Tag Archives: Nedumudi Venu

Oppam Movie Review: Priyadarshan and Mohanalal reassure us…to an Extent

It is a little surprising and also comforting to see a new Malayalam film begin with a scene involving veteran actors like Innocent and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The introduction to the film begins with a family gathering in the ancestral home and we get to realize that the protagonist who is visually impaired is seen to be the near perfect son of the family, ever sacrificing for his siblings. And if you are wondering if this is going to be the tone for the rest of the film, then let me assure you that there is more to the film than just this aspect. As the protagonist prepares to return back to the city, he goes on to talk to someone on the way and just for a brief moment there is a mention of Kalaripayattu. And wait, there’s more to follow, he goes on to follow that with a semi classical rendition while on the ferry ride back to the city.Continue reading “Oppam Movie Review: Priyadarshan and Mohanalal reassure us…to an Extent”

Pinneyum Movie Review: Not Quite the Classic Expected From the Return of the Legend

There was a time when one watched Malayalam films partly with a view of getting that reassuring feeling of how life continues to be a lot less chaotic back home in Kerala. Of course this is generally with reference to a non-resident Keralite like me. Times have of course changed, Kerala isn’t really all that tranquil overall as it used to be. There are signs of development and change all over and not really restricted to a Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram or Kozhikode, but even in the interiors as well. Of course once in a while we do get to see films like Maheshinte Prathikaaram which still enable one to soak in the ambience and the feel of the days gone by. While I am all for development and personally enjoy a lot of the so called new generation films, I do admit that I also do yearn from time to time for tales that are simple and rooted and giving me a glimpse of the state that usually serves as a place where I get to recharge myself once in a while.Continue reading “Pinneyum Movie Review: Not Quite the Classic Expected From the Return of the Legend”

Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Pinneyum”: Trailer

Pinneyum Poster 2Pinneyum ( Once Again) is a forthcoming Malayalam film that sees veteran writer-director Adoor Gopalakrishnan back after a long gap of 8 years. He has written, directed and co-produced Pinneyum (with Baby Mathew Somatheeram being the other producer). The film features an interesting star cast, with popular pair Dileep and Kavya Madhavan in the lead and the supporting cast sees Marathi actor Subodh Bhave making his Malayalam debut. The rest of the star cast includes Nedumudi Venu, Indrans, Vijayaraghavan, Srinda Ashab, KPAC Lalitha etc. The music is by Bijibal while M.J.Radhakrishnan is the DOP and B.Ajith Kumar is the editor.Continue reading “Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Pinneyum”: Trailer”

20 Years of Indian: When Shankar and Kamal Haasan Created History

Let’s go 20 years back, to the day, May 9th, 1996, when the epic masterpiece Indian released and how it has stayed strong in the history of cinema.

Just like how today cinema lovers are in frenzy with the excitement of waiting to see how a young director Pa. Ranjith is going to direct Superstar Rajinikanth in Kabali, back then after the announcement of Indian with Shankar going to direct Kamal Haasan should have created the same excitement. As after all Shankar was the happening director in Tamil Cinema with two back to back blockbusters Gentleman and Kadhalan, who had arrived in cinema with a bang! Another notable coincidence between Shankar and Pa. Ranjith is that their third film is with Kamal Haasan and Rajinkanth respectively !!!Continue reading “20 Years of Indian: When Shankar and Kamal Haasan Created History”

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990): ‘The axe forgets; the tree remembers.’

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (In this Cold Morning) is termed as a murder mystery film, but to term it is a murder mystery would be being lazy on our part. Directed by Joshiy and written by Padmarajan, the film offers an interesting perspective for the audience as to how different directors bring a certain style and have their own take on a screenplay.Continue reading “Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990): ‘The axe forgets; the tree remembers.’”

Paavada Movie Review: A Tale of Alcoholism and Soft Porn Films That’s Effective and Non Sleazy

The Malayalee obsession with booze is something that by now people across the Country and perhaps even overseas are aware of. With all the drama over the closure of bars and the recurrent courtroom battles over the same, even those who weren’t aware of Kerala being the highest alcohol consuming state in India, now know the same. No wonder that the topic is subtly being touched upon in films as well, after all for a state that has always looked at drinking as a social past time, it’s not really easy to show scenes of drinking in bars in Malayalam cinema now. Another topic that has some special relevance to the state of Kerala is that of soft porn films, after all this is a phenomena which has been in existence for a very long time, even having its own periods of highs and lows to talk of. Now when someone attempts a film which in a way brings a connection between these two aspects, how would you expect the film to be? If your answer is boisterous, raunchy and maybe even crass, well then that’s exactly what G.Marthandan’s Paavada is not.
Continue reading “Paavada Movie Review: A Tale of Alcoholism and Soft Porn Films That’s Effective and Non Sleazy”

Charlie Movie Review: A Zestful Journey of Two Soulmates

I’ve always wondered how it would be to roam around carefree impulsively and to listen to the call of my heart. Added with the prospect of living life on one’s own terms, it’s made me wonder how if not for the typical societal norms and the compulsions of having some semblance of stability in life, a lot many more people would be thinking like me. Normally one tends to look down upon the select few lucky people who manage to do this, even going to the extent of calling them escapists. But what if they could afford to do so, or couldn’t care less about how the World perceived them? Oh! How I would cringe every time a certain elder would try to caution me saying, look you can’t be living bindaas anymore, you need to get more responsible. And how happy do I feel now that the tides have changed and that I don’t have to listen to that comment from that person anymore. Having seen Martin Prakkat’s Charlie I can’t but help think along these lines.Continue reading “Charlie Movie Review: A Zestful Journey of Two Soulmates”

Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi: Trailer

Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi Poster 2Anil Radhakrishnan Menon has been noticed for his 2 Malayalam films, North 24 Kaatham (2013) and Sapthamashree Thaskaraha (2014),films which appealed to the critics as well as the audience. He is now ready with his third film, Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi, a fantasy film produced by Prem Menon. The star cast includes Kunchacko Boban, Chemban Vinod, Sunny Wayne, Bharath, Nedumudi Venu, Reenu Mathews, Jacob Gregory, Sudheer Karamana etc. Music is by Rex Vijayan,while Jayesh Nair is the DOP and Manoj Kannoth is the editor.Continue reading “Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi: Trailer”

Rasam: Sneak Peek

Rasam Poster 3National Award winning Malayalam filmmaker Rajeev Nath hasn’t been having a great run of late. After the disappointing David and Goliath (2013) he is now back with his next film, Rasam. Produced by Group 10 and written by Rajeev Nath along with Nedumudi Venu and Sudip Kumar, the film is based in Qatar and Dubai primarily. Featuring Indrajith in the lead, the rest of the cast includes Nedumudi Venu, Varuna Shetty, Devan, Nandu, Jagadish and of course Mohanlal in a cameo. The songs are composed by Job Kurian while BGM is by Vishwajith, Krish Kamal is the DOP and Babu Ratnam is the editor.Continue reading “Rasam: Sneak Peek”