Monthly Review: August 2023
September is here and how! August had good rains, unexpected heat, and sunny days. I had a chance to watch a couple of good films, read two books, and one web series. Let’s get started with the movies I watched:
Movies
Gargi
My friend Vishu suggested that I watch Gargi exactly one year ago when the film had its theatrical release.
I haven’t watched the trailer of it either as I had this as a must-watch film. Days passed, months passed, and I finally watched it on a weekend. I saw an Instagram post of Sai Pallavi about Gargi completing one year of its release. So, I started watching it knowing nothing about the movie on one Friday night, at 10 pm.
I knew that the story revolves around a case of sexual assault but have no idea who gets involved, etc. The writing of the movie is good. Gautham is a talent to look out for.
I was impressed by the casting choices as well. The father character portrayed by RS Shivaji looks innocent and doesn’t for a single minute feel like a criminal. That exactly is the point the director wants to make! You can’t judge a book by its cover — we never know who is capable of what.
Kaali Venkat has performed well, with that stammer and acting silly at times while also making a point with his performance. Also, the transgender judge. This is perfectly apt, and I couldn’t be more impressed here. She performed the role well by commanding the lawyers. Sai Pallavi is ❤
Azad
I watched this movie in my childhood and I vaguely remember a scene from this movie where Nagarjuna has an action scene near a train. Nothing more than that.
I saw a tweet that praised the director of Azad, Thirupathi Swamy who unfortunately died after making three films. His other film was Ganesh, starring Venkatesh. For some reason, I wanted to watch both films and started watching Azad.
To my surprise, it’s very good. It had a novel-like approach with characters and story perfectly intertwined. I liked the movie. Really miss Soundarya ❤
I’m yet to watch Ganesh, but I will watch it soon.
Jailer
I watched this movie on the release day as I couldn’t control myself not doing that, and also to avoid all spoilers coming my way from the day of release. I enjoyed watching a few scenes and shared my thoughts on the movie here.
Por Thozhil
A few of my friends suggested that I watch this film during its theatrical run but I couldn’t watch it in cinema halls.
I got to know that its OTT premiere was pushed for some weeks because of its extended successful theatrical run and I was happy for the movie. Finally, it started streaming on Sony Liv from the second week of August and I watched it on my usual Friday night slot.
From start to end, I experienced thrill, anger, sadness, and sympathy, among multiple emotions. An investigative thriller that doesn’t stick itself to adrenaline-pumping scenes but also touches upon upbringing, parenting, overcoming our fears, and earning respect through actions.
Every aspect of the film is good, and it’s nice to see Late Sharath Babu in a role that has ample screen time and he hooked us on the screen with brilliant screen presence.
I thank everyone who suggested this film and I humbly recommend this one.
I was happy that the debutants are doing a good job in the Tamil industry, a good sign indeed! Every few years we see promising filmmakers continue doing awesome movies.
If you have seen this movie, consider watching this interview of BR with the director Vignesh. This filmmaker did extensive storyboarding and it’s impressive!
Maaveeran
My friend Vishnu mentioned that Maaveeran is a good watch and I was looking forward to this film’s OTT release. The director is known for his debut, Mandela starring Yogi Babu. Although I haven’t watched Mandela, I didn’t want to miss Maaveeran and watch it on a holiday this month.
I liked this movie. It felt like an honest effort without unnecessary scenes. All actors performed well and I liked the chemistry between Sunil and Mysskin. Mysskin was amazing. Siva Karthikeyan is in good form and it was good to see Sarita (the last I remember watching her on-screen was Mahesh Babu’s Arjun).
Honestly, I didn’t listen to the songs but the background score is good. It didn’t dominate the scene and was complimenting the performances and writing. Madonne Ashwin wrote a social drama with a superhero, without making it over-the-top. Worth watching this film.
BRO
I didn’t watch the original in Tamil as the remake was already announced and after knowing PK is going to star in it, I was looking forward to it. Watched it on Netflix and I feel it’s better not to talk about the movie. Except for the Theme song, and a few moments of PK on screen, the whole movie wasn’t good and didn’t work for me.
I’m looking forward to watching HHVM and OG from Pawan Kalyan now 🤞
Web Series — Guns and Gulaabs
Confession time: I love Raj and DK. I love watching their work, laughing at the quirky comedy, feeling awed by looking at the scenes they write and execute and having a hangover for a few days.
Their Guns and Gulaabs started streaming on Netflix this month, and all I needed was two days to finish it. And as usual, I loved it. I’m writing a separate blog post on Guns and Gulaabs, watch out for it.
Except for their debut, Flavors, I believe I watched all of their work. Manifesting their Telugu movie with Chiranjeevi.
In a recent YouTube interview, Producer Ashwini Dutt revealed that there were plans for Raj and DK to direct Chiranjeevi with the script of Family Man. The director duo were okay with removing the kids’ roles in the movie too but Chiru apparently rejected the script and they went on to make it a web series. A good chance missed?
Books
Vamsy’s Matlade Gnapakaalu
I started reading this book, expecting it to have glimpses of his life, and his filmmaking journey. I am glad it had the contents I was looking for and much more.
Vamsy’s way of writing and describing things makes it easier for the reader to visualize what he’s writing about.
I was happy to read about his film journey, although it was brief. He paid respects to multiple people — Bapu-Ramana, Ilayaraja, Chakri, and Mallikarjun Rao among many, and shared anecdotes with them while reminiscing the sweet memories he had with them. Apparently, Bapu never went on a movie set without a storyboard!
Natthalosthunnayi Jaagratha
Last month when I was in Vijayawada, I purchased four books at Lenin Street. I searched for the bookstore that has Malladi novels and found this novel in one bookstore. The book was seemingly printed in the 80s or 90s and the quality of the paper wasn’t good.
I started reading the book and it was finished in a week or so. The novel has an interesting premise and hooked me until I finished reading it. I was expecting a humorous novel but this is a serious one. Anyway, it was gripping and a good page-turner that I enjoyed reading. Simple language and smooth flow made it a quick read.
I’m currently reading No Rules Rules about Netflix’s work culture. So far it has been a good and interesting read. Hopefully, I won’t leave it midway like I usually do.
Speaking of leaving books midway, this month I started reading two other English books and left them midway. I don’t know the reasons but I couldn’t progress and took another book and continued reading.
I discovered my behavior while reading a book. I start off with great enthu, one the book is about 20%, I progress at a snail’s pace, and contemplate leaving the book midway. I struggle to reach halfway through and the second half of the book would finish much sooner than the first half.
I have been doing this with many books without realizing it. Maybe it’s the first-half syndrome?
Other stuff
If you know me personally, you’d be aware of the binge-watching cooking videos on YouTube. I find it fascinating to watch people cook. I watch multiple channels like Veggie Paaji, Gourmet on the Road, Veg Village Food, etc., and love it when the vloggers share their personal life stories.
Last year, I discovered this channel called “Food on Farm” and we tried a few recipes this man shared. And recently I watched a video of this person narrating his story. Huge respect for the couple and more power to them.
