My Name is Khan

First things first - if you are a Shah Rukh fan, your movie ticket is just worth for one scene where Rizvan Khan (SRK) blushes when Mandira (Kajol) says "marry me". That's vintage SRK for you....otherwise, it very very hard to see the usual SRK that his fans (including yours truly) would want to see.

Some may say that MNIK is a lift off from various movies like Forest Gump, Rain MAN and then innumberable movies with terror/love backdrop...but doesn't matter...end of the day any movie that gives hope and smile would always be a success even if its told 100 times. And MNIK is one such movie!

MNIK may be unbashedly sentimental for some - but thats how its designed...it got to be sentimental given the magnitude of difficulties faced by a certain section of people post 9/11. Rather I would suggest look at MNIK's unbiased stand and honesty.

Honestly, this movie belongs to Kajol more than SRK. Undoubtedly, SRK inspires yet again and proves his critics wrong that he can just be good as a candy-floss lover boy or be over the top villain. But Kajol brings such a freshness and I don't know one single actress who can do complete justice to this role than Kajol. Easily, her best performance till date.

Music is definitely good - but a movie like this demands someone like to ARR to take it to the next level. It could have truly become international with ARR. Wisk K-Jo & SRK find ways to mend fence with ARR if they are looking at creating yet another magic like MNIK next time around - just like how they have roped Ravi.K.Chandran as DOP.


Another thing that is worth mentioning is the dialogues and Niranjan Iyengar has done a very neat job - specially the dialogues between Rizvan and his mom.


Folks may say that K-JO has taken his role seriously this time around and I beg to differ. He for one was always serious about the movies that he makes - because I truly believe that anything done with conviction and heart always will be successful. Net-net, successful movies are the ones that takes you along its journey where it makes you laugh, smile, cry and then at times makes you think about humanity and hope. And here is MNIK, the 'k'han has arrived finally and with a bang!

Vaaranam Ayiram - Review

Vaaranam Ayiram evoked mixed response in me albeit I like the movie on the whole - especially for Suriya. As many have pointed out its sure the best that came from an actor in the recent times and what a transformation that Suriya goes through in each frame - a truly fantabulous performance!

As I read in one of the blogs (I think it’s brangan's) - even I'm skeptical about the movies where the hero plays the role of father & son. It’s always that only one character stands out in prominence and there are lots of examples like Nettrikan, Oru Kaithiyien Dairy, innumerable Sarath Kumar flicks & so on. And in this aspect VA is no exception! It’s an out & out Suriya's dominance (I meant the character Suriya) and there are only some specific shots that show Krishnan’s (father of Suriya) importance. One of the biggest drawbacks of the movie is that – it’s all along marketed as a movie from father’s point of view or at least that’s what I could make out from all the interviews and tit-bits that Gautham provided to the media. In contrary it’s a movie from the son’s point of view and it’s more his life episodes and the movie just touch upon how his father (Krishnan) made a difference in his life. So the expectation mismatch is one of the negatives of this movie!

Episode based approach taken by Gautham in this movie – seems to have worked brilliantly. Especially Suriya & Sameera’s love affair is a live wire for this movie. And VA can be seen for this episode alone. I read somewhere that the movie first started off with this episode alone – or rather a love story and then it got changed post Gautham’s father’s death – as Gautham wanted to pay tribute to his father via this movie. In this due course – its gives me an impression that Gautham got completely confused! But since the movie goes in as various episodes in Suriya’s life – it makes an interesting watch.

I know that Gautham drew a lot of flak for including the kidnap episode! Even though Gautham can say that why NOT an extraordinary thing can happen in an ordinary man’s life – it doesn’t fly well with viewers like me who came into watch an intense father-son movie. Again it’s to do with the way in which the expectations were set before the movie release. Had it not been projected as a wholesome movie that talks about father-son relationship – this episode could have been justifiable especially given a 100% performance by Suriya. At the same time I must say that both the kidnap episodes were taken with painful perfection!

Coming to Suriya-Sameera love affair – it’s one of the most refreshing scenes taken in Tamil cinema and it will certainly be a major crowd puller – especially the college kids. The scene where Suriya pulls off “En Iniya Pon Nilave” in his guitar is a classic – and I’m sure that it will be lapped up by all the wanna-be lover boys. When it goes Berkeley University – it’s more of a visual treat – until a point of time when Suriya breaks down in tears talking to his parents. And I second Gautham – when he said that Suriya is definitely the best actor that we have today next only to Kamal. You must watch this gut pouring his heart out!

After all the expectations set by Gautham about this movie as a one paying tribute to his late father – it would be unfair if I don’t talk about Krishan’s character in this movie – also played by Suriya. Undoubtedly, its every youngster’s dream to have such a father at home. Special mention to a scene where Krishnan sits on the floor with a peg of whisky in one hand listening to his son’s jamming session and him being the first one to sing along! It conveys so many things – and the most prominent one being the kind of pride that is seen in Suriya’s (son character) eyes and the way he is seen by his friends. Another thing that deserves a special mention is – even though Krishan falls short of money – the way in which he handles it with his head held high – a fantastic characterization!

And there are two other main pillars in this movie – music and camera. Both are simply awesome – pick of the lot is “Nenjukkul Peithidum” song!

On the whole VA is certainly a good watch and it’s to Gautham’s credit that all the negatives of this movie can be ignored if you don’t get in with the expectations set by Gautham himself. And if not for anything, go watch it for Suriya alone – this man is exemplary and he makes it work!

Dasavatharam - My View

Am not going to provide a detailed review of Dasavatharam – given that it’s already ripped apart by movie critics and I’m afraid that my review would end up being a repeat. But yours truly’s take on Kamal’s latest extravaganza – I liked the movie and Kamal certainly deserves a pat on his back for all the hard work that he managed to put and also managed to get from others. So does it get a place in the classics list or at least in his top 5 movies? I’m afraid that I will have to say “NO”. It doesn’t get a place in the classic list and what’s shocking to see is - it’s not even in his top 5 movies! It’s not closer to the likes of Salangai Oli, Devar Magan, Mahanadhi, Virumaandi or Hey Ram! At the same time one cannot turn a blind eye on some spectacular performance by our legend – a special mention to the Dalit leader role (Vincent Poovarahan) – Kamal at his best. Same as so one cannot turn a blind eye at seeing some over-the-top indulgence like Kaifulla Khan or George Bush. May be Kamal should take a leaf out of Aamir Khan’s success story and deal with movies that strikes a chord with the viewers or why go up the Vindhyas – he could get inspired by his own success like Mahanadi, Devar Magan, Virumaandi!

I’m told that this movie is declared a hit (commercially) for which I’m really happy for Kamal and more than anything else – extremely happy for Aascar Ravichandran. Man, had this movie bombed at the box office – I doubt even a miracle could have saved the producer! Otherwise, All I would say is “Mr. Kamal, May the lady luck be with you and smile all through the silver jubilee function of Marmayogi!”

U Me Aur Hum - Review

Powered by: Chakpak.com	U Me Aur Hum

U Me Aur Hum - A mushy romantic aimed at capturing the viewers heart.

Foreword: U Me Aur Hum is certainly not for people who looks for a logic/rational even for matters that are closer to heart.

Not to undermine Ajay's performance - this movie would have been a super-duper hit had this had SRK & Kajol. How much ever Ajay tries to pose a super-cool dude in the first half and an emotionally charged & caring husband in the second half - somewhere in the corner of my heart I was looking for SRK in this role - for he would have truly rocked - just because he fits like a T in this role. Nevertheless, its indeed a brilliant performance by Ajay as an actor.

There are very few artist who can shoulder a complete movie with an arresting performance - and here its Kajol for you! What a power packed performance!!!! Watch her when she works out forgetting the fact that she is pregnant - and then explaining hubby Ajay that she wants to get on shape! Its Kajol for you all the way and trust me you will be floored!

There is nothing to write about others in this movie - for its an out-&-out Ajay & Kajol's show. Technically the movie is just about OK - guess director Ajay would have thought the mushy romance would suffice and the viewer would not notice the technical nitty-gritty - which I should say is partially successful as well - purely because of the scintillating & honest performance by Ajay & Kajol.

Dialogues are shady at times - example: "Indian men are like mice—always looking for a hole!”. It doesn't gel well given the candy-floss canvas of the movie. And TV channels can announce a contest to find out the number of drinks that Ajay had in this movie. I wonder how a doctor end up drinking like this throughout. I will not be surprised if Mr. Anbumani Ramdoss comes out with a stinker against Ajay in the next few days.

All said & done - U Me Aur Hum purely works because of the power packed performance by Kajol & Ajay. Lets wish the best for Ajay for his next venture - though he has proved that he is a good director in the making! And last but not the least - go watch U Me Aur Hum for Kajol - and trust me - you will NOT come disappointed!!!

Yaradi Ne Mohini - Review

Whoo ha!!!! Saw a movie first day first show after what seems like ages. And its been a while since I wrote a review for a brand new movie.

Yaradi Nee Mohini (YNM) - one couldn't have a better title having Nayanthara as the heroine. She is out & out ravishing in this movie.

Story wise YNM has nothing new to offer - its already a remake of a telugu movie (Adavare Mattalakku Arthale Verule) by Selvaraghavan - which by itself is a rehash of DDLJ and several other hindi movies.

After seeing some great movies from Selvaraghavan - YNM certainly comes out as a disappointment. Screenplay does look interesting in bits & pieces - but IMO it fails to impress on a whole. At the outset the movie seems to be too lengthy and at times drags a lot as well. But it will certainly appeal to the masses - as it turns out to be a clean family entertainer. Also Selva has proved that he is well versed at making commercial pot-boilers as well.

Dhanush is a clear winner in YNM. He seems to be concentrating on what will work and what will NOT work for him and he comes out with flying colors in YNM as well. One more hit added to his kitty. The role is tailor made for him - that was handled by a much older Venkatesh in Telugu version where he was a total mis-fit. Watch him imitating "Vietnam Veedu" Sivaji in "palakattu pakkathile" song. As I used to say - Dhanush is one hell of a talented actor who can overcome his limitations (cann also be read as looks)

Nayan looks like a goddess. She is one major crowd puller and she has once again added a smash hit to her kitty after Billa.

And Raghuvaran has ensured he will make everyone feel for his absence - by providing one of his best performance till date.

The surprise pack of this movie is Karthik (mirchi Suchi's hubby). He was always seen as one NRI character in a couple of movies (esp alaipayuthe). In YNM, he proves that he has a strong theatrical background. IMO, he is sure to get more offers after this movie. Can well be a good supporting artist if he succeeds in choosing the right films.

There is nothing major to write about the other characters in the movie - its almost stereotyped ones including Nayan's sister character - who gets a bumper prize in the form of a duet song with Dhanush. And yes, she is good in the song - but IMO, she has a long way to become a lead material.

Technical team has done a neat job - a special mention to the cinematographer. Yvan is at his usual best - as you hear him in all Selva's movies. Special mention to "yengeyo Partha mayakkam" - a clean melody thats already a huge hit. Surprise pack is the remix song - "palakattu pakkathile" - well choreographed song!

Its very hard to pass a judgment on Jawahar - the director of YNM. Its a frame by frame remake of the telugu version but for the climax and the remix song. But all I can say is he is nowhere closer to "remake raja" - director of Jayam, M Kumaran, Something Something. Guess we will have to give him one more chance to prove his mettle - and wish he takes something that is inspired rather than copied.

All said & done, go watch YNM - for it is a clean entertainer. But ensure that you don't ask how come Dhanush is not aware of his close friend's fiancee. That's commercial cinema for you....

Raghuvaran is no more...

Looks like the month of February & March 2008 is a loss for Tamil Cinema. If it was Sujatha in the month of February, its now the turn of Raghuvaran in March.

Read that he is 60 years old - which is a surprise given his thin frame. But he is one great example for the younger generation - if your personal life is in shamble - no matter how great you are in the professional life - you will always be left alone even in your death bed. And imagine how pathetic it would be if you feel lonely and deserted in the death bed - the mental trauma will be much higher than the physical pain. And Raghuvaran was a living example!

May his soul rest in peace! And though it may sound cliche, its indeed a HUGE LOSS for Tamil/Telegu Cinema. He was all said & done - one of the best villains in Tamil film industry - and I could hear you guys saying "I Know - I know & I know" (puriyatha puthir)

Writer Sujatha is No more...

The man behind EVM – and what an eventful journey even after retiring from BHEL.

His Katrathum Petrathum articles were a treat to read - given the unbiased view of the good, bad & ugly in movies, literature, music, science, politics & what not.

He was a significant contributor in all the movies that he worked so far – be it story, script or dialogue writing. His best being Kannathil Mutha mittal.

His penchant for explaining science & technology in tamil is commendable. I still remember reading an article where he explained about CD-ROMs in such a simple language around 12-13 years back and also rightly predicted the direction in which the audio/video market will move in the future and also about piracy – he was spot on!!!!

An all time romantic classic novel like “Pirivom Santhippom” – I was told that many got so inspired with the novel – that there were too many girls named as madhumitha (lead character in this novel). I will have to read that novel again - what a page turner it is...

Overall – a truly inspiring and an eventful journey came to an end – but - yes his writings will be remembered forever!!!