Thoranai

Thoranai has a very simple story, the kind that used to be very popular in Hindi cinema during the 70s, the tale of long lost brothers reuniting. However, the basic plot that has been made into a movie many times does not automatically mean that Thoranai is not worth a watch. The makers have their intentions in the right place; to make a full length entertainer with minimum fuss. Also, the fact that this theme had been cast aside for quite a few years makes its comeback a bit interesting. The real question is whether Saba Ayyappan has managed to weave a good commercial mix around this simple premise or not.

The comic scenes, handled by Santhanam, Paravai Muniamma and Mayilsaamy should be able to impress sections of the audience. But it is tough to appeal across the board to all people. Certain scenes evoke laughter, like the spoof on the yesteryear duet featuring Santhanam and Muniamma. There had been a lot of talk about how Vishal was going to try his hand at comedy in Thoranai. But, barring the scene where he dresses up as Lord Rama and performs a gag to escape from a tight situation, there is nothing else. Even that scene does not have the desired impact. But, it is the romance that fails to leave any impression whatsoever. The chemistry between Vishal and Shriya is totally non-happening. The movie for a large part keeps oscillating between the main plot and the side tracks, frequently interspersed by songs which prevent the central theme from gaining momentum. That is the major drawback of the Thoranai. That apart, the key scene where Vishal identifies his brother could have been better. Also, the means of identification is fetched straight from the annals of cinema (birthmarks, family songs and other similar things).

Vishal is his usual self in Thoranai. The script doesn’t give him the scope to exhibit his skills in comedy. The dons, Prakash Raj and Kishore have walked through their roles with ease. Prakash Raj especially has done similar roles a huge number of times, so there is nothing new on offer. Apart from the main comic stars, there is also M.S. Bhaskar who appears as Prakash Raj’s sidekick and induces a few laughs. Shriya unfortunately is there just for the songs and the glamour. This statement is a bit clichéd but the actress has done nothing else since the days of Sivaji.

Technically, Thoranai is a decent fare. Priyan’s camera has captured a few good visuals, especially in a couple of songs ‘Pattuchcha’ and ‘Vaa Chellam’, the locations are scenic. Music by Mani Sharma is middling. The fights have come out well, as in most Vishal films.

Overall, Thoranai is a film that has been made with the right intentions; to entertain. Quite apparently there has been a conscious effort to incorporate all regular commercial elements to appease the masses. Debut director Saba Ayyappan (also in charge of story and screenplay) has not made full use of a great opportunity. Thoranai does entertain, but a tighter script and better execution could have yielded far better results.

Kanthasamy - Soundtrack

Expectations are sky-high for this long awaited movie, especially from Vikram fans. Here he pairs with Shriya Saran. Produced by Kalaippuli .S.Thanu and directed by Susi Ganesan, this film has music by Devi Sree Prasad (raring to go after his ‘Villu’ success). The lyrics have been penned by Viveka. The audio release function held recently was a grand affair where an adoption of 30 villages and a donation of a marriage hall were also announced along with the audio release! Shot on an expensive budget, this movie Kanthaswamy has scenes in Tanzania, Kenya, Italy, Mexico and Switzerland. We have Krishna, Ashish Vidhyarthi, Vivek, Prabu Ganesan and Santhanam essaying roles along with the lead pair. The film is supposed to have a ‘Robin Hood’ feel to it! Let us wait!

Excuse Me

A fun song with infectious rhythms where the girl goes purposefully after an unwilling boyfriend. Suggestive lyrics, of course to the accompaniment of guitars and keyboard stuff. Vikram has carried it off rather well. Suchitra is her ebullient self.

Mambo Maamiyo

A kind of rock and roll meets twist meets Caribbean rhythms –kind of song! Fun, nevertheless! Lovely interludes from the guitars and violins liven up this boisterous duet no end. This is supposed to have been shot in Mexico with Mexican dancers. (the rhythm is testimony) Vikram is quite stylish here. His fans are going to love it.

Ithellaam Dupe

Well, what can you make of this very, very offbeat crazed-out number? Just freak out, will you? Gives us an amusing glossary of many kinds of words ( especially those to do with wives numbers two and three---etc;) and after a breathless round up of each set, we hear the refrain’ Kandhaswamy dhaan toppu’!! and the fiery electric guitar adds its own ‘dhum’.

Kanthaswamy Theme:

The rhythms for this song are supposed to be by the ‘Murugan Temple Team’, with Susi Ganesan supplying the ‘kozhi’ sound and Rita the female vocals. A very catchy theme song with lyrics that are so carefully worded that the song may well refer to Lord Muruga too! Again a treat for Vikram fans.

Allegro

Technically an ‘Allegro’is a classical piece played in a speedy lively manner. This is certainly an explosive dance number which starts off with a gentle soprano bit and gallops from there. With Shriya dancing to this song, (shot in Italy with Italian dancers) it is bound to be a visual feast. Fine effort from Rita. Plenty of sunshine notes from the trumpets and trombones!

Meow Meow

A very old ‘mettu’ masked in attractive modern rhythms. Priya is husky and seductive and Vikram has nothing much to essay. The guitars and violin have a field day! Could be a hit right away.

Kanthaswamy( DSP Mix)

A neat remix from Devi Sree Prasad. We have some additional rhythm work here.

En Peru Meenakumari

A song intented for 100% titillation. With Mumaith Khan gyrating to it what else do you expect? The first line from the old Chandrababu hit ‘Bambara kannale’ keeps weaving in and out of this song sung in her usual robust fashion by Malathy.

Verdict:

Vikram’s USP is that he never takes himself seriously, and it is always reflected in his song sequences. This lively album too has a huge fun quotient attached to it. If the film also manages to walk the tightrope between comedy and action without degenerating into a farce, then we have a sure hit on our hands.

Sarvam

The trailer looked slick and inviting. The movie really is slick and stylish. But inviting? That depends on what you look for in a movie. If gloss and style matters and the story can exit through the backdoor, Sarvam will be to your liking. The movie has a weak plot and an even weaker execution.

There are five characters in the movie - Karthik (Arya), an architect, Sandhya (Trisha) a doctor in a city hospital, Naushad (Indrajith) a software professional, and his young son Imman (Rohan) and Eashwar (J.D. Chakravarthy).

The first half is mostly about how the love springs between Karthik and Sandhya. The architect and the doctor meet during a kart racing event and here begins the love story. Karthik falls in love and tries to woo Sandhya. He starts visiting the hospital where Sandhya works and slowly, the relationship starts blooming. The scenes are portrayed in a humorous manner and are pretty refreshing. These scenes are the major highlight of the movie and the chemistry between the two deserves special mention.

The movie then slowly starts to get the feel of a thriller ( or should I say, tries to give the feel?). The half way point is reached with the director revealing a twist in the story and sets up for a rather contrived climax. the second half is where the (minimal) story actually gets told. Eashwar comes across as deranged maniac trying to kill the 10 year old Imman. Imman and his father Naushad run for their lives from Eashwar and Karthik enters the story, trying to protect young Imman. At points one starts to wonder whether Naushad and Imman really are victims running for their lives. Is Eashwar really a evil maniac? And where does Karthik figure in all this? The truth slowly gets unravelled and is revealed in the climax. Chase sequences and action scenes lead up to this climax of a wanna-be thriller movie.

Arya and Trisha have done a good job and sizzle together. Trisha hasnt got much of a role, but does well in the limited scenes she does get. J.D. Chakravarthy does the character justice, but the characterization itself has to be questioned. Indrajith and Rohan fill their roles and give decent performances, but nothing to write home about.

The music by Yuvan Shankar Raja has already become a decent hit and the songs have been picturized very well. Cinematography is one of the fine points of the movie and the splendid camera work comes out even more during the songs. Kudos to Nirav Shah, the cinematographer.