Varisu (2023), directed by Vamshi Paidipally and starring Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, Sarathkumar, and Prakash Raj, is a grand-scale Tamil family entertainer that melds action, emotion, and relatable familial themes. Released during the Pongal festival, Varisu marked a comeback for Vijay into the wholesome family drama space while addressing contemporary issues of legacy, loyalty, and personal ambition. The film arrived with massive anticipation, boosted by its star-studded cast, lavish production, and a blend of masala ingredients designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
This comprehensive review traces the movie’s detailed plot, dissects its characters, unpacks major themes, chronicles its impressive box office run, lists comparable films, gives reasons to watch, rounds off with a critical conclusion, and answers common viewer questions.
Detailed Plot
Family, Fortune, and Fracture
Rajendran (Sarathkumar) is a wealthy industrialist with three sons: Jai (Srikanth), Ajay (Shaam), and Vijay Rajendran (Vijay). While Jai and Ajay handle the family business, Vijay is the unconventional youngest, pursuing his own path rather than being involved in corporate affairs. Rajendran, set in his ways, is disappointed in Vijay’s choices and, after an explosive family dispute, banishes him from the house.
Years pass. Jai and Ajay, now deeply involved in the business, wrestle with professional and personal insecurities. Their ambition, combined with external manipulations, starts tearing the family fabric. Rajendran’s health suddenly deteriorates when he is diagnosed with terminal cancer, exposing vulnerabilities in both the family and business.
The Heir Returns
On the eve of Rajendran’s 66th birthday, a gathering casts the spotlight on familial wounds. As the company faces bankruptcy and an aggressive corporate takeover led by villainous rival Jayaprakash (Prakash Raj), Vijay is summoned back home, reluctantly stepping into the role of “Varisu” (the heir). His return provokes mixed reactions—grudging respect from the elders, jealousy from his brothers, and hope from his ailing mother Sudha (Jayasudha).
Business Battles and Emotional Healing
Vijay, using wit and integrity, unravels a web of betrayals that threaten both business and blood ties. He outsmarts Jayaprakash’s schemes, exposes a mole within his own family, and revamps the company image with bold but ethical business moves—promoting corporate social responsibility and transparent leadership.
Vijay confronts his brothers’ mistakes but also their insecurities, facilitating moments of honesty, forgiveness, and growth. His relationship with Divya (Rashmika Mandanna)—a spirited business consultant—blossoms amidst the chaos, adding a romantic subplot without overwhelming the narrative.
The Final Showdown
With Jayaprakash launching a hostile takeover, manipulating Ajay into a disastrous partnership, and sowing discord at every turn, Vijay orchestrates a last-ditch effort to save both the business and the family legacy. A high-octane boardroom standoff, dramatic confessions, and action-packed confrontations culminate with the family uniting to expose the villain. Each character finds redemption or consequence, and Rajendran passes away peacefully, having seen his family healed.
The film closes with Vijay embracing both his role as the new leader and as a compassionate son and brother, signaling a harmonious path forward.
Character Analysis
| Character | Actor | Role & Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Rajendran | Vijay | The youngest son; initially an outsider, becomes the uniting force for family and business. |
| Divya | Rashmika Mandanna | Business consultant and Vijay’s love interest; clever, independent, and supportive. |
| Rajendran | Sarathkumar | The patriarch; stern but loving, his illness catalyzes the family healing. |
| Jai Rajendran | Srikanth | Eldest brother; responsible but harbors jealousy and pride. |
| Ajay Rajendran | Shaam | Second brother; vulnerable to manipulation, craves validation. |
| Jayaprakash | Prakash Raj | Rival businessman; cunning, manipulative, and relentless in pursuing the family downfall. |
| Sudha | Jayasudha | The matriarch; emotionally anchors the family and bridges conflict. |
| Supporting Family | Ensemble | Adds nuance, humor, and additional relationship dynamics to the Rajendran clan. |
Performance Highlights
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Vijay delivers charm, gravity, and humor, balancing authority with vulnerability.
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Rashmika Mandanna lends freshness, not just serving as a love interest but an active player in the corporate maneuvers.
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Sarathkumar and Jayasudha ground the film’s family dynamics with dignity and warmth.
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Prakash Raj is deliciously villainous, blending menace with charisma.
Themes
Family and Redemption
The film centralizes familial reconciliation—showing that pride, rivalry, and mistakes can be overcome by love and honesty. The healing of relationships, especially among siblings and with parents, forms the emotional core.
Legacy and Modernization
Varisu explores what it means to inherit—not just wealth, but responsibility, values, and a sense of purpose. Vijay’s modern, ethical business approach collides and ultimately blends with tradition.
Greed and Corporate Ethics
The story critiques unscrupulous business practices, emphasizing the need for ethics, transparency, and compassion in leadership. Jayaprakash’s ruthless ambition illustrates the dangers of unchecked greed.
Personal Growth
All principal characters undergo transformations—accepting their faults, learning forgiveness, and discovering new strengths through adversity.
Love and Partnership
The romance subplot is built on mutual respect and partnership, reinforcing the theme of support systems in personal and professional life.
Cinematic Craft
Direction & Screenplay
Vamshi Paidipally balances mass appeal with a strong focus on emotion and family drama. The screenplay moves briskly between action set pieces, dramatic standoffs, and tender reunions.
Visuals and Music
Karthik Palani’s cinematography uses vivid colors and sweeping shots of opulent sets, lavish family mansions, and high-rise corporate drama. Thaman S’s soundtrack combines energetic dance numbers with evocative background music, elevating both festive sequences and somber moments.
Editing & Pacing
Praveen KL ensures that flashbacks, climactic confrontations, and comedic detours remain coherent and energetic. Strategic use of slow-motion and punchy dialogues dial up the mass-appeal factor.
Box Office Collection
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Budget: Approximately ₹200 crore (including production, marketing, and distribution rights).
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Opening Day (Worldwide): Around ₹35 crore.
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Opening Weekend (Worldwide): Estimated ₹95 crore.
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Total Worldwide Gross: Surpassed ₹300 crore.
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Tamil Nadu Gross: Over ₹100 crore.
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Telugu States: Over ₹40 crore.
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Kerala & Karnataka: Combined ~₹37 crore.
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North India, Overseas: Approximately ₹120 crore.
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Varisu was a Pongal blockbuster. Its strong festival release, wide appeal, and star power allowed it to cross major milestones, despite mixed reviews from some critics.
Similar Movies
| Movie Title | Overlaps |
|---|---|
| Sankranti | Family feuds, reconciliation, and festival backdrop. |
| Attarintiki Daredi | Estranged heir healing a broken family. |
| Vaaranam Aayiram | Son and father relationships, emotional saga. |
| Sarileru Neekevvaru | Action, family drama, and hero’s return. |
| Thambi | Sibling rivalry, reunions, and hidden motives. |
| Govindudu Andarivadele | Family, legacy, and resolving old wounds. |
| Jilla | Mass drama centered on parental figures and morality. |
Why You Should Watch Varisu
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Entertaining Blend: Combines family drama, action, comedy, and romance in one lavish package.
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Star Power: Vijay is at his charismatic, emotional best, delivering both mass-appeal punch and family-friendly warmth.
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Visual Grandeur: Gorgeous sets, costumes, and production design give the film a festival, celebratory feel.
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Relatable Story: Appeals to anyone who has experienced family conflicts, sibling rivalry, or generational misunderstandings.
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Catchy Music: Thaman S’s soundtrack will have you humming long after the credits roll.
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Feel-Good Factor: Ultimately a story about coming home, healing, and forging a new path from old traditions.
Conclusion
Varisu stands tall as a celebration of family and forgiveness, bringing together the energies of a festival entertainer and the depth of an emotional drama. While it abides by some familiar masala conventions, its heart, humor, and grand visual scale secure its place among the better entries in contemporary Tamil family cinema. Vijay delivers a performance blending style, sensitivity, and star power, ensuring that fans get both large-scale set pieces and intimate moments.
The film’s strengths outweigh occasional predictabilities; it’s a crowd-pleaser designed for festive viewing, with enough substance to linger in memory. Audiences seeking both escapist fun and a reminder of family’s enduring importance will find Varisu deeply satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Varisu based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional narrative drawing from familiar family and business themes, inspired by Telugu and Tamil mainstream drama conventions.
Is the film suitable for children and family viewing?
Absolutely. While it has action sequences, its core is wholesome, making it ideal for family audiences.
Does Varisu mark a change for Vijay?
Yes, it marks a returned focus to family-centric storytelling, blending action star elements with emotional drama after several high-octane mass films.
How did the film perform at the box office?
It was a commercial blockbuster, grossing over ₹300 crore worldwide and thriving on its festive release and wide appeal.
How does the music contribute to the film?
Thaman S delivers a crowd-pleasing soundtrack with both energetic dance numbers and emotive background scores.
Are there similar films to watch?
Yes, movies like Attarintiki Daredi, Sankranti, and Jilla share comparable themes of family, inheritance, and reconciliation.
Is there a sequel?
As of now, Varisu is a standalone film.