Madharasapattinam Review

The film starts off in the present day in london. Amy, a 85 year old lady who has a blood clot in her brain and has only a 50-50 chance of surviving the operation, has a picture of parithi (arya) which is 60 years old and she wants to go to madarasapattinam with just one week left for her operation. She is accompanied by her grand-daughter in her search for parithi in Madarasapattinam which is now Chennai. Then the story moves back to the pre independence era in 1945. Amy the daughter of the governor comes to Madras. Parithi is a local tamil boy who is a dobhi by profession and also a kushthi (ancient fight form) fighter. They live on the banks of kuvam river where they also work. On her very first day in Madras she see’s parithi and also in a couple of other occasions they meet and she starts liking him. In the meanwhile the governor decides to convert the dobhi’s living area into a golf course and the dobhi’s work place is destroyed. By this time amy against her wish is engaged to Robert Ellis, the police commissioner. Then slowly as the movie progresses amy and parithi fall in love but by the India is given Independence. Amy’s father wants to go back to England but amy wants to stay back with parithi. What happens next is for you to watch.

Director Vijay, cameraman Nirav Shah, music director GV and not to forget art director Selvakumar need to be given a standing ovation and applause for their simply scintillating effort in delivering such a quality product. I had a feeling of pride after having watched how beautiful my Chennai was, not so long ago and also how I wish that the Coovum River regains its lost beauty and we are able to go on a boating in the river sometime in our lifetime…..

The movie stands out for the team’s genuine attempt in making a realistic period film with good content. Though the story may not sound novel to us who are used to see love stories every passing week, it is the presentation and the director’s packaging that makes the movie worth a watch.

And another positive of the movie is that the director is very clear throughout the movie that his intention is to make a love story at the backdrop of the pre-independence era and never does the movie stray away from the storyline and goes into the details of the struggle for independence. The love story and scenes are well etched out and capture your attention right from the word go. The chemistry between the lead pair is well etched. The suspense of what happened to the lovers is also maintained till the end.

Not wanting to reveal much about this cute love story. I would like to comment on the actors; Arya

is apt for the role of an innocent young man who desires for freedom, though I felt he could have been more romantic though. But the show stealer, show stopper or even you can call heart-stopper is Amy, the cute teen girl who simply captures your eyes at the very sight and makes you simply adore her not only for her flawless angelic beauty but also for her excellent, outstanding and unmatchable performance as a British girl in love. Even her lip sync is perfect, something out own Tamil and south actresses need to learn a lesson or two from. And also VMC Haneefa who has given one of his best performances and makes you laugh heartily. Sad that his role is very minimum in the second half, but his performance (I suppose one of his final on screen appearance) simply makes you yearning for more. All the supporting actors have also done a commendable job.

Last but not the least; the art director definitely is due for some great awards for bringing to life the MADRAS of 1940′s. Nothing is artificial there and we are found asking for more and more of the scenic MADRAS of that time. Nirav Shah’s camera is brilliant and the young GV is growing leaps and bounds with every movie as proved by his BGM. The producers deserve a mention here because of backing such a quality product which is a welcome break from the usual stuff of the so called run of the mill commercial stories. Once again, congrats to Vijay for his entertaining and refreshing attempt. I enjoyed the movie a lot and hope you also do….Comparisons are due to be there with LAGAAN and TITANIC but these flaws can be ignored.

Lets visit Madharasapattanam and be delighted with its charm!!!!

Aayirathil Oruvan Review

Aayirathil Oruvan Review

Star-casts: Karthi, Andrea, Reema Sen, Parthiban, Prathap Pothan, Azhagam Perumal and others.

Banner: Dream Valley Entertainment

Production: R Ravendran

Direction: Selvaraghavan

Music: G.V. Prakash

For those who acclaimed Selvaraghavan as the most ace screenplay writer and filmmaker, you’ll have to confess your sins…. ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ is a very big disappointment. Sorry to say! Producer Ravendran maybe in a troublesome situation now…. We kindly thank those comments which supported in favor of us. Yes, we have been correct with our presumptions and Selva hasn’t done anything special other than ‘adult factors, semi-nude shots and bad words….’

‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ is a fiction that brings about conflict between the present generations of Chola and Pandian dynasty.

The film opens with a renowned archeologist (Prathap Pothan) found in an isolated land bounded with a nightmarish experience. On the very next day, the newspapers carry news that he’s missing. His only beloved daughter Lavanya (Andrea) an archeologist herself is desolated with the loss. Now, the forest officer Anitha (Reema Sen) with the aid of few ministers and higher police officials embark a journey to unleash the mystery behind archeologist.

They get an aid from local coolies lead by Muthu (Karthi). The trio Muthu-Anitha-Lavanya is into the deep forests along with police official and defense force.

Things are fine and adventurous till they approach the mysterious land where they’re taken into a different world of Chola Kingdom.

Yeah! The descendents of Chola Dynasty still exist ruled by the present king (Parthiban)…

With the running duration of 200mins, we are sure you will regret for expecting a lot from this film. How come the producer was so overconfident after reading the script? Selvaraghavan can be regarded as an arrogant and cocksure filmmaker, who cannot even think about a good concept.

Right throughout the first half, you’ll see dozens of filthy dialogues, guy and gals involved in physical touches. But we can’t understand how come audiences clap and whistle for certain sequences where Karthi pulls down his pants to get injected by Andrea.

Why do these three characters become insane as they enter the land of Chola Dynasty?

You’ll be left with so many questions as you walk out of theatres. Karthi does a best job by keeping us engrossed with his performance right throughout the show. Reema Sen being proclaimed as a descendent of Pandian dynasty is absurd. Selva should’ve tried roping in some Tamil speaking actresses. Andrea hasn’t got any role to perform while Azhagam Perumal is mediocre. Parthiban does nothing exceptionally other than dancing for couple of theme music. Especially watch his dance with Karthi before the penultimate sequences. Selvaraghavan seems to have been more confused in adding and deleting the canned shot during second half.

Songs aren’t really captivating. Except ‘Un Mela Aasadhan’, nothing seems to be good….. Cinematography gets diminished overdosed computer generated graphics. Each and everything in the frame is dominated by DI works. Even most of them tend to be amateurish with high toned grading.

Finally, ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ has no probabilities of surviving at box office more than 4 days. The theatres and multiplexes are lucky to certain extent as they have sold out tickets in advance while other single screens will have to accept the shocking truth – The film is an utter flop.

Bottom – Line: 3 years wait goes in Vain