Ilayaraja Movie Review: Full Story Analysis, Cast Performance & Verdict

Looking for an honest Ilayaraja movie review? This 2019 Malayalam inspirational drama tells a heartwarming story about hidden talent, family struggles, and determination.

In this complete analysis, we cover the plot, cast performances, technical aspects, and whether this family entertainer is worth watching.

Ilayaraja Movie Overview (Quick Facts)

Plot Summary: What Is Ilayaraja About?

Ilayaraja movie revolves around Vanajan, a middle-aged peanut vendor who lives in a small, rundown house near Thrissur town with his family.

Despite being vertically challenged, Vanajan works hard every day to support his loved ones. His family includes his ailing wife Pankajam, his supportive father-in-law Ganapati, and two school-going children – Subramanian (Subbu) and Ambu.

The family faces severe financial problems. Vanajan has borrowed money from a ruthless loan shark named Mathai, who constantly threatens and pressures him to repay the debt. The family struggles daily to make ends meet, living hand-to-mouth without any luxury or comfort.

However, despite their poverty, Vanajan’s children possess extraordinary talents. Subbu, the elder son, is a chess genius with exceptional skills that could make him a champion. His younger sister Ambu has an incredible ability to spell difficult English words perfectly, showing remarkable memory and intelligence.

The story takes an interesting turn when a teacher named Muneeb recognizes Subbu’s chess talent and decides to help him. He brings Subbu from a government school to a private school, giving him opportunities to showcase his abilities. This change brings new challenges and opportunities for the entire family.

The movie beautifully captures how these talented children from an underprivileged background try to overcome social barriers, class discrimination, and financial struggles.

When Mathai offers Vanajan a strange proposal to settle his debts, the family’s life takes an unexpected turn. The film explores whether talent and determination can help poor families break free from poverty and achieve success against all odds.

Story Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

The biggest strength of Ilayaraja is its emotional core and genuine intentions. The movie tackles an important social issue – how talented children from poor families often don’t get opportunities to shine. The story shows the harsh reality of class discrimination in educational institutions and society.

The chess element works as both a symbol and an engaging plot device. Using chess to represent strategic thinking and life’s challenges adds depth to the narrative. Similarly, the spelling bee competition creates tension and showcases the daughter’s abilities effectively.

The screenplay successfully avoids becoming complete poverty exploitation cinema. While it shows the family’s struggles, it maintains a hopeful and cheerful tone throughout.

The emotional moments feel genuine, especially scenes showing the father’s determination to support his children’s dreams despite having nothing.

The film’s message about hidden talent existing everywhere, regardless of economic background, resonates strongly. It reminds viewers that genius and capability are not limited to privileged classes. The story effectively portrays parental sacrifice and unconditional love.

Weaknesses

Despite noble intentions, Ilayaraja suffers from several execution problems. The biggest issue is its predictability. Anyone familiar with underdog stories can guess the entire plot within the first 30 minutes. The film follows a very template-driven approach without offering surprises or fresh perspectives.

The second half becomes unnecessarily stretched with multiple melodramatic sequences. Some scenes are presented in an overly dramatic manner that reduces the impact.

For example, the spelling bee climax scene where the daughter coughs repeatedly feels exaggerated and tests viewer patience instead of creating empathy.

The movie tries too hard to be inspirational, resulting in preachy dialogues and situations. Subtlety is completely missing in many emotional sequences. The director chooses obvious, loud storytelling over nuanced filmmaking, which alienates viewers looking for mature cinema.

Several subplot elements feel unnecessary and could have been trimmed for better pacing. The film could have delivered its message more effectively with a tighter runtime. Some character motivations are not well-developed, making certain plot points feel forced.

The dubbing quality is inconsistent, and the editing lacks smoothness in several sequences. These technical issues distract from the story at crucial moments.

Cast Performance Review

Guinness Pakru as Vanajan

Guinness Pakru delivers his career-best performance as Vanajan, the struggling peanut vendor and devoted father. Known primarily for comic roles, Pakru surprises everyone with his restrained yet powerful portrayal. He brings vulnerability, determination, and quiet strength to the character.

Pakru’s performance makes you root for Vanajan throughout the film. His body language perfectly captures the exhaustion of daily struggle while maintaining dignity and hope.

The emotional scenes where he worries about his children’s future are genuinely moving. This role proves Pakru’s versatility as an actor and showcases his ability to handle serious, emotional characters.

In interviews, Pakru mentioned this role’s similarity to his own life journey, and that authenticity shows on screen. His screen presence dominates the film, and he carries the movie on his shoulders with conviction.

Harisree Ashokan as Ganapati

Harisree Ashokan, another actor famous for comedy, completely transforms himself as Ganapati, Vanajan’s elderly father-in-law. This is a never-before-seen avatar for Ashokan, and he delivers brilliantly.

His portrayal of the old man who serves as the family’s pillar is extremely convincing. Ashokan brings wisdom, warmth, and resilience to Ganapati. His chemistry with Pakru creates some of the film’s best moments. The veteran actor proves his dramatic capabilities with this understated, impactful performance.

Ganapati’s character represents the older generation’s values – standing strong for family despite all hardships. Ashokan makes this character relatable and memorable.

Child Actors Performance

Baby Ardra (as Ambu) and Master Adityan (as Subbu) play the talented children at the heart of the story. Their performances receive mixed reviews from audiences and critics.

On the positive side, both child actors show sincerity and handle emotionally demanding scenes reasonably well for newcomers. They manage to create sympathy for their characters’ struggles. Their innocence and helplessness add authenticity to the family’s situation.

However, several critics and viewers felt the child actors gave unnatural performances in certain sequences. Some scenes made it obvious they were “acting” rather than living the characters.

The crying scenes and dramatic moments sometimes lacked conviction. Better direction and preparation could have helped them deliver more polished performances.

Despite these flaws, the children carry significant screen time and remain watchable. Their real-life charm compensates for technical acting limitations.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast provides solid backing to the main characters:

Gokul Suresh appears in a cameo role as Bryan, making a brief but effective appearance.

Deepak Parambol plays Muneeb, the chess trainer who recognizes Subbu’s talent. He brings sincerity to this crucial character who becomes the bridge between the poor family and opportunities.

Siji S Nair as Pankajam (Vanajan’s ailing wife) delivers a touching performance in a limited role.

Anil Nedumangad effectively plays Mathai, the loan shark villain, creating the necessary antagonistic presence.

Aju Varghese, Alphy Panjikaran, Kavitha Nair, and others in smaller roles perform adequately, adding depth to the film’s world.

Overall, while the lead performances stand out, the supporting cast could have been utilized more effectively with better character development.

Direction and Screenplay

Director Madhav Ramadasan, known for critically acclaimed films like “Melvilasom” and “Apothecary,” takes a different path with Ilayaraja. His previous works were known for subtlety and hard-hitting realism. However, with this family entertainer, he adopts a more mainstream, accessible approach.

The direction clearly targets family audiences and children rather than adult cinephiles. Ramadasan structures the film as a simple, straightforward inspirational tale. His storytelling is linear and easy to follow, making it suitable for younger viewers.

However, this simplification comes at a cost. The director’s trademark subtlety and nuanced filmmaking are missing. Many scenes are presented with excessive melodrama and obvious emotional manipulation. The lack of restraint in dramatic sequences reduces the film’s impact for mature audiences.

The screenplay by Sudeep T George (who is also a journalist) establishes characters and conflict efficiently in the first half. The narrative moves swiftly initially, keeping viewers engaged. The use of chess and spelling bee competitions as central plot devices shows creative thinking.

However, the screenplay suffers from predictability and stretched sequences in the second half. Several subplots don’t add value to the main story. The dialogue writing tends toward preachy territory, spelling out messages too obviously instead of letting viewers draw conclusions.

The director succeeds in creating a feel-good atmosphere and maintaining the film’s inspirational tone throughout. The family dynamics are portrayed warmly, and the emotional bonding feels genuine despite the melodrama.

Ramadasan’s choice to make this film completely family-friendly, avoiding anything controversial or dark, works both for and against it. While it ensures universal appeal, it also limits the film’s depth and complexity.

Technical Aspects

Cinematography

Pappinu handles the cinematography for Ilayaraja, and his work deserves appreciation. He captures the essence of the humble, middle-class Kerala setting authentically. The visuals effectively portray the contrast between the family’s poverty and their rich dreams.

The camera work beautifully captures Thrissur’s atmosphere, making the location feel like a character itself. The natural lighting in many sequences adds realism to the family’s living conditions. The chess sequences are shot with attention to detail, making the game visually engaging even for viewers unfamiliar with chess.

However, the cinematography doesn’t take any creative risks or offer standout moments. It serves the story functionally without elevating it visually. Some sequences could have benefited from more dynamic camera movement or creative framing.

Overall, Pappinu’s camerawork is competent and professional, capturing emotions effectively while maintaining visual consistency throughout the film.

Music and Background Score

Ratheesh Vega composes the music for Ilayaraja, and it stands as one of the film’s strongest technical elements. The soundtrack contains eight songs that blend well with the narrative flow.

The background score effectively supports emotional moments without becoming overwhelming. Vega’s music enhances the inspirational tone of the film, creating the right atmosphere during key sequences. The compositions have a pleasant, melodious quality that suits family audiences.

Notable songs include:

• “Kappalandi” – Sung by Jayasurya (who sang for Guinness Pakru for the first time)
• “Ennaalum Jeevithamaake” – Rendered by P. Jayachandran
• “Oro Veyilil Oro Mazhayil” – Sung by Naresh Iyer
• “Cheru Cheru Chathurangal” – By Suresh Gopi

The lyrics by Santhosh Varma, Harinarayanan, Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan, and Jyothish T Kassi capture the film’s themes of hope, struggle, and family bonds. The songs don’t interrupt the narrative flow and feel organically placed within the story.

The audio mixing by Dan Jose ensures clear sound quality throughout. The music successfully complements the film’s emotional journey without overpowering the performances.

Editing

Sreenivas Krishna handles the editing for Ilayaraja, and this department shows noticeable weaknesses. The editing lacks the sharpness needed to maintain consistent pacing. Several sequences drag unnecessarily, particularly in the second half.

The film’s 142-minute runtime feels excessive. With tighter editing, removing unnecessary scenes, and trimming melodramatic sequences, the film could have been 20-25 minutes shorter without losing any essential content. The stretched runtime tests viewer patience during predictable moments.

Some transitions between scenes feel abrupt, disrupting the narrative flow. The parallel editing during climax sequences could have been more effective with better rhythm and timing.

The editing particularly fails during emotional peaks where scenes are allowed to continue longer than necessary. This diminishes their impact rather than enhancing it. More disciplined editing would have significantly improved the overall viewing experience.

Despite these issues, the editor manages to maintain basic continuity and keeps the story comprehensible throughout.

What Works in Ilayaraja

Several aspects of Ilayaraja deserve appreciation and make it worth watching for specific audiences:

1. Performances: Guinness Pakru and Harisree Ashokan deliver career-best performances that anchor the entire film. Their portrayals bring authenticity and emotional depth to the story.

2. Positive Message: The film’s core message about recognizing and nurturing talent regardless of economic background is important and relevant. It highlights how poverty shouldn’t determine a child’s potential.

3. Family Values: The movie beautifully portrays family bonding, parental sacrifice, and unconditional love. These universal themes resonate with audiences across age groups.

4. Social Commentary: The subtle criticism of class discrimination in education and society adds meaningful substance to what could have been just a simple feel-good film.

5. Music: Ratheesh Vega’s pleasant soundtrack and effective background score enhance the viewing experience.

6. Accessibility: The simple, straightforward storytelling makes it accessible to children and families, serving as good entertainment for all age groups watching together.

7. Inspirational Tone: Despite showing struggles, the film maintains a hopeful, optimistic atmosphere that uplifts viewers rather than depressing them.

8. Chess Representation: Using chess as a central element adds intellectual depth and makes the film stand out from typical poor-family stories.

9. Authentic Setting: The Thrissur location and middle-class Kerala backdrop feel genuine and well-captured.

10. Clean Entertainment: The complete absence of objectionable content makes it safe family viewing, rare in contemporary cinema.

What Doesn’t Work

Despite its strengths, Ilayaraja has significant flaws that prevent it from achieving greatness:

1. Extreme Predictability: The entire plot is visible from miles away. Anyone familiar with underdog stories knows exactly how events will unfold, eliminating surprise elements.

2. Melodramatic Execution: Many scenes are presented with excessive drama and emotional manipulation. The lack of subtlety makes certain sequences feel forced and artificial.

3. Preachy Tone: The film spells out its messages too obviously through dialogues and situations. This treatment of audiences as children requiring explanation reduces impact.

4. Stretched Second Half: The latter portion drags unnecessarily with repeated emotional sequences that test patience. Better pacing would have maintained engagement.

5. Poor Editing: Weak editing allows scenes to continue longer than needed, resulting in an inflated runtime that feels exhausting.

6. Inconsistent Child Acting: The young actors’ performances lack polish in crucial scenes, sometimes appearing artificial or coached rather than natural.

7. Dubbing Issues: Technical problems with dialogue dubbing distract viewers during important moments, breaking immersion.

8. Template Structure: The film rigidly follows the standard inspirational movie template without offering fresh perspectives or creative variations.

9. Unnecessary Subplots: Several story elements could have been removed without affecting the main narrative, making the film leaner and more focused.

10. Limited Appeal: While families and children may enjoy it, the film fails to satisfy audiences seeking mature, nuanced storytelling or innovative filmmaking.

11. Soap Opera Elements: Some dramatic sequences feel like television soap opera scenes rather than cinematic moments, reducing the film’s overall quality.

12. Weak Character Development: Apart from Vanajan, most characters remain one-dimensional without adequate backstories or motivations.

Audience Reception and Box Office

Ilayaraja received mixed-to-positive responses from audiences upon its March 2019 theatrical release. The film found its primary audience among families with children, who appreciated its clean, inspirational content.

Critical Reception

Critics gave the film mixed reviews:

• Sify described it as a feel-good tale with noble intentions that suits family crowds, though it may not appeal to those preferring fast-paced entertainers.
• Times of India appreciated the film’s emotional core and performances while acknowledging its predictable structure.
• Lensmen Reviews called it a template strictly for kids, noting its loud and predictable nature that would primarily appeal to young viewers rather than general audiences.
• Nowrunning praised the impressive performances that grabbed attention despite the dramatic presentation, rating it as a familiar but engaging success story.

Audience Verdict

Viewer reactions on platforms like IMDb (7.6/10 rating) showed appreciation for:

• The simple yet enchanting family story
• Emotional depth and inspiring message
• Performances by Pakru and Ashokan
• Clean family entertainment value

Criticisms included:

• Poor pacing in the second half
• Predictable plot progression
• Melodramatic execution
• Technical issues with dubbing and editing

Many viewers specifically noted the film’s effectiveness for children and families while acknowledging its limitations for audiences seeking sophisticated cinema.

Box Office Performance

Specific box office collection figures for Ilayaraja are not publicly available in detail. As a small-budget Malayalam film with limited star power, it had moderate theatrical performance. The film primarily relied on positive word-of-mouth among family audiences rather than opening weekend numbers.

The movie found a second life on OTT platforms, particularly Amazon Prime Video, where it reached wider audiences who appreciated its family-friendly content.

Target Audience Response

The film performed best with its intended target demographic:

• Families looking for clean entertainment to watch together
• Parents wanting inspirational content for their children
• Viewers appreciating heartwarming underdog stories
• Audiences from Kerala who connected with the authentic local setting

However, it struggled to engage:

• Young adults seeking contemporary entertainment
• Cinephiles expecting the director’s trademark subtle filmmaking
• Viewers looking for unpredictable narratives
• Those who find inspirational movies too formulaic

Final Verdict: Should You Watch Ilayaraja?

Who Should Watch:

Ilayaraja is recommended for:

• Families with children (8-14 years): The film works best as family entertainment, offering clean content with positive messages perfect for children.
• Fans of inspirational stories: If you enjoy underdog tales about overcoming obstacles through determination, you’ll find value here.
• Admirers of Guinness Pakru and Harisree Ashokan: Both actors deliver exceptional performances worth watching.
• Parents seeking educational entertainment: The chess element and emphasis on recognizing children’s talents make it valuable for parents.
• Viewers appreciating wholesome content: Those tired of violence, vulgarity, or dark themes will appreciate this film’s clean approach.
• Malayalam cinema enthusiasts: Fans of regional cinema interested in every significant release should give it a watch.

Who Should Skip:

Avoid Ilayaraja if you:

• Dislike predictable, formulaic storytelling
• Find inspirational movies too preachy or manipulative
• Prefer subtle, nuanced filmmaking over melodrama
• Expect innovative or experimental cinema
• Have low tolerance for stretched runtimes and pacing issues
• Seek complex narratives with unpredictable twists
• Want mature, sophisticated content

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Ilayaraja succeeds as a well-intentioned family entertainer with strong performances and positive messages. However, its predictability, melodramatic execution, and technical flaws prevent it from being a great film. It’s a decent one-time watch, especially for families, but doesn’t offer enough depth or innovation for repeated viewings.

The film delivers what it promises – a simple, heartwarming story about talent overcoming poverty. If you approach it with appropriate expectations (as entertainment for children and families rather than sophisticated cinema), you’ll find it satisfying. The performances alone make it worth watching once.

Watch it for: Guinness Pakru and Harisree Ashokan’s performances, positive family values, inspirational message, and clean entertainment.

Be prepared for: Predictable plot, melodramatic scenes, pacing issues, and formulaic storytelling.

FAQs About Ilayaraja Movie

Q1: Is Ilayaraja based on a true story?

No, Ilayaraja is not based on a specific true story. However, it draws inspiration from real-life situations where talented children from underprivileged backgrounds struggle to get recognition and opportunities due to poverty and social barriers.

Q2: Where can I watch Ilayaraja movie online?

Ilayaraja is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can watch it with a Prime subscription.

Q3: What is the meaning of the title “Ilayaraja”?

The title “Ilayaraja” is a Malayalam name that translates to “Younger King” in English. It represents the potential and hidden royalty within ordinary people, particularly children with extraordinary talents.

Q4: Is Ilayaraja suitable for children?

Yes, Ilayaraja is completely suitable for children. It has a U (Universal) certificate and contains no violence, vulgar language, or inappropriate content. The film actually targets family audiences with children.

Q5: How is Guinness Pakru’s performance in the movie?

Guinness Pakru delivers his career-best performance as Vanajan. Moving away from his usual comic roles, he portrays the struggling father with restraint, vulnerability, and emotional depth. Critics and audiences universally praised his acting in this film.

Q6: What is the runtime of Ilayaraja?

The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes (142 minutes). Many reviewers felt this was slightly longer than necessary, with the second half particularly dragging at times.

Q7: Who directed Ilayaraja?

Madhav Ramadasan directed Ilayaraja. He previously directed critically acclaimed films like “Melvilasom” and “Apothecary” before making this family entertainer.

Q8: Is the movie about the famous music composer Ilaiyaraaja?

No, the 2019 Malayalam film “Ilayaraja” is not about the legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja. It’s an original story about a poor peanut vendor and his talented children. However, there is a separate Tamil biopic about the music maestro Ilaiyaraaja starring Dhanush, directed by Arun Matheswaran, which is a different film.

Q9: What languages is Ilayaraja available in?

Ilayaraja is primarily a Malayalam language film. While some OTT platforms may offer subtitles, the original version is in Malayalam without dubbed versions in other languages.

Q10: Did Ilayaraja win any awards?

There is limited publicly available information about major awards won by Ilayaraja. The film received appreciation primarily for performances and its noble intentions rather than major award recognition.

Q11: How does chess feature in the movie?

Chess plays a central role in Ilayaraja’s plot. The protagonist’s son Subramanian is a chess genius whose talent becomes the catalyst for the family’s changing fortunes. The film uses chess competitions and training as key plot devices while symbolically representing life’s strategic challenges.

Q12: Is Ilayaraja similar to Taare Zameen Par?

While both films deal with recognizing children’s special talents, Ilayaraja is significantly more melodramatic and less subtle than Taare Zameen Par. Several reviewers specifically noted that unlike Taare Zameen Par, which appealed to all age groups, Ilayaraja primarily targets children and families with its simpler, louder storytelling approach.

Q13: What is the box office collection of Ilayaraja?

Specific box office collection figures for Ilayaraja are not widely documented publicly. As a small-budget Malayalam film, it had modest theatrical earnings but found better success through OTT platforms and word-of-mouth recommendations among family audiences.

Q14: Who composed music for Ilayaraja?

Ratheesh Vega composed the music and background score for Ilayaraja. The film features eight songs with lyrics by multiple writers including Santhosh Varma, Harinarayanan, and Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan. The soundtrack includes notable singers like Jayasurya, P. Jayachandran, Naresh Iyer, and Suresh Gopi.

Q15: Is Ilayaraja worth watching?

Ilayaraja is worth watching if you’re looking for clean family entertainment with positive messages and appreciate strong performances by Guinness Pakru and Harisree Ashokan. However, if you prefer unpredictable plots, subtle filmmaking, or sophisticated cinema, you might find it too predictable and melodramatic. It’s a decent one-time watch for families with children.

Conclusion

“Ilayaraja” succeeds in delivering an emotional and inspiring tribute to the legendary music maestro’s life and legacy. The film captures the highs and lows of his journey with sincerity, supported by strong performances and an engaging narrative.

While certain portions feel dramatized, the overall storytelling remains impactful, especially for fans of Ilaiyaraaja’s music. The soundtrack and background score elevate the film, staying true to the composer’s iconic style.

Though not flawless, “Ilayaraja” stands as a heartfelt biographical drama that celebrates the genius, passion, and enduring influence of one of India’s greatest musical talents.