Singam Puli movie review

Doing double role is always a delight for actors. From the days of MGR to Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan till the contemporary heroes, the craze to play two characters in one film is immense.

Joining the list is Jeeva with ‘Singam Puli’. As the title suggests, it is the tale of a ferocious battle between brothers (both played by Jeeva). Obviously it has to be between the good and the bad.

Debutant director Sai Ramani seems to have been inspired heavily by the likes of ‘Vaali’ and ‘Azhagiya Thamizh Magan’ and laced it up with few moments from ‘Manmadha Leelai’ to render a commercial cocktail in ‘Singam Puli’.

Jeeva who has a penchant to try his hands at different themes in Tamil cinema has gathered guts to do a double role. He has taken the task on his shoulders and gives a matured performance.

The actor manages to bring out the subtle differences between the two roles with consummate ease. Especially as the lusty younger brother Ashok, Jeeva impresses. Then there is Divya Spandhana, Santhanam and Ponvannan among others to give him company.

Siva (Jeeva) sells fish in a market, while his younger brother Ashok (Jeeva) is an advocate. The elder brother is honest and straight-forward while the younger one is a spoilt brat, pampered by their parents Vedachalam (Ponvannan) and Muthulakshmi (Kuyili).

The parents believe Ashok is sincere and obedient and always chides Siva. As it happens, Ashok in the company of friends including Bujji Babu (Santhanam) spends his time loitering behind girls.

He is a Romeo in the sense he manages to pull to the bed all women he comes across. Then there is Swetha (Divay Spandhana) who is in love with Siva. As it happens Ashok in the pretext of love spoils the life of one Gayathri (Soundarya). She eventually dies.

Coming to know that his brother is behind the crime, Siva goes to court but could not prove that he is guilty. Now a game begins between the two. Who emerges triumphant forms the climax.

Jeeva has done his part well. He is there giving his best in every frame. He is honest and straightforward as Siva while brings the right variation as Ashok.

Divya Spandhana appears briefly and has a song with Jiiva. Soundarya tries to fit in the role with great difficulty. Santhanam is entertaining in parts. But his double meaning dialogues could have been avoided.

Mani Sharma disappoints with his muical score. They are loud and forgettable. Balasubrmanaiam's camera is soft. The major lacunae in the movie is its length. The second half is too draggy and needs an urgent trimming.

Then there are many scenes towards the climax that are too predictable. Also songs put a brake on the movie's progress. Produced by S Parthi and S S Vasan, ‘Singam Puli’ gives one a deja vu feel.

Bhavani Movie Review

Having seen Sneha playing a girl next door in her earlier films, ‘Bhavani’ comes as a surprise for all her fans. She gets into the boot of Vijayashanthi to play a powerful police woman in this remake of ‘Vaijayanthi IPS’. There is crime, action, politics and of course sentiment in ‘Bhavani’, directed and produced by Kiccha.

The movie speaks about a valourous woman who fights the evils in the society. It has enough enthralling moments, but Kiccha seems to have missed out the opportunity on weaving all essential ingredients together to make it an engrosser. For the movie proceeds in predictable way in most parts.

Sneha dons her role with dignity and right intensity. She brings out the anger that one would normally associate with lead actors playing tough police officers. Then there are seasoned campaigners like Kotta Sreenivasa Rao, Delhi Ganesh, Raj Kapoor and Sampath Kumar among others in the cast.

Bhavani (Sneha), an honest police officer in Hyderabad, is posted as Assistant Commissioner of police in Tirunelvei upon the request of Tamil Nadu government. The town is controlled by Sivalingam (Kotta Srinivasa Rao), a rich and influential baddie and an aspiring politician. He indulges in all unlawful activities.

Bhavani resolves to put an end to all his acts. Meanwhile there is one Surya (Sampath Kumar), who voices against Sivalingam. As it happens, Sivalingam's son Ranjith (Aryan) plays spoilsport in the life of Bhavani's sister. Efforts to prove him guilty by Bhavani end in vain.

Now a conspiracy is hatched by Bhavani in the company of Suriya and Ranjith gets killed. An enraged Sivalingam takes Bhavani head-on. The cat and mouse begins that ends well.

It is a Sneha’s show all through. The actress is at her best donning the khaakhi. She is agile, fit and active. Especially in stunt sequences, she is at ease. As usual Kotta Srinivasa Rao speaks from his belly, and oozes menace in his eyes. Then there is Sampath Kumar playing his part well. Ilavarasu and Delhi Ganesh add value.

Dhina has come up with some racy songs while Boopathy cranks the camera well, especially the stunt sequences. Due credit should be given to ‘Thalapathy Dinesh’ who has choreographed action scenes.

All said, Kiccha has rendered a movie that has a familiar theme. Had he concentrated more on screenplay, ‘Bhavani’ would have been more trim and fit.

Seedan Movie Review

Director Subramaniam Siva, who touched the dark shades of life in Chennai in his last ‘Yogi’, has treaded a cool and a casual path in ‘Seedan’. A remake of Malayalam entertainer ‘Nandanam’, ‘Seedan’ is a breezy venture which also tells a message or two on human relationships.

With Dhanush doing a cameo, the movie comes as a treat for those who love to watch time-pass popcorn entertainers, that too with whole family. Slow at places, there is no denying that the script is steady too.

A romantic theme never fails to appease masses. If it is blended with a family drama, the delight is double. That is what ‘Seedan’ is all about. Ananya and newcomer Krishna are lover couple and with Dhanush playing the saviour of their affair, it is fun and joy throughout.

Subramanaiam Siva deserves to be complimented for making necessary changes in the script to suit Tamil audience. He has ensured that the grip is not lost anywhere in the story.

Thanks to Dhanush making entry in the second half, the movie picks up momentum to ensure there are no big dull moments anywhere from the interval.

Mahalakshmi (Ananya) is a maid in the huge bangalow of Amirthavalli (Sheela), where she takes good care of the latter. An ardent devotee of Lord Muruga, Maha has a dream of marrying a boy of her choice.

Life takes a turn when Mano (Krishna), Amirthavalli's grandson enters the house for a vacation. Maha is surprised because he is the man who comes in her dream and falls in love with her.

A twist in the tale is Mano’s mother (Suhasini) urging him to marry her friend's daughter. When a shocked Mahalakshmi offers prayers to Lord Muruga, from nowhere enters Saravanan (Dhanush), a new cook in the house. From there on, Mahalakshmi comes across enough pleasant surprises and all things thanks to Saravanan end well.

Three cheers to Ananya who has played her part well. She is at ease in romantic sequences and equally good in emotional scenes. Krishna doesn't seem to be a novice. He plays his part well considering this to be his maiden attempt.

Vivek as fake Godman brings the roof down with laughter. His one-liners are witty and catchy. Refreshing to see the comedian striking it rich after a gap.

And the real scene-stealer is Dhanush. The man, who is on a good run in Kollywood, seems to have carried the burden in his shoulders with immaculate ease and delivered one of his best. As a cook who is witty and humouous, Dhanush is there to entertain.

The likes of Suhasini, Sheela among others show their experience on screen. Dhina has come up with some catchy numbers and the best is ‘Saravana Samayal…’, a classical fusion.

On the whole, ‘Seedan’ is a breezy entertainer. With romance, comedy, sentiments and emotions at right mix, the film is worth a watch. Of course there are some speed breakers, but the ride is safe.

Aadu Puli Movie Review

Come what may, nothing can stop the flow of masala movies as far as Tamil cinema is concerned. And interestingly, but for few which are very clichéd, many worked wonders in the box-office, right from the black and white era to these digital days.

Having immense faith in this theory, first-time filmmaker Vijay Prakash has dished out a commercial entertainer, which strictly follows all the unwritten rules. Bit too spicy, ‘Aadu Puli’ also entertains us to a decent extent.

Produced by Michael Rayappan of Global Infotainment (‘Naadodigal’ ‘Goripalayam’ and ‘Thenmerkku Paruvakattru’ to his credit), the movie has a huge star cast- Aadhi, Poorna, Prabhu, Ravichandran, K R Vijaya, Suresh and ‘Nizhalgal’ Ravi among others.

Our hero Idhayakani (Aadhi) comes from a very big family, consisting father Bhagyanathan (Prabhu) mother Kalaiarasi (Anupama), grandfather (Ravichandran), grandmother (K R Vijaya) and a sister.

Even as all is well in the family, Idhayakani falls in love with Anjali (Poorna), daughter of a powerful Minister Thillainayagam (Suresh). Surprisingly, Thillainayagam, who aspires to become the Chief Minister of the State, gives nod to his daughter’s affair.

The lover couple gets ready for marriage with blessings from elders in both the families, but hurdle after hurdle prevent them from tying the knot. Initially unable to find who is the archer behind all the arrows, Idhayakani is shocked when he comes to know about the villain. What starts is a game, which would remind you the title.

Aadhi is on an upgradation mode and ‘Aadu Puli’ is one more step to his reaching the stardom. He fits well to the mass hero role. Poorna does a neat job in the role offered to her. Prabhu, Ravichandran, K R Vijaya and Suresh add credibility to their characters.

Sundar C Babu’s music is average while Rajavel Oliveeran’s camera has worked within the commercial format. Songs penned by Vaalee, Viveka and Kalaikumar come in regular intervals, providing relief.

Finally, ‘Aadu Puli’ is a predictable and has all the ingredients we had already seen in many movies. But at the same time, it is a clean entertainer (certified U by the Censors), which is fit for complete family viewing.

Nadunisi Naaygal Movie Review

Gautham Menon’s last film ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ rocked the same February season last year and it changed the lives of all the people associated with the film except him. The genre shift is not exactly what we were looking forward. In fact it is amusing to see three renowned directors have dished out three thrillers in the last three months. Easan, Yudham Sei and ‘Nadunisi Naaygal’.

‘Nadunisi Naaygal’ is the story of a boy who turns a psychopath with multiple identity disorder. Gautham has stuck to the theories of this disorder perfectly. But a placid narration is bound to test your patience.

Samar is a child abused by his trusted parent and grows under his neighbourhood Samaritan Meenakshi aunty with a new name Veera. But Veera is haunted by the traumatic events of childhood day and night. He splits off the awareness and memory of the traumatic events to survive in the relationship of Meenakshi. His compulsive disorder makes him possessive of Meenakshi and when she marries, Veera kills her husband. In the mêlée Meenakshi is also burned.

But Veera develops a personality thinking Meenakshi is controlling his multiple identities. His different personalities perform different functions that are destructive. Veera turns a psychopath who is after young girls and associates compulsive love and the violence. When he plays the game with his school friend Sukanya the game ends. Oh yes! I am able to narrate the story. If you still have problems wait for the end credits to roll and there is another proper narration.

‘Nadunisi Naaygal’ was flaunted as a psychological thriller after three decades and strictly warned the weak hearted to stay away. But not really so. The two hours long film fails to grip you. With no logical coherence in development you will fail to sympathise with the protagonist. So what does ‘Nadunisi Naaygal’ mean in the film? Nothing. Dogs only appear

There are not too many characters in the film and the director is able to extract good performances from his actors.

Veera as the psychopath is there in almost every scene. He gets a fairly long solo sequence at the climax to perform. His ‘Anniyan’ acts there of course are déjà vu. Considering he is a new comer, Veera passes with above average marks.

Sameera Reddy as Sukanya takes the second half along with him. As a traumatized girl waiting to be killed by a psychopath, Sameera has shown fear good. She can claim to have acted in this film as she is better off than her earlier two Tamil films.

But the cake goes to Swapna Abraham. She scores. As a protective mother figure and a helpless woman to veer away Veera, the singer has proved she is a good actor too. As a twist Gautham Menon’s lucky mascot Samantha Prabhu is also there in a cameo.

Technical department as always prove big strengths to Gautham Menon. Manoj Paramahasa’s cinematography is worth writing. The climax sequence where light and rain play games together is his. As almost the entire film was shot at night it gives the cameraman the challenge. Another notable act is the re-recording.

Gautham Menon had clearly said this film is for the multiplex audience only and we appreciate his foresightedness. This is definitely not a regular Gautham Menon film. Gautham is a story teller; ‘Nadunisi Naaygal’ looks seaming of incidents to look like a story.

May be you better go to see this film as a film not done by Gautham Menon.

Thambikkottai Movie Review

 

We have it again. The typical Tamil cinema hero is back to sing, dance, make love and fight a hundred baddies. But this time it is Narein, who is a first timer to this formula which is as old as the sun.

Having said that, we should also say that director Ammu Ramesh, a former associate to ‘Jayam’ Raja’, has productively rehashed this ‘winning formula’ into a full-length film, which makes us feel exhausted at few places.

Produced by R K Suresh, the movie with a huge star cast (Poonam Bhajwa, Santhanam, Prabhu, Meena, Sangeetha and ‘Nan Kadavul’ Rajendran among others), is a blend of action, romance, comedy and sentiments.

Alagiri (Narein) is brought up by his sister Shanmugapriya (Meena), a college lecturer, as their parents are no more. Life is a happy journey for Alagiri and his friends till he goes to Thambikottai village on a NSS camp.

Despite his sister’s advice not to leave for Thambikottai, Alagiri reaches the village, only to know that the place is controlled by dreaded don Amirthalingam (‘Nan Kadavul’ Rajendran).

Alagiri, who already has a connection to Thambikottai (which is told in a flashback), decides to put an end to Amirthalingam’s menace. In the meantime, he also falls in love with the villain’s daughter Kanaka (Poonam Bhajwa).

Initially it was difficult for us to swallow Narein’s super man act. As scenes unfold, the actor proves that he is not a wrong selection. Poonam Bhajwa does the typical heroine act while Meena makes a comeback.

Sangeetha, as ‘Beeda’ Pandiamma, reminds us Sornakka of ‘Dhool’. She plays a woman dhadha who is aware of Indian legal system. Prabhu, Santhanam and ‘Nan Kadavul’ Rajendran play their respective roles well.

D Imman has given what a masala flick requires while the in-charges of other departments have done a decent job. On the whole, the journey to ‘Thambikottai’ is like going to our grandparents’ village, that is, pothole filled, still enjoyable.

Payanam Movie Review

How many times had we seen a serious issue being dealt in the way it has to be dealt in Kollywood? How many times a real-life issue was given the right tinge of imagination that strikes a chord with masses? How many times that lead actors involved themsleves with the characters they play? And finally, how many times one would have felt watching a movie that the director had firm grip on the medium?

It majority of the answers is rare, then comes a whiff of fresh air in the name of 'Payanam'. The movie set in the backdrop of flight hijack has been told in a riveting way and interestingly the viewer would identify himself as one of the passengers in the flight.

Be it Nagarjuna or Prakashraj, who play key roles in the film, they form part of the script and nowhere one could find their individual traits coming to the front.

Three cheers to Radha Mohan, Prakashraj and Nagarjuna for the trio have combined to render a flm that is entertaining and enthraling from the word go. The filmmaker, who handled emotional and family dramas themes in the past, consciosuly chose to tread a different path and emerges successfully in a tight-rope walk.

'Payanam' is a ride of joy, ecstasy, camaradaerie, thrill and spill. Nagarjuna and Prakashraj, the two seasoned artistes, ensures that Radha Maohan's imagination are brought out well on screen.

For Radha Mohan, the captain of the ship (or call him the pilot of the flight), 'Payanam' would be a landmark film. He has brought out his other side with hard-hitting message laced in a sweet entertainer. What more? His ability to handle a large group of artistes and get their best is a trick that he has mastered since his first film.

A terrorist group hijacks a flight from Chennai. The plane, with 75 passengers (including a Minister and a top actor among others) and crew, is brought to the Tirupati airport. Home Secretary Vishwanath (Prakash Raj) and other higher officials come to the temple town to negotiate with the terrorists.

In the meantime, the job of rescuing the passengers is entrusted to NSG commando Ravi (Nagarjuna). What follows is diplomatic and pulsating efforts to save the lives pof 75 passengers on board.

Prakashraj continues his sublime form. He is at ease playing the pivotal role and brings out right emotions. Nagarjuna as NSG Commando is indeed an apt choice. Sans big romance or naach gaana, it's indeed relief to see a new Nagarjuna. His body language deserves special mention. He is portrayed as both brainy and brawny.

What is praiseworthy is that the rest of the cast including Sana Khan, Bharath Reddy and others, with everyone having a meaty part to play in the script.

Due credit should be given to cinematographer K V Guhan and art director Muthuraj. They are the flesh and blood to the movie. The authentic feel of being on board a flight is made possible by them. Also Praveen Mani's background ( sans songs) peps up the proceedings.

The producer in Prakashraj has once again proved that he has a nose for innovative ideas and that all hopes are not lost when he is around in Tamil cinema, which is otherwise dominated by cliched commercial masalas.

Kudos to Payanam for a great successful journey.