Movies: In direct contrast saw an epic movie called Poniyin Selvan, in Tamil at Prasads. I had to see it at the earliest for I have heard every Tamil speaking candidate that I know and love, including dear Murali who has read the book and in one sitting. Good Lord! I am just tired hearing them all say it.
I am still reading volume I (total Five volumes) and am stuck at some odd page No 123, and the entire movie was about that only, except a little towards the ending, which has been left in the lurch for part 2. Did I like the movie? Yes, when I did not question the geography and the history of it all. Or when I did not make an attempt to remember the names of the characters. Difficult and not pronounceable.
Mani Ratnam’s Poniyin Selvan had lost it quite some back, but here he is in the middle of it all and has no sense of direction. Who am I to speak like that of a great director like him, you may point out? But my argument is that if you are into making a mass film, then make one unapologetically. But you cannot get on to the classic high ground and then wallow around because you have lost the plot.
The two grand ladies, including Aishwarya Rai and Trisha hold their ground. Glass like complexions and the camera loves them. These two are opulent, the insides of the palaces are lit enough to make you think like a conspirator and the guys are cute, especially Karthi. Vikram’s introduction is awesome. Everything else is drowned in terrible music. Not one song is memorable.
I came away feeling guilty that I did not like the movie as much. Considering half the theatre was empty for just the second show in Tamil. Will I see part 2? Most definitely and that too in a theatre for the spectacle that it is and will be.