The race is on

Its official now. The Asian Mozart's 3 songs has made into the nominations for the Best Original Song category in the Oscars. He is the only artist to have three nominations for the same category (Khalbali and Lukka Chuppi from Rang De basanti and Chan Chan from Water). A phenomenal achievement from the soft spoken Chennai Lad whom we all adore. Hope he makes it into the final list and brings the oscar back to India. Congrats ARR, you are simply great

K.D. Review

2006 is a landmark year for Tamil Cinema. After ‘Aadhi’ and ‘Tirupathi’ it’s the turn of ‘K.D.’ to rock the audience and make them scream ‘Will movies like these be made again?’ My sincere request to producer A.M. Rathnam for contemplating on a name change. I bet on an addition of an extra ‘a’ to ‘K’ and ‘i’ to ‘D’(KaDi)which would enhance the title, give it a subtle finish and help the normal movie goer expect the outcome.

Movie is rather an exhilarating ride. It keeps the audience absorbed. Indeed, for the entire duration, they can keep on guessing for the logic in screen play, coherence of events and something natural to come out from the artists, sans Atul Kulkarni. Every one would like to emote from their heart, but the lead actor here emotes from his nose and his smile can make even Maddy envy. He is a super hero indeed, otherwise who can stand up and fight your opponent within minutes of your leg getting broken. His female counterparts are really drop dead gorgeous gals (the only reason why I went for the movie). Indian cricket team has a lot to learn from Tamanna. She’s so consistent in her expressions that its quite difficult to find out what state she is in really. The rest, (except for two foot tapping numbers by Yuvan and negligible hilarious scenes), lesser said, the better.

So whats happening to the Tamil Tinsel world? Where is the think tank behind such movies? Think the directors view would have been like this, ‘See, we are a bit hasty in our decisions and actions. We don’t have patience. When you get acquainted with these kinda movies it develops your patience and endurance. Life itself is a difficult ride. You need loads of those good qualities plus hard work to come up. These movies are just preparatory events to make you work harder and get something even out of a mole. It bodes well for our future. This movie was made bearing this in mind. I hope more such moves come and help audience cope up with everything they face in their lives.’

I have never been a reviewer/critic coz I never wanted to attack the sentiments of a film maker. But this was something a very difficult pill to swallow and couldn’t restrain from writing about it.

If you wanna c a really hot Tamanna ( I still remember the forwards I got an year back with she looking damn cute) and an equally exotic Ileana, go for the movie, otherwise get some good sleep and save your energy.

Oru Naalil Vaazhkai

Every time I hear a gud song, I tend to analyse it to the full length. One which caught my eye recently (though rather late in terms of the songs release) was this awesome song from ‘Pudhupettai’. Yuvan has given life to the song by rendering his vivacious voice. A thought provoking one too, when you consider the lyrics. This is my latest crush and it may take some time till another comes n takes my heart. Anyway here goes the lyrics.

Oru Naalil Vaazhkai Ingey
Engum Odi Pogaadhu
Maru naalum vandhu vittaal
Thunbam thaengi thodaraadhu
Eththanai kodi kanneer maNN meedhu vizhundhirukkum
Aththanai kanda pinnum boomi nindru poo pookkum

Oh Oh Oh
Karu vaasal vandha naal thottu
Oh Oh Oh
Siru vaasal thediyae vilayaattu
Oh Oh Oh
KaNN thirandhu paarththaal pala kooththu
Oh Oh Oh
KaNN moodi kondaal

Porkalaththil pirandhu vittom
Vandhavai ponavai varuththam illai
Kaattinilae vaazhgindrom
Mutkalin Valiyondrum maranamillai
Iruttinilae nee nadakkayilae
Unn nizhalum unnai vittum vilagi vidum
Nee mattum thaan indha ulagaththilae
Unakku thunai endru viLangi vidum
Theeyodu pogum varayil
Theeraadhu indha thanimai
Karai varum neram paarthu
Kappalil kaaththiruppom
Eri malai vandhaal kooda
YaeRi nindru por thoduppom

Oh Oh Oh
Andha dheiva ragasiyam purigradhae
Oh Oh Oh
Engu Yedhuvum nilai yillai kalaigiradhey
Oh Oh Oh
Manam vetta veliyilae alaigiradhey
Oh Oh Oh
Andha kadavulai kandaal
Oh Oh Oh

Adhu yenakku idhu unakku
IdhayangaL podum thani kanakku
IvaL enakku AvaL unakku
UdaLgaLum podum pudhir kanakku
Unakkum illai ingu enakkumillai
padaiththavanae inGgu eduththu koLvaan
nallavan yaar ada kettavan yaar
kadaisiyil avanae mudivu seyvaan
pazhi podum ulagam ingae
paliyaana uyirgaL enGgae
ulagaththin oram nindru athanaiyum paarthiruppom
nadappavai naadagam yendru naamum serndhu nadithiruppom

Oh Oh Oh
Pala MugangaL vaendum seri maatti koLvom
Oh Oh Oh
Pala thiruppam theriyum adhil thirumbi koLvom
Oh Oh Oh
Kadhai mudiyum pokkil adhai mudiththu koLvom
Oh Oh Oh
Maru piravi vendumaa

A Black Friday

Two treats were on offer in TV. Thanks to my friends, who had messaged me about the shows on air, I saw both. The first one was ‘Best of Lollu Sabha’ with the spoof king Santhanam and Co mocking some of the best films like ‘Devar magan’ and ‘Mudhalvan’ with delightful ease and creating a laugh riot. Santhanam is badly missed these days because of his foray into films. His witty dialogue delivery and charisma had enthralled us long and it was quite pleasing to see him back, though atleast as memoirs.

The one which touched me most was the second one. It had been a while since I switched onto DD National for a program other than Cricket matches( because of the damn SetTopBox zombie that had been haunting the only cosmopolitan in India). I don’t see a movie for a second time unless it’s an awesome one. The movie which was shown fell into that category. ‘Black’ is one of those films which has to be applauded for tremendous performances of the cast, its offbeat theme, beautiful screenplay, camera work, editing ( almost everything was a perfect fit), all crafted by a wonderful director. It can make one cry and titillate your every sense. Every movie buff would consider this as one of the best movies they would have ever watched in their life time.

But I was pondering and had been doing so since the time when ‘Paheli’ was announced as the Indian nomination for the Oscars. Black was easily the movie of 2005, Paheli was no match for this exceptional movie. Paheli hadn’t been that big a commercial hit either, while Black had won rave reviews and earned huge box office success. Still politics and money influence and play havoc for nominations and awards.

The Film Maker deserved something better. These kinda movies really need to be encouraged and awarded so that the quality of movies coming from a big movie Industry like Bollywood can set new scales and scale new heights.

When I went to bed, I remembered what my friend had said when I enquired about the movie ‘Black’ before seeing it for the first time. His satirical reply was ‘A guy who can make Salman act ( Hum Dil De chuke sanam) should be a gud director man, an exceptional tool from his arsenal and a must see’. Can the National Film board pay heed to his advice and come out with something better when it comes to awards and nominations??????