Naan Mahan Alla Movie Review

Banner: Studio Green
Cast: Karthi, Kajal Agarwal
Direction: Suseendran
Production: K E Gnanavel Raja
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Expectations were literally bigger than before as Susindran and Karthi joined hands together. These personalities share a common history of success in film industry and together they have outmatched their previous films now. ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’ top notches on every arenas as it holds a powerful theme and technicians glistering at their best. The film creates a lump in your throats with its serious subject and you’ll walk out of theatres with an intense emotion.

What starts as a passable entertainer turns into a gripping crime-thriller during second half. Hats off to entire team as they deserve praises for their earnest efforts and brilliancies.

The film focalizes on the increasing crimes in Chennai and how it disturbs the lives of innocuous people leading a peaceful life.

Jeeva (Karthi) has a picture perfect life with caring parents (Jayaprakash, ‘Eeram’ fame Lakshmi), affectionate sister (Priya of ‘Singam’ fame) and supportive friends. His life is filled with absolute happiness when Priya (Kajal Agarwal) comes across his life. Marked by abrupt transitions, Jeeva’s life undergoes a wild change as the dark-crude side of Chennai has other plans for him. The emotions and perplexities are now on hi s playing cards. Jeeva is now forced to handle the situations, in a way he never expected. On the pragmatic contexts, the film touches the increasing crime rates in Metropolitan City of Chennai.

Karthi showcases ne plus ultra performance and gets under the skin of his characterization. It’s a relief for those, who felt his role was incisively exaggerated in ‘Paiyya’. What is sure to surprise you is the fact that it doesn’t boast of any stunts till the climax. For the first 100minutes, the film strides with spanking narration of fun, frolic and romance. However, Susindran makes sure that audiences are provided with a clue right on the prologue about what this film is all about. The point of conjunction by involving Karthi’s character has been well designed by the filmmaker.

The most highlighting attribute of this film is the crisp and crystal-clear narration. Susindran makes sure the audiences are not dragged back and forth with fluctuating tempos. The 130mins of drama keeps you adhered to screens.

Karthi excels with his charismatic appeal and deserves special mention for his stunning performance in action sequences. Even his hilarious mannerisms during first half are enjoyable. Kajal Agarwal looks bubbly, cherubic and shares a great chemistry with Karthi. Jayaprakash continues striking gold at his performance level while Lakshmi deserves same praises for her acting. 4 youngsters (one of them looks identical as younger boy, who played Suriya’s role in ‘Nandha’) are excellent on their part.

Technically, Yuvan Shankar Raja’s musical score is the biggest asset as his Midas touch on background score enhances the visuals canned by Mathi. The cinematographer has completely changed his pattern from ‘Paiyya’ and emblazons the screens with different touch. Kasi Viswanathan’s editing is sleek and neat.

Stunts choreographed by Anal Arasu are far beyond excellence. The action sequences moves you to the edge of seats. It’s nice and realistic to see the baddies being more dominant than an ordinary guy in these stunts.

As on whole, ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’ isn’t just an entertaining film, but a hardcore reality that has been prevailing amongst the people in contemporaneous city of Chennai.

We wish Susindran to keep his thumbs up and producers are sure to take a cake walk. It’s yet another precious stud in Karthi’s career.

What works: Almost everything, the plot and screenplay, performances, technical panoramas

What doesn’t work: Missing a duet song ‘Oru Maalai Neram’ from Yuvan’s bank

Verdict: Just outstanding. Must watch it

Banner: Studio Green Films, Cloud Nine Productions

Production: K.E. Gnanavel Raja, Dayanidhi Azhagiri

Direction: Susindran

Actors: Karthi, Kajal Agarwal, Jaya Prakash and others

Dialogues: Bhaskar Sakthi

Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Camera: Mathi

Editing: Kasi Viswanathan

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar, Yuga Bharathy, Francis

Stunt: Anal Arasu

Art: Rajeevan

Choreography: Sabeena Khan, Baba Bhaskar

'Khatta Meetha' Movie Review

When Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar join hands, you expect the cineplex to reverberate with laughter. Let's not forget, the team has regaled us with some terrific entertainers in the past. Naturally then, you expect KHATTA MEETHA to take the legacy forward.

Unfortunately, KHATTA MEETHA is noise [the actors scream a lot in this movie], more noise [the great promotion] and only noise, while the content takes a complete backseat. Although KHATTA MEETHA shouldn't be compared to this combo's earlier works, since this one's a satire, I have to add that this is their weakest film to date.

The first question I asked myself once the movie got over was, what's the story? Okay, okay, neither did Priyadarshan's last few films had a story to tell, but when you attempt a satire, when one talks of the hardships faced by the common man, when one talks of corruption in society, there HAS to be a story in place. That goes without saying!

KHATTA MEETHA raises a finger at the corruption in government establishments, but what it tries to say, or expose, has been witnessed over and over again. In fact, it's the writing -- sorry, the absence of it -- that makes matters worse. The beginning is good, the middle falters and the end is exasperating.

Final word? This one's far from being meetha. It's a khatta experience!

Struggling road construction contractor Sachin Tichkule [Akshay Kumar] is doomed. There is no chance that his dreams will ever come true, simply because he has no money to bribe. To make matters worse, the new Municipal Commissioner turns out to be his ex girl friend [Trisha], who now hates him.

The film reveals the extent of corruption and bribery rampant in the system and the ingenious means you have to adopt if you want to survive in today's times.

KHATTA MEETHA attempts to say a lot many things in those 2.40 hours. Oh yes, its running time is a problem, more so because the narrative lacks the power to keep you hooked to the proceedings. Okay, coming back to what I wanted to say, KHATTA MEETHA is more of a collage of isolated incidents encompassed in those 2.40 hours. The collapse of the bridge, the consequent murder of Tinnu Anand, the constant bickering in the house, the tu-tu-main-main between Akshay and Trisha, the sister's track, the corrupt netas and government babus, the payment issue of workers... several sequences are a repeat of what's you watched barely minutes ago or an hour ago.

While the romantic track is the weakest link [half-baked; the songs are forced down your throats, without valid situations whatsoever], the flashback portions, depicting Akshay Kumar as a college student [!!!], is just hard to digest. Even the end is worn out and doesn't give the feel of contentment that one expects at the conclusion of a film.

Priyadarshan's handling of the comic sequences is noteworthy, especially in the first half of the film. The repair-and-paint sequence at Asrani's mansion is sure to bring the house down. Ditto for the conversation that Asrani has with multiple people, in person and also on phone. Also, the road roller sequence is a laugh-riot and prior to that Johny Lever's sequence of repairing the road roller is truly funny. But a few isolated sequences aren't enough. The veteran storyteller ought to know the importance of a watertight screenplay by now.

Cinematographer V. Manikandan's lens captures the exteriors with flourish. Pritam's music is easy on the ears and at least two songs are extremely popular as well, but the placement of songs in the narrative acts as a roadblock. Dialogues are funny at times, especially the one-liners.

Akshay Kumar plays the common man with gusto. He looks his part and more importantly, not once do you feel that he's repeating himself. However, he goes over the top in a few sequences. Trisha carries the Plain Jane look well, but fails as an actress. The fiery attitude, so vital when you're enacting the role of the Municipal Commissioner, is missing. Rajpal Yadav is in terrific form yet again. What a splendid actor!

Urvashi Sharma is awkward. Makrand Deshpande is wasted. Tinnu Anand is hardly there. Even Aroona Irani is sidelined. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is first-rate. Asrani is excellent. Manoj Joshi screams so much. Ditto for Neeraj Vora. Milind Gunaji is okay. The actor playing the role of Urvashi's husband does a good job.

On the whole, KHATTA MEETHA is a major letdown from the accomplished director. It's not a full-blown comedy. It's not a full-scale satire either. Hugely disappointing!

'THILLALANGADI' MOVIE REVIEW

To start off with, it’s yet another remake from the duo Raja-Ravi as their previous films of the same kind proved to be black horses at box office. Obviously, their previous films’ original versions were top-class entertainers while ‘Kick’ was just a passable show and doubtlessly its replication reproduces the same results.

Let’s not get along with comparisons and hitting straight onto the point of verdict, ‘Thillalangadi’ is an average entertainer that is 170mins of show time. However, the narrative aspects with enjoyable and gripping moments make it worth watching.

Jeyam Ravi’s experimental role in ‘Peranmai’ won him incredible laurels and this imitation job does land him on appreciative grounds. Raja’s ethical traits continue in this film as every shot goes the same way on narration and technical aspects.

The film opens in Malaysia with Nisha (Thamannah) unwillingly accepts to meet Krishna Kumar (Shaam), whom their parents want to them married. What starts as a conversation turns into unexpected twist as they share a commonality with the same person. Uh! The story shifts to flashback as Nisha shares about acerbate past life with her ex-boyfriend Krishna (Ravi). His very nature of being rigidly unique of wanting ‘Kick’ and ‘Risk’ in very acts makes her annoyed. Krishna’s attribute of hop-skipping jobs very often splits them up. When it’s his turn to uncover about a person, who has been making him restless, Krishna Kumar reveals that his mission is about hunting down a vicious thief in Chennai, who has flown down to Malaysia now. For a greater surprise, the smartest thief is none other than the same Krishna.

Guess what’s gonna happen next? The second half is all about the hide-and-seek games laced with humor, romance and unconditional sentiments with reasons behind Krishna’s new avatar.

Ravi as a cool chap-later- a challenging man attempts to score bigger over screen space. Of course, at few parts, he entertains the audiences with his funny liners and mannerisms. But he has to change his dancing style. Thamannah looks cherubic at places, but her overactive mannerisms make it quite odder. The prototyped costumes turn comical after certain extent. Vadivelu with his comedy oriented parts keeps the first half going with right momentum while Santhanam has been wasted. Prabhu’s performance is at his best while Suhasini doesn’t appear for more than 3 scenes. She has to choose some good roles as she deserves yet more challenging roles. Mansoor Ali Khan as a risible cop often troubled by Vadivelu tickles funny bones. Shaam need special mention for his astounding performance and it’s really appreciable if he chooses for certain roles to get himself over the top.

The songs aren’t really convincing as Yuvan Shankar Raja loses his best standards. Even the background score doesn’t enhances the visual quality and raciness in screenplay. Thanks to Thaman’s original background score as it has been reestablished finely over here. Cinematography is average and so is editing.

If there could be few reasons to mention about Raja – it is his casting of actors and dialogues. Of course, the basic plot, screenplay has its credits for Surendar Reddy. If Raja had trimmed the duration in second half, the film would have been yet more entertaining.

What works: Shaam, last 30mins and climax, Vadivelu

What doesn’t work: Longer duration, Music, Camera, performances…

Verdict: Passable show

Banner: Sun Pictures, Jeyam Company
Production: Editor Mohan, Kalanidhi Maaran
Direction: Jeyam Raja

Star-casts: Jeyam Ravi, Thamannah, Shyam, Vadivelu, Santhanam, Mansoor Ali Khan, Prabhu, Livingstone, Thyagu, Sathyan, Mayilsamy, Deepu, Suhasini, Nalini, Lakshmi, Latha Rao, Chandra Lakshman, John Vijay, Balaji, Jayaprakash and Raja
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Lyrics: Vaali, Na.Muthukumar, Vivega
Cinematography: Rajashekar
Art: Milan
Action: Rocky Rajesh

Yathumaagi Movie Preview, Yathumagi review

Cast: Sachin, Sunaina, Azhagm Thamizhmani, Ramesh Khanna, Paandu, Riyaz Khan, Poochi Senthil
Director: Balkumaran
Producer: S. Singavi, M. Singavi
Music Director: James Vasanthan
Lyricst: Mohan Raj, Aandal Priyadarshini, Yugabharathi, Na.Muthukumar

Looks like a season of love is being sparked off in Kollywood. It had been quite a long time since a full-length love story graced our screens until VTV arrived and now, within a couple of weeks, we have a film that claims to literally choke on love (Thigatta Thigatta Kadhal) – Yathumaagi.

With the makers claiming a story dedicated only to love and nothing else, we can be sure of what to expect in this film, lots of romance, sweet stuff and ‘mush’ more. There would be very little to discuss in terms of plot for any love story - it is the relation between the lead pair that sets the screen on fire. The lead pair here comprises Sunaina (on screen after Kadhalil Vizhunden and Masilamani) and newcomer Sachin.

Sunaina has already proved her abilities as an actress, especially in romantic subjects, with her last two outings. However, this will be the first time that she is being paired opposite someone other than Nakul. It will be interesting to see whether this new pair is able to live up to or even outdo the much liked Nakul-Sunaina chemistry.

Debutante R. Balakumar has directed the movie which has music by James Vasanthan. Though the composer does not have too many films against his name, he has already created an identity for himself as someone who comes up with enjoyable scores that have a unique stamp on them. His work in Subramaniapuram and Pasanga is proof enough.

For Yathumagi, it is said that he has recorded an entire song using sounds made from junk and scrap instead of musical instruments. Even though the song has literally been made out of junk, we are sure that it will be worth a whole lot more than that. That will certainly be a novelty in Tamil cinema music and can also put James Vasanthan in the good books of environmental activists!

Another interesting thing about Yathumaagi is its producers. The film has been produced by Chozha Creations who are re-entering the industry after quite a gap. This is the same banner that had introduced Ajith to filmdom with Amaravathi. Well, Sachin is sure lucky to make his debut with the same banner that Ajith did. Will his career too be able to soar like his illustrious predecessor? Let’s wait till Friday.

"VETTAIKARAN" Movie Review

Starring: : Vijay, Anushka.
Direction: Babu Sivan
Music: Vijay Anthony
Production: AVM

The sparkling stunts, the fiery punch lines, the signature lighter moments and some foot tapping numbers, everything that makes a Vijay film worth your time in theaters are there in his latest offering Vettaikaran. But then, every film of Ilaya Thalapathi has all these things, you might ask. Yes, but it is the execution that makes each one different from the other and the question as you enter theaters to watch this movie is whether newcomer Babu Sivan has managed to pull the formulaic one man army theme out of the rut that it has recently fallen into.The storyline is very familiar to anyone who follows Vijay movies. A small town do-gooder (Vijay) idolizes an honest super cop of his town. The cop is merciless against all evil forces, an encounter specialist who doesn’t believe in arrests and judicial procedures; he just guns down the perpetrators. The small town do-gooder wants to emulate this cop. But, the only problem facing him is that to become an IPS officer, one must first pass out of school and then get a graduate degree. His failure at academics is an irritant to his father, quite understandably. Keeping his eventual dream in mind, he somehow gets over the hurdle and heads to the big metropolis (Chennai) to seek

his graduation and the IPS dream. Chennai, expectedly, greets to him a) good college education b)part time employment and c)a heinous goon whose crime rate is like no one that he has seen before. The rest is all about the mission to eradicate evil. How does he do it? Does he become an IPS officer and bring them to law or does he become a force on his own, hunting them down like the title of the movie suggests? Find out in theaters. And yes, there is a love story in the midst of all this which you are bound to notice because of the songs.After hearing the synopsis one might be excused for branding this another stereotype fair. But, this one is better than that. Yes, it is undeniably a full fledged commercial flick with a lot of heroism and related stuff, but there is also a certain level of finesse in the execution. The first half is a whole lot of fun. Vijay puts on a jolly and youthful demeanor which has worked very well. Along with Sathyan, they create many an enjoyable moment. The scenes on the train journey, where Vijay meets Anushka for the first time, have really come out well. It is the second half where the predictability starts to set in. A few clichés later, like the hero’s transformation in the duration of a song, you almost know where the film is heading. The script, which remained alright for most parts, looks unduly stretched during the final portions, the end could definitely have been crisper.The film, in spite of its flaws and stereotypes, is bound to click with Vijay fans. The main reason for that is the seemingly rejuvenated Vijay on screen. He looks refreshed, energetic and lends zing to the proceedings on screen. His dance moves have not lost any of their sheen, the opening number ‘Naan Adicha’ is a cracker that will surely be lapped up by his fans. Junior Vijay’s act towards the end of this number is very likeable. The ‘karigalan’ song too looks and sounds very good while ‘Puli Urumuthu’ is the typical one that catalyses the transformation of the protagonist. Besides these, the other songs don’t gel well into the narrative which is a drawback. The highly anticipated Vijay-Anushka chemistry does not provide any spark on screen which disappoints. Surprisingly, Anushka does not look as ravishing as usual and she also does not get much footage in the film other than songs. It is a bit of downer for the actress after the Arundhathi high.Other performances live up to the requirements of the script. Sathyan, along with Vijay, makes the first half work with his comic acts. Saleem Ghouse is the typical bad man while VMC Haneefa leaves a mark in his small role. Sukumari shows her experience in the portions given to her and Sayaji Shinde is in full form as a cop loyal to the evil master.
Babu Sivan must be commended on a good effort, thought not without its flaws. He has handled the dialogue department with care and come out with good results. Action is a regular Vijay style and will cater to his fans.
Vettaikaran is an out and out Vijay film, straight to his fans who are bound to be happy with the outcome, considering the last two offerings which did not please many. A fun first half and an action packed but predictable and a bit jaded second make a pretty reasonable final product for all those who don’t mind commercial mass masala without caring for things such as reason or logic.Verdict: not a bull’s eye, not a big miss either

"Kanden Kadhalai" Movie Review

Banner – Moser Baer Entertainment, Blue Ocean Entertainment & Sun PicturesCast – Bharath, Tamannah, Sapan Saran, Santhanam and Others…Music Director – VidyasagarLabel – Moser BaerDirector – KannanProducer – V M LalithaYear : 2009
Director Kannan Kanden Kadhalai is the remake of Hindi blockbuster movie “Jab We Met” directed by Imitiaz Ali in Hindi version. Remaking the movies is not an easy task though only to an extent but the director however manages to suit the taste of the local audiences. Comparing the original version of the movie the director equally inserted as many scenes of the original version.
The movie plot is so simple and doesn’t have any heroism and punch dialogues but the screen will move among two pivotalcharacters (i.e) Bharath(Sakthivel) and actress Tamanna(Anjali). Bharath(Sakthivel) is a son of a wealthy entrepreneur who is depressed at life and decides to go no where in the globe. The movie begins when a man who has less to talk for his depressed life boards to a train met talkative Tamanna(Anjali) whose character is contradictory to each other. Anjali is a bold and kind hearted girl misses the train in the middle of the journey because of Bharath(Sakthivel) which leads him to take her to home town Theni.With many twists and tales they become close friends. Bharath(Sakthivel) a man has no place to go entertainingly loved by the entire Anjali family including her grandfather Ravichandran, dad Nizhalgal Ravi etc… Girls mind can’t read by anyone as a fact that Anjali decides to elope from her home to marry her lover boy friend Goutham (Munna). While eloping Anjali seeks the help of Sakthivel and the whole family mistakes that she was out of home to marry Bharath(Sakthivel). Fate plays a vital role in the movie as Sakthivel came to knew that Anjali had not married to Munna and was missing from her home then.
After her love failure the bubbly talkative Anjali becomes silent in nature on the contrast Sakthivel turns bubbly and talkative. Sakthivel on the other hand convinces Goutham to marry Anjali but the whole family of Anjali believes that Sakthivel and Anjali are joyfully married and leading a good life. The story twisted more when Anjali fells in love with Sakthivel. Whom she ties the knot Sakthivel or Gautham forms the rest of the film.
Actress Tamanna had given a dream role which she can act, dance, glam, emote, comedy etc… and she does her role without much justification. Actor Bharath after acting in ditched commercial movies has a solid plot to taste some success and does his job well. Santhanam as Mokkai Raju stir up laughter for the screen. Munna as Anjali’s boy friend has lesser scope in the movie does his part well. Comparing the music of original version “Kanden Kadhali” is little back but anyway the tunes are attracting for the local audiences. Cinematographer Muthiah visualized the exotic locations in splendor.
The emotions scene at the climax was very much absent with Kanden Kadhalai comparing the “Jab we Met”. On the whole the movie is a good entertainer to watch and it will attract all the youths more. With Sun Pictures promos the movie is a strong contender for the box office this season. The director manages to copy every sequence, costumes of both actor actresses and doesn’t even try to develop the script further.
Kanden Kadhalai “Imitative Endeavor”