UlagaNayagan KAMALHAASAN in ||"PAPANASAM"|| Directed by Jeethu Joseph

"ஒம்ம கடையில டீயத் தவிர ஒன்னும் வேண்டாம்!"
"ஆஹா! சம்முக அண்ணாச்சி! அறிவாளி! சின்னபுள்ளைலேர்ந்து பாத்துட்டுருக்கேன் இந்த லட்ட! ஏலே வாபோம்!"

How different is Papanasam when compared to Drishyam?

JULY 5, 2015 / KARTHIK SUBRAMANIAN
https://chennaikat.files.wordpress.c...pg?w=676&h=451

Spoiler: 

This apple was a bit hard to resist: just how different is the original Drishyam to Papanasam, and how different was Mohanlal’s performance to Kamal’s?

Spoiler: 

(( Spoilers ahead: If you have not seen Papanasam yet, please do so at the theatre first. ))
Many reviewers, recounting purely from their memory, have said Papanasam stays true to the original. Even I wrote that in my blog, but after watching it again just now, I have to say there are more differences that I had originally thought.
1. The screenplay: This is a bit of a surprise. But there are some poignant moments in the first half of Drishyam focussed on the lead pair of George Kutty and Rani (played by Meena) that have been chopped in the Tamil version. A segment that offers some insight into George Kutty’s pysche where he wants his daughters to continue in a local school against the “better English Medium” school that Rani wants is missing in Papanasam. And some exchanges that George Kutty has with his father-in-law, that establishes well his middle class moorings are missing. There is a delightful scene in which George Kutty complains that Rani keeps buying utensils that she never uses. Delhi Ganesh makes just a fleeting appearance as Suyambulingam’s father-in-law.
Also, there is a subtle difference in how Drishyam shows Anju’s attack on Varun. It shows an enraged Anju directly striking at his head. Whereas in Papanasam, Selvi targets his hand but inadvertently ends up striking his head. (This is used as a device in the climax scene, in Suyambulingam’s dialogues.)
But the biggest change in Papanasam is the interval block. In Drishyam, which runs at around 2 hrs 46 mins (15 minutes shorter than Papanasam that clocks 3 hrs 1 min), the interval comes just after the first hour mark, with George Kutty returning home and discovering what had transpired that fateful night. The interval credits appear with him standing near the compost pit. The tone of the movie changes exactly at this point.
But in Papanasam, the interval block is more or less at the mid-point.
It works better in Drishyam, in my opinion, because what happens in the genre-altering second half works better as one continous block.
2. The pacing: Drishyam moves at a much slower pace in the first few minutes especially. This seems to be a deliberate device used by Jeethu Joseph that actually helps build pace through the second half. George Kutty’s introduction is a lot less flamboyant than Suyambulingam’s, and the story itself appears very laidback in the first half. Papanasam, on the other hand, tries to bristle a bit more with its humour.
https://chennaikat.files.wordpress.c...pg?w=676&h=451
3. The performances (of everyone else): Twenty minutes into Drishyam, one thing is very clear. Leaving aside the legends, most actors have put in a much better performance than compared to what we see in Papanasam. Meena is pretty brilliant, and also perhaps benefits from the scripts that allows for a bit more nuance than what at least the end product of Papanasam seems to have allowed Gautami Tadimalla. There are more scenes that establish her as a concerned mother, and she has generally too put out a far better performance.
The antagonist Constable Mahadevan in Drishyam is played by Kalabhavan Shajon, who I gather was a comedian that Jeethu identified to play the role of the villain for the first time. His performance is a lot different than what we get from Kalabhavan Mani in Papanasam. Shajon is not menacing by any stretch, though he does bring out his grudge at George Kutty adequately. It is not an “in your face” kind of performance. Kalabhavan Mani, on the hand, has a very strong body language that oozes brings out a bit of menace even in sequences that just required him to just be a bit more calm.
And one other actor who has scored in Drishyam over his counterpart in Papanasam is the person who plays the tea shop owner (Kozhikode Narayanan Nair, who I have absolutely no idea about). He just seems more at ease than M.S.Baskar in Papanasam.
That said, in Papanasam, Anant Mahadevan has put out a far superior performance to the role portrayed by Siddique in Drishyam. This is especially true in that unforgettable last scene, where he is the perfect foil to Kamal.
And Asha Sarath too has put in a better performance, in my opinion, in Papanasam. It could be because she has already played it twice, and was able to emote better.
https://chennaikat.files.wordpress.c...pg?w=676&h=451
4. Techniques: Though we have the same editor and cinematographer in Ayub Khan and Sujjith Vaasudev, the end product in Papanasam is slightly different. There are far more shots closing in on Suyambulingam’s eyes and it almost feels like the Tamil version was slightly dumbed down in trying to explain the plot points for the audience.
5. Mohanlal vs Kamal: And now to the juicy bit. I wont go into who was better, but just how the two legends had approached it differently.
Mohanlal’s George Kutty and Kamal’s Suyambulingam are poles apart. Both actors have internalised the script well but have approached it from very different points, which probably says a little bit about their preparations for the character of a small town middle class father.
Mohanlal’s George Kutty is a slightly short-tempered man who does not display his emotions easily. He plays it a bit nagging, as one that does not shy away from a fight and is very nearly adamant. George Kutty sheds tears too, but silently almost in a manner that attempts to belie the sense of vulnerability.
Kamal’s Suyambulingam, on the other hand, is all heart, a bit of a romantic and is highly emotional. He cries when watching the black and white Sivaji Ganesan starrer ‘Paasa Malargal’ and in a bit of foreshadowing for what is to follow, says “Paasa Malargal paathu azhaathavalam manushana?” (A person who does not shed tears while watching ‘Paasa Malargal’ is not human.) At this point, the cable TV assistant reiterates the point that Suyambulingam is highly emotional. He says “Neenga Sivaji Ganesan paera potta odaneye azhuthurupeengaley” (“You would have cried as soon as you saw Sivaji Ganesan’s name in the title cards.”)
George Kutty is a man of habit and does not want to be drawn into conversations. At his home, he switches off the lights where they are unnecessary but does not have to say a word. He plays it in a way, where it is almost a natural impulse.
Suyambulingam, on the other hand, is a motor mouth. He necessarily has to point out and speak his mind.
The contrasts are wonderful, and are probably also indicative of some cultural differences. Just studying how these actors have brought out the nuances is almost like a master class in cinema acting.
During the course of their investigation, when the police strikes his family, George Kutty shows more defiance and even tries to take on Constable Mahadevan. But Kamal’s Suyambulingam endures a lot more pain, and this is shown physically as well when Constable Perumal dislodges one of his fingers.
6. THAT LAST SCENE: Where Drishyam and Papanasam are most different from one another is in that incredible last scene.
In Drishyam, George Kutty is both repentant and defiant at the same time. He gives the former IG Geetha Prabakhar and her husband an indirect answer to their question on the fate of Varun and even while he asks for forgiveness, he is not overwhelmed by guilt. His body language is stiff here, almost as if he is frozen. He holds his hands together in a frozen posture, as Geetha Prabhakar and her husband leave.
In Papanasam, Suyambulingam is overwhelmed by guilt and as he makes a more earnest attempt to tell the truth, he loses cohesiveness even while mumbling “ava kai thavari thappu nadathuduthu” (She hit by mistake). (This was facilitated by the change in the screenplay I referred to earlier.) Kamal’s body language takes a different tenor here. He is trembling and shaking, almost like he is begging for forgiveness.
Both Mohanlal and Kamal has made Drishyam and Papanasam one of their career bests, and any discussion on trying to argue which was better will only be a waste of time.

"உங்களுக்கு கேவியஸ் காப்பஸ் தெரியுமா?"

"ஏய் ..கடப்படறத்துக்காரங்க பேரு மாரில்லா இருக்கு ..யாரது"

- ultimate one from Jayamohan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RAGHAVENDRA

கமல் இனி பயணிக்க வேண்டிய பாதை, கமல் இனி பயணிக்க வேண்டிய தூரம், கமல் இனி பயணிக்க வேண்டிய வேகம், அனைத்தையும் பாபநாசம் திட்டவட்டமாகக் கூறிவிட்டது.

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True. Going by his next movie Toongaavanam, looks like another thriller. If he make changes to the script like he did for PN and make it a bit emotional , it may be suiting again.

Not for comparison.. interesting screenshots..
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJSWGmRUYAAhqO2.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJSFswlUwAAtCtG.jpg

One interesting aspect in the post that i last shared is the 'Interval Point'. It comes around 1 hrs 15 min in Drishyam and nearly halfway in Papanasam. It was better in the original because it comes at a point where the audience is left wondering what's gonna happen next.

Some more "Malai" added after knowing abt the success :lol:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJStcdIVAAACQQn.jpg

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Originally Posted by ajaybaskar

One interesting aspect in the post that i last shared is the 'Interval Point'. It comes around 1 hrs 15 min in Drishyam and nearly halfway in Papanasam. It was better in the original because it comes at a point where the audience is left wondering what's gonna happen next.

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Not sure whether it was KH's idea or Director's decision on the interval...

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Originally Posted by Cinemarasigan

Not sure whether it was KH's idea or Director's decision on the interval...

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In Tamil, the film has two equal halves. I guess its the only reason behind that decision to change the interval block

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joe

"உங்களுக்கு கேவியஸ் காப்பஸ் தெரியுமா?"

"ஏய் ..கடப்படறத்துக்காரங்க பேரு மாரில்லா இருக்கு ..யாரது"

- ultimate one from Jayamohan

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:lol: I busted out laughing for this in Theater.. my wife was saying - podhum nirutthunga,, ellaarum ungalayae paakkuranga..

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Originally Posted by cinemarasigan

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/cjsfswluwaatctg.jpg

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பிற்போக்கு சிந்தனை! போட்டானே ஒரு போடு! :d

Did anyone make any connection with the BGM to Game of Thrones title music right after Varun got hit? The part between after he got hit and when the daughter takes her first strike at the phone. This was all in slowmotion. Something made me connect both for some reason.

The movie was brilliant. The first 45 minutes was slow and relaxed and I guess that is needed to establish the type of character Syambulingam is and how he treats family. But after that point, it just steamrolls ahead to that beautiful ending. Kamal was extraordinary, especially in that final scene when he explains to Varun's parents what happened. The trembling, the body language, the eyes, they were all spot on perfect. I had goosebumps watching that scene. Although I had never watched the original, I am sure Mohanlal brought his own trademark into that movie as well. Overally, I enjoyed this so much more than KH's last venture.

ஆனை பாதையிலே வாழை போட்டா அது வந்து திங்காம கூட வந்து விவசாயமடே பார்க்கும்... :d:

For some reasons Cineworld Cinemas had more shows for UV than "papanasam", was really looking forward to watching it on big screen, but late night shows are making it difficult that too on working days ! :| , hope they do not do that for Viswa2 !

Not sure y 21 screens only, actual screen around 80


Tamil film "Papanasam" has done fantastic collection and has topped the business chart in Malaysia as it did not have any competitor there. The Kamal Haasan starrer has collected MYR 233,178 (₹39.15 lakh) from 21 screens at the Malaysia box office in its opening weekend.

'Vishwaroopam 2' will showcase my range as actor: Ananth Mahadevan
IANS | Chennai Jul 07, 2015 03:26 PM IST

Actor-filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan, whose performance in Kamal Haasan-starrer Tamil drama "Papanasam" impressed critics and audiences alike, says his role in upcoming thriller "Vishwaroopam 2" will prove his versatility.

"Post the release of 'Papanasam', everybody has been asking me if I'll do more Tamil films. I'd love to but I'm eagerly looking forward to the release of 'Vishwaroopam 2', in which I play a character with grey shades. It will showcase my range as an actor," Mahadevan told IANS.

"These two roles are two extremes. In 'Vishwaroopam 2', I play a sly, conniving bureaucrat, whereas in 'Papanasam', I'm the father who doesn't know where to look for his missing son. I want audiences to see the different kind of roles I can portray," he said.

Known for his work predominantly in Bollywood, Ananth thanks Kamal for introducing him in southern cinema.

"Kamal is totally responsible for this. Post 'Vishwaroopam 2', he had even offered me a role in 'Uttama Villain', which I couldn't take up because I was busy with another project. And even when 'Papanasam' was offered, I was busy but they were kind enough to adjust the dates for me," he said.

Though "Vishwaroopam 2" was his southern debut, Ananth almost did Mani Ratnam's "Thiruda Thiruda".

"I was signed for the project. They even got my costumes ready, but I don't know why I was replaced by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam at the last minute. Since then, whenever I've met Ratnam, I assured him I'm not a bad actor. I hope he watches 'Papanasam'," he said.

His performance in Jeethu Joseph-directed "Papanasam", a remake of Malayalam blockbuster "Drishyam", has been getting rave reviews.

Some even said he matched Kamal's performance in the climax, which has won Ananth a lot of appreciation from Tamil audiences on social media.

"I'd be lying if I say I'm not on cloud nine. I worked extremely hard for that scene and started preparing my lines even before we started shooting," said Ananth, who doesn't like to be prompted dialogues on sets.

"I was hell bent that I'd not take prompting on the sets. In fact, when my co-stars were being prompted by the assistant directors, I was very disturbed because it was eating into my concentration and focus. Prompting is like going to a church where you're made to repeat everything the pastor says," he said.

But Ananth doesn't like to take full credit for the climax scene and says it was a collaborative effort with Kamal.

"Having an actor like Kamal Haasan in front, emoting in front of him actually helped me. We mutually helped each other to get the best out of us for the scene. If people have felt both matched each other's performance, I think it's because of the wavelength we share," he said.


http://wap.business-standard.com/art...0700630_1.html

offtopic but intresting - list of some Lalettan Hits in other languages http://www.plumeriamovies.com/list-o...hanlal-movies/

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Originally Posted by dell_gt

Not sure y 21 screens only, actual screen around 80


Tamil film "Papanasam" has done fantastic collection and has topped the business chart in Malaysia as it did not have any competitor there. The Kamal Haasan starrer has collected MYR 233,178 (₹39.15 lakh) from 21 screens at the Malaysia box office in its opening weekend.

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as always, only GSC and TGV account for the BO. LFS and others do not reveal.

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Originally Posted by NOV

as always, only GSC and TGV account for the BO. LFS and others do not reveal.

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ooh dint know about that.. LFS :)

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Originally Posted by romio

offtopic but intresting - list of some Lalettan Hits in other languages http://www.plumeriamovies.com/list-o...hanlal-movies/

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wow!!!

Bcinema ‏@BcinemaFrance 32m32 minutes ago
#Papanasam 2nd Week in France Good Responce Running Well !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJUCHUzWcAAbrCU.jpg

#Papanasam worldwide 4 days collection 41 Cr

http://www.boxofficehits.in/collecti...ollection.html …


:clap::clap:

Perth Tamil Movies ‏@PerthTamilMovie 10h10 hours ago
#Papanasam Super Hit in Australia. ONLY Kamal can Pull such a crowd on weekdays Almost Housefull tonight in Sydney.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJSOa6NUsAA6ceM.png

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Originally Posted by dell_gt

'Vishwaroopam 2' will showcase my range as actor: Ananth Mahadevan
http://wap.business-standard.com/art...0700630_1.html

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Good one. But will VR-2 ever happen ? Not sure when Aascar will give a go ahead for it considering his financials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuuX2j14NBg

Sitting pretty .. must have completely recovered initial costs.

Ajay Devgan on par with Mohan Lal and Kamal Hassan :shock: it will turn out to be a comedy show in the Hindi version ....This is not SINGAM or SINGAM 2 !

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Originally Posted by NOV

aayiram success paarththa kalaignanikku success party ellaam thEvai illai.... one thing I am extremely happy about :bow: is that Papanasam carries just his name without any supercilious title. :bow:

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KSR pondror kaadhula poi idha kottunga! ellam avinga pandra attagasam thaan indha peru/title vaikkaradhu, punch dialog vacchu tamil cinemava naaradikkaradhu etc etc

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Originally Posted by Cinemarasigan

Am fine if it is done after 2 weeks or so.. 3rd day / 2nd day party konjam avasarakudukkai I feel.

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what is this comedy? avaru nethhu madhiyam chinna vengaya sambhar sothhoda pisanju saapputtaaraam - as celebration - adhukkum threadla discussion nadakkumaa?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...49800796_o.jpg

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Originally Posted by PARAMASHIVAN

Ajay Devgan on par with Mohan Lal and Kamal Hassan :shock: it will turn out to be a comedy show in the Hindi version ....This is not SINGAM or SINGAM 2 !

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see hum dil de chuke sanam. he is seasoned actor unfortunate enough to be neglected by kingdom of khans

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Originally Posted by PARAMASHIVAN

Ajay Devgan on par with Mohan Lal and Kamal Hassan :shock: it will turn out to be a comedy show in the Hindi version ....This is not SINGAM or SINGAM 2 !

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Ajay Devgan is in no way the same league as KH or ML - absolutely not!

However, having said that, AD is far better than the Ranbirs et al in Bollywood - or for that matter he is better than other biggies in the South!

At least AD has been choosing his projects carefully - he did a fabulous job in Apaharan - he definitely is/was one of the better bets in Bollywood to play such a role - Pankaj Kapur or Naseerudin Shah would have been better fits but considering the age and market factor, AD is a good choice

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Originally Posted by PARAMASHIVAN

Ajay Devgan on par with Mohan Lal and Kamal Hassan :shock: it will turn out to be a comedy show in the Hindi version ....This is not SINGAM or SINGAM 2 !

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Not really Params ... Ajay D. has given some serious roles as well - just not the same league as Kamal and Mohanlal. And dont underestimate hindi audience. Their coverage is much more than Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam/Kannada all put together. The trailer hit about 5 million views about 4 times more than tamil.

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Originally Posted by bill4u

Not really Params ... Ajay D. has given some serious roles as well - just not the same league as Kamal and Mohanlal. And dont underestimate hindi audience. Their coverage is much more than Tamil/Hindi/Telugu/Malayalam/Kannada all put together. The trailer hit about 5 million views about 4 times more than tamil.

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AD is hugely popular in the BIMARU states - plus he is seasoned and far more smarter in his role choices than other biggies in the South..

Yes. He is a reasonably good actor. I would place him between rest of the Khans and Aamir.

Aamir will be a good choice as well .. He did great as an aggrieved dad in Talaash and would do well in this as well.

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Originally Posted by bill4u

Aamir will be a good choice as well .. He did great as an aggrieved dad in Talaash and would do well in this as well.

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Agreed I think Aamir would have been a better choice ...

Ajay Devgan is by no means in the same leage as Lal or KH. Period.

However, he definitely is better than most 'actors' of Bollywood. Omkara still stands as one of my all-time favorites. I think he is more than able to shoulder the Hindi remake, especially since the story seems to be that of a younger couple. Let's wait and see.

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Originally Posted by bill4u

Not really Params ... Ajay D. has given some serious roles as well - just not the same league as Kamal and Mohanlal. And dont underestimate hindi audience. Their coverage is much more than Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam/Kannada all put together. The trailer hit about 5 million views about 4 times more than tamil.

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Ajay has evolved well as a great actor. legend bhagat singh. you should watch the film Zakhm directed by pooja bhat for which he bagged national award.
he is a serious actor , given the role he will excel.

ajay's eyes will speak volumes and so definitely he is the right choice. if not him there is none in bollywood