WANTED (2009) Movie Review

Puri Jagannath made Pokiri, first a telugu film starting Mahesh Babu and Illeana that became history back in 2006. A year later, dance master Prabhu Deva remade the film in Tamil by the same name with Vijay and Asin. The differences between both the Telugu and Tamil versions were minimal (save for some censorship differences and the different comedy tracks and casting).

Now we have WANTED. Again directed by Prabhu Deva retaining pretty much the majority of the crew from the tamil version. The likes of VIJAYAN for stunts, and top cameraman, NIRAV SHAH (along with S.SRIRAM). This time we have Salman Khan (after a plateful of previous flops) and Ayesha Takia donning the main roles. Mahesh Manjarekar redoes Mukesh Tiwari's lust cop and Govind Nameo does Napoleon's Honest Raj with a sarcastic remarks.

But the man of the match is clearly the latest National Award winner, Prakash Raj.

Yes you read it right, Prakash Raj. Consider this his comeback

to Hindi cinema after that dud, SHART back in 2003(coincidently done by Puri Jagannath) and since then, he has dubbed himself in Hindi too (Also started in big hit multi-star film, KHAKHEE but didn't dub himself in 2004.)

The presentation and story thankfully is not crudely presented like the Tamil version was and bad casting. We really didn't need Vijay to do a mentalkanth dance and body language style while trying to break the fourth wall as well as slapstick with Vadivelu. That's what really made the Tamil version really crappy as if Vijay ghost directed the film.

By the way, Deva sticks to the ACTUAL TELUGU script for the majority while

retaining the Tamil bits. Brahmanadam's comedy track in Telugu is mostly redone (beggars not included) here while Vadivelu's encounter with the lust cop over the phone is kept. In fact, I could easily call this most entertaining. You see Salman and Mahesh Babu were excellent and suited to the gang role like a glove while Vijay just looked like a joker and clearly the outcome was pure comedy. Watch out for their dialogue delivery. But their commitment punch dialogue still retains overall.

Mani Sharma gave some decent music for the original but because Vijay interviened in Tamil, only Dola Dola and Jagadame (ironically the pick of the telugu version, got short lived as a tamil theme track), and Apple item song were reused while we got crud like Pokkiri pongal, Mambazham naa, and that Vasantha Mullai remix. Here, Salman drags in PARTNER hit duo, Sajid & Wajid Khan to whip out the soundtrack. The songs were better, but weren't great. For a film like this, it's strictly okay. Jalwa, Love Me and Dil Leke were my picks. The Hindi soundtrack did a decent job, if not mindblowing.

Deva has done a decent job and this is strictly for the mass and Salman fans and for those who want to chill. In fact, consider this a blessed remake than that crap Ghajini with Aamir "overrated" Khan. Aamir doesn't know that between building a body that looks awkward on him + the old age shows in his chemistry with Asin = Horrible remake. Surya's original was awesome. Here it's the complete opposite. By opposite, I mean ABOVE THE TAMIL version.

Rating: ***.5

Unnai Pol Oruvan (2009) Movie Review

Statuary Warning: Don't go comparing A WEDNESDAY with this film even if you've seen it, byhearted it,etc. There are many changes in UPO besides nativity to suit to the Tamil audiences. So if your going to bash A WEDNESDAY, well then it's useless. Now onto the review.

First off, I want to thank Mr. KAMAL HAASAN for setting up a new TREND in the industry: A Big-Star film where the script/content is king and didn't need to prove that you need MASS MASALA or cliches to make big star films work. Another big thanks is that after a long time (Given that I've seen his movies through subtitled DVDs) is MOHAN LAL, who has acted excellently after a long time. After his last couple of duds, we finally get to see LAL

the performer again.

No need to discuss the film's story itself as I don't want to give anything away (neither to those who have seen A WEDNESDAY!)

But I must confess that the dialogues (Debutant, Ee.Ra. Murugan for the tamil version) were top notch and made the film even better than wednesday. Watch out for the political satire between LAL and veteran LAKSHMI. There is a smudge of English, but given the common man backdrop, it's reasonable. Hope to see him in future Kamal films because this man has penchant for writing after the late Sujatha.

The other actors, Abhiyum Naanum's GANESH VENKATRAM (Rough cop, Arif Khan), ANUJA IYER (TV Reporter), and a few familiar faces from Kamal's past works (R.S SHIVAJI, duty officer & longtime favorite, SANTHANA BHARATHI as Karamchand)have done well for their limited screentime. Even the music by Haasan's daughter, Shruti K. Haasan is used efficient and doesn't overlap with the dialogues as most cliched Tamil movies have. The title track and Allah Jaane appear with the latter being the pick of the lot.

But one of the biggest highlights of this version was the climax outburst by HAASAN. No way does NASEER ever compare to this scene. Especially a certain dialogue in that scene relates to what happened recently to HAASAN.Very noteworthy!

One last note, big thanks to debut director CHAKRI TOLETI and Camera MANOJ SONI for making this remake top notch.

Unnaipol Oruvan is a must watch, even if you've seen WEDNESDAY, erase it and see it's sheer brilliance added by HAASAN, the cast and crew.

Rating: ****.5

Why Rajinikanth is Mental?

(From Kollywood-today)

Superstar Rajnikanth has been making high waves throughout the World and that’s the magic of his charisma. A great man who is worshipped and respected by many, an entity being an inspiration for zillions in the World regarded as ‘Mental’. How dare do the magazine happen to be so atrocious in commenting on him. Not alone us, here we have one of the leading journalists who earlier worked in Junior Vikatan. Over here, he brings about his working experience and how the scenario has changed today.

Mayavarthan in his blog has printed the following the statements…..

“There were times when I worked there in the magazine of Junior Vikatan when I respected it with all my soul. My insatiable passion for journalism was sprouted over there, since I could learn the best ethics. The officials working there kept it a point that any individual, be it a big tycoon or a small time petty shop owner, none must be hurt with personal intentions. But today, I feel ashamed that the officials have turned unsaturated in their works. I have been observing the magazine for past few days and they have been personally attacking the name of Rajnikanth.

Earlier, one of worst lame named Kavitha had penned an article that carried these lines, “I Think (Rajnikanth) is still mental… Let me request him to keep his holes shut..” It was really a great shock for me to read that article.. Let him be a good or bad person, none has the rights of insulting an individual with such harsh and filthy words. But the girl is so intelligent, since she has stated these lines in English with the entire article in Tamil. Of course, she has thank herself for few wouldn’t have understood it. If she had published the same lines in Tamil, then things would have been different for her.

Immediately after reading this article, I had mailed them stating that they published such kind of stories only hear it from them that I am using abusive words. If so, is it right what they have done?.

In the recent article, Junior Vikatan had a series of questions for Rajnikanth. One among them stated “Rajnikanth have you been steady in any of the statements?” Earlier, you opposed Jayalalitha and then you felicitated her as ‘Dhairya Lakshmi’ (Courageous God). I wanna ask the reporters who penned this question that whether they are sure about they have asked.

Yes, Rajnikanth opposed Jayalalitha for her improper works as a chief minister and then when she made up for it committing good deeds like Rain Harvesting Systems, Banning piracy of Tamil movies and many more, he came up with the statement that its great for a woman to do such bold things alone.

I am asking you people, is it anything wrong what he has said????

Junior Vikatan has lost all its brand making such silly stories and I regret for being a part of the journal….

Another person in his blog has stated that Ananda Vikatan has bee earning revenue using the name of Rajnikanth. It would either singing appraisals of him or by degrading him.

Cho Ramasamy has stated that Rajnikanth has been clear in his statement during his speech. The blunder he committed was that he wrongly used the word ‘Kick’…. He actually meant that those the problem creators must be kicked and not the innocent people over there.

Sathya Narayananan, P.A. to Rajnikanth has stated if they to had to provoke the fans of Rajnikanth against the journal, then things would have been completely different. But Rajni sir doesn’t like it.

If you are more interested to catch up with the exact words put forth by the blog writers, you can check out at the related blogs.

http://www.kollywoodtoday.com/news/why-rajnikanth-is-mental/

Ghajini (2008) Music Review

A.R Rahman is associated with South Indian directors who made their foray into Bollywood. The likes of the great Mani Ratnam debuted with A.R Rahman (though the pair were together in Tamil since "ROJA", they debuted in Bollywood with DIL SE..) Though the film bombed, the music became a cult classic and it's still being played today. The famous style-fantasy of the the South, S.Shankar also debuted with NAYAK (also ARR) but it never made an impact, due to it's cliched factor associated with most South formulaic films.

Now it's 2008, and we got A.R Murgadoss debuting Bollywood with GHAJINI, a remake of his Tamil film that starred Surya, Asin, Nayantara and Pradeep Rawat. Released in 2005 with super-hit music by Harris Jayaraj (lyrics: Na Muthukumar), former associate of ARR, now it's Aamir Khan's turn to see if he tasted success with A.R Rahman along with Khan's favorite, Prasoon Joshi (the duo come again after Blockbuster hit, RANG DE BASANTI).

Unfortunately, the music's below par but let's not get hasty on "slow poison" and "give it time" reasons.

Guzzarish is a soothing number but half way through the song, Sonu Nigam (guest vocals), chips in an "ah" or two and then it hits you. Though Javed Ali got full marks for the song, one wishes that Nigam could've sung this one instead. Even after giving "Mastam Mastam" and "Dil Ka Rishta" from Yuvvraaj, I was merely hoping he would sing it (or rather, ARR compose a Nigam version of the song.) The song is predicted to be the "Suttum Vizhi" of this version and it's pretty slow for the former being a fast beat one. Still, this is a pick of the album.

Behka marks the return of Karthik (who's now a hotshot singer down south) to Bollywood after SAATHIYA's "Chori Pe Chori." Touted as "Oru Maalai", the tune just doesn't gel with the lyrics, to be frank here. It's sounds like one of the rejected songs from JAANE TU YA JAANE NA. The jazzy and hip beat compiled together and to top it off with Shankar-Eshaan-Loy's "ROCK ON!" chorus like chant that you can hear in the end of the song. The main problem is that Joshi tries to shoe horn in the urdu and meaninful lyrics into the song. It's overall an OK track, nothing groundbreaking.

Latoo with Shreya Goshal is "Rahatulla" thanks to the exact arrangements that can be heard here, espcially in the middle of the song. For someone who's used to giving soothing melodies like Ilayaraja's CHEENI KUM" or Vishal-Shekhar's "MAIN AGAR KAHOON", this one doesn't suit her well and I wonder why they didn't get Sunidhi Chauhan to do this song, she's used to it. Heck, the RAB BANA DI JODI song has her doing a disco type wala number. Chauhan would've done well, here with Goshal, it doesn't go well together, like chalk and cheese. Average composition.

Aye Bachchoo sounds like he's taken a page or two out of "ROCK ON!" and several of Music Director, Pritam Chakraboorty's hit albums, majorly, JAB WE MET's "Mauja Mauja". The tune's very 90ish rock and with Suzanne behind the mike (she's done DHOOM 2), nothing special nor there was anything in "X-Machi", basically filler tracks. Nothing great but could be catered for the masses who prefer this.

Kaise Mujhe has Benny Dayal again doing a souful and sad track with Goshal joining in later on. A good listen overall but will the audience have the patience to listen to this sad song. This is obviously the bonus track that Murgadoss had mentioned in Behindwoods.com's interview. From the hearings, it's likely to be Aamir thinking of Asin's "death" and so on. You can tell the arrangements give it a background score-ish material. Slow, but a good hear. Check out it's instrumental too if you enjoyed this track.

Ghajini's Hindi version doesn't create any hype on music. And frankly, after giving good scores like JTYJN, YUVVRAAJ, I would rather prefer the latter albums and enjoy probably Guzzarish, a little Behka, and Kaise Mujhe. As for the rest, nothing groundbreaking, just plain average.

Rating: ***

Gautham slams critics...

And how? Take a gander from the Sify.com/movies/tamil interview...

Some scenes like Surya going to US with his father’s consent to find Sameera seems illogical. Please comment?
It’s my story and my dad did that! He supported me to go and chase my love and let me clarify that in the film, Surya’s dad did not fund his trip to US but after finishing his duties as a son, he takes permission and goes on his own. I wonder why a section of people did not understand that. And I read someone writing that my hero was sent on a tour by his parents instead of treating him for drug addition! Well, let me tell you that my characters are etched from real life people and there have been cases of people getting out of drug addiction due to parental support and love.

When a hero flies 15 feet high in the air and then hits a train in a recent superstar film, people did not say it was illogical. But why are they saying that when my hero goes to US to chase his love, it is illogical??

The answer: Guess who just shot at Dharani's flopbuster, Kuruvi? Witty Dig I should say. Me thinks it has to do with when he intially approached Vijay to do a film together, but after Vijay heard the script, he offered him a "Thirupachi" DVD to watch and copy the sentiments from that into his script! The irony here is that Ajith, who WAS to do a film with Gautham for Sivaji Productions, had sacked him for Dharani instead!

Moral of the story: This is why one is living in ivory towers doing ridiculous films while the other gives good films by acclaimed actors.

One door closes...another one opens?

Sad news to all. Thanks to Pyramid Samira's Kuselan loss, seems that he can't compensate with Kamal Hassan's magnus opus, Marmayogi. So for now, it looks like the project is indeed dropped/shelved. A detailed news from below courtesy of Sify.

I wish Kamal Hassan all the best and that we're all behind him. Also, a belated happy birthday to the versataile actor himself.

It is almost certain that the much talked about Kamal Hassan magnum opus Marmayogi has been dropped. Pyramid Saimira who were to jointly produce it with Rajkamal International, is reported to have pulled out of the project due to lack of finance.

Ever since the colossal failure of Kuselan Pyramid Saimira has been caught in a financial crunch out of which it looks seemingly impossible to come out. Kamal, the perfectionist if he has to make Marmayogi can do it only on a huge canvass and that requires big money, nearly Rs 100 crore.

Now the market buzz is that Kamal is starting a new venture Thalaivan Irukkiraan, for Gemini Films Circuit, who had done 'Vasool Raja MBBS' earlier with the star. Gemini is trying to make the film on a budget of Rs 50 to Rs 60 crore, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam . An offical announcement is expected shortly once the star cast and technicians are firmed up.

As per the rumours making the rounds it is going to be an action packed adventure film to be shot in US and Switzerland. It will have a galaxy of stars from all Indian languages like Rishi Kapoor, Venkatesh and Mohanlal. The film will have music by A R Rahman and will be written and directed by Kamal Hassan.

Why Kamal is ahead of times....

Below are the 7 key points from his earlier films that actually depicted the future of India. Take a look:
=========

1) In 1978, his tamil movie “Sivappu Rojakal” got released. He
played the role of a Psychopath killer . One year later, a guy called
Psycho Raman was caught for brutally murdering people

2) In 1988, kamal played the role of a unemployed youth in the movie
“Sathya”. In 89-90’s our country faced lot of problems due to
unemployment.

3) In 1992, his blockbuster movie “Devar Magan” got released. Its a
village based subject. There will be some scenes portraying communal
clashes. Exactly a year later in 1993, there were many communal
clashes in southern districts.

4) We all know in 1996 many people in our country was cheated by
finance companies. Our Kamal Hasan has clearly depicted this in his
movie “mahanadhi” which got released in 1994 itself.

5) In “heyram”(2000), there are some scenes relating to Hindu Muslim
clashes . We all know 2 years later, godhra(Gujarat riots) incident
happened.

6) He used a word called ‘tsunami’ in his movie
“Anbesivam”(2003).The word ‘tsunami’ was not known to many people
before. In 2004, ‘tsunami’ stuck the east coast of our country and
many people lost their lives.

7) In his latest movie ”Vettaiyadu Vilayadu ”(2006) there are two
characters called ila&amudhan who played the roles of psychopath
killers. After 3 months of release of the movie, the noida serial
killing came to light (moninder/sathish)

And to add another point to the seven below

8 )He shows the outbreak of a biological weapon(virus/vial) in Tamil nadu
–Dasavatharam(2008)

?????
=========
Could we actually witness an outbreak of a biological weapon in the future?

The Power of Mental...(in Padaiyappa style)

Someone posted these lyrics. Really funny and so true. This is to the tune of Padaiyappa's song "Sutthi Sutthi Vandenga".

Suthi suthi vandeenga tune!

Badappa.......Badappa......

Sori nadai nadandu oora vitta odu!

Oorai vittu odu nee Tamilnattaivittu odu!

En peru soriyappa udambu fulla serangappa

En kooda erupadellam edupu sothu echangappa...

Munnal oru soriyappa pinnal oru noy appa

Udambu muyusam ekachekka noyappa......

Mosamana manidanappa nan nanri ketta nayappa....

Kuselan flop ayirchu pa nalla soru thinnu 4 naal achu pa..

Badappa.........Badappa..........

Ennai alaki pathadellam kannada karunkorangappa...... 1:01 am (2 minutes ago) delete Aappu

Ishwarya Rai sootha suthi vandeenga!

Seruppala adi vangineenga!

Ayyo unga keyattu mugam veengi pochunga!

Ethana nadaigaigal vandanga-ennaiya thodapathal

Adichanga!Ayyo en pochaippu nari pochunga!

Enakkomasuru thalaila kidaiyadu!

En sotta thalaikku wig dan porundaadu!

Adu kanja kodunga himaya malai polanga

Homo-sex dan panlanga........

Suthi suthi vandeenga!

Saroja Movie Review (2008)

The much hyped up Venkat Prabhu, who rode into success post Chennai 28 has a lot in stock here. Usually, new directors bomb badly with their second release. Like Nikhil Advani of first timer hit, Kal Ho Na Ho bombed miserably with Salaam E Ishq.

Saroja is touted as a thriller but like any thriller there are flaws. Namely, the cat-and-mouse chasing. As seen in Kamal Haasan's DASAVATHAARAM, the cat and mouse scenes can be irritating and dragging but Haasan succeeded in keeping our interest alive with the Bio Vial. Coming back to Saroja, there are times (mostly the second half of the film) where the plot becomes highly irritant of chasing around and such that it really tests your patience.

In the end, Saroja becomes an O-K film. A one time watch. Still, Venkat has done much much better in keeping you fastened in your seats from start to finish.

Meet Ajay raj (Mirchi Shiva), Ganesh (Premji Amaran), and brother duo Jagapathi Babu (Son of SPB, S.P Charan) and Jagan (Vaibhav). The foursome decide to drive down to Hydrabad for a cricket match, while concurrently, a kidnapping takes place before their departure and their arrival. Business Tycoon Vishwanath (Prakash Raj) finds that her daughter Saroja is kidnapped and enlists his friend, Inspector (Jayaram in a negative role) to trace the wherabouts. As the foursome reach Hydrabad, series of horrific events occur leaving the boys having to deal with the kidnapping gang and there forms the rest of the story.

Like Chennai 28, Venkat succeeds in budding up comedy and friendship. For instance, Premji Amaran was promising in Chennai 28 as the comic relief. Here, he's taken his comic to the next level. Unlike Vadivel and Vivek, his comedy isn't sidetracked from the plot nor does it deviate it. Moreover, he's usurped better here than he was in Satyam/Salute. He's sure to bring the house down with his women fantasies and his confusion with actress Saroja Devi.

The story is no different. In fact it's a copy of JUDGEMENT NIGHT (1993, Michael Douglas). Though the closing proceedings seem to be a lift from Malayalam laugh Riot, Ramji Rao Speaking and Babu's plan of action is nothing by Home Alone.

Another flaw the the dubbing. I've noticed that since Saroja is a billingual, most of the characters speak Telugu, but in characters like Telugu comedian, Brahmanadham, is really awkward speaking tamil though you can easily tell it's Telugu dubbed over. This the same problem that Kathanayakudu went through when Rajnikanth is partially dubbed in Telugu (though SPB has dubbed for him in Telugu) and partially is reshot synched.

Yuvan Shankar Raja bounces back with Saroja with pleasant numbers, but besides Aaja Mere Soniye and Dosth Bada Dosth, the rest of the numbers seem forced or stick like a sore thumb.

Performances. Out of the four, S.P Charan stands tall in his acting debut. Like his legendary father S.P Balasubramanian, he's extremely talented and one hopes he gets good roles like this. Second, Premji, hands down. Other directors, please take note of his comic performance. That's how you do comedy, not sidetrack us from the plot! Mirchi Siva is good but is limited. But his spoof on Serial acting is class. Vaibhav is good and his interaction with Premji is the highlight. Prakash Raj hams the usual while Malayalam actor, Jayaram seems to be only doing Villian roles after DHAAM DHOOM and trust me, he looks awkward doing it. But this isn't the first time since he was the villian in THENALI (1999). Vega hams as well but it's Kajal Agrawal that disappoints the most as she serves NO PURPOSE in the film. The cameos by the Chennai 28 team was a nice touch and good to see them again.

Overall, Saroja is an average film that's worth a look.

Rating: ***

More Mentalkanth jokes....

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Rajnikant

Rajnikant has counted to infinity - twice.

When Rajnikant does a pushup. He isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing earth down.

Rajnikant is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Rajnikant doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Rajnikant can slam a revolving door.

Rajnikant gave Mona Lisa that smile.

Rajnikant's house has no doors, only walls that he walks through.

Rajnikant grinds his coffee with his teeth and boiled the water with his own rage.

If you Google Search 'Rajnikant getting kicked'. you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen.

It takes Rajnikant 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

The Bermuda Triangle used to be the Bermuda Square, until Rajnikant kicked one of the corners off.

There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; Rajnikant lives in Chennai.

Rajnikant once ate and entire bottle of sleeping pills. They made him blink.

The only things that run faster and longer than Rajnikant are his films.

Rajnikant's every step creates a mini whirlwind. Hurricane Katrina was the result of a morning jog.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Where there is Rajnikant, there is no other way.

UPDATE: And more...for your enjoyment!
===
1. Rajni keeps himself entertained out of concern for the public. If he gets bored, he'd yawn and the last time he yawned, it caused a tsunami.

2. Legend has it that Rajni was once a certainty in the Indian cricket team. As a bowler, Rajni usually needed 10 deliveries to finish the game. Owing to monotony, he retired from cricket as a 12 year old.

3. Tamil Nadu was dry one summer. Poor monsoons had resulted in a drought. But then this was only until Rajni sneezed! Bless him!

4. Wachowski brothers approached Rajni for "The Matrix". But Rajni was looking for more action.

5. In his younger days, Rajni ran the 100 mts in 6.7 seconds. He decided to participate in the Olympics only after another athelete broke the 7 second mark.

Well wait, Picture abhi baaki hai...

Here is an interesting new story.

Rajinikanth was bragging to Jayalalitha one day, "I know everyone there is to know.
Just name someone, anyone, and I know them."

Tired of his boasting, Jayalalitha called his bluff, "OK, Rajini how about Tom Cruise?"

"Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it" Rajini said.

So Rajini and Jayalalitha fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and sure enough, Tom Cruise shouts"Wassup! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!".

Although impressed, Jayalalitha is still skeptical.

After they leave Cruise's house, she tells Rajini that she thinks Rajini knowing Cruise was just lucky.
"No no, just name anyone else" Rajini says.
"President Bush", Jayalalitha quickly retorts.

"Yes", Rajini says, "I know him, let's fly out to Washington".
And off they go. At the White House, Bush spots Rajini on the tour and motions him , saying,"Rajini, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up".

Well, Jayalalitha is very shaken by now, but still not totally convinced.After they leave the White House grounds, he implores her to name anyone else.

"The Pope," Jayalalitha replies.

"Sure!" says Rajini, "My folks are from Germany and I've known the Pope a long time".
So off they fly to Rome. Rajini and Jayalalitha are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Rajini says, "This will never work. I can't catch the Pope's eye among all these people.Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the Pope." And he disappears into the crowd headed toward the Vatican.

Sure enough, half an hour later Rajini emerges with the Pope on the balcony..
But by the time Rajini returns, he finds that Jayalalitha had a Heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics.Working his way to Jayalalitha's side, Rajini asks her, "What happened?" Jayalalitha looks up and says, "I was doing fine until you and the Pope came out on the balcony and the man next to me said,
'Who's that on the balcony with Rajini?' "

So dear folks, if you ever get the pleasure of serving Rajni a cup of coffee, see to it that it is clear of any seeds. Grind it!
And if you know of any other urban legends about Rajni, then post a comment here. Find It!

But always remember, never say never when you talk of Rajni(oops! I've used "never" twice in this sentence). Mind It!

Enthiran also begs for Apology

Response to Shankar's Endiran...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the picture is worth a thousand deaths to rajni fans. Seems that the public is getting smarter post Kuselan. I would call it, the DASA effect being at work.

Kuselan the loss (For you non believers...)

Thanks to Sandiyar Karan for the information. Quoting directly from him:

"YES EVEN BIGGER THAN THE DISASTERS THAT WERE NATUKKU ORU NALLAVAN & BABA"

Kusu on August 1st, 2008!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/Karthick291081/SLdTfeFWjfI/AAAAAAAAAe4/juCg8_NWhrg/1.jpg

(21 Theaters in Chennai)

Kusu's SAD (HAPPY FOR US) State in just 28 Days...that is August 29th, 2008!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/Karthick291081/SLdTfiGm7JI/AAAAAAAAAfA/M8DEWH2tvD8/2.jpg

Makkala NAMBA, 9THARA MINI-SKIRTA MATTUM NAMBI "BITU-A" PADAM EDUTHA ITHANDA GETHI MENTAL BAADU! POLI SAMIYAR VESHATHUL OORAI EMATHUM MAAMIYARE!

ULAGA SARITHIRATHIL MUTHAL MUTHALAGA THIRAIKKU VANTHA SILA NATKALAILE.....UNGAL KUPPA THOTTIYIN PAKKATHIL IRRUKKUM KAKKOOSIL "SUPER TOILET CLEANER MENTAL KANTH NADIKKUM KUSU (SUBTITLE:FART)! KAANA THAVRATHIRGAL, ANAIVARUM DETTOL udan VARUGA.....VAZHTHUGA.

Coming Soon: "THE MAKING OF FART" A FILM BY SOUNDARYA MENTALKANTH. TRUE STORY OF HOW A STINKING FART IS MADE WITH CHEAP SPECIAL EFFECTS & REAL BODY SOUND EFFECTS! DO NOT MISS IT..... P.S. IT'S MORE LIKE 2 THEATERS, BECAUSE E-OTTURA SHANTHI THEATER ELLAM NAAMA KANUKILLAYA EDUKKA KOODATHU.

Pack up Rajni, your time has ended. Go join politics or something and fill in the missing void of MGR if you must. Leave the audience to Kamal and his ventures. Satyanarayana (head of the Rajini fanclub) get a life, start living and give up on Mental's fanbase. We'll save you the humilliation.

Critics on Kamal and Rajni --An Allusion

Someone in orkut pointed out this quote, take a look,

If brilliant student scores 90% definitely he'll be scolded or beaten by his teachers; its not because of jealous but to make him to achieve 100%.

At the same time, the dumb fellows will not get any comments / scoldings; because teachers know, anyway, this dumb guy will not develop himself; why to waste our energy.

Now modify it with the right words,

If Kamal Hassan scores 90% definitely he'll be scolded or beaten by his critics; its not because of jealous but to make him to achieve 100%.

At the same time, Rajnikanth will not get any comments / scoldings; because critics know, anyway, this Rajnikanth will not develop himself; why to waste our energy.

Ithu Eppadi Iruku?

The Media verses Rajnikanth

At last, it became too good to be true. The media has finally seen the truth in light. Post the colossal flop of Rajnikanth's latest release, Kuselan, media reports are spitting at the so-called "Superstar" for choosing such a film. Now, he's more like a "Sooprastar." Here are the following detail reports from some of the biased sites that have supported Kanth's earlier films.

From Sify.com (aka Moviebuzz),

Has Rajinikanth's Kuselan bombed at the box-office? The distributors of the film have approached Pyramid Saimira who marketed it for a reimbursement of their losses. The film which released on August 1 carried mixed reports from day one.

By day two of its release, in NSC area the number of shows was reduced, as it was released in too many screens. The fans did not like the film, and the family audience kept away due to vulgar comedy scene of Vadivel.

The film just did not take an opening that one associates with a Rajinikanth film. On Monday, the film crashed by more than 50 percent. At the end of the first week in multiplexes like Sathyam cinemas, it was moved from bigger screen to smaller ones, and number of shows reduced.

No Rajinikanth films in modern times have taken such a poor opening. The trade blames Rajinikanth, director P.Vasu and producers K.Balachandar, G.P Vijayakumar, and Aswini Dutt for this fiasco.

Vasu diluted the essential spirit of the original (Katha Parayumbol) by introducing scenes and characters which were not there in the original.

The producer's piggy- back rode on Rajinikanth's larger than life image and sold it to Pyramid Saimira for Rs 60 crore, when they knew very well that he was only doing a special appearance.

Why did Rajinikanth after initially saying that he is there for only 25 percent of the film agree to keep a studious silence when the film was sold to PS as a full fledged superstar film like a Sivaji or Chandramukhi?

It lends credence to the story in the trade that he became greedy when he saw big money being traded on his name.

Anyway, coming back to the basic facts touted by the industry on why Kuselan was not appreciated by neither his fans, the youth nor his traditional family audiences.

* First and foremost Rajinikanth is a prisoner of his larger than life image. He cannot make a film run without his usual gimmicks- Punchline, clean comedy, subtle romance, sentiments and above all he needs a villain to fight him. These elements were missing in Kuselan

* The trade believes that the producers should not have gone against the industry sentiments of releasing the film during 'Aadi' month of August. Remember quite a few Rajinikanth films released in the month of August like the most famous of them Baba had bombed in the past!

* S.P Balasubramaniyam used to sing the superstar's introduction song which has a message that goes with his image. Who can forget SPB- Rajini magic songs, En Peru Padayappa… (Padayappa),Oruvan Oruvaan …(Muthu) , Bellellakka, Bellellakka… (Sivaji), Devuda, Devuda… (Chandramukhi)? In Kuselan the Cinema, Cinema… introductory number was sung by Shankar Mahadevan. Last time when he sung for Rajini Dippu, Dippu… in Baba, everybody knows what happened!

* The superstar does not require the glamour of Nayanthara and the crass and crude comedy of Vadivel to sell his films. The big mistake the director made was to include these scenes in the film.

* Finally, the industry believes that stories of cinema within cinema have never clicked in Kollywood.

The Moral of the story- Never tamper with an original script that has worked wonders in another south Indian language. And the superstar should only do one film in two years, where he is there throughout from the opening scene to the end titles!

From Rediff.com

Rajnikanth's Kuselan, which released on August 1, got a lukewarm response, to put it politely.

The crowds may be present but not in numbers that you would expect from a Rajnikanth [Images] film. Die-hard fans and Rajni loyalists have not let down their hero but people have not come in droves either.

A representative from Pyriamid Saimira, which distributed Kuselan [Images], admits that the film has not broken even yet. But they are optimistic that it will pick up. "The Malayalam movie, on which this is based, picked up only in the third week. We hope it happens here too," he said.

He added that the film was doing steady business during the week and good business during the weekends. "But it is not as big a hit as Sivaji: The Boss." It is doing reasonable well in the cities but badly in the rural areas.

The film is 'doing okay' in the United States and Malaysia, where Pyramid released the movie directly. Since they have sold the movie rights to the other parts of the world, they could not tell us how it's faring in other places.

"The fans have come. But to make it a hit, the families have to come. We hope that it will pick up in the next week," the representative said.

Add in Priyadarshan's panning against Kuselan for being a crass and superstar version of katha parayumbol. Also reported here by Sify.

From Times of India

Times of India on Kusu's failure

Is Rajinikanth’s P Vasu directed Kuselan turning out to be a damp squib at the box-office?

Once again the month of August, the dreaded Aadi period, is proving to be inauspicious for superstar Rajinikanth. In August 2002, he released his home production Baba, which bombed badly. Now six years later, he has done Kuselan for his guru K Balachandar’s Kavithalaaya in association with GP Vijayakumar’s Seven Arts.

The film, which released on August 1, with all hype and hoopla has taken only a lukewarm opening worldwide. On day-two of its release, tickets were available in almost all theatres across Tamil Nadu and carried mixed reports. On Monday the fourth day, there was a huge drop of 50 percent in collections, something which did not happen to even Baba!

In Chennai and its suburbs, the film opened in too many screens and suffered, as you could walk in and buy tickets for any show, even at prestigious Sathyam Cinemas, Inox and Mayajaal. And by the end of the first week, the film was shifted to smaller screens in multiplexes and number of shows reduced across the state. And in the US where Rajini is king, on day two of its release, ticket rates were slashed from $15 to $10. It was something that has never happened to the emperor of opening — Rajinikanth. The panic buttons have been pressed by the films distributors and theatre owners who had paid very high Minimum Guarantee (MG), and are now demanding a 50 percent pay back from Pyramid Saimira, who marketed the film.

The distributors and theatre owners are blaming Rajinikanth and the producers for this fiasco. On conditions of anonymity, a leading financier and distributor who has distributed many Rajinikanth films said: “The basic trouble with Kuselan is that it is not a typical larger- than-life Rajinikanth film, like a Sivaji or a Chandramukhi. The fans felt cheated and there were no repeat audiences for the film, making the opening weak. All of us in the trade were taken for a ride.”

Saimira or Rajinikanth will compensate the distributors and theatres their losses. There is precedence as the superstar had compensated the trade after the Baba debacle, as he was the producer of the film.

When contacted Pyramid Saimira’s chairman and managing director PS Saminathan said, “As of now, Kuselan is a hit. The fate of a film how big it is can be known only after 10 days of its release. The film has collected Rs 20 crore at the box-office till now. It’s too early to tell, but we expect it to make decent profits.” He pooh poohed observations of the film being a flop. Saminathan concluded by saying: “Kuselan is not an action-oriented film. The film has no villain, no styles that are usually associated with Superstar Rajinikanth. This film focuses on family viewing and I think it will work

Toss in the famous tamil magazines giving a big slap to Sooprastar in the form of scans:

Kumudam (Aug 13, 2008) - Letter To Rajni By Gnani
Page 1 - http://i34.tinypic.com/1y0so6.jpg
Page 2 & 3 - http://i33.tinypic.com/286wxhc.jpg
Page 4 - http://i38.tinypic.com/21bvdd4.jpg
Page 5 - http://i33.tinypic.com/2rcucfs.jpg

Kungumam(Aug 14, 2008) - Director Seeman Questions Rajni
Page114 & 115 - http://i34.tinypic.com/2yvt45l.jpg
Page116 - http://i36.tinypic.com/30u6044.jpg
Page117 - http://i36.tinypic.com/2pr9ste.jpg
Page118 - http://i35.tinypic.com/30rsciv.jpg

Nakkheeran(Aug 06, 2008) - Rajni Apologized Is Right?
Page 6 - http://i33.tinypic.com/i5rv2e.jpg
Page 7 - http://i38.tinypic.com/10zuxhe.jpg

Junior Vikatan (Aug 10, 2008) Rajni You are acting WELL
Page 1 - http://i34.tinypic.com/whxk52.jpg
Page 2 - http://i33.tinypic.com/2e4c6k2.jpg

==========

Real Moral of the Story: Rajnikanth can't act for nuts thanks to his stupid fanbase. They will always take him for a joyride and he will never know the means of acting every again. May this Kuselan continue with him for the rest of his movie career. I hope Shankar's Robot is the biggest flop in the history of tamil cinema next to this and Baba. Nanna Vernum! Can't fool the audiences anymore huh Mental kanth?

Priyan explains it all...

Following the mega-flop of Kuselan (Don't believe what the mental fans (ala rajni fans) or what the rajni-biased sites, behindwoods, sify, etc. say. We have proof over at the Universal Hero Kamal Hassan Community.) Priyan clarifies on Billo Barber, the dubbed Kuselan, and of course, his punch dialogue.

Source: Indiafm.com

Kuselan, the Tamil version of the Malayalam superhit Katha Parayumpol, about the relationship between a cine-superstar and a village barber, has made it to the top of the box-office charts*.

But Priyadarshan who's frantically trying to finish the Hindi version with SRK is unperturbed. "We'd have wrapped up Billoo Barber much earlier. But Shah Rukh got busy with the IPL. Never mind. It makes no difference to our film."

Priyan says the original Malayalam film which was written by his assistant Sreenivasan is very different from both Kuselan and Billoo Barber. "Sreenivasan gave the Tamil rights to the producers after consulting me. Since they were very keen to make it with Rajnikanth, we relented. But the contract clearly says that Kuselan cannot be dubbed into any other language. Likewise, my Hindi version cannot be dubbed by producer SRK in any other language except the parent lingo, Hindi. We clearly put all this under contract to avoid the kind of overlapping that was attempted when I remade the Malayalam film Manichithrathzu as Bhool Bhulaiyaa in Hindi, and Rajni's Tamil film Chandramukhi, from the same source was also attempted to be released in a dubbed Hindi version. I'll avoid this kind of a clash of interests at any cost."

But the question is, would the contract prevent the makers of Kuselan from finding loopholes in the agreement to release the film in a dubbed Hindi version? And if they do would it effect Billoo Barber? According to a source a dubbed Hindi version of Kuselan is being released around the same time as Billoo Barber. "Not at all," asserts Priyan confidently. "Only the climax of Kuselan and Billoo Barber are the same. Otherwise they are two different films. See, like all Rajnkanth starrers, Kuselan has been made to spotlight Rajni as a larger-than-life icon. I believe he enters the film riding a winged horse. Though my film also stars a superstar SRK as a superstar, I've nowhere tried to increase his role or heighten the impact of his presence. I'm not that kind of a filmmaker. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay Kumar made his entry at interval point. I'm making it very clear that Irrfan Khan and not Shah Rukh has the main role in Billoo Barber. My film isn't a platform to glorify the mega-star," chuckles Priyan making a dig at the first-frame-to-last presence of Rajnikanth in Kuselan.

Billoo Barber opens in Diwali. "If I wanted I could've rushed the release. But we're not in competition with anyone. And like I said, the Kuselan makers are bound by contract. They can't dub the film into Hindi or any other language," says Priyan confidently.

* This is purely false. CNN IBN proves it.

Nethi aadi to P.Vasu and to the Kuselan crew.

Kuselan - The Biggest Flop in Rajni's career

Rajnikanth has lost it once again.

Following my review from Thursday show, trade analyists are reporting that his latest release, Kuselan, has opened to a dismal 40-50% all over Tamil Nadu. This is indeed a huge shocker in comparison to Sottaji and Chappamukhi, Kanth's earlier releases back in 2007 and 2005 respectively.

A remake of Malayalam Blockbuster, Katha Parayumbol, the film had first been noticed by the people thanks to the marketer's poor planning. First and foremost, the film had not stuck to Sreenivasan's script as it was only revolved around Rajni and Rajni only. In the original, Mammooty's role was short and sweet and didn't involve any questions or punch dialogues regarding his life on politics, cinema, etc. Also, the film was to be about Pasupati (Sreenivasan in the original) and his struggles, not mindless songs by G.V Prakash about Cinema Cinema, etc. That's where the theme is lost. But then again, it's Tamil Nadu, where part of it's population highly regards of Rajni as their god, but really, he isn't.

Toss in the Begging to put all ends to the Hogenakkal controversy by kanth himself and there you end up with red faces in the form of the Nadigar Sangam. At the same time, Mixed reports are coming in from all centres (including it's Telugu version, Katha Nayakudu) saying that Rajni disappoints big time while some fans of the original are saying that

The original version was with some emotional touch. It was from "Srinivasan "point of view..not mammotty..but here ..[they] added masala.. like anythng .spoiled the core point of the movie..sucks to [the] Core..

In the meantime, Kamal Hassan's Dasavathaaram had celebrated it's 50 days of release yesterday with it's increase in shows yesterdays in the likes of theaters Sathyam, Mayajaal over Kuselan's shows. At the same time, the advance bookings were purely empty

Bottom line: Sivaji may have become the biggest hit but Kuselan is becoming the biggest flop. This is P.Vasu's next flop in a roll after Thottal Poo Malarum, Krishnaarjuna (with Nagarjuna as Guest Role, irony!) and Maharadhi (with joker star, Balakrishna).

Kooselan Empty seats @ Mayajal First day

Mayajal Aug 1 (First Day ) shows - EMPTY SEATS

10.30 show - http://i33.tinypic.com/32zlxg2.jpg
11.30 show - http://i37.tinypic.com/eti35k.jpg
12.00 show - http://i36.tinypic.com/2evf8k0.jpg
13.30 show - http://i34.tinypic.com/alg7qf.jpg
14.30 show - http://i38.tinypic.com/2412hhe.jpg
16.29 show - http://i36.tinypic.com/98sdwg.jpg
17.01 show - http://i35.tinypic.com/2h4j3tv.jpg
20.31 show - http://i37.tinypic.com/28cosy8.jpg
23.29 show - http://i35.tinypic.com/x4nfpd.jpg
23.59 show - http://i38.tinypic.com/qy8wsw.jpg

AUG 4 - 100% empty shows of Kuselan @ MAYAJAL

Show 10.30 - http://i33.tinypic.com/rkq62t.jpg
Show 11.00 - http://i38.tinypic.com/15mzrlk.jpg
Show 12.00 - http://i33.tinypic.com/2v3gck2.jpg
Show 12.30 - http://i37.tinypic.com/2cpaz6g.jpg
Show 13.29 - http://i36.tinypic.com/s2w934.jpg
Show 13.30 - http://i36.tinypic.com/20ie4xh.jpg
Show 14.00 - http://i36.tinypic.com/20ie4xh.jpg
Show 14.30 - http://i37.tinypic.com/281a0jk.jpg
Show 15.00 - http://i38.tinypic.com/16hn3aa.jpg
Show 15.30 - http://i38.tinypic.com/2hi9pw8.jpg
Show 17.00 - http://i37.tinypic.com/280qg3k.jpg
Show 18.00 - http://i37.tinypic.com/mvivfd.jpg
Show 18.30 - http://i35.tinypic.com/2udx09e.jpg
Show 20.00 - http://i33.tinypic.com/2qxrm9l.jpg

Kuselan Review - More like KuSTALEan...

As predicted, Vasu has got it all wrong. In fact, the film should be titled, KuSTALEan because it's nothing more than a stale remake of Katha Parayumbol. In fact, this kushu is punchless. Here Vasu kollafied it to make it as a intelligent-less film. The original had full of satires towards people who get too close to a superstar, here, it's too formal and lacks the beauty.

And as also predicted, Nayantara served NO PURPOSE in the film. Songs weren't needed (original had one on mammooty and one satire song on sreeni, here the ratio is off: 3 for Rajni, 1 for Kuppatara, one for pasupati, the short end of the stick.)

But if you really must watch the film, watch it for pasupathi, he gives more than what the script requires (as seen in Virumandi and the acclaimed, Veyil). Rajni passes muster and his extension was not needed. Same goes for Meena. She's changed alot in her acting since her early days. These guys are the most underrated actors and still the mentals known as rajni and vasu spread word that it's a rajni film is nothing but a big insult. Yet, it sure spread massive orgasms to kanth's incompetent fanbase.

There was alot of superstar-isms that crossed way over the line (a lot more than what mammooty got in the original.) Too many superstar-isms spoil the movie, that says alot. Oh and those who say Livingstone's act was great, to me: eh? it was a blink and miss. Ditto goes for Prabhu and the others

G.V Prakash was always termed as a poor man's ARR. Barring his superhit albums of Kireedom and Pollathavan, Kuselan lacks any good songs. Daler Mehindi seems to get tamil mixex with punjabi. Others seem like rehashes from veyil and his mamu's bombay.

As I've said time and before, had prakash raj bought rights to this film, the film would've been left untouched. But apparently, Vasu was playing with fire and eventually, the fire spread, leading to deaths, including those who are fans of the origin. Mr. Sreenivasan, I'll forgive you for the mistake that you commited. If Chandramukhi killed the complete first half of Manchitranazhu, you can expect pretty much the same for Kuselan.

So in short, Rajnikanth was unneeded for the film, nor were the additional cast members. It's like if P.Vasu were to remake Dasavathaaram 10 years from now, he would kill of all of the intelligence wrapped up in the film and butcher it for the apparent and dumbfounded tamil audience. Then of course, there wouldn't be any critics slamming the film because there's no story. "Well of course there's story, but we wanted to see needless matrix action or rajni dumb's dialogues!" Now the latest is that Vasu's going to kollafly Shahrukh's Baazigar, the movie that gained him mass stardom for his stupid son, Shakthi in tamil. I can see it now, the climax will have shakthi living and instead the heroine will be nayan doing kajol's role.

So in short, go watch katha parayumbol (dvd's due for a release later this year) of course, if you're too dumb to actually understand the context, go watch this trash.

Rating: *

Rating: *

You know it's Rajni (ala Mental Kanth) if....

Found this off the Orkut blogging community. Real Genius and so true.
Source: http://mentalfans.blogspot.com/
=====================================

You want to know who is mentalkanth. …here are the facts

kanth makes onions crykanth

Ghosts are actually caused by kanth killing people faster than Death can process them.

kanth can build a snowman….. out of rain.

kanth can strangle you with a cordless phone.

kanth can drown a fish.

When kanth enters a room, he doesn't turn the lights on,……… …. he turns the dark off.

When kanth looks in a mirror the mirror shatters, because not even glass is stupid enough to get in between kanth and kanth.

Brett Favre can throw a football over 50 yards. Kanth can throw Brett Favre even further.The last digit of pi is Kanth.

Kanth is the end of all things.

Kanth does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die.

Bullets dodge Kanth.

A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to kanth and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

Kanth' calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd, no one fools kanth.

If you spell Kanth wrong on Google it doesn't say, "Did you mean Kanth?" It simply replies, "Run while you still have the chance.

"Kanth can do a wheelie on a unicycle.Once a cobra bit Kanth' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

When Kanth gives you the finger, he's telling you how many seconds you have left to live.
Kanth can kill two stones with one bird.

Kanth was once on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and was the first to spin. The next 29 minutes of the show consisted of everyone standing around awkwardly, waiting for the wheel to stop.

Leading hand sanitizers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Kanth can kill 100 percent of whatever he wants.

There is no such thing as global warming. Kanth was cold, so he turned the sun up. Kanth can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass at night.

Kanth has a deep and abiding respect for human life… unless it gets in his way.It takes kanth 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

Kanth once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects kanth could use to kill you, including the room itself.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman. Behind every dead man, there is Kanth.

Kanth destroyed the periodic table, because Kanth only recognizes the element of surprise.

Kanth got his drivers license at the age of 16 Seconds.

With the rising cost of gasoline, Kanth is beginning to worry about his drinking habit.

The square root of Kanth is pain.

Do not try to square Kanth, the result is death.

When you say "no one's perfect", Kanth takes this as a personal insult.

Stars and their build-ups.

http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14707557

Apparently, as I reported yesterday even Pasupati finds it very disturbing. Even Behindwoods.com reported that Kuppathara also didn't show up to the audio function. Either it's a shooting episode for both or media is making up crap as usual. But still, it hurts, even for a good talent like Pasupati.