Varsham (2014 film)

Varsham

Film poster
Directed by Ranjith Sankar
Produced by
  • Mammootty
  • Ranjith Sankar
Written by Ranjith Sankar
Starring
Music by Bijibal
Cinematography Manoj Pillai
Edited by Sagar Das
Distributed by
  • Play House Release
  • Dreams and Beyonds

, Tricolor Entertainment

Release dates
  • 6 November 2014 (2014-11-06)
Running time
 138 minutes[1]

Varsham (English: Rain) is a 2014 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjith Sankar.[2] The film stars Mammootty and Asha Sarath in the main roles,[3] T. G. Ravi as the antagonist,[4] along with Mamta Mohandas, Govind Padmasoorya and Master Prajwal in major supporting roles.[5] It features a film score and soundtrack by Bijibal.[6] Varsham released worldwide on 6 November 2014. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was commercially successful.[7][8]

Plot

The film narrates the story of Venu (Mammootty) who is an affluent finance company owner but at the same time very much uses the usual croony tactics finance companies use to build their business. His world is limited to only his son and wife. Like any father he imposes his dreams and aspirations on his son without realizing the effect it is having on him. One night, after an argument with Anand on giving a worker 10000 rupees for building house,his son dies of a cardiac arrest and this leads him to see the world in a different perspective. Using his finance company, Venu starts using innovative loan schemes at interests rates lower than that of the market to help people with healthcare, education and other such needs, which leads to him making enemies of his rivals. How he copes up with all these issues and tries to keep his social work in the name of his son alive forms the crux of the story. [9][10]

Cast

Soundtrack

Varsham
Soundtrack album by Bijibal
Released 11 October 2014
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length 07:37
Label Mathrubhumi Music
Producer Bijibal
Bijibal chronology
Tamaar Padaar
(2014)		 Varsham
(2014)		 Lal Bahadur Shastri
(2014)

Bijibal, who had earlier collaborated with Ranjith Sankar for all his films except Molly Aunty Rocks!, composed the soundtrack for the film.[11] The lyrics were written by Santhosh Varma and M.R Jayageetha.[12] The soundtrack of the film was released on 11 October 2014 under the label Mathrubhumi Music.[13]

Tracklist
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Koottuthedi"  M.R JayageethaSachin Warrier04:04
2."Karimukilukal"  Santhosh VarmaSharreth03:33
Total length:07:37

Release

Varsham released worldwide on 6 November 2014 in about 400 theaters.[14][15] The film released simultaneously in India as well as in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, a first for a Malayalam film.[16][17]

Marketing

The trailer and audio of the film was launched in a function at Oberon Mall in Kochi on 11 October 2014.[18] The function was live streamed in Mammootty's official website.[19] It was announced on the event that no flex boards or plastic would be used to market Varsham.[20] A song of the film "Koottuthedi" was released through the mobile messaging app WhatsApp for the first time in a Malayalam film.[21]

Reception

Critical reception

Varsham received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise towards the performances, direction and the screenplay.[22] Nicy V.P of International Business Times gave the film 4.5/5 stars and wrote, "Varsham is a movie worth investing your time and money. The USP of the movie is definitely the performance by the actors and the casting of the movie requires a special mention. Mammootty has carried the whole film on his shoulders with his impeccable perfection in acting."[23] IndiaGlitz concluded its review, "Varsham is a very heart-touching tale with a very important message" and gave the film a rating of 8.5 out of 10.[24] Sreejith Naripatta of Indiavision gave the film 4 stars in a scale of 5 and wrote, "Even though the narrative is told in a simple way, the audience is never allowed to be free from the mental tension" and that it "could be added to the list of the best family movies of Mammootty."[25] Akhila Menon of FilmiBeat also rated the film 4/5 and stated that Ranjith Sankar "manages to bring up a very simple theme and portray it without any entertaining gimmicks or over-dosage of sentiments." She concluded that the film was a "tender and completely engrossing family drama."[26]

Padmakumar K of Malayala Manorama rated it 3.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Many scenes are tearjerkers, but they lend an aura of substance as no other film in the immediate past has been able to. Sensibly orchestrated, these portrayals are captivating, deeply moving, rich and original." He concluded that the film "stands out as an exceptional work by Ranjith Sankar."[27] The Times of India gave the film 3.5 in a scale of 5 and concluded its review, "Varsham has the elements of a thought-provoking film, which lingers even after you exit the movie hall." The performances were praised as the reviewer noted, "Asha Sarath's powerful portrayal deserves a special mention", while also stating Mammootty's performance as "soulful".[28] Jahangir Razzak of Mathrubhumi wrote that the film, "is the most beautiful film of Ranjith Sankar" and concluded, "Varsham is a torrential downpour of goodness and the simplicity of appearance."[29] Tejas Nair of Theater Balcony gave the film a score of 64% and concluded his review, "A family drama which will definitely gobble you up. It has good performances and a fine narration, which will at least not bore you."[30]

Veeyen of Now Running rated it 3/5 and stated, "Varsham is a soothing shower of compassion and goodwill that is undoubtedly Ranjith Sankar's best work as yet. It is a magnificently touching, tragic film that soaks you up in melancholy and optimism." He lauded the performance of Mammootty and wrote, "Mammootty lends his heart and soul to Venu, and comes up with a well rounded and emotionally raw performance that will, without doubt leave your eyes moist on several occasions".[31] The reviewer of Sify rated the film as "Good" and stated that the film was "a rehashed version of those stereotyped movies from the past, but even then it has been presented well." It also added, "Mammootty makes the anguish of a father look disturbingly real" and that "for the fans of Mammootty, this one is nothing less than a grand treat."[32] Paresh C Palicha, writing for Rediff, commented, "Varsham carries the stamp of Ranjith Sankar which is enhanced by Mammootty's presence." He gave the film 3 out of 5 stars.[33] Behindwoods also awarded the film 3/5 stars and stated, "With stellar performances from the lead actors, the movie feels disturbingly real and leaves the audience in tears on several occasions."[34]

On the contrary, Raj Vikram of Metro Matinee wrote that the film "holds no surprises and fails to fully tap the hidden potential in the subject" and concluded, "Varsham is akin to an impending rain, that never pours!"[35] E.V. Shibu of Mangalam lauded the performance of Mammootty as he noted, "Mammootty amazes the audience just with his lip movement and makes them shed some tears" and wrote that the film "is full of moments that take advantage of the acting prowess of Mammootty", but criticized the film as a whole, "The visuals and characters that wander aimlessly in the second half, the slow pace and situations without any tightness make the 139-minute-long film a morose experience."[36] Sharika C. of The Hindu wrote, "You know exactly where the film is going, and the only things that are added to the film at every turn, or lack of it, are more tears" and stated that the film "offers nothing new."[37]

Box office

The film was both critically and commercially successful.[38][39][40][41] The film collected GB£212 from 1st weekend at UK box office.[42]

Accolades

Varsham was ranked amongst the year-end top ten lists of International Business Times and Sify.[43][44] Mammootty received the award for the best actor at the 17th Asianet Film Awards, 62nd Filmfare Awards South and 2014 Vanitha Film Awards for his portrayal of Venu.[45][46][47] He was also nominated for the same at the 4th South Indian International Movie Awards, while Asha Sarath won the Best Actress award at the 2014 Ramu Kariat Movie Awards and was nominated for the same at the Filmfare Awards.[48][49][50]

References

  1. ↑ "VARSHAM (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. 28 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Varsham". FilmiBeat.
  3. ↑ "Asha Sharath to be Mammootty's heroine in 'Varsham'". MetroMatinee. 28 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "TG Ravi is Mammootty's villain in Varsham!". The Times of India. 19 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "'Varsham' to be released in October". NowRunning. 19 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Shooting of 'Varsham' Starring Mammootty, Mamta Mohandas and Asha Sharath to Begin on 15 August". International Business Times. 7 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mammootty is back with a bang!". Sify. 10 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Malayalam Best Lead Actors 2014: Mammootty, Dulquer, Nivin, Fahadh and Others in Top 10 List". International Business Times. 23 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "Varsham Synopsis". NowRunning. 29 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Life and its many complexities". The Hindu. 18 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "The rain of life". The Hindu. 6 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "രഞ്ജിത്ത് ശങ്കറിന്റെ വര്‍ഷം മമ്മൂട്ടി നിര്‍മ്മിക്കുന്നു". FilmiBeat. 3 May 2014. zero width joiner character in |title= at position 25 (help)
  13. ↑ "പുതുമകളുടെ തിളക്കത്തില്‍ 'വര്‍ഷം' ഓഡിയോ റിലീസ്‌". Mathrubhumi. 12 October 2014. zero width joiner character in |title= at position 24 (help)
  14. ↑ "'Varsham' releases big today". Sify. 6 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Mammootty's 'Varsham' to Release Worldwide in over 400 Theatres". International Business Times. 4 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "The rain of life". The Hindu. 6 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Varsham Gets A Worldwide Release". FilmiBeat. 5 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "'Varsham' trailer and audio launched". Sify. 11 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Mammootty's 'Varsham' Audio-Trailer Launch on 11 October". International Business Times. 11 October 2014.
  20. ↑ "A brand new marketing plan for Mammootty's Varsham". Rediff. 19 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "After Aamir Khan, Mammootty Follows Shah Rukh's Strategy; 'Varsham' First Song to be Released on WhatsApp". International Business Times. 17 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "'Varsham' Review Roundup: Ranjith's Direction and Mammootty's Performance Impress Critics". International Business Times. 6 November 2014.
  23. ↑ Nicy V.P (7 November 2014). "Mammootty's 'Varsham' Review: A Movie of Stellar Performances and High Directorial Value". International Business Times.
  24. ↑ "Varsham Review - 'Varsham' a Heart-Touching Tale". IndiaGlitz. 7 November 2014.
  25. ↑ Sreejith Naripatta (7 November 2014). "നിറഞ്ഞു പെയ്യുന്ന വര്‍ഷം". Indiavision. zero width joiner character in |title= at position 22 (help)
  26. ↑ Akhila Menon (7 November 2014). "Varsham Movie Review: Tender And Completely Engrossing". FilmiBeat.
  27. ↑ Padmakumar K (7 November 2014). "Varsham: An aesthetic outpouring of emotions". Malayala Manorama.
  28. ↑ "Varsham". The Times of India. 9 November 2014.
  29. ↑ Jahangir Razzak (7 November 2014). "വര്‍ഷം: ഭാവസാന്ദ്രമായ ലളിത മഴ". Mathrubhumi. zero width joiner character in |title= at position 4 (help)
  30. ↑ Tejas Nair (13 November 2014). "Varsham Is A Capturing Drama Which Coils Into A Ramrod Weepie". Theater Balcony.
  31. ↑ Veeyen (7 November 2014). "Varsham Review". NowRunning.
  32. ↑ "Movie Review : Varsham". Sify. 7 November 2014.
  33. ↑ Paresh C Palicha (7 November 2014). "Review: Mammootty shines in Varsham". Rediff.
  34. ↑ "Varsham Movie Review". Behindwoods.
  35. ↑ Raj Vikram (7 November 2014). "Varsham Movie Review". MetroMatinee.
  36. ↑ E.V. Shibu (7 November 2014). "അതിവൈകാരികതയുടെ പെയ്ത്ത്". Mangalam.
  37. ↑ Sharika C. (9 November 2014). "A flood of emotions". The Hindu.
  38. ↑ "Malayalam Best Lead Actors 2014: Mammootty, Dulquer, Nivin, Fahadh and Others in Top 10 List". International Business Times. 23 December 2014.
  39. ↑ "Birthday Special: Why Mammootty is the personification of versatility". News18. 7 September 2015.
  40. ↑ "Mammootty is back with a bang!". Sify. 10 November 2014.
  41. ↑ "For Mammootty and Mohanlal, 2015 looks bright". The Indian Express. 1 January 2015.
  42. ↑ "Interstellar goes into orbit at UK box office with Mr Turner rising fast". The Guardian. 11 November 2014.
  43. ↑ "Malayalam Cinema 2014: Top 10 Movies of the Year". International Business Times. 18 December 2014.
  44. ↑ "Malayalam's Top 10 in 2014-Critics choice". Sify.
  45. ↑ "17th Asianet Film Awards: Mammootty, Manju Warrier Win Best Actor Awards". International Business Times. 12 January 2015.
  46. ↑ "Winners of 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards South". Filmfare. 27 June 2015.
  47. ↑ "Vanitha-Cera Film Awards: Mammootty, Manju Warrier Win Best Actor Awards; '1983' Best Film". International Business Times. 17 February 2015.
  48. ↑ "South Indian International Movie Awards". South Indian International Movie Awards. 16 June 2015.
  49. ↑ "Ramu Kariat Movie Awards: 'Njaan', Dulquer Salmaan, Asha Sarath Win Awards". International Business Times. 22 January 2015.
  50. ↑ "62nd Filmfare Awards South 2015: Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Mammootty, Biju Menon, Suresh Gopi Nominated". International Business Times. 4 June 2015.
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