Kabaali - Well, who is he?

Kabaali - Well, who is he?

Though it can remind the hardcore Rajini fan of the yesteryear character in one of his movies (Janakaraj in Padikaathavan?, if memory serves me right), it is definitely not a fun movie.
Is Kabaali a mass hero movie?. Though it does spread roots there, it is not an out and out mass movie like a Baasha. But no less.
Is Kabaali a messiah? Nah. With the climax the way it is, it is definitely not so.
Is Kabaali a wannabe Godfather (read Naaagan), much closer. But then which gangster movie made in the next 100 years will not be compared to these greats. None!!!

So who is Kabaali? In essence, WHAT is Kabaali!!!!. Trying to solve the puzzle here.

What Kabaali is, is a phenomenon called RajiniKanth. And in all true senses, the kaantham (magnetic force) in his eyes, which has enthralled audiences for years together now, continues.
What it also proves is that, even such a charismatic artist as such, require a good script. What happened to Lingaa, we all know and that is proof enough.
What it also proves is that we need a new league of directors to take our SuperStar to the next level.

Unfortunately, for us fans, and let us admit, it also proves that our SuperStar is  SUPER, but also old. We are not able to see the briskness that is soooo associated with him. We are not able to see, believe and digest him now smothering some 5 or 10 people. Due credit to the stunt director who has made all effort to see to it that the stunt sequences are "effortless" and believable, even then, in some of the scenes, the age does creep in.

In essence, What Kabaali is, is a tribute to the SuperStar, and one which cannot be surpassed, till one such comes, in the near future.

What is it not!!

Not many of you will love to hear this, but then, here goes.

It is not a run off the mill Rajini starrer, to start with the positives.

Now, having said that, the positive is also a HUGE negative. The fact that many of us still have our throats in place and functional, in spite of the FDFS, is proof that it is not one.

It is surely not in the lines of a Darmadurai or a Padaiyappa or even a Baasha for that matter. 

What it is, is a gangster movie and a Ranjith one at the end. An out an out directors movie that is well made

The elements that keep a Rajini movie alive are ALL present and omnipresent throughout the movie.As I said earlier, a better movie to remember our SuperStart is surely yet to be conceived.

Any more and I will have to dwell in to the story, which in this case, not only is irrelevant, but also a spoiler.

Marana Maaaas, as I told many of my friends!!! To sum it up, that is what Kabaali is....Marana Maass... kozhi kari!!?? :-)

Gethu- Could have better "stuff"

What is a good story line gets spoilt by the "requirement" for romance, dancing around trees, sentiment etc that makes a Tamil movie what it is. Remove these from the equation and add a racier screenplay, the movie could be a very well made action thriller.

A contract killer out to assassinate the APJ replacement in the story. How he lures the scientist who never makes it out of the research center and the planning around it and how and why it gets upset by the protagonist makes for the story.

Udhaynidhi as the protagonist has come a long way from his initial days. His dancing and stunt skills have considerably improved. Acting skills have also improved, but the script does not ask for much emoting hence he is at ease.
Sathyaraj as the straight forward father who is a physical education trainer fits the bill to the T and carries off the role with aplomb. You can not find fault. Not in one scene.

The sister and mother play their role. Nothing much asked for, nothing much delivered.

Amy Jackson, well, a let down. Not that we are used to see her "acting" but you are definitely upset that the Amy we saw in I (Shankar) and in this movie seem so completely different. Is she the same glamorous one we saw in I, makes me wonder. And I am not talking about skimpy dresses here, do not get me wrong, I am talking about the choice of costumes and the way her screen presence is brought out. What is a wonder is that the cinematographer has captured nature in all its glory and not Amy. Why man, why?

Background music is good. But the first song, though it has racy music, the lyrics and singing is definitely a let down. Or should I say, a waste of the good music for that song. Talking of songs, ALL of the songs, but for the title one, are misplaced. Made me think I was watching a Telegu action movie, when you have a song inserted during the tail end of the movie when Udhaynidhi returns a necklace to Amy. Even the first song, going by the lyrics sounds like a song for a situation where the hero would have proposed to the heroine and she rejected him, but in reality, Udhay never would have expressed his opinion to Amy and much worse, the song is actually an imaginary one of Amy.

Tamil movie directors need to think beyond the song and dance and stick to screenplay. Remember ThoongaVanam guys.

The action sequences are well choreographed. Udhay has put in a lot of effort and it definitely pays off. But then again, why does the climax fight seems so out of place. What should have been an epic clash, whittles out in comparison to the bar fight sequence.
As a whole, the climax does not carry the weight required. Neither does Vikrant's role. What could have been made as a role that the viewers could have either empathised with or wholly hated, the director leaves the viewer neither option. You neither hate nor love the character. It had the potential to be either.

Net net, what could have been made as a very good action thriller, come out a very mediocre action romance movie because of the quite unnecessary requirements of romance, sentiment etc as indicated earlier.

Thoonga Vanam - A sleeper hit? or a gentle reminder?

Thoonga Vanam - A sleeper hit? or a gentle reminder?

It is indeed very difficult to review a movie such as Thoongavaman, especially when it is made with Kamal Hassan in the lead. Anyone else and the job would be a simple open and shut case, so to say.

The plot is simple, we have CKD, played by Kamal and Mani played by Yugi Sethu chase a couple of drug dealers and in the process Mani kills one of them while CKD is injured by the other. The confiscated drugs are taken to CKD's house giving a clear indication of his true color. The next day CKD's son is kidnapped by the dealer Vittal Rao (Prakash Raj) and in return he wants the confiscated drugs. CKD promises the drugs and take it back to Vittal much against the will of Mani, however, the drugs get lost in the club the transaction takes place and to further complicate 2 more police personnel are also present, Trisha and Kishore. Does CKD succeed in the exchange? Does he outwit the criminals and the police? form the rest of the movie.

All the events take place during one night and is shown in a very interesting manner. No exotic locations. Just one club, CKD's house, a hospital, a police station to name most. But the movie moves along in a gripping fashion. Kudos to the director and screenplay (Kamal, again).

A very close remake of the original, Sleepless Night and the due credit given. 

What makes the movie stand apart is the fact that it is NOT a Kamal movie. The fact that Kamal (in my opinion at least) is moving away from the mass hero image and has started delivering content based movies, makes it even more interesting. Not that Kamal has never done it, the point I am trying to make is, while most of the "older" heroes are still caught in the bigger than real life image that has been created, delivering on content based movies that can equally be a commercial hit and playing his age. I think it is a pointer to most ageing heroes on how they can simply transform to these roles and still keep the fans happy.

Kishore does a good job. His underplayed anger post getting bashed by Kamal and his frustration at the loss is proof enough. 

Trisha's stunt sequences are, what to say, a first for her and in many ways for Tamil heroines. So kudos to her on making it look real rather than an evident body dupe play.

Prakash Raj, I must admit, is getting repetitive. We could have said good job, if it was his first, unfortunately, it is not the case. He has played this bad boy image a zillion times and it is time he focusses on his pluses and play some roles that are not a gangster, please Prakash.

The rest of the cast, come and go. Or we can say come, get kissed, and again, then kiss and then gone. Madhu Shalini, no offence. But you were pretty in your own way.

Director Rajesh M Selva. After having worked alongside Kamal in movies like Visawaroopam, Manmadhan Ambu etc, has definitely evolved as a director. Sometimes when a 3rd person directs a Kamal movie, it feels like Kamal himself directed (Anbe Sivam). But not this one. And it is a direct credit to the director and his ability. Hats off.

A must watch for all crime thriller lovers and most definitely for Kamal fans.

Scion of Ikshvaku - My review

An apt follow through to the Shiva trilogy. Ramayana and Mahabharata have always been retold in many different ways, it would be really interesting to see how Amish treats the subject. The book was a fast read, unlike the Shiva trilogy, since by now we are used to Amish's way of writing. Now, is that a positive or a negative, only the following publications would say. Enjoyed the read but for one fact. While in the Shiva trilogy, the concept of Nagas, for example, was clearly explained, Amish, I believe, takes it for granted that the reader would have already read his earlier trilogy and hence does not dwell deep in to this and other concepts touched upon in the Shiva trilogy. A little more explanation would have made it a better read.

The characterisation of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Bharath and all the other leads are done well. You are instantly drawn towards the enigmatic personality of Ram and are able to empathise with this trials and tribulations right away.

The first part does not reveal too much of the plot to come and hence, in a way, makes us wanting to read the next one. Hope Amish releases that soon.

Good read.

Uttama Villain - My review

UV Class

Uttama Villain, another of Kamal's movie that just might not capture the fancy of b/c centers. Definitely an A center movie.
The way the narrative moves between the film within the film and the actual is to be applauded, the complete credit for which has to go to the screenplay, again by Kamal. He just proves he is a master of the screenplay.

Most of the regular movie goers will fail to capture the intricate way in which the narrative in the period part (the file within) is interlaced with the songs. It is a musical of sorts. And to understand the essence, one must (a) have a better than average understanding of Tamil (b) be attentive, to say the least. While everyone can understand the humor in the scenes, only a few actually laughed/smiled at the lyrics.

A simple story of a successful movie star who wants to set right things before his last days. Do things he has not done. Complete stuff he always wanted to. While at it, also do something that will etch him in people's memories forever.

While in the period part the actor plays the role of a Mritunjaya, one who has won over death, in the fictional part, the actor is actually walking toward certain death. How the two interlace if beautiful. Again screenplay sorcery.

Kamal excels in both. Emotions galore.

True love. Extra marital love. Marriage of convenience. Falling in love with the spouse. Friendship. Respect.Trust. Each has it's space and each plays it's part in making a man whole. And it is very nicely thrown in at nice intervals with each garnering it's spot. And winning.

All the supporting cast has done a superb job. Andrea, Urvashi, Pooja Kumar, Parvathy, Nassar. Jayaram, just for a few scenes, excels as well. The bonding between KB and Kamals is very critical to the movie and comes across strong.

Over all a movie that needs to be enjoyed frame by frame. For each has it's significance and covers every aspect given above (love etc) and more.

Enjoyed. Hope you do too.

OK Kanmani, OK OK- Passion-Compassion, as my beloved says.

While media is abuzz that Mani has touched a subject that is taboo in most of India, live-in, I disagree, as the movie is not about live-in's at all. At no point in the movie does anyone discuss the pro's and con's or is there any lengthy discussion about it, suggestive or otherwise.
What really happens is that 2 people of similar thought process meet, fall in love, live together, understand the bonding of marriage and in the end, get married. What transpires between them has been told in a fashion that is truly Mani in style.

Maniratnam, once again, proves that he is a master of his art. The eloquence with which the movie moves from one segment to another is simply brilliant. You almost miss the transition.

Simple love story. Boy meets girl. Both like each other. Live together. Experience separation. Get married. What makes it interesting are the other 2 characters in the movie. Prakash Raj as Ganapthy uncle and Leela Samson as Bhavani aunty.
In literal terms, the movie is "made" by them, rather than the 2 lead protagonists. The bonding they share and the effect it has on the leads is what the movie is all about. That they teach the young leads what marriage and compassion is, is an understatement. It is a message to the audience at large on the institution of marriage and what companionship really means.
While at one end, it is all about romance, physical relationship and wooing. The other end portrayed by the older couple epitomizes the care, companionship, patience and love that is enduring.

Again, not at all about live in's and more about love in it's truest sense.
 

I - Eye Candy (A Review of Shankar's I)

A movie with no message from Shankar that does not live up to a Robot (Enthriran) or Sivaji. A 3 hour entertainment from start to end. Phenomenal physical effort from Vikram. Awesome locations. Well choreographed songs and stunts. All this make the movie passable.

Single line story of vengeance. But for Shankar's treatment, the movie would have been a box office disaster. The first half of the movie resembles an ad film end to end. Shankar teaches how to make a "commercial" fare. Branding at it's best.

Vikram as the bodybuilder and as the model excels in his body language and his madras tamil is excellent and supplements his role to a large extent. Amy Jackson as Dia has done a good job. 
Ramkumar in his first outing does a neat job. Ojas Rajani as the transgender stylist makes an impression. Suresh Gopi as Dr. Vasudevan does a usual good job.


As for the story a rags to riches story for Lingesan the local gym owner who dreams of a Mr. India title and to that end wins Mr. TamilNadu and adores Dia the model. He makes 4 known enemies as he becomes a reluctant model alongside Dia and makes it big. John, Dia's x partner, Osma the transgender stylist, Ravi the body builder who loses to Lingesan in Mr. Tamilnadu and Indra Kumar, the industrialist. While all these are known, Vasudevan remains the unknown element, or Shankar thinks. The fact that Dr. Vasudevan pines for Dia is a no brainer from the first scene. That could have been avoided by Shankar. How all of them torture Lingesan because he has hurt each in one way or the other. And how Lingesan exacts his vengeance on all of them forms the crux of the story.

Screenplay is awesome. Somewhat lengthy stunt sequence, in the first instance, but otherwise good ones. Songs are well choreographed and picturised. Locations, as said earlier, needs a second mention. Virgin locations from China make for interesting viewing.

Overall, not a message drive Shankar movie like Anniyan, India, Gentleman. More on the lines of Kaadhalan, Sivaji etc. Not a science fiction like Robot. Nevertheless, makes for gripping viewing.

"Cinema" viewers might not accept that this is good movie. But entertainment value is great.