Desingu Raja....

 Another movie based on rural comedy from Director Ezhil after Manamkothi Paravai. The casting includes Vemal(previously Vimal), Bindhu Madhavi, Ravi Mariya, Producer Gnanavel, Parota Soori, Singam Puli, Vinu Chakravarthy. The director has again used Soori, Singampuli and Ravi Mariya from his Manamkothi Paravai. Vemal and Bindhu Madhavi make their second on screen appearance following Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga. The story is about the feud between two families of two different villages. The initial few minutes of the movie gave a feel of watching Vamsam directe'd by Pandiraj. But as the story moves, feud between the two families turns into a comedy fight. Idhayakani(Vemal) falls in love with Thamarai(Bindhu Madhavi) who is the daughter his family enemy Gnanavel. Gnanavel is always looking to kill Vemal, as Vemal's grandfather(Vinu Chakravarthy) kills Gnanavel's son. But the main reason for the fight between these families starts with kottapakku(Supari). The story was little confusing for me too, but it took few minutes to regain what is happening over the screen. There is not much to reveal about the story, but if I narrate it, you will probably start abusing me. So, there is nothing much to worry about the screenplay too. The story goes with Vemal and Bindhu Madhavi love and marriage, leading to death of her father, Bindhu and her Chittapa(Ravi Mariya) taking revenge for her father's death. The scene, in which everyone comes to know that Bindhu is pregnant immediately after her wedding, loses to convey what would be the aftermath effects in a family. Also few scenes were abrupt and usual. The second half totally goes into comedy mood which towards the end of the movie irritates the audience sometimes. Vemal's idea of arranging cheergirls in a kabaddi match, to cool his enemies was good. The director lost his flow towards end of the film. It seemed that he somehow wanted to finish the film and hand it over to the producer. But the climax of the movie, will be unpredictable by anyone. Vemal, well known for his village roles in the past did his role with utmost perfection. But next time he must more careful while choosing the script. Bindhu Madhavi, as usual is beautiful and charming. Her natural naughty wits are her good strength. She is getting younger in every of her movie. The movie moves with comedy track of Soori and Singampuli, who are Bindhu Madhavi and Vemal' relatives respectively. Soori with his timing dialogues and body language, makes us feel better while watching the movie. Singampuli with his innocent look and funny gestures helps in moving the scenes that doesn't include Soori. The scenes including these both were crafted with care to cover the audience. Some scenes which includes Soori, Singampuli and Ravi Mariya gets the whole theatre into laughter. Soori and Singampuli single handedly carry the movie on their shoulders. Ravi Mariya, who is shown as villain turns into a comedy villain as the movies goes on. Chams was good too, that he makes the audience to feel about sitting in the theatre. Songs by D.Imman were good, that it doesn't make the audience to move out for a smoke or phone call, which usually happens in movies when songs are not good. Ammadi song by Shreya Ghosal was pleasant to the ears. Folk numbers like Nelavattam sung by Unnikrishnan and Oru ora Paarvai by Balram were entertaining. Yugabarathi's lyrics syncs very well with the film's  phase. Sooraj's camera shows the villages with no taste of urban scent. Especially the temple festival song shows the happenings, which we would have experienced in our village. Overall the film is a total family entertainer, for those who doesn't care that much about the story, but wants to have a full length laughter session.

Thalaivaa - A Genuine Godfather Attempt.

Directed by A.L.Vijay starring Vijay, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj and Santhanam in lead roles, Thalaivaa is another Godfather attempt in Indian Cinema. We've seen many films like Nayagan, Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, Devar Meagan with same characterization. There are even films which failed trying such characters . For instance, Bharat starring Thambiku Indha Orru , in which Prabhu is portrayed in such role. But director A.L.Vijay has clearly given the credits to directors who made such attempts in the past. I agree with A.L.Vijay, because Maniratnam's Nayagan would have been inspired by Maria Puzo's Godfather(but Nayagan story was based on a real life character), Ramagopal Varma's was inspired from Godfather and Nayagan. Such way, Thalaivaa is also an inspired script. No doubt about that. But the director has done justice to the story. The story can be anything, can be adapted from anywhere, but developing a screenplay for the story is a most challenging part. It was amazing to see such a comeback from A.L.Vijay whose previous film Thandavam was a below average one. A.L.Vijay with his experiences from past successful films and lessons from the film which failed, has tried giving a good movie this time. Few scenes on the first half were unnecessary which could have been avoided. The story moves from Australia to Mumbai not with a racy screenplay, but with slow and steady phase, with the effect of giving a drama genre movie. Few scenes were adapted from films like Nayagan and Sarkar. Costume of Sathyataj was created with reference from Sarkar. The flag concept used in "Thalaivaa" song was taken from Sarkar Raj. I don't know why I differ from other critics with the point that first half was slower than the second half.  There were few logical errors in the film, but were no flaws. If we need a mass entertainer tamil movie without logical errors , we should have stopped watching tamil films two decades back. Few dialogues were good. Instance when Vijay asks Udhaya to shoot the guy from browsing centre("Avana kolrathuku engaluku karanam dhan iruku, aana unaku dhan urimai iruku"). Few scenes for the antagonist Abhimanyu Singh were childish. One thing we have to understand is that , this is not a usual actor Vijay movie. This is a different journal. It has to be played this way. Director Vijay has made a genuine attempt. The character he chose were good. Actor Vijay had played such Don roles in the past, which were nasty due to his efforts to establish himself as a mass hero. But thanks that, he changed his acting from Kavalan, which I would say a wiser decision. In Thalaivaa, Vijay has put good efforts, which pays. His performance was calm and shuttle. No heavier and no-sense lunch dialogues, no unnecessary gimmicks. This is a role which every mass hero in Tamil industry would wish to do. It has perfectly Vijay. Amala Paul was beautiful and appealing in the first half. But as a police officer, this was a heavier role for her. Ragini, though comes in the second half and plays major role,  she will a have warm welcome from the south. Sathyaraj played more or  less similar role with his 2012 Telugu movie Mirchi(starting Prabhas and Anuskha). But this kinda performance from him is very rare for Tamil audience. Santhanam apart from his timely dialogue puts in some good performance too. The scene in which Vijay turns into Don was powerful, thanks to G.V.Prakashkumar for his racy "Thalaivaa" song. G.V's background score in few scenes were really good. He also made his on-screen debut in "Vaanganna" song. Na.Muthukumar's lyrics had given boost to the songs. Costumes by Rajendran must be appreciated for sure. Especially costumes for the lead roles in Australia were perfect. Nirav shah's efforts pays as usual. The chasing sequence in the train station involving Udhaya and villains was great. There were no unnecessary shakes and 360° rotation in camera when hero speaks punch dialogue. Thalaivaa with all its plus and minus , is trademark movie in both Vijays' career(A.L.Vijah and actor Vijay). More than a commercial entertainer, this movie is a mass entertainer.