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Reviews
Nayakan (1987)
A masterpiece not to be missed
It is guaranteed that you will be overwhelmed with emotions after watching Nayakan.
The film traces the story of a young boy from Chennai who kills a police officer to avenge his father's death and runs away to Mumbai. In the city, we see him transform from a vigilante to a don.
Inspired by The Godfather in its essence, this stands apart on its own might because of Mani Ratnam's grand vision. The dialogues, the story and the direction are all on point.
Needles to say, Kamal Hassan is outstanding as his character undergoes the transformation from a rebel young man to a middle-aged father to an aging don. Mani Ratnam punches the right emotions throughout the film and there are few brilliant ones that stay with you. In particular the scene when Velu Naicker looses his wife or sees his dead son's body or the one where he mistakenly visits his daughter's house and she forbids him from seeing his grandson. I particularly thought the unpredictable climax ends the film on a high note.
Illayaraaja sir's music and particularly the song Thenpadi Cheemayile gives the perfect warm blanket to the storytelling.
It is a masterpiece which brings together excellent music, actors, script, direction and it is a cult film you shouldn't miss in your lifetime.
Panchayat (2020)
Story from rural India with heart at its right place
A pro at playing a common middle class boy, Jitendra Kumar sleepwalks in his role of Abhishek Tripathi. As he relocates himself, the script explores the unfamiliarity and the discomfort that a city boy goes through. In many scenes, you can feel his helplessness in few frivolous situations.
The relationship between Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Pradhan (Raghuvir Yadav) as the head of the village is endearing. Their discussions, aimed at poking each other, help in taking the narrative of the show ahead with apt situational dialogues.
Vikas played Chandan Roy, the the side kick for Abhishek's character leaves an impression. As an assistant to the secretary, he gets enough meat to stand out.
Chandan Kumar, who wrote an earlier TVF series, Humorously Yours, is the man behind Panchayat. He manages to bring to the fore the simplicity of a village life where everybody goes to sleep at 7pm. Abhishek goes through the conflict of adjusting to this slow paced life with no social life over the weekends, no electricity, and no friends and you can feel the angst in him.
The makers know the pulse of their audience and crack it again by offering us this entertainer.
The Story of Diana (2017)
Powerful, moving and disheartening at the same time
The Story of Diana is so powerful that it will stay with you for a while after you watch it. It is a gripping tale of the rise and fall of Lady Di. The makers do an incredible work of putting together voices from the press, the photographers, her inner circle, high society privileged tribe and more.
It is powerful to see her emerge as a woman of strength after moving out of the royal family and carving an identity for herself. What touches you the most is how she picked up the ashes and was ready to move to a happier place in life when she met an unfortunate end.
The account put together in the film from the point she met with the accident to the last frame showing her final goodbye will leave a lump in your throat. Your heart will go out to the young William and little Harry as they follow their mother's body.
The Story of Diana has a roller coaster of emotions - you will feel rapturous, angry, heavy-hearted and still happy when you see Lady Di's infectious smile.
Jigarthanda (2014)
Shame to have not seen Jigarthanda yet!
It's a shame that I hadn't seen the 2014 film, Jigarthanda for so long! What a fantastic climax. Director-writer Karthik Subburaj weaves a story that will leave you on the edge of your seat till the end.
Siddharth delivers a nuanced, measured performance. As an aspiring director, he showcases the excitement, vulnerability and relief when finally vindicated. The last scene with Vijay Setupathi is so perfectly staged.
And what an endearing gangster is Bobby Simha. This quirky rowdy is relatable from the moment he enters the film. Again, flawlessly scripted by karthik Subbaraj.
Santosh Narayan lifts the film to another level with brilliant background score and surprising classical music pieces in some scenes.
Overall, thoroughly engaging and a must-watch.