Vaazhai

A heart-rending film directed by a master film maker.

Starting with a child's infatuation with a teacher it gradually takes on more serious issues. It is woven beautifully with one serious issue after another.

Based on a true story It is set in the end of last century.

The child actors have done exceedingly well. The cinematography is stunning The adults have played their parts perfectly. The old Illayaraja songs add magic to the storytelling.

His earlier films, Paraiyerum Perumal had set a high level. Karnan was just as good.

This film is without doubt his Magnum Opus.

Tamil cinema is in safe hands.

This movie is about Sivanaindhan, a school student who is forced to work at weekends and holidays as a labourer to carry heavy banana bunches to pay his family's debt. The movie covers Sivanaidhan's friendship, his crush on a teacher, the state of villagers relying on only one job and the exploitation by the owner.

The movie starts with a serious flashforward scene of the movie's conflict. The school sequences, the fights and the unity between Sivanaidhan and his friend Sekhar, Sivanaidhan's infatuation towards his Teacher Poongodi, and the love scenes of Kani and Vembu were written as if in a slice-of-life movie. The attempt of Sivanaidhan and his friend Sekhar to avoid going to labour work was funny as well, as it shows how badly they hated it.

The conflicts were written as whenever Sivanaidhan does something for his joy it reverts to him negatively. I set my mind that something bad was going to happen as I saw the characters were happy for some time. The movie shows how the poor are being exploited without proper pay and treated poorly by the owners and middlemen. The movie gets darker by the climax. All the emotions were high in the movie, as required. The movie is good in every aspect.

Mari Selvaraj did a great job in crafting the true incident into a story of a schoolboy and then as a movie. Respect for him goes up, and I have high expectations for his next movie. The two boys who played Sivanaidhan and Sekhar did very well in their roles as debut actors. Other actors were good too as they played their roles well in the movie. The cinematography and composition were good. The music and songs play a vital role in this film to give a fulfilling experience.

In conclusion, I love this movie. It has had a huge impact on me. I would suggest everyone to watch this at least once.

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.

The film seems to be a slow-burn narrative that resonates more with an audience familiar with rural life and its everyday struggles, rather than catering to mainstream entertainment. While it lacks the high-paced drama or action many viewers might expect, the technical aspects such as cinematography, direction, acting, and background score are undoubtedly praiseworthy, which is often a hallmark of art films.

The comparison to Rahul Dravid's batting style -steady, technically sound, and unflashy - perfectly encapsulates the film's approach. It's methodical and patient, not relying on extravagant or high-intensity moments, but rather on the steady build-up of simple yet meaningful storytelling. The climax, as you pointed out, brings everything together and provides a satisfying conclusion, making the earlier slow pace feel justified.

In summary, Vazhai appears to be a well-crafted art film, best suited for audiences with an appreciation for subtle, authentic filmmaking rather than those seeking high entertainment value.

"**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.