Vaaranam Aayiram - life must go on

Varanam Ayiram Suzha valam seithu; naranan nambi nadakkinran enrethir
Purana porkudam vaitthup puram engum; toranam nattak kanak kanden thozhi nan

Life is a box of chocolates - happiness, love, affection, success, good friends, etc would add sugar to your life and make you cheerful. But, life is not just a box of chocolates - fear, failure, diffidence, sorrow, separation, etc would add the salt and bring those tears. Come what may, LIFE MUST GO ON. For every individual has his share of ups and downs in his life. He needs to see what he can do for the future that awaits him.



Gautham Vasudev Menon's Vaaranam Aayiram sends home this simple message with a plethora of emotions that any individual can relate with. The movie literally takes you through high and low tides - you walk out with mixed feelings but generally good.

The story is about a son who, after the demise of his father, reminisces the time of his life when his dad was around. Right from birth till the stage he is currently in, he tries to bring back all the incidents; sees how his dad has been a great motivator and a role model who influences his life in every small way possible.

Not every actor gets to play a role, which is almost something like a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity. Suriya is the crux of this movie. The movie revolves around him and his relationship with his dad (another Suriya). I could clearly see that Suriya is getting better at every film as an actor. People say that he is following the foot-steps of Kamal Hassan. Quite true. As an actor, Suriya is giving everything he can to bring completeness to the director's vision. Suriya's escapades with love reminds you of Madhavan in Minnale. Suriya's deep low voice and reactions, background vocals in some situations give you a feeling of the Suriya we saw in Kaakha Kaakha.

Simran - oh, what a comeback! She initially plays the lovely lady who steals the heart of the Dad Suriya. Her predominant role is a mom character who tries to be a good support for her family and ailing husband.

Sameera Reddy - she is definitely going to go places in the industry. What an amazing character - full of life. I think she deserves a big applause for having done a wonderful job in the movie. She takes the movie to a different high and the 20-30 minutes of Sameera and Suriya on the screen keeps you in the best of spirits.

Divya Spandana - she comes into Suriya's life during the second half of the movie. Although she doesnt have a bubbly role, she gives meaning to her character by doing absolute justice. Too bad, she doesn't have the best songs in the movie.

Harris Jeyaraj's music and background score is amazing. All songs are topping every chart in South India. A good part of the movie is based on music, since son Suriya plays the guitar. Right from wooing his girlfriend by strumming the guitar to entertaining his mom and dad with his music, there is music everywhere. "Adiyae Kolluthae" is a total highlight. Shot completely in Berkeley, this song is an energy booster.

The movie has an overdose of English. Too many "Daddy"; "I love you dad"; "I love you mom"; "I miss you dad" phrases and then conversations between the family dominated by english words in between. I wonder why Gautham imposed this on a simple middle class family? Did he plan to appeal to the current generation of youth?

Cinematography handled by Rathnavelu is above all. Starting from the 80s themes, the train journey of Suriya and Sameera, and the shots of Golden Gat Bridge where Sameera proposes to Suriya - all that is mindblowing.

Overall: Another great movie by Gautham