Aagadu - First Look Poster & Teaser - Mahesh Babu, Tamannaah

Aagadu - First Look Poster & Teaser - Mahesh Babu, Tamannaah

Teaser

Bangalore Days - Malayalam Movie Review

 Bangalore Days - Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Anjali Menon
Produced by     Anwar Rasheed, Sophia Paul
Written by     Anjali Menon
Music by     Gopi Sunder
Cinematography     Sameer Thahir
Editing by     Praveen Prabhakar
Studio     Anwar Rasheed Entertainment. Weekend Blockbusters
Distributed by     A & A Release through August Cinemas
Release dates   May 30, 2014
Running time     171 Minutes
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

    Dulquer Salmaan as Arjun aka Aju
    Parvathi as RJ Sarah
    Fahadh Faasil as Das
    Nazriya Nazim as Divya Prakash
    Nivin Pauly as Kuttan
    Isha Talwar as Meenakshi
    Nithya Menen as Natasha
    Vijayaraghavan
    Maniyanpilla Raju
    Sajid Yahiya
    Kalpana
    Praveena
    Prathap Pothen
    Vinaya Prasad

One of the biggest multi starrer to release in Mollywood since 'T 20' the BAAP of all Multi starrers. Usthad Hotel team [Anjali Menon, Anwar Rasheed, Dulquer, Gopi Sunder, Nithya] reuniting after 2 years, there were plenty to look forward to 'Bangalore Days'. The trailer, song, posters also increased the expectations.

The basic plot of 'BD' deals with 3 characters, Arjun, Kuttan, Divya, who are not only cousins but thickest of friends. Even though their families have issues and egos between them these 3 gel like anything & were inseparable. In the course of time, like Most of the Malayali youth now a days, the 3 end up in the land of techies, Bangalore, even though for different purposes. Certain characters like Das, Meeenakshi, Sarah enters the lives of these 3. How all these change their character, friendship, attitude toward life etc forms the rest of the story.

'Bangalore Days' is not your typical candy floss youthful romantic film, it deals with complex relations, emotions as well. but if you are expecting a 'Manjadikkuru' or an 'Usthad Hotel' you might be disappointed. The film doesn't have memorable dialogues & the heartwarming scenes are few and far in between. The film in the beginning felt like to feed on the nostalgia of youth, deviates from that path few reels later. The main issue with the film is that its too lengthy and the pace is horribly uneven especially in the second half. Had the length been on the shorter side the emotional sequences, even though few in number, would have had greater impact. The climax was predictable. There are also in brand promotions, few of them prove to be distractions, while few have been used efficiently. Youth might be able to connect more with the film (or those who have gone through such a phase) than others.

Even though made to look like for comic relief its Nivin Pauly's characters and story that makes the film engaging and provides clap/whistle worthy moments and he has done a Good job in that too. What could have been a usual role for Dulquer gets saved with the introduction of Sarah and the story provides few touching moments too and their relationship has been etched out beautifully. Parvathi has done a great job and Dulquer hasn't disappointed either. Fahadh gets scope to perform in the later half, which he does brilliantly. In the initial half he is just confined to look a 'Uninterested husband' and he successfully manages to irritate viewers too. Nazriya too has done a good job a bubbly girl in her early 20s forced to get married and entering the serious business of 'house making'. Nithya in a cameo and Isha in an extended cameo appearances were Okay.

Direction of Anjali Menon was okay Script couldn't meet the promises or expectations her other two films created. Dialogues were good. Cinematography was outstanding. Songs except the wedding song act as speed breakers. There were much expectations from Gopi Sunder's Background score, much more than the songs, due to which it feels tad disappointing. Film should have been shorter by at least 20mins for better box office prospects. But if you have greater patience and come with out expecting a candy floss, through out entertainer or the baggage's of Anjali's previous attempts you might find the time invested worth.

So in all even though it doesn't quite match up to the expectations it created, Bangalore Days is definitely a decent watch, for the performances and some nice touching moments and visual splendor.

Verdict: A Generous, Good

Rating; 3/5

Last Word: Have a feeling that film might appeal more on the 2nd watch

Bangalore Days - All India Theaters List

Peruchazhi - First Look Teaser Trailer - Mohanlal

Mr.Fraud takes Thunderous opening - Exclusive Box Office Report

Mohanlal's latest release Mr. Fraud took a thunderous opening all across Kerala. Being the next release after Drishyam and making lot os news in the past weeks the film released to awesome response from movie goers, last Saturday. The Day 1 gross was about 1.35 crores with distributors share of about 65 lakhs (approx). Eventhough the film got mixed response from general public the fans have been extremely happy with the way Mohanlal has been portrayed, especially in the first half. So the second day the business zoomed to 1.42 crores gross, with a distributors share of 1bout 68 lakhs(approx).

The 2 days total from Kerala Box Office is 2.77 crores with distributors share of 1.33 crore (approx). The film had a regular drop today, being Monday. But main centers are still super strong, Multiplexes which began on a slow note also showed improvement towards matinee and night shows. The film also took great opening Rest of India too. The film got the biggest release outside Kerala, releasing in same amount of screens as in Kerala. Addition of subtitles helped many non-Malayalees thronging theaters to watch the film, thanks to Drishyam.

As per early estimates the gross should be around 70-80 lakhs today taking the total to 3.5 crores and by tomorrow it looks like will cross the life time gross of Gangster. With music, video rights being sold for record breaking figures and satellite rights close to 6crores and the film yet to release in overseas markets, it looks like producers will be laughing all the way to the banks...


Kerala gross in 2 days 2.77 crores
Kerala Distributors share in 2 days 1.33 crores
All India Gross in 2 days: - About 3.5 - 4 crores (Yet to confirm)


* Update - 3rd Day All Kerala Gross 80 lakhs
 All Kerala Gross in 3 days  3.57 crores
 All Kerala Distributors share in 3 days 1.71 cr  (approx)

How Old Are You - Malayalam Movie Review - Manju Warrier, Kunchako Boban

How Old Are You - Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Rosshan Andrrews
Produced by     Listin Stephen
Written by     Bobby Sanjay
Starring     Manju Warrier
Kunchako Boban
Music by     Gopi Sunder
Editing by     Mahesh Narayanan
Studio     Magic Frames
Distributed by     Central Pictures
Release dates   17 May 2014 (Kerala)
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

Manju Warrier as Nirupama Rajeev
Kunchako Boban as Rajeev
Kaniha
Siddhartha Basu
Lalu Alex
Vanitha Krishnachandran
Vinay Forrt
Sreerag Nambiar
Jayaraj Warrier
Muthumani
Sethulakshmi
Amritha Anil as Lekshmi Rajeev

The return of Malayalees favorite heroine of perhaps all time has been in the news since months. Finally the film has hit the screens over coming 'various' odds. Did it satisfy the hype or did PR team over did their job, lets see.

Nirupama Rajeev is a Govt. employee, a loving wife and a caring mother. She is the representative of millions of Indian house wives/working mothers who have kept their ambitions and dreams locked up for their family or their husbands. Thanks to her Male Chauvinistic husband and an 'incident' that happens in her life Nirupama is forced to take some stern decisions which turns her life around. Was its for good or bad - the remaining reels tells us.

The trailer and basic story line gives an impression that the movie is inspired from 'English Vinglish' with a hint of 'Ethir Neechal'. Yes, in a broad sense it can be called. But How Old Are You has multiple layers that makes it a stand out film at the same time stand along with the recent women oriented, much celebrated, films like English Vinglish & Queen. Its difficult for majority of women folks in our country to break the barriers they themselves or the society builds around them post marriage (even though the situation is slowly changing). The films remembers them to break the shackles, chase the dreams, after all Age is just a number.

The 1st half movies largely at leisurely pace with some nice humor (some crass too) thrown in the mix. It was breezy and entertaining. The 2nd half takes some what a serious tone and pace drops a bit. It do goes to preachy/philosophical mode at times. But as a whole the film is inspirational, emotional and entertaining.

HOAY is the perfect come back vehicle for Manju Warrier. She arrests our attention and owns the screen like she used to do in her prime. The gap of 14 years wasn't felt much apart from couple of scenes. The film truly rides on her. Kudos to Kunchako Boban for doing the role of an MCP where the female character has more screen time and opportunities to score. Sethulakshmiamma (who did the role of Indran's father in 'LRL') was excellent. Rest of the cast were okay. Kaniha and the kid who played the daughter were miscasts.

Roshan Andrrews after an average outing is back to his full form in 'HOAY'. He handles the theme neatly and naratesa good family entertainer to the viewers. Bobby-Sanjay's scripting was as always good (the only time the duo mis fired was in 'Casanovva') and their dialogues were impressive. Cinematography was good, Editing could have been better. There's one song during the movie which was good, while the BG score was tad average.

In all its a film every family should watch, every Women must watch.

Rating: 3.5/5

Verdict: Very Good

Last Word: SHE IS BACK !!!!

PS: If the 'Master of Ring' had some questions for you take back some polite answers from the 'Queen' :wink:

Mr. Fraud - Malayalam Movie Review - Mohanlal, Unnikrishnan B

 Mr. Fraud Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Director: B.Unnikrishnaan
    Producer: A.V Anoop
    Executive Producer: B.Unnikrishnan

Banner : AVA Productions
    Script: B.Unnikrishnan
    Cinematographer: Satheesh Kurup
    Makeup: Pradeep Rangan, Liju Kumar S
    Music: Gopi Sundar
    Playback Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Shakthisree Gopalan, Sithara & Gopi Sundar
    Editor: Manoj
    Lyrics: Hari Narayanan, Chittoor Gopi & Santhosh Varma
    Costume: S.B Satheesh, Murali
    Art Director: Joseph Nellikal
    Stills: Sinat Savier
    Production Controller: Aroma Mohan

Cast

      Mohanlal as 'Fraud'
    Dev Gill
    Pallavi Purohit
    Mia George as Saraswathi
    Manjari Phadnis
    Vijay Babu
    Vijayakumar
    Siddique
    Sai Kumar
    Suresh Krishna
    Rahul Madhav
    Ashvin Matthew
    Rajeev Parameshwar
    Arjun Nandhakumar
    Balaji
    Sathaar
    Devan
    Gopi Sundar (cameo appearance)
    Amritha Anilkumar

Mohanlal plays a 'Fraud' who has many names and many faces, a non sympathetic cunning hi-tech robber. He gets offered a job with enough money that he can very much retire after this. But its not easy as it seems and is 'one of the most difficult mission' he has come across as the character says. The treasure belongs to an Old Kovilakam and they are going to open the chest for the first time in 41 years with all the relatives, police and top level private security team guarding it. So will he able to do it forms the rest of the story.

Mr Fraud is a heist movie presented in a mass masala packaging, so there's no logic in asking for a unique or different storyline as all of them have universally one theme. The first half is racy and entertaining largely thanks to Mohanlal who was simply free flowing and outstanding making even minutest expressions and simple dialogues clap worthy. The Director being a Lal fan has added elements to please the fans. The packaging and the way everything is setup in the first half is really good. Its in the second half the movie suffers a bit. Totally its an above average 2nd half with an average, rushed up climax. The first half makes us prepared for a better 2nd half which the film couldn't provide, also the unnecessary sentimence ruins the pace. It would have been great if the film had a climax like 'Mankatha' or 'Don' (SRK's).

With the limited budget Malayalam can afford Director was able to show the heist scenes convincingly. May not be a patch on Hollywood counter parts, but still they serve the purpose. Unnikrishnan B is definitely improving every time as a director, and this one is his best Directorial outing. Even though his scripting faltered here and there in the 2nd half, for most of the run time it was engaging. The dialogues as always were good, made look even better by Mohanlal.

It can be called a one man show by Mohanlal, after a long time Malayalees gets to see his Mass entertainer side which he did with elan. He carries the movie in his entire 'slanting' shoulder. Siddique, Mia George, Sai Kumar, Ashwin were good. Vijay & Manjari was okay. rest of the cast did their role. Dev Gill's villain character was a disappointment, as it was an underwritten role, the film could have had a better villain character.

Gopi Sunder is back in full form after a long back as both his songs and BG are very good. Back Ground score infact is a great plus for the movie. Cinematography was good, editing was sharp. VFX team have done a great job. Art work was superb. Action choreography was average.

Over all Mr Fraud is a Mass-Heist movie - must watch for fans, one time watch for others

After 150 days of delivering 'Class' to the world, its time to give some MASS with Class, good old Lalettan way, which no one can replicate

Rating 3/5

Verdict: Good

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