The movie is an example of how friendship can be strong and enduring, without letting anything break it over time (Image: Instagram @Vaazha movie)

You might have gone through situations where parents foresee your future as they jinxed to achieve their goal but wish to fulfil it through you, and the times when their behaviour seemed unfathomable and pulled back you from making decisions on your own or you nod your head to gratify their will or aspirations. Director Anand Menen’s Malayalam movie Vaazha: The Biopic of a Billion Boys takes you through the road you travelled but never talked about even in your close circle.

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, movie director Vipin Das’s script is a crowd-pleaser as it promises a fun-filled narrative with a deep story standing in line to pop out when it is time to make a twist. “Vaazha” is a heartwarming and hilarious film that masterfully blends comedy, strong friendship, family connections and societal pressure. The movie follows a group of boys who have no interest in building a career as their parents insist on studying hard and pursuing a professional degree disregarding their true passions.

(Spoiler alert) The story starts with Kottayam Nazeer who purchases a banana sapling and is about to plant it in his home yard but is taken by another when he was romancing his wife in lieu. The story indirectly suggests that it is better to plant a ‘Plantain’ than to bring a child into the world who may not have any exceptional abilities.

As the story takes you through, you may get acquainted with a bunch of friends, Ajo (Siju Sunny), Moosa (Joemon Jyothir), Vishnu (Amith Mohan Rajeswari), Vivek (Anu) and Abdul Kalam (Anuraj OB) who have been friends right from their schooling and continue to keep regardless of their parents vehement efforts to part them away from each other.

The gang has been a pain in the neck for teachers and their parents were called to the principal’s room every other day as their shenanigans become something that is taken for granted. The first half offers trivial comedy scenes and coming-of-age dialogues along with a bromide love story, tussle, snacking and usual roguery.

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After an hour of these inveterate narratives, there comes the outstanding performances of veteran actor Jagadeesh who consistently persuades his kid (Saaf) to excel at his academics as his son follows his words unbend. On the contrary, Kottayam Nazeer, Azees Nedumangad and Nobby Marcose labelling their kids as ‘Vaazha” a slang to describe those who are considered bunkum and a colloquial term used as a monicker of  ‘useless.’

To fulfil their wish, these parents took the admission for their children unbeknownst to each other, but they met at the same college as one of their mothers spilt the beans to the next mother while they met at a hypermarket. The children, known as ‘Vaazhaas’, encountered each other on the first day at the engineering college and got into a fight, embarrassing their parents and later apologising to the principal just as they had done before.

The plot fluctuates between high, low, and neutral moments, with a cameo role from the social media sensation Hashiree adding spice to the bromance and leaving room for another twist to bring a smile to your face. Basil Joseph’s cameo as a policeman also brings humour through his dialogue delivery.
In the second half of the story, just when it seems like a lighthearted comedy, there is a sudden shift that turns the mood into deep sadness, showcasing a variety of emotions and chaos changing the whole mood of the story.

Towards the end, the audience can witness a monumental appeal that it is indispensable to construe the true emotions of our kids, understand their plight and support their inherent talent rather than making them stand under an encumbrance of responsibilities slowly leaving a wound to fester.

The movie is an example of how friendship can be strong and enduring, without letting anything break it over time. ‘Vaazha’ has a magnificent storyline that captivates viewers’ minds from diverse backgrounds.  I firmly believe it’s their parents who need to watch this film as it shows how expectations rob us of our joys and our children’s puerility. If you’re seeking a movie that will leave you smiling, introspective, and perhaps even inspired to reevaluate your path, the bond with your children and a chance to relate your own life a trifle then “Vaazha” is absolutely a great pick.

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