saikumarnagapuri

So i finally catched up LOKAH:Chapter One:Chandra on the big screen and if you ask me to define my experience of watching the film, It was just splendid! I mean honestly always was the first person who knows that malayalam cinema will deliver for sure irrespective of genre, cast, scale... everything but what lokah does is,it doesn't just deliver but somewhere defines and stand tall in the zone of superhero and fantasy.

Going in detail, right from the promotional content it's was clear that we're going to witness something extremely ambitious but what lokah doesn't just be ambitious but visionary and commendable with each and every aspect. Although from the promotional content it may lay a very minor layout for the ground but trust me what film actually dives into is seriously a masterclass in storytelling. A portrayal of a vampire tale with a folklore soul just collision of these two things itself is brave but the way film convince us is most crucial and it succeed here perfectly. The first half build the world, characters so brilliantly that your completely into the world. The film completely hooks you through the jaw dropping moments of course but the laughter moments it had through the movie are extremely terrific I mean people were truly laughing out loud and again in this world or premise this may lead to a disturbance but honestly it was never forced it was just flowing in the pace. Then comes the interval, although so many things are being established from the first second but here is the moment where the film actually reveals its identity, the heart of lokah with such a incredibly placed set piece, where you get to know the rise of everything simultaneously a block in present I mean literally goosebumps for the presentation. That powerfully the scene hits, which ends up the first half in a extremely solid way. The second half further goes in detail, establishing very crucial conflicts with a care and tension that again holds you here very tight. Although a minor pacing dip may or lose of momentum feel here due to film taking time here to elaborate things more specifically through laying out hints for the world or future parts. But let me tell you here the biggest surprises come up, the cameos! Im not going to reveal anything but there were just pure blast. I mean first off all the way there are introduced... Literally your jaw drops and you just float in that amusement. Also these appearances not only being a surface level guest's but contribute to the story, most importantly set their grounds for their characters for future. The climax is where the film gains it's power immensely, the way the action and writing, the moments packed up here completely end the movie in a perfect way. Wait... But the best thing comes up next, The Post Credit Scene!!!! Here where the theatre erupted in the most wild way, of course a surprise and a glimpse of next installment but the high it gives is so fine that it will still carry with you even after leaving the screen. A Ultimate banger way to conclude yet leave us anticipate for next.

Coming to the performances, Kalyani priyadarshan as CHANDRA was perfect. Although the character has a subtle nature mostly but she was commanding in her role. As a not only a lead of the film, but as a heart of whole she balances that weight, the soul of 'Chandra'. Naslen as Sunny was completely perfect choice, the humor generated around him perfectly lands due to his performance. But also the quiet innocence and weight his character holds also hits. A Special mention to Sandy Master as 'Nachiyappa' completely surprising yet perfectly threatening. He grabbed a very crucial role of antagonist of the story but his performance completely justifies the writing for him and also the capability he holds as an actor. And of course nothing to say about special appearances, they were the best part as whole and also the biggest asset of theatre experience.

Coming to the technicalities... What to say? Technically a standout in Indian cinema itself recently stating somewhere there isn't a huge barrier between ambition and scale. Music by Jakes Bejoy should be discussed not only first but at top may be. The score he brings out was not only mere music but the spine of the film itself. Especially in few episodes like interval, climax he just leaves us in a trance. The man completely lifts the film through his beats in the best way possible. Cinematography by Nimish Ravi is a visual masterclass each and every frame, the man got this extremely terrific style of using light, colors which we got to see in his previous ventures to but in this scale he makes every frame look perfect. The editing should be discussed,there were good amount of transition s throughout and the way there were executed was damn smooth. The action choreography was brilliantly handled more importantly executed, each and every set piece was focused, grounded yet hits hard. And everything falls short when we speak about visual effects or the production values, the film was made at a budget of 30 cr? Seriously in a time where actors are charging hundreds of crores, production houses are spending hundreds of crores just to deliver a mediocre product, what lokah achieve not only just in terms of scale but for being brave, clear and visionary for the genre, for the stories they took, for the belief people have on them.

And coming to the director Dominic Arun, not only a newcomer but as a writer also with santhy balachandran crafts a superhero tale with a soul of folklore that's in the heart and roots of people over generations within itself a win. They weren't just ambitious but careful, responsible most importantly so much talent was needed to aim this high . Kudos to Dulquer Salman as the producer for not only bringing up something like this but believing and understanding the potential of what the universe further carries.

At last this Malayalam superhero film isn't just a great fantasy film but also pillar for further stories to come in the universe and a homage to folklore we know or that one's may which gone unknown. A Must Watch Experience only on big screen which has right heart,intentions, storytelling and of course surprises. Still the shouts and hoots of post credit scene echoing.

So yes finally i catched up morning show of one of the most anticipating films of the year,and one of my or my proper first day first show and the experience was just blast. My throat is still recovering from the loud screams,a experience that's to remember personally. But...yes theater was fire through and through, the cheers,hoots were never stopped even for a second and this is a wild memory but...after completion of movie if i take a pause and start recalling the things unfortunately there aren't that wild. So yes the coolie starring Super Star Rajinikanth in the lead with a huge ensemble cast Written and Directed by 'Lokesh Kanagaraj' ,basically this are only two pillars that are reason for the wait and viewing, but if you ask me they land ofcourse but may be not upto the power we expect or for its capability. Going into further detail.

See coming to the plot since first promotional material to this release date never the plot was properly known as a viewer and even they didn't reveal in detail but the plot is something that can't be explained in one phrase because it may majorly lead to spoiler,but definitely I want to divide the feelings into both the halves; The first half actually opens up and sets up the things very fastly most importantly neatly. The characters,world,most importantly the conflicts,the minor twists that are established here are almost engaging and convincing, even the mass moments in between completely work. I mean heavily like the set pieces or the blocks which are placed perfect and land .But from the premise level again,this isn't something groundbreaking atleast if from a view of lokesh's brilliance of blending clever or new age commercial cinema definitely a lacking feel generates due to the vision we expect. For the pre interval things get start spiraling that generates a heavy curiosity that how the Interval is planned and when Interval comes up it definitely hits,the way they leave a reference of deva's flashback and for upcoming events it's fine. But again is it a banger or loki mark Interval? Definitely it falls short in that way of comparison.

And coming to the second half,here the things start getting uncertain and inconsistent. Lokesh sets too many subplots and turns that we can easily feel that its not only getting heavy but there aren't being a proper payoffs to the setups. I mean few things specifically, like there is a particular track with rachita ram character basically a major type of twist which feels so odd like is this written by lokesh? Very unconvincing the whole writing choice over not only that character but a repetitive writing feels which surprisingly makes the things feel a drag or lengthy. Most importantly the way pre climax and climax are placed,I don't know how to describe but these are really a very huge events and few moments here hit the chords so perfectly. But once you look over,the characters which are introduced or being introduced here the justification given for them completely doesn't appeal,ofcourse we throughly feel the presence and we flow in that amusement too but at last you know. The major thing that work here is the writing and presentation of deva's flashback,I mean Undoubtedly one thing where lokesh completely succeeded is too project a high voltage moments throughout for a action drama like this,he's potential of bringing up mass moments land unanimously as said especially the flashback portions that again has a incomplete feels,but what if it got to be shown is fire.

And coming to the performances, The SUPERSTAR RAJINIKANTH!!!! This is his ground,this his stage and he slayed as ever. I mean despite such a huge cast,the film and its spine is this man forever. Rajinikanth in Deva character is just portraying his usual swag and eternal presence that doesn't even for second feels uneven. And another actor who completely didn't just justify but almost steal the show with his commanding act is Soubhin Shahir,praise to lokesh again because the way Dayal character is written as a center of whole events throughout with a proper duration soubhin just kill each second with his performance that doesn't justify his character but proceed the movie in a way. And nagarjuna as Simon,see honestly one of the most exciting thing to see him as a Antagonist but it completely feels underwhelming. Definitely the actor stands with his potential but surprisingly the writing is shallow and not as threatening to last for the viewers. And coming to upendra,seriously shocking that his character was stated as a vital role with others but it's too late when the character is introduced with again very minimal dialogues and a bare minimum writing for his character. Seriously felt that nagarjuna and upendra were partially wasted and Aamir Khan as Daha in a guest role,again there isn't a purpose of his character's existence. The collab of actors in few frames are definitely simewhere worth the whole despite stumbles. Satyaraj was fine,Shruti Hassan too may be.

Coming to the technical departments, Music by Anirudh is Asusual Its a major the pulse of the film throughout. The disco,mobsta,powerhouse are pure bangers but again tracks feel repetitive for a extent due to the other score doesn't highlight. Cinematography By Girish Gangaradhan is stylish and gritty.

Coming to writer and director Lokesh Kanagaraj with this stand alone film,without even slight hesitation I feel he's the only new age director who can change commercial cinema roots. But with leo especially with the second half writing, it was to uneven and inconsistent. Although the second half I peronall say it's definitely better than but doesn't definitely justify the few underwhelming choices and a huge feel of missing his signature mark writing. Definitely as said above the mass moments and commercial payoffs are terrific and worthy asusual but from the last and this one it's clearly evident that he's somewhere confused and lacking his true core brilliance that should definitely return and definitely it will, still have a faith and admiration that we'll bounce back for sure.

At last coolie is a proper theater flick that should be experienced for the power packed moments and Rajini's presence, but for it's generic plot and shortcomings from loki are setbacks. A decent to good watch definitely for theaters.

So got to watch one of the most awaited faithful project 'Kuberaa' in theaters,starring Dhanush,Nagarjuna,Rashmika Mandanna in leads. Written and Directed by Shekhar Kammula. So if you ask me to define my experience of watching this film in one line,Shekhar kammula Meticulously delivered a powerful thriller drama where everything was on the point !

So going in detail A beggar undergoes a dramatic transformation, exploring themes of greed, ambition, and moral dilemmas faced by the characters leading to a quest for redemption. So dividing the review into it's two halfs,The first half was really engaging,the film from the first second itself establish the premise and perfectly introduces the characters,bringing them into the world. And in the first half itself the films packs up a good amount of proceedings,like when the interval comes you feel that so much happened,but every move and act until this point will completely immerse you and make you anticipate for the another half to justify every question. And the second half,got to listen from many that the second half is too lengthy and it drags. But honestly the real beauty of kuberaa lies here,from me this half was just majestic. Yes you feel the length because the film's this cat and mouse segment is done several times and yes it feels repetitive. But the writing this half holds,the heart kammula brings out like underlying it expresses so many things beautifully,addressing some deep things like humanity,poverty,helplessness and again there aren't merely attempted they just hit the right chords which they aim for. And here comes the most polarizing thing of whole film which completely divides the perspectives of people into two,the climax. Still remember the previous work of kammula the 'lovestory' and its sudden and rushed climax that it takes which overall impacts the movie viewing and it happened with me too. But here does kuberaa fall into the same category? Definitely not,but yes the initiative that they took in climax was little sudden but I'd have no problem with it and neither i feel it impacts the film's brilliance.

Coming to performances,many people state it and it might sound repetitive but no one in indian cinema not only accept the role,but no one can even portray it if even they accept it. Dhanush as a actor for Indian cinema is a blessing,honor,luck that it had earned over the years. He as deva,a beggar embodies a eternal spirit that pulls of the film soulfully. Every second,every frame,every act was just his masterclass breathing into film. Nagarjuna as deepak is really a unique and layered character that's really brave take that can be taken by a senior actor like him. The character and its writing is little complex yet effective and it needs that balance and it was completely justified by the actor. Jim sarbh as neeraj,you know in films this corporate or the holder's of multi national companies are treated so generically and even loudly that we're fed up of,but here the way jim's character and the performance of by him was commanding the evilness very subtly. Rashmika as sameera is really a clear standout in her Filmography,a simple yet effective role that she delivered honestly.

Coming to the technical aspects,Music by Devi Sri Prasad is phenomenal. The man had gone into a trance and delivered something so striking especially in the form of score. We know the great combination of dsp and Sanskrit chants,and again here they blend to serve pure goosebumps that really elevate few scenes at the best. Cinematography by niketh bommi is really special,from light comfort films to this really feeling happy for the man and journey of brilliance. He again brings his unique visual appeal to the film throughout,the lighting,the colours were just his signature and even beauty of the film.

And coming to the writer and director Shekhar Kammula,for me the man isn't just a filmmaker but a spirit of telugu cinema itself who didn't introduced stories but pieces of heartfelt cinema that impacted generations and will further. His last work 'lovestory' was little disappointment from him for me and even a little scare that the turn the filmmaker has took is it worthy? With kuberaa the answer is clear and powerful that yes!. A clever and soulful take that is not just a attempt in thriller drama,but it's one of the best movies of this year and the best telugu film of the year till now. Which shouldn't be missed at any cost.

Last and final thing which i want to state,we always speak about bad placements of songs in the screenplay. But what sekhar kammula had done with 'poyiraa mama' got to be one of the finest moments of cinema where the writer,the filmmaker,the CINEMA itself took it's god form. That's all i can say...