Naan Kadavul : Review
‘Naan Kadavul’ (’Aham brahmasmi’ or ‘I am god’). Nope, but Bala is ‘Kadavul’ (god). For me, at least. One of the many gods in my pantheon of filmmakers. And even though I am Hindu, I have only a few comprising Bala, and not the many crores of gods as available in my religion.
Trust Bala to come up with a tour de force. ‘Naan Kadavul’ continues the winning streak he began with ‘Sethu’, ‘Nandha’ and ‘Pithamagan’. If his first three movies stand out as milestones in the careers of actors Vikram and Suriya, ‘Naan Kadavul’ will do the same for Arya and Pooja, especially the latter.
The movie begins with a man coming to Kashi in search of his son — a boy he abandoned 14 years ago on the advise of astrologers, who said he would only bring ill-luck to the family. Walking along the numerous ghats, he comes across an ‘aghori’, who he realises is his long-abandoned son Rudra (played to superb effect by Arya). He begs his son’s guru and takes him home to Malaikoil in Tamil Nadu, but a boy used to the ways of the aghora can never adjust to the rules of society.
Rudra leaves his house and takes up residence among sadhus on a hilltop shrine, where physically challenged people are forced to beg by a syndicate run by the devilish Thandavan (Rajendran). The boss of beggars is concerned only about the money collected by his group of supplicants, who he controls, violates and disfigures as he chooses. Because none is able to give any reply to the violence he unleashes on those under his authority.
But when Thandavan tries to sell off a blind beggar girl (the best role which Pooja could ever think of, and one which she has done to perfection) to a disfigured leper, who wants someone to bed him without knowing how ugly he is, their worlds collide. The blind girl comes begging to the aghori for help — he, who sees only his job as giving ‘nirvana’ or salvation to those who don’t want any more rebirths (according to myth, a person blessed by an ‘aghori’ won’t have to go through the cycle of births and deaths an ordinary person is destined to. Once blessed by an ‘aghori’, you are supposed to be rid of the continuous cycle of births and deaths). How he provides salvation to Hamsavalli (the blind girl, played very well by Pooja, if you ask me she deserves a national award for the hard work she has put in) comprises the rest of the movie.
All of Bala’s movies have a good vs evil theme running through them. The more evil the characters are, the more violent is their end. And ‘Naan Kadavul’ is no exception. Here too, Arya epitomises the victory of good and the destruction of evil.
If Danny Boyle was accused of slum or poverty tourism and criticised for showing India’s poverty and dark underbelly in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, I just wonder what Bala will be charged with. 
For he shows how India’s begger mafia operates and his visuals are more in the face, rather than the romanticism with which Danny Boyle shot the Mumbai slums. I wonder how our critics are going to react to this, but one thing I can say — Bala deserves the national award for his labour of love. Send the movie to the Oscar awards as an independent entry, and let the judges decide for themselves; that is the only thing I have to say to the movie’s proDucers!!!
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Venky- you beat me by writing this before me
I loved the movie myself & yes I feel Bala’s wait was worth it.Will write more soon on the same.
you guys beat me in seeing the movie.!!
lucky guys!!
and venky beats all hen he writes… the print has no sub-titles man! I will watch it nevertheless!
this is an awesome movie.as anurag said this is indeed turnin out to be a golden year for indian cinema![:)]
Ravptor- if you need help you have an option of watching it in telugu.Its called Nenu Devudni.
This is by far the best title for a Bala film. Although on the outside it seems to be a politically correct title inspired by Adi Sankara’s Advaitha, on watching the movie you realize Bala is actually saying -He is not a God who gave you this god-awful life, but it is I, (a human) who shall deliver you from it. Brilliant!
aham brahmasmi is not inspired by adi sankaras advaitha…its one of the several mahavakyas of the eleven principle upanishads…one other being the famous “satyameva jayathe”…hear any bells? lol…aghora?!…in a movie??!!…damn its not possible!!! don understand wats “aham brahmasmi” gotta do with an aghori who was disowned by his parents and suddenly one fine day finds himself wanted!!will a true aghori ever oblige such a request?? mr.bala should ve tried somethin else
As against puneeth’s trip to Lalaland.
Come on guys, Do you really think it is a good direction by Bala.
This film should be a documentary. All about the handicapped and the underworld don who controls the beggars.
If you watch Slumdog Millionaire, there is the exact scene of the Don who makes kids to beg and earn money for him. That is only 5 – 8 mins of the whole movie. I bet You will never forget that seen for several days.
He has involved too much scenes that are not necessary.
Why don’t you watch my review and let me know your feedback
http://movie.consultmirror.com/2009/02/naan-kadavul-suppans-review/
Suppan
I have reserved this movie for next weekend. This week belongs to another masterpiece.
I watched the movie.. In between serious scenes, these guys make you laugh like crazy.
I felt it ended abruptly.
Awesome Movie with Powerful Dialogues and Bold Messages..
Baala is now the Best Director in my Personal List of Best Directors.
Never knew Arya had such potential.Both Arya and Pooja were flawless..Well,if you are in a Baala movie,you’ve gotta be flawless!
Ilayaraaja’s BGM weaves wonderfully well into the script.
Overall a HardHitting,soul stirring movie by Baala!
I thought Naan Kadavul fails as a movie. It could pass for a well made documentary. I think this is one of Bala’s low points. He tries to accomplish too much, and the result is a movie where character development was practically ignored (unlike his brilliant movies Sethu and Pithamagan). There’s hardly any story line. If Bala’s goal was to evoke deep emotions within his viewers, he has succeeded. But he hopelessly fails to capitalize on the first 30 minutes which promises audience a great movie, and instead serves up an ordinary treat. Kudos to Pooja for her outstanding acting. I feel sorry for Arya. All he got to do was grow his hair and beard, stand upside down and blurt out a few words occasionally while smoking pot.
Bala’s Naan Kadavul – My View
Readers, Pls increase you patience before going into the review, since I Feel this is going to be longer than the normal one.
First and four most thing, The Movie “Naan Kadavul” is a Brave Revolutionary attempt in the current declining Indian Cinema field. The Director reached to the most perfection on his brave attempt.
I wish to share this before I go into the movie. Following are few I experience where I go and watch the movie
i) The audience seen during the show were not seems to the persons who all wish to watch a movie on the First Day of its Release. (i.e. These people will read at least 2 reviews before they go into watch the movie on the big screen and they don’t go watch all the movie on the big screen, which includes me too.) This shows that the believe they got on that one man. Yes, “BALA”.
The Crowd seen there were not a usual crowd that I see, when ever go to see a movie on the big screen.
ii) Claps for Director Name, where ever the director’s name comes on the title the whole cinema is full of claps. Only some of the Indian Directors (So called most viewed directors) got this earlier, but they got this because they go with Very Big star to do this (This includes Karan Johar, Shankar, etc)
iii) At end of the movie, applause from every one, who were on the cinema or it can be said that was a standing ovation given for success the movie. This kind of ovation has been received only on one’s success. This shows that the Bala’s attempt is a pure success.
Movie:
I got a different experience while watching the movie, which I have not come across before. I feel this is mainly due to the clean direction and a very great (No words to explain) score given by the Maestro.
I felt like I am watching something happening just in front of me instead of I am watching a Movie.
Who ever go for the movie, sure you will experience it very different.
Story:
On Liner: The Title “Naan Kadavul” is what the movie is. There can’t be any apt title for the movie.
Full Story: Definitely it is not a big story tell here. Pls go watch on the BIG SCREEN to experience. Sure it will be a watchable one.
Characterisation: There is not at a charter that the movie bags unnecessarily. The top class characterization. The lead roles were fantastic, sure they will be nominated in all the places for their performances.
Characters: To my memory I can recognise only 2 faces in the movie from their previous appearances. Not Arya and Pooja, They are the Murugan and the Inspector.
Arya and Pooja seems to me that they not been looked like this before. Unless we know that Arya and Pooja are doing the lead role, it will take some time to recognise them. The Villian is simply superb.
My View: The Movie starts with a slow pace only during the first 10 min (first few scenes) may be due to the dialog delivery of the priest in Kasi. From there on you don’t even realise the movie is moving so fast. It is such a fantastic narration.
The dialogues were most important factor on this movie, they are very powerful in the movie; the writer had done a wonderful job. Must listen carefully to enjoy those, since, they are very short and softly delivered
I felt real divinity, real spirituality in the movie, which is been nicely visualized in the movie.
This movie has shown city Kasi (Varansi) bit deeper than any other movie pictured there. I felt I am watching Kasi through a very big window in front of me. Very nice to see that, It tempts people to visit the place at least once.
The background score as I told no words to express it. It is superb and makes you gel with the Movie.
I really can’t remember, whether “Amma Un” song (Sadhana’s) came on the screen. I go watch the movie again to find out. I don’t know whether, it came but I didn’t realise
I also felt songs “Om Siva” and “Pitchaipathiram” didn’t gel with the scene they are pictured on.
As usual with his narration and direction he made us feel, how the backstage of the beggars is.
The comedy timing is sprinkled all over the movie until the pre climax hit the screen. Which are really enjoyable ones.
That was clean and wonderful narration and direction by the man, who proved again that he is different.
Performances:
Arya: What a magnetic eyes with a light on it. That is his plus, which also describe who he is in the movie. He had made to deliver a wonderful and a milestone performance in his career. As Arya said in many interviews, the whole credit goes to Bala Sir.
To be noticed are his Sadhu poses, his fluency in delivering dialogues in all 3 languages, the switching between languages was his add on. His Physic, His expression (i.e. non expressive to any thing, that the character need). His performance in this movie will be definitely bagging him many awards.
His voice is also a plus for the movie.
Pooja: I could not believe that she could do such a wonderful role. Her charcter was well made and made her execute it very well . Her acting is climax, was very touching and she is also going to bags awards for her performance.
The Villan Thandavam: He had also done a wonderful performance on what the character he is.
Technically:
The wonderful team effort for years can be seen here as the captain lead in the front.
Arthur A Wilon: He had treated our eyes, with his impeccable camera work throughout the movie.
Suresh Urs: Had done a bit extra too, he had edited a screen play which was told at least for 3 hrs in the past decades to 2hr 5min movie. Very well done.
Stunt Direction Siva: Vow!!!! It was also a plus for the Arya’s character. He had done stunning stunts scenes which every one will experience new and different.
Valli: Valli sir is a legend for the movies like this, no words, his lines are also the important factors that make the songs reach many of us deeply.
All the technicians had worked very hard to give a great movie. They all deserve recognition for their works, it that my prayer at this point.
Illayaraja Sir: As told earlier, his score is most important thing which makes as ease with the movie and makes us to receive what the director is trying to throw on us. He is a maestro, no words.
I Most Like in the movie, Love:
1. Bala, Bala, Bala
2. Illayaraja
3. Arya
4. Pooja
5. Voice of Arya
6. Short Dialogues
7. Villan Thandavam
8. Comedy timing all over the places
9. The scene, his mother realise that he is not a normal human being
10. Voice for short songs sung for Pooja in the movie
11. Kasi Visuals
12. The scene, even thanvam get scared to see the guys who come to buy Pooja.
I felt, it could have been better:
1. The introduction of Arya could have be shown for bit more time since the main role for what the movie is been made
2. The OmSiva and Pitchaipathiram Songs didn’t gel with the scenes they pictured on
Finally:
It is a treat for the targeted audience. I don’t know whether it will be making money or not. I think, Bala Sir least bother about this criteria.
I am sure that this is the next step in the Indian Cinema to international standards.
I pray that by seeing this, many more producers to come forward to support directors having scripts and talents like this.
If I let me go I will be keep on writing, the movie go that much tell.
Very Finally I also want to leave a request to Bala Sir, “Sir, pls don’t take too long, give us a movie at least once in every 18 months”
My rating would be 4¾ out of 5 for Bala, Illayaraja, the brave producers and every one who involved in making this movie.
Please dont go to this movies nan kadavul………. It is very horrible…..
I want to aks a question to bala? … You are a worthless director because this movies can be taken with in 90 days….
One word can discribe bala . its non other than psychoooooooo bala ……..
Mani,
You are correct.
Arun,
“I felt, it could have been better:”
Producer wants money… People want entertainment. We will all get back to normal life in few hours… Next month we will forget about this review at all.
This is how it works,..
Well done Bala sir! How long does the original movie’s length, cause in M’sia the moviw ran for only 2 hours and 5 minutes. Even in that time period, I enjoyed the movie so much. The best part is, comedies are delivered in an unexpected way. Congrates to Bala and team!
“NO words to EXPLAIN”
Ball spellbounded me from the start to end of the moviw.I got engroseed into the picture like anything.Bala has brought out the suffering of a particular sector of people which I think no movie or no director has ever thought of.It is the reality and it brought out a lot of change in myself.He has picturised every character beautifully and brought out atmost characteristaion.I really admire the intelligence of bala and bow down to him for his work.
Bala spellbounded me from the start to end of the movie.I got engrossed into the picture like anything.Bala has brought out the suffering of a particular sector of people which I think no movie or no director has ever thought of.It is the reality and it brought out a lot of change in myself.He has picturised every character beautifully and brought out atmost characteristaion.I hope this movie will set a milestone and move tamil cinema to the next dimension.Im sure Bala would grasp the National award for best director this year.No doubt if this movie can even secure a OSCAR !!I really admire the intelligence of bala and bow down to him for his work.
In my opinion, its one of the weakest movies from Bala. I was totally disappointed with the movie. I really can’t believe he took 3 years for this movie which has a story line for just 30 mins. I pity Arya for wasting 2 years, growing beard and long hair, without signing any other movies… All he did in the movie was sheeshasana, smoked pot and mouthed a few dialogues mixing up hindi, sanskrit and tamil.
I guess Bala was smoking pot while making this movie… He just got obsessed with the lead character, that he forgot the script, and atlast wasn’t able to make give due credit to both…
Am sorry guys, no offence to others who like Bala and the movie… I was dissappointed becos, i loved all his previous movies and I expected something similar… I totally believe that Bala is one of the directors in Tamil who has the great potential. But when he gets carried away with his name, his previous successes, an unusual title and character, and forgets the script, he would lose it.
Well, for me Mr.Bala was never a great story teller.His movies are not plot driven, they are always character driven.He chooses an unusual character be it a college rogue with a good heart in sethu,a body guard obsessed with his mother in Nandha,an undertaker and a conman in pithmagan and he weaves his little story around them -usually good over evil.
While we were seeing the movies like silambattam, vilu.. wondering what is going to happen to the tamil industry????
Bala has taken the tamil cinema to another level.
Hats off to Bala and team the movie is worth watching for its real time characters and ilayaraja music and ofcourse direction. Sure going to bag a number of awards in many categories.
It is a fact that the movie was three years in the making, but I think every director should have the freedom to make movies at his own pace, and the way he wants to. I am ok with people criticising a movie — they liked it, did not like it or the reasons why they liked it or not.
Also please do not forget that the movie was started with a totally different cast — Ajith Kumar in the lead role and Bhavana in the role of the beggar role, which eventually was played by Pooja. I think the director even shot for a few days before the cast was changed.
It is the prerogative of the director how he wants to make the movie, who he wants to make it with and how long he takes in making it. The same goes for the actor too.
Arya believed in the script and in Bala, and that is why he was ready to sacrifice more than two years for the movie. That is the only reason he did not take on any other work.
When his earlier release, Oram Po, was delayed too, Arya stood by the directors. And finally when the financial issues were resolved and the movie got completed, Arya took on the burden of releasing it in Chennai on his own — such was his belief in the movie and the directors.
The same goes for Pooja too. She spent almost one and a half years shooting for the movie. She even begged out of a fews offers, including a Sri Lankan movie she had signed, because she did not want to miss the opportunity of working under Bala’s direction.
And I don’t agree with the comment that Arya had nothing much to do except do a few yoga asanas and then shout some dialogues in Tamil, Hindi and Sanskrit. Come on, what would you expect from an aghori sadhu, who has been cut off from his family and society for 14 years? Years of living with his sadhu on the banks of river Ganga, in the midst of burning pyres, there is no way he will be able to integrate into society the way we know it. That is why he rebuffs his mother and family and goes to live among other sadhus near a temple.
He does not talk much to the others, and only speaks when he needs marijuana. He does not ask anyone for food. The only thing he needs is his chillum full, and sadhus in India have been known for centuries to smoke marijuana so that they are able to concentrate on their quest for god. I would have had problems with the characterization only if he started behaving with his parents and neighbours as if nothing had happened during the years he was away from home, as if on a holiday.
The character was written that way, and Arya played it perfectly. That is why he gives nirvana to Pooja, cremates her body and then goes to have a ritual bath, as if it was just another day at the office for him.
Mr. “Precious” Bala – Please be a deaf for some time, I hope you’ll get more -ve feedbacks. Please dont read or hear the rubbish reviews given by some idiots who always watches and likes bloody (masala) tamil movies like “Villu, Silambattam, Padikathavan, etc…..”. I would say whatever your doing right now, will take the tamil cinema to a different level. I think in this movie some of the places, there were no proper continuation because these Censor culprits cut your wonderful creation just like that as they belong to bloody (masala) tamil movies club. But “watch my words” after 10 years, many people will try to catch up the movie “Naan Kadavul” but I am sure they will never. Keep doing, You have got an amazing crowd behind you silently as you.
Hi all,
One and only director in Indian cinema industry to think about the story which no one had thought or imagined. I am sure that this movie will pervade in our heart and create a blossom to awaken our inner consciousness. Which will makes to think each person WHO AM I? Most of the time all the invention are made in the outward objects. But very few human beings had identified their Self to realize from the materialistic world. I hope this film will insist this to all and make to rejunavate from the materialistic world to the truth.
Do you guys know which is the most painful life in human race
1. Mentally challenged people.
2. Physically challenged people.
Bala had touched both their subject.
How we are treating those people in our daily life.The movie not only says about mafia but says how fortunate we are in the world and having all wealth and we have freedom to critics everyone.
Please go and talk to the theater operator, theater manager about the movie response he will tell you about the exact collection.
Past 4 days 90% of shows are house full through out TN.
The movie is the best black comedy I have seen in a long time. It is about an entire village at a loss to understanding the new sadhu in their midst.
I do not think any single person i the movie understood Arya. Bala is a very intelligent guy.
What is cinema? Any aspects of life reflected on celluloid.
What is usual cinema? Life reflected on celluloid with romanticism which attracts people to come to a place (theatre) to watch it by PAYING.
We use to buy novels of different genere to read — from romance story to murder mystery to spiritual stories (balakumaran’s for eg).
But why should audience go to theatre by paying a hefty amount of money and spending to see this kind of movie? What the Director Bala wants to portray to the audience is at least a 100 rs question, if not million dollar question. Does he preach killing hapless people is right thing (euthenasia is reminded of. is he supporting that)? Does he portrays beggers plight? What is the conclusion he gives? Only bala knows. What does he want to teach audience? He confused audience a lot than educating. A good teacher is understanding the student and his level of understanding and teaching accordingly to impart knowledge.
The man who thinks ahead of time betryas not only audience but himself. Dont allow your thinking go wild Bala. Make sensible movies as made by Kannathil Muthamittal director, Karuthamma direcctor, Parthale paravasam director, Subramaniyapuram director, Paruthiveeran director, Thavamai Thavamirundhu director, etc. Because you can make such wonderful movies.
@ Kannan Film making dies when you put rules like do like XXX director, YYY director.
For doing movies like that there are thousands of ADs who are in the streets or in sets with clapboards. Why do you expect solutions from films. Films are at their best when they hold a spotless mirror in front of the society. The moment they start preaching, you, a part of the audience will start saying that you dont like the solution being offered and the movie will fail.
As long as the movie asks the right questions we should be happy with the questions – Answers are ours to find my dear friend. Bala has attempted to open a door to a stinking cell in the house we call our society. Now be brave to accept and tend to the people behind the door or acknowledge the fact that Bala has attracted the attention by making a film – coz he knows how to. Beyond that I guess we can only act on the realization in our own ways.
I pray the same movie to be remade with “vijay” as appreciation for his preformance in villu!
Saw ‘Naan Kadavul’ yesterday at Satyam and it was unique/fresh/one of a kind movie and pure cinema at its best. Let me tell you that I am not a fan of Bala and I wasn’t impressed with any of his previous movies. But with ‘Naan kadavul’, he has raised the bar of Tamil cinema so high that the world would sit up and start taking notice of him from here on.
Personally now I would rate him along with Christopher Nolan, Bryan Singer, David Fincher, Alejandro Gonsalvez.. who have established themselves in the last decade with their style of story telling.
@eSundar – Perfect Joke! LOL!
The flim is great and amazing. Im proud to have great director Bala in india. His work in NAN KADAVUL is no way comparable to other flims in world. I wonder arya and pooja for showing the real acting to the world. Hats-off bala. Bala you dont need OSCAR. you deserves more than OSCAR. Once again Arya hats-off man
HI Ganesh, I appreciate your thought on serious cinema. But you got me wrong in all the sense.
1. I am not saying he should adopt techniques of those directors, but they theme they select and portray sugar coated. One simple question: for whom Bala makes movie? is it for his self satisfaction or to reach widest possible audience? If the movie does not reach wide audiences, what is the use of that movie.
Point: I am not saying the theme is not good, but the way it is portrayed. One has to be practical.
2. I am not expecting any solutions. I appreciate you thought thtat movie should better be mirror. If you see Kannathil Muthamittal, Bombay, or any good movies you take, there is no solution, but only the problem is portrayed in a forceful manner sugar coated. the choice is urs to find solution. If you see short stories of JEYANDHAN, you will see only problems, not solutions.
3. You are very right that right questions should be asked, but the way it is asked (portrayal) has to be powerful enough to woo audience. Bala doesnt have to mirror this society which people already knows. What is something new he has mirrored in the movie?
Pl dont deviate from good cinema in the name of making good cinema.
@Kannan
I guess the problem with Indian movies have been this loads of sugar coating that go on to dilute the essence of the movie.
I would be happy if a film maker makes a movie for his self satisfaction first for I know there will be honesty in that work of art or should I say labour of love.
Saying messages for the heck of it is bad and equally bad is to spoil and desecrate your own thoughts and feelings with sugar coatings for some audience who is not gonna bother coming to the theatre if it drizzles ever so slightly.
Be honest and sincere to your thoughts and feelings, script them boldly without concern for critics or Box office and as James Earl Jones says in ‘Field of Dreams’ to Kevin Costner, ‘People Will Come’ and that is what is happening to Bala’s movies so far. I am pretty sure it is going to continue as Bala knows no other medium of expression for his catharsis other than film making.
Bala IMO, offers focusses more style at the cost of the substance – but NK is something of a monumental effort in terms of the risk he has taken in embracing such a subject – perhaps he could have made it totally realistic, without the beggars uttering witty dialogs, but then tat wud have reduced the film to a documentary! after all this is cinema, and what Bala has achieved in terms of infusing humor in such a serious theme, without compromising on the sensitivity of the same, deserves applause
I was disappointed looking at the BS reviews of the movie, which i consider the Best Ever Made Tamil Movie (or any other indian movies). Its comparable to the best of the Intl movies. It pains to see ppl write stupid reviews. Bala was clear @ what he wanted and it really shows on screen. Naan Kadavul is the best of Bala. Bala has moved to the next level of movie making. Bala is the King.
I liked this movie very much. All actors have given great performance,
irir,
//perhaps he could have made it totally realistic, without the beggars uttering witty dialogs, but then tat wud have reduced the film to a documentary!//
Not like that. Infact these people uttering witty dialogues are more realistic. Its only us thinking that they dont have fun or humour in their life, But the reality is that their life is more vibrant and colorful amidst the miserable life they are living.
Dear Ganesh, we have similar desire of seeing a good cinema. But ther is a difference.
I beg to differ. A person can not make a movie for his self satisfaction as you said…its very wrong….and then he should not distribute to theaters and expect people to watch it. So sugar coating/or convincing portrayal is needed. The question is WHAT IS SOMETHING NEW HE HAS MIRRORED IN THE MOVIE?
Dont be concerned about BOX OFFICE, but be concerned about reaching most people in TN to spread msg. Can any movie maker reach most people thru this kind of portrayal?
One simple example: Howmany people understand and enjoy Karnatic music? Why it is not popular? coz its not understood by common man. so one should make efforts to make it simple to understand. Thats the way the moveis also should be made. There is no point and use in thinking 100 years ahead coz u r not thinking practically in line with teh present world.
Can you say great movie makers like steven speilberg, Balachander, Maniratnam, Barathi Raja, etc are fools in their convincing portrayals?
I am all for good cinema. But movie makers have to go step by step gradually taking audiences along with them in their shoulder. If tehy are not doing so, they are reliquishing their social responsiblitiy.
@Kannan
I guess – I will have to differ with you here.
Lets agree to disagree.
This is one of the worst film ever made by Bala. The movie is too much filthy,cruel & sadistic.I didnt understand what he tries to portray with that Rudran character.I hate this film.
The best movie I have ever seen in my life; be it in any language. Nobody could have utilised the real people (the physically handicapped)to act or potray themselve like Bala did. A good performance by Arya, Pooja and all. Splendid job by the technicians; Divine performace by the maestro IR. There are very few movies, I have seen a second time. But, Naan Kadavul, I think I will see it many more times for the brilliant Performance, picturisation and the music.
Well done Bala. You have made a benchmark in film making that will be be hard to reach by most dircetors.
well i would seriously rate bala to be of a different class…. i am sure there may be a lot of negative criticism for his direction style or his self-indulgence… but then again he makes quality films..at least an attempt which is very different from the run-of-the-mill stuff churned out nowadays… every film maker who dares to try different themes than that of the usual formula based stuff is like Jonathan Seagull…( hope u guys have read that)… and i am sure bala belongs to that flock
@ Kannan
I understand the discussion you are having with jaiganesh…
But just wanted to point out that the Naan Kadavul has seen the kind of excitement never seen in Tamil Nadu. But the B & the C grade centres have also been eagerly awaiting this movie shows the kind of expectation this film has raised from all quareters of society.
I remember the same kind of discussion happened during the release of Pithamagan and we know that film went to create record of sorts for its characterisation and grim take on reality and no sugar coating of the bitter pill.
Sujit, welcome for healthy discussion. First of all, by Sugar coating I dont mean masala formula, but convincing portrayal. What Bala wants to say thru rudhra character? Is killing a suffering person is justified in his view; is he supporting euthenasia? And, How do you link Rudhra character with beggers’ plight? It seems forcefully Bla tried to establish a link between the two. can you pl tell me the story in a single line?
This film doesn’t worth watching. Screenplay is poor, Character development is bad. Please avoid this movie.
Now-a-days,it has become a fashion that stars (ex: poor Rajinikanth) watch such movies and unnecessarily praise the movie.
Tamil Movie? What’s wrong with you. Either you give masala movies (vijay, ajith…….) or movies like naan kadavul where directors tries to prove they are different and they ultimately fail.
I saw this movie last night in Serra theatres, Milpitas, CA, USA. I have seen previous Bala’s movies and I was not sure of this going in. But, boy was I amazed. I had taken along another person who do not understand Tamil. We both came out with spellbound. Amazing visuals – tough theme. It is almost we living along with all the beggers who over period of Indian living – we learn to ignore as we see them. Amazing performance by Arya and Pooja. Simply the best of all Bala’s movie so far. It can beat the shit out of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
THE PERFECT COMMENT TO ALL THOSE IDIOTS WHO ALWAYS SAY NEGATIVES ABOUT GREAT AND UNIQUE EFFORTS WAS FROM eSunsar…
Yes this film should be remade with Simbu, Vijay, Ajith, Dhanush etc… These people would have clapped their hands for action sequence of the Sadhu… beating and villain flying in air for 10 minutes… hehehe..
Its a Great movie…
Crap movie. I stopped watching 30 minutes into the film.
What is the point of the movie? It was a train wreck from start to finish. He needed 4 years to make this crappola?