It is NGK vs Devi 2 down south.
Prabhudheva and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer Devi 2 and Suriya-Sai Pallavi starrer NGK have finally hit screens. While horror comedy Devi 2 is being pitched as the dark horse of the race, all eyes are on NGK, which is all set to mint gold at the box office. However, there is one thing in common in both Devi 2 and NGK – the films feature some of the biggest names of the entertainment industry. While Devi 2 has Prabhudheva, Tamannaah Bhatia, RJ Balaji, Yogi Babu and Nandita Swetha playing pivotal roles in the Vijay directorial. Holding the other end of the fort at the ticket windows is Suriya, Sai Pallavi and Rakul Preet Singh among others in Selvaraghavan’s political drama NGK.
NGK, which stands for Nandha Gopalan Kumaran, has been produced by SR Prakashbabu and SR Prabhu. It has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Its screenplay has been written by Selvaraghavan himself.
NGK also has everyone’s attention since the film is director Selvaraghavan’s first in six years. So in a way, NGK marks the filmmaker’s comeback to cinemas.
Earlier, at the audio launch of NGK; Suriya had said that being a part of NGK has enriched him cinematically.
“Even before the release of Kadhal Kondaen, I remember telling Selva that we should work together. It has happened with NGK. The film is a dream come true thing that materialised after 17 years. After working with Selva, I realised I have fallen more in love with cinema,” Suriya had said at the audio launch.
However, it was not only Suriya who had good words to say about his director. Selva returned the favour by saying, “Suriya was keen to improvise all the time even though certain shots demanded more than 20 takes. That was the huge strength of NGK. Suriya is a director’s actor.”
Indianexpress.com's S Subhakeerthana gave NGK a two-and-a-half-star review. She wrote, "The best moments in NGK are those where Kumaran doesn’t exactly play the ‘hero’ but a sidekick. It is in these instances the drama unfolds and that the film manages to touch the bar of a Selvaraghavan film. Suriya delivers a sincere performance, undoubtedly, though it takes some time to warm up to his character. Kumaran isn’t like Selvaraghavan’s typical heroes. He is less psychic and predictable. There is only so much an actor can do."
Also read: NGK movie review: Works to some extent, elevated by Suriya’s performance
Tamil actor Krishna wished the teams of Devi 2 and NGK over a tweet. He wrote, "Wishing both teams of #NGK @Suriya_offl na @selvaraghavan sir and #devi2 #alvijay sir @PDdancing na. All the very best #KillPiracy"
Indianexpress.com's Manoj Kumar gave Devi 2 a two-star review. He wrote, "Devi 2 signals a drastic change in the filmmaking style of Vijay. In the film, comedy scenes are very loud, song lyrics are lurid, fight sequences are very dramatic and it has little signs of the director’s subtlety that we have seen in his earlier films. Simply put, Devi 2 feels like a film made by a sober-version of filmmaker Raghava Lawrence. However, unlike Kanchana series, we are not treated to large-scale blood and gore in this film. That’s a major relief."
Also read: Devi 2 movie review: A sober version of Raghava Lawrence’s Kanchana
"#Devi2 - Might appeal to the undemanding family audience & kids who enjoy horror comedy. PD has the main role as the man who's possessed by 2 ghosts (for the sake of love). In the 2nd half, many popular scenes are conveniently, randomly referenced, in an attempt to entertain us!" tweeted Kaushik LM.
He added, "#Devi2 -@tamannaahspeaks has a key role as the homely wife who earnestly tries to help her possessed husband. She looks grt! @Nanditasweta looks stylish in an urban makeover. KovaiSarala is up to her usual hyper antics! Dir ALVijay delivers another shallow, run-of-the-mill film!"
"#Devi2 - Another wishy-washy film from director Vijay. Only @RJ_Balaji 's cameo provides laughter here and there while @tamannaahspeaks' provide the sentimental angle. Despite having two ghosts, the film fails to provide 50% entertainment of #Devi," film journalist Rajasekar tweeted.
Film trade analyst Ramesh Bala in his review of Devi 2, tweeted, "#Devi2 : A sequel with all the elements and stars from 1st part.. @PDdancing is good @tamannaahspeaks looks gorgeous and has a meaty role.. She justifies the title role with her performance.. @RJ_Balaji scenes r funny.. @Nanditasweta looks gud.. A Time Pass outing.."
“NGK was a very complex character,” Suriya had said. “You don’t know what’s there on his (Selvaraghavan) mind. Most of the time he himself acts out scenes, putting actors to shame. It is a treat to watch (him doing that). He is a fantastic actor and I really enjoyed following his act. I saw my character through Selvaraghavan and I did what I did.”
Also read: Suriya: NGK is a turning point for me
Film journalist Kaushik LM wrote about Devi 2. He tweetd, "#Devi2 1st half - Rendu Pei.. PD in multiple roles with very minimal variations. @tamannaahspeaks looks really gorgeous and plays the homely/hyperactive wife Devi. In the enjoyable #ReadyReady song she unleashes her glam, dancing side. Trademark loud Kovai Sarala is there too"
Film trade analyst Sathish Kumar M tweeted, "#Devi2 #Devi2FromToday -#Prabhudeva has done 3 Characterisations with little variation. @tamannaahspeaks rocks with her performance throughout the movie @Nanditasweta has done the role well as a modern girl. Comedy works in parts. 2 scenes of @RJ_Balaji has come out well"
Talking about her character, Rakul Preet Singh had shared with indianexpress.com, "Nobody gets to know about what is going in Vanathi’s mind. She is somebody who understands the business well. She is strong headed and very independent, empowered woman. So far in my career, I have never played such a character."
Also read: Rakul Preet Singh on NGK: I have never played such a character
Actor-dancer Varalaxmi Sarathkumar tweeted her wishes to both the teams of NGK and Devi 2. She wrote, "Wishing both teams of #NGK @Suriya_offl sir @selvaraghavan sir and #devi2 #alvijay sir @PDdancing @tamannaahspeaks All the very best from our team #chasing..Please do go watch it theatres..I’m sure a lot of work has gone into the films.. we should respect their work #stoppiracy"
Actor-filmmaker Dhanush took to Twitter and wrote, "#NGK from today !! Super excited. Good luck to @Suriya_offl sir , @Rakulpreet @Sai_Pallavi92 and @selvaraghavan. Looking forward for the wonderful actor and genius director combo just like you all."
Writer-director Pandiraj twetted, "Great response for #NGK #PostiveReviews ??? All the very best to @Suriya_offl sir @selvaraghavan sir @thisisysr bro @DreamWarriorpic @prabhu_sr sir & team #NGKFire ?"
"Seeing so many negative and mixed reviews for #NGK.But to be genuine @selvaraghavan sir has done a good job. He has explained politics in his way. Few scenes where he explains the power of politics are hitting hard. And @Suriya_offl sir performance, his expressions vera level," @Ganeshsrini2 tweeted.
@vidyakrithi95 shared on Twitter, "#NGK ...totally a non- #Selvaraghavan movie. @Suriya_offl killed it. You totally captured all the eyes. A decent attempt by #Selvaraghavan after a long time."
Suriya and Sai Pallavi's political thriller NGK hit the screens today. Within a few hours of its release, the film was leaked online by piracy website Tamilrockers.
@9ac522d017dd45f tweeted, "#NGK 3.5/5: GOOD watch. A neat entertainer from @selvaraghavan on how a common man becomes successful politician by turning everything in his favor with talent&skills. As a political movie it satisfies the target audience @Rakulpreet"
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Suriya said, "NGK had something which was very unpredictable. In this film, you can't predict what will happen next or how the characters are going to talk and emote? At the same time, the story is not restricted to any particular region."
Haricharan Pudipeddi posted on Twitter, "As a political thriller, #NGK doesn't hit the sweet spots but it brings out the best in @Suriya_offl in a role that has so many shades. A performance you won't mind betting your money on. However, the film never realises its full potential."
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar wrote on Twitter, "Wishing both teams of #NGK @Suriya_offl sir @selvaraghavan sir and #devi2 #alvijay sir @PDdancing @tamannaahspeaks All the very best from our team #chasing..Please do go watch it theatres..I’m sure a lot of work has gone into the films.. we should respect their work #stoppiracy"
"#NGK @Suriya_offl tries to shoulder the film with his stellar performance. He succeeds in bringing out the eccentricities of Nandha Gopalan Kumaran with a beautiful act. Powerfully choreographed market fight sequence, and his expressions in the interval block stand out! Would have definitely loved a more uninhibited version of the film. Quite evident Selvaraghavan has tried his best to make the film interesting with his signature moments but not sure how the effort weighs in," Journalist Surendhar MK said via Twitter.
Prabhudheva and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer Devi 2 will hit 275 screens in Tamil Nadu.
"#NGK - Despite a forced romance track & the needless #AnbaePeranbae song, @Rakulpreet shines as the smart political analyst Vanathi. Kudos to her Tamil lip sync; professional," tweeted journalist Kaushik LM.
"I remember watching Kaadhal Kondein (2003) and wanted to work with Selvaraghavan. I am glad it happened finally. It is a dream that took more than 15 years to materialise. NGK is a result of two-and-a-half years of hard work, and it is quite close to my heart," Suriya said on NGK.
"Surprise addition in #NGK #Kaithi Teaser & a Trailer of ......... Details soon," tweeted SR Prabhu.
Journalist Manobala Vijayabalan posted on Twitter, "#NGK 1st half: AWESOME. @Suriya_offl as a patriotic citizen and aspiring politician is super smart. @Rakulpreet gets a powerful role. @Sai_Pallavi92 is beautiful. @selvaraghavan's interval block will melt you down. Fab BGM by @thisisysr."
Fans arrive for the early morning show of NGK at Rohini Cinemas in Koyambedu. They are screaming NGK and taking selfies.
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Suriya said, "The film revolves around a party worker and how he goes up the political ladder. Selva has discussed the effects it has on NGK’s family. I think we have to be honest about our work. That’s what Selvaraghavan and I intended to achieve. When the audience watches NGK, they will understand this better. I hope it will be a turning point in my career."
Journalist Kaushik LM shared on Twitter, "#NGK 1st half - Going very good @Suriya_offl is TERRIFIC. @thisisysr scoring big time with his music. @selvaraghavan has got it right so far. An educated youngster's journey in politics and it's quite different, with enough intriguing moments. #Kaathiruppom for the 2nd half. #NadippinNayagan sits perfectly on @Suriya_offl. He's a delight to watch; screen presence. Nicely integrated parts for @Rakulpreet, Ilavarasu, Bala Singh in the political part of the film.@Sai_Pallavi92 is seen in the family scenes, and gets her moments too."
NGK producer Dream Warrior Pictures wrote on Twitter, "#NGK in big screens now! He’s all yours & We hope he’ll win your hearts too. #NGKFire #NGKFromToday @Suriya_offl @selvaraghavan @thisisysr @Sai_Pallavi92 @Rakulpreet @RelianceEnt @SonyMusicSouth"
If the trailer of Devi 2 is anything to go by, director Vijay seems to have whipped up a crowd-pleaser, betting that the audience will show the kindness to Devi 2 that they bestowed upon Devi two years ago.
"#NGK - @Suriya_offl as the cunning politician is fantastic, he steals the show and exhibit a unique performance (completely different from his previous films). @selvaraghavan has showcased the ground reality with his signature style. Good going so far. Good to see @Suriya_offl adapting to different styles. Proves that he is capable of shifting modes from @menongautham, #Hari to @selvaraghavan in a jiffy. He is just brilliant," Journalist Rajasekar said via Twitter.