He Who Comes From Hell Is Not Afraid Of Ashes

The much awaited and hyped about movie of the Tamil film industry – ‘Anniyan’ was released on the 17th of June. It has been in production for a year and a half and the date of release has been eluding us for the past few months. But the movie has proved worth the wait. The sheer directorial brilliance of Shankar and the sincerity and dedication that Vikram has put in this movie is truly amazing. Each scene is poetry in bright hues.

Alike Indian, Gentleman – previous installments of Shankar- the theme in this is also about a person trying to weed the society of people who does not follow the rules , but this time it is without any sort of vulgarity, (which was wee bit high in Boys than his previous movies.)This movie is not so much unquie in the concept from the director's line work, but it is different in the sense that it is the alter of a person who strictly abides by the rules and who does the cleansing work - an instance of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). Shankar has time and again proven he is a commercial, mass director who is capable of taking up a thin story line and drawing out of it a larger than life character, who will linger in your heart for some time to come. ‘Anniyan’ is one such extravaganza which carries a message in a grand fashion, so very typical of the director.

The story is simple. It is about Ramanugam Ayyangar a.k.a Ambi, who is a disciplinarian and who also expects the people around him to follow the rules. He is unable to come in terms with the society where everything is corrupt and where no body has the least respect for fellow beings. Bursts out of him an alter who takes unto him the responsibility of freeing the society of those who waver from the norms. In another track, a funny one, Ambi is in love with his neighbor Nandini, who is clearly annoyed by his one-should-not-break-rule stand. He is nonchalantly turned down by her. Comes out another alter Remo- the ramp walk model who is the exactly the type of person for whom Nandini will fall for.

Ambi is soft-spoken and is of the type who cries his heart out for those who suffer at the hands of this society. ‘Anniyan’ is ruthless, arrogant and religiously follows the Garudapuranam – a book which vividly describes the punishments met out to people after death based on the sins they have committed during their life time. Remo is cool, chill and a cho-chweet kind of a guy. Actor Vikram brings out these three different personalities as three different individual persons. He has lived as these characters. Kudos to him! Sure deserves an award.

The one of the many strong pillars of this movie is undoubtedly the dialogue, by veteran writer Sujatha. The writer has sword for a pen. The part where ‘Anniyan’ lectures about why India, rich in resource and culture, but is still a developing country, while some other countries like Japan, Singapore has made tremendous growth in just 25 years. ‘Anniyan’ at a point says, “as we all know that murder, robbery, rape are strictly punishable by law, we defer from doing that. But these minor issues like respect for fellow being, responsible for one’s own work go unnoticed by law and people also escape using the loops in the system” are all sharp and means well.

As the dialogues are simple and as the story deals with the issues that we may face in day to day life, it sure does strike a chord at one point or the other and would appeal to all class of audience.

The song sequences – be it in the foreign locales or sets in studios are extra ordinary. Music is quite refreshing. Though a slightly more effort in choreography, would have exuded magic. Other support stars have also done a great job. PrakashRaj is his brilliant self, Vivek is exuberant and Sadha is a ravishing in all those beautiful outfits. Special mention about the camera crew for that stunt in the hall which portrays undying energy and keeps you gripped. It is a standing example for the fact that Indian movie especially Tamil cinema is moving in the creative and competitive direction. The Time-slice technology though new to Tamil cinema (replica of Matrix stunts) is a definite thing to watch out for in the movie.

Though there are few unanswered loops mainly like for instance the need for the web-site to track the evil-doers when it is shown that the alter surfaces only when Ambi is in one way or the other personally affected/involved or is directly witnessing a crime, they don’t affect the plot very much.

All in all the movie starts like a trickling rivulet and as it goes gathers force and gushes like an angry stream and when it culminates leaves an un-quenching thirst for more. A wholesome entertainer - gives you a satisfaction of watching a good movie after a long time.

Coffee Confusion...

There have been times when I have cribbed at lengths about the amount of work I’m expected to complete in a day. But now when there is no work, that requires immediate attention, I’m lying down my sword and accepting that work is good, and work pressure is bliss. Philosophically, if there is no work, create work. So here comes another blog.

Ever since I joined this profession I’m fighting against a dangerous enemy who shows his ugly fangs at the post lunch hours. As there was no assignments assigned to me for the day, and after the prompt mail checking, gossip updates, enquiring about the days plan with my senior – a ritual I had learnt (the hard way) from my previous project and which I follow religiously – I felt my sweet enemy trying to power me in the morning itself. So I and Rhea – who knows about this enemy, decided that we shall break the monotone and get some coffee. On the way we caught up on the project-happenings and the updates about yesterdays treat (which in itself qualifies for a blog, will give it soon).

As I was bored these days with the milk I get from the vending machines, I opted for Cappacino and she, for Expresso. We waited for the lift all engrossed about the talk we just had. And when the lift arrived few more people got in with us. I usually prefer the stairs to lifts for four reasons. Firstly I have this, I don’t know, stupid u may call, feeling that I need some exercise in the day. And secondly I hate the feeling when the lift comes to a halt, when it feels like suddenly all the blood in the head is rushing down. Or is it going up? I don’t know. But I don’t quite enjoy it. And thirdly I strongly doubt if I’m Claustrophobic!! And it’s just the second floor.

Today I was experiencing the feeling of blood rushing (up or down? Does it really matter??) with eyes closed and hands holding a coffee mug, when the lift door opened and in a urge to escape this closed cube I made a move forward only to bump onto Rhea (who had not budged to step out assuming we were one floor below our floor) and spill the steaming hot coffee on to me and some on to the floor. Coming back to full senses I realize people out there were staring with an odd look. ‘Ok, that’s a genuine mistake!’ I braced myself. We were the only two people in the cube now and then came in a guy and lady. As I was standing near the button panel I pressed the button to the 2nd floor and was waiting for the lift, but as per luck will have it, the lift door just refused to close. I decided to try one final time, and pressed once more the round button marked 2. Then I heard the newly entered lady saying something. Only then I noticed that the guy beside her was mischievously grinning. I heard the lady say, again, “This IS the 2nd floor. Where more do you want to go?”, loud and clear.

It’s so embarrassing. You probably have no idea!!

P.S: As an after thought, only such trivialities make life funny and sometimes easy to bear – The optimistic me!!!