. another big plus for the movie is the outstanding camera work by ravi verman. Those aerial shots of NY are really breathtaking. Editing keeps the movie fast paced. the BGM of Harris is the main drawback of the movie. The romance between kamal and jo is offbeat.Very new to tamil cinema.The movie may not go down well with children and women for its content and violence. Overall a very uncodable nice movie. A real treat for action lovers and Kamal fans.

A handsome and lonesome hero Jamal how quite and how cute.. brilliant work by Gotham with Harris and reforming.. we have gone too far in technical aspects and cutting between shots are very sharp..good thrill throughout on watching...director has touched the soft corner of Jamal too bit long which causes slip in some scenes.. He is not full determined whether its a love based thriller or thrill base love.. its a part of compromising.. us scenes are lovable to eyes.. its such easy for villains to got out of America immediately...tremendous effort by the team in aspect technical aspect and sound mixing may be a milestone for Indian cinema starts from here...recommended for high type thrill

I was in awe of this movie.if i am not wrong this movie translates as hunt and play in English( I am not a Tamil). if so then it ...true to it's meaning.over the past 50 yrs bollywood cannot claim to have come up with something like this.kamal hassan performance is outstanding,but the real hero of this film is director gautham menon.

the only glitch i thing were the psycho...though they acted well but u need a seasoned actor to stand infront of someone like kamal hassan

the movie is a cat and mouse chase of two psycho and a police officer.the murder sequences are gruesome and perhaps the first time in Indian screen has depicted in such a manner.i wish some bollywood learns the art of filmaking from the south filmmakers and stop churning junks like tashan.

This movie certainly takes Tamil cinema to ger8 heights

gr8 going for kollywood

One of GVM's best movies ever made. This is one of the greatest cop movies ever made in Tamil Cinema. Kamal doesn't act, he lives as Raghavan, also Jyothika is natural and charming with a beautiful love story spun around them.Special mention to Daniel Balaji as the terrifying villain, whose performance haunts me till date.

hi all i am a big fan of kamalji and this one is the best of all his movies so far what is unique in this movie is his characterisation which suits his body language and age the whole movie pull us to the edge of the chair right from the word go songs are done very well though it is a psycho thriller and subject focused on serial killer the pace is bit cut off i thought when the secret is revealed in the midway and not taken to the tail end but as the time went on and on i think gautham handled it very well and so as the casts i think no one should miss this movie in theatre and especially kamal and gauthams fans and of course good works by the cast of psycho thrillers and heroine both the new comer (cute) and jyothika (as usual a good performance) prakash raj played a silent but good roll

wherever you are watch it on screen

yet another trend setter from kamalji

A brilliantly taken movie by Gautam Menon ! The story revolves around an incomparably charismatic cop - Raghavan (Kamal Hassan) who investigates the case of a serial killer.The movie has been shot in New York and India swapping frames to give a rich backdrop which is certainly a change from the regular old cop movies.

The story begins with a rich introduction of cop - Raghavan who proves his muscles to the local hooligans.Raghavan gets serious into business when his colleague's (Prakash Raj) daughter Rani gets kidnapped.Based on a tip of , he flies to New York. While traveling he recalls the painful memories of his own personal life.In New York,he shockingly finds another case having the similar hallmark of villain.

To ease the tension Gautam had remarkably introduced Aradhana (Jyothika) who gets closer with Raghavan. Melodious songs and active night life of New York would be a good feast to viewers. Raghavan connects up with Detective Anderson to dig deeper into the case which eventually leads to a close encounter with killer.

Raghavan and the killer start playing the game to take on each other and well, you know the good wins over the evil ! Not to mention the gruesome killings & a lot of blood - so the movie is surely not for the faint hearted ! Gautam had written and directed the movie. Harris Jayaraj has composed the music.

Just exclude some of the logical bloopers - I guess consciously done by Gautam to suit the taste of audience. Not to miss - Hunting game!

Senseless violence, very clumsy fight scenes, too much blood and gore, no style. Kamal Haasan should stick to dancing, not fight scenes. The guy is obviously out of shape, not a black belt like Akshay Kumar or John Abraham. The story isn't vey clear. What the heck was the motive for all those killings anyway? Too many killings. Really, Tamil movies in general have a long way to go. And the ratings for this movie like almost 8 out of 10, that's what made me watch this movie. Now I know one thing for sure - the people giving the rave reviews have no taste. Lesson learned - judge the movie by the trailer, not by the reviews. Oh, and by the way, the main reason I was drawn to this movie was Kamalinee Mukherjee. But she has a minimal role and is killed off.