Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai - Back from Theni

I am not an avid reader (not even an occasional reader). After reading short stories in Tamizh-2 book during school I very rarely read short stories which comes in Dinamani Kadhir on Sundays. But most of them have created some impact in me.

While taking a movie from a novel has difficulties in compressing the complete stuff in a 2:30 hrs movie with the same feel, it is equally (or even more) difficult to make a movie from a short story. There won't be much of story and the film maker should be so creative to improvise on the story and also give the same feel which we get out of reading a short story.

Suseendran has almost succeeded in that conversion. He was able to take us to the place where all those characters were living and make us feel their emotions, life style etc. Short humor in serious scenes was good idea.  But overall, I would say the humor content was not enough. This movie (especially 1st half) had good scope for humor which was not utilized completely. At the same time director compensates for that with so many goosebumps scenes in 2nd half.

Appukutty has given everything possible for this movie. What a dedication man! The scene were he will be beaten by villagers is height of dedication. I think he would have really got hit while taking those scenes. Hats off!

Saranya Mohan is an angel! Though she made her presence felt, her fans like me are little disappointed because she comes in very less number of scenes. Unna laam naal muzhukka paakalam ma ;)

Prabhakaran has done a good job of a rustic village youngster. Advaita as his pair has also done a pretty decent job. She may not be as beautiful as Saranya Mohan but still she looks good.


Other than director, if there 2 people who gave life to this movie, they are none other than cinematographer Theni Eashwar and Isaignani Ilayaraja. Both being natives of Theni definitely has reason for this great output from them in this movie.


Theni Eashwar has set standards for showing Theni. There couldn't be anything better. He made us walk in those narrow streets and muddy hill tracks. I was wondering why Balu Mahendra was praising him so much during audio release function. But the movie explains for that. What a way of showing place and people!

Ilayaraaja is no doubt the greatest composer. "Song *FOR* movie" is something which young music directors are yet to learn from him. Be it the Thiruvizha song or Kuthikkira Kuthikkira Kuthirakutti, see how they blend with the movie. No one feels that they are separate songs. It goes with the flow. And BGM.. Raaja is always Raaja of background score. His oboe usage, guitar warming in title and some part of movies, grand orchestration when Saranya Mohan runs after Appukutty, Silence followed by horror music when Appukutty is beaten by villagers were all awesome and godly!

I don't know if Suseendran has atheistic inclinations or the story itself has it. I understand the justification behind making fun of all the mooda nambikkaigal but I also felt they were over-emphasized and there was too much of preaching . But when it comes to showing characters, he has done it as natural as possible. We definitely get a feel of seeing a Mahendran movie!

In recent releases, after Nandalala, this movie can definitely go into classics category!

Vaanam - An emotional movie after long time

Different characters and all of them merging at the end is kind of new to Thamizh cinema. Director Krish has rightly mixed emotion and action. Nicely conceived theme and well executed.

For the first time, I liked the acting of Simbu :) May be I liked it because he didn't speak much (Avan azhuthi azhuthi pesardha ketta enakku pathikittu varum). His face expressions in hospital scenes are too good. TR a kalaaikkardhu, konjam self mocking, climax shock.. Overall a different Simbu..I also appreciate him for acting in different kind of movies like VTV and Vaanam. But his love is lousy as usual ;). Panathukkaga dhana andha ponna love pandran, apram enna dhideer nu en love true nu oru touching dialogue?

Bharath is stiff as usual. "Who am I Who am I Who am I"  nu guitar strings a lam kadichu thuppiduvan poldrukke :P.....Neither his rough selfishness nor his change as a good human created any impact. So his character along with Vega (nee sobikanna irundha podhe nalla irundhaye ma) and co didn't make movie interesting, rather it slowed it down. His philosophical dialogues didn't make us think but made everyone in theatre laugh.

It is a typical prostitute role by Anushkha. Yes, she has done a good job and of course, she is hot ;) But I don't like the way some portions from Vedham (original Telugu version of this movie) were kept as such. Enna, Anushkha madam? Thamizh rasigargalukkaaga adhayellam thiruppi nadikka maattengalo?

Santhanam is ultimate as usual. Laugh buster in each and every frame he came. Man, you rock!

Prakash Raj, Sonia Agarwal and co were iyyo pavam characters. Prakash Raj konjam over-acting dhan. Paavam. Evlo adichaalum thaangittu indha padathula nallavaraave irukkaru ;)

Saranya and especially that Thaatha were ultimate. If I call this movie as emotional it is because of the acting of Simbu and that Thaatha. Chanceless acting thaatha (Meanwhile what is his name?).

Music by Yuvan: Except for "Vaanam" song all other songs belong to headache category. But his BGM is good, especially the hospital scenes involving Simbu and Saranya.


Though some emotions were over dosage and some actions were not gripping, Simbu's performance and Santhanam's comedy crackers make this a must-watch movie. Finally we leave the theatre with a heavy heart and that itself makes this movie unique.