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 →
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 →
30 years of Apoorva Sagodharargal
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 16th of April, 2019 and can be read here: (https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/30-years-apoorva-sagodharargal-why-kamal-haasans-film-unforgettable-100133) Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Kamal Haasan’s blockbuster film – Apoorva Sagodharargal hit the theatres in April 1989, exactly 30 years ago. This was a phase when Kamal, post the success of Nayagan, had started experimenting... Continue Reading →
Looking forward to Shankar 2.0!
Director Shankar’s upcoming film 2.0 we hear, is going to hit the screens finally on the 29th of November, this year. This film featuring none other than the Superstar Rajinikanth has been awaited with bated breath by the director’s fans for quite some time now. That will be a in a long time that a... Continue Reading →
Bringing Carnatic music to mainstream Tamil cinema, the K.Balachander way!
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 9th of July, 2018 - https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bringing-carnatic-music-mainstream-tamil-cinema-k-balachander-way-84430 In one of the most impactful and memorable scenes in the Tamil film Sindhu Bhairavi, the male protagonist, who is a famed Carnatic vocalist, is shown rendering a Telugu kriti ‘Mari Mari Ninne’ in a concert. The assembled audience in... Continue Reading →
Tamil Cinema’s Masssss… trap!
Mouse Trap or Elipathayam is a 1981 Malayalam film directed by one of the most acclaimed film directors of Indian cinema – Adoor Gopalakrishnan. This film is considered as a bench mark for art and probably excruciatingly realistic cinema. Films of this genre though, suffered from poor box office response since they could only cater... Continue Reading →
Agni Natchathiram & the emergence of a Hot Star!
(This piece was written for the news website thenewsminute.com and was first published on the 15th April, 2018 - https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/30-years-ago-star-emerged-agni-natchathiram-story-pc-sreeram-79602) This day, exactly 30 years ago, in the sweltering summer heat, director Mani Ratnam’s stylish flick Agni Natchathiram released. A film which defined “cool” to young boys and girls alike in TN those days. It was an unapologetic... Continue Reading →
