Showing posts with label Vijay Sethupathi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vijay Sethupathi. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Once More Pannaiyarum Padminiyum

Yes, I watched Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, again. And if opportunity strikes, I wouldn't mind watching it once more.

I realized how badly I wrote the last review. To say the least, my attempt to capture my thoughts about the movie was pathetic. But then maybe I was in a hurry and wanted to tell the world what a wonderful movie it was. The last post covered my attachment to a machine, one of the emotions that the movie evoked in me. What I covered very briefly, but should have actually written about, in the earlier post was the love story between the old couple - Pannaiyar and his wife Chellamal.

I must say of all the love stories that I have seen so far two movies have impressed me more than others. Interestingly, both these are about old people in love. When I say impressed, I think the success of a romantic movie to me is when I feel that I should have been the character in the movie. Or to put it differently I want that to happen in my life.

First is Cheeni Kum and, of course, the other is Pannaiyarum Padminiyum. In the first, two unmarried persons fall in love and get married at a rather old age while the latter is the love story of a married-for-long couple. Cheeni Kum is about urbane sophisticated people while Pannaiyarum Padminiyum is story of simpletons in a village. Love is omnipresent, shall we say.

Nothing to take away from Cheeni Kum, if I have to rate the two movies, I would probably end up rating Padminiyum Pannaiyarum a bit higher than R Balki's romantic comedy. Amitabh is heart throb and Tabu beautiful in Cheeni Kum, not to mention the histrionics of Paresh Rawal when he finds that his daughter has fallen for a man who is older than him, Cheeni Kum is "filmy".

On the other hand, Pannaiyarum Padminiyum celebrates reality. The life of common man, the aam aadmi. Tulasi and JP would probably remind you of your parents or an old couple that you know of in your life. There is nothing spectacular about them. In fact, there is nothing spectacular in the movie. It is just plain simple love and affection.

The way they mock each other lovingly, the support and empathy is a treat to watch. The scenes where both pannaiyar and his wife reach out to the driver separately requesting that he somehow teaches car driving is subtle but very heartwarming.  

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum starts where all other love stories usually end - the marriage. And I pray that such be life in my twilight years. 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, Possession

This movie will certainly make into the Best Tamil Movies of all times list. Even if it doesn't, it will remain one of the very best that I have watched.

Is it Vijay Sethupathi who is creating such opportunities or is he leveraging them? Whatever be the case, midst the usual hero-oriented flicks, his movies guarantee that we get to watch a flick where story is the central character.

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum is a beautiful portrayal of life of people set in the "other-India". The India where people may not have access to internet and my blog. It is the story of an old Premier Padmini car, and the lives and emotions of people whose lives it touches. The movie is about our love and possessiveness. Even for inanimate objects! But mostly, it celebrates love.

It reminded me of my obsession with our first washing machine that we bought several years ago. After the installation, I sat in front of the machine for the full cycle of washing which usually lasts for an hour. I was so enamored by the rolling of the drum. I mused at detergent in an upper tray mixing with the water that came from the backside of the machine. I loved watching the tumble of  the drum, and the games that the mix of detergent and water played with the cloths. I waited for the final spinning and the machine coming to a halt. You see with automatic washing machines, one has to wait for sometime before the doors can be opened. Those few minutes of waiting felt like eternity. But that wait was worth it as the doors opened to a heady perfume of washing power in the warm misty air.

Now this went on for sometime before I lost interest and found other things to keep me amused.

In the movie though, the old car keeps bonding people and brings more love. The love story of the old couple intertwined with the car is a treat to watch.

This movie could take you into a nostalgic trip of your own. At the end of the movie, I was in tears. The tears of happiness on having watched a good movie. 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, Local Dreams


Vijay Sethupathi has become some sort of phenomenon in Tamil Cine industry. He has built a reputation for acting in off-beat yet commercially successful movies. While Pizza was a thrilling entertainer, Suddu Kavvum was a brilliant black comedy and Naduvula Konjam Pakatha Kannum was refreshing movie that will ever remain in memory.

So naturally I was keen to watch the movie, though initially dejected by some negative feedback.

Story in short. Hmmm. I am just thinking what the story line was. Makes me think if there was any story or if there were too many.

1. The love story of Sumar Moonji Kumar and Kumudha. The girl spurns all the moves by the guy. An upset father then reaches out to a local goon to teach the guy a lesson.

2. The love story between Balakrishnan and Renu. A sales executive caught between his nagging girl friend and his irritating boss.

These are the main tracks though not necessarily the only important ones. The other parallel tracks are that of a drunkard man whose wife has just announced that she has become pregnant after long years into their marriage. A painter and patti guy (Tamil) gang who have just murdered a thug. Both of them instigated by the thug's wife. Both of them also vying for her attention.

The movie will keep you entertained till the very last. Though movie has an ensemble of cast, in my opinion, Pasupathy as a local goon with diabetic condition was the best. While Sumar Moonji Kumar and Kumudha's father fight, Pasupathy impresses with his performance as someone who gets low sugar. Hilarious!

You will like the movie for its very Chennai flavor (the slum clearance dwellings, TASMAC bars, local goons) or, if you are diabetic like me, you will see the lighter side of low sugar through Pasupathy. I loved it.

Ganesh Happy! (just like Kumudha Happy at the end!) 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Sudu Kavvum, honest lessons




It has never been so good for Tamil movies. Marina, Pizza, Neer Paravai, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanum (NKPK). All relatively low budget movies that have excelled in entertaining. Unlike Alex Pandian sort of movie that have a big stars and bigger budgets with pathetic script and storyline, these movies are very intelligently made.


Vijay Sethupathi seems to be really doing a good job in choosing his movies. After Pizza and NKPK, he is back with Sudu Kavvum. But I must say that he is not the only hero of the movie. Everyone in the movie have been given a chance and none of them have failed.

A group of youngsters join Vijay Sethupathi who runs a kidnapping racket. But he has strict principles of "kednapping".

Then there is an upright Minister who has a wayward son.

Due to an enmity with a Minister, a businessman commissions Vijay and his team to kidnap Minister's son. And then a laugh riot ensues.

The Police Inspector, Vijay's Doctor Rowdy brother, Vijay's girlfriend, and Radha Ravi are as impressive as the others.

But the winner in the movie is the Minister's son. Especially, in the climax scenes where he interacts with Radha Ravi.

The movie is a great dark comedy that portrays the current affairs. Loved it. Kudos to the entire team.