The release of Coolie coincided with 50 years of Rajinikanth in cinema. As the title credits roll, an animated sequence showcasing some of Rajini’s best roles flashes before us. This segment, which lasts about a minute, is very well made and takes us on a nostalgic journey through Rajinikanth’s iconic work, which has made him... Continue Reading →
50 Years of Rajinikanth: Seven Pivotal Films in Superstar’s career
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on August 13, 2025, and can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/mullum-malarum-to-kabali-seven-pivotal-films-in-rajinikanths-50-year-career ) For film buffs, August 15 this year marks an important milestone. It will be 50 years since Rajinikanth literally ‘gatecrashed’ the world of cinema in K Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal. 50 years – let that... Continue Reading →
Meiyazhagan – My Flash Review!
There are movies that have a few scenes that evoke a bit of nostalgia. What if the entire stretch of a movie is about taking you on a nostalgic trip? You get a film like Meiyazhagan, directed by C. Premkumar whose earlier film 96 was also in a similar template. I couldn’t relate so much... Continue Reading →
Holi Hai…. in Tamil Films!
The iconic ‘Rang barse bheege chunarwali rang barse’ song from the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Silsila is usually on top of any playlist during Holi celebrations. Then there’s the ‘Holi ke din’ song from Sholay, which also rings loud on “Holi-Day”. And one cannot forget Gabbar Singh’s legendary “Holi kab hai?” line from the same film. Holi has been... Continue Reading →
Vinodhaya Sitham – My Flash Review!
The title phrase Vinodhaya Sitham seemed familiar when I heard it first but, could not place it immediately. Then it dawned upon me that Vinodaya Chittam is a phrase in the Sanskrit shloka – ‘Bhaja Govindam’. But here, the title Vinodhaya Sitham meaning “Strange desire/will” in Tamil is based upon a Tamil play with the... Continue Reading →
Ilaiyaraaja – The Marathon Maestro!
This piece was written for the News site – The News Minute and was carried on the 2nd Jun, 2021. It can be read here: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/happy-birthday-maestro-ilaiyaraaja-still-king-tamil-music-149943 If you are active on social media discussions relating to the south, you wouldn’t have missed the teaser of the upcoming Divya Pasurams by Ilaiyaraaja. This is Ilaiyaraaja’s latest initiative... Continue Reading →
Master – My Flash Review!
First of all, it was a pleasant surprise to see Master dropping on Amazon Prime video within just 15 days of its mega theatrical release! Having skipped it in theatres, I caught up with it on OTT in two sittings between yesterday and today. Yes, the film is 3 hours long and finishing it one... Continue Reading →
35 Years of Muthal Mariyathai!
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 →
K.Balachander at 90! Avar Oru Thodarkathai!
(This piece was written for the news portal The News Minute and and was published first on 9th of July, 2020 and here's the link for the same: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/k-balachander-90-why-directors-films-still-appeal-women-128265) Back in the ‘70s, in my middle class household of five members, the only person who would watch movies was my mother. She would do that... 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 →
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