7am Arivu - Masala kalandha Documentary yet Commendable

After the colorful and rainy Deepavali, booked the show for 7am Arivu today. Completed the movie, came home and had lunch and sat down to write down my views :D 


Even before the movie was screened, story of Bodhidharman has been going rounds and probably all of them have been introduced to Bodhidharman through media and internet. Inspite of all that, the transformation of the Pallava prince was still something worth watching on the big screen. I kept hearing that the first 20 minutes are the highlight of the film. But for me the historical background somehow worked on the contrary. The mystery (if any) about Bodhidharman is all gone. After that, you now know too much about him. I am not sure how it can be shown otherwise, but it sure had a newsreel effect.


There was an overall preachy feel to the story and like vadivelu says 'aarambam ellam nalladhaan iruku... unkitta finishing seri illaye paa'... At the end , I am not sure what, but I felt that something was missing. I wouldnt say story..coz they had something better than what was there in Mankatha or in Velayudham (I dont want to see that movie anyways) but may be the treatment could have been different. Some people who were seated before us, who had very less knowledge about the genetics were wondering what they were doing. That was their point of discussion during the intermission. 'Mun andhi ...' song was soothing to hear it in theatre. Karthik's voice was mesmerizing. But in general, the song sequences were a speed breaker to the movie. 

Hypnotic fight.. கொஞ்சம் ஓவரா போச்சு. அதுவும் அந்த டிராபிக் சிக்னல்ல இருக்கற எல்லோரும் சூர்யாவையும் ஸ்ருதியையும் கொல்ற சீன் ரொம்பவே போர் . The mystery of hypnotism was lost over the 2nd half because of its unnecessary usage.

Now that I have said what I did not feel good about the movie, next to the good part. 

Suriya... He is a true performer. He is so perfect. Do not expect him to romance Shruthi Hassan just like the way he does in Vaaranam aayiram. அது வேற இது வேற. But as the pallava prince , as bodhidharman and again in the climax sequences you see why Suriya is what he is today. He deserves all kudos for his efforts which is so visible in these sequences. உயிரை குடுத்து நடிச்சிருகான் பையன் ..சான்சே இல்லை Some of his stunts / shows in the Circus sequences are also very nice. A true hardworker he is. 

Shruthi hassan.. She reminds me of her mother very much in her appearance. But being Kamal Hassan's daughter this is her perfect launch pad. Ofcourse, her chemistry with Suriya is not up to the mark. But chalega. This is not a love story anyways. She is a woman with brains and thanks for no skin show.பொண்ணு  தமிழ் பேசறா ஆனாலும் தமிழ் பொண்ணு மாதிரி பேசல. 

Camera work is very very good. Dialogues in some places gets claps...especially where the "வீரத்துக்கும் துரோஹத்துக்கும் வித்தியாசம் ..." and its reference to தமிழ்  ஈழம் was perfect punch. 

Why this film worked for me.....Suriya first and the effort to showcase the importance of our ancestral ways of life and literature which is so rich in culture, science and information which is applicable for all times. For e.g. take திருக்குறள். Any kural in it is still applicable, irrespective of the advances of our technologies. If it was told in a documentary , it would not have reached even 100 people.  But with such a big budget and a star actor like Suriya, it surely will have its own reach. And that effort is really appreciable. 

Confused....and....Indecisive

I have been in a terrible state of mind for the past few days. Till now there was a reason for me being here and to continue what I have been doing (even though it is still not fully over.. may be another 6 more months might be required), but suddenly all my pent up anger is surfacing. Because it looks now like that I might have to let go of things without saying a word or even without complaining. It is good that it is getting over, but will I feel better if I dont say what I really wanted to say to the people involved. Looks like I wont have a chance for that. I dont want to suppress it. But I dont know how to or when to express it either. Its strange that when the reason ceases to exist, you are suddenly filled with vacuum, until you find another reason :).. God!! how strange does the human mind works. Or is it only me!!! I seriously hope not. Coz if that was the case, then I might have to see a psychiatrist.

I used to feel bad and really really irritated that my life was a Big Question Mark. I just didnt know how it was going to go forward and what state will I be. What was going to happen to the problems I am facing and the struggle I had been fighting. Seriously, I hate questions, especially related to life, and for which I do not know the answer. Seems like it is still the same. I know the result of the struggle, but what next. How is it going to go. What am I going to do. I really have the liberty to do what I want now. But again the priorities are changing. I want to really get out of this city. I have had enough of it. The more I stay here, the more vengeful I am turning to. This is really bad and wrong. Its going to affect me , rather than anyone else. It is not my duty to teach anyone any lesson. It will be taken care of. Even though everyone (family and friends) believe that I was not to be blamed for what happened, I still have a part in it. I cannot deny that. Its true and there is no backing off from that. But I have suffered more than what I had done. More than anything else, these sufferings have relieved me of my guilt. You have no idea how it feels to just cry out loud and let things go. Its so damn painful. But what follows is peace, which is what you really want.

Now (may be in another 6 months time or so) I would be free again (in other ways) but my mind is full of thoughts of what I need to do after that. How are things going to be. Honestly I am afraid too. Just like before the exams. There is a small butterfly flapping inside my stomach. I wish to not make any more mistakes, which is too costly (first and foremost in terms of time). I have lost almost 12 years of my life not doing what I wanted to do ever. I used to think that 55-60 yrs should be enough for me to complete what I wanted to do and pass on to the next life (a.k.a. death) but now looks like I would need 10 more years to compensate what I had missed. Man.. time is so precious.

God , please give me enough strength to make correct decisions and just stay with me and help me out. I am so messed up right now. Please show me the right way. I know I have been blabbering a lot, but I need to let it out, otherwise I might really go mad. I used to do that even when I was young :). When I was really angry and I dont want to show my anger, I would write it down and then after reading it, tear it off. When computers came in, I typed and did not save it. I am going to save this because I want to have this as a checkpoint and remind me of what lessons I have learnt and make my decisions very carefully. Not everyone gets a second chance in Life. I need to use it wisely. God help me with it. Please !!!

When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.

Hugh White (1773 - 1840)

Mixed bag of emotions

Man, the last two weeks have been tremendously tiring in all ways for me. Be it work, where in I thought, that I will be relieved a bit, then comes the patch for some demos and the fixes for those. Then came cricket, even though I have not been in good form for this Champions League, I did not expect CSK to perform so badly, in home ground.... bad luck for me actually. Then there came a breather for the struggle I have been going through for all these years (almost 4) that there might be a light in the tunnel after all and one fine day, things were finalized and I saw the light :) and as a result, I got to see my materials , especially my precious books after 4 years. God , what a relief it was. I did not imagine that I will be happy seeing them. Of all the other precious and costly materials and stuff of mine that I got back, the books were a blessing. I had two suitcases full of them, and the people around me were astonished seeing that. They have no idea what these books mean to me.  Finally a ray of sunlight and a solution for the struggle for all these years. I have lost quite a lot in this struggle. But gained a lot too and the most precious among them,  are the people I have met and who have helped me in this. They are not related to me in anyway, but they were there for me and they were kind and helpful too. The support of these people, along with my family and friends have helped me get through this. And I was overwhelmed last Saturday and this week's Tuesday with the results of the struggle. I am still keeping my fingers crossed for the story to end. This has its own impact on me. But that is something I am ready to live with than lead a miserable life. Then on Wednesday, myself and my brother drove to Coimbatore, all of a sudden. It was amazing to drive on the highway with less traffic. I was cruising @ 80-110 confidently. I was really happy to drive. I even raced a car..but was later chided for that stupid act too :) This gives me a little more confidence in driving. When we came to Cbe, the look on my niece's face and the way she ran to me, made me so happy that I was really glad I drove down. She made sure that she was with me the whole day without even going to her dad. Now again getting back to work mode.

Wanted to write so many things... but I will pen down slowly. Too tired to even think straight.

Movie vaaram

Inspite of all that is happening around me , (read conference calls that go till midnight, and then again in morning, having lots of fun with kids, quick trips to Bangalore, start of Navrathi etc etc) I got to see a few movies.

Vandhaan vendraan: Good movie. Santhanam was very good.. Tapsee was beautiful and got the perfect lip syncs (a big relief for me), Jeeva, as usual,  good and looks younger too, Nanda a gentle surprise. I am not sure of the rivalry that can exist at such small ages between brothers, but I wish it doesnt. Santhanam has a good role in this and is there till the end with Jeeva. Good to watch once though.

Muni 2 Kanchana: Actually I didnt see this whole movie, because I was too tired with constant calls that day that I fell asleep after almost 60% of the movie. But till that it was hilarious. Most of the scenes are already shown in TV but still you get the laugh out loud. Lawrence was good and his sister in law Devadarshini was very good :). I heard from my sis and sis in law that the rest of the movie was also very nice.

Engeyu Eppodhum: Very nice movie. Very fresh and innovative. Definitely a must watch. Anjaliku vera yaaravadhu dubbing panni irukalaam. rombha keechu kural. All the characters strike a chord with you. Dialogues very nice. All main characters have done their role with niche.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Again a must watch mainly for the sake of Caesar. Awesome performance. I was so engulfed with the small facial expressions that this chimp can show. Perfect... Too good. I would prefer the man behind Caesar (even though it involves lot of them) to be given the best performance award. Ms Pinto has very less role. James Franco adequate. Malfoy !!! man.. he was as cruel as he was in HP. Cool dude. Keep it up.