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)

Modhi Vilayadu

Medium : Tamil

Starring : Vinay, Kajal Agarwal, Kalabhavan Mani, Cochin Haneefa

Director : Saran

Music : Colonial Cousins, Steven Devassy

Director Saran who gave variety subjects like 'Amarkkalam', 'Parthen Rasithen', 'Gemini', 'Vasoolraja MBBS', 'Attahasam', 'JJ' etc has come up with his newproject 'Modhi Vilayadu'. He has got Vinay ('Unnale Unnale', 'Jayam Konden' fame) as the hero and the heroine is Kajal Agarwal ('Pazhani' fame). KalabhavanMani, who got a break in tamil through the same director's film, 'Gemini', has done a vital role. Music is handled by Collonial Cousins (Hariharan and Lesle Lewis) who were so far notable in the non filmi music field.

The opening scene of the film itself is rich, since it is the introduction of the hero's father character, who is an international multi millionaire. The proposed sequences gave me a shocking uneasiness, since the character done by Kalabhavan Mani is shown landing in his house (looks like an IT park) in a helicopter. This is the area where the image of the actor plays a negative role.

Hero (Vinay) looks after the wide business maintained by his father. He has got an assistant (Yuva), who always accompanies him by a bulk of body guards. He met the heroine on the way through a car mishap caused due to her carelessness. She is being asked by the hero to pay the price by doing his household jobs (such an agreement is a foolishness, but the director can use it as the reason for them to love each other).

The father had got some serious opponents in the business who tries to destroy them. A professional killer is being arranged. By mistake, he shoots the hero's companion.This incident change the life style of the hero. Now the suspense is revealed that the person who is dead, is the real son of the business tycoon. This caused a break up in the relation of the hero and the rich man. What all benefits that were provided to the hero were withdrawn and he is being targeted also. How he overcomes all these hurdles and takes revenge on the rich man is where ''Modhi Vilayadu' ends.

The film has got a good story line. But the execution failed in many areas. The way in which the heroine is shown working in the hero's house, looks amateur. The revenge episode is told too fastly and hence it is not convincing. The comedy scenes featuring Mayil Sami and Cochin Haneef are also not upto the mark. It is good to hear that the hero Vinay has dubbed in his own voice, but it lacks stability. Kalabhavan Mani in such a heavy character is a miscasting. The songs by the debutant music duo are very below average only. I don't know why music director Bharadwaj was opted out from Saran's favorite list this time. Anyway, debutant Steven Devassy ('Hariharan Pillai Happiyanu' fame), who gave a peppy background score had tried his best to maintain the tempo. Cinematography by Karun is good.

'Modhi Vilayadu' is such a project which should have been made in a better way since the base story line is good.

Rating : 5.5 / 10