Maharaja - Amazed

Surprised to see a review in Amazon.in...

"Ironically, this book which goes through the ordeal of IAS aspirants has been published at a time when the UPSC has completely overhauled the syllabus of the civil services examination. Nevertheless the book gave me nostalgia in varying degrees. But, I don't know how i would have liked the book had i never been to Old Rajinder Nagar, in that sense, this book targets a niche of niche audience.

In the story the author is highly realistic about the experiences of a student in Old Rajinder Nagar especially the tiffinwalla's food, exorbitant rent and class fees,exam stress, insomnia before prelims, being heated up in an oven during mains etc etc and I feel this stems from the fact that the author, his wife and his elder brother are all civil servants.

The influence of mainstream Tamil Cinema is evident on the author's writing. The "rags to riches" formula has been altered to a "copycat to topper" formula. It makes one ask how the hell is it possible? But the same formula propels one to think "I CAN DO IT TOO" sort of vicarious feeling. In doing this the author has succeeded very well.

Hope he writes more and more books."

Veeram (Guts)

Arcot Road is one of the critical arteries of Chennai that is home to numerous restaurants, showrooms, malls, apartments, hospitals and also to the legendary AVM studios. The cinema history of Madras (includes Tollywood and Kollywood) cannot be complete without AVM. Established around the time our country got free from the wild clutches of the Britishers, AVM is still very much an essential part of the Southern cinema milieu. I had the opportunity to be in the studio floors some years back. It was an experience! But what surprised me yesterday was that right next to the studio entry that is decorated with the famous revolving globe with "AVM Studios" displayed on it, there stands a cinema theatre that reminds me of my hometown. It is the AVM Rajeshwari cinema theatre. This is no multiplex where a tub of popcorn is sold for Rs.150 (or is it more?) or a swanky multi-screen hall where rock gets played even in the toilets. AVM is a place where the tickets are being still sold at Rs.40 (for balcony) and Rs.50 (for box). It appears as if while the vast tracts of land surrounding the Road were busy exploding with growth and forming the contours of Chennai city, this building alone wished and decided to stay back in time. But there is nothing to complain as you can finish your intermission snacks well under Rs.50. (Believe me!) 

So, it was an overall feeling of satisfaction when I left the theatre after Veeram. This movie is definitely better than Arrambam. (2013-Deepavali release of Ajith Kumar) But when you go for a Ajith-Siva movie please do not expect a Schindler's List or Thevar Magan. Director Siva (of Siruthai fame) has handled the script quite deftly. When you have Ajith as the lead, an extended weekend during the release and a project without any fresh story-line, it is very easy to rehash old stunts, sentiments, punch dialogues and comedy sequences - and still expect to turn out a bumper hit and on top of it even strive to find a place in the hall of successful masala directors. But Siva has somehow just about refrained from going the whole hog. He has carefully balanced the script - definitely giving enough occasions for the fans and families to relish but just, just short of churning out a 100% mindless movie. And he has a winner. 

Though I have not seen the other mega Pongal release - Jilla - going by what the fans say, I am confident that this is the judgement that the Jilla team has missed. How much of style and punch-power do die-hard fans want? How much can the overall audience, exposed to Soodhu Kavvum (Nalan Kumarasamy/2013) and Thuppakki (Murugadoss/2012) bear? Any miscalculation on any of the above two most critical questions of a big ticket project can lead to a disaster. In Veeram the director has gauged the pulse well. He just escaped letting loose another candidate in the glorious company of Thalaivaa, Asal, Villu, Sura etc.

But for the climax where on a rain drenched, thunder roaring evening, after multiple stabs and blows Ajith gets back to life, and casually kills all the villains almost single-handedly and living up to our expectations from a true hero saves every member of the heroine's family tree - it has been a show of an intelligent restraint by the director. Be it the change of "get-up" in the second half or the scene where Thala rides a bullock-cart or the truck owner's association elections that reminds of the auction sequence in Annamalai (Suresh Krissna/1992) - the director has wisely capitalised on Ajith's star power. And it has worked. Having witnessed hardcore fans' response on the Day-2 of the movie, I might be a little biased. But I saw Arambam on Day-1 - in a similar setting and not in a multiplex that serves snacks at the seats. I know this is going to be a bigger hit. (Am I joining the list of die-hard Ajith fans? I have been watching Thala movies on Day 1 or 2.)

(Photo: Not a political rally, but thala fans after the show)

As usual the heroine does not have any role in this movie too. Santhanam, Thambi Ramaiah, Ramesh Kanna and team have done a neat work. Nasser has played his part well - it should not have been a problem as he has done similar roles in dozens of films. It is high time we had used more of his talent. One more Kuruthipunal (P.C.Sreeram/1995) please! There are only two songs in the first half and - that is the best part of music. (Really!) In fact, it was a welcome relief that the makers did not give more chances for the crowd to go out and have fag before the interval. Actions sequences, especially the train stunt, are quite okay though not extraordinary. 

The script is the real winner - not for any novel way of presenting an old story or packing the screen with cherishable twists - but for making sure that while Thala fanatics have enough reasons to remove their shirts and run to the screen, the family audience as well have ample scope to laugh, cry and enjoy and more importantly - walk out of the theatres without sulking over the wasted time and money. Of course, full marks to Ajith too for not disappointing his fans. After a long time he has shunned his set of imported suits and blazers and rather has settled for a simple set of white shirt and dhoti - yet he is magnetic. I feel sad for having missed the opening few minutes of the movie. Knowing that AVM is known for its punctuality we reached the hall a full five minutes prior to the 9 AM show. But alas, I missed the intro scene. The projectionist had started the show a few minutes early without knowing that I too would join the crowd. But missing the intro was not a real disappointment as Veeram has many "intros" of Ajith in slow-motions. (Yes!) But what I really missed was another specialty of this theatre - oddly for an old-world cinema hall, here too they play national anthem before the shows.