Vaaranam Aayiram - Review

I watched “Vaaranam Aayiram” at the renovated Thanga Regal Theatre in Madurai. I can hardly recollect any old memories of the theatre except for the fact that I watched “King Solomon’s mines” from the balcony reminiscent of Victorian Era.

“Vaaranam Aayiram” is meant as a dedication to his late father by Gautham Menon, the Director. I have very mixed feelings about the movie on a whole. The sum of parts is somewhat below expectations except for some parts (or phases as you might call) that stand up well.

If you want a quick answer, this movie is all about father - son relationship.

Rather than me nitpicking on presentation of the material or anachronisms, I will first tell you the positive aspects of the movie. Definitely, Surya has flexed himself for the character. No wonder Gautham pointed out that Surya is the most versatile actor in the Tamil film industry. Simran does her role in her own style. I just love a matured Simran. It is really unfortunate that women in film industry are not given the required respect and attention that they deserve. I wonder if she was wasted more as a glam doll during her hey-days. The role that Surya plays as a dad is watchable. The calm and composed dad is a welcome change to emotive dads that one usually encounters in movies. Since it forms the fulcrum, it wouldn’t have deserved a lesser treatment.

This movie as parts - reminds me of a mixture of Gautam’s earlier films, “Kaakha Kaakha”, “Minnalae” and “Pachaikili Muthucharam”. One cannot expect a significant maturity in Gautam Menon’s treatment to the material. This is supposed to be a subtle film if I were to believe that Gautam scripted it after the demise of his father. Harris Jeyaraj’s re-recording adds only to the woe. He certainly has to watch how James Vasanthan composed in Subramaniyapuram or even the less known Sundar C Babu of Anjathey. Hey, don’t mistake me. Harris Jeyaraj is known for rehashing his earlier ones as well as rendering ones that mark a tight resemblance with popular music. It is either him or Gautham that believe in adding dramatic background scores to scenes that require subtle treatment. Harris, you should take a break! Seriously! Saying so, I enjoyed your Soundtrack (as in songs, especially “Mundhinam Paarthaenae”, “Aadiyae Kolluthae”).

Gautam appears to me like a person that doesn’t fit in to the overtly emotive type. Many of his rendition of Surya’s encounters (a.k.a romantic pursuit) with Sameera Reddy are utterly amateurish (kinda like the teen love). There is no element of connection that is being communicated to the viewer (reminds me of his amateurish Minnale attempt). Editing of some scenes is brutal (to say the least). This is nothing new to Gautham Menon’s way of story telling. I am not sure if he sits and holds further discussions with his Editors or just blindly hands them over with a free reign.

Gautam’s cinematographers have a fetish for wide-angle lens. It is a well known fact. This film is no exception. In all, I would have expected a more subtle treatment to the subject (close at heart) than the intermittent bursts of enthusiasm, adrenaline and action scenes. You just cannot package-in too many stuff, Gautham!

I would request you to go and watch the film and come to your own conclusion. Like I said, I have mixed feelings. In a nutshell, the essence of “Vaaranam Aayiram” is very similar to “Thavamai Thavamirunthu” (in recent memory) except for the mix of A-center (read: Urban) romance and action sequences.

Conclusion: Surya is *the Director’s man*. The movie lacks the subtlety it deserves and the presentation fails to engross the viewer. Better luck next time, Gautham! Commercially, a tough sell in B and C centers (My alter ego says - heck, who cares?!).

[Added 15th Nov 2008]

A question for Gautham Menon:

What made you to choose UCB (Univ of California at Berkeley) as the Univ of preference for the character, Meghna (Sameera Reddy)? Is it the inspiration from the movie “The Graduate“, where the protagonist (played by) Dustin Hoffman goes to UCB, stalking his love, (played by) Kathrine Ross? I notice a thick resemblance.

Would your answer be? I’m also headed to the Scarborough Fair.