Indian Government has honoured our Mozart of Madras A.R.Rahman and the Ace Actor Aamir Khan by announcing this years Padma Bhushan Awards to them. But the honourary award itself got honoured when Maestro Ilayaraja was announced to get that. Awards should be given as recognition. In that case, Maestro should have been awarded 2 decades back. When A.R. Rahman is awarded Padma Bhushan, his Master should get more than that. Even Padma Vibhushan is less for the achievements he has made. He should be awarded Dada Saheb Palke and Bharata Ratna. This award may be a feather in his cap, but not a crown. It’s like Jayakanthan was awarded Gnan Pith years later he did wonders with his writings. Egoistic JK commented that Gnan Pith was an endorsement and not a recognition to him. Wish to see Isaignani with Bharata Ratna.
Monthly Archives: January 2010
56th National Award Winners
The winners of 56th National Awards were announced last night. The awards were given to the films that were released in 2008. Unlike last year, this year South Indian films has got very few awards but Director Bala has made us proud by winning one of the most prestigious awards- Best Director for his 4th Film Naan Kadavul. It also bags another award for Best Makeup (for showing the beautiful Pooja as an unidentifiable beggar). Bengali film Antaheen is adjudged the Best Film of 2008. It stars Rahul Bose with Aparna Sen and Sharmila Tagore. It also gets other three awards for Best Cinematography, Best Lyrics and Best Playback singer-female. I’m soooo glad to know Shreya Ghoshal wins the coveted award for the fourth time in just 6 years. The specialty of this year is she gets the award for two songs. One in the Bengali film Anataheen and in the Marathi film Jogwa. These two movies have got the more number of awards and Shreya is a part in both for the same category. Shreya… U Rock Sweet Heart!!! Marathi film Jogwa bags five awards including Upendra Limaye (Inspector Bhosle of Page 3 Fame) for the Best Actor.
Priyanka Chopra gets the Best Actress award for her stunning performance as Meghna Mathur in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion. I became her fan from that movie and recommended many of my friends to watch it but I didn’t expect she would get National Award. In general, National Awards are given to slow paced art films which get flopped at the BO. Most of them don’t get released in theatres. This time commercially hit movies are awarded. Kangna Ranaut gets for the Best Supporting Actress for Fashion. Rock On is adjudged the Best Movie in Hindi. Arjun Rampal gets the Best Supporting Actor for Rock On. (It’s a decent performance but I don’t think it deserves National Award). I expected A Wednesday would get the Best Film award or at least Best Hindi Film. But still it managed to get the Indira Gandhi award for the Best First Film of a Director. Oye Lucky Oye Oye wins for the Best Popular Film. Jodha Akbar bags two awards. Obviously one is for Best Costumes (Neeta Lulla) and the other for the Best Choreography for the song Azeem o Shahenshah (Chinni Prakash & Rekha Prakash). Unfortunately A.R.Rahman doesn’t get the award for Best Music. Composers Atul & Ajay get that for Jogwa. Nandita Das’ debut film Firaaq gets the awards for Best Editing (SreekarPrasad) and Best Art Direction (Gautam Sen).
The surprise is Vaaranam Aayiram has got the Best Film in Tamil. It’s a good film but not the Best of 2008. When Subramaniyapuram swept all the Filmfare Awards, it didn’t manage to get the National Award. Neither Naan Kadavul is given the Best Film. The thing that shocked me is Dasavatharam didnt get any award. Kamalhassan had put heart and soul to portray the 10 different characters and had woven a neat screenplay. He gets for none. The jury should have given him a Special Award for his achievements in his 50 year career. I’m so sad for that. Such moviesh should be recognized and encouraged. I strongly believed Kamal would get the Best Actor award this time. I’ve to see Jogwa what Upendra has done more than Kamalhassan. But he needs no more awards and recognitions except an Oscar.
Yet another Oscar for ARR?
Hurray!! Glad news for all Indians and Music Lovers!!
A.R.Rahman’s song “Na na” from the Hollywood Movie Couple’s Retreat has been shortlisted for the 82nd Academy Award nomination in the Best Original Song Category. It will compete with 62 other songs that are nominated for the same category. Among them final list of songs will be announced as nominations. The song Na Na has been penned and sung by ARR himself along with our rapper Blaaze and Vivian Chiax. The specialty of the song is Rahman Junior A.R.Ameen has also sung in the song.
The Award Ceremony will take place on March 7th 2010 at California. I pray and wish that ARR would get his third Oscar on March 7th and make us proud once again.
P.S: It would be the most happiest thing if the Tamil song “Kuru kuru kangale” in Couple’s Retreat is shortlisted for the nominations.
Working Round the Clock
Believe it or not. I was in my office for 23 long hours. I went to office at 1.30 pm yesterday. Since the past two days I used to work in nights (till 5-6 am), I go to office in the afternoons. Since the launching date of our product is nearing we get hella lotta work load. Yesterday all of us were asked to stay and work whole night. It was my third continuous day to work in wee hours. There was so much tasks to be completed that even my TL was sitting and working with us till 7 am. Most of the guys left after 7.30 am. But I get other tasks for today and completed them by 12.30 pm and then returned to my flat. I was also thinking to stay one more hour to complete 24 hours but my body didn’t co-operate as I didn’t have anything except 2 vadas and a cuppa coffee. I took an hour nap from 5 am to 6 am. After coming home I took bath and slept at 2 pm without taking lunch. Again by 4 pm I was called and given some tasks which I have completed just 70%. Today also I have to wake up till 2-3 am as our launching may be on 26th Jan (GOK).
I never worried to work more but the thing that irritates me is that most of the people think only those who are present in the office for long time work more. Even I don’t work all the time in office. But even from home I work and send the data by mail. But I’m forced to work particularly in the workplace. I don’t know when the people’s attitude will change. Also if a person is willing to work 24/7 (at the peak of the project), the seniors/managers take advantage out of it. We are taken for granted. Without any ethics, the employers get the work done in day and night thinking that we are all machines. Deliberately I didn’t go to office today but all my other colleagues attended. But I’m damn sure that I have given more output of work than anyone else who were in the so called workplace.
Chhhhoooo Chhhhweeeettttt
I came across this cute photo from my friend Aishwarya’s Orkut Album. I was a bit tensed today but after seeing this I experienced a kind of happiness that can’t be expressed by words. I felt so relaxed after seeing Diya as Kutty Krishna. She is so cute and looks exactly like a Balakrishnan we see in paintings and pictures. The crown is so perfect for her with that Mayilpeeli (Peacock Feather). I was thinking to sing some Oothukkadu songs (I downloaded Oothukkadu songs collection by assorted artists in the morning only). Jo looks so homely and traditional. Miss you a lot Jo!!! Surya is a never-seen before Surya. Actor Sivakumar was the best suitable actor for the roles of Lord Krishna/Vishnu & Lord Murugan. Now Vaarisu uruvaagiradhu…
Then I wondered how I missed to collect this cute pic before her as I have an avid facination in collecting exclusive pictures of Surya-Jo-Diya & Ajith-Shalu-Anoushka. Anyways thanks to Aishu.
P.S: Jo’s face is so bright than ever. Guess what! She’s carrying her second child. Soon we will hear the Good news from the Sweet Couple. This time may we expect Surya Junior?
Shocking Rating
Popular filmy website behindwoods.com has reviewed Selvaraghavan’s Magnum opus Aayirathil Oruvan mercilessly. The movie is given just half a star out of five. Can’t believe? Check it out http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/aayirathil-oruvan-karthi-reema-sen-andrea.html. Though AO is not so good as his previous movies, it’s a daring and appreciable attempt except for the climax. Movie like Vettaikkaran should be given such ratings since it’s a mixture of many flicks. If experimental films get discouraged like this, we wont get such movies in future. I request behindwoods.com to give honest comments and reviews.
IMO, the movie deserves 3/5
Aayirathil Oruvan – Deleted Scenes
I watched Aayirathil Oruvan in Kamal Multiplex on the 2nd day of its release also (15.01.2010). In fact my friend Bala booked for 15th Jan first. Since my roomie Mani had an extra ticket for the 1st day show, I could watch it on the first day. Thank God and Thanks to Mani. Almost 1/2 an hour scenes were deleted on the 2nd day. Thankfully, none of the scenes were cut from the first half.
The scene where Reema Sen pisses in a vessel was cut. The scene is not suitable for family audience. It was kept not for a sleaziness but Reema’s virginity was tested and also by checking her abdomen. But the main song of the movie Thaai thindra manne – Classical version that was picturised on Reema Sen and Parthiban was deleted on the second day. It’s the soul of the movie that describes the present and past conditions of Tanjore. Especially, I like the line “Pulikkodi poritha chozha maandhargal, elikkari korippadhuvo..” Reema may get a cardic arrest if she sees the edited version as she has put her heart and soul in this song by performing classical dance & sword fight. The scene involving Andrea and parthiban was also deleted. Andrea tells Parthiban that Reema is cheating them. That time he thinks that she also wants to make love with him and undresses. Andrea’s breasts and abdomen were checked by an old lady but Andrea runs away. Parthiban comments ” Emadhu linga dharisanathai kandu vittaale!” which is a cheap humour I felt. Nothing wrong in removing that. The Galdiator kinda scene was also cut short which was a relief.
I’m so grateful to those who deleted the scene in which the King’s wife and daughter were undressed by the army officers and were asked to dance for Appadi podu song at gun point. That was the height of vulgarity that ruined the soul of the movie. In short, the revised version of AO is made me feel better. It would have been much better if the song hadn’t been deleted. But today I came to know that in some theaters the song was not cut but the other mentioned scenes were edited. I have to watch the movie again with my roomies in Sathyam Cinemas.
Bought a Guitar!!!
I was never fascinated with Western Music and Western Instruments though I had passion to learn instruments like violin and more towards Sitar. I never thought of playing a guitar till I watch Vaaranam Aayiram where Guitar appears in every other scene. I just love the scene when Surya proposes Sameera by playing Guitar. Since then I decided to learn that instrument. None of my college friends (except John Jacob who is not so close to me) know to play it. One of my colleagues in Mumbai (Allwyn Francis) played it during our office picnic to Karjat and I accompanied him in singing. I was just spellbound as he played it with ease. He played so spontaneously and I deciede to learn from him. But as he was staying in Dombivli, which is far from Malad I couldn’t make that. (What a coincidence! We went to that picnic 364 days back – on Jan 16th 2009!)
I came to Chennai with lot of dreams like learning Classical, Guitar and many more. But due to my hectic job, I cant even spend time meet my friends, visit my relatives, not even to go to my native. Once my brother brought his friend’s guitar for a cultural function in his office. I took snaps like VA Surya with that Guitar and uploaded in Orkut (Thanks to my roomie Arun). Coincidentally I was wearing a T-Shirt similar to Surya’s which he wears in that still. Many of my friends commented in fact criticized but I told them I’m gonna learn and the photo was just a trailer; Picture abhi bakhi hai mere dost!!! I gave those photos to my parents for seeking brides. (So that I can get a girl with a good Music taste). At last, I bought a black Acoustic guitar today from Lakshman Shruthi. So, I’m going to make the photo true in a few days. Since Vaaranam Aayiram inspired me to have fascination on Guitar, I’ve named it MEGHNA!!!
P.S: Now my caller tune is En Iniya Pon Nilaave… from Moodupani. Needless to say why!
Aayirathil Oruvan – Review
Aayirathil Oruvan, the much-awaited movie of Selvaraghavan is released at last for Pongal. After two years of shooting, the movie is out after lot of bitter incidents like Selva-Yuvan breakup, Selva-Sonia Divorce, Gossips about Selva-Andrea romance. Got to watch the movie on the First Day Night Show in Albert Theatre. After a few years, I watched a movie in an ordinary theater with screaming and whistling audience.
Plot:
The movie commences with a Therukoothu (a street play) that shows a Chozha king leaves his heir in custody of an honest soldier before leaving for the war followed by the real King hands over the prince to a guardian. The prince and the guardian leave the Chozha dynasty and reach a no mans island near Vietnam to escape from their enemies. Prathap Pothen comes as an archeologist who discovers the place where the Chozhas last existed. But he vanishes in that island. The Government sends a special team to unfold the mystery behind it. Archeologist Anitha Pandian (Reema Sen) leads the team along with the daughter of the missing archeologist Dr.Lavanya (Andrea), a labourer Muthu (Karthi) and his team and a military officer Ravi (Azhagam Perumal) and his team. They reach the island after seven hurdles (as mentioned in the Olaichuvadi written by a Pandiyan soldier who tried to follow the Chozhas when they leftTanjore) and discovers the mysterious place. Stop! the film isn’t over. It’s just the 1st half of the movie. The 2nd half is like another movie which is extremely different from the 1st half. It’s like a period/historic movie where as the former is adventurous.
Reema along with Karthi and Andrea reach their destination but they were surprised and amused to see the Chozhas still live even after 800 years. Parthiban rules as their king and the people exist without food and rain. They arrest the trio and at the time of burning them alive, Reema bounces and says that she’s from Tanjore, the headquarters of Chozha dynasty and she has a message for the king. When Parthiban asks for the message she says that she would say it only after making out with him. She tries to seduce him and tells that she’s going to take him back to Tanjore for his carnation. But actually, she belongs to the Pandiyan dynasty, the enemies of Chozhas whose aim is to take back the statue of their Holy God, that was stolen by the Chozhas eons ago. The Pandiyas kept searching for the statue for many generations. Reema, Azhagam Perumal, Minister of Archeology Dept and four others are the existing Pandiyas who were brought up by listening to the story of the Chozhas and the statue.
Reema cheats the king and his subjects and manages to take the statue back. She informs Ravi and the minister to come with army and they fight with the Chozhas. Karthi joins hands with Parthiban in rescuing them. But the Chozhas get defeated and were arrested by the army and are tortured by them. The military officers molest the Chozha women, even the king’s daughter and wife. Eventually Parthiban also dies and Karthi takes care of the prince as a guardian. The History Continues…
Plus:
First of all, kudos to Selvaraghavan for his bold and daring attempt. This is the first Tamil film in this genre. A great Salute to him for taking Tamil Cinema to one more step. His directing capabilities are already proven in his previous films. The imagination of Selva is incredible. I got goosebumps when the shadow of Lord Nataraja appears. Simply scintillating! When it comes to performance, Karthi scores in the 1st half. His eyes are very expressive but he’s still in Paruthi Veeran hangover. Parthi(ban) scores in the 2nd half as a king we have never seen before. But it is Reema Sen who dominates through out the movie. Definitely it’s a milestone movie for her after Vallavan. Be it ultra modern Anitha, or the historic Nambiraattiyar, she is sensuous and has done an extra-ordinary job. More than acting, it’s her attitude that makes a mark. Allowing her boobs to be seen, the pissing scene, the seducing scenes, etc. shows her attitude. She has strained herself for more than 2 years without committing any other movie. . Again hats off to Selva for molding her. The only thing she could have imporoved is her lip movements. The voice of Aishwarya Dhanush doesn’t sync with her especially while speaking the Senthamizh (which is more like Sinhala Tamizh). The cinematography by Ramji is excellent and it’s the backbone of the movie. The locations, esp the island and the forests are visual treat. The costumes are unconventional, esp the King’s attires are very different from what we have seen in other Historic films so far. No big golden crowns, jewels and throne are given neither to the king, nor to the queen. Make-up for hundreds of junior artistes is not a cake-walk. Some emotional scenes make our eyes gleaming. For instace, when Karthi’s uncle was killed by the forest people and Karthi was saved. Another, when a lady shows her breast to the king, blood oozes out when she squeezes it. Since she has no food to eat, blood comes out instead of milk. The scene was picturised without obscenity. A heart-touching scene. The 1st half is like an express with Selva’s trademark “scenes” and dialogues. The remix of Adho andha paravai pola from MGR’s Aayirathil Oruvan is a surprise package and was very well received. Ummela aasadhan is better to watch than to listen to.
Minus:
The same time the concept of the movie is not explained clearly. The climax or the last scene was abrupt which I thought a second interval (as I was waiting for Maalai neram song). The war scenes are like Avatar. (The Chozhas are like the Na’vis and Karthi is like Jake who joins the Chozhas and fights for them). It also reminds some of the Hollywood flicks like McKenna’s Gold, The Mummy, Gladiator and Apocalypto. The scene in which Parthiban’s wife is asked to dance for “Appdi podu…” at gun point sans her dress, is the height of perversion and vulgarity. This single scene destroys the whole soul of the movie. Though it depicted the Sri Lankan army and the Sri Lankan Tamilians, it should be followed by a stronger scene where the Chozhas take revenge for that. The film portrays the baddies and immorality wins at last. This may be a bitter truth in reality but not appreciable to show on celluloid. The music is not appealing. I wish Selva and Yuvan will patch up to give some soul-stirring Music. Even the re-recording lacks the feel which we get in other Selva movies like Kadhal Konden, 7/G, Pudhupettai. Andrea has nothing to do in the second half, even in the first half too. The picturisation of “O Eesa” song is like the final credit songs where all the actors appear (even the minister and Azhagam Perumal). Sema comedy! OMG! The much-expected “Maalai neram..” song is missing in the movie. The editing could have been done better in the 2nd half.
Bottom Line:
As a whole It’s in a different genre and a one-time watch but a must-watch movie. Though it’s not a milestone movie, Selva’s courage to handle the subject has to be appreciated. It’s good attempt rather than a good movie. I wish Selva to go back to his form by joining hands with Yuvan, Na.Muthukumar & Arvind Krishna.
PS:
The title Aayirathil Oruvan (One among the Thousand Men) neither refers to Karthi nor to Parthiban. It’s Selvaraghavan, who thought out of the box among the run of the mill film makers.
Vinnaithandi Varuvaya – Music
Vinnaithandi Varuvaya is definitely one of the much-awaited albums of the year. It’s the first Tamil album after Rahman’s Twin Oscars. It created a stir when Gautam Menon had clash with his aasthana Muisc Director Harris Jayaraj and joined hands with A.R.Rahman. The expectation became higher when the movie stills were released which resembled the popular stills from the movies like Alaipayuthe, Uyire, Minsara Kanavu, etc. It happened to be the first Tamil film for which the Audio release function held at London instead of our own Chennai. Since that day I was googling to download the songs. Atlast I got the chance to listen to it in my friend Bala’s system. I was greatly disappointed after listening to 2-3 songs. It neither has the A.R.R stamp nor the Gautam Menon style, not even the Simbhuish peppiness.
I had great expectation for Mannippaya just for Shreya. She has fulfilled my expectation. She has done an excellent job. Her Tamil pronunciation is just awesome. Much better than munbe vaa.But A.R.R’s part is a let down as the lyrics are not clear when he sings. Karthik is at his best as always. The title song can be sung only by Karthik with his magic voice. Other than these songs I dont like any other. Hosanna created waves during VTV’s audio release. It starts like a pathos number and goes on like a foot-tapping number. But the preludes and interludes remind me Azhagiya Cinderella from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei and Tu Muskura from Yuvvraj. Anbil avan is just okay and it would be better if Devan is replaced by some other singer. One thing is clear that the heroine is a Mallu in the movie because of Omana Penne and a full Malayalam song Aaromale. Both are not my cuppa. Surprisingly the lyrics of Aaromale was penned by Kalyani Menon, Gautam’s mentor Rajeev Menon’s mother. Still I cant catch the song Kannukul kannai’s lyrics by Naresh Iyer which is more like Naresh’s Karu karu vizhigalaal from Pachaikkili Muthucharam with again with the Cello preludes like Yuvvraj. The audio sales may create records but the music is not upto the standards set by our own Rahman and Gautam too. Even the mediocre flick Blue has some amazing songs like Fiqraana and Rehanuma.
Overall, it is the perfect example of “Too much of anything is good for nothing.” Hope the Mozartof Madras will not disapppoint in his next, Mani Ratnam’s Asokavanam/Raavan
P.S : Generally A.R.R’s songs are like Dhanush. Kettadhume pidikkadhu, kekka kekkathaan pidikkum. So hope I may like it after a couple of weeks.
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