transcurrents

Will dark horse Vijay beat Rajani and Kamal in film stakes?

April 17th, 2005

Will ” Chandramukhi” conquer all with her moon – faced beauty?

Will the “Mumbai Express” scorch the rail tracks to a speedy victory”?

Will “Sachin” wield the willow in style to notch a sweeping success?

These are the troubling questions facing the average film fan in movie crazy Tamil Nadu known as “Kollywood”.

Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan and Vijay have all released their movies for “Parthiba” new year. Rajni has his Chandramukhi, Kamal his Mumbai Express and Sachin for Vijay.

The super stars Rajni and Kamal have releases a film on the same day after fifteen years. There is healthy competition in this clash of the titans. While they are the favourites in thses filmy stakes one cannot rule out “dark horse” Vijays galloping past a trotting Kamal and cantering Rajni too.

Rajnis “Chandramukhi” is directed by P. Vasu. It is a mish – mash and rehash of two successful films in Malayalam and Kannada . Mohanlal and Vishnuwarrdhan excelled in these run away hits.

Chandramukhi is the 50th film to be made by Sivaji films. Rajni is returning after three years since the flop that was “Baba”.

The angelic beauty from Kerala with eyes like stars – Nayanthara – is Rajnis Jodi. Prabhu teams up with Jyothika who steals the show via a superlative performance. The real star however is Vadivel who has bitten into his meaty role well.

If Chandramulhi is the top favourite versatile Kamal’s “mumbai express” is no slowpoke either. Directed by Kamals alter ego Singitham Srinivasa rao the express made simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi is a rollicking comedy par excellence. Kamals partner is Manisha Koirala looking ravishing as ever.

What could stop the express in its tracks is an unfortunate political protest. The new Tamil nationalist combination of Dr. Ramadoss and Thirumavalavan in Tamil Nadu have demanded that all Tamil films should only have Tamil titles.

Though Kamal explained his stance the call to boycott “Mumbai express” has been made. Though Dr. Ramadoss backed out at the last moment Thrumavalavan and his Dalit Panthers have mounted their protest demonstrations.

While the fate of Mumbai express hangs in the balance “Ilaiya Thalapathy” Vijay’s “Sachin” is the dark horse that may outbeat the two veterans. Vijay is fast becoming the darling of the masses. His last three films – “Killi”, “Mathura” and “Thripathy” have all clicked at the box office. “Sachin” evoking Cricketing imagery may surpass this hat – trick.

It is directed by John Mahendran son of legendary director Mahendran who gave us “Mullum Malarum”., “Nenjathai Killathe” . “Pootatha Pootukkal” etc

Vijay has two heroines. One is the sizzling Geniela from “Boys” fame. The other – guess what- is a bewitching belle from Bolly wood – Bipasha Bhasu.

Already 15 theatres in Chennai and 18 in the suburbs are sold out for tickets till April 22nd.

Posses of Policemen are deployed in the theatres to control crowds.

So what will it be Rajni’s action, Kamals acting or Vijays blend of both?

Let the Silver screen reveal the answer!

Entry Filed under: MinorMatters