Aruvi

After Baahubali, if there was a movie that people urged me to watch, it was #Aruvi. Thankfully, no one revealed the storyline. But people did give away a few hints and my expectations kept soaring.

My advise to all the movie lovers, never ever go by the hypes. Check it out for yourselves. Go with zero expectations.

This movie is a bold attempt. The way the story is told so swiftly is refreshing. Editing is brilliant and that adds to the swiftness. No drags. No stretches. No pulls. No commercialism. No unwanted masala. But there are tonnes of messages. Every frame carries a message if only the audience is attentive. Humor is clean and that is another big plus.

It takes a highly creative person to deal with this intense subject adding liberal doses of humor alongside. Director #ArunPrabhu, take a bow!

What a plum role for the fresh face #AditiBalan!!! She has done a good job, no doubt. But I’m unable to give her full marks. Her monologue could have got delivered much better. There was scope to emote better in a few scenes. Her physique suits the role to a T.  After a very long time, a full-fledged lady lead subject. Highly satisfying!

All supporting roles are cast perfectly. Music is good especially in the scenes where the momentum is building up.

Overall, I could complete the review of the film Aruvi thus - BOLD!!!

PS: can someone explain what this poster signifies please?

Velaikaran

What I was two-minded to watch, I ended up watching thanks to my extended family. Originally I thought it’s ok if the movie is preachy (as stated in many a review), the fun is in watching it with near and dear. But guess what? I ended up liking the movie.

Yes. #Velaikaran. I see a trend here in making of a mass hero.

Simply put, the film educates the masses on ills of consumerism. Dialogues are quite powerful and hard hitting. There are unwanted sequences. And overdone characters.

#Sivakarthikeyan - good dialogue delivery. Good acting in most parts. Does not have any scope for romance with #Nayanthara. Even the couple of scenes where romance is supposed to happen, it’s kind of matter-of-fact. No chemistry and no time to build chemistry.

Expected something more meatier for Nayan. Rohini had more screen space than Nayan. Charlie, Prakash Raj and whole host of great performers are in the cast each doing justice to their roles.

But the highlight of the movie is #FahadhFaasil. I’m as such a huge fan of him. One of the main reasons I wanted to watch this film. If at all I advice people to watch this movie it would be just for him. No actor can match the gleam and greed he displays with his eyes. Watch to believe!

Mohan Raja bets on his villains more than the heroes, I guess. Great bets! Good entertainer!!

Thaanaa SerndhaKootam

The name of the movie didn’t impress me. And to justify the name, the star says it a couple of times in the 140 minutes of the reel.

Suriya looks fitter and handsome.  And has performed well. Ramya Krishnan is a riot. Super talented and gorgeous looking woman. Keerthy Suresh is overshadowed by RK. In many places, we do laugh out loud. Karthik has not performed in such a role earlier. So that was refreshing. But guess he can deliver dialogues only in a certain style. IMHO, that style didn’t suit the character he portrayed. #TSK revolves around the concept of “fixing problems using the same tools that created the problems in the first place”. As we say in Tamil, “Mulla mullala edukkanum” funda. Good thinking but as in all such movies that preach about how to change our society for good, this one also will just remain as a far fetched imagination.

#VigneshShivan excels as a Writer-Director. He knows how to bundle the heaviest of scenes in a light-weight manner. Kudos!

#Anirudh’s music was enjoyable. Good job!

Overall, for some rib-tickling and thought-provoking 3 hours, worth a watch!

Hichki

Melodramatic in small portions, emotional in some others, quite predictable lines of story - but leaves you thinking and teary-eyed. That is #Hichki. 

In an otherwise routine story with the spin of RTE, the story tellers add to the mix a “wanna be teacher” struggling with Tourette Syndrome. Now that makes it intriguing. How will she manage to hold any class?

Not one dull moment. No unnecessary song and dance. Songs travel with the film and the story. No aberrations. Other than Rani Mukherjee all actors are either debuts or from theatres. So performance is solid through and through. No one fails. Not even 9F!

Kudos to Rani Mukherjee! Though her age shows up, her tinkling eyes and sweet smile remain ever green. She has done a fantastic job of living Ms. Naina Mathur every frame of the film. The scene she breaks down is very touchingly portrayed. 

Overall, a movie that would really move you! Don’t miss.