Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi - Kadhal Padam Eduppadhu 'Ippadi'

Movie industry usually follows a trend. Even though 'not following trend' is a formula in current Tamil film industry, we still feel a trend which is NOT taking 'out and out youthful enjoyable love story'. Of course most of the movies are weaved with love thread but no out and out love story. Director Balaji Mohan might not have consciously tried to fill the void. If he had, he might have taken a 'usual' love story and would have got criticism that it was nothing different from 80s or 90s love story. He might have thought of taking a cool movie presenting the current love life and he has hit the target perfectly. Even the advice part of the movie was within limits and catered in a light and digestible manner. Nothing was over-dose. I salute man, what a refreshing and sensible movie!

Cast....Before or after seeing the movie, I couldn't think of any one other than Siddarth and Amala Paul. Siddarth is already a proven actor for these kind of roles. But what has to be even more appreciated is his wise decision to coproduce this movie along with Nirav Shah.

Amala Paul have already made her presence felt through her earlier movies and this movie has made her also a proven actor. From now on, I am rest assured that there is no looking back for her at least for the next few years.

Arjun (role as Siva) is responsible for most of the laugh busters. Thank you man :)

Suresh...Panner pushpangal paiyan ipdi pannikutti aagittengale! sorry no offense meant. Welcome back Suresh! Hoping to see you more in big screen.

Nirav Shah is always good in cinematography and will he let down his own movie. Very fresh and colorful camera work!

Lastly few words about the most important contributor for this movie. It is music director Thaman. I would rate music of this movie as the best of Thaman. On initial hearing, songs were good but were not catchy as his songs used to me. But when we hear them with the movie, wow! The songs have lifted the movie to great level. Good job man.

Overall, don't miss this movie. I am going to see it at least one more time.

Dhoni - Prakashraj Not Out

Every family (especially middle class) has been facing lot of difficulties because of the current education system (fees, tuition, peer pressure) and the difficulties are just increasing day by day along with added burdens due to increase in prices of essential commodities. So this movie is a need of the hour.

Appreciations to the original Marathi movie Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, thanks to Prakashraj as a producer and director for presenting this concept in a very realistic manner and SALUTE to actor Prakashraj for showcasing such a brilliant performance. Scene in which he cries and expresses his grievances in Neeya Naana show is enough to tell about his acting excellence!

Movie revolves around Akash Puri and he has contributed accordingly. Radhika Apte was a treat to watch. Very subtle acting. Others were typical duet movies cast. Nasser was perfect as usual!

There were lip synch issues in some scenes. In the scene where Prakashraj meets CM, the actions (happens in background, need special attention to spot) of surrounding cameraman were school drama kind of amateur. Hope Prakashraj would have noticed them on screen and rectify in his future directions.

Finally comes the anchor of the movie Ilayaraaja. Of course, Prakash Raj is the flashy not out batsman of this movie but it would have not happened without the support batting of Isaignani. Even without giving separate ears to BGM, you will strongly feel how Raaja has elevated some scenes to great levels. Vaangum Panathukkum was pictured so well and synching so much with the movie that it scores better than musically better (in my view) vilayaatta padagotti. Thaavi Thaavi in Raaja's voice is a soul touching number and the same song was even more effective at the end of the movie.

Marina - Collection of Humor, Emotional and few mundane "Scenes"

Marina beach has seen and is seeing so many visitors. There should be no Thamizh film maker who has not been to Marina, still it occurred only in director Pandiraj's mind to make a movie with Marina as base; good thought! May be it is Angadi Theru which gave him the inspiration to make a movie about life of people in a Chennai location. Feel wise, emotional scenes of Marina is somewhat similar to Angadi Theru.

When it comes to Humour, Pandiraj scores high like he scored for Pasanga; laugh busters spread across the movie. He is the best among all in showing the life of 'boys'. He can definitely take Pasanga Series. Sarcasm about modern girls is also shown in a realistic and fun-filled manner through Sivakarthikeyan-Friend of Sivakarthikeyan-Oviya.

Marina doesn't have a story line and that is what which makes it stay away from the league of Pasanga, Angadi Theru etc. Marina boys, beggar thaatha, singer uncle, Sivakarthikeyan-Oviya pair... all have their own stories and good scenes associated with those stories but they were not weaved together properly.

'Pakkada' Pandiyan is the protagonist and he has done a very good job. This guy has a big future in his film career. So are the performances of other boys.

Sivakarthikeyan is not the same as he appears in TV shows. He has done the role perfectly without personal influence. In one of the songs, he looks good in clean shave; some resemblance with Vaibhav Reddy. We  have to wait for '3' release to predict anything about his film career. So far so good! Oviya fits perfect for this 'light'a pasikkudhu' role :)

Cinematography by Vijay is commendable, especially in competition scenes. Few elevated shots of Marina beach would have been great.

Good debut by Music Director Girish. Vanakkam Vaazha vaikkum Chennai is a big hit, even the other songs are good and sink well with the movie. 'Life in Marina' and 'Marina Theme' used as BGMs definitely lifted those scenes.

Overall it is a very good entertainer by Pandiraj.