I've lessened my consumption of Indian movies lately, but I continue to keep up with Tamil cinema. Occasionally I check out smaller films, especially those featuring Vijay Sethupathi. The role of a police officer has been portrayed by many prominent actors in Kollywood and has consistently proven popular. So when I learned that Vijay Sethupathi was taking on such a part, I felt it was something I needed to see. It wa…

A few weeks ago, I saw Vetri Maaran’s Visaaranai, a powerful movie that critiques the police force by exposing the brutality those in authority inflict on vulnerable people. For them, Sethupathi might feel like an unexpected public relations opportunity from Kollywood—even if it's purely accidental—that could help rebuild trust with the community. From the opening credits onward, which pay tribute to law enforcement …