Sadgati

 Sadgati

1981, Hindi, Television Film, YouTube, IMBD 8/10, Directed By Satyajit Ray

Categorical depiction of untouchability, distinct from the abstract versions we are familiar in the 21st century mediums, that ends with a tone of a sharp cynicism.

Sadgati, meaning deliverance or salvation, based on a short story by Munshi Premchand, is a story of a Tanner Dhukiya (Om Puri) and his wife Jhuria (Smita Patil) who try to invite the Temple priest to fix a date for his adolescent daughter's wedding. The priest extracts hard labor from him in exchange for his visit and Dhukiya who had just recovered from a fever and had nothing to eat that morning, dies while chopping log on the priest's command. The priest is forced to remove the dead body himself, from his backyard, as his neighbors complain of inconvenience to pass the house to fetch water.

The slender Smita patil and the deep rumbling voiced Om Puri valiantly express in their eyes the emotions of the characters of Dhukiya and Jhuria. The character's gullibility are illustrated with just simple gestures like when Jhuria tries to repeat grocery list so she doesn't forget and when the shopkeeper errs in repeating her list, she giggles naively. The helpless life of the down trodden is effortless showcased as she inquires her husband of his giddiness but she has no choice other than standing there looking at the plate of food that her husband leaves back without eating as he had to rush to see the priest.

The suppression is unconsciously outlined through the inability of the low born to defend for themselves in many instances, like when Dhukiya apologies to have entered the house of the priest, when he squats keeping mum without asking for an axe until he had been spoken to and lets himself to be exploited with unfamiliar job of chopping logs.

When Jhuria wails in distress, at the doors of the priest accusing him of exploiting her husband and killing him, none answer her. The subjugation in the name of caste system is reiterated.

When the priest is left with no choice other than removing the corpse of Dhukiya himself as the people refuse to carry, he inhumanely ties a rope to the ankle of the corpse using a stick to lift his limb and drags it to dump it near the skeleton of rotting animals. This act is what the writer contemptuously attributes to in the title - the belief of Salvation (Mokhsa), for Dhukiya, as his dead body is handled by the 'so-called' holy man himself.

Neither an ounce of exaggeration in the emotions nor any exciting events, yet the film translates the intensity which evidently speaks for the modus operandi of the eminent director Satyajit Ray. The story ends with the priest sprinkling holy water on the place where Dhukiya lay dead, leaving the viewers to ponder on what salvation is.

A cringe worthy watch as these caste discrimination hasn't died down and vigorously thrives in many educated households even today. 

Kannum Kannum Kollaiadithal

 Kannum Kannum Kollaiadithal

2020, Tamil, Netflix, 7.7/10 IMDB, Directed by Desingh Periyasamy

An inspiration from the series of the likes - Ocean 11, Money heist and white collar, this tamil entertainer soars high with its gripping screenplay and catchy direction.

A project that was in the pipeline for five long years, and it still stayed fresh when it's released, is indeed commendable. The core plot of the movie is what makes the movie a winner. To keep such an interesting knot under wraps in the season of story-theft, is a task in itself and that deserves a pat on the directorial team's back.

The artists and the producers have patiently backed the project, all because of the uniqiness in the story telling. But does it translate to the screen? That's another humongous task for a debut director Desingh Periyasamy, but he nails it with ease.

The director takes his time to reveal the plot and with the twist in the interval block, the movie takes off creating a new expectation for the second half.

Dulquer and Ritu give a solid performance and so does Rakshan and Niranjani. There is a lag in the first half hour as you try to figure out what the movie is all about and slowly you are taken by a surprise.

The second half gives a different shade for the duo boys. You are rooting for the loot trying to push away the tiny guilt that creeps in you. You tend to convince yourself that it's just a movie.

What do I say about the director turned actor? Gautham Vasudev Menon, rather than his voice overs and small appearance in his own movies, does a full length role in this movie for the first time. There are more accolades for him than the hero himself. He does the DCP Prathap's role with his trademark suave and it's a real treat to watch. He does look a little tiny and not macho enough, but he compromises it with his confidence.

The James Bond kind of car trick(yes, not stunt), does fascinate us, the tamil audience. Making the villan dubious with under world connection out of the blue, shows evidence of hastiness.

But the climax makes it up for all the lag.

Oh My Kadavule

 Oh My Kadavule

2020, Tamil, Zee5, 8.1/10 IMDB, Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu

A near perfect screenplay, makes this light hearted fantasy Romcom, which talks about 'Second Chances' in life, a delightful watch and it does brings it close to your heart with some quality acting by the lead and supporting actors.

Debut director Ashwath Marimuthu, spins a beautiful story on 'second chances' in life, naming the fantasy element as "God's Plan".

Ashok Selvan blossoms in to this seasoned actor, after his noteworthy outing in 2014, 'Thegidi'. Good for him he turned out to be the producer of the movie as well. It shows how much he believed the script and may be the producer quotient made him bring out the best in him, by steering the backdrop of the story to work in his favor.

There is this subliminal message amidst the story line, accrediting Ashok's acting ability, by today's happening director GVM, which psychologically makes you believe he is good at it. No offense there, as he really is a talented actor, no doubt. His animated expressions on lighter scenes, transports us to this school going kid sans responsibility. On contrast, he nails capturing the emotions beautifully in the second half where he finds his true love.

The synchronization between the lead pair, Ashok Selvan and Ritika Singh's characters, and the supporting characters of Vani Bojan and Sha Ra works just right. It stops, where it would become too clumsy, like the regular frowning romcoms.

Ritika, shines just like any of her previous outings. She does remind you of her 'Irudhi Suttru' acting, in the first half and the 'Andavan Kattalai' character in the second half. She does complete justice to the 'childhood friend' character.

Kudos to the director, for not taking it to the immature boy-girl relationships pattern, which we have watched decades back in the Indian movie history, right from Bollywood's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, to our recent tamil flick Comali . The friendship of the trio, Ashok, Ritika and Sha ra, seems to be treated with respect.

Even though one can see that the movie's inspiration comes from director Jeeva's 'Unnale Unnale' and 'Ullam Ketkumae', it's director Gautham Vasudev Menon who gets a credit role before the start of the movie in relevance to the church wedding, drive to Kerala to impress a girl of his 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' flick.

The director is clever enough to have chosen a run of the mill romcom and manipulate it in a style of his own. At some point he does makes you believe, it's a fresh concoction.

His fantasy spin of bringing in Actor Vijay Sethupathi, does work wonders both in cruising through the story as well as surging through box office. Ramesh Thilak bridges the fine line of the dubious 'God' portion, with his distinctive humor sense and makes it blend with the story rather than having a silly note to it.

The one thing I truly love and appreciate about the movie is, every single dialogue of all possible characters, (however weird and mundane they sounded in the first half), had this meticulous repercussions in the 'second chance' portion of the movie. On the flip side, the story becomes predictable after a point but that doesn't affect the pace in anyway, as we start rooting for the lead pair to get together.

I could hear someone sigh, 'If only there were second chances in real life' and I could relate to that myself. That's the true success of the movie I guess. All I could think of while walking out of the theater was, the dialogue, 'Coincidences in life, may be God's Plan'.

Sillu Karupatti

 Sillu Karupatti

2019, Tamil, Netfilx, 8.2/10 IMDB, Directed by Halitha Shameem

All forms of love, narrated so beautifully, paired with some quality performances, flawless screenplay, meticulous direction- making this flick, undoubtedly the best movie of the year 2019, pushing aside all the rock stars.

Kudos to Actor Surya's 2D entertainment for producing the movie and help unearth amazing talents.

4 stories, 4 dimensions of love, 4 different age group lead pair's, tied together to form a beautiful anthology that is so unique to our Tamil industry and with the amount of claps from the audience, you know it's been received well with open arms.

You have a content feel of reading a good collection of short stories. The stories have no common link other than it signifies that 'love' exists in every other person's life around you, may it be a teen rag picker, a cancer patient, a widower or a middle aged father of 3 children.

Each story is a complete movie in itself. The first story resembles the story of Kaka Muttai, but it talks the innocent purest form of love.

The second story is an absolute treat where the love is defined from a matured girl's perception, and simply love the chemistry between the two actors. Manikandan does an amazing job and Nivedhitha steals your heart with her cute definitions of what love is. I bet, whenever I see a cornetto ice cream, I am going to think of what love actually is.

The third story has this old aged widower falling for an unmarried old woman, over their turtle walk. The 'Inji tea with added Dignity' is sure going to stick to your mind forever. The real life 'Krav Maga' instructor and the most handsome Sree ram and the most dignified Leela Samson were an awesome duo to watch.

The best was saved for the last- Samudhrakni and Sunaina, just steal your heart with their 12 years of marriage, 3 children and their ignorance on what real love is. This is the most touchy, hilarious and yet the most fulfilling segment of the short story collection.

The new age 'Alexa' sequence has been replaced in the place of the 'Tape recorder' sequence from the legend director Balachander's, inspiring 'Rail sneham' TV series. (Remember the climax scene. How could we even forget that). Alexa had been given the counselor role and I could hear the lady in back seat proclaim or may be she is sadly complaining that, "Alexa doesn't do all this".

The total credit goes to the director Halitha Shameem. Her sense of humor and perception on Love reflects through the entire movie. Kudos gal.

'Love and Hope' are the motto of movie, so it is for the rest of the world and the ones watching the movie.

This 'Sillu Karupatti' is indeed an organic 'Dessert', that makes the curtain drawing on 2019, a memorable one for every movie goer.

Kaidhi

 Kaidhi

2019, Tamil, Disney Hotstar, 8.5/10 IMBD, Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj

A never heard before, uncanny story-line, backed with foolproof screenplay and adequate thriller elements, making Kaidhi, a complete Diwali Dhamaka for movie lovers, irrespective of the Hero's fan base strength.

Kudos to SR Prabhu for producing an amazing off beat movie, after 'Aruvi', which makes heads turn towards Kollywood talents.

Lokesh Kanagaraj is simply brilliant. His measured screenplay and his finesse in movie making are commendable. His story telling is amazingly cohesive and kindles subtle urges throughout, so as to what happens next.

Can't say Karthi has struck gold choosing this script but he has succeeded in choosing this script knowing very well that the story is the primary hero. His contribution to the movie has taken the solid script to a level higher than the original plan of casting Manzoor Ali Khan.

There is no song sequence or any female lead or any flash back. The story suffices and scores on its own.

On the other hand, the movie would have been a different kind of blockbuster, if Manzoor Ali Khan would have performed like that of Muniskanth from the director's debut venture, Managaram.

I am cautious of not giving much spoilers here. The story is a compilation of happenings in a single night and Karthi is sucked in to this one night roller coaster stint and the story evolves how he takes the lead role in saving lives of top officials.

The opening shot with actor Naren was such a relief. It's always a pleasure to see this actor perform. He merges in to the character and easily fits in to it like a glove. Hoping the actor has some great roles in the years to come.

The camera work is phenomenal and the night capture throughout the movie doesn't ache your eye one bit, as you are too much hooked up to the gripping story.

Dheena is a great comic relief and he pounced on the meaty role to showcase his scope of performance as well. Wishing him the very best.

George Maryan has a phenomenal role of a solo constable who is in charge of the commissioner's office which it's under attack. He just rocks.

You are reminded of Nedunchaalai movie for the lorry chasing sequences, Kurudhi Punal and the recent Megaman for the secret vigilance officer amidst the drug trafficking gang. Surprisingly, actor Ramana who was one of the secret officer in Megaman movie, is one of the gang head in this movie.

How can I not mention the climax of cracking firework of a different kind. George Maryan steals the show by re-checking the user manual of the machine gun.

There are few hiccups like the gang whose 900 odd core worth cocaine is seized all they have is Madurai style sheaths or knives and not a single gun, the hero not bleeding after being punched with knives. But all are microscopic when the big picture soars.

Baby Monica of Raatsasan fame, scores very well and is sure an asset. The anxiety she emotes are a true strength in defying Karthi's character.

On the whole, the credit is shared between the Director and the Producer SR Prabhu and Karthi to give the launch the movie deserves.

Must watch.