Anjali

OTT Review : Paava Kadhaigal – Tamil film on Netflix

by 123telugu December 21, 2020

Cast : Kalidas Jayaram, Anjali, Kalki Koechlin,Padam Kumar, Simran, Prakash Raj, Sai Pallavi

Directed by : Sudha Kongara, Vignesh Shivan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Vetrimaaran

Producer : Ashi Dua, Rhea Kongara

Cinematography : Theni Eswar, Ganesh Rajavelu

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows, our today’s pick is Paava Kadhaigal, the Tamil anthology film. This film is available on Netflix and let’s now see how it is.

Story :

This anthology film has our stories directed by Sudha Kongara, Vignesh Shivan, Gautam Menon, and Vetri Maran. The Sudha Kongara story deals with the life of the transgender Sattar(Kalidas Jayaram) who is looked down on by his own family. In the second story directed by Vignesh Shivan, honor killing is the main aspect and deals with the story of two twin sisters played by Anjali. In Gautam Menen’s story, his own daughter gets raped at the age of 12. Finally, the last short directed by Vetrimaran is about how a father kills his own pregnant daughter(Sai Pallavi) for his honor and prestige

What’s Good

Paava Kadhaigal is undoubtedly the best-made anthology series so far in the country. The stories deal with rape, honor killing, and taboo subjects in society and have been narrated in a riveted manner. The emotions are so strong that leave a deep impact on you even after you are done watching the film. Tamil cinema’s finest directors narrate four stories that are contemporary and have superlative performances.

Kalidas Jayram as the transgender kills it with his adorable act. His emotions and the way he showcases his body language was amazing. Anjali is superb in her bold role and gets to showcase different aspects of her twin role. In Gautam Menon’s story, the once glam Simran plays a doting orthodox mother with aplomb. Gautam Menon himself plays the husband and the way the couple deal with the rape of their daughter is showcased so well with moving emotions.

But the best of the lot is the story of Prakash Raj and Sai Pallavi that is directed by Vetrimaran. Sai Pallavi gives one of her best performances as a pregnant lady whose father kills her by poisoning her. The drama, emotional outburst that Sai Pallavi gives was too good to see. Prakash Raj as the menacing father who does not show anything on his face was another asset. The songs of the film are too good and so was the BGM. The camerawork, production values of all the stories was on point.

What’s Bad

There are not so many drawbacks in this film as an episode is nicely packed. Gautam Menon looks a bit war in showcasing some emotions in the film. His expressions could have been better in key scenes. Also, in Sudha Kongara’s story, Kalidas’ love for hero Shantanu Bagyaraj should have been showcased in a better manner. This would have helped to establish the story even better.

Verdict :

On the whole, Paava Kadhaigal is one of the best films in recent times. Each short story in this anthology deals with strong subjects and evoke moving emotions and questions human integrity. Upon this, the mesmerizing performances and finest narration by top directors make this film a must-watch. Don’t miss this one.

123telugu.com Rating : 3.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

December 21, 2020

Review : Nishabdam – Nothing Special

by 123telugu October 3, 2020

Release date : October 2nd,2020

123telugu.com Rating :2.5/5

Starring : Anushka Shetty, Madhavan, Anjali, Shalini Pandey, Michael Madsen, Subbaraju

Director : Hemant Madhukar

Producers : TG Vishwa Prasad, Kona Venkat

Music : Girishh G, Gopi Sundar

Cinematography : Shaneil Deo

Editor : Prawin Pudi

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the Telugu film Nishabdham. The film has skipped its theatrical release and is out on Prime Video. Let’s see how it is.

Story

The story is set in a haunted house in Seattle. In 1970, a couple dies there in mysterious circumstances. Years later, a couple with names Sakshi(Anushka) and Anthony(Madhavan) come there for a prestigious painting. In a sudden change of events, Anthony gets killed and Sakshi escapes from there. The case is handed over to cops Maha(Swathi) and Richard(Michel Madsen). Who killed Anthony? What is his relationship with Sakshi? and how did Maha solve the case forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points

The production values of the film are top-notch as the visuals are no less than a Hollywood film. Anushka leads from the front and is good in her role as a mute. Anushka did well with the sign language and her look is also good. Madhavan as always is superb in his crucial role. He brings a lot of depth to the film and his character has been justified quite well in the end.

Subba Raju gets a major role and he is quite effective. Anjali plays a US cop and looks her part. Coming to Richard Madsen, he is good only in the last stages of the film.

Shalini Pandey does well as the girl who is quite possessive. The film is started off in an interesting manner and the twists are revealed in a neat manner. A few scenes where Anjali chases Richard Madsen have been showcased quite well.

Minus Points

One of the biggest minus points of the film is the way the film is ended. Once the major twist is revealed, the film becomes hugely predictable. The pace slows down completely and too much time is wasted to showcase the clarity in the story. The film has some logical errors in the story. The way crimes are showcased in such an easy manner and how things are not tracked by US cops is a bit unbelievable.

Also, there is an easy doubt that arises in one’s mind that this particular person might be the villain in the film. Such things should have been showcased in a more gripping manner. Also, the film has a dull screenplay, and the way Shalini Pandey’s role is showcased in a very possessive manner looks a bit odd.

Though Anjali does her cop’s role well, too many liberties have been taken, and the way she dominates her seniors also looks a bit odd and that too in a country like the US.

Technical Aspects :

As said earlier, the production values of the film are top-notch. The camera work showcases the locations in the US in a good manner. The locations chosen, production design, everything is top-notch in this film. The BGM is also good but the dubbing especially for Michel Madsen’s character was worse and did not create much of an impact on his role.

Coming to the director Hemanth Madhukar, his idea of a thriller is pretty good and the way he starts the film with a lot of suspense is also neat. The way he brings the twist factor into the story was also neat but after a point, his narration is predictable and you can guess what is going to happen. The film is way too predictable in the last fifteen minutes or so. But Hemanth did well with the look and field and the basic aesthetics of the movie.

Verdict :

On the whole, Nishabdham has a decent premise and a good supporting cast. The suspense factor is also neat in the first half. But once the twists are revealed and the film nears the pre-climax, several logics are missed and things become way too predictable taking the tempo of the film down. The only thing we can suggest is not to go in thinking too much about Anushka’s solid screen presence or performance as that is missing in Nishandham. Watch it only if you have absolutely nothing else to do.

123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

October 3, 2020