Tamil movies for your free days...

This is not my zealot's list. Some movies mentioned here are from my zealot list, though. Note : Some. Most are ones I have watched and recommend you to, on your free days.

Watched & recommended for 2017 & 2018 :-

• Adhe Kangal - Kalaiyarasan, Sshivada & Janani Iyer. It was a rather good crime thriller. On rainy, snuggled on your sofa, this could be a good pick. Also had some nice songs.
• Dora - The gorgeous Nayanthara in the lead. Humour & horror well done. 
• 8 Thottakal - MS Bhaskar Sir nailed it as the main character. A crime thriller with a good set of casts. Tamil thrillers are revolving. 
• Pa. Paandi - Power Pandi. One of the best I would say. Because it didn't need glamour and glitz to leave a mark. Truth is, I love these kind of movies. Feel goods ones that end with a tug of the heart. And the songs. I have them on loop on my playlist. Rajkiran & Revathy Maam outshone Dhanush & Madonna Sebastian. 
• Bahubali : The Conlusion - Rajamouli brings movies to an all together different level. I prefered the first but this was tremendously good as well. p/s :- we visited the Bahubali sets at Ramoji film City in Hyderabad in February 2018. 
• Oru Kidaiyin Karunai Manu - Dont let the rustic surrounding of the movie con you into not watching this gem. This is a stellar. Again, no glamour, no glitz. Armed with an astounding storyline and very talented casts, this is another must watch of the year. 
• Vikram Vedha - The Movie of 2017. Wins uncontested. Yes, I am a huge fan of the very charming Vijay Sethupathi. And the young as ever Madhavan. But the movie is above them. I watched at the theaters, skeptically. Some reviews were rather negative and cynical. But I am glad I went ahead because this, is one of our very best Tamil thrillers. 
• Taramani - Because Director Ram is an ace at what he does. Warning : The hero will annoy you to the maximum. But, that is not what good movies are about. The story line wins. Ram wanted to emphasize on the cons of social media and he did it rather well. Yuvan's music brings further grace to the movie.
• Velaiila Pattadhari 2 - The first one was superb. A mass. This was moderate. The floods in Chennai and the lessons we should learn from the catastrophe. 
• Thupparivaalan - Another one of my favourite directors. Mysskin. Another good crime thriller that you can safely enjoy.
• Solo - This is a Malayalam remake. It is a compilation of a few good stories. It has the dark feel so if you are not much of a fan, please skip. I truly liked the movie - nevertheless. 
• Meyaadha Maan - Vaibhav. Priya Bhavani Shankar. Acute romantic comedy with equally fun songs that you should give a try. 
• Theeran Adhigaram Ondru - Based on a true story, this action thriller dwells into the history of robbers in India. 
• Aruvi - Aditi Balan. An original social drama. Must watch. I guess I have reviewed 10 reasons to watch it in early 2018.
• Savarakathi - Mysskin & Ram. Poorna, the heroin, in her character, will drive you mad. She has the ability to nag continuously. But there is Ram, and there is Mysskin, and there is this beautiful story about a father's responsibility and love. And a very very beautiful song titled, Anaanthu Paar.
• Nadigaiyar Thilagam - A biography on the legendary Savithri Madam. I enjoyed Samantha & Vijay Devarakonda just as much as I did Keerthy Suresh & Dulquer Salman. 
• Kaala - Superstar's best. He shines like a diamond as Karikalan. The entire cast too. For me, it was Rajini Sir's best to date. He played someone his age. No frills, no foreign locales. And songs that melt your heart. Must watch even if you are not a Thalaivar fan. I am. Diehard. :)
• Lakshmi - Prabhu Deva and that very talented little Ditya Bhande. A dance musical that you can enjoy with your family.
• Merku Thodarchi Malai - A village based movie on the cardamon sellers and the struggles they endure. It is based on the heir plights. Solemn.
• U-Turn - Samantha Akkineni is drop dead gorgeous - as usual. A horror movie with a twist. And the message it delivers. 
• Pariyerum Perumal - Many people have referred it as the best of the year. The story dwells on caste and the continued importance we give them despite all the progress in the world. I want to write further about the movie, but I will definitely recommend it to everyone. Remember, our blood is all red.
• 96 - My movie. Vijay Sethupathi & Trisha. Loved it to the core and have watched it too many times, till date. Everything about the movie is REVOLUTIONARY ! :-)
• Nota - A political based movie with the cute Vijay Devarakonda, Naseer, MS Bhaskar, Satyaraj and a lot more. A good watch especially for NRI's like me. NOTA - None of the above, in election terms.
• Raatchasan - Crime thriller with a very eerie villain. Go watch. I do not want to spoil the excitement.

This is it. A short compilation for 2017 & 2018. Hope you agree. Hope you watch a couple of what I have recommended.

Goodbye 2018. Hello 2019.
Stay blessed peeps.

Here's Ponapokkil from the 2017 Adhe Kangal.

Thunbam Nergayil - The Gem

I woke up to the smell of freshly fried vada - the famous and all time favourite Indian savoury. And, what came next to mind was, of course, tadaaaaaaaaaaa - Chennai ! Allepey ! Hyderabad ! Kanyakumari ! India ! Where my soul continues to live !

It's been many months since I did my daily dwelling on my favourite country. I woke up every morning missing India, prior to May 9th. The very memorable May 9th 2018. When my Malaysia was swept by a gigantic political tsunami. The people of Malaysia, unitedly, with the leadership of our favourite former Prime Minister, Tun M, changed the ruling government of 60 years. Amazing isn't it ? How unity can create such huge wonders. How people power is not something minuscule. 

So, well, now... 7 months later, here I am, writing my blog, from what we the people of Malaysia call, Malaysia Baru. Simply translated, the New Malaysia. The new government is learning the trait. We do have lots of hick ups, but we believe in them and a better future for this beautiful country. Hello ! Rome wasn't built in a day ! And, we are led by our 4th Prime Minister, our greatest pride. The oldest Statesman in the world. The one who initially put our country on the world map, for all good reasons. 

You should have known by now, how much I look up to my Prime Minister. I do. He is well read. He is intelligent, bright and quick to respond - sensibly. He remains calm at all times. A hard worker. Diligent in pursuits. And not to mention, funny and super cute at times. 

There was a video, viral days after our huge win over the last ruling party. When our Tun M returned from the Royal Palace after taking oath as our 7th Prime Minister. I remember crying in awe over it. His official vehicle stops in a sea of people, all who rush to thank him for saving the country and asking him to take care of his health and well being. He is 93. 

Yes, he is 93. He has led the country for more than 20 years as our 4th Prime Minister. He has seen us through economical and political turmoil. He did his very best for this country and has been the brainchild of many of our greatest achievements. 

I'm smiling. I'm truly proud of him and thus my extra bragging. And, if you are a non Malaysian reading this, do visit my beautiful country any time soon. In advance, here's me welcoming you to our New Malaysia. 

7 months have passed by swiftly. 7 months in which my thoughts of India have reduced drastically. I did think of her. Not as often as before but I did. I still do. India, she's a beauty. And, you'll never fail to be amazed by diversity. 

Until this morning. When the smell of vada, fresh from the oven, filled the air. Vada is a staple breakfast there. You can get it piping hot first thing in the morning - in most parts of India. So, yes, in between all this writings, I'm also scrolling between pages on which part of India to visit next, real soon. 

I'm back, I guess. The crazy-about-India person that I am. 

Signing off with a song that my Appa introduced me to. A friend posted this song on his Facebook wall recently. It's a wonder that young people find this piece magical. I've had many subsequent posts and write ups after I posted this song the very first time. I met many new people through it. Some even helped me with translation and in depth explanation. 

My favourite lines as I end today's post. Happy weekend everyone !

"துன்பம் நேர்கையில் யாழ் எடுத்து நீ
இன்பம் சேர்க்க மாட்டாயா? - எமக்
கின்பம் சேர்க்க மாட்டாயா? - நல்
அன்பிலா நெஞ்சில் தமிழில் பாடி நீ
அல்லல் நீக்க மாட்டாயா? - கண்ணே
அல்லல் நீக்க மாட்டாயா?"