Manoj and Anita in “Varushamellam Vasantham”… neat in many ways.
Manoj and Anita in “Varushamellam Vasantham”… neat in many ways.
FOR THE regular film goer who knows every twist and turn a storyline generally takes, Supergood Films’ “Varushamellam Vasantham” holds a few pleasant surprises — the happenings are not always the usual, predictable kind.
Raja (Manoj K. Bharati) and Ramesh (Kunal) are brothers — as different from each other as one can imagine. Raja is a dim wit and wastrel who is a school drop out. Ramesh, on the other hand, goes on to finish his M. Tech degree and settles down well in life. In a family of highly educated people, Raja is the odd one out. The grandfather (M. N. Nambiar) slights him at every available opportunity and the others too are not overtly concerned. You expect the young man to turn vindictive and villainous — but no this is a family drama where extreme emotions are rare. There is no hardcore villain or all powerful hero. This is a heartening factor of “Varushamellam…”
Soon Latha (Anita) the heroine arrives on the scene. And as expected both the brothers try to woo her. In the process, Raja turns responsible and wise. “Varushamellam Vasantham” should prove a positive break for Manoj. His is a well-etched character and he acquits himself reasonably well. Kunal is an apt foil for the rustic Raja. Though it does not offer Kunal as much scope as Manoj, he has done a decent job. Anita, the new find, looks charming, with expressive eyes. 
The surprise packet is of course Mayilsamy. The man has you in splits in the lighter scenes. Especially, the sequence in the Collector’s office, with Manoj, Mayilsamy and Neelu, is entirely hilarious. Credit should also go to Neelu and Manoj here. Not to forget the dialogue that enhances the comic impact of the scene. “Varushamellam…” should take the comedian places. Ravishankar, who has been a lyricist till now, has written the story, screenplay and dialogue and has also directed the film.
Rajarajan’s camera caresses the hilly terrain and the verdant ambience beautifully.
Towards the end, Manoj’s sad monologues, make the film sag. The grandpa humiliates Raja in front of so many people and asks him to get out of the place — all because the boy could not afford a costly birthday gift. Strangely even Raja’s mother stands there unmoved! The reactions are not only improbable but irritating too. And the constant rebuke is also not in good taste — no educated man would be so crass as this cinematic grandfather. For all that the man is a retired Collector!
Five out of the six songs have been penned by the director himself. Sirpi is the composer. A couple of numbers are very melodious — only that they don’t sound totally original. The film has a lyrical quality about it — it could be because the director is a poet himself.
A neat family drama that is not completely crisp.
It is the director’s first work and he shows promise. Setting his ambience well, moving his narration fairly engagingly, handling effectively the scenes of one-upmanship between siblings who fall in love with the same girl. But the narration tends to drag at times, and it is the comedy track that keeps it going then.
time for Grandpa, but triggers unpleasant childhood memories for Raja. The siblings continue with their one-upmanship, this time the bone of contention being their pretty cousin Lata, on a trip to the village How the matter is resolved, and how Raja finally earns his grandpa’s approval forms the rest of the story.
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