Cast: Mirchi Siva, Madhu Shalini
Direction: Saba Rathinam
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Kollywood’s fascination for love themes is widely known and they hardly failed to attract attention at the box office. Director Sabapathy of ‘VIP’ and ‘Sundarapurushan’ fame has this time touched up on a romantic story that is more a taut, youthful and a kind of thriller. It is more of ‘Autograph’ meeting ‘Kadhal’. Credits should go to Sabapathy for avoiding commercial clichés of Tamil cinema. He has laced the script with events that unfold in a city and travels back to a village. The love and care among the lover couple, the genuine affection of parents towards their wards and above all the determination of young generation to hold the hands of their beloved, are all etched out well. Unlike regular Tamil films where the angry parents oppose love, and the run and chase with sickle wielding goons, ‘Pathinaru’ focuses more on emotional quotient between the lovers and their parents. Shiva of ‘Chennai 28’ and ‘Thamizh Padam’ fame, who is known for playing comical hero roles, steps out to play a love-lorn serious youth. Madhu Shalini plays his heroine while the highlight is Abhishek playing a responsible father. Siva (Shiva) and Indhu (Madhu Shalini) are lovers studying in a college in city. Clinging to each other, the couple spends all their time together. Things take a turn when Indhu's father finds his daughter with Siva in a shopping complex. Unlike other fathers, he doesn't get angry, but rather prefers to inform his wife. When queried, Indhu initially denies having any affair. But as time progresses, she accepts it. When they decide to get elope and get married, Indhu's parents invite them home. They are given a handwritten book ‘Pathinaaru’. The book unfolds on screen as a village romance between 16-year-old Gopi and Ilavarasi, school students. When Ilavarasi's parents stop her studies and force her into a marriage with another man, she rebels and tries to elope with Gopi. However, Ilavarasi ends up in a dilemma when her father threatens to kill himself if she marries Gopi. Touched by the story they read, Indhu's mind changes and she decides to leave her lover. Now the onus is on a shocked Siva to set things right. Siva sets out to the village and decides to meet the lover couple about whom he read in the diary. With their help, how he manages to wins back the heart of Indhu is what the climax is all about. Shiva as a serious lover is impressive. He oozes romance, sings and does his typical comedy. He looks matured and does pass out in flying colours in emotional scenes. Madhu Shalini presents a pleasant picture and she performs her role with consummate ease. Watch out for Abhishek, who leaves his mark with a stunning performance. Yuvanshankar Raja is the real hero of the movie. He has come up with songs that suit the theme well. His re-recording especially for the rural episode is mind-boggling. However, had Sabapathy had avoided some lengthy scenes and monotonous dialogues in few places, ‘Pathinaru’ would have been more interesting and entertaining.

Cast: Jeeva, Anbu, Manonmani, Kuttymani, Mangalam, Pakkada
Direction: Pandiraj
Production: M. Sasikumar
Music: James Vasanth
Who said commercialsm has overtaken realism in Tamil cinema? Amidst the flock of movies where the hero flex his muscles and utter punch dialogues and sings needless duets in exotic foreign locations, movies like Subramaniapuram, Paruthiveeran and Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu proved all hopes are not lost.

Director Sasi Kumar, who brought a whiff of fresh air to Tamil cinema with Subramaniapuram last year, has taken Kollywod a step above with his next production venture Pasanga. Striking a smooth balance between real and fantasy elements, Pasanga is rare in the sense it is for the children and by the children, which is convincing and clear from the word go.

After Mani Ratnam, who charmed the audience with Anjali, a healthy clean entertainer featuring children all the way almost two decade ago, debutant Pandiraj has managed to gather guts to do a movie that dwells on the physical and psychological emotions of children.

He has used the bigger canvas to capture the joy and emotions among the innocent children. But the filmmaker has not deviated from regular cinema, for the storyline is typical to run-of-the-mill stuffs. Two pitted against each other and keen to take revenge on one another. They cross and crisscross building up to a climax where the hero prevails over the baddie. But what is strikingly different in Pandiraj’s approach is that the whole story is set around a group of children. They make you laugh, cry and sulk in emotions.

The story unfolds in a dry barren village. Anbu (Kishore), the protagonist in the film comes across his bitter foe Jeeva (Sriram) on the first day of his school. Interestingly, Jeeva happens to be son of the headmaster Nithyanandam (remember the Kalloori professor).

The good-hearted Anbu tries to mend ways and befriend Jeeva. However, Jeeva is hell-bent on taking Anbu for task. Enters Manonmani (Dharini), who develops affinity towards Anbu raising between him and Jeeva. Anbu not only excels in his academics but also in various extra curricular activities, which only widens the rift.

The fight between Anbu and Jeeva results in a rift between their respective families.
However, in a twist to the tale, Meenakshi Sundaram (Vimal), Anbu’s uncle falls in romance with Sobikannu (Vega), the sister of Jeeva. Interestingly, the families get united as they agree for Meenakshi
Sundaram’s wedding with Sobikannu, much against the wishes of both Jeeva and Anbu. Did they unite or not forms the climax, which has been etched out by Pandiraj in a gripping manner.

What is praiseworthy is the director’s faith in casting all newcomers and extracting the best from them. The children, needless to say, have performed on screen like seasoned professionals. Whether it is Kishore or Sriram or Dharini, they are right there delivering right expressions.

Vega, who sizzled the screen in Saroja plays a rural belle. She looks apt for the role and proves that she can handle her role with ease. Watch out for the young Pandian, who as Pakkada, can give challenge to any of the contemporary Tamil film comedians.


James Vasanthan continues from where he left in Subramaniapuram. More than his songs, his background score sets up the momentum. Veteran singer Balamuralikrishna stamps his class in Anbaley Azhagagum Veedu. Premkumar, the cinematographer, has captured the lifestyle and culture of rustic, barren land of south Tamilnadu well.

All credits should go to Sasikumar, who has made a real bold attempt by producing such a film. It is simple, straightforward and scintillating. Hats off Sasikumar and Pandiraj.

Banner: Thirupathi Brothers
Cast: Karthi, Tamannah
Direction: Lingusamy
Production: Subash Chandrabose
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Review:The director of ‘Run’, ‘Sandai Kozhi’ etc. is back with another racy action adventure, 'Paiyya'. Expect action-packed scenes in this movie as well.

Boy O’ Boy! The movie is an action journey no doubt! At no frame of the movie, will anyone feel bored or tired. Karthi has got a hat-trick of success with ‘Paiyaa’, after his ‘Paruthi Veeran’ and ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’.

Right from the titling of the movie, you will slowly realize this movie is not going to be just another action flick! The unique introduction of the movie’s title itself conveys the substance of the movie.

The Story,

The movie starts off in Bangalore, with Karthi (Shiva) who lives with his friends who try to get him a job desperately. Karthi is a guy who is easy on life and has a ‘thennavatu’ attitude On one such occasion of a job hunt, Karthi spots Tamannah (Charulatha) while getting down the bus and falls for her instantly.

Well, we all have grown up seeing such scenes, in fact in Lingusamy’s ‘Run’ itself, when Maddy sees Meera Jasmine, and falls for her at the bus stand, and déjà vu - the same spot- Bus stop!

Unfolding the plot,

The hero goes to the railway station to pick a friend who owns a car that Karthi and his friends drive. While waiting for his friend to arrive, Karthi sees the terribly tensed Tamannah with her uncle, who mistake Karthi to be a cab driver and ask him to drop them at Chennai.

Accepting the travel, Karthi takes off in the black Mitsubishi Lancer along with his guests. When they pause for refueling, Tamannah asks Karthi to buzz off leaving her uncle behind. From here starts the real road trip of 'Paiyya' in full throttle.

On Tamannah's request, Karthi sets off to Mumbai, and with a fight scene on their way, Karthi reveals his connection with Mumbai. He goes in to rewind mode and reminds himself of the villain (Milind Soman).

On their journey, they encounter people, new locations and the hero and heroine get along well. The car is their home as long as the journey happens.

The interval block is centred with an amazing fight sequence. The different angles of the camera capture the thrashing stunts, and Anthony’s sharp cuts stimulate the fight sequence for that wild action.

Pit stop (Interval)

Karthi and Tamannah arrive in Mumbai after an adventurous drive.

What happens in Mumbai, and how the lead pair comes out of the villains' clutches is what forms the rest of the movie.

Giving Karthi company in Mumbai is Jagan (Ayan fame). Jagan’s comic presence englightens the beginning of the second half. His Hindi lingo is hilarious. Brinda Sarathy, the dialogue writer, tickles the funny bones much too often.

Director Lingusamy increases the momentum of the movie in the second half and the action scenes take you by storm!

The team,

Karthi and Tamannah have acted to the director’s demand. Their performance is absolutely great and director Lingusamy has got the best of them. Tamannah who is mostly in the rear seat, has acted decently for the scope given to her. All the villains have done their part with out flaws, while Milind Soman as ‘Bali’ has acted well, he was underused.

This movie is everything about the team, comprising of Mathi, the cinematographer, Anthony the editor, Yuvan Shankar Raja, the music director, Brinda Sarathy the dialogue writer, the Stunt Director Kanal Kannan, Art by Rajeevan.

Being a road movie, most of the action is in the car or rather on the road! Considering the hardships involved, the camera work is immaculate. The action scenes with cars all over, and car chases in the movie would have definitely been a toll on the director and the cinematographer. Editing the different versions of the camera, Anthony has done an incredible job. ‘Paiyaa’ definitely has got the best of Anthony out.

The car sequences on Indian Highways and the backdrops have been beautifully captured. Dialogues weaved in between are subtle and natural. Nothing too cinematic or too dramatic! Funny dialogue delivery of Karthi makes the audience laugh most of the time.

Art work by Rajeevan is enduring and simply attractive. From the car seats to the sets of the song 'Suthude Suthude', the man has shown his tastes, given the restricted scope for art in the ‘road movie’.

Karthi and Tamannah look fresh, in their attire as well as their looks. Priya Manikandan, the costume designer has seemingly done an impressive job.

What to look out for?

Director Lingusamy’s screenplay starts off on a slower note but progresses steadily in to the fifth gear!

‘Paiyaa’ is an action adventure, and a movie of such a genre needs the best of action scenes. Kanal Kannan, has done a marvellous job. The actions scenes are simply amazing. Karthi looks toned and he fights very convincingly. Special effects in the actions scenes by Sethu receive special appreciation.

Besides this, the music! The greatest strength of the movie! Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed beautiful songs with ‘En Kadhal Solla’ receiving a loud applause. His background score as well as re-recording are excellent. The music behind the fight sequences gives the racy feel. Unarguably, the biggest plus-point in the movie! Apart from this, the sound engineers Guru et al, receive appreciation as well. Usually work of such technicians is not noticed, they have done a terrific job that needs to be lauded.

While the songs are pleasing to hear, the choreography makes it a pleasure to watch Karthi dance to the steps of dance masters – Raju Sundaram, Brinda and Sabina Khan.

‘Adada Mazhai’ choreographed by Raju Sundaram receives that special attention, while the pick of the lot is ‘Thuli Thuli’ choreographed by Brindha, with some excellent dance moves, notably an anti-clockwise jump in the air, that will seize your admiration.

Lingusamy has brought out a classy entertainer. He takes you on a virtual journey from Bangalore to Mumbai. Those who love cars, fights, and of course romance, ‘Paiyaa’ is undeniably an entertainer this summer. Race to watch it in a cinema near you!

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