R. MADHAVAN & VIJAY SETHUPATHI: MEN AT WAR IN VIKRAM VEDHA

The halo of ‘being good’ and the dark shades of villainy are both questioned in Vikram Vedha, releasing this week (after a two-week delay following the film strike in Tamil Nadu) at theatres in the UAE. Starring R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the title roles, the film is one of the most-anticipated this season for the power house performances by two seasoned actors, both bringing inimitable styles to the silver screen.

But what makes the film even more special is the craft that directors Pushkar and Gayathri bring with the fundamental premise of Vikram

Vedha being that there is nothing black or white in human beings. As an encounter cop, Vikram (Madhavan) is hot on the heels of Vedha (Vijay Sethupathi), a goon who has his typical back-story of having grown up in terrible circumstances and having to resort to violent ways to make a living. But the contention between the two does not play out in an even keel of good police officer versus bad goon.

The emotional journeys of the two protagonists and the war of nerves that the two fight is what made Madhavan take up the project, says the actor, who would love to take the film to Bollywood too. The flaws in Vikram, and how the ‘good’ side of Vedha strike a chord in him attracted Madhavan to the character.

The two actors cannot stop praising each other, with Madhavan describing Vijay Sethupathi as ‘one of the most intelligent actors’ he has worked with after Kamal Haasan. Vijay, on his part, says the healthy camaraderie on sets was underlined by the genuine warmth of Madhavan. The best thing about Vikram Vedha, adds Madhavan is that he has found a life-long friend in Vijay.

Both actors did great research into their roles, including the body language, look and mannerisms. But beyond the cosmetic styling of the film, they say, what makes the film different is how it forces audiences to ask questions – and discover that between white and black, there are many shades of grey.