Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) Movie Ending Explained: What Happens to Perumal?

Sometimes people join something bigger to make a difference and help others, but along the way, things make them question their choices. That’s exactly what happens to Kumaresan, the protagonist of Vetrimaran’s “Viduthalai Part 1” (2023). Kumaresan signs up for the police force and is assigned to a task force hunting down a local activist. But as the investigation takes flight, he starts having second thoughts. Watching the brutal side of the system that involves police beating and even killing villagers in the name of interrogations shakes his faith in his profession. He finds himself at a tough moral crossroads that forces him to rethink everything.

Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

What is the Tamil People’s Army, and Why is the Government After Them?

“Viduthalai Part I” explores the clash between the Tamil People’s Army and the State Government of Tamil Nadu. The film starts with a monologue about the Tamil People’s Army, an armed rebellion led by Perumal fighting against the state government, mostly active in poverty-stricken and underdeveloped areas. Their violence and threats kept companies away, forcing factories to shut down and pushing these villages even further behind on the development ladder. A couple of years ago, the government struck a deal with a private mining company, giving them the green light to extract minerals from the mountains in the Arumpuri district. As part of the deal, the company promised 10,000 jobs to boost the livelihoods of the locals and bring some much-needed progress to the region.

The People’s Army opposed the mining deal outright, sparking an ongoing battle with the government. Both sides faced heavy losses, but nothing really came of it. To tighten their grip, the police set up a training camp in the village and installed dozens of checkpoints, making it nearly impossible for the People’s Army and the villagers to move around freely. Over time, this cut down their influence in the area. Once the government felt confident that the rebels were no longer a threat, they gave the mining project the go-ahead.

At the start of the film, we see a horrific train derailment caused by an explosion, leaving many dead. The government wastes no time pointing fingers, blaming the People’s Army after a poster claiming responsibility is found nearby. The next day, at a press conference, the government announces that the People’s Army and its leader, Perumal who’s never even been photographed are behind the attack. They also reveal a new mission called “Operation Ghost Hunt,” aimed at capturing or eliminating Perumal and his supporters.

Who is Kumaresan?

Kumaresan joins E Company as a driver after the People’s Army shot his predecessor. Unlike the last driver, Kumaresan is not a rookie and has sample experience in handling trucks on hilly terrains. On his first day, he’s given a rundown of the dozen or so checkpoints that control every entry and exit from the village. It’s clear the entire place is on lockdown. E Company keeps a close eye on everyone coming or going. Security’s so tight that outsiders aren’t even allowed to stay overnight, just in case they might join the People’s Army.

Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) — A still from “Viduthalai Part 1” (2023)

Kumaresan is a kind-hearted man who believes that everyone owes a little help to others when they need it. On his first day, he helps an old woman who was attacked by a bear, getting her to the hospital in time. However, instead of getting a pat on the back, he’s slapped by his superior officer and put on punishment duty. He is asked to wash clothes and clean toilets until he is told otherwise. Kumaresan is told he will be relieved of the punishment if he apologizes, but he refuses to say sorry for saving someone’s life. His refusal earns him even more chores, but he powers through every task without a word. Amid all this, he starts falling for a village girl named Paapa, the granddaughter of the old woman he saved on his first day in the mountains.

Why did Kumaresan Start to Lose His Faith in His Profession?

After a policeman is killed during a transfer, the police launch a full-scale manhunt to track down anyone linked to the People’s Army. Sunil Menon, a city officer, is put in charge of “Operation Ghost” and sent to Arumapuri to capture Perumal, the elusive leader, and his crew. Within weeks, the police round up over 100 locals and even manage to create a sketch of Perumal, aka the Ghost. When Kumaresan claims to have seen him, the People’s Army decides he’s a threat and tries to eliminate him. Luckily, Kumaresan survives the attempt. But what Kumaresan witnesses in the days that follow shakes him. The police, under the guise of interrogation, capture anyone they want. They beat people senseless, rip out their nails, and leave humanity at the door.

When some of the captives try to escape, they’re shot on the spot and framed as terrorists working for Perumal. While the police see Perumal as a criminal, the villagers see him as their leader and protector. For them, Perumal is standing up against the injustice done in the name of law and development. In the following weeks, Sunil Menon gives his officers a free hand to eliminate anyone they even suspect of being connected to the People’s Army. Hundreds are dragged from their homes and killed. Some had ties to the movement, but many were innocent, their deaths ignored as “collateral damage” or a “necessary evil.” Even Paapa’s grandmother falls victim to police brutality and loses her life. The crackdown plagues multiple villages, and many women, elders, and children, are detained. When they refuse to speak, they’re beaten.