Chikku Bukku - A Plesant Journey!

I had been to the movie: Chikku Bukku @ Escape Cinemas - Chennai. Starcast: Aarya, Preethika Rao, Shriya Saran, Santhanam. Music: Colonial Cousins, Director: Manigandan.

Chikku Bukku is a lightweight family entertainer from debutant director Manikadan, who has worked as assistant director to Jeeva(late). Although, the story seems to have been stitched from likes of various Bollywood movies like Love Aaj kal etc., the director has put in a good effort to keep the audience involved.

Arjun (Aarya) is a Radio DJ in London. Anu(Shriya) is potrayed as a outlandish, modernized silly girl, who is pursuing her MBA in London. Both of them are headed to Tamilnadu, accidentally meet at Bangalore airport, and they continue their journey together due to some bizarre consequences. Another central character, Sekar(Played by Aarya) is infused into the film as a flashback from the past. Debutant Preetika Rao plays as Aarya's second love-lady in the film. The scenes in the film shift back and forth, between the present and the past, where the director tries to correlate the two.

Aarya's performance, especially in the role "Sekar" played by him, has certainly been very admirable. The character "Meenal" played by Preetika is perhaps the best character in the film. She looks gorgeous and has etched out her role seamlessly. Santhanam's comedy is a big plus to the film, though, he could have been utilized more effectively. Shriya Saran has delivered a hackneyed performance, some times, even grossly annoying. Hariharan's music was nothing special, but decent enough. A special mention goes to the exemplary camera and art work throughout the film.

The screenplay of the film is a bit edgy, could have been refined. In sum,thumbs up to director Manigandan, Chikku Bukku gives you that "pleasant" feel, once you have watched it.

Bottomline: Worth a watch once.

Kanimozhi - Movie Review

Today, I had been to the movie: Kanimozhi, at PVR cinemas - Chennai. Starcast: Jai, Shazhn Padamsee, Vijay Vasanth. Music: Sathish Chakravarthy. Director: Sripathy.

The term "Kanimozhi" might ring the bells of politics in your ears, but this movie has got nothing to do as such with politics. The debutant director Sripathy, comes up with a laudable effort, tries to bring out a realistic sketch of love and life. However, he fails miserably to keep the audience gripping, in an almost blatantly predicable love story with philosophical flavors added to it.

To start with, the so called "plot" revolves around Rajesh(Main character played by Jai) who is portrayed as a visual communications student, aspires to be a film director. He falls into a one side love cliche with with the heroine (Shazhn Padamsee). Actor Vijay Vasanth plays a antagonistic role (Kowshik), who also tries to win the girl's heart. The crux of the movie is based on similar interests shared by Jai and Vasanth, including the heroine. (you should have guessed the story by now?)

Actor Jai has come up with a mediocre performance in the role (Rajesh) played by him. The heroine Shazhn Padamsee an utter disappointing act, manages to look like a doll, and convincingly manages to act also like a doll. Some of the characters played by Rajesh's friends, especially Micheal, provide some comic relief during the course of the film. The music director Sathish Chakravarthy has composed excellent tracks like Muzhumathi and Penne Pogathey, which keep the movie alive. The climax of the movie is inexplicably horrendous, leaves you totally flustered, erasing even some of the good scenes you might have enjoyed in the film.

Overall, the movie is a stern test of your endurance, which leaves you staring viciously at the screen, perhaps, even making you wonder, what the hell happened after the climax. A criminal waste of time, strongly advise you to watch it under your own risk !

Sachin Tendulkar - The 'Boy' Wonder

Hi Friends,
This is the first post in my life though i had my own personal blog created long long ago.I believe all the people who are a part of this blog knew about me an 'Ardent fan' of this legend. Here I would like to share some of my thoughts on the one who is worshipped and feared the most by the cricket fraternity.I dedicate this post to this man whom i admire right from my childhood.

He is one of the god's gift to indian cricket.The fellow with an innate talent of playing cricket. The only thing god missed at the time of sachin's birth is while he came out of his mother's womb he wasn't holding a cricket bat in his hand.Had it been the case nobody's eyebrows would have raised with surprise cos they all knew this little fellow is born for playing cricket.The only guy who is expected to score a century evey time he hits battle ground,people look him up as an idol who will do 'ideal' things but they dont realise that to achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.

Criticism is a part in every sportsman's life but for this fellow its being throughout and will not end even if he ends his career.Criticism cause some men to break; others to break records and he has done the latter most of the times.I have always admired the way he handled and replied with a bang with his willow.The mark of great sportsmen is not how good they are at their best but how good they handle their worst.The calmness he exhibited towards people of our nation when stones were thrown at him shows the soundness of moral character.

I remember a saying "It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness"

In this journey none of path which had been laid by our people is easy to travel on yet there were some magical moments which was cherished even by the person who hated this guy the most.There were some compromises made and some stubbornness displayed by him as a part of this journey. we have to accept the fact that when ever a compromise is made he has failed and when ever he was stubborn he was unstoppable and fruitful ,yet people question his stubbornness.

He is called the poster-boy of indian cricket.Money plays a bigger role in this world.Sometimes every action by him is criticised.It not surprising to hear some comments "Plays for money".I ask you all "why not ?" He represents a nation and in an ever challenging situation which no one would prefer or live up to,Wont we make money if we are in that status and a sponsor knocks the door.

No one will forget the way our people treated these legends for a surprise ouster from the world cup 2007.Before commenting one should think "Am I worthy enough to comment ?".If we continue to do so I have some strong views which might hurt you but i care a dame about it .Folks,If we are not criticised then we must realise that we have not achieved anything in our life.Its a fact that people who are criticised more have acheived more in their life.

There are centuries he scored for losing cause but i believe there are lot more to come for a winning cause.Two or three years of cricket is left in him and these years we will come across some mind-blowing performances. November 2009 awaits for his successfull yet stressful completion of 20 years of playing cricket.

Take my words ....LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM we will not have another replica of Tendulkar in indian cricket.

... Let us form the Eleven ...

We all know Gopalakrishnan is an ardent fan of cricket. There are lot of occasions during our college days I can recall, Gopal and Anil engaging themselves in fierce battle of words. Now, Gopal has a long time vision of creating his own dream team. Before I go any further, here is his dream team: (May be this could well be another IPL team for the future!)

Gopal XI ( Coimbatore Cheetahs)

Younis Khan (Captain)

Micheal Clarke (Vice-Captain)

Dinesh Mongia

Amay Khurasia

Devang Gandhi

MSK Prasad (WK)

Noel David

Abay Kuruvilla

Mohammed Sami

Nilesh Kulkarni

Tinu Yohanan

Team Coach: Rameez Raja

Fielding Coach: Javed Miandad

Bowling Coach: Salil Ankola

Sub: Tapish Basiya, David Johnson

To begin with, the team leader: Younis Khan, who has always been continuously admired by Gopal, for his techinal soundness in batting and outstanding record overseas. (Main Skill: how to thrash any opposition team in Pakistan home ground)

Secondly, Micheal Clarke, who Gopal feels is one of the best all-rounders in world cricket today. He was chosen as Vice Captain mainly for his on excellent on field behavior and general conduct. (Main Skill: how to behave in the ground and maintain a good rapport with peers, and of course never say cheat!)

A special mention goes to Dinesh Mongia, who has forever been Gopal’s favorite batsman. He even started his own fan club dedicated to Dinesh Mongia. He, according to Gopal is the heart of this team. He was mainly chosen for his ability to gather runs rapidly and always justifies his position in the team. (Main Skill: How beat a dead snake and cement a place in the team)

Amay Khurasia, the fearless left hand middle order batsmen, who can flay almost any reputed international bowler out of the park. He was chosen for his consistency in batting. (149 runs in 12 Matches, Awesome!) (Main Skill: How to be consistent in each and every match)

Devang Gandhi, A swashbuckling opener, who can gather runs rapidly. Never wastes time in the crease. (Impressive strike rate: 50.51 in 4 matches) (Main Skill: how to score 5 runs from 44 balls in an ODI)

MSK Prasad, A decent bastman, and extremely useful wicket keeper. (Main Skill: How to score one half-century in 17 matches)

Noel David, who holds an excellent ODI record (scoring 9 runs in 5 matches with a best score of 8*. Now, isn’t that brilliant?) (Main Skill: How to impress the selection committee by scoring 9 runs in 5 Matches)

Abay Kuruvilla, Spearheads the fast bowling department. Gopal refers to him as “Creased Lightning”, for most batsmen get flabbergasted by his quick ones. (Main Skill: how to give away runs at an almost hemorrhaging rate)

Mohammed Sami, A well known quickie who was mainly chosen for his good conduct and pleasing on field behavior. (Main Skill: An exemplar in field behavior)

Nilesh Kularni, as Gopal calls “The juggler” known for his menacing turn. He was chosen primarily because he is that kind of a bowler who u can never imagine to go after as a batsman. (Main Skill: how to concede 55 runs from 4 overs in a 50 over match)

Tinu Yohanan, a talented fast bowler, who was selected for his clinical bowling display.

(Main Skill: How to give gifts to batsmen like full toss, half folly etc continuously in the death overs)

Of course, a car cannot run without it's engine, and without its coach Rameez Raja, the team is unfinished. Ramiz Raja has been Gopal’s Hero right from his childhood. Apart from his batting talent, Gopal has also learnt some English from Rameez Raja. He infact even read a book “How to we speaking the correct English Language” scripted by the legend Ramiz himself. Ramiz is a great leader, motivator and last but not the least: a flawless speaker.

Javed Miandad was Chosen as a fielding coach for the obvious reason that he is the greatest fielder the world has seen till date. He was always known for his Loyalty and calm conduct.

Salil Ankola, the bowling coach, a sexy fastest bowler during his times.

Tapish Basiya and David Johnson: Substitutes mainly for bringing water and groundnuts for the players.

All of us must help our Gopal to form his Dream team, your cooperation is needed to realize Gopal’s dream. I hope that all of us can contribute to this team. If u can come up with some new specimens, it would be welcomed! Lets put our share to make his “boyish” vision come true.

Cheers! - Krishnan

Pakistan: In a state of anarchy

Yesterday I was flummoxed when NDTV broke the news of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team. I could hardly believe my eyes. It is a shame that even sports persons are not spared by these ruthless terrorists. The motive of the terror plot was obviously to destabilize the Pakistan Polity, rupture its economy, thereby instilling the belief that Pakistani state is absolutely incapable of protecting the lives of its citizens. Frequently, minor terror attacks haunt Pakistan claiming the lives of hundreds of people. These incidents are recorded in some corner of the newspaper or sometimes even evaded. Thus, we are losing the broader picture.

Now, all of a sudden, the Lankan team is attacked by these mercy killers, creating a state of chaos, demonstrating the impact of terrorism on the world of sports. What are these terrorists trying to prove? That somehow such a dastardly attack on a cricket team was going to be more menacing for the Pakistani public, than the more constant attacks on innocent people and the fervent cries of women and children; who still continue to be aggrieved.

Recently, The Indian team was accused by the legendary cricketer Imran Khan for their decision to withdraw themselves from the tour of Pakistan. Imran, for all his political acumen, claimed that terrorists were disinterested to attack cricketers. Paradoxically, his statement has been rendered counter productive. Although Imran and few others (Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram) have been optimistic about battling terrorism in Pakistan, they however, have failed to take adequate steps to control terrorism. They have just been rhetoric about the whole situation.

This unwonted display of truculence on the Lankan team has again revealed the chronic insecurity in Pakistan. Consequently, this has created a major concern in the minds of other international players. This can also be a potential problem for the PCB, as the future prospects of the Pakistani players could be jeopardized. The Indian Premier league has been scrutinized owing to this attack. Some International players exhort that the IPL be deferred next year. Considering the current economic condition, deferring the IPL would prove to be a pivotal blow to its investors and players.

Amidst this state of anarchy in Pakistan let us not forget the mourn of wives and children of all those brave Pakistani Policemen, who lost their life during this attack. This is the crux of the problem today. All credit to Lankan players, for they dealt this misery with great fortitude. Recent Buzz suggests that PCB has expanded avenues for its players by scheduling its matches in a neutral venue or in the Gulf. While all these measures seem optimistic as far as the future of cricket is concerned, the current situation calls for a serious payoff to reduce the ever mounting toll on human lives in Pakistan, for this lunatic vendetta shows no signs of diminishing.