Tour guide not very well inform or don't bother. There is a direct view and near the waterfall (I think across a bridge) but the tour guide took us to this side view which is not much of a view and earlier a frontal view that is so far away that the waterfall looks small.
If you want to go to Athirapally remember, arrange with the tour company to make sure that you get a frontal view on the bridge.
You know I have been to many tours and get pretty tired of tour and tour guides and drivers trying to take you for a ride - more concern about their commission then the tourists welfare.