In search of a job to support his sister and find a groom for her, Pasupathy (Shiva) lands in the office of Shivagurunathan (Prakash Raj), chairman of a water purification company. With his obedience and piousness, Pasupathy wins over Shivagurunathan and eventually lands a job as marketing head.

Pasupathy is not the same man when he steps out of the office. He smokes, drinks and occasionally gets involved in bar brawls. When Shivagurunathan comes to learn about his original identity, Pasupathy's job is at stake.

To save his job being terminated, he convinces his boss that he must have mistaken him with his cat-eyed twin brother, who is exactly opposite to him in behaviour - rebellious and uncivilized.

The rest of the story is all about how Pasupathy continues to fool his boss without blowing his own cover. Will Shivagurunathan ever come to know about Pasupathy's hidden identity? This forms the climax.

Performances

Shiva and Prakash Raj shoulder the film with equal responsibility. I believe they were brilliant in their respective roles, but hardly do they get any support from the rest of the cast.

Isha Talwar, though, in her limited screen time, did her best to get noticed and I think she succeeded.

Analysis

Based on the 1981 Tamil comedy "Thillu Mullu", comes the new version of the film with the same name that appears to be a half-hearted tribute to the original. One of the glaring differences between the two versions is the treatment of comedy. While in the original it was sensible and funny, it is loud and commercial in the remake. Despite a few rib-tickling moments between Shiva and Prakash Raj, "Thillu Mullu" suffers due to extended running time and skewed screenplay.

Some of the best moments and lines are between Shiva and Prakash Raj in the film. Barring these moments, rest of the scenes don't evoke laughter. In fact, it turns annoying, especially scenes involving Kovai Sarla, who seems to be getting louder with each movie.

Sequences in the original were genuinely funny and never forced you to laugh. The remake fails miserably on this front as it attempts to make every single line as witty as possible with cliched references. Never ending second half and extended climax bores the audience.

Final Verdict

"Thillu Mullu" would have been even more enjoyable if the running time would have been shortened. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining watch.

Story

Kumar (Siddharth), a young guy works as an IT employee who feels difficult to speak to women. He admires his colleague (Ganesh Venkartraman) where every woman falls for him. Sanjana (Hansika) steps into the same IT firm and Kumar falls for her. He takes the advice of love guru Mokia (Santhanam) to score good marks near Sanjana. Will Kumar be successful in love? What does the love guru do forms the story.

Performances

Siddharth as Kumar delivers his best, and he has selected the right script that works well for the comedy. He has done his part extremely well.

Hansika has a good role, she looked glamorous and as always doesn’t fail to impress with her expressions. Her body language, comedy and showing innocence in her role works big time.

Santhanam is an asset for the film. With his comic timing, expressions, one-liners dialogue delivery he steals the show. The scenes featuring him are quite hilarious. Other cast Ganesh Venkatram, Mano Bala, Devadarshini, Bosskey, Vidyu Raman have all done their roles well.

Technical Analysis

Satya’s songs are peppy and they have been shot well. The visuals are rich especially in the song Azhagendral. However, the songs were speed breakers haltering the film’s pace. Cinematography is fine, while Praveen and Srikanth’s editing is crisp. Sundar C’s story isn’t unique but the screenplay is smartly penned though predictable in the latter half at times. Production values are standard.

Analysis

Theeya Valai Seyyanam Kumaru sticks to its comedy genre and is sure to entertain you and provide ample laughs. The story is simple and looks like the main idea inspired from classic comedy Basu Chatterjee's Chhoti Si Baat (1975) in which Ashok Kumar plays love guru.

Sundar C’s smart screenplay makes the film fresh, funny and entertaining. TVSK works for its screenplay and perfect casting. Siddharth, Hansika’s chemistry, Santhanam’s fun-filled role as love guru are assets of the film. Also, the movie is neatly packaged with no double-entendre dialogues and humor has been built into the story with good twists and twirls.

The first half of the film is racy and entertaining, while the second half is lengthy and tuns predictable. Nevertheless, the proceedings don’t fail to bring smiles.

Final Verdict

Fun-filled laughter riot!!!

Story

Kutti Puli (Sasikumar) lost his father at a young age in a local gang rivalry, and since then has been raised single-handedly by his mother, who fears that he will grow up to be just like his father. Unfortunately, he does grow up to be like his father and even picks up the same traits that got him killed. No matter how hard the mother tries, her efforts only prove futile because Puli lives by his own principles. However, she believes if she could get him married then probably he may turn responsible and take control of his life. But Puli is against marriage because he believes that with so many people who wish to see him dead, his future wife may have live like his mother, who was left behind by his father. What makes Puli have a change of heart and eventually agree to marry? This forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Sasikumar is again seen in an angry young man avatar with a good side that needs to be awakened. Even though he played his role with ease and confidence, he is starting to get repetitive with his choice of films.

Lakshmi Menon plays her part well and her on screen chemistry with Sasikumar is quite decent.

Saranya Ponvannan hardly has any part to play besides crying in every other scene, while Prabha, who makes a comeback after a long hiatus, has an equally unsatisfying part.

Technical Analysis

Ghibran’s background score is too lousy and he has stirred all the old songs as background scores. Cinematographer Mahesh Muthuswamy did a decent job and editor should have trimmed movie in the second half to maintain same pace throughout the movie and it lacks. The screenplay falters at times and the basic plot line is quite simple. Dialogues are crisp and entertaining and production values are standard.

Analysis

Debutant director Muthaiah has played the sentimental card extremely well to keep the audiences hooked through certain emotional moments. The film very subtly highlights that two most important women in our lives are mother and wife, who have very pivotal parts to play. You will also notice that the film is high on elements commonly found in Sasikumar's films such as friendship, revenge, family, witty one-liners and lots of blood and gore. While all the elements have been used appropriately at regular intervals, one doesn't find anything new to be excited about.

The film struggles in the second half and unnecessarily gets dragged by songs and few clichéd fight sequences. Kutti Puli also reminds us of the fact that Sasi is no longer an actor, but a commercial hero with mass following because he now has a typical hero entry scene welcomes by hoots and applauds.

Final Verdict

Kutti Puli is commercially loud with clichéd storyline.

Based on this simple premise, the story takes us through the life of a young, jobless computer engineer called Vetri, who borrowed some money from a man called Vetti Raja, a feared money-lender, to get his sister married.

Vetti Raja wouldn't spare a soul when it comes to collecting his money back from his debtors. So when Vetri fails to repay monthly interest on time, Vetti Raja gives him an ultimatum to return the money by a certain evening, the rejection of which will result in death. Sucked into the race against time, how does Vetri arrange for the money? This forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Nivin and Nazriya as the lead pair bring life into the film. The duo did an impressive job making their mark.

Nassar as Dhandapani is perfect while Thambi Ramaiah provide us with few moments of laughter. His phone conversation scenes with John Vijay as Sub inspector Katta are comic. Simhaa and Ramesh are effective in their respective roles.

Technical Analysis

The film is backed by a deft screenplay and features effortless performances by a relatively new cast. The film's biggest strength is its crisp and short (one hour and 57 minutes) narration, but its music by debutant Rajesh Murugesan also gives us a cinematic experience worth every buck.

Alphonse, at the helm of the affairs, also earns equal credit for his work as an editor. Cinematography by Anand Chandran is top notch and leaves the audiences in awe, especially during the slow-motion sequences that boast finesse.

Analysis

"Neram" tops a list of films that come once in a while to make us believe that Tamil cinema is not dead. Surprisingly, it's the first-time filmmakers, not the veterans any longer, who are keeping this industry alive and redefining entertainment with better craftsmanship.

Call it the impact of Hollywood or the arrival of better days, but the future of this industry rests on the shoulders of filmmakers such as Karthik Subbaraj, Nalan Kumarasamy and the director of "Neram", Alphonse Putharen.

It is believed that there is good and bad time in our lives and both has important parts to play. There is absolutely nothing new about the story, yet what differentiates "Neram" from other films is its brilliant non-linear screenplay, never seen before in Tamil cinema. The film grows on you very gradually despite its brooding first half, but what follows post interval is top class and is worth every applaud or hoot that came its way. With few key characters that are made to run into each other at one point, the film allows for some subtle humour to unfold.

What's even more exciting is the fact that everything takes place in a day in and around a place called Mandaveli. Even when these characters are close they don't come in contact until it's time to meet. And when they meet eventually, we know that the time is not good for someone. Time plays a crucial role in the lives of all the characters. We infer from the film that everything is plucked away from you when it's bad time, but it's returned later when the time is good.

"Neram" also reminds us of the cycle of karma and help understand that life is a vicious cycle where bad is followed by good and vice versa.

Final Verdict

Neram redefines entertainment providing you a fun ride!!!

Story

Das (Vijay Sethupati) and his three friends Sekhar (Ramesh), Pagalvan (Simhaa) and Kesavan (Ashok Selvan) are jobless jacks. One day Das and his friends plan to get a huge amount by kidnapping local politician’s (CJ Bhaskaran) son Prakasham. After kidnapping Arumai Prakasham they will face many problems in the form of terrific police. Handling and overcoming all the hurdles in this expedition form the core part of the movie.

Performances

Vijay Sethupati performs a stunning performance as Das. He plays the key role and most promising performance by him is always watchable. We can expect even more from him in future.

Sanchitha Shetty is just glamour doll in this film. She plays a decent imaginary friend of Das.

Simhaa performed well as innocent guy and Ramesh and Karuna karan delivers more than adequate performances. CJ.Bhaskaran, Radha Ravi and Ranjith are appropriate.

Technical Analysis

Santosh Narayan’s has delivered great music for Soodhu Kavvum. All the songs were well received and background score for Soodhu Kavvum is pleasing. Cinematography by Dinesh Krishnan is visually rich except for pre climax scene. Nalan Kumarasamy impresses with his directorial debut film. Screenplay is engaging and gripping, dialogues are effective, Editing is crisp.

Analysis

Nalan Kumarasamy should get credits for mold such a simple plot into an astonishing entertainer. Director has done a great job in dealing story with a great ease. Though the story is straightforward and effective screenplay makes the movie plot unpredictable. Simhaa, RJ Ramesh and Karuna Karan steals the show along with most promising actor of recent times Vijay Sethupati. Soodhu Kavvum deals with effects of being honest with the political people. The only problem with Soodhu Kavvum is that it may send some off beam signs for some category of people.

Final Verdict

Soodhu Kavvum is another gripping entertainer from Pizza makers.

Story

Ethir Neechal has a very simple plot but deals with undisclosed elements of the society. Kunjithapaadham (Sivakarthikeyan) falls in love with Geetha (Priya Anand) who is a school teacher. Kunjithapaadham (Sivakarthikeyan) faces many difficulties because of his name and changes his name to Harish. He then persuades Geetha and also succeeds to get a job. After sometime trouble starts again as Geetha knows his real name and also loses his job. Now Sivakarthikeyan decides to attain the lost identity and participates in Chennai Marathon under the guidance of Valli (Nandita) and this forms the core part of the film.

Performances

Sivakarthikeyan is energetic and performed well. His single liners are absolutely pleasant and his scenes with kid to flatter Priya Anand are completely hilarious.

Priya Anand looked cute and she delivers a neat performance. Sivakarthikeyan and Priya Anand’s chemistry is a good watch.

Nanditha as Valli is impressive. Director Senthilkumar has given her a weighted role of an athlete. Other cast delivers adequate performance.

Technical Analysis

Music composed by Anirudh Ravichander is the main highlight of the film. He played a very crucial part in composing the background scores which is an added advantage. Velraj cranked the camera very well. All the songs were beautifully captured and they did a admiring job in capturing climax scenes. Kishore Te’s editing is appropriate. There is no single unnecessary scene in the movie. Screenplay by director is good and Dhanush impressed as a producer with rich production values.

Analysis

Debutant R.S.Durai Senthilkumar did a great job in converting a simple wafer thin plot into an entertaining movie. Director has dealt with undisclosed factors of athletes. First half of Ethir Neechal is moderately entertaining where the hero struggles to change his original name. His scenes in the first half with the kid and Priya Anand are enjoyable. Satish impresses with single liners as Sivakarthikeyan friend. The second half lacks the pace at few moments where Valli (Nandita) has some sentimental scenes with her father. Anirudh performed a cameo as bartender and Dhanush, Nayatara’s cameo in a song overtakes it. Overall the movie is entertaining with enjoyable comedy liners.

Final Verdict

No adult jokes, no unwanted action scenes makes Ethir Neechal a decent entertainer.

Story

Shiva (Sundeep Kishan) falls in love with his classmate Sindhya (Dimple Chopade). Shiva impresses Sindhya and her parents for marriage and suddenly a character Mahesh creates enough fuss in Shiva’s life. Now, Shiva with the help of his friend Vasanth (Jagan) will go in the quest of finding Mahesh’s identity, forms the core part.

Performances

Sundeep Kishan, who was last seen in Maranthen Mannithen, fits himself as Shiva. His emotional expressions and single punch liners with Jagan are laudable. He performed well in dance sequences.

Dimple Chopade is just another glam doll as her role demands nothing but the skin show in songs.

Jagan is the nitty-gritty part of the show. His scenes with Sundeep are most entertaining parts of the movie. Uma Padmanabhan, Srinath and Livingston are decent in their respective roles.

Technical Analysis

Raana’s Cinematography is good and few songs were beautifully captured and Gopi Sunder’s musical scores are mediocre. While the storyline is wafer thin, the emphasis is completely on specific group of audience as it doesn’t offer anything for family audience. Screenplay is disappointing and direction is appropriate. Production values are laudable.

Analysis

Yaaruda Mahesh created enough hype required for any movie with most promising trailers but utterly failed to maintain the same impact. Director R.Madan Kumar’s approach for directing this kind of story is appreciable. First half of the movie is nothing but the verbal battle between artists, amidst an unnecessary item number makes you feel little bored. Second half completely focuses on finding Mahesh, so it leaves impressive single lined humor from Jagan and Shiva. This movie has loads of adult rated jokes which are mostly repetitive and this keeps family audience missing from watching the film.

Final Verdict

Yaarada Mahesh might impress youth but keeps away family audiences for its adult comedy......

Story

Arjun (Allu Sirish) moves on an expedition to find his missing friend Shanmugam. When he reaches Shanmugam’s village he finds out that his friend eloped with a girl who is of higher caste than his and is also village head Pasupati’s (Prakash Raj) daughter. Now, Arjun finds it very tough in finding his missing friend and with the help of a trainee lawyer (Yami Gautam) he will come across many unpleasant facts. Now, dealing with all these consequences forms the crux.

Performances

Allu Sirish hasn’t chosen the same old action entertainer or a love genre on his debut. As a debutant, he did an okay job but he needs to get polished in his dances, and expressions to prove his talent.

Yami Gautam has got a spotless and careful script for her Tamil debut. She holds some weighted role in this film which is very hard find and still performed well as trainee lawyer.

Prakash Raj is the only first name which draws audience to the theaters. He suits himself in showing various grey shades. He performed well as a father who in deep pain and a village head who struggles to get back the lost admiration in the society.

Technical Analysis

Just like every Radha Mohan’s film, Gouravam is also technically sound film. Cinematographer Preetha has done a fine job in capturing locales of a village. S.S.Thaman musical scores are pleasing while the background score is impressive. Alen’s editing is quite decent as this kind of movies will have nothing more to offer. Director Radha Mohan should be appreciated for taking such a gentle issue.

Analysis

Director Radha Mohan and producer Prakash Raj should get the credits for choosing such a highly sensible script and yet a decent job has done by the team. As said earlier, this kind of script should be handled logically. Debutant Allu Sirish performed well as a person who is in search of his missing friend. Gouravam has got more sentiment, action and melodrama. First half of the movie is extremely slow paced and second half suspense is quite attention-grabbing with a thought provoking climax. Its slow pace of narration is a big hitch for the film.

Final Verdict

Powerful and thought-provoking story makes it worth a watch …

Story

Prabhu (Siddharth) is a Tamil guy who studies engineering in Bangalore along with Rikhitha (Ashritha Shetty). One day Rikhitha gets kidnapped by Prabhu and his friends. Rikhitha’s father (Avinash), who is a Minister of Karnataka, appoints a special encounter specialist Manoj Menon (Kay Kay Menon) to trace his daughter and to kill the kidnappers. In the quest of finding the kidnappers, Manoj Menon will go through many tough challenges and many unexpected series forms the crux.

Performances

Siddharth delivers sufficient performance as Prabhu. He has left his lover boy image and sported a rugged look for the movie and delivers a restrained performance as needed.

Ashritha performed quite well and impresses with her some chubby looks and her onscreen pairing with Siddharth is most-promising.

Kay Kay Menon performed well as brutal encounter specialist who is both arrogant and intelligent also adding humor to the scenes. His romantic backdrop is quite interesting.

Technical Analysis

Velraj has done a great job in capturing chasing scenes and all songs are beautifully captured. G.V.Prakash music is an added advantage while the background score is promising for the plot. Editing by Kishore Te has been very impressive. Manimaran as a first timer impresses with his unique screenplay and neat presentation. But the screenplay falters at few moments and the basic plotline is quite simple. Dialogues are crisp and entertaining. Production values are standard.

Analysis

Manimaran should get the credits for implementing simple story into a most promising action thriller. There are few upturned situations in the movie which makes it more absurd. Poor lip sync by the lead actors should not be encouraged and this is reduced by speaking other languages like Hindi, English. The first half of the film is very entertaining with Siddharth’s friend Karthik’s comedy liners. Second half of the movie has got some immense pace with some unexpected climax.

Final Verdict

Udhayam NH4 is worth a watch for entertaining first half and crackling chemistry between leads!!!

Story

Settai story revolves around 3 friends JK (Arya), Nakki (Santhanam) and Seenu (Premji) who lives in same room. JK (Arya) works as a journalist who has a classy girl friend Madhu (Hansika) an air hostess. Nakki works as a gossip writer and Seenu works as cartoonist. Madhu leaves a parcel with JK and she wants him to deliver it. But the wrong delivery of parcel will let them into many troubles and how they get rid of troubles will form the story.

Performances

Arya as an actor scored good. His dialog delivery lacks its original swiftness as in his other movies.

Santhanam should be thanked for his performance. He delivers single line punches and his toilet scenes are utter hilarious.

Premji delivers tolerable performance as a somber and his kuthu song steals the show for a moment.

Hansika suits herself for the role and she dances really well with Arya. Anjali will be seen in a complete new role in this film. She performs well as Arya’s colleague and her scenes with Arya are appropriate.

Nassar matched himself as smuggler role which has negative shades and Ali’s scenes will give you giggles.

Technical Analysis

R.Kannan has inherited core concept along with few comedy scenes from Delhi Belly and implemented in this remake. Cinematography by P.G.Muthaiah is good and he did a fine job in capturing the final scenes in the same way as in its original movie. S.S.Thaman tunes are fine and he slightly modified the original background score and all songs are well picturised. Production values are generous.

Analysis

Remaking a hit film is very tedious task and remaking films like Delhi Belly is more deadly task. The original movie was known for its A-rated scenes and director took a daring step to implement it according to family audience. R.Kanna inherited same concept and he slightly modified the script by adding more songs which are inappropriate for the script. Santhanam’s toilet scenes are hilarious but at the same time lead actor Arya’s boring dialog delivery will not make things go smoothly. Hansika and Anjali have nothing to offer in this movie. Anjali’s modern looks will make you look peculiar. The first half lacks its pace and constantly attaints the momentum in the second half.

Final Verdict

Except very few comic scenes, Settai is not a worthy entertainer.