Inji Iduppazhagi (Size Zero in Telugu), the feel good story of an overweight woman, topped with finely blended self-care, and a healthy sprinkling of fat-affirming humour. Sweety (Anushka Shetty) hopes to find the right man to fall in love with. Abhi (Arya) plays the handsome prince. In this case, a fitness trainer. The thin and svelte Simran (Sonal Chauhan) is the possible kabab mein haddi, twist in the tale, plot furthering ‘other’ woman.
The film follows the recent woman-friendly trend set by Queen and Dedh Ishqiya, and promises to raise searching questions about body types and the social valuation (and devaluation) of women. With a script written by Kanika Dhillon (author of Bombay Duck Is A Fish), Size Zero promises to do what Melissa McCarthy and Amy Schumer are doing on the other side of the planet. Make everybody burst out laughing, and learn to talk about body-related social pressures with amusement and kindness.
Directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, Inji Iduppazhagi will have a worldwide release in over 1500 screens, including in Europe, USA, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Fun fact: nine celebrities make a cameo appearance in the film, including Jiiva, Nagarjuna, Bobby Simha, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah, Hansika, Kajal Aggarwal, Sri Divya, and Revathy.
Watch the trailer here.
*****
Director Manikandan’s 144 is a crime-comedy, starring Mirchi Shiva, Ashok Selvan, Oviya, and Sruthi Ramakrishnan. The two male protagonists play an illegal car racer (Ashok Selvan) and a thief (Mirchi Shiva). The film tries to show a different side to Madurai – a fun-filled side. Sporting a Murugan dollar, Ashok Selvan plays a Madurai local, quite unlike his usual city-guy roles.
The title is inspired by Section 144 of the Criminal Procedures Code, used by officials to maintain law and order. Manikandan said he was inspired by real life cases in villages, where the law is often in force for long periods of time. Despite the serious-sounding theme, the trailer promises ‘a fun filled ride’. The irreverent music, the slapstick dialogue, and a light-hearted plot about a stolen container, indicates that’s just what 144 is going to be.
Watch the trailer here.
*****
A sensible, clean comedy, Uppu Karuvadu is director Radha Mohan’s first foray in the comic genre. Another meta film about film, another in a series of films peering comically into the nuts and bolts of Tamil cinema. The story weaves around the hurdles the protagonist, an aspiring filmmaker, has to cross in order to make his films.
Uppu Karuvaadu stars Karunakaran and Nandita and began shooting almost a year ago. The film has choreographer Satish in a supporting role, and includes a song sung by director Gautham Menon.
Watch the trailer here.
*****
