Vaazhai(2024)
Tamil136 minsdirect-to-OTT
Twelve-year-old Sivanaindhan toils in a plantation village, burdened by hunger and hardship. A kind teacher offers hope, but fate quickly shatters his dreams. To him, the plantain is a relentless monster, always out of reach.
Director:Mari Selvaraj
Mood:
emotionaldarkinspiring
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play
- OTT Release Date
- 11 October 2024
- Theatrical Release
- 23 August 2024
- Director
- Mari Selvaraj
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 16m
- Rating
- 7.7/10
Storyline
A twelve-year-old boy named Sivanandhan spends his school break doing hard work he dislikes, carrying banana stalks with his friend and family. He faces the struggles of poverty and growing up, which push his determination to its limits.
“A boy's summer job tests his spirit.”
Film Details
7.7Rating
136Minutes
TamilLanguage
UCertificate
Release Date23 August 2024
Release Typedirect-to-OTT
Also Known AsVazhai · سایه نخل
Parental Guide
Violence
Low
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Low
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Mood
emotionaldarkinspiring
Themes
survivalfamilyfriendshippoverty
Tonegritty
Pacingslow-burn
Complexitymoderate
Audiencemultiplex
Best Withfamily
Violence2
Emotion5
Humor2
Rewatchability3
Cast & Crew
#1
P
PonvelSivanaidhan
→#2
R
Rahul R.Sekar
→#3
D
Dhivya DhuraisamyVembu
→#4
#5J
Janaki JayaramanSiva and Vembu's Mother
→
Nikhila VimalPoonkodi
→#6
P
PathamanMuthuraj
→#7
J
JSK.Satish KumarTrader
→#8
N
Nivedita RajappanTeacher
→#9
#10P
Priyanka NairActor
→
KalaiyarasanKani
→#11M
Mari SelvarajDirector
→Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Vaazhai
Cast reunions in this film: Santhosh Narayanan & Kalaiyarasan (6 films together), and Santhosh Narayanan & Mari Selvaraj (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Vaazhai' means 'banana' in Tamil, directly linking to the boy's job of carrying banana stalks.
- Director Mari Selvaraj is known for films about social issues, and this continues his focus on caste and poverty.
- The young lead actor, likely a newcomer, was chosen to authentically portray the life of a working-class child.
- Shooting took place in real villages to capture the true atmosphere of rural Tamil Nadu.
- The story shows the bond between the boy and his friend, highlighting childhood friendship amid hardship.
- The film uses simple, everyday scenes to show the struggles of a poor family in a powerful way.
- It explores how a child's dreams and education are affected by the need to work and help his family.