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Vellai Pookal () is a 2019 Indian-American Tamil language neo-noir crime thriller film directed by newcomer Vivek Elangovan. The film stars Vivekh, Charle, Pooja Devariya, Dev and Paige Henderson. The film was released on 19 April 2019.
Rudhran and Ajay have a strained relationship because Ajay married his lover against Rudhran's wishes. However, they attempt to reconcile during Rudhran's visit. Rudhran becomes entangled in a series of strange events involving his new neighbours. When one of them goes missing, Rudhran's instincts as a former police officer kick in, leading him to investigate secretly. He discovers that a young boy named Carlos also disappears. The neighbours stereotypically blame certain individuals, including a Pakistani national and a black man, for the kidnappings. However, Rudhran refuses to believe these stereotypes and continues his investigation with the help of Bharathi, a local friend. Along the way, Rudhran learns about Bharathi's daughter Ramya's troubled past, which fuels his determination to solve the case.
When Ajay goes missing, Rudhran finds himself torn between his cop instincts and his role as a father. With suspicions about the black man, Rudhran and Bharathi follow him to a warehouse but get captured. Fortunately, Bharathi had called the police before losing consciousness, saving them. While leaving, Rudhran discovers the body of the first victim, Mona, which adds a new twist to the story.
Back at the precinct, Rudhran and Bharathi realise that someone is trying to divert them from the case, indicating that they are getting closer to the criminal. Rudhran recalls that Ajay went missing on garbage collection day and rushes to the dump, but it proves to be a dead end. After some contemplation, he rushes to Bharathi's house and suspects Ramya and Alice, Ajay's wife, are in danger. He believes that Alice is the small girl from the parallel storyline.
It is revealed that Alice, previously known as Nicole, suffered abuse from her father and sought vengeance as she grew up since he killed her father. So she shot him with a shotgun. She changed her name, became a child care consultant, and targeted those who had wronged her. Ajay was the only positive aspect in her life, and they eventually married. She killed Mona because she sexually abused children, and killed Carlos. However, a heated argument between Rudhran and Ajay made Ajay suspicious when he saw Alice's childhood photo in a missing person's report on TV. Ajay witnessed Alice chopping up someone and realised the truth. Alice kidnapped Ajay, and later kidnapped Ramya when she discovered the truck spotted by the garbage collector. In the present, Alice holds Rudhran and Bharathi at gunpoint, but Rudhran manages to escape and confront her. Ajay regains his senses, and Alice surrenders.
The film concludes with the police arriving at the scene. Rudhran emphasises the need to stand against child abuse and allow the Vellai Pookal (dandelions) to bloom freely, symbolising the hope for a better future.
A critic from Ananda Vikatan rated the film 43 out of 100, saying that it was on par with its contemporary hits Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru and Ratsasan. A critic from The Times of India wrote that "Even when it lacks assuredness in terms of form, Vellai Pookal remains sure-footed in its storytelling and keeps us engrossed". A critic from The New Indian Express wrote that "Debutant director Vivek Elangovan has broken the usual stereotypes that you associate with Vivekh and has brought to the fore the actor's seldom explored zones". A critic from Deccan Chronicle wrote that "Nevertheless, Vellai Pookal is a valiant effort by these newcomers. The film is cerebral but with the right amounts of suspense to keep your thoughts going. A film not to be missed!" A critic from The Indian Express wrote that " Vellaipookal never becomes more than the sum of its parts. Honestly, you don't have to be much of a director to make a comedy film work. Whereas in a serious one, you need to have authentic characters, interesting plot developments and actors to root for. Without these, thrillers lose focus and fall flat". A critic from Hindu Tamil Thisai wrote that despite the shortcomings in the film's pace, Vellaipookal gives the experience of watching a quality thriller film".
Awards and nominations
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