Nayanthara in Satyam

Bhuvaneswari is Come Back

Saamida Movie Preview

There could not have been a better or worse time to release this. Religious fervor turning to fanaticism and then terrorism is the main theme of Saamida. Considering the volatility of the theme and the current situation of tensions in the country, the movie might become the eye of a storm. Shot extensively in more than 7 states through the length and breadth of India, reaching as far as the unforgiving terrains of Ladakh, Saamida follows the travails of a young man who tries to put his life back on track after getting lost briefly in fanaticism.

Debutant Semby dons the lead role and such a radically different character is expected to provide him a great start that grabs a few eyeballs in Kollywood. The leading lady Dhanushya too is a debutant. The movie also has Rahasya among others. Written and directed by Vadivudayan, former assistant of Shaji Kailas, Saamida’s camera which is expected to be a highlight having got the opportunity to capture the vastly diverse terrains of India, has been handled by Srinivas Reddy. Music has been composed by Indrajith. The one thing about Saamida that will interest many is its potential to steal the thunder from the hugely expected Naan Kadavul which supposedly handles a similar theme.

Actress Stills

Bommalattam-Bharathi Raja Film

The return of the old master to the Tamil screen after a gap of nearly 6 years. The last time we saw a Bharathiraja movie was perhaps in 2002, it was Kangalaal Kaidhu Sei which marked Priyamani's debut in Kollywood. The movie was a crime based thriller, but contrary to all expectations that Bharathiraja's skills in the genre had generated, the movie had been a huge disappointment. Now, the director returns to the same genre with renewed energy. Will Bommalattam be a throwback to the heydays of Bharathiraja? Set in the backdrop of the film industry, the movie revolves around a director being played by Nana Patekar who will be making his Tamil debut. It is certainly going to be a great experience to watch the intense actor portraying a character crafted by Bharathiraja. Kajal Aggarwal appears as an actress and Arjun plays a tough cop who has the assignment of investigating a murder that has taken place.

Bammalattam has been simultaneously made in Hindi, like the 1980s Sigappu Rojakkal was remade by Bharathiraja. Guess that explains the presence of Nana Patekar who has reportedly handled a character that showcases the blurring of lines between the real and the imaginary. Another interesting fact about Bommalattam is that this was the movie that had to mark Himesh Reshammiya's Kollywood debut instead of Dasavatharam. The composer had scroed for this film much earlier than he had for Dasavatharam. But many factors delayed Bommalattam's progress and it took a rescue act to finish the movie and get it ready for a theatre release. Now, all the uncertainty is over and the movie is ready to hit screens. The only uncertainty looms over whether Bharathiraja has been able to rediscover his magic touch that made him the master of the 80s.

Thozha Movie Stills

Villu Movie Review

Produced by K.Karunamoorthy and C.Arunpandian (‘Aegan’ team), directed by Prabhu Dheva (his second with Vijay after Pokkiri) and starring Vijay, Nayanthara, Prakash Raj (villain?) Vadivelu, Kushboo( item number), Napolean and others. The story appears to be a comedy-cum-action romance! Vijay is sent abroad on a puzzling assignment to eliminate some people, where he meets his love interest (is that why we have the name Villu for him—he is merely an instrument in his boss’s hands?) Is supposed to have been filmed in Italy and India. Music has been provided by the trendy composer Devi Sri Prasad (Santosh Subramaniam) who has tuned a hefty 8 songs! Are Vijay fans in for a treat?

A typical Vijay song, in terms of music, beats and sentiments! Is it the title song? With lines like ‘sattham inri udhavi seynja vazhum podhe sorgam varum--’ you can imagine the rest. Some fine rhythm arrangement we have here and a bit of violin. A miniscule effort from Sarala. Vijay fans are the target here, but haven’t they heard such songs earlier?!

A song that moves somewhat like a nursery rhyme, with simple lyrics and easy rhythm. The song of a love-stricken heart where the hero goes, ‘nee ennai marandhal mattum uyirai viduven’ and everytime he says that, the instruments-mandolin, later the sitar and the sax essay cute notes along. Appears set on Natabairavi scale. Small but nice inputs from live rhythms and the guitar.

A surprise from the young actress Mamta! Strong but nasal voice. Quite a sexy song with somewhat distasteful lyrics. The creative rhythms hijack the whole song and make it foot-tapping. The instrumental piece that goes ‘ma ma ma ga ri ga ma pa --- ga ma ri sa’ keeps up the pace. Is it clarinet that we hear? Hard to tell!

Rough weather for Revathy

It has really been bad days for Revathy from the time she started directing the movie Mitr My Friend. During the shooting of the film somebody robbed the digital lens, which was hired for that movie. She had a tough time settling the amount for the hired digital lens, which was nearly 45 lakhs, just the rent alone.

The movie did not yield the expected box office return though it was a good attempt in her debut direction and it was a pleasurable movie to watch. Now in the meantime misunderstanding has brewed between Suresh Menon and Revathy over the financial loss the movie has left them with. Now they are contemplating about mutual separation without having to go through the accusations couples leash at each other in the family welfare court.