kuruvi movie review

Starring: Vijay, Trisha, Suman, Vivek, Manivannan, Malavika, Ashish Vidyarthi

Direction: Dharani

Music: Vidyasagar

Production: Udhayanidhi Stalin
Director Dharani's earlier project Ghilli with Vijay and Trisha was a blockbuster victory that had set some kind of fast paced mood, tempo and expectations about this duo in the minds of their fans. They entered the theatre this evening eagerly to catch this maiden production venture of Udhaynidhi Stalin's Red Giants Movies - produced Kuruvi. The secrecy shrouding the story of the film had also helped in escalating its anticipations to a barometric high.
Scaling high-rise buildings, bowing down to bullets elegantly, Kuruvi opens with Vijay in his best nonchalant style, sending his fans into raptures. If the same care and hard work that had gone into rendering a weighty build up for Vijay had also been employed in the story department, it would have been a Ghilli-like encore for this team. As it happens, Kuruvi flies short of Ghilli.

Vijay having to free his father and his colleagues who have been trapped as slaves under villains Ashish Vidyarthi and Suman forms the crux of Kuruvi. The director has attempted to ride on the twin horses of action and comedy, moving the film at a very rapid pace, while simultaneously depicting Vijay at his humorous best. However, his objective seems to be too elusive and the film sags at various levels.

Ashish Vidyarthi and Suman (Sivaji fame) are compatriots in the quarry business who have given out a contract to Vijay's dad,

Manivannan, in Cudappa, Andhra Pradesh. Diamonds that are otherwise only found in Africa are said to be located in this area, but the government issues a ban to excavate the place owing to the risk of earthquakes. But the baddies force Manivannan to go against the law and make him and his group bonded laborers. Manivannan challenges the villains that his son would avenge him once he learns of this. But Vijay, who is in Chennai, thinks that his dad has gone under cover due to debts and is hopeful of his return one day. Meanwhile, a cheque for 50 lakhs that Manivannan had issued as collateral towards the house, bounces-forcing Vijay to vacate their house. Vijay asks the landlords a week's time to pay back the money and sets out on a mission to Malaysia to find the person whose signature is on the cheque.

He travels to Malaysia as a kuruvi- one who is used as a runner to carry and bring back goods. There he runs into Suman's residence. A scuffle with him results in Vijay stealing Suman's diamond in a Zorro-like costume which leaves Trisha,-Suman's sister, in a mesmerizing trance. She promptly falls in love. Along with her brother, she lands in Chennai in search of Vijay. Each of them search, but with different objectives. How the lead stars reach their respective goals forms the rest of the story.

Producer Udhaynidhi has spent generously which is perceptible in the lavish sets, colorful junior artists, graphics etc. Dharani's favorite music composer Vidyasagar's tunes are already a hit and the melodious 'then then' number is a revelation, both visually and acoustically. Trisha is at her glamorous best. Ashish Vidyarthi and Suman

do not have meaty enough roles to prove their mettle. Camera work and editing is slick. Vivek, who accompanies Vijay, provides occasional comic relief.

If you go to see Kuruvi with lowered expectations, you may end up liking it. But those who are looking for big build-up sequences and large Ghilli-like payoffs - stay away.

Verdict : Kuruvi- a moderate flight

arai en 305 il kadavul :Review

Arai En 305il Kadavul: Music review By Malathy Sunderam An eagerly awaited summer special from the house of Shankar (producer) with Simbudevan as director and Vidyasagar scoring the music. As per the director's own words, this movie features two well known comedians Ganja Karuppu and Santhanam as heroes based out of the middle-class belt of Triplicane. They appear as Raasu and Mokkai. They undergo an odd fantasy experience halfway through the movie with amusing results. Madhumitha and

Jyothirmayee are the two heroines. Five songs are featured in the movie. Adadada: Lyrics: P.Vijay, Vocals: Vineeth, Jayamurthi The fun conversation at the beginning indicates clearly that the heroes are in the middle of a fantasy. They appear to be on the moon! Cheeky references to the 'moon' culled from old movies makes one smile. They feel God-like, and plan to expand over Jupiter, Mars, practically everywhere! Funky synthesizer-music reinforces the fantasy feeling. Impish, Latin music-like effort from a melody master! Kadhal Sei: Lyrics: N.Muthukumar, Vocals: Vidyasagar A nice surprise from Vidyasagar! The song advocates an expansive flow of love that reminds you of J.Krishnamurthy! Nature, life, people, animals, nothing is spared. We are asked to embrace everything. Sunny beats too! Vaguely reminds you of 'Unnai Arindaal' from an old MGR movie. Even the tone of the song has a distinct MGR feel to it. Pleasant lyrics from Muthukumar. The whistling at the end is quite jaunty. Vidyasagar sounds somewhat tentative here.

Aavaaram Poovukkum: Lyrics: Kabilan, Vocals: Shreya Ghosal The song opens with energetic drumbeats that beautifully slide into a folksy 'Themmangu' beat immediately. Portrays the heady romantic feelings of a young girl in love. The mellifluous voice of Shreya effortlessly pours forth many shades of emotions. Lovely use of the shehnai. The refrain ‘Iyaare Iyaare manam thayyare thayyare' is very hummable. The song has a nice 'Kerala' rhythm to it. With evocative photography, could become a hit.

Thenralukku Nee: Lyrics: Yugabharathi, Vocals: Karthik and Swetha Mohan Images from everyday life that portray sweet togetherness have been lyrically strung together in this duet. Phrases like 'Muttratthukku nee Veppamaram' are lovely. What is interesting about this song is that the interludes seem to do some 'billing and cooing' of their own. Makes you wonder how it has been filmed. Quite cute, really. Kuraionrum illai: Lyrics: Muthulingam, Vocals: Harini A surprising twist to the well-known M.S.Subbulakshmi hit originally composed by Rajaji. Of course only the pallavi is used

here. Simple but inspiring lyrics. Sung plaintively in a sweet voice by Harini.The interludes faithfully follow the raga Sivaranjani right through. Haunting use of flute. leisurely beats befitting the mood of the song. Aavaaram: A nice variation of song three…probably with the second heroine? Verdict: Usually melody-conscious Vidyasagar has attempted a slightly different modern kind of music here, probably in keeping with the unusual theme of the story. He has to be appreciated for not resorting to aggressive beats that sometimes leaves you all knotted up inside with tension! The songs take time to grow on you. A nice try!

sadhu mirandal movie review

Cast: Prasanna, Kavya Madhavan, Abbas, Karunas

Direction: Siddique

Music: Deepak Dev

Production: Alka Film Corporation
With an impressive track record of all hits and no misses in his film career, Siddique certainly has what it takes to deliver a successful movie in what he’s best at– comedy. Though a tad off from his usual turf, Sadhu Miranda is the director’s attempt at mixing a cocktail of comedy and suspense. His intelligence in scriptwriting oozes out of every frame, as does his prowess in executing a well-crafted script.

Interestingly, revealing the story wouldn’t mean spoiling the fun- for Siddique makes sure (save for a few logic-defying scenes) that he sustains the suspense with his clever, unmatched storytelling.Abbas and his brother rob a bank in broad daylight. The amount, Rs.20 crores, is part of a government fund deposit. In the process, the siblings accidentally slay the hero’s (Prasanna) sister who happens to be an innocent bystander at the crime scene. She’d been waiting at the bank for an educational loan. Now, after the bank robbery, to ease the risk of legalizing the mammoth sum, Abbas flies to the USA and employs illegal means to convert the money. He changes the money into dope and tries to pay for it in India using the help of his brother.

Meanwhile, predictably, Prasanna seeks vengeance for his sister’s death and abducts Abbas’ brother who guards the loot. He also dupes the brother and makes Abbas reap what he sows. This includes stealing Abbas’ crush, Kavya Madhavan, from him.Siddique knows his onions and has you guessing till the end with this convoluted but suspenseful story that’s just a little short of being above average. At times, it even feels amateurish. (This is probably because a fusion of comedy and suspense is difficult to maintain). For how many times have we stifled a yawn at scenes showing a beloved brother employing foolproof tactics to get the baddies who slaughtered his poor sister?

Prasanna steals the show with consummate ease, playing the vengeful youngster and naïve lad. He exudes charm and poise, announcing the arrival of another promising actor on the block. The role of a sophisticated bank robber fits Abbas like few roles have recently. Kavya tries to emote beyond just using her eyes expressively, but often fails in the process.Rest of the cast include Manivannan, Manoj K Jayan, Kotta Srinivasa Rao, M.S. Bhaskar, Karunas, Charlie, and Vayyapuri. Prathap V Kumar’s cinematography, editing by T. R. Sekhar and Gowrishankar are noteworthy. Gokula Krishna’s dialogues are funny in parts, crisp and clever in others. However, the music by Deepak Dev isn’t particularly good. Also, the intervals at which the songs come on seem to intrude on the story.

Counting out a few illogical scenes that stand out (although they are not eyesores), Sadhu Miranda is a movie worth catching if you are in a nonchalant mood to kill a few hours watching a Tamil suspense-comedy.

Verdict: Timepass, Siddique style