CASSANOVA

CASSANOVA

Theatre : TVM New
Showtime & Date : 6.00pm, 26-1-2012(Republic Day)
Status : Housefull

Many discussions were done by many people regarding the current situation of malayalam cinema, production costs, going after the trend set by some big hit movie etc etc. Do you know whats the new trend in malayalam cinema now? The answer is make some good watchable abv avg whatever entertaining movies, some 1-3. Then announce a big one which will attain huge media attention. Please note that the stills of the movie will be hype increasing catalysts for the final product. When the product reaches the audience, everyone will be having only one question to ask - Is this the same person or team whom or which did the previous ones. LalJose, just last week with Spanish Masala joined the league. Rosshan Andrrews tops the list with quality of the product with the "SUPER" screenplay(nothing like that was there for this) written by Bobby-Sanjay team(remember their previous one was TRAFFIC).

Rosshan Andrrews with Mohanlal after Udayananu Thaaram & Ividam Swargamaanu & with Bobby-Sanjay after NoteBook with the above said hype catalysts - Cassanova, the worst of the director & the script writer duo.

Story
The movie begins with a robbery by a team of 4. They plans another theft in a marriage function in Dubai. Cassanova(Mohanlal), an international flower merchant and a cassanova in nature comes to Dubai to attend the marriage. There he hosts a TV show in Sahya channel run by Shankar. Why is he hosting the show? There is no suspense in the movie. Its just that old wine revenge story of  hero after the vilains who killed his lover.

Performances
Mohanlal looked quite uncomfortable in the whole movie except in Shreya flashback episode. His makeup was also bad. Performance wise, this one is just a simple one for him, an ordinary one not even heavy or stylish as Sagar alias Jacky or OMR in Red Chillies. Riyaz Khan was good with good accent & neat performance. Jagathy was wasted, Shankar too. Lalu Alex in his limited role scores with his good dialogues(perhaps the best dialogues in the movie). All the four newcomers were not at all impressive. Heroines were mainly for skin show. Roma's character had a good start with nice comic situations but ended the flow of that character somewhere in between. Lakshmi Rai once again proved that she's just a showcase material, so as the case of Sanjana. Shreya was just fine only.

Songs
Songs were not at all impressive as it acts as speed-breakers. BGM for Riyaz Khan was superb, rest all seems to be rehash of some English flicks.

Technical
Cinematography was nothing special to mention about other then the usual visuals when malayalam movies are shot overseas. Editing by Mahesh Narayan was good but without script what he could do. Art direction was good.

Coming to action sequence, this one has the worstly choreographed & copied stunt sequences in recent malayalam cinema. Interval sequence & climax fight ended as comedy show for audience. Copied from Jackie Chan's Police Story, Mankatha, Aalavandhan, Matrix...Horrible

Script & Direction
The worst script from Bobby-Sanjay duo ever, not even a single comedy sequence or awesome dialogues to relook. Or is this any new Bobby-Sanjay team??(May be I made a mistake thinking that they were same Traffic duo). Direction by Rosshan Andrrews had a promising start which ended in few minutes of the movie itself. Though his Udayanaanu Tharam was inspired from hollywood flick Bowfinger, the execution & final product had enough elements to keep the audience engaged. But this one started itself like Jackie Chan's Police Story with a cliched police officer with style after them. Then enters the hero who does Kunchacko Boban's Dr.Love internationally. Sad thing is there were not enough moments to make the audience feel like the pairs fall in love. Then the robbery teams were chatting like why didn't you come for live robbery practice?(Is this a CCL or something?) By the time, when love blossoms there happens the robbery by the 4 team in Mankatha style which was failed by Mohanlal's Hrithik Roshan DHOOM 2 play which is ending like Dileep's Crazy Gopalan sequence after court scene which takes a good turn to Mission Impossible 2 Tom Cruise in a matter of seconds. Then happend the best part. INTERVAL. Once flashback in second half started, the movie though engaging I felt like I was watching S J Suryah-Nayanthara movie Kalvanin Kadhali again starring Mohanlal-Shreya team. In that sequence itself Jeyam Ravi-Hansika Motwani sequence directed by PrabhuDeva in Engeyum Kadhal is well blended. Finally an action sequence with a big twist for audience. Do you want to know what's the twist. There is not twist, that was a big twist for audience those expected a twist. If Rosshan & Bobby-Sanjay duo had tried a bit, you people would have made Riyaz Khan, the main villain so that we could watch Billa too with this. They disappointed there. Anyways second half was better compared to first half. Both halves were having different storylines. Few Dialogues were good at parts, rest were wastes in a bad screenplay. Director was taking frames in a rich manner even for unwanted ones.
Love was the basic theme of the movie. But that was not convincingly presented eithe in script side or direction wise & absolutely no chemistry between lead pairs.

Anything more I have to say about this?

Verdict : Avoid
BO Verdict : Flop following a good initial collection

People talks were like Kunjaliyan, Padmasree Bharath Dr.SarojKumar were nice ones compared to this as it had somewhat nice comedy moments eventhough not so good ones.

Watch Arabeem Ottakom P Madhavan Nairum in Oru Marubhoomikkadha, which was 100 times better than this  or NANBAN the best bet available now.

Making frames in a rich manner should be just like an icing in the cake, you were icing on an ice cube Mr.Director.

SPANISH MASALA

SPANISH MASALA

Theatre : TVM Kripa
Showtime & Date : 11.15am, 22-01-2012
Status : Housefull

What we'll expect from a Lal Jose-Benny P Nayarambalam combo with Dileep, Kunchacko Boban & Biju Menon coming together with Spain as backdrop - good comedies, nice twists, extraordinary visuals in songs & scenes - altogether an entertainer. But the outing from the team SPANISH MASALA is a total disaster.

Story
Story begins with childhood days of Kamela(debutant Austrian model Daniela Zacherl) whose father is leaving back to his homeland Spain after his service as brand ambassdor in India. She learn Malayalam from her Aaya(Vinayaprasad). Then camera focuses to childhood days of Charlie(Dileep) who is not at all interested in learning especially English language. After 16 years, due to financial problems, Charlie now a mimicry artist decided to stay back in Spain after his stage programme for a job without a job visa. He gets the job of a chef in an Indian restaurant. Kamela impressed by his Dosa asks Menon(Biju Menon), the manager to buy that. Considering the health matters, he appoints Charlie as chef in her house. Kamela was in love with Rahul(Kunchacko Boban) whom she believes was killed by her father. After a series of incidents, impressed by his tatics her father decided Charlie as his son-in-law. Menon asks Charlie to bring his relatives there to take a decision regarding this. By the time, Kamela's father dies. Then comes back Rahul to the picture. I'm sure what's the rest of the story you have in mind. The very same thing without any changes or surprises can be viewed in this.

Performances
Dileep as Charlie, to an extent was a tailor-made role for him but missed the Dileep in his old movies in which he used to score a lot in similar scenes. Except some 2-3 comedy scenes and 2-3 scenes in second half, script wasted him in such a dull role. Kunchacko Boban as Rahul had a good entry in Interval sequence but the script had nothing much to offer him except two scenes with Dileep. His performance in climax sequence was Superb. LalJose & Benny P Nayarambalam should be blamed for not utilising BijuMenon in such an underdeveloped character with same style dialogue delivery throughout the movie. Nelson as Pappan had a nice debut chance but except his cliched drunken guy(in which he scores in TV shows) scene in second half, nothing evoked much laughter. Daniela Zacherl as Kamela was a cliched absent minded lover girl. Vinayaprasad was OK but Kalaranjini was bore. Spanish actors had nothing to do other than to drink wine all the time & smile for what lead actors are doing. Archana Kavi was awesome in her cameo(because she had no dialogues or any scenes to perform). Nivin Pauly had the looks, why LalJose didn't use him???

Songs
Vidyasagar always created magic with LalJose. But here that magic was missing. Arezhuthiyavo is the pick of the lot. Song picturisation tto lacked the LalJose touch. BGM was too loud at times & senti music used was heard from Doordarshan times itself.

Technical
Lokanathan, the cinematographer was sleeping giving camera to Spanish technicians I think. The trademark LalJose visuals were there in few scenes only - the sunrise scene during titles, Interval scene & Dileep-Chackochan scene in second half. Editor can't help this movie more than this is what I can say. Art direction was just okay.

Script & Direction
Benny P Nayarambalam known for presenting silly storylines with good comedies & screenplay flow miserably fails here after PothenVava & Lollypop. Plot eventhough silly had enough elements to make it a suspense thriller in second half was converted to a cliched malayalam movie which we have seen 100 times before, to be exact the early career movies of Shankar,Mammootty & Mohanlal. Predictable to the core was one problem & the characterisation of Dileep, Chackochan & BijuMenon were limited by the screenplay. Dialogues were good at parts especially Dileep's dialogue in second half, Chackochan's dialogue in climax & Biju Menon's dialogue regarding his old lover. Benny, please concentrate on script suiting today's audience or future audience but not for audience of 80s movie. Masala was there only on movie title only, but spoiled second half whcih would have been a great Masala Entertainer with twists & action. Childhood school days of Charlie's character makes us remember the Salt n Pepper first scene in school.

LalJose announced the movie & went for a tour to Spain I think. This is not what audience expected from the most promising(We were wrong) director in the new league. After Arabikkadha, your love towards movie seems to be in low level. Elsamma enna Aankutty though an average movie had nice moments with greeneries as background & nice performances. This one had nothing to take a look for second time except the following scenes
1. Dileep's 2-3 comedy scenes
2. Kunchacko Boban in Climax
3. Nelson as drunken guy
4. Interval

I don't think that today's Malayalee audience will watch this movie for the above said scenes alone just because it's a movie by LALJOSE. Please concentrate on script next time. All the very best for DIAMOND NECKLACE

Don't know why Spain was chosen as backdrop for this storyline which is as old as Himalayas for Malayalam/Indian Cinema.

Verdict : Average, at max because of those scenes
BO Verdict : Flop, considering the huge budget

Once Casanova gets released on 26th Jan & if it works well with audience, Spanish Masala will be a washout at BOX OFFICE.

Wait for a DVD release as this one had nothing worth for a theatre watch.

NANBAN

NANBAN

Theatre : TVM Remya

Showtime & Date : 6.00pm, 16-01-2012

Status : Balcony Full, FC 10%

Ilayathalapathy VIJAY with south india's showman director SHANKAR, remake of well acclaimed movie 3 IDIOTS, Jiiva & Shrikanth in supporting roles, Ileana's second innings in Tamil, calling cards were several including the well edited TRAILER. Yes, the movie is a 101% genuine remake of 3 IDIOTS where Vijay the actor plays the lead role with no punchlines,no action & no mass masala elements usually seen in his films.

Story

The story is told as a flashback by Venkat(Shrikanth) whom with his friend Saravanan(Jiiva) with silencer(Sathyan) in search of his friend Panchavan Parivendan(Ilayathalapathy VIJAY) who were college mates in Ideal Engineering College run by Virumandi Sandanam aka Virus(Sathyaraj). Watch the rest on screen friends even though you have seen the original.

Performances

Its an ILAYATHALAPATHY VIJAY show. Happy to see that VIJAY which we have seen in SACHEIN last time. He lived as the character - the body language, even a single smile makes an impact on screen. We can expect more good characters from this ACTOR.

Jiiva once again proved his versatility. In my opinion, he's the best in South Indian Cinema now to perform well as a drunken guy. Boss Engira Bhaskaran & Siva Manasula Shakthi are good examples. 

It's a comeback for Shrikanth & he performed well, I should say we will forget his previous movies.

Sathyaraj as VIRUS was a good choice which he performed well in his own style at parts. Ileana was okay only as her makeup was bad at many parts,  but surprisingly lip-sync was better. Anuya & S J Suryah in their cameo was impressive. Sathyan did the role of silencer well but lacks the perfection as he immediately speaks in normal Tamil soon after the Teachers Day sequence. 

Though in a small role, once again director Shankar included a malayalam actor in his movie - Indrans

Happy to see Ajay Rathnam again in a Shankar movie after a long gap- if I'm not wrong

Songs

Harris Jeyaraj's music had the charm especially En friende pole song's beat had that haunting effect. Aska Luska & Irukkana was good though picturisation of both lacks usual Shankar charm though made in rich sets.

BGM was superb especially En friende pole beats.

Technical

Manoj Paramahamsa amazes us with his awesome cinematography, superb visuals!!! Editing was fine with first half but second half could have been better. Art Direction was superb!!! Resul Pookkutty made his mark with clean & clear sound mixing.

Script & Direction

Story is inspired from the book 5.1 Screenplay by Rajkumar Hirani & Abijath Joshiy in hindi is the same used here. But the dialogues by Shankar & Karki made the script more powerful. The placement of Irukkana song looks misplaced and could have been avoided. Also second half seemed too lengthy & the proceeding could have been ore interesting. It's the first remake movie of director Shankar to which he did 101% justice without ruining the original but made a bit better than original if the total making perfection is considered. But song picturisation could have been better for Aska Luska & Irukkana which looks totally out of place for the whole movie. I felt that the theme was not conveyed to that extent as in original which made a good mark along with other sequences.Climax sequences could have been better.

Eventhough you have seen original, its worth a watch for Vijay as its the actor & not star here.

Verdict : Good

BO Verdict : Superhit

What Shankar said on audio launch time was right - people who don't like Vijay will start liking Vijay after watching this movie

ARABEEM OTTAKOM P.MADHAVAN NAIRUM in ORU MARUBHOOMIKKADHA

ARABEEM OTTAKOM P.MADHAVAN NAIRUM in ORU MARUBHOOMIKKADHA

After a log gap,  after Krishnanum Radhayum I watched a movie in theatre

Theatre : TVM Remya
Status : Housefull
Showtime & Date : 5.45pm, 18-12-2011
After Kakkakuyil, another Priyadarsan-Mohanlal-Mukesh combo movie released. From the same team, all will expect a typical full length comedy movie. If you ask me whether the movie reached the expectation level, my answer will be "TO AN EXTENT".

Story
The whole story happens in UAE. Puthanpurakkal Madhavan Nair aka P.Madhavan Nair(Mohanlal) is an accountant in Arabi's(Shakthi Kapoor) office. He meets Meenakshi(Lakshmi Rai) by accident and falls in love with her which proceeds in same way as in hollywood movie Serendipity which was inturn used in Tamil movie Jay Jay. Abdu Kupleri(Mukesh), a former room-mate who was sent out for robbering Madhavan's Rolex watch again appears before him for a job. Then a change takes place in Madhavan's life which changes the track of the movie to a road movie featuring Abdu & Ileana(Bhavana) along with him. Watch the movie to know the story well as there is subplot for each character which makes confusions generating Priyan style comedy scenes.

Performances
Mohanlal as Madhavan Nair was not that challenging one for the actor. His expressions and very few dialogues will make us laugh. Mukesh as Abdu Kupleri steals the show with his smart comic timing & witty dialogues. In sentiment scenes too, he shines. The best set of dialogues belongs to him. Suraj as Koya is another who will make us laugh at parts. But many of his dialogues were a failure in creating laughter. The rest of the cast - Bhavana, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Mamukoya, Manianpilla Raju, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy were fine. Lakshmi Rai with typical Bhagyalkshmi dubbing in Priyan films spoiled many scenes. She was just for skin show. Shakthi Kapoor in his cameo had nothing much to do.

Songs
Songs by M G Sreekumar were fine. Chembakavallikal is the best. Picturisation of all the songs lack the typical Priyan magic which was there even in Kilichundan Mambazham,though movie was not upto the mark. BGM was not there in many parts of the movie which makes the movie dull at parts, especially first half.

Technical
Cinematography by Azhagappan & Gym Ganesh were fine. Editing by T.S.Shekhar could have been a lot better.

Script & Direction
Story by debutant Abhilash Nair had enough elements to be a smart entertainer, but the screenplay by the same & half baked direction at parts spoiled the show. Till the entry of Mukesh's character, the movie was just an ordinary one with almost no funny moments. Once Mukesh enters the scene, the typical Lal-Mukesh combo started their play in the first scene itself with usual TVM slang, but didn't lasted after a few scenes. From then on, more than screenplay, its the oneliner dialogues by Priyadarsan neatly presented by Mukesh saved the show. Most of the dialogues look outdated & repetition of his own films especially towards the climax. Screenplay was a mix of previous Priyan movies like Hallo My Dear Wrong Number, Vettam, Kilukkam, Chandralekha, Kakkakuyil...The marriage episode featuring Mamukoya and the song was an unwanted one. Still the movie works because of the combo and witty oneliners. Direction by Priyadarsan lacked sincerety and seriousness at many parts I think. Frames seems repetitive & the gradual fall and increase of pace of the movie makes me think so.

On the whole, a watchable entertainer which could have been a lot better.

Verdict : Tad above average
BO Verdict : May end as a HIT

KRISHNANUM RADHAYUM

Santhosh Pandit's KRISHNANUM RADHAYUM Movie Review

Theatre : TVM Kairali
Status : Balcony Don't know exactly, but a good status as per after show returns, FC 30%+ with TERRIFIC ATMOSPHERE
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 07-11-2011(BAKRID)

Finally saw the much awaited movie of the year KRISHNANUM RADHAYUM by alien star SANTHOSH PANDIT who shot to fame through the songs of this movie aired through YOUTUBE.

Story
John(Santhosh Pandit) is a christian who is not in good terms with his father & brother who are after making money. John is an album music director and a poster/banner maker. He is in love with hindu girl Radha. They gets married eventhough resistance were there from both's families & horoscope problems between them. For getting a house for rent, John was forced to tell that he's a hindu named Krishnan. Both stays in house where Rukmini & her mother stays. Things went well till the last minutes with songs & subplots. Twist is when Radha gets murdered. Watch the rest on theatres itself.

Performances
TERRIFIC is the word which is apt for this. It's a SANTHOSH PANDIT show all the way. He introduced a new set of expressions to NAVARASA. Audience support for him, his gestures, his dialogues, expressions were TERRIFIC. He acted well in scene in which fainted & in scene in which he becomes ill. NO WORDS TO TELL MORE. Watch the movie in theatres to see the minute expressions of Santhoshettan well. Don't miss the terrific expression of Santhoshettan when he comes to know that his wife got murdered.

All the female characters had unique identity in the movie with apt screenspace. Rest of the starcast were superb with new generation acting techniques.

Songs
Biggest plus point of the movie was songs, BGM too. Picturisation of all songs were well received by audience with dancing before the screen along with Santhoshettan on screen. Read my audio review here.

Technical
Here too its a SANTHOSH PANDIT show. Editing needs a special mention. Cinematography lacks the punch as it was done by someone else & not Santhoshettan. Action sequences with Marmani vidyas were terrific.

Script & Direction
Again a SANTHOSH PANDIT show. Movie started with thanks to a set including ALL KERALA SANTHOSH PANDIT FANS & WELFARE ASSOCIATION. After movie title, just two title cardds. Then listed the 15 things & then came the name which everyone waited, yes SANTHOSH PANDIT. Audience applause was awesome. First few minutes were boring because Santhosh Pandit was not there & reminded me like a TV serial. Dialogues in those scenes too were too dramatic.When SANTHOSHETTAN entered the screen, if you see the response, for one moment you may think whether you are sitting in Rajnikanth movie playing theatre, TERRIFIC TERRIFIC TERRIFIC!!! From then on movie became engaging with new generation set of dialogues implanted on cliched worked out formula storyline. First half was an engaging one with good set of songs & proceedings. Second half lags a lot till the harthal episode of Radha's friend Sreeja. The main plus point of the movie were the songs and the awesome dialogues by Santhoshettan. Dialogues in 11 min Trailer was just a teaser in my opinion. Lots of interesting dialogues were there. Dialogues by audience too were terrific!!! After Goutham Vasudev Menon, it's Santhosh Pandit only who used English dialogues with this perfection suiting the scene well. An example, scene in which heroine had to answer like sammathichu. The dialogue was "YES, I AM AGREED"

Verdict : TERRIFIC MASS ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
BO Verdict : Already a blockbuster, may be a mega blockbuster

A must watch in theatres. An experience which you won't get by watching online or a DVD/CD.
A MOVIE OF A LIFETIME. THESE THINGS HAPPENS ONLY ONCE. SO DON'T MISS THIS!!!

The best counter dialogue from audience for Santhoshettan's dialogue
Santhoshettan on movie : Mrugangal orikkalum swantham vargathilullavare kollaarilla, avarkku vargasnehamundu. pakshe manushyano?
An audien : Vargasneham ullathu kondaada nee jeevichirikkunne

Another smart one was when ad of QUBE technology was shown after interval "Enthina ithokke kaanikkunne, Lavante pallu kaanikkanalle"

JITHU BHAI ENNA CHOCOLATE BHAI AUDIO REVIEW

SANTHOSH PANDIT's JITHU BHAI ENNA CHOCOLATE BHAI AUDIO REVIEW

After the silent & violent success of KRISHNANUM RADHAYUM, alien star SANTHOSH PANDIT is back with his new venture JITHU BHAI enna CHOCOLATE BHAI. Like the former, this one too has 8 songs all written, composed & sung by the supermegastar of the decade himself.A kind request to SANTHOSH PANDIT, please concentrate on Music department alone, if you are the one who composed these songs, surely you have real talent in music composing.

Song 1 : Music is the name of Love

Singers : Santhosh Pandit & Ameya

This is the surprise song of the album. Its an English song. The starting may remind us some famous English albums. But once the lyrics starts we'll be surprised. I'm planning to conduct a contest to find the words used in song from time 0:26 till the main song starts. Is it Korean? Japanese? Chinese? Another feature of the song is Manglish pronounced words of the singer. Hope this song won't be played by anyone near the place where Michael Jackson is buried. By hearing the lyrics, there is a chance of reincarnation of Jackson resulting in the murder of alien star. NO it won't happen. Santhosh Pandit is unbeatable & highly explosive. Waiting for the video of this song.

SURPRISINGLY MUSIC & BEATS ARE GOOD, SERIOUSLY. Hear the song without thinking of lyrics & Santhosh Pandit.

Song 2 :  Kaamini

Singer : Sathosh Pandit

This song may makes us remember some Karan Johar Shahrukh Khan flicks' songs or some old hindi songs. If this song was sung by some good singer, this would have become topper in hitchart. SUPERB MUSIC & ORCHESTRATION. Don't miss this song. It's the singer Santhosh who spoiled the song. M G Sreekumar was the apt singer for this one. Lyrics also was average which becomes too bad with Santhosh's singing talent. Anupallavi & Charanam of the song makes us feel that somewhere Santhosh Pandit became emotional.

Song 3 : Konji Konji

Singer : Santhosh Pandit

Another good music composition though seems to be a rip of some A R Rehman songs. Still worth a look, surely u won't be disappointed. Some good voices for this song would have changed the status of this song. Lyrics was just the route map of some tourist locations.

Song 4 : Ithu Saada Call alla

Singers : Santhosh Pandit & Ameya

Another good number in the album with lyrics full of mobile phone & Internet related things. I'll rate it as the best new generation song compared to the crap album songs we found on youtube. Music had both traces of hindi songs especially violin BGM. SUPER one.

Song 5 : Kaakke Kaakke Koodevide

Singers : Santhosh Pandit & Varsha Pandit

If it was Anganavadiyile Teachere in Krishnanum Radhayum for kids, here its the famous rhyme Kaakke Kaakke Koodevide remix with lyrics full of kids related things. Another good number. Starting was superb. Guitar music and beats was awesome. The song gives us an idea that Santhosh Pandit  is playing a school teacher in the movie.

Song 6 : Bajam Bajam

Singers : Santhosh Pandit & Ameya

With a terrific starting music, Santhosh Pandit simply amazes us in Vidyasagar style music. I'm sure the starting music is going to be a MEGAHIT in mobile phone ringtones. Like Guruvayoorappa song in Krishnanum Radhayum, this one too is a devotional song, but this one is SUPERB with good lyrics & Catchy music. DON'T MISS THIS. On repeat hearing you'll be addicted to this song.

Song 7 :  Bandhangalellaam

Singer : Santhosh Pandit

A sad song with typical Santhosh type example lyrics with full of relationship in families & problems. iolin music was superb. Singer disappoints again. Enjoyable one with good music at many parts especially in Anupallavi & Charanam parts.

Song 8 : Amme

Singer : Santhosh Pandit

Another sad song in the album with good orchestration spoiled by the singer's emotional voice. Veena music was good.

ONCE AGAIN A SMALL REQUEST, THE VERY SAME REQUEST TO SANTHOSH PANDIT, PLEASE CONCENTRATE ON MUSIC DEPARTMENT ALONE. IF YOU ARE THE SAME PERSON WHO COMPOSED THESE SONG, THEN YOU HAVE REAL TALENT IN MUSIC COMPOSITION.

VELAYUDHAM

VELAYUDHAM

Theatre : TVM Dhanya
Status? An unwanted question, HOUSEFULL with family audience even at first front row of first class
Showtime & Date : 5:55pm, 26-10-2011(DEEPAVALI)

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
BOX OFFICE GHILLLI IS BACK

When Jeyam Raja joined with Vijay, everyone expected a remake or a usual mass masala film of Vijay like his previous films, even trailers too were not different, but the final product is not something we expected, it's something different which had all the elements to satisfy all.

Story
Movie begins with Tamilnadu minister in Pakisthan-Afganisthan border joining them to implant bombs in Chennai. Freelance journalist(Genelia) & her friends tried to find out the crimes happening in Chennai. They were caught by villain gang & kills them. Luckily Genelia escapes. When the villain gang gets killed in an accident, she creates a character VELAYUDHAM who is after criminals. Then story unfolds with introduction of Vel aka Velayudham(Vijay), his sister(saranya Mohan) & his friends going to Chennai & their story flashbacks. They came to Chennai to get the amount back from Chit Fund for Saranya's marriage. There Santhanam, a small time thief joins them as friend. Velayudham accidently rescues people from bomb blasts 2-3 times. When Genelia realises that everything happened without his knowledge, she asks Vel to be real Velayudham. Though he rejects, later he was forced to be Velayudham. The rest is Velayudham vs Villains.


Performances
First of all, thanks to M.Raja for utilising not only the mass hero only, but the good actor in Vijay which we have seen in Kannukkul Nilavu, Priyamudan, Sachein, Thullatha Manavum Thullum, Shahjahan.....Its a clear ILAYATHALAPATHY SHOW. This time the screenplay was fresh not giving him an over buildup or lots of punch dialogues or much over the board action sequences. VIJAY once again proved after Rajnikanth he's the one who can carry an whole film with his charisma. Watchout for his performance in second half towards especially towards the climax. Sentiment scenes were superb!!!

Genelia got a powerful role, but her lipsync was bad & expressions were almost same. Hansika Motwani was surprisingly good especially in comic scenes. Watch out her expressions in the train sequence. Hansika's role was limited one. Script could have provided much more comic scenes as she was capable for comic scenes execute well. Shayaji Shinde & Pandiarajan were good. Santhanam will make us laugh. The one who narrates Vijay-Saranya flashback in train was superb. Rest of the cast did their job well. Villain characters failed to create any impact.

Songs & BGM
Vijay Antony once again scores. Sonna Puriyathu is the best mass number in recent times. Picturisation was rich & colourfull, SUPERB!!! Chillax was a forced one, though enjoyable in richly made sets. Mayyam Seythayo seems unwanted, but picturisation was innovative. Molachu Moonnu is the best melody in recent times but picturisation & choreography was not upo the mark. Rathathin Rathamey was good.

BGM was SUPERB!!!

Technical
Cinematography was superb especially in action & song sequences. Editing was good. Milan's art work was good. Stunt director's did a good job.

Script & Direction
Here comes the man behind the show - M.Raja aka Jeyam Raja. Story is inspired from Nagarjuna's hit telugu movie Azad. But he took only the basic thread only. Screenplay was fresh & racy with all commercial ingredients. Subha's dialogues were good & superb at many part Direction was racy & tried maximum to avoid the buildup & over the board scenes though a set of scenes are there which were enjoyable with the flow of the movie.. Instead of executing a script with Vijay on mind, M.Raja seems to be executed the final script with Vijay. Yes, a director's movie in which Vijay scores with his charisma, thats VELAYUDHAM.

Verdict : Superb Mass Entertainer
BO Verdict : SuperHit/MegaHit

THE FINAL SHOT OF THE MOVIE WAS INNOVATIVE & EXECUTED WELL.

When M.Raja said that he was not worried eventhough 10 films like RA-ONE or 7AM ARIVU releases with VELAYUDHAM before release, I didn't believed. Now I can say HE WAS RIGHT, 100% RIGHT