FILM REVIEW: “Thailavar Thambi Thalaimaiyil”
This year’s Pongal release, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil impressed critics and audiences, enjoying critical praise and box-office success. The film marks Jiiva’s 45th film and is co-written by Nithish Sahadev, Anuraj O.B. and Sanjo Joseph and directed by Nithish Sahadev. Jiiva plays Jeevarathnam, the head of the Panchayat in a rural village. He enjoys the admiration […]
Review of web series: “Thadayam”
Samuthirakani plays the lead role in the tense 6-part web series Thadayam created, written and directed by Navinkumar Palanivel and produced by Ajey Krishna for Zee5. Based on true events, Thadayam looks at a series of gruesome murders that occur close to the border between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Rebel policeman (Adhiyaman) has already […]
Review of Web Series: “Muthu Engira Kaattaan” (Muthu Alias Kaattaan)
M. Manikandan, the director of the award-winning movie Kaakka Muttai, is the creator, co-writer and co-director of the web series Muthu Engira Kaattan (Muthu alias Kaattaan) produced by Vijay Sethupathi andwhich is currently being streamed on Jio Hotstar. Vijay Sethupathi plays the lead role in this 10-part mini-series, supported by Milind Soman (Doctor and Vithagan), […]
Review of “My Lord”
Director Raju Murugan has had an interesting career. After a notable debut as a director through the 2014 film, Cuckoo, his second film – Joker –won the National Award and Filmfare Award for Best Film. His success dipped with Jiiva’s Gypsy and hit an all-time low with Karthi’s Japan. Now he has bounced back with […]
Review of “Thaai Kizhavi”
While some may be lamenting the diminishing number of hits from industry giants like Rajinikanth, Kamalhaasan, Ajithkumar, Vijay, Suriya and Vikram, there is growing positivity in Kodambakkam that emanates from the success rate of newcomers in the industry. The latest to join this list is Sivakumar Murugesan, the writer and director of the second biggest […]
Spoiler-free Review of “Youth”
Youth marks the remarkable debut of Ken Karunaas as lead actor, writer, director and lyricist. The film – as the title suggests – presents perspectives of love among the current generation by exploring the highs and heartbreaks of a youngster desperately seeking love. Praveen (Ken Karunaas) has a dismal academic record at school. He has […]
Review of “Made in Korea”
Ra. Karthik’s directorial, Made in Korea, has hit the global number 1 spot on Netflix among non-English films – a huge feat achieved after more than 4 million views in its first five days. Priyanka Mohan (Doctor, Don and Captain Miller) plays the lead role, supported by South Korean actors Park Hye-jin, Si-Hun Baek, Jo […]
Review of “With Love”
Abishan Jeevith, the director of last year’s hit film Tourist Family, makes his debut as a lead actor in the film With Love, written and directed by Madhan in his directorial debut. With Love is a delightful modern romantic comedy with some occasional poignant and serious moments. It tells the story of Sathya (Abishan Jeevinth) […]
Spoiler-free Review of “Parasakthi”
Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi is a deeply moving look at a turbulent but critical time in Tamil Nadu history. Based on the life of student activist Rajendran, Sudha Kongara’s Parasakthi is a fictionalized representation of the events that dominated Tamil Nadu news in 1965 – a series of events that have become sharply relevant in the recent […]
Review of “Aan Paavam Pollathathu”
It is a huge challenge to make an authentic romantic comedy that has to traverse the tricky minefield that includes the clash of Indian and western values, the influence of social media on relationships and the ever-increasing voices on gender equality. It is even more of a challenge to include all these factors without resorting […]