Naan Kadavul

It seems தமிழ் கூறும் நல்லுலகம் wont accept me as a blogger, if I dont write a review about "Naan Kadavul" (I am God, naanu Gaadu;) (what is God in Kannada?) ) So, on popular demand:

+ Absolutely worth the money. You will not regret watching it in theatre. Most of the movies these days are not worth watching even in thiruttu-VCD

+ Special credits should be given to the crew selectors (assistant directors probably). Perhaps this film holds the record for the maximum number of handicapped people and beggars than any other movie.

+ If gathering so many beggars is a tough task, making them act is an even tougher one. Bala deserves yet another national award. He is capable of making even a stone pillar (or Trisha for that matter) act.

+ If there is one actress in India for whom you can keep a closeup shot confidently, it should be Pooja. If the regional politics in the award selection committee are less, she will definitely get a national award.

+ The villain is a 52 year old mottai, who will put all the 6-pack-aspiring heroes to shame. He is terrific. After Virumaandi, a real villain is found whom the audience will love to hate.

+ The film is probably the first in Tamil cinema to extend the "There is no GOD" argument to Islam and Christianity. There has been no other director, who had the backbone to say "What good is Allah or Jesus ?" till now.

+ There is nothing much to do for Aarya. His role is restricted to four things: Dancing, Smoking-pot, Fighting, Yoga. It seems Anbumani Ramadoss has banned screening of smoking cigarettes only and not Ganja. Thankfully Ajith did not act in the movie and spoil it.

- One thing that I couldn't agree to is the depiction of the anti-social, cannibalistic aghori as the ultimate savior who saves the good people.

- TN Police have seen too many saamiyars. So, in a TN police station, a Ganja smoker with an unshaved beard will not be dealt with respect or fear, but with lathi and laadam (hoofing ?)

- If I were the director, I would've titled: "இவர்கள் பிச்சைக்காரர்கள்". And I would've made the Murugan character in the movie, turn an unexpected hero killing the mottai. I would've trimmed all that aghori thing, which I feel is unsuitable for a peaceful modern day society. The film would've flopped though ;-)

Final Verdict: If you find yourself complaining too much about pay hikes (or lack of it), bonuses, house loans, petrol cost, traffic jams etc., watch this film and you will realize that there are worse things in world. In fact when you come out of the theatre, You will feel happy about what you've got and will remain quiet. A must watch.

Sidenote: Actresses in Tamil cinema (especially Trisha) carry an off-screen ego and bandhaa, as if they are capable of teaching Steven Spielberg how to direct. In reality, they will run around trees with heroes either double their age or younger to them. Pooja seems to be an exception. She was in a chat session with the artistes of Naan Kadavul in Kalaingar TV. She seem to know all the people by their name and instead of any I'm-the-queen-of-england speech, she fluently conversed with these physically challenged people in Tamil and made them comfortable on facing the camera. I'm impressed on an artist off screen after a long time.