Films are often inspired by real life events. A successful film-maker is one who captures and converts into interesting plots the emotions associated with the influence of events. Vaaranam Aayiram, the latest from director Gautham Menon, is also based on a poignant experience. Dealing with the relationship between a father and a son, it was inspired by Gautham's own feelings when he lost his father.

The story, progressing from the youthful stage of the lead character, spans the next two phases of his life comprising his adolescence and adulthood. Surya (Suriya) is an ordinary young man, leading a quiet life with his parents Krishnan (Suriya) and Malini (Simran). Young Surya goes through a gamut of experiences in his life: he gets bullied by his roguish school seniors, battles an intense infatuation, is thrashed by street rowdies for a trivial fault and embarks upon adventurous experiments with his friends. All these are part of his growing up years; some trifle with his budding manhood and associated feelings while others teach him life's worthy lessons. Yet the experiences continue; each happening and its consequence adds a significant dimension, chiselling his expanding maturity. He slowly graduates from unassuming boyhood and teens, reaches adulthood and progresses to become a composed family man. His life continues to be eventful; some memories are stingingly painful, some are just unforgettable; these he treasures close to his heart.

Music is young Surya's passion. For him, the music from his guitar resembles reflects life's sensations. With music as his escape hatch, Surya is capable of transporting himself to places far and away from reality. What happens to this all-consuming zeal? Does it stop by just remaining his dilettante effort or does he dare to carry it through his life's changing times and tides? Is it the same music that lands him in a career in the army? What gives this delicate performer the strength and mindset to work in the tough, danger-ridden war fields?

Does Surya ever fall in love? Is love a part of his youthful flings? Does Priya (Divya Spandana) win his heart and stay to become his soulful partner? What predicaments force Surya to meet and marry Megha (Sameera)? How do failures and successes alter his personality? Vaaranam Aayiram drifts through Surya's life, chronicling all his feelings. Through the course of this turbulence comes another sweet and short love story, that of his parents Krishnan (Suriya) and Malini (Simran).