Kanavu Variyam Full Story Explained (2017)
Imagine living in a village where the lights go out every single night. That is the reality for Ezhil, a brilliant young student with a big dream. He wants to build a windmill to solve his village's power cuts. This is the heart of Kanavu Variyam, a 2017 Tamil drama film. It was written and directed by Arun Chidambaram, who also plays the lead role of Ezhil. The film stars Jiya Shankar as Veena, Ezhil's crush and supporter. It released on 24 February 2017 and was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, making it the first South Indian film to get that honor. The movie won many international awards, including a Platinum Remi at WorldFest Houston. It is an inspiring story about chasing your dreams against all odds.
A Village in Darkness
The film opens in a small village in Tamil Nadu. Every evening, the lights go out. The power cuts are long and frustrating. People cannot study, work, or even keep food fresh. This darkness is a daily struggle for everyone. It sets the stage for Ezhil's dream.
Full Plot
Kanavu Variyam tells the story of Ezhil, a brilliant school student from a small village in Tamil Nadu. Ezhil loves science and is the favorite of all his teachers. He grows up watching his village suffer from daily power cuts. The lights go out every evening, making life hard for everyone. Ezhil dreams of building a machine that can solve this problem. He wants to create a windmill that generates electricity from waste materials.
Ezhil's father supports his dream, but his mother does not. She wants him to focus on his studies and get a real job. She worries that his inventions will bring shame to the family. Despite her doubts, Ezhil starts working on his windmill model. He studies the structure of real windmills and learns how they work. His friend Sakkarai and his crush Veena help him collect parts like old motors and batteries.
The villagers mock Ezhil. They think he is wasting his time on a silly project. Some call him crazy. Ezhil faces constant ridicule, but he does not give up. He builds his windmill model step by step. Just when it is almost complete, a storm destroys it. All his hard work is ruined. The villagers laugh even harder. Ezhil feels crushed and loses hope.
His mother tells him to give up. She says he should focus on practical things. Ezhil stops working on the windmill. The village remains in darkness. But something inside him refuses to quit. Maybe it is his father's quiet belief in him. Maybe it is Veena's encouragement. Ezhil decides to try one more time.
He rebuilds the windmill, fixing every mistake. This time, he is more determined. The villagers watch in silence. When the windmill finally works, it generates electricity. The village lights up for the first time in years. People cheer. Ezhil's mother cries with pride. The dream that seemed impossible becomes real. Ezhil proves that one person can make a difference. The film ends with hope and light shining in the darkness.
Act Breakdown
The Dream Begins
We meet Ezhil, a brilliant student who loves science. His village suffers from daily power cuts. Ezhil dreams of building a windmill to solve the problem. His father supports him, but his mother does not. We also meet his friend Sakkarai and crush Veena.
Building the Model
Ezhil starts building his windmill model. He faces mockery from villagers. His mother tells him to give up. But Ezhil keeps working. Sakkarai and Veena help him. The model is almost complete, but a storm destroys it. Ezhil loses hope.
Rising from Failure
Ezhil stops working on the windmill. His mother is relieved. But his father's quiet support and Veena's encouragement push him to try again. Ezhil rebuilds the windmill, fixing every mistake. The villagers watch in silence.
Light in the Dark
Ezhil's windmill finally works. It generates electricity. The village lights up for the first time. People cheer. Ezhil's mother cries with pride. The dream comes true. The film ends with hope and light.
Characters
Ezhil
Played by Arun Chidambaram
Ezhil is a brilliant school student who loves science. He dreams of building a windmill to solve his village's power cuts. He is determined and never gives up, even when everyone mocks him. In the end, he succeeds and brings light to his village.
Veena
Played by Jiya Shankar
Veena is Ezhil's crush and biggest supporter. She believes in his dream and helps him collect parts for the windmill. She encourages him when he feels like giving up. Her faith in him never wavers.
Sakkarai
Played by Black Pandi
Sakkarai is Ezhil's loyal friend. He helps Ezhil with his research and ideas. He stands by Ezhil even when the villagers mock him. He is a true friend who never leaves Ezhil's side.
Ezhil's Father
Played by Ilavarasu
Ezhil's father is a kind and supportive man. He believes in his son's dream and encourages him. He does not speak much, but his quiet support gives Ezhil strength. He is proud of Ezhil in the end.
Ezhil's Mother
Played by Senthi Kumari
Ezhil's mother worries about her son. She wants him to focus on studies and get a real job. She fears his inventions will bring shame. But when the windmill works, she cries with pride and accepts his dream.
Gopi
Played by Yog Japee
Gopi is a character in the village. He is one of the villagers who doubts Ezhil. He represents the skepticism that Ezhil faces from the community. His role adds to the obstacles Ezhil must overcome.
Scene Highlights
The Storm Destruction
Ezhil's windmill model is almost complete. He is excited. But a sudden storm hits the village. The windmill is destroyed. Ezhil watches helplessly as his hard work falls apart. The villagers laugh. This is the darkest moment for Ezhil.
Ezhil's Mother's Plea
After the storm, Ezhil's mother confronts him. She tells him to give up his silly dream. She says he should focus on studies and get a real job. Her words hurt Ezhil deeply. He feels alone and defeated.
The Final Build
Ezhil decides to try one more time. He rebuilds the windmill from scratch. This time, he is more careful. Sakkarai and Veena help him. The villagers watch in silence. The tension is high. Everyone wonders if it will work.
The Windmill Works
The windmill starts spinning. It generates electricity. The lights in the village turn on. People cheer and clap. Ezhil's mother cries with joy. She hugs her son. The entire village celebrates. It is a powerful, emotional moment.
Cast & Context
Kanavu Variyam marks the directorial debut of Arun Chidambaram, who also plays the lead role of Ezhil. He left his corporate job in Chicago to make this film. Jiya Shankar, a Hindi television actress, makes her film debut as Veena. The supporting cast includes veteran actors like Ilavarasu and Black Pandi, who are known for their strong performances in Tamil cinema. This film brought together a mix of fresh talent and experienced actors, creating a unique energy.
Themes
Chasing Dreams
The film is all about following your dreams. Ezhil dreams of building a windmill. Everyone tells him it is impossible. But he never stops believing. He works hard and proves that dreams can come true.
Overcoming Doubt
Ezhil faces doubt from everyone. His mother, the villagers, and even his own fears. But he learns to ignore the negativity. He keeps going despite the ridicule. The film shows that doubt is just a hurdle, not a wall.
Community and Support
Ezhil cannot do it alone. His friend Sakkarai and Veena help him. His father supports him quietly. The community eventually celebrates his success. The film shows that support from others is crucial for achieving big dreams.
Science and Innovation
The film celebrates science and innovation. Ezhil uses waste materials to build a windmill. He studies how things work and applies that knowledge. The film encourages young people to love science and use it to solve real problems.
Music & Soundtrack
ComposerShyam Benjamin
The music for Kanavu Variyam was composed by Shyam Benjamin. The song 'Kalla Manna' won a Silver Remi for Best Children's Song at WorldFest Houston. It celebrates 51 traditional games of rural India. The soundtrack also includes 'Nee Paadhi' and 'Science Is Fun', which add to the film's uplifting mood.
Similar Films
Both films focus on a child's dream and the struggle to achieve it against societal odds.
Both films tell the story of a young person from a rural background chasing a seemingly impossible dream.
Both films deal with bringing change to a rural village through science and innovation.
Both films are about a dreamer who wants to build flying machines, similar to Ezhil's windmill dream.
Ending Explained
In the final scenes, Ezhil rebuilds his windmill after a storm destroys it. He works alone at first, but soon his friends join him. The villagers watch in silence. When the windmill starts spinning, it generates electricity. The lights in the village turn on for the first time in years. Everyone cheers. Ezhil's mother cries tears of joy and pride. She finally accepts his dream. The film ends with Ezhil standing next to his working windmill, looking at the lit-up village. The message is clear: one person with a dream can change the world. The director leaves the audience feeling hopeful and inspired. It shows that persistence and belief can overcome any obstacle.
Kanavu Variyam is a heartwarming film for anyone who loves underdog stories. It is perfect for families and young students who need inspiration. The film's biggest strength is its honest and emotional storytelling. It shows that hard work and belief can overcome any obstacle. However, the film has a slow pace and some amateurish execution. Critics noted that the screenplay could have been tighter. If you enjoy simple, feel-good dramas about chasing dreams, this film is worth a watch. It is not a blockbuster, but it leaves you feeling hopeful.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Kanavu Variyam is not based on a true story. It is a fictional film written and directed by Arun Chidambaram. However, it is inspired by real issues like power cuts in rural India. The story feels real because it reflects the struggles of many villages.
Kanavu Variyam was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. This made it the first South Indian film to be distributed by a Hollywood studio. It was a big achievement for an independent Tamil film.
Kanavu Variyam won many international awards. It won the Platinum Remi for Best Independent Theatrical Feature Film at WorldFest Houston. It also won a Silver Remi for Best Children's Song. The film won awards at festivals in Russia, India, and the USA.
The lead role of Ezhil was played by Arun Chidambaram. He also wrote and directed the film. Jiya Shankar played Veena, Ezhil's crush and supporter. She made her film debut with this movie.
Kanavu Variyam translates to 'Dream Factory' in English. The title reflects the film's theme of chasing dreams. It is about turning dreams into reality, just like a factory produces goods.