Varmaa
Varmaa is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Bala and produced by Mukesh Mehta under E4 Entertainment.[1] The film stars Dhruv Vikram in the titular role alongside Megha Chowdhury, portraying a brilliant yet short-tempered young surgeon who spirals into self-destructive behaviors involving alcohol, drugs, and violence after his love interest is compelled to marry another man due to familial opposition.[1] Serving as Bala's version of the official remake of the 2017 Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy, Varmaa marked Dhruv Vikram's second leading role following his debut in Nerkonda Paarvai (2019) and was Bala's return to directing after a two-year hiatus since Naachiyaar (2018).[1] The screenplay, adapted by Bala, emphasizes themes of intense romance, personal turmoil, and societal pressures, with the narrative unfolding over a runtime of 110 minutes.[1] The project faced delays and was nearly shelved before its eventual premiere on the OTT platform Simply South on October 6, 2020, bypassing a theatrical release amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] Supporting cast includes Eswari Rao, Raiza Wilson, and Akash Premkumar, with music composed by Radhan, who retained select tracks from the original Telugu version.[1] Despite generating buzz for its raw portrayal of emotional distress and Vikram's intense performance, Varmaa received mixed to negative reviews for its pacing and execution, earning a 4.0/10 rating on IMDb from over 200 users.[1]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Varmaa is a brilliant yet short-tempered medical student from a wealthy family, known for his aggressive behavior and involvement in frequent fights, including a brawl with a rival sports team that nearly leads to his expulsion from college.[3] Upon noticing his junior Megha, a freshman, Varmaa falls in love at first sight and boldly declares his feelings, leading to a passionate romance between them.[3][4] Their relationship faces severe opposition from Megha's family due to caste differences, with Varmaa belonging to a lower caste in their eyes, prompting her parents to seize her phone and forbid contact.[5][6] Despite Varmaa's ultimatum demanding Megha choose within six hours, her family arranges a forced marriage to a man from her own caste, which Varmaa discovers through a friend and confronts at her home, resulting in him being assaulted and beaten. Devastated, Varmaa spirals into self-destruction, indulging in heavy alcoholism, drug use, and violent outbursts that escalate his aggressive tendencies and lead to his suspension from medical college for misconduct.[1][5] His professional life crumbles as he alienates friends and family, culminating in heated confrontations with his father over his wayward behavior and refusal to reform.[6] In a bid for redemption, Varmaa attempts to rebuild his life, channeling his skills into becoming a surgeon while grappling with lingering addiction and isolation, though his path remains fraught with relapses and internal conflict.[7] The narrative explores his efforts to confront past mistakes, including a tense reckoning with his father, but ultimately leaves his reconciliation with Megha unresolved amid ongoing personal turmoil.[8]Cast
Dhruv Vikram leads the ensemble as Varmaa Vasudevan, the film's central protagonist and a brilliant but short-tempered surgeon whose personal struggles drive the story.[1] Megha Chowdhury debuts in Tamil cinema as Megha Hariharan, serving as Varmaa's primary love interest and adding emotional depth to his arc.[9] The supporting cast includes Easwari Rao as Bhavani, Varmaa's housekeeper and foster mother who supports him through his struggles.[7] Raiza Wilson portrays a successful film star and Varmaa's acquaintance, contributing to his social circle and relational complexities.[10] Akash Premkumar plays Ashok, Varmaa's rival who heightens interpersonal tensions.[11] Minor roles flesh out the ensemble, with Jai Bala as Prem Vasudevan (Varmaa's father), Mathew Varghese as Megha's father, and Hasini Pavithra and Sandra Amy as friends and associates, respectively, enhancing the protagonist's surroundings without overshadowing the leads.[10][12]Production history
Development
In September 2017, producer Mukesh Mehta's E4 Entertainment acquired the remake rights for the Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017) in Tamil, marking the company's entry into Tamil cinema production. The project was formally announced on November 10, 2017, under the title Varmaa, with National Award-winning director Bala attached to helm it; Bala, renowned for his intense and realistic dramatic storytelling in films like Sethu (1999) and Naan Kadavul (2007), was chosen to adapt Sandeep Reddy Vanga's original screenplay, tailoring it with cultural nuances relevant to Tamil audiences.[13][14][3] Dhruv Vikram was signed as the male lead shortly after the announcement, marking his acting debut.[13] The official launch, including a traditional pooja ceremony, took place in March 2018.[15]Filming
Principal photography for the original version of Varmaa commenced in March 2018, with director Bala initiating the shoot in Nepal for key sequences. The production then shifted to Chennai, where important portions, including college scenes set in medical environments, were filmed to capture the story's urban and academic backdrop. Filming wrapped up by September 2018, completing the principal shoot ahead of the planned post-production phase.[16][17] The technical team included cinematographer M. Sukumar, who handled the visual capture during the production. Editing was overseen by Sathish Suriya, who assembled the initial rough cut following the completion of shooting. These contributions focused on conveying the film's intense dramatic elements through visual and pacing choices.[18][19] The shoot faced logistical demands typical of Bala's directorial approach, requiring extended hours and multiple takes for pivotal emotional sequences to ensure authenticity in performances. Real locations, such as Chennai's urban settings and educational institutions, were utilized to ground the narrative in realistic environments without relying on extensive sets.[20]Shelving and revival
In February 2019, production on Varmaa was halted after director Bala and producers, including co-producer and actor Vikram, clashed over creative decisions regarding the film's output. Producer Mukesh R. Mehta announced dissatisfaction with Bala's first copy, which had been shot on a first-copy basis without allowing access to rushes during post-production, leading to the decision to discard the original footage. Bala responded by stating he voluntarily stepped down to protect his creative freedom, having been asked to alter the film against his vision. This impasse resulted in the footage being scrapped and the launch of a separate remake, Adithya Varma, directed by Gireesaaya with an entirely new shoot.[15][21][22] An agreement between Bala and Mehta resolved the dispute, with Bala securing the film's negative as a precondition for ending their association, allowing him to retain control over his version. By early 2020, amid ongoing legal and financial tensions, Mehta opted to revive Bala's cut rather than pursue further alterations, incorporating minor re-edits to shorten the runtime and adjust certain elements, such as replacing a grandmother character with a maid role played by Easwari Rao. The female lead role remained with Megha Chowdhury, who had been cast originally, ensuring continuity from the 2018 principal photography. These changes built on the existing footage without a full reshoot.[23][24] Completion faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted post-production and theatrical plans, ultimately leading to the film's premiere on the OTT platform Simply South on October 6, 2020. Mehta's intervention in resolving the earlier disputes enabled this turnaround, marking the end of the project's turbulent phase after Adithya Varma's release in November 2019.[25][26]Soundtrack
Composition
Radhan was hired as the composer for Varmaa, selected by director Bala for his expertise in crafting emotional and intense tracks, as showcased in the original Telugu film Arjun Reddy on which the movie is based.[27] His composition style blends rock, folk, and romantic elements to mirror the film's high-intensity exploration of love and self-destruction. The soundtrack includes nine tracks, including background score incorporating electronic elements to heighten the impact of the self-destruction scenes. Recording sessions featured singers such as Ranjith Govind on "Enthan Kannile," Priyanka NK on "Mazhai Illai Megham Illai," and Vignesh G. on "Vaanodum Mannodum," with lyrics primarily by Mohan Rajan and Vairamuthu emphasizing themes of love and rage.[28] The music was finalized post-shelving as part of the film's revival efforts.Track listing
The soundtrack album for Varmaa features nine tracks composed by Radhan, with a total runtime of approximately 30 minutes. It was released digitally in 2020 through H1 Creation, coinciding with the film's OTT premiere. The tracks are as follows, including singers and durations where applicable, and their roles in the film's narrative:| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sumanasa Vanditha | Saindhavi | 2:37 | Instrumental-like track setting an emotional tone early in the film. |
| 2 | Enthan Kannile | Ranjith Govind | 4:09 | Romantic song highlighting the protagonist's infatuation. |
| 3 | Mazhai Illai Megham Illai | Priyanka NK | 3:26 | Melancholic piece during moments of longing and separation. |
| 4 | Ratham Sottum | Arun Krishnan | — | Intense track underscoring conflict and rage. |
| 5 | Aazhiyin Nadhiye | Ramya NSK | — | Reflective song exploring inner turmoil. |
| 6 | Poguthe Kaalame | Jithan | 1:30 | Upbeat number in a sequence of fleeting joy. |
| 7 | Vaanodum Mannodum | Vignesh G. | 3:40 | Key romantic duet featured in promotional single, central to the love story. |
| 8 | Mudhal Nodi | Instrumental | 2:37 | Opening theme establishing the narrative's start. |
| 9 | Adai Mazhai Thuli | Instrumental | 3:16 | Closing background piece reflecting resolution and lingering emotions. |