The film doesn’t need an introduction as the original version ‘Magadheera’ turned to be the highest grosser in Telugu film industry and grabbed global attention.  The film wasn’t released in Tamil Nadu as there were huge contestations for bagging the remake rights in Tamil.  It was mentioned that, some of the A-league actors will be part of this film and finally, Allu Aravind goes for the dubbing.  Initially, Red Giant Movies was supposed to release the film and things got out of hand on the spur of moment.

‘Magadheera’ was released before couple of years and much prior to the Tamil version would hit screens, the Home Videos literally started making greater rounds.

SS Rajamouli is far-famed for his outstanding skill of making commercial movies.  His films would usually boast of a serious theme, but narrated in a commercial way that includes ‘Vikramakudu’, which was recently remade in Tamil as ‘Siruthai’.

Maybe the film based on the concept of ‘reincarnation’ is something new to the Telugu industry, but we have seen lot of movies in Kollywood, right from the very old classic movie ‘Nenjam Marapadhillai’.

Set in backdrops of 16th Century, the film opens with a warrior (Ram Charan Teja) and beautiful princess (Kajal Agarwal) seen falling down the steep of Rocky Mountains followed by a sudden transition to the present age.  Ram Charan Teja is reborn as Harsha, an avid biker, who falls in love with a beautiful girl (Kajal Agarwal), but finds that her relative is also behind her.  After a certain extent, these characters realize that they are more connected than they know each other.  The rest of the film is how the characters track down their past and settle down the unsettled business.

On pars with performance, Ram Charan excels in all dimensions, both as a lover boy and in the role of a warrior.  Especially, his performance in dance and stunt sequences are path breaking.  Flawless performance by Ram Charan to have win accolades to have put in hardwork, getting into the skin of the character in elevating the look and feel of the movie.

S.S.  Rajamouli has clearly understood that the script needs a different and unique screenplay and has done it neatly.  Usually, a film of this genre will have a hackneyed structure, but this one proves to be literally different.

The flashback sequences of 16th century are stunning for the art department, cinematography and action sequences.

‘Maaveeran’ is a commercial treat for the audiences and you can watch it.

Banner: Geetha Arts

Production: Allu Aravind

Direction: SS Rajamouli

Star-casts: Ram Charan Teja, Kajal Agarwal, Dev Gill and others

Dialogues: K. Bhagyaraj

Music: MM Keeravani (Maragathamani)

Lots of arrivals from small screens to tinsel town has been happening over the recent point of times.  Especially, the multi-faceted talents aspiring to become filmmakers have been foraying into K-town.  Some have proved to be successful while the others have been trying their luck over and over again.  It has been very illustrious with Abhishek and Naga, who made their first films ‘Kathai’ and ‘Ananthapurathu Veedu’.  Irrespective of the results and the perception by critics, the makers are still swinging with the dreams to strike gold here.  Now, comes actor Venu Aravind, who has huge fans following him for his outstanding performance in small screen series and makes his debut directorial in Kollywood with the film ‘Sabash Sariyaana Potti’.

The basic idea of Venu Aravind is to entertain the audience to the core and he has tried crafting such a tale.  Though, the concept is good at center, things lose its value merely with the lack of intellectual writing.  Having been a part of industry for several years, he should have got a better script in hand.

The film revolves around the relationship and conflicts between a reigning superstar JR (Jayaram) and his ardent buff Gnana Guru (Sriram Karthik).  Gnana Guru a diehard fan of JR, happens to meet his matinee idol during his shooting in their village.  JR encourages Guru to try his luck in film industry as he possesses all traits of becoming a successful actor.  But, things take a turn while Guru is infuriated with JR after knowing his true colors.  But, the protagonist doesn’t lose his hope and tries winning his dreams by participating in a TV show.  But to an unexpected degree, the TV show has Superstar JR as one of the judges.  What happens next is a series of clashes between them and how Gnana Guru wins over the challenge.

The basic story of this film itself is too tedious as it lacks the punch of feel.  Actor Jayaram strives carrying the entire film on his shoulders.  His performance over imitating other actors is done with perfection.  Newcomer Sriram Karthik has taken it as a big chance as the protagonist and tries living to the core of perfection.  The other actors exhibit their average show of acting.  Venu Aravind appearing in dual role is really irking and it shows how amateur a filmmaker proves to be just to showcase his importance.

Musical score by Thamman is okay and rest of the technical department doesn’t give a big stroke.  The first half of the film has some interesting moments while the second half scatters with the lack of proper writing.

On the whole, ‘Sabash Sariyaana Potti’ has an unusual concept, but fails to hold the interests of audiences for its vague writing.

Banner: V R Raghunathan

Direction: Venu Aravind

Star-casts: Jayaram, Sriram Karthik, Sri Ranjani, Delhi Ganesh, Venu Aravind and others

Music: Thamman S

When it comes down to any film from any regional language, especially the South Indian film industry, most of the directors take the role of ‘transgenders’ for evoking laughter.  But, with Tamil Cinema emerging into the changing phase, things are taking a different route now.  Thanks to the trendsetters for their different and commendable approach.  Before few weeks, we have Krish’s ‘Vaanam’ hitting screens in which he had the characterization of ‘Karpuram’.  Though, it was a minimal role, it had a colossal delineation.  Now, it’s director Vijaya Padma making a bold attempt with the film ‘Narthagi’.

The film as known earlier from the tagline revealed that it is all about a transsexual ones.  She has taken it up as a challenge of bringing out the reality in all aspects.  The story is so simple as it revolves around a boy, who suddenly starts feeling womanly.  Though, the film slightly reminiscences of Santhosh Sivan’s ‘Navarasa’ it brings an intellectual thought provoking subject – Difference between Gender and Sex.

There is nothing much to delineate the storyline as it is all about the boy starts feeling girly and how his looks are transformed into a woman during later point of ages.

The act of transformation from a boyish to the girly thing has been very well projected by Vijaya Padma and she manages to change the artist at the right point of time to add perfection.  Though, it has some sort of irrelevance, it doesn’t seem to be a blatant one.

The filmmaker has shown keen interest, over throwing lights into the social and cultural contexts as well.  One of such greatest highlights is why the transsexuals are often dragged into the business as sex-workers.  Vijaya Padma has done a wide-range research that becomes the nitty-gritty element of this subject.  All the actors Kalki, Swathi and Ashwin have done their parts with justice.  Ashwin has made a daring effort of choosing to make his appearance in such a film while most of the young lads want to be a ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ SRK and ‘Alaipayuthey’ Madhavan or ‘Sivaji’ Rajnikanth on their first films.

The day-to-day problems experienced by this cohort are very well depicted and at times wins our sympathy.  Thanks to G.V.  Prakash and Na.  Muthukumar for accepting this project.  They have worked in several mega-budget films and to take up such a project really needs boldness.  Especially, the background score by G.V.  Prakash enhances the visual aspects and keeps the audiences’ attention from getting scattered.

Mark our words! For such films like ‘Narthagi’ to become a blockbuster, it might take hundreds of decades.  If after that ages, if this kind of movies becomes the major success and then remember this! Vijaya Padma will have her name registered in the history of Tamil Cinema for pioneering with ‘Narthagi’.

Production: Punnagai Poovae Geetha

Direction: G Vijaya Padma

Star-casts: Kalki, Swathi, Vivin, Girish Karnad and others

Music: G.V. Prakash

What differentiates Hollywood films from Kollywood? The technical aspects? Definitely not, as the technicians down herein are excelling with their efforts… But then, the difference lies with ‘Novel Adaption’ as most of the Hollywood films are based on novels while in Indian film industry, it’s a far-from act. Though, we find such films made now and then, it’s rare of its kind. Filmmaker Susindran has now attempted with such an endeavor of making a film based on the story written by Sakthi Bhaskaran.

Much alike the other films based in backdrops of village, we find that certain characterizations are little clichés, but only to a certain extent. On the pars, unique characterizations stand out as the major highlight of this film. The other thing that makes the film highlighting is the distinctive narrative structure. With ‘Azhagar Saamiyin Kuthirai’, filmmaker Susindran makes it clear that a film’s success needn’t be defined by the big star-casts and technicians, but by substantial quality.

The film is set in the era of 1982 across the village of Mallayapuram. The villagers strongly believe the ritual practices of having a ‘Thiruvizha’ annually with a belief that it will bring good rainfall and big harvest, so that prosperity persists. The ritual-practice involves God’s deity carried on wooden horse as a part of tradition. Unfortunately, the wooden horse goes missing, it becomes a mess. And all of sudden, a horse arrives in village that results in assumption amongst the villagers that it’s godsend and decide to have it with them. Then comes Azhagar Saamy (Appukutty), claiming that to be his own horse. But, the villagers aren’t willing to give it back, which results in an emotional drama.

Right from his previous movie, director Susindran has been maintaining a decorous way of storytelling process, by keeping the running length crispier. Having handled this film with some new actors and not so familiar ones, it would have become a dull show, if the duration was extended to a longer duration. The performance by all the star-casts deserves special mention as they have lived under the skin of their characterization. Susindran has blended humor and emotions with a panache that keeps audiences engrossed at moments. But the moments become slightly sluggish during second half, but keeps everyone guessing about the climax.

Ilayaraja’s songs and background score offer a significant role in enhancing the visual feel of the film. Cinematography by Theni Eshwar is brilliant and his work for the song ‘Kudhikira’ is worth appreciable.

There are no major minuses in the film, but it may take some more time for appealing to the interests of masses of commercial cinema. But to mark our verdicts, it’s an excellent effort by the entire team.

Banner: Escape Artists Motion Pictures, Cloud Nine Movies

Production: Madan, Dayanidhi Azhagiri

Direction: Susindran

Story: Sakthi Bhaskaran

Star-casts: Appukutty, Saranya Mohan and others

Music: Ilayaraja