Latest news with #KannathilMuthamittal
Mint
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Tourist Family': A necessary dose of positivity
When I first watched Tourist Family, I thought it one of the lovelier films I've seen, but also declared it too-positive-for-me. 'Not enough to write about," I told a friend. Perhaps I was wrong, for Tourist Family has refused to leave my head since. In writer-director Abishan Jeevinth's debut film, the titular family are immigrant Sri Lankans who find their way to India by sea—illegally. Citing the country's economic crisis as the reason, Dharmadas (Sasikumar) and Vasanthi (Simran) flee Jaffna with their two sons, Nithushan (Mithun Jai Sankar) and Mulli (Kamalesh Jagan). Vasanthi's brother Prakash (Yogi Babu), once an illegal refugee himself, helps them out, from their entry in Rameshwaram to a settlement colony in Chennai. From the offset, the family's journey is perilously funny, which defines the film's core: yes, life is sad, but you need to be able to laugh at it. Dharmadas (or Das) is a kind man, almost too kind, much to the annoyance of his elder son, who's upset at being torn away from his home. Das' overt consideration for others is ironic, because he's in no position to be charitable and could do with help himself. In contrast, Mulli, the younger son, is an easy adapter and quick thinker. When an inspector detains the family, he manages to get them freed by appealing to the emotional father inside the cop. The biggest hurdle that Das and his family faced was, in fact, crossing the sea and coming to India. The worst thing that could happen already did. Every other conflict is less Herculean in comparison. However, it is these little problems and events that their world turns around; the dominos which will either hold their life together or cause it to crumble, leading to the only thing worse than leaving their home—going back to it. Slowly and surely, the family forges connections with the people around them. The film initially warns us not to trust anyone, but support and solidarity can be accessed if one takes the time to learn, as Das does. The neighbours, who first seem uninviting and non-inclusive, become their community, they grow to care for the family. Incidentally, Simran played a mother in another film briefly touching upon the Sri Lankan refugee crisis, Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Language was the centrepiece of conflict and revolution in Sri Lanka; the desire for self-determination fuelled by language is common to many Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils. Although the film is not concerned with this, it is language that provides common ground for the residents to create kinship with the tourist family. I was at first confused why a North Indian cop, Ramkumar Prasanna's Balwan Singh, is the face of police brutality in a Tamil film. The reasoning seems to be that a Hindi-speaking, non-native would be incapable of sympathising with Sri Lankan Tamils as the natives could. Jeevinth's film uses the very language that is often caricaturized in Hindi films, but as a means of solidarity. The constant reinforcement of positivity is sometimes tiring but ultimately necessary. The film makes a strong case against increasing cynicism, and argues for taking chances on people even at the risk of being hurt. Care and attention are imperative to rehabilitation. The film shows us how individual actions cause ripples that change what's around us—we affect the world as it affects us. Despite its overt positivity, Tourist Family is not without melancholy. Das is a troubled man. Leaving one's home and letting go of one's roots is not a small sacrifice. Disrupting your present for the possibility of a better future is not easy. This migration causes friction between the father and the elder son. Nithu is angry at his father, making us wonder if the man has some skeletons in his closet back home. Though a film about immigrant displacement, prejudice, death and grief, these themes are delicately wrapped in comedy perfectly timed in big and small moments. Perhaps this is the film's biggest win—the characters make you laugh with and at them. I'm wary of films that are too positive, but this one I've come around to. Every conflict here turns into something that's either laughable or solvable. While that may not always be true in real life, Tourist Family is a much-needed hug in times of divisive politics. It reveals that kindness must go around for it to come back. It's an attempt to say, you may not love thy neighbour, but you must try to befriend them. 'Tourist Family' is on JioHotstar. Also read: '28 Years Later' review: Danny Boyle's triumphant return to zombie films
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Mani Ratnam fans get nostalgic for Nayakan, Thalapathi, Guru after lukewarm response to Thug Life
There was a time when Mani Ratnam defined the cultural zeitgeist of Tamil cinema – maybe even south Indian cinema at large. Even in an age of memes and GIFs, he remains relevant when shots of his old films are used in lieu of conversations. I mean, the image of Surya (Rajinikanth) looking heartbroken as the sun sets and his lover Subbulaxmi (Sobhana) walks away from him or the look Karthik (Madhavan) gives Shakthi (Shalini Ajith Kumar) as he locks eyes with her from a passing train are seared into any cine lover's mind. Which is why it's even more heartbreaking for fans when a filmmaker like Mani's craft is called into question. After a day of analysing the seemingly many ways in which his latest release, Thug Life, failed to impress, fans sat down for some introspection. Have they grown out of liking Mani's style, or did the filmmaker not live up to his own legend? If their posts on X (formerly Twitter) are anything to go by, the latter seems more than likely to be true. Pictures and clips from his old films like Nayakan and Thalapathi flood social media. After watching Thug Life, one fan on X posted their favourite scenes from Mani and Kamal Haasan's previous film together, Nayakan (1987), to remind everyone what both were capable of. They wrote, 'Look how beautifully Maniratnam crafted his own Godfather in Bombay. This cinematic masterpiece could never be recreated and will remains as the best gangster drama ever made in Indian Cinema. NAYAKAN - THE OG SAMBAVAM from Iconic duo.' Another posted key scenes that summed up Kamal's character, Shaktivel Naicker, aka Velu in the film, writing, 'Forever NAYAKAN. Absolute cinema! Peak Mani Ratnam.' Another hilariously posted a scene where Prabhu stops himself from slapping Rajinikanth, writing, 'Me trying to do maniratnam slander but suddenly remembering he was the one who made nayakan, thalapathy, iruvar, kannathil muthamittal, alaipayuthey. #ThugLife.' A fan posted a scene where Surya explains the plight of the poor to Arjun (Arvind Swamy) in Thalapathi (1991), writing, 'One film celebrated the day it released. One film celebrated on its rerelease. Thalapathi — Mani Ratnam's timeless classic made to last forever.' Some fans even got nostalgic for films Mani made in the early 2000s, like Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) and Guru (2007). 'What happened to this GOAT MANIRATNAM nowadays,' wrote one fan on X with sad emojis, posting a scene featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Another analysed, 'In Kannathil Muthamittal climax when the lead characters have conversation. Setting has that cloudy look. In the end it starts raining. From that to this. What a downfall.' Thug Life stars Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj. It marks Mani and Kamal's reunion for the first time after Nayakan. Hindustan Times' review summed up the film: 'Thug Life becomes a tiring watch after a while and it certainly fails to recreate the Nayakan magic on screen.'
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know that Singer Chinmayi Sripada was once a contestant on 'Sapthaswarangal'!
Renowned playback singer Chinmayi Sripada, celebrated for her melodious voice and chart-topping songs, had a humble and inspiring beginning. Before making it big in the Indian music industry, Chinmayi participated as a contestant in the iconic musical reality show Sapthaswarangal back in 1999. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sapthaswarangal was one of the most popular music-based television shows of the late '90s and early 2000s. The show was known for discovering and nurturing young talent, many of whom went on to become successful artists in the Indian music scene. Chinmayi's performance in the show caught the attention of music lovers and industry veterans alike. Her appearance on Sapthaswarangal marked an important milestone in her musical journey, eventually leading her to her breakthrough in playback singing with the song 'Oru Deivam Thantha Poove' from the film Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), composed by A.R. Rahman. This little-known fact about Chinmayi's early career serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished artists often begin their journey from humble platforms. Today, she is not only a celebrated singer but also a voice-over artist, entrepreneur, and vocal advocate for social change.
India.com
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress, who became overnight star at 20, worked with Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, was arrested for prostitution; Her name is...
There is one such heroine who gained tremendous popularity from her debut film. She shared the screen with almost all the south stars like Kamal Haasan, Balakrishna, Prabhas, NTR, Mahesh Babu. But she did not get recognition. You must be wondering who the heroine is. The name of this actress is Sukanya. Today's generation may not know about her, but at one time, she was a top actress. She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and has worked as a composer and lyricist. As a voice actress, she is known as the voice of Nandita Das in Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Sukanya made her debut in the Tamil movie Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991). She gained fame through films like Chinna Gounder (1992), Senthamizh Paattu (1992), Walter Vetrivel (1993), Mahanadhi (1994) and Indian (1996). Her contribution to Telugu cinema started with 1992's Peddarikam. Sukanya married R. Sridhar, a software engineer based in New Jersey in 2003, but filed for divorce less than a year later, alleging domestic abuse. One incident in her life changed everything. She was allegedly involved in prostitution and was also arrested in Chennai's five-star hotel. Various other reports suggest that the news is a fake. Reportedly, this entire police case happened in 2014, and it was a Bengali actress with the same name Sukanya, was caught in prostitution. Sukanya also claimed that she was framed and had not done anything wrong. On the work front, Sukanya played the mother of Mahesh Babu, and wife of Prakash Raj in the movies. There was an important role in the film Adhinayakudu with Balakrishna Nandamuri too.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
I can never make them: Mani Ratnam on directing comedy films
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Critically acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam admitted that he cannot make comedy films despite how much he loves the genre. Filmmaker Ratnam interacted with the media during the promotion of his upcoming film 'Thug Life' in Delhi, which also stars Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR in lead roles. During a press conference on Monday, the 'Nayakan' director opened up about his favourite genre and said that even though he loves comedy films, he cannot make them. He chooses to only watch it. 'The genre I like most, I am not good at them, so I don't make them. I just watch it. He (Kamal Haasan) does comedy, and it's unbelievable the comedy films he does, and I can never make them. So, I just watch,' said Mani Ratnam. However, Kamal Haasan believes that it is not that Mani Ratnam cannot make comedy films, but he just chooses not to. 'It's a choice, it's not like he can't, he won't. That's what I think. I have spoken to him. He is not those people who are very serious when we joke, this gentleman laughs. So he gets it. But somewhere, he has kept himself that way,' said Kamal Haasan. Mani Ratnam is one of the veteran directors in the Indian film industry with whom every actor dreams to collaborate. During a recent interview with ANI, Mani Ratnam got candid about being called a 'dream director'. 'Some people would like the dream to remain a dream,' he quipped. Explaining his collaborative process with the actors, Mani Ratnam added, 'So, it's not like you wanting to work with several actors ..(It's a two-way process) But that just shows how much you appreciate their talent and how much they like this kind of film. You should have something, especially if they really like to work with you.' 'I should have something to offer,' he said. The 'Kannathil Muthamittal' director feels he should have something substantial to offer to actors when they collaborate with him. 'I can't just take a film because they want to work with me. I should be able to give them something a little more or almost as good as what they've done before,' he said. Co-written by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, 'Thug Life' is set to be released in theatres on June 5. The film also features Trisha Krishnan, Sanya Malhotra, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, and Rohit Saraf. (ANI)
