Indian, the 1996 Tamil-language vigilante action thriller film directed by S. Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, is widely regarded as one of the best films of Indian cinema. The film, which also featured Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Sukanya, and Goundamani in supporting roles, was a huge commercial and critical success, winning three National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards. The film also had a dubbed version in Hindi, titled Hindustani, which was also well received by the audience.
The film revolves around Senapathy, a freedom fighter turned vigilante who fights against corruption and crimes in India. The film also explores his past and present, as well as his relationship with his son and grandson. The film is known for its gripping storyline, powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and memorable music by A. R. Rahman.
Indian Scenes
After more than two decades, the fans of the film are eagerly waiting for the sequels to Indian,...
The film revolves around Senapathy, a freedom fighter turned vigilante who fights against corruption and crimes in India. The film also explores his past and present, as well as his relationship with his son and grandson. The film is known for its gripping storyline, powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and memorable music by A. R. Rahman.
Indian Scenes
After more than two decades, the fans of the film are eagerly waiting for the sequels to Indian,...
- 7/26/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
KollywoodHilarious dialogues from Tamil movies – both old and new – are commonplace in Tamilians’ daily lingo, as well as memes.Saradha UScreengrab/ Mx PlayerNagesh, Goundamani-Senthil, Vadivelu, Vivek, Santhanam – Tamil cinema boasts of being the home ground for talented actor-comedians who have carved a niche with their distinctive brand of comedy. Their work is far from being politically correct, and whether it should be put under the microscope and called out for being problematic is a debate for another day. However, many of their one-liners and catchphrases have become an integral part of Tamilians’ day-to-day conversations. Hilarious dialogues from Tamil movies – both old and new – are commonplace in daily lingo and memes. Distress, joy, shock or fear, you are likely to find a Tamil dialogue that is both relatable and makes you break into peals of laughter. For the uninitiated, here is an induction into the world of most commonly used one-liners from Tamil cinema.
- 2/15/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Social MediaCreated to celebrate the works of well-known music composers like Arr and Ilaiyaraaja, these memes depict how their music can transport listeners. Saradha U Screengrab/ RKOMemezFrom Chennai floods to Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, movie releases to cricket matches, protests to the coronavirus pandemic, Tamil meme pages have been discussing a range of topics through memes. While some meme trends like ‘Dupatta Podunga Doli’ have been problematic, many trends have acted as a medium to celebrate people’s love for cinema and music. The latest addition to the long list is the ‘Vibe Music’ meme trend. With stellar composers like Ar Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh, Gv Prakash, Harris Jayaraj, Santhosh Narayanan and Vijay Anthony, among others, producing hit tracks, Tamil cinema has carved a special place for itself in the Indian film industry and these composers have become household names. Many hit numbers are well-received by audiences amidst much fanfare on social media.
- 2/4/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Kollywood Actor Sivakarthikeyan left his followers on social media excited with his latest photo alongside veteran actor-comedian Goundamani. Tnm StaffTwitter/ SivakarthikeyanTamil movie buffs had a reason to rejoice after actor Sivakarthikeyan uploaded a photo along with veteran actor- comedian Goundamani. In a tweet posted on Monday, Sivakarthikeyan uploaded a photo where he is seen alongside the veteran comedian. Brimming with excitement, Sivakarthikeyan is seen with a wide smile on his face, while actor Goundamani sports a stern look. Sharing the photo on social media, Sivakarthikeyan noted that it was a great moment that he would cherish and also added that he had a lot of fun interacting with Goundamani. “With the legend #GoundamaniSir A great moment with lots of fun and a day to be remembered (sic).” Goundamani is one of the most beloved actor-comedians of Kollywood. He is known for his performances alongside actor-comedian Senthil. Although the duo have not appeared in recent films,...
- 8/24/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe actor joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Tnm StaffDIGITAL Native Technologies Veteran Kollywood actor Senthil, who is famous for his comedic performances alongside actor Goundami in a number of films, contracted the novel coronavirus recently. Speaking to Tnm, the actor’s former publicist Madurai Selvam confirmed that Senthil tested positive for Covid-19 a week ago and is currently undergoing treatment at Srm Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Kattankulathur, a suburb of Chennai. Senthil’s wife Kalaiselvi and son Dr Prabhu have also contracted the virus. The 68-year-old actor is observing quarantine at the hospital and is recuperating well. On March 11, Senthil joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp) before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He joined the party in the presence of Bjp Tamil Nadu state unit president L Murugan. Speaking to reporters after joining the party, Senthil expressed that he was...
- 4/13/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Kollywood‘Manmadhan’ had a successful run at the box office and garnered positive reviews when it first released in 2004.Tnm StaffAfter almost a year of having to watch films on Ott platforms due to the Covid-19 pandemic, film buffs are finally able to watch movies on the big screen again, with theatres opening up. The makers of big-budget films are now using the opportunity to re-release their movies in theatres. According to a report by Times of India, Silambarasan Tr’s 2004 movie Manmadhan is gearing up to re-release in theatres on March 19. The news comes after Ajith Kumar’s Billa was re-released in theatres across Tamil Nadu on Friday. As per Kollywood industry tracker Ramesh Bala’s post on Twitter, a digitally revamped version of Manmadhan will re-release in theatres in Tamil Nadu on March 19. The 2004 romantic thriller film was directed by filmmaker Aj Murugan. Silambarasan performed a dual role...
- 3/12/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
BlogSeveral landmark films released in 1995, from comedies to hard-hitting dramas and action flicks.Nandhu SundaramI am eternally grateful to Kollywood for making 1995 quite a delightful year. It was blockbuster time with Rajinikanth's Baasha leading at the box-office. Landmark films such as Bombay, Sathi Leelavathi, Kuruthipunal and Muthu added to the allure of the flickering image. Gnana Rajasekaran’s Mogamul won him the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film for a Director. IV Sasi’s Kolangal and Nasser’s Avatharam, one of my favourites, won big at the Tamil Nadu State Awards and further cemented the place of the auteurs. The list of good films didn’t end here — Indira and Aasai made the cut too. All these films have seen 25 years since release. I also remember unabashedly enjoying lesser films like Makkal Katchi, a rip-roaringly funny political comedy from film student turned director R K Selvamani, which had me in splits.
- 12/1/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
KollywoodFrom Vivek teaching us the meaning of “Awas Anjing” in Malaysia to Yogi Babu playing a hacker in London, here are some hilarious scenes set in foreign lands.Anjana ShekarWe’ve seen Vadivelu as ‘Vakkil' Vandumurugan getting exasperated when his opponent cuts him off mid-sentence during a hearing in court: “I am speaking, no cross speaking. Sit down please!” he roars in one breath and we’re barely able to contain our laughter. But what happens when ‘Vaigai puyal’ Vadivelu plays an advocate in London? Well, we’ve seen that too…only you may not recall the “London” part too well. In the 2005 film London (that was surely shot in Chennai), Vadivelu as Advocate Vedimuthu lives and practises law in London. But, many of our stars have indeed flown to other countries to give us some memorable comedy. One of the earliest references is actor Nagesh playing a bearer at...
- 10/19/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodVeteran actor Radikaa, who celebrates her birthday this month, made her debut with this 1978 Bharathiraja film.Anjana ShekarYouTube Screengrab/ Saregama TamilA train meanders through a beautiful landscape, cutting across rivers, veering around mountains, and chugs along from one station to another, as trees and name boards of obscure villages and towns blend into a streak of green and yellow. The train is a metaphor for movement, often quoted to describe life’s journey. But the train is also very real! It runs from one town to another carrying thousands with their dreams and hopes. In one such train, the eastward bound train to be precise, alights a young woman and there begins our story. Kizhakke Pogum Rail, director Bharathiraja’s second feature, released in August 1978. A buoyant looking Radikaa (what a film to debut in!) steps down from the train with a small sack of clothes and a parrot in a cage.
- 8/14/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodLike idli-sambar and barotta-kurma, Senthil-Goundamani is a combination that Tamil Nadu loves.Sowmya RajendranGoundamani turns 81 on May 25. The Tamil comedian may have been edged out of the screen and replaced by newer actors, but he's far from being forgotten. Like idli-sambar and barotta-kurma, Senthil-Goundamani is a combination that Tamil Nadu loves. Their comedy wouldn't pass any test for political correctness. It was sexist, racist, classist and possibly twenty other -ists that Goundamani will counter with an "Adhu yenda enna paathu andha kelvi keta?" But it was funny. It's hard to put a finger on why exactly. Was it Goundamani's exclamations like "gokka makka" or Senthil's "muzhi"? Why was it so funny when Goundamani beat the hell out of Senthil? The universe does not have an answer for some questions. Their comedy was slapstick and involved repetitive sequences but go to YouTube and you'll find innumerable videos from the several...
- 5/25/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
KollywoodLike idli-sambar and barotta-kurma, Senthil-Goundamani is a combination that Tamil Nadu loves.Sowmya RajendranGoundamani turns 81 on May 25. The Tamil comedian may have been edged out of the screen and replaced by newer actors, but he's far from being forgotten. Like idli-sambar and barotta-kurma, Senthil-Goundamani is a combination that Tamil Nadu loves. Their comedy wouldn't pass any test for political correctness. It was sexist, racist, classist and possibly twenty other -ists that Goundamani will counter with an "Adhu yenda enna paathu andha kelvi keta?" But it was funny. It's hard to put a finger on why exactly. Was it Goundamani's exclamations like "gokka makka" or Senthil's "muzhi"? Why was it so funny when Goundamani beat the hell out of Senthil? The universe does not have an answer for some questions. Their comedy was slapstick and involved repetitive sequences but go to YouTube and you'll find innumerable videos from the several...
- 5/25/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe actor is celebrating her birthday on April 7 and here’s a look at some of her best performances over the years. Anjana ShekarFrom playing the peacemaker in one of the most hilarious comedy scenes in Tamil cinema, involving a missing banana, to playing the wife who beats to pulp her good-for-nothing husband, to adopting a cartoonish caricature for the amusement of children later on in horror comedies, there can be only one actor who comes to mind when we think of these roles - Kovai Sarala. ‘Kovai' Sarala, if the prefix to her name wasn’t clue enough, then the natural Coimbatore flavour in her manner of speaking will tell you more of where she’s from. She entered the industry at a time when comedy queen Manorama was relegated to picking up motherly/grandmotherly roles and it may not be an exaggeration to say that there was a...
- 4/7/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe actor is celebrating her birthday on April 7 and here’s a look at some of her best performances over the years. Anjana ShekarFrom playing the peacemaker in one of the most hilarious comedy scenes in Tamil cinema, involving a missing banana, to playing the wife who beats to pulp her good-for-nothing husband, to adopting a cartoonish caricature for the amusement of children later on in horror comedies, there can be only one actor who comes to mind when we think of these roles - Kovai Sarala. ‘Kovai' Sarala, if the prefix to her name wasn’t clue enough, then the natural Coimbatore flavour in her manner of speaking will tell you more of where she’s from. She entered the industry at a time when comedy queen Manorama was relegated to picking up motherly/grandmotherly roles and it may not be an exaggeration to say that there was a...
- 4/7/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodWith its meandering storyline and comedy reeking of homophobia and insensitivity, this comedy is best avoided.Anjana ShekarVaibhav’s Sixer is supposed to be a funny film. Remember cook Kandhasamy, Goundamani’s famous role from Chinna Thambi where he plays a man suffering from night blindness aka 'maalaikann'? How much funnier would it be if such a character played the film’s hero, the makers must have thought. Some ideas sure do sound fantastic on paper. The film’s very first scene is an elaborate show of just how much the hero, Aadhi (Vaibhav) readies himself before 6.00 pm every day. He jumps, skids and rolls down, rushing from the construction site where he’s a site engineer to reach his house safely. His friend waits with his bike revving so this Cinderella can reach home before dusk falls. Even while his daily life proves to be a struggle for survival,...
- 8/30/2019
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe sneak peek video has a sequence that shows Goundamani's portrait and references his character from 'Chinna Thambi' who has night blindness or 'maalaikan'.Tnm StaffWikimedia Commons/Vinojasan [Cc By-sa 4.0]Actor Vaibhav, who was last seen in the 2017 romcom Meyaadha Maan, is awaiting the release of Sixer. Directed by Chachi and produced by Trident Arts and Wallmate Entertainment, the film is expected to release on August 30, Friday. However, just a day before its release, well-known comedian Goundamani has sent a notice to the makes for the unauthorised use of his photo and dialogues from his iconic ‘Cook Kandasamy’ role in the 1991 Tamil film Chinna Thambi. Goundamani’s character in this film has night blindness or Nyctalopia, a condition in which the patient becomes vision impaired at night or in the evenings as a result of the low light. This premise gave scope for Goundamani to come up with well-timed comedy...
- 8/29/2019
- by Meghak
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe 1989 film, which starred Ramarajan and Kanaka in lead roles, had turned out to be a cult hit.Digital NativeLyricist, music composer and director Gangai Amaren directed the Ramarajan starrer Karagattakkaran in 1989 and the movie had turned out to be a cult hit. The film was a commercial hit and had a successful 425-day run at the box office. And now, after three decades, Gangai Amaren is planning to make a sequel to the film. On this, the director told Cinema Express in an interview, “The film will focus on what happened to the lead couple, Goundamani, Senthil, all of their kids and the status of their families. The first draft of the script is ready and I am in talks with the artists. I want to bring in everyone from the original, except Gandhimathi and Shanmugasundaram. I will make an official announcement soon, after work on the re-writes is done.
- 5/30/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
KollywoodFrom Kongu to Singala Tamil, many actors have tried out different dialects on the big screen to make their character more convincing.Anjana ShekarIn Viswasam, actor Ajith played a village goon from Madurai. In Red (2002) too, he had played the role of a local don from Madurai. To sound more authentic this time, the actor tried speaking in the local dialect, inserting phrases like ‘injarule’ (a local exclamation for ‘won’t you look at this?’) to make a pronounced effect. Although not one hundred percent authentic, we’ve seen actors trying out new dialects time and again which would give more edge to their character. And most times, this becomes a unique aspect of the film that is extolled by the makers before its release. Here's a list of dialects we've seen on the big screen and the films in which they featured. 'Madras' Tamil This is one of the...
- 1/19/2019
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
Kollywood Kamal as Senapathy, self-styled vigilante who prefers the monicker ‘Indian’, is seen blurred out in the poster. Tnm StaffThe first-look poster of Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, his reunion with director S Shankar after 22 years, was released early on Pongal. The poster’s focus is on the iconic ‘varma-kalai’ that was made famous in the first film. Kamal as Senapathy, a self-styled vigilante who prefers the monicker ‘Indian’, is seen blurred out in the poster. The first-look poster, however, does not reveal any more about the film. The poster reveals that shooting will begin from January 18. With Anirudh roped in for the film’s music, cinematographer Ravi Varman will be the DoP. Indian 2 is being bankrolled by Lyca Productions. The film’s dialogues will be penned by writer Jayamohan, lyricist Kabilan Vairamuthu and Lakshmi Saravanakumar while the prequel Indian had late writer Sujatha on board. This action drama has Jack Gill,...
- 1/15/2019
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodShe is a well-known celebrity in South Korea and is popular for her music, films, and television series across the globe.Digital NativeDigital NativeReports have surfaced that the South Korean actor Bae Suzy is reportedly in talks with the makers of Indian 2 to play a pivotal role in the film. Talks have been initiated and it needs to be known if the pretty actor would be joining onboard this magnum opus. She is a well-known celebrity in South Korea and across the globe and is popular for her music, films, and television series. Directed by Shankar, Indian 2 will have Kamal Haasan playing the lead role. Kajal Agarwal has been roped in to play the female lead in this film. The shooting of Indian 2 will go on to the floors on January 18, confirm sources in the trade. Anirudh Ravichander has been signed up to compose the tunes for Indian 2 and...
- 1/10/2019
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe complaint has been filed against Sn Media that now claims to hold the rights for Simbu's 2004 hit movie 'Manmadhan'.Digital NativeDigital NativeActor-filmmaker T Rajendar has filed a police complaint alleging that the rights of the 2004 release Manmadhan vests with his production house Simbu Cine Arts but Sn Media now claims to own it. He has also alleged that producer Pl Thenappan is behind this issue and has sought police intervention to have it sorted out. It may be noted here that Manmandhan was one of the hit movies in Silambarasan aka Simbu’s career. The movie hit the marquee in the 2004 and was a box office success. The film was directed jointly by Simbu and Aj Murugan and the story was penned by the former. Balakumaran has written the dialogues for Manmadhan. The film had Simbhu and Jyothika as the lead pair with Sindhu Tolani, Goundamani, Atul Kulkarni,...
- 12/26/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe film which will mark Haasan’s return as the octogenarian vigilante Senapathy, was supposed to commence its shooting from 14 December.Digital NativeIndian 2, director Shankar's next is progressing well with the prep work to get it on to the floors. Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan, who played the lead role in the prequel, will be the hero in the sequel as well, which will be bankrolled by Lyca Productions on a lavish budget. The film which will mark Haasan’s return as the octogenarian vigilante Senapathy, was supposed to commence its shooting from 14 December. Now the shoot has been postponed to January 2019 and it is being said that the delay in set work has resulted in this push. While the makers are yet to officially reveal more details about the project, there are reports that Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn are being considered to play the antagonist in this venture. It...
- 12/21/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodAlthough official confirmation has not been made, trade circles are also abuzz with the news that Kajal Agarwal may be roped in as well. Digital NativeDigital NativeLooks like Dulquer Salmaan and Kamal Haasan may get to team up! Reports are that the young hero has been approached to play a role in the Kamal Haasan starrer Indian 2, which is the sequel to the hit Tamil flick Indian. Director Shankar is currently busy with the groundwork to get the sequel on to the floors soon and is roping in the stars to play a pivotal role in it. Kamal Haasan, who was the lead star in Indian, will be a part of the sequel as well. According to a Sify.com report, Dulquer Salmaan has been approached to play a significant role in it and is yet to give his nod considering his current assignments on hands. Trade circles are...
- 11/12/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe actor was a part of the prequel and looks like he will be retained to maintain continuity in this film.Digital NativeDigital NativeIndian 2, Shankar's next, is on its pre-production mode. Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan, who played the lead role in the prequel, will be the hero in the sequel as well. According to latest reports, the director is in talks with the Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu for a role in Indian 2. The actor was a part of the prequel and looks like he will be retained to maintain continuity in this film. Also, Sukanya, who played Kamal’s wife in Indian, might be playing a role in Indian 2. While the director is still in the process of assembling his star cast, he is also busy with the location hunt in India and abroad. The shooting of Indian 2 will commence soon after Kamal Haasan is done with the hosting of the television reality show,...
- 9/11/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodHe was accompanied by ace cinematographer Ravi Varman. Digital NativeDigital NativeDirector Shankar has set the ball rolling for his upcoming film Indian 2, which is the sequel to his hit movie Indian. As in the prequel, Indian 2 will have the Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan playing the lead role. The director had been hunting for locations for shooting the film and was recently in Prodattur in Kadapa, Andhra for the purpose. He was accompanied by ace cinematographer Ravi Varman, who will be cranking the camera for the venture. It may be mentioned here that the director was abroad a few months ago to scout for locations. The shooting of Indian 2 will commence soon after Kamal Haasan is done with the hosting of the television reality show, Bigg Boss season two. Pairing up with him in the film will be Nayanthara. Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in to compose the tunes for Indian 2. Indian,...
- 9/6/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodHe directed two films, 'Ayudha Poojai' starring Arjun and 'Rettai Jadai Vayasu' starring Ajith, in his career.Tnm StaffTwitter/BharathKumar258Director C Sivakumar who directed two films – Ayudha Poojai starring Arjun in 1995 and Rettai Jadai Vayasu starring Ajith in 1997 – was found dead in his apartment in Saligramam, Chennai, on Thursday. The news of his death has come as shock to many in the industry. It is being reported that the director’s body was found in a decomposed state and investigations are currently underway as the police are unsure what led to his death. Director C Sivakumar initially worked as an assistant with Director K Bhagyaraj before turning to direct his own films. Both his films were produced by N Palaniswamy of Bhagyam Cine Combines. Of his two films, Ajith’s Rettai Jadai Vayasu did well at the box-office. The film also starred Manthra, Goundamani, Senthil and Ponvannan, and had music by Deva.
- 8/3/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodDirected by Shankar, the film's pre-production is currently in progress.Digital NativeDigital NativeUlaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan had earlier said that he would be joining the sets of the Shankar's Indian 2 after the release of Vishwaroopam 2. With the film scheduled for release on August 10, movie buffs are waiting for info on Indian 2’s progress which was formally announced last year during the grand finale of Bigg Boss season 1 Tamil. On Saturday’s episode of Bigg Boss, Kamal revealed that he will be starting work on the sequel to his blockbuster film Indian in September after he is done with the Bigg Boss season 2 television reality show that he is currently hosting. Pre-production of this magnum opus is currently on. Anirudh Ravichander has been signed up to compose the tunes for Indian 2, say sources. We also hear that the Lady Superstar Nayanthara is in talks to play the female lead...
- 7/23/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
KollywoodWhat was Tamil cinema like 25 years ago and how have these films aged?Nandhu SundaramI was in Plus One and my finals had ended that day. We were standing outside Raja Theatre in Nagercoil, my hometown. There were more than 65 government school students -- all of them from my batch -- standing outside, many of us still in uniform. I had never been to the movies with so many people and was very excited. My friends and I were there to watch Gentleman, the newest rage in town. One of my friends was holding on to a sack. I peered inside and found it to be full of lottery tickets. Another friend explained that they were to be used for throwing in the way of the light cast by the projector. Celebrating in this way is still the norm in many theatres across the country. It’s been more than 25 years and times have changed. Raja Theatre, which stood adjacent to the famous Nagaraja Temple, is no longer there. And, no movie will run for the 100 days that Gentleman did any more. In the streaming era of Amazon Prime and the like, films today run for about 35 days in the theatre before being shown elsewhere. Gentleman, arguably the most famous film of 1993, launched the career of director S Shankar. The songs were trendy and became hit, and thus began the famous collaboration between Shankar and composer Ar Rahman. The explosive choreography by Prabhu Deva created quite a buzz, with ‘Chikku Bukku Raile’ becoming a chartbuster. Arjun plays the lead Krishnamoorthy alias Kitcha in Gentleman and he stages multiple heists even as the police are hot on his heels. Kitcha, who has a dark and tragic past, plans to build a medical college for poor students. The film has tedious scenes involving the famous comedy duo - Goundamani and Senthil, who engage in frivolous games with Sugandi, played by Subhashri. Susheela, played by Madhubala, is the main woman lead. None of us knew it then, but the satellite TV revolution in Tamil Nadu proved to be a game-changer for movie-goers. Sun TV had just been launched with much fanfare and we would never treat the cinemas the same way again. Many of the films from 1993 are outdated and campy. Even the blockbusters released that year are not an exception. There are but a few gems that have held up well despite the ravages of time. Here, we take a look at some movies that have completed 25 years since they were first released in theatres. Nostalgia is a potent potion and many movies from 1993 bring a flood of memories with them. Take for instance, the completely inane Chinna Mapillai starring Prabhu, Sukanya, Visu and Radha Ravi. With side-splitting comedy, the movie had dialogues by Crazy Mohan and was helmed by Santhana Bharathi. With a particularly raunchy performance from actor Sivaranjani (who was briefly famous for such roles in Tamil cinema), the movie was later remade as Coolie No 1 with Govinda in the lead. Nuggets like that remind us of a time gone by when cinema was radically different from what it is today. Not all of the films from this era have endured. You may not dare to watch many films from this year on DVD. But the presence of classics like Mahanadhi and Marupadiyum more than redeem the pervading mediocrity that plagued Tamil cinema during this year. This symptom was shared by many films from the 1990s. In the January of 1993, the who’s who of Kollywood released movies. On Pongal (January 14) that year, an array of movies including Captain Magal (Dir. Bharathiraja), Jathi Malli (K Balachander), Kovil Kalai (Gangai Amaran), Marupadiyum (Balu Mahendra) and Walter Vetrivel (P Vasu) hit theatres. None of the films had their legendary directors at their best. In Captain Magal, actor Raja (a Bharathiraja favourite in those days) plays a music composer who is shot and injured when an attack is made on the life of the prime minister. To recover, he and his wife Kavitha (Kushboo in top form) move to a secluded house in the hills where bizzare happenings just don’t end. It’s a thriller that can get your teeth chattering, but none in the audience was too impressed and the film bombed. You may, however, remember the song ‘Entha Pennilum Illatha Ondru’, which became a huge hit. Jathi Malli which brought together the unlikely lead pair of Kushboo and Malayalam actor Mukesh too didn’t do well at the box office. Kushboo plays a Ghazal singer Sivaranjani, who moves to Ooty, after her mother is killed by terrorists. She finds in Kesavan (Mukesh) an unlikely source of solace, but will their hesitant courtship fructify? The late Balachander may have wanted his message of love triumphing terror to reach the masses, but no one was willing to listen. Kovil Kalai must be the most puzzling entry to notch up 25 years since release. Directed by Gangai Amaran, the film must have been regressive even for its times, but is positively bizzare by today’s standards. Made just four years after Amaran’s Karakattakaran, which stuck box office gold, Kovil Kalai, starring Vijayakanth and Kanaka, did reasonably well.at the box office. P Vasu is one of those directors who asks us to digest his films with dollops of sentiment. Best known for movies like Chinna Thambi, Vasu’s take on a cop’s life, Walter Vetrivel, may leave you cold today, but was a massive hit upon release. Sathyaraj's performance as Vetrivel brought audiences in droves to the theatre. The film just appropriated the popularity of former Tamil Nadu director general of police Walter Devaram and had no references to the life of the cop. In the title sequence of the movie, Sathyaraj delivers a line which might be a bit strange today. He says that if rowdies are allowed to roam freely, they would divide and sell the state in 25 years. Thank god, that hasn’t happened! Balu Mahendra’s film, Marupadiyum, starring Revathi, is the only one among the aforementioned movies to have dated gracefully. With his remake of Arth, Mahendra managed to deliver a film that both critics and audiences liked. Rajinikanth was pretty active in 1993. He appeared in three Tamil movies -- Uzhaippali, Yejaman and Valli. The films were box office successes, but may not figure among Rajini’s best. Kamal Haasan had a mixed year. Both Kalaignan and Maharasan were but blips in his career, but Mahanadi was a definite indication of how good a writer the actor was. The National Award winning movie was a tearjerker directed by Santhana Bharathi with whom Kamal would frequently collaborate. The late Malayalam actor, Cochin Haneefa, played the antagonist and his contribution as the sleazy child trafficker cannot be taken lightly. Puthiya Mugam, starring Revathi and her husband Suresh Menon, was an unforgettable movie experience for me. The thriller with its novel and imaginative use of plastic surgery had a couple of moments that were bone-chilling. The soundtrack from Rahman continues to remain among his best. The album also showed lyricist Vairamuthu in superb form. Bharathiraja made another movie that year and it was Kizhakku Cheemayile. I have always thought that Bharathiraja handled sentiment the best in Tamil cinema and that opinion was validated by this movie starring Vijayakumar and Radhika as inseparable siblings. Rahman’s score for this film remains popular even today. Sathyaraj returned to woo audiences with Malayalam director Joshi’s Airport, which rarely for Tamil cinema, had no songs. Though acclaimed by critics, the film didn’t do too well at the box office. Mani Ratnam’s Thiruda Thiruda was one of the better movies released that year. Featuring Prasanth, Anand, Heera and Anu Aggarwal, the movie traces the fate of Rs 1000 crore stolen from the government. With superb camerawork from PC Sreeram, which infused in it a spirit of adventure, the movie was welcomed by audiences and critics. However, I feel that the film is today among the most underrated of Ratnam’s flicks. Prathap was written, directed and produced by actor Arjun. Though Arjun’s film never quite made it into the big league, films like Prathap kept the actor in the market for biggies like Mudhalvan. In 1993, Ks Ravikumar directed three films -- Bandmaster (Sarath Kumar), Suriya Chandran (Anand Babu) and Purusha Lakshanam (Jayaram). We might never guess it, but Ravi Kumar went on to direct both Haasan and Rajini in many movies. It is hard to find common ground among the movies released in 1993. Many films featured songs with rain on the sets. Shots focussing on the leading lady’s navel or the cleavage were mandatory. The loss of the story in Tamil cinema was a complaint that was often heard. My friends often told me that line 'You can watch the movie once'. Naturally, word of mouth made a huge difference in making a movie a success. This was also the year that Ajith Kumar debuted with his movie, Amaravathi. For many of the actor’s fans, this would have been a really special moment. Despite all this, many of the movies from 1993 were so far removed from reality that we can now easily see what frustrated audiences. So when artificiality was replaced by the raw realism of New Cinema, movie-goers made sure they welcomed it whole-heartedly.
- 6/27/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
InterviewYogi Babu is currently the most sought after comedian in Kollywood.Siddarth SrinivasFacebook/Yogi BabuPick almost any entertainer in Tamil cinema, and there’s one man who’s sure to be a part of it. Yes we are talking about Yogi Babu, easily the busiest comedian in Kollywood right now. Tnm caught up with the actor who is currently juggling between two of the biggest films being canned in the industry – Thalapathy62 and Viswasam. While most famous comedians in the industry always have a team behind them to pen ripostes and comic lines, Yogi Babu stands out from the lot for being someone who does not need even a single person helping him with his part. “Leave alone having a team, I have never even spoken dialogues from another outsourced writer. All of my comedy is spontaneous, after working out the situation with the director. For some specific scenarios, the comedy is written beforehand by the director or the writer, where we will not have a say. But otherwise, it’s just me,” he says. Asking him about his exclusive style that is a favourite with all audiences, he says, "I don’t think I have a style of my own, I just behave on screen normally just like I am in real life. Thankfully, the audience finds it funny and it has worked in my favour.” After being treated only as a comedian in his other films, Yogi Babu’s character in Manikandan’s Aandavan Kattalai stood out from the rest, as it held a solid amount of emotions as well. The actor is quick to agree on the same, saying, “It was Vijay Sethupathy who asked me to tone down my wisecracks in the serious portions of the film. I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without his support. When I went for the theatre visit, the entire hall was silent for those ten minutes. I’ll always look back at it as one of my most important films ever.” Yogi Babu has already worked with almost all the top heroes in Tamil cinema, ranging from Vijay to Suriya to Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathy, Gv Prakash and now Ajith. Viswasam is the actor’s 100th film, which he has signed in a very short span of time. Apart from these films, what Yogi has scored with recently, is the hit number ‘Kalyaana Vayasu’ from Kolamaavu Kokila, where the actor is seen romancing Nayanthara. “Her fans are screaming at me already,” he says, with a laugh. “This actually happened after the entire shoot of the film was over, when director Nelson called me and informed me about a montage song shoot with Nayanthara and myself. I was shell shocked, in fact uncomfortable. I’m happy that Nayanthara herself took it so sportively, being such a top heroine, it’s great of her.” Interestingly, Yogi Babu says that he is not here in the industry to quote high remunerations and get rich. “Even if I have ten lakhs in hand, I will be overthinking on what to do with it. A lot of producers have asked me why I take less money, but that’s because I’m here to please everybody and make friends. Maybe that is the reason why I’ve done a 100 films so quickly.” When asked about which hero in the industry he is interested to work with, Yogi Babu replies, “Having worked with almost all heroes, I am looking forward to share the screen with Dhanush soon. Hope things fall into place.” Yogi Babu admits that he is facing a problem with scheduling his call sheets after the strike, since he has signed several films. According to him, there are people within the industry who are blaming him for committing to a lot of projects at the same time. However, he says that will deal with it without any panic, even if he is handed a red card. To keep up with the schedules, he is taking up multiple shoots simultaneously, during the night and day, accommodating as much as possible. When it comes to the type of comedy he has been associated with, the actor has sometimes been body shamed and trolled for his appearance in many films. While a section of the audience have found it hurtful, Yogi Babu thinks otherwise: “It’s normal. Sometimes I myself ask for it. I don’t have the looks of a Vijay or Ajith, people will tear off the screen if I say that. Take the example of Vadivelu sir – in some situations, even kids have made fun of him on screen. The same with Goundamani sir and Senthil sir, who are my favourites. I think body language is an important aspect of comedy, I’m happy to use it this way.” However, Yogi Babu does draw the line at times. “It is okay to get insulted on screen. What I will not do, is double entendre. It won’t be nice to watch my film with my parents, where I’ve indulged in smutty humor. So I refrain from that. It has happened previously in a couple of occasions, but that’s something to be avoided in the future,” says the actor. Yogi Babu’s next release will be the Gv Prakash starrer Sema, which hits the screens on May 25. The actor has quite a bit of screentime in the film, with his character travelling along with the hero. “I’ve also signed another upcoming biggie, the announcement will come very soon,” he signs off. Also read: '2.O' trailer to be released at Ipl final?...
- 5/22/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
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