Vellakuthira presents a modest rural drama centred on Kathir, a man whose greed repeatedly disrupts his family’s stability. After a violent incident forces him to flee the city, Kathir, along with his wife Kayal and their son, returns to their remote hill village. Hoping for a quieter life, the family settles with relatives, but Kathir soon finds himself tempted again when he discovers a locally made herbal drink with commercial potential. As he pursues profit, parallel tensions emerge in the village, where the former headman attempts to exploit the land and displace the people for tourism development. Kayal becomes aware of this scheme and tries to counter it, setting up the film’s central conflict involving trust, survival, and the consequences of ambition.
The film establishes the harsh living conditions of the hill village and lays out the family’s struggles. While the setup is solid, portions of the first half move at a measured pace, focusing heavily on atmosphere rather than narrative drive. The second half gains some momentum as Kathir’s actions collide with the villagers’ fight against exploitation. Though the screenplay aims for suspense, certain developments feel familiar. Still, the core emotional beats land reasonably well.
Harish Ori is a convincing fit as Kathir, effectively portraying a man torn between desperation and flawed intentions. Abirami Bose delivers a restrained, grounded performance as his wife. The supporting cast made up of both known and new faces portrays the hill community with natural ease.
Bharath Asigavan’s background score is understated yet effective. Ram Dev’s cinematography captures the terrain without artificial lighting, giving the visuals a raw, unpolished charm. Editors Pradeep and Saranraj Senthilkumar (also the director) maintain coherence despite the film unfolding mostly in limited locations.
Vellakuthira attempts to blend rural issues with a commercial edge. While not all elements click seamlessly, the film offers an earnest take on greed, survival, and village resilience.