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KollywoodAlthough Mani Ratnam's women characters in the past haven't been entirely free of patriarchal trappings, they've still managed to catch us by surprise, offering something different from the predictable way in which heroine roles were written back then.Sowmya Rajendran Major Spoilers Ahead Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam has opened to rave reviews and good word of mouth. Fans of the director have hailed the film as his return to form, given that his last few releases have been quite disappointing. To be honest, Ccv isn't a bad film. Vijay Sethupathi is dependably entertaining all through and it's a pleasure to see Aishwarya Rajesh so well styled on screen. However, one suspects that the euphoria around it comes more from a sense of relief that 'Mani Sir' hasn't lost his touch entirely than anything else.  A gangster drama loosely inspired by the Tamil classic Ponniyin Selvan (and supposedly a...

KollywoodThough Vijay Sethupathy was in crackling form, the film belongs to Str, who was effortless and entertaining.Neelima MenonOne of the best moments of Chekka Chivantha Vanam happens five minutes into the film. After Vijay Sethupathy’s narration takes us on a metaphysical tour of the city, its life and times, he steers us to a couple seated inside a sleek black Mercedes. We are told that the aged, weary man in his late 60s is Senapathi (a terrific Prakash Raj), also the most powerful man in the city. The serene faced woman in a pink sari who sits next to him is his wife Lakshmy (Jayasudha). And suddenly, Senapathi breaks into a romantic song, smiling at Lakshmy. She shoots back wryly, “So today it’s my turn. Why? Did you get tired of singing to your pretty young things?” He laughs. The husband has forgotten their anniversary and has...

InterviewArun Vijay tells Tnm about working with the large star cast, his rapport with Mani Ratnam and more.S SubhakeerthanaThis is Arun Vijay’s 23rd year in Tamil cinema, and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (Ccv), releasing this Thursday, is his 25th project. Finally, the actor got an opportunity that he was waiting for -- two decades -- a film with Mani Ratnam. “Good things take time,” he smiles. Excerpts from a conversation follow: You’ve been a part of multi-starrers, like Yennai Arindhaal, in the past. Ccv is also one. Mani (Ratnam) sir gives equal space to all his characters. He’s not your usual filmmaker. And that’s why his films stand out. Someone of his stature doesn’t have to narrate the entire script to me. But he did. I was quite impressed with my character (Thyagu). Even now, I don’t understand how I bagged the film. It feels like a dream.

KollywoodThe launch began with Ar Rahman performing the song ‘Mazhai Kuruvi' from the album.Anjana ShekarThe audio from Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam was launched on Wednesday in Chennai with Ar Rahman performing live. The film marks their 14th collaboration. Titled 'Cvv Live', the event saw the likes of poet and lyricist Vairamuthu, actors Arvind Swamy, Arun Vijay, Silambarasan, Aishwarya Rajesh, Diana Erappa and Aditi Rao Hydari in attendance. Hosted by singers Chinmayi and Karthik, the launch began with Ar Rahman performing the song ‘Mazhai Kuruvi' from the album. Accompanied by the transcendental percussion by Drums Sivamani, the song’s lyrics we learnt were taken from Vairamuthu’s poem. Speaking at the event, Ar Rahman shared that Mani Ratnam has been working with the same energy that he had from back when he started. “He has gone back to his Nayagan days," he said to thunderous applause. Actor Arvind Swamy,...

KollywoodThe trailer gives us more than a glimpse of the storyline.Tnm StaffThe highly anticipated trailer for Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam is out. The multi-starrer comes after the debacle of Kaatru Veliyidai and fans of the director are expecting a cracker of a film, given the actors on board. The trailer gives us more than a glimpse of the storyline. Senapathi, played by Prakash Raj, is a powerful gang leader who is also a businessman. His three sons Varadan (Aravind Swamy), Thyagu (Arun Vijay) and Ethi (Silambarasan) take after him and struggle to establish who is the alpha. Varadan, the trailer says, is not very educated and is more of a thug. His brothers, on the other hand, are sophisticated but still have a violent streak in them. Aditi Rao Hydari plays a journalist who has an affair with Varadan. Varadan is married to Chitra (Jyothika). Aishwarya Rajesh...