Wednesday, February 19, 2025

For people who have lived in Chennai for over two decades, the name P James would rekindle a familiar memory that has been long buried. For many, the magician, known for his guerrilla advertising on walls all over the city, he was a mysterious person who felt like magic personified. So, when Ravi Mohan (Siddharth) takes the form of P James for an ‘act’ in Kadhalikka Neramillai, you anticipate magic to conjure up the spirit of love in this contemporary love story.




Siddharth and Shriya 

(Nithya Menen) are two people who carry extremely varied perspectives on bringing life to Earth. While Shriya is worried about modern women struggling to carry a life within them, battling time, societal expectations, and other constraints, Siddharth believes it is immoral to bring life into a world where there is no hope or future for humanity.

Nithya as Shriya is a fierce soul who refuses to bend down to cultural constraints of any kind. The best thing about Kadhalikka Neramillai is its ability to move away from meet-cute moments and massive drama while training its focus on Shriya’s solo journey to bring a child to the world. Her character is mature and self-aware.

Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi feeds the audience with a romantic comedy

that replenishes the void of the genre in recent times. The first half sets up a nearly perfect organic romance between Siddharth and Shriya. The latter portions move into a dramedy that struggles to tie conflicts and resolutions together.

In a significant time jump post-intermission, Siddharth looks to be a different man with a poised demeanour, almost having shed all his buzzing energy. Shriya has her focus steady and it is refreshing to see that her priorities remain the same. Her character almost feels like the older, secure, version of Nithya Menen’s Tara in O Kadhal Kanmani. However, when Shriya and Siddharth’s lines cross again, it happens too soon, and too easily. A person vehemently opposing the birth of a child suddenly becomes a father figure. The justification for this is thrown to the magic that love begets.

The interesting conversations

that could have emerged out of the film’s own themes like childbirth, free will, and choice, are swept away for good. Ironically, this somehow works in the film’s favour, but you would also like for a film to closely examine the themes it presents. The film still carries several merits for fleshing out a realistic contemporary romantic story but strangely remains uninterested in delving deep into its themes. Despite having a film beaming with potential, bolstered by equally justifying performance from Ravi and Nithya, the makers resort to a few body shaming jokes like Jalaja (Vinodhini) describing Nirupama (TJ Bhanu) as a ‘thodappakuchi’ (broomstick).

One of the biggest assets to Kadhalikka Neramillai is AR Rahman himself. ‘Yennai Izhukkuthadi’, which continues to top streaming charts, reverberates beautifully in theatres. It has been a while since we’ve heard a background score that is refreshing in its conception and runs seamlessly to suit this new-age story that could very well be the start of a new genre of movies that swears by its relatability to newer audiences.

With Tamil audiences staring at overused tropes of evidently over-the-top twists and turns, 

Kadhalikka Neramillai steps back and asks itself a poignant question, ‘How do we treat this film that prioritises the agency of a woman?’, ‘How do we present an idea that probes the existing status quo?’ It is a film that dares to take its audience on a familiar yet revamped route, towards a new and interesting space that might not suit everyone’s idea of a destination, one that is not bound by the confines of societal expectations or time.

Director: Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi

Cast: Ravi Mohan, Nithya Menen, TJ Bhanu, Vinay Rai, John Kokken, Vinodhini Vaidynathan

Rating : 3/5

"This Content Sponsored by Buymote Shopping app

BuyMote E-Shopping Application is One of the Online Shopping App

Now Available on Play Store & App Store (Buymote E-Shopping)

Click Below Link and Install Application: https://buymote.shop/links/0f5993744a9213079a6b53e8

Sponsor Content: #buymote #buymoteeshopping #buymoteonline #buymoteshopping #buymoteapplication"

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Kudumbasthan Movie Review : Financial follies meet family fun in uneven but amusing comedy.


Kudumbasthan Movie Synopsis: After losing his job right after his wife's pregnancy news, a graphic designer's attempts to maintain middle-class dignity lead to mounting debts. His status-obsessed brother-in-law's constant judgment only complicates his predicament.

Kudumbasthan Movie Review: Money has a way of turning family comedies into pressure cookers, and Kudumbasthan drops its hero — a freshly-jobless graphic designer — right into a mess of mounting debts, status anxiety, and a pregnancy announcement. The result? A sloppy but amusing chronicle of middle-class chaos that proves the creators of YouTube channel Nakkalites can stretch their comedy beyond bite-sized sketches — even if they sometimes strain in the process.

The film has a familiar setup — an intercaste marriage between Naveen (Manikandan) and Vennila (Saanve Megghana) that has both families spitting curses at the marriage registrar. But this isn’t your typical star-crossed lovers saga. Instead, it's a launchpad into a year-long series of financial face-plants and ego bruises, starting with Naveen's spectacular workplace meltdown. After slapping a jewellery company representative during a botched marketing pitch (a scene that plays out like a corporate comedy of errors), our hero finds himself unemployed, with his friend adding insult to injury by slapping their boss for good measure.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Vennila’s got an IAS dream in one hand and a positive pregnancy test in the other, while Naveen’s bank account is empty. What follows is a parade of increasingly desperate schemes. Naveen starts with a modest ₹20,000 loan that somehow multiplies into a ₹3 lakh debt, leading him through a series of misadventures: a doomed bakery venture that crumbles under competition, a real estate deal that goes south faster than winter birds, and various attempts to save face in front of his status-obsessed brother-in-law Rajendran (Guru Somasundaram, stealing scenes like they’re going out of style).

Speaking of Rajendran – this chief engineer character is the film’s secret weapon. His interactions with Naveen crackle with the kind of class tension that makes you simultaneously cringe and cackle. Guru Somasundaram and Manikandan’s chemistry hits its peak during an ear-piercing ceremony where Naveen’s attempt to maintain status with borrowed bling backfires, creating the kind of secondhand embarrassment that lands just right.

The film excels when it’s playing in these spaces — the awkward family functions, the desperate attempts to hide unemployment, the increasingly elaborate lies that pile up like dirty laundry. There’s a hilarious sequence involving Naveen orchestrating his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary celebration through some creative manipulation of Rajendran, only to have it blow up in his face when his jobless status gets exposed in front of the entire family gathering.

But at two-and-a-half hours, the film overstays its welcome. The job-hunting sequences drag their feet, and the business ventures subplot feels more like a checklist than a coherent narrative thread. Logic takes more than a few coffee breaks — you might find yourself wondering why a skilled graphic designer can’t land another gig.

Manikandan keeps Naveen sympathetic even when he’s making decisions that would make a financial advisor weep. His performance walks the tightrope between comedy and pathos, particularly in scenes where his pride crashes head-first into reality. Guru Somasundaram nails every beat as the pompous brother-in-law, turning each appearance into an exercise in well-timed condescension. Saanve Megghana impresses with her limited role debut performance. Sundarrajan and Kudassanad Kanakam score a few laughs as Naveen’s parents.

For all its detours, Kudumbasthan works best when it sticks to basics — much like its protagonist, who discovers that family and honest work trump any get-rich-quick scheme. The film lands enough of its punchlines to keep the laughs coming.


"This Content Sponsored by Buymote Shopping app

BuyMote E-Shopping Application is One of the Online Shopping App

Now Available on Play Store & App Store (Buymote E-Shopping)

Click Below Link and Install Application: https://buymote.shop/links/0f5993744a9213079a6b53e8

Sponsor Content: #buymote #buymoteeshopping #buymoteonline #buymoteshopping #buymoteapplication"

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Game Changer Movie Review : Ram Charan and Shankar deliver a grand political drama




Game Changer Review: The highly anticipated film Game Changer, directed by Shankar and featuring Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and Anjali alongside SJ Suryah and Srikanth in pivotal roles, is a political action drama that delves into the murky waters of corruption within the Indian political system. Shankar, renowned for his grand storytelling, makes his Telugu directorial debut with Game Changer. His signature style is evident in the film's lavish production and narrative structure. The story, penned by Karthik Subbaraj, weaves together action, drama, and social commentary, though it occasionally leans heavily on familiar tropes.


Ram Charan delivers a compelling performance in dual roles, seamlessly transitioning between the principled Ram Nandan and the rustic Appanna. As the central figure of the story, he carries the narrative with remarkable ease. While his portrayal of Ram Nandan is high on style and swag, it is his heartfelt performance as Appanna that truly resonates with the audience.

Kiara Advani, as Deepika, plays Ram Nandan’s love interest. Her character moderates Ram’s anger and inspires him to take up the IAS. While Ram and Kiara light up the screen, their love track feels somewhat clichéd. Anjali, as Parvathy, gets a meaty role as Appanna's wife, championing his principles and cause. The emotional depth she brings to the story bolsters the film's core.

Srikanth, as Bobbili Satyamurthy, surprises with his antagonist role. His dynamic interactions with Appanna add layers to the narrative. SJ Suryah, known for his distinct style and mannerisms, delivers yet another solid performance as Bobbili Mopidevi.

The film opens with Ram transitioning from an IPS officer to an IAS officer, featuring a stylish action sequence where he settles old scores. The first half chronicles his journey from a fiery college student to a committed civil servant. Although it employs some usual tropes and forced humour, the first half ends with an interval twist, setting the stage for an engaging second half. The latter part of the film takes a different trajectory, transitioning into a politically driven narrative rooted in the soil. The screenplay, treatment, and even the colour palette shift to complement this transformation.

Thaman's musical score elevates the film, with a soundtrack that complements its themes. Tirru's cinematography captures both the grandeur and grit of the story, employing dynamic visuals that enhance the viewing experience. Editing by Shameer Muhammed and Ruben ensures a cohesive narrative flow. The production values reflect Shankar's commitment to high-quality filmmaking, with grandiose visuals in the song sequences. "Jaragandi" stands out as the highlight track, while the popular "Naanaa Hyraanaa" is yet to make its way into the final cut. The team has announced its inclusion starting January 14.

While Game Changer impresses with its grand visuals and socially relevant themes, it falters in areas that detract from its overall impact. The narrative occasionally veers into predictability, relying on familiar tropes of love, political corruption, and systemic injustice. The screenplay’s didactic tone, though impactful at times, can feel heavy-handed, leaving little room for subtlety.

Overall, Game Changer is a well-executed commercial film. Shankar's grand scale and Ram Charan's brilliant performance, combined with strong supporting roles and technical excellence, make it a compelling watch for enthusiasts of the genre.

"This Content Sponsored by Buymote Shopping app

BuyMote E-Shopping Application is One of the Online Shopping App

Now Available on Play Store & App Store (Buymote E-Shopping)

Click Below Link and Install Application: https://buymote.shop/links/0f5993744a9213079a6b53e8

Sponsor Content: #buymote #buymoteeshopping #buymoteonline #buymoteshopping #buymoteapplication"