Ennai Maatrum Kadhale.. Ennai Maattrum Paadale

Athennamo, sometimes a song just creeps up on you. You feel a connection that is stronger than others. It might be the music, it might be the lyrics or it might be the singer. But it starts with that initial spark of interest. Then by the time you have listened to the song a few times, you start to feel an unusual bond stirring. Before you realise that you are crying over a song, the tears have fallen and your heart is heavy with a musical magic rarely experienced. 

Yennai Mattrum Kadhale is not extraordinary. Its a nice tune that has a nice mix, percussions are well implemented and Sid Sriram is very fresh voice. Something a little new to mainstream Tamil cinema music. Its a good song. But this combination under that helm on Anirudh has blown me out of the water. Like I am in the best mood or the worst, I search for this song to get on track. I think about events happening and this song gets me crying and then I'm fine. Which is a surprise. I mean I generally have Anirudh's albums on my playlist so I wasnt expecting to hate the songs but I certainly didnt think I would cry over a song. Not like I did for Chinmayi and Oru Dheivam Thantha Poove. 

So here is the song. With Thanglish lyrics.

P.S. I am loving this movie and jodi. Someone make another, quick!!

Eega vs Naan Ee

This was bound to happen. I mean how many times have we seen the same film being made in two languages but one taking the bigger piece of the appealing cake. Lets forget how they turn out. Unfortunately for this filmi fanatic, there have been more than one instance where she has been caught between two of her favourite languages. The last two was Veppam and Kadhalil Sodhappuvathu Eppadi taking over Sega and Love Failure. But even if I was determined to not let it get to me, the latest is surely going to take a toll. Veppam was shot in Tamil and dubbed in Telugu but the film somehow appealed more in Tamil. KSY has definitely had some odd scene changes for the Telugu version. 

This may be nonsensical to you my dear reader, but its disheartening peeve for me. In my whacky way, I am looking at the films as my best friend and my lovable brother. You shouldn't need to decide who is better. But when they do, its harsh. They are not all like that. I sat and watched Sagara Sangamam as many times as I watched Salangai Oli. Hello Brother was watched so many times in both languages that I memorised the lines! Get my drift? Well, the latest to fall into the trap is Eega/Naan Ee.

Same poster, same film, same cast/crew but where Naan Ee misses, Eega scores. Dont ask how, or why but this is one film I am dying to watch however, in Telugu first. It might have to do with S.S.Rajamouli, the director, or Nani's voice (he has a dubbing artist for the tamil version) or maybe even the song lyrics (Nene Nani becomes Veesum Velichathil). But Telugu will get first preference for me. How about you?

Kanchana Mini View

So Raagava Lawrence decided to cash in on the sequel season and made Kanchana which is a part 2/episode 2 of Muni. Barring himself in the lead role and Kovai Sarala as his mother, the cast includes a new set of faces including Laxmi Roy, Srimaan, Devadarshini and Sarathkumar. Now its ok to want to do a sequel but what I want to ask is why choose Muni? It wasn't the most successful film he did nor was there much room for a sequel. But its the movie business so what else can I say but here it is. WARNING: Spoiler Alert!!

Taking off from Muni, Raagava is a scardey cat [this time] needs his mother by his side to even go to the bathroom. Unknowingly, he sticks a stump post in a plot of land that is haunted by ghosts and lets it out. From here on weird things start happening in his house at night and his mother and sister-in-law with help of the local swamiyar and his tests(!!!), confirm the ghost is in the house. Soon after Raagava starts acting weird by trying on saris and showering with sandalwood powder [manjal] like a woman. When his family ask why, theyare confronted by the ghosts that inhibits him one of which is Kanchana. Who is Kanchana and the other ghosts and what's their story is the crux.

Forgetting the story and all its scariness, Raagava has acted pretty well. Understandably he has a foundation for the disabled but it does get preachy initially. Otherwise, good show from the milti-talented. Laxmi Roy really needs a a few lessons on movie choice. She's hardly there and is land when she is. Kovai Sarala and Devadharshini bring out the funnies in a loud way. Srimaan is restrained initially but does a better job. Sarathkumar is different but could have been better. The rest are just average.

Techinals done get very far on this one with cinematography just about ok and editing too. Thaman.S is unidentifiable to such a degree that I thought Srikanth Deva had done the work and fallen out with the producers so they took his name off. One piece of advice to Raagava Lawrence. Muni was ok and Kanchana survived but please let vengeful ghost lie.

Ga Ga about Yodha

For all the hungama I've made about Anaganaga O Dheerudu, I'm sure some people think I'm a crazy fan of Siddharth's. But contrary to popular belief, I am sooo not. Well maybe a little ;). But seriously, I don’t know his life history, I don’t know his address, I don’t know his parents' names. Kukka undo kooda theliyudu boss!! However, that doesn't mean he doesn't get the epic fan girl smile. Yes it exists and anyone that is with me when I'm watching movies knows that I have this ridiculous smile that frustrates me no end that comes up when seeing actors I like work their magic.

So here's me writing a little (!!!) piece about the Sidmeister... Nachithe comment cheyava?

Let’s start with me, at the tender age of...well, maybe not tender but I was 19. Very much a yuppie, sitting next to my mum waiting for A.R.Rahman's music to blast on screen since I didn't know a single person from Boys. Shankar is cool but I was there for ARR! So there I sat and when that twin tower line came up, all I could think of was... "This guy should be on a Colgate ad!"... After Maddy, Sid was the only 2000 watt smile I thought apt for the ad. And that’s a compliment really! But even with a crucial character and the only one that gets a girlfriend/wife, Boy did that film make me cringe! The thought may have been noble but damn, it’s called tact, Mr Shankar. You of all people should know that.

Then came Aiyutha Ezhuthu. Here too Sid was pretty good but kind of felt he was overshadowed by Surya and Madhavan. It was about this time mum dropped the bomb on his age (not much, just 25 when I thought he was like 19!!) but it was at that point too, I understood the phrase "Age is nothing but a number”:D Arjun and Meera had my favourite songs to their story and I kept thinking if Sid and Trisha would get together in real life but that’s my fantasy brain coming into the fore.

However there is one thing I must mention. I thought he was cute compared to the others around in TFI but that was about it, even if he was pretty good at acting too. My logic was eye candy was basic necessity seriously lacking at that time for me so it didn't matter much. But yes the first movie I loved to smittens was Nuvvasthanante Nenuvoddantana. Although not because of him... I actually took time to fall in love with the antics of Santhoooosshhh! I did find him adorable but call me crazy; all I could see when he was on screen was Prabhu Deva. Trademarks are hard to disguise or disregard, Siddhu darling. And you hadn't gotten one yet. Or maybe it was that toothy smile on the cover of NVNV DVDs? Meh. Either way, LOVE LOVE LOVE and also eternally grateful to Dil Raju for booking Siddhu to do the film since out of all those films that got me into Telugu, this film played a big part.

Next we have Rang De Basanti. My friend Neha and I have this tradition where we make a day of going to the movies to watch a Hindi film at Fox Studios. We were so crazy we would imagine what it would be like to study at AFTRS [a film school in Sydney] and dream of directing one day. But on one such dream fest, she told me about RDB and showed the poster which had a kind of raavananish design too. Aamir Khan was in it and ARR was music... Meh. Big difference I know but Aamir was ok and ARR had reign on the music, not the film. And then, the other shoe dropped and I realised who was on the right side of Aamir. I squealed so loud, the waiter walked out asking if I was ok. Siddhu Mania began again!

So finally, I acknowledged the awesome actor side of Sid and was re-watching his films like crazy when... BOOM! Bommarillu hit me like a ton of bricks. Ok, I'll admit Chukkalo Chandrudu was a nice film, there were some things that didn't sit right with me and no offence to Sada fans, her casting and role was one of them. I did however; feel Siddhu was repeating himself a bit. But with Bommarillu, any apprehension just fell apart. Have to hand it him though for standing up to powerhouse performer Prakashraj. Seriously, I don’t think anyone could have pulled off the father-son combo better than them. Jayam Ravi tried, but this one is Sid's all the way. And with every viewing, and there were many, the love would grow. I thank god for my cousin's friend who lent me a copy of the film and her patience while I hogged it even after Aata released. Considering there was a drought in Sid-filmville after Aata and all I had was Blood Brothers, I thought I was doing ok.

Now, Koncham Ishtam Koncham Kashtam isn't amazingly different. But when you have Tamannaah, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Prakashraj and Ramya Krishnan involved, dilkhush chesinav, bhaiyya. Not to mention Brahmam darling with his Gachibowli Diwakar act. Hysterics on call for that one. I do have my concerns with the Korean Pop star hairstyle though but this is Sid, so I guess I should trust him. (P.S. This film was pre-glam doll/stylist change era of Tamannaah so she just looks cute and of course, with Sid's antics giving the extra boost of cuteness). I'm going to skip past the forgettable Baava but the village bum/naattu kattai look gets 2 thumbs up from me.

Then Oy! and Striker happened. My life wasn't the same and I'm pretty this is when the fan girl entered into my life. I ranted and raved like  ... well, a raved lunatic. Yuvan. My Yuvan... Saviour of so many films and all-round legend, collaborated with singer Siddharth. For both films! It was like apple pie and choc-chip ice cream with caramel hot sauce for diabetes patient. Sooooo good, it kills. I mean, I've heard him before and I know his singing voice can be heaps fun but Yuvan has always got a different swing to the dime-a-dozen out there. The brain side of me worked while watching both films for the 3rd time and I applauded both films for their attempt. While Oy! was kind of the Sid formula I'd seen before, it changed towards the end. Striker was something I was not prepared for though. I hate seeing my on-screen heroes cry because I will become a crying ball of mess with them. No doubt. So naturally, I require at least a dozen boxes of Kleenex. Through in the critical thinking side of me that sees the energy and performance given, and I may as well be the brand ambassador. Yet, after all of that, I wouldn’t say I turned a blind eye if he did something below average since Baava clearly coudnt be saved.

So what have I gained from plastering all of this on my wall? Well, basic point blank I enjoy his films. He’s the only Siddharth that comes to mind after my dad (work mates call him Sid instead of Sinnappu, that's another post). Anthakanna ekkuga cheppelem, bossu.

Ssshruti Sssensation..

I know I know its been so long but I am still not over this song. Seriously, of all the actresses that have tried their hand at singing, I think Shruti Haasan's collaboration with David Kushner is by far the most unique and rocking song EVER!! No one near the candy floss stuff that others have tried to do. Ok, fine the movie is "beyond words" but the song and the clip for "Beyond the snake" made me feel like it was worth the struggle.

So here you are. Take as squizz at the diva in action..



But its not just this one song that I love. She has an electrifying voice that is so unlike her father's but just as mesmerizing. I have heard some of her work on her Myspace. My personal favourites are Bury Me, Again and Tamil.

Although the clip is little off for my likings love her rendition of Aazma Luck Aazma..



Lets not forget her collaboration with Blaaze in Unnaipol Oruvan for the title track music video.



But I think one of the absolute favourites I have of Shruti singing is this impromptu style rendition of Waqt Ne Kiya. Totally awesome and beautifully sung.

Venky's loss, Vijay's gain

Nuvvu Naaku Nachav was one of the few Venky films that I took time to like. But when I figured out it was remade by Vijay, I actually loved it his version. I liked Vijay at the time so that may have been the reason. But it honesty, it was a well remade film. Scenes were the same but it had an authenticity to it that was appealing. So where Nuvvu Naaku Nachav took some time to grow on me, Vaseegara was instantaneous. Mostly, because I loved the comedy and dialogue of Vijay. So considering I am overdue for a post, I thought the rewatch I am having on old films including Vaseegara warranted a post. This is one of my fav scene and song from Vaseegara.

The only thing that I was annoyed by was the heroine selection for Vijay's film. Somehow Sneha seemed way too plastic for my likings. What's worse is her stylist attempts to dress her like Simran in my other favourite song. WTF?!?!

Idi Chala Hot Guru!

So Ala Modalaindi is out and everyone is going gaga over it. Nandini has rocked the megaphone, Nani and Nithya are awesome on screen and have amazing chemistry. Total class racha! But when everyone has seen the sweet, cute, funny and charming Nani and becoming crazy fan types, original crazy fan nenu? Mass racha kosam waiting. Confused? After making me swoon, think, laugh, cry with his film, Gautham Vasudev Menon with his associates have gone into full blown production and of the 2 films releasing Veppam is one. The film has Karthik Kumar of Kanda Naal Mudhal fame, Bindu Madhavi in what I call her first full length main lead role in Tamil and..... NANI!!!! Expect cheyaledhu kadhu! But if Nani in Tamil is one shock, partner in crime evaro thelusa? Mana Nithya Menone!

So Boss nenu fix aipoyenu.. Veppam is going to scorch the screens. And with Anjana behind the megaphone.. kachithamga this is going to be an important film. Inkenti.. check it out. Sorry its tamil but difference enti? Nani unnaduga. Ensoi!

Rahman Raagam..

If there is anyone that I could never live without, it A.R.Rahman. Kottodu, kottodu. He isn't in my life physically but its still personal. I remember dancing around to Roja's Rukkumani  and falling asleep to Pudhu Vellai Mazhai. I know that it sounds selfish but I was devasted that he started doing Hindi because I wanted him for myself.. :P But of course that was before I learnt the language and thought Rahman is Rahman.. ANY DOUBT!

So check it out boss.. Just a few favourites..

SPB in one of the many sad songs that I loved to cry with..

And then of course the Hindi stuff. Love this song for Udit and Aamir. Rocking combo!! I still remember my brother threatening to smash the CD player coz I put this on soooo much.. :P


Forget Prabhu Deva and Shilpa Shetty in this one, just watch it for Vadivel's expression..

Its amazing how Arvindaswamy acts and looks so good in all of his Mani Ratnam's movies. And Manisha..Wow!!

But it wasn't just Hindi he branched off too. He was doing Telugu way ealier. I was just naive to the fact of dubbed films :P This is one of my fav SPB and Chitra tracks from loong ago.. Gang Master[Sorry no video available so I had to put flowers to the tracks :)]

Now  the clip maybe a bit worrisome but LUV LUV LUV the song to bits. And whats more I've heard it 3 languages!! I miss Soundarya like no other actress but her memory lives on.. 

Inka chala unnai boss. But like I said this is only a few.. Mee suggestions of any?

The Golden Boy ..

There was a time that I didn't think much of Suriya. Never hated, just thought he was very average. But without me realising it he became this adbutham that is the actor SURIYA. Inkenti maatalu.. Take a look at him in all his glory in the commercial wonder, Ayan.

Initially I thought the combo would look weird but now that I've seen the film a few million times, Tamannah looks good with him. But no guesses as to what kind of role. Pretty much standar heroine role.

There is something about Uthama Puthiran

Yeah, its out and I reviewed in but I still think there is something missing from it. Love the chemistry between Dhanush and Genelia. I thought they were sooooo cute.

Sare, Ram chesina film remake chesaru.. but even if its a remake, its just as good. Thank god Vivek didn't copy Brahmi entrirely. Or else that would have fallen flat.

One thing I wish they kept was this song. Ajesh is a winner of Super Singer I believe and this is his debut but its not in the film and looking at the still I think this song was shot for but then cut out. :(

Anyways,  have a listen...

My name is Sura.. My name is?

Mokkai padam, sir.. Lol! Dont ask why, but I have loved SPB Charan for a long time..so any film he is associated with gets my interest. Add the fact he's joined by Shiva. Yappa! Serious face, funny situation.. Total mokkais but great. And with Pushkar Gayathri!! Quarter adichu kuppura padukkra santhosham kudikaranukku. For me its movies..




Ithu pathathunu.. the dialogue kicks it..