TJ Gnanavel directed Rajinikanth for the first time in Vettaiyan, and the movie has been performing well at the box office since its release on October 10. Vettaiyan also features Amitabh Bachchan (in his Tamil debut), Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Dushara Vijayan, Abhirami, and Ritika Singh, among others. Vettaiyan is an action entertainer where Rajinikanth plays a daredevil cop investigating the murder of a brave teacher he knew. This teacher, portrayed by Dushara Vijayan, meets a tragic fate, which has sparked some controversy among viewers. ‘Vettaiyan’ Movie Review: A Rajinikanth Spectacle With Intermittent Sparks That’s Weighed Down by a Feeble Screenplay.

Some SPOILERS ahead... Dushara Vijayan plays Saranya, the unfortunate schoolteacher who is brutally assaulted—both physically and sexually—before being murdered. Netizens have expressed dissatisfaction with how the sexual assault scene was handled in the film. Their concerns are twofold. Firstly, they feel that sexual assault is increasingly becoming an over-exploited plot device used to create conflict in major Tamil films.

This year alone, sexual assault has driven the plot not just in Vettaiyan, but also in Nithilan Swaminathan's Maharaja and Dhanush's Raayan. Interestingly, Dushara Vijayan had also portrayed a sexual assault survivor in Raayan. Maharaja Movie Review: Vijay Sethupathi is Phenomenal in Nithilan Saminathan's Cleverly Deceptive Revenge-Thriller.

The second point of criticism lies in the way Vettaiyan repeatedly brings back the sexual assault scene to heighten the drama. Many viewers found these reminders gratuitous and unnecessary.

Netizens' Reaction to Sexual Assault Scene in 'Vettaiyan'

'Stop Using Sexual Abuse Against Women as a Plot Point'

'Rombave Irritating'

'Just Disturbing'

'Deeply Disturbing'

'Just Being Lazy'

'Creepy and Perverted Angles'

'Pervert-ish'

While Vettaiyan has faced criticism for its handling of the sexual assault scene in several reviews, it has been praised for its stance on police encounter killings and online coaching classes.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2024 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).