First of all its a Gautham Menon film,lot of ups and downs,twist and turns yet its totally different from all the other movies its a Masterpiece given by him,the story deals with a simple relationship between father and son,but said in a extraordinary way. Its a visual treat for audience gave by Surya and Sameera Reddy on one half- The brighter part of the film deals with the childhood days with his dad and most beautiful part of the film his love with Megnha ,and the movie turns dark when Megnha dies,and Surya goes mad couldn't bare her loss,he goes on 2 drugs,then once again his hero-Dad comes in his life changes everything around him,turns his negatives into positives creating him a major in the Indian ARMY.The best of the film are is memories with his father...THANK u Gautham Menon for giving this film its not just a film its a fragment of my heart..
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vulcan_ice12 January 2009
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arundathi31 December 2008This movie was well made with nice melodious songs. What I really like about this movie was that it showed how fathers are important as well. Most movies always talk about mother as the motivation and somehow portray the dad as military style attitude or just thrown in for show but this movie was all about a dad's motivation, a dad who was living and compassionate. As for the actors: They really created magic with this movie. Surya was amazing. He really dug into the characters' role equally. His expressions and flawless Hindi and Tamil made this movie very enjoyable as well as his dual role. His attitude kept changing so it held the audience's eyes. Sameera Reddy was also wonderful. Despite the limited screen time, she really made a strong impact. Simran was also great. It has been a long time since I have seen her and her presence made the movie pleasant. Divya Spandana was not bad at all. I felt that she was thrown in but there needed to be something to make the movie going. The songs were very nice and melodious. Although it was not very fast paced, the creative sounds made it worthwhile. Only negative thought: I really wished that there were subtitles so that we could understand what Hindi words were spoken. Overall, this movie had a little bit of everything: love, violence, adventure, music and it is a definite must watch.
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ram_dhanush15 November 2008Gautham's Vaaaranam Aayiram may not be a masterpiece in overall, but the very fact the film dishes out few of the most momentous scenes i have ever seen in cinema justifies this rating. The film may appear slow for some, especially those who are yet to experience the lost of a loved one, or those who are yet to fall in love. Vaaranam Aayiram is about the strength of love and memories, how important they are in your life, even if your loved ones depart. The film is in no way a remake of Forest Gump and was not even for a moment intended to be so. It is rather inspired by Gautham's real life events and observations. Some of the scenes in VA are truly momentous, send a chill down the spine for any romantics. I can't remember San Francisco being shown to be so beautiful in Hollywood movies even, especially when Meghna (Sameera Reddy) confesses her feelings for Surya (Junior Surya) at the backdrop of the bridge while he is playing with a toy helicopter. Masterstroke. The scene where Surya calls his parents and cries uncontrollably about Meghna's death is certainly one of the most moving scenes ever in Tamil cinema, i can almost feel the same pain that the character feels at that time. Gautham directs the movie superbly in parts and complacently in parts, but Surya is the order of the day, as his performance as both father and son keeps the movie going, even in the parts where Gautham obviously could have done better. As a doting grandfather unable to tell stories to his grandchild, as a cancer patient meeting his end days, as a young man who is head over heels in love, as a naughty college student, as a lover struggling to get over his lover's death, a young man who's life taken over by drugs, as a man searching for himself in the mountains, as the re-discovered man who saves an abducted child, as a major, and as a son who struggles to see his daddy's sufferings, Surya is a class act in this movie. Simran too is fantastic, and this might well be her comeback card. Sameera Reddy leaves an impact in your heart that she remains etched even after the character is killed, and even makes you long for her presence. Divya Spandana does a decent job, but doesn't overshadow the impact of Sameera's character, she basically underplays her character. This is something for the personal collection.
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Vaaranam Aayiram--itz Surya all the way...He roxx to the core....What a versatility he gave to the different phases of his character... As a teenager, lover, loser, commando, aged man his performance is top class...His body language and voice modulation all are excellent...I can say..now he is in big league with the finest actors of our country...
Coming to the film....itz an autobiographical one...so we cant blame the pace of the movie...Even though the narration is racy in first half. In second half there are lot of incidents...(transition from a loser to a good individual..) Surya-Sameera reddy love track is minty cool..n Surya-Divya track is also OK...Then the Delhi episode...IMO itz a refreshing idea frm Goutham..(To overcome the loss of tragic event in Hero's life..)Someone may not agree that...After that the army scenes...surya really looks like an army man...And the final dialogue from simran is also touching...
Performancewise Surya...His career best performance till date....Next comes Simran...Matured performance ..Both Sameera and Divya are apt for the roles...No gimmicks in Cinematography and Editing...BGM and music is beautifully synchronised with the mood of the film....
If you are looking for a masala entertainer, then stay away from here...
Overall, itz a must watch .... -
lingamanenijaswanth2 March 2021Friend: Is it a Love story? Me: No! Friend: Is it an action movie? Me: No! Friend: Is it a Horror movie? Me: No! Is it a conspiracy movie? Me: No! Friend: Then why is the movie so rated? Me: 1. Living relationship 2. Traveling to find oneself 3. Discovering oneself 4. Pre martial sex 5. Moving on with life 6. Cool parenting 7. Letting children live on their own terms 8. Giving them right amount of freedom 9. Talking to children about their life 10. Giving them letting privacy 11. Passionate about their career 12. Can girls propose first? Ofcourse, they can! 13. MOST IMPORTANT FATHER - SON DUO RELATIONSHIP
I have seen a number of movies, but none of them is like this one. Am sure, none of this decade or upcoming movies could be like this one. Hope, this movie exists forever. Watching this movie is like finding 'The Best In Quintillion'.
Story writer has shown an entire life story of Surya and Krishnan in a single movie. This movie is dedicated to every father son duo.
Story beautifully depicts an ideal relationship between father and son. I can feel my dad's presence in Krishnan's role. Love you Dad 💝.
Background music is so charming, it drags feelings out of us. -
niralji6 December 2008From the first scene to the very last bit, everything was well crafted in excellence. The real magic in this movie is definitely Surya's acting. At first I was wondering why is he casted again as a double role acting, he has done that several times like the one in Vel. However, I was amazed at his abilities in creating distinctive traits to each of these character; the father and son. You would find his fatherly acting is similar to the late Raghuvaran, another great actor. Despite being involved in two roles, he managed to create different personalities as he grew up as a child to adulthood. In short, you don't need to create 10 characters (rings the bell) to portray your talents in acting, the important things is to be the role itself and how the audiences are impacted.
The songs are superb. Plainly one of Harris Jeyaraj's classics after Minnale. It is a disappointment that Gautham and Harris have ended their ties, as their duo seem to come up with masterpieces. Not forgetting cinematography, you don't get much of boring static shots; it's either dramatic, or simply keeps you wanting to know more about the next scene.
Though a little draggy ( the flaw ) , overall this a Tamil movie you shouldn't miss. Every single character has brought out their role well, Simran as Surya's mum played her character too neatly and well, leaving you praising her performance at the end of the movie.
After watching this movie, it won't really leave you for a few days most a week. That much impact.
Watch it, you may find the usual Tamil movie clichés, but it will leave you satisfied as you step out the theater or living room. -
thana162 December 2008This is the kinda movie that you don't mind watching again and again. It's just one a kind. And these are the kinda movies which would bring our entire Tamil cinema to the next level. I walked out of the cinema telling myself, that I had just watched a beautiful Tamil movie. Everything was beautiful about the movie. Surya, to start off with as the father and son duo.. He was just simply awesome. He carried himself so well and at every point he marked his signature. Simran to being with, played her role beautifully and with much demure. It was really nice to see Simran acting again and yeah dancing on screen. I just so missed her absence. Loved the way how Gautham has used her in this movie. Sameera and Divya were both at the best and no one can say they are mediocre performers or just plain dumb blonds after this movie. They played their roles up to perfection and left a lasting impression in our minds. All the songs were beautiful and in particular I loved the "Anjala" song, I never knew it was such a sad song until I watched the movie. On the overall its a movie for all the wonderful fathers in the world.. Its a dedication to all those loving daddies.. A real lovely movie for all! Dun miss it!
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madhesh198825 November 2008Now all the movies in Tamil is fully action oriented film and all of the actors are stuck with that one, this movie is for the persons who are tired watching those films. This is a visual treat for audience gave by Surya and Sameera Reddy. It is very sad to see Sameera Reddy dying at a blast and Surya's song after retuning to Chennai is mixture of both folk and western which is an audio and visual treat. Harris Jeyaraj has given his best in music, it is the tougher job for both cameraman and director to give the visuals as best as possible. But they did it very correctly. Especially 'Adiye Kolluthey' is getting a new and fresh look on San Francisco, no one showed both the city and Surya and sameera reddy as beautiful this. Hats off for Cinematographer Rathnavelu 'Ava Enna' song proves that Surya can dance good when he gets a good choreographer, and finally 'Nenjukkul' song is a pure visual treat. The story is more sentimental in most of the situations, I think no one can do the role better than Surya in this movie, but Divya can be given more chance to act, her presence made to less by the beauty and importance of role given to Sameera Reddy. The father and son relationship can be showed more deeply than this, because it has chosen a plot of romantic sentiment film. On the whole term this movie is best to watch Surya for his performance and Sammera Reddy for her beauty.
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sudhakaranakhilan22 November 2017"Whatever happens life has to go on " an important phrase in the film Vaaram Aayiram written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film is about a Father- Son relationship where Suriya (the protagonist) organize all his memories at the moment when he is on a mission (an army mission) while he heard about the demise of his father. Suriya went back through the times which he had spent with his father. It also welcomes you into the world of love; the eternity and divinity of that wonderful feeling.
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'Vaaranam Aayiram' tells the story about the life journey of a son who is positively motivated by his father and how he goes through emotions like love,passion,success and failure and how he is driven to search for himself in this challenging world..... the movie seems to have lot of similarities with the Tom Hanks starring Hollywood movie 'Forrest Gump' which is definitely and obviously a better version of 'Vaaranam Aayiram'....but,it is definitely considered as a very good attempt from the viewpoint of Tamil cinema as the music and cinematography of the movie takes Tamil cinema to the next level.....Surya's performance in the dual role as both father and son is mind blowing as he has delivered a complete performance.....Gautham Menon's smart direction, Harris Jayaraj's superb songs and background scores,Rathnavelu's brilliant cinematography are giant pillars carrying the movie in their shoulders.....a great story about the relationship between a father and a son.....'Vaaranam Aayiram' could have been more of a classic if the makers could have avoided compromise in certain aspects of the movie.....
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shen_V516 November 2008I have never reviewed a film on IMDb before, but Varnam Ayiurm deserves some special recognition. I was absolutely enthralled from beginning to end. Varanam Ayiurm is loosely based on Tom Hank's Forest Gump, as Surya travels the world and undertakes different adventures to find and secure his love. Of course his path is full of twists and turns that push him to his mental and physical extremes.
This story is beautifully displayed through breathtaking cinematography. Each scene was shot with care and diligence which makes a modest budget film, look like a billion bucks. Glad to see that the money was well used instead of ravishing over gold necklaces and over-the-top song sequences like Sankar's Shivagi and Annyian. Surya's is at the top of his game with another riveting performance. He is definitely one of the best in the business!
The one criticism I do have about this movie;this might sound weird, but I believe the movie was hampered in its feel and realism with the overuse of the English language. The English words drained passion from the dialogue, especially the "I made love to her...Daddy" line. What was supposed to be a very emotional moment almost made me laugh! Other than that, this movie is a 10/10 in my books and a definite must see to all movie goers! -
hariohm17 November 2008Even though Menon is a mediocre director who always tries to app the last English movie he has seen, this one is very bad. The joke is they thought they will show a boys evolution into man and did not have a good scene to show a brilliant actor a Surya a boy or as a man. He does not finish collage but makes enough money to build a house, finish off all the debts and fly to America and live in there for 90 days. I know in Tamil movies we don't make logical or cerebral movies but this is beyond Tamil movie formula(it is worse than what Vikraman dishes out ever 2 years). They are poor and live a house better than any who went to see the movie. He takes a road trip which is the English movie inspiration and goes to Simla, Delhi and solves a crime- that is rich and original. Surya plays a duel role like in Vikraman movies and the sad part is Surya tries to make a mediocre screen play into a Balas movie and he must understand Menon is a run of the mill Tamil movie director. The worst Surya movie, worse than the old movies he made before he learn t to act.
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WothaDei22 November 2008Disappointing. The movie has its heart in the right place, yet it fails to strike a chord with ours. I enjoyed the first half but by the time the movie ends it all seemed vague and distant. I definitely wont agree with people who say that past intermission it was boring. For me, the whole movie failed. Remember tat wonderful scene from 'The Godfather' between Pacino and Marlon Brando before the latter dies? Had there been one scene in the movie like that it would have saved it. The scene where Surya does all the 'Bourne' stuff in New Delhi was not required one bit. Simran looked old when she was supposed to look young and vice-versa. Both Sameera & Divya were very pretty. Surya deserves special mention here for his acting, which was quite good. Harris's music as always was outstanding. But on the whole this movie just didn't work for me. P.S. Just give it a try. At least for Suriya.
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bekarthieee19 November 2008may be many of your friends may say it is a good movie.....That is Even your good friend will lie ..... This movie is simply wasting the extraordinary potentials of Surya. He is crying so much for Sameera reddy death rather then his fathers. Spotting Black images with every single shot simply irritating the audience. Harris Rocks!!!! as useful...... After interval i don't know why he is going to Kashmir?? and Why he is joining Army??.And one thing i can't digest is in the second half Surya tries to show his 6 packs by not wearing shirts is too much.. I know He is working hard but these kinds of commercials are not needed for this kind of dramas.Anyway Big applause to camera man becoz he struggled to show surya to match sameera's height.OK whatever it is.... if you can't sleep in your home just go for this movie.
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sharkyths16 November 2008this movie to start with a pleasant,very lovable story where director played a awesome role in guiding Surya in 2 type of character.a father and a son..every scene in the movie is very good and sensible n touched my heart...a very gripping movie.to tell about songs all songs are A-class(superb).i went to movie without expectation,for me its a very good movie and for all kind of age.i recommend yo to watch if yo really want to enjoy the essence of life,Father son relationship.every scene in this movie really related my life. taught me something to carry on to the future. i have seen many movies and remembered many things but the impact this movie gave to me was uncompromisable screenplay was very good heroine played their role in a decent way.
OVERALL 10/10 -
a_shyam415 December 2008"Vaaranam Aayiram" is a true and an honest attempt at making a realistic and meaningful Tamil film. The screenplay revolves around the most famous middle class in the world conversing in fluent English and it has all the elements that are most common within this group; studying MS in USA for instance. The direction is outstanding in some places and mostly good at other times. Gautam's conception of the Train scenes between Surya and Sameera Reddy is extremely refreshing. Harris Jeyaraj's music is of utmost quality, especially in the "Adiye Kolluthey" and "Nenjukkul Peidhidum" songs and that is evident from the fact that "Adiye Kolluthey" song was the first Tamil song to be played on V Channel.
Simran is perfect as a charming girl from the 70's and very gracious and respectable mother of the 90's. Sameera Reddy shows a lot of signs of good acting skills in addition to the oomph factor. Divya comes across as a very sensible lady expressing her thoughts with subtle emotions. The art director shows his brilliance when he brings to life the streets of 70's and 90's and the beauty of San Francisco bridge.
The actor, who eclipses everybody else with ease including the director, is Surya. Nobody would believe if he is the same actor after watching him in "Nerukku Ner" in 1998. He is growing by leaps and bounds in every movie and stands now as one of the real acting talents of the current generation in line with Vikram. He is extremely honorable as a father (except for some makeup goof-ups) and a truly pitiable young man having lost the love of his life. Not many actors can transform themselves completely to look like a teenager in such an incredibly realistic manner. Not stopping there, Surya has also taken extreme measures to build six packs and look like an Army Major that would even make some of the real military personnel feel ashamed. His dedication and acting abilities seem to be a serious contender for Kamal's ingenious work seen recently in Dasavathaaram. -
rajesh-scorpi15 November 2008What a film ! Went to see this flick today morning at 8:30 @ Abirami - Chennai and was drawn in to it from the first scene ! What a film !! WOW! Gowtham Vasudev Menon had certainly gone to the next level. Every shot, every scene is like a wonderfully carved out statue or a beautifully written poem. This is how the incidents will unfold in a normal family. There is absolutely NO exaggeration whatsoever and it has a lot for the ordinary masala genre (Vijay, Ajith, perarasu, Hari sort of guys) to learn. Guys - this is the new age Tamil film, for the international world.
The direction is flawless. The screenplay is clever. The dialogs are natural and short. For the first time, I noticed (rather, heard) Harris Jeyaraj doing a commendable job at the background score. Usually, he tends to be jarring, but here, he has subtly underplayed. Especially, the 'anal mele' whistle which comes mostly during the last 45 minutes or something. Well done Harris! Simran - has given a good performance. Samira reddy - Surprise ! She acts well! All credit goes to Gowtham menon. Divya Spandana too, has rendered a nice performance. Well, guys - U've guessed it rite. Whatever I point out in this movie tend to be great!
Surya ! Dude - you've certainly matured to be a fantastic actor. I don't like to compare Surya with Kamal or anyone, but he is spontaneous. Be it the school kid, or the middle aged father, or the young son, or the drunkard, or the military officer or the old ailing father - he is juz marvelous! I was amazed when he came out as a school kid in this movie. Well, how many guyz can do it, that too, he and Vijay are of the same age! Imagine any other actor doing the school boy role . . . People would've smacked him ! I'm giving ten out of ten for this great film - both hands raised! I'm gonna see it again shortly :) . .
To summarize, this is one of the great films I have seen this year! Hats off to Gowtham Menon for making Vaaranam Aayiram - his best so far (according to me)! -
leabi_imh12 April 2011This movie is definitely a justified triumph for Surya and Gautham Menon. The whole movie doesn't drag AT ALL except A BIT in the last. Sameera looks really pretty with the work of the make up artists. The Camera Men also have worked extremely hard and hats off to Aascar films for producing this film. But the main part of the cast and crew who steal the show Surya and Gautham Menon and Harris Jayaraj whose melodies and rock are worth their weight in Gold. The songs, Adiyae Kolluthae and Nenjukkul Peidhidhum are worth listening a hundred times a day and so are Mundhinam and Oh! Shanti. Ana Mene and Ava Enna pictured after Surya loses his love are also excellently made except the background which could have been adjusted. Surya looks so smart in the army uniform and classy too! But Divya Spandana is not pretty at all but I guess this is her best...Other than that, the movie is worth 10 on 10 as a whole........Cheers to everyone!
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rking325926 September 2018This is the greatest movie made in Tamil film industry.
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yogatharani17 November 2020Vaaranam aayiram is one of the best cult flim in Indian cinema. It is not a flim it is an experience. Every youngsters should watch this movie. Life is very beautiful. This flim proves that. My rating 10/10..
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meluhaabhi16 October 2021Basically its not a movie, it is a story.
Movie is full of emotion so if you are going to watch a masala movie than it will disappoint you as it did to me.
Here you will see the strong emotional relation between a father & son but honestly I did not enjoyed just because of voiceover. -
karthik_intel17 November 2008Vaaranam Aayiram is an Amazing Movie and I can't even find words to praise the entire crew for such a marvelous performance in every moment of this film..
The way Surya is acting as a 15 year old Student or a Father role or a Military Major or a College Student is amazing and worthy and he proves that he is a good actor in the Tamil Film Industry.
Sameera is simply superb and performed well. The way she is expressing on seeing Surya's expression in that Train Journey is simply superb. Also the way Surya is proposing to Sameera in that Train is great to watch.
Divya is doing her best. She is somewhat looking too romantic over Surya and that expresses her love on him.
Father Surya is superb. He is exactly resembling an Old man's mannerism. Simran is too good for this Mother Character.
Sameera's proposal of her love to Surya is superb. Overall Vaaranam Aayiram is worthy for Tamil Movie Industry.
Hats off to Gowtham Vasudev Menon, the Director of this movie. I know Gowtham. U paid tribute to your late father. Cameraman Rathnavelu did his best in this movie.. -
subramanian_rect10 January 2009Vaarnam Aayiram, sounds like titled solely for the purpose of tax evasion doesn't live upto the expectations. The only consolation to audience is Surya.He fits perfectly to the dual role though the movie portrays much more of him. There is no wonder for such an excellent performance from the actor considering his acting talent. Simran's expressions could have been much more lively. Sameera has done a neat job in her charming screen-filling role. Divya's role is no more than just another character justified. Overall movie lacks originality with few unwanted English conversations making it look artificial and taking the very essence of emotions supposedly to be shown in few scenes. The romantic sequence between Surya and Sameera leaves a tender impression with few good dialogues. Songs and BGM are ordinary with one pleasing number "Nenjukkul Peidhidum" vocals from Hariharan. Gautam's direction is obvious throughout the movie and this is just another cap to his head without a feather.
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manikandanswetha18 November 2008Even though Menon is a mediocre director who always tries to app the last English movie he has seen, this one is very bad. The joke is they thought they will show a boys evolution into man and did not have a good scene to show a brilliant actor a Surya a boy or as a man. He does not finish collage but makes enough money to build a house, finish off all the debts and fly to America and live in there for 90 days. I know in Tamil movies we don't make logical or cerebral movies but this is beyond Tamil movie formula(it is worse than what Vikraman dishes out ever 2 years). They are poor and live a house better than any who went to see the movie. He takes a road trip which is the English movie inspiration and goes to Simla, Delhi and solves a crime- that is rich and original. Surya plays a duel role like in Vikraman movies and the sad part is Surya tries to make a mediocre screen play into a Balas movie and he must understand Menon is a run of the mill Tamil movie director. The worst Surya movie, worse than the old movies he made before he learn t to act.
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rathish-r200018 November 2008Gautham Vasudev Menon is back with a film straight from the heart. The director, who believes in meaningful cinema, is trying to push the cinematic envelope with Vaaranam Aayiram.
The film is clearly meant for niche audiences, and not for mass viewing. It is a tribute to the director's dad, who passed away last year. The treatment and narration are purely autobiographical with most of it taken from real life incidents laced with cinematic liberties.
In a nutshell, the film is personal and deals with the deep bonding between a loving and devoted father and his son who is trying to discover himself. Menon's life story may be woefully long and meandering with a great first half, but post Interval, it lags. Still it works and grabs us where it matters and leaves a lump in your throat.
The film demands great patience to sit through and is an overdose of emotions. If the film holds on, it is because of its music and superb performance of Surya. On the whole, the film is optimistic, fresh and emotionally honest. But how mature are our audiences, is the million dollar question?