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. 

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.