Monday, 27 February 2017

Good Vibes 10 – Bahubali – The Beginning

As the series has somehow come upto 10thpost, a planned write up for a block buster movie. In the year 2015 the movie was released with director SS Rajamouli’s cut out in theatres in Telugu speaking states. Probably the first director to get such a dramatic reception which is quite usual in the case of protagonists.

A magnificent historic movie. Should have watched the movie in theatres to have a real experience before watching it in Jaya TV HD and Sony max (even yesterday) n number of times. The kind of graphics takes one to Mahishmati effortlessly though the reach to the kingdom is bit defying physics theories. But it is okay to defy physics to experience a majestic second half. First half is bit dull with two songs. While the first song can be taken as a destiny driven one, so as to pacify oneself to an extent, second song is a serious threat to cosmetic companies.

Surya wearing water proof Viboodhi in the hero introduction song in 'Aadhavan' is nothing in front of, Jr. Bahubali read as Shiv in first half, using water proof colours to draw one half of the design on Avanthika’s hands and the missing pieces on his hands. The LHS is equaled to RHS in the duet. While one Lakme iconic kajal costs 200 INR this man effortlessly gets it from nature and applies on her eyes like a Tony & Guy professional stylist. So is the cheery red lipstick on Avanthika, gives a throwback of her Sakti Masala ad. Jr. Bahubali causes serious threat to the cosmetic products in second song and challenges professional hair stylists and beauticians blinded by love.

These are the only two points which can be mocked out rightly in this movie. The rest of the movie make one sit on the edge of the chair even today. For the first time, Tamannaah had some expressions on her face. Apart from being THE glam doll, a good show as a fighter. After the second song the movie is transcended to a different plane. The statue event gives goosebumps and the name ‘Bahubali’ resonates throughout the interval. ‘The rescue of DevaSena’ is the turning point and the night chase is captured beautifully. The head slash of Rana’s son and his Mundam walking, Kattappa falling on his knees is still magnificent to remember.

Rangaraj Subbaiah also known as SathyaRaj is a heart throbber even in his early sixties with his entry when Sivagami orders him. Sivagami is a wow factor. Ramya Krishnan even in her salt and pepper style looks ageless. Anyone can fall in love with her for her boldness, the way she handles the ‘Kuru Vaal’, hidden in her pallu and pulls it out effortlessly to kill the guy who threatens the throne. Typical Gambeeram when she feeds breastmilk to the two young lads simultaneously. For Naseer such ‘Bijjaladeva’ role is a cake walk with typical Dhirudarashtra scenario depiction. Bahubali and Bhallala Deva as the best rival cousins equal in might and all other aspects. The crew isn’t complete without mentioning the will of DevaSena in collecting the fire woods. Her passive aggression has been viewed, Anushka's active aggression to be seen soon.

The movie itself has a plot close to Mahabharata except the ratio of cousin rivalry. Here it's 1:1 and there it's 1:20. The terms 'Vyuha', 'Akshauhini' can been seen in Mahabharata but the war sequences till date were left to the imagination of the individual. The serials aired on televisions weren’t enough to feed the imagination. To feed the hunger of the war sequence, this movie gave tons of food to enhance the imagination. The movie would have beautifully shown ‘vyuha’ on map and on field. Execution of the same with oiled clothes is beyond jaw dropping moment.

SS Rajamouli's brilliant efforts and effects now make it easier to imagine even the 11 akshauhinis of Kauravas and 7 of Pandavas. While one akshauhini is 1 chariot : 1 elephant : 3 cavalry : 5 infantry soldiers which is actually 21,870 chariots; 21,870 elephants; 65,610 horses and 109,350 infantry as in Mahabharata.

While Tamil nadu is worried about proving the question 'Who killed Amma? Knowing 'Why Kattapa killed Bahubali?' atleast in 2017 should be a solace.

Eagerly waiting for Bahubali - The Conclusion.


Monday, 20 February 2017

Good Vibes - 9 Kandukonden Kandukonden

The movie was released in the year 2000. One of the most warming movies ever seen. Any Rajiv Menon movie has special importance to music. Be it ‘Morning Raga’ or ‘Minsara Kanavu’ or this one. In his movies, music and lyrics get special care so the plot.

The characterization of each is beautifully carved into existence. Major Bala, then Major now a florist, fantastic role as a supportive lover who doesn’t lose his respect while being supportive to Meenakshi and who likes Vazaippu vadai. Manohar, an inspiration for many, as he leaves his  job to pursue his passion, wins and proves the same with his persistence. Srikanth aka Srika, a business man, but who gets caught up in  things that aren’t under control so as to lose his love.

 Meenakshi, one of the female protagonists, who is a dreamer, Maha Kavi Bharathi fanatic who keeps questioning many things. The song “Konjum mainakkalae” speaks all about her. Sowmya, a very practical woman especially on love, though not a Mahakavi Bharathi fanatic like her sister behaves perfectly like one as he tells in புதுமைப் பெண். - “நிமிர்ந்த நன்னடை நேர்கொண்ட பார்வையும்,நிலத்தில் யார்க்கும் அஞ்சாத நெறிகளும்…”.
Of Couse Rahuvaran throbs heart in any role so the same in this cameo role. So is Srividhya, Manivannan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Pooja Batra in best supporting roles for the plot, Anita Ratnam as a cameo villi.

The movie has to be appreciated for many of it's traits. Firstly, awesome choices of location – Kanadukathan Palace, a must visit to capture a thinnai pose, streets of Chennai for adventure. Next is costumes. Whenever Aishwarya Rai comes in Half saree, she wears the best combo which can make one go gaga, so is Tabu’s salwars and sarees. AR Rahman Musical is beyond description and any description given would always fall short to the kind of music he has composed. The songs will stand for the coming ages.

Lyrics by Vairamuthu. He proved in this movie why he is being called the best. The songs go with the plot effortlessly. He displays both Naayika Bhava and Naayaka Bhava beautifully through his songs.

"என் தளிர் மலரே இன்னும் தயக்கமென்ன

என்னைப் புரியாதா இது வாழ்வா சாவா"

displays Naayaka bhava and won Shankar Mahadevan a national award for the perfect rendition.

And the song Kannampoochi yen ada – a classical ragamalika beauty from ARR

“என் உள் மூச்சிலே உயிர் வீங்குதே

என்னுயிர் துடிக்காமலே காப்பது உன் தீண்டலே

உயிர் தர வா

கண்ணாமூச்சி ஏனடா என் கண்ணா நான் கண்ணாடிப் பொருள் போலடா”

typical Naayika bhavam. And another which speaks about the love of a strong independent woman is

“பாறையில் செய்தது என் மனம் என்று தோழிக்கு சொல்லியிருந்தேன்

பாறையின் இடுக்கில் வேர்விட்ட கொடியாய் நீ நெஞ்சில் முளைத்துவிட்டாய்”

And

“முகம் பூத்திருக்கும் முடியில் ஒன்றிரண்டு குத்தும் இன்பம் கன்னம் கேட்குதே”

from the same song make Gillette razor sharp blade ad hide itself in shyness as it describes aesthetically subtle expression of love.

While Kandukonden kandukonden song is an awesome classical duet which is a mélange of Naayika and Naayaka bhava, the inner transformation of the dreamer from “நாம் நட்டதே ரோஜா என்றே பூக்கணும்”  to ‘வாழ்வே வாழ்பவர்க்கு’ is captured beautifully in the song and in the plot as the heroine wished for the best in love but it  becomes her devil as she doesn’t have to fight for her love or lover but need to compete with another for the same and is unlikely.

All the emotions which run high on screen speaks volume and are captured beautifully by the director. Kandukonden Kandukonden is a prefect package of music, lyrics, plot, best actors, location and costumes in a single go.



Good Vibes - 8 Mownam Pesiyadhe

This movie was released in the year 2002.

Whenever one googles any film name, directed to the respective Wiki page, one can find the translation of the Tamil title in the first line. Sometimes the translation would be apt, sometimes it would have been a google translator thing. Where the contextual translation doesn’t happen most of the times, it would be only word to word translation. So for this movie the translation reads – ‘Silence Spoke’.

Many people love this movie for the plot and the character of ‘Jeans potta Saguni – Gautham’. Few scenes would be out of world. The dialogue like ‘Engendhu da varudhu indha lovvu’ shouts the mind voice of many who is undergoing break up. Scenes where the guy wants her lady love to come with him on the eve of her wedding and the way bride’s father speaks show raw emotion on screen. The thought of being upfront and ‘Fearless’ in love is beautifully captured. Rather eloping and assuming that the parents won’t agree there is a crazy little thing called asking/speaking with them would be shown well. One awesome scene that deserves standing ovation is where Gautham speaks about public display of love and affection which tells about ‘Avai Adakkam’.  "Yedhuku vidama pudichutae iruka, oodi poidumnu bhayama? - "Idey Maari dhan veedu varaikum poganum". Un pondati dhana? vittutu poida matta moment. Sheer beauty!

While Kannan is bit playful in love and loves Maha, his friend - Gautham stays away from girls. As it happens in many gangs where one gives the best relationship advice and stays single, one promotes break up and stays single and one is a social butterfly this gang showcases healthy humour. Trisha as a beautiful athai ponnu of Kannan, no specific comments on her acting, she sticks to the story  well so as to induce Gautham’s assumptions in love, except that few of her salwars look like salwars typically stitched in 8th standard with loose fittings with no distinction among  the top, the bottom and the dupatta which the tailor would have claimed to be the latest trend, a photograph wearing the same is still dreadful for a throwback and the one which is loose to wear even in mid-twenties.

Over all bit astonishing to believe that this was the debut movie from the director of Ram, Paruthiveeran – Ameer Sulthan. Good old YuvanShankar Raja musical soothes till date. Though the transformation isn’t visible much on Gautham’s facial expression when he falls in love, Tamil cinema has an unusual display of karmic cycle in love. Laila Mehdin comes back in cameo role where as she left him for someone better and wealthy in the movie ‘Thinking about you’ (Unnai Ninaithu). Though this duo doesn’t match the powerful karmic pattern displayed in  the movies Romeo-Juliet and Engayeum Kadhal.

Just for this song from Snehan,

“மனிதன் என்னும் வேடம் போட்டு மிருகமாகவாழ்கின்றோம்
தீர்ப்பு ஒன்று இருப்பதை மறந்து தீமைகளைசெய்கின்றோம்
காலம் மீண்டும் திரும்போதே பாதை மாறிபோகாதே
பூமி கொஞ்சம் குலுங்கினாலே நின்று போகும்ஆட்டமே
ஆடாத ஆட்டமெல்லாம் போட்டவங்கமண்ணுக்குள்ள
போன கதை உனக்கு தெரியுமா..?”
the movie is worth watching umpteen number of times. This song speaks loudly in this movie 'Silence spoke' adhan Mownam Pesiyadhe! (Read in Major Sundararajan voice).


Good Vibes - 7 36 Vayadhinilae

The movie was released in the year 2015. A Malayalam remake in Tamil. Aired again in Jaya TV, read ‘Jaya TV HD’ on Republic Day. When the movie was released few friends and colleagues especially female friends were speaking about it with a feministic approach. Nay with a false feministic mindset to be specific. The movie was altogether different to the kind of comments received. Some beautiful insights on relationships with thyself and others are captured so well.

Many a times it happens in any home. The contribution of  mother is unseen. Sometimes she is being disrespected. Especially, during the teenage period of a child, she is being treated as if she doesn’t know anything. But as one ages, the realization strikes, even when a code fails and one sobs over phone she gives the best advice. From small ‘ID card kanum’ moment to dealing with breakup one can realize she is the encyclopedia. The movie beautifully speaks about the urge of a mother to stand beside her child any time. Jo at her best when she speaks from heart ‘En ponnu enna maari iruka kudadha?’ and the script is so powerful speaking on self-transformation.

People lose themselves in many things. Some seem healthy and some are visibly unhealthy. Be it work, relationship, alcohol, etc. The movie voices so well about being lost in relationships and losing one’s own identity. As the protagonist loses herself in relationship as a wife, as a mother  to gain no respect that she deserve is depicted so well. When the realization of being treated as a door mat strikes her, the emotions are captured to perfection with supportive friends, well wishers, in laws around.

The movie shows the beautiful journey of an individual, who lost herself in a relationship, the self-realization, pampering of her inner child again, standing up for her self-identity and self-respect, thus teaching the greatest lesson of having a healthy relationship with oneself and having a healthy life outside the relationship leads to healthy interpersonal relationship with partner and children invariably.

The movie equally calls for interdependency with mutual respect and love between the couple. Also gives an insight on being ‘dependently independent’ so the balance is maintained without being too independent, leading to a state where no one is required, or without being too clingy to be treated as a doormat, or without fumbling to too much insecurities and having multiple relationships to boost the self-esteem.

In short, a fantastic story from Rosshan Andrrews in Santhosh Narayanan music which isn’t just for someone who is 36 years old  but suits anyone of any age who lost or losing themselves in relationships, work, etc. With Jo coming around in beautiful cotton sarees, draped to perfection and an awesome social message on unhealthy vegetables and a solution for it, 36 Vayadhinilae is for any Vayadhinilae.

Eagerly waiting for next Jo movie – Magalir Mattum.




Good Vibes - 6 Pasanga

The movie was released in the year 2009. Though the plot goes around kids it has many takeaways for elders here and there in a subtle manner. The movie has so many minute details that make the movie pleasant and enjoyable.

The fight between class leader and Asst. Class leader captured beautifully and the hilarious voting system that the students follow. The ‘Kalla votetu’ scenario – Raising both the hands for a friend to show the loyalty is truly 6th standard school kid thing. The struggle of  a student coming from a private school and adjusting sails to Government school captured beautifully. The fact that ‘Padikara pulla yenga irundhalum padikum’ is justified in a pragmatic manner. Most striking aspect is Govt. Schools weren’t put down anywhere and shows the growth of entire class in a movie.

The small fights, egos, mannerism of 6thstandard students captured well and ends with a change in attitude of the students towards a healthier way shown well though the climax is bit cinematic. The love between Meenakshi and Badrakali ;) is cute in it’s own way. Rather the usual romantic scenes, the love is mild, playful in a non-irritating manner, a more healthier way unlike the purse burning kind. The duet song with lyrics which tell about guy’s vulnerability once in a while like ‘Annin Manadhirkullum penmai irukiradhe; thunga vaithidavae nenjam thudikiradhe’  by lyricist Thamarai, Naresh Iyer  and Shreya Goshal on vocals, a James Vasanthan Musical is a delight and never fails to make one press the repeat button.

The movie also beautifully captures how fights between parents affect children psychologically and tells way to resolve them in a refined manner. The terrace farming scenes and many little things from the song are ‘Anbale Azhagagum’ goes well with the movie plot.

Of all the scenes one is a sure Monday Motivation. When there is a holiday in a month that too on a week day is a joy, inexpressible. When there are no holidays or it falls on a weekend it is typically ‘Varanda Vanilai’. The guy who counts the number of holidays in a month and tells the forecast of the month is typical ‘Nam enam ada’ moment.

In short Pasanga 1 is a breezy, perfect movie to sit and watch with family and kids from director PandiRaj.

#MondayMotivation


Good Vibes - 5 Indian

This movie was released in the year 1996.

Thatha: Sudhandhiram vanginadhu lendhu indha edatha yarumae Sutham seiyala.
Officer: Endha department ?
Thatha: Kala pudungara department.

The sound of claps on theatre would have reached the sky. Such is power of dialogues from writer Sujatha also known as Rangarajan. Nobel, loyal, patriot above all the Impartial Thatha add infinite value to the term hero.

While everyone can go gaga when Ramyakrishnan tells "Vayasanalum un azhagum style um maravae illa" to Rajni in Padayappa, everyone can fall in love, every single time when thatha Kamal elegantly aligns his hair when it falls over his forehead. When he fights and uses the varmakalai, no one can dare, to address him thatha one more time.

The shared core values, the wait and the love beautifully captured. When Nedumudi Venu comes to arrest with no word she packs things. A smile on his face while she catches his mind voice and in climax when he tells 'Amirtham, unaku poi solla varadhu veena muyarchi pannadha' tells the perfect understanding between the couple Senapathy and Amirthavalli.

The duo, Gounda Mani - Senthil has been stealing the show from time immemorial and this movie is no exception. Cameo performance by the Guinness record holder, Manorama is beyond description. The heroines and other supporting actors performance to the dot as if measured.

The internal conflict of a straight forward father, "avanuku valikakudathunae meesaiya yezhandha Senapathy inniku avanayae yezhaka thayaraagitan" sumps up all.

ARR musical, Vali, Vairamuthu lyrics, Shankar Graphics songs are delightful ever. The theme of each song correspond to the area of interest of the characters. Akkadangu naanga - Fashion, Telephone manipol and Mayamachindra - Animals, Kappal yeri poyachu - Unity in diversity which takes one to school chart work days where it shows all states dresses in a single song beautifully.

Last but not the least, "Pachai kiligal tholodu" beautifully describes, joys in ordinary moments.

"Veyilin Sutham Aanantham
Mazhaiyin Satham Aanantham
Ada Mazhaiyil Kooda
Saayam Pogaa Vaanavil Aanantham
Vaazhvil Nooraanantham
Vaazhve Peraanantham"

In short, inspired by many face book posts, if one is a true Kamal fan/Shankar fan/ ARR fan/ Sujatha fan/ Indian ;) one would have not missed the movie.

#BattleAgainstCorruption
#BoomikuKaneerSondhamIllai




Good Vibes - 4 Jeans

This movie was released in the year 1998. Should have been the first movie to take viewers to a visual ride to 7 wonders of the world in a song in pre you tube era. While the song is a visual treat with Miss World and one of the best dancers staring on screen, the lyrics from Vairamuthu in ARR music  makes one appreciate the nuances in day today happenings, even the act of cutting nails as a wonder. - "நகம் என்ற கிரீடம்அதிசயமே". And many more...

At times, cinema helps in 2 mark grammar questions more quickly during the vital time than the usual methods if and only if one doesn’t lose track and get lost into lyrics while writing exams.

“சலசல சலசல இரட்டைக் கிளவி தகதகதகதக இரட்டைக் கிளவி
உண்டல்லோ தமிழில் உண்டல்லோ
பிரித்து வைத்தல் நியாயம் இல்லை பிரித்துப்பார்த்தால் பொருளும் இல்லை
இரண்டல்லோ இரண்டும் ஒன்றல்லோ” – வைரமுத்து

While the entire album is a musical hit, the above song is a real wonder in the on screen graphics with the skeleton perfectly doing the namaskaram, Smt. NithyaShree Mahadevan's voice - ARR music and the genius of Vairamuthu explaining the concept of இரட்டைக் கிளவி directly and love indirectly. Could come under the grammatical rule 'Piridhu Mozhidhal Ani'. Such lyrical value adding tremendous power to the script.

Twins are always attractive so does the story of double twins. The story is hilarious with super cool Patti fighting for Paethi's love with the theme 'Ayiram poi solli oru kalyanam pannalam' and S.Ve. Shekhar stealing the show, hilariously contradicting Lakshmi with 'Honesty is the best policy'. The dialogues like 'Amma, inimae enaku bhojanamae kedaikadhama?', 'Mothathula enaku oru ponnu en pondati ku oru ponnu', 'Viyazha kizhamai Rajnikanth ku viradham', etc etc, proves that he is a typical drama artist with amazing spontaneity. Janaki Sabesh explaining lists of Viradhams is a ROFL max.

Senthil and Raju Sundaram a jovial combo.
Nasser as the bipolar twins, Prashanth as the perfect twins exhibit a notable performance. While Geetha from time immemorial, from the era of 'Karpoora bommai ondru' does the same kind of role, to see her hale and healthy one needs to refer to Santhosh Subramaniam, Radhika Sarathkumar exhibits a stunning performance in the climax.

An awesome movie just like the theme music 'Ni Sa Ri Sa'.
Jeans - Absolute Family Entertainer.
A Shankar - ARR - Vairamuthu Combo. Also known as Simply Magnificent.


Good Vibes - 3 Anbe Shivam

Food for thought.

This movie was released in the year 2003. It can be termed as 'Magnum Opus' from the director of Ullathai Alli tha.

With the Kidnap scene and the bargain they make for kidnapping with a tempo , that movie is a hilarious comedy. Total contradicting plot to Ullathai Alli tha is this one.

The Facebook page like for the movie would have exceeded beyond limit. Harsh reality is said with utmost elegance. Dialogues by Ulaga Nayagan and Madhan. The journey of a luxurious man, for whom ignorance is bliss to tapping of his innocence is captured beautifully. Few important lessons taught on screen by the crew. Awesome lessons like 'Appearance is deceptive' with the character 'Uthaman' and 'Kandasamy Padayatchi'; 'Beauty is just skin deep' with the character 'Nallasivam'; 'There are many things beyond the control of human beings in this world' by the entire plot especially the climax where A Aras questions the universal design and Santhana Bharathi telling about his Karma.

People's/ memes creator's favorite is the 'Kadavul' dialogue. But a punch on the extreme materialistic desires, depicting the mellisana difference beautifully, between aasai and paerasai is

"Panam kudutha kuda vasadhi kedaikadha oru naadu idhu, that's India for you."

"Panam kudutha edhu vena eppo vena kedaikum nu nenaikaravanga irukaravaraikum, that will be India for you".

deserves a standing ovation.

Maddy - ignorantly innocent, others in the crew delivering a good performance. Mehrunissa and the love chain reaction is pragmatic at best. With Ulaga Nayagan on screen, comments on acting is beyond description and understanding. It's simply 'Katradhu kai alavu kallaladhu cell alavu' as he states. Songs with good lyrical value from Vairamuthu, Pa.Vijay and music beautifully composed by Vidyasagar.

Simply, an awesomatic of aromale movie.

#VazhvaeThavam


Good Vibes - 2 Rhythm

Sequels are trending. Chennai 28 II innings, VIP2 on the way. Saravanan Meenakshi has jumped into 3rd season - Who knows? many might come down the lane. Inspired by sequels, the post is a sequel of Good Vibes - Aaha.

This movie was released in the year 2000. A calm movie. So much emotion but comes in a controlled manner. There is so much calm on screen even in places where emotions run higher.

Beautiful characterization. Chithra, beautiful in saree, long hair, less/no make up, strong, independent, shows emotional strength at her best. The dialogue from Karthick tells all. "Neenga azhutham nu theriyum. But evalo azhutham nu theriyadhu".

Karthick, equally bold and strong personality. Proves that he is not a jerk when Chithra misunderstands him. The famous "Thamizh Nandu Kadhai" and in climax "neenga kekka mateenga nu theriyum" tells all about him.

Same painful past of losing the beloved in same accident. But both see future with optimism and exhibits strength and strength only. Shiva - an adopted child, bubbles with all emotions of a 4th Std boy and exhibits his earnings for a lovable dad beautifully. The supporting characters are perfect in their roles.

An emotionally matured climax. "Ungala maari oru thunai Chithravuku venum nu yosikama, enaku oru thunai venum nu suyanalama yosichutenae. Neenga rendu perum vayasula chinnavala irundhalum evalo vivegama, evalo nidhanama yosichurukel, ..... endha vishyathula na pazhaya panchangam illa" steals the show.

The confluence of two bold personalities with songs beautifully depicting five elements of nature in ARR music and Vairamuthu lyrics. All notes striking the chords perfectly for RHYTHM.

A Rhythmic movie from the director of Kaeladi Kanmani.

Blissful! Now and ever. :)


Good Vibes - 1 Aaha

In the recent past, number of feel good movies has drastically reduced. If one comes it's pretty far from reality with much show off call Jiguna.

This movie was released in the year 1997. It was released for Deepavali. An authentic family entertainer it was. A mood lifting movie till date. A joint family subject. A cool love story with sentiments. But a perfect entertainer.

The elderly couple steal the show. Dialogues like
"Dei! Shrirama, na 10000 wala onnu pathen. Adha koluthu da. Hall la yae koluthu ellar kadhum sevudagatum".

And when the hero breaks his love matter at home,
Patti with an awesome expression ''Lovevu" and next 10 minutes one can roll over remembering her expression.

All characters in the script would have done their part so well. Raguvaran, Banupriya, Vijayakumar, not this Srividhya in the below pic as Google states but the late actress, (abathamana mistake from the one who updated the cast) Sulekha and our Ashish Nehra (In remembrance of the Udhavakarai meme), an actor, a writer of an awesome trilogy Rajiv Krishna.

Could be 100th time, still a feel good, breezy movie. Well named as Aaha. :)
In short an Aaha movie from Bhasha Director.

Feel good movies are always exceptional and blissful. More of such movies are expected.