Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys

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Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAnand Menen
Written byVipin Das
Produced byVipin Das
Harris Desom
P. B. Anish
Adarsh Narayan
Icon Studios
Starring
CinematographyAravind Puthussery
Edited byKannan Mohan
Music by
  • Rajat Prakash
  • Nomadic Voice
  • Rakz Radiant
  • Parvatish Pradeep
  • Electronic Kili
  • Jay Stellar
Production
companies
  • WBTS Productions
  • Imagin Cinemas
  • Signature Studios
  • Icon Studios
Distributed byIcon Cinemas
Release date
  • 15 August 2024 (2024-08-15)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹4 crore[1]
Box officeest.₹40 crore[2]

Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys (transl. Useless) is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language coming of age comedy drama film directed by Anand Menen and written by Vipin Das.[3][4] The film stars Siju Sunny, Amith Mohan Rajeswari, Joemon Jyothir, Anuraj O. B., Anshid Anu, Saaf, Jagadish, Kottayam Nazeer, Azees Nedumangad, and Noby Marcose.[5]

The film was released in theatres on 15 August 2024. The film received positive reviews from critics with praise for its humorous dialogues, direction, music and story aspects.

Plot

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In a quiet town in Kerala, five teenage boys—Ajo, Vishnu, Moosa, Vivek, and Kalam—grow up constantly being told they’re failures. Their parents call them “vaazhas,” a slang term that basically means “useless,” and it stings. But instead of letting it break them, the boys lean on each other. They’re not perfect—far from it—but their friendship is real, messy, and full of heart.

School is a blur of backbench antics, failed exams, and awkward run-ins with teachers. Their dads are the classic strict Malayali fathers, obsessed with grades and careers. They want their sons to become engineers or doctors, not dreamers or slackers. The boys, meanwhile, just want to survive school without losing themselves.

College doesn’t make things easier. They end up in engineering programs—not because they want to, but because their parents do. The pressure builds. Some of them start to crack. One falls into depression, another questions his identity, and all of them feel the weight of expectations they never asked for. There’s a brief love story, but even that feels like a passing cloud in their stormy lives.

The film doesn’t shy away from showing how toxic parenting can leave scars. But it also gives space to the parents’ side. You see their fears, their regrets, their own battles with society. Slowly, some of them begin to understand their kids—not fully, but enough to start healing.

Through it all, the boys stick together. Their friendship is the glue that holds the story together. They fight, they laugh, they cry, and they grow. Not all of them find success in the traditional sense, but they begin to find peace. They start to define life on their own terms.

The ending is bittersweet. There’s no grand triumph, no perfect resolution. Just a quiet sense of hope. A feeling that maybe, just maybe, things will be okay. And in the mid-credits, a cheeky teaser for “Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros” promises that their story isn’t over yet.

Cast

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  • Siju Sunny as Ajo Thomas
  • Amith Mohan Rajeshwari as Vishnu Radhakrishnan
  • Joemon Jyothir as Muhammad Al Bin Salim Ibrahim (Moosa)
  • Anuraj O. B. as Abdul Kalam
  • Anshid Anu as Vivek Anand
  • Saaf as B. C. Vishwam
  • Basil Joseph as police officer (cameo)
  • Jagadish as Vishwam's father
  • Azees Nedumangad as Thomachan
  • Kottayam Nazeer as Radhakrishnan
  • Noby Marcose as Ibrahim
  • Arunsol as Kalam's father
  • Gibin Gopinath as Vivek's father
  • Sminu Sijo as Vishnu's mother
  • Priya Sreejith as Vishwam's mother
  • Meenakshi Unnikrishnan as Maya
  • Sruthi Manikandan as Daisy
  • Hashir as Hashir
  • Gouri Sankar as Astrologer

Production

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The film is produced by Vipin Das under the banner of WBTS Productions, in association with Imagin Cinemas, headed by Harris Desom, P. B. Anish and Adarsh Narayan.[6][7]

Soundtrack

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Vaazha (Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album
Released2024
GenreFilmi
Length21:10
LabelThink Music

The soundtrack for the 2024 film Vaazha was released by Think Music. The soundtrack includes compositions by Rajat Prakash, Nomadic Voice, Parvatish Pradeep, Electronic Kili, and Jay Stellar. The album was released under the Think Music label.[8]

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Athimanoharam"Rajat PrakashRajat PrakashRajat Prakash (Lead Vocal), Nila Raj, Chinmay, Shreya (Group Vocals), Ayaan Nishad, Ankit Menon, Anand Menon, Abhiraman, Sharan Rajamohanan, Rajat Prakash, Aditya Arjun (Chorus)03:02
2."Vaazha Anthem"Nomadic VoiceNomadic VoiceNomadic Voice (Vocals), Kili (Chorus Vocals)02:48
3."Thottavadi"Vinayak SasikumarParvatish PradeepPranavam Sasi (Singer), Anand Menen, Vinayak Sasikumar, Parvatish Pradeep (Backing Vocals)03:32
4."Makane"B.K. HarinarayananParvatish PradeepSooraj Santhosh04:32
5."Eyy Banane"Vinayak SasikumarElectronic KiliElectronic Kili (Music), Ashwin Aryan, Parvatish Pradeep, Arcado (Chorus)04:30
6."Swaha"Rakz RadiantJay StellarRakz Radiant, Jay Stellar02:46
Total length:21:10

Release

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Vazha - Biopic of a Billion Boys was theatrically released on 15 August 2024.[9] A promotional event was held at the St. Teresa's College on 8 August 2024. Its second trailer was released on 13 August 2024, 2 days prior to official release. [10][11][12][13][non-primary source needed] The film was premiered on Disney+ Hotstar from 23 September 2024.

Reception

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Box office

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On the opening day of its release, the film grossed ₹1.5 crores worldwide.[14] As of 18 August 2024, the film collected ₹5.50 crores worldwide.[15] As of 21 August, the film grossed ₹16.60 crore.[16] As of 2 September 2024, the film grossed ₹35 crores worldwide.[17] As of 6 September 2024, film collected ₹40 crore worldwide.[2]

Critical response

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Vazha - Biopic of a Billion Boys received positive reviews from critics with praise for its humorous dialogues, direction, music and story aspects. [18][19]

Saraswathy Nagarajan of The Hindu said that the first part of the film is humorous and the second part is relatable to the audience. She also noted that the smart one-line jokes were "some crude, some crackling — bring on the laughs" and wrote: "What works for this movie most is the relatability factor; director Anand Menen ensures that the narrative does not become maudlin, although the second half has plenty of scenes where it could have turned into a typical tear-jerker."[20] Vignesh Madhu of The New Indian Express rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote: "The film works thanks largely to the smart casting choices and its effective emotional turn in the latter half."[21] Ajay U. K. of The News Minute rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote: "Instead of attempting to call out the toxicity among male friendships, Anand Menen’s ‘Vaazha’ takes the reductionist approach of 'boys will be boys' and settles itself into locker-room talk."[22]

Sequel

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The film ends with the title Vaazha 2 in the mid credits scene.[23] On 21 August 2024, the makers announced the sequel, titled Vaazha II : Biopic of a Billion Bros. Vaazha II, featuring a cast including Hashir, Alan, Ajin and Vinayak.[24][25][26] The sequel will be directed by debutant Savin S. A. and the cinematographer is Akhil Lailasuran.[27] The film began filming from 10 April 2025.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "'പിള്ളേരെ കൊണ്ട് തോറ്റു' ഒൻപതാം ദിനത്തിലും ബോക്സ് ഓഫീസിൽ നിന്ന് കോടികൾ വാരി 'വാഴ'" (in Malayalam). Reporter TV. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "നാലാം വാരവും തിയറ്റര്‍ വിടാതെ 'വാഴ'; മൂന്നാഴ്ച കൊണ്ട് ബോക്സ് ഓഫീസില്‍ നിന്ന് നേടിയത്". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Vaazha movie review: Blatant glorification of manchildren is just one of the many issues with this film". The Indian Express. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  4. ^ "First-look poster of director Anand Menen's 'Vaazha' out". The South First. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Release date of 'Vaazha', helmed by Anand Menen and written by Vipin Das, announced". The Hindu. 21 June 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  6. ^ "It's a wrap for Vaazha". Cinema Express. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  7. ^ Service, Express News (16 July 2024). "Vaazha release pushed". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Vaazha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Release Date Of Vaazha - Biopic of a Billion Boys Pushed!". Times Now. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Trailer Of Malayalam Film Vaazha - Biopic Of A Billion Boys Out. Watch It Here". News18. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  11. ^ "'Vaazha' trailer promises a nostalgic ride with 'Biopic of a Billion Boys'". The Times of India. 14 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  12. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (14 August 2024). "'ഇനി മുതല്‍ നമ്മുടെ ലൈഫില്‍ പെണ്ണുമില്ല, തല്ലുമില്ല'; ചിരിപടര്‍ത്തി വാഴ ട്രെയിലർ - Vaazha official Trailer". ETV Bharat News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  14. ^ "'Vaazha' box office collections day 1: Comedy drama movie mints Rs 1.15 crores". The Times of India. 16 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  15. ^ "'Vaazha' box office collections day 3: Comedy drama collects Rs 3.9 crore". The Times of India. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Vaazha's box office collections day 6: Comedy entertainer collects Rs 9.65 crore". The Times of India. 21 August 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  17. ^ "ഈ 'വാഴ' നിസാരക്കാരനല്ല ! 'വാലിബന്റെ' ലൈഫ് ടൈം കളക്ഷൻ തൂക്കി ഈ കൊച്ചുചിത്രം, നേടിയത് കോടികൾ". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Vaazha Review: Anand Menen's film is an impressive portrayal of friendship". OTTPlay. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  19. ^ "'Vaazha' social media review: Netizens give a thumbs up to Anand Menen's directorial". The Times of India. 15 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  20. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (17 August 2024). "'Vaazha' movie review: Anand Menen's comedy is a fun ride that also touches upon certain relevant issues". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  21. ^ Madhu, Vignesh (20 August 2024). "'Vaazha' Movie Review: This shallow exploration of boyhood is fun while it lasts". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  22. ^ U. K., Ajay (21 August 2024). "Vaazha review: Anand Menen's coming-of-age film is fun in parts but shallow in politics". The News Minute. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Vaazha: Anand Menon's film to have a sequel! Here's what the director has to say". OTT Play. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Makers of Vaazha announce sequel". Cinema Express. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  25. ^ "'Vaazha 2' announced! Director Vipin Das teases an exciting sequel". The Times of India. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Vaazha's sequel unveiled: What to expect from 'Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros'". Mathrubhumi News. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Sequel Announced For Vaazha-Biopic Of A Billion Boys A Week Into Its Release". Times Now. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Vipin Das' 'Vaazha' sequel launched; Alphonse Puthren on board". The Hindu. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
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