Varisu

Varisu (2023) : Movie Review -

Vamshi Paidipally teams up with superstar Vijay for a family masala entertainer, Varisu. This is nothing but Vanshi and Vijay's attempt at remodelling Allu Arjun's "Ala Vaikunthapurumoolu" (which celebrates its 3rd anniversary today, along with its Hindi remake Shehzada dropping the trailer on the same day). Too many family drama cliches for me in one day. Vamshi has done 5 films till date, and he has always worked with a new superstar each time, so Varisu was made for Vijay after he worked with Prabhas, Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Nagarajuna, Karthi and Mahesh Babu. It seems that he is more desperate for superstars than for his storytelling. Opiri Thozha and Maharshi still tried to tackle important subjects, but other works haven't been anything but old cliches. Varisu is no different. It brings all the old scenes of family masala flicks together, mixes Vijay's style, a few references from his movies like Thupakki and Master, an 80s background score, daily soap style pauses, and romantic dance numbers in one bottle that drops water for almost 3 hours.

Vijay Rajendran (Vijay), the youngest son of an eminent business magnate, Rajendran Palanisamy (R. Sarathkumar), is disowned and thrown out of the house as he refused to join the family business, deciding to launch a food delivery startup instead. Vijay returns home for a family function and learns about his father's illness and that he has only a few months to live. To provide him a happy farewell, Vijay decides to take over the business and save it from his brothers, Ajay (Shaam) and Jay (Shrikanth). How Vijay saves the business and family both is all you get to see in Varisu.

Varisu is an outdated script, but that's not the major issue here. It's the screenplay that spoils both fun and soul here. There are cliches, yes, but how badly have they been written? Why does Vijay's character have to behave like a child before every aggressive moment? I mean, we all know that he is "the hero" and he is going to smash the opponents. We all know that he always has plans and comebacks to hit back, but why does he have to make a childish caricature for that? Moreover, why do you have to stretch a simple, 2-hour story to 170 minutes? Predictability is common nowadays, but it's even beyond that. You start murmuring dialogues even before they are delivered by the protagonist. As a whole, it's the screenplay and idealistic approach that turn the tables against Varisu.

Performance-wise, I don't really think that it was a film for "acting." Vijay gets to do everything he has been doing for years, just to make sure that you get bored of it at least this time. Action, romance, heroic dialogues, dance numbers, swaggy walks, and what not. Vijay does all of this, but in the meantime, he forgets to act. Rashmika Mandanna looks so cute that you'd like to kiss her, and that's the only reason why she has been sighed for this film (or maybe every film she does). Sarathkumar and Prabhu don't get enough chances, whereas Shaam and Srikanth get chances but waste them. Jayasudha plays the same old housewife and the ever-so-kind mother without any efforts, and Prakash Raj hardly does anything different. The supporting cast is there only to fill the frames, nothing else.

Coming to the technical aspects, Varisu is more like an unbearable daily soap than a feature film. Except for those "3-times-repeat-shots" and "Dhin ta na ta na," it has everything that can rule the nomination charts of the "Indian Television Awards 2023." The cinematography and action may please you, but only if you haven't seen much in the way of action flicks (I mean, which Vijay film hasn't really got it?). The music is somewhat good. You will enjoy the lavish set design and choreography, but why have an overdose of it? Vamshi Paidipally could have attempted another important subject after Opiri and Maharshi, but he decided to make this one. It's like getting out on a duck after hitting half a century in the previous two matches. As a whole, Varisu is strictly for Vijay and Rashmika's fans, who can sit for 3 hours only to see them moving on the screens. I wouldn't even recommend Veeram and Ala Vaikunthapurumoolu to content lovers, forget Varisu.

RATING - 4/10*

Varisu is all about family values. No matter how unforgivable one person's mistakes be, if they are family then all is forgiven. Having said that, Varisu sticks to the age old family drama template mixed with masala elements to do justice to it's superstar lead. The rebellious younger son who is ousted from the family makes a comeback to mend the broken family. With enough father-son, mother-son, brothers sentiment, Vamsi Paidipally presents a done to death screenplay as a festival treat.

To speak the positives, the film is lavishly shot with vibrant colors. Vijay seems to having sheer fun playing this character and several ordinary scenes get elevated solely by his performance. With a runtime of 2hrs 50mins, the film is way too long but it is those funny moments with Vijay that makes it almost work. The predictable screenplay, weak villain and weakly written supporting cast doesn't offer anything new content wise. The action scenes too don't stand out. Despite all this, it is not a bad watch at all but Vijay saves it from being entirely bland.

I'm really disappointed with the movie..... Total waste of money and lost interest while watching the movie itself.... Same old style of Vijay all over the movie..Similar expressions. No twists and turns..... Able to easily guess what can happen in the next set of scenes.....Why do we even have Anthony character? Rashmika appearance is total waste of money.....Background music isn't that great. Felt like watching a long Television serial in less than 3 hr window because there was a problem created followed by a solution immediately and this continous throughout the movie.... Comedy isn't good at all. Overall, waste of time watching the movie.

Strictly for Thalapathy fans. Movie has the same old basic plot that we have seen a lot. Same old typical family business story just to enhance the story director has added more characters to stretch the film and make it a proper entertainer but fails to deliver. 1st half feels very stretched with long boring screenplay and nothing new to add in the storyline whereas 2nd half is good as compare to 1st. Vijay's acting steals the show as compare to rest of the actors because while seeing the movie the director has pretty much involved in Vijay's character and it seems like it. Rest of the cast was average nothing that different as compare to the story. Rashmika is totally wasted. She is there only for songs and distraction. She looks good in songs though but not in the movie. As a movie lover this film is just an average for me though it has action, emotions and songs by the due to long stretched screenplay and old storyline this movie completely falls down. Only for Thalapathy fans. (4/10)

Wayyyyyy too long for this over the top family drama. Taking you back to the 1980s predictable from the start. Heroine had awhole of 20 mins that is including songs. Only saving grace is vijay comedy scenes and dance. One time watchable only. Huge star cast total let down as all characters are half baked. It's time for vijay to invest in decent scripts rather then dishing out garbage . Quality over quantity. Maybe to start with picking roles for his age. Kept checking time and waiting for it to finish. In the end yup you knew the ending in the first 5 mins into the movie. Sj Surya cameo was a worthy surprise.