An arresting murder mystery- Cinema express
In the case of internet sequence format, notably homicide mysteries are essentially the most most well-liked selection of streamers. They provide makers the liberty to get into the main points — of the crime, the motive, the psyche of these concerned, and the investigation procedures. There are not any worries about showcasing violence or graphic imagery. That is in all probability why Vilangu, regardless of having a feature-filmish plot, has been made as an online sequence. Regardless of being one of many most interesting in producing ingenious crime thrillers in India, the Tamil trade continues to be taking child steps in the case of the net sequence area. The 7-episode sequence Vilangu is a worthy one, to start with.
Director: Prasanth Pandiyaraj
Solid: Vemal, Bala Saravanan, Ineya
Streaming on: Zee 5
The sequence is about round Vembur police station, located within the outskirts of Trichy. Vemal performs Paridhi, a Sub-Inspector within the station, who is meant to be on go away for his spouse’s supply. Nevertheless, a fateful cellphone name informing the invention of a half-decomposed useless physique turns issues topsy-turvy. A can of worms is left open and it’s as much as the cops in Vembur station to unravel it earlier than the surface world is aware of.
The present begins at a leisurely tempo with a 41-minute lengthy first episode establishing the police station, its inmates, and their functioning. The battle is launched on the thirty fifth minute and earlier than we wrap our heads round it, the episode ends on a cracker of a cliffhanger. It’s a compelling begin for an exciting thriller thriller. However sadly, the identical excessive shouldn’t be maintained all through.
The writing takes handy routes and depends rather a lot on coincidences. It is as if all essential data is laid round and it is only a matter of time earlier than the sleuth lays a watch on it. Whereas watching a crime-thriller, it’s the investigator’s physique language and the way he cracks every puzzle that instils a way of pleasure within the viewer. However in Vilangu, Vemal carries a restrained strategy and does extra of a mechanical job. Opposite to the same old cop roles in Tamil cinema, his Paridhi is an strange policeman devoid of any particular abilities. He is neither brainy nor brawny. What works for him is his humane strategy. Extra on that later.
In cop narratives, it’s a normal trope to have a demanding household set as much as set up the cop’s helplessness in balancing work-life and private life. Vilangu treads the identical path with Ineya enjoying Revathy, Paridhi’s spouse. She is usually complaining about his absence however her whining feels justified as a result of he does not care to speak something together with his spouse. Even when he’s pushed in opposition to the wall and ultimately will get suspended, we do not see him sharing something along with her. All he retains repeating is “velaya iruken paa”, “vanthurren pa”.
Vilangu falters huge time with the way it portrays violence. The Vembur police station is proven as if it is a torture cell. Custodial violence appears to be the one option to interrogate. All through the present, there are disturbingly intensive scenes of cops using varied strategies to thrash the accused. The lighting, composition, and staging in these scenes are all harking back to Visaranai however not like in Vetrimaaran’s movie, right here, it is not proven from a vital lens. The violence is normalised and never for as soon as known as out. Even when carried out, it is a trick to deceive the accused and acquire his belief.
Bala Saravanan, an actor identified principally for his comedy roles, is terrific in Vilangu. He performs a hot-headed constable who’s the station’s go-to man in the case of third-degree remedy. He’s a pure-hearted cop however ballistic together with his strategy. It’s a function completely in distinction to Vemal’s subdued Paridhi. It’s this antithesis that works in Paridhi’s favour as he’s the one one within the station with a kind-hearted nature in treating the principle accused, a tricky nut serial killer.
Although fairly late within the sequence, it’s attention-grabbing that the makers selected to discover the psyche of the killer and thus, the motives behind his crimes. With out justifying his heinous actions, the writing manages to convincingly convey the place he comes from and why he turns an outlaw. Due credit to the actor additionally who performs the function brilliantly with out placing a foot improper. It is also a case of sensible casting because the actor’s everyman appears escape him from suspicious eyes.
The sequence dedicates ample house to showcase the cultural facet of the locality and the individuals’s beliefs. It additionally works as a commentary in opposition to discrimination, particularly caste-based. There may be loads of ‘unga aal’, ‘avanga aal’ dialogues, even inside the police pressure. It paints a telling image of how deep-rooted caste is and the way it works in discriminating individuals. In a way, each the ‘hero’ and the ‘villain’ are from marginalised sections. Whereas Paridhi works for his upliftment via schooling and securing a superb job, the killer resorts to violence.
The phrase Vilangu interprets to each handcuff and animal. It’s an apt title for a sequence which is about cops in addition to a deceitful man, who hides a beast in him. Leaving apart the horrifying violence, the handy plot factors, and the insipid ‘household’ scenes, Vilangu makes for a compelling watch.
