Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018) User Reviews

Perfect blend of visuals and music

[kawinstark · 8/10 · 3 February 2019]

Wow, simply. The acting was great from all side. Every character in the movie gave their best.

Arr and Rajiv Menon has sculpted this movie to be a masterpiece.

A must watch and Rajiv Menon is Back .

[ananthragi · 8/10 · 4 February 2019]

An awesome movie which touches so many emotions. Rajiv menon back with an awesome movie, Hope he do more movies.

The return of Rajiv Menon - A.R Rahman combo visuals and music..

[stylegamer · 8/10 · 15 June 2019]

The Rajiv Menon- Rahman combo has finally returned after a long break of 18 years .And we are presented with the type of visceral musical film that we missed since Minsara Kanavu (1997) KanduKondain Kandukondain (2000) that the duo are famous for during the late 90s. This time Menon has chosen a traditionally offbeat topic that is unlike any of his previous films - the topic of classical music itself (undoubtedly, a topic he would have chosen if he had continued making movies in the last decade). Rajiv Menon FIlms always had a cultural / or traditional element to them in the past be it acting or music, we had seen flashes of this aspect in his movies alongside postmodernist themes, and this time it is amplified.

The music for the film, scored by AR Rahman, shines in parts with some brilliant pieces occasionally (though admittedly, a notch below the times of Kandukondain Kandukondain or Minsara Kanavu). The duo has presented some of the finest background scores in tamil cinema in their previous ventures.The only gripe is that the background score is almost non existent throughout this movie.

The acting performances are terrific as with previous Rajiv Menon films. While the story as a whole is engaging to say at the very least, we miss seeing the star studded cast of Kandukondain Kandukondain and Minsara Kanavu. The cinematography is typical rajiv menon who uses the new advances in visual technology to great effect as he had done in his previous films. The camera is natural to begin with the usual close up and wide shots in Menon's films . I have always admired the prowess of Rajiv menon's cinematography in his earlier movies but Ravi Yadav has done a pretty good job with natural lighting and keeping up with the newer trends like sync sound and digital cinematography that became common in the 2000s.

Overall a great film and Rajiv menon's best , a magnum opus filled with aspiration and hope.

Out standing

[elangonandhini · 10/10 · 1 February 2019]

Wow film ! Background music super. One word - passion for art.👌👌👌

Great Attempt at some refreshingly new

[srikanthjulapalli · 10/10 · 6 February 2019]

Nice to see something which is not run of mill yet is very entertaining and thought provoking

Nedumudi venu is outstanding

Fresh and Sweet

[joppanLive · 7/10 · 1 April 2019]

'STM wont disappoint someone looking for something fresh. It is a simple movie pictured well with some good music.

A movie with a breath of fresh air!

[sruthiak · 9/10 · 7 February 2019]

Rajiv Menon chose a very traditional subject as the movie's theme and nailed it just right. In this era of EDM lovers, this movie came just about the right time to remind us of our cultural beauty i.e, Carnatic Music. The way he's shown the discrimination on basis of caste and a man's determination to overcome all odds is inspiring. The only drawback back is that the movie fell a little flat in it's narrative. ARR's background music did it's magic as usual! You should go watch it if you want to see something new on screen and also, if you are a die hard ARR fan and have a passion for carnatic music, this movie might be your cup of tea!

Enaaya

[KunalSharma12 · 7/10 · 30 January 2019]

Maryaams character is the one thing I was definitely looking forward to!

Mindblowing theme

[bloggervat · 10/10 · 2 March 2019]

Pure movie making at its best. Highlights Music and social issues without rubbing anyone on the wrong side. Hats off to GV Prakash, Nedumudi Venu, Vineeth, Rajeev Menon and of course our Oscar Nayagan AR Rahman for such a stunning BGM performance for this movie. His music runs all through the movie. Stamped his class!!!

Flawed!!

[ashutoshsahu-4 · 6/10 · 7 April 2019]

The movie is a flawed. Somewhere in the second half ,movie lost its pace and essence.

Essence of Love and Passion towards Music

[hemu_vish · 9/10 · 2 February 2019]

Sarvam Thaala Mayam:

A Brilliant Musical film which explodes the essence of love and passion towards music.

The Director Neatly scripted that music is not limited to any caste/community.

A Quality film for GV Prakash after Nachiyar.

Well Casted Crew will impressive performance.

The Good come back combo RAJIV MENON AR RAHMAN.

why is it having such high rating

[CodenameZ8 · 1/10 · 11 February 2019]

This is a really bad poorly executed movie nothing like Rajiv Menon previous movies complete waste of time.

No Words to Explain

[karthikmathi · 10/10 · 12 March 2019]

Rajiv Sir Explained Pride of Our Traditional Music... Tears with the film.... Proud to see this Movie...

Off beat movie :inspiring

[Ramvenk · 9/10 · 3 March 2019]

Off beat topic highlighting native forms of music. Hold on to your roots but with a touch a modernity infused !! Enjoyed it

Marvelous Making!!!Awesome Movie

[agnidath · 10/10 · 4 March 2019]

This film is a masterpiece by Rajeev Menon and a milestone in GVP's Career.Casrting along malayalam actors was nice and adaptable for this movie.And also Nedumudi Venu just rocked as a professional Mrudangam Artist.Must Watch for Music Lovers

Wonderful Musical Song

[moghanaicsmlc · 9/10 · 19 April 2019]

Really wonderful movie. Full of moral values and not draggy. Music for the soul 😍

Sarvam Thaala Mayam

[santhosh-10290 · 8/10 · 25 April 2019]

Excellent Movie. G. V. Prakash Kumar and everybody acted very well in the movie. This movie is the best movie of G. V. Prakash Kumar after Darling. Songs were not so good in the movie but the BGM was excellent in the movie. The movie was interesting but the movie lagged at 2nd half. G. V. Prakash Kumar can do more movies like this instead of comedy movies. Excellent Movie.

Nice one

[saramanog-41372 · 8/10 · 6 March 2019]

I was quite skeptical to watch this movie, because the movie about music would be bore. After watching, I was totally wrong, Rajiv made great job. The narration made viewers so engaging. It isn't not just about music, it has covered the tormenting things happening for a person from a low born. ARR as usual rocking.

Authentic and Entertaining

[rohithkuma9 · 10/10 · 14 March 2019]

The movie was very good and authentic. Story and screenplay was very neat by Rajeev menon.The major highlights of the film was Rahman sir's music and score, he did a great job in the climax and all the songs were composed beautifully, and Daari cheri deevinchu song is my favourite one. Overall it's a beautiful movie about carnatic music and their values. All the actors performed well. Don't miss this movie, it's true to it's core and original. 10/10

Good theme but lackluster screenplay!

[muraleevaidya · 8/10 · 20 April 2019]

A number of topics related to elitism in carnatic music have been ambitiously handled in this movie and kudos to the attempt. The screenplay could have been better, crisp and subtle. Some characters had weighty roles like Peter's father (who has done an excellent job btw), Nedumudi's role, etc. Some of the scenes were overly dramatic and far from reality, like the Guru wouldn't touch Peter but will toss the pendant into his hands...oh! come on Rajeev Menon! Is the intent to show that the community that you are accusing is still in 1900s? Do you really think that's the reality?

Good things about the movie - had a great start, beautiful camera and art work, groovy music and background score and great performances overall by Nedumudi, GV, Aparna, Peter's father and his wife, Sumesh and Gurucharan. Vineet could have been given a weightier and a more subtle role for what he's capable. Details of the mridangam making craft and its difficulties were nicely captured in the film.

Several Tamil movies have dealt with carnatic music in various contexts in the past like Thillana Mohanambal, Shankarabharanam, Sindhu Bhairavi and Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, to name a few classics. A closer comparison to this film however, will be Unnal Mudiyum Thambi. While STM was a great attempt with all the fanciness needed for today's Tamil cinema, the handling and portrayal was far from the deftly done classic Unnal Mudiyum Thambi.

A Rare Musical

[pennaracer · 9/10 · 27 April 2019]

It has been a while since I have heard from Rajiv Menon after his Sense of Sensibility movie adaption, Kandukondain Kandukondain. That is a modern classic especially with ARR' s music.

Now we see them back again with another movie which is a musical called Sarvam Thaala Mayam. It is a comeback for Rajiv Menon after so long and this is a good movie. I know that some people might not like GV Prakash Kumar but he really showed his potential in Naachiyaar and he is perfect for this movie. He gives a youthful presence and makes it a memorable one. Aparna Balamurali and Dhivyadharshini are both very beautiful and did justice to their roles. Nedumudi Venu is just amazing and it is good to see Vineeth after a long time.

Of course Academy Award-winner A.R. Rahman is the backbone of this film especially for his songs and background music. He gives an awesome blend of carnatic and EDM music. He really brings the '90s back.

This might not be the best movie ever but this is a movie that will have a cult following. Rajiv Menon and A.R. Rahman really did a great job in making this film especially the whole. This is a must watch for not only GV fans and ARR fans but anyone who loves musicals and Indian movies. This is a movie for everyone even for your whole family. This is what you call a future classic.

Worth watching

[vigneshwaran-33488 · 10/10 · 13 March 2019]

One of the best movie I have about music.. climax is awesome

Music Lovers Assemble.

[harishmadireddi · 9/10 · 30 September 2020]

A must watch for the music aspirants. The dedication and the extent a very ordinary kid can go beyond his caliber. Being a muscian GV Prakash just eased the performance and you see him play the instrument so naturally in the movie. The make belief connection was sorted just because a music director is the protagonist, he was so smooth and performed the character with ease. The couch to the hero was equally important and the bond between between added value to the movie as a whole. Ar Rahman name on the title cards justifies that only he can match the soul of the film. That climax and the fusion the protagonist plays was just awesome. In recent times theses kind of musical guruvu and student stories didnt come, almost after K. Vishwanaths streak of films which plays in a similar plot. All the actors were very very good be it heros father, the antagonist and her sister everyone were good in their roles.

Worth watching..

[sathishtr1993 · 8/10 · 9 March 2019]

Good Attempt with story based on musical. But some of the scenes were amateurish like a short film. Screenplay could have been better.

Product of hard and smart work achieved by both cast and crew.

[ngandacinema · 10/10 · 11 September 2022]

Sarvam Thaala Mayam is, without a doubt, the product of hard and smart work achieved by both cast and crew. We were completely immersed in the story as we got to know about the mridangam instrument, almost tempted to play it too 😀

Delicious -It was so touching to watch a young man like Peter living a trivial life and then slowly finding his true calling 🙂 Peter was like the friend we wanted to support through his various challenges due to a different religion and low finances -A standing ovation to Rajiv Menon for such a powerful screenplay. The attention to detail was phenomenal, the development of characters was just outstanding, and the different themes touched were a big plus! The dialogues boldly emphasized the value of humanity above religious and societal customs, and the necessity to be purpose-driven -We lovedddd the editing work -Hats off to all cast members! Special recognition to GV Prakash (playing Peter), Vineeth (playing Mani), Kumaravel (playing Johnson), and Nedumudi Venu (playing Vembu Iyer) who truly embodied the musical spirit. The look on their eyes and their body language breathed music, almost seeming like they were real-life characters -No arguments on the directing style and color grading, pure expertise

Bland -A teeny weeny minus on the cinematography; though overall great, there were few shots that didn't look filmic, a bit blurry -Including the role of Sara (Aparna Balamurali) was a little cliché as we have become soooo used to seeing the lead actor with a side lover on his way to achieving a dream.