Aayirathil Oruvan
1000-il Oruvan : 300-il oruvan is the apt title !
One of the promising directors in Tamil is Selvaraghavan. He made his mark completely with his work “Kadhal Konden” — every scene was so refreshing though it had the theme of Guna. The making made the difference. He continued with his works like 7G Rainbow colony and Pudhupettai. I like all of them for different aspects: Father-son relation in 7G, new characters and extra ordinary music from Yuvan in Pudhupetai. In fact, the other good aspect is about the combination of Selva — Yuvan — Na.Muthukumar.
Coming to Aayirathil oruvan.. It’s mega budget movie, second film for Karthi after the blockbuster Paruthiveeran, first time music with GV Prakashkumar, the suspense casting of Parthiban, double heroines Andrea and Reema sen, first time combination of Ramji and Selva, period n adventuros plot which is very rare in Tamil. However I would say this film does’nt meet the hype.
Story :
A senior archeologist [ Prathap ] was studying about the residue of the last Chozha kingdom and vanishes mysteriously. Later, a team of government officers [ Reema sen ], military troop, archeologist [ Andrea — daughter of the missing person ] and helpers [ headed by Karthi ] travel to a remote island to find what happened to him.
They undergo the possible and fanaticized dangers in the jungle n sea. After their expedition, what they come across is an unexplored world full of mysteries and secret links.
View :
The positive side of the movie is the anticipation it created among the viewers. At least this is not the same Madurai thug and village girl falling in love kind of story. I am sure the team should have got a fine story and sequences during their paperwork. What they have achieved on screen is really very new. The scope of the movie is very broad in the visual and musical sense[ utterly wasted ]. To my surprise, Reema sen [ I am not a fan of her ] done a fantastic work with her role. The credits should go to Selvaraghavan, Ramji [ Cinematographer — the top performer of the movie ], Parthiban and the design team. GVPrakash has done a wonderful job in songs and average work in BGM part. I missed Yuvan, seriously.
However the package is highly incomplete with confusing narration. I would say Selva has failed in carrying that story forwards with interesting sequences. Instead his stumbling resembles the humpy treatment of Aalavandhaan / Vaarnam 1000 [like the illusions scene and durg addiction respectively ]. Karthi has wasted his long wait where he doesn’t have any scope to play. He carries the residue of Paruthiveeran in his body language as well as dialog delivery. Similarly Andrea is just a serious archeologist [ model ?! ] who lacks scope. Even the “Nadodigal” Abinaya has been wasted just as an extra artist. People asked for translation in the second half for the pure Tamil used in the film :( . Nothing explained in the happenings of the Chola kingdom — It’s just a crazy groups of people and a crazy king.
The story is not told in a straight forward manner and the grip is missing to keep the sequences tightly bonded. The film was not at all moving. If the viewer is convinced while watching the movie without any doubts, that’s the successful entertainer. But this film raises at least 10 different questions in every sequence. “Maalai neram” song doesnt fit this film at all and of course it has not been picturised.
Movie influences — It’s not a sin to get influenced from something. but you need to have our own play ground to play the same. Though “Andha naall” used the technique of Rashomon and The woman in question, the native story makes it very original and interesting. I found that Selva tried to incorporate visuals heavily from the movies — 300, Gladiator, Apocalypto, Indiana Jones. Give a try to watch 300 alone and check [ that’s why I mentioned this as 300-il oruvan ].
For me, cinema is more than just using CG, high profile visualization and technology. Technology should be used for story telling and not the reverse. I pity the producer Ravindran, Karthi and of course, Selvaraghavan. The other concern is to avoid using the old Tamil film titles. Irrespective of the result, it affects the yester year’s film name. Can someone take a junk film and name it as ‘Udhirip Pookall’ :( .
–Toto.
Kanthasamy - Action entertainer.
Gilly of Gully :)
Silent Monk 
Nandalala - The road not taken
Unnaip Pol oruvan
Yuddham Sei
Yuddham Sei - Foretaste
Chithiram Pesudhadi - Nam sindhai Mayangudhadi..
Avan Ivan - Avane thaan Ivan
Aadukalam Amarkkalam
Andha Naall
Anjaathey - Hidden thoughts and knots.
Nadunisi Naaigall Nobbler
POO - Memoirs of Mari.
Thalainagaram Engall Subramaniapuram
Kallavaani - Fragrant Frangipani 
Reel rewind - Classics - Mullum Malarum
Ellam Inba Mayam
Ameer Sultan's Saga - Paruthi Veeran.
//Tech nol ogy should be used for story telling and not the reverse//
Yes, i agree with this POV. Selva might have post the plot in the course of the making. sometimes this is called as the timeline interest error.
for example, when you start writing on a topic today, you will be in a fifferent mood and your flow will be different. however, when you continue to write the next week, the same pattern and flow may not be there. imagine the same over a period of 3 years.
yes, selva never writes the “bound script” and hence it is what he visualises in his mind that is captured. so we can understand the issues with the second half.
Thanks Viswa for the comments. No director commits the timeline interest error with their own money :) . A success makes the entire crew to continue in their next project in the sentimental business world.
We have seen such major hype/ long delay movies flopping, time and again, I remember Vikram being of the same kind. I don’t understand why people don’t learn. I was surprised to see these people talking as if this movie is going to be a milestone for the Tamil film industry, I immediately knew that it is going to be a major disappointment. Wonder how these guys talk like this with such seriousness.
Thanks Krishna.. True ! He’s still talking like the same. This is the first time in my knowledge a director explained the story in a press meet after a week of movie release. If he couldn’t convey on screen, what’s the point ! There are people who defend him too :) .
The best in this series were Baba and Aalavandhaan.. I still remember return journey after 2nd show in the cold night of Bangalore, with utter disappointment.
One universal comment I am hearing is Karthi had little role to play and Reema sen is the lead artist in the entire movie.…sad for karthi that he wasted 2years in this project and atlast getting a raw deal.
Thanks Kathir. It’s true — Karthi has wasted his role. Unless “Paiyaa” runs, it’s tough for Karthi’s career. AO defames his image in PV.
Somehow I dont go with Toto here, comparing this magnanimous with the crap Alavandans and Babas of this genere. The movie infact lost its track for a brief period in search of the target, but the breathtaking visuals keep you back at the seat with the wonder why other people are still around the desert tree with love songs. It takes pain to be the best…and for sure the results are not going to be better when you try forcing an elephant in the cattle house. Ofcourse Ridley Scott and Roger Young and Mel Gibson would as well face such reviews if they come up to make a Tamil grander. Any failure of such movie reminds me of SouthAfrican and Australian team losing its grip at Bangaladesh.
I have never had a great opinion on Partheban till date.….one request to this honorable actor: Please stop acting with Vadivelu.…Im better off seeing this movie 100 times than 100 new movies with you in such low grounds. You are going great heights in this movie man.
This is only the second instance in my life where a movie left me with a question in my mind.…Am I a Cheran or Cholan or Pandian. Earlier innocent question was when I reached home after seeing Malayur mammattiyan.….“Amma.…Saritha ippo boat-la engae reach aayiruppaanga?”
Good work Selvah. Im ashamed of watching Punnagai Mannan twice in theatre. Let me again visit Mayajaal to support the cause.
I would like to respect your views. When Manirathnam was asked about Uyire’s failure, he said that he failed to capture the audience with his work. Even the spoof Thamizhppadam has a story and a purpose. I compared Aalavandhaan for the illusions they have. You could be from Pallava / Vijayanagara / Nayak / Sethupathi / Thondaimaan.. History is beyond these 3 C/C/P empires.
Never mind.. I am pleased to know your question about Mambatiyan Saritha :). Verenna kelvinga kette sollu ?
sir its true story. but you some time afraid .. pls dont afraid ok . 50 years back my comunity meet this problem.today i see your picture very thanks
My View. I will also go with Mani’s comments. This movie made us to watch sitting at tip of the seat especially after interval. Suddenly i realized there is no dialogues at all post to interval which was good. He made sure audience were completely attached to the movie. Only point here is many of them including me couldn’t understand the story :) which could have been better but i appreciate his attempt , olden tamil language and making. As visu said i pity on karthi. Also after hearing from visu copy of few scenes from holly wood disapointed my from directors effort. If he is attempting to meet high standard with our history why he should pick scenes…somhow i was not convinced may be for a normal audience he has translated collective of hollywood movies with our touch.
End of this movie one thing i wished was , Knowing its a historical movie director should have surrendered to Ilayaraja for atleast to score backround music.
I think we should not compare this move with Allavandaan and baba which is utter waste movies. when compared with those this is good attempt.