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Plum,Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
Film getting released here in Chennai tomorrow. Only Tamil version is getting released. It seems that they have trimmed 30 minutes of the film making it as 2hrs 45 mins. Not sure how that is going to shape out. Let's see.
Regards
From IR forums, aalamadangala song is getting cut, which is not a problem, though even in the oiginal I would have loved it if the moplahs had been given more than the bit piece role they get here.
Shouldn't they have released the mallu version earlier - because non-mallus are unlikely to go for the mallu version even if it is released first whereas those who want to watch in mallu might go for the tamil version because of impatience?
Plum,
Pazhasi Raja release got postponed by one week. It is expected on 20th only. Testing the patience.
Meanwhile Mammoootty's two other films have also not come here so far. Jayaraj'a critically acclaimed Loud Speaker and Kerala Cafe [10 short movies in one film] are the ones.
He is having two more releases this year. Next week Ranjit directed "Paleri Manickam - Pathiraa Kolabaathakam" is hitting the screens.[Paleri is the name of the village and Manickam is a woman's name]. Based on a real incident, this was the first case of crime against woman in first communist ruled state that took place in 1957, but which was hushed up. Now a person working for Special Investigating Team who is settled in Delhi but who has roots in the same village comes to investigate it in 2009, after 52 years. Mammootty not only plays the SIT officer but also as a old man in flash back for which he had shaved his mush after so many years. This old man get up has not been given to Press so far. Surprising for an industry where the the story writer and director narrate the entire story of every film even before it goes to floors.
The second one is "Chattambi Nadu" which is being directed by Shafi. Though a masala flick, here Mammooty plays a role called Vijayendra Mallaiyaa, a Don by profession. Here he speaks Malayalam with a Kannada accent. Set for release during Christmas, they call it as Festival mood film implying it would be a mass entertainer.
It is amazing and worth emulating that how even within the commercial framework they try different genres.
After completing the above film and also finishing his Tamil Malayalam bilingual Vande Maataram, Mammootty has started shooting for Shaji Kailas directed "Drona" where he again plays a very different character. More of it later.
Plum, you were telling NOV that NT fans would love Mammootty's style and you had quoted me there. Absolutely true and one more reason is, see he is not worried about the no of releases, proper gap between two releases and doesn't interfere in the release dates etc. Any actor who had given a such a mammooth film like Pazhasi Raja would have put a big break on his next release. But he is having two releases even before the film rus 35 days. Great !
Regards
Murali, I had all these things in mind when I said that. Not only that, I guess shooting for pazhassi raja might have been juxtaposed with all these films' shooting. This is another NT trait, isn't it? I was flabbergasted when you mentioned a few movies of nt that were simultaneously shot - one historical, and others a range of characters - don't remember which ones but it was unimaginable. Methad acting blah blah - what do you call this? Kaalaila kattabomman, madhiyam paasa mala, nightla galatta kalyanam(movies given fo example sake not as a real life example) - is this even thinkable by aallywood stalwarts ?
Plum,
Loud Speaker has released in Mumbai. Try to catch it. You would like it. The schedule is
Big Cinemas city mall - for 5 days from this Friday
Big Cinemas wadala - for 6 days from this Friday
Big Cinemas vashi - for 5 days from this Friday
Big Cinemas chinchwad - for 5 days from this Friday
Big Cinemas khargar - for 6 days from this Friday
Big Cinemas Goregaon - this Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Regards
Murali, Thanks for the information. Looks like I missed it. Impossible during weekdays. And the coming weekend, I'll probably be in Chennai on work.
Here are some snaps from this movie which is getting released next week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
http://www.mammootty.com/web/photos/...7f2e6d7c17.jpg
http://www.mammootty.com/web/photos/...7ef60d27a4.jpg
http://www.mammootty.com/web/photos/...d3a51b381d.jpg
Regards
Kutty Srank:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/11/27/s...2750980100.htm
Pazhassi Raja:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/11/27/s...2750580200.htm
Snaps and posters of the above mentioned movie to be released on Dec 24th.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
http://i47.tinypic.com/50pam9.jpg
http://metromatinee.com/movies/image...binadu3968.jpg
http://www.mammootty.com/web/photos/...84c9877ff8.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/mt3rm8.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/10gae4g.jpg
Regards
The film has been released and has earned a very good report. Pasting here some of the reviews.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
Palery Maanikyam - Renjith proves dependable in ‘Palery…’
IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, December 08, 2009]
After directing some good films like Thirakkatha and Kaiyoppu, and conceiving a world class project like ‘Kerala Café’, Ranjith is back with yet another film with a niche subject titled ‘Palery Maanikyam:Ouu Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha’. A movie that hardly have any prototype in India, this extremely rare kind of movie is structured to be an intriguing, textured, moody and exceedingly well crafted suspense drama.
The movie that thrills and amuse a learned audience also showcase the passion for intense acting of its superstar lead actor Mammootty, and off course, a bunch of freshers and theater artists who debut through the film. Easily providing what the serious fans of the quirky actor had requested, the movie also succeeds in preserving the quintessential Mammootty in another role.
The movie with a narrative that spans for around fifty years, have a fable like tenderness that runs through the whole narratives. Based on writer T P Rajeevan’s celebrated novel, this investigative thriller (a closest of the name of the genre, that we can attribute) has Mammootty as Haridas, a Delhi based private detective who with his closest friend Sarayu (Gowri Munjal) comes to Palery to clear off the mystery behind the murder of Maanikyam (Mythili), that happened in 1957. Apart from being the first organised murder of a woman in newly formed state of Kerala, it also had certain links with the investigator, which if unveiled now will act as a spoilsport.
Maanikyam was killed on the eleventh day of her marriage with Pokkan, the only dumb son of Cheeru. (Swetha Menon). Major suspicion fell on Murikkumkunnath Ahamed Haji (Mammootty again) a rich, landlord who ruled the area with the help of locally powerful communists and his henchmen. A staunch womanizer who hardly cared for anyone's emotions, Haji was cruel to his poor peasants who worked for him. Haridas who ran far and wide assembling parts of the whole incident, still finds that some curious missing links were still there to fill the actual story.
The movie is narrated through the viewpoint of Haridas. There are many turns in this carefully laid out mature narratives that emerge in subtle fashion, as the film progresses smoothly, even if a tad slowly in the middle. Interspersed with flashbacks depicting periodic backdrops, the film is languorously paced but is still gripping, with some good writing and superb, sharp dialogues from Renjith. Some of the lines, especially the ones mouthed by the Haji are extremely witty and elicit chuckles.
The other highlights of the movie are the awesome and neatly framed cinematography by Manoj Pillai capturing the greenery and brownish tones of the period. The historical recreation by Murugan Kattakada creates a whole world of its own and gives the film much of its great character. The background score by Biji Pal and Sharath, the off repeated title song of the movie and seamless editing by Vijay Shankar are also perfectly complement to the mood of the film.
Mammootty shines in what is another brave acting choice by the veteran actor, who gives a meticulous appearance in all the characters that he depicts in the flick. After some good work in ‘Pazhassi Raja’ this film allows Mammootty to truly come into his own strengths. Restrained, real and totally in the skin of his various characters, the movie will be showcased in his list of the bests. Swetha Menon as Cheeru also display the immense talent of the actress who was mostly seen as a glamour gal in the industry, till recently. A bunch of fresh faces act their heart out in most of the scenes, though very few shots still shows their inclination into dramatic proceedings. Mythily and Gowri Munjal appear pretty and just remain to the demands of their roles.
After ‘Pazhassi Raja’ and ‘Neelathamara’, ‘Palery Maanikyam:Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha’ is one movie that is sure to enter the best list of connoisseurs of good cinema. Definitely advised for all, who love good, meaningful cinema
REDIFF REVIEW BY PARESH C PALICHA
Very rarely does a film satisfy our expectations. But director Ranjith's latest Malayalam film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha does.
The film is near perfect with minor ignorable blemishes. It is based on T P Rajeevan's novel of the same name. It tells the story of a private detective, who returns to his birthplace to solve a murder mystery that occurred on the same night he was born.
Dectective Haridas (Mammootty) takes up a case just to satisfy his curiosity, not to find or punish the culprit, as all the suspects in the case are dead. His purpose, which seems vague in the beginning, achieves clarity only halfway through the story.
He brings along a criminologist Sarayu (Gowri Munjal to assist him, and they have an extra-marital affair. So even his motive is suspect in the beginning; it seems as if he is only interested in having a good time with his mistress in the verdant locales of Paleri. But he peals the mystery layer by layer, fighting roadblocks at every turn.
A plethora of characters make their entries and exits without giving the viewer any inkling as to where the story is headed. But every loose end is perfectly tied up in the end.
Even if the story does not incite you, the bewitching visuals will -- the faded look of the flashbacks and bright greenery of the present. Cinematographer Manoj Pillai proves that he is one of best young talents of the country.
Mammootty's performance in multiple getups may seem to be ego massaging for the star. But by the climax, we understand that it's an absolute necessity.
Among the other cast, Sreenivasan -- in a small role -- leaves a strong impact on the minds of the viewers. Siddique is his usual self, who does not have anything to experiment with.
Shweta Menon is oomphy while newcomer Mythili does not have enough screen time but she leaves an impression.
On the whole, Ranjith's take on the first recorded case of sexual harassment in the state is rich visually as well as in content.
Rediff Rating: 3.5/5
NOWRUNNING REVIEW ...........
By VN Mon, 07 Dec 2009
There are not many instances when a meaningful work in literature gains a greater magnitude when it traverses across art forms. The challenges that T P Rajeevan's novel Palery Manickyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha poses before a film maker who endeavours to adapt it to the silver screen are tremendous.
The year is 1957 and with the state witness to a political upheaval, a twenty year old girl is found hanging in front of her hut in a small hamlet by the name of Palery in North Kerala. Several decades after the accused have been let off scot-free by a local court, a private detective (Mammootty) and a crime analyst (Gauri Manjal) join hands to probe into the crime again.
Palery Manickyam offers an extremely complex narrative and time and again the writer forcefully drags us back to where we had started off. The entire process is as cumbersome to the reader or in this particular case the viewer, as it is for the chief protagonist. However the desire to get to the bottom of it all outweighs the lingering pessimism and we hang on right till the end, with certainly no hope that the answers that we seek are round the corner or that the mystery that perplexes us beyond our wits would unfurl ever so gradually before us.
Ranjith is a dynamic director in that he has continually broken down the rusty conventions that have almost corroded the core of Malayalam cinema. For one, the frankness that pervades this film of his is almost foreign to the average viewer. I am sure this candour might be interpreted in several ways by the torch bearers of morality; perhaps as brazenness, or as apathy, as an imposed disregard for norms or even as pseudo intellectualism. Alternatively it could plainly mean a refreshing audacity that never for a moment bows down before conformist expectations.
Haridas for instance, shares a few days of his life and a bed with Sarayu, and they together embark on this strange expedition to get to the bottom of the Manickyam murder. It doesn't really impede them that they happen to lead distinct lives or that they have been apart for a while. Hari does talk about his family, and so does Sarayu who talks of Gautham who has almost vanished from her life. Yet, they are together for the moment for a purpose, with no questions raised and no answers demanded.
The air permeates with the smell of raw sex throughout. In easily one of the most striking scenes of seduction in recent times, Cheeru (Shwetha Menon) lets go of her hesitation and succumbs before Ahmed Haji (Mammootty), hopelessly charmed by his authority. She soon has the village men dancing to her whims after her husband passes away. Years later, Haji roams about with an insatiable libido, Cheeru stands on the threshold of a new life beyond sex. And Manickyam with dreams writ large on her eyes gets brutally raped and murdered.
Or there is S K Pallippuram, that remarkable actor who had staged a drama the night Manickyam was murdered. We see him in a drunken stupor the first time, vehemently verbal and downright blunt. The second time though, he has mellowed down a bit, and almost offers an apology for all that he had said.
Rajeevan is at his best when he cautiously crafts each of his characters paying utmost attention to the finest details, whether it be K P Hamsa, the Communist leader who refuses to reveal that dark secret that he houses within, or Keshavan who loudly proclaims that he is neither a believer nor a communist, but just a hairdresser. The writer fuses a crisp social commentary with several sub levels of multi character analyses in this dark tale.
The episodic and not always linear script effortlessly merges with the visual sense of the director to create a magical imagery of sorts. The night of the murder as the whole village scurries to watch the drama being staged, Haridas walks towards us brushing shoulders with them, talking to us about Manickyam who has been left alone. A few scenes later, as Manickyam's corpse is being carried away across the river for autopsy, we get to see another canoe heading towards the shore, with a beaming Manickyam beside her groom all eager to start her new life at Palery, barely ten days back.
Palery Manickyam could easily boast of its remarkable cast that has none of the big names in business, barring a few. The film brings to the forefront a bevy of real talented actors from theatre, and resourcefully draws out astonishing performances from all of them. Leading this cast is none other than Mammootty himself who puts in a hypnotic act as Ahmed Haji, yet another pitch perfect feat from the actor this year. Equally proficient is the incomparable Shwetha Menon who is gradually carving a niche for herself with daring performances in markedly different films.
Ranjith's Manickyam is a rarity of a film that exceeds expectations and offers a psychedelic high for the viewer. There would be no surprise if it ignites some sort of a controversy for the boldness that it displays. For the discerning viewer though, this might perhaps be one of the best films to have come out this year.
I would refuse to attribute the art house flavour to it. Rather, it's an uncompromising film that grabs you by your throat and simply refuses to let go.
Seems to be very interesting.
Regards
MS, Pazhassi Raja paarthAcha?
See the thread Film that you last saw in Tamil films section.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
Regards
CBI Diary kurippu ..... fifth time :mrgreen:
It's an interesting movie, well-taken. The only irritable part for me was the BGM. (It was even more in focus when I recently watched on dvd).Quote:
Originally Posted by bingleguy
I don't remember the composer, possibly Shyam. Shyam was so good in songs but very poor in BGM in almost every movie of his I've seen.
Plum,
Paleri Maickyam is releasing in at least 6 theaters in Mumbai this week - 4 in Big cinemas, 2 in PVR. If possible go for it.
App,
You know something? that music [CBI] was a craze among the people even when the fourth part got released. I have even seen people [Kerlaites] having that as the ring tone here in Chennai.
Regards
:shock: is it ? not completely but atleast that one piece of music that comes up when he is deep on the investigation is a good piece ... i feel atleast ...Quote:
Originally Posted by app_engine
MS, thx for the PR review.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
indha vaaram mumbai-la illa. and adutha vaaram too.
Vinodayathra
Typical Sathyan Anthikkad. . For an ordinary family sentiment movie, the amount of tightness in the script, the remarkable restraint in showing the devastating personal situations that the characters face, and the practical, believable way they handle it, all these stand out.
Raja and Jasmine rule. I tell you, Mary 'Meera Jasmine' Joseph is a wasted talent in Indian cinema.
Azhaga sonnenga Plum. Idhae feelings dhan enakum...Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
simple and true dialogues... natural acting...( Cinema thanam illadha expressions , acting.....)
Father irandha pona nerathil, Hero kite(Dilip?) Meera vin expression is excellent. ( Veetu porupai yetru konda oru pennin sogam - Nalla express seidhu irupa. Hero kite oru support ai expect pannum Expression......Very Nice...)
I quite agree with you Plum ... yet another feat or hers was the movie PerumazhakAlam .... she portrays as a muslim - wife of convicted Dilip - who serves term in jail ... she has to get maapu (forgiveness) from Kavya Madhavan - a brahmin gal - wife of Vineet who gets murdered in some country ... you could see a very good piece of Meera Jasmine .... one good movie ...Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
Yes, Usha, nInga sonna andha scene and frame - Meera is absolutely fantastic - even in Malayalam Cinema where standards of acting are high, she stands out. That moment where she loses the one person in the world who loves her unconditionally and more than anyone else - even her mother treats her and her errant sister equally - and being the strong, proud person she is, the way she tries to be strong in front of Dileep(Dileep it is) but eventually the way that one expression conveys everything - the gamut of expressions she runs through...Quote:
Originally Posted by tvsankar
It is easy to call something realistic acting as we would of this - but I bite my tongue when I realise that how do I know? I havent seen anyone in such a situation yet I know seeing this frame that this is as real as it can get in acting. That is the power of great acting.
(nInga sonnA maadhiri, someone who actually went through it will empathise even more.)
There is another moment, which I had observed before in IR Forums while discussing Kaiyethu. In the lead-up to the song, Murali casually mentions that he wants to frolic in the rain because "who knows if I will see another rainy season". You should watch the frame that follows, a close-up of Jasmine. It lasts about 5 seconds, but the expression that she conjures up, the genuine shock, sadness and fear that runs through her eyes - simply well you up.
Perumazhakaalam runs on empty gas(script) for most of its run-time, and depends solely on Jasmine, and to a lesser extent, Kavya Madhavan. At places, I found it a little too melodramatical, and the characters seemed to be (especially Kavya's relatives) reacting in such a way as to set-up the final set-pieces for showcasing Meera/Kavya's acting chops. However, Jasmine excels as usual.Quote:
Originally Posted by bingleguy
The pinnacle, however, even for this supremely gifted actress must be Kasthoorimaan and orE kadal.
(I'd request Murali Srinivas to write about orE kadal - I am sure he must have watched it :-) )
well probably right you are Plum !!!
But my take on Perumazhakkaalam is that the movie gulps in a lot of realism ....
the story was simple - even predictive - but narration was pretty much focused. Almost everything was made to feel needed for the narration - leaving very little space for strong storyline per say ! Still i feel that the screenplay - was moving at its planned pace giving importance to every character who comes across ... one good thing to note about a script that has lot of sobbing - is that this movie handles it with perfect balance - which would mean - that no dragging on !!!!! by the time you are about to get impacted by the very scene - screenplay has already moved to a different scene ... As all Malayalam movies are known for - this one too was very natural !!!
Plum,Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
I wrote this in our hub some 2 years ago, to be exact in Sep 2007. I am cut pasting the ame for you. I have not written much about performance [if that was what you wanted] and instead elaborated on the story part. Here it is for you.
Saw "Ore Kadal", a Malayalam movie and this was my first screen watching at Mayajal. Would like to talk about the same.
At the very outset this is an off beat movie and the megaphone is wielded by Shyama Prasad who has to his credit some good films like Agni Sakchi and Akale.
The story is set in a Metro (though fully shot in Chennai but due to some reasons, it is being shown as a North Indian city).
Dr.Nathan is a well known socio- economist who has many laurels to his credit. He has won innumerable awards for his works and has published many papers and books. Currently he is doing a paper on Un employment in India among married folk. He is a loner who never believes in any relations or relatives(In fact the film opens up, with him getting a call from his home town asking him to come down as his Chinnamma is sinking). He is a materialistic person who spends time with a woman (who caters to the high end of the society) whenever he has the Biological urge.
Accidentally he overhears an animated conversation a woman has with her husband over the public phone as their son is not well and needs to be taken to hospital. He finds out that this couple lives in the same apartment where he stays and takes the mother and child to the hospital as the husband is away from town. He learns that the husband is presently not having a job and this increases his interest.
When the husband comes back, this woman (Deepthi) persuaded by her husband is again back to Nathan's apartment asking for money as they need to pay the rent. She offers to pledge her jewels. He refuses initially but later gives her the money but returns the jewels. Her husband who does bits and pieces of jobs earns some money and again she is asked to do one more favour. Nathan being an influential person can fetch a job for him, if he puts in a word. She goes to his apartment and finds Nathan fully intoxicated. He is "celebrating" his Chinnamma's death and he flatly refuses her request to recommend a job for her husband stating that each one has to take care of himself. Then out of the blue he asks her whether she can "accomdate" him as he wants a woman badly. He tells her if she is not interested, she can go away.Though startled by his open question, she stands there hesistantly and when he touches her she repulses feebly and after a while allows him.
Once or twice this happens and during one meet she asks her whether he likes her. He replies in the negative stating that he does not carry any love or affection for her and it was the bodily need that took him to her. To rub salt in the wound, he asks her "why you allowed me because you wanted to make sure of the job your husband badly wanted, right?" . This point blank bullet shatters her and she returns dejected.
Later she finds out she is pregnant. When she tries to reach Dr.Nathan, he is gone abroad for a seminar. Her husband unaware of all these (now firmly in a job,courtesy Dr.Nathan) would be taking care of her. While she is in the advanced stage of her pregnancy, Dr.Nathan returns and he meets her. She tries to convey the message but she is unable to do so. Again she is hurt when he cooly says that he never thought about her during his long stay away.
She delivers a girl baby. But her mind is very agitated and it gets reflected in her actions. One night her husband wakes up and gets the jolt of the life when he sees her wife trying to throw the baby away saying that it is dead. She had lost her mental balance as she is caught between the "sin" she commited and her inability to come out of that. She is taken to a mental asylum. Before this Dr.Nathan visits her and she reacts violently with him.
Dr.Nathan discusses this issue with his "companion" (he had already hinted about his relationship with Deepthi) and she spills the beans to him telling that the baby is his. He taken aback initially refuses to believe but understands later that it is true. A man who had till that time steadfastedly refused to believe in any relationship is a broken man now and he immerses himself in liquor.
Deepthi is cured (some years pass by) and they start residing in another place. She slowely comes to grips with the life but her sub conscious mind is not fully free. She indulges in Bakthi but solace eludes her. Accidentally the husband (Jayan by name) meets Dr.Nathan in a bar and invites him home.
He comes to their house. Jayan is not there and on seeing him coming, Deepthi shuts the door and refuses to open it in spite of he ringing the bell and knocking the door. Dejected he turns back and when he reaches the gate he finds the two children coming back from school and when he sees the younger one his heart starts pumping. The elder boy unable to recogonise him go past him but this girl has a deep look at him. Unable to take it any further, Dr.Nathan walks away.
Deepthi's husband on arriving in the night find the house dark and on putting on the lights find all the photos of Gods broken and she replies that she tells him that she had lost belief. She having surrendered to Almighty to "save" her finds she is unable to ward of the thoughts of the other person and had broken the photos. Unable to take it any futher, the next day she takes both of her children to Dr.Nathan's flat and what transpires between the two forms an absorbing climax.
As I said at the starting, it requires some guts to do such a movie and Shyama Prasad deserves kudos for this. He paints the complex human mind in the celluloid with a expert touch and he carefully avoids any visuals which would derail the essence of this movie.
Coming to the lead actors, Mammootty as Dr.Nathan had given out a brilliant performance. He had taken up a role which few Indian actors would dare attempt to and had come out with flying colours. As for as Deepthi character is concerned, it is again a life time performance from Meera Jasmine. The joining of National award winners Mammootty and Meera for the first time had resulted in a great treat for the audience. Naren as the unsuspecting husband fits the bill and Ramya Krishnan as the companion gives out a matured performance.
The film will not cater to commercial BO, but neverthless an absorbing film for people who look for something different.
Regards
Murali, thanks. I was looking more for a performance appraisal but this one is a nice review capturing the movie very well.
As expected this film that got released on 24th has hit its target audience well. Labelled as Mass Masala, the movie is rocking in BO. Here are some reviews.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
Chattambinadu Movie -Sify
By Moviebuzz
If your idea of a movie is some mindless entertainment at the cinemas and your favourite hero is Mammootty, then chances are that you may like this film.
Director Shafi has narrated a story which is a potpourri of films like Rajamanikyam, Prajapathi, Thommanum Makkalum and a few others of the similar kind, but certainly without much of the charm of any of these films, in the absence of a credible storyline!
How many times have we been taken to some curious land in the Tamil Nadu border, where the hero is the God for the rather dumb natives and he has a past that will be revealed only during the second half? Amidst confusions galore, the hero will have the whole village ready to die for him, except for the villain and his cronies who will pose some problems until the climax, some minutes before the end credits start rolling.
Well, the story happens more or less the same way, in a remote village originally called Chembattunadu as well. The rivalry between two wealthy families had brought in some chattampis (goons) from neighbouring areas and after a while, they took control of the village.
Chembattunadu soon became Chattambinadu. Vijendra Mallaya (Mammootty), who speaks Malayalam with a heavy Kannada accent, soon comes to Chattambinadu, after he buys the property belonging to Mallanchira Chandramohan (Manoj K Jayan). This enrages the wicked Kattappilly Nagendran (Siddique) and he begins to pose troubles one after the other for Mallaya. There are some local chattampis in the area, like Makri Gopalan (Salim Kumar) and Dasamoolam Damu (Suraj Venjarammood) that is meant to makes things more interesting.
Mammootty looks eminently handsome in his trimmed moustache and neatly cut stubble. He wears a white kurta- pyjama, white shoes, dark sunglasses and a red tilak on his forehead that makes him quite an imposing figure. He talks in a peculiar accent and the actor has taken some nice efforts to give the character some real difference.
Mammootty’s punchline a mixture of Kannada and Malayalam is sure to become popular. But why does only his character speak in such an accent and everyone else converse in fluent Malayalam, including his gang members?
Vinu Mohan, who plays Murugan, is like a brother to Mallaya and the young actor has come up with one of the best performances in his brief career. Both the heroines, Lakshmi Rai and Manikyam Mythili, have limited roles to play.
Siddique, as the menacing villain, looks fine but has nothing much to do other than what we have seen in some of his earlier films. Salimkumar and Suraj tries really hard, but they too have nothing new to offer.
It is the script that is the weakest link here and that is evident all along. The scenes and even the locations remind us that this is a rather meek hodgepodge of situations from quite a few films from the past, with related themes. Manoj Pillai's camera, however, does a brilliant job and Alex Paul's music seems to be okay in parts. At just more than two hours and eight minutes, Chattambinadu may turn out to be a mindless mass entertainer. The film is worth a look for Mammookka, he is simply awesome and holds the film together.
Verdict: Paisa Vasool
Review from another Forum
CHATTAMBINADU
It’s purely a trading with the strong screen presence of Malayalam Cinema’s showman Mammootty. And the team behind the screen succeed in that. That is what we can realize from the overwhelming response of the huge crowd who leave the theatres after watching Chattambinadu.
Cheerful comedy is Shafi’s forte. The spectators have got a touch of his comic vein in movies like Kalyana Raman , Thommanum Makkalum, Pulivaal Kalyanam and Mayavi. In his latest offering, the director joins his hand with script writer Benny P Nayarambalam to unfold the story of Chembattu Nadu, which is notorious for the big number of Criminals living there.
The basic plot gave the script writer an extra freedom to fit in bits and pieces of peculiar kind of humor that rims on perplexity and absurdity. In so called ‘Pollachi entertainers’ this perplexity is an inevitable factor. That is what Benny P Nayrambalam did with the screenplay.
As a result , Suraj Venjaramoodu and Salim Kumar came on screen with some comedy numbers that will remind you of their roles in some earlier movies. Sidhique’s villain character Nagendran is also a replica of many of his `usual’ villain roles. The story line also does not have much of a distinction from these sort of masala movies- A flashback , then the puzzlement and mistaken identities …..
So what makes the difference and add color to the whole movie…….It’s Mammootty.
It is an astonishing show by the actor. His looks -swashbuckling, his style is grand and the Megastar really excels in the lead role of Veerendra Mallayya. The fight sequences are also thrilling. His dialogue delivery- perfect.
Except her beautiful looks, Lakshmi Rai as Gouri does not have much role to stir up her acting sensibilities. The film also has a huge star cast including Janardhanan, Vinu Mohan, manoj K Jayan, Shobha Mohan, Vijayaraghavan, Saikumar, T G Ravi, MohanJose, Sphadikam Goeroge to name a few.
On the whole, Chattambi Nadu does tickle a funny bone and provide some thrilling moments, but the story lacks newness and is very much predictable. But the film may be accepted as a mass masala entertainer and the director has boosted the Megastar superbly, making the film a delight to watch for the fans of Mammootty.
Meanwhile Mohanlal's "Ividam Swargamaanu" has also been released [it is released in chennai also] and this family story with the backdrop of Agriculture land issues has opened to mixed response. This film is directed by Roshan Andrews [who earlier directed Udhayanaanu Tharam]. Here is one review from the same forum.
Ividam swargmanu
After narrating the grievances and happiness in the life of a budding director in Udhayananu Tharam and a different kind of teenage love story (Notebook), here in his new offering Ividam Swargamanu, director Roshan Andrews touches upon land grabbing, soaring prices of essential commodities and environmental issues which are the present day concerns of Kerala.
The story is set in a small village near the banks of Periyar. Mathews (Mohanlal)is a farmer living respectfully with his father Jeromis (Thilakan) and mother (Kaviyoor Ponnamma). Later the villagers get lured by the idea of a Town ship. Actually the Township is a trap set by a kingpin in realty sector Aluva Chandy (Lalu Alex) who prompt the majority of the villagers to sell off their lands to him. Anyhow Mathews is not interested to sell his land which he has loved so dearly as his family. The rest of the story is a saga of Mathews’ emotional relationship with the soil, his cattle and his father.
The story looks simple and might also sound like a good material for a masala movie. Script writer James Albert has dealt the subject with much care and has not meddled the actual story line by adding unnecessary commercial stuff till first two hours of the movie. And the last thirty minutes of the movie is funny, but rather it seems like a compromise formula that James was forced to do so as to include some comedy moments. Till then the movie is in a serious track. The script writer could have done without those silly moments but that would have removed the little commercial touch.
And about the performances, Mohanlal has given a controlled performance, and it is a similar sort of role that he had done previously. Among the female leads Priyanka and Lakshmi Gopalasamy are apt for their roles and performance wise also it is okay. But Lakshmi Rai’s was an okay character, but performace not impressive.
Other veterans Thilakan, Sreenivasan, Shankar, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Shobha Mohan, Sukumari and Innocent are good in their roles.
Now the actor who scores the most. It is Lalu Alex at his best. His Character Aluva Chandy is a treat to watch. Likewise is Jagathy Sreekumar’s Bhuvanachandran.
As a director Roshan Andrews has not done something up to his calibre to take this film to a higher level of enjoyment. Another draw back of the film is that it does not offer some memorable scenes for you to remember or cherish about. There are no songs in the movie and this denies the spectator the moments of relief that is essential for the tight first half. The film is a bit dragging in the first half and the second half is more fast paced.. The camera work by Divakar is fine.
Anyhow it is a nice attempt to make a movie on a subject like this and the movie definitely will be appealing to serious movie buffs.
After all it is a simple movie .....……
Regards
PS: Plum, thanks for the Ore Kadal compliment.
Ividam SwargamANu - Thank God for the occasional director like Rosshan Andrews! More thoughts will come tomorrow.
ada solli rendu naalaachupA. Politician maadhiri Promises galore but no delivery :evil: :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by complicateur
I caught snatches of UdhayanANu ThAram in Asianet a month back. Maybe I didnt catch the dialogue well but the reaction was "idhula apdi enna irukku". Must admit I only watched the latter half - muzhusA parthA dhAn solla mudiyum.
I had watched the entire film, but still felt the same. Probably, I didn't get the references.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
A few thEvai illAtha AANi's got in the way. UT isnt a great film by any measure. Just the comedy and Srini's penchant for not even sparing Lal as an object of satire in a movie in which he is the lead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum
Anyway here is my take on Ividam SwargamANu.
For many a month I have decried the loss of the mid 80’s aesthetic in Malayalam cinema. My initial impression after I left Sangam Cinema’s after Rosshan Andrews’ Ividam SwargaMANu, was that someone had finally heard my personal grievance and decided to address it. But on further deliberation I’ve changed my tune. Andrews’ is far to given to meticulous preparation for his characters to have the organic arc that the ones in that golden age. Nonetheless, his brand of filmmaking is certainly a few steps above what currently passes for mainstream cinema in Malayalam these days.
There is a throwaway scene towards the middle of the film where the actions of AluvA ChANdy, the ‘villain’ of the piece, are justified by briefly referencing the financial troubles that resulted from his speculative investments. In a film that otherwise paints that character rather broadly as a villain at large the scene does well in humanizing the character slightly.
The film also utilizes completely Malayalam cinema’s greatest asset – its reliably brilliant supporting artistes. It is in particular heartening to see Thilakan and Lal share screen space considering the cold relationship between the two that existed since Spadikam. Lal is as usual adequate with his brilliance breaking through in a couple of sequences. Writing “while his words portrayed confidence his body language did not” is a fairly simple stringing together of words. Navigating half a minute of screen time that naturally convinces you that Maththai is experiencing these conflicting emotions is a different ball game and it takes an actor of Lal’s caliber to execute this effortlessly. The only sore thumb in the film is Lakshmi Rai, but why pick on the only negative when there is so much else good about the film. Even the sermonizing in the latter sequences is entirely forgivable for the entertaining manner in which it plays out.
Thx Compli. Will try to catch up - although if Paleri Manikkam is still running here, it will receive first preference :-)
Saw minnaminnikoottam last week. Although it must have been a flop and not a significant movie, I couldnt help thinking what a fall for Malayalam cinema since the heady days if movies like this can even be made in Kerala :-(
Even Meera Jasmine couldnt save this dud
Pazhassi Raja completes 100 days. Few snaps of the posters/paper ads and celebrations that happened in the set where Mammootty is shooting now.
100th day Paper Ad.
http://i47.tinypic.com/vp9ag2.png
Banner celebrating the 100th day of Pazhassi and 50th day of Paleri Manickam.
http://i49.tinypic.com/2iiwg06.jpg
Fans poster comparing the two great historicals Oru Vadakkan Veera Ghadha and Pazhassi.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2ll1tau.jpg
Pazhassi 100 days celebration at the set
http://i49.tinypic.com/2afh6p3.jpg
Plum,
Saw your quote in Kamal thread that Pazhassi had grossed only 10 Cr. Actually it is double the amount. We cannot even call it as gross. It is actually the amount that Producer Gopalan got back. Theatrical returns were huge making it as the biggest Blockbuster of all time Malayalam movies. The satellite, overseas and video rights have fetched the highest amount so far. So in all probability this won't hurt him.
The above mentioned movie is complete now and getting released on 27th of January. Touted as a Supernatural mystic thriller, Mammootty comes up in two different getups in the movie. The two different getupsQuote:
Originally Posted by Murali Srinivas
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ETEuGX2_nG...y%2BPhotos.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ETEuGX2_nG...2B_20_.psd.jpg
Again this is going to be a wide release with more than 100 theatres charted [big thing for Kerala]. With this Shaji Kailas who is having a lean time hopes to make a come back.
Regards
Brahmaram...
Excellent performance by mohanlal. Heard that the film was not a BO success. Blessy's reign continues....
Moserbaer has released the dvd of the film...
MS, you'd ofcourse know better than me. I read several conflicting accounts - with one or two accounts claiming Gopalan spent 27+ Crore on the movie, which didnt sound convincing to me so I settled for the account that said 17 Cr.Quote:
Plum,
Saw your quote in Kamal thread that Pazhassi had grossed only 10 Cr. Actually it is double the amount. We cannot even call it as gross. It is actually the amount that Producer Gopalan got back. Theatrical returns were huge making it as the biggest Blockbuster of all time Malayalam movies. The satellite, overseas and video rights have fetched the highest amount so far. So in all probability this won't hurt him.
BHRAMARAM...
Got to see this movie in big screen last year.The movie absolutely blew me away. So when i got my eyes on a newly released DVD of the same film i snatched it both hands.
Phew..what a movie..really haunting !!! I have seen some of Blessy's previous attempts like Kaazcha and Thanmaatra..both were extremely good as well. But Bhramaram truly turns out to be his best, IMO.
Actually it is a simple story of revenge but the way blessy deals or present his subject makes all the difference. What it ultimately turns out is a 'dig-deep' into the phsycic of a character who is so wayward in mind, on the edge of phsycic disorder.
The movie begins with Sivankutty played by Mohanlal reaching Coimbatore in search of his old school-mate.He was in with a purpose which at first wasn't clear to his friend-played by Suresh menon (i think,...he is known to host some comedy programs in hindi channels).But later he has to face some sour-truths...i'm not elaborating.
The film in second half turns into a 'road-movie' type as well.
The movie is somewhat slow at places and also doesn't have much commercial or entertainment elements.However for a true cinema lover,it is a gem to look deep into.
This movie for once reminded me of an old masterpiece from master director Bharathan- 'Thazhvaram'...but on the whole blessy's movie is well different from that classic although it gives a similar feel at places.
Anyhow, if there is one reason why to watch bramaram, that is none other than Sri. Mohanlal. Brilliant is just not enough a word to describe his perfomance in the movie...Effortlessly displaying the various facets,emotions and phases of the character whose reactions are varying almost like a pendulum.No words to describe it .Just for you to see and interpret.
Most others in cast were good as well
Blessy's script was excellent as well though maybe he could have developed the side characters even better. Also, Bhoomika as Lal's wife and the child artist playing his daughter were not that good. But considering they have little part to play,it was ok.
Camera by Ajay was brilliant and so was the begium. Songs by Mohan Sitara sounded at few places somewhat like some old IR tunes :) ..ofcourse it was good to hear.
Truly one of the best movies i have seen in any language in the recent years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajaybaskar
The movie, from what i heard, was a decent success in the BO...atleast it got its production cost back, i suppose. :D But not a big hit which is not a surprse for these kind of movies.
BTW, complicateur, haven't you watched this movie..?? :)
I see... I knew that the film was not in the same league of Kaazhcha and Thanmathra in terms of BO success but fared well better than Palungu and Calcutta News..
:notworthy:Quote:
Originally Posted by ajaybaskar
undeniably, the best performance by any Indian actor in 2009 for me! Thanks a ton to Blessy for reminding that Lal can still produce such gems as only he can, amidst all the mindless masala he does nowadays!
[quote="complicateur"]fabulously written...undoubtedly, the best of malayalam cinema of 2009 along with Pazhassi Raja, Bhramaram, Kerala Cafe!Quote:
Originally Posted by Plum