K. Bhagyaraj Special 6: Classic Film Review: “Dhaavani Kanavugal”
K. Bhagyaraj’s 11th directorial – titled Dhaavani Kanavugal – was released on 14 September 1984 and saw K. Bhagyaraj share the screen with the legendary Sivaji Ganesan. Others in the cast are M.R. Radhika, Illavarasi, Poornima Rao, Kokila, Uma Bharani, Nithya, Babitha and child star Priyadharshini (now television host and actress) There is also an […]
K. Bhagyaraj Special 5: Classic Film Review: “Mundhanai Mudichu”
K. Bhagyaraj peaked with his 10th directorial – Mundhanai Mudichu which met with well-deserved box-office success. K. Bhagyaraj plays the lead role opposite Urvashi in her first lead role and her first Tamil film. The supporting cast included Deepa, K.K. Soundar, Master Suresh, Chitti Babu, Kovai Sarala in her first major role, Sathya, Bayilvaan Ranganathan, […]
K. Bhagyaraj Special 4: Classic Film Review: “Darling Darling Darling”
K. Bhagyaraj’s ninth directorial was a marked move away from his previous films. While his earlier films focused on story and content, his ninth film – titled Darling Darling Darlingf – saw a greater focus on technical aspects and costumes. K. Bhagyaraj plays the lead role opposite Poornima Jayaram (later Poornima Bhagyaraj) with Suman also […]
K. Bhagyaraj Special 3: Classic Film Review: Thooral Ninnu Pochu
K. Bhagyaraj’s seventh directorial, Thooral Ninnu Pochu, sees him play the lead role opposite Sulakshana. The supporting cast includes M.N. Nambiar, Senthamarai, Senthil, Meenakshi Amma and Sooriyakanth. Chelladurai (K. Bhagyaraj), accompanied by his family, visits his prospective bride Mangalam (Sulakshana) who is shy and quite naïve. Mangalam’s father, Ponnambalam (Senthamarai) is a man who is […]
K. Bhagyaraj Special 2: Classic Film Review: Andha 7 Naatkal
Inspired by the life of J.P. Chandrababu, K. Bhagyaraj’s sixth directorial. Andha 7 Natkal, is a moving love story with lots of humour and an unforgettable climax. K. Bhagyaraj plays the lead role opposite Ambika, with Rajesh, Haja Sherrif (then a child star) and Kallapetty Singaram in the supporting cast. The film begins with Dr […]
K. Bhagyaraj Special 1: Classic Review: “Vidiyumvarai Kaathiru”
K. Bhagyaraj’s Vidiyumvarai Kathiru, released theatrically on 08 May 1981, was his fifth directorial and was a film that was decades ahead of its time. K. Bhagyaraj plays the lead role opposite Sathyakala, supported by Gokulnath, Sangili Murugan, Karate Mani and Suvarna. A tense suspense thriller with a strong element of Bhagyaraj-style comedy, the film […]
Mullum Malarum (1978) Film Review
Mahendran began his film career as a writer and became a hugely successful one, shooting to prominence after scripting Sivaji Ganesan’s Thanga Pathakkam. After writing Aadu Puli Aattam, he wanted to make his directorial debut with Rajinikanth playing the lead role. Mahendran had a strong dislike for the wordy, loud and verbose nature of film […]
“Puthiya Vaarpugal” (1979) Film Review
Those who have been reading the series of articles on Illaiyaraja on Sigaram – Exploring the Enigma called Illaiyaraja – would be aware that Bharathiraja’s 1979 film, Puthiya Vaarpugal is still regarded as a landmark film. It marked Bharathiraja’s fifth film and his fourth Tamil film. It also marked his debut as a producer with […]
PONNIYIN SELVAN 2 Review
Maniratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 1 & 2 has smashed box-office records and taken the cinematic world by storm, attracting widespread praise and critical acclaim from film fans, critics and even from within the film industry. In South Africa, it had a wide release in three languages and retained all its releasing screens for the second week […]
CONJURING KANNAPPAN Review
The horror comedy Conjuring Kannappan is written and directed by Selvin Rax Xavier in his directorial debut. Sathish and Regina Cassandra head an impressive cast that includes Saranya Ponvannan, Nassar, VTV Ganesh, Redin Kingsley, Anandraj. Jason Shah, Benedict Garret and Hella Stichimair. Kannappan, played by Sathish, has had a long list of failures in job […]