Varumayin Niram Sigappu

Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980) : Brief Review -

I haven't seen any film exploring the conflict between moral idealism and horrible reality of unemployment in such hard-hitting manners. A damn serious formation of Chaplin's Classics. The first frame in the film shows MA holders shouting for Job, and we realise that we are in for some serious show. However, the film has some comedy in the first half that might just give it a chance to be called satire but Arguably. Poetical forces play in the life of an unemployed yet well educated young man. He finds the depth and the beauty of his principles yet fate leaves him in destitution fighting over his morals against the immorally realist nature of society. I remember all the Chaplin classics from Depression Era as well as Post World War era where he brilliantly conveyed message through his Comedy. From his last days 'Monsieur Verdoux' was one such film which didn't have much of a comedy Flavour but showcased a conman's life jingling through unemployment and his kind nature of Helping other needful people. Varumayin Niram Sivappu was sort of like a reminder of that film but here the horrible reality of unemployment was on extreme level. Even harder than Bollywood films of 50s decade which attempted the similar topic. Kamal Haasan plays a character which is morally authentic but factually very tough to find in real life. He portrays a poetically designed man with utter honesty and that outburst of his failure is expressed in right manners. Sridevi plays his love interest, a girl not as much poor as him and little confused but therefore more real. This entire love angle is designed beautifully by the writer, slightly away from typical Indian romance. This Balachander Classic is truly a genuine artistic break from mindless commercial potboilers of Tamil Cinema in 70-80s.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Art movies usually follow naturalistic style. This, my favorite of all KB movies, is a rare combination of romanticism in art movie. This is not an art movie per se, but one of the closest attempts from KB. (next to 'Oru veedu iru vaasal').

The story is about an uncompromising young man's struggle of finding a honest job in the hypocritical world. The lead roles are played by Kamal and Sridevi, probably the best ever Tamil movie couples known for acting talent. This movie is an example of an artistic serious movie that is interesting, moving, ironical and funny at the same time.

There is a scene involving an empty kitchen set. This is one such scene where you have to laugh at the joke, in order to keep yourself from crying.

This would be one of the finest works of director K Balachander. It is likely that many of us would have watched the movie at the time of its release; yet, it is worth watching this again. Anyone reading this review about the movie is likely to know the story well enough, so, I will avoid dwelling on that. Suffice to say that it is a well narrated tale of how a man's principles are severely tested by poverty and it is a question of will power over adversity - will the protagonist stand up for his beliefs against all odds?

This movie had a strong social relevance back in the 80s and you can relate to the story even today, four decades later.

Direction is top notch. Acting by Kamal, Dileep, Sridevi, Poornam, SVe, OVK Rao, as well as the support cast, is excellent. The art of linear story telling is traditional, and yet, it works wonderfully well for the movie...a couple of flashbacks give sufficient backdrop to justify the protagonist's character.

The romance between the lead pair is refreshingly different and subdued. Of course, Bharathiyar's songs and philosophy are beautifully woven into the screenplay.

For an 80s movie, the melodrama is not over the top. However, Pratap Pothen's character is slightly jarring. The film could have avoided the 'Ranga Rangaiya' song completely.

Overall, this is one timeless classic which can be watched and appreciated even today.

A lot of people thought this movie was highly exaggerated, but I think it was a pretty accurate reflection of what idealistic young men go through in India. Kamal is in his element, as is Sridevi. In fact, everyone does a good job. Plenty of melodrama and cliches, but the movie ends on the right note. Thengai Sreenivasan appears for a few incredibly funny minutes, proving that there are no small roles -- only small actors. MSV and Kannadasan, not to mention Bharathiyar, make for an everlasting classic soundtrack. Worth a watch.

One of the best films in indian film industry. K.Balachander's best film. One of the Kamal and sridevi best movies.Kannadasan wrote the lyrics. M.S.Vishwanathan scored music well