Over the first three months of the second half of 2014, there were a lot less stars on the Kollywood skies but it did shine bright as ever, nevertheless! If it was Dhanush’s Velai Illa Patadhaari which kick-started the quarter pleasing the masses, the increasing significance of Content over the Star in a slow-but-sure shift in valuation of films by the general audience was evident when Karthik Subbaraj’s Jigarthanda was the talk of the town in August & Ranjith’s Madras took the honours towards the end of the Quarter.
This was also the quarter that can be fondly remembered for the money-muscle Kollywood has that brought Schwarzenegger to Madras for the launch of ‘I”s music. On the flip side, the biggest star outing of the quarter, Anjaan turned out to be a Box office disaster & took some toll on the public image of its director Lingusamy. Off to the SIX K-town films that were our picks from the quarter that flashed by.

Sathuranga Vettai (July 18, 2014)

149 min

  • U Rated
  • Directed by H. Vinoth
  • Music by Sean Roldan
  • Shot by K. G. Venkatesh
  • Edited by Raja Sethupathi
Full Review

Sathuranga Vettai

What surprised us most about Sathuranga Vettai was that this was a debut-flick with an inexperienced & not-so-attractive protagonist mouthing dialogues, profound in meaning, rooted deeply in philosophy, and moreover, the captain of the ship, Vinoth, is just in his 30s. His faith in his script has allowed him to pitch it first to Manobala, a veteran of the Tamil Industry, who was convinced that this should the launch pad for his production house, and then to Thirupathi brothers who possess an enviable track record in film distribution. The cult following of such films certainly proves that the Tamil audience is indeed one of the best in Indian cinema in welcoming offbeat ventures.
Full Review

Jigarthanda (August 1, 2014)

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Jigarthanda

Rarely has a film garnered so much critical acclaim whilst also managing to quench the thirst of those craving for entertainment & entertainment (read commercial) only. Most directors generally stick to a genre when starting to write a film and rarely do we come across people who try to bend genres and in turn create their very own genre. While it is too early to say that Karthik Subburaj has created a genre of his own, we certainly have to take our hats off to him attempting something so ambitious in just his second film and also for unearthing a talent that was lying within Simhaa who would have otherwise been labeled as just another man who tickles the funny bone.
Full Review

171 min

  • U/A Rated
  • Directed by Karthik Subbaraj
  • Music by Santhosh Narayanan
  • Shot by Gavemic U Ary
  • Edited by Vivek Harshan

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (August 15, 2014)

128 min

  • U Rated
  • Directed by R. Parthiepan
  • Music by Alphons Joseph, S Thaman, C. Sathya, Vijay Antony
  • Shot by Raja Rathinam
  • Edited by R. Sudharsan
Full Review

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam

A meta-movie in Tamil Cinema has always been a source of interest. KTVI was no exception with the multi-faceted Ra Parthiepan putting in all his novelty in promoting and packaging the movie. Pitted as the David against a Goliath release from probably the most influential banner in Indian Cinema today, this distinctly creative movie scripted a fairly tale victory and won a lot of hearts for its true story and impeccably innovative screenplay. Taking light hearted digs at the practices in Tamil Cinema, the movie still managed to garner support and admiration from all sections of the audience with its authenticity!
Full Review

Salim (August 29, 2014)

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Salim

Salim was a low profile release riding on the hype over the interesting trailer and withstood stiff competition from big releases to generate a positive vibe largely due to its unique plot - The actions of an honest man who tips over his breaking point and does the unimaginable to set things right. Familiar, yet sporty music from Vijay Antony and a gripping story made this thriller a killing success which was also noted for having achieved it without making too many compromises for commercial elements. With a possibility of a sequel, this is one movie that justified the expectations!
Full Review

149 min

  • U/A Rated
  • Directed by NV Nirmal Kumar
  • Music by Vijay Antony
  • Shot by MC Ganesh Chandra
  • Edited by MV Rajesh Kumar, Veera Senthil

Jeeva (September 26, 2014)

127 min

  • U Rated
  • Directed by Suseenthiran
  • Music by D Imman
  • Shot by R Madhi
  • Edited by Anthony L Ruben
Full Review

Jeeva

Jeeva can actually come under the bracket of a routine commercial drama that kindles the right emotions, but where it scores is that it manages to put a point across that is bold & has truth written all over it. While it has always been tough to get a film which shows the dark sides of a certain community released, in the recent past Jeeva & Paradesi have somehow managed to hoodwink the usually hawk-eyed protesters. Other than that, the film reinforces the force that Suseenthiran is. If you look back at his career, he started in 2009 and now he has completed 7 films that are different from each other with just one major blemish. He truly is a precocious talent whom the audience & the Tamil film Industry should realize.
Full Review

Madras (September 26, 2014))

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Madras

Of the few wholesome hits of the quarter, Madras is probably the pick of the lot driven by a simple yet powerfully presented story line highlighting the emotional and passionate bonding that people in this part of the country can develop to something as lifeless as a Wall! Appropriate acting, led by Karthi, KalaiArasan & Ritwika, and sensational music from Santhosh Narayanan elevated this tale to an elite level. Its a movie about the masses and their priorities, but doesn't induce unnatural cinematic elements often associated with movies of this genre - this conscious deviation from the usual ensured a roaring reception to this offbeat presentation!
Full Review

156 min

  • U/A Rated
  • Directed by Pa Ranjith
  • Music by Santhosh Narayanan
  • Shot by G Murali
  • Edited by Praveen KL, Srikanth NB