Tamil Cinema News

‘Raththa Charithiram - Review

2010-12-04T01:16:00.000-08:00

ratacharitram,rakthachrichtriam,rathachritram,raththacheaithiram,chearithram,

Ram Gopal Varma is a pet child of controversies. Some of his biopics in the past invited the wrath of many. So is ‘Raththa Charithiram’, which created waves in Andhra Pradesh even before its release.

The movie on the life of AP politician Paritala Ravi makes one sit sraight and watch. Ramu seems to have done intense research to render an film movie which is strikingly different from run of the mill stuffs.Thanks to a stellar performance by Suriya and intense show by Priyamani and Vivek Oberoi, ‘Raththa Charithiram’ makes it count. Add to it Shatrughan Sinha’s role, the movie leaves one spellbound.

Suriya lives as Suriyanarayanan, who is baying for the blood of his enemy. His subtle emotions, body language and dialogue delivery gives meaning to the movie. Suriya is right there giving one of his best performances as angry young man.Pratap Ravi (Vivek Oberoi), who goes on a killing spree in Annathapuram to avenge the killers of his father, settles down to become a politician. He wins the Assembly election from Ananthapuram thanks to the blessings of actor-turned-Chief Minister (Shatrughan Sinha).

He bumps off all his enemies and their relatives and paints the town red. When everything goes well, an attempt on his life creates kerfuffle.He comes to know that it was Suryanarayana (Suriya), who was waiting for an opportunity to avenge the deaths of his relatives, who got killed in the hands of Pratap.

DCP Mohan Prasadh (Sudeep) identifies the culprit as Suriya. He threatens Suriya to surrender to police holding his wife Bhavani (Priyamani) as captive. Soon, Suriya surrenders to police and goes to jail.

Ravi decides to bump off Suryia in jail but his attempts fail. Meanwhile, leaders of the opposition party, to settle scores with Ravi, volunteers to help Suriya. They decide to clip the wings of Ravi by making Bhavani as candidate in the elections in Ananthapuram.

Ravi now decides to kill Bhavani. Eventually Suriya hatches a plan and decides to execute it at a party meet convened by Ravi. Comes Suriya in disguise to realise his mission. Does he or not forms the climax.

Awesome is one word to describe Suriya's performance. His eyes emote well and in many scenes Ramu has zeroed in on his eyes to make one understand the scene. His diction and body language ooze revenge.

Priyamani is adequate. Vivek Oberoi matches Suriya in performance. However it’s Suriya who walks away with all honours.Technically, it’s one of RGV's best. The slick editing, different colour tones used by cinematographer Amol Rathod adds to the momentum. Especially he has captured the stunt sequences really well.

But there is no denying that the movie oozes blood and gore. There are crude violent scenes. Bullets fly around. On the whole, it is a tight rope walk, but RGV manages to walk with ease.

Thanks to Suriya's performance and RGV's slick narration, ‘Raththa Charithiram’ is a movie that strikes a chord.

Chikku Bhukku - review

2010-12-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

Romance never fails to entertain audience. Since the early days of cinema till now, it has been served in different flavours and whenever it is presented with perfection, it appealed to all sections of the movie-buffs.

From MKT to STR, it’s the stories that are loaded with romance that struck a chord with the masses. Joining the list is Arya, whose ‘Chikku Bhukku’ is an attempt at making a full-fledged love movie.

Manikandan, a former associate of cinematographer-director Jeeva, has ensured that the film oozes with romance all through. It draws comparison of love between 1980s and the present day.

More like Bollywoood’s ‘Love Aaj Kal’, the movie has two love stories woven in one.Also some traces of ‘Varanam Aayiram’ cannot be missed while watching ‘Chikku Bhukku’.

The film begins in London where Arjun (Arya), a disco Jockey, leads a happy life. Also there is Anu (Shriya), who completes her MBA. One day, Arjun is forced to come to his native village in Karaikudi to ensure that his ancestral property is not sold.

Also Anu too is forced to come to Madurai to meet her father who gets hurt in a mishap. The two strangers come together in a train. There begins their journey towards their respective destinations.

Meanwhile, a diary of Arjun's father pops out from his bag. He browses through it to understand his dad's love life. In flashback, the movie goes back to 1985. It is revealed that Sekar (Arya) returns to his village after getting selected as a Police.

He falls in love with Meenal (Preeta Rao). But when their romance comes to light, Sekar's family resists as caste comes in between. A dejected Sekar leaves to Police Training.

There he gets acquainted with Ammaiappan (Anoop), an innocent youth who is his colleague. He comes to know that Ammayappan is in love with his uncle's daughter. Sequence of events reveals that both love the same girl Meenal.

Meanwhile cut to present, Arjun and Anu after crossing several hurdles in their journey reach their respective houses. Now they realise that they have fallen for each other. Meanwhile a twist in the form of Anu’s father ensures all well end's well.

Arya is cool and casual. As father he is more sedate and cool, while the son is vibrant and bubbly. He is impressive in both acts, while Shriya plays her role with charm. Shriya, the beauty with brains, has delivered a commendable performance. Her expressions are noteworthy and in song sequences, her steps are something which leaves us in awe.

Preeta Rao passes the muster. Santhanam who appears in a separate comedy track is little disappointing.

Though Colonial Cousins Hariharan and Leslie have disappointed with their songs but for a couple of numbers, Pravin Mani's background makes it up. Cinematography has presented the modern London and the traditional Karaikudi in their typical style.

Costumes and art work are the two other highlights of the film. It seems the costumer and the art director worked with perfect understanding to give the feel of London and Karaikudi with their works.

Manikandan has tried to ensure that the movie has no dull moments. However at many places the scenes provides one a deja vu feel. Thanks to Arya's breezy performance, ‘Chikku Bhukku’ is cool to watch.

VA QUARTER CUTTING - Review

2010-11-05T19:08:00.002-07:00

starring: Shiva, Lekha Washington, SPB Charan.
Direction: Pushkar-Gayatri
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Production: Sashikanth Sivaji

Director duo Pushkar and Gayatri’s style of film making has evoked interest among film buffs and is being discussed for its cult nature. After auto race in Oram Po, in Va-quarter cutting, it is the run for a ‘cutting’ that takes the audience through a bumpy fun ride for two hours and 15 minutes. The title of the film had kindled much interest and

the fun quotient was only upped by its cast and music as revealed through the promos.

Sura, (shortened for Sundarrajan) an ardent fan of Vijay played by Shiva lands in Chennai from Coimbatore and is on his way to Saudi Arabia for greener pastures. In Chennai, he is being taken care of by his to-be brother-in-law Marthandam (SP Charan), a veterinary doctor. Sura’s (mis)adventure through one night in Chennai and his vigorous pursuit of liquor on hearing that alcohol is forbidden in Saudi Arabia is the frivolous theme of Va-QC which the directors have handled in their own inimitable brand of narration accompanied by a zeitgeistcal crew.

The opening scene with numerous characters almost tests your memory power. However, as the film unfolds, you realize that they have been deftly interspersed through the warp and weft of the storyline in an impressive manner. Intelligent humor woven with satirical work runs through out Va-QC. Although the first half is not homogenously engaging, the second half gains momentum as it cruises through to the climax. Interestingly, the film opens with the lorry sequence and ends in a lorry sequence.

Dialogues augment the fun component, the notable ones being ‘grape’ for group rape, the ‘muttakose’ analogy to intelligence and Shiva asking Lekha for her name. There are umpteen such enjoyable examples in the film.

Credible characterization is one of the USPs of Va-QC with Shiva, Charan and John Vijay taking the honors. Shiva’s and Charan’s body language and their moronic countenance are in perfect sync with the storyline. John Vijay is a revelation in double roles. Lekha Washington as the girl with ‘self suicidal’ instincts does a neat job. There are many small characters like Abhinayasri, Amarendran, Kalyan as part of supporting cast.

The technical team has delivered what is needed for the film in right proportion. Nirav Shah is the major plus for the film and he does it again with his lens which captures the moods of the night with the appropriate usage of lighting and colors (greens and reds predominantly). Effective choreography in all departments marks the car chase sequence. Editor Anthony’s deft work with scissors is noteworthy. G V Prakashkumar’s music is already well received and is in line with the mood of the film. Thediye Thediye number comes alive for its music and visuals.

Directors Pushkar and Gayatri should be credited for respecting their audience’s intelligence and for delivering a ‘different film’ which could in many ways be an avant-garde work. However, will the different genre of comedy appeal to every segment of the audience is something that needs to be waited and watched. All the same, at a time when the term ‘nativity’ in film industry is being used in a privileged context relating only to village based themes, here is Va-QC which brings out the nativity of Chennai and its night life in its own style.

There could be an argument and doubt if someone could go to such an extent for a ‘quarter cutting’.However the psyche of some minds travelling to any length for a trivial matter also cannot be ruled out, with the term triviality itself being relative. Va-QC could work well for population that is casual and sporty.

Myna - Review

2010-11-05T19:08:00.001-07:00

Starring: Vidharth, Amala Paul.
Direction: Prabhu Solomon
Music: D Imman
Production: John Max

Action adventure romances, set in jungle, are a rarity in Tamil cinema. Although nothing short of a love story, Myna comes alive luminously as it traverses through the unexplored jungles of Munnar. Myna is largely the story of jinxed lovers but it’s also about how destiny plays hide and seek with human emotions when people are thrown together by way of sheer circumstances and how it forces them to take stands.

Vidharth (Suruli) and Amala Paul (Myna) are childhood friends. Suruli is attracted to Myna and it doesn’t take long enough for him to recognize that feeling as love. They are play mates, when there is power outage and when Myna has to study in the night Suruli pedals the bicycle - with the stand on - lighting up the dynamo and shedding light in the girl’s text books. Without getting sloppy, director Prabhu Solomon’s script has such little gems, written with heart slowly building up the viewer’s expectations towards the story.

Soon enough, when Myna’s mother realizes that her little girl is in love with a mucky waster she decides to marry her off to a man with better prospects. She also lodges a complaint in the police station against Suruli for attempting to murder her and Suruli is imprisoned. As the wedding arrangements progress, Suruli jailbreaks his way to the village to claim Myna.

As the cops, Thambi Ramayya and Sethu, arrive in that far-flung mountain village to arrest Suruli, the action sets in motion many unlikely incidents. Myna, for fear of marrying the other man, decides to use that opportunity to elope with Suruli in the ensuing commotion.

With that, the movie takes the course of a speeding jet, trekking through the thickets of the jungles of Munnar encountering one humungous hurdle after the other; their jeep meets with an accident, they get chased by elephants and they lose their way in the jungle (before you question, no our cops are not equipped with that magical device called GPS as yet). In the process, the cops unsuccessfully battle with their emotions and eventually fall in love with the couple feeling for their plight. Throw in another twist of emotional imbalance in the Sethu character; it’s his thala deepavali and he has to be home before that.

As they make their way through the jungle, numerous questions arise, as to; will they make it to the civilization alive and if they did will the lovers be united, so on and so forth.

Amala Paul shows immense talent; the guileless tenderness when she puts her love on show, her strong willed conviction when she decides to choose Suruli over the arranged marriage and as a result when she is put through one hardship after the other in the hardest of terrains. Amala, as Myna, scores in every instance. Or it could be her eyes, we are not sure. It’s very easy to fall for that character and the sensible writing of Myna’s character manipulates the viewer’s emotions. So does the unpredictable climax.

The other three characters, of that of Suruli and the cops Thambi Ramayya and Sethu ebb and flow with the movie. The cast has been shown no mercy as they are roughed up by natural calamities and accidents inside the jungle. Another highlight is that the movie’s pace has been maintained throughout the running time. The narrative is blended with comical elements so as to engage the viewer and it works too. Prabhu also touches upon human right violations by the cops when they are handcuffed with suspects that restrict their actions at the will of the cops.

There are moments for Imman’s music when it impeccably complements the movie’s narrative. And it’s another benefit that his songs do not mar the flow of the narrative.

As much as it’s an intense love story, Myna is an adventure film of sorts; sometimes the adventure part outweighing the love and longing of the lovers to be together. Prabhu and cinematographer Sukumar’s conviction of using natural lighting in the cinematography is sparkling in parts. Kudos to the director – producer – distributor team for uncompromisingly believing in the movie.

Myna might not go down in the history of Tamil cinema as a love story or a story of jilted lovers. But it will, by all means, (pardon the cliché here) be remembered as a story with its heart in the right place.

UTHAMA PUTHIRAN - Review !

2010-11-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

Starring: Dhanush, Genelia, Vivek.
Direction: Mithran R. Jawahar
Music: Vijay Antony
Production: Mohan Appa Rao

Uthamaputhiran – literally translates to ‘the ideal son’. Well, this Diwali, if you are searching for the ideal entertainer, then chances are that you will have your gaze firmly fixed on Uthamaputhiran, the only star driven release of this festive season. Does Uthamaputhiran stand true to its title?

Uthamaputhiran is all about love, family,

relationships, fun and laughter. It begins by portraying Siva @ Dhandapani (watch the movie to find the reason behind the second name) as a boy who does not have too many talents or positives except for an uncanny knack of getting into trouble and sticking his neck out for others when they need him the most. One such sojourn of his goes horribly wrong and he is stranded on the highway with Pooja in complete bridal attire and a band of goons hot on their heels. You think that the film is all set to get into a ‘road race’ mode with fights, chases, isolated locations and songs. But, the director introduces us to a large joint family headed by the inimitable Bhagyaraj. It is all fun, chatter and laughter from then on in the first half until a twist ushers the interval in. Post-interval we shift focus to two other families; completely contrasting to the one we have seen so far. They are loud, obnoxious, garrulous (takes a bit of getting used to)and gullible all at the same time. But, the humor and fun continue undiluted here too, pepped up even more by the arrival of ‘Emoshonal Ekambaram’ (Vivek). The fun goes a notch higher with the introduction of ‘Washington Vettrivel’ and ‘Chicago Shakthivel’. The role play keeps you amused and enthralled right down to the wire. The finer details of the plot, the connection between the three families and the reason behind names such as ‘Washington Vettrivel’ will be best understood in theaters.

If a clean family fare, full of fun and humor (clean, no double entendres), no ‘supermanism’, no glamour, little bit of sentiments and a slightly melodramatic climax is your idea of a good entertainer, then you certainly have found the ‘Uthama’ entertainer for Diwali. Right from the outset the director makes it clear that his aim is to entertain the audience. There are not many moments in the movie where the proceedings get excessively serious or somber. That is not to say that the central plot is weak or trivial; far from that. But, the director has presented it all in a fun and frolic manner which keeps us amused throughout. The credit here definitely goes to the script; humor has been cleverly woven into the proceedings, both by means of dialogues and situations. It is only in the latter part of the first half that romance takes a slight precedence over fun. But, of course, that is necessary to set the pace for what is to come in the second half. The second half rockets off to a great start with the introduction of Emoshonal Ekambaram (the name being slightly reminiscent of Vadivelu’s Encounter Ekambaram character). Dhanush and Vivek rock together, each complementing the other with superb timing. Vivek’s stunned and bemused look after the introduction of the ‘Vettrivel-Shakthivel’ brothers will have you in splits; so will his wordplay with ‘subconscious memory’ which becomes ‘sami dhadile fire’. With all the comedy and role play, romance does take a backseat in the second half.

Scripting and direction really show their maturity with the pacing of the movie. A consistent tempo is maintained right through and there aren’t any portions that elicit yawns. Also, the conscious decision to cut down on high-flying fights (there are just two very brief stunt sequences) and foreign location dances (only one, ‘Ussume Laresay’ has come out well) makes the movie a refreshing experience. The songs too, just 4 in number, have been seamlessly placed into the narrative, which is great. The director also deserves a round of applause for character establishment and maintaining a consistent graph for all players involved. Even the smallest of roles (like Mayilsaamy’s ‘Santhosh Khan’) have been carefully constructed.

Looking at the performances in Uthamaputhiran will require a long time because of the sheer size of the cast. But, to start with Dhanush; we have grown used to the kinds of films and roles that Dhanush chooses for himself, the gangly, no airs guy. Uthamaputhiran is perhaps testimony to the fact that Dhanush has identified his strengths and is firmly playing by them, not making too many mistakes. The role of Siva fits him to a T; it is difficult to imagine anyone else as this character. Credit is due to Dhanush for agreeing to do away with many commercial elements like the intro song and appearing as just a simpleton. Genelia is her usual sprightly self. The huge supporting cast has worked wonders for the movie. Listing them all here will be an exercise in itself; Bhagyaraj, Ambika, Rekha, Ashish Vidhyarthi etc.. all showcase their experience. The comedy brigade lead by Vivek is irrepressible; Mayilsaamy plays a delightful part while Dhanush’s group of friends also liven up the screen; it is only Karunas who gets very little to do. Shriya plays a cameo right at the start.

Camera, by Balasubramaniam, has ensured that the screen is always bright and cheerful, suiting the mood of the film. Vijay Anthony’s music has been used well by the director; the composer deserves special mention for the BGM; especially the ‘nadaswaram’ tone for Vivek and the ‘Shanty Shanty’ refrain for Mayilsamy. Editing is crisp.

Finding faults with Uthamaputhiran will be difficult. One feels that with the given plot, premise and resources, Mithran Jawahar has delivered the best possible results. Yes, there is a feeling that 3 hours is a tad too long; that the climax is a bit sugar coated, that certain portions could have been avoided (like the Spiderman bit) and such minor things. But, the final product stands above all these glitches.

Of course, it is not the kind of ground breaking attempt that will change Tamil cinema overnight. But, it is a clean ‘family entertainer’, that can be enjoyed by all age groups, made with very honest and earnest intentions. It is clean, its fun and its feel good. Go for ‘Uthamaputhiran’. Chances are that you won’t be disappointed; we have been needing this kind of a family flick for some time now.

Endiran chennai BO report !

2010-10-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Endhiran is Shankar’s version of science fiction, where Robots acquire feelings and start stalking pretty women to establish families with human beings. The world class movie is executed impeccably with the help of the best of technicians from Hollywood and India alike.

Trade Talk:
Still going strong in all the screened centers with weekends registering full houses.

Public Talk:
There’s a sudden lull, what with the public and media having exhausted all news updates on the movie.

No. Weeks Completed: 3
No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend: 499
Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend: 89%
Collection over this weekend in Chennai:Rs.1,11,00,523
Total collections in Chennai: Rs. 12.72 Crore

Thanks: B.Woods

Endhiran Trailer !!!!

2010-09-11T03:11:00.000-07:00

WOW.. AWOSOME thats the expressions from all who saw this .....

Watch superstar.. as THE ROBOT.. Tamil endhiran will follow soon..

Endiran,endran,robo, robo trailer, the robot, ROBO, endiran,endhiran,endiran trilor,endhiran trailer..

NAAN MAHAAN ALLA - REVIEW

2010-08-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Director Suseendiran proved his prowess as a fine director handling a not so popular sport like Kabbadi in his very first outing Vennilla Kabbadi Kuzhu with village milieu. He does a complete volte face in Naan Mahaan Alla with an urban subject which makes you laugh your heart out in the first half and pushes you to the edge of the seat in the second half.

Karthi (Jeeva) is a happy go lucky young man waiting for a job, not that he is serious about it. He is fun loving exuding positivity always and is popular in his circle. He has a doting family; dad (Jayaprakash) a call taxi driver, a house wife mother (Lakshmi Ramakrishnan), and a younger sister. Jeeva’s life revolves around his family and friends. He meets Priya (Kajal Agarwal) in his friend Sudha’s (a neat portrayal from Neelima) wedding and falls for her. He expresses himself to her in an interesting manner and the ways of wooing are lively and enjoyable.

When he seeks Priya’s hand in marriage, her father (Ravi Prakash) does not approve of this and averts to a local dada to dissuade Jeeva. The ensuing events are the most unexpected ones for Priya’s dad and for the audience. When life seems to go on a straight track for Jeeva, in comes a thud in the form of his dad’s scripted accident and the unhappy turn of events from that point which leads and culminates into a riveting climax.

It is Karthi, Karthi and Karthi all the way who monopolizes the film in every frame. The growth of this young actor is palpable in every shot. The mischievous twitch in the lips and a twinkle in the eye when trying to woo the heroine are a few examples. Bhaskar Sakthi’s realistic one liners and retorts come in handy and color the film in bright hue. In Paiyaa we saw Karthi getting out of the garb of Paruthi Veeran. In NMA he is just the adorable live wire boy next door who floors you with his optimism, bonhomie and comic timing in right proportion.

Kajal Agarwal does not have much to perform but does her part adequately. Jayaprakash as Karthi’s dad is efficient and the subtle gestures suggesting his love and understanding of his son are a treat to watch. The Royapuram dada makes a noticeable performance. The boy with big eyes in the villain gang is quite menacing with his aggressive demeanor.

The conversation between Karthi and Kajal over phone and their subsequent meeting clearly indicate the lively contemporary times between lovers. Same goes for Karthi’s interaction with his friends. The scene involving his boss at the liquor shop is one more example of Karthi scoring in comedy department.

Suseendiran has dichotomized the mood of the film clearly and a touch of levity runs through the first half while seriousness pervades the second half. Credible characterization and a fairly neat screenplay are the positive components in NMA. He has not veered from the subject and if at all something slows down the momentum, it is the Deivam Illai number in the second half. The bringing in of villains and fusing them at the right place is interesting. A few sequences could have been pruned which could have given a complete feel to the film.

Yuvan does a neat job in the music department and Iragai Pole’s picturization is appreciable. Vaa Vaa Nilavai Pidichu has Karthi trying out a few dance steps. In the second half, Yuvan’s RR work dominates and steers the film ahead. Rajeevan’s art work is hardly visible which only goes on to reiterate his success in his job. Interestingly he appears in a small cameo. Madhie behind the camera conveys the mood of the film through his apt lighting. The climax fight choreographed by Anal Arasu gels with the characterization of the subjects.

Although there are a few slow patches, Suseendiran should be appreciated for coalescing the energy and entertainment of a mainstream film with a sensitivity of a realistic one. He has the wholesome attention of the audience in most parts.

Thanks:B.Woods

Raavanan - Review !

2010-06-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Starring: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Priyamani, Prithviraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Munna, Ranjitha.
Direction: Mani Ratnam
Music: A R Rahman
Production: Madras Talkies

Let’s get this straight. Raavanan is not Mani Ratnam’s attempt to venerate the epic villain whose name the movie is titled after. It’s not also a study on complex human relationships weighed down by trust, conviction or quandary. It’s a pure cinematic retreat spanning across the dense jungles of Southern and Central India with exceptional cinematography (Santosh Sivan and
Manikandan), by-now cult songs (A R Rahman) and interesting performances by its lead actors. And the significance of the movie appears in the same order mentioned above.

Mani’s conviction of illustrating an unachievable love story between the two leads (Aishwarya Rai and Vikram) is palpable from the very start of the movie. However, the blossoming of love doesn’t quite form the back bone of Raavanan so much. The movie digresses into other aspects - a man hunt, flash backs, revenge drama and so on and so forth. The man hunts lack dexterity, the revenge drama that is triggered by the death of Vikram’s sister seems engineered and Prithviraj often comes across as stiff – showing unnecessary tautness in the character that is probably designed to defy emotions (may be because he is in his Khakis?

But all that is absolved, as the movie stunningly unfolds often drenching itself in the monsoonal deluge making you feel rain-soaked. If you have any doubt about Mani’s eternal love affair with rain, Raavanan stands as a remarkable testimony. It rains in the song sequences, in encounters and in emotional scenes. And at other instances, the sky is constantly downcast as if threatening to pour down. And the cinematography captures it all in delightful exuberance.

For the most part, Vikram owns the movie seizing it magnificently even from Mani’s own hands. His love blooms out of astonishment at the outwardly courage displayed by Aishwarya Rai and he makes those scenes persuasive for the viewer. He infuses life into the character and shows no jaggedness, falling for a married woman thus replicating, probably the characters of Raavanan. Suhasini’s profound dialogues come in handy in many places and the viewer is made to read between lines quite often.Aishwarya Rai’s semblance of the late Padmini is unmistakable, it could be her dialogues or the way she manages her composure attentively even in the hardest of terrains the character puts her through. The lady sure has attempted to reach on par with Vikram in performance in many sequences. Kudos to Mani for a dignified portrayal of his lead woman. There is a refreshing strength in Ragini’s character brought out well by Aishwarya.

Prithvi plays a toughie police officer and somehow his character portrayal leaves a few questions unanswered: for instance, his love for Aishwarya Rai is weighed down by his commitment and that singular fact does not come across convincingly.Priyamani plays the ill-fated Vennila and leaves a lump in your throat. Karthik in his second innings steals the show. Prabhu and Munna play support roles that ebb and flow with the movie.

Cinematography by Santosh Sivan is brilliant and has rendered the perfect support for Mani. His probing lens takes the audience through the thick jungles, the mighty waterfalls and the rough terrains of India. Music and art direction play equally momentous role in Raavanan as its lead actors. If not for Rahman’s songs and background score, Vikram’s unrequited love wouldn’t have been so painful for us. The songs have already been much debated about and leave no scope for further discussion. One word though: it’s not for nothing “Usure Pogude…” has achieved a cult status. You tend to try hard not to fall in love but fail with the song as Vikram heaves a sigh of relief, having seen Aishwarya Rai breathing and alive after a steep fall.

Sameer Chanda’s art direction complements the ruggedness and splendid beauty of the nature in the jungles so well you refuse to believe anything is man-made.A major drawback is the lack of ‘Tamil’ feel in the film and its music; it more appears for the audience north of Vindhyas in many places. What Mani loses out is the pace over the later part of the first half; he gains it back with a major twist in the climax. Although you have a few questions about the incidents leading to the finale, those are done away with - thanks to the elegiac climax.

GOA - review !

2010-02-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

After courting many legal battles, Goa, the maiden production venture of Soundarya Rajnikanth is finally out. The two back to back success stints at the box office with Chennai-28 and Saroja has upped the expectation levels on Venkat Prabhu and his team and the young director raises only partially to the bar he has previously set in.

Goa implies pleasurable holiday spot and when there is a young team like Venkat Prabhu’s at work, it is easy to place the genre of the film. Jai, Premji and Vaibhav are three naughty friends in a village whose antics lead the village naattamai to impose ban on their communication and interaction with each other. Not withstanding this, the friends escape to Madurai where they see Jai’s mediocre friend happily settled in marital bliss with a white woman. This sets them off on a trip to Goa to seek a life like Jai’s friend. The events that follow their escapade form the rest of the film.

The birth of Premji as God’s gift is shown as a spoof from many old Tamil films. His frolics are enjoyable especially in the scene where he mimics Vettaikaran Vijay. The song ‘puli urumudu’ as a backdrop when he fights with the

baddies and when he imitates Baba Rajnikanth increase the comedy quotient and bring the roof down. On his part Vaibhav with his weakness for women but suffering at the hands of Sneha has done well. Similarly Jai trying to speak in his broken English tickle funny bones. It is a laugh riot sans logical reasoning in these sequences.

Simbu, Prasanna and Nayanthara share a scene each. Pia is adequate. Sampath and Arvind Akash as gay couple (first for a Tamil film?) have performed well. Sampath is brilliant and gathers all the accolades. The scene where he clarifies his relationship with Premji to Arvind Akash moves the audience but the acceptance of their relationship by Tamil audience is uncertain. The issues and the ensuing dialogues when Premji comes in between this relationship have been stretched and blown out of proportion which could have been avoided. Perhaps the title of the film has let the director take such liberties!?

Venkat Prabhu’s screen play appears to be bewildered at times whether to travel on the comedy track or the serious one. The audience is left to judge for themselves. Adequate care in this department would have made a huge positive difference to the film. There is some respite when it comes to the characterization of Sneha as there is a suspense element tagged with it.

Songs by Yuvan Shankar Raja have been picturised well and re-recording is just fine. Sakthi Saravanan’s cinematography works in tandem with the mood of the film. Venkat Prabhu seems to have lost his Midas touch and misses his hat trick!

ASAL review !!

2010-02-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

The Ajith-Saran combination is at it again. Asal is in theaters and it is celebration time for all Ajith fans. The stakes are bigger this time with Asal being Ajith’s 49th film and it is also special because the titles of the film name Ajith as co-director of the movie. He is also credited for the story, screenplay and dialogues along with Saran and Yuhi Sethu. So, has the additional responsibility and control for Ajith worked well for Asal?

Asal is a story of feud between three brothers over property; two brothers (Sampath Kumar and Rajeev Krishna) on one side with their avarice for all the wealth with the righteous third trying to stop the family from breaking down. No marks for guessing who is the righteous one, who else but Ajith Kumar?! The feud that exists as an undercurrent in the presence of their father (Ajith again) turns ugly and personal after he passes away. It grows bigger with the two brothers joining in to elbow out Ajith. He graciously steps aside, only wanting to keep cordial relations. But, the two brothers are just not able to handle the huge wealth and the responsibility that it brings. Their wealth attracts trouble and it is up to Ajith to come back and save his brothers. Do things end there or does

the feud continue, does wealth disintegrate the family and how does Ajith conquer all the odds? Watch Asal to find out.

The first and most important thing about Asal is that it is an out and out Ajith movie. Not that anyone needs to be told this, it is an obvious fact. But, Asal is a full length celebration of Ajith’s persona, something his fans will absolutely adore. But, the film does have its weak points too. It is indeed sad that such a potential team ended up shooting a rather weak script. The main defect here is the characters sketch of the villains. They just don’t seem menacing or threatening enough to stand up to Ajith. It robs the excitement out of the confrontations making it look like cakewalks for Ajith. The only strong negative character (Kelly Dorji) is finished off prematurely which also stunts the growth of Ajith’s character. It is also pretty dampening that the much expected Ajith double act is only there for the first few minutes in the film. It should also be said that the opening sequences of the film do leave you a bit disappointed; the intros just don’t pack a punch. But, on the brighter side, the script does manage to throw a few surprises when you least expect them, like the one at the interval point. Saran has been successful in keeping the viewer guessing about certain things right until the end. The climax portions however should have been better. The finish looks literally forced into the script, with a fight inside a warehouse. There is not much room for romance. But, whatever little is there looks good. The silent tussle between Sameera and Bhavana over who gets Ajith is cute and Saran could have extended it a bit. One thing about the movie that could have been much better is the placement of songs; most of them look like appendages hanging loosely out of the main narrative.

As said above, this movie is all about Ajith and his persona. It would not be wrong to say that at many points it seems as if Ajith, the star, has been given more importance than the script itself. Trust Ajith to carry off a larger than life role with ease. He strides the screen with ease, having a presence that few others can boast of. He looks stylish in every frame; the hairstyle, the sideburns and the cigar sit well on him. In fact, Ajith’s presence is one of the main factors that stops one from getting bored. Sampath, Rajeev Krishna and Pradeep Rawat do their jobs as villains without too great an impact. As said above, their characters look like weak adversaries for Ajith. Sameera Reddy has a role of consequence in the movie and does pretty well, but there is no huge scope for performance. Bhavana looks cute in a role that demands only as much. She however impresses with her dance moves in the first part of the Dushyantha song. Yuhi Sethu tries hard to provide a few comic moments, succeeding partially on the rare occasion; his side kicks trying hard with a few gimmicks as well. Prabhu is a dignified presence.

The fact that this is a film made under Sivaji Productions can be sensed in the way the film has shaped up. The producer has left no stone unturned to make the film look rich, slick and sophisticated throughout. Be it the sets, the interiors, the locations or costumes, no expense has been spared. The story is set mainly in France, with a portion happening in Mumbai. The richness of the streets France has been transferred beautifully onto screen by Prashanth’s camera. The camerawork keeps the viewer visually pleased, partially compensating for flaws in the script. Action should have been better. Only the fight between Ajith and Kelly close to the interval stirs up excitement, it is plain on all other occasions. Music by Bharadwaj does not lend any strength to the movie, except Dushyantha and the BGM looks pretty unimaginative. Dialogues focus mostly on the word ‘Thala’ and the different ways in which it can be used. Imaginative for sure, but it could have been toned down a bit. Nevertheless, it does provide fans with an opportunity to cheer loudly.

Asal is a complete Ajith centric entertainer with lots of style and sophistication. Yes, the script is weak and there are other flaws too, but the movie does not leave you bored or exasperated. Ajith satisfies his fans, but Saran disappoints a bit with the way he has handled such a great team, better results were definitely on. Visually pleasing with about 2.5 hours of running time, Asal is will not have you yawning, nor will it have you asking for more.

Avatar - review

2009-12-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

‘Avatar’, Oscar winner James Cameron’s next feature after ‘Titanic’ is a dazzling spectacular treat in technical terms but on content wise it’s another smartly woven Bollywoodish romantic heart beat.

Its no surprise by now that the English adapt the soap-opearish known and accepted Bollywood (or rather say human emotions) and come out dazzling as winners, the reason they do it with technical finesse and don’t go overboard like many of film makers or call it film fakers do.

If ‘Titanic’ was a western pyjama worn over Bollywood ‘rich gal, poor guy’ love t-shirt with a calamity thrown in to bring an uplifting desired effect. Then ‘Avatar’ is spectacularly symbolic, captivating and immense film themed on a very Indian belief known as re-birth or re-incarnation.

Even the last year academy sweeper and the sensation at major international awards ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was a smartly restructured Manmohan Desai’s ‘Bhai Bhai’ thingie with an element of destiny thrown in.

Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ comes in large scale, this contemporary action adventure mingled with sci fi genes and spiritual and ecological themes is more mighty and bigger as a visual epic then his previous ‘Titanic’.

On the drama and emotional front however its fails to match the ‘Titanic’ scales and this may be the reason why its tries to sway you by its visual delights by offering it in 2D or 3D. Cameron holds the vision together creating a spectacular world filled with both the familiar floras and fountains (amazingly striking) and the exotic species in this anything is possible digital world.

Cameron marshals his forces well making it dazzlingly spectacular enough for us to sit through over two and a half hours and feel satisfied.

The Story Paraplegic war veteran Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is sent to the exotic planet Pandora, replacing his brother, who was killed. Although he's part of the military under the command of Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), the human presence is driven by a corporation mining a unique mineral alongside a scientific probe directed by Dr Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver).

Humans cannot breathe Pandoran air, so they genetically engineer human/Na'vi hybrids known as Avatars. The indigenous Na'vi are resentful - but Princess Neytiri (Zoë Saldana) befriends him and becomes his guide and protector on the strange planet. Jake is soon caught in the middle of the conflict between the Na'vi and the human military machine raping their world.

The Highs: The action sequences are superbly created by a digital army of compositors and FX engineers - including a brigade of motion capture specialists - and the seamless visual effects render the tall, blue Na'vi entirely credible. Some of the natural wonders are blended with imaginary beauty in Pandora's astonishing forests, floating mountains, spectacular plants and tremendous trees - the latter playing a key role as spiritual guardians.

Sam Worthington is perfect for the character, Jake. Stephen Lang as the military brute offers valuable support. Sigourney Weaver is terrific as the frustrated scientist. Zoë Saldana is fascinating as the princess of the Na'vis (who all seem to have recognizably human traits and personas. They hunt with bows and arrows, and speak a fantasy language).

The scale is extraordinary as is the bewitching world of ‘Avatar’ that James Cameron has created with jaw- dropping technology, stunning production design and exotic golden eyed, blue-skinned aliens whose passions are as tangible as the giant flying dragons on which they fly. This huge ambitious project which took many years in the planning earns ‘Avatar’ 4 out of five for the above mentioned reasons.

The Lows: While visually fantastic, however emotionally it struggles to be at par and the length 2hrs 43 minutes makes the spectacular delight a bit monotonous.

Verdict: You can’t afford to miss it.

Vettaikaran - Review !!

2009-12-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

The sparkling stunts, the fiery punch lines, the signature lighter moments and some foot tapping numbers, everything that makes a Vijay film worth your time in theaters are there in his latest offering Vettaikaran. But then, every film of Ilaya Thalapathi has all these things, you might ask. Yes, but it is the execution that makes each one different from the other and the question as you enter theaters to watch this movie is whether newcomer Babu Sivan has managed to pull the formulaic one man army theme out of the rut that it has recently fallen into.

The storyline is very familiar to anyone who follows Vijay movies. A small town do-gooder (Vijay) idolizes an honest super cop of his town. The cop is merciless against all evil forces, an encounter specialist who doesn’t believe in arrests and judicial procedures; he just guns down the perpetrators. The small town do-gooder wants to emulate this cop. But, the only problem facing him is that to become an IPS officer, one must first pass out of school and then get a graduate degree. His failure at academics is an irritant to his father, quite understandably. Keeping his eventual dream in mind, he somehow gets over the hurdle and heads to the big metropolis (Chennai) to seek
Vettaikaran

his graduation and the IPS dream. Chennai, expectedly, greets to him a) good college education b)part time employment and c)a heinous goon whose crime rate is like no one that he has seen before. The rest is all about the mission to eradicate evil. How does he do it? Does he become an IPS officer and bring them to law or does he become a force on his own, hunting them down like the title of the movie suggests? Find out in theaters. And yes, there is a love story in the midst of all this which you are bound to notice because of the songs.

After hearing the synopsis one might be excused for branding this another stereotype fair. But, this one is better than that. Yes, it is undeniably a full fledged commercial flick with a lot of heroism and related stuff, but there is also a certain level of finesse in the execution. The first half is a whole lot of fun. Vijay puts on a jolly and youthful demeanor which has worked very well. Along with Sathyan, they create many an enjoyable moment. The scenes on the train journey, where Vijay meets Anushka for the first time, have really come out well. It is the second half where the predictability starts to set in. A few clichés later, like the hero’s transformation in the duration of a song, you almost know where the film is heading. The script, which remained alright for most parts, looks unduly stretched during the final portions, the end could definitely have been crisper.

The film, in spite of its flaws and stereotypes, is bound to click with Vijay fans. The main reason for that is the seemingly rejuvenated Vijay on screen. He looks refreshed, energetic and lends zing to the proceedings on screen. His dance moves have not lost any of their sheen, the opening number ‘Naan Adicha’ is a cracker that will surely be lapped up by his fans. Junior Vijay’s act towards the end of this number is very likeable. The ‘karigalan’ song too looks and sounds very good while ‘Puli Urumuthu’ is the typical one that catalyses the transformation of the protagonist. Besides these, the other songs don’t gel well into the narrative which is a drawback. The highly anticipated Vijay-Anushka chemistry does not provide any spark on screen which disappoints. Surprisingly, Anushka does not look as ravishing as usual and she also does not get much footage in the film other than songs. It is a bit of downer for the actress after the Arundhathi high.

Other performances live up to the requirements of the script. Sathyan, along with Vijay, makes the first half work with his comic acts. Saleem Ghouse is the typical bad man while VMC Haneefa leaves a mark in his small role. Sukumari shows her experience in the portions given to her and Sayaji Shinde is in full form as a cop loyal to the evil master.

Babu Sivan must be commended on a good effort, thought not without its flaws. He has handled the dialogue department with care and come out with good results. Action is a regular Vijay style and will cater to his fans.

Vettaikaran is an out and out Vijay film, straight to his fans who are bound to be happy with the outcome, considering the last two offerings which did not please many. A fun first half and an action packed but predictable and a bit jaded second make a pretty reasonable final product for all those who don’t mind commercial mass masala without caring for things such as reason or logic.

Ganja Karuppu finds his life partner!

2009-12-06T17:56:00.000-08:00

Funny man Ganja Karuppu will exchange marriage vows with Sangeetha in January. Karuppu revealed his wedding plans to the media recently adding that his bride is a physiotherapist. The star wedding will take place in Nattarasankottai in the presence of both the families, said the actor.

The wedding is an arranged one with the consent of both the families and the engagement ceremony was held in Sivaganga recently. Ganja’s ticket to stardom came with Ameer’s Ram and he became one of the sought after comedians after the success of Paruthi Veeran.

Swathi’s secret wedding

2009-12-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Swathi, who entered Kollywood with the Vijay-starrer Deva, went to work in several films including Selva, Vasantha Vasal and Vanmathi. Her latest venture is Ameer’s Yogi.

The actress entered wedlock with a US-based engineer in Hyderabad on November 22nd. On her sudden and secret wedding, Swathi says that it was an arranged marriage and only close family was invited for the wedding. She adds that the limited time frame set for the marriage made it impossible for her to invite her colleagues in the film industry.

Swathi also disclosed that Yogi would be her last film and she intends to settle down in the US.

PAZHASSI RAJA review !!

2009-11-22T17:21:00.000-08:00

Starring: Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, Kanika Subramaniam, Padmapriya, Thilakan, Jagathi, Sreekumar, Suresh Krishna, Suman, Linda Arsenio
Direction: T. Hariharan
Music: Ilayaraja
Production: Gokulam Gopalan

Heroes of the Indian freedom struggle; the theme has never lost its appeal and probably never will. Pazhassi Raja presents an account of the life, times and struggles of one of India’s earliest heroes. The Malayalam original was released over a month back in Kerala and has broken almost every box office record without showing any sign of slowing down. It is with quite huge expectations that the dubbed version releases in Tamil.

First, the theme itself makes the film worth more than just a look. Set in Wayanad (the northern part of Kerala) in the late 18th century, the movie traces the path of Pazhassi Raja (Mammootty) who showed the courage to defy the powerful colonial forces that were threatening to take over his motherland. While kingdoms around him were making hurried alliances with the foreign forces to avoid war, and bending to every wish and whim and rule laid down by them, Pazhassi Raja felt it unacceptable that people who were allowed into the country for trade should begin to dictate terms. His defiance obviously doesn’t go down too

well with the forces and a clash is inevitable. The colonial forces, armed with guns and cannons expect to overrun the sword and spear-wielding army of the Raja. The Raja does suffer losses, and is eventually forced to seek refuge in the thick jungles of north Kerala about which the British don’t have a clue. But, this is not before the very core of the British forces has been shaken by the valiant resistance that was put up, when they were expecting a meek surrender in an unevenly matched battle. In the jungle, with his faithful followers consisting of his trusted lieutenant Edachena Kunkan (Sarath Kumar), Pazhassi Raja gathers his forces for a powerful retaliation. He finds willing and able allies in the Tribals, led by Thalakkathu Chanthu (Manoj K Jayan), who know the jungles like no one else does. They devise a hitherto untried plan to counter the firepower of the British, guerilla warfare. In the thick cover of the jungle, the plan is perfect as the foreign forces don’t have a clue about who is hitting them and from where. It looks as if bow and arrow might ultimately get the better of the gun. But, treason lurks and it turns the course of events. But, the fight is not over yet. The Raja’s men shall not drop arms until none of them stands. That is what Pazhassi Raja is all about, a tale of martyrdom.

As said above, the theme itself makes the film worth more than just a look. To go nit picking the faults of such a movie could amount to a disservice to the sacrifices that sparked off the struggles that ultimately earned us our freedom. Yet, from a very objective point of view it can be said that the movie is perhaps a trifle too long. There are places where one feels that the screenplay (M.T. Vasudevan Nair) could have been a bit tighter, though it is flawless for most parts. The climax makes one feel patriotic with the Raja and his men making the ultimate sacrifice. The dialogues adapted to Tamil by Jayamohan convey the right emotions most of the time. The dubbing from Malayalam to Tamil has been done without many noticeable glitches which are commendable considering that the original uses the more classical, pure Malayalam of North Kerala in the 18th century which has very little Tamil influence.

Everyone in the cast has given their heart to the role. It is not always that an actor gets such an opportunity. Mammootty lives the role of Pazhassi Raja. Majestic and commanding, one of his best performances. The points when he has to try hard to summon courage and resilience even in the face of heavy losses to motivate his forces bring out the best in the actor. Sarath Kumar is excellent as Edachena Kunkan. His confrontation with another regional king and final act of sacrifice makes a great impression. Manoj K Jayan too has delivered with distinction. Padmapriya makes her presence felt in a challenging role while Kanika is a constant presence throughout the movie without getting much of a chance to perform. Senior performers like Nedumudi Venu, Thilakan and Jagathi Sreekumar leave their stamp behind in small but important roles.

Music by Ilayaraja carries the Maestro mark as usual. Resool Pookutty contributes with a fine effort, sounds come alive. The camera effectively captures the green terrain of Kerala. The film has been made with lots of effort and planning. One can see it in the number of extras that have been used in every scene. The efforts taken by the cast in the fight sequences impresses. On the flip side, the nativity factor goes missing in the Tamil version which is expected. The costumes, the architecture and everything are very much characteristic of Kerala and hearing Tamil dialogues in this setting takes a bit of getting used to.

Pazhassi Raja is a film that reminds us of the price at which freedom came. It is one great effort and definitely needs to be received with an open mind. A few shortcomings notwithstanding, it is an opportunity: for those who know about these heroes to remember them once again and for those young people who are yet to hear these names to get to know about them and their sacrifices. We would love to see more movies like these.

KANDEN KADHALAI REVIEW

2009-11-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

They have met again! The ‘Jab We Met’ remake is in town and love is in the air. Will the magic work? After the critically acclaimed Poo, Moser Baer ventures into commercial cinema successfully with Kanden Kadhalai. With a story that has already proved its worth up north and a universally accepted emotion as its basic theme; the odds are definitely in favor of Kanden Kadhalai. The team behind the remake is relatively young but highly promising. Kannan is trying to follow up his impressive debut (Jeyamkondaan) with a hit, Bharath is returning to the lover boy role after a few commercial trysts and Tamanna gets a gem of an opportunity to prove her worth as an actress who can carry off all kinds of emotions. Put all this together and we get ‘Kanden Kadhalai’, a youthful romantic drama which takes a fresh perspective on love and relationships.

Shakthi (Bharath) is down in the dumps! The big business establishment that his father has built is falling apart, the board of directors is going insane with arguments and to top it all there are allegations that his mother is having an affair with the company’s auditor. Not able to take any more of the misery he walks out of the board meeting. The day after he goes missing, everyone wonders where he is gone. In fact, even he has no idea of where he wants to go.

He just wants to escape from everything, even from himself. Without a ticket in hand or a destination in mind he boards a train. Aboard he comes across Anjali (Tamanna) who is poles opposite to him in character. She just can’t stop talking, most of which is about herself. As we discover later, the person she loves most in the world is herself. In a weird twist of events, brought about by Shakthi’s pointless sauntering and Anjali’s insuppressible energy, they find themselves together, stranded in the middle of nowhere with no means of transport for the night. They get to know each other over the period that they are together. Travelling across Tamil Nadu to get to Anjali’s home, Shakthi starts feeling lighter and better. He starts learning a lot about taking it easy. Meanwhile Anjali has plans of her own, love is on her mind. But the man is not Shakthi. However she wants Shakthi’s help to reach her lover. She runs away from home and Shakthi goes back to resurrect his business. Everyone believes that they are together, somewhere. It takes some time for Shakthi to realize that everyone believes in something that is not exactly true. So, he sets out to prove that Anjali has actually found love and life with another person. Does he find her? What is she doing? This time the tables turn. Anjali is somber and Shakthi can’t stop talking. Does love happen?

At the outset, it is important to understand that this film is not only about love or romance. It also shows at places about how life and all its ups and downs have to be dealt with. The story defends love and lovers under all circumstance. Some people might find certain thoughts a bit difficult to agree with, but that doesn’t hinder the film much. The chemistry of the lead pair which is the moving force of the film has worked well. Both Tamanna and Bharath look fresh and different in their roles. Bharath is neat and sophisticated in his role. Tamanna looks good especially in the half saree. As for her performance, she is really good while bringing out different facets of the character. It is a commendable effort. She has proved her ability to pull off a wide range of roles. The high point of the movie is Santhanam’s whacky comic act. Appearing as the bridegroom chosen by Anjali, his dialogues infuse life into the movie. The audience loves him, except when he goes into double entendre mode. This could have been avoided as it spoils the clean family entertainer status that the movie could have had. The major drawback of Kanden Kadhalai is its lack of continuity at places. There are also places where the events seem a bit artificial. The music, which is an important part of any romantic flick, has not worked too well. Only ‘Suttudhu Suttudhu’ makes an impression. Other songs don’t stick to your mind; their placement too is not apt. Camerawork is colorful and well suited to the mood of the film.

Kanden Kadhalai is a film for the youth. People with romance in their hearts are bound to enjoy the theme and the subtle hints that the movie gives about love. It seems to be giving out the idea that failing in love or work once does not mean that the world has ended, there is always tomorrow. However, a few glitches in continuity take a toll on the film. Kannan has made a not too bad follow up to Jeyamkondaan. But with his proven credentials and a young cast, the remake of a Hindi superhit should ideally yield better results. Nevertheless, Kanden Kadhalai is quite an enjoyable fare for those who love romantic flicks.

Verdict: Youth and love special

Aadavan - Review !!

2009-10-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

Starring: Suriya, Nayanthara, Ramesh Kanna, Vadivelu.
Direction: K.S.Ravikumar
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Production: Red Giant Movies

The biggest of this festival season is here and it comes with great expectations. Suriya is targeting a hat trick of hits while KSR is all set to follow up the Dasavatharam phenomenon with another big grosser. Have no doubts when you enter theaters, this is a trademark KS Ravikumar product, no holds barred entertainment with elements for just about everyone in the family. But, it does also come with its share of pitfalls and flaws.

A professional assassin, sharp shooter, jet setter, high flyer – that’s how Aadhavan (Suriya) is introduced to the audience. The customary introduction song does not actually set a racy tempo, but is still foot tapping. He never misses his aim and that brings him a big assignment, one that promises crores. A judge all set to report his findings on a sensational case is the target and Aadhavan is ready to shoot. The bullet misses, the judge survives, Aadhavan fails. With crores and a huge reputation to protect, Aadhavan vows to complete the unfinished job. How, when, where? Watch Aadhavan to find out.

The basic premise of an assassin and the target must lead you to think of a suspense filled, tense and intense plot. But what you get in the first half is exactly the opposite .

You are introduced to a large joint family, Saroja Devi (on screen after 12 years) is the eldest member and Nayanthara as Thara is her granddaughter. Vadivelu is the domestic help and at the helm is the Late Murali who wields the whip and a stentorian tone. Suriya joins the mix and you are in for a hilarious one and a half hours. Trust KSR the script writer to blend and infuse comedy into any story, he does it with finesse here and executes it to near perfection as a director. Ramesh Khanna joins in later to add to the humor quotient. While the main plot does keep moving throughout the first half, it is only close to the interval that it takes a decisive twist. Post interval you are told the details of an unknown identity, a flashback narrates a few family relations and the reasons for an old wound, before we cut back to present to resume the main plot. By now, the pace has slackened a bit. A little bit of romance is slipped in, but it has been kept in check which helps the main plot maintain its course. The last half an hour is perhaps the weakest portion of the movie. Even though the events unfold at a pretty steady pace it fails to engage the viewer. The climax, in an isolated yard with a crane, fully filled petrol tank and a pond nearby are typically Kollywood masala fare. It definitely could have been better.

In the bid for uninhibited entertainment, logic and reason have taken a beating at places. Though that is not uncommon in cinema, those instances do leave you searching for explanations. The most prominent is the scene where Aadhavan opens up about his identity to Thara- How Madhavan became Aadhavan? Later, when it is opened in front of the whole family, everyone seems to swallow whatever has been said without even a shadow of doubt. But, KSR has managed to a large extent to cover up for the lack of clarity at places with his racy direction. In fact, you might find yourself asking questions about the logic behind many incidents well after you have left the theater, not while you are still watching the film. Other dampeners include the placement of songs, especially in the first half. The ‘Dekho Dekho’ number seems unnecessary and extraneous to the script. ‘Yaeno Panithulli’ and ‘Hasili Fisili’ captivate with the visuals and exotic locations.

Technically, Aadhavan has got few things to boast about, presenting Suriya as a 4 feet something tall 10 year old boy must be a first in Tamil cinema. Though one can clearly make out that it is graphic patchwork at quite a few instances, overall it is a job very neatly done, great effort. Camerawork by R Ganesh is adequate. It is only in the above mentioned songs that he gets to translate a rich feel onto screen. Harris Jeyaraj’s music which is already a hit could have been placed and used better, the songs would have served as a bigger strength to the film that way.

Suriya walks through a role that does not challenge him much. The effort and risks taken in the fight sequences, especially the first chase through Kolkata where he can be seen jumping over rooftops etc.., tell a lot about commitment. He looks stylish, angry, cunning and innocent while bringing out different shades of the character that he portrays; a well crafted performance. Nayanthara escapes the glamour trap after a long time and looks fresh. Saroja Devi brings in some old world charm to the proceedings while Murali is authoritative in what is sadly his last film. Sayaji Shinde, Rahul Dev, Riyaz Khan and others do a fairly neat job. Anandh Babu belies the years to shake a leg in the opening song and passes off quite well in a limited but significant role. Vadivelu brings the house down with his comic act. He breathes life into the proceedings every time he is on screen and his antics keep the first half brimming with positive humor; his character adds to the overall Aadhavan experience.

On the whole, Aadhavan is trademark KSR cinema. It has action, comedy, sentiment, romance, music and masala, not to forget his special appearance at the end. There are flaws, missing pieces, loose ends and a stereotyped climax that might put you off, but commercial cinema is always prone to such errors. If you are not a stickler for logic or substance, there are quite a few positives to sit back and enjoy.

PERAANMAI - Review !

2009-10-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

Starring: Jayam Ravi, Dhanushika, Liyashree, Saranya, Varsha, Vasundhara, Roland Kickinger, Vadivelu, Ponvannan, Oorvasi.
Direction: SP Jananathan
Music: Vidyasagar
Production: Ayngaran International

This Diwali’s first release Peraanmai directed by S P Jananathan deals with an entirely different theme but strikes a low key especially in the reliability segment.

Jayam Ravi is the forest officer who is appointed to his post thanks to the quota system of the government but a deserved one at that. His superior Ponvannan belonging to an upper caste does not let any opportunity pass by in insulting him. Tolerating his insinuations and invectives, Ravi performs his job well. In addition to training NCC cadets, in his spare time, he educates the children and adults of the forests. Jananathan has used this as a platform to convey communist thoughts through out the film. While some are sharp, many are muted by the censor.

During the process of training 5 NCC girl cadets in the dense jungles, Ravi’s team stumbles upon a shocking discovery which could be dangerous to the nation. How the team counters the enemy and protects the nation from foreign hands forms the rest of the story.

The trials and tribulations of a lower caste person working under an upper caste boss are well etched out. When Ravi’s marks are compared with that of the cadets in a derogatory fashion, his expressions speak a million. The actor looks smart having shed oodles of weight.

Director’s brilliance shines in the sequences depicting the girl’s pranks and tomfooleries which come across as very natural and enjoyable. All the girls have done their part well. The slow pace of first half which is allocated to the girls hating Jayam Ravi picks up momentum in the second half after spotting foreigners in the Indian forests and the action sequences that follow. Jayam Ravi’s climax sequence is power packed and is praiseworthy

On the flip side, though the theme is something new, Peraanmai lacks in the department of credibility. Ordinary NCC cadets, handling sophisticated machinery is too hard to believe. It is also not explained how Ravi handles the latest missiles. Can Ponvannan not hear the noise when he comes in search of Ravi in the forest? Perhaps Jananathan must have thought that the audience will oversee all these errors when it comes to their motherland.

Verdict: Peraanmai – A low key affair

Arumugam - review

2009-09-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Director Suresh Krissna returns. The erstwhile hit maker is trying to regain the magic touch that he so famously possessed in the 90s. Apparently, he still seems to believe in the 90s style of film making when Tamil cinema has actually evolved far ahead. That is how one feels about Aarumugam, a story that could have found its takers in the 90s. Striking similarities to Suresh Krissna’s big hits of the 90s at many places cannot escape your notice, even though the story, screenplay and dialogues have been handled by Rashid Premji.

Aarumugam is about how one young lad is keen to fulfill his mother’s last wish. It also talks about friendship that transcends societal barriers. Bharath plays Aarumugam, the young man who owns a roadside eatery, lives with the sole aim of realizing his mother’s dream. He has a very close friend from a very unlikely background, the younger brother of a millionaire. However, this difference does not seem to hamper their friendship in any way. But the status conscious millionaire (Ramya Krishnan) is getting sleepless nights after knowing that her brother is socializing in places which could be quite damaging to her high flying image. She tries to intervene between the Arumugamfriends, but that does not work. So, the next thing to do, in a commercial movie, is to send goons who smash up all that the poor guy owns. On the street with nothing to lose, the poor young man’s fire in the belly burns hotter and brighter. The rest is easy to guess for anyone who regularly watched commercial potboilers of the 90s.

A story that has been tried, tested, done and dusted gives the film very little chance of impressing us. It is the director who has to infuse life into proceedings. But, with the kind of script at hand it is a hard job to do, considering that audience these days are increasingly searching for plausibility and logic in even the smallest of things in the movie. There are many big holes in this respect which will irk people who have been treated to some sensible cinema off late. Moving legal processes in a matter of hours and earning millions over a few months are no longer fun to watch.

Bharath has given an honest and earnest performance. In a role that comprises of fully playing to the galleries, he shows complete faith in the director. He has put up a good show in almost all the departments and worked hard in the fights. Ramya Krishnan in a role that was touted to be a la Neelambari delivers what is required. However, this one does not even nip at the skirts of Neelambari. Karthik and Abhinay pass muster in supporting roles. Priyamani is peripheral to the story and is present only for songs and glamour.

Deva’s music has a feeble impact; only ‘Yamini’ seems interesting. Pa. Vijay’s lyrics in most songs are of pretty commendable standards, but the tunes let down the lines. Perarasu has written the opening song which also appears in the background many times.

Aarumugam is an outdated story taken in a manner that would have worked in the mid 90s. But, Tamil audiences have outgrown this genre of cinema. There is no doubt as to which section of audiences this movie has targeted. But, even the front benchers have becoming discerning nowadays. Aarumugam will have a hard time convincing audiences. It may however find some takers who still love escapist masala.

Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru - Review

2009-09-29T07:38:00.001-07:00

Starring: Ajmal, Rupa Manjari, Mouli.
Direction: Nandhini
Music: Mani Sharmaa
Production: Sathyam Cinemas, Real Image.

A missing mother, an abruptly orphaned kid in the hands of a waywardly advertising executive and the mystery surrounding the kid - debutant director Nandhini has had a promising fast paced script when she jotted it down on paper. Sadly, not every promising script transpires into a good movie, for it takes a lot more than just a nice script for a good movie: for starters, neat execution tricks and a tightly packed screenplay with comic and romantic interludes, especially if the movie is a light-hearted comedy.

Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru starts promisingly with a lively star cast and an equally exuberant setting but fizzles down gradually due to the lack of inventiveness in dialogues that gets tedious after a point of time, screenplay that has less or absolutely no drive and music that is strictly so-so.

Desperate to meet the deadlines, an over-enthusiastic advertising executive (Ajmal) hires a kid by the side of the road from a vagrant mother. The mother slips into coma immediately after a freak accident leaving the kid in Ajmal’s custody. The reluctant Ajmal takes up the kid
Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru

under his custody and to his dismay, the mother disappears from the hospital she’s admitted in.
Ajmal and his cop friend embark on a search to find the whereabouts of the mother while keeping the child in custody.Nandhini’s efforts pay off in the last 20 minutes and the movie flies off in a jiffy during that time. It’s hard not to wish the entire movie is packed that way. The wild goose chase intensifies as the movie inches towards the climax and tries desperately to make up for the nondescript fare offered so far.Ajmal and Rupa Manjari play the ‘battle of sexes’ game that is neither new nor interesting. Ajmal has added another movie to his CV and Rupa has kick started her account. She shows potential, however, in whatever little she was obliged to do. Mouli still retains his brand humor that flows quite naturally.

On the whole, Nandhini’s Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru falls into the ‘could have been better’ category. Only if you are willing to while away the huge part of the movie for the final 20 minutes which is absolute fun, give it a try.

Unnaipol Oruvan - Review

2009-09-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

A focused thriller on the travails of terrorism in our daily life is not a regular thing in Tamil cinema. But Kamal Haasan, the man of experiments, has gathered the guts to remake Hindi hit ‘A Wednesday’ that speaks on the effects of extremism on men in streets.What if a common man becomes a threat to the government and its institution forms the core of the film. An individual’s anger against terrorism and the ineffectiveness of the institution to nip it is what the film boasts about.

Films carrying such themes tend to be preachy as the past suggest. But ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’, a whiff of fresh air in Tamil cinema, is a movie with a purpose. It is neither tacky nor artificial but a straight and simple one that scores.If watching Kamal Haasan performing a serious role is a delight, so it is to see a seasoned campaigner like Mohanlal sharing the screen with them. Both have done roles that demand not just an outburst of emotions in a subtle manner, but also immense involvement.

Kamal in his walk, body language and dialogue resembles the man living in your next door. Mohanlal should be appreciated for the maturity with which he had played the role. His emotional encounter with Kamal Haasan towards the climax is one among the many scenes that deserve applause.

The movie begins with a middle-aged man (Kamal Haasan) leaving bags at pivotal points in city. He takes up position at the top of a half-constructed building and opens his gizmos. Now begins his mission.He uses different sim cards in his mobile (obtained on fake names) and calls up the Police Commissioner Raghavan Maraar (Mohanlal) informing him that he has planted bombs that would explode before the evening.

Taking him serious after finding out that explosives were left in a police station itself by him, Raghavan comes for negotiation. The man on the phone demands the release of four dreaded militants (including three Islamic ultras and a Hindu involved in weapon sale) languishing in various prisons.Maraar entrusts the job to his trusted lieutenants who take them to Sholavaram aerodrome. In between, the caller alerts a television journalist Natasha Rajkumar (Anuja Iyer) and keeps track of the developments thanks to their news scroll on the channel.

Now an unexpected thing happens there. Our common man teaches terrorists a lesson and proves the government that an eye for an eye will usher justice. He tells that the agony and frustration of a common man can lead to a disaster.Director Chakri Toleti seems to have had an easy time, for the trump card was already in his hands in the form of ‘A Wednesday’. But the way in which he has visualized the script needs mention. Shruti’s musical score adds pep to the movie while Manoj Soni’s camera work is the eyes of the common man.

Produced by Raaj Kamal and UTV, ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’ is a film that deals on harsh realities the country faces today and suggests a harsher remedy for it.

Eeram - Review !!

2009-09-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

The producer in director Shankar is known for spotting the right talent. In ‘Eeram’, he has brought out the filmmaker in his former-associate Arivazhagan. S Pictures, which has made a name for churning out movies on different genre, has dared to deliver an eerie thriller, which is a rarity in Tamil cinema.

Arivazhagan, quiet like his mentor, has come out with a movie that has gripping screenplay coupled with good use of technology. What starts as a crime thriller takes twists and turns to end up as a horror show.The debutant director has been assisted by a young brigade of technicians and lesser known star cast. ‘Eeram’ lives up to its theme- all is wet and watery in the film from the first frame till the last.

Making a seat-edge thriller on super-natural elements is no easy task. It has to be logical. The young filmmaker takes the responsibility on his shoulder and lives up to the reputation entrusted on him by his mentor.The movie revolves around Ramya (Sindhu Menon). She is found dead in a bathtub at her posh apartment. Vasu (Aadhi), a top cop takes the responsibility of investigating the death. He suspects foul play in the incident.

He enquires Bala (Nandaa), Ramya’s husband and several other neighbours. However, he is yet to make progress in the case. An interesting flashback reveals that Vasu and Ramya were lovers in Trichy.

They estrange after Ramya’s father (Rajasekar) refuses for their marriage. Meanwhile, four murders take place in the apartment complex where Ramya lived. Vasu gets the shock of his life during the investigation. Revealing more on the story would take away the suspense element. Watch the movie to know what happened next.

Aadhi, who played a rustic youth in ‘Mirugam’, plays a suave cop. With the image makeover, he fits the bill well. Reminding a blend of Suriya of ‘Kaakha Kaakha’ and Vikram in ‘Sami’, Aadhi promises a lot.Sindhu Menon plays a timid wife. She lends credibility to her role with expressive eyes and neat portrayal. Nandaa, who hitherto played a romantic youth, dons a different role. He deserves appreciation for taking the guts to do it.

The rest of the cast including actor-director Srinath, Saranya Mohan and Lakshmi Ramakrishnan have performed well. The young music composer Thaman (introduced as an actor in Shankar’s ‘Boys’), has come up with soul-stirring music. Visual effects are the USP in the film and it manages to create an element of suspense among the audience.

The scene-stealer however is cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa, who does his lens do all the talking. He has captured the whole movie on a different colour tone as water finds a place in almost all the sequences, quiet appropriate to the title.

Arivazhagan seems to have begun a journey which would go long and long. However, the second-half seems to be a bit draggy needing immediate chopping of few scenes. Shankar has once again proved that all hopes are not lost in Tamil cinema. Cheers to ‘Eeram’ team.

NINAITHALE INIKKUM - REVIEW

2009-09-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Debutant director G N R Kumarvelu’s ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’, a remake of Malayalam hit ‘Classmates’, is a campus crackle that speaks of fun, joy and camaraderie among friends in a college campus.With a young brigade including Prithviraj, Shakthi and Priyamani at the scheme of things, the movie does manage to take one to their college days – the revelry, romance and of course revenge.

Prithviraj hogs all limelight playing a young student Siva, who has a purpose to achieve. So is Shakthi, who plays his best friend in the college. Priyamani as Prithvi’s lover adds to the play.Of course with a host of characters around, debutant director Kumaravel has managed to have come out with a script that has a lighter side before settling down for a touchy climax.Kumaravel is assisted by Vijay Antony’s music, which has a right mix of peppy and soft numbers. Unlike his earlier films, Vijay Antony has allowed lyrics to dominate his music. Equally impressive is Balasubramaniam’s soft lens. The cinematographer captures the life in a college hostel in a different tone.

Siva (Prithvi) looks back at his college days as he returns from Mumbai to attend his college reunion (almost after eight years). The flashback unfolds. Siva, who has an immediate concern for the welfare of others, leads a happy life in the campus along with friends including Shakthi (Shakthi).

Siva’s rising popularity in the college irks Vasu (Karthik Kumar). He sets out to seek revenge on him. Enters Meera (Priyamani), daughter of a local MLA, who studies in the same college. She falls in love with Siva after the latter saves her from a police charge.

Vasu plays a trick and succeeds in making Meera contest against Siva in the college union elections. Friction develops in their affair. But greater things unfold as election begins. Shakthi is found dead in the hostel.A heart-broken Siva informs none and leaves to Mumbai. A series of events unfold during the college reunion that forms the climax and it ends on a touchy note.

If Prithviraj and Priyamaani lends solidity to their roles, Shakthi walks away with all honours with his breezy and cool performance. Priyamani has no major role to play, yet she kind of leaves an impression in that role.K Bhagiyaraj as Shakthi’s father impresses while the rest of the cast including Ilavarasu, ‘Goodluck’ Lakshmanan and Manobala are adequate. ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’ is a movie for the youngsters. Though it is far from the magic of the original.

Ninaithale Inikkum – Campus crackle

SUN buys Vettaikkaran !!

2009-08-31T08:35:00.000-07:00

In a move which would bring cheers among Vijay fans, Sun Pictures has acquired the release rights of ‘Vettaikkaran’ from AVM Balasubramanian and B Gurunath Meiyappan of AVM Productions.At a time when the actor is implicitly making his political intentions clear (his recent meeting with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is an example), the purchase of his forthcoming film by Sun Pictures, a part of the all-powerful media group Sun TV Network, is expected to give him immense publicity mileage.

Directed by Babu Sivan, a former associate of Dharani, Tollywood heroine Anushka is making her comeback in Kollywood with ‘Vettaikkaran’.The debutant director, who promises that ‘Vettaikkaran’ will be a completely commercial film, with great songs, action sequences and a message, says: “I am really excited. It is such an honour to work for an AVM production starring Vijay as hero. His appeal and reach are just amazing.”

Vijay Anthony, who is scoring music for the first time for a Vijay movie, says “Usually, people say my compositions are full of energy. But, when they combine with Vijay’s energetic steps, the effect is bound to be something else.

Singam Started !!

2009-08-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (August 30th) the walls of the city were full with posters, that had a man whom we all know, in a different yet familiar look! Confused? We are talking about the new image of Suriya for his upcoming project ‘Singam’. What’s so different about Suriya’s looks is his mush - he is looking like a version of ‘Virumandi’ Kamal. And what’s so familiar about him is his Police getup! Yup! After appearing as a policeman from a city Suriya is seen holding a big ‘Aruva’ and giving a fierce look.

The highlight of his make-over is the string of lemon and a flower garland worn around his neck, plus his face with a lot of kumkum and kaki uniform unbuttoned!

Suriya started ‘Singam’ with Hari, one of his favourite directors in on August 23rd. Produced by Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green, the first schedule of the film has started in Kuttralam. Kollywood's hottest heroine Anushka is playing as Suriya's lead lady for the first time in this film.

More pics in Gallery !!

Kanthaswamy - review !

2009-08-23T02:56:00.000-07:00

Kanthaswamy. It is the buzz word in every mouth for the past few months. There was immense hype and hoopla around the movie. Touted to be Tamil cinema's ambitious project, the end-product can be described as a marvel on screen, oozing with style and substance.

The duo of Vikram and Susi Ganeshan have come out with a project (though far from logic) that is laced with all commercial ingredients at right mix. They have lived up to the faith imposed on them by producer Kalaipuli S Thanu.Sending a message within commercial parameters is no easy task for any filmmaker. But kudos to Susi Ganeshan for achieving the same. Coming out with an unpretentious entertainer, Susi has ensured that he plays to the strength of Vikram. An action extravaganza with technical finesse was lacking in Tamil cinema. But Kanthaswamy has filled the void now. The computer graphics and the breathtaking stunt sequences captured well by cinematographer Ekambaram has proved a point that Tamil cinema is no way behind when compared to Bollywood and Hollywood.

Very few actors in Tamil cinema mould themselves into character that they play. Leading the pack is Vikram. The actor, who enthralled audience playing out-of-the-box roles in Sethu, Pithamagan and Anniyan has gone several steps above in playing a suave cop and a lovable Robinhood in Kanthaswamy.The subtle variations in the body language and dialogue delivery is a treat to watch not just for Chiyaan fans but for film-lovers across all sections. He looks charming and young with stunning costumes. The singer in Vikram thrills the audience more. Songs featuring the actor crooning in his voice brings the roof down with screams, thanks to catchy and peppy tunes by Devi Sri Prasad.

As expected Kanthaswamy is about a superman cleansing evil in the society. People throng a Murugan temple where they tie their wishes to a tree, after which all their prayers are fulfilled.The Kanthaswamy (one of the names of Lord Muruga) in the temple catches the rage of people. Soon a super hero Kanthaswamy (Vikram) emerges to help people solve their problems. A modern day Robinhood, he provides them with money. Soon the growing name and fame of the temple and serious of events in the city results in a suspicion among police. A tough cop (Prabhu), who happens to be the DIG, starts investigating the issue.

Enters young CBI officer Kanthaswamy (Vikram) with a zeal and dedication to bring out black money from rich and wealthy men. A man of great skills, he sets out on a mission. He comes across Ponnusamy called as PPP (Ashish Vidyarthi), a rich man in the town. He conducts a raid and unearths unaccounted cash and documents worth over Rs 1000 crore. In a bid to revenge Kanthaswamy, PPP's daughter Subbulakshmi (Shriya ) pretends loving him. It is all but a cat and mouse game between PPP, a few other villains and Kanthaswamy.

A fantasy film may seem to have a clichéd storyline. But it needs to be supported by a racy screenplay to sustain the interest of the audience. Susi Ganeshan has mastered this trick with Kanthaswamy. He is at his best coming with a free flowing script that provides interesting moments in almost every scene (though apparently inspired by Shankar).The movie reminds Amitabh Bachchan's ‘Shahenshah’ and the character that Vikram plays is more of ‘Anniyan’ meeting James Bond.Shriya Saran, the cool cat, plays a perfect foil to Vikram in the film. She oozes with energy and is scene-stealer in songs. Prabhu is dignified as usual in his role while Vadivelu's comedies manage to evoke right humour. Ashish Vidyarthy, Rajmohan among others play typical villains of Tamil cinema.

Cinematographer N K Ekambaram, who enthralled the audience with a splendid work in ‘Iyarkkai’, comes up with a topnotch work. He captures the foreign isles and lush green locales of Mexico in colourful tones. Devi Sri Prasad's music is nothing but a bundle of energy. Excuse me Mr.Kanthaswamy and En Peru Meena Kumari are picks of the lot.

Cutting-edge editing by Praveen K L adds more pep to the movie while costumes by Chaitanya Rao - is nothing but a carefully crafted expensive extravaganza (Rs. 3 crore was spent for costumes alone, according to reports). Kanal Kannan's stunts, including the blindfolded action scenes in Mexico and the police station scene are no doubt an asset for the film. Popular Radio Jockey cum singer Suchitra has lent her voice for Shriya’s character and the dubbing has come out well, adding liveliness to Shriya’s role.

The movie is a joy ride for everyone who loves commercial masala entertainers. Sure to enthrall both brainy and brawny,

‘Kanthaswamy’ is a delight to watch.

Sneha’s case confirmed !!

2009-08-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Forensic investigations have confirmed that Sneha’s tormentor Raghavendra had indeed sent her numerous lewd and threatening text messages to her mobile. While initial reports suggested that the Bangalore-based business man sent her marriage proposals, this was proved by the investigators recently.Sources say that with the police proving that threatening and vulgar messages were a part of the SMSs sent, a case against Raghavendra could be filed under the Cyber Crime Act.

Speaking on this, Sneha said that she deferred complaining to the police for a long time but when Raghavendra started to send threatening messages she formally lodged a police complaint.

Sneha says No not in bikini ....

2009-08-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

“Some journalists, without even speaking to the persons concerned, write whatever strikes their mind,” says Sneha, reacting to reports in a section of the media that she is appearing with a bikini for ‘Goa’.

“Never will I do a bikini act. I have an image of my own and I will not spoil it at any cost. There is not even an iota of truth in those ‘intelligent reports’ that I am appearing in a swim suit in Goa, directed by Venkat Prabhu,” she says.

Confirming that she is doing a role with negative shades in the film, Sneha says, “It is a first-of-its kind role in Tamil cinema. I am very much impressed by my character and accepted to do the role immediately after Venkat narrated me the story.”

Chayasingh to get married !

2009-08-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

Actress Chaya Singh is all set to marry a hardware businessman based at Hyderabad. The date of the wedding is expected to be announced soon.The actress shot to limelight with the Tamil flick Thiruda Thirudi and went on to act in several Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. Her performance in Vallamai Tharayo alongside Parthiban also received rave accolades.

The lady is currently busy with Ananthapurathu Veedu directed by Naga and produced by S Pictures. According to sources close to the actress, she will not quit acting after marriage.

Eeram audio released by Super Star

2009-08-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

The audio release function of Eeram, produced by Shankar’s S Pictures was held today at the Sathyam Cineplex. An S Pictures’ productin always brings with it an expectation of being an exception from the regular commercial fare. The audio launch function definitely upheld these expectations by standing apart from other such releases. The event was attended by a lot of big names from the industry which included Superstar Rajinikanth, Subramaniapuram Sasikumar apart from Shankar. The audio was launched by Rajinikanth and was received by Sasikumar.

Three songs were played out in the theater, strangely without the accompaniment of any visuals. First, it was thought to be a technical snag, but later it was realized that the film makers wanted those present to enjoy only the music without being distracted by anything else. Music has been scored by recent debutante ‘Boys’ fame Thaman Sai. All th three songs that were played out impressed the audience. It can be said with confidence that Thaman Sai is one to look out for in Tamil cinema music.

Speaking at the function, Shankar recalled his earlier predictions about his productions. He was spot on about the success or otherwise of his films such as Kadhal, Imsai Arasan, Kalloori etc. Now, he said that he felt confident about Eeram’s chances at the box office saying that with the audience’s approval it would go on to become a superhit. He also said that debutante director Arivazhagan (his former assistant) had remained true to the title Eeram in almost every frame of the film.

Superstar spoke saying that this was the first function that he was attending in quite some time. He had received many invitations over a period of time but had refused them all but had immediately agreed to Shankar’s request because of the rapport that they shared. He said that working with Shankar in Sivaji and Endhiran has been a great experience and that they have become very good friends. Speaking about the film, he recalled what M.R. Radha had once said about the VGP brothers during the inauguration of the VGP beach. He had said that everyone works hard, toil like bulls in a field. But, some people choose to work like human beings, with intelligence and it is those people who make a difference’. Rajinikanth said that the team of Eeram had worked intelligently and that such smart work would definitely pay rich dividends.

On a finishing note, he gave good news to all his fans. He said that Endhiran was in its last lap of shooting, almost 85% has been completed and that we can expect the movie to release soon. That was a shot in the arm for all present.

Eeram stars Nandha, Aadhi (Mirugam fame) and Sindhu Menon. The film is expected to release by the end of this month.

Who's next for Ameer Rajini or Kamal !

2009-07-28T19:01:00.001-07:00

With his Yogi gearing up for release, Ameer is all set for his next directorial venture Kannabiran. Speaking to a tabloid recently in an interview, Ameer revealed that he has had prospective meetings with Kamal, Rajini, Vikram and Vijay for new projects. While his project with Vikram is certain now, the other meetings have been at different levels, according to Ameer.

Ameer said that he had a discussion with Kamal for over four hours and was awed by the star’s knowledge. “However, I’m still his student who is in awe with his movies and haven’t grown to the level of directing him,” he stated.

Speaking of his discussion with Rajini, Ameer said that the actor has expressed his willingness to be a part of his project. The director said that working with a stalwart like Rajini would require a powerful script like Mani Ratnam’s Thalapathy since both their working styles are different.

Ameer also disclosed that he had discussed a story with Vijay a few months ago and the actor, whenever they meet at public functions, enquires if he still has the story for him.

Vedigundu Murugesan - Review

2009-07-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

Starring: Pasupathy, Jyothirmayi, Vadivelu
Direction: Moorthy
Music: Dhina
Production: Annamalai Films Private Limited

Going by the title of it, if you thought Vedigundu Murugesan was a comedy that will have you in splits, you are grossly mistaken. It is, however, in the disguise of comedy, not the one that will give you a few good laughs, the one that will make you slip into depression for having squandered your time and money.

It’s not that Pasupathy cannot shoulder off the responsibility of a full-length comedy film, but just that the movie lacks a definitive subject, more so with the screenplay, dialogues, the flow and hence the performances. The movie provides some real comical relief as and when Vadivelu makes an entry. And that’s not because of Vadivelu’s clever antics; we are so used to laughing at the man that his mere screen presence is enough to stimulate a few laughs.

Pasupathy’s character lacks depth and it almost feels as if he’s hired to play the part of a petty criminal only for his looks. Jyothirmayi plays a police constable whose major responsibility is to transport Pasupathy to the court every time he is arrested. Love blossoms. But Pasupathy gets into further trouble and lands up in prison. Well, that’s pretty much the story.

As is obvious, there is nothing much to rave about the story and ditto with the performances and the direction. Awful dialogues, in the guise of comedy only tests your patience further as you are busy stifling yawns. The Cheenichevu Sirippukaari song provides the only respite in an otherwise trite commotion of events. But then, you can always download the song onto your mobile or just watch it on TV when it’s played.

Verdict: Strictly only if you like ‘mokkai mohan’ type humor

Aintham Padai - Review

2009-07-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Starring: Sundar C, Simran, Devayani, Adithi Chaudhary, Vivek, Nasser, Sampath Raj.
Direction: Badri
Music: D. Imman
Production: Avni Cinemax

Warring families, one-sided love affair and tackling vengeful femme fatales inside the family – Aintham Padai is largely Sundar C’s familiar territory with the mix of family sentiments and given the fact that he has a standard set of roles and emotions that he uses to shuffle between scenes (or rather movies), he’s treaded the path with much ease.

Sundar C, Nasser and Mukesh are brothers whose family is not in enviable terms with the family of Thottanna, Sampath and Raj Kapoor. While Devyaani, the female cop, busts Raj Kapoor’s hooch distillation racket he swears vengeance. He gatecrashes her wedding, to Mukesh, and marries her forcefully in the process killing himself in a freak accident involving Sundar C. Sundar gets a jail term for the same.

On his release, Sundar asks for Simran’s hand in wedding for his brother Mukesh. However, Simran has an eye for Sundar himself that she also reveals to him. Despite this, Simran is forced to marry Mukesh since Sundar believes that his family’s values and social stature are important. This rubs Simran on the wrong side who vows to dismember Sundar from the family.

The movie necessarily has wholesome potential of a primetime sitcom and falls short of either powerful performances or an effectual plot. Not a tearjerker, however, it could attract women for Simran’s characterization of a bimbette that is synonymous with today’s sitcoms. Although conscious of her limitations about not being the eye candy she once used to be, Simran has done a decent job and has enough footage with two songs to her credit with Sundar C.

The subject is a cakewalk for Sundar and he has had it almost effortlessly. Vivek’s comedy, albeit bordering the brainless humor, doesn’t tire you out and therefore serves a bit of a push in the movie’s proceedings. The movie also has an almost-ensemble star cast including, but not limited to, Devyani, Vivek and Aditi (we do not know what made them decide on her with her unflattering acting and dancing abilities).

Imaan’s music, if not hummable, is definitely not intolerable. Director Badri, who has also handled the story, screenplay and dialogue, has tried his best in this family (melo)drama. Sundar C has established his forte once again and perhaps his bank-ability if his fans aren’t letting him down with this one.

Modhi Vilayadu - Review !

2009-07-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Starring: Vinay, Kajal Agarwal, Kalabhavan Mani, Santhanam, Mayilsamy.
Direction: Saran
Music: Colonial Cousins
Production: Mediaone Global Entertainment Limited

A tale of big businessmen and the games they play, that is Modhi Vilayadu. In the world of business tycoons, money flows in millions, assets are worth even more. But, the state wouldn’t be too happy to know that so much wealth belongs to a single person. That is where the concept of ‘binami’ (pseudo ownership) comes into play; a

clever way to hoodwink the government off taxes and also to mislead business competitors from one’s real assets. The ‘binami’ idea is the central theme of Modhi Vilayadu. A Saran directorial venture after three years, much was expected from this tale of big money, property and rivalries. Does Saran deliver?

Kalabhavan Mani plays a multi millionaire and quite naturally he has quite a few rivals in business. He keeps amassing wealth through various means, his rivalries also keep growing and he is aware of the fact that he could be targeted any time, even his family could be the victim. But he has plans in place to protect his son; he plays a game of identities. Vinay is the pawn in this tactic and even he is not aware of it. He lives a high flying life of great wealth and splendor, as the inheritor of all that Kalabhavan Mani has. But when fate decides to cut short a person’s life, the most meticulous of plans fail and that is what happens. Kalabhavan Mani is devastated at what has happened and Vinay is puzzled when he finds himself stripped off many of the luxuries that he used to enjoy. He wants to know what is happening and he wants the world to know the truth. But revealing the truth could not be in the best interests of Kalabhavan Mani and many others.

But, Vinay is not ready to give up. Using the resources that have been left at his disposal, he begins playing games that make Kalabhavan Mani lose his sleep, constantly taunting him. Who gets the better of the other? Do the business rivals remain silent or do they spill more blood? Does fate have more curious designs to reveal? Modhi Vilayadu offers the answers.

Modhi Vilayadu was meant to be a gripping game of big rivals going for each other with vengeance and cunning. It is all there, except the grip. The premise is interesting, the games they play are intriguing, but the proceedings are not exciting. In short, the journey fails to engage you. The masked identities, the target and fate’s unpredictability interest you, but it is when Vinay begins his attempts to checkmate Kalabhavan Mani that you feel a bit let down. Some of the situations in the screenplay are highly improbable occurrences for a multi millionaire to be seen in. Other weak points in the film include the romantic track between Vinay and Kajal Aggarwal which is absolutely flat; does not evoke any feelings.

Kalabhavan Mani is his usual self in Modhi Vilayadu, playing his part to satisfaction. Vinay very much fits the character of someone who has grown and lived amidst riches; his voice too sits well on the role. Kajal Aggarwal has precious little to do. VMC Haneefa provides some enjoyable moments as a small time businessman who is always brimming with self importance. Santhanam too makes his presence felt. Action is minimal and pretty realistic.

The high point of Modhi Vilayadu is its production values. No compromises have been made on the rich look of the film; each frame reflects the lifestyle of millionaires. Karun’s camera has captured the grandeur well. Colonial Cousins, Hariharan and Leslie, do not disappoint on debut. Two songs, ‘Chi Chi’ and ‘Padhi Mutham’ are pleasant to hear. Modhi Vilayadu is a pretty lavishly made tale of businessmen and the games they play. But it lacks the verve to engage you throughout.

Sneha to marry prasanna ??

2009-07-22T19:23:00.001-07:00

Slashing the media reports that he and Sneha are madly in love with each other, Prasanna said that Sneha is a good friend. There were also reports that the two intend to wed soon. Sneha and Prasanna had starred together in Achamundu Achamundu and the film is due to hit the screens very soon. The director of the film Arun Vaidyanathan had been working Hollywood style he wanted the lead pair to practice being a couple so that he would get the right chemistry. Perhaps, this could be the reason for the rumors.

Prasanna said that his family is scouting for a bride and he would tie the knot by the year end.

Shruti with Gautam Menon & Silambarasan

2009-07-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Shruti is on cloud nine with her Luck’s release drawing closer and the positive buzz surrounding the movie. She arranged for a special screening for a very few of her dear ones in Chennai. Shruti played host for the screening that was held at the Four Frames theatre with Kamal, Gautami, Shruti’s friends, director Soham Shah and Gautam Menon and Silambarasan watching the movie.

Luck’s songs (especially Jee Le) are already making waves in television channels with Shruti’s rock chick looks contemplating the songs.

Juniour Radha ready !!

2009-07-22T19:17:00.001-07:00

Poplular actress Radha’s daughter, Karthiga, has followed her mother’s footsteps and decided to don the greasepaint. Karthiga’s debut venture is a Telugu film – Josh. Naga Chaitanya, son of actor Nagarjuna plays the male lead in the film.

Josh’s audio was launched recently in Hyderabad. Radha, Ambika and Nagarjuna participated in the audio launch to cheer up the newbies. Speaking at the event Radha said that she is happy that her daughter is launched along with Naga Chaitanya. It may be recalled that Radha played the leading lady alongside Nagarjuna and his dad Nageswar Rao.

Nicole selects Glamour root !!

2009-07-15T03:04:00.000-07:00

Her debut entry in the tinsel world took everyone by surprise. Actress Nicole stormed into the cine industry with ‘Adada Enna Azhagu’ and just sizzled in a very sexy avatar, which was unusually bold attempt by any first timer. But the viewers were unhappy with her image and the actress made up her mind never to try the glamorous image again. That doesn’t mean her chances in this industry have weakened. In fact she has two movies in her kitty and will be portraying homely characters in both.

Nicole’s next movie, ‘Aarumaname’, is said to be hitting the screens on 31st July. The movie is said to be the directorial debut of Sathish Shankar and most of the cast are new-comers. In ‘Naaikutty’, Nicole is will be donning the role of a flower girl and the story involves around the life of a slum-dweller.

“As it was my first movie I did do glittery glam role. But audience didn’t like my glam image. So I have decided not to do what my audience doesn’t like. I am happy to perform in these two movies. After the release, I am sure my fans will appreciate me for choosing this path,” hopes Nicole.

Now with such subject oriented movies in hand, let’s see how Nicole plays her part and erases her initial sexy tag.

Its BIG - Suriya again with Murugadoss ....

2009-07-15T02:49:00.000-07:00

t doesn’t get bigger than this! Suriya, who is already committed to do a film in Bollywood with RGV, will now take on a trilingual, to be made in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. And the flick will be directed by none other than our ‘Ghajini’ Murugadoss and be produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin.“It is true that we are doing the film, the shoot for which will begin in February next year. Suriya will play the lead in all the versions,” he said, adding that the rest of the cast for the flick is still being finalized.

Suriya will begin work on this film after his current flick ‘Aadhavan’, and his 25th film ‘Singam’. Harris Jayaraj, who has come up with chartbuster tunes for Suirya, from ‘Kaakha Kaakha’ to ‘Varanam Aayiram’ and ‘Ayan’, will be the music composer.

“It is a complete action flick but we are still in the process of finalizing the script,” revealed Murugadoss.

Relese of AO postponed !!

2009-07-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

With the release date of Kanthaswamy finalized to August 7th, the Aayirathil Oruvan team has decided to hold back their film. AO was originally scheduled to be released during the end of July but the release date was once again postponed to ensure that it does not get eclipsed by Vikram’s Kanthaswamy.

However, Madhavan’s Naan Aval Adhu will hit the marquee as planned at July end. Yet another strong competitor for AO happens to be Unnai Pol Oruvan. This Kamal Haasan’s flick is also expected to be released during mid August

Kanthasamy release during July !

2009-06-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

There seems to be change of plan in the release of Susi Ganeshan’s mammoth venture with Vikram and Shriya in the lead, Kanthaswamy. According to the latest internet buzz, the movie will be released in the first week of July as opposed to the earlier-decided release date which fell in the last week.

Producer Dhanu was quoted as saying that the movie’s post production works are progressing full swing keeping the latest release dates in mind. Kanthaswamy is also made in Telugu as Mallanna and will be released in close to 1000 screens according to the producer.

Vijay enter into Politics !!

2009-06-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

Vijay has confirmed that he had held discussions on entering the political arena. The actor, however, has not made any decision as of now. Vijay recently held discussions with his fans associations on his future plans.

News spread like wild fire that he would soon start his political party and the groundwork is on. The actor said that he is conducting a thorough research and getting feedback from various sections of people. The actor apologized to Vijayakanth on an alleged statement made by his director father SA Chandrasekar that Vijayakanth is scared of Vijay’s entry to politics. The Illayathalapathi said that the statement was misinterpreted by the press.

ARR'S Biography

2009-06-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

The biography, A R Rahman: The Musical Storm, penned by Chennai-based journalist Kamini Mathai has some interesting facts about the musician. The Oscar winner, however, wants the book to be called as the unofficial biography. Speaking about her experience while trying to gather information, the author said that getting answers to the questions posed to AR Rahman could be difficult if the queries are not specific.

The author also disclosed in a recent interview to a news portal that Rahman was more specific that his information about his wife and children should not be mentioned in the book. Rahman also opens up on his religious faith and how conversion worked out positively for him and his family, in the book.

Asal keep moving!

2009-06-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

While it was widely speculated that the Asal team would fly down to Malaysia to shoot the first schedule, there are reports that they could leave on June 13th. From the latest reports that our correspondent has gathered, the entire team will leave for Malaysia including director Saran, and stars Ajith, Sameera Reddy and Bhavana.

The first schedule will go on for 50 days, of which 30 days has been earmarked to shoot the talkie portions and the remaining 20 days for stunt sequences and songs. The second schedule will be shot in London, it was disclosed.

Though the film was announced several months earlier, the shooting had been postponed for various reasons.

Dhanush in remake film !

2009-06-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Dhanush seems to be playing safe these days by agreeing to star only in remake films. While his previous ventures Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram, Yaaradi Nee Mohini and Kutty were all remakes of either Kannada or Telugu hits, his next venture is touted to be a Telugu Desam import.

Apparently, producers Mohan Apparao and Thandra Ramesh have purchased the rights of the recently released Telugu film, Ready, from Balaji Studios Private Limited. Sources from Kollywood say that Dhanush has been offered the hero’s role as he would be more apt for it. In the original version, Ram and Genelia have played the lead pair. Wonder who will be roped in to play the leading lady!

Kandaswany audio sales tops!

2009-06-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

In a week of its release, Kanthaswamy has successfully managed to break the recent records set in audio sales of movies. According to the latest available trade analysis data, more than a lakh audio CDs have been sold across Tamil Nadu and other parts where the audio has been released. Kanthaswamy has 8 tracks of which 4 songs have been sung by Vikram himself and one, the theme music.

This skyrocketing sale is attributed to the movie’s catchy tunes and the fact that Vikram lent his voice to many songs. The songs are also becoming a favorite of FM stations and are being aired in the radio waves of Chennai.

Now Santhosh Sivan joins Ravan Team

2009-05-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

Manikandan, who had been signed up to handle the camera in Mani Ratnam’s project Ravan, has moved out of it. According to the latest reports, Manikandan was signed up by Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment for two of his ventures. With one of the two films expected to go on floors in June, the cameraman decided to move on. We hear from our sources that as per the contract Manikandan was required to work till March for Ravan. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, the project was delayed and the cameraman opted out of it.

Manikandan said that he still maintains a good rapport with the director of Ravan. With 50 per cent of the film shot already, Santhosh Sivan has been roped in to complete the rest of the film. Ravan stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Vikram in the lead.

Priyamani In Love ?

2009-05-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

Rumors are on in the film industry that the national award winner Priya Mani is planning to enter the marital bliss. The gossipmongers are working overtime ever since Priya Mani started her acting assignment in Nava Vansatham. It is widely reported that the actress is enjoying a special rapport with her co-star Tarun in the film. It looks like this professional relationship turned into a love affair.

The film industry is abuzz with news that Priya Mani could marry Tarun once she completes all her assignments. However, we must wait for confirmation in this regard from the actress herself.

AR Rahman’s Hollywood film

2009-05-21T20:42:00.001-07:00

It’s official now! Universal Studios has signed up Oscar winner AR Rahman for their next venture Couples Retreat! Just a few days ago AR Rahman had disclosed that he was in talks with the Hollywood biggies to work in their films.

Couples Retreat will be directed by Peter Pelensky. The star cast includes Vince Vaughn, Christine Bell and Jason Bateman. The film, which is a romantic comedy, will have melodious tunes set by the Mozart of Madras; it was revealed by our sources. Couples Retreat is expected to be released at the end of this year.

Watch Subramaniyapuram at Home !!

2009-05-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

The blockbuster film Subramaniapuram will be available in DVD and VCD formats from today onwards (May 21, 2009). This was announced by Moser Baer Home Entertainment. Sasikumar, the director of the film, who also played a prominent role in it, released the videos. Director-actor Samudrakani was also present during the occasion.

Subramaniapuram, which hit the screens in the year 2008, was a great box office success. While the VCDs are priced at Rs. 40, the DVDs would cost Rs. 50. Moser Baer expects the sales of the DVDs and VCDs to cross over one lakhs soon.

Suriya to enter Bollywood !

2009-05-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

Suriya revealed that he agreed to star in Ram Gopal Varma’s Bollywood flick Raktha Charithra after hearing the storyline. The actor said that he had been discussing the issue with RGV for several months but finally it worked out in this venture.

Disclosing more about the film, Suriya said that it about the late politician Paritala Ravi and his murder. Raktha Charithra also has Vivek Oberoi in the cast. In fact it is a five-hour film and will be released in two parts. Suriya will appear in the climax of the first part and will take on from there.

The entire film will be shot at a stretch; however, the first part will be released in January 2009 and the second part will hit the marquee three months later.

Kanthaswamy audio relese !!

2009-05-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Kanthaswamy audio launch has been announced. One of the most awaited movies of this summer, Kanthaswamy has already generated huge expectations. First, ripples were created by a first of its kind trailer. The movie will have Vikram in many different get ups and is also being touted as the first superhero movie of Kollywood. Kanthaswamy has also made news because of its novel and noble endeavor, the Kanthaswamy Foundation. The foundation has already adopted 31 villages to provide them with basic facilities.

The audio launch of Kanthaswamy will be held on May 17th at the Chennai Trade Center, Nandambakkam around 7 p.m. in the evening. The event, as earlier announced will be organized on a grand scale with dancers being flown in from different parts of the world. The Kanthaswamy audio launch will also be special because Vikram has sung around 4 songs in the movie. Kanthaswamy stars Shriya along with Vikram, is directed by Susi Ganesan and is produced by Kalaipuli.S. Thanu. The movie is set for a June release

100 Rajinis in Endhiran !!

2009-05-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

News from the Shankar-directed Endhiran camp is that Prabhu Deva is choreographing a dance sequence involving Rajinikanth. It is said that special plans have been made to make the song a unique one.

The buzz we hear from the Endhiran team is that this song will be shot in the blue mat format. What is so special about the blue mat format is that it has the ability to show 100 Rajinis in a single shot.

Endhiran is a mega budget film that has super star Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead. It is directed by Shankar and music is by the Oscar winner AR Rahman.

Karthi's next is Siruthai !!

2009-05-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Karthi Sivakumar’s stature in Kollywood rose several notches up with his debut venture Paruthiveeran. The actor received the Filmfare Best Tamil Male Debut Award and Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in the film.The actor has just completed shooting for the much expected film Aayirathil Oruvan and has moved on to Paiyya.

Karthi’s next film in the pipeline, Siruthai, could be directed by Bhoopathy Pandian, says our sources. The director is well known for his comedy flicks like Thiruvilayadal Aarambam and Malaikottai. While Karthi’s forthcoming film Paiyya is expected to have traces of comedy in it, the news that Bhoopathy Pandian could direct his next venture has raised expectations that it could be a full length comedy flick.

Another piece of information that we have is that Vadivelu is expected to be signed up for this venture. This will have a great impact on the comedy track in Siruthai, it is expected.

Sarvam - Review

2009-05-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

Starring: Arya, Trisha, J. D. Chakravarthy, Indrajith
Direction: Vishnuvardhan
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Production: Ayngaran International

Life can change in a matter of seconds. That’s how fragile our existence is. Sarvvam is a story built with this basic idea. It’s about three people whose lives take a drastic turn in a flash. Yes, life can change in a flash, but what is more important is how we deal with the change. There are some who drown themselves into sorrow and self pity while there are others who look at what remains and try to find happiness. Sarvvam shows the clash of wills of two people who deal in different ways to the losses they faced in their life.

Karthik is a young successful architect. Tall, handsome and charming, he seems to have everything going for him in life. Then he meets Sandhya, a girl who sets violins playing in his heart. He decides that she is the girl for him. But, deciding is the easy part, wooing her is not as easy as he imagined. She is not just a beautiful girl who will fall easily to the charms of a young man. She is a doctor in one of the city’s top hospitals and Karthik becomes a regular visitor, making all kinds of efforts to woo his love. You can sense the relationship growing. Eventually, it is a romance that never was destined to be.

Although Karthik is young and successful he is ill groomed and glum faced signaling that there is something wrong in his life. But, he gets to know something that might help him reclaim his former self. He sets out to see that one person who reminds him of his good times. That person turns out to be a little boy, around 10 years old. But, he realizes that danger is pursuing this boy. He takes it upon himself to save the boy. What or who is after a 10 year old boy’s life? It is a person who has not learnt to deal with loss in his life. While Karthik finds new meaning in the boy’s life, the other man wants to avenge his loss with the boy’s blood. What connects Karthik, the 10 year old boy, his father and a man who lost his mind trying to come to terms with change? Watch Sarvvam to find out.

Director Vishnuvardhan had said that the movie is actually two movies in one. Yes, he is true to his word. Sarvvam really does feel like two movies in one. But, does the double impact work? Basically, Sarvvam is a thriller and unfortunately it does not grip us in a manner that a thriller should. It would be better to analyze the movie as two separate halves. The first is light, breezy and romantic; quite uncharacteristic of a Vishnuvardhan film of recent times. The lead pair, Arya and Trisha for the first time on screen, has got some excellent chemistry. Though there is not much comedy, there are moments of humor. Especially when Rajinikanth is added to a list of superheroes like Superman, Batman and Spiderman and when a jolly dig is taken at Simbu; Ajith is also involved. One element that will be enjoyed most is one of Ilayaraja’s signature tunes playing in the background very frequently. It reminds us that the Maestro’s music is timeless.

The second half is a chase for most parts. But, the chase does not engage you. The scenes which show the bonding between Karthik and the young boy do not work as intended. The Rottweiler which was talked about a lot appears wasted. It would be right to say that it was overused and hence the impact that it would have had gets heavily diluted. Action sequences do not get the adrenaline going, the excitement is low. At a point, Arya is scarred with a knife dipped in poison. One might think that it would go on to have a big impact in the movie but fizzles out into nothingness. It all seems contrived to driving the final few frames into a haunted looking run down church in the middle of the jungle. And, importantly, the climax seems hurried and fails to leave an impression.

Arya is top notch. We said earlier that Sarvvam is almost like two different movies and Arya has played two roles; the same person, vastly changed by a twist of fate. He is sure to be loved by the ladies in the audience, especially in the first half where he turns on his charm. Trisha looks fresh and beautiful and carries off her role in style. The pair has worked exceedingly well. J.D. Chakravarthy has been given a one dimensional character. Stone faced and stoic throughout the movie, it cannot be called a nuanced performance. Indrajith makes a decent Tamil debut. Rohan is cute.

But, the real hero of Sarvvam has to be Nirav Shah. Every single frame is a treat to watch. Richness and splendor are reflected throughout the first half. The second half captures the scenic beauty of Munnar. The scenes at night, the fight beside the house and the run down church at the climax have been shot exceptionally well. The art department, headed by Manu Jagadh, too must be applauded for some high quality work. It would not be wrong to say that it is the visuals that keep us engrossed at many points in the second half. The special effects used in songs have come out well. Their intelligent use coupled with Nirav Shah’s camera have considerably enhanced Yuvan’s compositions which don’t live up to his normal standards.

Overall, Sarvvam is a move that rides on its visuals throughout. An enjoyable first half is negated by a slack second. Half way into the second half, the first seems like a distant memory. Vishnuvardhan has proved that as a director he has got lots of flair and style. It is the writing that lets him down. Go for Sarvvam only for the beautiful visuals and the Arya-Trisha chemistry. The second half might make you fell a bit impatient at times. The thrills and suspense are missing, much to our dismay.

Verdict: Enjoy the frames, forget the thrills

Thnks: Beh.woods

Rajathi Raja - review

2009-05-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Starring: Raghava Lawrence Snigdha, Kamna Jethmalani, Meenakshi, Mumtaj, Sameeksha, Kiran
Direction: Shakthi Chidambaram
Music: Karunas
Production: Cinema Paradise

Big brother taking care of his younger siblings, giving them all that they need to learn and grow hoping that they will one day be individuals who are of value to the society; but alas, they turn out to be just the opposite, upholding vices and choosing to tread on those below them for their selfish ends. The big brother has no other choice but to exterminate the wrongdoers whom he had so caringly brought up. That is the story of Rajadhi Raja in a nutshell. We will leave you to judge whether a good movie can be spun with this yarn. Let’s analyze what Shakthi Chidambaram and team have come up with.

Shakthi Chidambaram is known for his carefree entertainers with lots of comedy thrown in. This time, he has tried to take things on a more serious note, depicting the avarice of people in responsible positions in society and how the helpless poor get squashed under the rat race for wealth and power. The love of a brother for his younger siblings and his sense of duty that gives him the strength to take care of them, putting his aspirations on hold is also an element in the movie. All these elements could have made for a good movie, but it is the presentation that spoils things, big time. The Rajadhi Raja team seems to have grossly underestimated the tastes of the audience. It is normal for any director to feel compelled to add commercial ingredients in a movie. But, here the ingredients border on the crass. It is quite clear that the movie has been targeted at the B and C center audiences; the ‘Low Class King’ tag is proof enough. But the presentation might be unpalatable even to these centers. There are four ladies in the movie, though none of the roles has scope enough to be called a heroine character. Of the 4 (Mumtaz, Snigdha, Kamna Jethmalani and Meenakshi), only Snigdha and Kamna get roles that have a measure of respectability about them.

Raghava Lawrence does his regular stuff, no change from his previous efforts. The ladies ought to have been used better or not used at all. Karunas comes up with a few moments that might find favor with the front benchers. But, he has provided some very mediocre scores. There might be a few questions raised about the wisdom of handing over the music department to Karunas. Technically, there is not much in Rajadhi Raja that is worth a mention.

Overall, Rajadhi Raja is a tale of gross underestimation of audiences’ tastes. There is a very fine line between being commercial and being crass. Unfortunately, Shakthi Chidambaram finds himself on the wrong side of the line this time.

Verdict: Below the belt!

Newtonin Moondram Vidhi - Review

2009-05-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

Starring: S J Suryah, Sayali Bhagat, Rajiv KrishnaDirection: Thai Muthu SelvanMusic: VinayProduction: Madras Entertainment Private Ltd

A hero out to avenge the death of his lover at the hands of the villain. That is the basic plot of Newtonin Moondram Vidhi. Familiar plot, you might think; love, treachery and revenge. But this one is different right from the first frame. The lead pair falling in love is in keeping with the general cinematic traditions and there is a duet that establishes their relationship. These initial formalities done, we plunge straight into the story which involves a scheming, lecherous and treacherous media tycoon at its center. He is the perfect gentleman to the outside world but in reality his hands are stained with the blood of many a young woman, most of whom are employees in his own concerns. Any woman who does not agree to his vile demands is not spared alive. And, our protagonist’s lover (Sayali Bhagath) too falls prey to this man.

The script begins to grip you right after this with S.J. Suryah taking it upon himself to unravel the mystery behind his fiancée’s death. He first finds out the perpetrator of the crime. Seething with anger and pain, the obvious thing that a normal Tamil cinema hero would have done is to barge into this man’s office, confront all his bodyguards and smash his skull or shoot him straight through his heart. But, that is where writer-director Thai Muthuchelvan must be commended on. He has crafted a script that truly stands apart. S.J. Suryah’s character realizes that his target is no sitting duck to be shot easily, he needs to have a foolproof plan and execute it to perfection.He spends nearly a year gathering all the information and resources he needs for the final strike. When he’s ready, he throws a veiled challenge to the tycoon and then begins a riveting two way chase, each trying to get the other before the other gets to one, and it is all set in two hours.

Who wins in the end might be an easy guess, but how he does it is the crux and indeed gripping. There is absolutely no over the board heroism, no gravity defying stunts, not even the hero striking down 10 baddies, the script defies all concepts of heroism in Tamil cinema. The way the villain is finally finished might make viewer’s think whether it is possible, but as the director claimes ‘it has been scientifically proven’. We could do with the ratification of an ammunitions expert.S.J. Suryah has got into the role with ease, putting up a very good show. Rajeev Krishna is apt as the lecherous villain, it is difficult to identify him as the same person who played the lead in Aaha. Sayali Bhagath passes muster in a limited role. For a thriller which is a chase for most of its length, Newtonin Moondram Vidhi has around 5 songs. But, they are not impedances to the narrative as one might imagine. Vinay has scored the music and made quite a good job of it. Technically, the movie is adequate, the editing has done justice to the requirements of a fast paced thriller.

Overall, Newtonin Moondram Vidhi is a film that will stand apart for its script and treatment. It keeps one engaged right from the start to the end, does not slacken in the interim. The treatment, though different, might be a tad too strong for families. A rape scene in particular and violence and blood necessitated by the script make it difficult to be recommended for children. But, all said and done, Newtonin Moondram Vidhi will be a good and different watch. It will also help S.J. Suryah break free from his long standing playboy image.

Verdict: Engaging chase: definitely different

Pasanga - Review

2009-05-04T22:40:00.001-07:00

Starring: Jeeva, Anbu, Manonmani, Kuttymani, Mangalam, PakkadaDirection: PandirajMusic: James VasanthanProduction: M. Sasikumar

Specialty of Pasanga, produced by Subramaniapuram Sasikumar, begins with the happy banter and giggles of students as the title music. Though some scenes showcase their tomfoolery some others go overboard pushing the viewers to exhaustion. Parents complaining about their wards is one such example. The film is about the conflict and friction between two eleven year olds. Kishore (Anbukkarasu) comes to government school from private due to his family’s economic setback. Sriram (Jeeva) is the boy in his class who is the son of the class teacher and enjoys special privileges but is dull in studies. Kishore proves himself in studies and earns a special name in his class teacher’s heart which is naturally not being liked by Jeeva. The two are at loggerheads with each other and their animosity grows in leaps and bounds which in turn affects the relationship between the respective families. However, two youngsters from these two families are in love and the resulting incidents form the main knot of Pasanga directed by Pandiraj, erstwhile assistant of Cheran.

Characterization of Anbukkarasu’s father, mother and his uncle is noteworthy but the same thing cannot be said about Jeeva’s father which leaves the viewer befuddled. Sriram’s character has been shown almost as villain and his ‘single wink’ transformation is also not acceptable. The scene where the teacher gets yelled at by his son is exaggerated and screams of cinematic buffoonery at its peak. The title Pasanga does not suit in situations where the kids scare others with compass. These sequences should have been avoided as they could lead to negative learning. Pasanga’s highlight is Vimal-Vega’s romance and their cell phone babble. When Vega talks to Vimal’s brother misunderstanding him as Vimal and later trying to manipulate the situation is interesting. Screenplay appears to be disjointed.

Dialogues are laudable and camerawork is praiseworthy. Music is hummable especially ‘Vetkum varude’ number. Director Pandiraj should be credited for extracting work from children. If few foibles had been avoided Pasanga would have made a special mark.

Verdict: Pasanga for pasanga and parents

Prasanth in love with Meera ? says No

2009-05-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

Actor Prashanth’s long legal battle came to an end recently with the family court declaring that his marriage with Grahalakshmi is invalid as her marriage with Venu Prasad was not annulled while she entered into the wedlock with the actor. With this, Prashanth and his family heaved a sigh of relief.

However, respite seems to be short-lived for the actor, as he finds himself embroiled in another controversy. While some sections of the media reported that Prashanth is in love with Meera Jasmine and is contemplating marriage with her soon, this was strongly denied by Prashanth. Speaking to the press, Prashanth said that such reports are baseless. T

he actor also said that he will henceforth concentrate on his acting career. His forthcoming films are Mambatiyan and Ponnar Sankar.

Wedding bells for Meena !!

2009-05-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

Popular actress Meena will get married on July 12th in Tirupathi. This is an arranged marriage, disclosed the actress recently. The bridegroom, Vidyasagar, is a software engineer based in Bangalore. A formal engagement ceremony was held at Meena’s residence in Saidapet.

A few of the actress’s friends from the film industry attended the ceremony. Though the wedding is scheduled to take place in Tirupathi, a reception for the newlywed will be held in Chennai on July 14th. Meena said that she would continue to act in films and TV serials, provided good opportunities come by her way.

Asin interview for Times

2009-04-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

How difficult was it for daddy’s daughter to work independently after her father was hospitalised?
It wasn’t very difficult. My dad was never a baby-sitter on the sets. Between us, it’s a client-andmanager kind of a relationship. Since I don’t have a manager or a secretary, my father plays a three-in-one role. Recently, I went to Bangalore to launch the Bangalore Food Guide. I called him up at one in the morning to just wish him good night. Even then, his phone was engaged! My work-related issues had been keeping him busy so late in the night. Now, there is somebody to accompany me in his place. The only difference is, since this person is doing a professional job, the personal touch of having my father around, is missing.

Do you have your parents accompany you while shooting?
My mother, who is a doctor, has opted for VRS. My father isn’t there to stare into the monitor as I shoot. He sees to it that everything is organised, and then leaves. It’s disturbing when people confuse my father with the ‘baby-ko-juice-doh’ kind of parents who are always there on the sets. My dad is an independent thinker and never indulges in such behaviour.

How difficult is it to shoot romantic scenes in your father’s presence?
I’m quite comfortable when he is around. It’s my profession. If I can agree to a scene that will be viewed by my parents in the audience, why won’t I be able to shoot it in front of them?

A lot is being said about how Salman Khan gifted you a house…
How silly is that! I’ve been living in the same house ever since I went to Mumbai to shoot for Ghajini. I hadn’t even met Salman then. The media has got him to gift me a new house, someone to do the interiors and even adorned my walls with his paintings and posters!

Isn’t the audience mature enough to understand that these link-up stories are a part of the movie’s marketing strategy?
There are so many untrue stories and misquotes that I think many people would have become conscious of the media games. Of course, a percentage would want to believe it as a topic of discussion, even if they actually have doubts about it.

Can’t the publicists of a film be responsible for this too?

I’m not familiar with such a strategy. During Ghajini, I knew exactly how the movie would be promoted by first releasing Aamir’s look. But the London Dreams team has not discussed anything of that sort with me.

How differently do Salman and Aamir approach a role?
Salman is very relaxed and chilled out. He is spontaneous and even if he has done the homework for his role in his mind, on the sets, he does an impromptu job. In Ghajini, Aamir would come and discuss the role with me, suggest changes and seek suggestions. As for me, I prefer a mixture of both.

You’ve featured in the Lead India campaign to woo voters. Ever considered campaigning for individual stars?
No. I’ve been approached in the south, but I have always declined such offers. Be it difficult or easy, one has to say no when one doesn’t want to do something.

Ayan rewrites Box Office History !!

2009-04-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

Ayan seems to have been released at a time when the Chennai box-office and Tamil cinema in general is hit-starved. Shunning the lull at the ticket counters, the movie is breaking all collection records in the recent past proving to be the first blockbuster this year.

Distributed by SUN Pictures, in the four weekends of its run, Ayan has collected close to 4.16 crores in Chennai alone according to trade reports. The Suriya starrer is showing no signs of tiring as the weekends see repeat family audience, especially women, that has almost become a rare phenomenon at theaters of late. Ayan ran for 215 shows during the last weekend in Chennai and needless to say, all the theatres were bursting at their seams.

Kunguma Poovum Konjum Pooravum - Review

2009-04-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Novel themes, Newcomers and unique style of film-making with quick narration is the order of the day in Tamil cinema. Producer S P B Charan, known for introducing fresh talents has taken a bold move coming out with ‘Kunguma Poovum Konjum Pooravum’, which is gripping right from the word go.

It is about lifestyle, culture and romance in a fishing hamlet in Muttam village near Nagercoil. Muttam needs no introduction for it has been the favourite place for directors like Bharathiraja, who shot several films there.

Kudos to director Rajmohan who seems to have made the movie with some purpose. More than the story or screenplay, the extraordinary details that he has come out on screen about the fishing hamlet while chronicling their lives deserves a special mention. Carrying no tag behind them, each and every character, even those who appear in just a couple of scenes, leaves an impression with the audience.

The major highlight of the movie is the lead characters who have underplayed their emotions, while Siddharth's lens capturing the dry sands of Muttam at its best. Yuvan Shankar Raja is back to his prime form rendering songs that suits the story and sticks to hearts instantly.

Rajmohan, seemingly inspired by the narrative styles of Cheran and Thangar Bachchan, starts the movie in a surprising tone. The male protagonist and the heroine dies. Then a flashback reveals the whole story.

Thulasi (Thananya) comes to Muttam village along with her grandmother (Nagamma) after her parent’s desert her. She joins a government school in the village to pursue her studies. Enters Koochan (Ramakrishnan) who falls for her instantly. Koochan's mother Chandra (Agavamma) helps the poor Thulasi to pursue her studies. However coming to know about their romance, Agavamma insults Thulasi and her grandmother and drives them out of the village when Koochan is out on a school tour. A shocked Koochan returns back only to meet with a road mishap. Meanwhile, Thulasi, who seeks refuge in a family at Tuticorin is forced to marry a rowdy Drama (Tharun Chatriya). On the day of their marriage, he gets arrested by police. His wayward lifestyle invites trouble and he eventually gets arrested for murdering a youth.

An annoyed Thulasi returns to Muttam only to see Koochan lost himself in liquor after his love failure. Meanwhile, Koochan resolves to set right Thulasi's life. But things take a turn when Dharma comes to Muttam after getting bail.

Ramakrishnan, who resembles boy-next-door, suits the role well. He is no normal hero who looks good and runs around trees romancing. A real face among the crowd, he is an apt cast. Thananya with her simple looks lives Thulasi in the movie. She has done the role of a young girl, who had seen nothing but grief all through her life. She brings it out in her eyes well. Impressive are the two characters Chandra who plays the hero's mother and Nagamma, who is cast as female lead's grandmother. They leave their presence on screen well. But the scene-stealer is Tharun Chatriya. His character, reminding one of Parrattai in ‘16 Vayadhinilae’, makes it an interesting watch. He is right there giving his best.

S P B Charan needs to be appreciated for gathering guts to do such a bold movie with newcomers and fresh talents.

Though Rajmohan has ensured that he deliver something out-of-the-box, the cliched climax and few predictable sequence mars the flow.

Guru En Aalu - Review

2009-04-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Director Selvah proved his mettle as a shrewd film-maker, who can handle remakes well with ‘Naan Avanillai’. This time around he has tried to recreate the magic with remake of Bollywood hit ‘Yes Boss’, which speaks about greed for money and war of emotions.

Though the movie dwells on money and romance, it does not proceed in a serious fashion. The film comes with a comic approach. A melodrama laced with humour, the whole story revolves around three principal characters played by Madhavan, Abbas and Mamta Mohandoss. Selvah has kept it simple and straightforward. It is an honest and sincere remake of Hindi hit. Unfortunately the major sore is that the Tamil version is more artificial and tacky.

Guru (Madhavan) wants to start a company of his own. He works for his boss Krishna (Abbas), who is a successful entrepreneur leading a happy married life. But the major problem for Krishna is his playboy nature. Guru hopes that his boss will help him set up a company so that he can also become a boss and make money. Therefore he does everything to please him.

Krishna falls for a model Seema (Mamta Mohandoss). Interestingly Guru also romances Seema. But coming to know that his boss is behind the girl, he decides to give up his romance to attain his personal goals. He goes hammer and tongs ensuring that Seema gets close with Krishna. But after a sequence of events, he realizes that he yearns and craves for Seema. Did he give up his love for making it big in life or go hammer and tongs to hold Seema’s hands forms the climax.

Madhavan has played his character well. He has enough scope to display seriousness, sad, agony and joy. Though he played it with delicacy, at many places, he looks very alien for the role.

Mamta Mohandoss has simply tried to do what Juhi Chawla did in the original. She has mimed her in body language and costumes too. Abbas as lusty boss has also done a wonderful job in this film. Vivek as Madhavan’s friend impresses in parts. His comedy in the company of M S Baskar is hilarious. He plays a woman resembling actress Saroja Devi is enjoyable. The rest of the cast include Brinda Parekh, Sona, Mayilsamy, Arthy and Renuka.

If songs were the USP of ‘Yes Boss’, ‘Guru En Aalu’ has half-a-dozen numbers by Srikanth Deva which are far from being impressive. U K Senthil Kumar’s cinematography is a major solace in the movie.

Produced by KRG, ‘Guru En Aalu’ is a more dramatized version of a simple theme, which fails to stick to our hearts.

Fan club for Nayan !

2009-04-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

In a recently started new film, Thiruna.Thirunavukarasu, the director M.S.Ravi began his shooting with opening up a fans club (Rasikarmandram) for actress Nayantara. As per the story line the hero of the story should open this fans club and Nayanthara should appear when the inaugural ceremony takes place. But the people who came to see the shooting of this scene, were waiting to see the actress. They did not know that it was filmed for the purpose of the Thiruna.

When the shooting was wind up, public went and enquired about why Nayanthara did not turn up for the function. Then the director replied that it was merely a shooting based on the story-line of the film. They could not accept the director’s statement and demanded to bring Nayanthara immediately, otherwise they threatened that they would not allow the film people to continue the shooting. But, after hours of argument of the film’s director, the public were pacified.

Vijay performs stylish Stunt ...

2009-04-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Ilayathalapathy Vijay has been so keen on somehow turning his forthcoming film ‘Vettaikaaran’ so successful. As a matter of fact, it’s so evident with his options of new technicians in his crew. So far, he had worked with FEFSI Vijayan for stunts and now Kanal Kannan has been replaced.

Of course, the latest sensation of ‘Ayan’ stunt at Namibia has transfixed every actor. Although Surya’s stunt was choreographed by a Hollywood stuntman, it was Kannan who supervised it.A similar fight would be witnessed with Vijay and Telugu Actor Sri Hari (Husband of Actress Disco Shanthi) at the backdrops of a busy market.

Trisha’s bikini act not censored in ‘Sarvam’

2009-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Aye! It’s gonna be a grand fiesta for all buffs of Trisha for she would be appearing so glamorous in her forthcoming release ‘Sarvam’.Directed by Vishnuvardhan, the film features Aarya and Trisha in lead roles and already their sizzling chemistry in posters have surmounted everyone’s expectations.

Recently, the film was viewed by censor board officials and they’ve passed on ‘U’ Certificate without cutting any love making scenes including the fantastic liplock and Trisha appearing in bikini across the shores of sun-kissing beach of Goa.According to the producers, the film was done with first copy before a month and unavailability of theatres had postponed the release. Now, with IPL matches getting alongside Parliamentary elections, the film’s release has been planned for either May 29 or first week of June…

Namitha becomes as COP !

2009-04-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

After playing a sexy babe in Billa (Tamil and Telugu), Namitha will be playing a cop in her next Telugu film ‘Desadrohi’. The actress seems really upbeat about doing an action flick.To fit into the role, she has shed a lot of weight. Says Namitha, “I love to do action role. I know that actress Vijayashanti was popular in cop roles ion Telugu and if I can do just 10 percent of her performance, I’ll be satisfied”.

According to the sources, the same film will be made in Tamil also.Last year Namitha had more than 6 releases. This year her diary is already booked with films like Indiravizha, Jaganmohini, Black Stallion and Desadrohi. Three more untitled films are also waiting for her presence. She will be more than the hero’s arm candy in all the movies!

Mani ratnam is well ..

2009-04-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Mani Ratnam's family and his media manager Nikil have announced that the ace director is doing well now. According to the press note, Mani was admitted to Apollo hospital a couple of days ago after he had complained of 'difficulty and dizziness', heart attack.

Doctors said that there was nothing to panic and that the director is hale andhealthy. He would be discharged after a day's stay at the hospital. The doctors have advised him complete rest and that he can resume work in a couple of days.

The 52-year-old director, who introduced Oscar winning musician A R Rahman in Roja, is currently involved in a project starring national award winner Vikram, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Bachchan, among others.

He will attend the final schedule of Ravan, which will take place in the reserved forest area of Chalakudi, with the permission from the Kerala Govt.

Surya'a Mugamudi hit by recession !

2009-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

Recession has disappointed Surya since on of his most anticipated flick Mugamudi has been dumped due to its high budget. UTV Productions which is a big name in Bollywood had planned to open their office in Kollywood by producing this film.

Surya got so impressed with the story that he had instantly approved to act in the movie. But the financial turbulence has raised a question whether the film will start at this juncture. We have heard that Surya is very excited with this project and hope that the actor’s dream doesn’t get scattered and the film takes off soon overcoming the effects of recission.

Kaartic Anithaa - Review

2009-04-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

Starring: Rathan, Manju
Direction: Sri Hari
Music: Jack Anand
Production: Shankar V Rajan

Love has to be expressed, else it remains unrequited. Love that goes unexpressed and untold has formed the crux of many movies. Declaring love has to be done at the right time, delaying the process can cause heartbreak. We have got many such messages from movies over the years and decades and yet this subject continues to fascinate film makers and audience worldwide. But, only an universally understood theme does not make a good movie, the other elements have to come together too. This is where Kaartic Anithaa falters.

The movie handles a theme that has been used countless times in cinema. It is only a fresh screenplay, deft treatment and the chemistry of the lead pair that has to carry the movie into the audiences’ hearts and strike a chord. But, even before you are half way through the movie you might realize that you have seen something strikingly similar before, the Prashanth-Shalini starrer Piriyatha Varam Vendum which in turn was a remake of the Malayalam hit Niram. A boy and a girl of the same age; they are neighbors and have grown up together, they cherish each other’s company and are the best of buddies. It is only a matter of time, we think, before love is declared. But that never happens. Similarities to the above mentioned movie are undeniable. So further details about the plot are not revealed here. If you are interested, you can check out if Kaartic Anithaa gives a novel climax to an oft repeated theme.

As said earlier, it is a fresh screenplay and the lead pair’s chemistry that has to carry this movie forward. When the story is one that has been beaten to death, the screenplay will obviously be hard pressed for ideas to make proceedings interesting. It tries, but fails in the attempt. In what is supposed to be a love story, there is very little romance, mainly because love is never proposed till the very end. It is more of companionship and even that fails to impress. In short, the relationship fails to evoke any feelings in the audience; for a love story, this is a big setback.

Performances: Debutantes Rathan and Manju have done fairly well, though one feels that the heroine could have emoted better at places. Kota Sreenivasa Rao and Rajan P Dev are surprise packets in very mellow roles as the lead pairs’ fathers. Their potential however remains underutilized. Popular TV anchor Manohar makes a big impact in a small role. Appearing as a person with a mental disorder, his performance, especially in a scene where he is presented as Kaartic’s father to his college principal, is a laugh riot. It is one of the few portions of the movie which liven up proceedings.

Technically, there is not much that deserves special mention. Two cinematographers, Sai Suresh and K.G. Shankar, have been used and they have done a neat job. Editing by Velmurugan could have been tighter. Music by debutante Jack Anand is passable, though a love story demands a score with lot more feeling.

Overall, Kaartic Anithaa is a rerun of an often repeated theme of love that is unexpressed. A loose and predictable screenplay by the director Sri Hari is the major pitfall of this movie.

Verdict: Evokes no emotions

Anandha Thandavam - Review

2009-04-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

Starring: Tamanna, Siddharth, Charli, Madan Bob, Kalairani, Kitty, Rukmani
Direction: Gandhi Krishna
Music: G V Prakash Kumar
Production: Aascar Films

The much awaited and anticipated film, the story of which is based on Late Sujatha’s Pirivom Sandhippom has finally arrived. But Aanandha Thandavam produced by Aascar Films does not live up to the expectations it had raised in the minds of Sujatha’s fans.

A few decades back the infection that plagued parents to

get their daughters married off to ‘America-settled' groom, reeling under the ‘foreign craze’, without checking on the credentials and later landing in a deep quagmire form the central plot of Aanandha Thandavam directed by Gandhi Krishna .

Debutant Siddharth as Raghupathy, son of Govindaraj (Kitty), a supervisor with a state government office, falls in love with Madhumitha (Tamanna), daughter of his dad’s boss Gopinath. She also appears to be in love with Raghu. Although Gopinath approves of this love and promises his daughter’s hand in matrimony to Raghu, he does a complete volte-face when Radhakrishnan (Rishi) from America materializes from nowhere. Raghu gets royally betrayed when Madhu and Radhakrishnan get married and leave for America and the film moves to the US of A. What happens to Raghu, Madhu and Radhakrishnan there forms the rest of Aanandha Thandavam.

Director Gandhi Krishna’s intention to adapt a novel into a film is good. But he seems to have gone wrong in selecting a contemporary theme. His tenacity in sticking to the original word by word may have worked perhaps in the eighties. The character portrayal of Madhumitha lacks conviction and strength. She appears to be an enigma and is a bundle of contradictions. Sometimes she is so naïve while in some other occasion she is highly sophisticated which confuses the audience.

Performance wise, Kitty, Siddharth’s father steals the show with his practical and pragmatic approach to life. Rukmini of Bommalaatam fame is the other girl in America who falls in love with Siddharth. She proves that if given the right opportunity, she will be an actress to look out for. Tamanna, the latest hot property of Kollywood with a release a week has understood her role and tried to do justice. Siddharth has a long way to go.

The songs Pattu Poochi, Kangalil Aadum and Kana Kaangiren numbers are a treat to the eyes. Lensman Jeeva Shankar’s attempt to capture the lush greeneries in an unadulterated fashion needs special mention. Thotta Tharani’s art work comes to the fore in Kangalil Aadum song. Dialogues by Sujatha and Gandhi Krishna stand out especially in scenes that talk about Indian American culture.

Much was expected from Gandhi Krishna, but he seems to have let down the audience.

Verdict: This Thandavam is missing the Aanandham!

Thanks: B.Woods

Ajit's ASAL starts rolling...

2009-04-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

The shooting of Thala Ajith's next grand movie with his favorite director Saran, Asal is set to hit the floors this April 8th.The film is produced by Sivaji Productions, one of the oldest production houses in the industry. Ajith has joined hands with Prabhu, the actor cum producer, for the first time in his carrer.

According to the sources, the launch ceremony will take place at the late legend Sivaji Ganesan's Annai Illam residence on April 8th along with a routine pooja.This is an out and out action like Amarkalam and Ajith will appear in a complete new look in this film.

Another important change in the film is its music director. Earlier it was said that Harris Jayaraj would be the music director and later he replaced by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Now once again the director has changed his music director. He thinks that his regular music director Bharadwaj is more suitable for him. After coming to know of this, Prabhu informed the change to Yuvan gently and now Bharadwaj has been announced as the Music director for this film.

Sameera Reddy plays the lead lady role against Ajith for the first time in this movie.

Kandhasamys audio on April 14th...

2009-04-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

'Super Hero' Vikram (the title given by Susi Ganesan to Vikram) starrer magnum opus Kandhasamy's audio will hit the market on April 14th in a grand festival like event in Chennai.
The theatrical trailers of the film was launched at the Swarna Sakthi Abirami on Tuesday evening. The trailers are really enjoyable with some excellent shots picturised by Ekambaram.

Shreya came casually dressed in jeans and top. Director Susi,cameraman Eka alias Ekambaram, music director Devi Sri Prasad, lyric writer Viveka and chennai distributor Abirami Ramanathan were present while producer Thanu anchored the show.They were all praise for Susi Ganeshan, who they confessed was a tough taskmaster who drives them up the wall with his demanding ways. According to Devi Sri Prasad, Susi is a very difficult person to convince regarding tunes for the film!

Vikram said, "It is very difficult to please Susi, the man known for perfection in every shot. But let me tell you seeing the rushes I’m amazed by the quality of his work which is very good."
Producer Thanu said: "I have made it a point to fulfill all the demands of Susi who has promised all of us that we will become the number one in our respective fields, and Kanthasamy will be a mega blockbuster that will pour enough to all its distributors."

The producer and director assured the press that Kandhasamy audio launch on April 14, will be the mother of all film events, with dancers from Italy, live band performing the songs from the film, Bollywood celebrities, and live telecast on Sun TV.

Also the director and producer of Kandhasamy have plans to announce some welfare plans for the poor villages (30 plus villages now getting aids from Kandasamy unit) all over the state.

AYAN movie review !!

2009-04-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

Starring: Suriya, Prabhu, Tamanna
Direction: K V Anand
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Production: AVM

It’s not everyday that you get to watch a gangster movie, with double-crosses, skillful smuggling, mother’s love and a romantic story tossed in, without having to squirm or probably having to end up with a headache. However, Ayan’s screenplay does the trick – brilliantly choreographed stunts and car chase sequences, cleverly planted twists at every nook and corner of the plot and some good music. Ayan proves to be an absolute time

pass fare. For a little more than two hours, it would be an offense to call Ayan just another commercial potboiler.

Director K V Anand’s research is evident in the tightly packed screenplay and do not miss out the potshots he takes at a few directors in the name of plagiarism.

Slipping logic into your wallet would be a good idea before entering the halls, but it’s unlikely that you would regret doing so. And it is highly doubtful that you would have any time to think about it during the course of the movie. Well, pardon the second half for dragging a wee bit though.

The movie starts off with Surya giving a little tongue-lash for Corporate Houses for treating their employees as mushrooms. A minute later, we realize that he is the trustworthy ally of Prabhu, whose business thrives on illegal diamond trafficking from Africa. With clever strategies and an M Sc degree, Surya flies across the globe to transport consignments sneaking in and out of the airport scanners in style. That’s pretty much the story - and comes with it the evil motives of Akashdeep Segal, a fellow smuggler who crosses road with the Prabhu & Company. Gang war, a friend’s death, love and some dance sequences – Ayan culminates into a rather predictable climax.

The first half of the movie travels at a supersonic’s pace with rollicking humor (sample this: Renuka, Surya’s mother, having filled up an SSC (Staff Selection Commission) application form, asks for his sign at the breakfast table. She returns from the kitchen and drops the dosa in horror only to find out that her son has used the application form to collect all the left over chicken bones). Not to mention, Jegan’s natural sense of humor that hugely helps the movie’s progress. Ayan also spells out director Anand’s conscious effort to avoid clichés, scene after scene, with good reason. The first half also defies the rule of gangster movies with Surya justifying his job to be just ‘time pass’.

And the second half witnesses Surya doubling up as an assistant to the Narcotic Controls Office. Besides, it was also an atrocious idea to include a Koena Mitra item number out of the blue. With her weird nose-job and chiseled cleavage, she does some aerobics. The climax peaks Anand’s unleashed imagination.

Surya and Tamannah make a good pair and their love story is devoid of any clichés whatsoever thankfully. And the brilliant writing in their second meet up scene sparks up their chemistry. Prabhu is quite a natural in his role and his Chennai Senthamizh comes handy. The roles of Jegan and Renuka are beautifully developed and performed.

The only eyesore in the movie is Akashdeep Segal, who with his convoluted facial expressions and bad lip sync just doesn’t get anything right.

Harris’s music is scintillating in the Nenje and Iyaayiye songs and the background score flows with the movie. In the Vizhi moodi number Karthik sizzles. Another noteworthy aspect of Ayan is M.S.Prabhu’s cinematography. Congo’s rustic landscape, Puducherry’s by-lanes and Malaysia’s scenic locales come alive in the screen.

Ayan is fun. Just buy a huge bag of popcorn, a can of cola and have a blast! But do remember the first step about the logic.

Verdict: Packs a punch

Pattalam movie review !

2009-03-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Debutant director Rohan Krishna forays into silver screen after his successful stint in television as a director in teleserial Kana Kaanum Kaalangal which was a big hit with school going kids. Unfortunately his magic does not seem to work in Pattalam, produced and distributed by Lingusamy for Tirupathi Brothers. The film is about two groups of four adolescents in a school, their characteristic and typical clashes, attractions and vibrant bonhomie.

Nadiya is their Correspondent cum Psychologist who disciplines them in her own way amidst much flak. There is no story as such and it is evident that Rohan Krishna has relied on Nadiya a lot. Although the central knot of lending a long rope to youngsters for grooming them in the right direction is something zeitgeistical, the treatment sags and is short of verve. Characterization of Nadiya lacks strength in certain places when she is blind to the youngster’s follies and lets them go scot-free. Her explanation on this seems to be the normality of their misdemeanors as adolescents. OK. But does she take any remedial measures to correct them? No, poor children find their own way to mend themselves. In an interschool competition, Nadiya’s school loses pathetically and the principal of another school attributes the failure to Nadiya’s lenience.

Nadiya’s outburst on hearing this works wonders with the youngsters who bring home the coveted success. Some of her arguments in favor of adolescents are sensible. Rohan also tries to pep Pattalam with few love angles interspersed. Performance wise, Nadiya has done her part well. Among the eight students, Irfan, Hari and Balaji are from Kana Kaanum Kaalangal team. As regards technicians, they appear to have had an easy ride not taking the film too seriously at all. Music by Jassie Gift of ‘Four the people’ fame does not help the film. In the climax, the song that Irfan sings brings in a little excitement.

Verdict: Exam written unprepared!

About AYAN's art direction !

2009-03-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ayan is gearing up for an April release. It is said that, among other add-ons including Suriya’s six-packs, Ayan’s art direction will be an eye-ball grabber, director K V Anand was quoted as saying to one of the tabloids recently. Suriya’s house in the movie is the set elegantly done, as per the director who also handles the cinematography.

Besides, a floating set worth Rs. 40 lakhs was constructed for a song in the backwaters of Muttukkadu. A windmill was also erected in the shores. However, as bad luck would have it, the set was almost blown away twice in the last year’s storm and floods, once having been dragged dangerously close to the sea. The set was then brought into the backwaters with the help of 40 boats, mentioned director Anand.

For more AYAN stills visit gallery

Asin & Dhoni joins hand !

2009-03-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

She is turning out to be another successful dream girl in Bollywood. After her successful Bollywood debut Actress Asin has a bright future ahead of her. She has already signed a couple of movies in Hindi with one of them rumored to be with SRK for a Yash Raj Production.

Now Asin has geared up with Dhoni for Big Bazaar promotion. Big Bazaar is a super market chain, which is the subsidiary of Pantaloon Retail India Ltd’s, Future Group. Asin and MS Dhoni were selected as they are the youth icons of India, said a spokesperson of Big Bazaar. Meanwhile, the photo shoot took place in Mumbai a month back and the television ad will be canned after Dhoni comes back from his successful tour of New Zealand.

She has also teamed up with Aamir Khan for Tata Sky ad campaign. Asin is already seen in Fairever Ad and her recent Mirinda Ad has become a super hit.

Lekha Rathnakumar to Direct a Film !

2009-03-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

Lekha Rathnakumar, one of the top ad filmmakers in the country and pioneers in film musiclibrary is gearing up to start his first directorial venture.According to the director, it is a poignant love story.

The major portions would be filmed in the exotic location of US and the remaining in the breathtaking landscapes of southern Tamil Nadu.The production of the USA portion will be done by a reputed concern in California, namely Film Launge, run by Anjanarholdz. She is the wife of Grehornoholdz, the popular composer of Sonoton Studios. Her Film Launge is one of popular production houses in Hollywood film making. About the cast and crew..."See... I'm not in the position to reveal the details of the cast and crew at present to the media. But my Hero and heroine will be well known faces in the Industry.

I'm planning everything pucca and once I complete my US trip to finalise the locations, I will release the details. I will make my US trip shortly..." Says Ratnakumar. The entire film would be shot extensively with Red One Camera or Viper and Ratnakumar himself will take care of the musical score with his exclusive Sonoton library collections. To complete the film within the stipulated time, the director has completely designed the locations and scenes in his personal system in a excellent style.

Nayan may be next in Koti's film !!

2009-03-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

With the Anushka starrer Arundathee dubbed from Telugu raking in mullahs even in Chennai, Koti Ramakrishna, of Amman fame and director of Arundathee, is toying with the idea of another similar supernatural movie. This will be another heroine oriented subject and is most likely to be a bilingual considering that Koti’s earlier ventures including Devi and Amman are dubbed into Tamil and were successful.

Give her popularity in both languages, Nayanthara is considered for the role, it is learnt. The new flick will be co-produced by M S Raju and Koti himself.

Harris out of Ajit's ASAL !!

2009-03-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Harris Jayaraj is no longer the music director of Ultimate Star Ajith’s next film, ‘Asal’.
The film is being produced by Sivaji Films and has Sameera Reddy playing Ajith’s love interest and Saran donning the director’s hat.A project mired in controversies, Ajith’s flick for Sivaji Films was planned originally with Gautham Vasudev Menon as the director. Later, it was announced that Gautham will not direct the film.

People in the industry had even suspected that this was due to the fall out between Gautham and Harris, and Gautham wanted AR Rahman as the music director, while Ajith insisted on teaming up with Harris Jayaraj (they’ve never done a project together).Let us wait and see which composer is going to take Harris Jayaraj’s place.