Srini's musings...

Baama Vijayam – Omni-relevant classic and crowning glory in KB ’ s illustrious body of work K. Balachander is a beacon of Tamil Cinema. His movies were set pieces of drama that transcended time and place. He had such a profound impact in the way Tamil movies were made. He did not merely change the film industry, his films created ripples of change in broader society as well. KB was a social revolutionary on his own.  It is fair to say that Tamil Cinema can be grouped into two distinct time periods, B.KB and A.KB, before K. Balachander and after K. Balachander. Such was his impact. Film connoisseurs often say that one of cinema ’ s biggest allure is that cinema is a world onto itself, far detached from the reality that exists outside the movie sets. Make-believe, entertainment for entertainment ’ s sake, larger-than-life, so on and so forth.  In quintessential KB style, his movies broke this imaginary barrier between the reel world and the real world, and provide...

Ponmagal Vandhal could prove to be a watershed moment for Tamil Cinema. Widely spoken about ahead of it's release for being the first big name mainstream Tamil movie to release directly on OTT, a lot is riding on this movie but only time will tell how the tide will flow on this. Made with an ensemble cast, including the screenplay specialists trio of Bhagyaraj, Parthiban and Pandiyarajan, brilliant character artists like Thiyagarajan and Subbu Panchu (special mention for his voice, so evocative. Anyone who has watched Sivaji will know how powerful Subbu Panchu's voice is), the movie gets off to an interesting start. It is 2004, Ooty. A sensational double murder, followed by public outcry, swift police action and arrest, ending with an encounter of the criminal on the grounds of self defence wraps the opening act. Cut to 2020, and a PIL petition populist (Bhagyaraj) and his daughter (Jyothika) successfully appeal to Madras High Court for a retrial of this case. Is Bhagyaraj seek...