Teen Patti

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amitabh Bachan, Ben Kingsly, Madhavan, Raima Sen
Director : Leena Yadav
Music : Salim Sulaiman

Recently we have seen, hollywood actor Sylvestor Stalline doing a guest role in hindi film 'Kambakth Ishq', by Akshay Kumar. Now it is time for another foreign actor Ben Kingsly, the man who did the title role in the film 'Gandhi', to do a suporting character with Amitabh Bachan in the new bollywood film 'Teen Patti' (pronounced as 'Theen Patthi'). The film is directed by new comer lady, Leena Yadav.

The film tells the story of Venkat (Amitabh Bachan), a mathematical genius, who is visiting abroad to meet an international mathematician (Ben Kingsly). The former tells his story in which he is shown working as tutor in an institution. He is doing research work in his subject and when he submits the thesis work it is being rejected every time. He is not fed up and still work hard and developed a new theory based on probability and statistics. He tells this fact to his junior (Madhavan). He is selecting four students from the college, as per instruction from Venkat. The theory on the game of cards has been tested and the result was found positive. They decided to try this in a gambling event. Without revealing the identity, they all played and when found succeeded, they move on to bigger places where betting are are done on big amount of money. In the middle, they had to face some hard challenges also. Venkat was not interested in continuing the game, he also reminds his companions that these games are done as a part of research works only. But he agreed to continue the gambling as others requested him. In the middle, an unknown guy who is aware of this, tried to blackmail Venkat for money. At one stage, a split between the friends for the sake of money, also happens. The college authorities became vigilant and the future of Venkat, as an aftereffects of this is shown in the climax of 'Teen Patti'.

The foreign mathematician Ben Kingsly speaking hindi should have been avoided. Even though each and every member in the group, excluding the professor, tells that they are in badly need of money, the director had no included any scenes to justify their wish. We can't justify the professor supporting the gambling for money, as he is not The gambling environment is changing, but those areas are not neatly executed. Some of the songs are placed in unwanted situations. The way in which the young guys reacting in the group in the later portions felt a cliche.

Cinematography by Aseem Bajaj is good. Amitabh Bachan has done well in the lead role. His sharing of screen presence with Ben Kingsly is also notable. The man who did Mahatma's role didn't have much to perform here. After the hit film 'Three Idiots', once again Madhavan comes in his usual style here. The direction side is ok, but a good professionalism on the scripting area might have given an extra ordinary result for the movie.


'Teen Patti' has got an unusual theme, the problems in the execution side is the main negative happened here.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Jagadeesh, Mukesh, Suraaj Venjarammood, Vidya
Director : Haridas Kesavan
Music : Thej Merwin

Only thing which provoked me in watching 'Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum' is the fact that the film entered the 2nd week in my home city(?). Though there are senior actors like Jagathi, Mukesh and Jagadeesh in it, the promotion posters of the film mainly contains the current sensation in the industry, Suraaj Venjarammood. Haridas Kesavan (formerly Haridas) has directed the movie. His previous films like 'Kadha Samvidhanam Kunjakko' and 'Magic Lamp' were big flops. Also it is a fact that his first film, which happened almost 20years ago, 'Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty', acted by Jayaram for Renjith's script, was a good one. But after that, his journey continued through projects like 'Indraprastham', 'Kinnarippuzhayoram', 'Kannur', 'Panjaloham' etc. 'Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum' is scripted by K.P.Sunil, the director of non hit film 'Good Boys'.

The films starts by showing the hero Kumaaran (Jagadeesh) writing a suicide note to his wife (Vidya) from a far away place. The letter reaches the house and the villagers assembles there, waiting to see the dead body. At this time, a stranger (Mukesh) also reached there. After a long waiting for days, the local SI (Suraaj Venjarammood) came with the dead body. Once the rites and rituals are done, after few days, a tamilian (Charlie) came with his relatives, claiming for the dead body of their uncle which was wrongly buried there recently. Later, Kumaaran, himself reaches there. He tells his wife about the story of his friend who cheated him by taking money. Finally the villain gang is caught in the fight, police came, all happy (except the 'poor' audience like me who still won't study even after getting big blows like this!!!).

I don't know the relevance of such a title for this film. Don't think that this is the only negative you will be witnessing here! The two children crying and running through the village, passing the news, is a wasted shot. The people waiting the dead body for days, started enjoying games, resembled the hopeless situation in the flop film 'Immini Nalloraal'. How can a senior comedian like Jagathi acted in such a horrible scene of the film history where he inaugurates the arrival of dead body by cutting the ribbon. Indrans, as the drunken man is over acting all the time. Kochu Preman, in the blind's role also tried to say some comic dialogues. The relatives of the heroine and its associated episodes is good for a film in the 60's. The wig make-up of Mukesh is an unprofessional sign. The songs like 'kumaaraa...' and their sudden appearances, the arrival of the tamil peoples, the relatives going out of the house, the incidents at the tea shop etc are some of the irresistible situations. The heroine Vidya coming as the pair of Jagadeesh, looked like a amateurish high school student only. The reason told by hero to drop the suicide attempt is not shown clearly. An unemployed guy spending 10 lakhs for getting a job is an unbelievable thing. Suraaj is casted as the 'bafoon' SI to create laughing, but it has not worked out as it is a repetitive thing only.

Like this, there are many and many....why should I ???


Films like 'Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum' are good enough to spoil the name of the whole industry...


Rating : 2 / 10

Naanayam

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Prasanna, Sibiraj, S.P.Balasubramanyam, Ramya, Yasmin Khan
Direction : Sakthi S.Rajan
Music : James Vasanth, Thaman (bg score)

In the last 10years, we saw the rise of many new writer-directors in the tamil field. Most of them are successful due to their uniqueness in the story and scripting sides, along with that they may give more importance in presenting such subjects also. Now Sakthi S.Rajan, former assistant director to Myshkin and Venkat Prabhuha, had got his debut ventrue 'Naanayam'. The film is based on a bag robbery. The director might have got inspiration from hollywood films like 'The Bank Job', 'The Great Bank Robbery' etc and also from the bollywood hit 'Aankhen'. Prasanna and Sibiraj, struggling young stars have done the lead roles. It is also good to see that Sibiraj (s/o Sathyaraj), had shown the bravery to do the negative character like his father done in old days. The film is produced by S.P.B. Charan (s/o S.P.B), who gave films like like 'Chennai 600028', 'Mazhai' etc.

Ravi (Prasanna) is working with Trust Bank, where Viswanath (S.P.B) is the CEO. The former had developed an advanced technology for maintaining the safety measures of the bank. He came across a journalist Nandini (Ramya), a divorcee and started loving her. One day, a quarreling happened between Ravi and Nandini's ex-husband and the very next day he is killed later. At this time, Fareed (Sibiraj) appears by showing the photos of Ravi's involvement in the murder. He needs the company of Ravi, who is aware of the security systems, for the bank robbery. When Ravi disagrees, by keeping Nandini in custody, Fareed warned him that he will hand over the photos to police. Thus in such an un avoidable situation, Ravi made the master plan for the robbery and whether they are succeeded in it, is the theme of 'Naanayam'.

The film has got a thrilling story with a good suspense. The problem in the scripting side and inclusive of some of the negative ingredients in it is the black mark here. As the audience is too sensible these days, it is difficult to keep a suspense and carry it over till the end. This has happened here also. In the beginning area itself, Viswanath is shown attacked by a stranger, who later appears in the same bank where he works and his reaction towards the matter lacks clarity. We also don't know whey Ravi is so mad of Nandini, as they have not been the companions for a long time. Though Nandini is kept under the custody of Fareed, no emotional attitude is shown by her, that forces Ravi to rob the bank. The way in which Ravi trying to influence Fardeen's close friend, is childish. The way in which Nandini dancing through the lazer beam is a cinematic thing. Other than these, the main negative happened is in the case of songs that comes in unwanted situations. I also wonder, how could a producer like S.P.B.Charan, who is also a singer himself, gave green signal for such a below average songs used here. Music director James Vasanth ('Subramanyapuram', 'Pasanga' fame) failed to deliver good songs.

OmPrakash, the cinematographer had given excellent visuals, which resembles hollywood films in most frames. Prasanna had done well in his role. Sibiraj is also good as the villain, his body language is similar to his father. By making this colorful movie, the new director Sakthi S.Rajan proved that he is a promising technician; he may come up with a better project later understanding the mistakes he had committed this time.


Those who are too mad of suspense thrillers can watch 'Naanayam'; but keep in mind that it is not a stable product as expected, you should be ready to face some negatives in the middle also...


Rating : 6 / 10

Valiyangaadi

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Manikkuttan, Nawaz, Varadha, Swetha Menon
Director : Salim Baba
Music : Sayan Anwar

Manikkuttan, the young actor who has been notable through the popular tele serial 'Kayamkulam Kochunni', came to the cine field doing a lead role in director Vinayan's film, 'Boy Friend'. Later on, he has done supporting roles in films like 'Chotta Mumbai, 'Hareendran Oru Nishkalangan', 'Bada Dosth', 'Kalabham', 'Passenger' etc. Now he has done the central character, in the new film 'Valiyangaadi'. It is directed by Salim Baba, who has given 'masala' films like 'Rapid Action Force', 'Pramukhan' etc.

The story of this film is told in the backdrop of a market, the hero doing the role of a head load worker (coolie). Though films like 'Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar', 'Chandha', 'British Market', 'Red Salute', 'Mattuppetti Machaan' and 'Ali Bhai' discussed the market based themes, the majority of them didn't get a good success. But the film 'Angaadi' directed by I.V.Sasi, with the identical theme that got released almost 30years ago, still stands on the top of the hit chart and the hero role done by late actor Jayan is the talk of the town in this century also.

'Valiyangaadi' is a market based in Kozhikkode, where people lives happily and unitedly, irrespective of the religious and political barriers. Ananthu (Manikkuttan), a well educated guy, loves to do the coolie job. He and his companions (Nawaz, Harisree Martin, Narayanankutty, Saaju Kodiyan, Ramesh Kurumasseri) are willing to support anybody at any time. Ananthu is also treated as the spokesperson of the entire trade union workers. The local business man and some politicians who are unhappy seeing the unity among the people had created a fowl play and put the blame on Ananthu. As a result, he is being thrown out from the market. In the end, the real culprits are caught through the fight sequence and the hero once again became the leader of 'Valiyangaadi'.

The first scene of the film in which the hero's companions ('Cinemaala' team) gathers in a tea shop, discussing the current affairs felt amateurish and it gives the clear picture of the film. The reason for such a casting might depends on the volume of help taken by the script writer Mahesh Mithra from them and it is also a cause to reduce the production cost of the film. We don't know why the director had chosen such an introduction morphing shot (yesteryear actor Jayan to Manikkuttan). Is it because, here also the hero tells the english dialogues like Jayan did in 'Angaadi' ? The heroine showing angry which in turn converted to love is seen 1000 times before. The cause of sudden disappearing of the professor character done by Subair is not clear told. The villain who is introduced in the interval scene has given an un professional performance through out. The attitude of hero and his companions willing to give financial support to anybody at anytime is not a realistic thing to watch. The enmity shown by the hero's true companions in the later portions is a cliche. Swetha Menon, shown in a lovable lady role in the beginning, is certainly not a suspense character as she doesn't have a 'thulabhaaram' Sharadha image among the audience. The heroine character done by Varadha ('Sulthan' fame) doesn't look matured even after wearing specks.

Manikkuttan, in his younger age, had tried his best to do the matured action oriented role filled with punch dilaogues also (but it is not 'good' enough to compare with Jayan's role in 'Angaadi'). The cinematographer Sasi Ramakrishna doesn't gave rich frames, editor Sreenivas also didn't tried to give fast cutting for this action film. Choreographer Rekha didn't gave any new steps here (also don't know the relevance of placing a middle aged man in 'kashayam jubba' dress in the dance song lead by the hero). Director Salim Baba did this film, targeting the front benchers, but it is for the time to tell whether they like this movie. Songs are below average only. Background score by V.Thasi (as shown in credits, it might be a spelling mistake!) is poor and horrible.

The only good thing, i learned from this film is that the hero character here explaining the reason for writing the word 'ambulance' from right to left on vehicles...


Though the end product seems to be unprofessional, 'Valiyangaadi' also contains those ingredients as every 'action masalas' bearing the same kind of themes should have. It is up to you to decide whether you want to be a part of this venture or not.


Rating : 3.5 / 10

Kartik Calling Karthik

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Farhan Akthar, Deepika Padukone
Director : Vijay Lalwani
Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale (bg score)

It looks like, the director of big films like 'Dil Chahtha Hai', 'Lakshya' and 'Don', Farhan Akthar, has started enjoying his new job in the industry. After acted in films like 'Rock On' and 'Luck By Chance', his new film 'Kartik Calling Karthik', where he had done the lead role is released recently. Deepika Padukone, who has become a big name these days, is the heroine. Debutant Vijay Lalwani is the creator of the movie.

Kathik (Farhan Akthar) is an introvert and a shy type guy working in a construction company. His boss is always taking advantage of his non confident attitude by scolding him in public. Sonali (Deepika Padukone), who is a co-worker, doesn't even noticed that such a person is working in their firm for the last few years. Karthik has been watching Sonali and he likes her also, but fails to express his love. By this time, Karthik gets a call at his land line at home from a person claiming that he is also Karthik. Those calls, that comes daily in the morning, are like coaching class for Karthik and gradually it motivated him to change his attitude. Though he was suspended from the company before, now the boss is forced to give him re-entry with a promotion. He gets in touch with Sonali, who is being affected from a love failure and they started loving each other.

One day she says that there should not be any secrets between them as she is not fit to face a failure in her life again. Even after the caller warning him not to tell about the calls to any body, Karthik reveals this to his lover. She is not believing it, she even asked him to consult a psychiatrist. He is not willing and it caused a split in relationship between the two. The caller also becomes an enemy to Karthik and he tells that he will destroy him at any cause. Without informing, the hero decides to leave the city to a far away place so that he can escape from the caller and what happens to him in such a situation is shown in 'Kartik Calling Karthik' here after.

With such a subject, director Vijay Lalwani had tried his best to make a thrilling tempo and keep the suspense (though it was anticipated) till end. May be, we might get an idea about the caller in the beginning itself, but as the calls came in front of the doctor and the heroine, we are confused. The problem happened to the film is the area where the hero tried to escape from the city. It is a lack of confidence showed from the part of the director also. The pathos song in that portion is a booster dose for the lagging. The scene in which the hero purchasing the same type of phone with the same color in the second half should have been avoided. It will give a wrong message to the audience as they will blame the phone company in the end for the reason of these problems. Also the doctor finding the cause in the end and showing it to the heroine looks like an advertisement. The climax is not clearly presented by the director, it is doubtful whether all things are cleared or it still exists.

The film has got a good performance by Farhan Akthar and Deepika Padukone. Shankar Ehsaan Loy gave the songs in their style, none of them are catching. Background score by Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale goes with the mood. Cinematography by Sanu Varghese is rich, editor Aarti Bajaj also gave neat cuts. The variety style in the title credits of the film is related to the theme of the film, which is good.

'Kartik Calling Karthik' is a different film. It should have been a must watchable one, if the lack of stability in the second half portions are avoided.


Rating : 6 / 10