Sudhir Srinivasan

Maanaadu Movie Review: A riveting take on time loop underlined by clever writing

This film, that mounts opposition to the vilification of Muslims, is a smart entertainer, devoid of ‘commercial compromises’ With Maanaadu, Venkat Prabhu imports a largely Western plot device—time loop—into our mainstream cinema. The director, ever self-aware, makes references in his latest film to Hollywood work like Groundhog Day (the mother of all time-loop films), Happy Death Day… and in…

Siva: I seek happiness over appreciation

The filmmaker, for whom directing actor Rajinikanth in Annaatthe is a dream realised, talks about the experience and the film Little Siva was 10 years old when he got the enviable chance to meet his idol, Rajinikanth. His family was already into the business of filmmaking, and hence came this opportunity. Thirty-odd years later, Siva…

Annaatthe Movie Review: An emotional Rajinikanth in a throwback film that doesn’t reach its potential

Simply put, it’s a film that is designed to cater to everyone, a story where Rajini’s character typically begins with comedy, and then, goes on to get emotional and violent When Rajinikanth laughs, happiness courses through you. When he cries, sadness washes over you. It’s a rare connection he has forged with the audience over…

Jai Bhim Movie Review: A star argues for justice in this well-intentioned courtroom drama

This Suriya-starrer that is about unspeakable police brutality, is at once about the hope that justice can be sought, if workers of good conscience come together Perhaps my most favourite parts of Jai Bhim come right at the beginning, when it familiarises you with the way of the Irular tribe, in which belong Sengeni (Lijomol Jose) and…

Udanpirappe Movie Review: The characters cry a lot, we don’t

Jyothika’s character is near flawless in Udanpirappe too, but at least, she’s not dispensing long monologues, and she’s definitely not invincible Sometimes, we forget how far Jyothika has come. From playing hyper-excited, high-pitched women who existed to feature in duets and get rescued by the hero, this actor has truly come into her own, and in her…