First look of Pa Ranjith’s Vettuvam launched at Cannes Film Festival

The

first look

poster of director

Pa Ranjith

’s upcoming directorial

Vettuvam

(The Hunted) was launched in

Cannes

on Thursday. The project is a unique proposition of a linked film and series on a rural gangster.

A press statement released by the makers read, "Being the one of the most distinct voices in the current generation of Indian filmmakers today, Ranjith’s cinematic expression is an embodiment of neglected histories and untold stories from the oppressed communities in India. His cinema is a pioneer of the ongoing

Dalit

cultural movement in India that echoes with the Black Lives Matter movement. His films carry the belief of people telling their own stories in their own voice while challenging the status quo."

The story of the film, the press release informed, revolves a notorious rural gangster

Cholan

, a modern-day

Robin Hood

to his people, who rises to rule in the

Ponni

region.

"Cholan is a leader of his people, who stands against oppression, and kills those who cause it. While Cholan develops a trail of rivals who want him dead, he surrenders to the law enforcement for protection. Flipping the script on heroes and villains, the film, which comes first, traverses the last few months of his life in prison following the climactic end of his life. In a classic David vs Goliath tale, the law enforcement with all its might ties up with Cholan’s enemies to kill him. With the character at the zenith of his power, the series will portray the making of the Ponni King. Set out to be a pulsating drama, Vettuvam is the story of how powerful people wage wars and win them," it revealed.

The film is set to go into production later this year in 2022 with a release planned for 2023.

The poster, a hand-painted artwork, represents the dichotomy of power, the delicate balance where in a moment the hunter can become the hunted. To stay on top, the powerful must be in a state of perpetual war, lest the dynamic should flip in the blink of an eye. No war ends, only the names of victor and vanquish change.

The poster was launched in the presence of producers Abhayanand Singh, Piiyush Singh, and Ashwini Choudhary along with Aditi Anand.

Following the launch, Ranjith expressed, “The film is the story of an ordinary daily-wage labourer’s rise to a position of power. While Cholan has no choice but to duel his powerful rivals, the conflict garners him both enemies and supporters. He may have the protection he needs but his existence is also in question. When his rivals are unable to bring him down, they turn to the higher powers of the state that warrant his downfall. The deeper question that this film tackles is the question of power and how, historically, the power-bearers have ensured that inferiority prevails and people remain pushed to margins. I am super excited to do this project with

Neelam Studios

and Golden Ratio films. I’m sure we will be working on some really exciting projects with this collaboration.”