Ranam 2 Telugu movie ready for release

Amma Rajasekhar played the lead role and also directed a movie titled 'Ranam 2'. The songs of the film were released recently and the post production work is also completed now.

Amma Rajasekhar said, "'Ranam 2' will be loved by the Telugu audiences, who love different subjects. My character as hero will attract the mass audiences. This film will have all the commercial elements like my earlier film, 'Ranam'. The songs were received well. We are planning to release the film at the end of February".

Amma Rajasekhar, Nidhi, Prudhvi, Nalla Venu, Sravan, Fish Venkat, Subbaraju etc acted in the movie. Mani Sharma is the music director of this film.

Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini telugu movie Music Review

Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini telugu movie Music Review

This album has a strong Telugu flavour written all over it.  Nakul Abhyankar, Haricharan, Hari, Hemachandra, Pranavi, SP Charan, Sunil Kashyap, Lipsika are the range of singers, while lyrics are by Radha Subrahmanyam and Rakendu Mouli Vennelakanti.

Get a taste of unadulterated lyrics.

Veelunte

Artist: Nakul Abhyankar
Lyricist: Radha Subrahmanyam

The album gets a breezy start with this youthful song.  The number has romantic lyrics by Radha Subrahmanyam.  Nakul Abhyankar has got vocals that can pass off for good with the zeitgeist-infested youngsters.  Hari shows some spark in terms of tuning and instrumentation.

Radhe Radhe

Artist: Haricharan
Lyricist: Radha Subrahmanyam

'Radhe Radhe' is a surprise of a second song.  Hari marshals his musical skills to a smoothing effect.  His tuning evokes a feeling of longing and joyfulness.  Haricharan is at his usual best; he renders the demanding number to a perfect rhythmic effect.  Radha gets even more poetic with this song.

Madana Mohana

Artists: Pranavi, SP Charan
Lyricist: Rakendu Mouli Vennelakanti

The young Vennelakanti deploys his profound bent of mind here.  The lyrics are easily the song's best part, and they demand attention and an eye for detail.  Pranavi's mellifluous voice is complemented by that of no less a singing talent than SP Charan.  All in all, Hari delivers a good output by matching the talent of everyone from the lyricist to the two singers.

Ola Ola

Artists: Hari, Hemachandra
Lyricist: Radha Subrahmanyam

This one induces a sense of deja vu as it exudes a rip-off flavour for sure.  Such kind of minimal inspiration is not improper.  Hari and Hemachandra deliver a dekko.  Their vocals are surely apt.  As for Radha's lyrics, they are sans all the fluke that so-called youthful numbers today feature.

Tuhi Tuhi

Artists: Haricharan, Sunil Kashyap, Lipsika
Lyricist: Rakendu Mouli Vennelakanti

This is yet another tribute to love in this album.  Once again, the young Vennelakanti paints the sky with a poetic brush.  If the lyrics are high-brow, Haricharan, Sunil Kashyap and Lipsika give out splendid vocals.  Hari's music is entertaining.

Naalo Premey

Artists: Hari
Lyricist: Radha Subrahmanyam

A song of this genre was awaited in this album.  Hari has a very Illayaraja-esque as well as AR Rehman-esque baritone and this works in favour of this song that exudes pathos.  Hari shows his imagination when it comes to music as well.  Radha's meaningful lyrics cast a splendid spell.

Verdict:  True to the title that has a Telugu-esque, this album has authentic Telugu-fied songs.  Profound lyrics, good vocals and okay music make it a worthy one.

Mass tamil movie 2015 update

Mass tamil movie 2015 update

Masss  with Suriya at it's lead is progressing at a rapid pace. Things are going well fo the unit being led by director Venkat Prabhu.

IndiaGlitz has come to know that the current shoot for the movie is underway in parts of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli. Few important scenes are being shot here, after which the cast and crew will progress to their next schedule.

'Masss' which has gained a massive response for its title from all sets of audiences is one the most-hyped films of 2015.

'Masss' has Suriya and Nayantara as the lead pair with Pranitha playing a major role. Joining them will be a star-studded cast, which includes Jayaram, Parthiepan, Premgi Amaren, Samuthirakani, Karunas, Sriman, Sanjay Bharathi, Vidyullekha Raman and Riyaz Khan. Music is being composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with R. D. Rajasekhar as cinematographer and Praveen K. L. handling editing. Studio Green and Suriya's home banner 2D Productions are jointly producing the movie.

We will bring you more 'Masss' updates as we keep receiving them.

Isai tamil movie review

Isai  tamil movie review

He directed, wrote scripts, penned dialogues, produced, then took the big step in acting, and finally did something inevitable composed music. Yes, the man in the limelight is SJ Surya without a doubt. The title of the music itself triggers a lot of hype, “ISAI” is a musical thriller probably the one of its kind and with SJ Surya at the helm, Sathyaraj plays an equivalent role full and foremost with a dawning negative shade, probably the ones we long to see him play. So what is musical about Isai? And what is this musical thriller? Let’s find out.

Music, Love, and more:

A musician is at his best when he has his mind as crystal as water. SJ Surya is Shiva, one of the most wanted musicians in Kollywood and this single line depicts his character in the movie. Add a pinch of chaos and his mind wanders haywire into the lost jungle. There is a single line that Sathyaraj says in the movie; when the horse trots ahead with its blinkers, it just trots ahead. But remove the blinds and see what happens. This is exactly the milieu in which Isai sinks in, and forms a theme with the lead characters.

As a leading musician, Sj Surya takes pride in finding music in little known things like the chirp of a bird, buzz of the bee, nature’s best rhythm’s and that’s how he finds a place on the top. With age getting the better out of him, without variety and innovation Sathyaraj plays a yester year musician who blames the rise of SJ Surya to be his downfall. Through the first half the character of Shiva essayed by SJ Surya surfaces as the jolly good musician who falls heads over heels on Jenny a chirpy villager, and as usual the double meaning dialogues and oomph is there as a signature effect of the director. Glamour and Love are two important aspects in SJ Surya and as usual he does not let his fans down by putting enough steamy scenes before romance bubbles out.

And there is the psychotic Sathyaraj who seethes at the mere mention of the word Shiva and scavenges a devilish plot to wreck his music career. The role of Sathyaraj is etched out pretty hardcore, as a man who simply doesn’t want to murder but gets deep inside their mind and break it. The negative shade that he presumes is rather stunning and no words to laud his acting. The second half races gets the audience hooked with enough twists and turns before finishing off to a climax that makes you scratch your heads, well not in the wrong way though.

 

The Positives:

Three things to be precise; the script, twists, power packed performances. SJ Surya comes back after a long hiatus to shell out a stellar performance in directing, screenplay and acting. He dwells into the character with ease and puts up a fine show especially through the second half. But it’s Sathyaraj who steals the limelight, with his usual “Nayyandinakkal”, sinister cracks; the man is a magician when you put him in a villainous role, just WOW! The talk between him and KanjaKaruppu is sure to be remembered for a long time to come. Sulagna explodes with glamour, and does not let you down when it comes to acting too, a new find here. Cinematography from Soundarajan deserves a special mention; he captures the true essence of the director’s intention.

The Negatives:

1. Too often do the directors succumb to the length of the movie, they take too much time in building up the characterization that by the time you realize its already 190 minutes.

2. Music is a big letdown, for a movie titled as “Isai” the movie surely misses the Holygrail of its plot even though the BGM offers some solace.

Minus these negatives, Isai is a grand comeback for SJ Surya without a doubt. Sathyaraj’s role thumps the movie home.

Birdman 2015 english movie Review

Birdman 2015 english movie Review

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman is a film about hope; about love, both lost and found; about finding the best version of yourself and accepting it; about loving what you do and doing what you love. But mostly, it's about a bunch of foul-mouthed washed-up or nobody actors trying to get their first Broadway play off the ground successfully.

Michael Keaton is Riggan Thompson, who is most popularly known for playing the superhero character Birdman in three blockbuster films in the early 90s. He turned down a fourth installment in the franchise back then, and has done a bunch of nothing since then. What makes this situation funny is that Keaton actually played Batman in two films from 1989-92. Riggan even comes equipped with a Birdman alter-ego who talks in a hoarse voice, much like Batman.

So, Riggan decides to mount a Broadway play (initially to disastrous results) with a cast of actors that includes Naomi Watts, Edward Norton and Andrea Riseborough. Also in the mix is his assistant/daughter Emma Stone, his ex-wife Amy Ryan and his best friend/lawyer/producer Zach Galifianakis.

Birdman is like a Broadway play, much like the one the characters seem to be doing. The camera, the actual camera, follows each character around, as a normal person would, as they go about having conversations with each, fighting with each other dressed in their underwear, having sex on top of the stage lights, or simply having a breakdown.

Much like a stage play, the line between scenes is blurred, as one act ends and another one seamlessly begins. The camera work, by now-legendary cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, flows with the grace and delicate flexibility of a ballet dancer, almost floating in the air as it goes from one end of the backstage building to the other.

One aspect of Birdman that is hard to get past is the constant flow of dialogue. If ever a film has maintained a steady barrage of words throughout its running length, it's Birdman. In fact, this film is the most reliant on conversation between its protagonists since the final film in Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy. And the dialogues themselves are a thing of beauty. The characters say things that range from unabashed, no-holds-barred, cuss-filled one-liners that make your either chuckle with glee or lough out loud, to their general insights about life that generally entertain you with how true their social commentary is.

Sample this: Michael Keaton, while imagining having a conversation with his Birdman alter-ego, looks at himself in the mirror and says "you look like a turkey with leukimia". Or when Edward Norton says about a woman at a bar, "she looks like she just licked a homeless man's ass". These are some of the most politically incorrect things that you will hear someone saying, things that should shock and stun you. Instead, you laugh your heart out at the honesty with which the various characters conduct themselves.

Unlike most films about previously successful professionals who end up trying their hand at something new, Birdman is not an inspirational film. Sure, Riggan finds a new side to himself that he didn't know existed by the end, and the play turns out to be successful. But the film doesn't try to manipulate you, trying to pump you up like a "Just Do It" style sports commercial. In fact, the realization dawns upon him during a mostly funny extended fantasy sequence involving a giant bird trying to destroy New York.

Even though the film is about a Broadway play, it's actually much more a sum of all of its key players. It's all about relationships that are built over the course of it, and those that are broken. And director Inarritu, who's previous films have had a large cast of interconnected characters, is the perfect man for the job of handling all of his players.

Inarritu, who also co-wrote the film with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr and Armando Bo, lets his cast flourish, letting them go at each other in long, uncut, one-shot sequences, as he stands by gently guiding them in the direction he wants to go. He takes a story that doesn't have as much comedic potential on first glance, and makes a film that is deeply funny, yet deeply insightful. He not only blurs the line between different sequences, he also blurs the line between fantasy and reality when it comes to Keaton's solo scenes.

A special mention for Antonio Sanchez, who provides an off-beat, drums-based musical score that only helps in highlighting the comedy within each sequence.

Keaton's performance is one of the most meta moments in cinematic history. Much like the character he's playing, Keaton seems to have found his groove in an uncharacteristic and surprisingly self-deprecatory role. Not only is his comic timing pitch perfect, but the earnestness that he displays in the film's dramatic moments is stunning to watch. Keaton is only surpassed by blinding performance by Edward Norton, as a popular theater actor with his own eccentricities. Every single time Norton is on screen, you start laughing in anticipation of the next abomination that would surely come from his mouth. He does the most shocking things with ease of a kid shoveling dirt in a park.

Emma Stone takes you completely by surprise as Keaton's drug-addict daughter who believes in the power of social media. Anyone, including me, who would've ever doubted her acting capabilities before this film, her monolog outburst against her father somewhere near the middle of the film should shut us up for good. Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Andrea Riseborough play their parts with aplomb, managing to be funny when you least expect it.

Considering the number of months left in 2015, there might be a small possibility that you end up finding a funnier film than Birdman this year. But I could bet my (insert collateral here) that you won't find a smarter comedy than this genius piece of cinema.

Foxcatcher 2015 english movie Review

Foxcatcher 2015 english movie Review

Foxcatcher opens with Olympic gold-medalist Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) speaking at an elementary school for a meager $20, which is followed by him going through the motions of his everyday life, eating alone, watching TV alone, practicing his wrestling moves alone, followed by wrestling practice with his Olympic gold-medalist elder brother Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo).

As the two brothers wrestle, friendly at first and then more aggressively at the instigation of Mark, you become aware of Mark's sense of insecurity, his feeling overshadowed by his well-liked and well-intentioned brother. In these moments, the film makes an extremely strong start, showing you what the rest of the film is going to be like: sober, somber and intense with a melancholic tone.

Director Bennett Miller's follow-up to the acclaimed Capote and Moneyball is an odd film, in the sense that despite the presence of all kinds of talent, the film never manages to completely exploit all the potential for drama that lies beneath the surface of this true story of two brothers and a murderous psychopath. It keeps you waiting and waiting for THAT defining moment to come, the moment that defines every great film and completely turns the narrative around. But with Foxcather, that moment never comes.

This aforementioned psychopath is John E. du Pont (Steve Carell), a billionaire (millionaire?) philanthropist and wrestling enthusiast, who enlists Mark to join his team Team Foxcatcher and train with him for the World Championships. The character of du Pont is simultaneously the film's biggest achievement and its worst failure.

With the right makeup, prosthetics, camera angles and some supreme acting, the film manages to make du Pont appear like the most ordinary person and the most disturbing person in the world all at the same time. He manages to look creepy even when he's just silently blinking his eyes. He's the kind of guy who makes you feel like taking a bath after just being in the same room with him.

But where the film looses out is exploring the psychology of du Pont and what drove the man to commit one of the most notorious murders in sporting history. We're barely able to scratch the surface of the character that was du Pont, also know as the "Golden Eagle". By the end of the film, the only relationship of his that we have any level of understanding of is the one he shared with his mother, where he had the tendency to try to prove himself worthy of her approval.

Also surprising are the time leaps that the film employs, with the final jump in time spanning years. Important storylines and characters are completely obliterated from the film, giving an incomplete picture of the real events. Even the critical moments that director Miller and writers E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman choose to film are sometimes glossed over.

But in between all the inconsistencies and omissions, the film manages to keep you involved somehow or the other. Mark's descent into insecurity, taking up cocaine use on du Pont's beckoning, his spiraling during the Olympics tryouts and his binge-eating are some of the smaller details and emotions that are captured extremely well by Bennett Miller. The same goes for the big finale, which is shot in a very understated manner, magnifying its impact.

The cinematography by Greig Fraser is commendable, whether it's in capturing the snow-capped mansion of du Pont or, more importantly, during the wrestling scenes. Even though wrestling itself isn't at the front and center during the film, the few short sequences that do feature in the film appear as authentic as you could possibly expect them to be. The musical score by Rob Simonsen and West Dylan Thordson is minimalistic, which is exactly what the film required. The film could've definitely used crisper editing, though.

The one area where the film shines bright and sunny is the performances. Tatum turns in an uncharacteristically restrained performance as Mark Schultz, the film's main protagonist. Sure, it may not be career-changing performance for the guy, like Dallas Buyers Club was for Matthew McConaughey, but he never sticks out like a sore thumb. Plus, his athleticism and beefy build make him a great choice for the role.

Mark Ruffalo is his usual reliable self as Dave, giving it his all. Both him and Tatum are never less than convincing as wrestlers, and more importantly, brothers. Ruffalo gets a role that is suited to his personality, as the gentle and helpful soul, and gives a watchable performance.

But the film is lead with pride by Steve Carell as John du Pont, a performance that should help him break out from his mold of comedy films. As the deranged, jealous, drug-addled ornithologist, Carell gives a stunningly creepy performance, the kind that should chill you to your bones. Apart from his prosthetically-altered appearance, he even subtly modifies his gait, stance and posture to maximize the unnerving effect that his character has on people surrounding him. It might not win him an Oscar at the end of the day, but it should win him plenty of applause from cinegoers worldwide.

When you're walking out of the theater, you cannot help but feel that Bennett Miller (an otherwise superlative talent) seems to have missed a trick or two with Foxcatcher. He has a keen eye for capturing the smaller moments, interactions and showdowns between characters, but he loses sight of the big picture in this case. A better treatment of this thrilling true story could've morphed the film into one for the ages.

Instead, you're left feeling incomplete, like you're missing out on some pieces of the puzzle that was the mind of John E. du Pont. Mark Schultz recently criticized the film and Miller for completely making up the personalities of all the characters in the film. What he really should've been mad about is a perfect opportunity for creating an epic sports murder-drama squandered away by some measured filmmaking.

Khamoshiyan hindi movie Review

Khamoshiyan hindi movie Review

The biggest puzzle in the public domain, besides the question, "Why US President Obama chose to mouth Shah Rukh Khan's lines from "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'?" is, "Why does a sensible intelligent man like Vikram Bhatt chose to write such stupid shiver givers?"

"Khamoshiyan" makes you shiver. But not in fear. It just makes you shake in embarrassment for all the ghosts and spirits who are so royally snubbed and insulted by such travesties of terror. Maybe the spiritual world could sue for defamation. And then there should be an added penalty for wasting three talented young hopeful actors looking for a break.

All "Khamoshiyan" gives them is a pathetic plot where creaky doors and spooky apparitions get more playing time than the actors who have to look scared and shattered when they are probably laughing behind the camera wondering who in this day and age believes in such moronic mumbo-jumbo.

Not the progressive Mahesh Bhatt for sure. Why Mr.Bhatt who has made some of the most pathbreaking films in recent times would choose to back something so shrouded in the raga of the regressive is beyond comprehension.

But all is not lost. There is a brand new version in this fearful film of the Khemchand Prakash-composed classic "Aayega aanewala", which launched the career of Lata Mangeshkar as the voice of the nation.

I'm not too sure what the Bhatts (brothers Mahesh and Mukesh and their protege Vikram) mean to achieve by mocking the melody from the film "Mahal" in this way. Whatever their motive, the new version of "Aayega aanewala" only serves to remind us how far the ghost drama has strayed from its original purpose of creating a world where the tenable and attainable cross one another's world in pursuit of love and fulfilment.

In "Khamoshiyan", the protagonists snub the spirit and focus on the body. Debutant Sapna Pabbi, playing a hotel receptionist with a serious face twitch and body itch, leads both the men not so gently in bedded perdition. We see Sapna and Ali Fazal kissing, writhing, moaning and...umm...erupting. We see Sapna and Gurmeet Choudhary kissing, writhing....you get the picture? Same-to-same.

Sex never looked more boring.

These are three bodies with no claim to a soul, grappling with a script in a power-piqued film that mocks every sensible rule of filmmaking. All the fearsome threesome does is make out in different locations and positions. Maybe they thought they were shooting for a condom ad. The characters certainly need protection....From the onslaught of idiocy that assails them from every nook of this misguided thriller, more idiotic than erotic, with a female protagonist who is more neurotic than enigmatic.

By the time we come to the....ahem....climax, we are past caring about these three abandoned souls. To their credit, the three actors manage to look appealing in spite of their unsavoury circumstances. 

Ali Fazal playing a writer with a block tries to enjoy the suffering. Somewhere you feel the character's pain has been superseded by the actor's agony. Sapna Pabbi has a gamine-like charm which this film tries to turn into a pub-house of horny antics. Better luck next time, Sapna.

Pabbi is not just miscast, she is mess-cast.

As for debutant Gurmeet Choudhary, he definitely has a screen presence. One wishes he had chosen for his film debut a script that respected the audiences' intelligence and tolerance level.

Rahasya Movie Review - Rahasya - Filled with snaky twist & turns

Rahasya Movie Review - Rahasya - Filled with snaky twist & turns

What is it all about?

Filled with snaky twists and turns UVI Film Productions ‘Rahasya’ backed by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures is packed by an absorbing spin. Inspired by the famous Aarushi murder case, ‘Rahasya’ helmed by the talented Manish Gupta lives up to its demand of maintaining a dramatic rhythm and tension powered by terrific performance as the doctors of this genre ordered.

Though the obsession to end the mystery in the cliche methodical nature may disappoint the discerning audience but overall audience in general will find satisfaction.

The Story

Inspired by the famous Aarushi murder case Manish Gupta pens an edge of the seat thriller and as the film progresses make enough changes to avoid further criticism (initially Rajesh and Nupur Talwar had criticized the filmmaker for making a film on Aarushi’s murder).

One morning 18 year old Ayesha Mahajan (Sakshi Sem) is found murdered in her room. Sachin Mahajan (Ashish Vidyarthi) – Ayesha’s father becomes the prime suspect after police investigation.  Aarti Mahajan (Tisca Chopra) – Sachin Mahajan’s wife manages to get the case under CBI eye.

Sunil Paraskar (Kay Kay Menon) is the honest "imaandar jabaaz" CBI officer. The no nonsense Sunil Paraskar is the current serious-walnut-eating version of mid 80’s famous carrot-chewing-television-detective Karamchand (played by Pankaj Kapoor).

Sunil while investigating finds number of evidences. The investigation turns snaky and deadly when suspects and lead get killed creating more tension.

Who murdered Ayesha Mahajan and what was the story behind the murder is answered in the end.

What to look out for?

It’s on target right from the word go. Manish Gupta’s narration is simple, tight and to the point. Though the movie adds nothing exceptional to the genre but it stays loyal in its traditional in satisfying the common audience.

Those who are aware of the Aarushi murder case in Delhi will have a sense of déjà vu initially but as the investigation progresses the movie manages to take a shape of its own.

Manish keeps his script tight and sticks to basics. There’s no song dance here. The narration succeeds in getting the involvement of the audience making them do their guess work. Slowly and surely Manish manages to create the tension and bring the investigation to shocking revelations as the mystery unfolds.

The actors do a terrific job here. Kay Kay Menon as the walnut eating no nonsense Maharashtrian CBI officer is incredible. Ashish Vidyarthi as Ayesha’s father is outstanding. Tisca Chopra as Aarti Mahajan is excellent. Ashwini Khalsekar chips in a brilliant support. Sakshi Sem is Ayesha Mahajan is fine.  Vinit Kakar as the assistance cop has screen presence and shows good promise. Technically sound and supportive, Ranjit Barot music does the right thing for the film. Cinematography by Faroukh Mistry is sleek. Suresh Pai editing is effective is building the tension. Production values are up to mark.

What Not?

Though the suspense is exciting, the winding up of the proceedings is cliché. We have seen, read such windups in the bygone decades movies, novels etc. even after having a few outdoor locations, the movie sometimes gives a television detective series feeling. Some convenience is taken in the scripting.

Conclusion: ‘Rahasya’ helmed by the talented Manish Gupta lives up to its demand of maintaining a dramatic rhythm and tension as ordered by the doctors of this genre powered by terrific performance of Kay Kay, Vidyarthi and Tisca.

Hawaizaada Movie Review - Hawaizaada - A Handsome Hodgepodg

Hawaizaada Movie Review - Hawaizaada - A Handsome Hodgepodg

What is it all about?

Emphasizing visual splendor at the expense of its source material's wonder. Reliance Entertainment in association with Trilogic Digital Media and Film Farmer productions ‘Hawaizaada’ helmed by first timer Vibhu Puri starring Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead is certainly ambitious in portraying the journey of what is said to be the world’s first airplane by India’s genius Shivkar Talpade before the Wright Brothers. But it’s done in the spirit of a comic book fairy tale musical; instead of a poignant involving biographical - making it a hodgepodge of a visual splendor in an ultra-elaborate, overly long boring wonder.

The Story

Saurabh Bhave and Vibhu Puri pen this world’s first "Udan Khatola" saga without caring much about the credibility and authenticity in their mood to ‘fly’ high.

Its Circa 1895 Shivkar Bapuji Talpade (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a loser. One day Shivkar meets Shastri, (Mithun Chakraborty) an eccentric scientist who lives in a huge wooden ship inspired by the Pirates of The Caribbean.

Shivkar is head over heels in love with a dancer (Pallavi Sharda) who has asked Shivkar to fulfill her 3 wish to get a kiss.

Shastri makes the school and house dropout Shivkar his disciple and how they make the world’s airplane by following Vedas and how Shivkar gets his kiss forms the crux of the film.

What to look out for?

The concept to tell the story of world’s first flying machine developed with the help of Vedas is destined to bring any Indian chest anywhere filled with proud. Debutant helmer Puri has a unique, promising premise.

Performances are of high standards. Ayushmann Khurrana scores well. Mithunda is excellent. Pallavi is fine.

Savita Singh cinematography is eye popping. Production values are of highest standards.

What not?

All the gaudiness doesn't  jell as the art direction and set designing fails to take us to the said era. It strives for grandiosity rather than authenticity and audience connectivity. The 1895 Mumbai looks like an artificial facial of ‘chromatical’ cross of SLB ‘Devdas’ and ‘Saawariya’. Way behind the authenticity seen in other epics like Paresh Mokashi’s ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ or Jabbar Patel’s ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’.

It’s tough to touch a biopic or a movie depicting a period. Wrong settings, buildup and environment disconnects the audience immediately they fail to feel for the characters. ‘Hawaizaada’ suffers highly over here. Being a musical period biographic, the music has nothing to hum about and it’s a big hurdle. It’s also off putting. The strange version of Ghalib’s evergreen classic ‘Dil-E-Nadan’ sung by Ayushmann Khurrana explains the understanding of quality by the this bunch of overenthusiastic artists, filmmakers etc.

Further Puri adds more jokers in this adventure in the form of those unintentionally funny English men in the film. During the climax when the British Police man screamed ‘Nahi Udega’ the audience is suppose to get tense but they burst out laughing instead.

Conclusion: Hawaizaada is a classic example of bejeweled excess of visual splendor at the expense of its source material wonder resulting in ultra-elaborate, overly long boring experience.

 

 

Ladies & Gentlemen telugu movie Review

Ladies & Gentlemen telugu movie Review

Ladies And Gentlemen’ tells three separate stories involving seven characters, between them.  They are not networked to each other; instead, what is common to them is a social networking site determining their future.

Manjunath’s debut film is not a run-of-the-mill fun and frolic caper, and it doesn’t feature romantic duets and tired and tested college campus banter.  It’s hardly 120 minutes and packs in rather corny narration. Out of the three stories, one surely has an unexpected denouement.  But this one is not enough to make one pitch for it, especially after going through the story of a greedy youngster whose criminality bears resemblance to scores of notorious stories talked about in the media day in, day out.

Priya (Nikita Narayan of ‘It’s My Love Story’ fame) and Anand (Kamal Kamaraju of ‘Avakai Biryani’ fame) are a couple with no trouble in their married life.  Anand is too busy to notice Priya’s unhappiness over him not spending time with him.  Routine stuff.  Wait, there is a whiff of extra-marital air around.

Krishna Murthy (Chaitanya Krishna) is an intelligent but shy and timid dude; he desperately needs a love interest.  The day he receives a friend request from Deepu (Swathi Dixit) on Facebook, it is a born-again moment, with him singing a premature solo immaturely romantic dream-cum-surreal alpha-numeric number.  But the world around him is full of FB cheats, he realizes belatedly.  Is it a gay innocuously disguising as a Samantha fan?  In comes the girl herself after he expresses a disguised doubt.  And love blooms.

Then there is Vijay (Mahat Raghavendra of ‘Back Bench Student’ fame), a Call Centre employee leading an unsustainable lifestyle.   He woos Anjali (Jasmin Bhasin) , a model, and she thinks of him to be a businessman. How long can he make the gigantic ends meet with his peanuts?

While the premises of the three stories are not exciting, the narration leaves much to be desired.  Except for a moment or two, the cyber element doesn’t seem to lend novelty.  It could have been just another story detailing any other modus operandi.

For a story of this sort, style was as important as substance.   The songs could have been used to carry the pace forward, but Raghu Kunch’s numbers, lacking conceptual strength, are a drag.  The love tragedy song for an offender is blissfully edited out.

There is no point in narrating elements like recovery agents using intimidation to cough up credit money in such a mundane manner.  The scene where Jeeva speaks in broken English and slaps around a model is old- fashioned.  It’s also inconceivable how one can come up with scenes where a BPO employee is not aware of Phishing mails.

Raghu Kunche having a song for himself could have been excused had the music been good.  Sunny’s BGM passes muster.

As for the dialogues, they are okay.  Puri Jagannadh should have got better lines for the voice-over to make an impact.

The performances are convincing, except for Chaitanya Krishna, who did not fit the bill as a timid guy.  Mahat has the ability to play offbeat roles for sure.  Adivi Sesh yet again proves he can emote well, and he has a good screen presence.  Nikita and Kamal Kamaraju are good, too.

Verdict: ‘Ladies And Gentlemen’ takes a law and order issue and spins three stories around the tactics of tricksters.  Alas, the story-telling is rather milk-and-water

Aadu malayalam movie to release on February 6th

Aadu malayalam movie to release on February 6th 2015

Midhun Manuel Thomas's directorial debut 'Aadu Oru Bheekara Jeeviyalla' will hit the screens on the 6th of February. The trailer of the movie has already become a huge hit.

Jayasurya plays the lead in the movie, which will also have another non-human lead, Pinky the goat who plays the title role. Aju Varghese and Sayju Kurup among others have pivotal roles. This action comedy entertainer is expected to offer some decent entertainment. Midhun Mauel's script for 'Om Shanti Osana' was much appreciated.

Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju telugu movie release date

Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju telugu movie release date

Onamalu' fame Kranthi Madhav has directed Sharwanand and Nitya Menon in a romantic entertainer titled 'Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju'. K.A.Vallabha is the producer and K.S.Ramarao is presenting the film on Creative Commercials banner.

The latest update is that this film will be released on February 6th. The trailer and the songs composed by Gopi Sunder of 'Usthad Hotel' and 'Bangalore Days' fame have attracted everyone. If the songs and trailer are anything to go by, the movie is going to be a feel good romantic entertainer.

Sharwanand plays a sportsman in the movie.

Heroine confirmed for Balakrishna's 99th film

Heroine confirmed for Balakrishna's 99th film

Balakrishna, who has been busy with the shooting of his 98th film,'Lion', at present, will work with director Sriwass for his 99th film.

Famous writer duo Kona Venkat and Gopimohan provided the script for this movie. According to our sources, famous production company, Eros International will produce this film and Nayantara, who acted with Balakrishna in films like 'Simha' and 'Sri Rama Rajyam', will once again pair up with him.

'Lion', directed by Satya Deva and starring Trisha and Radhika Apte as the leading ladies, will be released soon.

My fans are my strength: Vijay

My fans are my strength: Vijay

Kaththi' which released on Diwali last year celebrated its 100th day yesterday. The movie directed by AR Murugadoss and starring Vijay, Samantha and Neil Nitin Mukhesh raced itself into the illustrious 100 crore club in no time.

'Kaththi' not only ended up being one of the biggest blockbusters of all time, but was also hailed for its performances and dialogues overall. Likewise, fans everywhere took to their respective social networking pages to show their love and support for the movie by trending #KATHTHIHitsCentury. The hashtag text went viral within seconds and many kept joining in on the growing momentum.

In addition, the film's cast and crew too expressed their gratitude towards the fans for showing such love towards the film. Vijay too tweeted on his micro-blogging page saying, "Thank u for making Kaththi a blockbuster hit. 'Thank u' is a very small word for all the love you have showered on me. You are the biggest asset that I have earned in all these years."

With 'Kaththi' setting the Box Office on fire last year, all eyes are now on 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay's next, 'Puli'. Do you think 'Puli' will eclipse the record that 'Kaththi' had set? Let us know in the comments below!

Uttama Villain movie audio to hit our ears on...

Uttama Villain movie audio to hit our ears on...

Kamal Haasan fans will have a lot to look forward from their screen icon since he's appearing in 3 films this year - 'Uttama Villain', 'Papanasam' and the much awaited 'Viswaroopam 2'. The first of the lot releasing will be 'Uttama Villain' and we have received news that audio is soon to hit stores.

Kamal Haasan who returned to India from America after an intense background score schedule has hinted that the 'Uttama Villain' audio will be released on March 1. In addition, there are reports that the film will release on April 2.

'Uttama Villain' directed by Ramesh Aravind has Kamal Haasan, the late K. Balanchander, Pooja Kumar, Andrea, Nassar, Jayaram and K. Viswanath in major roles. The film is jointly being produced by Kamal Haasan and director Lingusamy. Gibran is scoring the music.

Puli new movie 2015 first look in February

Puli new movie 2015 first look in February...

The news every Vijay fan has been waiting for. 'Puli' - 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay's next after his massive 2014 blockbuster 'Kaththi' has been quiet when it comes to news since the day the shoot had commenced. Not a single image has surfaced from the film's set so far. This has only heightened the fans' curiosity as to what they can expect to see in the movie.

If rumors are believed to be true, the makers of 'Puli' are planning to release the first look sometime around mid-February. The date hasn't yet been revealed or known to anybody. The first look is expected to be released directly onto the internet at midnight time as it has lately been a thing for the filmmakers and production houses to do.

Currently, the team is busy completing key portions of the film and just got done shooting an action sequence by Hong Kong based stunt master Nang.

'Puli' directed by Chimbudevan has Vijay supposedly in dual roles and is a fantasy-adventure movie. The film is jointly being produced by Shibu K Thameen and PT Selvakumar.

Joining Vijay in the cast are Shruti Haasan, Hansika Motwani, yesteryear actress Sridevi, Sudeep, Thambi Ramaiah among many others.

'Puli' is already one of the biggest and most-anticipated films of 2015 with fans yearning for any piece of information about the movie. We'll keep bringing you more news on 'Puli' as we receive them.

So, are you excited 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay's next mass movie? Sound off in the comments below.

kakki sattai movie release on...

kakki sattai movie release on... 

Kakki sattai upcoming tamil movie Sivakarthikeyan-Sri Divya starrer 'Kaaki Sattai' is all set for release on February 27.

'Kakki Sattai' Movie Gallery

'Kaaki Sattai' which has been awaiting release had a stellar trailer launched across all social platforms earlier month was well-received by the audience everywhere. The trailer raised the expectations for the movie.

Anirudh Ravichander has composed music for this movie, which already is a top of the charts album. 'Kaaki Sattai' which is directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar is being produced by Dhanush under the Wunderbar Films banner and is being distributed by Escape Artists Motion Pictures.

So, are you excited for this action movie? Let us know in the comments below!

Kaththi movie Hits Century

Kaththi movie Hits Century

One of the biggest blockbusters of Tamil Cinema, 'Kaththi' has been both a hit among both the audience and the critics alike.

'Kaththi' starring 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay was also one of the biggest blockbusters in terms of Box Office collections last year after it raced into the 100 crore club in a very short time establishing Vijay's status as one of the biggest and most dependable bankable stars.

With 'Kaththi' hitting the century mark at all theatres across Tamil Nadu, all eyes are now on Vijay's next movie titled 'Puli' directed by Chimbudevan. The title for 'Puli' has generated enough curiosity among Vijay fans as they expect a performance and a movie that will eclipse the mass image Vijay had in 'Kaththi'.

IndiaGlitz wished team 'Kaththi', director AR Murugadoss and Vijay hearty congratulations and the best for their future.

So, how many times did you watch 'Kaththi'? Tell us your favorite scene/moment from the movie!

A Supertsar-Dhanush movie on the way?

A Supertsar-Dhanush movie on the way?

'Superstar' Rajinikanth is one of the most recognized and popular actors in India. No introduction can match his on-screen and off-screen. And, Dhanush too is one of the most admired actors in the South and is also turning out to be a popular face in Bollywood after his success with 'Raanjhanaa' and the highly-anticipated 'Shamitabh' alongside Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

What happens when these two actors of two different generations decide to come together? - Greatness! That's exactly what's being discussed here. IndiaGlitz has learnt that there are chances now for a Rajinikanth-Dhanush movie to happen soon and story discussions with multiple directors have apparently already begun.

The said movie is being planned to be made in both Tamil and Hindi as a bilingual. If this movie were to indeed go on floors, this will be one of the biggest movies in recent times, since there hasn't been a Superstar Rajinikanth multi-starrer movie in a long time. His last-known memorable multi-starrer role was with 'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan.

This dream combo in a movie could do wonders at the Box Office owing to Superstar's already massive popularity across India and Dhanush's rise in Bollywood. All it takes now is the time to tell us whether this project will come to fruition.

Are you excited about this news? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Okay Kanmani' movie to release in....

Okay Kanmani' tamil movie to release in......

Mani Ratnam and love stories go hand-in-hand and have always been looked upon with keen interest among the audience and even filmmakers across India. His previous 'Mouna Ragam', 'Roja', 'Bombay', 'Dil Se' and 'Alaipayuthey' are all some of the most classic love stories in Tamil and Indian cinema and are revered by hardcore movie buffs all across India.

Likewise, Mani Ratnam's next 'Okay Kanmani' has been generating interest in a subtle yet effective manner among everyone. The latest that we've heard from the 'Okay Kanmani' camp is from the film's director of cinematography PC Sreeram who's fresh from his huge success with 'I'. He tweeted a while back saying the film will be 'a new love story in the horizon and the portrayal of the characters is set to mesmerize all'. He further stated that Mani Ratnam is handling the film like he would look after a baby with great care and strength.

PC finally revealed the biggest news possible about the movie saying the movie will release in April. Some other sources from the 'Okay Kanmani' confirmed with us the news that the audio for the movie would be releasing sometime in March.

'Okay Kanmani' stars Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen in lead roles with Prakash Raj and Kaniha playing major supporting roles. The movie s being produced by Mani Ratnam's home own banner Madras Talkies and A. R. Rahman will once again be scoring music.

Puli' tamil movie on a 'grand' scale

Puli' vijay new movie 2015 on a 'grand' scale

The highly-anticipated Vijay starrer 'Puli' has been the talk of the town since Day 1 its shoot commenced - something we're all quite familiar with any Vijay film. Likewise, to meet the aura of a Vijay film, especially when the stakes are high and the film is said to be a fantasy action-adventure affair.
There hasn't been a single scene description or a first look made known to us till date. And yet the movie is already hyped up as one of the biggest ventures of the year. In order to make the film as appealing and satisfactory, the filmmakers are currently shooting the film at Adityaram Studios here in Chennai, which is also being called as "a dream place for directors".                                                
These are the same studios where many blockbusters including Kamal Haasan's 'Dasavatharam' and Karthi's 'Aayirathil Oruvan' were once shot. Currently, a huge extravagant set for a song sequence has been erected and more extravagant sets such as a street set, a temple set, a church and a mosque set are to be erected soon. 
                                                                                       'Puli' has the prestige of being shot here now.
Let us wait and see how grand 'Puli' will look on screen. We sincerely hope it beats our expectations.

Simbu teams up with 'Thala' Ajith

Simbu teams up with 'Thala' Ajith

'Thala' Ajith's 'Yennai Arindhaal' teaser was attached to 'Superstar' Rajinikanth's 'Lingaa' movie across all theatres in tamil Nadu. Likewise, following in the same footsteps, Simbu who's awaiting his releases 'Idhu Namma Aalu' and 'Vaalu' has decided to attach the second teaser for 'Idhu Namma Aalu' with Ajith's 'Yennai Arindhaal' hitting screens worldwide on February 5.

It is already a well-known fact that Simbu is a huge fan of Ajith and the decision to launch his upcoming movie 'Idhu Namma Aalu' isn't a big surprise to many, but has rather created excitement for many of his fans.

It must be noted that the teaser for 'Idhu Namma Aalu' which was released online on Pongal day has crossed over 2 million views on YouTube. The excitement to see Simbu in 'Idhu Namma Aalu''s second teaser has raised the level of expectations for Simbu fans everywhere.

So, are you excited to see STR in 'Idhu Namma Aalu''s second teaser? Did you like the first teaser? Let us know in the comments below!

Jyothika comeback wrapped up

Jyothika's comeback wrapped up

New so Jyothika's comeback in the remake of the Manju Warrier Malayalam film 'How Old Are You' was received amidst wild cheer and smiles across all social networking platforms. IndiaGlitz has just received news that the shooting for the 'How Old Are you' remake being directed by Roshan Andrews has been completed. It must be noted that the original too was directed by Roshan Andrews.

Jyothika's comeback movie is being produced by Suriya under the banner of 2D Entertainment. The film commenced its shoot in Delhi and has wrapped its talkie portions in a span of just 46 days. It is learnt that the final shot was canned recently at Shollinganallur and that the post-production works have commenced where Savitha is dubbing for Jyothika.  Rahman, Abhirami and Sanjay Bharathi have played important roles and Santhosh Narayan is scoring the music.

The film will be centring on the issue of woman empowerment and will highlight the elements in a glorious manner bound to appeal to a universal audience. The film is being planned to be released by March-April 2015 as a summer treat for the fans.

Who here is excited to see Jyothika's comeback on the big screen? We know we sure are.

tamil movie Muni 3' to strike again soon

tamil movie Muni 3' to strike again soon

Raghava Lawrence's hugely successful 'Muni' franchise has been a revelation of sorts for the Tamil industry. What started out as an honor-filled horror story had been successful enough to warrant an equally successful sequel. Now, the third installment in the 'Muni' franchise tentatively titled 'Muni 3: Ganga' is reported as being completed.

IndiaGlitz has learnt that the shoot for 'Muni 3: Ganga' is complete and the post-production work has begun.

The film reunited Lawrence with veteran actor 'Kovai' Sarala who lit up the screen with an awesome performance in the previous movie 'Muni 2: Kanchana'. Devadarshini too is returning in this movie.

Tapsee Pannu and Pooja Ramachandran are playing the female leads with 'Jangiri Madhumitha' of 'Oru Kal Oru Kannadi' fame will also be appearing in 'Muni 3: Ganga'.

With the horror genre on the rise again, 'Muni 3: Ganga' coming in to join the race couldn't have happened at even more right time. Let us wait and see what the movie has in store for us.

Are you a fan of of the previous 'Muni' movie? Tell us what you love most in the 'Muni' movies and what you hope to expect in 'Muni 3: Ganga'

Ai (I)First Week Box Office Collections

Ai (I)First Week Box Office Collections

Shankar's Magnum Opus " I" which was released on January 14 has made an impressive collection at the Box Office in its first week. The movie has entered the elite 100 crore club at the end of first week. Here is the report on first week collection of "I". 

 "I" First Week (Net B.O) - Language Wise 

Tamil	96.5 Cr
Telugu	31 Cr
Hindi	9.5 Cr
Total	137 Cr

"I" First Week Net B.O 

Tamil Nadu	40 Cr
Kerala	10 Cr
Karnataka	7.5 Cr
Rest Of India	3 Cr
Overseas	36 Cr
Total	96.5 Cr

Kakki Sattai 2015 Tamil New Movie Release Date

Kakki Sattai 2015 Tamil New Movie Release Date                                            

EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: Feb 13 | 2015

Director :

Senthil

Producer:

Wunderbar Films

Cast:

Siva Karthikeyan, Sri Divya, Prabhu Ganesan, Mano Bala , Imman

Music Director:

Anirudh Ravichander

Kakki Sattai movie starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sri Divya in the lead roles is directed by Durai Senthil of Ethirneechal fame. The post production works of the movie is happening at a brisk pace. The makers are planning to release the movie on February. Music is by Anirudh. The movie is produced by Dhanush's Wunderbar Films. The movie will be distributed by Madan of Escape Artists Motion Pictures.

Indian cinema Top 10 Highest Grossing Indian Movies List

Indian cinema Top 10 Highest Grossing Indian Movies List

Indian Cinemas are Huge and Largest in the World, thousands of films releasing each year in different languages under particular places. There are dozens of Indian film industries making films on the subjects which interesting for the present generation, the main languages are Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi. Tamil, Telugu and Hindi Film industries are widely named and huge fans to watch the films in India and abroad. Nowadays the budget of the films higher and the box office of the films too, the movies which released many decades ago like Sholay which is released in 1975 and grossed 15 Crore that holds record for long time, and the comparison for the new and old films depends on value of the currency. following are the 10 highest grossed movies from all Indian films industries.

1. PK

Release Year: 19 December 2014
Language: Hindi
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Producers: Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Siddharth Roy Kapur
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 557 Crore (US$87 million)

2. Dhoom 3

Release Year: 20 December 2013
Language: Hindi
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Producers: Aditya Chopra
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 542 Crore (US$85 million)

3. Chennai Express

Release Year: 8 August 2013
Language: Hindi
Director: Rohit Shetty
Producers: Gauri Khan, Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 422 Crore (US$66 million)

4. 3 Idiots

Release Year: 25 December 2009
Language: Hindi
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Producers: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 395 Crore (US$62 million)

5. Kick

Release Year: 25 July 2014
Language: Hindi
Director: Sajid Nadiadwala
Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 390 Crore (US$61 million)

6. Krrish 3

Release Year: 1 November 2013
Language: Hindi
Director: Rakesh Roshan
Producers: Rakesh Roshan
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 374 Crore (US$59 million)

7. Happy New Year

Release Year: 23 October 2014
Language: Hindi
Director: Farah Khan
Producers: Gauri Khan
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 356 Crore (US$56 million)

8. Bang Bang!

Release Year: 2 October 2014
Language: Hindi
Director: Farah Khan
Producers: Fox Star Studios
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 340 Crore (US$53 million)

9. Ek Tha Tiger

Release Year: 15 August 2012
Language: Hindi
Director: Kabir Khan
Producers: Aditya Chopra
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 320 Crore (US$50 million)

10. Enthiran

Release Year: 1 October 2010
Language: Tamil
Director: Shankar
Producers: Kalanithi Maran
Worldwide Gross: Rs. 256 Crore (US$40 million)

Note: The List above Shows the highest grossed movies update of the year 2014-2015, the upcoming movies may gross more than the movie listed above.

Yennai Arindhaal Censored

Yennai Arindhaal Censored

Yennai Arindhaal, starring Ajith, Anuskha and Trisha in the lead roles is, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The movie has been censored with a U/A certificate. The makers are planning to approach revising committee to get a U certificate, so that the movie will get the tax exemption. However, the movie is now all set to release on February 5.

The movie also stars Daniel Balaji, Arun Vijay and Vivek in the pivotal roles. Harris Jayaraj has scored the music. The movie is produced by Sri Sai Ram Creations.

Isai Movie release Date

                                   Isai Movie release Date  

EXPECTED   RELEASE DATE: Jan 30 | 2015

Director :

Suryah S.j.

Producer:

Victor Raj Pandian

Cast:

S J Surya, Savitri,sathiyaraj

Music Director:

S J Suryah

Rasam 2015 Malayalam new movie review

        Rasam 2015 Malayalam new movie review

The best moment of Rajeev Nath's 'Rasam' comes at the very end of the film, when you get to see Mohanlal pour some Payasam on to a neatly laid out plantain leaf, and scoop it up with his fingers much to the amusement of a couple of Arab men sitting nearby. It is this unaffectedness that the rest of the film lacks, which makes it a watchfully cooked dish that has gone all cold.

Celebrated chef Valliyottu Thirumeni (Nedumudi Venu) is surprised to find none other than Megastar Mohanlal at his door step one fine morning, accompanied by Menon (Devan) a business tycoon from Doha. Apparently Menon's daughter Janaki (Varuna Shetty) is getting married, and Mohanlal requests Thirumeni to travel to Doha to bless the wedding with the sumptuous Sadya that he is renowned for.

After a bit of coaxing, Thirumeni does agree to travel abroad, and instructs his son Bala Shankar (Indrajith Sukumaran) and his assistant Nair (Nandu) to make the necessary arrangements. On reaching Doha, Bala Shankar discovers that Janaki is engaged to a womanizer (Nihal Pillai) and seeks Mohanlal's assistance to save the girl from an impending disaster.


After the initial half an hour when Thirumeni dwells on what makes a Sadya more than perfect, the film shifts gears to Doha, where Bala Shankar takes over the reins of the tale. From here on, it is a steep dive downward, and the more the script strives to sound profound, the less effective it turns out to be.  

As the film draws to a close, we do realize that it's an age old tale that we have been listening to all the while, with some Sambar, Sambharam and Rasam served as accompaniments. It's a very conventional climax that it leads to as well, and when the credits start rolling, you tell yourself that you knew all about it anyway.

There are a couple of songs in 'Rasam' that act as nothing but speed breakers and another one that employs some embarrassing graphics. It's not just that they look and sound totally out of place; they even serve to severe off the little emotional attachment that you have been frantically trying to build up with the plot.

It's very unlikely that you will feel for any of these characters in 'Rasam', and with no romance in the air, when an unlikely couple takes the plunge, it seems even more enforced. There is no surprise element to it however, and you may forlornly wonder as to how it all got this way.

'Rasam' is by no means a Mohanlal film, though it should be admitted that he is the only good thing about it. Mohanlal, playing himself is remarkably at ease, and even when forced to take up the role of a narrator whose lines sound all messed up, does maintain a dignified stance. Indrajith isn't offered an earth shattering role, and does an adequate job as Bala Shankar while Varuna Shetty looks and sounds a bit out of sync. Nedumudi Venu is all impressive as Valliyottu Thirumeni, even as Nandu puts up an inflated act.

'Rasam' dabbles with a done and redone recipe that has nowhere fascinating to go, and has the smell of a dud lingering all over it. Adding little novelty of its own, it ends up being a pointless cuisine exercise where nothing innovative is either cooked or served.

Picket 2015 Malayalam new movie review

Picket 2015 Malayalam new movie review

The striking visual style and the freezing landscapes in Major Ravi's 'Picket 43' do not make up for the flickering story line that threatens to blow out any minute. Major heaps in loads of patriotism, familial sentiments and some bon ami passion into a much familiar plot, and crafts a film that sparsely manages to catch your attention during its two hour run.

As he gets ready to leave home on a much longed leave, army man Hareendran Nair (Prithviraj) gets posted to the infamous Picket 43 that lies along the India - Pakistan border, from where few army personnel have made it back alive. Along with the sniffer lab Bacardi, Hari reaches Picket 43 and is welcomed by a shower of bullets from the army shack across the border.


As days pass by, the Pak army sentinel who had been hell bent on giving Hari sleepless nights is replaced by Mushraff (Javed Jaffrey), and a camaraderie evolves between the two as they discover quite a few common interests in music, cricket and Bollywood. When militants attack Picket 43, this amity is put to test with dire consequences.

As much as the film talks of this warm good will that grows between the two army men on either sides of the border, the script does not build on it to an admirable level, and instead digresses into too many distractions. Ultimately it does not stir us on any of these counts, which is why the companionship between Hari and Mushraff fails to make the impact that it should certainly have.

There is this particular cinematic mould that Major Ravi comfortably adheres to, film after film, and 'Picket 43' is no exception. It's indeed understandable that every army man who serves the nation has a family back home but Ravi has focused on it without as much as a grain of change in every film since 'Keerthi Chakra', and cinematically it does not impress.

The flashbacks talk of a love back home, and Ravi does some inept casting as well with the actress who plays the jawan's lady love. That the said scenes are banal is an added disadvantage, and the first half of the film limps considerably with a pile of sentiments ruling out any possibility of some exciting action.

There are no big surprises in store in the latter half as well, and for anyone who even has an inkling as to how a tale of cross border friendships would go, everything that is to follow should be palpably clear. They pretty much work out as you expect them to, and as the film finally draws to a close, Ravi would have handed out to you on a platter, yet another of his army films.

It escapes me totally as to why Bacardi was carelessly left behind by the troops, especially since we had been told right at the beginning that he is one of the best sniffer dogs in the military. It's good to see him back in the climax yet again, but it's difficult to believe that there could be such total disregard for an animal life.

Prithviraj lends his heart and soul to his portrayal of the army man, and his extremely persuasive act is what elevates a mediocre script above the ordinary. He is ably supported by a stellar performance by Javed Jaffrey as his comrade under stress. Jomon T John's splendid frames make 'Picket 43' a delectable visual treat.

And despite all this, for all the jawans who are out there at this moment safeguarding the security of our land, as I contentedly key in these words in the comforts of my cosy living room, I would give 'Picket 43' an Above Average rating. Perhaps for once, it's the venerable thought behind it that I choose to honor, than the film itself.

Mariyam Mukku 2015 Malayalam new movie review

       Mariyam Mukku 2015 Malayalam new movie review

Script writer James Albert falters big time as a director with 'Mariyam Mukku', and fails to hold together the strands of a tale that we are already much familiar with. Striking no new ground, Albert chooses the easy way out, opts for a time-honored story line and sets it up in a coastal village called Mariyam Mukku.

It's at Mariyam Mukku that Felix (Fahadh Faasil) grows up all alone after his parents pass away, under the supervision of his godfather Aasaan (Manoj K Jayan). Felix leads Aasaan's thug gang, and while in hot pursuit of an assailant runs into Mother Mary herself. Little does he realize that it's Salomi (Sana Altaf), his childhood friend who has returned home, after a long stint at Chennai.

Salomi sows the seeds of love in the man's heart, much to the chagrin of Aasaan. The entire village is vexed when Mother Mary makes an appearance yet again, and miracles are performed. In no time, Mariyam Mukku is flooded with pilgrims, and the lives of the villagers are altered beyond recognition.

Here is a premise that has been dug deep into in a million ways, and there is no way in which the underlying banality could pass off as insightfulness. The movie doesn't tell us anything that we haven't already seen, and it fails to go anywhere with its routine observations. The spurned guardian is as evil as he has always been and his scheming as vile as ever.

It's an elaborate canvas that Albert paints his picture on, and it teems with characters, several of whom sound hollow. The airless atmosphere that pervades all over, makes them go round and round in circles, with little startling movements in the plot.

There is often a life altering moment that brings about a sea change in an individual and for Aasaan, it arrives right at the climax. Bingo, he is a new man, and calls it a truce. Lloyd (Aju Varghese) who is added midway through as an adversary to the protagonist gets pulled out of the plot as quickly as he had been pushed in.

The ensemble cast that 'Mariyam Mukku' can easily boast of, has little in their hands with the subpar material that they are offered. The enjoyable moments are meager, and the sappy fable that we get to see on screen is merely a commonplace addition to the much explored romantic film genre.

Perhaps the sole relief amidst all the non-happenings in the film are the performances by the leading pair. Fahadh reminds you of Rasool yet again, but Felix is a much scaled down version that the actor effortlessly adapts himself to. Sana Altaf, makes a sparkling debut as Salomi, and charms you with a naivete that emanates straight out of her eyes.

Maoj K Jayan is his usual self as Aasaan, while Joy Mathew and Prathap Pothen are around in significant roles as well. 'Mariyam Mukku' does have a delectable musical score by Vidyasgar and some stunning cinematography by Gireesh Gangadharan.

'Mariyam Mukku' is a routine romance that has been excruciatingly stretched out beyond endurance levels. It's quite hard to get all excited about the happenings at 'Mariyam Mukku', and with its formula having grown extremely stale its screen life could indeed be incredibly short as well.

Mili 2015 Malayalam Movie Review

                             Mili 2015 Malayalam Movie Review

           

Rajesh Pillai's 'Mili' is far from faultless and even uneven at times, but at the core of its experience is a theme that shakes you out of your weekend slumber. Peppered with genuinely poignant moments, 'Mili' is a heartwarming film that feels good and feels right.

From a reclusive teenager who is never able to match up to her dad's (Saikumar) expectations, Mili (Amala Paul) grows into a diffident young school teacher, whose prime pastimes are stalking her crush on Facebook and making the lives of her roommates a hell. On being fired from her job, she decides to end her life, but finds a surprising supporter in a jolly bear waste bin.

When her local guardian Nancy (Praveena) insists that she try out something new, Mili is hesitant. But aided by the supportive words of Naveen (Nivin Pauly), Nancy's brother, she sets out on a fresh venture that transforms her life beyond recognition.

'Mili' is a film that exhorts you to push aside the indolent procrastinator within you and to decide once and for all to do what you have always been wanting to do. In the process, it will help you rediscover yourself, and to shed off those layers of uncertainty and indecision that have been pulling you back all along.

 The world that Mili inhabits is populated by individuals who are black and white, and at times grey. Her dad, a college professor by profession is devastated that his daughter has ended up nowhere, while his student Nancy is more empathetic towards Mili's plight. Naveen, being an HR trainer himself, pulls the right chords and gets Mili on track in no time.

It's heartening to see that a character that is once grey does not remain so throughout the entirety of the film. They undergo transformations as normal people like you and me do, and when Mili's once tormented roommates strike up a fresh rapport with her, we can rest assured that they are only being human. When a concerned mother (Sangeetha Mohan) insists that Mili be thrown out of the school that she works in for her heedlessness, it almost seems impossible that she will ever smile at Mili again. But smile she does, which makes her downright human as well.

'Mili' does falter a bit when it comes to the transformation that occurs in her life, particularly in it being a bit too sudden. Overnight, Mili emerges a new girl who has thrown caution to the winds and who even visits a discotheque with her new friends. On meeting her old crush, she seeks sweet revenge by declining his offer, and emphasizing that her makeover is almost complete. Though it does energize us to see the worn out girl emerging the winner in life, one wonders as to how those years of reticence and smothering of emotions could all on a sudden be replaced by a new persona that seems as distinct from her original self as chalk is from cheese.

In the very last scene when Mili hogs the mike, you get all set for a sermon. She talks of a childhood marked by the yearning for an assuring touch, and urges parents not to pursue their dreams through their kids. She winds up with a celebrated Wordsworthian line, leaving a trail of thoughts in the process.

It's Amala Paul all the way that carries the film on her petite shoulders, and perhaps this is a career best performance from the young actress. I loved Nivin Pauly too in the film, for his well designed feat that never goes overboard even for a minute. Especially worth a mention are the supporting performances from Praveena and Saikumar.

Rajesh Pillai's Ugly Betty sans the braces, is an uplifting story of a branded loser getting her act straight once and for all. A smart and cozy watch for the weekend, 'Mili' is a refreshingly sparky fare that should leave you enthused.

Komban Tamil New movie Release Date

Komban Tamil New movie Release Date

Komban starring Karthi, Rajkiran and Lakshmi Menon in the lead roles is directed by Muthaiah of 'Kuttipuli' fame. The shoot for the movie is progressing at a brisk pace. Meanwhile, the makers are planning to release the movie on April 2nd 2015 

The movie will be a family entertainer, that deals with the story of special bonding between son-in-law and father-in-law. Music is by GV Prakash Kumar. Velraj handles the camera. The movie is produced by Studio Green.

Mortdecai 2015 English movie Cast,crew & Review

Mortdecai  2015 English movie Cast & crew

Genre: Action, Comedy

Art dealer Charles Mortdecai searches for a stolen painting that's reportedly linked to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold.

Director: David Koepp
Producer: Johnny Depp, Andrew Lazar, Patrick McCormick, Gigi Pritzker, Christi Dembrowski
Production Co: Mad Chance Productions, Infinitum Nihil, Huayi Brothers Media

Music Director: Geoff Zanelli
Cast: Johnny Depp, Ewan McGregor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Olivia Munn, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Bettany, Jeff Goldblum, Oliver Platt, Michael Byrne, Ulrich Thomsen  Complete Cast & Crew