A symphony of suspense Black (2024), the latest Tamil thriller, is a testament to the art of suspenseful storytelling. Without resorting to gore or cheap jump scares, the film grips its audience from the first frame, keeping them on the edge of their seats with a masterfully crafted, bone-chilling atmosphere. Directed with a keen understanding…
Nanati bathuku | నానాటి బతుకు
నానాటి బతుకు నాటకముకానక కన్నది కైవల్యము || nAnATi batuku nATakamukAnaka kannati kaivalyamu (Transl. The everyday life is but merely a drama. What is seen and yet unseen constitutes the drama. Beyond these stands salvation and liberation from this drama.) Tallapakka Annamacharya (1408-1503) In my opinion, this has to be it – one and arguably the only…
Connect
Jump scares? Yes, Connection? Buffers! Move over birthdays, reunions, dates, lessons and classes. It’s about time to conduct Exorcism over mankind’s favorite yet deeply loved and vehemently hated post-pandemic platform – Zoom! We may feel largely the same ambivalence towards the film. The story is a simple leaf out of yesteryear’s favorite Hollywood subject, presented…
Thalaiva
You won’t get anything without hard work. What you get without hard work will never fructify ‘Thalaiva’ Rajnikanth To a legion of ardent fans called ‘rajini veriyargal’, glimpse of his silhouette is enough to bring thundering cheer, and a reverberating applause. Over several decades, reams of pages may have been written and re-written with numerous…
TILL
Tragic story. Brilliant film. It comes with award-worthy written all over. Perhaps that’s not the single most reason to bring this true story to mainstream cinema. The more important context is to bring to light, one of the most pertinent pieces of history. One of a probably lesser told yet relevant story that unarguably catapulted…
Ponniyin Selvan – I
Poignant and Spectacular Two words that instantly come to mind resonating with the one and only cinematic representation of the Tamil literary classic, Ponniyin Selvan (trans, The Son of Ponni). First and foremost, thankfully in hindsight, it is a blessing in disguise. That a film adaptation was attempted before but never materialized. That the film made…
An Enduring Effect
Seldom we see a comprehensively compelling film tracing the life arc of a true story. If Madhavan – in his debut directorial venture – aced it with an A-, it is Madhavan – the writer – that excelled with a perfect A. The platform is aptly set for Madhavan – the seasoned and versatile actor…
Annaatthe
Vintage Personified Chandru – Accomplished angel investor and an eccentric venture capitalist. Orthodox Chennaiite, Thalaiva fan. Immigrated to the US when he was in his early 20s. Claims he has some poetic genes.Amudha – Chandru’s only daughter. Born in the US and a neurosurgeon by profession. Absolute movie buff, like her father.Vipin – Amudha’s husband…
Thalaivii
It’s been a tempestuous life and career. When you are a leader, you know how to control your emotions and not show them openly. Jayalalitha as said to Simi Garewal Thalaivii…Shaken and Stirred. We would observe watching the film either as Thalaivi (Tamil/Telugu) or Thalaivii (Hindi) depending on the language of our choice. Perhaps it…
So long, Vivekh
A day without laughter is a day wasted. Charlie Chaplin வாய் விட்டு சிரித்தால் நோய் விட்டுப் போகும்நம்மை சிரிக்க வைப்பது ஒரு கலைஅந்த சிரிப்புடன், நம்மை சிந்திக்க வைப்பது… ஒரு இணையற்ற கைவினை நகைச்சுவைக்கு ஒரு புதிய பரிமாணம் கிடைத்தது நகை போன்ற பளபளப்பும் சுவை போன்ற உணர்வும் கிண்டல், நையாண்டி, பஞ்ச் கலந்து வந்தது நேக்கா நோக்கா பைக்கான்னு கேட்டுவிட்டு.வேறு யார் இதை கிண்டலாக சொல்லியிருக்க முடியும் என் பின்னால் உக்காருங்கோ,…
Darkness sans finesse
A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines Benjamin Franklin Andhaghaaram (transl. Darkness) – A modern psychological and supernatural thriller that is both entertaining and intriguing. The premise is one with simple dimensions. The protagonists are smartly set across the spectrum of Chennai middle-class society. Dr. Indran – a clinical psychiatrist…
M.E.G.A.
Underlined texts are links. This is a satire attempting to cover virtually a pan-India backdrop in its story arc. As a reader, and as you desire please feel free to jump to the Epilogue, from the end of any plot point in the main story line. — PROLOGUE — After a profound drubbing in the…