Published By: Sayan Paul

5 Must-Watch Films of Vetrimaraan

Vetrimaaran is a Tamil-based filmmaker with worldwide recognition.

He is an extraordinary talent, having made several unforgettable films over the years.

Read ahead!

Vetrimaraan - one of the most celebrated figures in Indian cinema today - is an exceptional talent who knows how to make uncompromising art and still get a huge box-office success. Being a disciple of Balu Mahendra, Vetrimaraan is unparalleled when it comes to making raw and intense films on political issues. His films are close to reality, true to the geography of the plots, and also vocal regarding the flaws rooted in our society.

He holds a strong command over the craft of filmmaking, and also understands all the business aspects of cinema. He believes that art and commerce in cinema should co-exist together, and serve combinedly to the medium. In this article, we'll get a look at some of his best films that you shouldn't miss.

Pollaadhavan (Release Year: 2007)

Vetrimaraan's debut feature 'Pollaadhavan' is still considered among the most well-made action thriller films coming out of the Tamil industry. It revolves around a young guy named Prabhu whose bike gets stolen, leading him to some big trouble along the way. It stars Dhanush as the lead character, whose nuanced performance will leave you spellbound.

Aadukalam (Release Year: 2011)

'Aadukalam' is arguably the best film from the director-actor duo Vetrimaraan and Dhanush. It follows a rooster fighter named Kaaru who gets involved in a clash with his mentor. It has a gripping screenplay, which succeeds at keeping the viewers at the edge of their seats throughout the runtime.

Visaranai (Release Year: 2015)

'Visaranai' is an out-of-the-box crime thriller film that showcases the violence of police brutality in an unorthodox manner. The film is based on M. Chandrakumar's novel 'Lock Up'. Also, it's a fine example of Kafkaesque used in Indian cinema. It has an ensemble cast including Dinesh, Anandhi, Samuthirakani, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Kishore, Pradheesh Raj, and Silambarasan Rathnasamy.

Vada Chennai (Release Year: 2018)

'Vada Chennai' stars Dhanush as the lead actor, as a skilled carrom player who gets involved in a war between two rival gangsters. The film has Ameer, Pawan, Kishore, Aishwarya Rajesh, Daniel Balaji, Andrea Jeremiah, and others in pivotal roles as well. It boasts a non-linear narrative, revolving around the underworld scenarios of Chennai over a long period.

Asuran (Release Year: 2019)

'Asuran' is an adaptation of Poomani's novel 'Vekkai' (which translates into 'Heat' in English). The film is a strong socio-political commentary, raising voice against caste division, classism, and more. It revolves around a farmer named Sivasamy who must fight till his last breath to save his family. Dhanush's performance as the lead is the main highlight of the film, having won the National Award for Best Actor in 2021.

Vetrimaraan, even after so much success, never forgets his social responsibility as an artist. His film in the 2020 Netflix anthology 'Paava Kadhaigal' is another example of how visionary a filmmaker he is! Now, let's just wait and see what more he has to offer along the way.