Pongala Pongal - A Look Back

We had a good Pongal with Aayirathil Oruvan which was released nearly after 2 years of making. Though it had some mixed reviews in the beginning, later it started to pick up as the movie was trimmed by deleting a few unwanted scenes especially in the second half. Now that, the word of mouth has started to spread and it seems to be really good. But the trade reports however seems to be in favor of Aayirathil Oruvan. Let's see if it continue the same becomes a super hit.

Of the other movies that released along with Aayirathil Oruvan, it looks like Naanayam seems have to positive reviews for the concept and the screenplay. Kutty as well receives decent reviews. One sure shot disaster is Porkkalam which failed to attract the audience which created or rather made the audience to anticipate for the movie with its trailer and the promo stills.

So that's for this year. Can we also rewind back and check what happened for Pongal? We have some good old memories as well.

2006

It was a clash of titans. It was so designed to have their movies clashing most of the time during the Pongal season. And this year it was Aadhi and Paramasivam. Aadhi carried the hopes Vijay-Trisha winning combo from Ghilli and Thirupachi but it went nowhere since the content was empty. So surprisingly it turned out to be one of the worst disaster movies in Vijay's career. Well Paramasivan, it was P Vasu who carried the momentum from Chandramukhi. Expectations were high for this movie but it failed to satisfy the audience completely because of ridiculous script. Though it was not a fully satisfactory movie, it did manage to collect some money.

2007

It was the year, where the term Pongal was rephrased to Pokkiri Pongal. This time, Vijay joined hands with Prabhu Deva in remaking the Telugu blockbuster Pokkiri by Mahesh Babu. The team was able to replicated each and every thing from the telugu movie and with the inclusion of Vadivelu's awesome comedy track, the team was able to give a stunning block buster. We also had an Ajith movie which Ajith would never wanted to get reminded off, Alwar. Except for the lead pair Ajith-Asin, there wasn't any expectation for the movie and the movie turned out to be the best disaster in Ajith's career. But Ajith's Varalaaru which was released 2006 Diwali, still continued to run in major screens. Another movie which turned to be a success along with Vijay's Pokkiri was Thamarabarani. It was Vishal who paired with the new face Bhanu under Hari's direction. The movie also created expectations as Nadiya made a comeback again. The movie turned to be a super hit and ran for more than 100 days.

2008

The year which probably witnessed maximum releases because of the absence of Vijay or Ajith movie which usually share more screens if it had released. But we had Vikram's Bheema which was desperately waiting for years to hit the silver screen. Lingusamy carried his success after Run and the songs were ruling the radio stations pre release time. But the movie was a complete disaster for Lingusamy. Kaalai, the Simbu starrer was another big disaster which had absolutely nothing in the movie other than personal vengeance. Karu Pazhaniyappan's Pirivom Sandhipom had good response and it was actually the only movie which made a good profit of all Pongal releases. Other two movies were Pazhani and Vaazthukal. Pazhani, as usual had a typical Perarasu's story and it made decent money whereas Vaazthukal failed to cross even 10 days.

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Decoding Aayirathil Oruvan

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers and the author expects the readers to have watched the movie before reading the article. This article doesn’t proclaim that Aayirathil Oruvan is the greatest movie ever made in the history of Tamil Cinema. It’s a brave new welcome attempt which will promote new genre like this. As every other film, this film also has its own set of flaws and the content here only tries to bring out the flavor of the movie.

One of the most anticipated movies has finally arrived and opened to houseful shows with great expectations. But sooner, after the movie was screened, there were predominantly these kind of audience, a mixed response.

a) loved the movie so much that they wanted to watch it again to understand the nuances and other details about the movie.

b) Weren't impressed with the movie which fell short with their expectations.

c) Found the first half to be engaging while they couldn't make out what was being conveyed in the second half.

d) Found that the movie had gore and unwanted scenes in the movie.

e) Yet another movie

To answer them all, here is a conversation between Clap and Boo had after a few rounds of vodka at the local bar; Apparently, I snooped on them to find out their opinion. Guys, It cannot get bigger than this...Clap and Boo discussing the movie together!

Read on to know what they felt about this film!

Boo: What the hell? Are you going to tell me some connection to this scene of 'Therukoothu' and the storyline?

Clap: Hang on, Boo! One step at a time!

Boo: Aah! I think we must concentrate on the narration here! Now I know why Selva has kept that 'Therukoothu' scene. Oh man, looks interesting.

Clap: Wow! That was quick! Also note the credits title then and there in the movie. If you observe the first frame of the movie, you will have the credits indicating 'One small village' Tanjore (now). Immediately, the focus shifts to Tanjore in 1279 with the same story, where Parthiban recite, wait till the messenger comes and followed by the narration by Selva.

Boo: I guess I got watch the movie very keenly!

Clap: Of course you need to! I hope you don't shoot any question in the title credit!

Boo: Hopefully not! Seems like the adventure going to start! So this team headed by Reema will head to find the Professor as well as the Chola kingdom where they lived is it?

Clap: Bingo!

Boo: Do we really need this MGR song?

Clap: Come on man! Living in Tamil Nadu, are you not a fan of MGR? Stealing his title Aayirathil Oruvan, you should at least pay some justice!

Boo: Oh yea! I love this song!!!

Boo: How come Andrea can speak that Tribal language? Isn't it funny? Why does the head of the tribal people leave them without killing them???

Clap: I seriously don't know how a tribal language will be? Moreover, the guide who accompanies them will understand that language, so obviously, Andrea being an archeologist, would probably knew that language. The Tribal head is warning them and they just threaten them. This is quite evident from the guide who speaks to Azhagam Perumal.

Boo: Hmmm, yea, what about the slide what contains the painting?

Clap: Hold On! Like I said; one step at a time!

Boo: Wow, thank God, Karthi didn't die because of the Red Indians. Oh man, why did the leader of the Red Indians kill himself, what's there show a clip in black and white?

Clap: I myself don't know what's the reason behind this? Let's wait and see!

Boo: Who is this Azhagam Perumal? I thought he belong to Indian Army! Lols!

Clap: Did you notice that he was asking Reema Sen that he mistook them and he needed additional men from ex military army, private forces, mercenaries, armed forces and weapons.

Boo: What's there to notice this point?

Clap: Just a heads up!

Boo: Why are they threatening Karthi? Can't they just leave him when he is not interested?

Clap: I feel something fishy here!!!

Boo: Ah song!!! Can I get you something?

Clap: Hang on! Did you infer subtext from this song? Oh Eesa, which means Oh Shiva, The protector. They have realized that they have intruders in their path and a song for protection. Of course, it's not needed though!

Boo: Man!!!!!!!

Clap: Observe this closely Boo! Check out the traps Andrea says. It seems there are 7 traps and she says they have surpassed 3 traps. Kadal, Kaatuvaasi, Kaaval Veerargal, Sarpam, Pudhakuzhi, Pasi & Dhaagam and Grahamam. If you had noticed, initially they while coming to the island, they will be attacked by some sort of jelly fish followed by the threatening of the tribal and then the attack of Red Indians who are supposed to be the protector of the forest. Now it's the time to Sarpam, that's snakes.

Boo: Yea, I can co relate them buddy! I guess after escaping from this trap, these three might get separated!!

Clap: Wow, you can become a screenwriter too!!!

Boo: Reema and Karthi - why are they always out of sync??

Clap: Don't think too much dude!!!

Boo: Don't you think this is too much dude!!! She shot him and he didn’t die!!!! Funniest part of the movie with rubbish logic.

Clap: I guess, there should be some connection Boo! Remember, when the red indians tried to cut his neck his uncle rescued him and now Reema Sen shot him but nothing happened. Remember man! Selva is not a Perarasu!

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Porkkalam - Loser in the battlefield

The Polladhavan villain, the coach of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu has finally emerged as an hero in the Porkkalam(Battle Field). I would sincerely advise him to do what he is best at. We never imagined when he did the role in Polladhavan. His slang is definitely a gift for Kishore. But the same slang will not help in donning a hero role. He was quite decent in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu as a coach with regional slang to an accent.

Kutty - Family entertainer

The team Yaaradi Nee Mohini is back with a remake of another blockbuster movie 'Aarya'. I haven't seen Aarya, even if I had, I would have still watched the movie. I was wrong with my assumption and wish before watching the movie as I expected the movie bomb purely on a thought wishing Dhanush to stay away from remakes and masala entertainers and concentrate on feel good quality movies from different directors whom he had worked in the past. Anyway, even this time, the team managed to give a decent family entertainer with of course a few horrible exceptions.
Triangle love forms the basic plot of the story with Dhanush, Shriya and Sameer. Dhanush was portrayed a feel good lovable boy by almost all the characters in the movie except the villains. How Dhanush makes Shriya to feel his love is all about Kutty. The movie had almost all ingredients to make the family audience thoroughly enjoy the movie, though I personally feel the movie is just another run of the mill but definitely a good entertainer.
It was Dhanush all the way, who has carried the pace of the movie. His humor is good in parts but the dialogue delivery especially when he is attempting comedy is something getting stereotype right from Thiruda Thirudi to Thiruvilayadal Aarambam to YNM to Padikaadhavan and Kutty. One example of such dialogue delivery that I could remember was 'unga love sollitu avangalum love panna sonna adhu peru business, that's not love' and likewise 'Uyira koduppean sonna ennoda uyira illa...' Ah enough of such dialogue delivery man!

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Naanayam - Value for the title

A full length story on bankrupt makes us eager to know from which Hollywood movie was it inspired or copied as they have at least a couple of movies every year grinding the same plot with different fantasy technology to rob a bank. In Indian slang, a technical way of bank robbery.

A trustworthy bank called Trust bank is the target set here to rob and who/why/how it's done makes the story of Naanayam. Sakthi S Rajan, an assistant to Mysskin has handled this plot in the best possible way he can. He has designed the script with a bunch of suspense and he breaks them then and there to make the screenplay interesting. But before he does that we can easily predict a few at least and know what will happen next? He has inspired the concept of vault and the security systems from a bunch of holly flicks like Oceans series. But it's good on his part that he cared to explain about the plan in a better way so that the audience doesn't think it's yet another fantasy movie. But unveiling too many suspences in one short time could have been avoided during the climax. He has connected the series of incidents in a neat screenplay to justify the bottom-line.

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Aayirathil Oruvan - Still we need the real 'Aayirathil Oruvan'

So we have one of the most expected movies which was in the making for nearly 2 years has finally arrived. This time Selvaraghavan has chosen fantasy genre with a travelling adventure. Not just Selva, we have Karthi, Andrea and Reema adding to our expectations.

It's an adventure fanatasy to discover the Chola dynasty. Isn't it quite a simple plot? But Selva doesn't leave it there, he has utilized the genre very well to give a good gripping adventure throughout the first half. The basic adventure which always starts with a big gang and gradually gets reduces because of various obstacles on their journey is well scripted. Of course, any adventure movie will certainly gets a share from the ace Indiana Jones and traces of National Treasure when the script deals with history treasure hunt. Aayirathil Oruvan is no exception. But the CG isn't satisfactory for this adventure fantasy. Did Selva by any chance thought whether he could at least get to this extent? The adventure goes through forest, sea, dessert, etc., and most of them where computer generated and it's quite evident from the poor graphics or at least not a satisfactory visuals. And when they finally discovers the dynasty where Chola live(d), we have a big surprise and then the story shifts from fantasy to a period movie. Selva, unweilds too many things in the Chola episode that it makes the audience to squeeze their brains to know what is what and who is who?

Of course, there are a few loop holes or rather illogical or how is it possible scenes in the movie, but let's not dig them hard in a fantasy movie as everything is left to our imagination. There are quite interesting scenes in the movie like the movie starts and ends with the same situation, where there will be a scene of elope of Cholo dynasty with different time intervals but with same intention by the same enemies. It was just beautifully designed by the director. It was a destiny for Karthi to be the 'Thoodhuvan'. Moving towards the Climax, there will be literally no dialogues and it's the scenes that speaks for themselves.

Talking about the performance, to be really honest, there isn't any big scope to unveil performance in the movie. But it doesn't mean that they have done a poor show either. They gave what the character needed. But it was certainly a big disappointment from Parthiban, as it was almost kept clueless about his get up in the movie and with minimum dialogues to the character, we couldn't see our usual non stop talking Parthiban. Reema Sen had a much more important role than Karthi and Andrea in the movie. She has done it neatly, though she still needs to improve on the accent and lip sync, but she had tried really hard to give that. Karthi had shades of Paruthiveeran with almost the same get up with the beard striking more Paruthiveeran. Andrea didn't have any big job for her role.

Fantasy? What about the visuals? Ramji has handled the camera and he has done a very good job shooting in the dessert and a few dark shots with gloomy environment. Oh Eesa song, though it was not needed at that situation, it was shot well with vampire effect. Also the red indians shot sequences were also shot brilliantly with proper color correction. Being a travel adventure, the day night, gloomy evening color corrections have been carefully done and had made the end product good. But as I said earlier, the CG was not upto the standards. But considering the budget of the movie, I would probably say they have done a fair job with the budget given to them.

It was a sheer disappointment from GVP when it comes to BGM. It was good in parts, only in certain scenes, but in most of the scenes, BGM sucked big time with poor instrumental. Being a fantasy film, it could have given some fantasy BGM for gripping adventure but it wasn't convincing for the audience to hear our typical stand alone BGM. I remember 3-4 songs being used from the album. Everyone disappointed with the exclusiong of Maalai Neram song. Out of the 3-4 songs used, they aren't needed for the story. Though they were good, they stand as odd man out while watching the movie.

Verdict : Go for it!

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