Poster of the film Vaazhai

Vaazhai

Drama Family Tamil


A twelve-year-old bright schoolboy, Sivanandhan, his mother, sister, and with his friend Sekhar works during his school holidays carrying banana stalks, a task he dreads. As he navigates life's challenges, poverty, friendship, and the challenges of growing up, Sivanandhan’s determination is tested by the harsh realities of life.

Cast:Ponvel, Rahul R., Dhivya Dhuraisamy, Janaki Jayaraman, Kalaiyarasan, Nikhila Vimal
Director:Mari Selvaraj
Writer:Mari Selvaraj
Editor:Suriya Pradhaman
Camera:Theni Eashwar

Guild Reviews

Image of scene from the film Vaazhai

Mari Selvaraj's career-best film will make you speechless

FCG Member Reviewer Janani K
Janani K | India Today
Fri, August 23 2024

Director Mari Selvaraj's film, starring Ponvel, Kalaiyarasan and Dhivya Duraisamy, is a heart-wrenching tale. The film explores the sufferings of daily labourers and bloodthirsty owners, says our review.

Director Mari Selvaraj, on several occasions, called ‘Vaazhai’ his best film. He stated that it was the film he wanted to make first, before ‘Pariyerum Perumal’, ‘Karnan’ and ‘Maamannan’. ‘Vaazhai’ is a biographical film that explores a significant incident that changed Mari’s life. Mari is absolutely right, as ‘Vaazhai’ is his career-best film and a perfect answer to the trolls that targeted him. Sivanaindhan (Ponvel), with his charismatic and innocent smile, lives with his mother (Janaki) and elder sister Vembu (Dhivya Duraisamy). Sivanaindhan juggles between school and working at a banana plantation over weekends to make ends meet. He excels at school, consistently achieving first rank, but he does not enjoy working at the plantation for obvious reasons. The strenuous labour and the way he’s ripped off of his childish joys take a toll on him. But, Sivanaindhan understands.

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