This piece was written for the News site - The News Minute and was carried on 15th Aug, 2020. It can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/35-years-muthal-mariyathai-why-sivaji-film-bharathiraja-classic-130796 In a scene in the film Muthal Mariyathai, the lead character Malaichami, an aged village chieftain, catches up with Kuyilu, a very young girl who has just recently shifted to the... Continue Reading →
Revisiting Maniratnam’s Anjali after 30 years
(This piece was written for the news portal The News Minute and and was published first on 12th of July, 2020 and here’s the link for the same: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mani-ratnam-s-anjali-30-years-old-and-still-has-power-move-you-128460) Anjali, in my book, may not feature among the top three best films from director Mani Ratnam’s oeuvre. It might not be among the top grossers... Continue Reading →
K.D. (a) Karuppu Durai – My (late) Flash review
K.D. (a) Karuppu Durai is a 2019 Tamil film which I caught on Netflix just today. The film opens inside a small house in a village called Kallupatti in Virudhunagar with a voiceover of an old man. The lines are cheeky and within those few minutes you realise that you are up for some thing... Continue Reading →
A battle of choices – OTT VS Theatres!
(This article was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 28th May, 2020 and can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/adapt-or-perish-why-theatres-must-not-stall-film-releases-online-platforms-125439) On Friday, Ponmagal Vandhal, a Tamil film with Jyotika in the lead and accomplished actors like Parthiban and Bhagyaraj in the cast, will be premiering on Amazon Prime Video. And soon Gulabo Sitabo, a... Continue Reading →
Ponmagal Vandhal – My Review!
Film makers in Tamil, routinely pick up their titles from hit Tamil songs of yore, mainly to keep the title poetic and to touch a familiar nerve with the audience. Relevance of the title to the story is seldom a consideration. J.J.Fredrick, the debutant director of Ponmagal Vandhal makes an exception. The title chosen for... Continue Reading →
20 years of Rajiv Menon’s ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’: Time for a sequel?
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 24th Mar, 2020 and can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/20-years-rajiv-menon-s-kandukondain-kandukondain-time-sequel-123891 Another day, another anniversary of a film release and another hashtag. Amidst this clutter though, few films deserve to be remembered and celebrated. Rajiv Menon’s Kandukondain Kandukondain (KK), which completes 20 years today since its... Continue Reading →
Sillu Karupatti – My (late) Flash review!
I had heard some good feedback on this film when it had released few months ago. I have not seen any previous work of the director of this film ( Halitha Shameem) and had not heard of her either. So, started watching the film without any baggage or expectations. As the film opened, realised it’s... Continue Reading →
Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal – My (late) Flash review!
First up, 2 pre-requisites. If you have to watch the film till the end, you have to keep aside your moral compass. Sit through the 1st 15 mins of the film patiently. If you do the above, you will simply love the film. The film is about this generation and its quest for a kind... Continue Reading →
Remembering Visu – the King of the middle class drama!
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 24th Mar, 2020 and can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/remembering-visu-king-middle-class-family-drama-121034 Well-known playwright, writer, actor, director and talk show host Visu passed away on March 22. Incidentally, it was a day in which the whole of India stayed largely at home, spending time with... Continue Reading →
Darbar – My Flash Review
In a piece (read here) I wrote 2 weeks ago on the pre- release buzz around Darbar, I asked “Is Darrbar going to be a trademark Murugadoss film or once again a fan boy tribute to the Superstar? “ In this review, I will attempt to answer this question. It was important to shut the... Continue Reading →
