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PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:35 am 
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After Anbe Sivam, which I still think is one of Indian cinema's most underrated movie of 2003, comes another highly entertaining movie from Kamal Hassan (screenplay writer and producer) and Moulee (director) that will put you in stitches.

The film Nala Dhayamathi is one that has dark humour, warm moments, and amazing performances. It mainly deals with the theme of immigration and NRI's in a lighthearted manner. There are neither patriotic dialogues nor any NRI bashing. It’s a straightforward movie that shows the outside world from the perspective of a villager from South India, who has never set foot outside his state.

Ramji aka Nala (Madhavan), a poor Brahmin cook ridicule by many, agrees to work for a Tamil family in Australia, in order to meet the demands of his sister's husband's family. But he is left to fend for himself when the man who hires him dies unexpectedly, leaving him with no place to go. After losing his belonging, including his passport and visa, he is taken in by a Tamil couple (Sriman and Anuhassan), who hire him as a cook in their eatery. Based on an idea of their friend Ivan, the couple ask Ramji to wed Damayanthi (Geethu), an Australian citizen, so that he can become a citizen too.

The tightly written screenplay by Kamal Hassan ensures the pace of this two-hour film is always moving. Even the songs are mostly used in the background. The dialogues are very humorous and Ayngaran have managed to do decent English Subtitles for the film on DVD so it’s never lost on non-Tamil audiences like myself.

There are some remarkable moments in this film never shown on Indian screen like the gang of white racist thugs beating on the Indian, only to be saved by a black woman. Or the scenes with the Australian Police Officer who tries to foil the plans of the main character from staying in the country.

What is perfectly captured in the script is the lengthy bureaucracy of staying in a country. But despite these important themes the film is rather low key and aims specifically to be entertaining. There are some plot holes and also a predictable “evil” NRI character, but the handling of this is very different to what has been seen before. Kamal Hassan has written a comedy akin to Social comedies written by Hirishkesh Mukerjee and Gulzar in the 1970’s.

The stars of the show are the two actors Madhavan and newcomer Geetu. Both are expressive and make the characters rather believable in their actions that unfold onscreen. The director finally excels himself with this film, after the average Pammal K. Sambahadhan (2001).

In time this film that will mature with age and will eventually become a classic in the genre of Indian comedy.


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 3:30 pm 
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Its great that Ayngaran is doing this movie. I did not see it in their forthcoming releases and was getting worried that some other company may do it. I loved this movie even though I felt that it was Kamal in Madhavan's body. I will definitely get this one and Parthiban Kanavu.


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2003 8:30 pm 
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Parthiban Kanavu is a very well made romantic love story, so simple yet effective. Definatly better then the overblown Chalte Chalte IMO.


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 4:14 am 
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Shahran Sunny Audit wrote:
Parthiban Kanavu is a very well made romantic love story, so simple yet effective.

I would buy this movie just for the songs. By the way do you know of any tentative date the dvd of ND and Pk will be released. Thanks in advance.


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 5:07 am 
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ND is already out from Ayngaran. Should be on thier website for sale really soon.

PK will be out at the end of august.


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:46 pm 
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Shahran Sunny Audit wrote:
ND is already out from Ayngaran. Should be on thier website for sale really soon.

PK will be out at the end of august.

I saw a DVD of Parthiban Kanavu made by a company called Dravidian International.

Are Tamilini and Dravidian offshoots of Ayngaran? Tamilini and Ayngaran DVDs have the same video quality and they both started including DTS tracks and 16:9 enhanced menus around the same time. Tamilini and Dravidian also have "A Prestigious Home Release From" above the company name like Ayngaran DVDs do and similarly mediocre cover design.




Edited By DragunR2 on 1060559404


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:36 am 
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Sounds like PK is a pirate on Dravindian


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:41 am 
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Hey Sunny

Whats up with Ayngaran and bringing out progressive dvds ? .. Or is it still the same old stuff (PAL telecine->NTSC conversion -> screwed up final products ?)


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 8:05 am 
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Shahran Sunny Audit wrote:
Sounds like PK is a pirate on Dravindian

I'll rent it tomorrow to see what the quality is like.

Sknath, I don't think Ayngaran is doing PAL to NTSC, except on the Baba DVD.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 8:38 am 
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Progressive is still in the works.

Ayngaran does from NTSC to NTSC on their feature films DVD.
Only time it was PAL to NTSC was Baba and Padiayappa.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2003 8:30 pm 
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DragunR2 wrote:
Shahran Sunny Audit wrote:
ND is already out from Ayngaran. Should be on thier website for sale really soon.

PK will be out at the end of august.

I saw a DVD of Parthiban Kanavu made by a company called Dravidian International.

Are Tamilini and Dravidian offshoots of Ayngaran? Tamilini and Ayngaran DVDs have the same video quality and they both started including DTS tracks and 16:9 enhanced menus around the same time. Tamilini and Dravidian also have "A Prestigious Home Release From" above the company name like Ayngaran DVDs do and similarly mediocre cover design.

Dravidian is a big time pirate company. I rented out a few their movies like Parthiban Kanavu, Parsuram thinking its an original company making these dvds etc. After I rented it out I realised that the company has the same address as Ayngaran. The prints are all the Veena company VCD transfered into DVDs. BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 2:08 am 
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CRAZYDVDBUYER wrote:
DragunR2 wrote:
Shahran Sunny Audit wrote:
ND is already out from Ayngaran. Should be on thier website for sale really soon.

PK will be out at the end of august.

I saw a DVD of Parthiban Kanavu made by a company called Dravidian International.

Are Tamilini and Dravidian offshoots of Ayngaran? Tamilini and Ayngaran DVDs have the same video quality and they both started including DTS tracks and 16:9 enhanced menus around the same time. Tamilini and Dravidian also have "A Prestigious Home Release From" above the company name like Ayngaran DVDs do and similarly mediocre cover design.

Dravidian is a big time pirate company. I rented out a few their movies like Parthiban Kanavu, Parsuram thinking its an original company making these dvds etc. After I rented it out I realised that the company has the same address as Ayngaran. The prints are all the Veena company VCD transfered into DVDs. BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY.

Dang it, I rented PK today. Haven't watched it yet. Nala Damayanti is also available from Dravidian.


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:38 am 
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http://web.mid-day.com/entertainment/mo ... /81452.htm

Madhavan's a Bihari bawarchi
By: Subhash K Jha
April 19, 2004


Stirring new delights: Madhavan
Madhavan, the popular South actor is currently shooting in Nashik for his new Hindi film tentatively titled Bawarchi. He’s also looking forward to the release of Mani Ratnam’s Ayuzu Ezhathu (Yuva in Hindi).

Bawarchi marks his return to Hindi films after the debacle of the Vashu Bhagnani produced Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein and the mediocre response to Dil Vil Pyar Vyar.

Tell us a little about Bawarchi…
It is partly set in Bihar and Nasik has the same rusted dusty look as rural Bihar. I play a cook from Bihar who migrates to London and makes a name for himself. In the original film I was a Tamilian cook. I’d have loved to shoot in Bihar because I’m from Jamshedpur. In fact that’s one reason why I transposed the character to Bihar. This is my tribute to my roots. And since I’ve spent 20 years of my life in Bihar I can speak with the local twang.

What made you decide to come back to Hindi cinema with such an unusual comic subject?
Well, I guess a comeback does seem like the only way to describe my return. I guess I’m yet to get a smash hit in Hindi. Bawarchi (we might change the title soon) would be my third Hindi film after Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein and Dil Vil Pyar Vyar.

In between there were many offers from distinguished directors like Shyam Benegal and Ashutosh Gowariker, though nothing materialised. I was offered Ashutosh’s Swades when Aamir Khan was producing it.

After Aamir opted out, Ashutosh couldn’t afford to make a huge budget Hindi film with me in the lead. I was also offered Farhan Akhtar’s Lakshya. The other scripts didn’t excite me. I realise there’s a market for me in Hindi cinema and I better do a film as soon as I can.

What made you choose Sanjay Daima as the director?
I know him from the time he assisted Ashutosh Gowariker on Lagaan. He had approached me with a script two years ago. I felt the same positive vibes from Sanjay as my Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein director, Gautam Menon. I realised my Tamil film Nala Damayanthi had a rocking script for a Bihari transposition.

The whole idea of making it in Hindi and making the protagonist a Bihari was mine. And my bonding with my director is amazing. We wrap up the film by the end of May or early June.

You have Mani Rathnam’s Ayuzu Ezhathu coming up…
I’m very excited about Ayuzu Ezhathu. It’s the first time I’ve done an ensemble film with him. I’d like to think I’ve the best role in the film. I was jealous to be sharing Mani’s kingdom with two other actors, Surya and Siddhartha.

But our roles don’t overlap. I realised Surya had more reason to be jealous since he was the first actor Mani gave a break to. My Alai Payuthe came later. But the camaraderie on the sets was overwhelming.


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PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:27 pm 
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Has Nala Damayanthi been released on DVD


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PostPosted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:35 pm 
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Nala Damayanti was an allright movie. Nothing too great. Maybe because I didn't get the word puns that much?

I didnt like the heroine.


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