Stills from ‘Vaazha 2’.
For a brief moment in Vaazha 2: Biopic of a Billion Boys, one feels that one is transported from one neatly staged event to the next. Rather than a single overarching narrative, the anticipation and thrills are concentrated in shorter sequences, each one having its own rhythm, with a slow build-up and then a crescendo where either all hell breaks loose or emotions run wild, as happens in the second half.
Even in later memories of the film, it comes to mind as episodes, like a riotous theatrical sequence of a hapless policeman caught in the dark amid a young, cat-calling audience. Or another episode set in a school, where a mischievous teacher’s attempt to impose strict measures on the school escalates into an extreme, drug-induced fight, which then segues into a sequence that places much of the blame on some of the teachers’ outdated methods. One of the less pleasant episodes is perhaps the unsavory circumcision gag. Each episode has the logic of a short film rather than the instant gratification nature of reels that the Vaazha gang is often compared to due to the presence of many popular reel figures.
The Vaazha series is inherently a story of underdogs, but the second installment follows the unlikely success story of four youngsters – Hashira, Vinayaka, Alan, Ajin – who started making relatable videos set in their rural district, went viral enough to be noticed by filmmakers, and when given the chance, pushed their limits with humor and clever ways. They bring their own verve to the film, with much of Vaazha 2 almost feeling like an extension of the very popular short videos of Hashir and the gang. The writer and filmmaker also chose to keep their real names, adding to the relatability factor.
In the second installment, writer Vipin Das, in the company of debutant director Savin SA, borrows some of his template from the successful first installment, especially the story of youngsters who lose their way and spoil their future, but adds much more. While the film veers into preachy territory in a small passage, much else is organic in origin and evokes the feeling of situations that could have arisen between real friends. The way it deals with the current trend of migration to the UK or other countries for higher studies, and the gap between dreams and harsh reality, will resonate with quite a number of young people.
Vaazha 2 (Malayalam)
Directed by Savin SA
Cast: Hashir, Vinayak, Alan, Ajin, Aju Varghese, Alphone Puthren
Plot: Four young people, considered losers by their teachers and parents, go through an emotional journey of self-discovery
Duration: 163 minutes
But what might resonate universally is the wholesome way Vaazha 2 weaves together the various elements of sibling rivalry into a smoothly edited sequence of understanding and acceptance. While many of these situations in the film, including this one, are well-worn clichés, they still work because of the packaging and handling. The background score and songs by the team of artistes led by Ankit Menon mean many of these sequences. The writer reinvents characters for actors who are often cast, especially Biju Kuttan, who gets one of his most memorable turns on screen. Female characters only have a shorter screen time and fewer dialogues in this brocoded film.
Vaazha 2 improves on the flawed original and manages to pack in a lot of things that the young crowd can relate to.
Published – 05 Apr 2026 22:52 IST
