In recent years, Bollywood has leaned heavily on Alzheimer’s as a dramatic backdrop for love stories, often recycling similar plots with little innovation. However, Tamil cinema has broken away from this pattern with Maareesan (2025), a film that proves why South Indian filmmakers continue to push boundaries in storytelling.
Directed by Sudheesh Sankar and written by V. Krishna Moorthy, Maareesan is produced by R. B. Choudary under the Super Good Films banner. The movie stars veteran comedian-actor Vadivelu in a role unlike any other—a man struggling with Alzheimer’s—while Fahadh Faasil plays a wily con artist who crosses paths with him. Their unlikely companionship unfolds during a chaotic road trip that is equal parts thrilling, emotional, and humorous.
Released on July 25, 2025, Maareesan has received glowing reviews from critics who praised its balance of entertainment and depth. The film’s music, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, enhances the emotional weight of the narrative while also delivering catchy melodies. The performance of Vadivelu, often underrated despite his cult popularity in meme culture, has been hailed as one of his career’s most defining acts. Meanwhile, Fahadh Faasil, already celebrated for his flawless filmography, brings intensity and wit that perfectly counterbalances Vadivelu’s vulnerability.
What sets Maareesan apart is its refusal to treat Alzheimer’s as just a sentimental device for romance. Instead, it uses the illness to craft a nuanced story about memory, identity, and survival. In doing so, it echoes the legacy of the Kannada classic Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016), starring Anant Nag and Rakshit Shetty. That film sensitively depicted a father-son relationship tested by the father’s Alzheimer’s, and continues to be remembered as a landmark in Indian cinema’s portrayal of aging and illness.
Fans and critics alike have also drawn intriguing comparisons between industries. Many suggest that if Maareesan were ever remade in Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan would be the natural choice to reprise Vadivelu’s role, given his gravitas and prior association with characters dealing with memory loss. But the consensus remains that the original stands strong as an authentic South Indian masterpiece, rooted in local storytelling traditions.
Beyond its plot, Maareesan serves as another reminder of why Tamil and other Southern industries are often praised for their originality. While Bollywood struggles with creative fatigue, the South continues to produce groundbreaking narratives that resonate across generations and cultures.
As one viewer aptly noted after watching Godhi Banna and later Maareesan: some films don’t just entertain, they change the way we see life, memory, and aging. And in this regard, Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil have together crafted a film that will be remembered long after the final credits roll.
