This week, cinephiles have a bunch of options at the box office down south. Three of the most-awaited Tamil films have hit the screens today and each one is different from the other.
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First up, we have Peranbu, which has already garnered a very positive response from critics and celebrities who had the opportunity to watch the movie in a special screening. The film starring Mammootty in the lead role explores the complex relationship between a father and his differently abled daughter. It is directed by National-Award winning director Ram and stars Anjali, Sadhana, Anjali Ameer and Samuthirakani among others.
MOVIE REVIEWS: Sarvam Thaala Mayam | Peranbu
Director Rajiv Menon’s Sarvam Thaala Mayam has finally hit the screens. It stars music director-turned-actor GV Prakash Kumar in the lead role. Besides writing, producing and directing, Rajiv has also scored two songs for the musical drama along with Oscar-winner AR Rahman.
And then we have Simbu’s Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven, an out-and-out commercial potboiler. It is the official remake of hit Telugu film Attarintiki Daredi (2013). Simbu has stepped into the shoes of Pawan Kalyan, while Megha Akash and Catherine Tresa play the female leads. Directed by Sundar C, Lyca Productions has bankrolled Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven. Read less
Talking about Peranbu, Mammootty said, “We all live a blessed life, and we don’t know how blessed are we until we realise how the world of the differently-abled functions. Peranbu has a unique story, and acting in it wasn’t difficult. I just did whatever I could if I were a father, who had a spastic child.”
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Though Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven (an official remake of Pawan Kalyan’s Attarintiki Daredi) is a Sundar C film, it never felt like one – at least in the beginning. I know what you are thinking next. No, it never felt like Simbu’s film either. Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven is a glorification of its protagonist, Simbu, who plays a businessman.
Also read | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven movie review: Of Simbu, by Simbu and for Simbu
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"My best wishes for #peranbu from today ? @yoursanjali darling ???? Again we gonna see our performer Anjali back ??All the best to the whole team @mammukka sir @Director_Ram sir @thisisysr," tweeted actor Athulya Ravi.
"The kind of movie he does with childlike enthusiasm. With his never-ending desire and passion for the art. For the love of the craft. For the love of cinema. @mammukka #directorRam #teamperanbu #Peranbu," tweeted Malayalam star Dulquer Salmaan on the film.
"#VRV.. With me being thousands of miles far away, the reports and the reaction of the audience is overwhelming..thank you.. #SundarC #MasterOfEntertainment proves it once again why he is the best..#STR is outstanding in #VRV.. #VRVCarnivalBegins Watch it in the theatres," Khushbu tweeted on the STR starrer.
"Wishing my friend @DirRajivMenon the very best for Sarvam thala mayam which releases today. He has made a fantastic movie. Have done a small cameo appearance along with my friends Unnikrishnan, Karthik as reality show judges. Go watch it," Srinivas tweeted.
“After watching this film, many said that they were moved to tears and felt heavy-hearted. But, mostly your eyes will well up due to happiness. Tears of happiness is the big plus point of this film,” Mammootty had earlier said during Peranbu's screening.
Filmmaker Mohan raja urged the audience to watch Peranbu in the theares. He tweeted a video where he said, "@Director_Ram 's intention, @mammukka sir's dedication, @thisisysr n other technicians brilliance has to be respected.. Promising film like #peranbu has to be seen in theaters, sooner, to promote good cinema.. Kindly ignore if my opinion is irrelevant"
Indianexpress.com's S Subhakeerthana gave Perandu a four-star rating. She wrote in her review, "Mammootty as a confused parent, Amudhavan, is his most natural self. It is amazing how a Superstar of his stature quickly sheds the glitz when given a challenging script. Sadhana tugs at your heartstrings as Paapa as she delivers her role with great aplomb. Her innocent face haunts you long after the film is over. How Meera becomes a part of Amudhavan’s life has been told poignantly, and it’s one of the brilliant climaxes ever written in the history of Tamil cinema."
Also read: Peranbu review: There’s a lot of heart in this delicately textured moving drama
Music director-turned-actor GV Prakash Kumar had tweeted his gratitude through a video. He said, "Hi everyone . thanks a lot for the love u have been showering on Sarvam Thaala Mayam .thanks to the press who have celebrated the film ... the film is all yours from tomm .do catch it in theatres .an @arrahman musical .a @DirRajivMenon film . #sarvamthaalamayam #STMFromTomorrow"
Talking to The Hindu, Sarvam Thaala Mayam director Rajiv Menon said, "The germ of the storyline of Sarvam Thaala Mayam stemmed from one question: why don’t people who make the mridangam play it? For the last 150 years, why haven’t we seen anyone from the manufacturer’s community playing the instrument? We don’t know where the problem lies but it’s a fact that there is an under-representation."
"I watched the subtitled copy of Sarvam Thaala Mayam, a Tamil film directed by the ace cameraman Rajiv Menon. Loved it. Good story, good direction and good performances. It is a sensitive film about social justice in the music world," Javed Akhtar said via Twitter.
Director Ram on working with Mammootty, "This film took shape in 2004 when I was an assistant director. In 2007, I made my first movie (Kattradhu Thamizh). Actor Padmapriya was my friend. I told her that I had a story for Mammootty during the making of Thanga Meenkal (2013). In 2015, I was asked to meet Mammootty. I narrated the script for 30 minutes, and he agreed to do this film."
Also Read | Mammootty: Peranbu will make you shed tears of happiness
Mammootty earlier shared, "I am acting in a Tamil film after 10 years. Peranbu will speak for itself, and I don’t have to. We were involved with the production work for many days, and we did this film with so much love and affection. From here on, the film is yours. You have to celebrate it, and you are responsible for it."
Also Read | Peranbu will speak for itself: Mammootty
Sreekar Prasad shared on Twitter, "Go see #Peranbu to see one of directors who repeatedly comes out with original ,real and interesting emotions @Director_Ram"
"@Director_Ram sir's #Peranbu is a colossus. Poignant and aesthetic dive into the abyss that tries show us how the very fabric of our universe is bound by unconditional love. ?????? ??????????. @mammukka sir is legendary in this film. Thank you Ram sir for #??????? A must watch ?," PS Mithran shared on Twitter.
Mohan Raja shared on Twitter, "@Director_Ram 's intention, @mammukka sir's dedication, @thisisysr n other technicians brilliance has to be respected.. Promising film like #peranbu has to be seen in theaters, sooner, to promote good cinema.. Kindly ignore if my opinion is irrelevant"
Kalaiyarasan shared on Twitter, "#Peranbu No words to express the emotions going through.such a wonderful masterpiece by @Director_Ram sir n team. So realistically captured emotions by #thenieswar sir. @plthenappan huge respect for supporting this art sir. A must watch film.. pls do watch n celebrate this art."
Acclaimed cinematographer-director-ad filmmaker Rajiv Menon returns to direction after 18 years with Sarvam Thaala Mayam — a story that revolves around the life of a young Dalit guy, who wants to make a mark in Carnatic music. As someone familiar with the Chennai music scene, Rajiv explores the things that bother him as a connoisseur of arts and mirrors the never-ending debate of the art form taken over by socially-dominant Brahmin patrons and practitioners.
Also Read | Sarvam Thaala Mayam review: An honest attempt that explores the cultural politics of Carnatic music
Mammootty as a confused parent, Amudhavan, is his most natural self. It is amazing how a Superstar of his stature quickly sheds the glitz when given a challenging script. Sadhana tugs at your heartstrings as Paapa as she delivers her role with great aplomb. Her innocent face haunts you long after the film is over.
Also Read | Peranbu review: There’s a lot of heart in this delicately textured moving drama