MOVIE REVIEW OF VAZHTHUKKAL!!!!- FIRST ON NET !!!

Vazhthukal Cast : Madhavan, Bhavana Direction: Seeman Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja Production: T. Shiva

There are only a handful of Tamil movies that deal with family values and even fewer that look at what happens to neglected and lonely parents after their children have married and moved away. It is this rare theme that director Seeman explores in Vazhthukal, which stars, among others, Madhavan, Bhavana, Venkat Prabhu and Vijayalakshmi.

The story begins with people searching for Madhavan, who is shown sitting in a train with his parents in a rather somber state. Cut to a flashback: Maddy is the CEO of Amma, a software company that supports several social causes. He is disillusioned about marriage after he sees the parents of his close friends seeking asylum in an old age home run by Amma. Their son deserts them when his selfish, hardhearted wife demands that they go to an old age home. Maddy's father lets him look for a bride himself. He is attracted to Bhavana, whom he spots in a TV programme that showcases young achievers. Her opinion on family values floors him completely. She even sings praises about her huge joint family with a host of brothers and their wives. Along with his friend and colleague, Venkat Prabhu, Maddy sets off to Bhavana’s college, hoping to woo her. He runs through

a variety of his usual romantic antics to make her fall for him. Maddy finally pounces on an opportunity that falls into his lap: to renovate her family house with the help of a leading interior designer. This way, he finally wins a place in her heart. This is when the movie reveals that this huge family headed by Bhavana’s grandfather is opposed to love marriages. How Maddy finds a place in the hearts of every family member and changes their mind about love forms the rest of the story. The plot unfolds in the most clichéd manner possible with all the characters seeming wax-like. The family seem flawless, the kind of people you don’t see in the real world but always see in the films of Vikraman. The idea of Maddy doing up the house’s interiors with tips from the interior designer seems amateurish, and the result isn't aesthetically pleasing either. For a movie with two major stars, Vazhthukal is also technically mediocre. The camera work is rather plain, and the songs only slow down an already sluggish narrative. Director Seeman seems to suggest that films are just a medium to express your opinions on society

and its values. The result, the movie pans out into a medium of propaganda rather than a visually rich, soulful narrative. Though the intention is good, his attempt to have no English words in the dialogues seems too contrived. The first half of the story is wasted in an elaborate introduction of all the characters and the plot reaches a (so-called) stage of conflict only well into the second half. Madhavan’s lively performance, though, is what keeps the film at least a little engaging. And his chemistry with Bhavana is the other saving grace in this listless movie. But even this is marred by Seeman's self-conscious poetic one-liners that make the romantic scenes appear more funny than sensual. Vijyalakshmi as the interior designer lends credibility to her character, while Venkat Prabhu's humor doesn't work at all. Yuvan's background score isn't too bad but it can't lift the movie from its tedium. Vazhthukal might have worked better in the 90s, when family movies were better appreciated.

Verdict: Sluggish and outdated. Vazhthukal - Belated

DUDE IS BACK IN TOWN

The 'Kaanal neer' hero, J K Ritheesh is back in the news. He is acting in the movie 'Naayagan'. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that he has voiced his protest against the ban of Jalli kattu. This is the traditional game which has been in India since 16th century. A bull is made to run at a bewildering speed and the youngsters around will try and control the bull. Usually, most of the people will get injured and only a few will manage to halt its run. Supreme court has banned this sport saying that bull is being tortured too much in this game. Protests have been coming from all angles and the farmers and others have planned to observe 'Black Pongal' in view of this ban.

Jodhaa Akbar relevant to present

Ashutosh Gowarikar, who is ready with Jodhaa Akbar, says he was fascinated by the relationship that the two historical figures must have shared after marriage. “I feel if today we make a story about the past, it must be correlated to the present. And Jodhaa Akbar is as relevant to the present as arranged marriages are. Jodhaa and Akbar shared a perfect arranged marriage. I was fascinated by how their relationship must have grown after marriage,” Gowarikar said.

Keeping the young generation in mind, the director has avoided a heavy dose of Urdu. “As for youngsters, I had one rule of connectivity in my range of vision. Any word or dialogue that I didn’t understand in Urdu, I kept out. I’ve no interest in impressing audiences with my knowledge of Urdu, Hindi or even literature,” he said.

But film analysts feel history has no relevance for today’s average youngster. “I agree. As a child, historical films never interested me. But when I saw Mughal-e-Azam on TV, I connected to it because it was a story of lovers separated by parental opposition. That the parents were historical figures was incidental. I feel the story has to be connectable to the audience. Hyder Ali, who wrote Jodhaa Abkar, told me, ‘In Mughal-e-Azam the focus was so much on Salim and Anarkali, nobody asked a fundamental question: How did Akbar come to marry Jodhaa in spite of their religious and cultural divide?’ I immediately reacted to their alliance. I saw an interesting story there that needed to be told,” he added. Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan in the lead roles, the film is set to hit the marquee February 15. The director is dubbing it in Telugu and Tamil as well.

How much has he stressed the religious difference between Jodhaa and Akbar? “It’s important but not stressed in my film. Let’s not forget, Akbar’s marriage to Jodhaa was no common occurrence. It had a nationwide reverberation 450 years ago when society was far more conservative. How did their marriage affect those times? That’s a question relevant even today. But I’m not jingoistic in my treatment,” said Gowarikar.

deepika padukone in robo??????

Within 24 hours of official announcement of Shankar & Rajini’s Robot, the rumour mills have started working actively. The latest buzz in Kollywood is that ‘Robot’, the grand and possibly the biggest film in Indian history, would have two heroines. Nayantara and Deepika Padukone are said to be the twin heroines of the movie.

While Nayantara, who played superstar’s pair in ‘Chandramukhi’, is tipped to become his pair again, it is rumored that the latest Bollywood sensation Deepika Padukone would don an important role.

Both girls are hot and happening. Nayantara has made everyone sit up and watch her by her stunning looks in ‘Billa’, while Deepika has grabbed the attention of entire nation by her magical charm in Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Om Santhi Om’.

Going by the huge expectations of the mega budget film, the two popular heroines would definitely add colour to the science fiction story of Shankar.

Keep watching this space for more updates on ‘Robot’.

Within 24 hours of official announcement of Shankar & Rajini’s Robot, the rumour mills have started working actively. The latest buzz in Kollywood is that ‘Robot’, the grand and possibly the biggest film in Indian history, would have two heroines. Nayantara and Deepika Padukone are said to be the twin heroines of the movie.

While Nayantara, who played superstar’s pair in ‘Chandramukhi’, is tipped to become his pair again, it is rumored that the latest Bollywood sensation Deepika Padukone would don an important role.

Both girls are hot and happening. Nayantara has made everyone sit up and watch her by her stunning looks in ‘Billa’, while Deepika has grabbed the attention of entire nation by her magical charm in Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Om Santhi Om’.

Going by the huge expectations of the mega budget film, the two popular heroines would definitely add colour to the science fiction story of Shankar.

Keep watching this space for more updates on ‘Robot’.

Silambarasan Lives Up To his name

Lakshmi Movie Makers launched their 25th film, Silambattam starring Silambarasan and debutante Sanaa Khan at AVM Studios on December 7. A large gathering of film luminaries attended the function. Silambarasan nee Simbu sported an orthodox brahmin look and faced the camera along with heroine Sanaa at the Lord Vinayaka temple in the studio complex. Later addressing the media, the irrepressible actor said in a lighter vein that since people called him a good guy now, he is playing a soft role. He hastens to add that how and why a soft-spoken gentle orthodox youngster turns into a volcano form the crux of the theme. “It is a positive character in an action entertainer.” He attended the shoot with a bandaged finger. The actor suffered an injury while shooting for his forthcoming film, Kalai. Undaunted he completed the day’s work for the film. Heroine Sanaa Khan is a model from Mumbai and says it is her first film assignment. Another heroine has to be chosen. John Vijay who made a mark with Oram Po plays the antagonist. Cinematographer Saravanan debuts as the director with Silambattam. “To concentrate more as a filmmaker I entrusted the job of cinematography to my friend and erstwhile associate Madhi,” he said. “Set in rural and city ambience, the shoot will take place in Kumbakonam, parts of South Tamil Nadu and in Chennai, he disclosed. Dhina composes the music. Producers Muralidharan and Swaminathan hoped that their 25th film would run as many weeks

billa the next sivaji!!!!

well, the title may be confusing , but the fact is that billa , the latest ajith nayanthara starrer is the latest movie tio jointhe bandwagon of super hits .It has amassed well over 25 crores in the first two weeks and is expected to break all records!! The year has certainly ended in a great note for thala and his fans!!!!