| Viduthalai Part 1 | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vetrimaaran |
| Written by | Vetrimaaran R. S. Durai Senthilkumar Mathi Maran |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Thunaivan by B. Jeyamohan Vengaichami by Thangam |
| Produced by | Elred Kumar |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | R. Velraj |
| Edited by | R. Ramar |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Red Giant Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes[2] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | est. ₹40 crore[3] |
| Box office | est. ₹61.50 crore[4] |
Viduthalai Part 1 (transl. Liberation Part 1) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language period political crime thriller film directed and co-produced by Vetrimaaran under Grass Root Film Company and RS Infotainment. It is the first of a two-part adaptation of the short story Thunaivan (transl. Companion) by Jeyamohan. Set in 1987, the film follows a police constable, who is recruited to arrest the leader of a separatist group. The ensemble cast includes Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel, Saravana Subbiah, Chetan, Munnar Ramesh, and Pavel Navageethan.
Viduthalai was originally announced as a single film in April 2021, with principal photography already having commenced in December 2020. However, it was later announced to be released in two parts. It was predominantly shot in Chengalpattu, with the first part's portions wrapping by late December 2022. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, cinematography handled by R. Velraj and editing by R. Ramar.
Viduthalai released on 31 March 2023 in theatres receiving critical acclaim and became a commercial success at the box office. A direct sequel titled Viduthalai Part 2 was released in 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
toi.2013.03.20was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Vetri Maaran's directorial 'Viduthalai 1' gets censored; run time revealed". The Times of India. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
... the film will have a run time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- ^ "Vetri Maaran to film an expensive train action sequence for 'Viduthalai'". The Times of India. 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Viduthalai Part 2 Final Worldwide Box Office: Vijay Sethupathi and Soori's movie ends run with below average Rs 63 crore gross". PINKVILLA. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.