The week was as eventful as ever. Speculations about a grand announcement from Kamal Haasan reached a crescendo ahead of his birthday on November 7. The announcement was about the launch of his app – ‘Maiyyam Whistle’. Meanwhile, protests against Padmavati kept getting bizarre. May be, it’s all good publicity for the film. For the cinema lovers, there were a mixed bag of releases this week.
Here’s a recap of the top stories of the week:
Memes began with making fun of life, a way of communicating and introducing an internet culture and bonhomie, something that is not just for the millennials. As a regular user of social media, one does get tired of calling out the blatant sexism and everything troubling in these memes. However, there are some who call out these fans coming in with their own brand of humour.
Read full story: Armed With Humour: Meme Pages That Call Out The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Kollywood
There was a time when dance performances featuring a woman dancer were pleasing on the eye, and to the ear. They were subtly sensual; no racy imagery, no bawdy lyrics, and a camera that treated its subject with loving respect. The special song, as it exists today – with the sole aim to titillate – is a recent phenomenon.
Read full story: Long, Long Ago, Songs Featuring A Sole Woman Dancer Were Not Called ‘Item Numbers’
Kamal Haasan has been keeping everyone on tenterhooks as far as his political debut is concerned, an art that he has probably mastered from years of marketing his films. Here’s a light-hearted take on Kamal Haasan the politician, helped along by his filmography.
Read full story: Kamal Haasan: From Being The ‘Kalaignan’ To Becoming The ‘Aalavandhan’
Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vishnu Vishal, Vidharth, Sundeep Kishan and Kalaiyarasan may have gotten comfortable doing a particular kind of role. But they have been part of movies where they showed their acting chops, a pleasant departure from the usual fare.
Read full story: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vishnu Vishal, Vidharth, Sundeep Kishan & Kalaiyarasan: A Look At Their Films That Are Different From The Usual Fare
It’s almost impossible to find someone who has never watched The Lion King. When Jon Favreau announced that he’s doing a CGI remake of the 1994 classic the natural concern was what if he makes a mess of the classic? In our throwback special we trace the impact of The Lion King.
Read full story: The Lion King: Jon Favreau’s Remake Of The Classic Has Big Shoes To Fill
Ten years ago, cinema-goers all around were treated to choreographer-turned-filmmaker Farah Khan’s drama on reincarnation and love lost in the fire – Om Shanti Om. But while the film gave us 2007’s party anthem – ‘Dard-E-Disco’ – and a love for vintage clothing and hairdos, bear in mind that the South never forgets.
Read full story: 10 Years Of Om Shanti Om: The South Remembers
Polladhavan completed 10 years this week. The film, which is about a man who fearlessly fights for his lost bike, had Dhanush in the lead role and Kishore as the villain. Kishore, who played the righteous gangster Selvam, takes Silverscreen down memory lane and shares some of the stories associated with the film.
Read full story: 10 Years Of Polladhavan: Actor Kishore Takes A Trip Down Memory Lane
As movie goers, we all focus on the stars or the director, depending on who’s more popular, the rest of the crew, and possibly, the producer. But, there’s one person who works silently in the background. Meet SP Chokkalingam, 43, who has over 23 years of experience in the production department.
Read full story: Get To Know: From Handling Huge Crowds To Ensuring The Comfort Of Stars, Production Executive SP Chokkalingam Does It All
Movie reviews
Nenjil Thunivirundhaal
Suseenthiran’s films always begin well, and while some maintain the momentum, others flounder mid-way; Nenjil Thunivirundhaal belongs to the latter category.
Nenjil Thunivirundhaal Review: A thriller That Fails To Keep Up The Pace
Aramm
Nayanthara as Mathivadhani is quite reminiscent of the pure, heart-of-gold heroes our cinema usually favours. What’s different here though is that a woman is unreservedly given the treatment that’s usually saved for the male leads.
Aramm Review: Nayanthara Gets A Hero’s Treatment In This Poignant Drama
Ippadai Vellum
Much like Maanagaram and other movies that tried to connect separate events that occurred over the course of a single day, Ippadai Vellum throws together the proverbial bad guy, the good guy, and the comedian and sees what it can brew.
Recommended
Ippadai Vellum Review: A Thriller That Tries Too Hard To Be Inventive But Fails To Keep Up Pace
Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana
There’s a lot that comes to mind while watching Ratnaa Sinha’s Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, but originality is not one of them. There’s a bit of Badrinath Ki Dulhania, a bit of Bareily Ki Barfi, and lots of drama and cheese from any 90s flick.
Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana Review: A Muddled Rom-Com That Even Rajkummar Rao Can’t Save
Qarib Qarib Singlle
Tanuja Chandra’s Qarib Qarib Singlle is a romantic comedy sans the tropes of the manic pixie girl and the man-child that is typical of Bollywood.
Qarib Qarib Singlle Review: Yet Another Film That Establishes The Irrfan Khan Brand Of Romance