This Suriya-starrer trades the opportunity to explore sensitive themes for claps and whistles A trauma dark and deep lies at the foundations of the Kannabiran (Suriya) family, an event so permanent and painful that it must be impossible for the family members—Kannabiran, his father (Sathyaraj) and his mother (Saranya)—to have a normal life. The event…

Such films, with their focus on interpersonal relationships, come as a welcome departure from all the star-worshipping Hey Sinamika may be the remake of a remake (the Korean film, All About My Wife (2012), which itself was an adaptation of the Argentinian film, Un Novio Para Mi Mujer (2008)), but all of this really, really doesn’t matter because the dynamics…

Valimai is another case of what-might-have-been, but as it exists, I’ll remember it as a hodge-podge of a few impressive bike stunts I suspect that if in the future I remember Valimai at all, it will be in the form of some hazy visuals of flying motorbikes—something akin to that childhood videogame, Road Rash, in which you tried to…

Kadaisi Vivasayi is a reminder that it’s not enough for filmmakers to just be passionate; they must also be compassionate I like Manikandan films. Even in dealing with profound, perhaps even dark, themes, there’s a stillness to them, a tranquil quality. He isn’t hurrying; he isn’t forcing conflicts or outcomes. There’s tragedy here, sure, but it…

Mahaan may not be among Karthik Subbaraj’s better work, but it’s still worth being kind to, if only for some fascinating writing choices I’ve missed seeing Vikram perform. In Karthik Subbaraj’s latest film, Mahaan—a gangster extravaganza if you will—it’s a pleasure to see the actor in full flight and strive to lift the film along with him….