Gangs of Wasseypur review

3 / 5

Anurag Kashyap revisits his roots with this movie, set in Bihar. ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ was premiered at Cannes to good reviews and carries fairly good awareness back home as well.

Kashyap has even credited prominent Tamil directors Bala, Ameer and Sasikumar (all from Madurai) in the title credits for inspiring him. The Tamil connection doesn’t end here as prodigal composer G.V.Prakash has composed the BGM score for this movie.

The film is basically Sardar Khan’s (Manoj Bajpayee) quest for revenge against Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia), a coal mine contractor in Dhanbad and also Sardar’s long standing inter-community rivalry with the Qureshi clan in Wasseypur. The reason for his motive is the killing of his father, the brave Shahid Khan, by Ramadhir. Sardar has a weakness for women and he isn’t loyal to his first wife Najma (Richa Chadda) and has a second setup with Durga (Reema Sen) as well. He uses the 2 women in his life as ‘child-producing’ machines and has a tough time handling them. 

The background narration by Piyush Mishra establishes the scene of action right from the pre-independence times to the times of Shahid Khan to the following decades. The backdrop of the coal mafia adds a relevant historical subtext. The coal mining mafia rules the scene all along. This narration is tough to follow because just too much information is crammed in.

Even though the film traverses many decades, the lead players do not age much particularly Manoj Bajpayee, Richa and Reema

The violence on screen is pretty brutal and raw. The choicest of expletives are used on screen which the audiences seem to enjoy a lot. The songs have just been used to take the plot forward like in other Anurag Kashyap movies. The BGM score by G.V.Prakash is scintillating to say the least. There are so many themes that will impact you. But, just as you keep replaying one theme in your mind, the next one comes and overtakes the preceding theme. Such is his contribution to this movie.

The tone of the movie is raw and real much like the aforementioned Madurai trio’s movies. The humor is all situational and finely woven into the narrative such as the scenes when Manoj Bajpayee woos Reema Sen. In fact Manoj Bajpayee’s character, despite being wicked and crude, makes you root for him with his mannerisms and escapades with the women. He has literally breathed life into the movie with his powerhouse performance and bald looks.

Jaideep Ahlawat as Shahid Khan has terrific screen presence thanks to his manly looks and flowing hair. We even wonder if that is Manoj Bajpayee in a dual role. Perfect casting. Jaideep sparkles during the initial scenes detailing the 1940s when British goods trains were looted by Shahid Khan in the name of the brigand, Sultana Daku.

Reema Sen looks voluptuous and is seducing thanks to the sexy way the saree is draped on her and also due to her eyes. Richa Chadda has her moments when she pours her heart out due to her husband’s flirty ways. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Faizal will play a major role in the sequel and the way he woos Mohsina (the sexy Huma Qureshi) is hilarious.

The trailer of the 2^ndpart played after this film actually reminds us of ‘The Godfather’, what with the son taking over the reins.

On the downside, the film is too long, there are too many characters, the screenplay isn’t focused and the language in the movie isn’t easy to understand for people who speak colloquial Hindi. English subtitles should have been included in the Indian theatrical release prints as well, like ‘Paan Singh Tomar’.

To conclude, Anurag Kashyap has put his heart and soul into this movie and that shows. His team’s effort is Himalayan. Respects to that. The 2^nd part of the movie that will conclude this revenge saga is worth waiting for.

VERDICT: Gritty, rustic and raw - this revenge saga is just halfway through. 

Saguni review - FIRST ON THE NET

3 / 5

Saguni is a hilarious political game as expected. It is entertaining and gives your bucks' worth.

Kamala Kannan (Karthi) comes to Chennai to meet the concerned political honchos to save his ancestral home. He befriends Rajini Appadurai (Santhanam) and narrates his past to him. The first half moves with Kamal telling his flashback to Rajini. The way he woos Sridevi (his 'moraponnu') is a hilarious little part. The heroine doesn't have any work other than this small portion. She appears in few songs later in the 2nd half.

When Kamal comes to know that the politicians aren't going to help him, he decides to play the game himself. He becomes the kingmaker and singlehandedly helps Ramani Aachi (Radhika) to become the councilor and later the mayor as well. He doesn't stop at this. He also resurrects the flagging VTMK party and works his magic wand on this party as well. All he envisages, is a rule where the ground level people are involved and benefited.

In the process, he exposes the corrupt CM (Prakash Raj) as well. The kingmaker doesn't stop at the state level and in the end he is called for duty at the national level as well.

The numerous references to Kamal, Rajini, Sridevi and even Ajith, Vijay and Suriya, will give you adequate doses of laughter.

The film works big time and there is never a dull moment save some sagging scenes late into the 2nd half. Karthi works his 'boy next door' charm again and his comic timing and innocent smile are intact. Santhanam's chemistry with Karthi is another reason why the movie makes you laugh very often. His one-liners are terrific as always. Santhanam is a hero himself what with the loudest cheers reserved for him. The portions with Nassar as the God-man and Karthi's marketing / packaging mantra are hilarious as well. Good to see Nassar enjoying himself and entertaining the audience as well.

Karthi has worked hard on his dancing and he passes the mark. 'Kandha Kara Vada' and 'Pottadhu Pathala' lead the pack among the songs. The other 2 duets with the sweet Praneetha are just fillers. GVP's BGM scores as well with the Saguni rap leading the credits. At other parts, his re-recording is decent.

The dialogs are the biggest plus what with 2 huge comic talents at the helm. Politicians in this movie are either wicked or dumb. This cliche continues. Prakash Raj plays yet another villainous role. He must be tired of such roles now. Radhika has a small little part which she does well. Kotta Srinivasa Rao isn't the villain for a change. Kiran looks voluptuous as always as the side-keep of the CM.

Of course, it might be hard to believe how Kamal suddenly becomes a political expert overnight. But, this is commercial cinema and that's how it works.

VERDICT: An entertaining ride with a street-smart kingmaker.

Saguni music review

3 / 5

Saguni is Karthi’s release after close to one and a half years. In this gap, the expectations and hype around him have increased manifold. He is a mass hero in his own right now. At such a time, Saguni arrives with the beautiful Praneetha and comedy superstar Santhanam in tow. G.V.Prakash joins hands with Karthi for the 2^nd time after ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’. Let’s see if he has lived up to his lofty levels.

Kandha Kaara Vadai … THUMBS UP

Shankar Mahadevan

Lyrics: Paramu

This is an enjoyable number about life in the city. It is a jolly ride all the way with catchy words and typically expressive singing by Shankar Mahadevan. The tempo never drops with the instrumentals aiding in the pace of the song. Will be a winner in all probability. It would be interesting to see Karthi enacting the lyrics out on screen. A new number for G.V.Prakash, definitely

Manasellam Mazhaiye … THUMBS UP

Sonu Nigam, Saindhavi

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

When you have Sonu Nigam, you know what to expect. A full-fledged melody, it is. When Saindhavi is there for company, it adds to the melodic quality even more. Her voice sounds shrill though. The flute and the whistles gel well with the song.  Will the masses take a liking to this melody? Time will tell.   

Vella Bambaram … THUMBS UP

Baba Sehgal, Priya Himesh

Lyrics: Vivega

This is an energetic and cheeky number. A comedy duet, so to speak, what with the teaser already showing us glimpses. The flute has a prominent presence in this song as well. The singers add the necessary punch to this song. Will appeal to the kids for sure.

Pottadhu Pathalai Maapillai … THUMBS UP

Velmurugan

Lyrics: Annamalai

This number was an instant hit when the 20 seconds version was out itself. Songs centered on alcohol have generally hit the bulls-eye as the youth instantly connect to such songs. The trumpet and ‘thaara thappatta’ are part and parcel of such ‘gaana’ songs. The veena is a nice addition as well. Deva was en expert at such numbers and now GVP has one to show in his resume as well.

Aatukkutti Muttaipodum Solliduvaanda

Pushpavanam Kuppusamy

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

A song centered on the elections, politicians and the general voting process. Given the genre of the movie, such a song was expected. It is a happy ‘thiruvizha’ type song with the trumpet, ‘nadaswaram’ in full flow and Pushpavanam Kuppusamy is an expert at such songs.

VERDICT: The songs have all been composed with the sole intention of entertaining the audience. Save the melody, the rest all play to the gallery all the way. Good ‘mass’ album.

Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal movie review

On the surface it looks like a typical love story between a Chennai IT guy Ram and Charu. Ram is approached by many girls but, he refuses to budge saying he already has a girl friend in Bangalore. He goes over to Bangalore for the weekend to spend time with her. Ram and Charu start off their bonding after they work together for a software competition in Bangalore.

After some time, when the same Charu comes to the Chennai office as the boss from the USA, Ram doesn't respond to her as he has been doing, when he goes to his Bangalore home on weekends. Charu also finds his behavior very weird and formal.

We wonder if there are 2 Amala Pauls in the movie. But, she is one and the same. We find out later that there are psychological strands to this tale. Delusions, as they say. Obsessive love is also touched upon.

Ram's past chronicles a very deep bonding with his mother. These portions showing the extent to which the mother goes, to take care of her son and the Kangal Neeye song are very touching

Whether Ram and Charu unite in the end or not is told with lot of shifts in the narrative. The structure is really non-linear and even confusing at times.

Atharva really has a solid future. He looks charming, trendy and handsome. His stunts are terrific. Has very expressive eyes that show a myriad of emotions. Just needs to improve his body language and remove the Vishal effect from his persona. Amala Paul is a seductress with her eyes and calm face. Another major highlight of the movie. She is decent in emoting and her dubbing voice is apt. Anupana Kumar as the mother is A-Rate. Santhanam's comedy falls flat, sadly. Jayaprakash impresses yet again as the doctor who advises Charu about Ram.

G.V.Prakash's songs are neat and popular already. But, too many songs pop up at frequent intervals. They spoil the flow. His BGM bits are shamelessly plagiarized at places. Here he has used one famous theme from 'A Beautiful Mind'. Sad that this youngster resorts to such practices while doing the BG score.

The stunts stand out quite oddly, though they are very well done by Atharva. His obsessive love is brought out through the stunts. No compromise has been done in the production. The product is rich though over-the-top at times.

VERDICT: Interesting most of the way. But, the premise could have been handled with more focus. 

Polladhavan (2007)

Prabhu is a jobless young loafer who has his set of loyal friends. He swindles money from home and has a lot of drunken fun with his friends. His father isn't happy as expected. Prabhu covets the Pulsar bike and he uses the money that his father gives him in angst, to buy his favorite bike. He gets a job through that and slowly comes up in life. He also has a love affair with Hema.

Just when things are fine, his Pulsar bike goes missing. As a result, tt is a hunt that involves gangsters in North Madras. Selvam is the kingpin, Out is his man-Friday. Ravi is the younger brother of Selvam and he is an immature, impulsive guy who is looking to make it big like his brother.

Prabhu and Ravi accidentally face-off a couple of times and the missing bike also has Ravi's involvement (for drug trafficking). At one instance, Prabhu beats Ravi to within an inch of his life. Prabhu's father is incapacitated by Ravi's men as a result. Selvam advises Ravi not to take this matter further and even Prabhu is prepared to let go after he gets his bike back. But, Ravi doesn't relent and takes it as a personal ego issue to settle scores with Prabhu.

In the end, the lean 'boy next door' uses his guts and daring to eliminate Ravi in his own den. There is a major bloodbath prior to this, where most of the gangsters are killed one way or the other.

Review

• A major break for Dhanush back in 2007. He rocks in comedy, the romantic pursuit scenes, the intense scenes and also in the climax 6 pack fight. Wholesome appeal. 
• The songs by G.V. Prakash are all chartbusters. 2 needless songs in the second half break the rhythm of the movie. The BG score is cult. Widely appreciated themes though some have been blatantly lifted. The bike theme, the theme for Selvam etc. take the cake. 
• Riveting non-linear screenplay from 2 perspectives - Prabhu and Ravi. Definitely something new. 
• Kishore, Pawan are imposing as the gangsters with some conscience. Daniel Balaji as Ravi has a terrific makeover and is brilliant in such negative roles as expected. 
• Santhanam and Karunas are a riot in the comedy department along with Dhanush. Divya Spandana has a cute little part as the lady love. Murali and Bhanupriya are the typical middle class parents. The sister has a small likable part too. 
• The scenes following the bike's theft are riveting. Such shocking and authentic detailing. Hats off. A birds eye view of the gangster life in North Madras. 

VERDICT

A major cult in Tamil commercial cinema. The screenplay, the authentic portrayal of gangsters and the bike element make this movie a classic. 

Mayakkam Enna (2011)

The Plot
The film is about a struggling photographer Karthik Swaminathan aka 'Genius'.  He aspires to become a wildlife photographer. He has a sister and a loyal group of friends. His life is sustained by his close friend Sundar. They spend their free time drinking like hell.

Sundar's date Yamini falls for Karthik and his moody ways. Karthik struggles with Yamini because he feels he is betraying Sundar and his friendship, though he too has feelings for her.

Finally Karthik and Yamini marry each other, after Sundar comes to know of this. Karthik also faces a major betrayal from an ace photographer whom he treats as his guru. He doesn't handle this betrayal properly and becomes increasingly eccentric and psychotic.

His wife Yamini bears all his mood swings and tolerates him. She loses a lot. Finally Karthik gets his big break and makes it big as a wildlife photographer. He dedicates his success to his close ones and the movie ends like "A Beautiful Mind"

Hits

• Dhanush shows myriad shades of his talent. Particularly after he tastes defeat, anguish and becomes frustrated, eccentric and psychotic, he soars on a really high plane. His best show till date that combines all his previous quality works.
• G.V.Prakash gives the best ever BGM for a Tamil film in a long long time. The film will have repeat value just for his BGM. His songs have become huge hits long time back. G.V.Prakash is slowly but surely becoming Tamil cinema's numero uno. Each of his movies has his trademark brilliance. What a talent. Almost the entire movie has his stamp of mesmerizing brilliance. 
• Richa starts performing brilliantly after she gets married to Dhanush. Towards the end, the way she portrays her pain and her solidarity towards her husband, is top notch. In the first half she is plain, grim and very serious
• The other characters like Karthik's friends, Sundar's father, the egoistic photographer etc. have all added weight to the movie. 
• The photography and the cinematography by Ramji, are a real treat to the eyes.
• Reality all over. No shades of heroism in the hero's character
• Good attempts at animation in the Oda Oda song. 
• A beautiful message about following what your heart says and persisting at it. The struggles that Karthik faces have been shown very truly. 

Comments

• Moves at an unhurried pace. Though never boring for a matured audience. 
• The way that Karthik gets his big break, seems a bit far fetched
• The movie has shades of "A Beautiful Mind" particularly in the second half. 

VERDICT

Selvaraghavan makes a return to what he does best - highly intense and emotional human dramas. A beautiful movie for a mature audience. 

Deiva Thirumagal (2011)

The Plot
A remake of the Sean Penn starrer "I am Sam". Vikram and baby Sarah reprise the 2 memorable lead roles of the mentally retarded man with the mental faculties of a 5 yr old and his 5 yr old cute daughter. If in the original, it is the Govt. that is against the father staying with his daughter, here it is the father-in-law's family that is against the father staying with his daughter.

Here also, a lawyer Anuradha takes up the case of the father Krishna, as he aims to reunite with his daughter Nila. Nila's mother dies during her birth and her sister Shweta comes to know about Nila and doesn't want to give her up. A senior lawyer Bashyam is on Shweta's side and is against Krishna's bid to get his daughter.

Krishna has his set of childish friends and he is a very good man at heart. He works at a chocolate factory and there are some comedy portions here, involving Krishna and 2 other workers. Anuradha also has her 2 sidekicks who provide some funny moments as they try to get a case desperately.

In the end, what happens to the father and his daughter and whether they reunite or not is the question.

                                                                     
Hits

• Dr.Vikram scales peaks yet again. As the naive, pure and childish Krishna he is A rate. But, heavily inspired by Sean Penn's act
• Baby Sarah is angelic and godly. Lovely emoting too. The father daughter bonding is the biggest highlight of the movie. Their pranks with their hands, their attempts at story telling etc. etc. are so touching and innocent
• G.V. Prakash is the biggest highlight of the first half as his mesmerizing BGM and songs take up the entire first half. This is his best work till date, by a mile. Maestro like. 
• Anushka looks elegant and acts well too. Amala Paul looks fresh but, a very minuscule part. 
• Santhanam looks very smart and provides some funny moments as he attempts to win the case for Krishna by manipulating the witnesses
• The childish friends of Krishna are also a take-off from "I am Sam". Good genuine fun nevertheless. 
• Other characters like Ragi and the factory owner also make a mark with their pure intentions. 
• Director Vijay's cute touches at showing Krishna's law abiding and helpful nature

Misses

• Some comedy scenes in the first half are irritating
• Vizhigalil Oru Vanavil song looks great and smashing on screen thanks to Nirav Shah, the editing and the visual effects. But, very poor placement.
• In the end, Anushka's efforts and character lose their weight. 
• Nasser appears brooding in the entire film. Quite an irritating and lengthy character portrayal. 

VERDICT

In-spite of the misses and the obvious inspiration, the movie makes a mark for its feel good nature 

Aadukalam (2011)

Whats it about:
      Set in the backdrop of rooster fights, this film is a take on the ego issues that arise in a person when he sees his own protege becoming a big name in the same field.
      K P Karuppu dedicates his life to rooster fighting and he dotes behind his master and 'brother-like' Pettaikaran and Durai, another Pettakaran protege. His mother wants him to be more responsible in life but the naive Karuppu is always fully behind Pettaikaran and his pet rooster.
      Karuppu also falls for Irene an anglo Indian Madurai girl and a nice matured relationship exists between them based on mutual trust. Pettaikaran has a fierce rival Rathnasamy, and Karuppu is a major reason for Pettaikaran's total domination in all rooster fights. Rathnasamy yearns for one final shot at victory
      Once, KP goes ahead with a fight using his pet rooster in-spite of his master asking him to kill that rooster on an earlier occasion. His rooster totally dominates and wins thrice against drugged roosters. Karuppu wins a huge sum of money as a bet from Rathnasamy and he becomes a major hero in Madurai.
      Following this, the master becomes totally insecure, avoids Karuppu, starts hating Karuppu's new found name and fame and he starts playing foul with Karuppu's life. His ego starts playing big time.
      Pettaiakaran hides KP's prize money, indirectly leads to KP's mother's death, instigates Durai against KP, fights with his wife Meena over KP and also tries to separate Irene from KP.
      Finally KP comes to know of his master's real intentions. He feels so broken and sorry for his master's pitiable frame of mind. Pettaikaran kills himself in shame after coming to know of how highly KP thinks of him. KP then leaves Madurai with Irene to start a new life away from all the hate and blood.

                                                                     
Hits

• Vetrimaran's meticulous research on the subject matter and his honesty in admitting his inspirations in the end credits.
• Dhanush. Deserved the national award that he got. Absolutely expressive, energetic and likable. Be it ecstasy, agony or anguish. Dhanush is effortless. 
• GV Prakash. Both the songs and the BG score add value. All the songs in particular are cult classics and well picturized too.  
• Tapsee is cute and decent as Irene. A fine debut.
• Jayabalan as Pettaikaran, Kishore as Durai, the guy who comes as Rathnasamy, the lady who comes as Meena and the guy who comes as Karuppu's loyal friend are all A rate. Very natural portrayals from all the other support characters too. They bring in the required intensity and believability to the role and involve us. 
• The rooster fight sequences are as thrilling as real fights. Great work by the VFX team. The interval block is terrific cinema. 

VERDICT

A milestone in Tamil cinema when it comes to the number of National awards it has got. A two part movie which is very sporty in the first half and becomes an emotional roller-coaster in the second.