Kabali

My review: Kabali

At the outset I must congratulate Pa.Ranjith for his courage and conviction in making this movie "Kabali" with Rajnikanth. At the time when even the most illustrious of directors try to play safe he has stuck to his strengths and made a movie like how he wanted it to be, not getting swayed by the star power of the lead man. It is actually a blessing in disguise that I happened to watch this movie well after the euphoria and the subsequent backlash that followed the release of this movie died down. 

The mistake the makers have done is releasing a teaser which is so much dissociative from what the movie actually is. Hence the fans who went in looking for an action thriller must have got disappointed with the gangster drama that the movie is. And it is not that this gangster drama is that bad to warrant that kind of backlash. Also the political propaganda that people were alluding to when they were listing out the negatives of this movie is as subtle as you can get in a Tamil movie. We have had movies, even the hardcore commercial mass masalas, where the political propaganda and castiest chest thumping nauseatingly overwhelming and none had any problem then. 

Coming to this movie, I am again amazed by the homework Ranjith must have done in understanding the Malaysian milieu and recreating it on screen within the framework of a commercial cinema. The historical and contemporary underpinnings with all its socio-cultural and political constructs which is usually a casualty in a Rajnikanth movie is conspicuously prudent this time. The demographics, economics and the temperamental outlook with which each and every character and scene is conceived and created on screen belie the fact that Ranjith is only two films old prior to this. It has been a while that a movie has so beautifully and accurately managed to present to the audience such an authentic portrayal of community that most of them are unfamiliar with. 

There have been criticism that the movie is slow and the screenplay is lagging. I actually found the screenplay engaging and kept me engrossed with the proceedings throughout. Each and every character made an impact, though there are numerous of them and some of them are not that well etched. But the detailing of even minor characters were amazing. Take for instance that the hyperactive and impulsive characterisation of Dinesh and most of the teenagers in the Free life foundation. Most of the teenagers who have a profile of being a school dropout, who take to drugs early and engage in gang activities and  antisocial behaviour are indeed hyperactive and impulsive. Also the early adverse life situations which are one of the important risk factors for these type of personality development are all alluded to along the narration. 

Ranjith deserves praise for casting "actor" Rajnikanth in this movie, dumping the "superstar" Rajnikath in the process. It need guts and he sure seem to have loads of them. It is refreshing to see "actor" Rajnikanth on screen after a very long hiatus. He has performed well, especially in the emotional sequences. Radhika Apte is a terrific actress whose talent is used well for the first time in a south indian movie. And equal praise needs to be reserved for the one who dubbed for her too. The scene everyone raving about when the lead pair meet after 25 years is elevated to a great deal by the dubbing artist as much as Radhika's terrific performance. The quiver in the voice while crying which in my opinion only Kamalhassan can pull off effortlessly was brought out by this person who not only deserves praise by limelight too. (Who is she ?) 

One criticism levelled about the movie is that the villain was not of the same league as that of the ones we have seen over the years in a Rajnikanth movie. But in a story that is set in the backdrop of Malaysian sociodemographic conflict involving Indians and Chinese, who else other than a Chinese could be the movie's main antagonist ? 

Movie's background score is irritating to the eardrum. Santosh Narayanan is not in good form this time. Murali's cinematography and overall technical aspects of the movie are satisfactory.

On the whole, though "Kabali" is not a movie without any glitches, it is a courageous attempt by Ranjith who has rediscovered Rajnikanth. the actor after may be couple of decades. 

Bottomline: A film by Pa.Ranjith 

3.5/5   

Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran

My review: Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran

"Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran" by Ezhil stars Vishnu Vishal, Soori and Nikki Galrani. I am still mystified  by the fact that this inane movie is a hit and more so it is credited to be a comedy. I didn't smile leave alone laugh for even a moment while watching this movie. It only goes to show that the threshold for laughs has come down drastically for the contemporary audience. As a result Ezhil marches on triumphantly with ordinary work. 

There are only two running gags that could be justified in people laughing, one that involving Soori and his botched up marriage and the other one involving Robo Sankar's compulsive repetitive narration. Other than this there is nothing much in the movie. Story is redundant and the screenplay directionless. Even the dialogues which are intended to be comical are all trite with overuse of alliterations.

After an impressive lineup of his, one wonders what made Vishnu to take this movie. He is all at sea in the genre which he is clearly not comfortable with. Nikki Galrani on the other hand is energetic and does justice in a poorly written role, Soori and Robo Sankar does their job well. 

Sathya's music is one of the very few positive aspects of this movie. "Kutheeti kannula" and "Pappara mittai" are ruling the FM channels. There is nothing much for him to do as far as background score is concerned. 

On the whole, "Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaran" is yet another hackneyed so-called comedy from Ezhil.

Bottomline: Tiresome watch

1.5/5

Jackson Durai

My review: Jackson Durai

One wonders when would this never ending lineups of horror comedies come to a stop. The guys have overstretched this genre and it has gone beyond it's self life. When there is this fatigue associated with this genre has caught up comes this movie, "Jackson Durai", which again threads the same beaten to bushes path with some seasoning in the form of historical fiction thrown in.  

As you watch the movie can only shrug with disbelief that Dharani Dharan  is the same guy who gave us that wonderfully made taut thriller, "Burma". This time the screenplay is not that taut with the proceedings just moving along sluggishly. Also except the few sequences in the flashback, rest of the movie don't hold your attention that much. The comedies are all redundant and the horror cliches too much contrived to get surprised by it. 

Sibiraj has put in his earnest effort but still something is missing in him to hold a movie by himself. Karunakaran is almost like a second hero in this movie with substantial screen space. He acquaints himself well. Sathyaraj sizzles in the extended cameo. Rajendran, once again doesn't disappoint. But these talented individuals could have been used a bit more better. 

Sidarth Vipin's background score is good while none of the songs evokes any response. Movie is beautifully shot and is high on production values. The CG work is world class. Dharani Dharan has once again proven that he is a very good film maker but falters in his story telling this time.

On the whole, "Jackson Durai" is yet another cliche-ridden average horror comedy.

Bottomline: High on flavour, low in substance 

2.5/5 

Dhilluku Dhuddu

My review: Dhilluku Dhuddu

"Dhilluku Dhuddu" by the famous Vijay TV "Lollu Sabha" team with Santhanam as the protagonist and the director of that show Rambhala at the helm, is a dreary affair. What the team spoofed in their super hit show is what they have ended up doing in this banal movie. It is really funny to see the team taking themselves seriously in trying to give us a movie that is neither here nor there. The intended serious scenes brings out all the laughter while the intended comical scenes leaves you high and dry. Right from the introduction scene of Santhanam where he tries to keep his face serious and does acrobatics dance moves ala Simbu, you keep laughing at the movie. 

Only redeeming aspect is the 15 minutes or so scenes in the pre-climax portions involving Rajendran and his team of bumbling gangsters which brings the roof down. Other than this portion, only periods you laugh are when Santhanam takes himself seriously trying to emulate the heroes he spoofed to claim all the fame in his "Lollu Sabha" days, be it in the over the top action sequences or something which they try to project as romantic portions. He does dance well, but you just can't control the laughs when he does those dance moves with poker face. 

As I have mentioned earlier, other than Rajendran, every one else just irritates. The newcomer, Shanaya, neither emotes nor speaks her lines, guess what was she doing during the shooting. She can at best be classified as a glorified set property. It is sad to see talented Saurabh Sukhla reduced to  a caricature. Anandraj and Karunas try their level best to irritate the audience which they have succeeded to a large extent. 

Nothing much to rave about in this movie which looks, sounds and feel amateurish, worse than their "Lollu Sabha" shows on TV. On the whole, "Dhilluku Dhuddu" is a grave misadventure by a team which could have just stuck to their strength which is spoof, which they haven't and hence it is a torturous watch. 

Bottomline: Skip the movie, watch Rajendran's portions alone in youtube/comedy channels. 

1.5/5