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| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director      = [[Amal Neerad]]
| director      = [[Amal Neerad]]
| producer      = [[Nazriya Nazim]]<br/>[[Amal Neerad]]
| producer      = [[Nazriya Nazim]]<br />Amal Neerad
| writer        =  
| writer        = [[Suhas-Sharfu]]
| screenplay    = Suhas-Sharfu
| screenplay    =  
| story          =  
| based_on      = ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]''
| based_on      =  
| starring      = [[Fahadh Faasil]]<br />[[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| starring      = [[Fahadh Faasil]]<br />[[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| narrator      =  
| narrator      =  
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| language      = [[Malayalam]]
| language      = [[Malayalam]]
| budget        = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| budget        = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| gross          = {{Estimation}} {{INR|link=yes}}330 million<ref name=gross/>
| gross          = {{Estimation}} {{INR|link=yes}}33 crores<ref name=gross/>
}}
}}
'''''Varathan''''' ({{trans| Outsider}}) is a 2018 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[action thriller film]] directed by [[Amal Neerad]]. It is an unofficial adaptation of ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/varathan-review-amal-neerads-malayalam-movie-free-make-straw-dogs-781068|title=Varathan review: Is Amal Neerad's Malayalam movie a 'free-make' of Straw Dogs?|first=Shekhar H|last=Hooli|website=Ibtimes.co.in|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/varathan/movie-review/65883198.cms|title=Varathan Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Varathan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref> It was jointly produced by Nazriya Nazim and Amal neeradunder the banners of Fahadh Faasil and Friends and [[Amal Neerad Productions]]. It is written by Suhas-Sharfu and stars [[Fahadh Faasil]] and [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]. The film was released on 20 September 2018.<ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/sep/24/varathan-movie-review-a-blistering-and-immensely-satisfying-revenge-thriller-1876236.html</ref><ref>https://www.ibtimes.co.in/varathan-review-amal-neerads-malayalam-movie-free-make-straw-dogs-781068</ref><ref>https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2018/is-varathan-copy-the-hollywood-movie-straw-dogs-amal-neerad-fahadh-faasil-have-this-to-say-277962.html</ref><ref>https://in.style.yahoo.com/varathan-copy-hollywood-movie-straw-124930326.html</ref>
'''''Varathan''''' ({{translation|Outsider}}) is a 2018 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[action thriller film]] written by [[Suhas-Sharfu]] and directed by [[Amal Neerad]], who jointly produced the film with [[Nazriya Nazim]] under the banners of Fahadh Faasil and Friends and [[Amal Neerad Productions]]. It is an adaptation of the 1971 film ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]'' and stars [[Fahadh Faasil]] and [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] in the lead roles.
 
''Varathan'' was released on 20 September 2018 and became a [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2018/is-varathan-copy-the-hollywood-movie-straw-dogs-amal-neerad-fahadh-faasil-have-this-to-say-277962.html|title = Is Varathan a Copy of the Hollywood Movie Straw Dogs? Amal Neerad & Fahadh Faasil Have This to Say!|date = 3 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/varathan-copy-hollywood-movie-straw-124930326.html|title = Yahoo Search - Web Search}}</ref><ref name="Hooli">{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/varathan-review-amal-neerads-malayalam-movie-free-make-straw-dogs-781068|title=Varathan review: Is Amal Neerad's Malayalam movie a 'free-make' of Straw Dogs?|first=Shekhar H|last=Hooli|website=Ibtimes.co.in|date=20 September 2018|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Varathan is a story about a husband and wife, Abin and Priya who return to Kerala when Abin loses his job in Dubai. They then decide to live at Priya's childhood-home in the hills. Since their first day there, Priya is suspicious of the intentions of the contractors who work on her family's land. The villagers and neighbours are often shown ogling at her. After their wedding anniversary, when the couple go to bed, Priya spots someone staring at them from the window. But when she wakes her husband, the shadow disappears. Next day, when Priya is about to take a bath, she spots a man staring at her through the window. She screams and Abin spots a worker in the upper terrain. He shuts the window with duct tape and newspaper. Priya is constantly seen warning Abin that people around there were not the same as in Bangalore or Dubai, so they ought to be more careful. Even an occasion occurs when Priya's inner wears are stolen by Jithin.
Abi and Priya are a married couple who return to [[Kerala]] from [[Dubai]] for a break from their jobs. They decide to live at Priya's childhood home in the hills. From the first day, Priya is suspicious of the intentions of the contractors who work on her family's land. The villagers and neighbours are also shown ogling her. After their wedding anniversary, she spots someone staring at them from the window, but the shadow disappears when she wakes Abi. The next day, she is about to take a bath but spots a man staring at her through the window and screams.


One day, Abin has to meet up with a designer regarding their startup and Priya is left alone at home. She promises to go to the convent after Abin goes. Priya locks the door and goes to the convent Library on her scooty. Although, midway she is hit by a Jeep with the malefic neighbours Josy, Johnny and their right hand man Jithin. While she lays unconscious, they leave her in the hospital . When Abin returns home at night, he sees the house locked. He then goes out on a search for her when he gets a call from the caretaker of the estates, Benny, who informs him that Priya was hospitalized. When Aby reaches the hospital, Priya is furious. She fumes out of the hospital saying nothing. Aby tries to talk to her when they are on their way home, but Priya is agitated. She takes the key, walks into the house and starts packing her bags. When Abin starts to question her, Priya says she was sexually molested she no longer felt safe living with Abin up there in the hills or anywhere else.  
Abi spots a worker in the upper grounds and shuts the window with duct tape and newspaper. Priya constantly warns Abi that people around are not the same as in [[Bangalore]] or Dubai and they ought to be more careful. One day, Abi has to meet a designer regarding their startup, and Priya is left alone at home. She promises to go to the convent after Abi leaves. She locks the house and goes to the convent library. She is hit by a jeep with ill-intentioned neighbours, Josey, Johnny, and their right-hand man Jithin, who molest her and while she lies unconscious, they leave her in the hospital.


Abin walks out and lights a cigarette standing at the front door. A boy and mother, whom Aby and Priya once gave lift to, comes crying to the house. They describe how the boy was caught with the Contractor's daughter Sandra in the bushes that day. They explain how the contractor family is looking to kill him. Abin tells the mother and son to go inside and locks the door. Two men, who work for the contractor comes inquiring about the boy. Abin says he doesn't know where the boy is. Unsatisfied, they return after noticing one of the boy's slippers on the verandah. However, a Jeep and multiple people including the Contractor and all his sons come to Abin's house. They ask for the boy and Abin says he won't let go of the boy. They can find him tomorrow at the Police Station.  
After returning home at night, Abi sees the house locked and goes out to search for Priya. He is informed by the estate caretaker, Benny, that Priya has been hospitalized. Abi reaches the hospital, but Priya furiously leaves without saying anything. She walks into the house and starts packing her bags. When questioned by Abi, she reveals that she has been sexually molested. She no longer feels safe living with Abi in the hills or anywhere else. Abi walks out and meets a boy named Preman and his mother. He learns how Preman was caught with the contractor's daughter, Sandra, in the bushes that day.


None of the people withdraw, upon which Abin walks inside and tries to lock the door. When he is stopped by Johnny, Abin slides out a butcher's knife from the doorside and stabs his left forearm. He locks the door and walks Priya, the mother and the boy to a safe room.  
Preman's mother explains that the contractor's family is now looking to kill him. Abi allows Preman and his mother to go inside his house and locks the door, but he tells the contractor's henchmen that he did not see Preman. Dissatisfied, the contractor's henchmen return with the contractor after noticing Preman's slippers on the verandah. Abi refuses to give up Preman and tells the men that they can find him tomorrow at the police station. None of the people withdraw, upon which Abi walks inside and tries to lock the door. When stopped by Josey and Johnny, Abi slides out a butcher's knife, stabs Johnny's left forearm, kicks Josey away, locks the door, and takes Priya, Preman, and his mother to a safe room.


From there, the movie takes an action-mode. Abin sets up the house to electrocute the invaders and successfully does so. Some others who try to invade the house are seen burned with torch flame and LPG gas cylinder, cleverly by Abin. After fighting tooth and nail until the morning, Abin is brutally hit in the head and captured by the contractor and josey. While they aim to shoot him with a gun, Priya walks out with the mother and the son as if in surrender. When they look towards her, Priya shoots two of the perpetrators. Abin, seeing the opportunity, takes charge. The contractor flees away and Abin brutally hits Josey, the last of his wife's abuser. And he informs that police will come & take them.
Abi successfully sets up the house to electrocute the invaders. Some try to get inside the house, but he cleverly burns them with a torch flame using a [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG gas cylinder]]. After fighting tooth and nail until the morning, Abi is brutally hit on the head and captured by the contractor and Josey. While they aim to shoot him with a gun, Priya walks out with the mother and the son to surrender. When they look towards her, Priya shoots two of the perpetrators. Seeing the opportunity, Abi takes charge, and the contractor flees away. Abi hits Josey, who is the last of Priya's abusers, and informs him that the police will take them. After the chaos, Abi narrates to Josey how the law is still alive in this part of the country. Two weeks later, Abi locks the gate with a plaque saying ''Trespassers will be shot'', where the end credits start to roll.
 
After chaos, he is seen drinking the coffee with Priya while he narrates Josey how law is still valid and alive in this part of the country. After that, an epilogue 'Two week Later' is seen where Abin locks the gate with a plaque on it saying 'Trespassers will be Shot'. They live happy life after.


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[Fahadh Faasil]] as Abi Mathew
{{Cast listing|
*[[Fahadh Faasil]] as Abin Mathew
*[[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] as Priya Paul
*[[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] as Priya Paul
*[[Sharafudheen]] as Josey
*[[Sharafudheen]] as Josey
*[[Arjun Ashokan]] as Johnny
*[[Dileesh Pothan]] as Benny
*[[Dileesh Pothan]] as Benny
*Nisthar Sait
*Nisthar Sait as Maprani Kurian
*[[Arjun Ashokan]] as Johnny
*Ramakrishnan Perumbavoor as Maprani Iype
* [[Vijilesh Karayad]] as Jithin
*[[Shobi Thilakan]] as Baby
*Shobhi Thilakan
*[[Vijilesh Karayad]] as Jithin
*Thomman Mankuva as Peter
*Roshan Chandra as Kunjumon
*[[Chethan Jayalal]] as Preman
*[[Chethan Jayalal]] as Preman
*[[Unnimaya Prasad]] as Preman's mother
*[[Unnimaya Prasad]] as Preman's mother
*[[Parvathi T.]] as Priya's mother
*[[Mamitha Baiju]] as Sandra
*[[Jinu Joseph]] as George
*[[Kochu Preman]] as Oanth
*[[Kochu Preman]] as Oanth
*[[Jinu Joseph]] as Alex
*[[Parvathi T.]] as Lilly
*Rosshan Chandra as Gymmen
*Bonny Mary Mathew as Maria
*Sundar Pandiyan as Sabu
*Kasi as Murugan
}}


==Production==
==Production==
Besides directing, Amal Neerad co-produced the film with [[Nazriya Nazim]], which stars her husband [[Fahadh Faasil]] alongside [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]. Neerad revealed the film's title on 20 June 2018 by releasing the first poster. ''Varathan'' in Malayalam means "outsider" in English.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/new-fahadh-faasil-amal-neerad-movie-varathan-be-out-onam-83372|title=New Fahadh Faasil-Amal Neerad movie 'Varathan' to be out for Onam|date=20 June 2018|website=Thenewsminute.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/fahadh-faasil-s-look-in-amal-neerad-s-varathan-revealed-see-pic/story-wkPornKZhyfNqUeRIsmHtK.html|title=Fahadh Faasil’s look in Amal Neerad’s Varathan revealed. See pic|date=20 June 2018|website=Hindustantimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/asianet+newsable-epaper-asnewsab/varathan+first+look+fahadh+faasil+is+working+under+his+wife+nazriya+s+production+company-newsid-90563555|title=Varathan First Look: Fahadh Faasil is working under his wife Nazriya's production company? - Asianet Newsable |website=M.dailyHunt.in}}</ref> Writer Suhas describes the film as a "survival thriller".<ref>{{cite news|last=Shrijith|first=Sajin|title='Varathan&nbsp;is a survival thriller'|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/sep/20/varathan-is-a-survival-thriller-1874395.html|access-date=21 September 2018|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Shot in [[Dubai]] and [[Wagamon]], filming was completed by June 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/varathan-first-look-poster-of-amal-neerads-fahadh-faasil-starrer/articleshow/64665314.cms|title=‘Varathan’: First look poster of Amal Neerad's Fahadh Faasil starrer|date=20 June 2018|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/fahadh-faasil-to-shoot-in-dubai-again/articleshow/64134167.cms</ref>
Besides directing, Amal Neerad co-produced the film with [[Nazriya Nazim]] which stars her husband, [[Fahadh Faasil]], alongside [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]. Neerad revealed the film's title on 20 June 2018 by releasing the first poster. ''Varathan'' in Malayalam means "outsider" in English.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/new-fahadh-faasil-amal-neerad-movie-varathan-be-out-onam-83372|title=New Fahadh Faasil-Amal Neerad movie 'Varathan' to be out for Onam|date=20 June 2018|website=Thenewsminute.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/fahadh-faasil-s-look-in-amal-neerad-s-varathan-revealed-see-pic/story-wkPornKZhyfNqUeRIsmHtK.html|title=Fahadh Faasil's look in Amal Neerad's Varathan revealed. See pic|date=20 June 2018|website=Hindustantimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/asianet+newsable-epaper-asnewsab/varathan+first+look+fahadh+faasil+is+working+under+his+wife+nazriya+s+production+company-newsid-90563555|title=Varathan First Look: Fahadh Faasil is working under his wife Nazriya's production company? - Asianet Newsable |website=M.dailyHunt.in}}</ref> Writer Suhas describes the film as a "survival thriller".<ref>{{cite news|last=Shrijith|first=Sajin|title='Varathan&nbsp;is a survival thriller'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/sep/20/varathan-is-a-survival-thriller-1874395.html|access-date=21 September 2018|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Shot in [[Dubai]] and [[Wagamon]], filming was completed by June 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/varathan-first-look-poster-of-amal-neerads-fahadh-faasil-starrer/articleshow/64665314.cms|title='Varathan': First look poster of Amal Neerad's Fahadh Faasil starrer|date=20 June 2018|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/fahadh-faasil-to-shoot-in-dubai-again/articleshow/64134167.cms|title = Fahadh Faasil to shoot in Dubai again - Times of India ►|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Varathan
| name         = Varathan
| type = soundtrack  
| type         = soundtrack
| artist = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| artist       = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| cover =
| cover       =  
| alt =
| alt         =  
| released = September 12, 2018
| released     = September 12, 2018
| recorded =  
| recorded     =  
| venue =
| venue       =  
| studio =
| studio       =  
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| genre       = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 40:09
| length       = 40:09
| label = Goodwill Entertainments
| label       = Goodwill Entertainments
| producer = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| producer     = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| prev_title = [[Maradona (2018 film)|Maradona]]
| prev_title   = [[Maradona (2018 film)|Maradona]]
| prev_year = 2018
| prev_year   = 2018
| next_title = [[Lilli (2018 film)|Lilli]]
| next_title   = [[Lilli (2018 film)|Lilli]]
| next_year = 2018
| next_year   = 2018
}}
}}


The music was composed, programmed and arranged by [[Sushin Shyam]]. Lyrics were penned by Vinayak Sasikumar.  
The music was composed, programmed, and arranged by [[Sushin Shyam]]. The lyrics were penned by Vinayak Sasikumar.


{{tracklist
{{track listing
| headline        = Varathan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)<ref>https://gaana.com/album/varathan-ost</ref><ref>https://music.apple.com/us/album/varathan-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-single/1436181127</ref>
| headline        = track listings
| extra_column    = Singer(s)
| extra_column    = Singer(s)
| total_length    = 40:09
| total_length    = 40:09
Line 100: Line 107:
|title4=Title - Sit Back and Relax
|title4=Title - Sit Back and Relax
|length4=2:29
|length4=2:29
|title5=Abin's Office-Uncertainty
|title5=Abi's Office-Uncertainty
|length5=1:45
|length5=1:45
|title6=Priya and Abin's Love Theme
|title6=Priya and Abin's Love Theme
Line 126: Line 133:
The film was released on 20 September 2018.<ref name="indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/fahadh-faasil-is-abin-in-varathan/articleshow/65278097.cms|title=Fahadh Faasil is Abin in Varathan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
The film was released on 20 September 2018.<ref name="indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/fahadh-faasil-is-abin-in-varathan/articleshow/65278097.cms|title=Fahadh Faasil is Abin in Varathan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


Many of the critics remarked that the film is an unofficial adaptation of ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/varathan-review-amal-neerads-malayalam-movie-free-make-straw-dogs-781068|title=Varathan review: Is Amal Neerad's Malayalam movie a 'free-make' of Straw Dogs?|first=Shekhar H|last=Hooli|website=Ibtimes.co.in|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/varathan/movie-review/65883198.cms|title=Varathan Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Varathan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/malayalam/2018/sep/23/varathan-review-a-blistering-and-immensely-satisfying-revenge-thriller-8000.html|title=Varathan Review:&nbsp;A blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller|website=Cinemaexpress.xom|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/malayalam/reviews/varathan-review-fahadh-faasil-unleashes-exotic-violence-in-this-well-crafted-thriller/|title=Varathan Review: Fahadh Faasil Unleashes ‘Exotic’ Violence In This Thriller|date=21 September 2018|website=silverscreen.in|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sri50/status/1043134241314197504|title=Sreedhar Pillai on Twitter|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/varathan-review-fahadh-and-aishwarya-hold-together-uneven-thriller-88752|title='Varathan' review: Fahadh and Aishwarya hold together an uneven thriller|date=21 September 2018|website=Thenewsminute.com|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/film-reviews-sachin-chatte-22/|title=FILM REVIEWS SACHIN CHATTE|website=Navhindtimes.in|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcholy.com/reviews/varathan-review-the-nice-guys-baptism-by-fire/|title=Varathan Review: The Nice guy’s Baptism by Fire - Filmcholy}}</ref>
== Reception ==
''Varathan'' received positive reviews from critics who remarked that the film is an unofficial adaptation of ''[[Straw Dogs (1971 film)|Straw Dogs]]''.<ref name="Hooli"/> The performances of Fahad Faasil, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Sharafudheen received praise while climax and the action sequences received critical acclaim from the audience and the critics alike.


==Box office==
=== Critical response ===
The film was a commercial success. As of 5 October 2018, the film has grossed ₹22 [[crore]] worldwide, with ₹18 crore from [[Kerala]] alone. It grossed ₹1.06 crore from [[Bangalore]] in 12 days. As of October, it was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of that year in Bangalore.<ref name=FPgross>{{cite news|last=M. K.|first=Surendhar|title=Devadas earns Rs 29 cr in four-day opening weekend; Fahadh Faasil's Varathan rakes in record breaking numbers|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/devadas-earns-rs-29-cr-in-four-day-opening-weekend-fahadh-faasils-varathan-rakes-in-record-breaking-numbers-5322471.html|access-date=10 November 2018|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=5 October 2018}}</ref> ''Varathan'' grossed a total of ₹33 [[crore]] worldwide at the end of its theatrical run.<ref name="gross">{{cite news|last=Narayanan|first=Nirmal|title=Mollywood 2018: List of top 5 blockbusters that stormed box office|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mollywood-2018-list-top-5-blockbusters-that-stormed-box-office-788799|access-date=2 March 2019|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
Sanjith Sidhardhan of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Varathan takes its time to simmer in the first half, with its songs and varied characters, but in the second half it comes all guns blazing and turns into a stylish survival thriller worth watching."<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/varathan/movie-review/65883198.cms|title=Varathan Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Varathan|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref> Sajin Shrijith of ''Cinema Express'' wrote "Amal Neerad transplants the story of Sam Peckinpah's ''Straw Dogs'' (1971) to Kerala with most of the brutality removed but none of the tension. This is one blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/malayalam/2018/sep/23/varathan-review-a-blistering-and-immensely-satisfying-revenge-thriller-8000.html|title=Varathan Review:&nbsp;A blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller|website=Cinemaexpress.xom|date=23 September 2018 |access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref> Sowmya Rajendran of ''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote that the first half sets up the creeps admirably, while the second half feels like a squandered opportunity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/varathan-review-fahadh-and-aishwarya-hold-together-uneven-thriller-88752|title='Varathan' review: Fahadh and Aishwarya hold together an uneven thriller|date=21 September 2018|website=Thenewsminute.com|access-date=4 October 2018}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave 3.25/5 stars and wrote "Varathan is an experience that very few Malayalam films can provide. High-quality making, perfect acting, well-worked screenplay, brilliant background score are not something you see every Friday.".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/malayalam-movies/varathan/varathan-review.html|title=VARATHAN MOVIE REVIEW|website=Behindwoods|date=21 September 2018}}</ref>
 
===Box office===
On 5 October 2018, the film grossed ₹22 crore worldwide, with ₹18 crore from [[Kerala]] alone. It grossed ₹1.06 crore from [[Bangalore]] in 12 days and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of that year in Bangalore.<ref name=FPgross>{{cite news|last=M. K.|first=Surendhar|title=Devadas earns Rs 29 cr in four-day opening weekend; Fahadh Faasil's Varathan rakes in record breaking numbers|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/devadas-earns-rs-29-cr-in-four-day-opening-weekend-fahadh-faasils-varathan-rakes-in-record-breaking-numbers-5322471.html|access-date=10 November 2018|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=5 October 2018}}</ref> ''Varathan'' grossed ₹33 crore worldwide at the end of its theatrical run and became a commercial success.<ref name="gross">{{cite news|last=Narayanan|first=Nirmal|title=Mollywood 2018: List of top 5 blockbusters that stormed box office|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mollywood-2018-list-top-5-blockbusters-that-stormed-box-office-788799|access-date=2 March 2019|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=27 December 2018}}</ref>


== Accolades ==
== Accolades ==
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| [[Amal Neerad]]
| [[Amal Neerad]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/asianet-film-awards-2019-winners-193934046.html |title=Asianet Film Awards 2019 Winners List: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Prithviraj & Others Bag Top Honours! |website=Yahoo! News |date=22 March 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/asianet-film-awards-2019-winners-193934046.html |title=Asianet Film Awards 2019 Winners List: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Prithviraj & Others Bag Top Honours! |website=Yahoo! News |date=22 March 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Best Actor
| Best Actor
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| rowspan="3"| [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| rowspan="3"| [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/asiavision-movie-awards-2018-winners-list-ranveer-singh-dhanush-trisha-honoured-photos-videos-792105 |title=Asiavision Movie Awards 2018 winners list: Ranveer Singh, Dhanush and Trisha honoured [Photos + Videos] |website=International Business Times |date=17 February 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/asiavision-movie-awards-2018-winners-list-ranveer-singh-dhanush-trisha-honoured-photos-videos-792105 |title=Asiavision Movie Awards 2018 winners list: Ranveer Singh, Dhanush and Trisha honoured [Photos + Videos] |website=International Business Times |date=17 February 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[CPC Cine Awards]]
! scope="row"| [[CPC Cine Awards]]
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| Best Actress
| Best Actress
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/cpc-cine-awards-2018-joju-044552549.html |title=CPC Cine Awards 2018: Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi & Lijo Jose Pellissery Win Top Honours! |website=Yahoo! News |date=29 January 2019|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/cpc-cine-awards-2018-joju-044552549.html |title=CPC Cine Awards 2018: Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi & Lijo Jose Pellissery Win Top Honours! |website=Yahoo! News |date=29 January 2019|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Filmfare Awards South]]
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Filmfare Awards South]]
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| [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam|Best Actress – Malayalam]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam|Best Actress – Malayalam]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-66th-filmfare-awards-south-2019_-37931.html |title=Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019 |website=Filmfare |date=10 December 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-66th-filmfare-awards-south-2019_-37931.html |title=Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019 |website=Filmfare |date=10 December 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam|Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam|Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam]]
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| [[Fahadh Faasil|Fahadh Faasil and Friends]]<br />[[Amal Neerad Productions]]
| [[Fahadh Faasil|Fahadh Faasil and Friends]]<br />[[Amal Neerad Productions]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/siima-2019-full-nominations-list-out-vijay-sethupathi-samantha-akkineni-and-others-bag-top-honours/455922 |title=SIIMA 2019 FULL nominations list out! Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni and others bag top honours |website=Times Now |date=18 July 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/siima-awards-2019-winners-rangasthalam-kgf-yash-keerthy-suresh-tamil-telugu-malayalam-kannada-5909506/ |title=SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big |website=The Indian Express |date=17 August 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="6"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/siima-2019-full-nominations-list-out-vijay-sethupathi-samantha-akkineni-and-others-bag-top-honours/455922 |title=SIIMA 2019 FULL nominations list out! Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni and others bag top honours |website=Times Now |date=18 July 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref><br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/siima-awards-2019-winners-rangasthalam-kgf-yash-keerthy-suresh-tamil-telugu-malayalam-kannada-5909506/ |title=SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big |website=The Indian Express |date=17 August 2019|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[SIIMA Award for Best Director – Malayalam|Best Director – Malayalam]]
| [[SIIMA Award for Best Director – Malayalam|Best Director – Malayalam]]
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| [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.finance.yahoo.com/news/vanitha-film-awards-2019-mohanlal-042849730.html |title=Vanitha Film Awards 2019: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier & Lijo Jose Pellissery Adjudged The Big Winners! |website=Yahoo! Finance |date=23 March 2019|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://in.finance.yahoo.com/news/vanitha-film-awards-2019-mohanlal-042849730.html |title=Vanitha Film Awards 2019: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier & Lijo Jose Pellissery Adjudged The Big Winners! |website=Yahoo! Finance |date=23 March 2019|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|}
|}


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[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:2010s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2018 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Home invasions in film]]
[[Category:Films about home invasion]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian thriller films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Amal Neerad]]
[[Category:Films directed by Amal Neerad]]
[[Category:Films scored by Sushin Shyam]]
[[Category:Films shot in Dubai]]
[[Category:2018 thriller films]]
[[Category:2018 thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian remakes of American films]]
[[Category:Indian remakes of American films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Vagamon]]

Latest revision as of 02:03, 4 March 2026

Varathan
File:Varathan Movie poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAmal Neerad
Produced byNazriya Nazim
Amal Neerad
Written bySuhas-Sharfu
Based onStraw Dogs
StarringFahadh Faasil
Aishwarya Lekshmi
Music bySushin Shyam
CinematographyLittil Swayamp
Edited byVivek Harshan
Production
company
Distributed byA & A Release
Release date
  • 20 September 2018 (2018-09-20) (India)
Running time
130 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Box officeest. ₹33 crores[1]

Varathan (transl. Outsider) is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written by Suhas-Sharfu and directed by Amal Neerad, who jointly produced the film with Nazriya Nazim under the banners of Fahadh Faasil and Friends and Amal Neerad Productions. It is an adaptation of the 1971 film Straw Dogs and stars Fahadh Faasil and Aishwarya Lekshmi in the lead roles.

Varathan was released on 20 September 2018 and became a blockbuster at the box office.[2][3][4]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Abi and Priya are a married couple who return to Kerala from Dubai for a break from their jobs. They decide to live at Priya's childhood home in the hills. From the first day, Priya is suspicious of the intentions of the contractors who work on her family's land. The villagers and neighbours are also shown ogling her. After their wedding anniversary, she spots someone staring at them from the window, but the shadow disappears when she wakes Abi. The next day, she is about to take a bath but spots a man staring at her through the window and screams.

Abi spots a worker in the upper grounds and shuts the window with duct tape and newspaper. Priya constantly warns Abi that people around are not the same as in Bangalore or Dubai and they ought to be more careful. One day, Abi has to meet a designer regarding their startup, and Priya is left alone at home. She promises to go to the convent after Abi leaves. She locks the house and goes to the convent library. She is hit by a jeep with ill-intentioned neighbours, Josey, Johnny, and their right-hand man Jithin, who molest her and while she lies unconscious, they leave her in the hospital.

After returning home at night, Abi sees the house locked and goes out to search for Priya. He is informed by the estate caretaker, Benny, that Priya has been hospitalized. Abi reaches the hospital, but Priya furiously leaves without saying anything. She walks into the house and starts packing her bags. When questioned by Abi, she reveals that she has been sexually molested. She no longer feels safe living with Abi in the hills or anywhere else. Abi walks out and meets a boy named Preman and his mother. He learns how Preman was caught with the contractor's daughter, Sandra, in the bushes that day.

Preman's mother explains that the contractor's family is now looking to kill him. Abi allows Preman and his mother to go inside his house and locks the door, but he tells the contractor's henchmen that he did not see Preman. Dissatisfied, the contractor's henchmen return with the contractor after noticing Preman's slippers on the verandah. Abi refuses to give up Preman and tells the men that they can find him tomorrow at the police station. None of the people withdraw, upon which Abi walks inside and tries to lock the door. When stopped by Josey and Johnny, Abi slides out a butcher's knife, stabs Johnny's left forearm, kicks Josey away, locks the door, and takes Priya, Preman, and his mother to a safe room.

Abi successfully sets up the house to electrocute the invaders. Some try to get inside the house, but he cleverly burns them with a torch flame using a LPG gas cylinder. After fighting tooth and nail until the morning, Abi is brutally hit on the head and captured by the contractor and Josey. While they aim to shoot him with a gun, Priya walks out with the mother and the son to surrender. When they look towards her, Priya shoots two of the perpetrators. Seeing the opportunity, Abi takes charge, and the contractor flees away. Abi hits Josey, who is the last of Priya's abusers, and informs him that the police will take them. After the chaos, Abi narrates to Josey how the law is still alive in this part of the country. Two weeks later, Abi locks the gate with a plaque saying Trespassers will be shot, where the end credits start to roll.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Besides directing, Amal Neerad co-produced the film with Nazriya Nazim which stars her husband, Fahadh Faasil, alongside Aishwarya Lekshmi. Neerad revealed the film's title on 20 June 2018 by releasing the first poster. Varathan in Malayalam means "outsider" in English.[5][6][7] Writer Suhas describes the film as a "survival thriller".[8] Shot in Dubai and Wagamon, filming was completed by June 2018.[9][10]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Varathan
Soundtrack album by
Sushin Shyam
ReleasedSeptember 12, 2018
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length40:09
LabelGoodwill Entertainments
ProducerSushin Shyam
Sushin Shyam chronology
Maradona
(2018) 		Varathan
(2018) 		Lilli
(2018)

The music was composed, programmed, and arranged by Sushin Shyam. The lyrics were penned by Vinayak Sasikumar.

track listings
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Nee"Vinayak SasikumarSreenath Bhasi, Nazriya Nazim03:22
2."Puthiyoru Pathayil"Vinayak SasikumarNazriya Nazim03:05
3."Oduvile Theeyayi"Vinayak SasikumarSushin Shyam, Neha S. Nair04:10
4."Title - Sit Back and Relax"  2:29
5."Abi's Office-Uncertainty"  1:45
6."Priya and Abin's Love Theme"  2:24
7."Looking Around the House /Exploring"  1:30
8."Creep Outside/Josie theme"  1:47
9."Prying Eyes"  1:23
10."Violated"  2:27
11."Red is On"  7:17
12."Night vision"  1:33
13."Assault"  1:25
14."The End"  5:32
Total length:40:09

Release[edit | edit source]

The film was released on 20 September 2018.[11]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Varathan received positive reviews from critics who remarked that the film is an unofficial adaptation of Straw Dogs.[4] The performances of Fahad Faasil, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Sharafudheen received praise while climax and the action sequences received critical acclaim from the audience and the critics alike.

Critical response[edit | edit source]

Sanjith Sidhardhan of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Varathan takes its time to simmer in the first half, with its songs and varied characters, but in the second half it comes all guns blazing and turns into a stylish survival thriller worth watching."[12] Sajin Shrijith of Cinema Express wrote "Amal Neerad transplants the story of Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs (1971) to Kerala with most of the brutality removed but none of the tension. This is one blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller."[13] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute wrote that the first half sets up the creeps admirably, while the second half feels like a squandered opportunity.[14] Behindwoods gave 3.25/5 stars and wrote "Varathan is an experience that very few Malayalam films can provide. High-quality making, perfect acting, well-worked screenplay, brilliant background score are not something you see every Friday.".[15]

Box office[edit | edit source]

On 5 October 2018, the film grossed ₹22 crore worldwide, with ₹18 crore from Kerala alone. It grossed ₹1.06 crore from Bangalore in 12 days and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of that year in Bangalore.[16] Varathan grossed ₹33 crore worldwide at the end of its theatrical run and became a commercial success.[1]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Award[lower-alpha 1] Date of ceremony[lower-alpha 2] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Asianet Film Awards 6–7 April 2019 Best Director Amal Neerad Nominated [17]
Best Actor Fahadh Faasil Nominated
Most Popular Actor Nominated
Best Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi Nominated
Most Popular Actress Won
Best Actor in a Negative role Sharaf U Dheen Nominated
Best Editor Vivek Harshan Won
Asiavision Awards 16 February 2019 Star of the Year Aishwarya Lekshmi Won [18]
CPC Cine Awards 17 February 2019 Best Actress Won [19]
Filmfare Awards South 21 December 2019 Best Actress – Malayalam Nominated [20]
Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam Sharaf U Dheen Nominated
Best Music Director – Malayalam Sushin Shyam Nominated
South Indian International Movie Awards 15–16 August 2019 Best Film – Malayalam Fahadh Faasil and Friends
Amal Neerad Productions 		Nominated [21]
[22]
Best Director – Malayalam Amal Neerad Nominated
Best Cinematographer – Malayalam Littil Swayamp Nominated
Best Actress – Malayalam Aishwarya Lekshmi Won
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Malayalam Sharaf U Dheen Won
Best Music Director – Malayalam Sushin Shyam Won
Vanitha Film Awards 2 March 2019 Best Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi Won [23]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Narayanan, Nirmal (27 December 2018). "Mollywood 2018: List of top 5 blockbusters that stormed box office". International Business Times. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Is Varathan a Copy of the Hollywood Movie Straw Dogs? Amal Neerad & Fahadh Faasil Have This to Say!". 3 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "Yahoo Search - Web Search".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hooli, Shekhar H (20 September 2018). "Varathan review: Is Amal Neerad's Malayalam movie a 'free-make' of Straw Dogs?". Ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "New Fahadh Faasil-Amal Neerad movie 'Varathan' to be out for Onam". Thenewsminute.com. 20 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Fahadh Faasil's look in Amal Neerad's Varathan revealed. See pic". Hindustantimes.com. 20 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "Varathan First Look: Fahadh Faasil is working under his wife Nazriya's production company? - Asianet Newsable". M.dailyHunt.in.
  8. ↑ Shrijith, Sajin (20 September 2018). "'Varathan is a survival thriller'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "'Varathan': First look poster of Amal Neerad's Fahadh Faasil starrer". The Times of India. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  10. ↑ "Fahadh Faasil to shoot in Dubai again - Times of India ►". The Times of India.
  11. ↑ "Fahadh Faasil is Abin in Varathan". The Times of India.
  12. ↑ "Varathan Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Varathan". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  13. ↑ "Varathan Review: A blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller". Cinemaexpress.xom. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  14. ↑ "'Varathan' review: Fahadh and Aishwarya hold together an uneven thriller". Thenewsminute.com. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  15. ↑ "VARATHAN MOVIE REVIEW". Behindwoods. 21 September 2018.
  16. ↑ M. K., Surendhar (5 October 2018). "Devadas earns Rs 29 cr in four-day opening weekend; Fahadh Faasil's Varathan rakes in record breaking numbers". Firstpost. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  17. ↑ "Asianet Film Awards 2019 Winners List: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Prithviraj & Others Bag Top Honours!". Yahoo! News. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Asiavision Movie Awards 2018 winners list: Ranveer Singh, Dhanush and Trisha honoured [Photos + Videos]". International Business Times. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  19. ↑ "CPC Cine Awards 2018: Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi & Lijo Jose Pellissery Win Top Honours!". Yahoo! News. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  21. ↑ "SIIMA 2019 FULL nominations list out! Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni and others bag top honours". Times Now. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  22. ↑ "SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big". The Indian Express. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  23. ↑ "Vanitha Film Awards 2019: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier & Lijo Jose Pellissery Adjudged The Big Winners!". Yahoo! Finance. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

External links[edit | edit source]

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