Tresspassers are strictly prohibited -- not even Cockoraches are spared in Varathan's world. But then Varathan is a kind hearted, simple and calm man. Abi (Fahadh Faasil) in and as Varathan, which means the outsider, is a family man to the core. He takes his own time to settle down with new people and environment. He does not know how to be harsh at others, but won't spare the ones who question his dear and near ones.
Abi and his wife Priya (Aishwaya Lekshmi) are happily married for four years and are seeking endless days of togetherness.
After Priya's miscarriage, the couple decides to shift to Kerala from Dubai. "Won't you miss Dubai," Abi asks Priya.
"If we miss, we will come back," she retorts.
The climax makes us feel that the duo is in a predicament to return.
The film by Amal Neerad is the story of their survival.
Moving from a sophisticated city life to rustic village with concocted moral standards wasn't an easy task for Abi and Priya.
The constant attention and glares by the people makes them hard to gel with the laymen of the village, thereby making them outsiders of the place.
Each time Fahadh Faasil conjures up with a movie, he comes with a bang. And when he is joined by Amal Neerad, the film can only become classy.
There is the stamp of Amal Neerad all over the movie, but with a pinch of what you saw in Fahadh's earlier outing 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram'.
Without loosing his calm and pleasing persona needed for the character, Fahadh's character steps into a fiery temperament too this time. "What was he doing in Dubai", asks one character about Abi and audience can't help but laugh out loud. Fahadh is a delight to watch as Abi -- probably the stylish version of Mahesh from 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram'.
Aishwarya Lekshmi as Priya, is not the usual stereotyped heroines which we have seen. She's one bold wife who speaks up and forces Abi to take a stand.
As a matured and pretty wife, Aishwarya delivers a realistic performance. She deserves credit to her for being on par with Fahadh.
Equally laudable is Sharafudeen's performance. An actor who made us laugh in almost all his movies has donned a villainous avatar – and he has done justice to that.
Wow is the word for composer Sushin Shyam and the whole crew of the music and sound department. Though the plot is quite simple and slightly predictable, Amal Neerad makes it engaging and engrossing with his technical crew.
The script of Suhas-Sharfu is average in the first half, but then its pace gains momentum in the second half.
The craft of the climax is a delight.
Of late, Mollywood have witnessed quite a few survival-emotional drama. With 'Varathan', Amal Neerad takes this genre to a higher plain.
The solid craft, chilling performances and Amal Neerad's slow-motion stamp makes yet another tale of revenge a worthy watch.
