Annual Report - 2009

Year 2009, the year where again wasn't a very prominant year for Tamil Cinema. We have had big surprises in both forms. Most anticipated movies failing to satisfy the audience and we had a few dark horses as well. We also had a few stars to whom year 2009 was in deed a boon and likewise the other side shares a major space too.

So to the statistics, Tamil Cinema had seen approximately 103 movies this year, just marginal difference from the last year where we had close to 117 movies. This time we had around 8 movies officially considered as remakes from other language and of course there are a bunch of unofficial remakes as well. Out of the 8 movies, a special mention should go to 'Unnai Pol Oruvan' which was remade into tamil from the usual remake principle.
Sasikumar, the director turned producer turned actor had two of his products this year and both of them got a great response from the audience as well as the critics. His production venture 'Pasanga' satisfied many and also earned accolades. 'Nadodigal', a tale about friendship, directed by Samuthira Kani also tasted success at the box office with it's racy screenplay and a polite and clean acting by all the cast. It's very clear that this man has raised in a swift and become very popular in a short span.
Tamanna will anticipate every year to be a 2009 when she wakes up every morning. She had 4 movies released this year and out of which 3 were bagged by Sun Pictures and 1 turned out to be a block buster and other 2 were considered as hits. She has also got good list of movies in the pipeline with the next one 'Payya' pairing opposite to Karthi. Hope she continues to do the same in the years to come.
Coming to Music, it was Vijay Antony whose started with his peppy numbers to attract the listeners. He started with 'A Aa E Ee' and closed the year with another chart buster 'Vettaikaran'. Not to forget Sun Pictures who played a vital role in the field of marketting in media and in radio stations. But still, the music director earns full credit for his foot tapping numbers. Yuvan Shankar Raja also had 5 movies which released this year and turned out to be a good chartbuster. His Sarvam and Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puraavum songs literally occupied the hello tunes.
Now comes the master who literally rules the 2009. Yes, it's Sun Pictures. They were able to turn every movie released this year at least a hit. And they also have the year's biggest block buster 'Ayan'. But, they must also focus on a few quality movies which are desperately trying hard to get released because of various distribution reasons. If they start doing that, they can even promote those movies in the best way than any other distributor.

Official bombers
Every year, every site brings you the most anticipated movies in this year. 2009 is no exception we have had many expected movies from big stars and directors. Well, as usual, unfortunately, most of the movies failed to even just meet the expectation. It all started with the opener of the innings with Vijay's Villu. Coming from the expection Vijay-Prabhu Deva combo, it was trashed even by the actor's fans. Good nightwatchmen innings by Vadivelu and glimpse skin show by Nayan were just the condolence factor for the movie.
Sarvam, by Vishnu vardhan, carried the expectation from the block buster 'Billa' failed to even cross 25 days. Again, some good show by the camera man Nirav Shah and pleasant music by Yuvan which had left the movie songs to become a chartbuster and it was Nirav who had a good name with the critics for this fabulous photography especially the night shoot sequences in the movie. It also had Chakkravarthy who added more expectation, but eventually, it was all the script and the screenplay which the audience expect than the stars or the directors.
Cheran's Pokkisham was another bomber which had quite a reasonable expecation. The lengthy biography literally tested the patience of the audience. Repetitive scenes and dialogues added pain to the agony. Thought a few critics appreciated the movie, it still a loss for Nemichand Jabak.
Immediately following Pokkisham was 'Kanthasamy'. Perhaps, the most anticipated movie of the year I can call. Critics just ripped the movie to the maximum they can. Once again Kalaipuli Dhanu failed to witness profit with his yet another big budget movies. Susi ganesan, thinks he can become Shankar in his third movie like how Shankar become. This movie had nothing great except for some skin shows and songs.
Aadhavan, KSR-Surya combo is yet another bomber where Surya carried intense expecation from Ayan and also KSR who need no explaination for the anticipation he creates. The hype created for the 10 year role bombed again and KSR must seriously consider the fact that story is again a key element in movie making and he shouldn't depend on Ramesh Kanna. Vadivelu is again a life saver in this movie with his spontaneous comedy has just saved the movie to cross the bridge.

Worthy Numbers
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, had all new faces and with the notable Villian Kishore doing a decent role of a coach was really a worthy watch exception to the artifical climax where the director unnecessarily planted a tragedy. Not many movies with having a subject as a sport has been seen in Tamil Cinema. The director has utilized the script in a proper way and mixed it with the native feel of village and given us a worthy product.
Naan Kadavul, 4th product from the macho man, Bala. Easily the best movie released in this year, though failed in the box office, it just swept every critics. This is also probably most anticipated movie this year, last year and the previous year as well as it was made for nearly 3 years because of various issues. I wish this movie and the cast and crew gets reasonable accolades for the fantafabulous performances.
Yaavarum Nalam, a long time no see from the actor Madhavan and a long time no see from the Horror genre to Tamil Cinema. Directed by Vikram Kumar, this horror flick tasted success in both forms. The film dominated the box office as well as it was acclaimed critically. This movie also differentiated itself from the usual in-the-name-of horror flicks where we saw gory horrifying blood shed faces in the name of ghost. Yaavarum Nalam is certainly one of the better products this year.
Delayed 'Kanchivaram' from Priya Darshan, story about a weaver during the freedom struggle. The movie has already fetched a National Award for Prakashraj for his fantastic performance. The movie which was censored years back finally hit the screens of Tamil Nadu this year.
Pasanga, from the school of Sasikumar, the director's assistant Pandiraj proved a different class. With just pasanga as the cast, he just moulded the movie perfectly to win the satisfaction amongst the audience. Sasikumar should be given a special mention for producing as well as encouraging such aspiring talents.
Eeram, from the production house of S Pictures, comes another talent in the name of Arivazhagan. Yet another horror genre, thought it had loop holes, it was still made very well. The concept for the product, Water, was efficiently used by the director with incorporating nuances and symbolism.
Unnai Pol Oruvan, the brilliant remake of 'A Wednesday'. Hardly we have seen a movie which runs for just 2 hours and it's very hard to see a movie without any songs in the current era. But the master who has done Ph.D was brave enough to give a fantastic remake also bringing in the ace actor Mohan Lal. UPO was certainly a standard movie that could possible be an inspiring movie for aspiring movie makers.
Peraanmai, the diwali cracker, has managed to blossom very well dealing with a patriotic script. SP Jananathan, yet again proved to be a class director with casting Jayam Ravi in an unusual role from his stereotyped character.

Hollywood Rulers
Titanic and Jurassic Park wave has just arrived in the form of 2012 and Avatar. Quite surprisingly these movies shattered all other regional movies not just in Tamil Cinema, but it just swept other movies to the corner in all the regions it got released in their regional dubbed version earning gross quite more than the big star movies.

So, let's hope the next year to be a better year than 2009 and we also have a few most anticipated movies eagerly waiting to hit the silver screens in the year 2010.

Unnai Pol Oruvan - Review

"A remake of 'A Wednesday'. 'A Wednesday' is a superb movie. Kamal is remaking this master piece into tamil. It was the best movie of the year 2008. Oscar winning performances from the leads Nasser and Kher. Two legends joining hands in a movie.

Excuse me! I have at last watched 'A Wednesday' last wednesday."

Before I get into my review, one should thank, the legend, Kamal Haasan for choosing this movie to remake when we are in a period of stealing (remaking) masala blockbusters from other region. With his star value, he needn't choose to remake this movie but still he did and I congratulate for the passion this man has for Cinema. But the same HERO image has also been a disadvantage for him to choose this movie but at least, a few bunch of audience are always ready to accept a neat movie from anyone and Kamal is no exception.

Often when you remake a movie, the audience who has seen both versions, tries to draw a comparison and sometimes the audience can skip the comparison as well. But 'A Wednesday's comparison cannot be skipped. Hats off to the Story man, Neeraj Pandey whose original product was so honest and reliable though it had an another version release. And I am no exception that, I cannot stop myself comparing between the two. Having said that, 'A Wednesday' is not a *GREAT* movie. It's just a *GOOD* movie. It's a NEAT movie. The whole movie was carried by some stunning performances from the lead characters Nasser and Kher which added flavour to the movie and of course the script, the main strength for the movie. Alright, it's not a place to review the original! Move ON!

Story
Remaking a suspense thriller is one big risk in the industry and none seemed to care for that. Well, yes, people who witnessed both, it's sheer a frame by frame makeover. But the actual story as such carries a great momentum to the movie thought it starts dull with no clue of what's going on. The twist in the story steals the movie completely away from the performances of the characters. Talking about the changes been made to the story, there are pros and cons. There isn't much change in the main plot of the movie but a few changes were made to the screenplay.

I am completely against the opening scene. Why on earth one would show a common man preparing explosives? I agree the star value of Kamal being the reason, but does it make any justice to the story's suspense? Another introduction is that of the journalist or rather the Televison news channel, telecasting Bush-Musharaf models was irritating. Though the intention behind the scene was to give a justified answer to the journalist being called for the HEADLINES of the DAY, highlighting her with this example, dragging the scene was in deed irritating. On the other hand, the original had the 'Electric Baba' episode which was again irritating, but it at least shows how these news channel earn TRP for their channel with such cheap shows. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu's voice was one pathetic take. Adding to that is our Lakshmi, the Chief Secratariat. Especially the conversation that she will be having with Lal, the commissioner. Thought it was good only at some places, it was more irritating overall. Another good aspect was the names of the terrorists with an inclusion of an Hindu's name instead of having 4/4 Muslims. But again, the Hindu terrorist was a meare comedian when it comes to live or die situation and that's unlikely with the muslim terrorists.

Performances
Initially, after watching 'A Wednesday', I was seriously thinking if Lal could give a performance that was given by Kher. Lal showed his middle finger to me! One big minus he had was his accent when it comes to Tamil and English. But it was a good choice to make him as a native of Kerala who can be excused for his MTI. But this man has more screen presence in the movie just like the original version had. But there is a difference between Nasser and Kamal. Kamal being a popular artist let Lal steal the show and of course Lal did a great job. He was rough and tough as well as soft and jovial at places.

Kamal, who had one major portion of the picture in his hand had delivered it with his TOP NOTCH acting. Other than that piece, he did not have much scope to vent his talent but what was done by him was always perfect. But the so called *common man* picture which I saw very clearly in Nasserudin Shah, was not visible in Kamal. Thought this man had done minute corrections to that of a common man, I still cannot the see the clear picture. Though his body language tells him that he is just a common man, his star value overrides. Small corrections and additional gimmicks makes him NOT a common man. But isn't there a difference between Kamal and Nasseruddin Shah? The place where the ACTING between the two compete, Kamal steals it completely away from Nasser with his emotions and the non glycerine tears. Thought the short story that was rendered by Nasser had more connection and justification to what and why he does, Kamal's acting just makes the audience to AWWWWWE.

Another notable performance is Aarif, played by Ganesh. You must have seen this tall man with beard with a punjabi look in Abhiyum Naanum. It was a perfect casting for the character played by him. He has done a neat job and doesn't overreact being too discipline. The other cop has also shared a decent space and done his role perfect.

Dialogues
Dialogues though most of them are copied from the original version, it was Kamal who added the regional native to the dialogues tieing them with the incidents related to the native. Dialogues were more powerful especially during the major portion of the picture where Kamal had to speak about for 15 mins. It had some message being conveyed to the audience and it carried the pace and fire to make the audience realize what is what! Of course, it too had it's humour content as well. Lal has done a good job though some of them were little hard to accept the slang.

Shruti Haasan, she definitely needs some time to breathe before she touch any instrument and gives a name called BGM. Good that the movie did not give her a chance to do music. BGM was very bad in most of the places especially in scenes where a content based dialogues were rendered. She just mute the voice and turn on the karoke. She definitely needs time.

RED camera
It was quite funny and shocking that I forget RED camera was used throughout the movie and I got reminded because of the end credits. Well, I seriously didn't any difference in the camera except for some resolution change which is very much negligible change. But certainly it wasn't a bad show at all for the audience.

Direction
1) You have a Great Script. 2) You have India's best actors in front of you. 3) You have a DVD of the original version with you. Why the hell did you choose the third option?

Verdict 1 : For freshers, it can be a fantastic movie with a thrilling experience and some good performance.
Verdict 2 : For experienced, boys, you have Kamal Haasan and Mohan Lal. What else you do you need?