Ragini n Rohini

Don’t get confused that I’m gonna write a post on Chennai Theatres. It’s all about Raavanan.

Everyone would have come to know that Raavan character’s name is Beera in Hindi (Abhishek) and Veera in Tamil (Vikram). Aishwarya Rai’s name in Raavan & Raavanan is Ragini. Ram charcter’s name is Dev in Hindi (Vikram) and Deva (Prithvi Raj). Mammooty’s name in Dhalapathy too was Deva.

It was rumoured that Aishwarya Rajnikanth would dub for Ash in both Raavanan and Endhiran. later it was said that Ash would dub in her own voice in Tamil too. I was so anxious to hear Ash’s Tamil. But in the trailer, it’s none other than the husky voice expert Actress Rohini. (Mani is obsessed with husky voices talking in a very low pitch). She’s one actress with a good voice like Saritha. She’s aasthaana dubbing artiste for Actress Heera. Today I watched Kadhal Koattai in KTV. I couldn’t see Heera but I could think of Rohini only. Even in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu, it’s Jyothika’s performance that made me watch her else Rohini would have dominated. Hers is so special voice. Her voice is same since she started her film career as a child artiste. We can identify her voice so easily. Normally she speaks in a mild tone with a huskiness. In Balu Mahendra’s Marupadiyum she rendered a brilliant performance as a schizophrenic with yelling voice. Magalir Mattum too was a completely different performance. Unfortunately she couldn’t become a successful heroine but still she’s a popular dubbing artiste.

Interestingly, Rohini was paired with Vikram in his debut movie Thandhuvitten Ennai, (sema mokkai movie) directed by legendary director Sridhar. It’s been 2 decades back.

 

Paiyaa – Movie Review

2nd Apr 2010

Paiyaa – The latest movie of Lingusamy with smart Karthi and Cute Tamannah was released today after lot of release dates postponements. I watched the movie on the first day itself at Maayajaal 6 pm show.  The only reason that made me watch the movie on the 1st day is Yuvan Shankar Raja’s Music. The songs are already chart-busters. The next reason is the urban Karthi with his clothes on.

Plot:

Karthi plays the role of Siva, not Shiva (Thank God not Karthik !!) He is an ECE Engineer, hunting for a job in Bangalore with his friends who are in good jobs. They try to get a job for him and take him to an interview. He sees Tamannah in a bus and falls in love at first sight and searches for her. At the time of interview, he sees her again, goes behind her and loses both Tamannah and the job. He goes to pick  a friend from the Railway Station. Tamannah and a middle-aged man are there in the station. As she lost her train ticket, the man asks Karthi to drop them till Chennai. On seeing her he leaves his friend and helps them. Meanwhile he comes to know from her that the man is taking her to Chennai for getting her married to his step-mom’s brother in which she’s not interested. He leaves the man and take Tamannah alone to Mumbai where her grandma lives. She says her name as Charu and tells her story to him. The first half is their experience in the journey, how he overcomes the villains who chase Tamannah. Before interval another group chases Karthi. Is it Run-2?? It ends with Karthi thrashing all of them alone and taking her to Mumbai. The first half is pretty enjoyable with Karthi’s dialogues and expressions which don’t  need to give place for a comedian.

When the second half started with Karthi’s flashback, it’s like another Sandakozhi. When Karthi was in Mumbai for an interview he stays with Jagan who makes laugh for some time. He had a clash with Milind Soman and his brother and they started chasing Karthi. When they reach Mumbai, both the villain groups are waiting for them. Whether Shiva safeguarded Charu and handed over her to her grandma whether he and Tamanna escaped from respective chasing groups is the rest of the story. Yuvan’s music is the greatest asset of the movie. Next is Madhi’s cinematography and Anthony’s editing hand-in hand. The picturisation of the songs (esp suthudhe suthudhe bhoomi) and the chasing scenes are laudable. But I felt my favourite number “En Kaadhal solla…” would have come after he leaves Tamannah. But Yuvan has surprised with an additional bit song which is not in the Audio.

It’s good to see Karthi with nice costumes. But he’s still in his Paruthi Veeran/Aayirathil Oruvan hangover with stiff chest and rough dialogue delivery, voice modulation, thiruttu muzhi, etc. Tamannah is tailor-made for the role of a rich dad’s daughter. She has improved a lot from her early films but still this is not enough.  Jagan is good though he has a little screen space. I’m so pity of Milind Soman. At least Atul Kulkarni had to do something more in Run than Milind in Paiya. Why villains always have long hair and unshaven faces, roaming in Scorpios and Tata Sumos? The action sequences are two, three, four much. Karthi beware of gaining yet another action hero image. Karthi is very much lacking in romance unlike Surya. Come on Karthi, you are a Gemini and possess a romantic name (Is it because of the missing K at the end??)

Shravs of Happy Days played Karthi’s friend and she lost the charm of Shravs and doesn’t look good as Priya. Like K.Balachander’s movies Tamannah’s step-mom and Karthi’s father characters are not shown though their voices are heard. The scene where Karthi hums his brother’s “Oru Maalai Ilaveyil…” and sings his father’s “En Kanmani Ilamaangani…” is like a tribute to them. He could have sung “Ennai Konjam maatri..” which might be a situational journey song and would have been like a tribute to his Anni Jo too.

On the whole Paiya is an action-romance packed entertainer. It is not a must-watch but a one-time watch for time-pass but not at the cost of Rs.220/ at Maayajaal. In Tamil, “Indha paiyyan romba Nalla Paiyan illenaalum Ketta Paiyyan illa.”

My Rating: 2.5/5

 

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya- Review

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya, the much expected and much-hyped movie of Gautam Vasudev Menon with Simbhu & Trisha in the lead is released today.The songs already hit the chartbusters with A.R.Rahman’s Magical Music which helped create anticipation for the movie. I watched FDFS (First Day First Show) today at Maayajaal 9 am show. It’s not only the music that induced me to watch the film FDFS, but it’s the director’s depiction of romance on screen right from his debut Minnale which I watched 3 times in theatres by bunking the college for first time. Even in action films like Kaakka Kaakka and Vettayadu Vilaiyadu and family drama like Vaaranam Aayiram, the romantic scenes are refreshing with cute & chirpy dialogues. Since it’s a full-fledged romantic movie I never wanna miss FDFS and this time I bunked office for the first time.

The movie is all about Karthik, an aspiring film maker and Jassi, a program Analyst working in Polaris. It starts in Jassi’s wedding at a Church where Karthik narrates his flashback. We simply forget Simbhu and Tisha and can see only karthik and Jassi romancing. He falls in Love with the ravishing Jassi at the first sight so similar to Surya’s Love at First Sight for Meghna in the directors previous movie Vaaranam Aayiram. He almost imitates Surya in most of the shots. He comes to know that she’s a year elder than him but still he proposes Jassi without knowing anything about her and she refuses it. She goes to Alleppy to spend a week vacation with her grandma. Soon Karthik follows her to Alleppy to say sorry to her.  This time the director himself has added a dialogue referring to VA. Seems Gautham is still in VA hangover. Meanwhile he befriends Ganesh, a cinematographer and tries to join as an assistant to director K.S.Ravikumar with his reference. Ganesh supports his love and accompanies him to Kerala. Karthik asks Jassi to forgive for his behaviour and wants to be a friend with her. Jassi likes the way he proposed and also the way he said sorry. She likes his courage and befriends him like Meghna of VA. She starts loving him but denies to accept it since his parents are staunch Christians  and will never allow to marry a Hindu guy. But she wants to be with him just as a friend. Their parents come to know about their affair and Jassi’s parents arrange for her marriage while Karthik’s parents shift their house to another area. Jassi leave for Kerala for her marriage. Karthik goes to Kerala with Ganesh and narrates the story to us till this part.

The story has the twist in its 2nd half which is the highlight of the movie. Unlike other Gautam movies, the 2nd half is pretty interesting despite its slow pace. I don’t want to disclose the twist. It has a very good feel of romance. I bet that it would rekindle your Love in the present and in the past and it would take a long time to come out of the impact.

Both Simbu and Trisha have given their best performances till date. Both of them share a good chemistry. Trisha sheds her glam doll role and steals our heart as Jassi. Simbhu sans his finger mannerisms, punch dialogues, double triple meaning sleazy dialogues makes a strong impression as Karthik. To say in Thamizh, adakki vaasichirukkaar. He’s simply mindblowing when he describes the girl in his heart. Apart from the lead couple it’s Ganesh who comes throughout the movie without breaking the flow of the movie. Thanks to Mr.Menon for not casting a popular comedian for that role which would be a compromise for C Center audience. K.S.Ravikumar comes now and then as director and makes us laugh st times. Bob Anthony, the yesteryear villain does a neat job as Trisha’s stubborn father. His brother looks like a pucca rowdy with Gautham’s rugged voice. We can’t believe it’s Trisha’s brother. Very bad choice. Her mother- Ayyo Paavam!!! Kitty and Uma padmanabhan are just okay as Simbhu’s parents. Why they were not shown in the 2nd half? His sister doesn’t make any mark. Simbhu’s voice modulation could have been better.

Music- The greatest asset of the movie right from the beginning till the end with excellent background score. I don’t like all the songs since they are lyrically-challenged. I thought Thamarai had less job to do with 6-7 lines per song with repetitive verses. But it’s so much related to the movie. Esp Kannukkul Kannai & Mannippaya. The bitter truth is the lyrics are dominated by Rahman’s Music unlike Harris’ who gives importance to lyrics in some songs. The picturisation of Hosannah, Omana Penne and Kannukkul Kannai are visual delight but I didn’t like my favourite Mannippaya on screen. It lacks the feel that Shreya Ghoshal has in her voice. It was picturized as a happy duet instead of the melancholic lyrics. It should have come after their separation. Similarly the picturization of Aaromale is also not so apt as far as the lyrics are concerned.

Manoj Paramahamsa is the eye of the director. The locales of Alappuzha, Malta Island, and Sinbhu-Trisha’s house are treat to watch. We can feel the story is happening in our next home. He’s done a fabulous job post Eeram.

A special mention to singer Chinmayi who has done a wonderful job by lending her voice to Trisha with exact Tamil and Malayalam accents. The way she says Karthik is sooooo lovely and romantic. Does she have a BF named Karthik? Great job Chins! Also to Nalini Sriram for giving decent and elegant costumes to Trisha and making her looking gorgeous. (Esp the first blue saree till the red saree in the climax). Simbhu too looks so smart with his casual shirts.

On a whole, the movie is a must-watch. If you watch movies for time-pass and expect action, masala, item numbers, it’s not your cuppa. It’s not for those who see movies, it for those who feel movies. After Alaipayuthe, I loved this as a full and full romantic movie without any action, comedy sequences (almost after a decade). Don’t miss it if u love LOVE!

My Rating : 4/5

 

Gorgeous Trisha

Trisha has not been my favourite actress since her debut movie Laysa Laysa which was released after Mounam Pesiyadhe. She didn’t do justice to my fav Manju Warrier who did the same role in Malayalam Original “Summer in Bethlehem”. I liked her when she won the coveted Miss Chennai Title and I pasted a pic of her on my cup-board during my school days that created a lot of expectations for Mounam Pesiyadhe. Though I didn’t like the film at all, I liked Trisha who had the girl next door image. But when she came to our college as a special guest for one of the college functions before Laysa laysa’s release, I didn’t like the attitude she showed. She didn’t impress me as an actress with her wooden expressions in most of her films. Still I like her in very few films like Ji (esp in Ding Dong Kovilmani song), Abhiyum Naanum, Kireedom (Her chemistry with Ajith is so cute) and AMAV in Telugu (just love her intro song). I’ve never kept her picture on my laptop desktop as wallpaper. But I was so much attracted to her stills from her upcoming Vinnaithandi Varuvaya that made me keep her picture as my desktop wallpaper. I love her makeover which is simple and elegant. Gautam Menon has the midas touch to make his heroines look angels on screen. Sameera Reddy is the best example in Vaaranam Aayiram. She has an item girl image in Bollywood but Gautam has changed her look totally in VA as the bold and beautiful Meghna. Similarly, Trisha has become simpke yet elegant Jessie of VTV.  Surprisingly, this week’s Ananda Vikatan has the same picture of Trisha in its cover page which decorates my laptop.

P.S: When an average looking Simbhu is shown as a smart & charming guy, why can’t a beauty like Trisha be shown gorgeous. Hope she would have acted well in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya.

 

My Name Is Kaarthik

Ah… I’m writing the 100th post of this blog. So the post should be something special. I’m special for myself. I love myself a lot. Ya I’m a Narcissist. Here I’m gonna pen down the specialty of my name. Not Kaarthik. But Karthik in general.

Karthik/Karthikeyan is the one of the most common names in Tamil Nadu like Amit in North, Satnam in Punjab, Sourav, Prosenjit, in Bengal, etc. Every other is named Karthik and shortly called Karthi. But mine is quite special with an extra “a” which my friend Rachana says the extra “a” denotes my arrogant attitude. I never mind. That’s what I am. I stress other to write my name with double “a”. Even I tell my friends to save my name in their mobiles as “KAARTHIK” not “KARTHIK”. Since my school days I am one of the Karthiks in my class. So we used to get differentiated only with our initials. Yet another “a”. Yes, I was called A.KAARTHI, not even A.KAARTIK till I complete my schooling. So I never liked my name which is so common. When I asked my mom why I was named such a common name, she told that was a modern name when I was born. Thankfully, when I joined collegeI was the only Karthik in my class. But some other Karthiks were there in other sections who are still called BK, CK, MK by my friends. As I belonged to Instrumentation Dept, i was called “Instru” Kaarthik. Later I was nick named KAARU by my friend Manikandan. It was quite uncommon and I like to be called Kaaru. Some of my friends who are girls (Not Girl Friends) call me Kaarthik and not Karthi. I like when I’m called with the end “k”. I started loving my name after knowing it’s Girls’ one of the most favourite Boy names. I too have fans for my name alone. Thanks to them.

Karthik in Films:

I started liking my name after watching the movie “Alaipayuthe”” where the hero maddy’s name is Karthik. That was the first film that has the protagonist’s name as “Karthik”. That is one of the most beautiful romantic films  and my most favourite too. Interestingly, Maddy and I share the same DOB and my name is hi first screen name. The scene in which Shalini asks for his name and he says Karthik and she asks him whether he’s rich, brat, loafer and says that such type of guys waste time like going behind girls. The movie was released when I finished my 12th. When I entered college, everyone said the same dialogue after asking my name and my reply. From seniors to my batch mates even some lecturers used to say this dialogue after hearing my name. I kinda enjoyed it. The next movie with the character name is in Rhythm. Arjun’s name is Karthikeyan but fondly called “Karthi Sir” by the small boy. But the film didn’t become much hit like the former. Since Alaipayuthe, it became a trend in Tamil Cinema  to name the hero as Karthik for a romantic, casanova, soft and sophisticated characters. Generally celluloid Karthiks have Gemini traits since Mani and Maddy are Geminis. Me too a perfect Gemini.

Vinay in Unnale Unnale (90% of my character), Prithiviraj in Mozhi, Bharath in Nepali, Shiva in Chennai-600028, Irfan in Pattalam. But I didn’t like Aarya as Karthik in Sarvam. He was not at all suitable for Karthik character with an unromantic voice and drowsy eyes. I prayed that Simbhu’s name should not be Karthik in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. But couldn’t help it. When I read about Vishal’s character in Theeradha Vilayaattu Pillai, I guessed his name would be Karthik for sure and my guess didn’t go wrong. It seems that the name has created fascination in Bollywood too. Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming flick is name Karthik calling Karthik. The good thing about this Deepika Padukone will be romancing Karthik

But my all-time favourite romantic character is Mouna Ragam Karthik whose screen name is Manohar. He’s the perfect example to define Karthik with a kinda romantic, mischievous, a Sweet Rascal & a Lovable Idiot in short.

P.S: I’ve posted some incomplete posts before which I thought I would complete before my 100th post. Hope I wont post any such entries further and try to complete them.

 

Priyanka and Her Rashees

Hey guys, check out these videos.

1. ARIES – Anjali

2.TAURUS –

3.GEMINI – Kajal

4.CANCER –

5.LEO – Mallika

6.VIRGO – Dr.Pooja

7.LIBRA- Rajani

8.SCORPIO

9.SAGITTARIUS – Bhavna

10.CAPRICORN

11.AQUARIUS

12.PISCES

WHOM WILL HARMAN MARRY???

 

Shahrukh and Aamir Together

             

                Believe it or not!  The Bollywood Badshah SRK and the perfectionist Aamir Khan join together for a movie.

               The Khans are known as the Superstars of Bollywood (Hrithik and Akshay are exception). Shahukh Khan and Aamir Khan always have cold vibes between them. Aamir has starred with Salman Khan in Andaz Apna Apna and Saif Ali Khan in Dil Chahta Hai. Similarly Shahrukh has spared screen space with Salman in many movies, with Saif in KHNH, with Akki in Dil to Pagal hai and with Hrithik in K3G. But now they are joining hands for the first time for a movie. Still can’t believe? Oscar winner Danny Boyle of Slumdog fame initiates to bring both the Khans together for his movie. Boyle again gonna make a film on Mumbai and named his film as “Bombay Velvet“. But this time he is gonna produce the flick whereas Anurag Kashyap, who has carved a niche dons the dirctor’s Hat. If sources are to be believed the film has Aamir Khan as the protagonist and SRK has a powerful cameo role. After Kamalhassan, it’s Aamir Khan who strives to get the Indian Films recognised at the Oscars. Danny Boyle’s Slumdog swept the more numbr of Oscars this year. Hope this Awesome Combo rocks the International Arena and I wish Boyle to sweep the golden Statuettes this time too.

P.S:   SRK was Danny Boyle’s first choice for the Anil Kapoor’s rol in Slumdog Millionaire but he turned down the offer due to dates issues.

 

Secret Gathering

                                I was shocked to see the inlet images in the cover of this week’s Ananda Vikatan with the heading Ragasiya Sangamam. When I turned the pages to the main article, it was a pleasant surprise. It’s about the gathering of some of the top South India film stars of the early 80’s, mainly Kollywood. Kudos to Suhasini for arranging the meet. The highlight is Rajnikanth sans his wig, make over and attitude. Most of them were in Black outfit. I was surprised to see Radha after a long time. The actors were Prabhu, Karthik (lost hi charm), Mike Mohan sans his mike, Suresh (Gosh! He’s become bald!!!) Prathap Pothen, Bhanuchander, Mukesh. Among the actresses were Radhika (Still the most Stylish), Revathi ( has put on loads of weight) , Nadhiya (Needless to say about her ravishing beauty), Poornima Bhagyaraj (Still looks younger than her daughter Sharanya), Lisy Priyadarshan (Looks better than her Vikram days), Shobhana (Gosh…looks too bad esp her outfit)

                     Kamalhaasan was invited but couldnt  attend it seems. Others like Sathyaraj, Vijayakanth, Ambika, Amala, Saritha, Sripriya, Nalini were missing. Dont know whether they were invited or not. If Kamal and Sridevi were present it would have become an awesome Get together. Radhika and her ex-hubby Prathap Pothen were not seen together. Good to see the teams of “Nenjathai Killaadhey (Mohan-Suhasini-Prathap)and “Mouna Raagam (Karthik-Revathi-Mohan) (which are similar concept films IMO). The  lead actors Rajathi Raja (Rajni, Radha, Nadhiya), Aanandha Aaradhanai (Mohan-Suhasini-Lisy)were . The couples who were known for their “Chemistry” like Suresh-Nadhiya, Karthik-Radha, Prabhu-Radhika-Revathi took snaps together. Looking for some more snaps on the net.

Great job Suhasini!!! Hope you would do a show with these stars soon.

 

Surya-25

                 

                        This is the 25th post of this blog. Hence I want to post about my favourite actor Surya’s 25th film “Singam” which is in the pipeline to be directed by Hari. Surya started his career in 1997 in Vasanth’s Nerukku Ner. It’s been 12 years and just now he’s doing his 25th film.  He does averagely 2 films a year. Whereas his co-stars Vijay and Ajith who started their career around 1992 did their 25th films in 6-7 years (Ajith – Amarkkalam in 1999, Does anyone know what is Vijay’s 25th film?). Their 49th films Asal and Vettaikkaran are yet to be released. They are waiting for a good director for their 50th films.

                        Surya has been more selective. He was doing chocolate-hero and candy-flossflicks. But after Nandha, we got a very different Surya. Thanks to Bala for moulding the actor. Surya knows Slow and Steady always wins. He has done pretty decent films unlike Vijay and Ajith who has given more masala movies. He differentiates himself in every film. He was nothing when he entered the Tinsel town. He improved himself in every aspect like acting, dance, action, voice modulation, comedy, and shows his verstality. He did a good start in 2009 with Hi-tech Masala Ayan. He teams up with the King of Commercial Movies K.S.Ravikumar in Aadhavan which is a Diwali release. The songs are already creating waves. Again teaming up with Hari, known for his masala pot boilers seems that Surya goes in the commercial track. Vaaranam Aayiram is a milestone movie for the actor. I wish him to do class and mass movies alternatively like Kamal snce he follows the legend’s foot steps. Anyways, I wish Surya for his 25th movie and expect him to reach 50 sooner.

 

Su-Jo is Back

                             Wow….. Jo is backkkkk and that too with hubby Suriya. I was supposed to write this blog last week but waited till today since my most favourite couple celebrates their 3rd wedding Anniversary.  I got a pleasant shock on seeing this ad in Youtube. Since I forgot watching TV (which was my 24/7 activity), I dont know about the recent TV programmes and commercials. I was browsing the net and came across this in one of my friends’ videos. I just love this ad. Jo still looks ravishing with the same “thuru thuru”.  Needless to say about Suriya, S/o Maarkandeyan.

                             Three years back this day, the cute cople got married with the blessings of the whole TN. That is the only non-political occassion in which Mr.Karunanidhi and Ms.Jayalalitha attended in recent times. I was in Kolkata then and regretted for not being in Chennai. I was crazily collecting the pictures of their wedding and showed to all my colleagues in Kolkata. I have made an album in my Multiply album. Check it out

http://kaarthik.multiply.com/photos/album/11/Surya-Jyotika_Weding_Album_2006-11-11

P.S.: I mourn for the victims who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack 8 years back.