Another week down, and fewer releases again this Friday, compared to last week. This week is somewhat of a potpourri containing a biopic, a comedy, a drama-thriller, and a documentary to look forward to. From Arjun Rampal playing a dreaded gangster to Vikram Prabhu playing yet another role where he’s too dedicated to his profession — here’s this week’s weekend watch:
Daddy
Daddy
Arjun Rampal’s upcoming Hindi film, Daddy, sees him play a Godfather-esque don. Based on a true story, Rampal plays Mumbai-based politician and former gangster, Arun Gawli. Set in ’80s Mumbai, Daddy is a crime-thriller that will focus on the Mumbai underworld and Gawli’s stint as a don in Mumbai’s Dagdi Chawl. Gawli and his brother Kishor entered the underworld in the 1970s when they joined the “Byculla Company”, a criminal gang led by Rama Naik and Babu Reshim, operating in central Mumbai areas of Byculla, Parel and Saat Rasta.
In 1988, after Rama Naik was killed in a police encounter, Gawli took over the gang and began operating it from his residence. This also led to a massive war between Dawood’s D-Company gang and Gawli’s gang that lasted from 1988 until the mid 1990s.
Arjun Rampal, in a recent interview, clarified that the film “is not an image-building exercise and steers clear of glorifying anything that is undesirable.” There will be more to the Hindi film as it shifts from one perspective to another, with the story spanning 40 years. The film is directed by Ashim Ahluwalia, and also stars Aishwarya Rajesh.
Kathanayagan
Silverscreen.in Copyrighted Photos
Directed by Muruganantham, and co-starring Catherine Tresa, Vishnu’s latest production is about the friendly sparring between the hero and his prospective father-in-law, a real-life hero, who also happens to be his neighbour. He seeks a groom similar to himself for his daughter, while the hero has been raised to run away from any trouble. But at some stage in the movie, he transforms himself into a hero.
In an exclusive interview with Silverscreen, Vishnu Vishal spoke of how important the film is since he’s also the producer for this. “It is the next step of what I attempted with Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran. Till then, I never knew I could be a ‘hero’; I was happy playing characters. But, this one sees me go beyond the character, and take the story forward; a kathanayagan (hero) in the true sense,” he said.
The film’s music is by Sean Roldan and also stars Soori in his usual comedy role.
Neruppuda
Silverscreen.in Copyrighted Photos
Vikram Prabhu, Nikki Galrani, Varun, Rajendran, and others star in this thriller-drama directed by B Ashok Kumar. The music is by Sean Roldan and has ace cinematographer RD Rajasekhar wielding the camera.
The title of the film is inspired from the popular song from Rajinikanth’s Kabali (2016), and also because Vikram plays a firefighter and a huge Rajinikanth fan in the film.
The film also marks Vikram’s foray into producing films, through his banner ‘First Artist’.
One Heart – The AR Rahman Concert Film
One Heart
One Heart, a documentary, chronicles the Indian musician’s 2015 concert tour across 14 cities in North America. The 90-minute film will feature segments of performances by him and his musicians and singers, talking about their feelings and journey thus far. The other artistes include singers Jonita Gandhi and Haricharan, and singer/drummer Ranjit Barot.
Having recently completed 25 years in the industry, the Oscar-winning music composer recently told PTI News about how things were when he began composing. “I have always got a mixed response. When Roja came in, people said I will not sustain more than three months. Then Bombay came, people said what is this? Then Rockstar, Slumdog Millionaire, Mom happened. I accept it all. Internally, I try to be honest with my work and I always do this,” he said.
The proceeds from the movie will go to Rahman’s One Heart foundation to help old musicians and their families.
