In this weekly column, Reel Retake, we compare the original film and its remake. In addition to highlighting the similarities, differences and measuring them on the scale of success, we aim to discover the potential in the story that inspired the idea for a new version and the way a remake could possibly provide a different viewing experience. could. And if so, analyze the movie.
The film in discussion this week is Vikram Vedha.
What is Vikram Vedha about?
Vikram Vedha, the title, may sound familiar. Actually, it is. In short, the film draws from the mythology of Vikram and Betaal, but with a modern touch. Betal used his cunning mind to keep King Vikram in the dark and misled him to fulfill his wishes. Tamil cop and gangster thriller Vikram Vedha follows this simple plot and introduces us to unit specialist Vikram (R Madhavan), a charismatic, ruthless but impulsive officer who uses more brain than his mind. He keeps his wits about her and wears his heart on his sleeve. A long, one-take opening sequence in which Vikram and his team of officers kill some local gangsters, Vedha (Vijay Sethupathi) is also named, hinting at who the police are after. Later, Vedha surrenders herself to the police, in a scene that is a dramatic version of one of Seven (director David Fincher), where Doe (Kevin Spacey) transforms herself. Vedha now tells the story of how he became a gangster and druggist. Smugglers to Vikram, hoping to incite some sympathy. But will Vikram believe her? Some of the major characters are introduced through flashbacks. Meanwhile, Vedha also hires Vikram’s lawyer wife Priya (Shraddha Srinath) to grant bail.
Essentially, Vedha is using Vikram to get rid of the people standing in her way and avenge some past mistakes on her part. Vikram puts the two and two together based on clues in Vedha’s stories but only to realize that his own unit is part of the gang wars in the city. Some of them are even corrupt to such an extent that Vikram’s life may also be in danger. Differences also escalated between Vikram and his wife Priya, who legally represents Vedha. Will Vikram be able to break out of this personal and professional stretch and get to the bottom of the mystery that Vedha has set up for him? Are Vikram and Vedha better as friends or foes? The story closes these questions in a very satisfying cat-and-mouse chase-cum-investigative thriller.
Where does the potential lie?
The original Vikram Vedha has many strings attached to its seemingly simple plot and manages to achieve a lot in runtime. In fact, it will leave you high and dry for more. Realistic action set pieces, stories within story, each filled with mystery, intrigue and more questions, and a slew of key characters to keep you engaged and invested. Coming to the cast, Madhavan and Sethupathi are brilliant as Vikram and Vedha respectively. Vedha is different from any other gang lord. His presence and courage intimidate you. He also uses his brain when needed and this makes him a goal opponent. Vikram is witty and romantic even in moments of heightened tension. Along with being an honest cop, he is also high headed which makes him insecure. Apart from this, the mind games going on between Vikram and Vedha are also reminiscent of Batman and Joker’s chemistry.
The chemistry of Vikram and Vedha is making the film more interesting with the passage of time. Even as individual characters, they attract you. Vedha is not all villains and Vikram embraces Grey. The visual color palette is also neutral. Swara is unsatisfied to lead from Vedha’s point of view, more so than Vikram. This is in contrast to other police dramas, where the story is pursued from the point of view of a law officer and police brutality is glorified.
As a subtext, Vikram Vedha also comments on corruption and drug menace. The story moves in different directions one at a time but till the end, there is no loose ending. Despite being complex and fast-paced, the film completely keeps you engaged and invested. This is a sure shot recipe for success as proven upon the advent of Tamil origins. Vikram Vedha is fresh and enjoyable. It is also a story that defies time and setting.
What’s new in Hindi remake?
Vikram Vedha’s story and lead acting are its strengths. It is being made in Hindi with Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Pushkar-Gayatri will return to the director’s chairs. It is safe to assume that Hrithik will revive the role of the gangster. He did something similar in the Agneepath remake (2012) and can match what Sethupathi did in the original. It will be interesting to see him return as an anti-hero and break away from the ‘savior’ image. If he indeed revives the role of Vedha, Hrithik will be seen in two different looks, one from the past and the present.
Saif had earlier also played a cop in Sacred Games and he has the ability to do the role deftly. However, the part of Vikram is not an easy task or something like Saif has done before. The question, however, is whether Madhavan could have been retained from the original or not. He is also a well-known face in Bollywood and has been missing from action in Hindi films for quite some time now. It will be interesting to see him in the remake of Vikram Vedha as well.
Meanwhile, it is not yet revealed who has been cast for the role of Priya. Other important co-characters and who will play them will be named soon. Looks like the director wants to work with fresh faces in the remake and every part will be recast. Vikram Vedha will prove to be a remake as good and likable as the ensemble comes.
success meter
Vikram Vedha was a huge success at the box office in 2017. Madhavan and Sethupathi were praised for adapting their intense characters brilliantly. Of course, he had a subtlety to it. Saif and Hrithik are good in their own right. This film definitely needs an audience beyond the local market. With the Hindi remake, it will surely get the attention it deserves. We recommend that you also check out the Tamil originals available on YouTube and Disney+ Hotstar.
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