‘Remo’ is another mass entertainer 

By Mythily Ramachandran

Sivakarthikeyan’s ‘Remo’ made a lot of noise over his appearance in this film as a nurse but beyond that look, there is nothing much in this romantic comedy.  

Siva (Sivakarthikeyan), an unemployed young man is an aspiring actor who ends up using his acting skills to win the love of his heart. 

Directed by debutant Bakkiyaraj Kannan, this story sits snug into the template of a Tamil mass entertainer. Targeted at people of all ages, ‘Remo’ with a love story at its core is served with doses of action, (there is a villain obviously, the fiancé) and sentiments to woo children and family. Not to forget laughs. 

So hero, Siva, after experiencing that aaha moment when cupid strikes his arrow decides to win Dr. Kavya’s (Keerthy Suresh) heart. So what if she is already engaged to a doctor and is not even aware of Siva’s existence, the hero is determined to make her fall in love with him. As nurse Remo he gets quite close to Dr. Kavya.  

‘Remo’ appears to be telling Sivakarthikeyan’s fans that it is ok if you are uneducated and in love and it doesn’t matter to what extent you go to win the heart of your woman. You can bug her until she becomes yours. 

Sivakarthikeyan as Remo looks quite stunning so much that his close buddy desires to hug Remo. There is even a rowdy (Yogi Babu) in love with Remo. Remo is irresistible to the old men recovering in the hospital where she works. 

Lacking good writing and with a run of the mill story, ‘Remo’ joins the ranks of films that are easily forgotten.  

Aandavan Kattalai’ entertains with a simple story  

By Mythily Ramachandran

Tamil director Manikandan is back with another entertainer that while tickling viewers also send home a few points on the existing system in society. 

Manikandan had explored the effects of globalization on two little slum boys, in his debut film, ‘Kaakka Muttai.’ Now he takes on a story that reveals the hurdles in procuring a London visa or for that matter even a simple Indian passport.  

Gandhi, (Vijay Sethupathi)  debt-ridden, leaves his home near Madurai and arrives in Chennai to get a London visa so that he can bring home the proverbial pot of gold. His friend Pandi (Yogi Babu) accompanies him with the same London dreams.

When a travel agent suggests that a married status on their passport application form will increase their chances of getting a visa, Gandhi, much against his wishes, mentions a name of a fictitious wife, Karmegha Kuzhali. However, during the visa interview, a simple honest answer leads to the rejection of Gandhi’s visa, while Pandi’s London visa comes through.

Gandhi finds work in Chennai in a theater company and when his employer, (Nasser)  decides to take him to London for a show, his married status comes in the way. And, to undo one lie, Gandhi is caught in a mesh with lawyers who have no qualms of distorting facts further.

The screenplay written by Arul Chezhiyan, Manikandan and Anucharan dwells on Gandhi’s travails, told in an engaging and humorous manner.
The comedy is not in the face forcing you to laugh. Humour is drawn from the daily humdrum of life, be it at the travel agent’s office; or in the exchange between Karmegha Kuzhil and her mom; or the family court where couples seek a divorce.
I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Gandhi's two lawyers. Actors George and Nandhini were wonderful.

‘Aandavan Kattalai’ is not only about the protagonist’s journey- the supporting characters leave an indelible impression.
Nesan, the Sri Lankan refugee living incognito in Chennai, who comes up with solutions to solve Gandhi’s predicament, reminds you of that friend who gets you into trouble without intending to. Aravindan plays this role with conviction. Yogi Babu keeps the laughs coming. Rithika Singh after impressing us with ‘Iruddhi Suttru’ emphasizes again that her debut performance was not just a flash in the pan. Sethupathi carries his Gandhi effortlessly and is a treat to watch. Give Nasser any role and the veteran does justice to it.

Without shouting hoarse over a social message, Manikandan stresses the importance of avoiding middle- men, like agents and touts and instead follow the direct procedure for procuring a document.

Go for ‘Aandavan Kattalai’ and take your family too. It’s a clean and fun film.  And, believe it or not, there was not a single duet or song, though composer K’s background score sometimes came in the way of some dialogues.  

‘Thodari’ a damp squib

By Mythily Ramachandran

You board this train expecting it to be an interesting journey with director Prabhu Solomon and team, but it turns out to be a big let -down.

The GT Express departing from Delhi is on way to Chennai. And, it takes a long while for the train, sorry I mean the story, to pick up steam.
To begin with, the inane comedy revolving around the pantry car manager, (Thambi Ramiah) who is the butt of jokes among his team of workers, does little to tickle you. Ramiah’s delivery and expressions are the same that you have been seeing in film after film.

Poochiappan (Dhanush), one of the pantry attendants falls in love with Saroja (Keerthy Suresh) a young woman accompanying a well -known star. Saroja is her touch up artist. After initially rebuffing Poochiappan, who makes passes at her, she falls for his trick when he tells her that the noted lyricist Vairamuthu is his friend. Saroja aspires to become a singer in the industry and believes that she can sing well. She hopes Poochiappan will help her by putting in a word to Vairamuthu.

Love brews but unlike Solomon’s earlier films, ‘Myna,’ ‘Kumki’ and ‘Kayal’ this love story lacks a depth. There is nothing that makes you feel for the lovers except towards the end when the train in the absence of a driver is hurtling towards an imminent catastrophe.

While a rescue team is working on saving the passengers on the train, there is a commentary on politicians. There is a dig at the media too for sensationalizing news, but these scenes are sloppily presented.

‘Thodari’ seems to have thrown all logic to the winds. Dhanush dances and sings and even fights people on the roof of the train which is racing at a high speed.

Harish Uthaman’s character as a black commando, picks a quarrel for no reason with Poochiappan which seemed far-fetched. And, why the dialogue between the two over who is better- a Tamilian or a Malayali.

Poor characterization, a weak script and the two hours plus duration pulls ‘Thodari’ down. What saves the film is Dhanush’s casual performance. The star does not disappoint as Poochiappan.

Keerthi Suresh’s also deserves a pat for her cute portrayal of the naïve Saroja. The scenes where she wants to sing to show Dhanush that she has the potential to become a singer will leave you in splits.  

Kattappanayile Hrithik Roshan: A fun film that sends across a few points too

By Mythily Ramachandran

A lot can go wrong when parents try to realize their failed dreams through their children. 

Malayalam director Nadir Shah’s film, ‘Kattappanayile Hrithik Roshan’ is all about that.
Shah on his second outing, (his debut was the multi-starrer, ‘Amar, Akbar, Antony’), succeeds with a film that entertains besides driving home few messages.

Surendran, (Siddique), an ordinary labourer in Kattappan, is a crazy fan of yesteryears Malayalam actor, Jayan. He aspires to become an actor but his failed dreams are burdened on the shoulders of his little son, Kichu.

Kichu (Vishnu Unnikrishnan)'s dark complexion goes against him, to begin with. Besides, the little boy is just not interested in acting. But who is listening? Clearly not his father who even lands him with an injury while training him to ride a bicycle in the hope of getting a role.  

Kichu becomes the butt of jokes in the neighbourhood, until one day, an unexpected stroke of luck brings him that very chance to work in a film when a director visits his school.Kichu plays a thief and his perfectly executed role makes him a celebrity of sorts in Kattappana. 

Subsequently, Kichu is offered only this one role in every film that comes his way. Kichu, however, aspires to become a star on the likes of  Bollywood’s Hrithik Roshan.

Nadir Shah takes a dig at the typecasting of actors in the industry. He points fingers at our obsession for looking good and judging people on the basis of one’s looks and fair complexion.

When the beautiful and glamourous Ann Mariya (Pragya Martin) moves into the neighbourhood, she is every young man’s heart-throb, including Kichu, who misinterprets her hand of friendship for love.

Is suicide the answer for unrequited love?
Not when there are several others in our lives, who truly care for us. Sadly many fail to acknowledge them like Kichu who does not see Kani’s love (his neighbour’s daughter) for him. 

The first half of the story is fun, peppered with several comic lines and delivered by Salim Kumar and Dharmajan Bolgatty. I particularly loved Kumar’s conversations with his hearing impaired wife. The actress was wonderful in the brief space she occupied. Bolgatty as Kichu’s friend kept the chuckles coming.

Siddique is great as a fanboy. The emotional moments as Kichu’s father dreaming big for his son have a touch of finesse.
Pragya Martin and  Lijomol Jose lend good support with their portrayal of Ann Mariya and Kani. 

Walking away with honours is Vishnu Unnikrishnan, script-writer making his debut as an actor with this film. Unnikrishnan’s Kichu wins hearts with his simplicity and earnest dreams, even as he battles with an inferiority complex and the onus of his father’s dreams.

‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’ a revenge tale that carries little malice 

By Mythily Ramachandran

If you thought that revenge tales must be laden with gore and violence, then Dileesh Pothan’s debut film, ‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’ (Mahesh’s revenge) busts that notion. 

As the title indicates Mahesh (Fahad Faasil) does have a score to settle and until that is done he will not rest, sorry in this case, he will not wear his slippers, preferring to go around bare-footed instead.  

What then makes this tale of retribution engaging and entertaining?
Clean and good humour to begin with right from the moment the story opens in a nondescript town of Prakash in Idukki. 

Mahesh is a photographer managing a small studio. He lives with his father (K J Antony), who has taught him the trade. Mahesh is in love with his school mate Sowmya, (Anusree) who works in another town as a nurse. Their love story is an open book and Mahesh is certain that they will be together someday soon. But Sowmya’s father has better plans for his daughter and with that their love story comes to a close.  

‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’ is Dileesh Pothan’s debut film. Pothan who assisted Aashiq Abu prior to going solo, left an impression as an actor in a small but memorable role in Aashiq Abu’s ‘Salt and Pepper. ’
With this film he scores as a director.
The story written by Syam Puskaran unfolds in a manner that cannot be predicted. 

An ordinary incident that happens outside Mahesh’s studio affects him and that propels him on a revenge journey thus taking the story ahead.
But the anger and hatred one often associates with a revenge tale is missing. Humour takes over and with Soubin Shahir around be prepared to laugh. 

Shahir plays Crispin, an assistant working in the studio next –door to Mahesh’s. This studio belongs to Baby Achayan (Alancier Lay) and the day to day interactions between the boss and his new apprentice is hilarious. Not to forget Soniamol, the young daughter of Achayan, a distraction for Crispin.   

There is no loud acting here. Fahad Faasil who is not new to playing a common man brings out effortlessly the highs and lows of Mahesh’s life. Anusree as his onscreen lover who eventually ditches him is  good. The surprise though is young Aparna Balamurali, (see Box) who wins hands down. She plays Jimcy, a clear headed sensible girl, who ushers love once again into Mahesh’s life. New comer Lijomol as Soniamol is an actor to look out for. 

So does Mahesh avenge the insult inflicted on him and slip on a pair of size 8 Lunar Chappals?
‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram,’ is a good entertainer. 

‘Puthiya Niyamam’ is a Nayanthara film

By Mythily Ramachandran

Louis Pothen (Mammootty) and Vasuki (Nayanthara) are a happily married couple with a school going daughter.
Pothen, a lawyer deals mostly in divorce cases and is also popular as a film critic on television. Vasuki is a home-maker whose second love is Kathakali, a dance form she indulges in.  

But then something untoward happens in Vasuki’s life and that is reflected in the change of her behavior.
She is now always anxious over her daughter’s safety and after nagging Pothen she makes him buy a car so that her daughter could be dropped to school every day instead of taking the school bus. 

A chance meeting with the city’s police chief, IPS Jeena Bhai (Sheelu Abraham) emboldens Vasuki to approach her for help. From then on the story picks up speed.
Written and directed by A.K. Sajan, ‘Puthiya Niyamam’ is a Nayanthara film all along. Sajan who wrote the scripts for blockbusters (‘Nadiya Kolapetta Ratri’ and Chinthamani Kola Case) has addressed a social issue that could affect women. 

This is Nayanthara’s second film with Mammootty after ‘Bhaskar the Rascal,’ and the actress has delivered a good performance. Revealing more would be a spoiler since this psychological thriller saves the best moments for the end when curtains come down. 

And, that’s when Mammootty’s Louis Pothen takes over to reveal the twist in the tale.
So is taking the law in one’s own hands the ‘new rule?’
Check that out in ‘Puthiya Niyamam.’

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Nivin Pauly raises a toast to the cop in ‘Action Hero Biju’

Abrid Shine, shines again with his second film, proving that his maiden film, ‘1983’ was not just a flash in the pan

What’s a day in a cop’s life like?
Is it merely bashing up criminals with pent up anger?
Malayalam director, Abrid Shine’s cop tale also shows that a cop can be trusted with your woes. 

Biju Paulose (Nivin Pauly), a double post-graduate, quit his teaching job to become a sub-inspector. And, he loves his job. If Biju is not chasing criminals, he is resolving cases at his police station. 

Be it the young woman who lodges a complaint against her former employer for not paying her dues or the father who wants his daughter back after his wife eloped with his friend, Biju Paulose ensures justice. 

When it comes to dealing with criminals, Biju has a unique style. He picks up a coconut, wraps it in a towel and then thrashes them. It sure has earned him quite a reputation.
There is nothing larger than life in Biju’s role and that’s what makes this honest cop believable. 

Shine who bowled viewers over with his debut film, ‘1983,’ once wins hearts with a clean family entertainer. Shine has co-written the story with Md. Shafeeq. There is enough situational humour to bring in the chuckles. Look out for the scene where a human rights activist visits the station and confronts S.I Biju. 

There are a host of characters and each one has been well fleshed out carrying a distinct identity. Several new faces show promise. 

Suresh Thampanoor, was carrying loads on his head for a living until spotted by Abrid for his musical voice. Thampanoor plays a drunkard arrested by Biju. Thampanoor wrote the lyrics, composed tunes and sung the song ‘Muthe Ponne Pinangale.’ 

Suraj Venjaramoodu, a noted comedian, does a brilliant job as a wronged husband. His scene with his onscreen daughter leaves a lump in the throat. Rohini’s subtle performance is commendable. Anu Emmanuel as Benitta, Biju’s fiancée appears in few scenes, yet leaves a mark with her freshness. 

Although Nivin Pauly carries the film on his shoulders, every other actor is remarkable. This is Pauly’s first into production. 

Shorn of cinematic frills, ‘Action Hero Biju’ is a grounded cop tale that packs quite a punch.