Political satires usually lay bare the dirty goings-on in our politics through an individual who exploits the system and then fixes it after undergoing a change of heart. In Sattappadi Kutram, the people who cleanse the system are outside it, which makes it a political satire/social vigilante film. While its too simplistic and over-the-top to be taken seriously or generate a reaction, its subject matter and idealistic outlook keeps it entertaining.

Chandrabose(Satyaraj) is forming his own army, comprised of youngsters, deep in the forest. Thangaraj(Vikranth), who was grabbed just before he was hanged for killing 2 politicians, Poorani, who was raped by a fake godman, and Surya(Harish Kalyan), whose life was destroyed by his girlfriend's father, a cop, are his latest recruits. The group kidnaps important figures from politics, bureaucracy, police and judiciary and Chandrabose then puts into motion his plan to eliminate corruption.

Like most political satires in Tamil cinema, Sattappadi Kutram also completely abandons subtlety in its approach. Whether it is showcasing the greediness of the politicians, the helplessness of the bureaucracy and the judiciary or the corruption in the police force, it depicts everything in extreme fashion. Since none of this is actually news to us, this approach prevents it from being hard-hitting and makes it a borderline spoof.

With generic corrupt politicians, fake godmen and idealistic fighters, the film initially doesn't appear to take any sides. But it doesn't take long to figure out who director SAC is targeting. As an ex-minister is arrested for stealing and hiding hundreds of crores from a scam and Radharavi applauds Satyaraj's speech by saying "Indha speech JJ-nu irukku. Inimel Thamizhnaattukku vidivu kaalam dhaan", it is pretty clear, even for those who haven't been following politics, which side of the political divide SAC is on. But surprisingly, he steers clear of pointing fingers at Karunanidhi, adding a scene where the reel CM blames his family and partymen for the results of his schemes not reaching the people.

Once Satyaraj puts his plan into action, the film begins to resemble a Shankar film except for the fact that here it is a man leading an army while Shankar's social vigilante films usually feature the hero as a one-man army. As before, the fight against corruption is also shown in amateurish, simplistic fashion. Satyaraj's plan is far-fetched and the results of implementing it are unrealistic. Still, the usual pleasure one gets on seeing society get cleaned up, people's lives improve and the bad guys get their dues helps overlook the amateurishness in the goings-on.

With his long hair, goggles, cap and cigar, Satyaraj looks the part of the revolutionary looking to bring about a change. His forceful dialog delivery manages to make his speeches convincing too. Vikranth, Harish, Banu and the other youngsters are adequate. Director A.Venkatesh, the store manager in Angaadi Theru, plays the most corrupt and incorrigible of the politicians and does a good job. Vijay Antony remixes Oomai Vizhigal's Raathiri Nerathu... for a catchy number. Edhedho... is also a good number that is nicely sung with minimal orchestration.