Subramanyapuram

Can a movie be made in an interesting and crisp format in spite of a boasting of a huge star cast?

Director Sasikumar, who had his tutelage under Bala and Ameer, has proved that a quality entertainer can be made with less-known faces provided the movie has interesting storyline with the right amount of twists.

Designed in a retro classic style, Sasikumar portrays Madurai in a different color and with a new perspective. As the title suggests, the entire movie is set in Subramaniapuram, a hamlet in Madurai.

The story, set in the 80s, takes place in Madurai Subramaniapuram, a suburb of the city. Movies like Palaivana Cholai dwelt around four friends. Perhaps Sasikumar impressed by such classics, has made an attempt of chronicling the life of a group of friends.

They are fun-loving and carefree, who spend most of their time together. Jai, Kanja Karuppu and Sasikumar (the director himself), are typical youths, who do not miss an opportunity to fight when they come across a brawl on the streets. Often arrested, they come out of jail with the help of a neighbor, played by Samudhirakani. The neighbor's elder brother happens to be a former Councilor.

The irony is that Jai falls in love with the Councilor's daughter. When the councilor is ditched by a member of an opposite gang, the trio step in and bump off the man. Unfortunately Samudhirakani doesn't help them this time and the three are remanded for murder. However, they manage to come out themselves.

They then vow to settle scores with Samudhirakani and the Councilor. The revenge plot has enough twists and turns.

A movie is loaded with fun and suspense all through and is pleasant to watch coming across as a whiff of fresh air amidst commercial clichés. Sasikumar and Jai impress. Their body language and diction of the Madurai Tamil are noteworthy.

Due credit should be given to music composer James Vasanthan, a television anchor-turned-music director. He has reminded everyone of Ilayaraja during his heydays, James Vasanthan's background score is scintillating.

Sasikumar is a welcome addition to the list of talented directors taking centre stage in Tamil cinema in recent days.

’Subramaniapuram’ is a must-watch movie for those who love realism in Tamil Cinema.

The Game

Hitesh Jhabak whose production house Nemichand Jhabak Productions made the successful films 'Naan Avan Illai', 'Anjathey' and 'Pandi'. The producer has now collaborated with S. A. Chandrasekhar's production house V.V. Creations for the under-production film 'Pandhayam'.

The film stars Nithin Sathya and Sindhu Tholani in lead roles. A major attraction of the film would be the fact that Vijay plays a cameo in the form of a guest role.

The film is directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and has the music of Vijay Antony. Expected to be a typical S. A. Chandrasekhar movie, the film would have the right mix of emotions, action and of course love. Nithin Sathya plays a die hard Vijay fan in the film.

Good chance for Badrinath

Its a good chance to cement his place in the indian line up for the TN batsman S.Badrinath, who has been named as a replacement for Sachin Tendulkar for the one day series in Sri Lanka.

Young and run-hungry, S Badrinath has been the mainstay of the Tamil Nadu batting for the last three seasons, and also their captain for the last two. Standing tall at the crease, Badrinath, who plays with a correct technique, was pitchforked into the national consciousness in 2005-06 when he nearly topped the batting charts, scoring 636 runs from 7 matches at almost 80, missing pole position by 36 runs to Amol Muzumdar, who played one match more. In comparison 2006-07 was not as spectacular, but Badrinath managed 436 runs at almost 50. An excellent fielder at point, and elsewhere in the circle, Badrinath began as a grafter, something quite rare at a time when strokemakers ruled, and expanded his repertoire of strokes as he gained experience. In 2007, he piled on the runs for India A on their tours to Zimbabwe and Kenya, and in the home series against South Africa A. In October, he was called-up to the ODI squad for the last three one-dayers against Australia, though he did not get a game. He was dropped for the series against Pakistan that followed. He shrugged off the disappointment by performing well in the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 659 runs at 65.90

Kuselan comedy

Vadivelu has expressed his disappointment at couple of comedy scenes involving him in ‘Kuselan’ has been axed.

According to Vadivelu, 'there were few more comedy scenes involving me in my saloon in the movie. Unfortunately considering the length of the movie, it has been axed. Those comedy scenes had come out well. I wonder why it was axed'.

Recently, Meena too in an interview to a newspaper had said that her role had been cut short. Though she did express her joy at being part of a Rajinikanth film, she said a few emotional scenes involving her had to be axed in the film.

KP does it again

"The captaincy will cramp his style," was the cry that went up when Kevin Pietersen was unveiled as England's new leader. And to a certain extent it did. There was not a switch-hit in sight as KP set about building on the advantage that his bowlers had given him on the first afternoon - instead he produced 137 balls-worth of solid, confident, and unyielding strokeplay, in an innings that was the very epitome of responsible. Perhaps his only moment of hesitancy came when Paul Harris entered the attack with Pietersen a single blow away from his hundred. At Edgbaston, he went for it and memorably failed. This time, he came half-forward and was saved by his thigh as Harris tweaked one past his bat. One over later, however, and a forceful clip off the toes whistled through midwicket to cue the trademark leap and punch, and the latest bout of adulation of Pietersen's Oval love-in

Kuselan

How many times have you walked out of a theatre emotionally choked up after watching a Rajinikanth film? How many times have you seen Rajinikanth not uttering a punch dialogue in his films? How many times have you not seen Rajinikanth flexing his muscles and bashing the baddies in his movie?

Watch ‘Kuselan’, where one can find a completely different Rajinikanth – the real Rajinikanth, the human being. The movie is perhaps an answer to his critics who have been criticizing the actor for doing routine 'commercial masalas'. Thanks to P Vasu, Rajinikanth reinvents himself bringing out the actor within him through this film. One thing is very clear. He has not acted to commercial compulsions.

The movie throws light on the real Rajinikanth, who has been quite a puzzle with millions of his fans. And the star himself answers questions that have been plaguing the minds of millions of his fans. Want to know the answers to why Rajini has not entered politics? Why the superstar often goes to the Himalayas? Why the actor still prefers to work in run-of-the-mill stuff?

‘Kuselan’ has got all the answers. With Rajinikanth by his side, P Vasu has come out with a message that is quite though provoking. The usual adage is 'Matha Pitha Guru Deivam'. With ‘Kuselan’ the adage gets an addition - 'Matha Pitha Guru Nanban Deivam'.

He plays the 'Super Star' himself and does not at any time impose himself on screen. Watching Rajinikanth play the role with consummate ease is like watching Sachin Tendulkar on song at the middle of the crease. It's like listening to Beethoven's symphony sitting under the moonlight. Though the story doesn't revolve around Rajinikanth, he manages to leave his indelible presence on screen. Especially towards the climax, an emotional Rajinikanth identifies his friend recalling their good old innocent days. These are sequences that evoke tears to our eyes bring the human side of each of us to the forefront.

It is a tough task for an actor like Pasupathy to carry the entire burden on his shoulders acting alongside a scene stealer like Rajinikanth. As a poor barber, fighting for survival, he evokes all the sympathy. Seemingly an extension of his role in ‘Veyyil’, Pasupathy passes out with flying colors. Hats off to him!

Meena as his caring wife is more of a realistic portrayal. She understands the emotional struggles of her husband and gives him the much needed solace and comfort. She sure manages to get under the skin of her character and has done an extremely good job.

Nayanthara plays herself in the film and executes the job entrusted to her quite well. She plays a heroine in films, who shoots for a movie alongside Rajinikanth. She fulfills the glamour quotient and serves the purpose indeed well. Vadivelu's comedy compliments the script well. His trick to get an audition with Rajinikanth, who is shooting in the village brings down the roof with laughter.

The movie boasts of a huge star cast including Livingston, M S Baskar, Sona, Geetha, Fathima Babu, Brahmanandham, Chinni Jayanth. All have significant parts to play in the film.

Prabhu plays a cameo while a host of stars including Sneha, Soundarya Rajinikanth, Suriya among others appear for the ‘Cinema Cinema’ song.

Kuselan is about two childhood friends, with one becoming the Numero Uno in the film industry, while the other lands up as a barber in a hamlet.

Balakrishnan alias Bala (Pasupathy) is a poor barber in a village. He leads a happy life with his wife Sreedevi (Meena) and his children, until a film crew lands in their village to shoot for a movie. Coming to know that Super Star Ashok Kumar (Rajinikanth) has come for shooting in the village, and also with the understanding that he is Bala's childhood friend, villagers flock to Bala's house with favors. A man with tremendous self dignity, Bala fears to meet Ashok Kumar thinking that he may not identify him. But, when the two meet after a long gap, the emotional drama between the pals, sets up an emotional 20-minute climax.

Complimenting Vasu's hard work are Arvindh Krishna's excellent cinematography and the brilliant musical score by G V Prakash Kumar. The catchy numbers ‘Om zarerare’ and ‘Cinema Cinema’ have especially been captured in an attractive manner by Aravindh Krishna. The background score towards the climax sets up the momentum.

Hats off to director P Vasu! The film-maker, who knows the knack of remaking a Malayalam hit in Tamil, has rendered a movie that has the right packaging of emotions. He has intelligently packaged the movie with commercial elements that a hardcore Rajinikanth fan would love without spoiling the crux.

Produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy and Vijayakumar, ‘Kuselan’ is a movie that would go down well with Rajinikanth fans and this is a great opportunity to see the real side of this spectacular actor though on celluloid.

Real test for Pietersen

Although he has played 42 tests till date, this will be the first "real" test for Kevin Pietersen. Thrust into the role of captaincy after Michael Vaughan resigned few days back, Pietersen is all set to face the first real test of his cricketing career against the South Africans in the final test at The Oval starting today.

As a first step, Pietersen has named an attacking team, which has both Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison combined with the swing of Jimmy Anderson and the wily left arm spin of Monty Panesar. Ravi Bopara, who was brought in as a replacement for Vaughan, seems, will be left out of the playing eleven.

Pietersen has been an attacking player all through his test career till date and it remains to be seen whether he plays the same way with the captaincy being the additional burden. There was also some speculation about the rift between coach Peter Moores and Pietersen and that has been put to rest by KP himself in the pre match conference.

It remains to be seen if Pietersen will enjoy the support of his mates as he has few captains' within his team himself. He has asked all the players to play by instinct and play attacking cricket.
Welcome to the new world of captaincy. Its the Pietersen's world of captaincy. Will it be a hit? Will it take England to the next level? Only time will tell.

Ajith In Race Remake

Ajith's passion for motorbike racing is widely known. He took part in many motor racing championships and carved a niche for himself.

The actor, who bid adieu to car races a couple of years ago, is now getting ready to act in the Tamil remake of Hindi blockbuster 'Race'.

Ashok Amritraj who produced Shankar's film 'Jeans' has approached Ajith with this offer. 'Race' is about two brothers played by Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Khanna double crossing each other which eventually leads to their downfall.

Attracted by the storyline, Ajith has expressed his consent to act in the film.

End of an Era

Michael Vaughan, the most successful captain of England cricket team resigned after his team's loss to South Africa in the recent test series. It brings an end to Vaughan's 51-match run as captain, four games short of becoming England's long-serving leader, although his 26 victories makes him, statistically, the most successful captain.

Pressure on Vaughan has been growing in recent months despite back-to-back series victories against New Zealand. The series loss to South Africa is England's third in five series, dating back to the 1-0 reversal against India last summer. They then lost by the same margin in Sri Lanka before losing the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. Vaughan led a shake-up of the team by dropping Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison and England hit back to take the series, but the performances were not convincing.

Winning the ashes in 2005, beating South Africa away and beating West Indies away were one of the high points in Vaughan's captaincy tenure.