Nee Thaane En Pon Vasantham - Movie Review

It is said that the most complex thing to explain and make others understand is the relationship between a man and a woman. Gautham Vasudev Menon yet again takes this idea of portraying this complexity staged out in 3 phases in his inimitable style with the master composer. A complete tribute to Ilayaraja.

A story of 2 simple individuals, Varun (Jiiva) and Nithya (Samantha) who are childhood friends, as kids grow up in the same apartment community. They grow up, live, share, argue, relinquish on each other in different phases of their life knitted tightly by Raja's music.

Gautham kicks off the movie with capturing brilliant moments in the form of inter college cultural where the classic "Nee thaane En Pon Vansantham" from Ninaivellam  Nithya is performed and brings goosebumps instantly for its sheer musical brilliance despite of Gautham's flat singing.

The lively moments during the school days, be it school tuition center or the conversation on their separation during holidays, are extremely nostalgic and is sure to enthrall even if you are not directly involved in such experience. Vanam Mella song is brilliantly used to portray the puppy love. Had it not been sung by Raja himself, I thought it would have been an all time classic on screen as well. Nevertheless, it is still very good for its sheer musical brilliance. The song also surprising has a third interlude that is not in the original song to transform the school days to "then-present" college times. 

The lack of audacity during their school days to express themselves freely is compensated during their college days. This phase had the best part to me, be it the proposal in rain, Sainthu Sainthu song and the way it is picturised, their lunch at a crowded hotel, the moments in his terrace, their separation to end it all, and everything is incredible till we are shown those memories in a flash during the climax to realize it.

Their inexplicable attraction, towards each other unites them every time they break up unable to resist their egoistic terms, slowly reduces when Varun goes to IIM and their ego graduates to next level which leads to an emotional climax. 

Jiiva and Samantha are outstanding in every phase and shot in a sensitive intense drama with only handful of characters. Jiiva, the more established actor of the two, plays the complex portrayal of Varun so easily that one would not even realize and it is not a surprise for me to see Jiiva portraying this role with ease for an actor of his caliber. The same will probably apply to Nani in Telugu version as he is a fine actor as well. However, I was totally surprised by Samantha who comes up with a brilliant performance by a female lead for a while. Her transformation from a gawky teenager to an adult unable to overcome her ego, failing to express herself, facing a daunting darkness of losing Varun completely from her life in the climax, is simply outstanding. Samantha also dubbed with her own voice in Tamil and did a great job. Perfect lead casting. Santhanam is a scream as usual but do not have a major presence in an otherwise intense narration. 

I never loved Satru Munbu more till I watched the film and its intense climax. The pain and agony that Samantha has to portray was unbelievably captured by Raja in his song even before the movie is shot. It is only going to become a reference material for everyone from director to the actor to get inspired. What a song...Take a bow master.

I really liked the way the movie is shot and stayed true to its content without exploring extravagant locations focussing only on the human emotions. Kudos to cinematographers MS Prabhu and Om Prakash.

This movie is simply an ode to Ilayaraja and the fan boy in Gautham glorified Raja's music in a way where no one did for a long time. The movie is propelled and narrated through music and the songs could not have been placed appropriately than this and becomes a perfect example of how the story and music should blend. 

Katrai Konjam, Muthal Murai, Yennodu Va Va are all brilliantly shot. The songs are used as background score in many places and Raja underlines the necessary scenes with brilliant score. Shot in a pace to accommodate enough pauses to increase the intensity of the narration, Raja goes classic way of providing more silent shots and fills with beautiful music only at the impact points. Music is the quintessential part of the film and in fact it is no understatement to say it is a perfect tribute to the Maestro. Thank you Gautham Vasudev Menon.

Verdict - 3.75/5. Barring few negatives like any other good attempt, Goutham Vasudev Menon has delivered a classic along with the Maestro and good lead actors. Must watch !!!

Kadal - Music Review

The expectations on the music of every Mani Ratnam movie is sky high.Thanks to Ilayaraja for setting that standard even during his initial days. Rahman simply carried that to next level since Roja and never looked back till Ravanan and Kadal is no different.

Sithirai Nila is a lulabby rendered by Vijay Yesudoss is a nostalgic trip to ARR's "Azhagu Nilave from Pavithra, Kangalil from Uzhavan" days during when he used to experiment cool synth tones with simple soulful melodies. Vairamuthu's lyrics is at its imaginative best and for some reason reserves his best for Mani Ratnam these days. 

Moongil Thottam is cracking melody sung by Abhay Jodhpurkar and Harini. If at all Ilayaraja and ARR work together, the music probably will sound just like this song. The melody is very Ilayaraja'sque especially patterns like overlap singing with ARR orchestration. Overlapping singing to the lines in the end of the song "Moongil Thottam, Mooligai Vaasam, Neranja Mounam, Nee paadum geetham !!! Pournamni iravu, panivizhum kaadu, othayadi patha, unkooda podi nadai" is mesmerising. Vairamuthu's lyrics again is again its scintillating best. Abhay, after his outing with ARR in Godfather's Kannada remake, croons this song beautifully. Harini, once a highly successful associate of ARR, features in his album after a long time. This totally addictive song and the superb choice of singers makes it the best song of the album to me. MAGIC is one word !!!

Nenjukulle is the face of Kadal's music till now and gone viral soon after it is performed in MTV. Shakthishree Gopalan is a true find. Brilliant tone and character of her voice adds a fresh flavor to this cleverly tuned/orchestrated melody set to Vairamuthu's highly imaginative poem/lyrics. This beautiful humble melody is orchestrated with superb strings backed by beautiful guitars for a simple foot tapping rhythm. Simple is sweet.

Adiye sung by Indie pop singer Sid Sriram is innovative in its orchestration to a simple christian song. This typical Rahman fusion was sung brilliantly in the lines of Aromale is penned by Madhan Karky who carries his father's legacy pretty well. Karky is the most sought out lyricist in Tamil cinema today for his innovative usage of words which ranges from science to literature. After making debut in Shankar's movie, his association with Mani is only going to grow his confidence to the next level. Cracking song !!!

Anbin Vasale sung by well Haricharan along with Chennai choir. This christian devotional song's impact heavily relied on the choir and was packaged well. This Song reminds portions of his Kadam Kadam and Azadi from "Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero" is probably a situational one to fit the movie. 

Magudi starts off with ever green percussion Thavil, which featured predominantly in Rahman's music during his initial days, slowly transforms into a trance song.This short song sung by Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam is likely going to be used as a story telling song.

Eley Keechan sung by the master himself, a total surprise in the package for its ultra modern-techno innovative orchestration, captures the joy of Thoothukudi fishermen. A "John Denver blended with local folk" style is adapted to brand the singing of fishermen and brilliantly sung by AR Rahman. Karky has again excelled in lines even though the lines are domindated heavily by the music. The lines "Ema seela namma kadalamma alli tharra, aama seela ava vala veesi sirikura" are repeated in between the song is super catchy and a typical Rahman punch. A fun song that fits and exceeds the expectations for its freshness that brings along is sure to rock the charts for a while.

Verdict - A fresh, innovative, trend setting and experimenting album from Rahman which any typical Mani Ratnam - AR Rahman combination would promise, glorified with brilliant choice of singers, is all set to rule the charts for a long time. My favorites are Moongil Thottam, Nenjukulle, Eley Keechan, Adiye, Sithira Nila, Anbin Vasale and Magudi exactly in that order. Yes, I love this entire album !!!

Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal - Music Review

Film maker Vasanth joins with Yuvan for the third time to produce probably one of Yuvan's best. Vasanth's good music sense always had reflected in his movies with litling melodies regardless of the collaboration with Raja, Rahman, Deva or Yuvan. Keladi Kanmani and Rythm were 2 outstanding albums I liked out of all with no surprises as it was composed by Raja and Rahman respectively.

Aaha Kadhal Konji beautifully sung by Nandini Erikar is an instant classic set with strong carnatic flavor is a typical Vasanth style of song. Rock drums, guitar chords backing all throughout for a beautifully set tune, strong Indian filmi strings and carnatic violins....Yuvan goes highly innovative. Clearly the best song of the album to me.

Kadhal Enthan Kadhal is sung by Neha Bhasin who regularly features in Yuvan albums has some brilliant and innovative Naadhaswaram  interludes. A classic example of how interludes and orchestration take a decent melody to the next level.

Mazhai Mazhai is sung by current hit pair Karthick and Swetha is easily one of the best songs of the album to me. A clean romantic duet with nice rich vocals, beautiful melody especially the charanam and brilliant orchestration.

Padapadakuthu Maname sung by Krish and Blaaze is Yuvan's forte to mix his melodies with rap and comes up beautifully as a package. The song goes one notch up with semi singing melody, a hip hop template and at times with irregular pattern of orchestration all together that shines.

Unakaagave Uyir Vaazhgiren sung by Yuvan himself is a typical Yuvan's romantic cry and sure to be a rage. I still think he should use better singers instead of him even though he did a decent job here.

Stop the Paatu sung by Ramesh Vinayagam is a surprise in the package and sure to hit the audience with its attractive folkish tune and highly catchy orchestration. Ramesh is a unique singer and does a good job.

All the songs are written by Na.Muthukumar and has some innovative lyrics. On the whole, A clean and innovative album which was missing off late from Yuvan is sure to enthrall the fans. Vasanth with his poetic way of story telling and innovative picturization is sure to take the songs to next level.