‘Vedalam’ with it’s larger than life character of the star clearly woos Ajith’s fans

If you can leave your brains behind, maybe you could sit through this masala entertainer that lacks logic

Ganesh (Ajith) and his sister Tamizh (Lakshmi Menon) arrive in Kolkata where Tamizh enrolls for a course in a college of design. As expected she is a talented girl and the brother-sister share a great bond. Ganesh also takes up work as a taxi driver. And he is the sweet guy with a charming smile, until he turns informer for the police who are trying to nab a much dreaded criminal and his gang.
When Ganesh is caught by the gang from a timid man praying for his life, he transforms himself into a ruthless killer, who kills the two brothers of the gang leader Rahul.
So who is actually Ganesh? The story unravels as Ganesh shares his past with Shwetha, (Shruthi Haasan) and whose brother is engaged to Tamizh.
The script is weak, there is no logic as to why the story begins in Italy where an upright police officer is killed by Rahul.
Shruthi Haasan plays a lawyer who has never won a case and with two juniors under her. Shruthi looks gorgeous and hot but she needs to work on her expressions. Her character is poorly sketched. Soori is supposed to tickle the funny bones with his wisecracks but all his jokes fall flat. What is funny about saying ‘Awesome’ as ‘Aweshome’ or ‘public’ as ‘bublic.’
The police become the butt of ridicule as Ganesh is paid by two constables to beat up a crowd of goons who have entered the police station. How believable is  this?

Even his scenes with Shruthi Haasan where they plot against Ganesh are annoying instead of evoking chuckles. Well if you are an Ajith fan, rest assured this film is just for you. With song sequences at the drop of a hat, as Ajith shakes his legs and action scenes where his one man army does everything to bring the villains down. And of course he emerges unscathed.
Lakshmi Menon’s role was definitely drawn better as Ganesh’s sister who brings a change in heart of a rowdy.
Director Siva seems to have added every masala that came to his mind. While the song, 'Adama.....' is one song that lingers for a while, the background score is so jarring that very often the dialogues get lost in its music.
This one is not meant for the family with killings running wild and enough gore.

‘Puli’ fails to make the roar one expected from a Vijay film

Weak script, poor characterization and bad editing makes ‘Puli’ a big disappointment

For all the noise it made, ‘Puli’ fails to make the leap into viewers’ hearts.
Chimbu Devan’s script was well loaded for a Vijay fan: Marundheeran, a larger than life hero, his beautiful lover, Pavazhamalli, (Shruthi Haasan)  two side –kicks (Thambi Ramiah and Satyan) to become the butt of the hero’s jokes and a villain, Thalapathy Jalatharangan (Sudeep) to egg  Marundheeran into action duels. Besides, there is Bollywood’s diva, Sridevi making a comeback into Tamil cinema, in a queen’s role and the glamorous Hansika Motwani her daughter. Yet ‘Puli’ fell down like a pack of cards.
Devan’s story touted as a fantasy tale for children lacked conviction. After all children ask questions mind you.
Marundheeran who is introduced as a simple guy and not a bravado to take on the powerful Vedhalams, (a clan of people with super human powers) saves his people from their tyranny by merely holding tightly onto  a Vedhalam chief’s leg. How ridiculous can that get?
And when Marundheeran’s lover, Pavazhamalli is abducted by the Vedhalams, he risks his life to find her. Of course he will eventually  (remember this is a Vijay film) but before that he has to cross an ardous path and the guide on this journey is a huge turtle known for his wisdom.
‘Puli’ reminds viewers of ‘Bahubali,’ in many ways. The story opens with a baby floating down the river and is rescued by a villager. And he turns out to be the rightful heir to a kingdom which has been confiscated by an evil chieftain. So that brings Vijay in a double role (more treat for fans). But the actor fails to impress in this role. His poor character sketch and bad hairdo a big letdown. 
Just how much of a children’s film is ‘Puli’ you wonder. The nuptial night jokes centred around Thambi Ramiah’s character is certainly not for little ones. What’s funny about licking the back of a frog now and then?
After waiting eagerly for Sridevi, the actress makes an appearance in the second half. She plays a queen under the spell of her chieftain. Sudeep as the baddie is ok.  ‘Puli’ drags real slow. The editing could have been crisper. Except for the ‘Yendi Yendi’ song sung by Vijay and Shruthi Haasan, none of the songs linger in the mind. 

What you will love though in ‘Puli’ is the breathtaking visuals shot by cinematographer Nataraj Subramaniam. The colour palette is vibrant. T. Muthuraj’s sets are a pretty picture too. In the special effects section the turtle and the bird Soora are a delight. If only Soora had a more chirpy voice and less adult sounding.

‘Poojai’ an action film from the word go

‘Tamil director Hari’s Diwali offering, ‘Poojai,’ adheres religiously to his formula of film-making. From the moment the screen opens till the last scene, there is action and gore. And, if you have watched his earlier films, you know what to expect.
Vasu (Vishal) is a loan shark making a living in the markets of Coimbatore and with our first introduction to Anna Thandavam, (Mukesh Tiwari) a contract killer posing as a respectable businessman, Hari prepares the stage for the battle.
The story gathers steam after Anna Thandavam’s plan to kill the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Sathyaraj) goes awry. Vasu saves the cop. Now the foremost question in Anna’s mind is- ‘Who is this Vasu?’
Love blossoms between Vasu and Divya, (Shruthi Haasan) a young woman whom he meets in a mall. And they break into a duet at the slightest instance taking viewers with them to exotic locales.
Did I mention about the guest appearance of singer Andrea in a song sequence? Going by the trend, Tamil films seem to be incomplete without a booze scene, so Vasu and friends find an excuse to drink and with that they put on their dancing shoes. The result is a song sequence with Andrea.
Slapstick comedy does little to tickle the funny bone here. Where is the humour in Soori bashing up his junior, Black Pandi at regular intervals? This Soori joke has been done to death and its time he pulled out something else from the box.
Melodrama, another ingredient in all Hari stories exists here too. With a large family Vasu takes up cudgels for their welfare even travelling all the way to Patna to avenge his mother’s death.
It is a Vishal show all the way and undoubtedly the actor comes with an impressive performance. But the story is nothing new.  Radhika’s performance as Vasu’s mother was commendable. And Shruthi Haasan’s expressions are certainly improving with each film. She looks lovely in each scene, her costumes complementing her well.
‘Poojai,’ contrary to its title has aruvaals (sickles) flying all the way, (you had better duck) and is predictable to the core.
If you love action and are a Vishal fan, then this one is up your alley.