My Tamil Cinema journey continues…
Recently, I was able to knock off two more Tamil (I’ll go with this spelling) movies which were in my to-watch list for quite some time. One was the much acclaimed and much discussed ‘Subramaniapuram’ directed by Sasikumar and the other was ‘Evano Oruvan’, the hard hitting Tamil remake of the Marathi movie ‘Dombivili Fast’ by the same director, Nishikanth Kamath.
Many have drawn parallels of Kamath’s movie with the 1993 Michael Douglas starring film, ‘Falling Down’. I haven’t seen the English movie but even if the movie has been adapted, it has been done in a very intelligent way. As for Subramaniapuram, it follows the mood of some superb Tamil movies which have preceded it in the same genre recently, case in points being Ameer’s splendid ‘Paruthiveeran’, Vasantha Balan’s emotional rollercoaster ‘Veyyil’, Raam’s brilliant and off-beat ‘Tamil MA’ (Kattradhu Thamizh) and I can’t leave out Balaji Sakthivel’s heartbreaking ‘Kaadhal’ and Bala’s astounding and clutter breaking ‘Pithamagan’. I might have still left out some of your favorites. Do excuse me and enlighten me further in the comments.
All the movies mentioned follow a similar pattern. They all tell stories of small town folks living their lives in the fringe of society except for Kamath’s Vasudevan, a brilliant turn by Madhavan. They are all without exception tragedies. The main protagonist either dies or is dealt a terrible hand by the script. I find the last development surprisingly delightful when compared to the gutless feel good movies that keep emanating from Bollywood. It is almost as if that the audiences down south don’t mind a good cry in the name of entertainment. More power to them! There are neither any escapist item numbers with fair skinned models nor any dream sequences in Vermont. In fact they are liberally sprinkled with the odd folk song and dance which can either test your patience or enthrall you depending on your level of conditioning. There is no separate comedy track a la Senthil-Goundamani and though they have given me guilty pleasures many times with their buffoonery, I do not miss them at all in these movies as the directors build humor ingeniously in their scenes. Technical finesse has always been a strong point of south Indian movies and the brilliant and unabashed photography have shown us the beauty in dirty crowded streets, dusty sun parched villages and plain, dark-skinned men and women. I have been completely blown away by the camerawork each time. The music, never pretentious, has always stayed in character and along the way has given us many memorable numbers. Considering that each of these movies has been a product of a different director, the future is bright for Tamil Cinema if such movies continue to do well commercially.
Why don’t we see more down to earth and small town centric movies from Bollywood, except for the odd ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’? It’s probably an unfair question to ask. There have been movies like Lagaan, Swades, Omkara, Maqbool, Paheli, Eklavya, Manorama Six Feet Under, Bunty Aur Babli, Khosla Ka Ghosla which have not pandered to metro or NRI sensibilities. But people who have watched all the movies which I have mentioned will recognize that the Tamil movies have gone much farther away from the beaten path and have taken more risks in the stories that they have chosen to tell and the way their characters have shaped cinematic sensibilities. I don’t want to get into a Bollywood vs Tamil Cinema debate. I loved watching ‘Rock On’ and ‘Jaane Tu…’ as much as I did watching any of the Tamil movies mentioned here. This post has been written to just draw in some discussions of more movies in recent history where the directors have stayed true to the sensibilities of the ‘real India’ and given us memorable stories while doing that. Sekar Kammula is another director whose Telugu movie ‘Godavari’ has also been on my to-watch list for quite some time and so has Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s oeuvre. Many Indian cinephiles discovered Satyajit Ray only after his Oscar acclaim.
It’s a shame if we at PFC let it happen to us again.
Tags: Tamil Cinema
Well said.
I agree with you on most of the points mentioned here. Films from south have been so far ahead, in almost every field – story as well as technical finesse, as compared to the Bollywood film industry which is churning out movies ala a factory.
Very rarely do I find some interesting movie to watch in Hindi these days.
Filmmakers here need to take a leaf out of their south counterpart’s books soon before film goers start deserting them.
JK
Other than Sekhar Kammula, there is Krishna Vamsi. He is one hell of a director. He is one among the top in nation without any doubt. I dont know if you got a chance to watch his movies like SINDHOORAM, ANTAHPURAM, KHADGAM, GULABI etc. He is brilliant. Just marvellous. Also there is Yeleti ChandraSekhar. Watch his moive Aithe. His other movie has been remade pathetically in Hindi as MISSING SUNDAY. There are many such directors in South. But as always commercial movies over shadow these movies. Bala’s new movie is under progress. Iam eagerly waiting for this. Sethu and Pitamagan are master strokes by Bala. Well, the list goes on.
Dazed: A movie recco for you. If you haven’t watched it yet, you should see Chennai 600028. It is a low budget flick, made by new comers (kids of yesteryear Tamil cinema bigwigs), but very fresh subject – gully cricket.
Siva: That “Missing Sunday” – I am guessing that you are talking about Anaganaga Oka Roju, right? And I heard Naan Kadavul is complete but caught at the censor table. It’s releasing next month, according to Ayngran’s website.
@ Anantha & Siva
Sunday is the so called hindi version of Anukokonda Oka Roju.The original telugu movie was a very taut movie.Yes Bala’s Naam Kadavul is ready, but caught in a lot of issues.I believe Zee Tamil has now bought the rights of the movie.
@ Dazed
The same Chennai 600028 team has also made Saroja
( inspired by Judgement Night but neat in its own way).You must also watch Anjathey by Mysskin which released this year- one of the best realistic movies in the action/thriller genre seen in tamil cinema.
Zee Tamil bags it ?, What are the otehr film rights owned by Zee Tamil any idea.
Tamil cinema is fabulous!
Admittedly, i’ve not managed to see any Tamil film for almost a year now, but
I have full faith in their film making skills.
I see ur point about NRI sensibilities, but IMO, a good film is a good film.
Be it set in a rural area or urban.
If anything, I would go as far as saying that just as the Rickshaw drivers love to see foriegn locales, foriegners most probably appreciate the rural-rustic life depicted on screen.
I most certainly do :-)
‘Evano Oruvan’ looks impressive.
R. Madhvan can do no wrong!
Extremely underrated actor.
I also feel that Bala is a damn good director.
He knows how to utilise his actors to their full potential.
Have to mention ‘Autograph’ here too.
It wasn’t the most amazing film ever, yet i’ve been unable to shake it off.
It just gets under ur skin and has an incredible relatability factor.
Actually, let me contradict myself.
It indeed WAS an amazing film!
Finally, a desrving post on Tamil cinema or the south cinema industry in general. Tamil M.A is a better movie than all the best of bolly cinema put together. Nice to hear ppl talk about directors lik kammulla, Bala, Ram, Mysskin. I think comments in PFC posts are very rascist against south cinema. Most of them dont even watch south movies and they comment.
There’s no doubt that South Indian Cinema has always had a large share of realistic cinema & that bollywood often falls into the more glamourous trap.But all said & done bollywood or rather hindi cinema also has its share of realistic movies be it a Do Beega Zameen or a Sujata or a Bandini in the olden days to middle of the road movies like Chashme Baddoor,Saath Saath etc in the very same 80’s when the torture movies ( Oz bhai this is an ode to you
) were made to the current ones like A Wednesday, Mumbai Meri Jaan,Tahaan etc.
But somehow when it comes to a discussion all that people on the other side of the Vindhya’s do is talk nonsense about South Indian cinema without being knowledgeable enough.They think South Indian cinema is either the sleazy Shakeela kind , or the arty kind as seen in the earlier Doordarshan sunday afternoon slot.Thanks to Sivaji- The Boss they also have realised the power of Rajnikanth.But thats not all that South Indian Cinema stands for.
Malayalam cinema nowadays is tending to get more commercialised but even now a Vadakumnathan or an Ore Kadal speaks volumes about being commerical movies without making a compromise.Similarly you have people like Shekhar Kammula ( Dollar Dreams,Anand,Godavari,Happy Days) or a Chandrasekhar Yeleti ( Aithe,Anukokonda Oka Roju )doing their work for telugu cinema.
In tamil we have had people like Ameer, Bala, Mysskin etc and now Sasikumar who are trying to come out of the beaten grind.Even in the Kannada industry there have been some really good realistic movies like Aa Dinagalu which are being made & appreciated.
Today I think cinema is clearly either good or bad.And nothing else.Similarly what may be good to me may be bad to someone else.The sooner people realise this & start thinking that one must need to broaden one’s horizon all such problems would be solved.
All said & done its Indian Cinema which we must uphold – South Indian or hindi all are part of it!!!
BTW continuing what I meant to say I would say Nishikant Kamath is a fitting example of the new breed of Indian directors.He made an impressive Dombivli Fast in Marathi & was able to remake the same comprehensively in Tamil as Evano Oruvan.So when he went on to make his hindi debut with Mumbai Meri Jaan- the outcome was expectedly good.Way to go Nishikant!!!
I have been an avid watcher of hindi movies as well as very religiously watch telugu movies as well, since I come from hyderabad. But since my engineering days 12 years ago – in chennai, I have been hooked on to tamil movies too. I think the most creative, as well as the most bold and innovative stories come from tamil. Of course I agree that Hindi movies of late are breaking out and lots of very talented directors have made it on to the national scene. I certainly agree with the notion that more rural centric movies come from down south as opposed to Hindi. The money involved and market for such movies are maybe the factors for the same.
Anyways, after RGV left hyderabad, there have been a dearth of good directors in telugu. Of course, Sekhar Kammula, Chandra sekhar Yeleti, Krishna Vamshi have all been brilliant and there are several others making the scene. Smaller movies made with smaller actors on shoestring budgets are actually kicking some serious butt and giving the bigger stars a run for their money.
I think Shekar Kammula doesnt come under the genre of film making like ‘pithamagan’ bala or ‘evano oruvan’ nishikanth kamath(who also made critically acclaimed ‘mumbai meri jaan’) or ‘a wednesday’ neeraj pandey or ‘raam’ ameer follow his movies normally seem to be made for ultra class till Happy Days which was based on the coll life (if some one watched anand and godavari can understand the similarities both the movies follow similar treatment but different background). Well, while krishna vamsi is brilliant in making audience connect with his movies at times he makes audience feel emotional and finally chandrasekhar yeleti is such a brilliant director that he takes care of even a minute articles well his aithe and anukokunda oka roju were undoubtedly brilliant but i personally feel Okadunnadu was good even atleast for its screenplay after the movie many came to know there exists a very rare blood group called bombay blood group!!
siva, anantha, sethu- Thanks for all those movie references. Will keep an eye out for them!
steve- you make an interesting point. Though I’m not sure if it ties up with actual facts in terms of movies which become hits with the NRI audience. I liked autograph as well, though I felt it was a bit far fetched and too sentimental.
Dlpalchoholic- I disagree when you say that comments at PFC are racist against any form of cinema. I think the folks out here keep a look out for that. Maybe you are confusing this site with comments you might have read elsewhere?
Godavari’s commercial crap.. though Dollar Dreams was brilliant..
Aithe is the way to go!!!!
I am making a Tamil wishlist now. Need to check out all these films. Saw Kaaka Kaaka today. I am skipping all other releases to catch Vaaranam Aayiram this friday. yippee!
Hey Tushar bhai!
Long time!
Innge va tambi! Lol!
Glad ur making a list.
But for some reason, I just can’t get into ‘Kaaka Kaaka’. Even though I like Gautham, love Surya and crazy bout Jyotika!
I’ve attempted it thrice. No joy!
However, I loved ‘Vettaiyadu Veliyadu’, although i’ve yet to hear someone else agree.
Was gripping!
Dazed & Confused, I guess I should’ve added that i’m a minority in the minority :-)
I know what u mean. There are films which are huge hits abroad, and then there are films which are appreciated on a smaller scale.
I usually (single handedly) go all out promoting non Hindi films to anyone who cares to listen in the U.K.
I must admit, i’ve successfully converted many people who initially thought that Tamil cinema was inferior!
Although, I have failed on many attempts too!
Hota hai, hota hai…
Steve…mere bhaaii…he he. pata nahi yaar. I loved the 45 mins I saw. supercool start. I mean the only thing I heard of the film before was Uyirin Uyire and bang! the film hits me in the face with it the moment it starts. what more could I ask for! then the signature kickass Surya toughguy cop, then Jothika, and so cool she looks, even convincing. I loved the way Gautham tells their story, so natural(until now, baaki ka dekh ke bataata hoon). I don’t know if I should share this but my Tamil obsession goes back to a girl(what else!) from Coimbatore. baaki ka aap khud pakaa lo!
so ya, I got quite a few films pending in my DVD shelf – indira, kamal hassan films, thiruda thiruda, thalapathi, etc etc.
as of VV, I couldn’t enjoy it much like other Gautham films cus of the KH factor. I might enjoy it some day though.
The only Tamil movies I have seen are those by Mani Ratnam and they are very good! Loved Iruvar the most -
Most Tamil movies have a masala formula
1) Village story/Urban story
2)Hero(mass appeal) – Heroine(BIG :P, Fair) – Villian (Dark and muscular)
3)Kuthu songs – with even crappier lyrics
4)seperate so-called stupid ‘comedy’ tracks – mostly with Vadivelu – It’s so funny – coz it’s NEVER funny. most of them don’t make any sense and they expect you to laugh as vadivelu gets beaten black and blue by everybody. Sometimes you wonder how they think its even remortly funny.
5) Hero beats up villian – mother dies – sister gets married – hero gets married – comedian gets beaten up – dance to ‘kuthu’ songs.
6) The End.
I have been consistently seeing these stuff for over 10 yrs in Tamil Films – hvn’t seen any tamil film for over 1 yr – so dunno what’s happening new.
..
There is this guy called Vijaykanth and he’s so funny coz he’s so stupid – his stunts put superman – spiderman – batman to shame!
..
Here’s a example
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=k8T69TApX_Y&feature=related
..
There is one dialogue he says in some movie -
” When you pass electricity over a human body – you get a shock – but when you pass it over me – the electricity gets a shock”!
:P
Heard the new Vijaykanth is some ‘Sundaram’!
‘Autograph’, sentimental? Yes.
But highly effective.
Sure it had flaws (my major probs are more technical related) but as a film with a message, it delivered.
I saw it some time back, yet still remember how it made me feel.
A very poignant and positive film.
Maybe i’ll dig it out again in the next few weeks.
Lol Tushar bhai!
K.H factor? Uh-oh, I better not admit to how much I enjoyed his performance then :-)
‘Kaaka’ is just…?
I dunno, i’m really struggling with that one.
As for Tamil obsession, well yehi toh panga hain yaar!
I was obsessed too… with A.R.Rahman!
He is very ‘instrumental’ (hee hee) in my Tamil addiction!
How else can I explain why a Punjabi guy like myself is hooked on South stuff!
‘Vaaranam’ is out this week??! Yay!
May I recommend a few films to u Tushar?
Please try and watch;
‘Kannathil Muthamittal’
‘Kaadhal’
‘Anniyan’
‘Autograph’
‘Pitamagan’
‘Nanda’
‘Sethu’
And now my mind’s gone blank!
I am aware that many people say these films are overrated, but I absolutely loved ‘em!
I mean he was definitely good man, but may be I shouldn’t have seen it in a fanboy crowd. I just couldn’t dissect it like any other Gautham film. BTW, Surya(hope that’s how its pronounced) is my favorite Tamil actor. He personifies everything that is lacking in Bombay heroes. I went and saw Sillunu Oru Kaadhal in the theater just to see him emote.
and aap aaj bade mood mein ho boss! he he. instrumental and all!
Vaaranam is surely out this Friday boss. I love the soundtrack. Mundhinam. Adiye Kolluthey…om shanti shanti…first time I heard a Harris Jeyaraj score so much since RHTDM/Minnale.
‘Kannathil Muthamittal’ – seen, written about it in length.
Will surely add all your recommendations. Only thing I have a hard time at is finding subtitled prints. Good thing is Moser Baer has started releasing these subtitled DVD’s…and the quality ain’t that bad either..so there is hope…and subtitles too!
Thanks for the reccos. :-)
Fanboy crowd? Well wait till u see a Rajnikant film at a cinema!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I went to see ‘SivaJi’ at a cinema!
Silly me thought that Big B and S.R.K were the gods of india, but no… Rajni Deva is! Lol!
The fans went BESERK!
Aaj hum mood mein nahin, hum beemaar hain, cough cough!
I just get a bit excited when a Tamil film discussion takes place ;-)
Surya is fantastic!
U must watch his ‘Ghajjini’ too!
How could I not recommend that??!
‘Jillunu/Sillunu’ is another I struggle with!
Tamil films with subs?
Where are u? America, na?
Moser Baer? From which field is that a radish of? (translate to hindi) :-)
Well i’m quite sure that Ayngharan’s website should sort that problem out.
Nehaflix is meant to be reliable too.
U wrote about ‘Kannathil’?
My apologise yaar.
I’ve not checked PFC for a while and lost touch.
Lekin fikr not, hum wapas ghar aageye hain :-)
Even I saw Sivaji in theater man. I know what you are talking about. Superstar Rajini flashes and you are transported beyond the screen. And I am not in States, back in Bangalore.
KM, didn’t write it here, wrote for a mag. But will get the KM article here if you want. It was a broader critique of Mani Sir’s cinema, that went on to discuss some recurring themes like conflict-resolution, treatment of evil, and then some 2-3 pages on Guru vis-a-vis Iruvar.
welcome back and get well soon. :-)
Oh, gotcha.
I thought u were abroad, but ur in Hamara Bhaarat Mahaan.
Yes, i’d be very interested in reading ur Mani views.
Great chatting to u after 20years!
Just noticed that u have posted a ‘OLLO’ soundtrack analysis.
Can’t always see other posts, i’m using a mobile phone to respond!
Mobile internet ki jai ho!
Have anyone here seen the movie called “Pudhupettai”.
Many people believe it is the best gangster movie ever in south indian cinema.
I personally like all selva raghavan movies.
@ Sriram
Buddy you are really funny.You dont claim to have seen any tamil movies apart from Manirathnam’s & yet you write all this out here.If you are really interested in tamil cinema- just watch some of the films being discussed here like Subramaniapuram,Anjathey,Saroja,Chennai-600028,Pithamagan,Sethu,Paruthiveeran,Kakka kakka,Kadhal,Nanda,Autograph etc.
And for your kind info there is no one called Sundaram who is supposed to be the new Vijaykant.You must be disappointed I guess!!!
@ Srikanth
Yes I have seen Pudupettai.It was certainly gripping.
Other movies of Selvaraghavan like Kadhal Konden & 7-G Rainbow Colony are good too.With Adavari Mataluku Ardhale Verulu/Yaradi Nee Mohini he went too commerical but surprisingly both versions were hits.
Another good movie which is quite gripping is Polladhavan
directed by Vetrimaran & starring Dhanush.Among the commercial lot I like Vishnu Vardhan’s movies.Both Arindum Ariyamalum & Pattiyal were quite refreshin.And Billa followed Sivaji in showing that tamil cinema can have a mass appeal.Billa truly was a technical delight.
Have any of you seen a recent release called Poi Solla Porom?Its a remake of Khosla ka ghosla & produced by UTV
( the orginal producers in Hindi).For a remake it was an honest attempt!!!
Took me some but read all the comments and reccos. Haven’t seen a Tamil film since quite some time. LAst one I guess was Kannathil Mutthamithal..ya…that was the one…Thats because of the MR factor..
Got to catch up with the films mentioned here. Tx all.
And how come people like Kakka Kakka. I’m serious. I mean it was a typical comm film. When I’d got that song from a classmate Uyirun uyure, by mistake, (spelling is wrong I kno), I was emabarrased. I mean, it was so over the top I felt. Have seen snippets of the film. Surya a tough cop (as usual the typical hero); Jyotika a teacher who lives in some big palatial house (didnt know teachers mint money) and I distinctly remember this dialogue. Surya asks her ‘ You, a teacher?’ and Jyotika goes like ‘So, its my interest; even tho I’ve scored 90% in my exams), Couldn’t take any more of the film. The end for me.
Oops. Typo. Took me some time, I meant. Msd the word ‘time’. Sorry.
@ Arthi
Kakka Kakka is a commercial movie no doubt- but its a well taken movie.In my opinion as already stated earlier cinema is either good or bad, period.I definitely rate kakka kakka as a good attempt.For your kind info Jyothika plays a higher secondary maths teacher in a high profile school ( lets say like Padma Seshadri -Chennai ) & has done her M.SC-Mathematics from IIT-Madras.Now dont you think someone like that would be well paid?
The dialogue was never like what you mentioned.Jyothika mentions she likes to teach because thats what she likes, inspite of the fact that she’s done here M.SC from IIT-Madras.whats funny about that.Regarding the song uyirin uyire- it was a song with a lot of energy.In fact the other songs were quite good too.Watch it fully & then let me know if you still didnt like
@ Sethumadhavan – Is it. ok. I should have translated it the right way. My mistake. But the manner in which she says it,…its ok…cant get the words now. But it def wasnt funny. (I cringed at that hence so )
Guess I really irked you with this one…:-)..wasn’t intended…
@ Arthi
Yeah I guess it was just an instant reaction from my side.No offence meant
but may I ask you how come you haven’t seen any tamil movies of late?
Earlier there used to be the reason that if you are abroad or somewhere else in India apart from the south, its difficult to catch up.But now with both theatrical releases & DVD’s available that shouldnt be a problem right?
So thats why I’m keen to know why you havent been watching any of late.Did any movie put you off them?
@ Sethumadhavan – Hmmmm…Ya..generally. All the films are so typical. Heros loud; heroines – voluptuous; songs in foreign locales; dances / group dances esp so provocative. All so vulgar tamil cinema has become. A real embarrasment; whenever I come across a movie clip…
Whoever the hero and whoever the heroine; its the same.
Stories have taken a real backseat. Hence just never went back to finding what new is happening there.
@ Arthi
Which is why you must check out most of the films mentioned above.I wont say that whatever you mentioned does not happen now- but things are changing a lot.I mean if a film like Subramaniapuram or Anjathey or Kadhal with newcomers/non stars can be both critically acclaimed and also do well at the box office, you must know times are changing & changing for the better
Sethumadhavan, i’m also having problems with ‘Kaaka Kaaka’!
I’ve had the dvd for around 3years and have attempted to watch it, but end up taking it back out and putting the dvd away!
It’s a 2disc special with extras and all, and i’ve seen the 2nd disc but not the film.
I dunno..can’t put my finger on it.
As I mentioned earlier, i’m a fan of the cast & director but….?
I even managed to see ‘Peralagam’ without any probs.
But ‘Kaaka’? I just can’t explain!
Sorry :-/
@ Steve
I know everybody has his/her own views on movies & Kakka Kakka is no exception to it.But I somehow dont understand why you cant stand the movie.Its such a near realistic take on cops & underworld.As Gautham Menon says its about a chapter in a cop’s life.
BTW VV was another chapter in a cop’s life & like you I loved it too!!!
I’m sure ur right, Sethumadhvan.
It’s probably a great film. And it’s that very conviction I see in people like u, which compels me to play that dvd again and again.
I have no idea why it’s such a struggle!
U liked ‘Vetaiyaadu’?! Finally, someone agrees!
I found that to be so gripping.
But, there did come a point when I wished all those rape scenes were just implied, not shown to that extent!
Having said that, it’s a super film!
@ Steve
I just love Vettaiyadu Vilayadu-period.Right from the superb macho intro given to KH, to the way the story unfolds its a winner all the way.Some of my my friends both in the industry & outside didnt find the 2nd half all that great but not me.
I felt Gautam was quite bold with the theme.And the songs rocked.I thought “Partha Mudhal Naale Unnai” ( first day that I saw you) was beautifully romantic.
You know what steve- considering you & me are non tamils but still talking so much about tamil cinema, I guess thats the true power of cinema!!!
I did like the film alot, 2nd half included, but wished the identity of the culprits hadn’t been revealed so early.
It would’ve been even better IMO.
Also, it’s a shocking film.
All those fingers, body parts etc, which really works.
It sends a chill down ur spine.
However, those van rape scenes were on another level. I found them to be a bit too much.
It was already highly effective.
I guess it depends on how much one can handle?
My enjoyment was ruined in those scenes.
Yet, I still rate the film.
Ur not Tamil either??!
Ah, the combination of Sethu & Madhavan tricked me :-)
It’s not just Tamil, but the power of ‘cinema’ for you!
Ur not Tamil either??!
Ah, the combination of Sethu & Madhavan tricked me :-)
That indeed is the power of cinema!
Hmmm….guess I got a starting point here now. Can watch Vettaiyadu Vilayadu for starters…Some knowledge and interest you both – SM and Steve seem to have in Tamil cinema…Good to read all this…Tx..
@ Steve
Dont worry quite a few get fooled by my name.But it helps
So Steve you only gonna be watching Vaaranam Aayiram this weekend or Dostana too?
that I can pass of for a tam if needed
@ Arthi
Actually cinema is such a wonderful medium that it just sweeps me away.Kya kare control nahin hota
.Much as I got excited to wait for & watch Quantum of Solace this weekend ( and eventually get disappointed), I know that the coming weekend I am going to go all out & watch Dostana & Vaaranam Aayiram
Hey Arthi V, yeah I guess me and my fellow ‘Tamilian’ could go on about Gauthams films all day long!
I hope u enjoy it.
And please don’t curse me if u find some of it too much :-)
It’s entertaing, commercial, gripping and very watchable.
There are a couple of probs I had but I can overlook them.
Btw, ur the only other person i’ve interacted with who DIDN’T like ‘Kaaka’.
Maybe one day i’ll actualy get through it?!
Unfortunately, i’ll most probably miss both those films this week SethuMadhvan :-(
I’m all bunged up and germ infested!
Have a horrible cold, and I have a feeling that the cinegoers won’t appreciate me coughing and spreading my germs amongst them! ;-)
That said, ‘Dostana’ and ‘Varaanam’ are appealing, but ‘Varaanam’ might not be showing in my ‘ilaaka’.
Normally i’d get a train to a cinema which is showing a film I wanna see, but i’m physically beat!
Oh well…
Hey Steve, Surya is one of the more underrated actors in Tamil movies i feel. He is generally the subtle, understated again. Though most of his early flicks were typical masala stuff, Nanda turned the tide.
In fact i would rate Nanda as one of Bala’s best, along with Sethu and Pithamagan. And in a supporting act, in Pithamagan he still managed to impress.
Steve also do check out some of the earlier Tamil flicks by K.Balachander, Bharatiraja, Balu Mahendra and Mahendran.
KB’s earlier movies were i felt quite radical and way ahead of their times.
Avargal is a movie of KB, i would recommend you to watch. Basically about a woman, who is escaping an abusive marriage, and finds support in a good Samaritan, who also loves her silently. Watch this for one of Rajni’s best performances as an abusive husband.
Varumayin Niram Sivappu, is another fabulous movie from KB. It came in Telugu also as Akali Rajyam( Kingdom of the Hungry). Kamal playing an unemployed youth, in one of his finest performances. The dialogues are really hard hitting, and captures the cynicism of the 70’s.
Among Bharathiraja’s movies check out, 16 Vaiyathanille, Muthal Maryathai.
While Bharathi Raja is known for his rural themes, he also made 2 really good thrillers with an urban background, Sigappu Rojakal, about a serial killer, and Tik,Tik,Tik.
Some more Tamil flicks i would reccomend
“Aasai”
“Rythm”
( By Vasanth)
“Satya”- Fairly engaging remake of Arjun, starring Kamal.
“Anbe Sivam”
“Guna”
“Mahanadi”
Any of Cheran’s movies “Porkaalam”, “Autograph”, “Thavamai Thavindru”.
Steve by the way i liked Gautham Menon’s Pachaikilli Muthucharam much more than the English original Derailed, and the Hindi version Train. Interestingly Gautam has this Hitchockian tendency to make a cameo appearance in every movie of his.
@ Steve
Yeh kambakth zukham bhi kya zaalim cheez hai
Dont worry buddy I hope you’ll recover soon- you still have a few days left & as someone famous said – “kal ka kya bharosa, kal kisne dekha hai?”
So you never know- you might just b fit as a fiddle & make it for both.
@ Arthi
Strongly suggest you watch Vettaiyadu Vilayadu.But yes now that Steve & myself have been discussing so much- you know what to watch out for !!!
Thankyou Ratnakar Sadasyula!
I don’t know where to begin!
Surya is probably my fave Tamil actor, although I think Bharath shows alot of promise too.
Ajit is one actor that I never paid much attention to until a year ago.
He’s quite brilliant in ‘Vaali’!
Bala? I totally agree.
I’m always left in awe by his films.
I’ve heard loads about K.Balachander, but got one of his weaker films ‘Paarthale Parvasam’ which didn’t impress me much.
I guess I need to see the ones u’ve recommended.
Oh, ‘Rhythm’ I have seen.
Was quite a nice film. Love the soundtrack!!
‘Anbe Sivam’ is DEFINITELY on my list to buy!
Infact, I think I need to do some R. Madhvan shopping! He’s an awesome actor!
‘Pachaikilli Muthucharam’ was alright.
Problem was that we already knew the story, so there was no suspense.
Also, Jyotika really, REALLY overacted in that!
I never used to notice it much before, but after ‘Chandramukhi’ I thought, ‘OH MY GOD, WHAT’S WRONG WITH HER’!
Used to be a really big fan of hers.
@ Ratnakar
Wow! good to hear of your take on tamil movies too.Yes I do agree that Surya is a very underrated actor and yes most of the movies of Bala mentioned by you are good.Another movie of Surya which is quite good is Mounam Pesiyadhe.
K.Balachandar has made some 101 movies ( amazing ) & most of it except the last 2-3 were all really quite good.and yes Bharatiraja was a trendsetter- his 16 vayadhinile had the raw intensity of the rural 70’s & had brilliant performances by Kamal Haasan,Sridevi & Rajnikanth.
And yes Sigappu Rojakkal was a film significantly ahead of its time.Do you know there’s a trivia associated with the movie- there was a hoarding of the movie which remained on Mount Road ( Anna Salai) – Chennai for 8 years at a stretch ( 1978-1986)???
Sadly the hindi remake of the same movie – Red Rose
( Rajesh Khanna) is only worthy of Oz Bhai’s torture series.Tik Tik Tik was also remade in hindi as Karishma.
Actually those days ( 1980’s ) there used to a trend of remaking most of Kamal Haasan’s tam movies in hindi with KH himself in the lead.
Varumayin niram sigappu ( the colour of povery is red) or Akali Rajyam was also remade as Zara Si zindagi in Hindi.And yes all the other movies like Aasai,Rhythm,Anbe Sivam,Mahanadi etc are all worth a watch.
@ Ratnakar & Steve
Have you guys watched Virumaandi by Kamal Haasan?Directed by KH himself it was a brilliant film- brutal & ever so gripping.The style of narration was akin to Quentin Tarantino’s style in Pulp Fiction ( I’m not comparing the two movies- they have nothing in common).
Sethumadhavan:
I have seen a lot of Tamil flicks – but loved only the mani ratnam ones and a few others(shankar ones – 7g rainbow colony) etc – I mistyped in the earlier post!
Most of the stuff I have seen are Vijay – Ajith starrers – and they have only all the elements I mentioned – Vikram and Surya are the only good ones – Madhavan now wants to concentrate on HIndi cinema.
I heard ARR’s composition for a tamil movie called ‘Sakkarakati’ (?) – many people have said the movie is very bad – True?!
I personally believe that South Indian movies are better than than the Hindi ones – a few tamil and most Malayalam ones –
..
Sundar c ‘The next Vijaykanth’
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=4gjVJ-d_OtE
..
[:P]
:-) SethuMadhvan ji! Lets hope ur right!
I’m currently overdosing on garlic and oranges!
Dekhte hain, kaun jeetega!
Zukhaam, garlic ya mere filmon ka paagalpan! ;-)
Steve, no offence meant (on one level its a very wrong qn I’m asking), but how come you are so totally into Tamil films being a NI? The first who I’ve come across..Am just stumped hence asked..
@ Ratnakar – Agree with you on Rythym. It was after ages that i’d seen a film where a love affair was handled with so much dignity. Meena and Arjun were good. And of course ARR’s music was superb – love to listen to the tracks but the visuals for the songs didn’t live up to this. Except for Thaniye. I just so like that song!!! Only hues of blue and grey and fireworks occasionally bursting in the background. And the lyrics!! I really enjoyed this film. It kind was really ‘clean’ if I could say.
The hindi film Lakeer really shouldn’t have lifted the music from this film.
@ Steve
Do you want to know some trivia about Surya & Ajit?
1.Nerukku Ner was the debut of Surya which he did along with Vijay ( movie produced by Mani Ratnam & directed by Vasanth)- Surya’s role was to be done by Ajit, Ajit couldnt do it & we had Surya’s entry into filmdom
2. Nanda- the next big movie in Surya’s career- Bala was to do it with Ajit – again Ajit couldnt do it & it became a landmark movie for Surya
3. Ghajini- another landmark movie for Surya was again to be made by Murugadoss with Ajit & the film was titled “mirattal” ( meaning threat).But ajit didnt go on & do it.
So thats the strange link between Ajit & Surya.
Ajit- is again a very good actor.Its just that he & Vijay have got projected as the next big guys after Rajni & Kamal.So the fans find it difficult to accept his steering off the main course.
Movies of Ajit to watch- Aasai,Kadhal Kottai, Vaali
( brilliant as the deaf & dumb villain), Mugavari, Kandukondain Kandukondain, Kireedom
‘Virumaandi’? Nope.
I’ve heard of it, but to be honest, my knowledge on Kamal Hassan is quite limited.
Oh, how can I miss out on Vikram?!
Amazing, amazing actor!
Ajit was also supposed to do the Surya wala role in the tamil version of ‘Yuva’.
@ Steve
Ummeed pe hi to duniya kaayam hai,inshallah jo hoga ache
ke liye hi hoga!!!
@ Sriram
Understood your point now that you’ve made it clear.
Sundar.C is a director turned hero ( yeah one more) whose movies are getting lapped up in B & C Centres.He has earlier made some big movies like Ullathai Allitha
( Karthik-Goundamini – tam version of Andaz Apna Apna),Unnaithedi (Ajit),Arunachalam ( Rajnikant), Janakiraman ( Sarath Kumar), Anbe Sivam ( Kamal Haasan,Madhavan ) etc.
But in his current avatar he is doing the so called potboilers.He is also the husband of Kushboo, the actress.
@ Steve
Parthale Paravasam was the 100th movie made by K.B.I’ve already told you that the last few movies made by him out of his 101 were bad.So PP falls in that list.
@ Sriram-
Yes I missed out on Ayutha Ezhuthu ( Yuva in tamil)
and yes Sakkarakatti was a collosal flop.The only song which is good from it is “taxi taxi”
@ Arthi
ARR himself composed the music of Lakeer so in a sense its him to be blamed for whatever you mentioned
Holy Freak! I can’t bliv he’s married to Kushboo.
Wht’s with Tamil dir turning (bad)actors. I have been another guy – who was the hero in NEW – he was a director as well – wasn’t he!?
Arre Arthi V ji, u missed out the ‘R’.
I’m not just a NI but a NRI, lol!
I’m not offended at all.
All my life I watched Hindi films and used to buy a film weekly paper called ‘Screen India’.
Back in ‘92, there was all this rage about some ‘Roja’ film.
Every other week it was ‘Roja’ this, ‘Roja’ that!!
I was curious.
A short while later, the soundtrack released.
Then it was Rahman this, Rahman that, and I thought, ‘What the hell is it with this film’?
Out of curiousity I got the album. Pressed play…
….Then my life changed forever!!
I was just so moved that such beautiful creativity was kept away!!
I made a point to see the film.
And at that point, my family began to doubt my sanity, lol!
I just went ‘lutoo’ over Rahman and South stuff, but it was so hard to get hold of South stuff where I lived.
I became obsessed with Rahman!
Wanted all his music.
Then in 2000 I came across ‘Kandukondain’.
That was it!
Hooked for life!
Just had to spread the word!
Wow! So Ajit’s loss is Surya’s gain?!
Thanks Sethu!
Well, in that case i’m glad that happened just for Surya’s sake.
I also agree about ‘Vaali’. Ajit was brilliant in that.
Arthi, I agree that the picturisations of the songs in ‘Rhythm’ didn’t live up to the soundtrack.
‘Kaatre’, as a song, is just superlative!
Actually, ‘Paighaam’ (the Hindi version) was even better!
Kavita Krishnamurthy went beyond her previous Tamil version!
What a woman!
What a voice!
Incredible!
@Sriram
Yes you are talking about S.J.Suryah.He made Vaali with Ajit & Khushi with Vijay both doing phenomenally well@ the box office.He then went on to remake Khushi in telugu
( Pawan Kalyan-hit) & hindi ( Fardeen-Kareena- flop) with the same title.
After that he decided to take the hero route with New.Incidentally he again remade New in telugu called Naani with Mahesh Babu & Amisha Patel ( surprised).After that he’s done quite a few more movies as a hero , some clicked some didnt.he’s now ready with his next one- I think its called Newtoninin Moonram Vidhi or something like that.
Well its become a trend for directors to turn actors in tamil cinema.You anyway had Sunderrajan,Manivannan,Ramesh Khanna,Santhanabarathy,T.P.Ganjendran etc who are more popular as character artistes.
Cheran, S.j.Suryah,Sundar.C & even Thangar Bachchan have tried the hero route along with a few others.Of these Cheran has been accepted as an alternative hero ( he anyways makes reliastic cinema ) while Sundar.C is appealing to the B & C junta!!!
@ Steve
Your story reminds me of something similar in my case.During my B.School days I started getting hooked on to telugu cinema also ( no I didnt do my MBA from anywhere even remotely close to Andhra Pradesh
& for a long time my mom wondered if I had a telugu girl friend 
cos they found it very tough to understand why I would start watching all the telugu films & even point out nuances hahaha!!!
@ Steve
I find out another common thing between us- even I used to buy the Screen quite often.My reason for doing so- the huge posters of movies & the stars & the economical pricing.
Even now on rare occasions when I’m at some airport/railway station I do look around for it.do you know it costs only Rs.10 even now!!!
What a coincidence!
Screen India yahan bhi, aur wahan bhi!
I guess we need to credit Screen here, for being a highly informative newspaper!
I also remember reading so much about ‘Manichitrazhu’ when I was a kid and thinking, ‘How many friggin languages are there in India’! Lol…
I managed to see it last year and wow, what can I say?!
Shobhana was ELECTRIFYING!
Vidya Balan was ok in the Hindi version.
Jyotika was too OTT in Tamil!
But Shobhana? Wah, wah, wah!
Yes screen certainly needs to be credited.
BTW Steve- you mentioned Shobhana,Jyothika & Vidya Balan but left out Soundarya.If you are wondering who that is she was a South Indian actress originally from Karnataka who did movies in all 4 South Indian languages with all the leading men & even did a film with Big B- Suryavansham
( hahaha in hindi).
Whats the connection here? Well Manichitrathazhu was butchered by P.Vasu as Aptamitra in Kannada which had Vishnuvardhan,Ramesh Arvind & Soundarya.In fact seeing the success of Aptamitra P.Vasu remade it as Chandramukhi in tamil & also dubbed it in telugu as Chandramukhi itself
( later the same also got dubbed in hindi ).
Priyadarshan was one of the associate directors of Manichitrathazhu & remade it in hindi as Bhool Bulaiyya.
Phew! wasnt this story told by me like a bhool bulaiyya???
I wasn’t aware about Soundarya doing that film!
I know who she is but had no idea that yet another version was made!!
Well, ‘Chandramukhi’ was too loud!
It annoyed me!
Priyadarshan handled ‘Bhool Bhulaiya’ well, but I believe he had ‘ghost’ directed (get it??) the Malayaalam version too?
I still think Shobhana will be my 1st choice, even if Soundarya was great :-)
She’s so gorgeous, so talented, such a fantastic performer, an incredible dancer!
Don’t u think?
BTW C.Sundar also directed Anbe Sivam, though i would go with my thesis, that it was ghost directed by Kamal.
I mean the climax, and some of the emotional scenes, and all those dialogues about God & Love, were typically Kamal.
In fact i feel Guna and Mahanadi were also ghost directed by Kamal.
Also the Kamal-Singeetham combo
Apoorva Sahodaragal
Michael Madan Kama Rajan
Raja Parvai
Sommakodidhi Sokukodidhi(Telugu)
Some of the best entertainers.
And yes Pushpak,a movie whicb is a Masterpiece.
@ Sethu
New or Naani, was a dreadful remake of the Tom Hanks starrer Big. And Devayani irritated me to death with her screechy over acting.
@ Ratnakar
Yes New/Naani was a dreadful remake of Big which was a charming movie I saw ages ago while in school.
Yes even I’ve mentioned that Sundar.C directed Anbe Sivam.To the best of my knowledge also I’m sure ghost directed Anbe Sivam apart from the movies made by Santhanabarathy which you’ve mentioned i.e Guna & Mahanadi.
Now I dont know if Kamal ghost directed Singeetam Sreenivasa Rao’s movies but I’m sure he played a big role in the making.Raja Paarvai was in fact Kamal’s first movie officially as a producer under his Rajkamal films banner!!!
@ Steve
Agree with you completely regarding Shobhana.Her performance was way better than that of Jyothika or Soundarya.
Regarding Manichitrathazhu,no I dont think Priyan ghost directed it.Fazil was the director & in a peculiar scenario was assisted by people like Sibi Malayil,Priyan, Siddique-Lal etc who were already well established directors themselves.
BTW there was also a bengali version of the movie called Raj Mohal starring Prosenjit which didnt really create any ripples!!!
‘Anbe Sivam’ was first to be directed by Priyadarshan – and some problems crept btwn Priyan and Kamal and so Sundar came on board.
Thanks guys for the wonderful discussion. That’s the great thing about blogging here. One can write just 700 words and get to read much more interesting stuff related to it…!
And here’s me thinking that Dazed&Confused would be mad at us for going on and on :-)
‘Raj Mohel’? Ur kidding, right?!
Shouldn’t this film enter the Guiness Book of Records for being made into so many languages?!
I thought that ‘Khushi’ was the most frequently remade film!
Speaking of which, S.J.Surya is another one of those directors i’m very undecided about.
He seems to be very vouyeristic and sleazy, although I saw the Tamil ‘Khushi’ 6 times and ‘Ah Aah’ twice!
‘Vaali’ was good too.
Hi
Sekar Kamula’s “Anand” and recet movie “Happy Days” were much better than “Godavari”
regards
@ Steve
No I was not joking about Raj Mohal.It was really a bad bong remake of Manichitrathazhu.Yes you are rite its definitely one of the stories with maximum adaptations/versions.Kya pata maybe even Hollywood may wake up to it someday
You saw Ah Aah twice??? Man thats an achievement
@ Moviebuff
I certainly disagree with you.Godavari had a unique charm of its own.Probably the river journey added to it.and it had lilting music too.Of course Anand & Happy Days were good too but its not right to compare them
What is the name of that film *ing Revathi Kartik and dont kno who. Revathi comes from a very poor family; falls in love with Kartik whos also struggling in life. Somehow she ends up marrying this guy much older who’s very rich. But shes unable to stay with him. Decides to go back to Kartik only but there too its a tragic scene.
Seen this ages ago but I cant forget how sad this film made me feel. The last scene is etched in my mind. She at the doorstep of the hostel with her bags – Kartik moving away at the left, the husband at the right. Very sad film. Was it KB?
@ Arthi
I think the movie you are refering to is Idhaya Thamarai.
Revathi & Karthik are collegemates.Karthik is an orphan who is short tempered.One day he has a fight with a guy in college who tries to molest Revathi & so pours acid on him.Karthik thus goes to jail.When he comes out & goes in search of Revathi, he sees she’s already married to a rich guy played by Nizhalgal Ravi.
No it was not by KB, was directed by someone called Rajeshwar( not sure of what else he’s directed though)
Idhayam was one movie i liked. Its not too often you watch a campus Romance in Tamil cinema, that is understated, subtle and sensitive. Though it had some standard Kolly stuff like item numbers and Goundamani comedy, the emotional scenes were handled very sensitively. I remember when this movie came in Telugu dubbed as Hrudayam, we were in college, and most of the guys became hard core fans of Heera.
@ Ratnakar
Now you’ve made me feel nostalgic.I remember getting blown away by this movie.It was so well taken by Kadhir – the director that I was really drawn by it.Murali the hero played a very underrated & a subdued character of a medico extremely well.The songs were excellent ( Ilayaraja the master going great guns) with ” Pottu vaitha, oru vatta nila” being the pick of them.
And yes even I became a hard core of Heera then.I was still in school then & remember falling for a neighbourhood girl just because she resembled Heera & was also incidentally a medico
BTW I dont think Goundamani was there in it!!!
@ SethuMadhavan – ohhkk….dont remember Ravi tho. Always get a pic of a short, stocky portly kinda man as the husband. The recurrent scene of Revathi being chased by a tiger. Metaphor for her poverty. It is this then..Tx…
@ Sethu my bad, sorry i meant Senthil, always keep getting mixed up between both.
Murali again like Surya, very much understated and thats why i guess he never really got his due.
BTW any one here seen Kamal’s Mallu movie, Chanakya. Pretty engaging and interesting. Kamal falls in love with Urmi, who happens to be the daughter of a rich politician. Her father, takes revenge, by destroying Kamal’s family and sends him to prison. How Kamal manages to get even with his opponent, using a mimicry artist is what the movie is.
It was a straightforward tale of revenge. But what made the movie interesting, is the way, Kamal uses his intelligence to trap the minister, and make his life miserable. The movie also had great performances from Kamal, Jayaram as the mimicry artiste and Tilakan as the corrupt politician.
@ Ratnakar
Dont remember the movie having Senthil either.It had Chinni Jayanth playing Murali’s friend and also had Janagaraj as the funny medical college professor though!!!
@ Ratnakar
How can I forget Chanakya?I think it was the last
” straight” Mallu movie done by Kamal.Yes Kamal,Thilakan & Jayaram were all brilliant in it.I think it was Urmila’s first mallu movie.She went on to do another with Mohanlal- Thacholi Varghese Chekavar.Of course both these movies were done by her in the pre-Rangeela days
It’s an terrible excuse I know, but ‘Ah Aah’ was seen twice because I loved Rahmans BGM!
Yup. Terrible!
And this ‘Happy Days’ film has a beautiful soundtrack!
I never saw the film, but I have the music and it’s just fantastic!
Guys Guys…. Steve, Sethu and Arthi – you guys rock!
Being a ardent follower of Tamil cinema, I feel extremely pleased that some people not speaking the language talking about the movies which I loved to the core…
PFC – You Rock!
@ Steve
Yes Happy Days has a great soundtrack by Mickey.J.Myers.Along with Mungaru Male in Kannada ( music by Manomoorthy) I rate it as probably the most refreshing South Indian soundtrack in the last 2 years coming from someone relatively new.
And yes how can I miss out James Vasanth’s score for Subramaniapuram.The kangal irundhal song is simply outstanding.Of course now both Mickey & Manomoorthy are big names in their own right.
@ Sivakumar
As mentioned earlier I guess its the power of cinema which binds us to it.Long live cinema
Hey thanks SivaKumar T (T for thambi? :-))
Well u rock too!
Let’s all get together and rock the world! Lol…
This site most definitely is an amazing platform.
And I can’t thank Honhaar enough for guiding me to it!
Coming to think of it, I have seen so many Tamil films!
‘Snegidhne’ ‘Dum Dum Dum’ ‘Vasool Raja’ ‘Alaipayuthey’ etc, etc…
Yet I have missed 100’s!
I’m definitely gonna see that Sridevi film with Rajnikant.
@ Steve
BTW who’s leading in the war between zukham ,garlic & cinema?I hope its cinema
I’m hoping that you would still manage to catch both Dostana & Vaaranam Aayiram this weekend & then v must compare notes.
@ Siva
Did read your blog & must say I’m impressed to know how passionate you are about cinema.Welcome aboard, I think PFC is the place for people like us!!!
@ Sethu
As of me, i am now fighting a battle between zukhaaam, band naak and passion for cinema. Zukhaam seems to be winning.
Actually gives me an idea for a cinema, how a cold can wreck a man’s professional and personal life.
@ Ratnakar
Yeah that sounds like a gr8 idea.BTW would you want Nana Patekar in it? He would go on to rant something like this
” ek virus, saala ek zukhaam ka virus, aadmi ke poore system ko hi barbaad kar deta hai ”
One recco I would like to add:
Virumaandi by Kamal Haasan
The man’s got a vision I must say. I hope to see more of Kamal Haasan – The Director.
@ Vic
Refer post no.54- I have already mentioned about Virumaandi in detail
I liked Tamil comedies as well – mostly the ones about 10 yrs back – esp ‘Kadhala Kadhala’ in 1998!
That was one funny movie! It was funny right from the start till the end – and none of it was ‘boring’ or ’stupid’!
@ Sriram
Yes Kadhala Kadhala was good.I fondly remember it especially for 2 aspects- the kasumele kasu vandhu song-
awesome to see 2 great dancers like Prabhu Deva & Kamal Haasan dancing to that song.The other is the comedy scene-
” oru kallile rendu maanga”- just brilliant
Lol, SethuMadhvan!
Well, the garlic is leading a ‘zabardast faujion ki sena’ and my passion for cinema is motivating it to beat the crap outa my zukham, but the enemy is very well prepared and is putting up a good fight!
Btw, ur Nana Patekar idea is HOWL-ARIOUS!
I do wanna catch those movies man.
Sadly i’m not gonna be able to see the Korean film ‘The Chaser’ tonight, thanks to my Zukham Raja Yenna Swami! Grr!
There were many scenes like that – Esp the ‘Noor mahal’ one – where Vadivelu asks Kamal what its named so – and when ‘Soundarya’ asks the manager to reduce the amount – and he stars ‘barking’ – and also the scene when ‘Soundarya’s dad call her up for the first time – and how Kamal deals with it – and Ramba’s dad yelling ‘Muruga Muruga’ and his funny dreams.
Every scene in the movie is just very hilarious. I have seen quite a few good comedy movies in Tamil and Malayalam -should say Hindi comedies are ‘probably’ no where near these!
@ Steve
Though it doesn’t mean that, you can call me Thambi :-)
Sari! Nanri thambi! ;-)
Gosh… Going by the enthusiasm displayed by Steve, Sethu, Arthi and other PFC guys, I hope to come up with a must-watch tamil movies list soon…
Epdiyaa Thambi??! Same here!
I’ve lost touch with Tamil films BIG TIME!
I have ‘Veyil’ which is sitting patiently on my table!
I really want to watch ‘Kadhal Kondain’ too, which i’ve had for a year!
@ Steve
Too bad you missed “The Chaser” tonite. But yeah keep the fight going.Let cinema triumph
@ Sriram
Yes the whole movie rocked- no doubt.Vadivelu I think had a military get up ( ex military
) & M.S.Viswanathan was magical as ever
@ Siva
Your list would always be welcome.We can have another discussion on it
By God, you guys are too much! This has become my Tamil films resource on the net now!
D&C, ye kya aag lagaa di yaar :-)
Arre Tushar bhai,
yeh toh chingaari thi. Full blown aag toh ab shuru hogi!
Hoo haha haha!
:-)
Has anyone seen ‘Oram Po’? It kinda appealled to me.
Thumbs up or down??
@ Tushar- I never thought that a hurriedly written post on recent Tamil movies would be my most commented post ever…!
I know what you are talking about man. :-)
Remember Keladi Kanmani..SPB and Radhika. SPB a widower with a young daughter, meets Radhika but daughter relatilates big time. I like the way the film was shot, the ambience..And of course it got all that publicity with the rumour that SPB has sung a para in a song (or the whole song? cant be so) without taking a breath. I remember, as a kid, sitting with my cousin to watch this film and analysing as to if he really is doing that!
But that film was nice…
@ Steve
I really liked Oram Po.It was actually different , not like what people usually say about their films.So its a thumbs up for me
It was Chennai’s own “Fast & the Furious”.
@ Tushar,Dazed & Confused
I guess sometimes its nice to get positively surprised
@ Arthi
Yes I remember Keladi Kanmani.He sang the anthra’s in one go ( i.e without taking a breath).
Given below is the lyrics of the song ( remember half of it- so dug it out for the rest of it)
mannil indha kaadhalanri yaarum vaazhdhal koodumo
ennam kanni paavaiyinri aezhu svarandhaan paadumo
penmai inri mannil inbam aedhadaa
kannai moodik kanavil vaazhum maanidaa
(mannil indha)
vennilavum ponninadhiyum kanniyin thunaiyinri
enna sugam ingu padaikkum penmayil sugamanri
thandhanamum sangaththamizhum pongidum vasandhamum
sindhivarum pongum amudham thandhidum kumudhamum
kannimagal arugae irundhaal suvaikkum
kanniththunai izhandhaal muzhudhum kasakkum
vizhiyinil mozhiyinil nadaiyinil udaiyinil
adhisaya sugamtharum anangival pirappidhudhaan
(mannil indha)
muththumani raththinangalum kattiya pavazhamum
koththumalar arpudhangalum kuvindha adharamum
sitridaiyum sinna viralum villenum puruvamum
sutrivarach cheyyum vizhiyum sundara mozhigalum
ennivida marandhaal edharkoa piravi
iththanaiyum izhandhaal avandhaan thuravi
mudimudhal adivarai muzhuvadhum sugamtharum
virundhugal padaiththidum amudhamum avalallavaa
(mannil indha)
@ SethuMadhavan – whoa…the whole song..:-)…
Nammavar is another film. Kamal was very good no doubt but Nagesh in this film was very endearing.
I cant forget that scene at the fag end of the film when Kamal pleas with the students not to beat up the villian (the rich spoilt brat) and that dialogue the way he says it..gives me goosebumps every time I think of that scene.
Thanks to this post, Tamil films I’d seen and those that I have to are all cropping up…Liking it..
@ Arthi
Yes Nammavar was a good movie.It was in fact directed by another Sethumadhavan
( well K.S.Sethumadhavan is a very prolific director who has made some amazing movies in Malayalam,Tamil & even in telugu & hindi).
I love the intro of Kamal, entering the college in a bike when there’s utter chaos & violence in campus,love the group song on stage – the miscrants have destroyed the instruments of the team.So Kamal & team improvise on stage.
And the scene where Nagesh realises his daughter is dead- mindblowing.Also the scene mentioned by you- all in all a good movie.
@ Steve
In today’s age when we are celebrating the success of a musical like Rock On- are you aware that way back in the late 1970’s ( 1979 to be precise) Kamal Haasan & Rajnikant had joined hands to feature in a musical called
” Ninaithale Innikum”? It was directed by the brilliant K.Balachandar.
Whats it all about? Well Kamal has a rock band ( Rajni is a part of it) & they are off on a trip to Singapore.Can you believe it???The movie was an outstanding success thanks mainly to the brilliant music by M.S.Viswanathan.
Its an outstanding movie from K.B & a must watch for all fans of Kamal & Rajni and for all who love tamil cinema or cinema in general.
@ SM – Just looked up for his filmography and he’s the one whos directed Julie too. That I didnt know…Surprised…
@ Arthi
Yes he’s made Julie and another movie with Kamal Haasan also called Vazhve Maayam ( brilliant) which had Sridevi also
Vazhve Maayam – Hmmm…is this the one where KH and S have a kind of duel in a song – he just sings a tune (you know in the raga style..sorry if im not desc it rightly ) and she words them accordingly…I really liked that song..
No No..this one is by R. Krishnamurthy…the Vazhve Maayam by SM doesnt star KH and S….
@ Arthi
Oops you are right.The one by SM was an old mallu movie released in 1970.But this one was released I think in 1982.
Reason for confusion being- the one with KH & S also had a mallu version by the same name !!!
@ Arthi
No no the one you are refering to is Varumayin Niram Sigappu which myself & Ratnakar have spoken about earlier.
Vaazhve Maayam is a like a modern take on Devadas ( here
Kamal is dying of cancer I think & so turns alocohlic & befriends a dancer-Sripriya so that Sridevi would forget him).Movie had great music- title track, neela vana odayil,
devi sri devi,mazhaikala megam etc
np…tx for this snippet…some treasure trove this is going to become..
@ Arthi
The song you are refering to from Varumayin Niram Sigappu is ” Sippi irukkuthu muthum irukkuthu”
Given below is the complete lyrics- enjoy
sippiyirukkudhu muththumirukkudhu thirandhu paarkka naeram illadi raajaaththi
sindhaiyirukkudhu sandhamirukkudhu kavidhaipaada naeramilladi raajaaththi
thanaanaa…sandhangal…thanaanaa…neeyaanaal
… risari…sangeedham…laalaalaa…naanaavaen
… sandhangal neeyaanaal sangeedham naanaavaen
(sippiyirukkudhu)
thanana thana…sirikkum sorggam…
thananana thanana thana…thangaththattu enakku mattum
thana thana thana…thaevai paavai paarvai
thanana thana…ninaikka vaiththu…
thananana thanana thana…nenjil ninru nerungi vandhu
thanana thananana thanana thanana thanana
mayakkam thandhadhu yaar thamizhoa amudhoa kaviyoa
(sippiyirukkudhu)
thanana thanana thana
mazhaiyum veyilum enna
thananana thanana thanana thana
unnaikkandaal malarum mullum enna
thanananana thanananana thana
radhiyum naadum azhagilaadum kangal
thanana thanana thana thananana thanana thanana thana
kavidhai ulagam kenjum unnaikkandaal kavinjar idhayam kenjum
thanana nananana thanana thanana thanana
koduththa sandhangalil en manadhai neeyariya naanuraiththaen
(sippiyirukkudhu)
sippiyirukkudhu muththumirukkudhu
thirandhu paarkka naeram vandhadhu ippoadhu
sindhaiyirukkudhu sandhamirukkudhu
kavidhai paadik kalandhiruppadhu eppoadhu
(sippiyirukkudhu)
@ Sethu
That song is one of my favorites, basically its a kind of a Q&A song. Both SP and Janaki are fabulous in it.
@ Arthi
The song you are referring to from Keladi Kanmani is indeed a breathless one. When i was in Chennai, i had a Tam friend of mine, who was a good singer too. Like me he was passionate about music and IR, and we would spend long hours discussing it, especially over some booze. In fact many times he would try to sing that in one take.
Keladi Kanmani was also dubbed into Telugu as O Papa Lali. That particular song, became a rage, and during every college singing competition, it became the de facto choice for the contestants to show off their singing skills. In fact there was a contest to see who could actually sing that stanza without a break.
@ Sethu
The Kamal-Rajni starrer u talked about also that song “Endhaidum Eppodum”, one of the best fast numbers, scored by MSV.
speaking of KB’s old movies, check Moondru Mudichu starring Kamal, Rajni and Sridevi. Rajni plays a negative character, who has an eye on Sridevi. When he finds that Sri and Kamal are in love with each other, he kills Kamal. Sri however foils his plans, by going ahead and marrying Rajni’s dad, a rich widower. Kamal did not have much to do in this movie, but both Rajni and Sridevi, were brilliant.
@ Ratnakar
Yes Ninaithale Innikum had the song “engeyum eppodum” which was recently remixed in the movie “Polladhavan” that I have also spoken about.For a change the remix was also done well.
Yes I’ve seen Moondru Mudichu- in fact the sequence where Rajni kills Kamal is brilliantly shot by K.B.Kamal,Rajni & Sridevi are all having a boat trip in a lake & Kamal is singing a lovely song ” vasanthakala nadigalile” when Rajni pushes Kamal into the water….
Indran Chandran/ Indrudu Chandran- Great comedy. Kamal plays double role, one is a corrupt womanizing Mayor, and another is a convict, who has escaped from prison. The fun begins when the Mayor’s associates kill him, and then bring in the other Kamal to take the Mayor’s position. Kamal is just fab as the Mayor with his buck tooth and croaky voice.
Vikram- Though the movie did not do too well, it still feel this was a very brave attempt by Kamal. A kind of Bond flick, with some good action scenes and a fairly intrestign plot.
Sagara Sangamam/Salangai Oli- Masterpiece of a movie. Kamal plays a talented dancer, who however never really gets the recognition due to a cruel trick of fate. Frustrated he ends up a cynical drunkard, making a living doing odd ends. He has a shot at redemption, when he is asked to teach classical dance to a young girl, Sailaja. However Sailaja, happens to be the daughter of the woman he once loved and lost, Madhavi(Jayapradha), and who is now a widow. To make matters worse, he had earlier criticized Sailaja’s dance performance. Just tugs at ur heartstrings.
Swatimutyam/Sirpikal Muthu- Kamal plays a Forrest Gump like character, who is totally innocent of the worldly ways. One day, taking the advice of his Grandma, he ties the wedding knot to a widow, Lalita( Radhika). How he manages to get along in life is what this movie is all of.
In fact both Sagarasangamam/Swatimuthyam are masterpieces from Kamal-K.Vishwanath combo.
Kadhal Kondein- I would rate this as one of Selvaraghavan’s best movies, even better than 7GBC. Dhanush is brilliant as the hero who becomes a pyschopath owing to the abuse he suffered as a child. This movie just left me totally depressed for some days.
While i did like 7GBC, it was spoilt by Ravi Krishna’s wooden performance. That guy just gets on my nerves.
Kamal Hassan tho brilliant has starred in crappy movies too. One that I cannot forget is Indrudu Chandrudu along with VijayaShanti.
In a double role, the role of the Mayor who is murdered and a younger KH who is made to act as him.
Such double meaning dialogues and not much of a story to be told. Had seen this with family. Damn was so embarassed.
Was dubbed in Hindi as Mayor Saab…Bad one…
@Arthi
Did not understand what was bad about IC. I felt it was a really well made flick, and the humour was good, though there were double entendre at some places. For me it remains one of my favorite Kamal flicks. BTW most of my family enjoyed this movie
Saw your post on IC now Ratnakar…must say u r one of the few whos liked the film..
@Arthi
Or maybe i could say, ur one of the few who hated it
. Trust me this movie was a major hit, and the dialogues were a rage in the college. For quite some time, every guy would mimick Kamal’s accent as the mayor.
@ Ratnakar
Kamal Haasan is a wonderful artist & technician.All the movies mentioned by you- Indiran Chandiran/Indrudu Chandrudu, Vikram, Sagara Sangamam/Salangai Oli,Swatimutyam/Sippikul Muthu were all great attempts by Kamal.
Another movie from the Kamal-K.Viswanath combo was Subhasankalpam/Pasavalai- which was again a decent movie to watch.
For that matter Indian/Bhartiyudu/Hindustani- though very commercial was simply great to watch due to the outstanding work done by Kamal!!!
@ Sethu
Well i did like most of Shankar’s movies, except for Shivaji and Jeans.
The stunt work in Gentleman was just brilliant, especially the opening scene, where you have the jeep and bike jumping over the train, and the final chase scene.
Shankar is an excellent technician, and i like his narration, though the comic scenes in his movies suck.
In Mudhalvan, take that scene, where he recreates the traffic jam, and the violence. Or even the climax scene, which was superbly set up.
In fact i think i am one of the few persons who liked Boys, though many hated that movie.
Well, what can I say….:-)
Tx for mentioning Sagara Sangamam – true gem!. When he dances on the across the well in a drunken state, I thought, damn, he could just fall in any moment. Only Kamal perform like that..
That scene where he shows a particular dance move in all four difference dance forms, very artistic for a guy..
That movie simply shouldnt be missed…
@ Arthi & Ratnakar
Personally I liked IC too.Yes it was slightly over the top but then I guess the story demanded it.Bada mazaa aaya picture dekh ke
BTW have any of you realised that there are hazaar telugu & tamil films which are getting dubbed into hindi day by day?Whether all are released in theatres or not is a question.But its feeding channels like Sahara Filmy,Star Gold,Zee Cinema.
Sample this- last night I saw a ” coming soon” ad on Star Gold for “Jigarwala”.Believe it or not its a dubbed version of a tamil movie called “Dheena”.The movie had Ajith in it & was the debut of director A.R.Murugadoss ( Ghajini fame).
it also was noted for the lovely music by Yuvan Shankar Raja
Arthi, SethuMadhvan, Ratnakar Sadasyula, why weren’t u guys my Tamil influence in 2000?!
This is the kind of info I desperately seeked back then!
I would’ve seen all this stuff by now.
Sridevi, IMO is the best actress I have ever scene in the Indian film industry.
I’ve not seen her Tamil films but will MOST DEFINITELY buy the above named films.
Btw SethuMadhvan, both ‘Dostana’ & ‘Vaaranam’ have released here today.
I’m contemplating spreading my germs amongst other fellow cinegoers! ;-)
Hey sethu, i am daily watching one or other dubbed version of Telugu, Tam flicks on TV. Previously they would come in some late night slot or during afternoons, but nowadays i see them on Prime Time also.
LOL, what has happened to Star,Sony and Zee, is their stock of movies depleted, that they are just showing the same old stuff again or reverting to dubbed versions of Tam, Telugu movies. And on top of it, i think you have UTV Bindaas which keeps showing the dubbed versions of Hollywood and Chinese flicks.
@ Steve
In 2000, there was no PFC ;).
And please just Ratnakar will do dude, no formalities please.
@ Ratnakar
Yes Dhanush-Selvaraghavan combo rocked in Kadhal Konden.
Do you know I saw 2 Dhanush movies back to back in Mumbai’s Auroral theatre on sunday some 5 yrs back ( Thiruda Thirudi, followed by Kadhal Konden) – had great fun then
And yes 7-G Rainbow/Brindavan Colony was great inspite of Ravi Krishna
latest news is Selva-Dhanush combo is coming together again for a quickie once Selva completes his current project-Ayirathil Oruvan with Surya’s brother Karthi , who made a smashing debut with Paruthiveeran!!!
Oh gawd!
This is another thing, SethuMadhvan!
Why are the titles so DHAMAKEDAAR?!
All those dubbed films are like;
Sabse Bada Badla
Maha Jigarwala
Takkar Leke Dekho
Tujhe Nahin Chhodoonga
Himmatwaale Ki Mahaan Shakti!
Seriously, it’s crazy!
So much emphasis on the titles!
SethuMadhavan, yes, these dubbed ones are regularly shown.. I think Zee Cinema loves such films. Latest, I happenened to see some scenes of the Chiranjeevi starrer Indra.Do people actually watch such?
Btw has anyone seen the super duper hit, Ranji starrer – Padaiyappa. Its kind of become a cult in Tamil Nadu. That style of greeting. All the actions in slow motion to get more effect. Gosh. That scene when he comes to Ramya’s house and she doesnt offer him a place to sit. he manner in which he pulls the swing down (its tied up). People actually went crazy in teh theatres for this scene…Whenever i chance upon it, it makes me laugh. hilarious stuff…
Thanks Ratnakar :-)
Oh, and i’m sure i’ve seen the adverts for;
Mujhe Matt Lalkaaro
Dum Hain Toh Aaja!
Khoon Ka Badla Khoon
Paapi Ka Naasht Karoonga!
(or something to that effect!)
Accompanied by visuals of blood shot eyes of Nagurjana, as Tabu looks on helplessly!
Why do they do that?! Lol
@ Steve
So go ahead & watch them both dude.And yes like Ratnakar let me follow suit & say Sethu would do
@ Ratnakar
You are right about the dubbing ka funda.I only see this trend to continue & maybe even increase day by day
Some trivia for you all- Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai ( one of India’s best multiplexes ) has 6 screens & tonite there’s something special happening there.While their main screen is having the preview of VA, all other 5 screens are having the preview of Dostana , howzatt???
Do u guys know if it’s true that A.R.Rahmans house was trashed by Rajni fans when ‘Padiyappa’ released?
I was told that fans were livid with Rahman for producing substandard music.
I was shocked!
True or false?
@ Steve
Well I think I’ve introduced more “jaan” into the discussion by bringing up the dubbing angle
@ Arthi
You are refering to Indira-The Tiger
actually the original telugu movie -Indira was a massive hit & even had a great soundtrack.
Yes I’ve seen Padayappa quite a few times.Happened to watch it first in a crowded hall in Madurai ( I think the first day itself) and remember that the crowd went mad & were abusing Ramya Krishan for having insulted their superstar in that scene which you mentioned.
I remember my then employer was one of the sponsors ( brand tie-up) for Rajni’s mega disaster-Baba & so we had a special show for ourselves.I took along with me a few friends who were completely unaware of Rajni mania & they were shell shocked.Later I happened to show them the “highlights” of Padayappa & they then were shell shocked for the rest of the day!!!
Thanks Sethu ;-)
So is that ‘Dostana’ in Hindi? Or the dubbed version?
I always thought that only the dubbed versions were shown down south?
And if not, then is this a first??!
‘Dostana’ is on at a cinema 3mins away from me.
But ‘Vaaranam’ would require me jumping on a little train ride.
And seeing as how a cough has decided to be my best buddy, I wouldn’t want to make passengers uncomfortable on the train :-)
I’m definitely seeing both this week though!
woow tamil cinema has soo much admirers
for Those who have not watched try these movies
Uthirippookal- By Mahendran its a story about the decline of a egoist School head master (a zamindar played by Vijayan) who is punished by the society. In the end frustration makes the village people to turn against him which leads to him commiting suicide
16 vayadinilae- By BarathiRaaja (a tour de force from barathiraja and Kamal-sridevi-Rajini combo) excellent acting from kamal as sapaani who is branded by the village as a weak fool but turns out to be strong when he kills rajinikanth when he tries to rape sridevi. Raw acting from kamal in madurai tamil accent and sridevi as the village belle is a milestone in tamil cinema. illayaraja sizzles in this movie
“kallukul eeram” (moisture within a stone) Director/actor-Barathiraja
Its about a director who goes to a village to take a movie where he falls for a village belle.(its in a film within a film format ) Again excellent music from illayaraja
Housefull- Direction/acting – Parthiban . He won national award for this movie. Parthiban is a theatre owner(this movie was shot in Asias biggest cinema hall which is in madurai “Thinamani talkies”). When the show is on he gets a bomb haox call. its about his anxiety to save the hundreds of people who are in the cinema hall.
@ Steve
Dunno that bit of info.
But here is a juicy bit of gossip i got from one of my friends regarding Rajni.
In his younger days, Rajni, flirted around with actress Latha. Fair enough, but she happened to be one of MGR’s mistresses. And MGR was not amused, he sent his goons and got Rajni thrashed black n blue, chasing him all around Chennai. Ultimately it was K.Balachander, Rajni’s guru who intervened in between, and saved his life.
@ Steve
I think that was a popular rumour going around in T.N then.dont think it really happened.In fact most rajni fans had fears that ARR may not give them “typical Rajni songs” but were quite surprised with the result.
@ Steve
You are mistaken buddy.Hindi movies have always been released widely in the south also.And believe me its not restricted to the 3 metro’s of Chennai,B’lore & Hyderabad.Even the next cluster of towns like Coimbatore,Cochin,Trivandrum,Vijayawada,Vizag,Hubli,Mysore etc are direct release centres ( i.e move releases simultaneously).apart from these places there are some hazaar centres all over south where regularly hindi movies release.I guess thats another misconception cleared then
So yes its the hindi version of Dostana all right.
@ Prasanna
We’ve already spoken about 16 vayadhinile but yes thanks for reminding me of all the other 3- Uthiripookal, Housefull & kallukul eeram.All were outstanding & I feel Housefull was one of the best from Parthiban!!!
@ Ratnakar
I’ve heard of this gossip mentioned by you
@ Steve
BTW apart from Dostana & VA there are two other releases this weekend which I wanna see- Anish Kuruvilla’s Avakai Biriyani in telugu & Dasvidaniya.
Are these two releasing there in U.K too?
@ Steve
Yeah i go with what Sethu has said. Generally most of the people in South are movie crazy. My home state Andhra Pradesh has the largest number of movie theaters in India. Even small towns in Andhra, have decent theaters.
In fact much before the multiplex revolution started, Chennai had its own set of multiplexes like the Satyam complex and Devi complex.
Hyderabad has some of the best theaters in India Maheshwari-Parameshwari, Sangeet( famous for its Hollywood flicks), Sandhya, Sudarshan, Devi.
Kerala might not have multiplexes, but you will find the most knowledgable movie crowd in India there.
Generally people in South love movies, we see any kind of movie, Hindi, English, Tamil. In fact in my home state, there are fan clubs for Jackie Chan, Arnie and Stallone. Jackie Chan movies run to packed houses in Andhra Pradesh, and i am speaking of the non dubbed versions.
Most of Arnie’s movies like Terminator, Predator, Commando, True Lies have been big hits here also. In fact i have seen Predator 5-6 times in theater, and every time i go, i would always find the hall housefull.
In fact thats the reason why i never find multiplexes my cup of tea. The maximum i recalled spending for any movie in Chennai or Hyderabad or Bangalore was Rs 60. And the movie theaters were decent with good seating and snacks. Honestly i really balk at spending Rs.500 to watch a movie. For that amount i could get a couple of DVD’s to watch at home.
Hindi films have been shown down south for a while??!
I really had no idea.
It’s always reported that such and such film will have a simultanious release in a dubbed version etc.
An eye opener, Sethu!
‘Avakai’ and ‘Dasvidaniya’ aren’t in my area, although I doubt they’ll be releasing here.
Maybe ‘Dasvidaniya’ might do in London?
But generally we only get big Bolly releases.
I’m actually chuffed that selected Tamil ones are shown up here too!
Not a big Telugu audience here :-(
Hey Steve, which area are u staying?
Because nowadays most of latest Telugu movies are release abroad too simultaneously. Not just in US, UK or Australia, but even in places like Ireland.
Ratnakar, that’s a bloody big difference!
Rs 60 and the Rs. 500!
I can see why you’d rather spend money on dvds!
But, hasn’t the rise of multiplexes given more frequent shows and a whole variety of cinema too?
@Ratnakar
I have written couple of articles on PFC, but not a author yet – You rose to fame quite quickly and I see the passion in you…now, I am really happy that you are from ‘apna’ hyd/ap.
Talking about Sangeet theatre its now closed for renovation, in a year or so it would be a mutiplex…and before it closed it showed all kinds of B/C class telugu movies there…and we missed those wonderful English flicks that we used to see….I would never forget the poster of ‘ET’ in Sangeet in 80’s I guess, I was quite thrilled….I was a kid then….The other theaters ‘Sandhya, Sudarshan, Devi’ near RTC X Roads now have gone down the level…showing all the B/C rated movies….the crowd is mostly in Sec’bad….and at Central/PVR or Prasads….Films like Anand/Godavari/Happy Days/Astha Chamma/Kotha Bangaru Lokam/Avakai Biryani…don’t run there…
btw, have you see KBL yet? Its a good one…I am eagerly waiting for Avakai….
On the other side, I am a tamilian and born and brought up in hyd..so I know all the latest from Subramaniapuram to Vaaranam Ayiram in tamil tooo….and the latest news about Ajith shelving the project with Gautham and Sivaji Productions roping in Vishnu ‘Billa’ vardhan for his next(49th) flick….
I live in a small village which has a dried up well and 2 chickens which don’t lay eggs that often :-)
Nah, i’m from Wolverhampton, which is nowhere near London, but is close to Birmingham which is the land of opportunity!
Telugu films were advertised here, but the unreliable distributors screwed that up!
They NEVER delivered the prints!
And at one point, the staff at the cinema received a film in a sack!
Can u believe this?!
The cinema then refused to show Telugu films :-(
@Steve
It did make an effect in Bollywood, where it forced producers to come up with much better movies, even though a vast majority of the mainstream movies are as crappy as ever.
Regards South, we have been making movies on various genres and subjects, much before the multiplex revolution hit India.
Way back in 1991, we had a movie called Aditya 369, which was a take off on Back to the Future series. For an Indian movie made in 90’s and that too considering the technology available, the graphics were outstanding. And yes this was a sci fi movie with a decent plot, unlike that Harry Baweja’s Love Story 2050.
In 1990, we had a Mallu flick Iyer the Great, about a hero who has the 6th sense, and can predict the future.
In fact if you take a look at some of the Mallu movies in the 80’s and 90’s, you find some of the best thrillers made in India cinema.
So honestly speaking i dont think the multiplex revolution really made any significant change in Southern cinema. In fact to date many South Indian movie fans, prefer watching a movie in a single screen, with all the seetis and noise.
@ Sridhar
That is bad, i mean i was in Hyderabad from 2001-02, and then those theaters were still active. In fact me and my wife, would go to some theater or other during the weekend. Even in 2002, i remember watching Bourne Identity in Sangeet, and i did not spend a fortune for it. I am glad i am not in Hyderabad now, else i would have been pained to see that transformation.
The reason i used to like Hyderabad more than any other place, was the diversity it had. I mean it had movies for all classes and all kinds of people. It was a place where live and let live was the mantra. But from what ur saying, the very soul of Hyderabad seems to be disappearing. It was a city where any one and every one had an opinion on movies, and from what ur saying, if the movie going experience is restricted to only certain class of people, that would be the worst thing to happen.
@ Steve
That is there, most of the overseas distribution firms for Telugu flicks are absolutely unprofessional, run by guys just wanting to make a quick buck.
He is actually a pindoo.
Anyway, Tamil films do release in UK – mostly in London, though. Because there is a large population of Sri Lanka Tamils in UK. Shivaji fared well in UK. Telgu films are not released at all…
Where Steve leaves only Pind/Jatt films releases :-D
@ Ratnakar
Hyderbad is something I’m passionate about & that includes Sangeet cinema.Can you believe I used to stay a stone’s throw away from Sangeet & used to walk down to watch movies there?The last movie I saw there was Mithya- early this year & the last big release there was Tashan.Though I’m personally unhappy with their decision to make a multiplex, I think its more a question of survival as they felt they would lose out to the multiplexes.
@ Sridhar & Ratnakar
Currently the theatres in RTC X Roads like Sudarshan,Devi,Sandhya etc are not hot any more.BTW Sangeet was charging only Rs.35@ the highest ( balcony) right till they closed.I also used to freak out @ Sterling & Skyline for english especially.Sridhar- are they closed too?Dont see ads/posters for them these days
Currently its the multiplexes like Prasad’s,PVR,Adlabs etc which are in vogue.But there are also multiplexes like Cine Planet, Talkie Town etc where they charge around 35/40 max howzatt?
@Sethu
The multiplexes which ur speaking of seem like the Satyam, Devi complexes in Chennai. Which is fine with me.
Hyderabad had that easy going charm, where you could sit down at an Irani cafe, and have a chat with your friend late into the night. I am just hoping it does not fall into the swish set snobbery kind. To date i can never really understand what is the big deal about Starbucks, and its snob value.
@ Steve
What multiplexes have done to India ( across the country) is enabling movies of all kinds to reach out to the audience.So its easier for a Dasvidaniya or an Avakai Biriyani to get made & released now than before.
But yes picture dekhne ka asli mazaa to single screen wale theatres me hai.I prefer multiplexes if I want to watch some “hatke” movie or if I just want to give into comfort!!!
@ Ratnakar
Sathyam Cinemas today would make even PVR/Inox/Adlabs etc feel jealous.Its just awesome now.And another piece of trivia- Cine Planet in Hyderabad is @ Kompally & belongs to actor Venkatesh.
You are right in what you say about Hyd, but sadly its following the ways of other cities.So where are you these days?
@Sethumadhavan
Sterling and Skyline are not closed, but Skyline shows XXX movies now and then….hope you remember the Silver Jubliee run of Basic Instinct in Skyline….Sterling tho abhi bhi thoda izzat se cinema dikhara….
and really I miss tamil movies a lot…I mean the orginal one’s…I get to see al of’em dubbed in Telugu…..originality is lost….and Im really jealous of Sathyam cinema in Chennai…hope Hyd had one…..
Hyderbad is still the same…wohi laidback attitude…garam chai at a cafe..great sunshine….breezey evenings…some happy days…some biryani days…lots happening everywhere…cinema..theatre…politics….murder…oh!! lemme stop here….
But the best cinema would still be a single screen like Anand or Santosh where you can chill and watch the real Hindi movie the way it has to be watched!!!
Hi all,
There are classics from the director Mahendiran which are Mullum malarum and Udhiri pookkal which are being praised by everyone. I’m still searching for those DVDs in nominal price.
Have a try at those…
@ Sridhar
Yes I remember the silver jubilee run of Basic Instinct in Skyline.Sad that its gone this way…..I thought Anjali Cinema was the only one of its kind
Yes I still enjoy watching hindi movies @ Anand inspite of the fact that its got a lousy screen ( pata nahin when it was last cleaned up) & the most recent movies I’ve seen there are Hello & Karzzzz ( yeah I know both were duds).
But I guess@ Rs.35 its notbad taking a risk right?Another theatre I like is Manju in S.D Road.Though it plays more of telugu , I dont mind as I watch a lot of telugu also.Man you have sofa seats there for Rs.35.Now which multiplex could give you comfort like this @ this rate?
@ Sridhar
I remember earlier Nataraj in Secunderabad & even Sangeet used to screen tamil movies ( original not dubbed
) during weekends.Sadly both are non existent now.But I’m sure Prasads still shows tamil & malayalam movies often during weekends.In fact Sivaji,Dasavatharam & even Billa played throughout the week – which was a big achievement.
Imagine guys- Prasads was showing both tamil & telugu versions of Sivaji & Dasavatharam simultaneously!!!
Arre Honhaar Gunde Badmaash!
How did u end up here eh?!
Never in a million years did I expect u to comment on Tamil stuff :-)
Shaabaash putter!
Yes, i’m a pindoo of the highest order!
Sarson da saag, makki di rotti and all that :-)
Well yeah, pind/jatt films are popular here.
I guess i’m letting the side down though, as I haven’t watched the last few Punjabi films.
Don’t worry, i’ll be ‘chakk’ing the fatteh soon :-)
@ Steve
The 1st review of Dostana is out ( Taran Adarsh)- 4 stars out of 5 & supposed to be great fun.
Now I am raring to go for it!!!
@ Steve
Maybe we need to start another thread on non hindi films of the north- punju/bhojpuri etc.wanna b game?
lets talk of Meher Mittal,Harbhajan Mann,Gurdas Mann,Ravi Behl,Manoj Tiwari etc
That’s all the encouragement I need Sethu!
Having said that, Taran does have a tendency to get a bit carried away.
I don’t always agree with him.
That said, i’d still be going if the reviews were bad.
I guess I could do with some time pass entertainment!
Although my mum is coaxing me into going to the gurudwara as it Guru Nanak’s b’day!
Trust Guru Nanak to add to my dilema!
Allah!
Well good revus or bad revus, i am out as far as Dharma Productions and Yash Raj are concerned. Not my cup of tea for sure.
@Sethu
I saw Billa and Dasa in Prasads…was nice…but Im missing movies like Anjathe, Subramaniapuram and Aegan…I wish to see all of’em in tamil and in hyd…
and Manju theathre is wonderful picnic spot for all Middle Class guys in and around Sec’bad…its really ‘Avakai Biryani’ there…
Jus for some gyan guys – Whats ‘Avakai Biryani’
‘Avakai’ is a telugu word which means pickle. The pickle is a favorite of almost all Andhraites…and some Andhraites reading this would have watery mouths….
‘Biryani’ is what? You all know hyd ka favorite dish…the best!!
So the film is something like a culmination of Andhra+Hyd taste and overall a wonderful Hyderabadi feel to it….
I dint see the movie yet…hahahaaha….my passion made me read the title in that way….
Punju/Bhojpuri’s?
Well, time for me to embarrass myself as i’m a terrible Punjabi!
I can read and write Hindi.
But not Punjabi.
I’ve learnt bits of Japanese and Polish.
But not Punjabi.
My cd collections range from African Beats to New Age.
Yet, nothing Punjabi! Except maybe a Rabbi album here or there.
Disgraceful! Shame on me!
But I reckon i’ll still have loads to say about Punju films :-)
@ Steve
Yes I agree that Taran does tend to get carried away sometimes.I would know, have been reading his reviews for ages.But he’s one of those suave guys who’ve managed to quickly make the transition from old age to new age ( I mean from traditional magazines- like his own-Trade Guide to being powerful using T.V & the internet).
and yes regarding Guru Nanak’s b’day- a friend of mine called me sometime back to wish me ( well 2day’s my b’day too ) & said why am I @ work – I should b having a chutti today kyunki aaj Guru Nanak Jayanti hai !!!
Well had to remind her that sorry I do not work in a sarkari karyalay to enjoy the luxury of a holiday for Guru Nanak Jayanti
@ Steve
Koi na, sab chalta hai.You are just a new age punju then
And yes even I would watch Dostana regardless of reviews as I’m in the need for some mindless entertainment.
@ Ratnakar
As mentioned I’m wanting to watch 4 movies in the next few days- VA,Avakai Biriyani & Dasvidaniya with the belief that they would be good,intelligent movies & heck I’m gonna watch Dostana for just mindless fun- have no intellectual expectation from it!!!
@ Sridhar
Avakai Biriyani releases tomorrow & to the best of my knowledge they have not had any preview/premiere so far.So if you had said you’ve seen it I would have thought that you are quite close to Anish Kuruvilla or Shekhar Kammula or both
@Sethu
Yes, Anish is my friend and Shekar is my uncle…I have assisted him in Godavari….we will be finalizing a script very soon for which we need a sub-hero…how old are you?
@ Sridhar Mayur – How could you just generalize Avakai as just pickle? It is a specific raw mango pickle and its unique hot spicy taste is what makes so yummmmmmmmmmmmm………:-)…..
@Arthi
I wanted you to get yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmed!!! Oh…So sorry to generalize your favorite….lol…take lite…
@ Sridhar
Thats great to hear.But you are a tam & I thought Shekar is a telugu so………… well yeah let me not quiz you more on this.
I’ve just left the 20’s & turned 30.
@ Sridhar & Arthi-
BTW – there’s a community for avakkai pickle lovers in Orkut.are you folks in it???
@Sethu
arre dude…abhi u said u r also not a tamilian and your name sounds like a perfect tamilian from Madurai Dist., na….
and ’same pinch’ for the age…and ‘dont pinch’ for the ultimate lie I told you….lol…light yaar..apan apan PFC na…
and yes…Im not that fond of avakai, my mom can cook wonderful mango-andhra-wala-mouth-watering-pickle with special-combo-onion which is great-taste…I need to add her to the Orkut group along with Arthi…oh…damn…she can add herself na….alrite…cool malla…em Arthi…yummmmmmmmmmmmmed!!!!
@ Shridhar – Thanks!..:-)..Take lite is actually used as a phrase? I thought only JK in Nishabd uses it. Seriously!
@ Sethumadhavan-
Somehow can’t do that. It kind of brackets my likings when I add myself to such groups…sounds weird but ya…:-/..
@ Sridhar
Come on do you think I really fell for that lie
Cos I know for sure that Shekhar is a telugu & in fact lemme tell you I have tried a similar story with another friend of mine – I had told my friend who’s anyway in the film industry that I’m gonna work on a movie with Sekhar & also narrated the story line to him- needless to say my friend was zapped
A community for Avakai lovers in Orkut!!!!
Wow, but then considering Orkut has a community for everything under the sun, thats not surprising.
Its another thing i avoid Orkut groups like plague, most of the discussions there just make me cringe. Most of those communities are another Rediff Message Board.
@ Arthi
Understand what you say about staying away from such groups.
It happens all the time.
BTW how many of you liked Nishabd? At the cost of getting ostracised let me admit that I did like it.Big B was awesome & I really admired Big B & Ramu for being bold to tackle such a subject.
BTW Arthi you seem to be caught up on the Lolita story today ( read your comments & is this Nishabd connect a take off from that?)
Not me for sure Sethu, i just felt Ram’s direction was too ham handed.
BTW speaking of Lolita, reminds me of an older KB movie, Guppedu Manasu, in Telugu( not sure of its Tamil name), where Sarath babu, is attracted to a much younger Sarita, and ends up seducing her.
@ Ratnakar
Yes I agree with you.Most film discussions over there are like this actor vs that actor ….
@ Sridhar
Forgot to tell you I’ve seen Kotha Bangaru Lokam ( KBL ) & liked it.of course ending could have been better.Liked Ashta Chamma also.I’ve also seen other recent telugu films like Shouryam ( no comments
), Chintakayla Ravi ( decent entertainer, 3 ( disapponting compared to A Film By Aravind) & Nenu Meeku Telusa ( found the technical work great especially with titles & the songs)
@ SM – Nishabd was a major letdown for me. In terms of AB’s character falling for Jiah’s , thats perfectly ok.
The ending was crappy – where he professes his love for her. What didn’t work for me was this part. Somehow the story couldn’t justify their relationship. It was made put to be just like a gateway for the old man. Hints of the artistic angle comes in terms of him finding his muse, I thought in some scenes(this was kind of shown in A Girl With a Pearl Earring. Contrary to what it is made out Colin Firth relates to Scarlett Johansson just as someone who understands his art. Nothing more.) The angle not explored and shown was of love. If it was, it would have been a really good watch.
But I don’t regret watching it. AB has sung Rozana so well. He had to sing it. The cinematography – all in shades of grey and blue was very apt. Acting – AB and Revathy and the cameo by Nasser.
And no, nothing to do with Lolita. Its the phrase ‘Take Lite’. Only JK says that in N. Not come across ne1 else using this hence it just popped into my head. Its a very different phrase…has meanings..not able to pinpoint properly now but thats the reason…:-)…
@ Ratnakar
Not sure if Guppedu Manasu also had a tamil version.Have only seen bits & pieces of it.BTW Ramu has accepted this movie as being one of his inspirations for making Nishabd!!!
Hey, I liked Nishabd and only because BigB’s performance…he never looked like BigB or Vijay…he excelled!! The confession scenes of BigB sitting lonely in a dark room…who can do that? Jus see them….the scenes were awesome….RGV needs some praise for showing
and coming back to home ground…I dint like CRavi or NMTelusa…they seem to hide away from the real cinema experience which a lay man wants….
I am also dying to see Vaaranam Ayiram…have to see that in telugu(it releases tomrw)…Surya s/o Krishnan….Surya is one heck of an actor yaar….kya commitment…but, only next to Ajith in commitment….
200 Comments Up!!!
When was the last time we had a post with 200 comments on PFC?
Looks like this will break records.
But the best thing is that majority of the comments are sensible and intelligent.
That is PFC for you folks.
@ Ratnakar
I surely dont remember the last such post yaar.
Yes thats PFC & thats the power of cinema.
Viva cinema
@ Ratnakar & Sridhar
Have you guys seen Gamyam? It was a good road movie made early this year.
Sridhar- I somehow feel you must have seen it & you know what? When I saw this movie one of my long pending questions in mind got answered- what maked Allari Naresh going ???
Mr Sethu!
‘Dostana’ was a LETDOWN!
More on that later.
But Happy Birthday man!
And yes, I loved ‘Nishabd’!
Had many, many debates/discussions regarding that upon release.
I have quite alot to say about ‘Dostana’ but I don’t want to ruin it for those who have yet to see it.
I definitely DON’T recommend it.
I was under the influence of drow