13 October 2022
After the Ratsasan vs Cuttputtli comparison, I was waiting for a chance to see the Hindi version of Vikram Vedha. Finally got to see it yesterday.
First, about the Tamil version. Released in 2017 at a cost of roughly 11 crores, the film made about 60 crores. It went on to win multiple awards from Filmfare, Vijay, Norway, Ananda Vikatan, Techofes, Edison, etc. A success on all counts. Vijay Sethupathi, who essayed the role of Vedha felt a positive change in his career after this movie. For Madhavan, the role and publicity were just a walk in the park.
Frankly, the first time I saw the Tamil version, I did not like it. I found the portrayal of bad characters including Vedha was showing too much of the low life and criminal underbelly of society. After all, I want to see a movie to escape being reminded of all that is it not? But then after watching the movie a couple of times, Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi lifted my mood with their superb performances. I could find very little fault in the movie except maybe such eulogizing of crime. At the same time, it also occurred to me that humans seem to like crime for some odd reason. Why would movies like The Godfather, John Wick, Gangs of Wasseypur, Company, Don, Deewaar, Gangajal and countless other crime movies be so successful? The eternal fight between good and bad and the triumph of good over evil seems to kick humanity like nothing else.
When I heard that the Hindi version was being released, I decided to watch the Tamil version again, and then do a comparison.
The Remake
Watching the Hindi version, I came away very impressed. The story cum directional duo of Pushkar and Gayatri has done a fantastic job of making subtle changes to the scene-by-scene copy to suit Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
R. Madhavan Vs Saif Ali Khan
Saif plays the role essayed by Madhavan in the Tamil version with a bit of restraint. He does not look as innocent as Madhavan does. Sometimes when Saif tries to think hard, it comes away looking funny. But Madhavan looks right natural when using his brains.
Madhavan looks a bit confused and is still not sure of his seniority in the Police hierarchy. He fools around with his colleagues though some of them may be far junior to him. At the same time, when the chips are down, he does not mind telling his DIG to shut up.
For the same role, Saif comes out as being more aloof. The current situation looks more like a small chapter in his life, and his mind seems to be elsewhere all the time. Even his fooling around with colleagues looks much laboured. He seems to have no respect for anyone including his seniors. He looks too self-assured and self-centric. But, that is a small scar in his otherwise excellent acting as Vikram.
Vijay Sethupathy vs Hrithik Roshan (VS vs HR)
Comparing Vijay Sethupathy and Hrithik Roshan is more difficult. For one, the role is made for Vijay Sethupathi. He looks natural as a don who has no worries about killing people. And he does that without any remorse or even a hint of emotion on his face. Just another act in a carefully planned day. He has been acting as a villain for a long time, and that is etched in people’s minds. Like Pran, if Vijay Sethupathi comes on screen, you can expect something bad to happen. Pran at least had some class. Vijay has none. Even in a later movie, Vikram, Vijay projects evil intentions, including beheading people, with a natural flair.
Hrithik, on the other hand, is a do-gooder, handsome, with the perfect body for a hero. Agneepath was the only movie in which he had some shades of grey. But he also compensated for that with his protective persona.
Before watching Vikram Vedha, I was afraid Hrithik was too big a star to portray Vedha, and he may falter. But, no. He carries the role on his shoulders with aplomb, overcoming his stature as an actor. With his rough beard and wild hair, his dialogue delivery is near perfect reflecting his role as a don. Even as a younger version of himself, when he plays second fiddle to Parashuram, his confidence and deep thinking are unmistakable.
When he is fighting with some lowlife, Hrithik looks as if he is holding a kid to calm down before slapping him. In one scene, he is pleading with his opponents to wait a while when a Mukesh song is playing. When they refuse and attack him, his 'arre yaar' look is worth a million dollars. There is always a slight hint of amusement on his face when he is fighting. The only time I saw Vedha worry during a fight was when his brother, Shatak, is being beaten by a goonda. In the scene when he declares an all-out war against Parashuram’s gang, he uses an AK-47 to kill the gang members. Vedha looks delighted and gleeful as he lets loose with the machine gun.
Hrithik is very expressive with his face and eyes. The way he opens his eyes in Alcoholia is really worth watching.
Vikram and Vedha’s fight in the shipyard is intense. The way Hrithik holds back till it is time to prove his point comes out very well. You really wonder why he is getting beaten by Saif Ali Khan, and not hitting back.
Hrithik dances with abundance in Alcoholia, a far better picturization than 'Tasakku Tasakku' in Tamil.
My only gripe against Hrithik is that he speaks his dialogues too fast. Even the punch line, ‘Ek Kahani Sunaye Aapko, Sahib?’ (Shall I Tell You A Story, Sir?), is blurted out in a hurry. If he had used a lower tone and spoken those words slowly, it would have been mesmerizing. But then, Vijay Sethupathy also seemed to be in a hurry to speak the same words in Tamil - 'Oru Kadhai Shollatuma, Sir?'
Nitpicking
Now that the two main protagonists have passed with flying colours, let me nitpick against a few other issues including scenes and actors.
Govind Pandey as Parashuram Pandey just does not fit the role. He looks too soft and not threatening enough. Rohit Saraf as Shatak is good, but his girlfriend Chanda, played by Yogita Bihani is passé. In the Tamil version, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar plays the same role with an intensity that is impressive. Her remorse when she steals the money is more visible when played by Varalaxmi.
The closeness between the police families is cut short in the Hindi version.
Vikram Vehda’s Hindi version is certainly worth a watch. If you understand both languages, do watch both. You will enjoy both versions.
Trivia
One
I read in the press that Madhavan was supposed to replay the same role in the Hindi version. He could not find suitable dates. That is a blessing I must say. Though Madhavan is good in Hindi (Remember 3 Idiots?), redoing a role in multiple languages is fraught with danger.
Two
I believe Pushkar and Gayathri approached Shah Rukh and Amir Khan for the role of Vedha. They both seem to have refused. Again, I am glad they did. Believe me when I tell you they both would have failed.
Three
The Hindi version’s production cost was 175 crores. As of 14th October, the movie has grossed just over 100 crores. Is it a failure? Don’t think so. The producers will at least break even by selling rights to some OTT platform.