Kalidas Jayaram

Review : Oru Pakka Kathai – Tamil Film on Zee 5

by 123telugu December 28, 2020

Cast : Kalidas Jayaram, Megha Akash, P. V. Chandramouli, Jeeva Ravi, Lakshmi Priya

Directed by : Balaji Tharaneetharan

Producer : K.S.Sreenivasan

Cinematography : C. Prem Kumar

Edited by : Anthony

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows on OTT, our today’s pick is Oru Pakka Kathai, the latest Tamil film on Zee 5. Let’s now see how it is.

Story :

Saravanan(Kalidas Jayaram) and Meera(Megha Akash) are a couple in college who want to take their relationship to the next level. The couple’s parents are happy and are waiting for the right time to get married. But things change as Meera finds out that she is pregnant. Things change upside down as the couple has not had a physical relationship at all. Then, how is Meera pregnant? and how does this young couple solves this big issue is the whole story.

What’s Good

This film was stuck and was in the making since 2014. So, the lead actors look quite young but give a good performance. Megha Akash is the show-stealer as the girl who is pregnant without her knowledge. She holds the emotions well and carries her intense role convincingly. Kalidas has transformed into a top actor and that was proved with Paava Kathaigal recently. He too does well in his role and looks a bit rustic in a few scenes.

The production values, music, and supporting cast are top-notch especially Meena Vemuri and Lakshmi Priya Menon. The scientific reasons that are given to the problem also look apt. The film starts off on a good note and the conflict point is also established well. The serious problem is narrated in a decent manner by the director Balaji Tharaneetharan as he addressed the issue in an impressive manner in the first half.

What’s Bad

The conflict point is good and it establishes well. But what comes after the baby is born is a bit of chaos. Too many superstitions, a godman entering the scene and taking ownership of the baby, such things derail the film. The pace of the film also drops down and a separate track of a small girl also sidetracks the film.

The ending is decent but for that, the audience needs to sit through the dull second half which spoils the fun. Though the story idea and taking are novel at the beginning, its narration and family drama is routine and dull in the end. The production design is not that great and so was the editing.

Verdict :

On the whole, Oru Pakka Kathai is a Tamil family drama that has a very unique premise. It starts off on a good note and holds the attention until the halfway mark quite well. But from there, too many forced emotions and subplots spoil the narration and make this film just an okay watch. Give it a shot for its different storyline.

123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

December 28, 2020

OTT Review : Paava Kadhaigal – Tamil film on Netflix

by 123telugu December 21, 2020

Cast : Kalidas Jayaram, Anjali, Kalki Koechlin,Padam Kumar, Simran, Prakash Raj, Sai Pallavi

Directed by : Sudha Kongara, Vignesh Shivan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Vetrimaaran

Producer : Ashi Dua, Rhea Kongara

Cinematography : Theni Eswar, Ganesh Rajavelu

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows, our today’s pick is Paava Kadhaigal, the Tamil anthology film. This film is available on Netflix and let’s now see how it is.

Story :

This anthology film has our stories directed by Sudha Kongara, Vignesh Shivan, Gautam Menon, and Vetri Maran. The Sudha Kongara story deals with the life of the transgender Sattar(Kalidas Jayaram) who is looked down on by his own family. In the second story directed by Vignesh Shivan, honor killing is the main aspect and deals with the story of two twin sisters played by Anjali. In Gautam Menen’s story, his own daughter gets raped at the age of 12. Finally, the last short directed by Vetrimaran is about how a father kills his own pregnant daughter(Sai Pallavi) for his honor and prestige

What’s Good

Paava Kadhaigal is undoubtedly the best-made anthology series so far in the country. The stories deal with rape, honor killing, and taboo subjects in society and have been narrated in a riveted manner. The emotions are so strong that leave a deep impact on you even after you are done watching the film. Tamil cinema’s finest directors narrate four stories that are contemporary and have superlative performances.

Kalidas Jayram as the transgender kills it with his adorable act. His emotions and the way he showcases his body language was amazing. Anjali is superb in her bold role and gets to showcase different aspects of her twin role. In Gautam Menon’s story, the once glam Simran plays a doting orthodox mother with aplomb. Gautam Menon himself plays the husband and the way the couple deal with the rape of their daughter is showcased so well with moving emotions.

But the best of the lot is the story of Prakash Raj and Sai Pallavi that is directed by Vetrimaran. Sai Pallavi gives one of her best performances as a pregnant lady whose father kills her by poisoning her. The drama, emotional outburst that Sai Pallavi gives was too good to see. Prakash Raj as the menacing father who does not show anything on his face was another asset. The songs of the film are too good and so was the BGM. The camerawork, production values of all the stories was on point.

What’s Bad

There are not so many drawbacks in this film as an episode is nicely packed. Gautam Menon looks a bit war in showcasing some emotions in the film. His expressions could have been better in key scenes. Also, in Sudha Kongara’s story, Kalidas’ love for hero Shantanu Bagyaraj should have been showcased in a better manner. This would have helped to establish the story even better.

Verdict :

On the whole, Paava Kadhaigal is one of the best films in recent times. Each short story in this anthology deals with strong subjects and evoke moving emotions and questions human integrity. Upon this, the mesmerizing performances and finest narration by top directors make this film a must-watch. Don’t miss this one.

123telugu.com Rating : 3.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

December 21, 2020

OTT Review : Putham Pudhu Kaalai – Tamil film on Prime Video

by 123telugu October 19, 2020

Starring : Jayaram, Urvashi, Kalidas Jayaram, Kalyani Priyadarshan, M. S. Bhaskar, Ritu Varma, Shruti Haasan, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Anu Hasan, Kathadi Ramamurthy, Komalam Charuhasan, Andrea Jeremiah, Gurucharan C, Leela Samson, Bobby Simha, Sharath Ravi, K Muthukumar

Directed by : Sudha Kongara, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Rajiv Menon, Karthik Subbaraj

Production Company : Meenakshi Cinemas, Lion Tooth Studios, Madras Talkies, Rajiv Menon Productions, Stone Bench

Music by : G. V. Prakash Kumar, Govind Vasantha, Satish Raghunathan, Nivas K. Prasanna

Cinematography : Niketh Bommi, P. C. Sreeram, Selvakumar S. K., Rajiv Menon, P.B. Shreyaas Krishna

Edited by : E. Sangathamizhan, Anthony, A. Sreekar Prasad, T. S. Suresh, Vivek Harshan

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the latest Tamil film Putham Pudhu Kalai made by five noted directors. The film is available on Netflix and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Ilamai Idho Idho

The first story is directed by Sudha Kongara and features Jayaram and Urvashi who are seeking love at a mature age. Each of them has lost their individual partners and get to spend time together as the lockdown is announced. The crux of the story is as to how they announce their mature relationship to their kids.

Avarum Naanum – Avalum Naanum

The second story is directed by Gautam Menen and features Ritu Varma who is forced to spend time with her grandfather(M S Bhaskar) during the lockdown. As Ritu has some past differences with her grandfather, things look difficult for her. The crux of the story is as to how both the grandfather and Ritu bond together forgetting their differences.

Coffee, Anyone?

The third story is directed by Suhasini Maniratnam and features Suhasini, Shruthi Haasan, and Anu Haasan. Two daughters played by Suhasini and Anu visit their ailing mother during the lockdown. How they bond as a family and bring back their mother to life is the whole story.

Reunion

This story is directed by Rajiv Menen and is about two school friends Andrea and Gurucharan who suddenly meet during the lockdown. Andrea is a drug addict and how Guru helps her to overcome her habit is the whole story.

Miracle

The Last Story is directed by Karthick Subbaraj and features Bobby Simha. He is a small-time goon who decides to rob a software company but gets in trouble because of a superb twist. What is that and how it is showcased is the story.

What’s Good

One of the biggest advantages of this anthology film is its writing. The emotions in each of the stories are solid and hold your attention until the end. The narration is quite detailed and yet does not look lengthy at all. Jayaram and Urvashi as the mature couple are superb. Their conversations and how they portray their mature love for each other is shown beautifully. Also, the small comic touch to the narrative brings a freshness.

The best story of the film is the one directed by Gautam Menen. The way he deals with a grandfather-grand daughter relationship is just awesome. M S Bhaskar is amazing as the old and caring parent. The conversation and how Ritu and Bhaskar recollect their difference is so good to see. The conversations are just amazing and bring a soothing effect on you. Ritu is awesome and holds your attention with her settled performance.

Suhasini Mani Ratnam and the bonding with her sisters in the third story is also good. The conversations between the elders and how things change when a family bond is showcased so well. Andrea is also good in the fourth story and this episode has a good performance by Leela Samson.

Miracle by Karthick Subbaraj ends the film with a pinch of salt. The thrills and twist in this short are very good. How the dots are joined and the thrill part is executed is so good to see. The production values of each story are top-notch. The BGM, camerawork, and other art department have done a terrific job. But what holds your attention is the solid performance by the star cast and amazing writing.

What’s Bad

The film is based on basic emotions in life and that is the reason, there is no great story. So, do not expect a great storyline while you watch the film. Andrea’s story looks a bit stretched and could have been toned down a bit.

Final Verdict :

On the whole, Putham Pudhu Kalai is one of the best anthology series made in recent times. The association of big names, their solid performance, easy to understand Tamil, and gripping emotions make this film an endearing watch. Go for it and you will not be disappointed for sure.

Rating: 3.25/5

October 19, 2020