Varsham: It’s raining in Theatres…and our minds…

[Devarajan Master]

It's raining in Theatres...and our minds

Veteran film maker and actor Srinivasan once said, “we can’t compete with the money and muscle power of bollywood and kollywood. So for our struggle for existence we will have to go back to our basics, our strength, which is undoubtedly the brilliant film makers who can create poetries on silver screen from simple threads with the support of some outstanding actors".(It was not his actual words, but the crux of the matter). Varsham is a gem of a Malayalam movie which uderscores this statement. In Varsham, Ranjith Sankar, a director who has shown the potential to fill the boots of some of the great film makers of yesteryears, join hands with the greatest actor of Indian cinema, Mammootty to make a movie which strikes the right chord with the viewers

Varsham revolves around Venu, an upper middle class Malayali, a one time expatriate, who runs a money lending firm and lives a happy life with his wife Nandini and his only son Anand. He used every trick of the trade to come up in his business without crossing the limits of it’s ugly terrain. Everythig looked rosy when the tragedy strikes. The rain which was just a soothing drizzle till then became a downpour. The way Venu reacts to his biggest personal loss and transforms himself into a noble human being forms the essence of Varsham, an emotional tale coveyed with sincerity,conviction and infectious enthusiasm.

Rajith Sankar in his fifth movie of a promising career has brought a freshess to the whole milieu in which the story is told. Ranjith’s script is taut and dialogues come right from the heart. The happiness, dreams, aspirations and selfishness of a nuclear family and the people associated with them, the way unexpected incidents change the course of human lives have been depicted with a touch of class and mastery by Ranjith. He could have made this movie a tearjerker, but Ranjith showed remarkable restraint even at the height of despair and grief. Ranjith has used emotions but within the realms of sensibilities, hallmark of a good film maker. We had many great writers who told touching stories of human relations. Ranjith Sankar has told this story of human bondage without losing the larger perspective of it’s impact on the society. Not many directors have shown the guts to do it. It include both appreciation and criticism of the society. The pettiness of Venu when he scolds Shambhu’s son, his reaction to Anand’s good gesture towards their servant reflect the attitude of majority of people around us. At the same time, the financial support to perform a complex surgery on a boy and his return with zamzam water shows the other end of the spectrum. Similarly the principal of the school is much more than a stereotyped Father. The hospital scenes, board meeting and of course the climax were handled by Ranjith like a seasoned director. For Ranjith, the frames and visuals were only means to an end, not the end in itself. Varsham has Ranjith’s signature written all over it.


Manoj Pillai who wielded the camera has done a nice job. Songs are used only when it is needed..The lyrics by Jayageetha and Santhosh Varma are good. Bijibal could have made it a bit more hummable. But his background scores were in perfect synchrony to the mood of the film. Editing is smooth

As Ranjith Sankar had promised before the release, realistic acting performances from some of the genuine actors of Malayalam is the highlight of this movie. Mammootty has enthralled the viewers with yet another scintillating performance as Venu. How many times have we struggled to find the superlatives to describe many a master class from this ultimate jewel of Malayalam cinema? The way he brought the different emotions of Venu at different stages of his life is simply out of the reach of lesser lesser mortals. He will break the heart of the most stone faced man out there with his histrionics. He hasn’t shed any tears as Venu. But no one can watch him without shedding a tear. His acting is multidimensional and it flows like a river with it’s ebbs and tides. The hospital scene where he fumbles with his cigarette, then looks at the Doctor and exclaims “Poyi alle?” is absolutely heart wrenching. The scenes where he is pointing fingers at his wife, taking laddu from Shambhu’s son, drinking Zamzam water, bathing and shaving before the ritual and dialogues like “avanu vedanichittundavo? vedanichittundakum,alle?”, “enthenkilum oru velicham vende etta, maranam vare jeevikkan” are just few of the scenes were he was nothing short of terrific. The legendary synchrony in acting, dialogue delivery and sound modulation have to be seen to believe. This exceptional acting has again proved that ‘subtlety is an excuse to conceal an actor’s limitation’. Venu of Varsham will remain in our memories forever like his countless classics. That’s the ultimate tribute to Mammootty the actor

Asha Sharath as Nandini started off pretty poorly, but recovered well when it really mattered. She deserves credit for a great chemistry with Mammootty. She was at her best when she asked Venu if she could go for the board meeting. She was like a catalyst when Mammootty unleashed a torrential rain of emotions. Who can play a soothing lady Doctor better than Mamta Mohandas, who herself battles the injustice the life has brought on her? She is absolutely at ease as Dr Jayashri

Harish Peradi as Venu’s elder brother was so natural. He is here to stay. It’s not an easy task to act as the Vallyettan of a living legend, that too when he is at his very best. Mammootty - Harish Peradi combination scenes brought back the memories of many Lohithadas - Mammootty classics. Prajwal as Anand has done justice to his role. Sudheer Karamana is impressive as the Father. T.G.Ravi brought a freshness to Manavalan Peter which would have looked repetitive in the hands of the usual suspects for that role. Sunil Sukhadha, Sajitha Madathil, Sarayu, Irshad, Govind and even that Thamizhan has done their parts pretty well.

Last but not the least, the rain which is an important character of this movie. Sometimes it drizzles, set the scene and disappear. At times it appear without an invitation to play it’s part in the joy and happiness and at times it is reluctant to even pass by fearing it would disturb Venu and Nandini. Sometimes it comes and soothe you. All of a sudden it transforms to a torrential downpour. This rain has feelings and emotions.

No movie is perfect. Varsham too has it’s flaws. But who am I to point out those trivial things of a movie which is the blood , sweat and tears of a promising film maker? From my 32 years of watching sensible Malayalam movies with passion , let me take the liberty of suggesting just a single opinion. Venu could have hugged Shambhu’s son as he came with laddu when his blood counts became normal. Probably, I am wrong and Ranjith is right. It might have become a cliche.

Varsham is not a suspense thriller. It is made with a shoe string budget that will make the bigwigs of Indian film industry laugh. It doesn’t have any twists and turns. In fact it doesn’t have any conventional ingredients of entertainment in it. Still it makes you sit and applaud. It’s a simple story told with sincerity and conviction.

Bollywood,Kollywood and Tollywood…..we don’t have your money power. We don’t have your muscle power. But we do have some brilliant film makers, outstanding actors and an irrepressible Mammootty.

It’s raining cats and dogs in theatres worldwide. Wherever we live, whatever we do, let us get drenched in this rain of emotions which is nothing short of a downpour that takes a long time to subside.

Rating: 4.25

[moovybuf]

Thanks Master...... familykku ishtaayo?

[Devarajan Master]

Thanks Master...... familykku ishtaayo?

Yup. Family loved it.

[POKIRI]

Thanx master....awesome review

[Bilalikka Rules]

Master Enikum Thonni ; Shambuvinte Makane Hugg Cheythal Athu Oru Nalla Scene Aakumayrnu Nice Rvw

[Ravi]

Are.....Wahh....
Anxiously waiting for your review........
Topclass review for a top class movie.....
Thanks Master.

[LOLan]

Thank you master :)

[ACHOOTTY]

Thanks Master..........Cinemaye nenjilettiya review...........

[sha]

kidu master vaayichu korithraichu.....

[Keelezi Achu]

Thanks mashe..