Varanam Ayiram (2008)

Varanam Ayiram is straight from heart and not from mind .When you have something to say from your heart you are least bothered about the intelligence and you have to abide by your heart.Some how this high expectation on this movie would let down the movie from being a usual Gautham Menon movie.But truly I respect the intentions of the director to bring out a movie which wants to pay the tribute to his passed “ Daddy “ . But some where the intention of the movie is getting lost .

This is the journey of a man Surya from his childhood boy to a ambitious young man through many phases who was guided by his father Krishnan.The young boy Surya takes inspiration from his Dad and he faces ups and downs in life .He is guided by his dad in all his phases and His Dad remains as his one source of motivation through out.He looses his love Meghala and puts a halt for his life with drugs. He gets rehabilitated and turns a inspiring Military officer and meets Priya .

The movie carries a grim mood through out which makes every body to react for it.It is a emotional movie and there are some very touching scenes which you don’t see it often in a father and son relationship.The movie has a lots of cultured people around and the director wanted to show that with their language because most of the time they converse in English.I don’t want to say it as a unusual style but I am confused how a couple(Surya and Simran ) who were conversing in Tamil in their college days all of a sudden after marriage started conversing in English though they claim that they were living with poverty all along. Some times you see a big logical flaw in the time they have created.They show Kamal’s Sathya release in a theatre when Surya is in school which is actually 1988 when he is roughly 18yrs ,and Ayirathil Oruvan release which is actually 1964 during Father Surya’s college days and in the present day Simran should have been in 70’s if my maths is correct but she looks like 50’s woman.Come on People watch the period of the movie so close if you try to show it as a special thing.

The movie is for Surya and its custom made for him ,I couldn’t take off the eyes from him and I could only see how he stands enormously when comparing with his previous movies.He astonishes with every stage of his life.And some times that has created some problems also.We are shown sometimes with young Surya and Matured Surya during College days which is actually lacking with continuity.If you asked me Father character should have been played by some other actor other than Surya.Because we get the feel of Suryamania every where in the movie like Dasavatharam though its only two roles.Sameera Reddy swept the heart for some time with her smile though she is not a great actress her character was likeable.Simran with a intense role and Ramya with a very serious role had done their part.Songs from Haris Jeyaraj and Lyrics from Thamarai has worked magic in the movie.

That was about the movie ,now to the director.Mr.Gautham has a good voice, accepted and people are aware of his voice but it doesn’t mean his voice has to appear in many parts of movie for different characters and in some parts Surya sings in Gautham’s voice.It looks rubbish actually.He wanted a difference to portray his emotions which has actually sacrificed the pace. But it is needed for the audience to observe what he is trying to say.He never gave moments of joy as it was all emotional journey except Surya and Sameera love which was very short lived.The narration of the movie is really disturbing and it hasn’t worked for the movie though it might work as a book.I didn’t get the feel of watching a movie for the first forty five minutes as it was shown in bits and pieces with out sticking to any style.It never left the audience with any expectations as the story was very much exposed in the beginning.But I could see Gautham taking some inspiration from his real life instances which were very close to reality.Good portrayal of a caring and inspiring Dad.The magic of his dialogues has lost its flavour.He lost his belief in Tamil I believe.

If you ask me this is one movie which Gautham has tried of his own of not taking any cut ,copy works from Hollywood which is left to the audience to rate his skill.Its a emoting movie but with many many flaws and snail pace which is actually making difficult to stay for three hours.Varanam Ayiram is touching for the intentions but disappointing as a movie.

Rating : ** 1/2