The great anticipation surrounding Gautham Menon's Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu has by no means been unjustified. The movie, which released to packed houses on August 25th, does not disappoint.

Gautham Menon has delivered another hit after his Minnale and Kaakha Kaakha. Any worries that Vettaiyadu will be a rehash of Kaakha Kaakha have been cleared after I watched the movie. Vettaiyadu packages a highly sophisticated plot, enthralling cinematography, gripping music and some very fine performances.

The plot centers around Raghavan (Kamal) , a Tamil Nadu cop who is forced to respond to more than just his duty when an unsolved case takes a horrifying turn. Requesting to be reassigned to the case, he goes to New York to embark on what goes on to be an exciting hunt for a murderer.

All the actors have played their parts brilliantly. Kamal Hassan looks the part of Raghavan the tough cop he plays, but is also sensitive in his performance as Raghavan the friend, husband, or lover. His performance is markedly different from what we might be used to all these years. Jothika, though she is for most of the movie just part of a subplot, gives a very sensitive performance as a suicidal divorcee. Balaji as one of the murderers proves to be a revelation. Gautham seems to have a talent for spotting good villains, like Jeeva in Kaakha Kaakha. Though in some early scenes he resembles Jeeva's character in Kaakha Kaakha, he develops a distinct character of his own and captures the audience with his cold bloodedness. The other villain could have been given a bit more prominence, as he seems to fade in Balaji's shadow.

Ravi Varman's cinematography is beautiful and stunning. After the brilliant R.D. Rajashekar in Kaakha Kaakha, Gautham once again proves that he can spot and bring the best out of brilliant cinematographers. A lot of things that Ravi Varman does are very fresh to Tamil cinema, like his use of helicopter shots in New York. His use of crane shots in the Paartha Muthal song sequence is very nice. Anthony lends him ample support with his sleek editing.

The Gautham - Harris Jeyaraj combination seems to have scored again. The background score is engaging and is at some points quite innovative. The songs, though I thought were less than brilliant when they were released, are very apt for the situations in the movie. Paartha Muthal is really beautifully shot, and I appreciate the song a lot more after seeing the movie. The song is mostly a collage of scenes, like most of the songs in the movie, and is really sweet. Manjal Veyyil's unusual lyrical structure makes more sense after seeing the movie, and Harris must be applauded here. I am now a fan of Neruppae, mostly thanks to Ravi Varman and the choreography. The background music for the opening title is unexpected and a nice take on one of the songs' refrain. The percussion background when Raghavan hunts for Rani is innovative.

The movie isn't without its flaws. The picturising of the chorus of Manjal Veyyil was corny and distracted the audience from the overall beauty of the song sequence. Reminded me of K.V. Ananth's blunder in the Chinna Chinna sequence from Kanaa Kanden, which was another example of brilliance spoiled by small blemishes. The Raghavan - Ilamaaran chase scene is too long, and even seems to tire Harris as he tries to lend musical support. Though the ending is nice, there's a slight incongruence that's nagging in the viewer's mind. Could have been solved with a short flashback.

Overall, the movie satisfies greatly. The hype surrounding Gautham is perfectly justified. Besides being the personification of everything directing is about by bringing the best out of both performers and technicians, he proves to be a wonderful writer who can come up with a sophisticated plot that engages the audience completely for the full three hours. One of the movie events of the year.

Labels: Movie Reviews

kanna wrote at 10:32 PM

I'm going to continue the list of my favourite A.R. Rahman songs that I started here. Gonna stick to the same vaguely chronological order. I stopped with Taj Mahal, which was 1999, so i'll start here with another album from the year, Sangamam.

Mazhai Thuli - Sangamam
[there are quite a few notable songs here like Sowkiyama and Oru Murai, but i'm not so much of a melody person, so i'm not putting these in the list]
Kadhal Niagara - En Swaasa Kaatre
Thirakaadha - En Swaasa Katre
Jumbalakka - En Swaasa Katre
Theendai - En Swaasa Katre
Chinna Chinna - En Swaasa Katre
Kadhal Illamal - Thaalam [the climax scene one]
Kadhal Yogi - Thaalam
Vetri Kodi Kattu - Padaiyappa
Suthi Suthi - Padaiyappa
Yaro Yarodi - Alaipayuthey
Pachai Nirame - Alaipayuthey
Kadhal Sadugudu - Alaipayuthey
Endrendrum Punnagai - Alaipayuthey
Kandukondaen - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Konjum Mainakale - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Enna Solla Pogiray - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Smiyay - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Enge Enathu Kavithai - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Kannamoochi - Kandukonden Kandukonden
Kaatre En Vaasal - Rhythm
Aiyo Pathikichu - Rhythm
Thaniye - Rhythm
Nadhiye Nadhiye - Rhythm
Aalangkatti - Thenali
Swaasame - Thenali
Rasika - Star
Manasukkul - Star
Parthale Paravasam - Parthale Paravasam
Nadhir Thinna - Parthale Paravasam
Moonrezhuthu - Parthale Paravasam
Osaka Muraiya - Alli Arjuna
Sundari - Kannathil Muthamittal
Vellai Pookal - Kannathil Muthamittal
Kannathil Muthamittal - Kannathil Muthamittal [the Chinmayi one]
Vidai Kodu Engal - Kannathil Muthamittal
Maya Maya - Baba
Baba Kichu Tha - Baba
Hey Enna Aachu - Kadhal Virus
Girlfriend - Boys
Dating - Boys
Boom Boom - Boys
Secret of Success - Boys
Ale Ale - Boys
Please Sir - Boys
Maro Maro - Boys
[this album, after minnale, was what got me addicted to tamil music]
Azhagina Azhagi - Enaku 20 Unaku 18
Kama Kama - Enaku 20 Unaku 18
[i like the other songs too, but if i list one, i'm gonna have to list all :)]
Thee Kuruviyai - Kangalal Kaithu Sei
Aaha Thamizhamma - Kangalal Kaithu Sei
[some other good stuff that melody lovers will like also in this album]
Nenjam Ellam - Ayutha Ezhuthu
Jana Gana Mana - Ayutha Ezhuthu
Dol Dol - Ayutha Ezhuthu
Yakkai Thiri - Ayutha Ezhuthu
Vaa Endral Vanakkam - New
Thottal Poo Malarum - New
New - New
Utharavindri Ulle Vaa - New
Spiderman - New
Thazhuvuthu - Ah Aah
Mayilirage - Ah Aah
Maramkothiye - Ah Aah
Anbe Aaruyire - Ah Aah
Kammakaraiyile - Godfather
Innisai - Godfather
Innisai Radio Mix - Godfather
Jillendru Oru Kadhal - Jillunu Oru Kadhal
Kummi Adi - Jillunu Oru Kadhal
Majja Majja - Jillunu Oru Kadhal
Maaricham - Jillunu Oru Kadhal
Munbe Vaa - Jillunu Oru Kadhal

So that's it. From Roja to Jillunu Oru Kadhal. A beautiful journey from 1992 all the way to August 3rd 2006, with a lot more to come. Hats off, genius.

Labels: Lists

kanna wrote at 7:51 PM

A.R. Rahman has come out with another splendid album in Jillunu Oru Kadhal. The audio was released on 2nd August. Jillunu Oru Kadhal (it's recently been renamed Sillunu Oru Kadhal to make it a more tamilified name) stars Surya, Jothika and Bhumika, among others. Directed by debutant Krishna, highlights include the mega budget, A.R. Rahman's music, R.D. Rajasekhar's cinematography and Vikram Dharma's stunt choreography.

1. Machakaari - Shankar Mahadevan, Vansundra Das

The album begins on a high note, quite literally, with Vasundra Das heading for her usual highs. Shankar Mahadevan come in humming what becomes the main tune of the chorus, and Rahman launches into his cacophany of beautiful sounds. The beat is fresh and addictive, as is a standard with Rahman since Roja. The charanam is nice and kind of melodic. The ending of the song is very nice, as all the elements of the song come together. The song ends with a bang, with a repetition of the cool 'Onnu, Rendu, Moonu' refrain.

2. Munbe Vaa - Shreya Ghoshal, Naresh Iyer

The song starts with a nice guitar opening. Shreya is the star of the song, with ample support from Naresh Iyer. I didn't like the opening chorus the first time I heard it, but I have since grown addicted to it. Especially the second pallavi, sung in chorus, "Rango, Rangoli..." It's simply heavenly, especially towards the end. A lovely romantic song.

3. Kummi Adi - Naresh Iyer, Swarnalatha, Seerkaali Sivachidambaram

What kind of psychopath will take the guy who sang Mayilirage and make him sing Kammakaraiyile, and then make him sing a folk song like Kummi Adi? Rahman would, and it works. Naresh Iyer is very versatile, and it shows in this song. He has quite a future. It's a good thing Rahman has made sure Naresh doesn't get trapped into a single image and exposed his versatility with stuff like Kammakarai and this. A foot tapping folk song with a catchy tune.

4. New York Nagaram - A.R. Rahman

A soulful melodic song from Rahman. As usual, his voice is marginalised by the instrumentals and percussion, but that's not really so much of a minus point except that the lyrics are hard to distinguish without a few hearings. The song evolves nicely to a nice ending. Very nice lyrics; they seem to be sung by Surya in some sad situation.

5. Majja Majja - Shreya Ghoshal, S.P.B. Charan

A sensual song from Rahman again. Shreya Ghoshal is great as usual, simply sensual with her konjufying voice. Charan is stunning, not because he's good but because he sounds exactly like his dad. The voice is almost ditto S.P.B. He doesn't have the same range, however, and doesn't impress as much. I think Rahman should have stuck to the original Thazhuvudu pair. Perhaps he's making way for the next generation to take over when the need arises? Anyway, the song starts with some weird sounds that are eventually quite addictive and an unusual beat that proves the same. I thought the transition into second interlude could have been better handled; it seems to sound as if the song is ending or something. Overall, a very nice song, just seems to miss the extra oomph S.P. Bala would have given.

6. Jillendru Oru Kadhal - Thanvi

The title song of the album. It really sets the tone for the movie and the album. It's a 70s jazz song like Vennila Vennila from Iruvar. The whole song is very playful, including the lyrics.
'kaalaiyil kadhali, maalaiyil kaadhali, velaiyil kaadhali, selaiyil kaadhali'. The opening is funky, and the song comes out well in the trailer of the movie. A really hip and funky song.

7. Maaricham - Karolisha, Aslam, Krishna

The funkiest song in the album, but also one which dissapoints a bit. The beats are crazy. The opening is nice, when the beat first takes hold with shattered glass. Karolisha goes to all kinds of vocal altitudes here. The male voice comes in in an interesting way. The whole song is really very upbeat and foot-tapping. I just don't like the way the song ends, it suddenly slows down, but it's probably situational.

Overall, a brilliant and addictive piece of work by A.R. Rahman. Jillunu Oru Kadhal will be an album to remember.

A small tribute to a great man from the film industry here, Vikram Dharma. Jillunu Oru Kadhal is the last movie he worked on before he died on June 28th. Vikram Dharma, who got the Vikram prefix after working on Kamal's Vikram, revolutionised fight choreography techniques and gave us many of the most spectacular fight scenes Tamil cinema has seen, like the underpass scene from Run. He was scheduled to choreograph for Mani Ratnam's Guru. We will miss you, Dharma.

Labels: Music Reviews

kanna wrote at 10:49 PM