Bale Pandiya Movie review

Banner	AGS Entertainment
Cast	Vishnu, Piaa, Gibran, Vivek
Director	Siddharth Chandrasekhar
Music	Devan Ekambaram

AGS Entertainment's Bale Pandiya, directed by debut Siddharth Chandrasekhar with Vishnu and Piaa in the lead roles, is a comedy flick which has striking similarities with many earlier movies in which the protagonist considers himself "born unlucky" in the world and wants to kill himself. Kudos to the crew members who have tried to deliver a blend of comedy, action and romance with beautiful songs and action, which works at most points.

The film revolves around Pandiya (Vishnu), who believes that he is unluckiest man and deciding to end his life, hires a professional killer AKP to bump him off! AKP makes a deal that he will send Pandiya as a human bomb to an event. To make sure that Pandiya spends his last few days with no worries, he gifts him with a debit card worth Rs. 25 lakhs. Pandiya's life takes a U turn from then on!

He resolves his family problems, meets Vaishnavi (Piaa) and falls in love with her. Pandiya, no longer anxious to leave his body, decides to cancel the deal with AKP and arrives at his house with Vaishnavi, where they are shocked to see AKP and his men brutally murdered. What happens next forms the racy second half.

The first half is quite funny as it narrates Pandiya's misadventures: a trailer bus splitting into two when Pandiya gets in, a girl he loves falling in love with his friend and an astrologer dying while writing his horoscope. The long episodes of Pandiya's flashback could have been trimmed; possibly the director could have limited the protagonist's misadventures in the title song itself. The second half is a bit serious, bouncing from a comedy flick to a mass masala flick.

Vishnu, who returns to the silver screen after a refreshing debut in Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu, deserves appreciation for his commendable performance as a frustrated young man with no will to live. Piaa has little to do except look pretty. Vivek's lengthy role as a London citizen who comes to India in search of his lady love is fantastic. Devan Ekambaram's music is mind-boggling and the cinematography looks sleek and stylish. All in all, Bale Pandiya is a decent entertainer but it could have been even better!

Boss Engira Bhaskaran Movie review

Banner	Red Giant Movies
Producer	K. S. Sreenivasan
Cast	Arya, Nayantara, Santhanam, Vijayalakshmi, Rajendran
Direction and story	M. Rajesh
Music	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography	Sakthi Saravanan
Editing	Vivek Harshan

Red Giant Movies' M. Rajesh directed Boss Engira Bhaskaran (BEB) is yet another golden film in promising hero Arya's fast-emerging career, which has steadily risen in the last two years with an array of varying roles: from an Aghori from Kasi to a dhobi-wrestler of the 1940s, and back-to-back hits Naan Kadavul, Varudu (Telugu) and Madrasapattinam! Unlike his serious characters in the previous movies, Arya stands out in this out-and-out comedy role in Boss Engira Bhaskaran, proving that he is one of the versatile and bankable actors in today's Tamil cinema. Boss Engira Bhaskaran is an intelligently made romantic-comedy with finest touches of some real life situations.

Who is in it?

Set in the backdrop of Kumbakonam, Boss Engira Bhaskaran has Arya playing the role of a happy-go-lucky guy Bhaskaran aka Boss, with a good-for-nothing image in his social circle; Santhanam plays his only friend Nalla Thambi who runs a saloon. Nayantara plays a trainee lecturer Chandrika. Malayalam actress Shakeela, noted for her appearances in numerous soft porn movies, plays a cameo as a tutorial teacher, while Jiiva comes in the climax in a special role.

What is it about?

Bhaskaran is on the way to his exam hall to appear in his English (arrears) exam, which he has been trying to pass for the last five years! Since he is too weak in English, Bhaskaran has prepared some materials for malpractice at the exam hall and they are secretly placed all around his clothes. At the bus stop, he meets Chandrika (Nayantara) and is attracted to her charm. To get her attention, Bhaskaran strikes a conversation with her and eventually reveals that he is going for an exam with copying materials. At the exam hall, Bhaskaran is surprised to see Chandrika as an invigilator and tries to hide. But she seizes all his materials and consequently, Bhaskaran leaves without writing the exam.

Meanwhile, Bhaskaran's elder brother Saravanan, a veterinary doctor, falls in love with banker Shanmukha Sundaram's daughter Nandhini and decides to marry her with her parents' consent. He sends Bhaskaran and his mother for the 'bride seeing' ceremony at Nandhini's house. When they are about to leave, Chandrika steps in, saying she is Nandhini's younger sister. Though shocked, Bhaskaran sees this as an advantage as he will now have more opportunities within the home circle to meet and woo Chandrika. Later, Saravanan-Nandhini's marriage takes place.

After some interesting sequences, Bhaskaran proposes marriage to Chandrika but she refuses, saying her marriage would be decided by her elders. So, Bhaskaran talks with his sister-in-law Nandhini, who promises that she would encourage the alliance only if Bhaskaran gets a decent job. It becomes a big issue at Bhaskaran's house and everyone criticizes Bhaskaran for even thinking about marriage when he has neither a degree nor a job. Irked by this criticism, he leaves the house, challenging that he would earn plenty of money in six months and marry Chandrika. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Performances

Perhaps this is the first time Arya, known for his serious and romantic roles, plays the lead role in a full-fledged comedy film. His performance as an irresponsible guy who decides to make a U turn in life, is convincing and his comedy timing and mannerisms are impressive. In fact, this proves that Arya can handle all kinds of roles with ease. After Arya, Santhanam deserves a big round of applause as he is the backbone of the show. The major plus point with Santhanam is that unlike many leading comedians who usually act in comedy tracks separate from the main plot, he plays the role within the story, contributing a more realistic feel. After a couple of debacles in Tamil, Nayantara is back with a bang and unlike her usual movies which demand nothing but skin show; Boss Engira Bhaskaran offers her ample space for performance. Nayantara does justice to the role as Chandrika, though not outstanding.

Music by Yuvanshankar Raja is spectacular as usual and his numbers, especially 'Ada Boss Boss' and 'Yaar Antha Penthan' are worth mentioning. Editing by Vivek Harshan is racy, while Sakthi Saravanan's cinematography is perfect, in keeping the mood of the film. However, the picturisation of the song 'Mama Mama' could have been better. Though Boss Engira Bhaskaran can be graded as a near perfect movie, it is not devoid of slips. Jiiva's role as a rich, young businessman Siva, who comes as Chandrika's bridegroom but later joins the lovers, is clichéd, though it is cast in a different manner. And the last sequence which shows Jiiva getting a phone call from the director himself who advises him to just stick with his cameo alone rather than messing up with some action scenes which the hero is supposed to do, might have been included with a comic sense but in reality, it looks odd and artificial in the flow of the story and thus, could have been avoided. Considering the style and the quality of narration of the earlier portions, the climax is poor! Otherwise, Boss Engira Bhaskaran rocks!

Inidhu Inidhu Movie review

Cast	Reshmi, Aadith, Gia umar, Narayan, Sharran, Benaas, Vimal
Director	K.V. Guhan
Cinematographer	K.V. Guhan
Producer	Prakashraj
Banner	Duet Movies
Music Director	Mickey J. Meyer
Release date	Aug 20, 2010

Inidhu Inidhu Movie reviewIt's a promise well-kept! If you've paid attention to all the promo activities for the movie, you already know producer Prakashraj says Inidhu Inidhu is an emotional movie that will remind you of your college days. And if you're in college right now, there's a lot about the movie that rings true. That's what really makes Inidhu Inidhu (remake of the Telugu hit Happy Days) an entertainer worth watching.

"I just wanted it to be a peek into the college life of a bunch of kids," says Prakashraj, and that's precisely what it is. Nothing more and in no way less.

What is it about?

The story starts on Day 1 of college. Seven teenagers from varying backgrounds take the big step - out of school and into college - with their personal reservations and expectations. Each character is sketched in a different hue. Sugary sweet Madhu, a typical boy next door Sidhu, tomboy Appu, gal-crazy Vimal, radically bold Sangitha, reserved and studious Sharan, and do-gooder nerd Arvind aka Tyson. Chance brings them together on the very first day, and thus begins a fluctuating friendship with ups and downs, continuing for the next four years of their college lives. A feel-good movie through and through, so we know the obstacles will clear away sooner or later.

From scene one, you know who's meant for who; it's only a matter of time before the characters realize it. Meantime, it's clean fun and mild twists.

Arvind's the only one in the gang without a gal. But why? Because he's got his heart set on a senior gal, Shravs, which his seniors are unable to digest! But even before the gang is formed, they meet their seniors for the tradition: ragging. Arjun, the senior who lays his eyes on Madhu and fixates on her, is one good-looking bad boy! Had he had not been quite the obsessive senior, Madhu may have even melted in his arms! But that's another imaginary line altogether. By irritating her and eventually getting slapped by Siddhu, Arjun primarily serves to bring Madhu and Siddhu together. This is essentially the first turning point in the film, after the characters have been introduced and their friendship established.

Obviously the slighted senior wants revenge. He gathers a few cronies and one night, when the four junior boys are returning from Madhu's birthday party, they strike. Siddhu, Arvind and Vimal get a sound beating. Sharan escapes because one of the seniors is Sangitha's brother. We see that Sharan is not a friend to be trusted in one's hour of need. The beaten junior boys decide to take up the issue with the management, but the student body leader suggests a T20 match to solve the differences. We all know who wins, so the ragging stops.

What follows? More scenarios familiar to college students - a trip out of town, the first kiss, crush on the prettiest ma'am on the block, exams, tiffs over the results, betrayal in love, betrayal in friendship and so on. How the gang members settle their differences, endure separation and then get back together is what the rest of the story is about - ending exactly on the eve of their farewell, leaving it to us to figure out the rest. It's just like Prakashraj promised, a peek and no more.

The Performance

One character that truly makes an impact is Arvind, the ultimate friend one can meet at college. His character - the innately brilliant kid, who doesn't need to study to top the class - is probably the best-developed in the movie. But that's not the impressive part about him. It's the unconditional way he loves and cares for his friends that really moves you. Another interesting aspect to his character is the way he loves and adores Shravs. His is a romance doomed from the beginning, and yet the childlike way he pursues her is beautifully brought out. Arvind may not be the hunk on the block, but he truly is the sweetest guy around.

One character that lacks depth is Sangitha. While the story focuses on her lover Sharan, it does not develop her character. We figure out that Sharan is the guy who will sell out his buddies to save himself, but no matter what anyone says, he loves and trusts his girl. But Sangitha and her reason for being the way she is, her attitude towards the gang, her feelings for Sharan... these are not dealt with enough, making her character shallow and unmemorable.

The Music

Music is by Mickey Meyer, who scored the music for the original (Happy Days) as well. He has retained a similar style of music in Inidhu Inidhu - leaning towards melody. The tracks 'Inidhu Inidhu' and 'Vaazhkai Oru' are sure faves of melody lovers. 'Inbam Ethirilae' is a peppy number dedicated to Michael Jackson. The stars have even tried to emulate the late Pop Icon in their dance; since it's a tribute, we refrain from criticism!



The Technique

In terms of direction and cinematography, K.V. Guhan has done a fab job in this very honest film. Without trying to outdo himself or prove a point, he has taken a lovely story and made an entertaining movie out of it, one that will have a very personal impact on audiences. Every person is bound to react to the movie in his or her own way, relating to certain characters or scenes more - which is the biggest success of the film. Cinematography is picture perfect. The colours and lighting enhance the general cheery and youthful mood of the film.

As a producer, Prakashraj has once more brought out a quality piece of art. It may not be as touching as Mozhi or as moving as Abiyum Naanum, but it certainly has charm of its own - one that is sure to sing to your soul, bringing forth happy memories.

Click here for Inidhu Inidhu Photo Gallery

Review by Kaanchan B.

Please note: Every review on Galatta.com is written by the person who has watched the movie. Therefore, while conscious effort is made to give a fair, unbiased and ethical opinion, every review will have a personal element and opinion to it. Ultimately, every movie experience is a personal one and readers should watch each movie on their own terms.

Movie Review: Pen Singam

Producer: S.P. Murugeshan
Cast : Uday Kiran, Meera Jasmine, Rambha, Vivek, Richard, Radha Ravi
Director: Bali Srirangham
Script: M. Karunanidhi
Cinematography: Vijay Ragav

Special screening of new Tamil films for VVIPs is a popular phenomenon in Kollywood. When this happens, it means the movie is of great importance! Director Bali Srirangham's new Uday Kiran-Meera Jasmine starrer Pen Singam is the latest to have such a special screening at Four Frame preview theatre in Chennai and you can surely guess why! The film is based on legendary writer and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi's novel 'Surulimalai'. Superstar Rajinikanth, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were present at the special show and the superstar was all praise for the Pen Singam team, saying this film would surely roar at the box-office as it is all about a woman's fight for justice. This film has already evoked huge anticipation among moviegoers.

Who is in it?

Pen Singam, one of the much-awaited movies in 2010, has National award winning actress Meera Jasmine playing the role of an IPS officer for the first time in her career, while Uday Kiran enacts the role of a forest officer. Yesteryear heroine Rohini plays Uday Kiran's mother and a judge. Veteran Vivek handles the comedy. Richard and Radha Ravi are the villains. J.K. Riteesh and Rambha make cameo appearances, while Lakshmi Rai and Lawrence appear in an item number.

What is it about?

Pen Singam begins with Suriya (Uday Kiran) trying to escape from a jail. As we anticipate, he goes on a journey down memory lane. In the flashback, we see Suriya as a newly appointed forest officer with a mission to wipe out corruption from the forest department. Naturally, he faces threats from forest product smugglers, led by Simha Perumal (Radha Ravi) and a police officer Parasuraman, but he rides roughshod over them. Meghala (Meera Jasmine), a girl from a poor family, is a computer operator in Suriya's office and her dream is to become an IPS officer. Suriya and Meghala gradually fall in love. Meghala passes the IPS exam and goes for training.

Meanwhile, Suriya's intimate friend Nagendra (Richard), a young Tamil scholar, goes to a women's college to deliver a speech. With his stunning speech on the dignity of women and their rights, he impresses girls there, especially Prabha, daughter of a rich business man (Vagai Chandrasekhar). Moved by his character and ideology, Prabha proposes to Nagendra and gets married with the consent of her parents. Nagendra soon starts revealing his real character by demanding huge amounts as dowry and engaging in extramarital affairs. Prabha is unable to assimilate the reality, but to her surprise, the intoxicated Nagendra alleges a romantic link between Prabha and his friend Suriya. Irked by this, Suriya has a physical clash with Nagendra and in this fight, Prabha is shot dead. The top murder suspect is Suriya who is arrested. Now Meghala is back as an IPS officer. How she saves Suriya from the case foisted on him forms the rest of the film.

The Performances

Though Pen Singam is based on a novel by Karunanidhi, it offers little scope for the lead actors (including National award winner Meera Jasmine) to display their best performances. Uday Kiran's role is limited to mere romance and stunts, while Meera Jasmine excels only in the drama scenes as Veera Mangai Velu Nachiyar. She plays the role of an IPS officer for the first time in her career, but unfortunately, the role does not suit her. In the uniform, she looks too young and tiny. Vivek as Thirupathi is average. The film has two villains Richard and Radha Ravi, but they do not make any impact. J.K. Riteesh and Rambha make cameo appearances as an advocate and Parasuraman's wife respectively.

Final Verdict

Unlike his period film Uliyin Osai which released two years ago, Karunanidhi's Pen Singam is a contemporary movie, which features song sequences shot overseas. It has six songs by 'Thenisai thenral' Deva, but most of them are neither impressive nor foot-tapping. The makers have placed the six songs in the post interval section which extends to 1.5 hours, and this untimely placement has reduced the tempo and interest level. Though the title gives an impression that the film will be heroine-centric, in reality, it revolves mostly around Uday Kiran's character. There's nothing much to talk about the tech side. All in all, go and watch Pen Singam if you are a Karunanidhi fan.

Movie Review: Singam

Movie : Singam
Production: Sun Pictures, Big Pictures and Studio Green Productions
Direction: Hari
Star-casts: Surya, Anushka, Prakash Raj, Vivek, Radha Ravi, Nizhalgal Ravi, Bose Venkat and many others

First things first, you guys must watch ‘Singam’, even if you aren’t an ardent buff of Surya or Hari. The reason is that it has got all the specified elements that define a top-class entertainment catering to the tastes of all cohorts.

A hunky cop bashing down roughnecks single-handed, tripping legs with his ladylove, finest challenges tackled between good and baddie is all what it makes ‘Singam’ – a stunning film.

The film centers on Durai Singam (Surya), a sincere cop, who joins the service for his father’s (Radha Ravi) request. It doesn’t mean a great job to him as he wants to be a part of his dad’s business, i.e. provision stores. But he keeps settling down each and every dispute in town by his good means as he perceives everyone to be his close relatives. Then comes cute, zippy girl Kavya (Anushka) for vacation in Nalloore and falls in love with Durai Singam for his specialties. But things take a different turn in the tale with the entry of deadly ruffian Mayil Vaaganam (Prakash Raj), who runs kidnap racketing. When, he’s out on a conditional bail to report everyday at Nalloore police station, he avoids by taking things for granted by sending his fellowmen. Honesty takes its possession, when Durai Singam orders Mayil to be at station within couple of hours or else threatens him to be barged behind bars.

Here starts the speculative situation as Singam is transferred on promotion to Chennai, but Mayil Vaaganam personally recommends him to be posted at Thiruvanmiyur Police Station patently for settling scores.

What follows next is a series of cat and mouse game that makes you move towards edge of seats.

Surya himself acts as the biggest brand to sell the film and on pars is Hari’s stunning screenplay. Not even a single moment you would feel so restless and annoyed just as it happened with some of the previous commercial films. Anushka has more to do with this film unlike her previous shows, in which she was precisely utilized for glamorous factors. Vivek’s comedy is quite okay, but not to the expected levels. Prakash Raj’s sleepwalking through the same baddie role doesn’t make us irksome rather electrifies the script.

You’ll keep counting what’s gonna happen next and further for every 5 minutes as you wouldn’t feel that 2.5 hours as already passed by end of show.

Devi Sri Prasad’s musical score is an added value while cinematography and editing adds more momentum to this racy screenplay.

On the whole, the producers can keep themselves ahead on cloud nine as the film is sure to cross 100 days with houseful shows across many centres.

Hats off to director Hari and we expect the sort of show with his upcoming films as well.

Verdict: A Must watch

Kanagavel Kakka movie Review

Cast: Karan, Hari Priya, Kotta Srinivasa Rao, Raj Kapoor, Aditya


Music: Vijay Anthony


Producer: Saravanan


Director: Kavin Bala
The revenging son Politician Kotta Srinivasa Rao kills a government official with a lorry. The wife of the officer approaches Judge Avinash to complaint about this atrocity. Avinash decides to take up the case by becoming a lawyer. But Kotta Srinivasa Rao who comes to know about this burns Avinash’s wife and daughter.

Avinash’s son Karan decides to avenge Kotta Srinivasa Rao who destroys his family. Not only this, he also finishes the VIPs who make the innocent people the scapegoat. The police spread their net to nab him. Whether Karan is trapped is the climax of this film.This film is 100001th film that is based on revenge.

Director Kavin Bala has added sensation to the scenes. In the opening scene Karan points out the gun to kill Kotta Srinivasa Rao. We are able to anticipate that there is a flash back later on.Karan who kills people by fooling the police is shown as a person who calls out the names of the accused in the Court. This is something new. Karan excels when he challenges the police by saying that they will not be able to catch him.

There are fewer chances for heroine Hari Priya in this film. Avinash dons the role of a strict Judge while Kotta Srinivasa Rao plays the usual villain role. Aditya who plays a good cop tries to break his villain image. Sampath Raj and Raj Kapoor have donned the usual villain role. There is a great thrill in the chasing scene where Karan tries to escape from the police. The scene is really exhilarating when Karan comes in disguise to kill Kotta Srinivasa Rao in the caravan and police which scents this are after him.

But the romantic scenes are the speed breaker for the racy screenplay. Hari Priya’s one side love for Karan and suddenly becoming a traitor are all lousyIt is very cinematic by reducing the punishment of Karan who had committed five murders by citing unsubstantial things. After the climax there is another climax. There is a lot of confusion that who is hitting who. This scene could have avoided. Vijay Antony’s music composition for the songs is worth hearing.

Movie Review: Naai Kutty

Movie
Naai Kutty

Cast
Selvin, Nicole
It is one of those movies that make you feel soggier than soggy popcorn!
The protagonist of the film was abandoned by his mother in a road side dust bin and a rickshaw peddler spots the baby, names him Naai Kutty and brings him up.
The boy grows up into a man (Selvin) in the slums and becomes a alcoholic without a care in the world. A flower girl Malli (Nichole), falls for him, while her friend Ammu treats him like her brother.
Meanwhile, in get rich policy, Kutty starts cultivating call girls who uses his rikshaw. One day he meets the kingpin of the flesh trade Reddy and becomes his henchmen. Suddenly Kutty has a change of heart as the story reaches its bloody gruesome climax.
The film has too many scenes of the hero and his friend smoking and drinking. The director only aim seems to be to glorify smoking and drinking, and the climax is too raw.
There is nothing positive in the film. It tries to cash in on the slum life and its brutal ways but ends up as too pretentious. Nichole is a miscast. With her foreigner look as a slum girl is hard to digest.
Yawn! The film is a waste of time.