Thaanaa Serndhu Kootam: a light hearted entertainer and a Pongal treat

By Mythily Ramachandran

Surya’s ‘Thaanaa Serndhu Kootam’ is a clear entertainer  with its right mix of action, romance and humour.

Directed by Vignesh ShivN, TSK borrows its core plot from Bollywood film, ‘Special 26’ but is tailored neatly  to suit the Tamilian palate. 
ShivN’s  good writing and screenplay that never sags lends it an originality.  Clean humour dominates along with foot tapping music from Anirudh.

The story is happening in the 80s when unemployment was an issue to reckon with. Educated middle class and lower class young men lose out on jobs despite being meritorious, due to a corrupt bureaucracy that thrives on greased palms.

Iniyan (Suriya) aspires to join the CBI (Central Bureau Of Investigation) where his father (Thambi Ramiah) works as a clerk. But he is humiliated by the Bureau Chief Uthaman (Suresh Menon) who does not see eye to eye with Iniyan’s father and is obviously not keen on employing Iniyan.

When Iniyan’s close friend also dreaming of a police career takes his own life out of frustration, Iniyan steps into a new role. Protesting against the system, Iniyan plans a heist with five others.

For Suriya, it’s a role that he can sleep walk in- of course he is given those ‘mass hero’ moments with dances and action stunts-yet ShivN ensures that nothing is over the top.

Ramya Krishnan as Azhagu Meena, one of the con artists in Iniyan’s team might remind you of Anupam Kher’s role in ‘Special 26,’ but as the story rolls, Meena finds  her own identity. Kudos to ShivN for envisoning  a female character in place of Kher’s role. If Krishnan’s Sivagami from ‘Bahubali’ left us in awe,  her Azhagu Meena is a joyful experiment-revealing another side of the talented actress.

Unlike Kajal Aggarwal, who played arm candy to Akshay Kumar, Keerthi Suresh’s role is filled with amusing moments. Look out for the scene where she proposes to Iniyan.

Humour is a major strength here unlike ‘Special 26.’ There are several laugh aloud moments. Anand Raj as the Minister whose house is raided by this con team sets the tone with his ‘mind talk.’

Besides, ShivN has a detailed back-story for Iniyan  and his motives for organizing the heist, making the story far more convincing than the original.

While ‘Special 26’ gave the feel of a racy thriller with its background music playing continuously, Anirudh’s peppy numbers makes you sit back and relax.

Even if you have watched ‘Special 26’, ‘TSK’ is worth a watch. It’s not another remake. TSK is a sweet Pongal delicacy.

‘Gulaebagavalli’ a comic caper that keeps you in splits

By Mythily Ramachandran

‘Gulaebagavalli’ makes no pretensions about its motive. It’s an entertainer and succeeds in doing just that. As long as you don’t take it seriously nor look for something to ponder upon or analyse critically, ‘Gulaebagavalli’ is ideal to keep your stress at bay. The slapstick comedy will keep you chuckling. Well, sometimes, one needs that kind of a film to let the hair down. 

Directed by Kalyaan S ‘Gulaebagavalli’ takes viewers on a treasure hunt to the eponymous village where lies hidden a treasure chest packed with gems dating to the British era.
Badri (Prabhu Deva) a thief, whose skill lies in smuggling antique idols is on a new mission to Gulaebagavalli. He soon has company with three others joining him on this quest-Viji, (Hansika Motwani) a young woman, whom he falls in love with at first sight;  Maasha (Revathy) a middle aged woman and a trickster and Munish (Ramdoss) who is sent to keep an eye on Badri.

If the content lacks on anything new and interesting and even defies logic, it makes it up with its humour. The jokes are sometimes silly too, but it’s not easy keeping a straight face.

Revathy surprises in a never before seen role and the veteran has played it out well. Prabhu Deva’s dance moves keep you enthralled. Director Kalyan also takes a dig at the must have formula followed in our cinema. Look out for the scenes with comedians Sathya- a policeman who is easily conned and Mottai Rajendran –on his amma (mother) sentiment. It’s a laugh riot.  

Sketch-an action drama set in North Madras

Sketch-an action drama that does not impress

Old wine in a new bottle best describes this Vikram starrer.
Vijay Chandra, who last directed ‘Vaalu’ returns with a story set in north Chennai-a neighbourhood known in Tamil cinema for its goon culture.

Jeeva, (Vikram) better known as Sketch is an uneducated tough guy working under Settu, (played by Malayalam actor Hareesh Peradi),  a loan financier for cars. When the owners default on their EMI payments, it’s Sketch’s job to lift the car. Sketch prides on his ability to do a thorough job and he can never go wrong with a ‘sketch’ he has planned.  No wonder the name!

Settu also manages a garage and car servicing unit where he employs young boys.  Settu, however has an old score to settle with a ruthless gangster Royapuram Kumar (Malayalam actor Baburaj). So he instructs Sketch to lift Kumar’s favourite car-an archaic red Fiat car.

Sketch succeeds in his mission earning Kumar’s wrath in the process. Sketch and his friends become Kumar’s targets to kill.

There is nothing new about Vikram’s character here.
‘Sketch’ with a larger than life portrayal of his role, indulges  completely to his star image.  As for the romance in the story, you don’t have to guess. It’s the routine stalking by the hero of his lady love, Amuthavalli (Tamannah) -the college going young woman, who inevitably falls for his tough exterior looks that seemingly hide his soft nature. 

Isn’t it time to let go off this obsession for a fair skinned lover and glorifying it? Not to forget that in our cinema love blossoms with ease between an educated woman and an uneducated  rowdie. Amuthavalli is brazen about her choice.
Tamannah is mere eye candy here while ‘Sketch’ is all about wooing Vikram’s fans. And what was that inane comedy track with Soori? His jokes fell flat.

What makes one sit up and ponder awhile is the unexpected twist in the climax. With a message on juvenile criminals delivered ‘Sketch’ could have been a sensible story.
For now, ‘Sketch’ remains a mere sketch which needs a better screenplay and less frills.
And, I couldn’t help missing Vikram, the intense performer of ‘Anniyan’ and ‘Pithamagan,’ to mention some of the feathers in the actor’s cap.