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