Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review – Pure Love

When it was announced that the most beloved novel in modern Tamil Literature is going to be made into a movie, 70 years and endless pursuits by countless others, most notably MGR & Kamal Hassan, more than being elated, I was actually relieved. With no disrespects to anyone who tried before, there could be no one better than Manirathnam and no time better than now. Being one of the biggest fans of the novel, he lets Kalki’s vision flow like Ponni at her peak. And that can be seen in every frame of the movie. To put it simply, it is India’s answer to the Lord of the Rings in the sense that it is the most faithful adaptation of an epic novel.

For the few who have not read the books or know what it is about, PS-I tells the story of Chola Empire just before their biggest boom period. It is a complex political drama of Raja Raja Chozhan’s ascendency to the throne and the many plots to make sure that does not happen.

Vallavarayan Vanthiyadevan is not just the main protagonist of the books but he is written in the most envious way ever. He is charming, he is brave, he is slippery, he is virtuous, he is funny and he is fierce. The whole story is seen through his eyes which can only exacerbate the one selected to play it. But Karthi takes it all on and brings about an array of emotions that only a gifted natural actor like him can. Arunmozhi Varman’s poise and might are renowned and Jayam Ravi with his understated acting has managed to bring just that. There could not be a better choice for Adita Karikalan than Vikram and given what is going to happen in the second part, I feel excited about how his take on the upcoming events are going to be. All the seniors have played their part to perfection but the stand out is obviously Jayaram as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi. You will know from reading the books how difficult this casting was going to be but the veteran knocks it out of the park. Nambi & Vanthiyadevan’s chemistry is a strong point of the books and is the same for the movie.

Right! Now for the most important casting choices. Because the men may be the brawn of the story but the brains are most certainly the women, especially the two forces which are both unstoppable and immovable. I was critical of Trisha’s casting as Kunthavai but watching her on the screen was the happiest surprise. Because Kalki’s women are never frail or afraid. They are brilliant, brave, measured and mature. She is all that and carries herself with so much grace and dignity. Trisha’s performance needed to be all of that because of who she is going against, both as an actor and as a character. Shobita Dhulapia as Vaanathi and Aishwarya Lekshmi as Poonguzhali have done justice to their part. But for all that, there is one who stands out. Aishwarya Rai is such an inspired choice for Nandhini that absolutely no one who could have played the role better. She spoke in the promotions about discovering the character during the course of the shoot. Of course, those who have read the book knows how difficult that is. Nandhini is a mystery even for those who have read the book multiple times. She is a cornucopia of human emotions. The way Kalki wrote about her, you cannot define her as anything in particular. Is she the antagonist? Is she evil? Does she use her beauty to get her way? Does she have reasons for certain decisions she makes? Was she right in her own way? Does she really want to bring down the Chola empire? I can go on but that would mean I spoil part 2 for you. The point is, she is all of that and none of that. Kalki’s brilliance lay in how he left her undefined and for us to imagine. Aishwarya Rai is such a tour de force in this part that she too lets you pick and choose. And in whatever way you go, you are justified. Or you’ll simply be enchanted by her beauty like how Vanthiyadevan was in that amazingly shot scene when he sees her through the closing door in her palace. “Don’t get mesmerised by the golden treasures on the way” tells Nandhini to Vanthiyadevan. She looks at her and replies “Why would I be since I have already seen a diamond mine!” Indeed!

Manirathnam! What is there to say about this master and PS is most precious masterpiece. What I loved about him is how much love, care and affection he gave to the original story. There is so much actual history in this fiction. Even most of the character names and titles existed in real life and so are the places. Reference points are in abundance and so is the wrath of the passionate millions who have read the book and are ready pounce on any cues of over indulgence. Thankfully Mani being one of them simply decides that the original story is enough. And thank God for that. There is a sense that scenes were rushed in the beginning but everything falls into place eventually for even non-readers to grasp the context. By the time Vanthiyadevan leaves for Sri Lanka we are in the clear. Manirathnam has poured all of his 4-decade long experience in Ponniyin Selvan that is visible in every frame. The vision, the sets, the locations, the planning, the casting and most importantly the writing are all at the apex as he weaves a magic while crafting this masterpiece.

The technical team is the industry’s highest standards with A R Rahman, Ravi Varman and Sreekar Prasad being the obvious standouts. While Kalki himself wrote songs in the book as ornamental pieces, here they are used to progress the story.

I can see why this movie may not work for a section of audience. It would have been so much easier to take the Baahubali route and make it more fantasy with lots of mass scenes. There is great scope for that in the story. But with all due respects to Baahubali whose success is one of the main reasons why PS got greenlit, this isn’t that. This is more about the brain than about the brawn. There were times by the end of book 4, you wonder how in the world would Kalki finish the book because of how complicated it becomes. But he does, beautifully in the end while also leaving us plenty to think about. Mani has already given a cliff hanger of a finish to PS-I. Given I know the book, I can say for sure that PS-II is going to be 5 times as good as PS-I. It is only going to become more convoluted without being confusing. But it will all make sense in the end.

Having seen countless screen versions of novels that I have read and created my own worlds of it and seen most of them crumble, I can only say this about PS-1. Watching PS-I was like reading the book all over again. And that was the most unique of experiences.

Clear & Obvious: How VAR’s tagline became Liverpool’s marching tone for a historic season

Image Source: LFC Twitter Handle

“This was built on Kenny’s soul and Steven’s legs “, remarked Jurgen Klopp on Sky after Willian’s goal, this time, won the league for Liverpool Football Club. That is why Liverpool are Champions of England. Time and again, Managers have come and gone who, on that unbearable weight of expectation, tried to sway the team away from the city and its character. Then comes a guy who was not from around here, not only stamps his own character on the team but also embodies everything the club and the city stands for. A hard working and passionate set of people who lives and dies by their football club, both sets of colours included. In the modern era it is such a refreshing thing to say that the manager is the best signing the club has made. This was no 198-million-pound signing that was going to change the footballing world. It was an affable German (if ever there was one) who simply asked the fans to believe and pleaded for time to improve. He then set out to do that one giant step at a time. Doing it the right way is one thing. It needs a much bigger term to define what Jurgen Klopp has built at Liverpool. It was methodical, it was ruthless at times and the progress was there to see every step of the way. A cup final here, a big win there, there was hope again for the faithful. Then one night in Kiev changed the footballing world on its head. A Sergio Ramos wrestling match for a final and a supposedly concussed but still worthless otherwise disaster of a goalkeeping performance later, Klopp manages to see the golden sky at the end of the storm. Alisson Becker’s world record move for a goalkeeper becomes the final piece in the jigsaw that was solved for the most part by the then world record move for a defender by Virgil Van Dijk. Then the 40 point swing happens and here we are, notwithstanding the worst pandemic the world has ever seen in a while and all the calls by a certain Null and Void FC, the holy grail that the club could only smell but never touch it is theirs with a 23 point lead with 7 games still to play. No team can ever manage 100 points in a season they said. Here we are after the most heroic of failures at 97 points, at the cusp of a 107-point season. When you haven’t won the league in 30 years, may be this is how you do it. Not scramble over the line but smash it over the park. From doubters to believers to Champions of Europe to Champions of the World to the Champions of England. Liverpool Football Club. Take a bow!

What amazes about this club is how you cannot pick an individual player or a moment as the reason why Liverpool were crowned champions. There is no Aguerooooooh moment, no Vardy party, no signing just for the sake of winning a title for the season as Van Persie’s and no 30-goal striker to define a season. But perhaps the most definitive reason for Liverpool’s title charge was embodied by the captain himself. A scrappy 2-1 win against Spurs and you could see how visibly angry he was at the final whistle barking at his teammates and acknowledging to his gaffer how terrible that performance was, not minding taking this into the dressing room. That was the level demanded by the men in charge and for the most part you can’t define who was in charge either. What a redemption story his has been! On the cusp of joining Fulham as a bit part to bring in Clint Dempsey (That’s right!), to succeeding Steven Gerrard as Captain (That’s right!), his has been a true warrior’s story of blood, sweat and tears. Redemption is a dish best served with trophies. Four in a year should do it doesn’t it?! Henderson, Milner, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Alisson were all leaders on and off the pitch which explains being mentality monsters came easy for this lot. In an era of over exposed youngsters and twitter feuds and late-night pubs and disciplinary actions, you could not hear a peep about these fellas. There were no shenanigans. Just professionals going about their business. The only other manager who made this sort of environment possible won 13 titles. Le Professeur never regained it after the Vieira era. This is just old school football where the club comes first, and its manager is the final authority on anything and everything.

The gaffer’s penchant not to tinker too much with the first team and a refusal to indulge in individual brilliance means the entirety of that lot takes the plaudits for ribbons turning red on the trophy. Because for Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, there is their conductor in chief Roberto Firmino. For all the accolades the full backs would rightfully receive for their assists and creativity there are the nuclear-powered work horses of the much-maligned midfield. And then there are the Van Dijk and Alisson who have Joel Matip and later Joe Gomez to thank for keeping their lofty standards alive. The bench came good too with Origi, Lallana and Adrian with the most noticeable contributions. So, who is the hero then? Oh, there is that booming laugh from the side lines. That’s who!

For all the records that were and going to be broken during the season, can this side be cast among the greatest of the division? Most certainly not! Because for all the accolades, this team has still only won as many titles as Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City. Yes, this team is certainly is the finished product right now. So much so that they could afford to lose a player as talented and as keen as Timo Werner to their direct rivals and still do not see a par competition next season than currently dethroned champions of England. A forced 100-day break to the much travelled, much accomplished but a much weary team of the past year can now take it easy. Aim to break City 100, bed in the likes of Neco Williams, Curtis Jones, Ki Jana Hover, Harvey Elliot and Takumi Minanino and another freshen up time of a month later, they should be raring to go again without too much of an addition to their well settled squad. But until they at least do an Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City, they would simply be a one season wonder. May be Michael Edward can provide the swoop of the century and bring in Kevin De Bruyne if Manchester City loses in the Court of Arbitration. Then Liverpool can close their eyes and quadruple their way into history. I am just thinking out loud. But then, WE JUST WON THE LEAGUE! Give us that much! And, the gaffer just made us believe, made us dream, made us Champions. So what do we know!

Petta Review: Here is our Thaialivar!

Rajinikanth’s first dialogue in the movie was “Naan Veezhven Endru Ninaithaayo!” meaning, do you think I will fall? Thalaiva! You never will. There is good reason to it. Just go and see the movie.! If at 69 he can put this much time and effort into a movie, why shouldn’t he be the superstar? In an era of endless battle between Thala and Thalapathy, this is Thalaivar showing why he is the king of the mountain. Because, behind the punch dialogues and style statements is  an honest, hardworking man who cares very much about giving his fans the best entertainment he can. And boy were we entertained! Frame to frame Petta is a celebration of the Rajini we all know and love.

Petta tells the story of a hostel warden who wins everyone’s heart with his charisma and yet there is a mystery around this stranger whose past has come back to haunt him. Behind the romantic, music loving, playful and cheerful warden lies a dark secret and endless sorrow. What would happen if he decides to embrace that side again? If the Plot of Petta sounds similar to Baasha then the entire movie is a tribute to the great Rajini movies we celebrate even today. But where Karthik Subburaj succeeds is everything falls in line with the script and feels fresh which doesn’t reduce this movie as a glorified tribute show.

How do you manage to look this fresh even at 69? Every adulation that his co stars tell him in the movie feels genuine. He sings, he dances, he fights, he delivers punch dialogues, he romances and most importantly, he entertains. In a movie that has a lot of seasoned actors Rajinikanth simply stands tall . He is pretty much in every frame but it never feels like it is too much. The crowd scream at every dialogue, every gesture and everything in between. This is Rajinikanth at his imperious best. Forget the vengeful action part, such was his performance in the scenes with Simran that I am now craving for a full length Romantic Comedy with him at the lead. That would be something.

There is much less space for any other actor  to shine in this Rajini extravaganza. Nawazuddin Siddique and Vijay Sethupathi are two of the finest actors in the country right now. So there is a sense of injustice that this movie does nothing to showcase their enormous talent. Nawazuddin Siddique’s Singhar Singh may not be a Mark Antony but he does manage to carve a niche for himself as vengeful, calculating and sneaky. That performance at the end of his sister’s baby shower shows all you need to know about the man that the whole of India celebrates as their best character actor. Vijay Sethupati would have done this role with his eyes closed. There are flashes of his acting here and there but his fans will feel right to have been let down. But watch the movie closely and you will see how much Rajini admires Vijay Sethupathi. Of the heroines it’s Simran who manages more footage and their chemistry shines bright.

If Iraivi was his finest directorial movie, then this movie should project Karthick Subburaj into the big leagues. If Shankar was more about trying to utilize Rajini’s marketability and Pa Ranjith’s was all about trying to get the actor out of a superstar, then Karthick’s is the perfect cocktail. There is an intelligent film maker inside a massive Rajini fan. He doesn’t just capture Rajinism but serves it to us in a 7 course meal. He is unfazed by the challenge of trying to handle the superstar’s enormous stardom. Better yet, he utilises it as a vehicle to make a ride that Rajini fans 20 years for (Padayappa, the last quintessential Thalaivar movie was released in 1999). The inevitable Karthik Subburaj twist happens in the climax and when it happens, you would not have seen it coming. Some double cross that and by who!!! The technical team is excellent too and especially Anirudh and Thiru.

If I have a bone to pick with then it has got to be about the little surprises and potentials that the directors never really explored in the movie. Be it the romance of Rajini and Simran or having Rajini and Vijay Sethupathi in the same screen or the Rajini and Nawazuddin Siddique coming face to face, there was so much potential to be explored. But everything was swept aside in the Thalaivar Wave. As a fan it is not really a complaint but if handled a little better the movie would have been a true critic choice masterpiece.

Why do I care? I went for a Superstar movie and I got one. I came back happy. Isn’t that all we want? Isn’t that his No 1 motive. To entertain his fans? His final dialogue in the movie was “Indha attam poduma kozhandai?” meaning, is this enough? No Thalaiva.! Our hunger is now greater than ever. You have showed that there is no bad time to be Rajinified. Please don’t stop now!

Chekka Chevantha Vaanam Review: Mani Rathnam returns to his masterful best in this intense and densely populated gangster flick

As the old adage goes, you can write the story of this movie behind a movie ticket. A don is on his death bed following an attack on his life and his three sons fight for his place. But Mani Rathnam, the master that he is, weaves a screenplay (along with Siva Ananth)  so dense that he doesn’t let you settle into a character or hang on to a moment throughout the movie. Only in the end would you be able to sit back and think about the hows and whys. By that time you are thoroughly entertained especially by the performances of its lead cast and some stunning cinematography by another master of his trade, Santhosh Sivan.

The way Mani chose to handle the power struggle within the three sons was through violence. But you couldn’t but help think about similar power struggles happening in business and political families throughout the country. In here, the writer in him wakes up to portray the complexities in relationships within those families and their friends. Personal gains take precedence over family and how it affects the whole family was shown through the women in the movie. The mother of the warring brothers is helpless to prevent it from happening while the wives take the brunt of their husband’s greed. Mani Rathnam doesn’t shy away from showing the women as weak bystanders to the men’s power struggle because he isn’t showing something that is not happening in that society. Simply showing them as strong also won’t make any sense. Among the women in the movie it is Jyothika who comes up with the strongest performance.

A multi starrer cast can be detrimental to its own good if not handled properly. But this is where Mani Rathnam comes to the fore. Of the four central characters none of them seems to have come out the stronger or the weaker. They have all had equal importance and all four had delivered performances worthy of it. Why Aravind Swamy remains the go to man for Mani Rathnam is reflected in every movie he does with him. From Collector Arjun to Varadha he has been an epitome of a typical Mani Rathnam characterization who reflects the story rather than hogging the limelight. That confession scene to Jyothika in the hospital is enough to write about his performance. Arun Vijay is an honest actor ready for the big time and it doesn’t get any bigger than Mani Rathnam. In a role which was supposed to be done by Fahad Fasil he comes up trumps with his flair. Great to see him get a level role which he has justified. Despite the frustrations that one might have with Silambarasan and his choices as an actor and a not so famous temperament, it is easy to see why he is still held in high regard. There is a great character actor in Silambarasan behind the star that is STR and this is his best performance since Vinnaithandi Varuvaya. The scenes with his mother and the climax is where he hits top form. There aren’t many actors like Vijay Sethupathi. In fact in Tamil Cinema he is the one and the only actor who could fit into any role. And it’s not like he is all method. He simply lets his personality slip through any character he plays and lets us travel with him because he reminds us of someone we know. There are not stars to him. To be honest this is not even his best work, but he is so effortless and easy on the eye that I wish the great Balachander was alive today because if he was, he would have loved to write great characters for this remarkable actor. Prakashraj is also at ease in his role as the don, a role he could have done it with his eyes closed.

Of the technicians the true standout is Santhosh Sivan with some stunning visceral work, be it the grandeur of Dubai, the beauty of Serbia or the dustiness of Chennai, Aditi’s and Vijay Sethupathi’s house and capping it all in the climax at Gandikota, the backdrop perfect for what unfolded in the end. A.R. Rahman is at his best while working with Mani Rathnam and this is yet another example. Sreekar Prasad has also done a great job in putting the scenes together not letting the galaxy of actors get to our minds.

Despite staying honest to its core of three brothers and their power struggle some of the questions regarding the women in the family remains a mystery especially of Jyothika’s fate and the killing of Silambarasan’s young wife. Also, it doesn’t escape the fact that you can still hear the sound of bullets after coming out of the theatre. Mani Rathnam is known to travel deep into his characters and yet in Chekka Chevantha Vanam it feels like he has let the guns do the talking. May be he is balancing it out as a commercial director (his own admission as one) from the previous critically acclaimed but box office duds in Raavan, Kadal, OK Kanmani and Katru Veliyidai. But despite all that he has stamped his class throughout the movie which separates it from just another gangster movie.

Avengers Infinity War Review: Marvel’s Superherogasm ticks the right boxes.

There are reasons why DC Fans don’t look too kindly at Marvel. Too non serious for their liking. But even the most ardent of DC fans have to acknowledge the fact that this Marvel’s Superhero extravaganza is a true masterpiece in how to contextualize what has been an enthralling first 10 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers – Infinity War is the best directed Marvel movie till date behind Captain America Civil War and it is not a surprise that both are directed by Joe and Anthony Russo.

Staying true to its title, Infinity war is quite literally the war for the 6 infinity gems that which put in an Infinity Gauntlet can destroy the Universe and one of select few who can wield it, Thanos is in procession of it and on his way to earth along with his black order to retrieve the remaining gems. Standing in his way are the Avengers, fresh from feuding with themselves and scattered with no trace of each other. Will the Mad Titan succeed or will the heroes put aside their differences and stand together against the man hell bent on destroying half the universe.

It is not every day that a performance review begins with a movie’s villain. But such was Thanos’ belligerence that there is no other place he goes but to the top. What an inspired casting. The first time his name was revealed as the actor playing the mad titan a lot of fans went “Meh”. No disrespects to the academy award nominee but the news didn’t exactly set the internet on fire. But the way he has managed to understand the depth of the character giving it layers for us fans to explore is just magical. His quest does not come across as simply madness but a method behind it and an unassailable belief in what he is trying to do. It is clear that every other actor has grown into their roles so effectively that it is just a treat to see them play off each other so well. The clusters of Iron Man-Dr Strange-Spiderman, Thor and the Guardians and finally the rest of them in Wakanda is worked out to perfection. In a ensemble as large as this, it would have been forgiven if someone was forgotten in the shuffle but everybody feel important and that’s largely possible because of how well its written.

What is impressive about the Russo brothers is they kept their belief on the fans’ knowledge of the MCU and by refusing to spoon feed they have really gone for the kill in exploiting the depth of each character arcs and infusing a much needed darkness to the series. The comedy is well blend in and does not take out the seriousness of the plot unlike Thor Ragnarok which completely lost it in my opinion. The movie also gloriously stays away from being forced into it for the sake of it (Cue: Game of Thrones Season 7) There may be a lot of confused casual fans but I think it is ultimately a good thing because the thickness of the plot would only make them watch the previous movies more.

There aren’t really much to pick with what they could have done better but certainly Peter Dinklage’s Eitri is certainly one of them. The guy is so versatile that he feels a bit wasted. Also Red Skull’s role as the guardian of the soul stone feels more like a moment to make us excited for that second. Also, why waste Vision? I get it that they wanted to extract the mind stone without destroying him but it felt out of place to see one of the most powerful avenger there is not a part of the great war especially with how it all transpires for him in the end. Perhaps the biggest of them all is the climax and what happens with Thanos’ purpose. If they wanted us to believe in it a little more they really shouldn’t have gone with the way they did with which avengers they picked as victims. Even a casual fan knows that all of them has a sequel coming up and it is really not rocket science to know the plot of Avengers 4. Where have they all gone is a more mysterious one but in my opinion most likely in the space within the soul gem where Thanos meets a young Gamora just before the snap. Tell me Avengers 4 is not about the original Avengers with the help of Eitri re-forging the infinity gauntlet which now looks destroyed in Thanos’ hand to recreate the events and reclaim their younger mates in an epic battle where Captain Marvel, Thanos’ arch nemesis destroys him and restores the Universe to its rightful place. I dare you!

But where Avengers Infinity War stands out is how well the character arch’s of almost all of their central characters has been utilized, the rightful reliance of audience knowledge thereby making the plot more intriguing and proving a platform for how to finish a journey on a high.

Thor – Ragnarok Review: Marvel’s emphasis on moments over script will hurt them

There is a scene in the movie where Thor and Hulk try to identify themselves onboard the Quinjet with the word “Strongest Avenger”. I think henceforth The Hulk must be called the “Funniest Avenger”. It was funny when The Hulk smashed Loki like washing clothes in the Avengers. It is funnier when he does the same to Thor but it does begs the question, is Marvel looking to create more moments than a gripping and engaging script. It’s funny and some of the 3D work is stunning but if Marvel continue to make laughing stock out of their super heroes then The Infinity Wars will not be a landmark as it is supposed to be.

Thor Ragnarok is an extravagant journey from start to finish about the prophecy that destroys Asgard. Thor’s elder sister Hela, the goddess of death comes back to extract revenge on her father who banished her and literally covered up all her traces under the Odin treasure room. On top of that Odin is missing and Loki is blamed for it. That itself is a compelling plot with a lot of family history and two of the greatest actors of our generation in Anthony Hopkins (Odin) and Kate Blanchett (Hela) with a potential face off that could have become a signature moment, not just in the movie but also in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Odin’s dark side to the fore and establishing Hela as a villain with a cause. But what should have been compelling storytelling turned into moments that stands out here and there but stitch them together and it becomes a dud.

Chris Hemsworth seems to grow into the character of Thor but it takes the character’s depth away when he decided to play it with a comic undertone especially after the death of his father, a vengeful sister and the prophecy to wipe out Asgard for good. Tom Hiddleston is brilliant as usual as Loki. His character has so many shades to it that it’s hard to imagine anyone doing it better than the Brit. I think the reason why Cate Blanchett decided to play Hela is that she wanted to have some fun. This double Oscar winner never seems to break a sweat and sweeps the role with ease. Anthony Hopkins seems to be at ease as Odin, so is idris Elba as Heimdall. Jeff Goldblum has made the Grandmaster character his own, pouring his unique style into the role. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk feels like there is more to the character than just an enraged monster. Tessa Thompson is a refreshing addition to the MCU as the badass Valkyrie while Karl Urban does what is required of Skurge. There are delightful cameos from Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Neil, Luke Hemsworth and Matt Damon who is making it a habit of surprising cameos after Interstellar.

It remains to be seen what the MCU is trying to achieve with this not so serious treatment of an otherwise engaging story. Taika Waititi, the New Zealand director has sprinkled the movie with special and memorable moments. I thought Doctor Strange was refreshing and the next step in the MCU but this I feel, although refreshing in other ways, does not suit the heavy core of the movie. But stunning visuals and delightful performances will make Thor: Ragnarok a must watch and Marvel fans will watch it out of habit and for continuity since 2008’s Iron man if not for anything else.  

Katru Veliyidai Review: Mani Rathnam buries his plot in the Himalayan ice and lets us search for it

Pic Courtesy: Google

It is ironical that the greatest screen writer-filmmaker of our generation is also, in his own words, a commercial movie director. Mani Rathnam never hides that. In fact he embraces it. His characters always comes across as suave and sophisticated and yet after this particular offering, one wonders if he ever thought that his audience could be the same. Beyond the breathtaking visuals, poetic music, Bharathiyar and all the love is a plot that Mani buries deep in the snow and we end up wandering the barren tundra searching for it.

Set in the back drop of the mighty Himalayas during the Kargil War of 1999, Katru Veliyidai follows the love story of Varun, a life taking fighter pilot and Leela, a life saving doctor. The opposites doesn’t end there. He is narcissistic while she bats for treating women equality or at the very least, recognition. They argue at every level and yet couldn’t shake off their love for each other. All this make up for a fascinating story that could have been told with arguments that would shake up the very make up of this society. But Mani lets everything loose with an unpredictable screenplay that changes like the Kashmiri weather.

In a world where the line between black and white is increasingly blurry, Mani is able to conceive a ‘hero’ who in the words of his girl “either treats me like a princess or walk over me”. Yet, he does recognize what is making him less of a man and wants to make amends. But how many chances will he get from a girl who is stunning, confident and intense. She falls for his charm but is mature enough to understand his flaws and yet couldn’t control herself from falling in love with him over and over again. Does she take his promises to change blindly? There is strength in her character but for how long? How is she able to forgive his abusive manners just like that? In the end, the answer is Love. However old the notion sounds, there is no other tangible explanation for both behaving the way they do and yet end up they way they did. It is in fact Love where, along with the other plot carrier War, everything is fair.

For an actor of Karthi’s talents this isn’t the most difficult character to pull off but after Paruthiveeran and Madras, this is his finest performance. However, the real revelation is Aditi Rao Hydari. The struggling Bollywood actress could have permanently sealed a place in the south putting her heart and soul to a role that could very well add some trophies to her cabinet during the next award season. R J Balaji’s role was pretty close to his one word summary of his meeting with Mani Rathnam for the part, “Nice”.

You could see why Mani chose Kashmir and Kargil as his conduits to tell this story, The ever changing landscape of the region and the circumstances of war makes for the perfect metaphor. Yet in some ways, it also lets you forget the fundamental flaws in the movie’s writing. You get a sense of climbing Mt. Everest and yet had to return before the Hillary step. So Close! Ravi Varman’s cinematography blends so closely with the story and Rahman is as majestic with his music as the mountain itself.

Why Mani Rathnam left the questions unanswered is anybody’s guess. But the impact those questions have on you could very well be what he intended. And therein lies his genius. Leaving some things to audience’s interpretation is what any intelligent director would do but the desired effect happens only if the plot is thick and the writing strong. It is those areas that Katru Veliyidai falls short. The air is thin as you climb. Again, a metaphor!