Tamil Movie Review: Aadukalam

Movie: Aadukalam

Director: Vetrimaran

Producer: Sun Pictures

Music: GV Prakash Kumar

Cast: Dhanush, Jayabalan, Kishore, Taapsee

Dhanush and Vetrimaran once again hits the bulls’ eye! Their second film together Aadukalam is gutsy and a brilliant film. Dhanush is simply outstanding, his career best performance. It is also Sun Pictures best ever production, a film that they can be proud of.

What makes it tick are it is a story of ordinary people, told in a realistic way with human emotions about friendship, betrayal, jealousy, petty ego that leads to havoc in the life of a youth. The narrative style and presentation are truly international.

The film is set in a suburb of Madurai where rooster or Cock fights is a major sport. Karuppu (Dhanush) is an understudy of Pettaikaran (Jayabalan) considered as the best in business. Karuppu thinks the world of his mentor, who prefers his other assistant Dorai (Kishore) more. Karuppu is an innocent good fella who falls for an Anglo Indian girl Irene (Taapasee) living in the nearby railway colony.

Pettaikaran most bitter foe is a policeman Retnasamy (Nareyn) whose family for years used to conduct and win trophies in cock fighting. Retnasamy decides to have one last cock fight between his team and that of Pettaikaran and emerge triumphant for the sake of his dying mother. The fight is conducted after a special permission is given by police and local bodies. In the crucial tournament, Retnasamy using drug induced roosters in the first round, trounces Pettaikaran. At this point to save the face of his guru Karuppu, enters the fray with his rooster.

Pettaikaran is upset and announces that Karuppu is not a member of his team, but the underdog goes on to create the biggest upset. Karuppu’s victory makes his mentor bitter and jealous, as he is crowned the new king of cockfights. This creates hidden animosity in Pettaikaran who plots for the downfall of Karuppu leading to a riveting climax.

Ultimately however, Aadukalam belongs to one man and one man alone. Investing in his character a lot of realism and protecting it from ever turning into a caricature, Dhanush delivers a performance that is arresting. The character conveys volumes through his eyes and Dhanush lives in the role of Karuppu. Jayabalan is a revelation as Pettaikaran and Kishore is outstanding as Dorai. Debutant Taapsee is a promising find and she suits the character of an Anglo Indian girl to the T.

Technically, the film has many brownie points-The film’s dialogues are sharp and mesh in well with the scenes. Velraj’s cinematography is one of Aadukalam’s greatest strengths; and even actors in bit roles leave a lasting impression.

A major plus is GV Prakash Kumar’s background score and the Yathe Yathe... song lingers in your mind even after you leave the theatre. The rooster fight in the interval point is the major highlight.

Minuses? It is too classy and difficult to comprehend for an ordinary viewer. The first half is very racy and entertaining while the second half towards the climax drags and some characters like Retnasamy disappear in the second half.

Every once in a while comes a film touch both heart and mind; films that make you surrender completely to the power of the experience. Aadukalam lives up to the expectation that the film carried and the credit goes to Vetrimaran whose research and hard work shows on screen.

We recommend Aadukalam.

Verdict: Brilliant

Mallu Arjun Mania Is Going Strong In Kerala

Stylish star Allu Arjun has got a strong connect with the masses here. Not only that, he has got an equally good appeal among the masses of the Malayalam circuit as well. Yes, Bunny has shook the box office in Kerala and this has given him a special brand there. The Mallu audience fondly calls him as ‘Mallu Arjun’.

Now, he is all set to start another mania with his film ‘Khiladi’. If you are wondering when he shot for this, well, this is the dubbed format of the Telugu film ‘Vedam’. News is that the makers are projecting Bunny to the fullest and giving it a commercial movie image which has got the audience kicking.

Well, they might go in with a lot of expectations but once they see the film, their reactions will be interesting to note. For now, Mallu Arjun mania is going strong in Malabar but let us hope that he doesn’t try to take this too far and comes up with authentic masala treats.

Chiranjeevi Used Orange Audio Release Political Mileage

Mega Chiranjeevi and Allu Aravind rightly used the occasion of ‘Orange Audio Release’ for their political mileage. It is known that a few months ago hero Rajasekhar and Jeevita alleged that there is lot of mischief going on in Chiranjeevi Blood Bank.

But Allu Aravind came up now with the news that state government has released a Press Note that Chiranjeevi Blood Bank is clean and neat and there is no iota of mischief in that. Anchor Suma read that from Orange audio release dais.

Sources say that Allu Aravind influenced the government to release this instantly to announce this on the dais when millions of people watch on TV sets.

Chiranjeevi also said emotionally, “It is our pride to receive this feedback from Government. I only promise that neither Chiranjeevi nor any of his family members make the fans down their heads. You know some people have thrown mud on our Blood Bank with their anger. The anger should be useful for society, but not harmful. You, the fans have answered them back by donating blood more aggressively in recent times. Thankyou for all of you”.

Well, that’s how politician Chiru is coming out these days. This is an attempt to pamper the fans as Chiru realized that he has been losing strong fans’ support in politics.

Chiranjeevi In Dabangg Remake

Yes, this is the strong buzz making rounds in Film Nagar Circles. The reason behind this buzz is that Megastar Chiranjeevi has bought the Telugu remake rights of Salman Khan starrer ’Dabangg’ film it seems.

’Dabangg’ is the highest grosser of the year 2010 in Indian Cinema till ’Robo’ has arrived. Chiru at the same time doing hard work and going to gym for losing his weight and look slim.

Hero Prabhas Will Get Married

The filmnagar sources say that Krishnam Raju is looking for a suitable bride for hero Prabhas and everything goes well, Prabhas will get married in the year 2011.

There is also a buzz that Godavari District Ex-Minister grand daughter is the choice of Krishnam Raju.

Anyway-Prabhas is celebrating his 31st birthday today-23rd October -We wish him Happy Birthday.

Chiranjeevi Is Likely To Turn Director

This is the talk in filmnagar circles that Chiru is likely to turn director with his 150th film. There many names in the circulation regarding Chiru’s 150th film direction.

But the latest talk reveals that Chiru is interested to direct his 150th film. Chiru will not provide the story- he is listening to number stories from many writers like Paruichuri brothers, Chinni Krishna etc. We have to wait and see for confirmed news of Chiru’s direction.

Aishwarya Rai With Megastar Chiranjeevi

Megastar Chiranjeevi who is almost ready to take the plunge into the film world once again has begun to do the required groundwork for it.

Just recently, it was reported that the leading lady for his comeback film would be the stunning beauty Shriya but it looks like there is something more to it.

The buzz is that the mega camp has decided to go for the best and they have begun lobbying for none other than Aishwarya Rai.

On the other hand, Chiru is also said to be going for physique correction and will be going to the US though it is mentioned that he is going for a marriage.

Some of the information has already been published by a popular Telugu daily. Meanwhile, the shooting is expected to commence in the year 2011.

Sources close to Chiru reveal that it was Rajinikanth’s ‘Robo’ that has given Chiru the inspiration to get back to films and also a desire to pair up with Aish.

Roja Will Join Chranjeevi’s Party

Few sources are saying that telugu actress roja was joining in mega star chranjeevi’s prajarajyam party (PRP) soon, After comming out from telugu desam party (TDP) roja have tried to join in congress party but havent succeed in it.

The actress Roja have scolded mega star chranjeevi’s prajarajyam party several times very rudely when she was in (TDP) telugu desam party, But now she is joing in the party which she scolded earlier.

What to say about this frog jumping, Anyway do you guys feel happy if roja joins in prajarajyam or do you wants to kick her out from the party.

Chiranjeevi Pair Up With Shriya

Ever since the buzz began about the comeback film of megastar Chiranjeevi, the excitement is not about him coming back but who would be the leading lady of the film. The general opinion is that young heroines won’t work and new faces stand the risk of a flop. We have seen that with Karishma Kotak.

Now, all fingers are pointing towards one direction and that is the stunning beauty Shriya. For starters the film ‘Tagore’s success was rated as the best among his last few releases. Also, it is noticed that Shriya has been moving a lot in the Chiru camp and was seen at their functions as well.

Even otherwise, there are not many who fit into the maturity levels to pair up with Chiru and Shriya seems to be the girl with the right kind of age and gauge. Well, it is only a matter of time before the lucky lady is chosen but for now, many Shriya admirers are hoping it is her.