Nanayam Movie Review

Nanayam Movie Review
Fri, Jan 15, 2010News
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Tamil cinema had seen family sentiments, murder mystery and romantic potboilers but, a seat-edge crime thriller was sorely missed. Capital Film Works seems to have filled the void with ‘Nanayam’. Thanks to producer S P B Charan, debutant director Sakthi K Rajan has managed to come out with a film that is fresh and filled with interesting twists.
The story seems to be inspired heavily on British thriller ‘The Bank Job’ released in 2008. The movie was about a group of men, who plan to rob a bank by digging a tunnel from a restaurant which is few meters away. But fresh colour and apt characterisations make ‘Nanayam’ engross attention all through.
More brainy than brawny, this crime thriller works out well. The pace at which the scenes unfold and the good use of technology especially in cinematography and editing make it count. Rich shades used by cameraman Omprakash and sleek editing by K L Praveen and N B Srikanth give the film a sophisticated feel.
In short the movie is about a young man, who becomes a victim of his own circumstance, helping a gang rob a bank. Does he fall prey to plans of the gang or bail himself out from all troubles forms the crux.
Ravi (Prasanna) lands with a job in Trust Bank, Chennai, after he helps its CEO Vishwanath (S P Balasubrahmanyam), whose valuable documents are robbed from him when he is playing golf at a recreation club in Coimbatore.
Ravi aspires to start his own business, but Vishwanath urges him to work for a while in his bank, gather experience and muster finance before venturing to start independent business. Meanwhile Ravi, who is in-charge of security system in the bank, develops a fool-proof method and urges Vishwanath to declare that his bank operations are safest in the world.
Ravi comes across a journalist Nandhini (Ramya). He falls for her instantly after coming to know that she is a divorcee. When they spend a night in a sea shore, Ravi is attacked by a gang. At the end of the fight, he is knocked down by a firm hit on his head with an iron-rod.
Next morning he wakes up to know that the attacker was Nandhini’s ex-husband. But when he reaches his house, all troubles start. Fareed (Sibiraj), an outlaw informs Ravi that Nandhini’s ex-hubby is killed by him and threatens him with photographs of Ravi bashing him at the beach.
Fareed manages to make Ravi agree for a plan in order to save him from being arrested by the police for committing a murder. He hatches a conspiracy to rob the Trust bank and seeks Ravi’s help. When he resists, he kidnaps Nandhini and threatens to end her life.
Ravi eventually agrees to his plans. Few attempts by Ravi to escape from trouble complicate the whole issue. With no other option, he sits down to draw a blue print and head the mission to rob the bank. As events unfold, he gets shocks after shocks. When Ravi sets out to confess the conspiracy to Vishwanath, he gets another rude shock from him.
Prasanna looks cool, suave and trendy. Thanks to costume designer Vasuki Baskar, Prasanna sports rich suits and colourful attires. He shoulders a major burden with ease in the film. An image make-over for the actor indeed, who seems to have utilised the opportunity well.
Giving him good company is Sibiraj. The young actor has ventured to play a baddie in the movie and fits the role well. However at many places he reminds one of his father’s (Sathyaraj) who played similar roles in his heydays.
Ramya looks cute and charming. However at places when her character demands more performance, she loses out in the race. S P Balasubrahmanyam does a key role. The rest of the cast includes Jasper, Sundar, Jayanth and Vishwanath.
James Vasanathan, who impressed everyone in his previous films, has had an average outing but for the melodious number ‘Nan Pogiren…’, sung by S P Balasubrahmayam and Chitra. Thaman’s brisk background score sets up the momentum.
On the flip side, one wonders why Prasanna develops so much fascination on a girl whom he had met just once. The reasons for their romance are not strongly portrayed. Also the scene where Ramya manages to evade laser lights to open the doors of the safe vault could not be believed.
At the same time, Nanayam is an honest attempt that needs to be appreciated. Sakthi K Rajan has presented an entertainer that is different in colour and content. The movie lives up to its title.

Kutty Movie Review

Kutty Movie Review

Produced by Gemini Film Circuit and directed by Mitran. R. Jawahar Kutty is an average film for all. You just can’t believe the film is directed by the same man who did ‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini’.

Shriya and Sameer Dattani are in the same college and at one point Sameer Dattani coerces Shriya to love him and there enters Dhanush. Dhanush loves Shriya and Shriya loves Sameer. And it’s not a love triangle. It is also not one sided love. Yes, don’t get confused. When Shriya tries to ignore Dhanush, he offers to help her and Sameer. At the same time he also challenges Sameer to save his love and see to that Shriya doesn’t fall for him. Finally when Sameer’s politician father Radha Ravi plans to marry off Sameer to his friend’s daughter the couple run away from home and Danush brings them to his village after fighting a dozen of henchmen on the way. Suddenly Sameer disappears and Dhanush takes care of Shriya until Sameer returns after week with his father after convincing him. They all then return and at the time of marriage Shriya tells Sameer she wants only Kutty. All end there. So why on earth did Dhanush do all that what he did is the rest.

The film was touted to be a campus story but hardly have you felt it. The characters are flat without scope for anything. Even the actors look pale on screen as if the film was in the making for years. It starts off like a Mills & Boon romance but meanders to forgettable settings. Only Dhanush is good with his sense for comedy. Radha Ravi, Vincent Ashokan, Rajalakshmi and Mayilsamy are there but not there. Casting also leaves a lot to be desired. Why the sidekicks of Sameer are like some hired six-feet goons and not college mates? Gundu Arthi tries to provide some comedy at odd places. The turn of events in the film are not convincing and to some extent illogical. Also the film has a Telugu tang throughout.

It is said Kutty is a remake of Telugu film Arya which made Allu Arjun a household name overnight. But for Dhanush who is already a star in his own right this film is like a spoke in the wheel of his continuous good run. Its time to realize Tamil cinema has evolved and people have already started thinking differently long before Kutty.

Music of Devi Sri Prasad sounds improved in film than in isolation. But had the picturisation of the songs been creative they would have been even more memorable. Still Feel My Love is top. Kannu Rendum Rengaratinam which features Meghna Reddy will live a short life at least. The lyric of Thamari in Yaro En Nenjil is a relief.

With a good cast and crew Mithran Jawahar should have tried something better. His earlier film was fresh and that worked. But the storytelling of Kutty is one we have been seeing for years.

Sasikumar dominates norway film fest

Sasikumar dominates norway film fest

The Norway-based Tamil associations, under the aegis of Mr. Vaseegaran Sivalingam’s VN Music Dreams, will organize the Tamil Film Festival in Norway 2010 from 6th to 9th February. Apart from smash hits and critically acclaimed films, the Film Fest will also screen some of the films and short films made by the Tamils living in Norway.

The films that will be screened at the festival are:

Sasikumar’s Subramaniapuram, Pasanga produced by Sasikumar, director Samuthrakani’s Nadodigal starring Sasikumar, Mysskin’s Anjathey and Nandalala, SP Jananathan’s Ee and Peranmai, Sasi’s Poo, Jagannath’s Raman Thediya Seethai and Rasu Madhuravan’s Maayandi Kudumbathar.

The directors will leave for Norway on February 5th to participate at the festival and return on the 10th of February.

Pasanga directors enters into wedlock

Pasanga directors enters into wedlock

Director Pandiraj of ‘Pasanga’ fame is enjoying fame and name for his debut venture that hit the right spot.

As we had it earlier the young filmmaker married Vasanthi (Daughter of Pandiraj’s sister) yesterday in his home town. Pandiraj is from a small village called Virisillai of Pudukottai district. As planned earlier, the marriage took place amidst the blessings of both the families.

On the other hand, Pandiraj is geared-up to launch his next movie soon and has planned to shoot the film with fresh faces in Pudukottai. Hope to see another interesting creation from the creator after a while….

We wish him that his marriage will bring more luck and fortune

Income tax raid at surya and k s ravikumar residence

Income tax raid at surya and k s ravikumar residence

Surya

Officials from the Income Tax department today reportedly raided the houses of actor Suriya and filmmaker K S Ravikumar in Chennai.The most prominent places where the raid is being conducted at present are the residences of film personalities including that of Suriya, Vadivelu, KS Ravi Kumar, producer Gnanavel Raja, Agaram Foundation’s Gnanavel, AR Murugadoss, and owners of Shakthi Masala. Incidentally, Shakthi Masala is closely associated with the Agaram Foundation.

Reports claimed the raids that started in the morning continued till the afternoon. Authorities arrived as teams at Suriya’s residences at T Nagar and Adyar, and K S Ravikumar’s house at T Nagar.

The raids commenced simultaneously at all the places at 7 am, reports added. However, no information was provided on what the authorities found during the raids.

Endhiran music to be released in april

Endhiran music to be released in april

Endhiran is expected to be released during Diwali season. Now it is about the theme music. AR Rahman who is working on Endhiran songs from London has completed the theme music first at the behest of director Shankar. The theme music comes where ever the Robot Rajni appears. Shankar will plan and film the visual sequences based on the music. The story boards for the sequences are being readied at a frantic pace by the team of Shankar.

Apart from its music Endhiran is also is special for its choreography by Prabhu Deva, lyrics by Vairamuthu, art direction by Sabu Cyril and cinematography by Ratnavelu. Another specialty will be the exclusive sound effects crafted by the Oscar winner Resul Pookutty. Pookutty creates the unique metallic sound effects for the Robot charcter.

Other than the Endhiran team there is one more person who very closely following Endhiran developments right from its scratch. That is the chief minister M. Karunanidhi. He had already enquired about the release date to Rajnikanth many times.

With plans perfect Shankar has allotted six months only for the graphics, animation and other special effects. So the release may be pushed little further than previously expected. Our sources tell us the music will rock in April and the film is a Diwali pleasure.

Red Giant Movies acquires Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

Red Giant Movies acquires Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

Gautham Menon isn’t patently an unorthodox filmmaker with immense knowledge over technical arenas, but makes sure that his film is sold out as well. His previous film ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ was produced by Aascar Ravichandran and later got sold out to Dayanidhi Azhagiri of Cloud Nine Productions.

Sources have revealed that the film will be hitting screens on February 19 so as to promote the film via ‘Rahman’ factors after the results of Grammy Awards… At the moment, Gowtham has joined hands with Dayanidhi Azhagiri for the next film starring Ajith Kumar in lead role.