Subramaniapuram

A laid back suburb of Madurai. A gang of friends that have no (real) jobs. A politician. A girl. The rich, rural 80s life. And, um, violence. Yeah. That sums it up. Is that it? No. The 80s backdrop is what makes the movie Subramaniapuram intriguing and watchable. I hear quite a few disapproving groans out there, but to me the movie started with a lot of promise and fizzled out in the second half. The 80s backdrop alone is not enough to make it a cohesive story. But boy did I love the 80s theme! Director Sasi Kumar uses Ilayaraja's music cleverly to tap into your nostalgia. I have to take my hat off for the attention to detail Sasikumar pays in creating the 80s theme. And I don't know why, but I love that girl. I love the way she rolls her eyes while flirting with the hero. Her face lights up with a thousand titillating tales. This girl's got a future Jack. Mark my words. Unless she is devoured by the mediocrity that ails our movie makers. The boys in the movie are, well, ordinary. Don't want to waste screen space on them. I really hope that one day they learn to act and not talk like drunk Langurs.

James Vasanth's music is dreamy and poignant. But of course. He uses a lot of material from Ilayaraja. That song Kangal Irundhal is a take off on Chinna Kannan Azhaikiraan. Me thinks.

Sasikumar, how does a jobless, infatuated youth turn into a monster? He needs strong motivation. I am from a violent small town and I know how it was. But it takes a lot for one to become a killer. The excuse of 'they made me beg for my life from a woman' does not stick sir and is cliched. You became lazy or you were too anxious to finish your script. What kind of a love affair is that? The hero doesn't even want to hold her hand? Ganja Karuppu's character does not stick either. Sometimes a simple closure is the best way out, instead of scrounging for, and ending up with, a brittle 'twist-in-the-tale' closure that is as convincing as lipstick on a pig.

I don't agree with people complaining about the gore and the violence. What the fuck! The real world is worse. If you really don't like gore, close your eyes when the scene arrives. And shut up.

P.S. I am glad this new breed of directors is trying to tell captivating stories unlike the so called veterans like KamalHassan. Kamal has become self-congratulatory and suffers from a serious case of delusion. I hope this new breed does not succumb to the hypocrisy of Kodambakkam. Good luck gentlemen.

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Sudish Kamat breaks up with Chiyyaan Vikram

Sudish Kamath is pissed off with actor Vikram. Now, I don't know either of them personally but the way his post panned out, accusing Vikram of being a self-congratulatory, hot-headed asshole, I am left to assume that Sudish is washing dirty underwear in public. Sudish tries hard to couch his raving but his eloquence (or the lack of it thereof) does not come to his rescue. So he tries to hide behind journalistic ethos. A good, principled journo is one who does not tell us that Sudish.

I have a question, if Sudish had picked up an altercation with one of his buddies, not someone famous, but an ordinary Joe, would Sudish have gone on to post a letter on his blog? You tell. So the cynic in me tells me that Sudish is trying to gain some sympathy, some popularity... but you know what? This is going to blow up on his face. That said, Sudish need not have gone on the 'friend' trip when he is actually pissed off. Sudish you are trying to steal his shoes while licking his feet. Make up your mind. You want the shoes or his feet? There is nothing called half a fuck my friend. See how the Kollywood strikes back. Don't you know what happened to Aachi Manorama? And you think you can get away with this.

Now, wait Sudish. I am not a fan of Vikram. I don't know him personally. I don't know you. And, I think you write like a stuck up virgin 70 year old man. Can you take this criticism and not lose your cool? Heh!

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R.I.P Raghuvaran

It is not often that an actor like Raghuvaran comes by and captures the imagination of a generation of movie fans. He was a breath of fresh air: in a landscape that was dominated by stereotypes and in a time when exaggeration was the norm. He didn't have the wannabe-flamboyance of Kamal Hassan or the in-your-face antics of Rajinikanth. Nor did he belong to the old school of Sivaji Ganesan. He charted a new path called subtlety. Though most of us didn't understand what it was then, we were enchanted by this tall, lanky actor who for once appeared like a real person on the otherwise regressive Tamil screen.

Take for example, his role of a troubled father of a dying child in Manirathnam's Anjali. It was a stunning performance to say the least. However, he was better known for his villain roles. I choose not pick any but I can't help talk about Bhavani in Ram Gopal Verma's Shiva (Telugu). Raghuvaran was mind-blowing as the bad guy in it. He shed the baggage of generations of stereotypes and blazed new trails as a bad guy.

I remember watching him on TV as Madan interviewed him a few months (or a year back?) and as the interview was concluding something in me told me that Raghuvaran was not going to come back like I wanted him to. I hope he finds peace at least after he has crossed over to another world. Or maybe he was one of those that needed pain to thrive, hurt to survive, and misery to exult. Raghu, I pray that you find what you've been looking for, for far too long. May you rest, in peace or otherwise.

P.S. In a display of shoddy journalism, the media couldn't even get Raghuvaran's age right. Some say it is 49 and some 60. Sad!

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Screen Writing Commandments

Writing a script is relatively easy. The real work is in preparing, building and "arc-ing" out the story and defining the characters. Once the "blueprint" is in place, the writing itself is usually a welcome enterprise. Many writers have trouble being patient enough with this process and it can cost them dearly in the long run.

[Via Hollywoodscript.com]

It feels good when someone else echoes your thoughts.

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If you were to make a Tamil movie...

...something that's based on the theme of vengeance, what would be your storyline? Leave a comment.

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MMKR

For Tamil speaking readers only:

"En peru Madan, aana friends surukkama Subramanya Raju nu koopduvaanga."

From the timeless Michael Madana Kamarajan

Do you remember any other lines from this movie? If yes leave a comment.

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Desperately Seeking KingKong

Oh no not that monkey. I am talking about this midget actor from Tamil and Telugu movies (late 80s through 90s). Apparently he is a super star now, thanks to the Internet, Kingsely tells us.
Why? This is why!

A million views! Wow!

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