Vaaranam Aayiram

Plot synopsis:
The film begins with elderly Krishnan (krishnan) returning home after a haircut. Once he reaches home, he vomits profuse amounts of blood and is kept to rest. After the doctor checks him, he is reported dead after a few moments of grief with his wife Malini (Simran), daughter Shreya, and daughter-in-law Priya (Divya Spandana). This news is informed to his son Surya (Suriya), who is on his way to Kashmir on a military mission traveling in a helicopter to rescue a kidnapped journalist from terrorists. He begins to shed tears and starts to think about his memorable moments with his father and the story of how his parents loved each other during their college days.
Krishnan is a student in Madras Christian College, the same college where Malini studies. They fall in love and get married. They soon have a son, Surya. He grows up as a friend to his father. He joins an engineering college near Tiruchi and parts from his family. There, he takes part in cultural activities and develops his guitar skills. When he is on a train back home after completion of college, he meets Meghna (Sameera Reddy), who is doing Computer Science in National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli(Regional College of Engineering,Tiruchirapalli). Instantly smitten by her, he soon proposes to her. She rejects him, saying that they have known each other for a very short period and it's not possible to fall in love without taking time to understand him. Surya then tells her that wherever she goes, he will be able to find her.
Surya is disturbed constantly by Meghna's thoughts and consequently ends up going to her house. There she reveals to him that she is going to University of California, Berkeley in a week to do her Masters in Computer Science. Then, Surya bids adieu to her. After that, Krishnan, gets his first mild heart attack and is admitted to a hospital. Surya feels that he needs to resolve the financial constraints in his family, and so starts an office with his friends and does concerts for money and succeeds.
A few months later, Surya goes to the United States, with the acceptance of his father, and meets Meghna in San Francisco. Though shocked by his presence, Meghna feels relieved to find someone she knows in California. They have the time of their lives there. Meghna is convinced that he is the right person and that he will be accepted by her father, so she proposes to him, much to delight to Surya and his parents. Their happiness does not last long when she goes to Oklahoma City for a project. Surya joins her later traveling by the Greyhound Lines. When he reaches there, he witnesses the Oklahoma City bombing and realizes that Meghna is amongst those injured. She dies on her way to the hospital. He meets Shankar Menon at the airport who tries to console him with words and offers him encouragement. A heartbroken Surya returns to India.
A few days later, Surya still cannot take the situation. He starts hanging out with his friends to get over his loss. He meets Priya, his sister's friend. However, the thoughts of losing Meghna still haunt him, and he resorts to taking drugs. Surya's parents try to get him to break the habit by locking him up in his room and removing him from all external contact. Once they detect his withdrawal symptoms, they ask him to take a long break to rejuvenate himself. Subsequently, he takes a leisure trip to Kashmir. There he learns that Aditya, the son of Shankar Menon, the person who inspired him in the airport was kidnapped. He visits them in Delhi. On seeing the lethargic attitude of the police, he takes matters into his own hands and goes in search of the kidnappers. After days of roaming streets and gathering information, he locates the kidnapper Asad (Babloo Prithiveeraj) and the place where Aditya is kept. He battles the kidnappers single-handedly, overpowers them and rescues Aditya.
Back home, Surya starts to go out with Priya. One day Priya proposes to him, but he does not respond. Surya decides that the only way to forget the pain in his body is to prepare it for bigger things. He goes on a strict workout training and joins the army. After six years, Priya comes to the Indian Military Academy where she is posted along him and proposes again; this time he accepts. They marry and have a son. Suddenly, Krishnan is diagnosed with throat cancer and is operated on. After some days, Surya is called upon to go on a mission to rescue a journalist, which brings the scene back to the present day.
After completing the military mission with the help of a masked man (Gautham Vasudev Menon) who tells them where the culprits were, Surya returns home to see his dead father. Surya, his sister Shriya, Malini and Priya let go his father's ashes in the sea and Malini relates her husband's life to Surya by uttering a verse from a prayer. The film ends on a happy note as the four walk away smiling, conveying the message that "Whatever happens, life has to go on."

Tags: romantic, flashback

Review:
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...
Overall, this movie had a little bit of everything: love, violence, adventure, music and it is a definite must watch..
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 .....
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.
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.
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..
I walked out of the cinema telling myself, that I had just watched a beautiful Tamil 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.
'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......
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.
Vaaranam 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.
Also the way Surya is proposing to Sameera in that Train is great to watch.Divya is doing her best.
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.
Gautam's conception of the Train scenes between Surya and Sameera Reddy is extremely refreshing.
One of the Best Movie of Suriya Sivakumar with excellent songs and bgm.
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.
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 movie Vaaranam Aayiram is very slow and not reached up to the expected level of the people.The movie is very slow and irritating.The first half of the movie is OK but after interval second is too boring.I got slept for few times due to boring conversations between father and son.Only songs are good only up to the level.Because all Harish Jairaj songs are similar to one another from his previously played songs.He doing the same formula for this film also.Suriya played his role well but story line is poor and very slow .All the actresses played well and over all the movie is waste for the viewers and please save your money.The movie is almost a copy of "autograph" movie of Cheran thats it friends.
Hello friendsThe movie Vaaranam Aayiram is not reached up to the expected level of the people.The movie is very slow and irritating.The first half of the movie is OK but after interval second is too boring.I got slept for few times due to boring conversations between father and son.Only songs are good only up to the level.Because all Harish Jairaj songs are similar to one another from his previously played songs.He doing the same formula for this film also.Suriya played his role well but story line is poor and very slow .All the four actresses played well and over all the movie is waste for the viewers and please save your money.The movie is almost a copy of "autograph" movie of Cheran thats it friends.
the movie succeed in only giving some good melody songs thats it and nothing more in the movie.Suriya played his role well but second half of the story is boring...
"Whatever happens life has to go on" an important phrase in the film Vaaram Aayiram written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon.
I like Suriya because of his willingness to perform challenging roles than the action movies.
A romantic drama movie well executed by Gautham Menon with a soothing music from Harris Jayaraj.
I especially love the sequences with Suriya and Sameera in the United States which makes me watch it again and again.
Verdict: Milestone movie of Suriya in his career which proves his talent as an actor which is a must watch.
This movie is definitely a justified triumph for Surya and Gautham Menon.
How do you guys even like this film let alone give it 7.5?The film is supposed to be about a father son relationship.But the only thing that Surya gets inspired from his father in the film seems to be his love.I almost killed myself trying to watch the first half.I thought that Tamil cinema was done with all those stupid 'love at first sight'stuff.Though I admit that there wasn't nothing wrong with the acting it isn't worth mentioning.This must be Gautham Menon's worst film up to date.He had a good story but unfortunately he killed it.He seemed to have had half his mind which tried to make a good meaningful movie and the other half which tried to make a commercial movie.The result is disastrous.My verdict:don't watch the film unless you are a die hard Surya fan..
gautham's confusion shine's through for the entire 3 hours and extremely painful to watch...ya we all got the point he loved his father, but would have been better had he expressed it someother way than dishing out such mindless stuff...felt i was a watching a mega-serial at home..surya and for all people out there in tamil cinema who think that changing appearances is acting, i have 1 word for u guys "PATHETIC"..Harris its time to retire.....feel like like spending 100 bucks get a beer or two,but skip this one for ur own sake.....
Its one of those movies which cannot be termed as a flop or hit...but to say the fact ,this film is a dragger,Gautam wants to tell about father-son relationship,but he has not made that clear in the movie..he seems to have lost the plot and the father Suriya's character could have been more inspirational.The film is nearly 3 hours.in a film which goes for this long u should have a tight screenplay.but the screenplay from Gautam is so loose that u would want to leave the Cinema hall before the film has finished.Music by Harris Jeyaraj is one major plus for the film,although background music is lagging.Sameera reddy looks stunning during her short stay.Divya is apt for the character given to her.Simran also have given a stunning performance after a long gap.Suriya, of course.
The hurt rage in the underdog schoolboy's eyes; the gleam of love and enthusiasm in the young lover's gaze; the intolerable pain of separation and solace found in hallucinogens; the torturous path back to normalcy; the newfound sense of purpose and meaning; the rekindling of love and passions  this time, mature and lifelong; the closure of life's cycle (which is also the beginning of the same cycle for another) all these emotions and nuances have been brilliant portrayed with his eyes and body language; so much so that even if this movie doesn't go on to become a box-office success, his work will be critically acclaimed for a long time to come.Having all these wonderful performance,Gautam could have used well with a strong story and screenplay.Its seems that he is more confused whether to make this film as a drama or a entertainer.Its very tough even to see the movie once..
The initial feel when one gets on seeing the narrative style and the 'Self' positioned camera is that you are in for a good fare..but repeating the father-son sentiment throughout the whole looooooooooong movie became a drag.Some songs are good but most of them would have been forgotten by the music director itself.Watch it of Suriya, if you must and if you have nothing else in life to do.M$ Mukundhan Sampath.
The only consolation to audience is Surya.He fits perfectly to the dual role though the movie portrays much more of him.
The movie Vaaranam Aayiram is not reached up to the expected level of the people.The movie is very slow and irritating.The first half of the movie is OK but after interval second is too boring.I got slept for few times due to boring conversations between father and son.Only songs are good only up to the level.Because all Harish Jairaj songs are similar to one another from his previously played songs.He doing the same formula for this film also.Suriya played his role well but story line is poor and very slow .All the four actresses played well and over all the movie is waste for the viewers and please save your money.The movie is almost a copy of "autograph" movie of Cheran thats it friends.
Gautham'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.
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.
Good movie for Surya.
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.
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.
On the whole term this movie is best to watch Surya for his performance and Sammera Reddy for her beauty..
this 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.
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.
Gautham Menon and Surya team up again to render not a mass action entertainer but an autobiography.The Harris-Goutham combo has become a stupendous success in VA with Adiye Kollude,Nenjukkul Peithidum and Mundhinam Parthene emerging as chart-busters while on the whole the musical boasts of 7 great songs.Thamarai's lyrics add value to the songs.Ratnavel has handled the lens fantastically......No wonder why Shankar chose him for Enthiran.......Sameera Reddy and Divya Spandana have a great future in Kollywood while Simran has tried her mettle as an affectionate mother..Finally,Surya...........No word to say....
His slow but painful death is informed to his army son (Again Surya) who is in the middle of a rescue mission.The story is then told in flash-back with a voice-over from the mourning son - its starts from the early life of his father and continues onto his life - childhood, adolescence, Love, loss, drugs, rehab, and finally in the army.His love for his father is told time and again in the way he says "Daddy".The movie has no great depth in plot, but the sentimental factor is on a high.
I could see most of the women in the hall, weeping bitterly.Love in all forms is expressed in a very subtle but warm manner.If you want to know the trophy of the movie.....its got to be Surya....This must be one of his finest performances....Be it the father, as a total cool-head or his son, as a clichéd young blood.Also the six-pack would make all the girls scream their hearts out.The gracefully older looking Simran too puts up a fine act...Sameera surprisingly looks pretty and Ramya is wasted...Music is a fine blend - another great composition from Harris.
Except that 7 songs makes the already 3+ hours of runtime seem much longer.Reco: Movie of a plain-types, but definitely worth a watch, if you can afford to ignore some, out of the place action scenes; like that of a kidnap and rescue et al..
Vaaranam Aayiram is a movie with can relate with every audience.
At every stage of his life Surya is fueled with inspiration by his father.
Surya falls in love with Megna (Sameera Reddy) head over heels.
Enchanted by Surya's crazy love (like father like son), she falls for him.
"No matter what happens, Life has to move on" advices the father Surya.The movie is Surya Sivakumar all the way.
If he had adored his father, he must have expressed his love while he was alive which many of us (including me) never do.And finally why the name "Vaaranam Aayiram"?