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BEST FORTNIGHT OF 2010! |
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What has happened over the past two to
three weeks in Tamil cinema? The Endhiran
audio launch, telecast of Endhiran audio
launch, telecast of the ‘making
of the Endhiran audio launch’ (that
must be a first in Indian cinema). We
have seen the making of movies, making
of the music, but it was a new experience
to see the making of a music launch function.
Of course, the function did warrant such
coverage because the money spent on it
might be more than the total budget of
some small time Kollywood products.
Well, if these were your first thoughts,
then you are amongst the majority because
the craze has almost enveloped everything.
But, the last fortnight or so has been
extremely positive for Tamil for reasons
other than Endhiran.
At the end of last year we talked a lot
about the changes that had been brought
into Tamil cinema. We were seeing the
birth of a new era, which of course could
be traced back to the days of Paruthiveeran
headed by young directors with new visions
and ideas. There was a lot of optimism
in the air, especially because we had
got films like Nadodigal, Renigunta, Pasanga,
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu etc… to speak
of a few. So, what is it about the last
fortnight that brings back or reinforces
the optimism? |
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Well, two of the directors who showed a lot of promise
with their debuts last year are back. Whenever a new
guy enters the ring and delivers a strong first punch
there is hope, there is promise and there is optimism
that is raised in the minds of audiences. But, along
with that there is caution and doubt about the new
guy that they see. The first doubt almost always is,
‘Is this a flash in the pan?’ - the word
‘fluke’ keeps popping up now and then.
But, the audience is not to be blamed for this attitude.
This is an almost universal attitude which greets
newcomers with caution and almost necessitates that
they establish themselves by being consistent. And,
as if vindicating such an approach, there have been
quite a few ‘one-film wonders’ in our
times. Therefore, it is a great pleasure and relief
to note that two filmmakers, who had shown immense
promise last year, have now almost established themselves
as men of quality who can be depended upon to deliver
with a measure of consistency.
Pasanga and Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu created quite a lot
of waves last year. The themes, the treatment were
so non-Kollywood-ish that everyone was taken aback
with the kind of confidence that these debutants had.
It was almost as if they had a kind of confident irreverence
towards the unwritten commercial rules of Tamil cinema.
And, their films were immensely liked, not just because
they chose to be unconventional, but because they
were products of genuine quality and substance. Pandiraj
in particular, flouted the highly strong myth that
a children’s film can be shown only in film
festivals. Pasanga was a movie that changed perspectives
and notions. The bigger delight of course had been
the fact that Sasikumar, another promising director,
had been its producer. It was an effort of those who
loved cinema.
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu too was no lesser in uniqueness
and creative novelty. Sports-based themes are viable,
but kabaddi, who would have thought? And that too
with characters who least resembled sportspersons.
There was the plump guy, the 5-feet tall simpleton,
the almost frail looking guy with a sarcastic tongue
– a motley crew, one would imagine. Yet, Suseendran
managed to pull off a winner in the most unlikely
of circumstances.
In the last fortnight, Pandiraj and Suseendran have
established their consistency and depth of quality
by delivering their second movie; Vamsam and Naan
Mahaan Alla respectively. Most of you would have heard
about these movies by now, both have garnered very
positive opinions and look like they will go on to
earn themselves ‘hit’ tags very soon.
It is not only that the two directors have delivered
their second hits in as many attempts, but also the
fact that they have completely digressed from the
themes and premises of their debuts that makes the
fortnight special. Pandiraj moved out of the world
of school children and minor squabbles to bring forth
a strong tale set in a village. Suseendran, meanwhile,
moved out of the village, entered Chennai, roped in
a star and showed that he is not the prisoner of a
particular setting or mood.
In short, what Pandiraj and Suseendran have established
is not only their consistency, but also their range
and versatility which is extremely important for a
film maker to avoid being predictable or one dimensional.
The best part, however, is that Suseendran has moved
on to his next film; Azhagar Samiyin Kuthirai. Directors
tend to climb the ladder of filmdom. And, one of the
sure-shot methods to do so is by making films with
top stars. Naturally, after making a hit with Karthi,
one would have imagined that Suseendran would have
wanted to go on for another star venture. But, he
has shown a lot of confidence in his skills by going
in for a simple (and we hear funny) theme having one
of the ‘Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu’ actors in
the cast. We are sure it will have something new in
store for us.
A month or so back, another promising director established
himself with some force; Vijay with Madarasapattinam.
And, now we have Renigunta director Paneerselvam starting
out with his next venture, 18 Vayasu. Meanwhile, we
await the second outing of the man who made Subramaniapuram.
If all these men stay true to their debut promises
then Tamil cinema has only one direction to go –
‘up’.
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