2024, Tamil, Disney Hotstar, IMDB 8.2/10, Directed by Mari Selvaraj My article on Mani Selvaraj’s ‘Vaazhai‘, has been published in vol. XXIII July to September 2024 edition of E-Cine India, the E-Journal of the India Chapter of FIPRESCI https://fipresci.org/– Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique- International Federation of Film Critics Link to the Jul-Sep 2024 … Read moreVaazhai
2024, Theatrical Release, 8.1/10 IMDB, Directed by TJ Gnanavel Published in Baradwaj Rangan’s Movie Blog https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/readers-write-in-743-vettaiyan/ Not a mere age-appropriate story line, but also a solution-driven premise, that grants adequate space, for Rajinikanth to offer what his followers would be content with. The investigative thriller, twists and turns the screenplay, making the lead man to … Read moreVettaiyan
2024, Tamil, Theatrical, 8.3/10 IMDB, Directed by C. Prem Kumar Published in National Award winning Movie Critic, Baradwaj Rangan’s blog on 3rd October 2024 Up close and personal with a duo, one who wallows in pain and the other gleefully witty, each taking inspirations from the other, to become a forgiving soul and a better … Read moreMeiyazhagan
2024, Tamil, Theatrical, 9/10 IMDB, Directed by Tamizharasan Pachamuthu Published in Baradwaj Rangan’s movie blog. https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/readers-write-in-734-lubber-pandhu/ A perfect confluence of design, content and style, this flick keeps the audience engaged, as much as any gully cricket match would. It becomes a crowd favourite as the maker wraps a relationship drama into the cricket premise. Attakathi … Read moreLubber Pandhu
2024, Tamil, Theatrical release, 7.6/10 IMDB, Directed by Pa. Ranjith Published in Brardwaj Rangan’s Movie Blog https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2024/08/17/readers-write-in-719-thangalaan-the-shaman/ An intelligently crafted oppression saga, backed by a committed team, strives to root back to the origin of ‘sufferings’. The makers, convincingly arrive at a novel premise by synthesizing two wisdom systems- the palaeolithic ‘Shamanism’ and the fifth … Read moreThangalaan
2024, Tamil, Theatrical release, IMDB 8.6/10, Directed by Nithilan Saminathan Following views of mine on the movie has been published in Baradwaj Rangan’s Movie Blog on 21st June 2024 A complex narration of an average person’s tale, told with conviction, beautifully concurs a parallel story to catch the audience by surprise. Director Nithilan showcases his … Read moreMaharaja
2024, Tamil, Theatrical Release, 7.5/10 IMDB, Directed by Prabhu Ram Vyas A honest and mature capture of the most painful ‘moving on’ phase of an intense couple’s relationship. The subtlety in identifying the root of toxicity in a relationship, plays to the strength of the movie. The committed performances of the lead and supporting characters … Read moreLover
2023, Tamil, 8.4/10 IMDB, Directed by Kathik Subbaraj The ace narrator’s un-compromised screenplay, echoes his passion for art and his angst against the party politics behind tribal plundering. In an apparent ‘prequel’ of the 2014 Jigarthanda, the Director Karthik Subbaraj attempts to walk a similar path, and succeeds. The monotony is neutralized as the movie … Read moreJigarthanda DoubleX
2023, Theatrical Release, Tamil, 8.3/10 IMDB, Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj ‘Leo’, a seeming remake of a Hollywood flick, is set in a very familiar premise, a worn out, decades old template of Indian cinema. However, the extraordinary finesse in making and extreme attentive detailing in the action sequences, makes the film stand confident. The director … Read moreLeo
2023, Tamil, Theatrical Release, 9.2/10 IMDB, Directed by S. U. Arun Kumar An unprecedented perspective, of a rarely explored relationship, in a premise that sadly, rather ‘unfortunately’, takes inspiration from our dailies. A honest initiative that surfaces the emotional dilemmas of the victim’s kith which demands ‘bond realignment’, while the victim ‘resurrects’ herself or himself. … Read moreChithha
2023, Tamil, 7.7/10 IMDB, Theaterical Release, Directed by Nelson Thalaivar performing in a full blown ‘black-comedy’ backdrop, may not be what most of the fans would have been prepared for. It might not tick all the check boxes of the greedy fans, especially when the onscreen mass elements are bartered with other industry’s eminent names. … Read moreJailer
2023, Tamil, Theater Release, 7.3/10 IMDB, Directed by Mari Selvaraj A diligently made chapter, that chronicles discrimination fuelled by casteism. The rounded screenplay not only addresses the associated snowballing pain, but also lauds reaping the fruit of handling them the right way. The ‘optics’ of walk the paths, proves tiresome in places, but the ‘intent’ … Read moreMaamannan
2023, Tamil, IMDB 8.6/10, Directed by Vignesh Raja A grippy investigative thriller, a potential franchise in itself, stays true to its genre, sans manipulative emotions and eeriness. The well-crafted serial killing premise, showcases technical prowess, exploring the scopes of its actors to the fullest. With no jarring suspenseful background score, the film lets you appreciate … Read morePor Thozhil
2023, Episode 6: Modern Love Chennai, Amazon Prime, 7.9/10 IMDB, Directed by Thiyagarajan Kumararaja Nianivo Oru Paravai, is ‘A tale of the ‘characters’ of a tale’. A delusional drama in the guise of an auto biography format, placed in a befitting Gen z’s ‘modern love’ premise. Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s overlapping technique of stroy telling, reveals an … Read moreNinaivo Oru Paravai
April 2023, Tamil, IMDB 8.4/10, Directed by Manirathnam Documenting visuals to the largest selling novel of the Tamil community, is an arduous task in itself. But the ace team manages to draw the curtain down on the part II, with a bang. In the process it elevates the novel to newer heights, amidst few creative … Read morePonniyin Selvan II
Viduthalai Part 1 – ’80’s period’ premise on armed revolution of the coerced tribes, leaves the audience reminisce the films of that decade.
2022, Tamil, 8.9/10 IMDB, Directed by Mani Ratnam The Tamilar’s veneration for the literary work that they take pride in, vehemently documented through adept marshalling of unprecedented ‘closer to life aesthetic’. Expedition of ‘real-life historical structures’, capturing their cultural milieu and a persuasive casting, leaves the audience enchanted. Despite few narrative tweaks and creative liberties … Read morePonniyin Selvan I
2022, Tamil, Sony Liv, 8.2/10IMDB, Directed by Gautham Ramachandran Another awakening plot that dwells in to the inner realms of its characters and navigates through the spaces of higher consciousness of the viewers. A narration of a sensitive premise of a young woman’s fight with the society and within, through emotional style of expression backed … Read moreGargi
2022, Tamil, 8.7/10 IMDB, Directed by R. Parthiban A disturbing storyline that is written in a complex intertwining timeline, is challengingly captured in a single shot, after ‘n’ number of attempts, as the making compilation claims. The director managed to create history for being the first in the non-linear category and surprisingly managed to play … Read moreIravin Nizhal
