Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014) User Reviews

Film is funny, engaging, touching, crazy and human !

[nirmal-biotech · 7/10 · 4 May 2014]

Vaayai Moodi pesavum : Its been long time that I have seen such a Clean entertainer... still , VSP is ain't a run-of-the-mill flick which we normally come across with big TALKIES sign in a Cinema hall .. film is mostly SILENT in second half ! Although the movie seems to be focused on comedy, it delivers a very subtle yet powerful message on the importance of communication. While peppered with numerous comic incidents, the movie is quite serious in adressing its central theme. There's some important content in this film, but it is never overpowered by laughs, nor vice versa. While comedies have moved on to become more grosser and outrageous in order to tickle our dulled funny bone, 'Vaayai Moodi pesavum' manages it with what now seems like restraint but is really a good example of 'wacky' comedy, mixed with a good vein of sentiment and character. The plot is pretty good although some of it pushes the boat out to the unreal in order to get laughs – but this isn't a problem because it DOES get laughs, if it hadn't then it might have been an issue. Most of it is hilarious although some drags early on. The movie ends on a very dramatic note, on the power of communicating and it does show how redundant the words are in presence of good acting, screenplay and the power of music ( though i believe certain songs cud have been avoided !! ) ..Despite being a bit predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It's another good attempt by John Hughes.

Bottom line : Film is funny, engaging, touching, crazy and human !

Good, harmless fun !

[charlesraj88 · 7/10 · 27 April 2014]

I remember how, after watching the Malayalam classic - Punjabi House, my friends and I spoke to each other in 'Jabba...Jabbas' for a whole day (the movie had been about a deaf and mute couple falling in love).

And perhaps the only reason you hear so little about this movie (Vaaya Moodi Pesavum / Samsaram Arogyathinu Hanikaram) is because the second half, which is reminiscent of the Charlie Chaplin silent movies of old, quite simply leaves the audience speechless.

The plot is silly and a bit predictable, but that's exactly what makes this satire worthwhile. Was there a message in there somewhere? Maybe, but director Balaji Mohan delivers it subtly and at no time does the movie or its characters feel preachy.

The movie might not be a critics' favorite, but its good, harmless fun.

Shut up and watch ! :)

[rockerrohit2727 · 7/10 · 30 April 2014]

Ratings : 4\5 (Esp for creativity and boldness) Vaayai Moodi Pesavum is easily one of the best films(very few) in recent times. A Lovely and a Coolest film to watch this summer

Direction : Balaji Mohan has handled the script(his own) with brilliant narration. The mix of fiction,Romcom and Satire is new to Tamizh Cinema ! Actors : Dulquer has made a promising debut with flawless acting. Spl appreciation for his effort to dub in tamizh in his own voice(and has succeeded too) Nazriya's skills are increasing film by film. All others deliver clean and decent performance. !

Film : Quirky and hilarious with a good message. Every bit of the movie is enjoyable and the narration style is top-notch.First half is built up brilliantly and Second half with no dialogues(90%) moves quick and creates a feel good atmosphere. Music : Sean Roldan has backed up the script beautifully ! (Esp in second half) Cinematography deserves a special appreciation ! It made the film colorful and cool ! Cons : Could have been more crisp and could have avoided the songs(2)

Overall : A super-cool and breezy film to watch this summer !

Sometimes brilliant, sometimes contradictory

[haricharanpudipeddi · 7/10 · 27 April 2014]

In his second directorial "Vaayai Moodi Pesavum", Balaji Mohan tells us that if you know when to speak and when not to, then most of our problems are easily resolved. He has a brilliant premise to convince us with exactly what he wants to deliver through the film, which undeniably is a smart romantic-comedy (much better than several films in the same genre in the recent past), with spurts of humour and satire at regular intervals to keep us entertained. It's an almost brilliant film that contradicts itself at several junctures for reasons that are never explained and left to be figured out by the viewer. When an imaginary disease called 'Dumb Flu' plagues the inhabitants of Panimalai, forcing everybody to stop speaking because it aggravates when you do, the fate of a few characters that have issues with communication is tested. The first half of the film, which I think was brilliantly executed, harps on the importance of speaking at the right place, at the right time and at every given opportunity. The course of the events during this half has the spotlight on characters that either struggle to express what they want to or on those who won't stop speaking. It focuses on a writer-turned-housewife who struggles to tell her husband that she wants to write again, a young doctor who can't tell her possessive boyfriend that she doesn't like to be controlled and a school boy who fears telling his parents that he's more passionate about drawing than studies. Interestingly, all the aforementioned characters belong to the same family. Throughout the first half, efforts are made by the director to push these characters to open up and express what they want to. You appreciate this effort because you connect with these characters that are so real that you might find them in your own life. It is in the second half that you feel the film contradicts itself. Contrary to the first half, the characters are made to stop talking because of 'Dumb Flu'. There are absolutely no dialogues (but for some voiceovers) and the narrative style is akin to Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times". The director, who urges us to speak throughout the first half, suddenly asks us to shut up. The director, who said most of our problems are resolved when we sit and discuss, wants us to shut up. Doesn't that contradict the very essence of the film that was built intelligently in the first half? Nevertheless, you don't complain about the film because it dares to address several sensitive issues with a pinch of salt. From how Tamil cinema is being constantly attacked by fringe groups to dirty politicians and politics, Balaji slaps everybody in the face and makes them shut up. Of course, all this is done by striking a perfect balance between humour and satire. Heavily inspired by Woody Allen's style of storytelling, Balaji presents a kind of narrative that Tamil audiences are not used to. Still, they cheer for it because it's creative. He keeps making brief appearances throughout the film in a very funny role of a news reporter, eventually proving how crooked and TRP-oriented the media is in this country. On the acting front, debutant Dulquer Salmaan is a treat to watch. He earns extra brownie points for dubbing in his own voice and speaking flawless Tamil. Nazriya comfortably slips into the shoes of a character so contrary to the ones she has played in the past. The supporting cast featuring Arjun, Abhinav, Vinu, John and others played their respective roles to perfection. Sean Roldan keeps the film alive with his music and knows how to use it as a narrative, especially in the second half that hardly has any dialogues. Tighter editing was required in the second half which becomes a little tedious to sit through due to the slow narrative. To enjoy "Vaayai Moodi Pesavum", just shut up and watch it!

Unique, but sloppy/lazy too

[sesht · 17 May 2014]

You must've heard of 1-joke movies. Well, this one's a single concept flick.

They decided to make something unique, and found a good concept, but other than doing a little with it, they run out of ideas. They do surround the concept with a good team of technical staff and actors, but the one they missed out on was a good helmer. Balaji Mohan, IMHO, is not up to the task, looking at the end result, that is.

The good parts?

The concept, the satirical take on the whole thing, and a few other extensions, like TaNaKuSa and the fan club, having some fun with the existing tropes in society.

Also, ripping of the aspect from Paul Verhoeven's Robocop with having a parallel media narration track works well for this genre, and specifically this flick.

Among the performances, everyone gives it their all, but are hampered by the (lack of) characterization, but more on that later. Pandiaraajan, John Vijay, the actor playing the Minister's PA and the head of TaNaKuSa acquit themselves quite admirably, along with 'Roja' Madhoo.

The bad?

Lazy writing, as evidenced by not writing a single word, smart or otherwise, for the lead, whose strength is supposedly talking his way out of any situation/resolving everything using his gift of gab. Even more ironic, considering he loses his "super-power" for about half of the movie. I, for one, would have liked to see said super-power in play before that event. Its like having Superman's powers wiped out by Kryptonite even before we see him fly or don the cape. Screen writing 101. That was extremely disappointing.

Lack of good characterization hampers even a great actress like Nazriya Nazim, who did a fantastic job earlier this year in 'Ohm Shanthi Oshaana', and also in a lesser-work like 'Raja Rani'. I've never seen Dulquer Salmaan act before, and cannot profess similarly about his prowess, but I'm sure that he might have been able to display more range, given the opportunity.

The score - given that this movie relies on silence for a major portion of its running time, one would have expected a stronger score. What exists is not bad, but does not elevate the material in any way either. Rajat Kapoor (other than for 'Aankhon Dekhi', which has perhaps some of the strongest scoring to-date) has been accused for focusing more on content rather than technical aspects, but when you think of his works overall, you don't find them wanting due to a weak score. This one needed something better for us to digest the weak content. Alas, that is not to be.

To sum it up, one must watch this at the multiplex, just to encourage something 'different', but I sorely wish the makers had not taken their audiences for granted on the other aspects of film-making.

Laborious to sit through...

[loveyourlife · 6/10 · 30 April 2014]

So every other reviewer is raving about this film... maybe I'm too critical or maybe I missed the point. Who knows? I struggled through this film wondering if it was supposed to be a 'comedy', 'romance' or 'kids movie' or even all of the above. The concept is interesting; a town where no-one can be speak (for reasons I won't go into - watch the film if you want to know why) and a second act (i.e. post interval) that is taking its queue from silent films and/or The Artist. It's novel, decently executed but grates after a while; I almost wanted someone to speak and relieve us from all the hand gestures. Now I'm a fan of Dulquer Salmaan and despite his pin up looks, he is a good actor and believable in almost every role I've seen him in and the same goes here. Despite this, it's not enough to rescue the film from being nothing more than a "good attempt" at something different. The newsreader (Balaji Mohan, who I believe is also the writer and director of the film) is fairly entertaining as the obligatory South Indian comedy element to the film. If this had been a DVD, I would've switched it off 30 minutes in; but as I watched it in a cinema, I sat through the whole thing. It was pleasant but that's about it.

Brilliant film after Soodhu Kavvum! Balaji the best director of Modern kollywood Cinema!

[nanowenillai · 10/10 · 26 April 2014]

I thoroughly enjoyed every scene. Complete satisfaction! This movie does not have proper logic in many parts but still a well written neat film like soodhu kavvum. i was absorbed into the movie. Even though this was humour film, this was a serious story unlike other santhanam films like #KannaLadduThinnaAasaya. This should be a trend setter. Pandiarajan as sundaralingam is so funny after long time especially the mashup scene i was literally LOL. All the characters have a nice part to play and such a beautiful story was written for everyone. I loved the news reader scenes by Balaji Mohan. He himself is a good actor too and extracted nice acting from everyone. As he explains himself, its such a crazy movie! Its worth to watch second time! I wonder if you would still ask for a movie with fight,songs and so on. Please don't go back. There are so many things to enjoy! 5/5.

Balaji has a very good taste to direct films and he took a small step towards Hollywood style. I don't want a Transformers movie here. Transformers is worst film. I want films with nice script. Films such as Eternal sunshine. Thats where we have to look forward. Selvaraghavan's attempts by using serious stories have failed. I hope Balaji would not fail. Great directors like Bala and Mani Ratnam have excellent ability to direct anything. They are very best at how to direct but you can still question if they are good at what to direct. The stories they do still lack the expectations. Balaji looks very promising this being his very second film, he started writing creative scripts.

After watching Maan karate i was so fed up for such a stupid script and was worrying tamil cinema was going down. But after seeing this i am amazed! Those who said Maan karate is better than this movie, Please Vaayai moodavum! Hats off Balaji Mohan Ji! I am soon expecting you to take a film of some other genre soon!

NOTE : YOU WILL BE MEETING MANY REVIEWERS SAYING THIS MOVIE IS CONFUSING. NOT AT ALL! WATCH THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND AND I AM SURE YOU WILL ENJOY IT!!!

Fun and touching

[harelives · 7/10 · 22 May 2019]

I had kept this aside because I thought this would be a flop. But as a good friend suggested, while watching this I felt how ignorant I was. This is a good mix of many things. It's fun, heart warming and thought provoking. Mostly the balance of everything here make us keep watching. I'm some scenes I thought the directions might go over in seconds. But it didn't and kept the flow in the desired path.

Enjoyed every minute of this. And the gun fight itself is enough to tell someone how a good comedy is done.

The mock COVID-19 movie!

[nanonand · 10/10 · 28 October 2022]

I watched this movie 8 years after its release, it is mind-blowing how the movie captured every aspect of life during the COVID-19 pandemic before it even happened! The comedy by Pandiarajan and Robo Shankar is absolutely hilarious. Madhubala playing the role of a patient and wise step-mother was refreshing! The movie highlights the role of positive thinking and acting with only the best intentions and without expectations, something which our current fragmented society needs to hear more and more. The scenic locations of this movie shot largely in Ooty adds an aesthetic element to this movie as well. Highly recommended!

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (U) TAMIL -------- my Rating: ★★★½ TIME PASS

[yunusitboss · 7/10 · 24 November 2014]

New movie Reviews and lots more Hot news .... LIKE THIS PAGE : English Hindi TAMIL TELUGU Facebook : Movie Review by Yunus Irshad https://www.facebook.com/YunusIrshadsMovieReview

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (U) TAMIL -------- my Rating: ★★★½ TIME PASS

STRENGTHS :- * Story Screenplay Dialogue Direction: well written new concept to tamil cinema.. * Casting and Performances :were really good. * Robo shankar comedy scenes were hilarious. * BGM: takes completely in second half.

WEAKNESSES :- * Songs were not impressive. * Lengthy first half

FINAL VERDICT :- * Overall... it is a great time pass movie you will enjoy. There is a complete surprise in second half ... watch it

What if an entire town stopped speaking?

Director: Balaji Mohan Writers: Balaji Mohan, Balaji Mohan Stars: Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim, Madhoo | See full cast and crew »

Overconfident director, Ends with a crappy movie..

[therkr80 · 2/10 · 27 June 2014]

The whole movie is like school drama. Right from the beginning the narration of the director is so immature and very artificial. and the actors are too childish. Dulqer Salman should have chosen another movie to gain entry into the Tamil industry.

The news channel scenes are the highly irritating scenes and others ones are the quarreling scenes between cine fans and protesters. Crap...!

The film shows the over confidence of the director, who thinks that his first film (kaadhalil sodhappuvadhu eppadi) is an enormous success (which is equally artificial and like a school drama) and ends up in a worthless movie like this. Better to avoid. Thank god this film is not a commercial success. Hope no other producer gets fooled next time...!

The Movie mainly emphasizes on the idea that, if humans talk openly with others, there will be no problems anymore and the world will be a peaceful place

[pantheraleomaximus · 10/10 · 1 July 2014]

Director Balaji Mohan made an impressive debut with Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi in 2012.Vaayai Moodi Pesavum has left an impact in the minds of audience with its posters and the trailer. It generated a kind of curiosity and people hoped that they have something special in store for them this time too. And Balaji Mohan has almost lived up to audience expectations. How? Find it by watching the film. Synopsis: A mysterious illness declared as dumb flu spreads in a quaint hill station forcing the town's residents from speaking. Will the problems in the place increase due to this or will it lead to better communication? the screenplay is refreshing and perfectly presented. pandiraj and robo shankar had done justice to their roles and acted perfectly well. you will definitely notice sean roldan's background score.on the whole the film is thoroughly enjoyable and the director definitely reinvented the rom com formula.with romance and comedy its one of the coolest summer release.this film is an highly ambitious effort and the director succeeds in his efforts.a totally new concept coupled with directors narrative style and screenplay makes this film thoroughly enjoyable.

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum

[rdakshay · 7/10 · 30 March 2021]

This flim is a good flim . Comedy Worked out very well . Plus point is Dialouges delivery , Screenplay , Acting , Editing , Music & bgm ( Background Music) . Nothing minus in this flim .

Not A Review, But A Warning, This! ♦ 21%

[nairtejas · 2/10 · 12 July 2014]

I am going to warn you people about the peril of watching this film, either in Tamil or Malayalam. With no story at all, the plot of this terribly long film drags and manages to stand afoot with one and only one thing: HORSEPLAY.

It starts off with characters that are not properly introduced: a happy- go-lucky salesman who is a brilliant communicator, an innocent girl kept on her toes by her strict boyfriend, and some of the worst characters in cinema history: actor and alcohol lovers' fans associations who are in a face off. The narrative is stupid as from thin air, a fictional epidemic strays the city and people start losing their voices. Off-screen, I was starting to lose my temper.

Then comes the second half where every single character is seen playing charades, because the city administrators have put up a ban on "talking." The logic behind that is preposterous. This cannot be termed a spoiler alert since there is no plot at all, like I mentioned before. I courageously braved the second half to receive a blown-off climax and a rather clumsy ending. It felt like even the makers had got tired of the nonsense they had voluntarily created. It has many themes, yet even one fails to make a point.

Watching Madhoo after a very long time felt good. Nazim is fine and so is Salman. Supporting cast is nothing much to speak about. The film heavily borrows from yesteryear classics, Taare Zameen Par for example.

BOTTOM LINE: I had this sinking feeling after watching the film, because I felt like I had lost something out of me and now I know what it was: my logical thinking capability. The 2 stars are for the few chuckles and emotive sequences I enjoyed. Avoid!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Action speaks louder than words

[hemalatha86 · 10/10 · 19 April 2015]

It's many days since I completely enjoyed a Tamil movie for having a simple concept. The movie is so different and yet what they show here is one of the oldest ideas in movies, and that is movies with no dialog. We can all still watch a Charlie Chaplin movie and laugh heartily at it because of the quality of the acting, quick wittedness and a real good imagination to convey a message without saying it. That is what they have achieved here.

From the start till the end there was no moment I got bored. This is exactly what I would expect from a good movie, absolute entertainment for the entire 2 hours and a great message. To top it all, you will feel good as hell after watching it. I have two words for the people who made this movie and that is Thank you!

Funny and engaging

[sibijai · 8/10 · 22 April 2023]

The film's plot was itself is different for kollywood. Especially the way they pulled the second half after the town is under a lockdown was very good. Dulquer Salman, Nazriya, Robo Shankar, Madhu were very good in their roles. Balaji Mohan as news anchor was really good comedic relief. But when the film nears climax, it becomes laggy and slow. The movie is about importance of communication and how we should use the gift of communication properly and the director manages to channel that message to the audience in a non preachy way. Dulquer - Nazriya love track was not that impactful, the movie would've been the same even if they were shown as friends. Sean Roldan's score was really good. Kadhal Ara Onnu Vizundhuchu was really a good song with great visuals. Other than that no songs stay in mind. Since the flim was shot in a hill station, cinematography did justice to the Balaji Mohan's vision. The movie was technically brilliant. Art direction, Music, cinematography, casting, editing was all good. Lastly, Balaji Mohan has once again made a comedy film with a social message but compared to Kadhalil sodhapuvadhu eppadi this film was less interesting.

Amazing Movie

[shrirammay-08733 · 10/10 · 31 May 2020]

It's a gem of a movie. Truely amazing and unique story and excellent performances.

Perfect Mix Of Every Elements

[Ak_Rashed · 10/10 · 14 March 2018]

A Mind Blowing Masterpiece/ in one word 'sherah' ...Got everything comedy,drama,emotions,sweet Romance ...i would give 10 out of 10 for that Health Minister ...Hes Best ,Hes a legend of comedy ...And of course Delquer Salman Is best as always ....