Vaazhai

Very Good movie based on real events .I can say that the best movie from Mari Selvaraj. No politics like his earlier movies. Only real story with some movie element to make you engaged .The cinematography and music is top notch If you are somewhat familiar with the life in villages, you will definitely love this movie. If you lived your entire life in cities like Chennai you may not connect with this movie. No powerful mainstream hero, duet songs and typical fight scene. You will love the portrayal of lifestyle in southern districts in Tamilnadu in 1980s. The inclusion of movie songs from that era is beautiful. The only concern to me was overloaded emotion.

RATED 7/10 Language: Tamil Media Partner: Hotstar Source: Nil The movie has powerful and highly impacting climax. The complete story is (very) slowly moving towards that climax portion. All these slow narration adding more impact for the climax. But one point of time you will get bored with the lengthy shots and unnecessary stretch of some scene sequences. This movie definitely lack the eventful screenplay of "Pariyerum perumal". There is not much events in the first half and most of the events are get windup in second half only. I almost went to snooze state when "panchu mittai" song stretches, but the next scene its stunning.... Bear the slow and uneventful narration for the climax....

Vaazhai simply brilliant storytelling by Mari Selvaraj taking us through the ride of emotions shuffling between innocence happiness Joy love pain and sadness... In the story of the stark economic inequalities, the contradictions of the oppressed, and dreams are told through them. But Mari Selvaraj's determination not to call them propaganda shows his immense faith in his 'cinematic language'... Theni Iswar's cinematography is the biggest plus his work makes us feel as if we have personally visited the place where the story takes place. Our awe rises because it is something that does not come easily... The music is nothing short of phenomenal, enhancing every scene and evoking a range of emotions that perfectly complement the story. It's a rare feat for a soundtrack to be so memorable, yet SANA has delivered something truly special that deserves recognition... Kumar Gangappan's art design tries to give shape to the story, which is said to have happened in the late nineties. His team's contribution to cinema posters, wedding announcements, school classrooms, house interiors etc. Has been fantastic... Dilip Subbarayan's action choreography gives a sense of reality in Padman, Kalaiyarasan clash and climax scene. Sandy's choreography in the school dance practice scene is fantastic. Sound design by Suren, Ajaya Koothan, costume design by Sri Swarna, make-up by Ganapathy and the contribution of DI and VFX team have transformed the cinematic experience of 'Banana'. Concentrated Ilayaraja's songs titled Poongodi and Kamal Rajini references, Deva's 'Doothuvala Ilayaraichu', 'Panjumittai Saeli Katti songs' soundtracks help move the story to the next level rather than simply cheering up the fans or showing the director's will. The telling of that story makes Mari Selvaraj's 'Banana' a celebration... There is no necessity to brief about the cast as all the lead actors are dedicated enough in every frame in bringing the reality check on silver screen... There is no doubt this flick deserves a national award in every aspects... Overall a gem of a cinematic experience that makes us proud proving that the more we care about our nativity we deserve an Oscar worthy flick...

Sivanaindhan is a studious boy who hates that his mom forces him to lug banana bunches during weekends and other holidays. The poverty stricken family has no other option as the father is no more, leaving Sivanaindhan, his mother and sister to survive on their own. His best friend is Sekhar who is also a sole Kamal Haasan fan in the village while Sivanaindhan is a Rajini fan. Meanwhile, Sivanaindhan has a crush on his teacher Poonkodi and he wants to be in her company. The harsh reality of his life, keeps him grounded and not to lose focus on his studies. What the hardship brings for Siva and his mother is something they had never prepared themselves for. The film documents these events of Siva's childhood. It is no secret that the film is Mari Selvaraj's autobiography and despite knowing that, I ended up breaking down in the end. Needless to say, this film left me speechless. The innocence of the boys was well captured in the first half and there is less of the melodrama here which Mari Selvaraj saved mostly for the final act. The cinematography like the music of the film, stood out. The lengthy bit involving the teacher's handkerchief would have missed the trick if not for the boys' innocence. It is the second half that has heavy duty scenes and the way the screenplay is woven is laudable. I expected the kid to break me but it was the mother's character, who got a superb scene explaining why she wants her son to experience the hardships of their life. The entire final act and the reveal in the end, took the film to another level. All I can say is, Thank you Mari Selvaraj for this.

The movie is easily one amongst the list of good pure tamil movies released recently. Especially the climax moves you into mixed emotions wondering if we watched an entertaining movie or we were left with the feeling of the suffering people who were dead. The depth of the climax hits you hard with the harsh reality of the low wage workers riding on top of lorry. So the movie is overall with a mixed emotions from the happiness moment the boy feels in school, with his friend, special feelings on teacher and the equivalent suffering he faces in weekend without any option but to support his mom. Though it was slightly cringe at times to watch the boy's relation with his teacher and it was not connecting the dots when the teacher was not present in the boy's sister funeral, the movie is overall a good watch for its roller coaster of emotions to be relished in it.

Vaazhai A tale on the lives and miseries of banana plantation workers set on the backdrop of a small village in Thoothukudi. The plot of the story is about the lives of two young school boys set on the backdrop of a small village who makes livelihood through working for Banana plantations. This story is a dedication to his family clan in Thoothukudi losing 20 lives in an accident in 1990 due to the carelessness of the then affluent hands. Mari Selvaraj has blended love,friendship,unity through the screenplay in the movie. He has also portrayed the agony of the underprivileged labourers over the middlemen and traders for their daily living through intricate details. A well versed screenplay mixed with commercial cinematic essence keeps the pace of the movie steady and engages the audience completely with many hilarious moments in school with mischievous behaviour of the two boys. Subtle performances by Ponvel,Nikhila Vimal,Kalaiarasan & Divya Duraisamy in the movie. Director has given detailed characterisation arc to all main characters and avenues for performance in the movie. A remarkable story telling by Mari Selvaraj. Rating - 3.5/5.

After watching Karnan, the main issue I felt with its screenplay was that it lacked any relief moments between the heavy or traumatic scenes. Nearly every scene carried some form of trauma. In Mamannan, while there weren't as many traumatic moments, and there were some pauses between heavy scenes, there still weren't enough contrasting or lighter moments. However, in Vaazhai, these issues are not present. The screenplay includes some well-placed relief moments that allow the audience to slow down and regain energy before the trauma hits again. After seeing Director Bala become emotional after watching this movie, I prepared myself for an intense emotional ride. Perhaps because I was expecting something overwhelming, I found that the movie wasn't as distressing or saddening as I anticipated. The film primarily addresses capitalist ideologies, and it is well-made, brilliantly portrayed, and effectively showcased.

One of the best movies in 2024 - Definitely a much watch movie to understand the happiness of simple things in life with the pain of poverty and hunger mixed. The real success of this movie is - you get connected and corelate your life if you have crossed hardship in life. The movie will make you to self examine your self with regards to how you cross every news. Food waste is a major problem in many countries, this movie will show the importance of food. Oscar material - definitely this movie can be nominated to International nominations. Kudos to director for giving us this "BEST MOVIE - Vaazhai"

"**Vazhai**" is a film that truly left a deep impact on me. It cannot be categorized as a movie meant for just one community; it is a film for all Tamilians. The movie speaks about the exploitation of labor, about love, and the pains of life. It is a must-watch for the younger generation as well. The cinematographer beautifully captures the essence of our land, from a mother cow that has lost its calf, to the millipedes that appear during the rainy season, and even the Odakkan. I could go on and on about this film. This is a quality life-drama film in Tamil cinema. Must watch in theatres, at least send this to the Oscar.