Cinema, Karam, Kapi

I was casually browsing Amazon Prime and stumbled upon this movie’s 2-line review and was intrigued to watch it. For 2 reasons. It was about friendship. And Entrepreneurship. Two of the most important things I cherish in my own life. The 1 hour 20 film was a breezy roll with some great camaraderie, nonsensical stuff that closest friends end up doing, personal and professional challenges we all go through, especially when we decide to work “together” and finally the big and ugly world of “Vulture Capitalists” as it is being displayed in many films as well as in the general domain. The reality, is of course different.   Mia Carter (Tiffany Haddish) and Mel Paige (Rose Byrne) are two childhood friends who set-up and run a Cosmetics business and have adorned the cover of many a few local magazines and garnered awards. As is the case in many start-ups, they have built a great business running huge debts (read: Investments), especially with their signature “One-Night Stand” make-up kit which

Children living in terrorist camps are not Terrorists; In fact they are the first victims of terrorism. Once I finished watching the film, I was wondering what was this film all about – was it Cricket, Sanju’s comeback or perhaps, simply hope within despair. Girish Malik has directed Torbaaz which was to be released on the Big screen, however it was released on Netflix on 11 Dec. ’20. The film has a mixed review all over the internet though I generally do not read any of them before I watch as well as pen my own thoughts. For me, it set me thinking about life’s priorities. The purpose of education, faith, spirituality, law of the land and of course, love and compassion towards fellow humans. Loads of philosophy from the film. But that’s for another day.  The film is about a Medical Doctor who reluctantly visits Kabul (as per the film’s screenplay) to honour a commitment to his late wife’s friend who runs a refugee camp in the war torn country. He’s seen reluctant to travel to the Count

As Steve Jobs reckoned, when you connect the dots backwards, things make sense. Indeed. Muthu, directed by KS Ravikumar, Superstar’s lucky charm of the 90s was a super hit movie of it’s times. Ardent fans had favourite moments right from the word “Go” – when Thalaivar breaks a coconut and catapults into his Horse-carriage and sings along yet another philosophical song which remains one of his all-time favourites – Oruvan Oruvan Mudalali. Right before interval, the film moves in to a flashback and we see Thalaivar adorned as a Maharaja; what follows in the next 20 mins is yet another philosophical number – Vidukathaiya Inda Vazhkai… Vazhvai nee thedi, Vadakke nee ponaal, Naangal povadhengu… Every time the Superstar had decided to quit acting / public life and move to his favourite haunt in the Himalayas, fans cried.  More than anything else, this film had one of his earliest political dialogues – during the drama scenes as well as in the song Kuluvaalile – Katchiyellam ippo namakedukku,

  “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 Amazo

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 video song of

I bought my first car on 21 st  May 2005. I requested my close friend to drive her from the showroom on Residency Road, Bangalore to our neighborhood temple for a customary ritual before commencing my regular drives as I was jittery to drive 6 kms all alone plus I only had a 4W Learner’s License then while I rode his scooter alongside. Over the past 15 years, I have driven close to 2,85,000 kms across five cars – Santro (75,000 kms), Getz (35,000 kms), Verna (65,000 kms), XUV500 MT (85,000 kms) and currently XUV500 AT (25,000 kms) all these years. About 80% of all my drives would have been solo – either to workplace or outstation drives on National & State Highways. I have been a motorhead since childhood with a huge collection of Hotwheel Cars among other figurines which I mostly lost at school projects and gave away a few to friends and family.  My most favourite quote on driving has always been – “the journey should be as important and exciting as the destination

After the huge success of India’s first Tamil movie that had a direct OTT release surpassing traditional Theatrical release, Actor Surya’s 2D Entertainment bankrolled “ Ponmagal Vandhal " - PV1 (Amazon refuses to share the number of views or the Revenues made) feat. Jyothika along with a host of actors including 6 former Directors, the lead Actress takes a proud and a bold move yet again in her latest outing Ponmagal Vendral (PV2) which had a direct OTT release earlier this week. Director JJ Fredrick has spun the screenplay montaging into her past with a new set of casts save for K. Bagyaraj who plays her foster father in PV1. Ace composer Santhosh Narayan has replaced Govind Vasantha as Music Director and has belted 5 amazing numbers which have already become chartbusters. Cameraman Ramji shows the true rustic places of Udumalpet in Coimbatore District and its surrounding rural areas where the film has been predominantly shot. Surya in a Cameo was a pleasant surprise. Jyothika’