Goa

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Jai, Premji Amaran, Vaibhav, Aravind, Sampath Raj, Sneha, Piya Bajpai
Director : Venkat Prabhu
Music : Yuvan Shankar Raja

After the grand success of films like 'Chennai 600028' and 'Saroja', director Venkat Prabhu, music director Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematographer Sakthi Sravanan, art director Vidhesh, costume designer Vasuki Bhaskar etc once again teamed up for their new project named 'Goa'. This time, their producer is also big and different, it is none other than Soundarya Rajnikanth, under the banner of Ocher Studios. The director had tried to repeat the majority of actors that worked with him in his previous films.

The film starts in Pannaipuram, a village near Madhurai where three friends Samikkannu (Premji Amaran), Vinayakam (Jai) and Ramarajan (Vaibhav), lived like 'good for nothing' peoples. Being caught for doing some fowl plays, the panchayat leader decided that those three should never meet again in the future for the welfare of the locals. Being annoyed at this, they decided to leave the place, reached Madhurai where they meet Vinayakam's friend, who is being married to a foreign lady. When heard about the love matters that happened in Goa, they decided to visit Goa and to settle their life after being married to any white ladies. When reached the destination, they met Jack (Aravind), who arranged a good food and shelter for them. Danny (Sampath Raj), a close companion of Jack is also helping them. Samikkannu came across Jessica, a foreign girl, whom he met in Madhurai. Vinayagam is being loved by Roshni (Piya Bajpai), while Ramarajan is mad of Suhasini (Sneha), a rich girl. In the middle, relationship between Danny and Samikkannu is being misunderstood by Jack, which is also treated in a comical way. What happens to the ambitions of these friends is shown in the climax of 'Goa'.

Starting the film with a folk song based on the birth place of Ilayaraja and Gangai Amamran, sung by their descendants Karthik, Yuvan, Venkat and Premji will not be a coincidence. Those visuals which covers the first few minutes of the film gives a village flavor. Later on, the film takes its pace when it reaches the colorful locations of Goa. Those who have seen the previous films by the director know his presentation style, 'Goa' is also not different. It is also told in a satirical way. The lights appearing on the face of Ramarajan when he sees a girl, the poor english language used by Vinayakam, 'kangal irandaal...' song given as background for Samikkannu when he stands with Vinayakam, usage of the dilaogues "enna kodumai sir..." and "evvalavo pannitto...", placement of Silambarasan in a guest role, flashback scenes of the village leader, the protrayal of homo sexual relationship scenes in a funny way which is never seen before in south indian films are all examples of the young writer-director's signature.

Premji Amaran, Jai and Vaibhav did well in the lead roles, especially Premji Amaran's comical body language creates more laughing. Sampath Raj, who has been doing negative roles these days, gave a different performance here. Including two village type songs and a theme mix, done by Yuvan Shankar Raja are good for the mood, especially the background score given with the help of Premji Amaran needs special mention. Sakthi Saravanan's camera work is colorful. The second half area including the climax needs more stability, it is also doubtful whether narrow minded people will appreciate gay relationship scenes, though it is told in a lighter way.

'Goa' is a musical entertainer with full of joy, fun and humor. If you have seen the previous two hits by the same director, then don't miss this one also.

Rating : 7.5 / 10

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa

Medium : Tamil

Starring : Silambarasan, Trisha, Ganesh, Babu Antony, Kitty, K.S.Ravikumar
Director : Gautham Menon
Music : A.R.Rahman

Gautham Menon is one of the distinguished technicians in Indian film industry. His first directorial venture was 'Minnale', but it was 'Kaakka Kaakka', that made him popular among the masses in the south. Though his last few films, like 'Pachakkili Muthuchiram' (Sarath Kumar), 'Vettayadu Vilayadu' (Kamalhassan) and 'Vaaranam Aayiram'(Soorya) were also notable ones, none of them stands on top when we consider the commercial and business sides only. Now his new film is special, as he joined hands with A.R.Rahman, leaving his favorite music director Harris Jayaraj, who gave a good company for all his films so far. Silambarasan and Trisha plays the lead roles after the film 'Alai', which happened almost seven years ago. Udayanidhi Stalin, under the banner Red Giant movies, is the distributor of the film. Anthony is the editor and Manoj Paramahmasa, who gave an excellent output in 'Eeram' is the cinematographer here.

'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' is a love story of a hindu boy Karthik (Silambarasan), an ambitious assistant director in films and a malayalee christian girl Jessie (Trisha). They lives in the city as neighbors in the same compound. Her native is in Alleppey. It was Karthik that proposed her and though Jessie opposed it in the beginning and gradually it turned into a real affair. Being born in an orthodox family, her father (Babu Antony) doesn't like Karthik, who is still struggling for a good opening in the film field. By this time, her marriage is fixed. In the bride's costumes, she objected when the priest asks for her permission in the church. Later the lovers decided that they will get united only after getting green signal from her parents. In between their relationship gets tensed when they gave more importance to the family and career matters and they departs each other. When got a chance to direct a film, he took his own life story as the theme. What happens to his debut film and the future of their love episodes are shown later.

This lengthy romantic subject is presented in director's style. The ups and downs in the relationship of the lovers is shown in a natural way. Sometimes there is silence, on some other occasions there are tensions followed by regrets. The first half is lovable and it is moving smoothly, in the post interval period there is dragging here and there. The climax needs more clarity and it also causes a confusion among the audience.

Silambarasan and Trisha gave an excellent performance in the lead roles. Unlike from the action image, he has given a new body language in such a character. Trisha is charming and she has handled the matured role well. Ganesh, one of the producers, who comes as hero's companion is also good. Among the seven numbers by A.R.Rahman, 'Anbil Avan...' and 'Kannukkul Kannai...' stands on top, 'Aaromale...' can caught attention due to its negative singing style. His bg score matches the mood well, but the songs are not extremely good enough to dominate the hits that came from Gautham-Harris combination before. The visuals of the songs, majority done in the foreign locations accompanied by english dance groups, should have been done better. Camera man Manoj Paramhamasa had given rich and colorful visuals here. Director's usual editor Anthony gave some neat cuts.


Don't watch 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' expecting it to be a fast entertainer, rather it is a realistic love subject told in Gautham Menon's style. Those people bearing good romantic feelings in their mind, will love it (how ever, avoiding the lagging in the second half followed by a neat and straight climax should have given a better result for the movie)...

Rating : 6.5 / 10

Thamizhppadam

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Shiva, Disha Pandey, M.S.Bhaskar, Vennira Aadai Moorthi, Manobala
Director : C.S.Amudhan
Music : Kannan

Films like 'Hot Shots', 'Naked Gun', 'Scary Movie' series etc in Hollywood which are called as spoofs (satirical imitation, a light parady). Those type of films will be made in the film format only and the presentation will also be realistic, but the idea is to make fun by imitating the realistic scenes from many hit films in the past like 'Rambo', 'Terminator', 'James Bond' series etc. Here also we have witnessed situations like this through the comedy serials, stage shows etc and in few films through the dialogues rendered by comedy artists in it.

This time in tamil, new writer-director C.S.Amudhan had come up with a complete spoof movie named 'Thamizhppadam', where there is imitation scenes of a wide number of hit films. After Udayanidhi Stalin (producer of 'Aadhavan'), another grand son of Kalainjar Karunanidhi, Dayanidhi Azhagiri enters the industry by producing this movie. Shiva, who acted in films like 'Chennai 600028' and 'Saroja' is coming in the lead role here. Disha Pandey, who acted in a hindi film before had made her debut in tamil through this film. Nirav Shah, cinematographer of big films like 'Sandaikkozhi', 'Pokkiri', 'Kireedom', 'Dhoom' series, 'Wanted' etc is there to support the new director.

The hero (Shiva) is born in a village where the male children were killed on their birth date itself, as per order from Nattaamai, the leader. When the same procedure was about to happen in the case of Shiva, the small baby asks his grand mother to let him go in a goods train to Chennai, so that he can become a hero later. (There starts the director's different making style and we will get an idea about the mood of the movie). When grown up, Shiva also gets a good introduction through a song, followed by a fight. He had got three friends (M.S.Bhaskar, Vennira Aadai Moorthi and Manobala), who think that they belong to the youth generation. Shiva meets the heroine and to win her love he studies Bharathanatyam within a day and that too by referring a book. The rich girl's father doesn't agree their love matters as the hero is a poor guy. Shiva leaves the place with the intention of becoming a rich man and he achieves it through a song, by doing different jobs. Thus father agrees, when the girl's relatives asked the hero about his father, he kept silent and the later areas showed the hero reaching his native village in search of his family. In between, the hero also kills some villains who causes harm to the society.

The new director C.S.Amudhan should be appreciated for such a different attempt. The film has got situations imitated from a bulk number of films like 'Dalapathi', 'Chandramukhi', 'Run', 'Mouna Raagam', 'Winner', 'Mozhi', 'Annamalai', 'Kathalukku Mariyadhai', 'Anniyan', 'Shivaji', 'Naayagan', 'Kaakka Kaakka', 'Vaidehi Kaathirundhaal', 'Apoorva Sahotharangal', 'Pokkiri', 'Kizhakke Pokum Rail', 'Ramana', 'Padaiyappa', 'Ghajini', 'Virumaandi' etc etc. The placement of senior actors as hero's friends, the speech of the new born baby, the way in which the hero grown up soon to beat the rowdies, the bharathanatyam dance performance of the hero, the sudden song in which the hero becoming rich, 'O Maha Zeeya...' song, the inclusion of english song for the family, the use of different village names and its relevance are some of the notable areas to indicate the creator's brilliance.

Shiva has done an excellent performance in the hero's role. Paravai Muniamma is good in the grand mother's character. M.S.Bhaskar, Vennira Aadai Moorthi and Manobala also gave a good company for the hero. Nirav Shah's camera work is good. Another notable technician is Kannan, who gave a good background score for the film.


'Thamizhppadam' is a hilarious comedy film that creates laughing in each and every scenes. If you got a good sense of humor and also you are aware of the tamil film culture in the last 25years, then you will like this different entertainer.


Rating : 8 / 10

Sufi Paranja Katha

Medium : Malayalam

Starring : Sharbani Mukherji, Prakash Baare, Thampi Antony, Jagathi, Indrans
Director : Priyanandanan
Music : Mohan Sitara

After receiving a good name through films like 'Neythukaaran' (best actor national award for Murali) and 'Pulijanmam' (national award for best malayalam film), director Priyanandanan has given his new film 'Sufi Paranja Katha'. The film is based on a novel written by K.P.Ramanunni with the same name. The literary work has got many awards and was also translated into many other languages. The film script is written by the author himself. Sharbani Mukherji has done the lead role here. She got her debut through the hindi film 'Border', 13years before, has done the film 'Raakkilippattu' (directed by Priyadarshan) also. Her cousins Kajol and Rani Mukherjee are also notable artists in bollywood. Prakash Baare, who is also the producer of the film, is the hero here. Thampi Antony also did an important character here.

The film started by showing the muslim saint, Sufi (Babu Antony) telling the story to a young journalist (Vineeth Kumar) regarding 'biwi', a muslim lady that lived in the ancient period . The story happens in the early 19th century in a traditional hindu family where Karthyani (Sharbani Mukherji) was born. Her uncle (Thampi Antony) predicted some dangers and sensed un usual things to happen in the family as as result of her birth. The girl was special in her character. She experienced loneliness in the family and was deeply attached to her uncle. She got in touch with a muslim trader, Maammutty (Prakash Baare) who came to the village to do business. Both of them loved each other and ran away to his native at Ponnanni. When reached there, she is being converted to Islam. With her knowledge in natural medicines, she treated the local people suffering from small diseases. She wished to follow and practice the culture and traditions of her original religion. Her husband allowed it and she started doing rituals in a small temple built in their premises. The muslim lady worshiping the hindu god, had created chaos in the community. Though Maammutty gave maximum support to her, at one stage he also acted against it. The issues happening in the society is shown in the later areas of 'Sufi Paranja Katha'.

Sharbani Mukherji, the girl with the light brown eyes, suits the character very well and had delivered her best. Prakash Baare, who happened to be the producer of the film also, had given an excellent performance. Thampi Antony, in the uncle's role had also given an unbelievable performance (Shoby Thilakan dubbed for him). Jagathi and Indrans also gave did well in their serious roles. Cinematographer KG Jayan did a good job without much gimmicks. Mohan Sitara's background score is slightly heavy, but it goes with the mood. Gokuldas (art) and Kumar Edappal (costumes) are those people who have got some serious works to do while working on periodical films.

A couple of years ago, I had seen Priyanandanan crying before the invitees in a function, seeking to give a theater for the release of his film 'Pulijanmam'. But this time the scenario is different., he had succeeded in attracting crowds and big banner Central Pictures came forward to distribute the film, which is also a good sign. The film is presented in the best way it can. The intimacy in relationship between the heroine and her uncle, the changes happening in Jagathi's character etc are some of the areas to be noted. How ever we can't agree the hero supporting the homo sexual relationship in the later portion of the film.


'Sufi Paranja Katha' is a film which is very relevant in the current period. The film gives a message also which is said through Jagathi's character "if we want to keep our faith, we have to sacrifice life and if we want to live, then we have to sacrifice faith..."


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Rann

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amitabh Bachan, Sudeep, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Ravel, Suchithra Krishnamoorthy, Neetu Chandra
Director : Ramgopal Varma
Music : Debashish Mehra

Director Ramgopal Varma's film career started with the telugu superhit of later 80's, 'Shiva' starring Nagarjuna. His career is a mix of many ups and downs. He is the director / producer of many action / horror based thrillers like 'Road', 'Kaun', 'Rangeela', 'Bhoot', 'Darna Mana Hai', 'Vasthu Shastra', 'Phoonk' etc. Unlike from other directors, he has always been practicing the custom of using contreversial subjects for his films. 'Satya', 'Company' etc were made on the underworld gangs, The hero in the film 'Sarkar' has got the shades of a notable political leader in Mumbai and 'Jungle' was filmed on sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's story. Anyway, even after giving so many flops, he is still an excellent director due to his unique style in the movie making. After 'Sarkar' series, 'Nisabdh' and 'RGV Ki Aag' (remake of 'Sholay'), Amitabh Bachan once again join hands with his favorite director Varma for his latest film 'Rann', which is based on the media world.


The protagonist Vijay Malik (Amitabh Bachan) is the owner of a news channel, India 24/7. Even after affected by a low tam rating, he believes in the true way of delivering news and always followed an ethics in presenting it before the public. His competitor channel (owned by Mohnish Behl) is in the top postion, as they have given importance for new business strategies apart from sticking on to realities and ethics. Vijay's son Jay (kannada actor Sudeep, 'Phoonk' fame) is disturbed and worried at this. Vijay's son-in-law (Rajat Kapoor) with the help of a corrupted politician (Paresh Rawal) had agreed to help Jay. As a part of character assassination, they had made some forged videos against a clear politician and made him the main suspect behind the bomb blast that happened recently. Without knowing the real fact, Vijay Malik telecasted the news. Their channel's tam rating is in a higher position now and Jay got a bulk amount of money from the people who are benefited due to this. An ambitious young journalist (Ritesh Deshmukh), who is working in India 24/7, has smelled the fowl play and he decided to conduct an investigation on these things and its after effects are in the remaining portions of 'Rann'.


The main attraction here is the presentation of the film. Some of the under ground games that is happening in the media world these days are shown openly. The film is rich in its technical aspects also, cinematographer Amit Roy should be given the maximum credits. Amitabh Bachan, in the lead role has given an excellent performance. Kannada star Sudeep, who has done his son's role has also done a good job. Rithesh Deshmukh did the character in a matured way.


Though the speech in the end by the hero is sensible, it felt too lengthy in such a situation. There should have been justifications given for the inclusion of Rithesh's character in the higher level team meeting of the news channel and the reward for the double agent role done by the high official in the channel is given in an open place, which is also unacceptable.


'Rann' is a film that shows the darker side of the media world. How can a back door entry for the news in such a medium affects the system is shown in Ramgopal Varma's style...


Rating : 7 / 10

Theeraatha Vilayaattu Pillai

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Vishal, Prakash Raj, Mouli, Tanusree Dutta, Neetu Chandra, Sarah Jane
Director : Tiru
Music : Yuvan Shankar Raja

Actor Vishal has got 2 big flops in the form of 'Thoranai' and 'Satyam' in the recent past. He desperately needed a hit now. Thus the new writer-director Tiru had made a romantic comedy subject, 'Theeraatha Vilayaattu Pillai' for the actor. Vishal, playing a play boy role, has got Tanusree Dutta ('Aashiq Banaya Aapne' fame), Neetu Chandra ('Traffic Signal', 'Yaavarum Nalam' fame) and debutant Sarah Jane as the heroines. The film is produced by hero's brother Vikram Krishna, who has given films like 'Sandaikkozhi, 'Thimiru' etc. More important is that, there is every chance for this film to get a minimum guarantee among the audiences as it is distributed by the great banner, Sun Pictures.

Karthik (Vishal) is a MBA holder. He always loved to roam here and there with his friends. His mother is scolding him always as he has not received a good job so far. He believes in a peculiar theory in choosing his life partner. While buying clothes or shoes, we will go for many options and choose the best one, he says that the same thing should be applied in the case of marriage also. With such an intention, he came across Pooja (Tanusree Dutta), who doesn't like men and their behaviors. Then he meets Priya (Sarah Jane), who has got a strong belief in family values and she always liked to love and marry a single person in her whole life. In another incident, he saves a rich girl Tejaswini (Neetu Chandra), from an accident. Karthik thus started loving these three girls without revealing his identity and finally succeeded in winning theirs hearts. At a moment, one of the girls came to know about the hero's attitude and she tried to teach him a lesson. How the clever hero tackles such a situation and who will be the lucky girl that came to his life in the end is what 'Theeraatha Vilayaattu Pillai' tells about.

Vishal has done his role, which has got a pinch of humor and action flavors, to a good extend. The new director had portrayed his character in a lovable manner. Mouli, who comes in the father's role has done an excellent job. Though Prakashraj is here in a guest role only, the big claps received for the actor indicates his extreme popularity. Santhanam, Ilavarasan and Mayilsami who came in the friend's role have got some comedy scenes to handle. Apart from the other two, body language of the new heroine Sarah Jane, needs improvement especially in the songs.

Music director Yuvan Shankar Raja gave some peppy numbers. A couple of songs came in un wanted situations, though they are all visualized well. The bg score is good. Cinematographer Arvind Krishna, who worked for films like 'Kathal Kondein', '7G Rainbow Colony', 'Kuselan' etc had created a colorful mood here. New stunt master Dilip Subbarayan (s/o action director Super Subbarayan) had given some fast action scenes. In such an area, the first punch on the villain group member by the hero communicated with the help of bg sounds alone is a new style.


'Theeraatha Vilayaattu Pillai' is an entertainer. A regular viewer of tamil films can watch it for a time pass.

Rating : 7.5 / 10

My Name is Khan

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Sharukh Khan, Kajol, Sareena Wahab, Jimmy Shergil
Director : Karan Johar
Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Karan Johar is a notable director in the modern era of bollywood. Though he has given only three films in the last one and half decades, they are all popular enough to place his name on the top of the list of directors. 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Kushie Kabhie Gum' and 'Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna' were those projects and he has also produced films like 'Kaal', 'Dostana', 'Kurbaan', 'Wake Up Sid' etc. Now, he has given his favorite on-screen pair, Sharukh Khan and Kajol, another chance in his new project 'My Name is Khan'. It is jointly produced by the hero and the director themselves. After Amir Khan's 'Gajini', wellknown cinematographer Ravi K Chandran's next big project will be 'My Name is Khan'.

The film tells the life of an innocent guy Rizwan Khan (Sharukh Khan), who is suffering from Autism disease. Through his narration, we are shown how he spent his childhood days with his mother (Sareena Wahab). At one stage, she passed away. Khan's elder brother is married and settled in US. As his mother's wish, Khan reaches US. Due to his illness, he is afraid of the crowd gathering, yellow colors, huge sounds etc. As per his brother's wish, he does the job of a sales man. He met Mandira (Kajol), who is working in a beauty parlor. They usually got in touch and gradually they loved each other. She, being a hindu girl is a divorcee and had got a son also. Now Khan also comes to their family and they lived happily. By this time, 9/11 episode happens and it has changed the stable environment in the country and human inequality on the religious basis thus began among certain sections of the people. Mandira's son has also become a victim of such an incident and he is killed. This causes a split between the couple. She is too angry for her husband and asks him to tell the people and the President of United States that he is not a terrorist. With such an intention, Khan left the place and whether he is succeeded in it, is shown in the later portions.

'My Name is Khan' is presented in a big canvas, more than 96% of the film is shot in various parts of US. Thus the director with the help of the experienced cinematographer had tried to give a hollywood feel in the frames. Sharukh Khan, who comes in the lead role, with a man suffering from Autism, gave an excellent performance., which is the career best one for the actor. The director had portrayed his role in a slightly humorous way also. Kajol has also done well and she is charming in her appearance. The boy who did the role of heroine's son is also good.


The first half area concentrates on hero's childhood days and his survival in the abroad region later followed by the romance and family scenes. The second half area is tensed due to the hero's esteemed wish to see the President. Though such an area has got a cinematic touch, since the intention is true and positive, it can be accepted. The scenes inside the mosque, Khan's intimacy with the black lady Mamma, marketing strategies by Khan and the way in which the media taking over the contreversial case are some of the notable scenes. The climax felt a little lengthy also. Director Karan Johar should be appreciated for taking such a realistic theme which has got a world wide market value also. Songs by Shankar Ehsaan Loy goes with the mood, their bg score is also good.


'My Name is Khan' is different from the director's previous films with the same hero. The film has got an international theme with a message, supported by an excellent performance from the lead actor.


Rating : 8 / 10

Aagathan

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Dileep, Satyaraj, Biju Menon, Charmi, Sareena Wahab
Director : Kamal
Music : Ouseppachan


Before establishing in the field as an actor, Dileep was an assistant director to Kamal in some of his films. The same director has made films like 'Ee Puzhayum Kadannu', 'Kaikkudanna Nilaavu' etc with casting Dileep in lead roles. Their previous venture 'Pachakkuthira' was a big flop. After 'Swapnakkoodu' (2003), the director didn't get a big hit through out these years. Ajayan Vincent, who gave an excellent camera work in 'Bhramaram', is the cinematographer here. Kamal joined his hands with music director Ouseppachan after a gap of 18years for the film 'Aagathan', they had worked together for films like 'Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayaam', 'Kaakkothikkavile...', 'Thoovalsparsam', 'Pookkaalam Varavaayi', 'Ulladakkam', 'Aayushkkaalam' etc. Tamil actor Satyaraj makes his debut in the malayalam film field through this film. Actress Kalyani ('Kaattuchembakam' fame) is back to malayalam after his busy schedules in telugu and tamil, with a different name Charmi.


The film opens in Kashmir, where hero Gautham Menon's (Dileep) family is attacked in his childhood days by the terrorists. His parents are killed and though his sister is survived, later she is also dead after spending some years in the hospital. In the current period, Gautham is transferred to Bangalore as the chief of a private firm. He reaches Kerala to meet his well wishers. He meets a retired soldier (Lal), who knows about the terrorist attack that changed his life. While traveling, Gautham meets Shreya (Charmi). One the way, the hero gets a chance to save the old lady from an accident. His helping mentality is being liked by the heroine (as expected). Shreya stays with his cousin's family in the city. She searches for Gautham here and there. Anyway they met later and loved each other. Their marriage is fixed and they all went to Shreya's house to get blessings from her parents (Sathyaraj and Sareena Wahab). Her father is a retired army officer, who got many awards and medals for serving the country. Gautham was searching for the same officer that lead the army group who acted against the the terrorists on the particular day when his family were destroyed. The post interval area of the film discusses the grudge between the hero and the heroine's father, the latter playing secret fowl games to ruin the former and the other members of the family doesn't knows anything about this.


The theme of 'Aagathan' has got some similarity with the Padmarajan-IV Sasi film 'Itha Ivide Vare' which happened in the later 70's. There, the revenge episode was too strong, but here the hero wants to take revenge without losing his lover and he also wants to maintain his good image infront of others (and viewers also). That will be reason for giving such a cliche climax where the hero and the heroine join hands. The director who had written the story and shares the screenplay credit with Kalavoor Ravikumar, should have tried to maintain the suspense till the end. Here the motive of the hero is told in the beginning itself and it is straight also. Also the revenge area is not strong. The second half area should have been done in a more interesting way. It is a cinematic coincidence that the hero also stays in the rented house in the big city which is owned by heroine's cousin.


A couple of songs are being repeated twice, the visuals in the first song regarding the hero's childhood, gives a restless feel. Ouseppachan's songs are more suitable for the new era style, it won't have an ever lasting life. His bg score is good. Ajayan Vincent's camera work is colorful and V.Saajan, who is the editor for the first time in Kamal films, did his job well. Dileep and Charmi did their roles well. With Saikumar's voice, Satyaraj also made his presence notable. The film covers a wide number of locations like Kulu, Nainithaal, Ootty, Bangalore, Kambam etc.

'Aagathan' doesn't have big negatives to project. With such a theme, a better presentation is needed for the film. You can watch it, if there are no other choices left to you.

Rating : 6.5 / 10

Yugapurushan

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : 'Thalaivaasal' Vijay, Mammootty, Kalabhavan Mani, Saikumar, Navya Nair
Director : R.Sukumaran
Music : Mohan Sitara

Director R.Sukumaran had given only two films ('Paadamudra' & 'Raajasilpi') in the last 23-24years. But we can't forget his first film with Mohanlal, 'Paadamudra'. It was notable for its unusual theme and presentation accompanied by an excellent performance by the lead actor, who comes in dual roles. Now his latest film 'Yugaprurshan' is based on the life history of the notable social reformer and saint, Sree Narayana Guru. It is produced A.V.Anoop (Medimix), who gave films like 'Paleri Manikyam', 'Novel', Pranayakalam' etc. One of the senior most technician in the field, Ramachandra Babu handles the camera.

First, it was heard that Mammootty will be coming in the title role in the movie, later it was changed and after a vast search for the apt faces by the director, the tamil actor, 'Thalaivasal' Vijay gets the golden opportunity to do the main role. Mammootty did the small role of a person who is supporting the principles of Guru. Mohanlal, who has agreed to do the role of Swami Vivekananda is also not seen as the character itself is coming through dialogues only in the movie.

'Yugapurushan' starts by telling the poverty existed among the fisher men families, where Guru urges them to choose the right job with which they can meet their livelihood. Then, he acted against the system of un-touchability existed in the society those days. It is shown through a story in which the upper caste girl (Navya Nair) marrying a lower caste boy (Kalabhavan Mani). The temple entry proclamation was another achievement where Vaikom Satyagraha is an example. He also advices the people not to take and sell liquor, which is shown through a sub-story where Jagathi and Kalpana did the main characters. The different temples started by the Guru in various parts of the state, the establishment of various educational institutions and the formation of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripana Yogam etc also comes in between. In the end, though Guru leaves to Ceylon, as per request from his disciples he came back and when people began quarreling in the name of God, he asks them to worship the mirror where they can see their own reflection and tells them that God exists in each one's mind.

The main attraction of 'Yugapurushan' is 'Thalaivaasal' Vijay, who did the title role. He has not acted, rather he lives in the role of Guru here. His make up has got an exact resemblance with the historical character. Also the characterization of different eminent personalities that were associated with the life of Sree Narayan Guru needs special mention. The role of poet Kumaranaasan by Saji Vakkanad, Ayyankail by Babu Antony, Sahodaran Ayyappan by Jishnu, Dr. Palpu by Siddiq and various other artists who comes in the role of Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Chattambi Swwamikal, Mannath Padmanabhan has been presented in the best way it can. Make-up man Pattanam Rashid needs good applause for his work in the film. Art director Krishnankutty and costumer S.B.Satheesan have also done their best. Ramachandra Babu did a calm job behind the lenses. Mohan Sitara's bg score is also good. Mafia Sasi had given many natural fighting scenes.

The film gives a documentary feel in some areas; as the theme of the film demands such a thing we can't complaint. It is a fact that 'One Religion, One Caste, One God for Mankind' was the only principle of Guru that is known to most of us. After watching the film, we will get a clear idea of many of his ideologies and social reformation happened in the society where the great saint played a major role in the first half of the last century. Though the presentation of the film is ordinary only, the writer - director R.Sukumaran had tried to portray the main character in the best way it can.


'Yugapurushan' is a film which is very relevant in the current period. Don't watch it as an entertainer, if you are really interested in knowing what all things happened in the history those days, you should watch it.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Asal

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Ajith Kumar, Prabhu, Sampath, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana
Director : Saran
Music : Bharadwaj


Tamil actor Vijay came twice to our state capital in the last 3-4years as a part of promotional campaign and to celebrate the victory of his movies. The big initial collection for the actor in these days, showed his popularity among the malayalee audiences. As Vijay's film 'Vettaikkaran' is running here successfully, his competitor Ajith Kumar had come up with his latest film, 'Asal'. The large number of publicity stills and posters near the releasing centers proved that he is also having many fans here. Though his last film, 'Aegan' was a big flop, his stylish appearance in 'Billa' had given him an extra mileage. It is a fact that both the actors mentioned above, who had started their career in the early 90's, is only one film behind in achieving their 50th film record.

Director Saran, who gave some notable films with Ajith Kumar like 'Kaathal Mannan', 'Amarkkalam' and 'Attagasam', had directed the film. Sameera Reddy, who got tamil debut through 'Vaaranam Aayiram' and malayalee girl Bhavana are the heroines. Prasanth D Mishale, who was as assistant to Nirav Shah, is becoming an independent cinematographer through this film. The director's favorite music director, who had worked for majority of his films, Bharadwaj handles the music department. 'Asal', yet another double role film for the hero, is mainly shot in the foreign locations of France, is produced by Prabhu for Sivaji Productions. Along with Saran, actor Yugi Sethu and Ajith Kumar himself shares the credits for the scripting side.

The story is about the rich father (Ajith), who is an international negotiator and arms dealer based in Paris. He always wanted to see his son Siva (Ajith) and his step brothers Sam (Sampath) and Vikky (Rajiv Krishna, 'Aaha', 'Devaragam' fame) living unitedly. Siva has always been father's favorite, unlike his brothers he is straight forward and has got a gutsy nature too. Even after opposed by their father, Sam and Vikky decided to do the business of supplying arms to terrorist and drug dealings with the help of their uncle (Pradep Rawat, 'Gajini' fame) and a police officer (Suresh, 'Panneer Pushpangal' fame). In between, the father is dead and Siva is cornered by his step brothers in his family. Vicky is being kidnapped by a Mumbai based don, Shetty (Keli Dorji, 'Billa', 'Don', 'Tango Charlie' fame). Siva reaches Mumbai with a lady (Sameera Reddy), working in the Embassy and when he reaches Mumbai he has got the support of his father's friend (Prabhu) and a girl (Bhavana) working with him. By his own master plan, Siva saves his brothers from Shetty; but the cruel and cunning attitude of Sam and Vicky has never been changed, they tried to destroy Siva.

The story of the film is not new, it reminds us of some of the old films by MGR and Rajnikant. But it is covered up with the colorful presentation in the foreign locations by the director Saran, accompanied by some fast action sequences. Stunt masters William Ong, Patrick Bruneton, Kanal Kannan and Dalapathi Dinesh should be mentioned. Baradwaj had given a heavy bg score. 'Totta Doing...' song inspired from 'Tantanaa...' in 'Kaminey' is a rememberable one, choreography by Raju Sundaram is also good. The credit for giving richness in each frames should go to new cinematographer Prasanth D Mishale. The most wanted editor in south india, Anthony has also given a good support. Ajith Kumar, in a fashionable appearance had done his role well.

The make-up given for the father character should have been different; here the director had made the job easier by giving an identical appearance for the father and the son characters. The first few scenes of Bhavana's character who behaves childishly can make you restless. Though Yugi Sethu has done well, placement of a popular comedian in that role should have created more laughing sequences. 'Thala', the nick name given to the actor is used along with the dialogues in too many areas.


'Asal' is a stylish film which won't keep you boring. The theme of the film may not be different, but it can be watched for its technical brilliance...


Rating : 6.5 / 10 (revised)

Ishqiya

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Nazrudeen Shah, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan
Director : Abhishek Chaubhey
Music : Vishal Bharadwaj

Vishal Bharadwaj (music director turned director) had given distinguished films like 'Maqbool', 'Omkara', 'Kaminey' etc in the past. In the new film 'Ishqiya', he is not in the role of a director, he is the producer, music director and the co-writer here. The film is directed by debutant Abhishek Chaubhey (former assistant to Vishal) and it has got an unusual star cast like Nazrudeen Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan. This is yet another different role for Nazrudeen Shah after the remarkable film 'A Wednesday', Arshad Warsi has got a big role after 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' and Vidya Balan is here after the success of 'Paa'.

'Ishqiya' is the story of two thieves (Nazrudeen Shah and Arshad Warsi), who reach the border village of UP. They reached there after escaping from their boss, whom they have to pay the debts. They were planning to meet their old friend in the village. When reached there, they came to know that he is dead and his wife (Vidya Balan) gave them a shelter in her house. When came to know about their problems, she told an idea to make money for their needs. Thus they had planned to kidnap a rich business man from the city. In between, we are shown, these two friends getting an affair with the widow. The senior one is mentally attached and the other guy interested in sexual relationship. This affected the bondage of friendship between the two heroes in the later areas. Anyway after a vigilant observation for days, they had worked out their plan. The controversy regarding the death of heroine's husband and the associated facts are revealed in the climax.

The choosing of location like Gorakhpur and the rural areas of UP gave a different mood here. The village scenes reminded of the films like 'Gangajal', 'Sarfarosh', 'Anthapuram' (telugu) etc. No need to give special comments on the performance of the versatile actor Nazrudeen Shah, he is as usual excellent. Arshad Warsi handled his role well. The chemistry between two actors were good. Vidya Balan had also done justice to her role. The argument scene regarding the music director of old hit 'kuch dil ne kaha...' from the film 'Anupama' between the senior hero and heroine felt different. The usage of old hindi songs in the bg is a good thing. The second half is more interesting compared to the first.

Cinematographer Mohana Krishnan had given excellent frames. Hitesh Sonik has given a good background score which gave the required feel, action sequences by Jai Singh are notable. Co-writer and director Abhishek Chaubhey had made the film as an entertainer that can attract all section of audiences.

'Ishqiya' shown in the unusual environment of north east India, is a watchable movie. It seriously discusses friendship, love and revenge matters in the humor background...


Rating : 7.5 / 10