Por Thozhil (The Art of War) is an Indian Tamil drama that hit screens in 2023 and received positive reviews from critics and audiences. Directed by Vignesh Raja, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Ashok Selvan, R. Sarathkumar, Nikhila Vimal, and Sarath Babu.
Por Thozhil follows the investigation of a sequence of murders in Trichy, where the victims are gagged and bound meticulously. Assuming the work of a serial killer, local police seek aid from the Crime Branch in Chennai, prompting the newly appointed DSP Prakash to team up with seasoned officer Loganathan. Their team also includes Veena, a knowledgeable and dedicated officer.
Despite their earnest efforts, the investigation leads proved evasive, and the killer’s actions escalated, targeting individuals associated with law enforcement. The team faces personal harm when one of the local police officers’ daughters becomes a victim. As a case remains unsolved, Loganathan started digging historical case files for potential connections.
A breakthrough arises when Prakash determines similarities in the trauma inflicted on the victims’ collar bones, prompting an exploration into noiseless vital strikes. Via library records, he identified that Kennedy had written a book on critical strikes. This leads to Kennedy being a potential suspect. Moreover, Loganathan’s meeting with Kennedy’s son raises distrust, as Kennedy’s strange behavior suggests possible guilt.
With Kennedy as their prime suspect, the team begins to gather evidence against him. Prakash’s investigation signs towards Kennedy’s residence, where he discovers a secret room. Eventually, Loganathan recovered a collection of photographs of victims from the 1970s. This chilling revelation confirms Kennedy’s involvement in murders.
Por Thozhil ending: Who is the real killer?
The investigation takes a surprising turn when Kennedy discloses that he had committed the crime under the impact of psychological trauma due to his father’s abuse. Therefore, he aims to see his father’s failure in enforcing the law and maintaining peace. Moreover, Kennedy discloses that he committed recent murders under the coercion of an individual. After revealing the truth, Kennedy kills himself to make sure his son does not learn of his family’s problematic past.
In Por Thozhil, the killer is ultimately revealed to be a teacher at the local NGO, confirming the dread held by Loganathan and Prakash from the outset of the investigation. However, the film’s story lacks clarity, as the killer’s name is inexplicably omitted, and crucial details surrounding his motives and mental state are left vague.
Prakash, with his skills, not only locates the killer but also predicts his next victim, who happens to be a local celebrity. The film hints at possible schizophrenia, suggesting the killer’s mental instability. The climax takes a dramatic bend when they recognize they were wrong about the killer’s next victim, who turns out to be Veena.
Prakash takes a crucial step to rescue Veena and kills the culprit because the man is unstoppable. This turn of events serves as Prakash’s character arc, as he overcomes his initial fears and takes charge of resolving the case.
The film ends with the lead characters healing from their injuries. Meanwhile, Por Thozil ends with a message of reprieve and the hope for a brighter future.
