Review: Nanban (2012)



Playing with the plot of an original movie while attempting a remake often goes wrong. Shankar plays safe by making a scene-to-scene remake of perhaps one of the best movies of Bollywood last year - '3 Idiots'. He brings you Nanban, a feel good entertainer sure to bring smiles and adoration for the work of the cast and crew.


Grandeur - is one word to describe Shankar in what ever he does. Be it marketing his movie or creating a hype, making a name for himself or making the movie itself speak for itself - Shankar has the word 'legend' written all over him.


After you come out of the movie, if you are still wondering what is 'different' when compared to 3 Idiots, you haven't watched the movie properly. Doing all justice in terms of story screenplay to its original is Nanban and one cannot debate on this because when a remake is announced, it is going to be the same wine put in a bottle of the director's choice. Shankar has tweaked it so well that you don't need anything more to please you and you are satisfied with the output even if you know what is going to happen in the next scene.


Harris Jayaraj - the man known for looping his own tunes in many different ways in different songs comes up with a few catchy tunes and gosh, his background score in the movie was top class. I was surprised and asked my friend next to me - "Harris Jayaraj is the music director right?". Perhaps, the presence of Resul Pookutty in the sound department was an amazing thing to do because the most of the most intricate sounds in the environment can be heard. I watched the movie at Urvashi Cinemas, Bangalore which features the world's best sound system (Meyer Sound EXP) and screens Digital 4K Cinema and I was taken in for a cracker. Really enjoyed the movie watching experience.


Manoj Paramahamsa's camera captures the nature and the scene so well that you feel the third dimension without it actually being there.When the lead cast travels to Dhanushkodi to find Panchavan Parivendan (Vijay's character), you get awed by the visuals. He's captured India so well that you don't believe your own eyes.


The picturisation of the songs in the movie was a class apart. It was one area where 'Nanban' outshines the original. The songs have Shankar's mastercraft trademark stamped all over it. Except for the song 'Irukaana Illayaana..' which was totally out of place and unnecessary, other songs were a treat to watch. What was more unnecessary was bringing Farah Khan to choreograph that song. It had 'Shiela ki Jawaani''s drum ringing all the while. 


The one negative that I didn't like in the movie was the fact every character in the movie (tried) imitated their counterparts from 3 Idiots. It was apt for the story in some places but most of the time it shuns your mood. Right from Vijay to Sathyaraj, everyone's dialogue delivery and body movements were similar to their characters from the original. That was one thing that could have changed. When remaking a movie, a director should also give thought to the fact that people who watched the original are also going to watch the remake and this is one area where going wrong would spoil the show.
Another mistake I found apart from seeing the camera and the whiteboard through the lead actor's sunglasses' reflection in songs (which has been present in Shankar films ever since Sivaji) was that Pari's (Vijay) name is spelled 'Panchavan Parivendhan' in the hostel allocation list and 'Panchavan Parivendan' in the result list. Possibly a slight error for a newbie but not for an established director.
Otherwise, the movie carried its own slight flaws just like 3 Idiots where Silencer's position in the frame changes when he challenges the lead trio on September 5 on the real date and his position is totally different in the first scene when he narrates the flashback. The intensity of the dialogue delivery also differ.


Vijay has donned a role which he has never done before and even if he tries to imitate Aamir Khan in places, he shows the world that he is a professional actor who doesn't need commercial cinema to live a life. He is an epitome of the subtlest of the subtle acting brilliance. Maybe it is the Shankar effect, but whatever be it, it answers his critics and shows his credibility. If you had doubts whether he would do justice to Rancho, he does and does it in his own style.


Sathyaraj comes up with a spectacular performance in his own style. Ileana is a booty sorry beauty to watch but again a mood spoiler when she starts talking in tamil (except for when she gets drunk and becomes a Muniyamma). Jeeva and Srikanth fit their roles well and so does the supporting cast. The presence of Sherwanis in a Tamil wedding is explained and so is every minute detail.

If you have watched 3 Idiots, watch Nanban for the subtle and amusing changes and enjoy and if you haven't, Don't ever miss Nanban.

To sum it all, A brilliant mix of colours supported with stunning background score makes 'Nanban' worth the money you spend on getting the ticket stub and not only are you assured for a jolly ride you are in for a visually powered comedy and emotional drama as well. Three cheers to 'Nanban' Team.




Rating: 3.5/5


Nanban - Aaaaaaal is well!

Review: Sherlock Holmes - A Game of Shadows

The 'funny' and 'witty' Sherlock Holmes is back in by far the most entertaining screen adaptation of the cult classic. With 'zip-zap-zoom' director Guy Ritchie, you are assured every penny worth of the ticket stub.

Just walk into a screening of 'Sherlock Holmes - A Game of Shadows' and sit patiently as the director and the actors take you through at a slow and steady pace to what is called 'Sheer intelligence'.

There is drama, there is action and then you have Robert Downey Jr for the rest of it.

My friend living in Bombay called me up at 12 in the night to tell me - 'Varun, whatever happens; Do not miss this movie!'. And I went with great expectations only to be satiated by this masterpiece. I wouldn't want another sequel to this but this installment of Sherlock Holmes is far better than its prequel.

You see the mark of Guy Ritchie stamped in every frame of the movie.

Sherlock Holmes and his 'sidekick' Dr.Watson take on their arch-nemesis Dr.Stephen Moriarti in this game of shadows and why is it called a game of shadows... Well it is not so easy to answer.

Hans Zimmer has always been a talented composer and his tunes add the spices to this well baked masterpiece.

Watch it on screen to enjoy the intellectual brilliance in acting, movie-making and cinematography because this movie is not to be missed..


Rating: 3.5/5

Sherlock Holmes: Hats Off

Review: Don 2 (2011)

No Marketing is the best marketing - Probably not quoted by any famous person but this is something I'm saying and something that the team of 'Don 2' partly believes in. After the infamous Ra.One debacle, SRK thought it is better to keep mum on his films and to everyone's surprise - it works, big time. Period.

Don 2 is a tribute to Hollywood's impact on the Indian audience. With every Hollywood action flick releasing, the average Indian viewer expects the same in Bollywood - None of the biggies were able to satiate their thirsts until one man a.k.a. Farhan Akthar brings about a powerful script coupled with power packed stunts with the Baadshah of Bollywood and hence Don 2 scores.

If only would have the music been a tad better, Don 2 would have been rated as a classic and a benchmark set for others to reach but it doesn't, the songs are bad and the only thing that keeps playing in the background is the cherishable 'Don' theme.

Watching a Bollywood movie in 3-D would have people laughing at you when announced but watching Don 2 in 3-D was absolutely awesome.The explosions, the stunts and SRK were absolutely kickass in 3-D.

Farhan Akthar is intelligent so is Don 2 just like his creator. (Except for one flaw which i found towards the climax)

Action. Thrill. Suspense. Drama and a sprinkle of romance pretty much sums up Don 2. And the credit goes majorly to Farhan Akthar for drafting a brilliant script to continue the 'Don' franchise. Hats off Farhan!

Boman Irani as Vardhan, Om Puri as Malik and Priyanka Chopra as Junglee Billi come up with passable performances.

SRK proves his haters as to why people call him the Baadshah aur Is Baadshah ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi naamumkin hai.....


Rating: 3.5/5

Don 2: A Class Apart!

Review: Mission:Impossible Ghost Protocol

What can you expect when one of the most popular cult action series goes into the hands of a person who is known for directing animated flicks? Frankly, you wouldn't care who calls the shots because the 'Mission:Impossible' franchise is such that just Tom Cruise and his stunts would suffice for the movie to click. And though it doesn't click that well, it works..

This installment of MI is more comical than gripping. The makers decided to take tickle the funny bone more than pumping up the adrenaline because most of the action sequences(save one or two) just failed to impress.

Graphics is one department where the crew should have worked upon. It is simply just not Hollywood standards. The scenes where the sand storm hits Dubai are just mediocre and some places you feel you are watching a B grade movie.

Unlike most of the other MI movies, Ghost Protocol offers an engaging script rather than thrilling action sequences, although the one part where Ethan (Tom Cruise) does a stunt on the Burj Hotel, Dubai was kick ass.

People told me that the movie's first half was awesome and second half sucked but i don't quite agree with that. The first half is pretty boring and the second half is where you get the hold of the story. 

Music by Micheal Giacchino could have been better. The visuals were so dull at places and the viewer is put to sleep - this is where the music should have worked.

Some things i couldn't digest in the movie - 

They said Mumbai and they showed some posh palace which probably doesn't exist in that part of India.

Too many exotic cars on the Indian roads.

They showed Sun Networks and some tamil channels being played in a satellite TV station in Mumbai.

They showed some door with a caution sign and its translation written in Telugu.

They showed some exotic cars with left hand drive and with number plates which vehicle numbers in Indian format but written reversed.

Tom Cruise gets hit at sensitive areas too much but still gets up like a normal person.

Ideally what they have done is, they brought cameras to India, shot some scenes in Mumbai and then carried out rest of the shooting at Ramoji studios in Hyderabad. This is an area where the team should have worked a bit more.

Anil Kapoor comes as a playboy and just like every typical Indian, he falls for a mediocre sexy woman with saliva dripping out of his jaw dropping face.

Overall, Mission:Impossible Ghost Protocol is not such a great movie to look up to but it does entertain. Tom Cruise carries the movie throughout and keeps the audience engaged.

Hopefully, there is no further sequel to this series.

Rating: 3/5

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol - Timepass!

Review: The Dirty Picture (2011)

Have you ever thought that Bollywood should also make movies in the likes of American Pie. Well, Bollywood has heard you - 'Soap queen' Ekta Kapoor and Director Milan Luthria bring you something better - The Dirty Picture (read. soft(er)core porn)

When you hear the first moans of the protagonist (Vidya Balan a.k.a. Silk), you start to wonder, what is Naseeruddin Shah doing. To an extent, 'Smooch Expert' Emran Hashmi's presence is justified but what the hell is 'Kid Face' Tushar Kapoor doing in the same flick. These thoughts bother you just for some time - just until silk scorches the screen and when it starts there is no stopping for entertainment. You keep wanting for more. And you get 'satisfied' until the interval.

Post-interval, there are a few unwanted breaks(songs) which gets you frustrated. The story is purely about Silk and her rise to stardom and later. So there is no scope for any betterment on the story line. The writer has to be given a pat on the back for making a real life story gripping. Silk's life sure is one to ponder upon and get inspired but its adaptation on screen could have been 'finished' well.

You have double meaning dialogues all over the movie and they make you clap and laugh. Some of them so dirty that you first decide whether is it really something to laugh upon. "Hum tumhe aisi jagah pe maarenge ki tum confuse ho jaogi ki pant pehnna hai ya ghagra"

A disclaimer, I personally don't like Vidya Balan and I don't think she is anyway hot or seductive. I was wondering whether she would anyway resemble Silk but I had no idea how Silk looked either. Then my friend told me that she looked ugly and that answers my question and some of yours too.

In spite of all this, Vidya Balan created an impact on me and after 'The Dirty Picture', I respect her more for being so bold and choosing such a brave script. Hats off to her for doing justice to Silk.

Well she has her double meaning dialogues too - "Holi khelne me shauk hai magar pichkaari me dum nahi" - Tell me, when you have such dialogues spoken in a big screen and with mature audiences listening to it with you, Do you need Bollywood to be more transparent? Kamal Hassan once said in a press statement - ' I think it's high time to bring X-rated films on screen' and though not with full accordance but Milan Luthria and team have heard the master and they have tried 'obeying' him to their best.

That is all I have about 'The Dirty Picture' for you. I hope it triggers your senses to get triggered again while watching the movie. Enjoy!

Rating: 3/5

The Dirty Picture: DoubleX

P.S. You would never expect Nasseruddin Shah to star in such a movie! Let alone talking about his performance.

Review: Mayakkam Enna (2011)

Just like each one of our lives, Selvaraghavan's 'Mayakkam Enna' has its own moments. It has its own slow and sweet way of growing into the viewer's thoughts and mind. It is no doubt an off beat flick. Please do not expect it to be a love story.

Sticking to the age old idiom - "Behind every successful man, there is a woman" and with Selva's classic narrative style topped with Dhanush's acting skills is Mayakkam Enna for you.

Richa Gangopadhyay would never in the rarest of imaginations would have thought of getting such a break. She had a upcoming legendary director and his National award winning brother as the co-star and on the contrary, when one wouldn't expect any role of hers, she stands tall, over performing every other character in the movie. 

Dhanush plays a struggling photgrapher who finds it hard to get a break. The story is about how he shapes up his career.

G.V. Prakash's background music sure has got the class. Every frame is musical. You laugh when they laugh and you cry when they do so. That is what every cinema needs.

Cinematographer Ramji's breathtaking visuals are the key to Mayakkam Enna's success. Though, acting is what makes you love it, it is the camera which has to capture the emotions properly or else the work is undone.

Spearheading all these, Selvaraghavan's brilliant narrative, sluggish screenplay and awesome direction makes Mayakkam Enna 'click' with an bright white flash that you are taken to a different world where you start to worship the legend.

The first half is magical and when 'Intermission' pops out on the screen, you say 'Shit! I want more'. Just 10-15 minutes into the second half is when things go haywire. You start abusing. And just when you frustration level reaches its peak, Selva brings you back to his world - the land of magic.

 You start to wonder - Is this the same guy who bored us with Aayirathil Oruvan? Although Aayirathil Oruvan was one brave attempt at 'different' cinema, it seriously was a waste of time. 

Ever since 'Pudhupettai' - which can be rightly called as Selva's tribute to Godfather and Nayagan, I always knew he had the 'thing' in him. He could weave magic on screen and with Mayakkam Enna, he proves me right.

"Pain is the only thing that changes a man" - Anonymous

Watch Mayakkam Enna to get mesmerized. This is where Tamil Cinema still lives. Tamil Cinema is not just commercial cinema, when you have the likes of such directors, we carve a name for ourselves in this world.


Rating: 4/5

Mayakkam Enna - Perfecto!

Review: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

The biggest film making duo of all-time are here to treat us with a 3-D extravaganza. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn is pure magic. With Spielberg at the helm of affairs, you tend to expect a LOT and your quench for entertainment is thoroughly satiated.

Right from frame 1, the movie is one amazing ride. Animation at its best, cinematography at its peak and music in tune with visuals make this movie a masterpiece.

The plot is adventurous and it is properly adapted on screen. A real life Hollywood artist wouldn't have done justice to the role but motion capture and animation put together literally bring the comic book character alive on screen.

If you are a Tintin fan, you get what you deserve:
If you are a Spielberg fan, you get to praise him more:
Even if you do not fall into the above categories, you get to relish a visual feast of one of the awesomest animated movies ever.

I'm not going to describe anything more. Watch the movie in 3-D, watch it again if you have money or else wait for a Blu-ray rip to watch it the second time.


Rating: 4/5


Tintin - Sheer poetry!

Review: Velayudham (2011)

Genre: Commercial

The stakes are high! Big banner, 'king of remakes' director, 'king of remakes' actor, peppy music director and well established men in the stunt, camera and editing departments. Also, Vijay's position in the industry was at stake prior Kaavalan but post it, he gained his position and 'Velayudham' had to live up to it and it does so..not with style but with 'mass' and a little bit of 'substance'.

'Jeyam' Raja spearheads this self proclaimed non-remake project of his in his own usual style and with great potential. Drawing inspiration from the telugu flick 'Azad', Raja has come up with a cracker of a movie this Diwali and Vijay fans are already roaring in happiness.

The film starts off with the central plot and you don't see the hero for quite some time and just as the viewer waits for the hero entrance, you see Vijay in his own usual running into the screen with his ayudham and then on it is one roller coaster ride with just 3 unnecessary breaks (as in songs though they were good to watch) till the interval. Post-interval, action takes the center stage and it starts turning into a drag when suddenly you turn towards the screen for more 'paisa vasool' entertainment.

Velayudham is no doubt a usual Vijay flick with not much of logic and gravity defying stunts but what makes it click is the protagonist himself. The way he stands tall yet gelling with the co-actors so well that you forget that he was once an actor who used to shoulder his movies all by himself.

Director Raja has given enough screen presence for the hundreds of popular actors he's casted in this flick. Frankly, for every face you see on the screen and you start wondering... "Oh! He's the guy who acted in that movie.." It is one unique ensemble of a cast that Raja has brought together and each of them have proven their capabilities.

Editing by VT Vijayan is just brilliant and with the racy first half, you keep wanting for more. Cinematography by Priyan brings magic to the screen and Vijay Antony supports it with his stunning background music.



With songs already becoming chartbusters within a day of the audio release, the only thing much needed was the visuals and 'Chillax' is definitely a once more song. Hansika looks deadly and add to it Vijay's stunning steps and amazing facial expressions.

Santhanam is the captain of the comedy department as he leads a cricket 'squad' towards nothing short of a world cup victory. Rib tickling and foot tapping comedy brought not just "LOL" but also tears of laughter. Definitely one of his best performances till date. Vijay acts as 'the wall' at the other end supporting Santhanam and the duo have a great future ahead. You never stop laughing.

Hansika and Genelia have equal screen space and Raja proves that he is a director who can think from all angles. Hansika fits the role and never gives a foreigner feel to the village girl look she portrays and Genelia drops her bubbly image and has a very serious role to play and both fit their respective roles to a tee.

Stunts, though gravity defying are stunning and have the punch. Although very few of them were really gory, the others were at a different level and Vijay beats up the baddies with so much energy that you feel the heat on screen.

You have action. You have sentiment. You have awesome comedy. You have 2 hot chicks. You have a message and you have a super(star)hero as the messiah and with Aascar Ravichandran as the producer, what more do you need. A huge budget flick well made and finished with the Midas (Vijay) touch. A blockbuster for sure. And that is Velayudham for you.

Velayudham is one of the best commercial movies of Vijay!

Don't forget to watch this massive and engrossing spectacle. Watch the fireworks explode on screen with Velayudham and celebrate an environment friendly Diwali!

Note: You WILL get bored with some of the action sequences and the way the plot evolves but keep hope because Vijay finishes it off in style.

Rating: 3/5

Velayudham: Impressive

Review: Mankatha (2011)

"Thala" Ajith's 50th film was started with big fanfare and there was a lot of hype surrounding the final outcome - Mankatha - A Venkat Prabhu game they call it - is no where close to what seemed to have been promised. Mankatha is an out and out Ajith flick. Watch it for Thala and nothing else and you will not be disappointed. But, if you are planning to watch it for the director, please stop yourself and save some time.

The only 'good' thing about the movie, apart from Ajith, is the end credits - the bloopers. That is when i had my first smile and laugh. One could see a freaky and crazy Ajith. (PLUS)

The songs sucked big time and all of them were out of place. Most of them had half naked women shaking their legs. (MINUS)

Choreography was pathetic and given the dancing talents of Ajith, you had to get out of your seat and go buy some food. (MINUS)

Background music was 'okay' with the main Mankatha theme (alias 'Sakthi masala' remix tune) still in the minds of the viewers. (I think its a PLUS)

Dialogues were below par for such a hi-fi (they call it) movie. (MINUS)

The first half was an out and out 'mokkai' with the actors themselves accepting that after getting drunk, one cracks the ultiest of the PJs. (MINUS)

The actual brain and intelligence of the director starts creeping in from the interval. Although the storyline was wafer thin, it atleast engaged the viewers given an 'awesome' first half. (PLUS)

Premji (once a rib tickler) turns into an advertisement for aspirin. The guy's lost his charm. (MINUS)

'Action King' Arjun plays a very important role and has played his part well. (PLUS)

The ladies in the movie were used just for skin show and not in the right way too. (MINUS)

Visual effects were totally out of the picture in places (MINUS) but cinematography rocked in many other places. Hats off to the cameraman. (PLUS)

Venkat Prabhu, director of cult hits like Chennai 28, saroja and goa gives us an Ajith dominated flick. He has mixed up several hollywood films (read. Oceans, Italian Job, etc.) and added some kollywood ingredients to give us an 'okay'-ish movie called 'Mankatha'.

One goes into watching 'Mankatha' with sky high expectations and only half of it is delivered and all credit to 'Ultimate Star' Ajith and 'Action King' Arjun. Watch it for them. If you don't like either of them - Don't DARE watch it.

Rating: 2.5/5

Mankatha - A 'poor' Venkat Prabhu game!

Review: Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (2011)

Jack Sparrow is back with the fourth installment of the famous pirates series. He is perhaps the only reason why POTC is still worth watching. Although this chapter is easier to understand, it lacks what the first 3 had to offer. Obviously - Orlando bloom and Kiera Knightley are missing and Penelope doesn't help soothe the eyes. The 'babe' factor is perhaps compensated by the addition of mermaids. Some of them are really cute.

Storywise, it is simple. Everyone is after the same destination - the fountain of youth. It is how each party reaches there and uses the resources that forms the crux of the script.

Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is at his best and starts off the movie with his amusing heroics. He does his part well - keeping the viewer glued to the seats and sprouting a few laughs here and there. It’s the Depp factor that’s undoubtedly the biggest draw. His flamboyant turn as Captain Jack Sparrow transformed him to a blockbusting superstar.

Visual effects looked stunning in 3D - perhaps another reason to watch the movie - a good decision to shoot the movie in 3D.

Music by the legend Hans Zimmer was L-E-G-E-N-D-A-R-Y. It kept the viewer awake through the whole movie. Camera work was brilliant with some amazing shots with the locations ranging from dense forests to underwater.

The climax passes by without the viewer realizing it. That was one of the main negative points of the movie. When the film got exciting, it got too late.

So watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides for three reasons - 1) Jack Sparrow 2) 3D Experience and 3) Hans Zimmer but for them it is an average affair and worthy to be missed.





Rating: 2.5/5


POTC4-On Stranger Tides : Not 'tidy' enough!