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Action adventure film

Varisu (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Varisu (2023) movie poster

Varisu is a 2023 action adventure film directed by Vamsi Paidipally, starring Vijay as Vijay Rajendran, R. Sarathkumar and Gemini Ganesan. It runs 2 hours 49 minutes and earned $2.5 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 50/100.

worldwide gross
$2.5M
Echo Score
50
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Varisu (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 49m (169 min)
Director
Vamsi Paidipally
Genres
Action , Adventure
Original language
Tamil
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Varisu About?

The premise of Varisu without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Vijay returns as the dutiful son of a powerful business magnate, Rajendran. When family conflict threatens the company’s future, he reluctantly steps in to take control. Facing opposition from his brothers and navigating complex challenges, Vijay must prove his capabilities and work to restore harmony within his fractured family. His journey explores themes of responsibility, legacy, and the importance of unity.

Varisu Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • father
  • foster father
  • business
  • happiness
  • one person army action
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Cast & crew

Varisu Cast & Characters

Vijay leads the cast as Vijay Rajendran, with R. Sarathkumar as Rajendran Palanisamy and Gemini Ganesan as Palanisamy (Portrait Only). Directed by Vamsi Paidipally; 30 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Varisu

· 26 more
Show all 30 cast members
From the director

More from Vamsi Paidipally

More films directed by Vamsi Paidipally: Maharshi, Oopiri, Yevadu and Brindavanam.

Full filmography
Ratings

Varisu Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in sensory experience (66) and weakest in story & flow (35).

50 /100

Varisu Echo Score Breakdown

Varisu leans on the star power of Vijay and vibrant production values, but its core narrative is weighed down by predictability and excessive runtime. While the film showcases colorful cinematography, energetic song sequences, and a soundtrack that sustains audience engagement, the screenplay offers little originality and the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. The mixed reception reflects a movie that entertains fans in moments yet fails to deliver a cohesive, lasting cinematic experience, resulting in a modest overall rating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 58

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a vivid visual palette and well‑executed set design that give it a polished look. Cinematography captures the lavish colors of song sequences, and certain action shots are competently framed. However, editing choices contribute to a stretched pace, and occasional VFX appear rudimentary, tempering the overall technical polish.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating character and emotion, Vijay's performance stands out with humor and charisma, providing moments of engagement. Yet many supporting roles feel one‑dimensional, with the villain and Rashmika Mandanna’s character largely underutilized. The lack of depth and chemistry among the ensemble limits emotional resonance, resulting in a mixed impression of the film's character work.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The story and flow suffer from a formulaic plot that follows familiar family‑drama beats without fresh twists. Predictable twists, a protracted 170‑minute runtime, and a sluggish first half hinder momentum. While occasional emotional beats lift the narrative, the overall screenplay remains flat and offers little originality, leading to a low assessment of the story aspect.

  • Sensory Experience 66

    Sensory experience is bolstered by Thaman's soundtrack, which provides energetic beats that sustain viewer interest during song and dance numbers. Visual styling, especially the vibrant color scheme, enhances the film's appeal. Criticisms arise from overbearing background music in certain sections and modest VFX quality, but the auditory and visual components largely succeed in delivering an engaging sensory package.

  • Rewatch Factor 46

    Rewatch factor is limited; the film offers enough fan‑service moments and entertaining set pieces to merit a single viewing for Vijay admirers. However, the predictable storyline and stretched pacing reduce incentive for repeat viewings. While some audiences may return for the music and mass scenes, the overall lack of novelty curtails lasting replay value.

Plot

Varisu Plot Summary

What happens in Varisu from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Vijay, Vijay, is the youngest son of Rajendran Palanisamy, a billionaire entrepreneur portrayed by R. Sarathkumar. Disowned for refusing to join the family business, he carves his own path by launching a food-delivery startup that mirrors his practical, hands-on approach and modern sensibilities.

Seven years later, Rajendran Palanisamy is diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, with only 8 to 10 months to live. He decides to reveal his terminal condition and appoint one of his two elder sons, Jai Rajendran, Srikanth or Ajay Rajendran, Shaam, as his successor before his death. Rajendran plans to celebrate his 60th birthday and announce the news afterward, hoping to test the loyalty and resolve of his heirs under pressure.

Full summary

The whole story of Varisu, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Varisu Box Office

Varisu grossed $2.5 million worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.5M

International
$2.5M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Varisu?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the youngest son of Rajendran Palanisamy?

Details

Varisu Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Thalapathy 66” and “Vaarasudu”.

Also known as
  • Thalapathy 66
  • Vaarasudu
  • Vaarisu
  • Varasudu
  • వారసుడు
  • Người Thừa Kế
  • Наследник

Seen Varisu?

FAQ

Varisu FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Varisu, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Varisu?

Varisu runs 2 hours 49 minutes (169 minutes).

When was Varisu released?

Varisu was released on January 11, 2023.

Who directed Varisu?

Varisu was directed by Vamsi Paidipally.

More films by Vamsi Paidipally

Who is in the cast of Varisu?

Varisu stars Vijay as Vijay Rajendran, R. Sarathkumar as Rajendran Palanisamy and Gemini Ganesan as Palanisamy (Portrait Only), among 30 credited actors.

How much did Varisu make at the box office?

Varisu grossed $2.5 million worldwide.

Does Varisu have a post-credit scene?

No. Varisu has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Varisu in?

The original language of Varisu is Tamil.

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