‘Pandiya Naadu,’ a revenge saga 

By Mythily Ramachandran

A Suseenthiran film carries great expectations and ‘Pandiya Naadu’ is no different.
Set in Madurai, the film is pivoted around a mafia gang led by Simmhakkal Ravi (Sharath Lohitashwa) who rules the temple town ruthlessly. For him money and power means everything.
Nagarajan, an honest officer working in a granite quarry refuses to toe in line with his demands, so he is bumped off in a so called accident.
When his family learns the truth behind the tragedy, his younger brother Sivakumar (Vishal) plans on avenging the death. Little does he know that his father, (director Bharatiraja) a retired government employee is harbouring a similar idea.
How does an ordinary man fight a system that sides with the wicked and powerful? That forms the crux of this revenge saga.
After his last film, ‘Aadhalal Kadhal Seeiver,’ a romantic drama with a socially relevant  message Suseenthiran tries his hand at a completely different genre. And he impresses with his story telling that is convincing and honest. Of course you can expect gore when the story is happening in Madurai and knife wielding goons are in plenty.
Woven into this story is a cute love story between Siva who runs a mobile service center and a teacher, Malar (Lakshmi Menon).
Vishal completely transforms himself into the stammering Siva, who in the face of adversity does not hesitate to strike. And he becomes a man possessed to kill. Stunt master Anal Arasu’s choreography is brilliant. The action sequences bring an authenticity to the scenes without making Siva a superhero.
For good humour, watch out for Soori, who plays Siva’s close buddy.
Making his presence felt, albeit in a small role is Vikranth, as Siva’s  friend. Who would have thought that the vulnerable father in ‘Ethir Neechal,’ could deliver such a powerful performance as ruthless don? Kannada actor Sharath Lohithaswa as Ravi is splendid. 
Another surprise is director Bharatiraja playing Siva’s father and the veteran delivers with aplomb.
Produced by Vishal with music by Imman, ‘Pandiya Naadu,’ is a compelling watch.

‘Thangameenkal,’ comes like a fresh breath of air

By Mythily Ramachandran

“Which is of a higher value-Rs.1000 or Rs.100? Asks Stella Miss looking at Chellama. The class 2 student answers in great enthusiasm, “Rs.1000 is costly for my granddad but Rs. 100 is costly for my father.”
Her teacher rebukes/shouts at her in anger while her classmates laugh at her answer.
Chellama believes that there is no single correct answer to a question, but then nobody around her understands that, least of all her teachers. The only person who understands her is her father who patiently answers all her questions. The two share a close bond.

Chellama is a special child and the hero of ‘Thangameenkal,’ a story penned by Tamil director Ram.
Kalian, a school drop- out working on a low paying job finds it hard to run his home. It is his father who continues to provide for the family including paying Chellama’s fees.
Kalyani prefers spending time with his daughter until one day his father in a fit of anger asks him to leave home. Kalyani finds work in Kochi as a security guard and the only link with his daughter is his cell phone. When she asks him for a pug as a birthday gift, this father travels to a tribal village to procure a ‘rainmaker,’ an antique piece that would fetch him the required money to buy the pug.
This story while pivoted around a father-daughter relationship raises few questions. Taking a dig at the influence of commercials on innocent minds of children and pointing out the flaws in the present education system in India, the director wonders if a child’s potential cannot be realized in a government school under the guidance of a good teacher.
The hero of this story undoubtedly is Sadhana, a class 6 student and resident of Dubai who slips into the role of Chellama. She shows great promise on her debut carrying the film on her little shoulders. Director Ram deserves praise for not portraying a special child in the stereotypical mould. And no one understands children better it would seem from the dialogues he has written for his child actors. There is a cute moment where Chellama asks her friend Nithyashree, ‘Why are you crying?’ Nithyashree replies, ‘I am going to die as my mother is always scolding me to study.”
Chellama asks, ‘Are you going to die today?’ Pat is the reply, “Not today but tomorrow.’ Why not today? probes Chellama.
“Today my mother is making puris.” Watch out for more cute moments between the two.
While Ram as Kalyani has delivered a convincing performance, there are moments when he gets melodramatic. Newcomers Lizzie as the strict Stella Miss and Shelly Kishore as Chellama’s mother impress. Other members of the cast include Rohini and Ramu, who deliver a mature performance.
Yuvan Shankar’s beautiful music strikes the right chord and the song, ‘Aanandha Yaazhai,’ is mesmerizing.  Arabhindu Saara’s visuals are another plus, shot in Nagercoil and the mountains of Waynaad.
‘Thangameenkal,’ may be a fish out of water amidst the present age films but then you just can’t ignore this golden fish.

‘Deivathante Swantham Cleetus’ is just another entertainer

In a small village of Kerala, a priest, Father Sunny (Siddique) plans on a sound and light show depicting the life of Jesus Christ.
While searching for an actor to play the Lord, he comes across Cleetus (Mammootty) and is impressed with his calm demeanour and physical looks. He finds in Cleetus a striking resemblance to Christ. After much persuasion Cleetus agrees to play Jesus Christ.
Trouble starts during the rehearsals when the true colour of Cleetus is revealed. While the rest of the cast members are shocked to learn that Cleetus is a local criminal, Father Sunny believes in giving him a chance to reform. He hopes that in essaying the character of Christ, Cleetus might turn over a new leaf.
Does Cleetus live up to the image he essays on stage?
Marthandan, as associate director in the Malayalam industry for several years makes his directorial debut with this film.

Yes, with Mammootty in the central role of Cleetus, the story is predictable. And of course there is a villain who has a score to settle with Cleetus. Expect fist fights too.
Honey Rose, who is best remembered for her role in ‘Trivandrum Lodge,’ plays a character in total contrast to Dhwani, the divorcee. As Lakshmi, a single mother with a little boy, Rose portrays a demure yet a bold woman.
There is good humour to keep you chuckling. And I am not referring to Suraj Venjaramoodu’s comic antics that have become so repetitive but are supposed to make viewers laugh. Hilarious moments revolve around P. Balachandran playing an aging dramatist in this film, but who is keen on playing Jesus Christ, much to Father Sunny’s annoyance. Aju Verghese as Cleetus’ side kick impresses with his comedy too. Mammootty does not disappoint his fans either. Siddique is at his usual best.
The spectacular visuals captured by cinematographer Pradeep Nair are a treat for your eyes.   
‘Deivathinte Swantham Cleetus,’ entertains, nothing more.

 ‘Sonna Puriyaadhu’ a romantic comedy that entertains 

Krishnan Jayaraj makes an impressive debut with ‘Sonna Puriyaadhu.’
Siva is a dubbing artiste, who lends his voice for Tamil versions of Hollywood blockbusters and Discovery Channel programs. A fun loving guy who enjoys his daily quota of booze, Siva dreams of the day he will buy his Volkswagen, his first love actually. But when it comes to matters of the heart, he is not serious. Nor does he believe in marriage. Every time his single mother broaches the subject, Siva evades it, until one day she emotionally blackmails him into agreeing to a traditional marriage. So he meets Anjali in the traditional girl-boy seeing ceremony. Anjali, a host for a spiritual channel is just the kind every Kollywood mother wants for her son: demure, god fearing, vegetarian and conservative, a contrast to Siva. And, before Siva is given a chance to think for himself, his mother has approved of Anjali and their marriage fixed too.
Not one to give in, Siva plots on breaking this alliance. Does Siva get hitched to Anjali finally? Go and watch ‘Sonna Puriyaadhu.’ 
Jayaraj’s film does not pretend to be anything else but an enjoyable entertainer. Siva as Siva keeps you chuckling with his lines that he delivers with a straight face. Like his earlier film, ‘Tamil Padam,’ some scenes are a spoof on Tamil films. The dubbing scenes are hilarious.
Vasundhara Kashyap as Anjali comes out with an impressive performance. You will love Siva’s Face book addicted grandma, who is inseparable from her I-Pad. Meera Krishnan as Siva’s mother brings out her character well too.
Unpredictable and funny without resorting to toilet humour, ‘Sonna Puriyaadhu,’ keeps your mundane worries at bay for a while.