I saw that Indiaplaza.com was carrying 'Kandukondein', the DVD at a rather high price. I have seen this movie once and was really impressed by Aishwarya's performance and the wonderful classical music by AR Rahman. Does anyone have an idea of what the DVD looks like and where I can get it for cheaper?

Also, theres the new Mani Ratnam movie, but I havent seen it. Its been released on DVD - called 'Kannathil Muthamittal' and stars Madhavan of Zee TV fame. Has anyone seen this, and more importantly, the DVD? Thanks.

Aish was in "Jeans" in 1998, so KK is not her debut Tamil film. The KK disc is the second or third DVD Ayngaran released, so it is non-anamorphic and cropped to around 1.85:1. Sound is DD 5.1. Overall, the quality of the disc is pretty good, so don't have any qualms about buying the disc.

"Kannathil Muthamittal" is also from Ayngaran and I believe someone has already posted screengrabs from it here. Anyways, it is 2.20:1 anamorphic widescreen and the quality is very good. There is some light DVNR blurring on motion, but sharpness is good but not absolutely excellent, and colors are good. Sound is a great DD 5.1. Personally, I was disappointed in the film, but a slightly disappointing Mani Ratnam film is miles ahead of many directors' good films. I seem to be in the minority about not liking KM, though.

Ayngaran.com has a link to their sales site, where you can order their DVDs directly from them. DVDs are usually about 11.99 pounds UK and they have a currency converter if you live outside of the UK.

I think Aishwarya Rai's first film was actually Iruvar (1997), directed by Mani Ratnam, which was a Tamil film. She then appeared in her debut Hindi film Aur Pyar Ho Gaya in the same year, along side Shammi Kapoor and Bobby Deol.

Now then Ayngaran will be re-doing Kandukodain Kandukodian as a special edition DVD late next year. The current version is good quality but has some problems such as cropped video & poor subtitles. However it is certinaly better then EROS, YRF & Video-Sound products.

The new version coming out next year will be done in a brand new 35mm interpostive print, meaning much better picture quality and it will be presented in its original aspect ratio with improved English Subtitles. The new version will be worth the wait from the things I have heard about the product...trust me...I'll announce the features real soon as soon as I get confirmation from Ayngaran.

Kanathil Muthamital is a fantastic film, but will not be fully understood by many people who aren't aware about the problems in Sri Lanka. Its both a dark and tragic tale of war seen through the eyes of a young 8 year old girl. The film's plus points are the perfomances, the RAHMAN score and the war scenes which are shot in an effective way.

The DVD is one of Ayngaran top DVD's and has (IMHO) the best Dolby Digital 5.1 sound on an Indian DVD. Picture quality is good and ranks just below a DEI DVD. Subtitles are also okay, but I would only recommend the film if you like watching Ratnam's films as the narration is quite similar and you can find the message of this film if you read bewteen the lines, a bit like Dil Se (1998) .

KM will not get the special edition DVD treatment, so its safe to purchase this movie.

Yes, you are right. I was mistaken. 'Iruvar' was in fact Aishwarya's first ever feature film in any language. It was a Mani Ratnam film that flopped miserably when it was released but it had great music by AR Rahman. Does this have a DVD out yet? Theres a song in the rain featuring Aishwarya that I remember when I was in Madras when the movie came out in the 1990s. And yes, her second tamil movie was Jeans, and the third was Kandukondain. Its interesting to note that Aishwarya is actually Kannadiga, from Mangalore, and that she can speak Kannada and Tamil fluently (though I dont know why she always has a voice over for her tamil movies then).

I am VERY excited about the special edition for Kandukondain. This is one of the best Tamil movies ever made, IMHO. Can anyone direct me to screenshots of the current DVD? Thanks.

Its great to hear that a KK special edition is in the works. I forgot about Iruvar also.


Any word on the Aalavandhaan SE, Sunny?

Aishwarya Rai doesn't speak Tamil at all. Her bio-data states being fluent in Kannada and Hindi. Also, I don't know if she is ethnic Kannadiga. I thought Rai was a Punjabi/Uttar Pradeshi/Bihari surname...

As far as I know Aishwarya Rai is a Mangalorean by birth who speaks NO Kannada or Tamil. She was raised in Mumbai. She does speak Tulu(her mother tongue) which is dialect common to the South Karnataka region.

There are Rais from the South Karnataka region that belong to the Bunt community, similar to the Shettys (of the popular Udupi restaurants of all over India fame)

yep aarkayne is right... aish hails from mangalore and her mother tongue is tulu....

Is there ANY ONLINE REVIEW for the Kandukondain DVD at ALL? This is one movie that is sorely missing a DVD review from anywhere. This site doesn't have it, nor do others. If anyone has screenshots or your own impressions of the current DVD, please share.

Also, I am thinking about Buying Kannathil Muttamitaal, but was wondering if this film has any repeat value, or if its a one-time watch. Please share.

Aishwarya Rai does speak Tamil, or so it appears from this interview. And yes, her online bio does state that she speaks Tulu and Kannada as well. Here is a bit of the interview :


"What has been your experience while doing Rajiv Menon's Kandukondain Kandukondain? "
Aishwarya - "The film was very exhaustive because the character I played was so talkative. Would you believe we made the first half of the film in a week's time? That is the best thing of doing films in the south. There is no waste of time. Everything is so punctual and so prompt. One thing I must tell you that after doing films like Iruvar, Jeans and now Kandukondain… I have become very fluent in Tamil. So you see there again I have learnt something new."

You can read the entire transcript here :
http://www.3to6.com/final_interview/ashiwary.htm


Interview

The Aalavahdhan SE DVD will be out late next year, can't tell you the stages it is at but its quite early as the DVD won't be out for over a year.

I would only but this DVD if you either enjoy the works of a Mani Ratnam film, and/or if you are intrested in the subject the film looks at. The film has repetative value, I have seen this film on DVD myself three times fully since I got the disc a couple of months back. I am amazed by the stunning cinematography and 5.1 score.