Topic started by cinefan_2004 (@ spxyclt1.bankofamerica.com) on Thu Jan 15 14:02:10 EST 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?cid=2429

The review is detailed, barring a few flaws it has been given a good verdict. Hope he makes money.

Responses:

• From: kamalfan (@ 61.2.224.60) on: Thu Jan 15 23:01:53 EST 2004
  
  Saw Virumaandi,SUPER!. Thats the one word to say.
  
  Even I came to know the bits and pieces of story, but there are new twists
  the film is both commercial cum classic.
  all has lived in their roles.
  Songs are less used and comedy is also less but full of action, love and bravery, even patriotism.
  
  In Box office, i dont know will it be a blockbuster or not, but not a flop,
  it will satisfy all catagories of people
  As kamal is an innocent villager, no english dialogs or city based tastes,
  not even one charecter is wasted, each charecter is well defined.
  The screenplay is a bit modest.
  Playback is less used.
  To say about cons, now i dont feel anything as negative, i have to see once again
  
  
• From: Roshan (@ 220.247.214.245) on: Fri Jan 16 00:05:48 EST 2004
  
  For once sify has given a review in a possitive manner for a Kamal film. That alone shows the success of the movie!
  
  
• From: Raghu (@ 61.95.225.122) on: Fri Jan 16 04:33:37 EST 2004
  
  roshan says tht all films in which kamal acts shd get good review..:) joke of the year....
  
  
• From: Thamizhan (@ 202.9.189.228) on: Fri Jan 16 05:58:36 EST 2004
  
  Nice to see those old friends here again..
  BTW where are those forum regulars Joe,Kajan,LLDasu.I am expecting these ppl again.
  
  
• From: Viru (@ 220.247.223.253) on: Fri Jan 16 08:04:07 EST 2004
  
  Top Stories
  
  Friday January 16, 5:01 PM
  
  Kamal Haasan lets loose prize bull 'Virumaandi'
  By Indo-Asian News Service
  
  Chennai, Jan 16 (IANS) Actor director Kamal Haasan's fast paced new film "Virumaandi" makes one of the actor's strongest political statements -- against death penalties -- and provides gripping entertainment, south style.
  
  The release of the film Thursday coincided with the festival Pongal, and it has the perfect beginning for a festival release -- drums of war, temples drums, drums of clans, all beating symbolically to composer Ilaiyaraja's music.
  
  Belying fears of political parties in Tamil Nadu, who all assumed that this would be a story of caste violence, it is a saga of one man's battle.
  
  The irony is that "Virumaandi" makes the loudest political statement Kamal Haasan has so far made, against death penalties, with a very violent tale.
  
  The film is also a telling commentary on the police and the legal system, ending with a riot in Chennai's central prison, which journalists will recognise as their footage from several years ago.
  
  From the time the film was announced, controversies have dogged it. First it was called "Saandiyar" (bully), to which parties like the Puthiya Tamizhagam objected, holding up shooting for several months.
  
  With Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha's intervention, Kamal Haasan chose a new name for the film, "Virumaandi", the name by which the hero is known.
  
  Producer, director, writer Kamal Haasan had to give assurances to the government that his new film had nothing to do with caste clashes. It does not.
  
  To boot, the opening lines, "death penalty is a judiciary-sanctioned murder", are likely to make parties like the Dravida Kazhagam, the Puthiya Tamizhagam, the MDMK and the DMK happy. They have opposed the death sentence in certain cases and now superstar Kamal Haasan has lent the cause his strength.
  
  Kamal Haasan looms larger than life on the big screen. If at 47, Sanjay Dutt can be a hit as Munnabhai in the eponymous film, past 50, "Virumaandi" Kamal Haasan can be as much of a runaway success.
  
  The bullfight scenes, so popular in southern districts, come at the very beginning, as do popular actors like Nasser and Napoleon. Abhirami and Rohini, the heroines, and Pashupathi and Shanmugarajan have excelled in their roles.
  
  Kamal Haasan, of course, makes a dramatic appearance at the bullfight. The story speeds on with Kamal portraying Virumaandi like a prize bull let loose, not quiet knowing what he must do. Occasionally, like a bull, he runs amok.
  
  Filmed in Tamil Nadu's Theni and Dindigul districts, the film captures the colours of festivals, fire worships, totem dances, a pagan south in full regalia.
  
  Set against the backdrop of a land-related dispute, the story, before one can blink, becomes a trail of murder and mayhem, a plot to frame Virumaandi and a case for civil liberties.
  
  None other than Kamal Haasan, himself from the Madurai region, could have so dexterously woven into the narration the passion hot-headed clans of the southern districts have for throwing the 'aruval' (sickle) and 'kodali' (axe).
  
  How much the southern audience will love to be served a rolling head or a woman hanging at Pongal time is not known, but certainly they will understand it.
  
  The attention to detail, make up and everyone's acting has been meticulous and painstaking.
  
  A torrid lovemaking scene in the moonlit Cauvery comes like a soothing balm after the relentless violence. Full credit to cinematographer Keshav Prakash.
  
  Kamal Haasan plans to target Indian expatriates with his film this summer.
  
  
  From : Yahoo! India News
  
  
• From: aravind (@ libr.aig.com) on: Fri Jan 16 10:18:45 EST 2004
  
  Virumaandi is Kamal all the way!
  
  says rediff:
  
  http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jan/16viru.htm
  
  
• From: sweetie (@ 203.106.134.117) on: Fri Jan 16 11:06:01 EST 2004
  
  hmmmmm
  
  
• From: Kavitha (@ 131.107.3.74) on: Fri Jan 16 16:27:03 EST 2004
  
  Hmmm... Good reiews. I'm still waiting to see this movie. Tickets are completely sold out in Sathyam & Abhirmai theatre complexes in Chennai. Should wait for a couple fo weeks b4 I can get a ticket to see this movie.
  
  
• From: review (@ cache130.156ce.maxonline.com.sg) on: Fri Jan 16 17:34:12 EST 2004
  
  Just watched Virumaandi
  
  Brilliant! A treat for both the class and mass(ala) audience.
  
  Movie goers will be treated to some extremely new style of story telling.I think that is the wonderful part of the movie.
  Also Kamal the director has really overshadowed Kamal the actor here. Another plus is that some other characters have got equal importance to Virumandi. So like some earlier movies, it's not Kamal in every frame and shot.
  Technically a superb film. Particularly the jalli kattu and jail fights.
  
  Kamal looks fantastic for his age. Ilayaraja has again proved who is the raja.
  
  I think the real find of the movie is Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy) . This guy's character and performance is stunning.
  There is one chase scene , where Kamal runs after a clan rival which brings back memories of Devar Magan.
  
  The only complaint for me is that Napolean and Nasser have been wasted.
  
  A new cinema experience
  
  
  
  
• From: cine (@ bbcache-9.singnet.com.sg) on: Sat Jan 17 03:10:58 EST 2004
  
  The rioting scene in the central jail, last part of the movie, was realistic!!
  The way Virumaandi killed Kotthalathevar in the last part was TERRIFIC! Taken in a more awesome way than in Pithamagan where Vikram killed the Villan in the last part!
  HATS OFF TO PADMASHREE KAMALHASAN
  
  
• From: truth (@ cache210.156ce.maxonline.com.sg) on: Sat Jan 17 07:58:57 EST 2004
  
  here's another review from galatta.com.
  
  http://tamil.galatta.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/released/virumaandi/#
  
  
• From: Sathish Nair (@ ) on: Tue Jan 27 09:11:56
  
  Hi guys
  Something very interesting about Virumandi.surprised that not many haver noticed it.Not even the media has written about it.
  The central prison riots shown in Virumandi is based on the the riots that happened a few years backin Chennai prison when Boxer Vadivelu died under mysterious circumstances.Infact a subjailor was burtnt alive inside the jail premises.does anyone remember this episode??Kamal has brilliantly captured this in Virumandi
  
  
• From: Baba (@ 203.76.163.3) on: Wed Jan 28 04:07:34 EST 2004
  
  Pongal Results
  
  http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/28012004-2.shtml
  
  
• From: TN (@ cache-gtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com) on: Mon Jun 14 00:25:20
  
  Pasupathy as Kothaala Thevar, man...he played his role the BEST! One word describes him........"GANGSTER".
  
  
• From: SayangMa (@ j39.ttk34.jaring.my) on: Tue Jun 22 02:16:14 EDT 2004
  
  Virumandi like Mairandi
  
  
• From: kamal rasigan (@ 203.106.143.129) on: Thu Jul 1 03:14:49 EDT 2004
  
  kamal nadicha nalla illama irukkuma ??????
  
  
• From: kamalfan (@ 210.18.90.1.sify.net) on: Fri Jul 2 09:05:16 EDT 2004
  
  Virumandi is a gore of violence. The technique of telling the story from both the hero & the villain's point of view is the only difference.
  
  A disappointing fare from kamal, esspecially coming after a beautifully crafted "anbe sivam".
  
  
• From: Baba (@ 203.76.165.1) on: Fri Jul 2 13:04:03 EDT 2004
  
  Virumandi released in JAN..... BUT STILL THE TALK OF THE SHOW IS ON, THIS IS THE VICTORY
  
  

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