Viduthalai was originally announced as a single film in April 2021, while the principal photography had commenced in the previous December, shooting predominantly in Sathyamangalam and Chengalpattu. In September 2022, however, the film was announced to be split into two parts. The filming of the first part was wrapped by late-December 2022, while the filming of this part wrapped by early October 2024. The film score and music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, cinematography handled by R. Velraj and editing by R. Ramar.
Viduthalai Part 2, along with the first part, was screened on 31 January 2024 in the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film was released in theatres on 20 December 2024 and grossed an estimated ₹63 crore (US$7.3 million) worldwide, lower in comparison to its predecessor.
Plot
After Perumal "Vaathiyaar" (Vijay Sethupathi), a former communist leader, confesses his past mistakes, including accidentally causing the deaths of his best friend Karuppan (Ken Karunas) and wife, while expressing regret over the tragic bombing incident and his disillusionment with peaceful protests, he gains the support of the officers, including Kumaresan (Soori), but is eventually recaptured by his gang, leading to a bloody confrontation where despite his peaceful surrender, the new police leader Amudan (Tamizh) kills him, and in the aftermath, Kumaresan, driving the truck carrying Vaathiyaar’s body, crashes it off a mountain, walks into the jungle, and pens a final letter to his mother, stating that if he never returns, she should assume he died trying to help others.
Cast
Vijay Sethupathi as Perumal "Vaathiyaar", the leader of Makkal Padai
Viduthalai was originated to be a single film. However, in July 2022, it was reported that it would be split into two parts due to the film becoming overlong and not wanting to trim the film tampering the story,[11] which was officially announced on Vetrimaaran's birthday (4 September 2022).[12] Both parts were shot back-to-back, with the first part's shooting wrapping up in November, and the film releasing on 31 March 2023,[13] but with the second part still having to shoot a few portions, which resumed in July.[14][15] As of July 2024, the filming was in its final stages.[16] The dubbing process began on 10 October with a puja.[17] On 6 December 2024, the makers announced that the background score work had been completed.[18]
The film's soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who also composed the first part. He had composed the songs for the film in his newly launched music studio in Kodambakkam, after his fallout with Prasad Studios where he recorded songs for nearly four decades;[19] It marks his first work being recorded at his new studio where music composition of the film began in February 2021.[20] As of May 2021, Ilaiyaraaja recorded three out of eight songs being planned for the film and are touted to be "situational numbers" as per sources.[21] The music rights were purchased by Sony Music India.[citation needed] The first single "Dhinam Dhinamum" sung and written by Ilaiyaraaja was released on 17 November 2024.[22] The second single "Manasula" was released on 27 November 2024.[23] The third single "Poruthadhu Podhum" was released on 28 November 2024.[24]
Viduthalai Part 2 was theatrically released on 20 December 2024.[27] The distribution rights for Tamil Nadu were acquired by Red Giant Movies.[28]
Home media
The post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video, where it began streaming from 19 January 2025.[29]
Reception
Critical response
Desimartini reported that Viduthalai Part 2 received positive reviews from critics, who praised the film's "gripping narrative" but were critical of the dubbing.[30]OTTPlay noted that they were more mixed, with criticism towards the "preachiness".[31]
Risha Ganguly of Times Now gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Viduthalai Part 2 is a bold attempt at closing an ambitious story, with Vetrimaaran’s signature storytelling and strong performances standing out. However, the uneven pacing and lack of narrative clarity prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessor."[32] Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "This Vetrimaaran-Vijay Sethupathi film is mostly grim that drives home the weight of a decision, and the weight of choosing a path, and how it is the path that makes a revolutionary decide their weapon."[33] M Suganth of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Where Viduthalai: Part 2 feels underwhelming is in not being a truly compelling film. Like the cops circling about the same places inside the forest, the film keeps reiterating the same points [...] but it cannot provide a permanent solution."[34]
Janani K of India Today rated 3/5 stars and wrote "Viduthalai Part 2 gives proper closure to the characters and the story, and it is a commendable effort. With some recurring lip-sync issues and a dialogue-driven storyline, the sequel ends the story with many progressive ideologies and opinions on display."[35] Sudhir Srinivasan of Cinema Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Viduthalai Part 2 leans too heavily on theorising and sloganeering. Vaathiyaar’s lectures feel more academic than emotional, with utilitarian arguments often preferred over poignant silences."[36] Anusha Sundar of OTTPlay gave 3/5 stars and wrote "In a Vetrimaaran film where political ideologies are not just laced but outspoken, Viduthalai 2 may come of disjointed in parts but still carries a tale to be told."[37]
Kirubhakar Purushothaman of News18 gave 2/5 stars and wrote "In essence, Viduthalai Part 2 is Vetri Maaran constantly finding ways to tell you the uninspiring story, which he couldn’t show."[38] Gopinath Rajendran of The Hindu wrote "Despite a strong political core that puts out a message that’s unfortunately relevant even in today’s world and strong performances [...] Vetri Maaran’s sequel lacks the emotions that worked wonders with the first part."[39] Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote "Unfortunately, Vetrimaaran, the astute writer, seemed to be missing in this film and that was disappointing. Viduthalai Part 2 carries a strong ideological theme and is another socially relevant film from Vetrimaaran."[40]
Box office
Mohit Dixit of Pinkvilla reported that the film grossed around ₹25 crore (US$2.9 million) after four days of release.[41] It concluded its run in mid-January 2025, with the worldwide gross estimated to be ₹63 crore (US$7.3 million).[5]
