Best of South films 2021 on OTT

 

2021 saw the domination of South Indian films on OTT platforms.  The list of films on OTT selected here will show that majority of them are from Kerala film industry- cannot help it. That’s the reality. Content and treatment took these language films to other regions and earned them a good name and respect for the respective film industry.

  For Malayalam cinema, 2021 opened up the OTT window in a big way with The Great Indian Kitchen released on January 15^th. Initially on a local OTT Neestream, it got on Amazon Prime to create a  craze for films from Kerala and soon streaming giants were lapping up films in that language to satisfy the new found love for Malayalam films among their subscribers. Suraj Venjaramoodu- Nimisha in the lead and Joe Baby as director, the film was not only a critics delight but also  viewers. IMDb rating was 8.3/ 10.

 

Jai Bhim ( Tamil); IMDb Rating: 9.4

Director: T.J. Gnanavel

Actors: Suriya, Liji Mol Jose, Manikandan

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

A real life story that captured the viewer’s imagination. Suriya who played the lawyer on a mission to trace out a `missing’ hubby based on a wife’s complaint was superb and won him all round admiration from movie buffs across India.

Drishyam 2 ( Malayalam)

IMDb Rating: 8.6

Director: Jeethu Joseph

Actors: Mohanlal, Meena, Murali Gopy

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

A sequel that outdid the first part.. The reopening of the case that was closed and cops this time nearing the real killer and accomplices keeps you on tenterhooks. Mohanlal as the simpleton small town guy just lives the role.

 

Cinema Bandi ( Telugu)

MDb Rating: 8.1

Director: Praveen Kandregula

Actors: Vikas Vasistha, Sandeep Varanasi, Rag Mayur

Platform: Netflix

A novel story of a movie camera that falls in the hands of a few villagers and how it changes their life. The proceedings make it a must watch.

 

Yuvarathna ( Kannada)

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Director: Santhosh Ananddram

Actors: Puneeth Rajkumar, Sayyesha Saigal

Platform: Amazon Prime Video 

 

 The film’s story line is not novel but the screenplay was interesting. A college Principal who battles the political system as the Government policy  favours private education is going to close down his college ,is the plot. The film was a blockbuster and film released on April 3021 was a big hit on OTT after October 2021, when movie buffs of other languages   pulled out this movie to see Puneeth Rajkumar who died at a young age of 45 due to heart attack. This is the last film of Puneeth.

 

Aarkariyam ( Malayalam)

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Director: Sanu John Varughese

Actors: Biju Menon, Parvati, Sharafudeen

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

 The plot is a bit quirky and mainly watchable as Biju Menon plays an old man to perfection, A  son in law and his wife who comes to visit the father in law and find that his wife has a past that even she does not known. The film keeps you guessing on whether the father in law’s story is right.

 

Karnan (Tamil)

IMDb Rating: 8.2

Director: Mari Selvaraj

Actors: Dhanush, Lal, Rijisha Vijayan

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

 Loosely based on the Dharmapuri bus burning that turned fatal, film brings out the caste system and the oppression by upper castes and police on an entire village since it dares to stand up for a youth who speaks for them. One of Dhanush’s career best.

 

PukkuSatte Lifu ( Kannada)

IMDb Rating: 9.1

Director: Aravind Kuplikar

Actors: Sanchari Vijay, Achyut Kumar, Matangi Prasanna

Platform: Zee5

 

The film was not promoted big. A simpleton key maker living in one Bangalore’s by lanes meets with a group of cops who are crooked and this changes his simple life.  The screenplay is riveting,

 

 Nayattu ( Malayalam)

IMDb Rating: 8.1

Director: Martin Prakkat

Actors: Kunchako Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan

Platform: Netflix

 A look at the way Kerala Police system functions through the eyes of their own people in uniform is brought out vividly. A Head constable and two junior cops on the run for an accidental death of a man brings out the casteist outllook of politicians and how senior police officers dance to their tune.

 

Mandela (Ttamil)

IMDb Rating: 8.5

Director: Madonne Ashwin

Actors: Yogi Babu, Sheela Rajkumar, Sangili Murugan

Platform: Netflix

 A village barber who was treated as an animal begins to get royal service as he managed to get a voter ID . His casting vote will decide on who should be a village head. A satirical look at the present system of buying votes with cash.

 

·         Sarpatta Parambarai (Tamil) - Amazon Prime Video

A well written fleshed out characters, good performances by not only the main lead but also the small time actors, a novel story set in the 70’s when boxing clubs in North Madras flourished. Actor Arya’s career best performances. Director Pa Ranjith’s finest works.

 

Operation Java : Malayalam ( Zee 5)

In theatres it did  an impressive business but got its due when released on OTT. The working of a cyber crime cell and how two jobless youths become part of it to crack a inter State crime racket is realistic told.

 

 Joji ( Malaylam) Amazon Prime Video

A hit on OTT as many were just aazed at the acting of Faahad Faasil in the family drama set in Central Kerala’s Christian planters region.

 

 Kala ( Malayalam) Amazon Prime Video

A film set in the plantation area where a servant and a master get into a ego battle that takes a turn to physical violence and of a hunter and the hunted. Tovino Thomas whose OTT release Minnal Murali is garnering praise had tasted his first acclaim on OTT platform through Kala.

 

 Jathi Ratnalu ( Telugu) Amazon Prime Video

A box office hit with no big star cast and just on strength of the content and actors performances.

Directed by	Anudeep KV
Written by	Anudeep KV
Produced by	Nag Ashwin
Starring	·         Naveen Polishetty ·         Priyadarshi ·         Rahul Ramakrishna ·         Faria Abdullah

 A big hit on OTT too as the subject was universal and comedy enjoyable.

 

Kaanekkaane (SonyLIV) ; ( Malayalam)  A revenge drama that kkeps you spell bound and does not have all bad guys and good guys but humans with emotions. Suraj Venjramoodu through his gaze alone conveyed al that was to be said.

 

ACT 1978 ( Kannada) Amazon Prime Video

The Karnataka Civil Services Act of 1978 protects government officials from dismissal. This law is misused by many, and results in injustice to common people all the time. The movie holds a mirror to the system. The movie released in first lot after lifting of Covid restrictions. On OTT it was a big hit.

 

 Some films like Nizhal- Home- Cold Case-Malik-  Kuruthi in Malayalam has won lot of appreciation from OTT viewers but short listing 2021 list, I feel they are just passable.
We have not gone into the December OTT releases as we have reviewed some and and a few pending. With movie halls opening, My time is divided between Theatre and OTT.

 

 

Central Omicron warning to Chennai : Kollywood jittery

Kollywood  is jittery as Central Health Ministry has issued a advisory to take steps to enforce lockdown. TN CM Stalin is meeting top ranking Health officials to decide on future course in view of the Central directive. As of now Chennai shuts down from midnight to 5 AM and whether this timing will be start from evening  onwards will be decided. Already few lanes in Ashok Nagar in metro has been sealed due to ten houses inmates reporting Covid positive. Though only Chennai airport is reported arrival of passengers with Omicron and none within the city, Covid cases have doubled in December. Central Ministry has given figures that show cases reported at start of month and last week show doubling in Chennai.

Close to Rs 100 crores is running on business of Ajith's Valimai releasing on January 13th and RRR on Jan 7th. Chennai being the highest box office earner, cancellation of night show would be a disaster. RRR too has done a big business deal for TamilNadu and Lyca has already invested on promotions. Theaters have advanced money.

Shifting of release dates would spell disaster for both the films. The damage is more for RRR as heavy money has been already spend. Rs 20 crores is the promotional budget of RRR. Valimai as we reported earlier has not spend any money . However theaters - distributors who advanced money would be at a disadvantage.  Madurai Anbu who bought Valimai from Boney Kapoor is close to DMK bosses. So also Lyca that acquired RRR for Rs 45 crores.  Lyca has got theatres for two week booking. Cutting across party lines, money flows in theater and distribution trade and any last minute hurdle could affect both the Dravidian parties.

Theaters have started   booking  for shows starting at midnight without even without getting local bodies clearance and each ticket is sold at Rs 2000 per person. Ajith fans in Coimbatore have given in writing to the District Collector with proof of these illegal show and ticket rates and asked for a crackdown. 

Likely scenarion is that the State would go in for a total lockdown like closure of public places and theaters till January 7th in Chennai. If cases do not drop , it would continue or if there is a marked dip, it would be withdrawn partially with 50 % attendance restriction, feels trade.

Valimai to pull crowds on Ajith stardom v/s Baahubali track record and heavy promotions

 If Ajith's  Valimai  is a blockbuster hit in Tamil Nadu, it would forever seal his position as Badshah of Box Office. Valimai's success is not like any of the earlier hits in the career of Ajith. His film with just the usual trailor- singles release on YoutUbe and Twitter is pitted against RRR releasing a week ahead in January 7th. Unprecedented pre release promotions in Tamil Nadu for RRR - a Telugu film dubbed in Tamil, took place. After a press meet, RRR team landed up again for a live show with top draws Jr NTR and Ram Charan  speaking in Tamil. Live Telecast on YouTube etc. The publicity hype does to a great extent influences hard core movie goers and gets them to movie halls. The audience who are not Ajith fans would definitely want to go for RRR as it comes with the most selling tag - S S Rajamouli the director of Baahubali.

How strong is the influence of Baahubali in the public mind ?. If anything to go by TV channels TRP ratings, every repeat of Baahubali 1-2 parts always gets good TRP's even now. Secondly last one week has shown that public comes to theaters to see grandeur and not content alone. Many Tamil films with good content were yanked off while Pushpa - Spiderman - Matrix continued to be screened even in a Tier 3 areas. Valimai being a Zee production , it is sure that the film would come on Zee5. Will this keep the family audience away ?. Yet another factor is that RRR 's Tamil Nadu rights os with production giant Lyca who has big ticket films like Indian 2 among others under production.

Trade wise, Ajith's previous outing Nerkonda Parvai by H Vinoth ( who is director of Valimai) did not do the expected business and the producer Boney had to compensate the losses to buyers. As it was a remake sans the trappings of a Mass Hero film, it was not unexpected. The film's Tamil Nadu theatrical rights has been sold to Madurai Anbu for Rs 65 crores . As the practice, the film has been sold in parts to various areas and theaters.  From January 13th onwards for five days ( pongal holidays), Valimai has to collect Rs 140 crores gross to make a profit for trade. This amount was reached by Ajith's Viswasam. The catch is that it was promoted as a family entertainer while Valimai is shown as high octane action films. A single on love for mother was released but it has not stuck in any one's  memory.

Andhra / TS markets are with Boney Kapoor and so also North India. Both of these markets are dicey for the market conditions are bad due to Omicron - AP Ministry war with theaters and after RRR comes Radhe Shyam of Prabhas releasing on same day. Kerala and Karnataka has been sold for a price that is lower than of Pushpa. Kerala moves from January 1st for no night shows. Yahiya has bought Overseas for Rs 16 crores. USA - UK situation is going from bad to worse due to Omicron and EU has put 25% limit on movie hall occupancy.

Going by all this data, Ajith's stardom is at test to overcome the hurdles. However Ajith and same director H Vinoth are doing one more film for Boney Kapoor. Co Producer Zee has the TV- OTT- digital rights and so is insulated from the ground market conditions.

MEOW Malayalam film review : Lal Jose's TV serial on Big Screen

MEOW is one film that you wish never figured in the Lal Jose director's filmography. Last three outings with same writer Iqbal were above average fare. Add to this the hype that the trailor got 1 million views and is  a Desert Family Drama , made the film a must watch. Arabikataha and Diamond Necklace coming from same team, MEOW just shocks you that a substandard film can come from them. The writer is based in Gulf and so his subjects were very real and characters well fleshed out. Here we get a series of subplots and none of them have a bearing on the main plot.

Lal Jose has not done anything to give lead actors Soubin and Mamta , a changeover and let them be themselves. So many stories open and close as if it was a daily soap.  We do not know whether Jose is rooting for housewife to break from the mold of bearing babies and looking after them and daily chores or that it is blissful life  being a working woman. Some  scenes of a commie college days and shaving off a beard to prove a point to a radical Muslim youth are only adding to agony.  There is no great misunderstanding between the couple and so the getting back does not evoke any feeling. 

Dr Iqbal is said to be getting story ideas from his patients who visit him at his clinic in Gulf. This time he has packed many stories in one and given it to Jose. Well if you are wondering what does the title MEOW have to do with the story - there is a cat in the film and telling you about it will look like yet another exercise in Lal Jose bashing.

Update :From Reality show to Amman Annapurani Swamiyar - most trending lady on net

 

Annapurani's husband's statue kept in a public place was whisked away by a gang. Disciples  who used to pray daily at the Statue has complained to the Maduratankam police about this theft. Annapurani Amman Swamiyar told a TV channel that her hubby Arasu had come to Earth on a divine mission and after it was completed, he left his body behind and his soul entered her. This was her Shakthi, she said. Now this Shakthi has been kidnapped. About the reality show, she said that it was destined for her and Arasu to be in a wedlock. Hence forth she would give arul vaaku to only believers as many were spreading false stories.

From a Reality show participant accused of o stealing another woman’s hubby, to a God woman possessing powers of deity Amman, Annapurani  Arasu is creating waves on the internet.

Annapoorani Arasu swamiyar opened a page in FB and posted videos of hundreds of disciples flocking to her , wailing and asking for help.  She is welcomed with flowers strewn by woman on the red carpet ( in 80’s Tamil  heroes acting in rural rustic subjects were glorified by song- dance sequences where the whole group of dancers and heroine strewed flower petals on the way. NTR films had this scene as he played God ). Then she sits on a silver throne like chair. Disciples come and cry before her and she says something to them. The disciples are happy. The usual Amman songs are tweaked to include  Annapoorani in it ( Probably the IPRS looking after copyright should look into it).

This new avatar comes probably to fill the vacuum left behind by Nithyananda whose last message was that he was resting in Kailash, abode of Shiva. Amman seen as manifestation of Parvati ( wife of God Shiva) and Annapoorani Arasu takes that place.

As FB page and videos started trending, netizens started searching for this new avatar. Meanwhile posters appeared in Chengalpet ( near Chennai) that Amman is holdinh a darshan at a hall and going to say arulvakku ( words of god/ wisdom) to believers with sorrows. Police has asked the hall owner to not allow the meeting and started a search for this avatar.

It seems that Annapoorani had taken part in a reality show in Zee Tamil. The show hosted by Lakshmi Ramakrishnan ( film director -  actress) in which marital problems were solved between the disputing parties. In one such show, Annapoorani was a participant. Annapoorani was having a relationship with a married man with two kids and the wife wanted her hubby back. The man was Arasu and till date he continues to live with Annapoorani and has not taken a divorce from his wife. Lakshmi tried much to talk Annapoorani out of the relationship but it failed. Lakshmi asked public to not fall for the claims of Annapoorani’s mystical powers.

Nithyananda was in news for his closeness to actress Ranjitha ( married to an Army officer) and videos were circulated and telecast on Sun TV. Later his accomplices were booked in a case to grab land from the owner where the Ashram was located in Tiruvanamalai ( near Chennai). 

Madhuram Malayalam movie review: Overdose of Feel Good but actors keep you rooted

Madhuram coming from director Ahammed Khabeer of June fame can be seen as a film with an overdose of goodness and positivity  and as for the plot you can call it the adaptation of the film Waiting starring Kalki - Nasseeruddin Shah and setting it from a upper end multi- specialty hospital to a Government run Hospital. There are many similarities but what makes it watchable is the actors Joju George - Shruti Ramachandran- Indrans and Arjun Asokan . 

The film belong to Joju George and Shruti Ramachandran whose on screen chemistry makes it worth a watch. Next is Asokan who comes as the son whose marriage is falling apart and his mother waiting for a crucial surgery does give a good account of himself and Nikila who plays his wife is a perfect foil. As expected Indrans just steals the thunder in a few scenes and wins your heart. His body language and emotions when he makes his exit from the place he stayed for long is just brilliant.

Camerawork- music and the location are all add on to the mood of the film. It is one of those movies that just transports you to world of goodness  and at the end just sigh and say- Wish World was like this.

Writer Tamil movie review : Worth the watch

 

 Coming from Pa Ranjith production house, Writer does talk about the police system that riddled with  caste discrimination – attitude to  RTI activists – suppression of human rights and inherent aversion to unions for lower ranks of police personnel.  Writer as advocates and criminals as well as SHO know is the pivotal post as he can  pin down a weak case or let in a few gaping holes in a strong case. Here it is such a writer in a station who not knowing that he is opening up a pandoras box by asking his journalist friend to write about a youth held in illegal custody gets caught  into a game of cover up and higher-up using him to be their pawn.

The screenplay is taut and has no boring moments. Samudrakanni as the writer , G M Sundar as lawyer, Dileepan, Iniya ( cameo)  and the actor who played the North Indian IPS officer are all very impressive. Music is apt and rightly placed. Cameraman without any gimmicks gives a straight visuals. One may say that Writer’s family story and back story of a thief are needless but I feel such distractions are needed.

I have read that Dalits in North India are fighting a battle to ride the bridal horse to the bride’s wedding. In Tamil Nadu or South , there is no such practice and this North guy taking umbrage at a Dalit girl seeking a post to be rider in the police cavalry is out of synch with viewers here. Iniya does a good job as the lady cop but does she not look too stylish for the role ?. At every point, cop and lawyer advises that  sign the confession and it can be changedt in the court hearing. Why does the writer not do it when it comes to himself?

On the whole, film offers lot of points to ponder. Worth the watch.

Directed and written by Franklin Jacob and produced by Pa.Ranjith along with Abhayanand Singh, Piyush Singh, and Aditi Anand, it is made under the banner of Neelam Productions in association with Golden Ratio Films, Little Red Car Films, and Jetty Productions.

New Rose Breed - M S Swaminathan

 

India’s leading rose breeder named a new variety of rose after Prof. M S Swaminathan – THE M.S. SWAMINATHAN ROSE. The Rose is highly disease resistant with rich magenta purple colour with stimulating aroma. .

Kodaikanal-based M.S. Viraraghavan, India’s leading horticulturist and rose breeder, has bred and named it as THE M.S. SWAMINATHAN ROSE, in the honour of Prof. Swaminathan – father of India’s Green Revolution.

 

Prof. Swaminathan pioneered in bringing new approaches to the breeding of food crops which increased production and made India food self-sufficient.

 Mr. Viraraghavan bred more than 100 new varieties of roses registered in his name. 

 

THE M.S. SWAMINATHAN ROSE shrub grows up to 4-5 ft. with dark green granular surface large leaves with regular thorns. It results from a series of crosses with a ‘News’ variety of rose and other purple roses. 

 

 

JEWEL OF MONKOMPU ROSE

A second new variety of rose named as “Jewel of Monkompu(JoM)” was bred by K. Sriram of Kasturirangan and Sriram, Bengaluru.

 

JoM is a sparkling pinkish Floribunda rose. Floribunda roses is hybrid of polyantha and tea roses, bloom freely with excellent shape and color, and the shrubs are quite hardy. The shrub of flower grows vigorously with glossy leaves and thornless.

 Dr. Narendra Dadlani, Floriculture Scientist and former Director Horticulture, Govt. of India, New Delhi, handed over the two varieties to Prof. Swaminathan at his Chennai residence.

 

He also handed over a copy of his book – Indian Rose. 

 

“It is the first book on Indian Roses, its history and technical aspects of their development and description of Indian rose varieties” said Dr. Dadlani. 

 

K S Sethumadhavan : RIP

 

I filled up an online form to vote in favor of K S Sethumadhavan for Dada Saheb Phalke award. My pal Srini had on his own taken the job to get KS this award. Probably, the bosses might confer on him posthumously.

I met him during the time he was doing the film based on MT’s story. To tell the truth, I was awestruck that this man had directed MGR’s Naalai Nammathe ( remake of Yaadon ki Baarat) and my all time fav Chatakari  I took a great liking to KS as I found him to be a very puritan man who did not crack any jokes and one who followed the principle that opportunities will come knocking on your door and one need not be part of any lobby. Yet another revelation was that he was the least romantic person. I have asked him about many scenes in Julie and he just smiled.

Usually film directors are boisterous – extroverts and witty but tis man who has a library of films that are very sensual and themes that are touchy is just the opposite. I then covered his Tamil film Marupakkam shooting. It got the best film in Tamil section and best screenplay in the National awards- a First for Tamil filmdom. This was a rare honor to Tamil cinema. It was not celebrated in a befitting way by the Directors association. In fact, I remember that a Malayali jury member was accused of be partisan in selecting Marupakkam over a film by a  Tamizh director. Even Malayalam film industry ignored it – usually  happens to most Malayalis in Chennai. A decade later ,  Priyadarshan directed Kanchivaramm got best Tamil film in the National category and things were better as I think he and Prakashraj did get to attend some functions . I tink it was more of Priyan’s and Prakahraj PR. In Marupakkam, you had two guys who don’t chase media- KS and lead actor Sivakumar.

Next was Kamal’s Nammavar ( most of it was in Vahuni studios). Here too , I think Kamal had a riff with producer  Reddy of Vahuni over this film and swore than he would not step into Vahuni Studios in his life time. South Screen awards then conducted that year by my colleague Sudhangan ( Tamilan Express Editor) put Vahuni studios as the venue and awarded Kamal Haasan the Best Actor.  Kamal does not send  a proxy to pick up the award and so it was a no show.

Later, I got a call from KS and he invited me to see his Telugu film Stri at a special show in Film Chamber. He kept it at 9 AM ( when scribes like us think of waking up). Anyway, I made it. Saw the film and took the literature and told him that I would get in touch if I needed any clarification. I was introduced to another only viewer in the theater and e was NFDC GM from Mumbai. Few days later, I get a call from KS and says sheepishly – If you have not published the write-up ; pls don’t. NFDC will do it from their side. I burst out laughing as I get calls asking when the write up would come and here a man says don’t publish. KS said “ First time I ever asked help from a journalist to give me publicity and look what happened,”. This is my last write up on KS. RIP

Rocky Tamil film review: Dry gangster movie -excels technically

Rocky had a more than average opening as it was a Nayanthara production and she herself came in a promo for the film. Thinking of this promo, I feel that only if debut director Arun had put Nayans instead of Vasant Ravi, things could have been better. and and taken the film to a wider audience. Anyway now let's talk of what we get to see.

A guy out of jail after 17 years asks about his sister's whereabouts and starts to walk and walk for  quite long. If you are film fest buff you will realize that the guy has travelled far from the guy who he asked the address and that was the idea behind this walk. Now this slow pace starts happening throughout the first half and sort takes away the horrific effect of gore and blood splashed on the walls. Now there is this gangster who operates out of a coastal area. He is Manimaran , a native Mr Cool who has  for company a lean guy who does not bat an eyelid when slitting throats. A over enthusiastic son and  Rocky who is star of the gang operation clash and latter bumps the former. Obviously Rocky is framed and packed off to jail and his mother killed and sister is missing.

Mani Maran now lays out a web to get Rocky and have him witness the death of his neice as his son was killed in front of him. The chase begins with Mani Maran's people after Rocky on the run with his niece. Surprise end is that like Sylvester of Rocky , our desi Rocky takes out a machine gun and starts pumping bullets into Mani Maran's men . Mani Maran does not run and so he escaped being riddled with bullets but then he is a man of honour- he slits his own throat.

The non linear narrative  is great way to tell a template gangster revenge film to keep it novel. But putting the past in B&W , makes you feel that you are seeing a B&W film with colour frames in between. Cinematography is just brilliant. Music is yet another treat and sound designing is superb. Art direction department use of locales is just excellent. A fine combination of technical teams is evident. Actors who have big and small roles do their part well. The takeaway from this film is Vasanth Ravi ( Rocky) and Bharathiraja ( Manimaran). I liked the guy who played Dhanraj the lean Mr Ruthless and the little kid who played niece.

If it was meant for a theater audience, one needs a more commercial touches. As an alternative, it could have trimmed the running time by 30 minutes. For an OTT audience, this film will just go down well. 

Post Pushpa 1 , `Pan Indian' virus from South to shutdown Bollywood 2022

 South Indian movie industry is to flood North markets with `Pan Indian’ films in 2022. 20 such films are to come. 4 Kannada – 2 Tamil and 14 Telugu films are now classified ` Pan Indian’ and to hit Mumbai and North India. Out of these Ram Charan- S S Rajamouli with Baahubali series ,  Yash  with KGF and Prabhas with Saahoo have already made their entry in North markets and made a name for themselves with Hindi audience. Mani Ratnam fans are legion all over India and so PS 1 will have a ready audience. About others , let us wait and see.

First is RRR of Rajamouli – Ram Charan- Jr NTR. Heavy Hindi promotions in Mumbai with entire star cast- Salman Khan as Chief Guest, bus loads of fans from across the border ( Thackeray was not game to allow train loads from AP/TS). Next in line is Radhe Shyam of Prabhas. The Hindi songs are a hit. Sahoo though an average hit in Hindi, was a  flop in South.t. Now Prabhas back with a romantic movie. That takes care of January.

In Feb, Chiranjeevi tests Bollywood waters after 1992 ( Aak ka Goonda Raj). His Hindi dubbed films is main content of YouTube and Hindi movie channels. Viewers of Telugu movies dubbed into Hindi were washed away with  29 of his films  released in 2019 Acharya has Ram Charan as co- star. On RRR strength , Chiru garu will ride piggyback on RC and enter Bollywood. On Feb 5th, same day ET, the Suriya film will hit theaters. Suriya’s popularity after Jai Bhim OTT release will be put to test on big screen in the North markets.

Then comes Major – Advi Sesh film on Major Unnikrishnan life story.   Baaghi ( remake of Kshanam) did get a good response and so also another Telugu film. Producer Mahesh Babu and Sony, two producers might be big in South , but Sesh will have to start out from scratch. Next is Kiccha Sudeep with Vikrant Rona from Karnataka on Feb 24^th. As it comes from land of KGF, there could be an opening. Charlie 777 of Rakshit Shetty from Sandalwood town was to release in 2021 end but Shetty is looking for a date where there is no `Pan Indian’ films releasing. From Karnataka also is Kabaza with Upendra making a comeback with Kiccha in company. A gangster film that makers think has Pan Indian appeal. Darshan too from sandalwood has announced that his film Kranti has a Hindi belt appeal.

Next in line is Beast of Thalapathy Vijay. His film Master did get a good response in North India and Sun Pctures , the producers who would have by them released ET of Suriya in Hindi would do the same for Vijay. Followed by this is KGF 2. Sequel to a Super hit, Rocking Star Yash is set to do a repeat as response to trailor- teaser is phenomenal. Prabhas comes gain with Saalar and directed by Neel of KGF fame. This has him in an action mode. Followed by Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvam , magnum opus due for  Summer of 2022. If a hit in North Indian market, it could herald entry of another `Pan Indian’ Star-Vikram. Sundeep Kishan nephew of cinematographer of Chota Naidu is not a name to reckon with in South as actor but his film Micheal is slated for an All India release.

Vijay Devarakonda the Telugu romantic heartthrob popular through his dubbed films makes a straight Hindi film Liger and has Ananaya Panday for company. An August release, it is a film on boxing and real life boxer Mike Tyson plays a cameo. Prabhas again in Adipurush . This is actually a Hindi film directed by Om Raut with an all Bollywood cast- crew.

Shakunthalam will mark Samantha’s Hindi debut . Film is directed by Gunashekar whose Rudramadevi with Anushka was a Pan Indian release that was not liked in North India. Next is sequel to Alu Arjun’s Pushpa , which promises to make up for the thrills that were missing in first part.

If this g list of 18 films is long, there is two more Pan Indian – Prasanth Varma’s Hanuman and Ravi Teja’s Tiger. Now Bollywood upstarts say that only the YouTube channels showing dubbed films need be afraid and not them as they are REAL PAN INDIAN.

Thalapathy Vijay fans back Sanjeev Bigg Boss Tamil 5 contestant ?

Thalapathy Vijay fans are bound to vote in large numbers for Sanjeev , one of the contestants of Bigg Boss Tamil Season 5. This could happen after Sanjeev's wife posted on social media that she Whats App to Thalapathy Vijay along with other friends of her hubby to vote for him and Vijay replied that he was keenly watching the show and that he had already voted for him , even before she requested for him. This is to be a signal to Thalapathy fans to go enmasse for Sanjeev . Vijay's fans ensured that their idol was the most liked on Twitter and top 5 in Indian entertainment industry. 

However their is a catch. Sanjeev is a great supporter of Raju, another contestant in the House. He had long time by way of conversation told Raju that he wanted to one among the finalists of the Bigg Boss show as his wife and kids would come to see it. Raju keeping this mind through a given oportunity saved Sanjeev from nomination, route to eviction. Sanjeev who heard this turned teary eyed.

Anbarivu film trailor was released on Big Boss 5 Tamil stage by Kamal Haasan. The director Aswin Raam told Kamal that Sanjeev was his Uncle. Sanjeev said in a choked voice that he wanted his daughter to marry a person of repute and he was happy. It seems that Sanjeev is son of  actress Manjula Vijayakumar's sister. His sister is actress Sindhu who made her debut opposite Ramki in Inaintha Kaigal , a Abavanan production and a blockbuster hit.

Sindhu however drifted to playing villains' roles in TV and films and died at an early age due to a lung ailment. Her daughter Shreya was then 9 years, From then onwards, Sanjeev was like a father figure to her. Shreya lived with her father   Kannada actor Late Raghuveer's parents. Ashwin who was assistant to many directors including Atlee and Shreya were in love and got married. Ashwin's father is `Jeeva' Ravi , known actor in TV ( Thirumagal - Raja Rani) and character actor in many films.

Sanjeev came in late as wild card entry. He so far appears to be playing a fair game and not taking sides. He had acted in Vijay starrer including recently released Master. Sanjeev and Vijay were class amtes in Loyola College during the Visual Communication Degree class. Sanjeev is married to TV actress Preethi Srinivasan.

In Malayalam Bigg Boss season that ended, the winner Manikantan was said to be a fan of Mohanlal ( the host) and he made it obvious in the show. Lal fans is said to have titled the scales in his favor as many others were more competent than him.

Ram Charan - Jr NTR - Prabhas jittery after Pushpa AP collection

 

Pushpa four day collection share for distributors in Andhra Pradesh region has shocked `Pan Indian' Telegu film producers of RRR ( Ram Charan- Jr NTR) and Prabhas ( Radhe Shyam).  Truth is that these `Pan Indian' films cannot wish away Andhra region just like Bollywood cannot win without Maharashtra ( Mumbai) box office collections. The low shares are due to Jagan ministry strictures on movie halls and dizzy prices that film was bought according to film trade. 

After the initial euphoric opening and the storm raised in box office, dust has settled on fourth day and reflects the future mood of the general public. 60 % of the film trade or collections has to come from Andhra region. The data shows that Andhra distributors have so far got a share of 40% of the amount that they bought for. The film was sold for Rs 62 crores before the Jagan ministry issued a GO reducing ticket prices. After haggling, it was reduced to Rs 51 crore. 

The trade puts the total collections in Andhra at Rs 60 crores for 4 days. This minus the GST and theater rental- publicity, share would come to nearly Rs 25 crores . Producers had agreed that they would compensate the GST paid by distributors, if the share of collections fall below the expected mark.  If this happens, the producers takeaway from Andhra would be  Rs 30- 35 crores as they would have to give  back around Rs 20 crores by way of GST compensation. Nizam that went for Rs 35 crores has done extremely well with 3 day share alone being Rs 25 crore range and showing no sign of drop. CEDED areas ( Kurnool- Kadappa- Chitoor- Antapur) sold for Rs 16 crores has in 3 days given Rs 8-9 crores share.

Much euphoria was generated about Mumbai and North India collections. Film was sold for Rs 20 crores. After 4 days, Hindi nett ( total not share) is Rs  15 crores. On 4th day Hindi belt collection was Rs 2.98 cr. In Tamil, film was sold for Rs  7 crore and four day Nett was Rs 8.81 crore and likely the distributor might lose some money.. In Kerala, E4 minus Malayalam print on Day 1 and in four days got a Nett of Rs 7 cr and they bought it for Rs 5 crore. E4 might scrape through as collections are not that bad enough on Day 4 and has no Malayalam film of any worth as opposition.

AP CM Jagan  stopped  fan shows - charity shows and unrestricted screenings on the ground that these practices were creating black money and evasion of tax to local bodies, Apart from this,  collections  were not accounted and box office figures given out were not authenticated. Next blow is that a GO says that all theaters should install a software created by AP government to sell tickets and money gained from this App will be in treasury. After service charges , the collections will be credited to movie halls. It is to bring real box office figures.

 Akhanda ( Balakrishna) was a money spinner for Andhra distributors as it was reasonably priced. The producers expected trouble from Jagan and sold it accordingly. The anti- Jagan posturing by Balayya  just before release managed to  rustle up TDP workers and anti- Jagan  viewers to turn out in large numbers . Nani's Shyama Singha Roy ( about reincarnation) is next release.

Pushpa thanked Ajay Devgn - Ritiesh Deshmukh - Reason revealed

 Pushpa 2- The Rule is the sequel to first part . Reason for Ajay Devgn and Ritiesh Deshmukh being thanked by producers of Pushpa on screen has been revealed. Pushpa's Malayalam version released  only on  Day 2  took Rs 2,15 cr   ( Tamil- Malayalam). With Tamil print alone in Kerala, Day 1 was Rs 1.75 cr. Rs 4,95 cr Net was Tamil Nadu collection. Hindi Net was Rs 6.85 cr. Telugu Net was Rs 60.95 cr. Two day Worldwide is Rs 104, 2 cr with India net being Rs 76.55 cr.

Director Sukumar  say that the second part as expected is the clash between Pushpa and Inspector Singh ( Faasil). The director ruled out any change in cast. Sources said it more deals with the exploitation by lobby of merchants who with political support in Andhra and Tamil Nadu of the laborer's to run their red sanders shipment abroad. Inspector Singh learns that he and his men are used by the lobby to keep Pushpa under  check.  Inspector Singh becomes a game changer in the red sanders smuggling biz.

The second part will have more political overtones. Sources close to the director say that the subject for Part 2 was already locked before Part 1 release. However given the harassment meted out to Pushpa distributors by AP Government in reducing ticket rates and then leaving local bodies to decide with some strict unheard of conditions, Part 2 may look like a hit back by Allu Arjun.

Bollywood sources said that Pushpa's producers  had requested Ajay Devgn to  tweet the link of the trailer of the film’s Hindi version. Ajay did so and tweeted that it was powerful and wished Allu Arjun all success.  Similarly Riteish Deshmukh hhimself tweeted about Pushpa's trailor release. Allu Arjun had wished Sooryavanshi all luck at time of release and in the Mumbai promotional event, he said that Sooryavanshi had opened the gates for Bollywood post pandemic and thanked the team.

As a token of appreciation, producers put the names of these actors in the thankyou credit list on screen.

Pushpa second highest worldwide after Rajinikanth's Annatthe

Rajinikanth's Annatthe continues to be 2021's  highest Indian film opening worldwide  with Pushpa The Rise coming second . It has beaten the record of Thalapathy Vijay's Master, Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi and Pawan Kalyan's Vakeel Saab for year 2021. On the opening day, Pushpa gross collection worldwide was Rs 57. 83 crores. The biggest surprise was in the Hindi market. Allu Arjun has no earlier releases and only his dubbed films on YouTube, OTT and Hindi TV channels that took him to North audience. On Day 1, morning shows were vacant as Pushpa dubbed version was playing in YT continuously, By evening and night, the shows were full. Pushpa, due to Spider Man got few screens and odd hour timings in multiplexes. The Hindi gross was Rs 4..30 crore on Day 1. Significantly, Telugu version collection was only Rs 70 lakhs. E4 distributors botched up Malayalam version release on Day 1 in Kerala. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka too recorded full houses. North Indian response is a surprise as the top collections are from sectors where single screen are in majority. It is a shot in arm for South films looking for Expanding to Hindi markets.

Despite the euphoria, trade has adopted a wait and watch attitude since the budget is Rs 250 crores and has been sold for  dizzying figures. Worldwide theatrical distribution rights has been sold for Rs 154 crore. According to BollywoodLife the following targets has to be got by buyers :

Blockbuster - Distributor share of Rs. 230 crore or more
Superhit - Distributor share of Rs. 200-229 crore
Hit - Distributor share of Rs. 170-199 crore
Above Average - Distributor share of Rs. 160-169 crore
Average - Distributor share of Rs. 150-159 crore
Flop - Distributor share of Rs. 120-149 crore
Disaster - Distributor share less than 119 crore 

Pushpa The Rise review: Allu Arjun excels- Fahadh wasted - Samantha dance damp squib

 

Pushpa The Rise ( Part 1) is no Sukumar film . It banks entirely on character of Pushpa and all others in the film are mere cardboard hollow ones. Allu Arjun thankfully has done full justice to the role that has one dimension - play to the gallery. Rashmika has a stereotyped Telugu heroine role , Villains ??? . None of them are menacing. The much publicised Faahad Fasil debut appears in last 30 minutes and to  Fahadh fans it might be something dramatic but to others the face off is dull. . Samantha item song is nothing that makes you randy. Choreographer did not give her steps - movements and camera angles that he would have given to a item specialist girl and so it is out of synch with the raunchy voice and beat.

If you keep Rangastalam in mind, Sukumar here botches up the plot. He has a story but only an overview and not entire screenplay. First half is the rise of the gangster and second half starts well but with the exit of Sunil (Mangalam Suri), only one to do a good job, things start to drag and to keep flow fast, new characters - new conflicts and mother angle are pushed in and makes it cramped. Even the two face off between Allu Arjun and Faasil are dull as it does not match the buildup.

DSP's music plays to hte gallery. Cinematography (Mirsolaw) does not offer anything new by way of capturing the locales. First half editing is crisp. Allu Arjun's efforts like speaking the Chitoor slang and giving 100% to the title role is what keeps the interest in the film going steady. To Bunny fans, his dancing skills are not put to full display but in a gangster avatar,he does make it up in action scenes. Dialogue writer  Srikanth Vissa dialogues are correctly put across in Tamil ( Madhan Karky ) 

Now Part 2 will obviously be a Pushpa v/s Fahadh. Hope Sukumar takes his own time to work on it instead of a rush job like Part 1.

Naga Chaitanya hints on divorce reason - Samantha gets milk worship from women

 

Naga Chaitanya who divorced actress Samantha has in an indirect way hinted at the reason for his divorce with her. Andhra women groups in Amarvati, said that they would do milk worship to Samnatha cut outs in theaters screening Pushpa, starring Allu Arjun - Rashmika.

In an interview, Naga Chaitanya when asked about the nature of the role he was doing, he going directly to the answer, spoke about his method in choosing roles. He said that the first thing that he gives importance is to the character . It should not be something that does not go with the honour of the family ( A N Nageswara actor' grandson and Nagarjuna- Amala's son) and anything would make his parents feel bad about it.

Samantha 's bold role in Family Man 2 and her future projects that may need  bold roles which had to show nudity had provoked Naga Chaitanya to seek divorce. Even before the tdivorce, Film Nagar sources spoke about Nagarjuna being unhappy with his daughter-in- law's selection of roles.  Amala who married Nagarjuna put an abrupt end to her career as a successful actress. Samantha continued with her acting and continued to play the glam heroine.

She is currently working  in a women centric film Yashoda. Latest is that Varalaxmi Sarathkumar has joined the cast. Sam  is doing a Hollywood film in which she plays a bisexual.

Her item son in Pushpa had a group called male protectors to file a case against her and lyricist. The lyrics is about why women hates men.  Kodandarama temple in Talluru village in Amaravathi saw women groups perform palabhishekam in the name of Samantha and lyricist. They said that the song was telling the home truths of men behavior. Tomorrow ( December17), woman outfits would attend all shows and cheer Samantha when she comes on screen. Pusha dance number is the first item song for Samantha. Allu Arjun said that Samantha unlike actresses who do item songs had no conditions on how much skin show cam be shown.