15 years of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa: When Gautham Menon crafted an evergreen love story and chose to change climax only for Tamil version
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, the iconic Tamil romantic drama starring Simbu and Trisha, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, celebrates its 15th anniversary today, coinciding with Menon's birthday.
Last Updated: 07.18 PM, Feb 26, 2025
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, the cult classic Tamil romantic drama starring actors Silambarasan and Trisha, has turned 15 today (February 26). Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the film has gone on to become one of the much-hailed and appreciated works in the filmography of both the actors and director. Hat-tip, it’s also Gautham Menon’s birthday!
15 years of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa: When Karthik and Jessie continue to live on forever
Jessie is not just a name. It is more than someone who might just come from a Christian household. Jessie can immediately make you think of a woman wearing a crisp and pleated blue cotton saree, someone from Alleppey, and probably born to strict parents. Jessie’s name is never complete without the mention of Karthik, a Chennai boy, aspiring filmmaker and someone who might be a couple of years younger to Jessie, but stronger in his pursuit to win over her.
Yes, it’s been 15 years of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, a certain story that resonated with many, when Hosanna made everyone a rapper, and a film that is still running somewhere in the corner of Chennai city as we speak. Originally made as Ye Maaye Chesave with Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the film was eventually remade in Tamil as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa with Trisha and Silambarasan. The film further cemented the fashion of Tamil boys falling in love with Malayali girls, broke some conventions with younger boys pursuing older women, and that not every film would need action to make it live rent-free for many more years to come.
When GVM chose a different ending only for Tamil version
Made in Telugu as Ye Maaye Chesave and Ekk Deewana Tha in Hindi, the lead pairs did not face the fate what Karthik and Jessi had to in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. Director Gautham Vasudev Menon had made the couple reunite in the Hindi and Telugu versions, while retaining his original choice to make Karthik and Jessie go separate ways in Tamil.
Many a time, the filmmaker had revealed the reason for his decision, that his Telugu producers and market wanted a happy ending, on a positive note. Hence, the filmmaker took the cinematic liberty to give a positive ending. But going against that grain, Gautham has always felt that Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa was always realistic and practical. Jessie and Karthik, after watching the film Karthik made about their love story, amicably part ways as Jessie is shown living with her husband in the US.
Nevertheless, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa has been and still is hailed for its filmmaking style and choices. The film is available for streaming on JioHotstar.
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