Simbu fans

After a successful Vaaranam Aayiram, Gautham Vasudev Menon ventures into his next, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, focusing entirely on the most catholic emotion in the world, LOVE, a subject that the brilliant director is known to handle with style, finesse, panache and a lot of heart. Although, VTV could have been an apt Valentine’s Day presentation, it nevertheless does not cease to impress the target audience, the YOUTH.

VTV is all about falling in love, the emotions, confusions and the innumerable rollercoaster sensations associated with it. Karthik (Silambarasan), a mechanical engineer is an aspiring film director. It is love at first sight for this young man with his landlord’s daughter Jessy (Trisha), a Malayalee Christian and a computer professional. Karthik expresses his love to her in a quite unexpected manner but she does not accept it citing practical reasons. Notwithstanding her absence even for a short while, Karthik, in
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa

her pursuit, reaches Kerala along with his cinematographer friend Ganesh.

He finds Jessy in the pretext of apologizing to her for his behavior but earns her friendship. The ensuing train trip to Chennai from Allapuzha paves way for a deeper bond between the two. Meanwhile Karthik rubs Jessy’s brother on the wrong side which creates a wedge between the two families and Karthik’s family is made to vacate the premises. This triggers the hasty fixing of marriage for Jessy in Kerala. Needless to say, Karthik reaches there and what happens thereafter form the crux of Vinnai Thaandi Varuavaayaa. The answers to questions like whether Karthik and Jessy unite in marriage or go their individual ways are narrated with a trademark Gautham Menon’s style.

An all new Silambarasan, with a complete make over steals the show. An amazing performance from the young super star! His dialogue delivery, body language, voice modulations, dance movements are all right in place and VTV is a definite milestone for him. He has lived the character of Karthik in every cell. His dexterity with feet reaches a crescendo in the Hosanna number. Trisha is lovely in Nalini Sriram’s simple, relatable costumes and comes alive as a confused woman, not knowing her path. Ganesh as Silambarasan’s friend is adorable and the combination takes charge of humor component. Naga Chaitanya and Samantha make a cameo.

Directorial touches of Gautham Menon are abundant through out the film especially with the portrayal of his characters which are very real. His stamp is unmistakable in the last scene when he juxtaposes reel and real events. The director once again proves that he is after all a master craftsman especially in matters of love. The dialogues between Silambarasan and Ganesh are highly enjoyable and natural and that between him and Trisha receive loud applause from the audience. A sample is Silambarasan’s retort to Trisha when she wonders about his trip to Kerala- “When people go all out to America to woo their girl, I have after all come to Kerala.”

This is the first time Gautham teams up with A R Rahman and his music has already scorched the charts and the songs are the strong pillars to the film. Audience breaks into a thunderous rapture with Hosanna and the choreography only highlights the effects of the number. Omana Penne is a poetic delight when the music, lyrics and the visuals weave a magical spell!

It is a visual treat through Manoj Paramahamsa’s camera work when the backwaters of Kerala, ancient churches of Malta and USA are brought alive. The song sequences are an aural and a visual pleasure indeed! Antony at the editing desk and Rajeevan helming art department lend the right kind of support to the film.

On the flip side, the narration takes its own sweet time to unfold and it does not help much especially in the second half when things take time to move forward which tests the patience. The scene between Trisha and Silambarasan in USA is one such example. For people who expect a breezy love story VTV might disappoint them. A uniform engaging script and a crisper narrative could have tilted the balance completely in favor of this all love flick.