Film- Varisu
Director- Vamshi Paidipally
Cast- Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, Sarath Kumar, Shaam, Srikanth, Yogi Babu, Jayasudha, Prabhu, Prakashraj, Sangeetha Krish, Ganesh Venkatram, Suman, VTV Ganesh, Mathew Varghese, John Vijay.
The story revolves around Vijay, his constant clash of ideologies with his father a business tycoon (Vijay, Sarath Kumar), making him leave home to pursue his dreams. Seven years later, coaxed by his mother (Jayasudha) Vijay takes a trip home to attend a family function. But a crisis makes him stay back and resolve the problems his family was going through. Which include, taking care of the family business, countering the moves of rivals who were out to destroy the business empire, and regrouping the dysfunctional family.
While the first half holds promise, the lacklustre screenplay of the second half makes the whole exercise seem futile. It’s a film that never misses out on any of the tropes that characterised decades old family entertainers. There is a feel of Deja vu throughout, the situations predictable, the characters shallow.
Whether it’s the games Vijay’s two errant brothers play (Shaam, Srikanth) ; the trauma when a child is kidnapped by a flesh-trading gang; or the scene at a board meeting where members oppose Vijay taking over the mantle of Chairman, the take is either farcical or juvenile. The action scenes are few, have a forced-in feel, the poor choreography not making it any better. Defeating a strong villain makes the hero seem a stronger force. But here the baddies (Prakashraj, Suman) keep growling, scowling and smirking and making plans that always seem to backfire on them. Their half hearted moves could be because they realised that whatever they did, it wasn’t going to work. For, the script would unabashedly favour the hero, lack of logic and conviction no deterrent..
Vijay’s by now familiar cute little expressions,mannerisms and body language pervades for almost the entire movie’s run time, the director seemingly enamoured of his hero’s boyish charm. But in a film that is rather bland, this factor is the saving grace of the film. If only it hadn’t been overdone! Vijay’s banter with Yogi Babu generates some humour. Rashmika is eye candy with nothing much to do. A revelation is Sarath Kumar. Looking dapper, Sarath with his controlled acting and perfect pitch of emotions, lends dignity and intensity to the character of the tormented patriarch. So, while one feels disconnected with the rest of the characters and their plight, it’s the shifting of equations between father and son that works out better here.
It’s a bland stale offering this Pongal from the ‘Varisu’ team.
Malini Mannath
Malini Mannath 