Kollywood diary

[Arul Murugan]

‘2012’ dominates TN box office

Bhama Devi Ravi | TNN

Chennai: Call it irony if you will, but ‘2012’, a film on doomsday, is bringing in happy news at box offices across Tamil Nadu. In the opening week, the Hollywood movie, which has also been dubbed into Tamil, grossed Rs 4.2 crores and is expected to rake in around Rs 70 crore in all. A large share of the booty is flowing in thanks to the Tamil version, which accounts for all but six of the 119 prints in the state.

‘2012’ has clicked with the audiences because of the combination of a disaster theme, which comes alive through state-of-the-art Hollywood computer graphics, and smart Tamil dialogues. “Titanic’s record of Rs 10 lakh collection in the first week, and that of ‘Mummy’ (Rs 9 lakh) have been smashed. The opening collections have beaten the record opening for a Vijay or Suriya film. It will easily gross Rs 70 crore and may touch Rs 100 crore all over the country,”???(country or state) says AV Mohan of Seven Star International, distributors of the film.

“Dubbing a Hollywood film in Tamil is not a new trend, but to emerge a winner, you need to translate the dialogues well, match the lip sync and ensure tonal quality,” says Kalyanam, manager, Four Frames Studio, where ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was dubbed.

“The process may take less than two weeks, but it calls for a lot of professionalism,” says SN Vijayagopal, whose Vijaya Bala Cine Arts has dubbed many Chinese films. “Expert translation, matching the original music with your own music director and getting quality dubbing artistes are the bare minimum. And if the story is good, you have a runaway hit,” he adds.

Even rains fail to keep crowds for ‘2012’ away
Chennai: The Tamil version of ‘2012’, the Roland Emmerich movie on end of days, is running to packed halls across the city. Even multiplexes are screening the dubbed version.

It is eerie, listening to John Cusack trying to win over his estranged family in Tamil, or Danny Glover (he plays the American President) sounding like your local politician. But nobody is complaining.

As the adventure unfolds and a crack in the Sistine Chapel occurs, a howl goes up among the crowd, and when a part of California caves into the sea, shrill whistles reverberate in the halls. The sequences set in India may be a marketing ploy, but they seem to be a hit with the crowd.

When the film, released in the state 10 days ago, even the north-east monsoon could not keep the audiences away.

Crowds thronged the Vellore Vishnu theatre, so much so that the manager stopped issuing tickets and let the people stand and watch, says owner Thirunavukkarasu. In Chennai, the Mayajaal multiplex had to send for another print since its 14 screens could not keep up with the demand.


TOI

[Marathaman]

Haha. I'm sure 2012 will be a huge hit in India. They should release such films in India first I think.

[Brand coimbatore]

the first scene of the film starts in india. But the worst part is they show india as a dirty, overcrowded place..........

[Arul Murugan]

Year of surprises for Tamil movies : DC

It has been one of the most productive years for Kollywood, which churned out 131 films, against 117 in 2008.

But this has not translated into a proportionate increase in the number of hits. The year 2009 has proved once again that the formula of a hero-centric storyline with fight, dance sequences and a bit of comedy is passé. Formula is not a dependable word anymore as proved by the success of Nadodigal, Unnaipol Oruvan and Peranmai. Only blockbuster Ayan was an exception.

People's desire for different and `out-of-thebox' subjects is well understood by younger directors such as Suseendran (Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu), Pandiraj (Pasanga), Vikram K. Kumar (Yaavarum Nalam), Rajmohan (Kunguma Poovum Konju Puravum), Rasu Madhuravan (Mayandi Kudumbathar), Samudrakani (Naadodigal), Arun Vaidyanathan (Achchamundu Achchamundu).

"Only 22 of the 131 films released in 2009 made average profits. Only a few films such as Ayan crossed 100 days in cinemas. While over Rs 510 crore was invested in films, the profit has been just about 30 per cent," Mr R.
Ramanujam, Tamil film industry trade expert, told this newspaper.

"Tamil audiences have always been receptive to new ideas. This year is no different," said Mr S.P.Jhananathan, director of Jayam Ravi-starrer Peranmai,which is a hit with a new storyline.

However, it has been a year of disappointment for big heroes. Vijay's Villu made average profits.

While Surya's Ayan broke all records in box office collection,his Aadhavan di d not do well. Vijay's Vettaikkaran, released recently, did not live up to market expectations.

Promotional expenses of Kollywood films rose to 30 per cent of the production cost and television networks' foray into film distribution reached an all-time high.

The unprecedented box office success of the Tamil dubbing of Sony Pictures' 2012 and that of Arundhathee (dubbed from Telugu ) is an eye-opener for Kollywood. While the Tamil version of 2012 grossed nearly Rs 9 crore with an investment of Rs 2 crore, that of Arundhathee grossed nearly Rs 10 crore with an investment of Rs 1 crore.

The biggest disappointments during the year have been the failure of the much-hyped Susi Ganesan's Kandasamy and director Ameer's Yogi who touched the pinnacle with Paruthiveeran in 2007.

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2009...7.shtml?Mode=0

[Arul Murugan]

Ayirathil Oruvan movie questions!

சினிமாவை விட்டே போயிடுறேன்... செல்வராகவனின் சீரிய

ஒரு வார தாடியில் வந்திருந்தார் செல்வராகவன். உறக்கம் கலையாத முகம். வெற்றிப்படம்னு சொல்றீங்க. அந்த சந்தோஷம் உங்க முகத்தில் இல்லையே? கேள்வி ஒன்று பறந்து வந்தது செல்வராகவனை பார்த்து.

நான் எப்பங்க பிரஷ்ஷா இருந்திருக்கேன், இப்போ இருப்பதற்கு? சந்தோஷமோ, கவலையோ, என் முகம் இப்படிதான் இருக்கும். பல வருஷமா இப்படியேதான் இருக்கேன் என்ற செல்வா, தனது ஆதங்கத்தை அலட்டிக் கொள்ளாமல் கொட்ட துவங்கினார்.

தமிழ்சினிமாவில் ஒரு புது முயற்சி பண்ணியிருக்கேன். நீங்கள்ளாம் சப்போர்ட்டா இருக்கணும். அதிலே ஆயிரம் குறைகளை கண்டு பிடிச்சா எப்படி? ஒரு தமிழனின் முயற்சிக்கு இன்னொரு தமிழனா இருந்து என்கரேஜ் பண்ணணும். அவதார் மாதிரி படங்கள் வந்தால் அதுல லாஜிக் மிஸ்டேக் உங்களுக்கு தெரிய மாட்டேங்குது. ஆனால் அதே மாதிரி பிரமாண்டமா ஒரு படத்தை எடுக்கணும்னு நான் முன்வரும்போது ஆயிரம் லாஜிக் பார்க்கிறீங்க என்றார் செல்வா.

இதை ஆங்கில படம் ஒன்றின் தழுவல் என்கிறார்களே? இடையில் குறுக்கிட்டார் இன்னொரு நிருபர்.

அது எந்த படம்னு எங்கிட்ட காட்டுங்க. அப்படி காட்டிட்டீங்கன்னா நான் இந்த சினிமாவை விட்டே போயிடுறேன். எங்களுக்கு மூளை இல்லேன்னாதானே அதையெல்லாம் பார்த்து எடுக்கணும்? நீங்க சொல்றீங்களே, அதைவிட பிரமாதமா நம்மால் எடுக்க முடியும் என்று சவால் விட்டார் செல்வராகவன்.

சோழ அரசர்கள் பற்றியும், சரித்திர பிழைகள் பற்றியும் கேட்கப்பட்ட பல்வேறு கேள்விகளுக்கு பதிலளித்த செல்வா, அப்படி ஒரு அரசனே இல்லை. இது கற்பனை பாத்திரம்தான் என்றார் இறுதியாக! க்ளைமாக்சில் வரும் கடைசி பதினைந்து நிமிட காட்சிகள் ஈழ போராட்டத்தை நினைவுபடுத்துகிறதே என்ற இன்னொரு கேள்விக்கு, அந்த போர்ஷனை நான் ரொம்ப முன்னாடியே எடுத்திட்டேன். ஈழ பிரச்சனைக்கும் அதுக்கும் சம்பந்தமே இல்லை என்றார் தெளிவாக

http://tamilcinema.com/CINENEWS/Hotn...ry/180110a.asp

[rajii]

hi guys how u feel about this aiyarathil oruvan movie?

[Arul Murugan]

Mixed review, I have not seen the movie. But review tells it is a bold try in tamil kind of movie.

Some reviews tells like the great Chola kings were shown as barbarians. Though the movie carries the warning like "all the characters are not true and imagination", how imagination chola kings can be shown like barbarians when the real chola kings had excellent navy, army, arts, architecture etc., 1000 years before.

[gvijayan]

The chola characters shown in the movie are said to be living in a remote place in Andaman & Nicobar islands. Their generation is living there for a very long time after the demise of the original Cholas. I am not sure if the reason for them to have gone to such a far place was described in detail in the movie (it might have been explained in some ancient Tamil dialogue which I could not have understood, but not sure - and also the version I saw did not have the Tamil to Tamil sub-titles ).

[calculus_ask]

me too cant understand.. comments like " Tamila Pesu".. but good story.. might be eye opener for movies to come..

i like natarajar's shadow, desert concept, snake part in first half.. to understand second part i need to go to school again

[Fusionist]

about the film, yes its based on fantasy Chola kings, but which century Cholas ?

btw this is perhaps the only Tamil king/chieftain who was ever photographed and you can see how they looked in 1858... about 150 years ago.

[Arul Murugan]

That looks like Delhi Durbar.

[Fusionist]

Originally Posted by Arul Murugan

That looks like Delhi Durbar.

the irony !

Itws actually the throne of Raja Thondaiman of Pudukkotai which remained as a princely state during the Colonial Rule.

Here is a better picture..



source : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Thondaiman.jpg

[ChennaiIndian]

Originally Posted by rajii

hi guys how u feel about this aiyarathil oruvan movie?

I have seen the movie and would say that its a new attempt in Tamil cinema but for people who have seen Hollywood movies like Indian Jones, this might bring back those memories.

Chola kings were great and at the time of the Raja Raja Cholan, they were at the height of their power with their empire stretching far into South East Asia including the present day Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia . This explains the great Cambodian temples having Dravidian architecture. It also explains how we have a substantial Tamil population in those parts of the world although some would argue thats not the reason . Finally, the Chola dynasty came to an end in 1279 CE when the Pandya rulers routed them. The Cholas were gone for good.

The movie picks up with this timeline correctly and then goes into a fantasy world. The 1st half is racy compared to the 2nd half (which is also lengthy) . The classical Tamil dialogues with the dialects and slangs of the those times are kinda difficult to understand but you will get it based on the context of the scenes . For some time in the movie, you will not realize whats happening with some random scenes and songs . I seriously feel that Tamil movies should improve the quality of their graphics and animation pieces for the money that they spend on production costs. Even Dasavatharam graphics was poor by many standards...amateurish.

By the way, Karthi has been ridiculed a lot ...I wish Vijay had been there

It is very sad that they have portrayed the Cholas as barbarians especially involved in human sacrifice and perceived cannibalism (although they don't show this explicitly in the movie) . This can be excused based on the fact that this is just an imagination and anyone who has less access to basic resources (like those constrained Cholas who go into hiding in a distant land) will engage in such acts to survive.

[slakhs]

I agree with the comments above. Saw this first day. Second half was dragging too much, some of the supposed serious scenes, people were openly laughing, logic went missing (even for a fantasy film) as it was contradicting not just common sense but the films own earlier premises. If you think they insulted Cholas, I dont know what to say of Selva's take on Pandyas and Indian Army. He couldnt build up any sympathy for Chola's plight but then suddenly expects that from the audience. Looked like he wanted to stage spectacular scenes / fights and then tried to string together a story around it. Even in such a different genre, Selva managed to include his own perversions in terms of dialogues / scenes which were not required to carry the story forward at all but just for shock / titillation.

End of the day even though it was a different experience for a Tamil movie, it was not a satisfying movie. I couldnt overhear any single positive comment from the audience in the second half or at the end even as the first half was well appreciated.

Finally, please dont watch it with family especially young kids, this is not a normal A rated Tamil movie.

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by Fusionist

the irony !

Itws actually the throne of Raja Thondaiman of Pudukkotai which remained as a princely state during the Colonial Rule.

Here is a better picture..



source : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Thondaiman.jpg

Oh, looks like a typical dress outsourced from Persia. See how the cholas were dressed for the hot climate in Tamilnadu. Mural of rajarajan shows he was wearing some vesti stuff and nothing in the top.



Shivaji in Rajaraja cholan movie



mural in thanjavur

[Marathaman]

That Raja is just the ruler of a petty state, under the thumb of the British. Like his peers in North India, I won't be surprised if he was a decadent and ultimately powerless figure who spent his money on imported cars and Italian chandeliers.

[Fusionist]

Originally Posted by Arul Murugan

Oh, looks like a typical dress outsourced from Persia. See how the cholas were dressed for the hot climate in Tamilnadu. Mural of rajarajan shows he was wearing some vesti stuff and nothing in the top.



Shivaji in Rajaraja cholan movie



mural in thanjavur

yes something like the mural would be more accurate. My point was to show that they would inevitably look tribal in our present day eyes. They are certainly not as refined as they were made to look in films like Rajarajacholan or Veerapandiya Kattabomman etc.

[dr_thapalathy]

Aayirathil Oruvan movie first half was a copy from the Hollywood movie Mekkena's gold released in the 1960s. No one mentioned it.

But first half is nice. But Second half could have been taken well and a complete end to the movie must have been given. Then it would be nice.

This movie shows Cholas as under dogs, which is really not true.

[dr_thapalathy]

Please dont allow posting of Actors/Actress pics in this forum. This forum is for discussion about Tamil Movies. Moderator, please delete the actress pics in this thread or please move them to the thread dedicated to them.

Also, please dont post the same pic as in the website. If you get something new and different, post that.

[dr_thapalathy]

Ya, the AO movie is not watchable and not a normal A rated TAMIL MOVIE as second half shows scenes of nude exposion of some unwanted parts.