Vallavan

Plot

Vallavan (Silambarasan) is a happy-go-lucky college student with a set of friends, Bala (Santhanam) & Suchitra (Sandhya). When they're at the temple, he sees Swapna (Nayantara). He immediately falls in love with her. While Vallavan is at the college, Swapna shows up. She's revealed to be a teacher, who’s three years older than Vallavan. He decides to woo her by turning into Pallan, an ugly duckling with buck teeth and glasses. Pallan makes Swapna fall in love with him for his heart, even though he is ugly and they end up having sex with intension. When Swapna comes to know that Pallan is younger than her (from one of Vallavan's enemies in school) and that too a student, she dumps him and decides to marry another man. Meanwhile, a sequence of events take place, much to the chagrin of Vallavan who is highly insulted by them. As Vallavan walks in the streets wondering how things got so messy, he recalls his school life.

When he was in higher secondary school, Vallavan met Geetha (Reema Sen). A hysteric Geetha ensures that Vallavan is mad about her. Coming to know of her true nature, he ends the affair with her. But she is not ready to let him go so easily, so he resolves to teach her a lesson. Geetha returns for payback. She tells him that she was the spoilt sport for the current mess in his life. In a climax displaying her disorder, she kidnaps Suchitra and Vallavan arrives and frees her. The film fast-forwards to 3 years later. Geetha is released from a mental asylum. The moment she steps out, she exhibits her fiery psychotic expression showing that she never actually recovered. Vallavan is waiting for her and they communicate telepathetically with Vallavan saying that she cannot do anything to him. To be continued.

Soundtrack

The music was scored by noted musician and Silambarasan's friend, Yuvan Shankar Raja, coming together again after churning out the successful album of Manmadhan (2004). The soundtrack was released on 1 June 2006 and features 9 tracks, including 7 songs and two Instrumental pieces. As it was the case in Manmadhan, a second Soundtrack was released afterwards with bit songs that feature in the film but not on the first soundtrack along with pieces from the film score. The lyrics were penned by 'Kavignar' Vaali, Thamarai, film director Perarasu and Silambarasan himself. Karunakaran wrote the lyrics of the bit song "Kadhal Vandhale", released in the second edition.

Yuvan Shankar Raja won accolades for his soundtrack, whereas especially the songs "Loosu Penne" and "Yammaadi Aathaadi" were huge hits, topping the charts for the following weeks, with the latter even becoming the anthem of the season. His film score, too, was lauded, called as the film's highlight and "backbone of the film", while he himself was hailed as the film's "real hero".

All music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Critical reception

Vallavan received mixed to positive reviews from critics at the time of release and has developed a cult status over the years. The Hindu wrote: "Vallavan's basic sketch is simpler than Manmadhan, though the maker has lent it his trademark frills". Sify gave 2.5/5 stars to Vallavan and said: "If you are looking for some wholesome entertainment, then Vallavan is worth your time and money". Behindwoods.com commented: "On a positive note, the glamorous quotient of three heroines along with music and the youth element can play to Vallavan’s advantage". Oneindia wrote: "Yuvan's music and Santhanam's comedy provide the much-needed relief as the film's dark and tension filled screenplay roils throughout with murky games of passion and revenge."

Box office

Vallavan performed well at the box office. The film also featured, prior to release, in "most awaited" lists from entertainment sites. The film got a grand release during Diwali 2006 along with other films like Ajith's Varalaru, Jiiva's E, Arya's Vattaram and Sarath Kumar's Thalaimagan. Due to the pre-release hype it created, Vallavan received a grand opening and became a financial success.

Controversies

While filming for Vallavan, Nayantara was romantically linked with the film's director and co-actor Silambarasan. She initially denied the reports. In November 2006, however, she confirmed that she and Silambarasan had broken up, going on to add that she would not work with him again. However, they later went on to appear in Idhu Namma Aalu (2016). During the making, actress Reemma Sen threatened legal action against Silambarasan after he made changes to the scope of her role in the film. She later stated she regretted her claim and was proud to have won critical acclaim for the character.