I wrote this movie's "review" 3 years ago in mouthshut.com, then posted it here last year. Now I have the movie uploaded in dailymotion. It's my all time favourite Tamil movie. Sure, the movie has been "stolen" from a few mediums before it got here (the audio lag is not because of that, that's how it is even in the actual version) but it's worthwhile.
Update: I did a podcast on the movie too; you can download it.
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16 comments:
A truly great movie. This is the first time i'm watching the whole movie. Thanks for uploading it:)
A lot of people don't like this movie and I wonder why. This movie feels like as if it's been taken only now rather than in the 60's or 70's. I can't understand the manju character. Three very great characters and i like them all.
Rudhraiya also directed Graamathu Adhiyaayam, an obscure film which had Chandra Haasan in it.
Thanks very much for it. I was watching it when I should have been studying for my exam. I noticed that Kamal's allusions to communist ideas started in his early movies itself. It was interesting also to see the mock documentary interviews of women at that time. They appeared so real that I suspect they were real with some embellishing of their dialogues possibly added. A documentary like what the fictional character Arun attempted would still be very relevant and interesting.
@ Priya - Manju's character is pretty straight forward. She's the ideal, everyday "victim of her circumstances". Most of us are (unlike the extreme cases like terrorists, prostitute etc.)
@ Zero - I think I've seen parts of the movie in Sun TV (or Raj TV?) sometime, didn't know it was Rudraiya's. I don't think it was well recieved, or was it?
@ Badri - Yeah, actually even before. He's the 'extremist' version of a communist in 'Aboorva Raagangal'. Then in 'Nilal Nijaamgiradhu'. He was making the allusion in those days more often than you might imagine.
The mock documentary contains real footages. They are real people responding to actual questions. Obviously they would have recognized it was Kamal, but it doesn't affect their answers I suppose. The 'documentary' demonstrates a lot of things (I had discussed them briefly in my podcast). For example: There's no consensus among a particular 'class'. Even among those in the slum, opinions are split about women's liberation and everything. It only goes to show how stupid it is to generalize them all and say something like "slum mentality" or "..like illiterate people". It shows that they cannot be compartmentalized so easily. And you're right, the questions are very relevant here. In fact, I don't think you can ask those questions openly, today(remember the Kushbu episode?).
Suresh, this podcast is my fav 'random ramblings' yet. Mostly becoz it's not random nor ramblings.
U've gone a very good job at expressing your views and I found few generalisations compared to other posts.
I love this movie. I watched it again after hearing your views. This movie has also been my parent's favorite since it came out when they were in University. It has universal appeal and talks of concepts and ideas transcending time.
Thanks a lot for re-kindling my memories and sharing a wonderful review with personal experiences.
I laughed out loud at some things u say...
You are certainly a true nihilist.
Hi Durga,
I'm glad you liked the podcast. Yeah, this is one of the very few "organised" podcasts that I've done (and probably the only one under 'random rambling').
I must have seen the movie about 7 times (end to end) already. And several times, bits and pieces of it to quote. It's rather sad the ideas that the movie puts forth transcend time. Meaning, the Indian society, Tamils in particular, haven't changed much since that time and have actually gotten worse in several aspects (not to mention the movies). But from the movies standpoint, yes, the movie is truly a timeless master piece.
Thanks for writing in.
A truly great podcast that you have done, Suresh. Hands off to you!:)
Thanks, Priya. I thought you had already listened to it.
Hmmm wat to say... This movie was my sisters fav movie. She died in a tragic accident last year. I actually didnt like the movie cos personally i avoid the cynical sripriya types who spread cynical and negetive thoughts around. I identify myself with kamals character in the movie and honestly i think he did the sensible decision by not marrying sripriya.
but your heart does go out to the sripriyas of the society who are so embittered and abused by the society that they end up cynical and negetive.
my sisters death in the prime of her life made me search out this film and i did a google search and finally found it on ur site
thanks for this wonderful job of urs.
i only wish i had appreciated this movie when my sis was alive...
Sripriya is not any more cynical than most of us. She's a little too conscious of what lies underneath and feels the need to rebel. Kamal sounds a bit more balanced because he is emotionally detached to what he was witnessing through Sripriya's eyes (except the time when he was involved directly). Other than that there's nothing to choose, especially, between the two. And I don't think one's personal dislike for what Sripriya portrays in the movie is a logical reason to not like the movie itself. She just displays a dimension of reality, rather accurately. I didn't like Rajini's character either, but I loved the way it was blended into the narrative.
Sorry about your sister's loss. Well, I didn't actually know her (or you), so the sorry doesn't mean a lot, I guess. Well, what the heck? Hope you come to terms with your "loss."
I always have been wanting to watch this movie... and stumbled on your site. it appears you dont have the entire movie anymore. any idea where i can get the whole movie...
costs jus 28 bucks on moser baer.the original!saw it jus a couple of days back.movie is way ahead of its time
I found only part 3 in dailymotion - where are first 2 parts ????
Wonderful podcast, i too like this movie..
i am searching for it to download for a long...
Hey Suresh,
thanks for the upload in tamilflix! We listened to the AA podcast sometime back and borrowed the DVD from our friends. The podcast was so well done! Not having much to do today,felt like watching AA again & searched for an online version of AA...and hit upon the tamilflix link.
Your podcasts sure have made me think.."why not in my blog too?..thanks once again!
I found the climax of this movie when i was looking for the video of a song from this movie. Watching the climax alone attracted me like anything. OH HELL!! I never knew there were films made with such fervor in the 70's. The characters wete so Dstoeveskian and the theme of this movie was so ahead of its time. Boy, would anyone expect the phrase"prejudiced ass" i a 1978 tamil movie? Looking at the way things were happening for tamil cinema at that time, we could have predicted its global apprisal in the near future. It's a shame that coming in the footsteps of such geniuses, movies of these days are totally about heroism and corny sentiments.
P.S.: Dude ur link is no longer working. Please,,, upload and post the link if u still have the movie....PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEe
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