திருவிளையாடல் ஆரம்பம்

திருவிளையாடல் ஆரம்பம் directed by Bhoopathi Pandian has Dhanush and Shreya in the lead with Prakashraj playing the hero's nemesis (he is not the villain).

The movie is all about a cat - mouse game between Dhanush and Prakashraj and its a racy entertainer with a lively screenplay. The movie never sags at any point and they have pulled it off with lot of comedy w/o any violence or vulgarity.

Its a tailor made movie for Dhanush and he does a neat job. Take this as a sample.
Policeman: உன் பேர் என்ன டா?
Dhanush: Police தானே... கண்டு புடி...

Shreya just comes, dances, cries and goes. Prakashraj has done his part very well especially when Dhanush takes him for a ride.

The Karunas-Dhanush combination has worked again with some sublime timing from Karunas. The tasmac shop scene is one.
Mayilsamy : Glad to meet you
Karunas (intoxicated) : என்னது கெழவிய காணுமா?
You must watch the scene... :-)

One other character who I liked very much was the kid who plays Dhanush's brother. He really does give Dhanush a ride in the scenes they are together. Mouli and Charanya do a neat job as the hero's parents.

Special mention has to be made about the dialogues. They are just stunning in many scenes. Another sample here.

Dhanush to Prakashraj : "கேக்கரவன் கேனப் பயலா இருந்தா K.B. சுந்தராம்பாள் R.B.செளத்ரி படத்துல நடிக்குதுனு சொல்லுவியே..."
Prakashraj's aide to Prakashraj : "அவன் பொங்கலுக்கே வெடி வெடிப்பான், இப்போ தீபாவளினா சும்மாவா இருப்பான்?"

One scene that's a bit too much is where Dhanush comes out of an SUV with bluetooth in his ear in a politician's get up - இது ரெம்ப ஒவர்!

Amidst the crap movies currently doing the rounds, this one is really a whiff of fresh air. Go and watch it! Its worth it.

Media Frenzy

What is so big about a celebrity engagement that makes every form of the media in a county go crazy about it? The hype, the build up etc., what does it really mean to the people?

What is the common man really going to gain from such widespread publicity provided in several dimensions by both the print and visual media about a couple getting engaged?

Agreed that the good news is happening in a celebrity household but there is a point where the media has to restrain itself and concentrate on issues begging for attention. And the private news channels are the worst having opinion polls and all other crap - a public discussion forum on National TV.

After doing all the publilcity work the same channels would conduct another poll "Are we delving too much into these things?" Why do it and then do a post-mortem thereby doubling/trebling the effect that has already been caused? But afterall, Bollywood and media feed each other.

Well, somebody well known is engaged?? Fine... great. Please leave them alone. Everyone in the country will be happy.

And after all the hype and hoopla over the past one and a half days, this is what I saw in a website "Marriage Advice for Ash-Abhishek : Click here".... Damn it!

ஏன் இவனுங்கதான் பொறந்தானுங்களா இந்தியா-வுல?!? நாம எல்லாரும் தேவையில்லாம பொறந்துட்டோமா?

New Year Celebrations

My first New Year outside home, and what a place to celebrate - New York times square. Can't ask for anything better? So did I think before making there.

4.30PM - 10 of us started from NJ in a bus bound towards NYC and boy! I got a preview of what is in store for that night right inside the bus (purinjukonga). People were all set to welcome 2007 with gusto.

5.15 PM - Arrival at NYC. Came outside the port authority station and made our way towards the destination. The place was chaotic to say the least. And it was pretty much like Ranganathan street. So it was easy for us to make our way through the crowd.

6.55PM - Arrival at Times Square.

7PM - The ball was raised atop for the drop at midnight. Mini fireworks accompanied it. That was the moment we realized how much the event was hyped up. It was a small ball supported on a stick like object. We confirmed with NYPD as to that was indeed the ball and when he said yes we heard "aw, crap!" from a guy who had come all the way from Maryland. People who heard the cop say that were very disappointed. We were within 1/2 a mile from the times square so we could spot the ball quite well. But all the expecations created by the hype had already come down with a thud.

It was getting colder and colder and we were considering other options as well. Except for the ambience there was nothing really in store!

So, exit 7th avenue, reach 8th avenue via broadway and enter Papajohns - delicious garlic bread, cheese pizza and soda. Some shopping enroute to the bus station.

11.45 PM - Back home in NJ watching New year celebrations around the world on TV. Syndey was at its glittering best as ever. At last came the ball drop - pathetic! Oru kuchchi-la ball keezha erangithu followed by fire works nothing of the highest quality...

Midnight - Exchange of new year greetings followed by a round of delicious masala tea. Then phone calls to makkal followed by some real good vetti arattai till 3AM before we were off to bed.

We were happy for two reasons at the end - one, for not being out in the cold watching a dumb event and two, for the quality time we got to spend with friends at around midnight and the tea! :-)

I miss this... :-(

Having been out of India for close to 7 months now, this is what I miss the most :-( Thanks to Vikhyath for sending and hail the "punniyavaan" who uploaded uploaded this!