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I’ll remember Vaaranam Ayiram for few reasons:
– it showed drug-related scenes, which I haven’t seen for a long time in Tamil movies. In fact this movie had warnings on anti-smoking, anti-alcohol, and anti-drugs before the movie started. No surprises as one character dies of throat cancer while another nearly spoiled his life due to drugs.
– Super songs and dance moves by Surya. He has come a long way since his Naerukku Naer movie!
I also think that:
1. More youths will take up guitar classes. Its a cool way to win a girl’s heart 🙂
2. You tell your love story and you’ll get visa to USA. 5 years at that too! 😉
The movie was inspired by Forrest Gump, according to director Gautham Vasudev Menon. Its basically about a family in which Surya plays dual role as father (role:Krishnan) and son (named Surya). The opening scene reveals an old Krishnan dying within 10 minutes of the movie. His wife is Simran (role: Malini). This couple has two children – Surya and his younger sister. We see Krishnan dying, while there are shots of Surya in an army helicopter. So, we know that Surya is in the army and is going on a mission. The father’s death is conveyed to Surya, but he proceeds with the mission. The bulk of the movie is series of flashbacks by Surya on his father’s influence in his life.
The first flashback is when Krishnan tells Surya how he fell in love with his mother Malini. The setting were in late 70s, complete with Simran’s 70s hairdo! The way Krishnan promotes his love via others was uninspiring, but still enjoyable and comedic. Just like Subramanipuram, the settings for those scenes were made to look like 70s. “Mundhinam Parthene” song appears here – with classy dance by Surya.
Then more flashbacks on the parents getting married, having kids, kids growing up etc. In every flashback, we see the director instilling Krishnan’s influence in Surya’s life – in a positive, “ideal” father manner. Krishnan even advises Surya not to smoke, while he himself holds a cigarette in one hand. He says this bad habit since school days was hard to let go, and he hopes Surya doesn’t fall into the same trap.
The flashback continues with Surya going to college and basically becoming an average student – loitering around, small fights, flopping exams, and so on. He realises his parents’ sacrifice to educate him (father Krishnan is a government servant, I think). They don’t have much money – borrowing from money lenders, and work on their dream house has been stalled for years. So, Surya scrapes through college final exams and head home (actually he will fail one of the subjects – and resit THREE times!). Now, this is the moment we were all waiting for. Boy meets Girl part – crucial for any movie!. And the director pulled it of superbly until our hearts root for Surya! Why don’t the Girl just say YES!!!!! 🙂
The heroine is none other than 22 year old beauty Sameera Reddy (in her first Tamil movie ). Only problem was her dubbed voice – sounds so “coarse”. She was Meghna – a college student who lives in same town and both of them ended up taking train to balik kampung. The were in opposite berths in the same compartment. One can feel the anxiety, the feeling, the energy, the confusion, the “stars”, the” increased heartbeat” felt by Surya as he fell into the trap of ‘love at first sight”. We identified with the bumbling moves, the crappy dialogue that he utters, the amused look of Meghna. Surya follows his father’s footsteps and declares his love to Meghna. Obviously our Girl is made of sterner stuff. She’s first class student with big ambition. AND she doesn’t believe in this ‘love at first sight’ thing.
This is where the guitar comes in handy. Our Hero strings off a superb song – “En Iniya Pon Nilave”, the classic song. His attempts to justify his love was rejected by Meghna. She said they should spend time to get to know each other. And Surya promises to do just that. He will follow her everywhere and try to woo her. This is then followed by a song “Nenjikkul Peiythidum Maamalai” – lovely song that will haunt you.
Nenjikkul Peithidum Mamalai
Flashback continues as Surya visits Meghna at her home, only to be told that she is leaving for USA to study MSc at California. He pledges to followe her there too. At this point, the first problem appears in Surya’s life – his father Krishnan gets a heart attack. Surya had to settle his family problems and forgets about Meghna. She leaves for US. Surya concentrates on starting a business with his friends, which succeeds (looks mighty convenient to me!). The family house is completed and they move in. Surya still can’t forget his love. He wonders how to leave his family and more importantly, how to travel to US, which so far away. Again, his father Krishnan motivates him. We see Surya managing to get travel visa by telling about his love story. To cut the story short, he ends up at the front door of Meghna’s sorority house, and plays “En iniya pon nilave”. A very surprised Meghna appears. She invites him to stay in the same room – and they roam the city for about 90 days. Some super songs – Adiye Kolluthe. This song see Surya suiting up as Michael Jackson in one of the scenes. I’ll say it was good! At the end, Meghna falls in love with Surya 🙂 Well, kind of expected.
The story continues with Surya and Meghna ending up consummating their love. Next, we see Meghna leaving for Oklahoma to do some research. Surya is to follow by bus while she takes a plane (I think). As Surya reaches Oklahoma and walks towards the building where he is supposed to meet Meghna, a loud explosion is heard. We then see the damaged Alfred Murrah Building – target of the terrorists which real life killed more than 180 people. The building was severely damaged by the truck bomb used.
Surya goes hysterics when he sees a severely injured Meghna being carried into the ambulance. She dies on the way to the hospital. At this point, the cinema became very quiet. 🙁
Surya in inconsolable. He calls his parents and cries his heart out. The scene of him reliving his time with Meghna was very sad. He then flies back to India, meeting a fellow passenger who offers hims sound advice. He reaches home and is consoled by his parents.
After this point, we see Surya life going downhill. He can’t get over Meghna’s loss. He starts smoking, drinking, and finally uses drugs. We see a transformed Surya. At this point, my favorite song “Aval Enna Enna Thedi Vanthe Anjalai” appears. We see Surya dance in his sorrow, asking why such a loss appeared in his life.
Ave Enna Enna Thedi Vanthe Anjalai
Krishnan catches Surya using drugs, and the parents lock him up, forcing withdrawal symptoms. This will be good lesson for audience to stay away from drugs. After sensing that he is becoming better, the parents ask him to travel, to go out and discover himself. Our friend heads to Kashmir! He relaxes there, declines the tempation to use drugs and generally tries to heal himself spritually and mentally. One day, he sees the news on TV – his friend’s (the passenger he met on the way back from US) young son had been kidnapped. Feeling that he should help his friend, Surya heads to Mumbai. There’s he consoles his friend Menon. Realising that the police is not doing much, Surya takes to the streets, mingling with locals to gain information on the kidnapping. We see a dirty, thin, scowl-faced Surya walking around fishing for information. He succeeds in finding the boy, and in that process kills the kidnappers. He returns to the his friends house, and feels rejuvenated. Surya is reborn.
He goes back to his parents home and decides that he wants to join the army. His mother Malini objects, but his father supports. So, off he goes to the army. BTW, he wins an award for rescuing the kid, so probably he managed to enter the army with less questions asked 🙂 This is when Krishnan is diagnosed with throat cancer.
In the mean time, second heroine comes into play. She is none other that Surya’s sister’s best friend Priya (acted by 27 year old Divya). She had known Surya since 8 years old and was secretly in love with him. After hanging out with him for some time, she tells her love, but Surya is non-committal. He then goes off for army training. After some years, Priya comes to visit him, and to get issue an ultimatum. Surya realises that he has fallen in love with her, even though Meghna is still very much in his thoughts. Surya and Priya get married and have a kid.
The last flashback is just few days before Surya leaves for his mission. That was the last time he sees his fahther. End of flashbacks…phew!
The story cuts to the army mission. Surya and his team were to rescue a kidnapped journalist. The are led to the hideout by army spy acted by Gautham Menon himself (yup, the guy with covered face!). Some shooting scenes, and the army manages to rescue the journalist. Surya rushes back to his house. We see the last rites being performed. Malini kept a strong face, and did not break down as her husband’s body is taken away. The last scene shows Surya performing the rituals by the seaside, and as the family walked away, his mother says: “vAraNam Ayiram SUzha valam Seidu”…explaining the naming of the movie. Their father was, is and will be their pillar of strength – strength of a thousand elephants. We then see Krishnan’s ghost watching over his family and walking on….THE END.
The story dragged a lot especially in the beginning, audience were expecting some happy moments – dance, love, comedy etc. The story picks up only when Sameera Reddy appears as Surya has a love interest from that point. The scenes from 70s right up to 2000s were well taken.
I really enjoyed watching Surya and his different hair styles. A bit like Rajini in Sivaji. Surya’s dance moves, expression, and ability to adapt to various roles are plus points. Slowly, Surya is building a name for himself. of course flexing his six-packs too many times doesn’t hurt!
Sameera left a big impression even though she only last half the movie. Her roles was to look good, dress good, and make the audience love her. Not so much dialogue, so it was easier on the ears, for me.
Simran acted a bit strange in this movie. She was not so sad looking after realising husband is dying. She didn’t cry much.
Divya came in the last 30 minutes or so. She dubbed in her own voice, which was a bit coarse as well. She played her role as second heroine and second love for Surya.
Comedy-wise, no specific comedians. Surya held his own.
Songs – simply superb. My favorites are Nenjikkul Peithidum Maamalai” sung by Hariharan, “Ave Enna Enna Thedi Vanthe Anjalai” sung by Karthik, “Munthinam Parthene” by Naresh Iyer, and also “Adiye Kolluthe” by Benny Dayal and Shruti Hassan (Kamal’s daughter).
Cinematography is excellent. The oft-taken San Francisco bridge appears as well in this movie.
Overall, one of the best movies for 2008 due to Surya, the direction, and the songs. It focuses on the influence of a father towards the upbringing of his children. But for me, its on how individuals make their choice to move on. As it said by Krishnan – Life Goes On. The audience were touched by the movie since everyone was quite subdued. No laughing guys, no hoots or catcalls.
Cast: Surya Sivakumar, Simran, Sameera Reddy, Divya
Genre: Drama, Action, Romance
Acting : 8.5/10
Story : 8/10
Special Effects: 7/10
Cinematography: 8.5/10
Overall Oomphness: 8/10
Footnote:
In case you wonder, Vaaranam Ayiram means “thousand (ayiram) elephants (vaaranam)”. Interestingly, Vaaranam Ayiram is a very renowned tirumozhi. This 6th tirumozhi (out of 14 thirumozhis) is part of the Nacciyar Thirumozhi. The Nacciyar Thirumozhi consists of 143 verses composed by the great Saint Andal, also known as Kodhai Natchiar. Vaaranam Ayiram verses details Andal’s narration of her dream of being married with Lord Kannan to her thozhi’s(friends) (from Wikipedia).
Traditional belief is that when this verses are sung during weddings, the newly wedded couple’s lives will forever remain sweet. kOdai herself has declared that those who chant this tirumozhi will beget children with brahma jnAnam and sattva guNam.
“vAraNam Ayiram SUzha valam Seidu
nAraNan nambi naDakkinRAn enRedir
pUraNa poRkuDam vaittup puRam engum
tOraNam nATTak kanAk kaNDEN tOzhi nAn”In Vaaranam Aayiram, Andal confides to her friends about a dream in which she sees Lord Krishna walking towards her with a procession of a thousand elephants (Vaaranam Aayiram) to wed her. She sees her people welcoming him with poornakumbham and thoranam.
– from Stay Hungry Stay Foolish.
In this, Andal is recounting Her dream, in which The Lord is Marrying Her, to a friend. This group is sung with fervour during weddings. This group consists of various rites gone through in a wedding which Andal went through in Her wedding To The Lord ( Dream ) 1. She sees Sriman Narayana coming in a procession with 1000 (ayiram ) Varanam or Elephants. To welcome Him, Purnakumbhams are kept and everywhere thoranam or festoons are used in decoration to welcome Him. Purnakumbham is pot (kudam, here gold kudam ) filled with water and pot’s mouth is covered by a coconut and with bunches of green Mango leaves. This Kumbham or Pot is taken in front of Very important persons, a Guru , Heads of State like King etc. The bearer of Kumbha walks backwards facing the guest never showing his own back to the guest . 2. Andal sees the Lord Govinda entering the decorated wedding pandal for the wedding on the morrow. 3. Indra and other celestials request Her hand for Lord and present the saree sanctified by chanting mantras. Sister of The Lord Goddess Durgai helps Andal to wear bridal saree and decorates Andal with flower garland 4. Priests well versed in Religious rites have brought Water from Holy rivers from all directions. While the priests chant loudly the Mantras in benediction, Lord and Andal are tying Kankana (thread ) to take marriage vows. 5. Young damsels of beauty of age and form are bringing auspicious kalashms and lamps while Lord enters. 6. With auspicious drums beating and blowing of conch I saw ( in dream ) The Lord taking my hand in His, beneath the pandal decked with strings of pearls says Andal. 7. Amidst chanting Matras by priests, I saw the Lord going round the Holy fire holding my hand says Andal. 8. Andal Sees her brothers come and take part in Laja Homam, where brothers of bride come and give Pori or puffed rice for homam in fire by Both wedded couple.9. To ease the discomfiture of exposure to the heat of Agni during Homam couple is anointed with cool Kumkumam paste and Sandal paste and in all finery Andal is going round the decorated city with Lord on an elephant in Procession. 10. This hymn is giving the results of chanting these ten hymns with devotion. They are the reader will get good natured obedient children. Unmarried girls will get a good husband as good as Lord Krishna Himself !
from Vaishnavism.
