64 very young — 34 too old
CHEENI KUM
I was looking for a no-nonsense film for a calm Saturday night. I randomly picked up “Cheeni kum” just for the 2 great legends ; IR and PC Sriram. The movie experience was very light — extremely lighter and humorous. I have heard about this film manier time before but tried it now. The result was pleasing.
A film expresses mostly the nature of the creator — dark or humorous or musical. KViswanath gives a lot of importance to Carnatic music and so his films. So what happens when a movie is directed by a maverick ad film maker [ a diehard fan of Manirathnam ] — the movie becomes interesting with one liners and small events; What happens to be his choice of music when it comes to his film, where he grew up with the best of Tamil film music — Ilayaraja; Who would be his choice for interestingly portraying the characters and mood on the screen — PC Sriram. He could have taken a run-of-the-mill love subject in Hindi — but he has tried a better one.
Plot :
The story is a simple and an unconventional love tale happening between 2 different characters; a 64 yrs old London based Chef and 34 years old woman from India. Period!
View
What I have mentioned is not the one-liner but the complete movie. However the director has not used any cheap methods to make the film interesting. The film starts in the beginning :) without much deviation or an introduction song. There’s no comedy track, characters singing on screen, furious fights, 50 member family crowds and the same old cliches of hindi cinema.. Though they used a small girl character [ill], they haven’t used it for much of emotions. In reality, we can’t be emotional forever — that’s what the characters do. Interestingly the chef has a mother who is 94 years old and actively speaking — not the usual mother character with lots of cough and cough syrups on the bedside :).
The director has done a wonderful job on the characterization [ neatly etched ! ], dialogues [ interestingly lighter ! ] and the flow stumbles at the end, slightly. Almost all the dialogues are used indirectly — due to egos, the characters don’t accept even a small thing directly. They are catchy, in fact. The casting was perfect for Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu — they have handled the roles with utmost ease and justified with their elegant performances. Big B justifies the cast and leaves us with the question whether we have any actor do the same, in Tamil??!!
Coming to music — It’s like having your own home-made dishes when you are located in a foreign country. I haven’t heard such a rich score in the recent past. The songs are not fully used in the film and yet the impact of music is fabulous in the film. It’s a feast to hear Shreya Goshal for the evergreen tunes of IR. Her voice comes out magically pleasing in the numbers. However, IR has changed the music with the new scoring, leaving the tunes intact. The theme music [ piano ] and the other melody [ Sax — check “En iniya pon nilave” ] are sparkling. IR has done a neat and captivating score. Soothing album.
Director Balki said “I wanted the rest of the country that hasn’t had the opportunity to listen to the genius to hear the best of Ilayaraaja.” It’s even applicable for us to revisit them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGS8xDwz6o — Theme music
The other doyen is PCSriram — the best is, he gives an elevated look and feel to the film. He captured the emotions, mood and the places very beautifully. He was too committed to this film and refused Manirathnam’s Guru at that time even Cheeni kum shooting delayed in between; following his motto of doing one film at a time.
Of course, the later part of the movie slightly drags and the ending too — it’s very usual that a creation tumbling at the end. In my view, the reason I selected the movie was fulfilled — IR and PCSriram.
Happy watching.
:)
Toto.
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IMDb's page for this movie
Cheeni Kum teaches many management lessons. We have screened the opening scenes of the movie in two of the training programs(read Only two) we conducted. AB is a autocratic boss who refuses to believe that he or his people could be wrong especially when the ‘Hyderabadi Zafarani Pulav” comes back to the kitchen.
Starting from that scene the way AB transforms himself after falling for tabu is quite natural. The neighbour girl had done a splendid supporting role. At the end when AB cries like a child when he hears about this girls death…though it may seem like extreme histrionics, it was very moving.
On your question if anybody could do the same roles in tamil with elan.…choice is limited…We can fit quite a few heroines including Simran or Meena.…but when it comes to fitting a match for AB’s role.….
Nasser: Inhibiting factor could be his strong mannerisms, loud voice. But otherwise can be fit.
Kamal: Probably yes because he has played such oldie roles starting from Indian, Avvai Shanmugi etc
Rajini: Our hero never gets old.….Actually maybe in real life lot more 35somethings fall for him still.…
Who’s your choice…
I had stopped seeing AB movies oflate (more than 15 years) thought he was going in the same mould as another legend Sivaji, he too had a tough time choosing the role befitting his age and status, Mudhal mariyadhai is an exception.
Will try to watch this when I can find the DVD.
On who can do ABs role in Tamil, Satyaraj will be ideal, he is a director’s actor, can do all types of roles if the script demands it. His height and over powering presence can do can be add-ons to his histrionics skills.
Thanks Kathir.. The management lesson is news and in fact it’s appropriate too ! My first preferance would be Rajini without his current image. Kamal — of course without any make-up may do [ like Unnai Pol Oruvan ].
Thanks Irshaad.. This one is really good and simple. He fits in the role along with his age and personality — AB at his best. Sathyaraj — may be.
interesting review as usual. u created the urge to view the film, if i can get a DVD.may be the sub titles can be of greater help as i would be lost when these characters talk subtly( at least in theater i can look at some help from the neighbour, at home, i would be asked for explanation by my wife and i have to ‘make up’ some meaning and my hindi expertise would be found out soon).
My vote would be for Late Raghuvaran, but since it is too late for him, i chose Kamal/PrakashRaj. both go overboard and over act, but certainly eminently watchable performers.
Thanks Rajan.. Sub-titles are of great help and thankfully this movie has lesser and sharp dialogs. This ‘overboard’ issue is there for all of our actors.
it is a diff effort by the Dir. esp, the collaboration with IR. The songs have come out very well, Shreya does good justice (looks like, Shreya is IR’s fav and Madhushree is ARR’s fav!)
I did not like the little girl’s character — found it to be a bit over the top. AB is okay, Tabu is good as ever. As far as doing the AB role in Tamil, Surya will be happy to do the character (remember, Varanam Aayiram) :-)
Thanks Krishna and I second your thoughts except Surya :) . The little girl is the reflection of Manirathnam’s influence in Balki. Surya in fact had failed in V1000 to impress in the senior character. Surya will be happy to do — what about us ??!! :)
Yes, it was a pathetic show by Surya in V1000, i was just kidding. i hear that he has done a 10 year old (or is it 10th std) in the new movie, how bad is that? the guys surrounding him will make him one more Kamal (in not realizing his follies)
In aadhavan, Surya’s face [ slightly altered ] and attached to a boy’s body [ 10yrs old ] — it’s ok. It’s done to waste money [ the film itself ] on CG like changing Rajini’s color. The good thing is all the punch dialog heroes make Rajini better, different role/get-up change heroes make Kamal better and remixes makes us to feel the original better. Legends are unbeatable.
Got this movie after seeing a review stating PC Sriram, IR has worked for a movie.
Started watching and stopped it when AB jumps on a customer by making an ASH (anti-sexual harrasment) comment, kid’s inappropriate talk and AB’s sudden change (practicing how he will say sorry)…
All the above was very cinematic. You cannot jump on a customer that way no matter who you are… secondly, kids talking like an adult — I used to hate that Anjali (Mani Ratnam) movie for that alone, Third was ABs sudden found change and becoming very suppliant…Seri Vidunga… that is the story…
After reading the comments, I will muster interest and watch the movie. Let me see…
Thanks
Venkat
hello toto
I watched the movie
I felt it so interesting AB’s enthu is to be noticed
hey he’s still young yaar. he’s better atleast he chooses these types of characters
& unlike our tamil heroes still dancing with item girls.
the movie was not boring actually, different concept. nice
–nishu
Thanks Nishu.. True.. The entire idea of film making is not to be boring.. You r right.