It is a visual treat for film-goers this week – there are four releases in Tamil in as many genres. Crime thriller Echarikkai: Idhu Manidhargal Nadamaadum Idam, rural drama Merku Thodarchi Malai, a light-hearted dance-based drama Lakshmi and action thriller Kalari. Genius and Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi are the Bollywood releases.
Echarikkai: Idhu Manidhargal Nadamaadum Idam
Directed by Sarjun KM, who has made a name for himself with short films Lakshmi and Maa, Echcharikkai: Idhu Manidhargal Nadamaadum Idam is a crime thriller featuring Sathyaraj, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Kishore in the lead. The film also stars Yogi Babu and Vivek Rajgopal. The film, which was lying in the cans for several months, finally found a release date.
Talking about the film, Sarjun said it revolves around a kidnap, and a 60-year-old retired cop who gets involved in the case.
Merku Thodarchi Malai
Merku Thodarchi Malai is a rural drama that talks about the life of people who live in the Western Ghats. Directed by newcomer Lenin Bharathi, the film is the third production of actor Vijay Sethupathi.
The film has Antony and Gayathri Krishna essaying the lead roles, and the music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It documents the lives of people who have little access to the outside world, and Lenin said, “Much of what they have and say and do is determined by the men and women they work for. As a result, they have no idea that they can get benefits from the Government. This is sad. I hope that my film changes the conversation about the people who live in such risky terrain.”
Lakshmi
Starring Prabhu Deva in the lead, Lakshmi is a dance-based drama directed by AL Vijay. The film revolves around a school student – played by the delightfully spunky Ditya Bhande (winner of Sony Television’s reality show Super Dancer) – whose life is dance. The plot focusses on the student and her dance master as he prepares her for a competition that also has adults performing. The Tamil-Telugu bilingual is the second collaboration of the actor and director after horror film Devi. Music is by CS Sam, and the film also stars Aishwarya Rajesh, Kovai Sarala, Karunakaran and Salman Yusuff Khan.
Kalari
Directed by Kiran Chand, Kalari, this action thriller starring Krishna and Vidya Pradeep, does not refer to the martial arts form but a battlefield.
Director Kiran Chand has said the film is about the strained relationship between a father and son. Shot in Vathuruthy in Kochi, the film is said to be based on a real-life incident that took place in a village. Buzz is that the film is about the conflict between a guy with omniphobia who wants to lead a peaceful life and his father, a rogue who lives life at his own will. The film also stars Samyukhtha Menon, Jayaprakash, M S Bhaskar, Vishnu and Jeeva Ravi in pivotal roles.
Genius
Genius, an action thriller directed by Anil Sharma, marks the debut of his son Utkarsh Sharma. Ishitha Chauhan is the female lead, and the film also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mithun Chakraborty in supporting roles.
It is said the film is about a unique clash between two geniuses — played by Nawazuddin Siddhiqui and Utkarsh. Of course, there is action, drama, romance, thrill, suspense and lots of twists and turns.
Utkarsh is said to play an orphan who has a photographic memory. He loves the Bhagwad Gita and science, and has his own philosophy.
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, the sequel to 2016’s romantic comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi. The original had Diana Penty playing a runaway bride called Happy. The sequel will feature her, along with Sonakshi Sinha, Ali Fazal, and Jimmy Sheirgill. The film is directed by Mudassar Aziz and bankrolled by Eros Now.
The original, released in August 2016, featured Diana Penty as Harpreet “Happy” Kaur who tries to elope with her lover Guddu (Ali Fazal) but inadvertently ends up reaching Bilal Ahmed’s (Abhay Deol) house in Pakistan. The film was declared a sleeper hit, along with mixed reviews from the audience.
