Cinema, Karam, Kapi

  “You are a Socialite, I am a Socialist”, quips Nedumaran Rajangam when he is offered to be bought out even before he begins his airline business by a character who goes by the name Vimal Balaiyya. In another scene, Paresh Goswami tells his team that Vimal’s luck in the business is only until his father’s wealth remains. Later, we see Maara and his friends break away the Business Class Seats to depict clearly they are against the Capitalist system. Below the belt dialogues and scenes, but well, that’s what Sudha Kongara’s latest outing “Soorarai Potru” is all about. Hard hitting, agenda led and drama. And all this, with least reference to the main character on whom the biopic is all about, Capt. Gopinath, Former IAF Pilot and Founder of India’s first low-cost airline, Air Deccan. Sadly, the real life hero is given credit only at the end of the film with some of his real life photos and lifetime achievements. Atleast in theatres, some people watch the scroll till the end while on A...

The Tamil month of Aadi (Aashada in Sanskrit / Hindi / Kannada, etc.) began on the 16 th  July 2020. Generally considered inauspicious, the traditional texts do not consider these months unholy, rather advises believers to focus on pujas, rituals and offering to forefathers, fellow humans and to deities in temples. It is more of a practice in Tamil Nadu not to release Films during this period, no matter what’s the caste or belief system of the lead Actors & Directors, as the Producer has the final say in this matter.  Starting from mid-August onwards, Tamil Cinema usually witnesses a dozen big releases of top stars as well as the usual 3-4 small budget film releases every week. However, during the Aadi month, even film pujas, music release functions, Award functions, etc. – nothing is conducted. Or so we thought all along.  Aadi month 2020 saw a surprise from one of the most celebrated duos – Anirudh and Sivakarthikeyan when they released a surprise ...

As always, the excitement of watching a brand-new feature film; FDFS as we popularly say; the idea of watching it at the confines of my home, sipping my morning Filter coffee, seated on my favourite armchair and while doing early morning household chores – Welcome to the New World Order, thanks to Covid-19.  This is my third FDFS on an OTT - the first one being Man Vs. Wild . Penguin, feat. Keerthy Suresh who won critical acclaim and an Award from none other than the President of India for her 2018 outing “Mahanathi” – the official biopic of yesteryear actress Smt. Savithri has been quite a sensation in Tamil Nadu as well as Andhra before and after her National Award. She’s been lately unseen in public for over a year, thanks to her intense preparation for her role in “Miss India”, a trilingual in Hindi, Telugu & Tamil that could be released later this year. Her last Tamil outing Saamy2 with Vikram was a drub and was a flop at the BO. So, when the first look post...

The much-awaited Music Album of Darbar feat. Superstar Rajinikanth was released amidst much fanfare on Saturday 7 th  Dec. 2019 at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai with an array of Film Stars and Technicians heaping praise on Thalaivar even as he is playing hide and seek with Media and Politicians across parties about his much anticipated announcement of forming a Political Party ahead of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections slated in 2021. Much to everyone’s surprise (and to many people’s disappointment), the Man didn’t speak a single word about Politics during his finale speech at the Event and thanked his fans and supporters as he celebrates his 70 th  Birthday on 12 Dec. 2019.  The film to be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi is produced by Lyca and Directed by AR Murugadoss and has Music composed by Anirudh Ravichander who is the Superstar’s nephew and is doing back to back Thalaivar films after the much successful 2018 release Petta.  ...

The much-awaited Surya-thriller “Kaappaan” released today, 20 th  Sep. 2019 after missing a previous date. The film has been making much noise over the past few weeks, what with Lyca creating a big buzz around the movie with Superstar Rajinikanth himself attending and launching the movie’s audio amid much fanfare. Surya’s past seven films have received critical feedback with the latest NGK being dubbed as his career’s worst flop. His previous outings TSK & Singam 3 received mixed responses and he is on the verge of being written off as a bankable star with a hit opening weekend – something he’s ferociously trying to defend. Kaappaan, for me is Aadhavan 2 which released exactly a decade back for Deepavali. In a similar role, Kathir plays an SPG Officer working in the PMO and shadowing the security of none other than the Prime Minister of India played ably by Mohanlal. Lalettan is sauve, displays formidable demeanour suitable for the character and is crisp in his dialog...

Many wondered who this young lad was, from where and how did he land up in the Tamil film music scene and whether he would be a one-film wonder with his unique voice modulations and rendering effortlessly some tricky tunes, after his first number released 6 years back in the film Kadal, which was directed by ace Director Mani Ratnam and music composed by his protégé and confidante AR Rahman, whom he introduced 25 years back in his film Roja. The number “Adiye” was not only an instant hit with great top of mind recall but has also endeared the singer’s successive songs. In fact in the first half of 2019, there was a new song of Sid which was released online every 15 days or so, taking his total count of songs sung now to around 50 in three languages, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Personally, I have loved his songs all along and have attended a few of his Live concerts as well during which he exudes so much energy that the audience seem to enjoy – while many croon along with him ...

A group of Madrasi residents led by PC Bala, Author of several Books and a Management Consultant who are also cinema enthusiasts gathered on 30th August 2019 at Cream Centre RA Puram to discuss about Madras and Movies as part of Madras’s 380th Founding day Celebrations.  Actor Raja Krishnamurthy, popularly known as Kitty joined the movie buffs over samosas and coffee. He was quizzed by me on his film career, early days of associating with his junior from college who went on to make iconic films like Roja & Thalapathy and of course about Kitty’s acting stints with Superstar Rajinikanth without whom Madras is incomplete.  Kitty shared about how specific scenes in films like Thalapathy and Baasha turned out during the shooting while also narrating various other crunchies about Thalaivar including his Spiritual bent as well as his views on the socio-political environment.  Kitty, born and raised in Mumbai, completed his MBA at Jamnalal Bajaj and move...

The last time I remember seeing Actor Ajith Kumar in such a heated courtroom conversation was in the film Citizen. Released in 2001, when Ajith was about 20 years younger, Ajith spoke at length so many memorable dialogues during the fag end of the film for over 10 minutes which went on to become a rage in the coming years for his fans and critics alike.  After that, I have seen Ajith in various roles – romantic on one hand, a stiff cop on the other, a local rowdy, an international arms dealer cum smuggler, a doting father recently, a loving husband, village chieftain and so on. But when I heard that Pink would be remade in Tamil and Ajith would helm the role of Big B (in the original), I wasn’t ready. Honestly. And I have been a big fan of Ajith for over 25 years, perhaps from the days of Ullasam where I really liked his role as a college goer turned truant but with a soft heart. I wasn’t sure if Ajith can carry forward the impeccable legacy left behind by the AB in the origi...

I have been unemployed (read Entrepreneur) for the past 5 years. Have tried various tricks in the book and have had my hits and misses in my various attempts, ventures, and so on. All along, my wife has supported me a lot by motivating me and being by side even as I attempt a new escapade now and then apart from funding some of my (mis)adventures. Similar to Actor Surya. This gentleman supports his wife and actress Jyothika so much so that it awes me the kind of love and affection some people have for their loved ones. And Jackpot sums it up like no other.  In yet another attempt from Surya’s home production house 2D Entertainment, Jackpot is an out and out commercial masala film. At least that’s what it’s supposed to be. Jyothika and Revathi along with an extended crew including villain turned comedian Anandraj (in an interesting dual role), Yogi Babu, Manobala, Mansoor Ali Khan and Mottai Rajendran make one test their patience for over 140 mins. And succeed to some exte...

I’ve always liked thriller films. And if it’s in Tamil (off late, there have been quite a few), then I give it a shot. And when it’s the second film as a Director for someone after receiving much acclaim for his previous thriller, even more. And if it’s featuring Actor Vikram, I would jump into. And that’s how I ended up watching Kadaram Kondaan today. The first 10 minutes set the film on a good note. And that’s quite important, for that’s where you hook the audience. And the entire film is edgy with slick editing and cinematography, what with yet another fantastic underrated performance by Vikram.   The film opens with a cute couple Aatirah and Vasu Rajagopalan (Akshata Hassan and Abi Hassan - Offsprings of Kamal Hassan and Nasser, respectively) get the scan done at a maternity hospital only to be overjoyed seeing the little one in the womb. The couple has just moved to KL, Malaysia and the dialogues represent they have had a love marriage which doesn’t have the blessi...