Slow motion entry, physics-defying action sequences, family drama, peppy songs, romantic scenes with a male superstar leading the bandwagon — director Vamshi Paidipally’s Varisu starring Vijay ticks all the boxes to qualify as a masala entertainer. If only he had anything new to offer.
Varisu — ‘the heir’ in English — is Vijay’s 66th film and is out to clash with another Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar’s Thunivu, which I reviewed here. Which one is better? Let’s see.
Varisu‘s Vijay (also the character name) is the youngest son whose wealthy father Rajendran (R. Sarathkumar) has thrown him out so that he can — drumroll, please — stand on his own feet. Rajendran, a mining entrepreneur, is a walking stereotype of an average Indian father who has taught his three sons that life is a race and you must excel, come what may. (He reminds you of Viru “Virus” Sahastrabuddhe from 3 Idiots before that character’s evolution). When Rajendran is diagnosed with a chronic illness, he decides to pick his ‘vaaris‘ (heir). No points for guessing who he chooses and how he arrives at that conclusion. You can play a guessing game with your friends about how the story would unfold. Chances are everyone would win.
So what do you do when the story has nothing new to offer? You put all your bets on the decade-old charisma of ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay and hope it works. Does it?
To an extent. In a film trying to propagate family values, there is no other member worthy enough to outshine Vijay.
In terms of star power/popular names, the film also has Rashmika Mandanna, who, except gyrating to the peppy music and being the customary heroine in a hero’s world, has nothing much to do.
Also read: Thunivu’s plot so wobbly you forget it at the end. But it’s a visual treat for Ajith fans
All about star power
The film rides heavily on Vijay’s shoulders and lack of any other substantial character to oppose him leaves you strained as a viewer. After a point, the film ends up being a long compilation of a tribute to Vijay’s superstardom, with his over a dozen slow-motion sequences, energetic dance moves and dialogue-baazi.
Moments which may lure a laugh or carry any emotional depth can be counted on fingers, and barely leave an impact. Yogi Babu (as Kicha, Vijay’s maternal uncle) tries to infuse some comedy but it falls short in comparison to the more-serious ongoing plot. Even Vijay, besides the larger-than-life action sequences, shines when he is tasked with light comedy.
A funny scene in the boardroom and another emotional one with his on-screen father brings out different aspects of Vijay’s character but the moment passes sooner than you can relish them.
At one point, Vijay breaks the fourth wall and says, “Everything is fair in love and war.” I wonder if it is fair to repackage the old story and serve it with an outdated formulaic template. But those buying the ticket to marvel at the star power of Vijay will get swagger worth their money.
So who will win the box-office fight between the two biggest Tamil superstars? After eight years, Ajith seems to have an edge over Vijay.
(Edited by Prashant)