Kadaisi Vivasayi – Mayandi is the last farmer in his Tamil Nadu village. Other farmers in the area have sold their land to developers. but Mayandi is the last holdout. Illiterate, with little knowledge of modern ways, he has common sense and wisdom in the ways of nature. There is a drought in the land and the village elders want to resume a religious ceremony to seek God’s blessings. Wishing to follow all rituals properly, they ask Mayandi to provide the first grain for the ceremony. He agrees and proceeds to start planting a small crop in his field. He soon comes across a dead peacock and two peahens. He reverently buries them, but when a fellow villager sees him burying them, the man starts a rumor that Mayandi has killed them. Since it is a crime to kill a peacock in India, its’ national bird, Mayandi is arrested and unable to return to his field. Director/writer M. Manikandan used non-actors to create authenticity in his movie and his respect for their way of life is evident. Eighty-five-year-old Nallandi, who plays Mayandi, was a real farmer. He brought a quiet spirit of calm and acceptance to the part, and sadly, died just before the film was released. A thought-provoking film, ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’ compares a simple life, living in touch with nature and with quiet goodwill, to the frustrations and inconveniences of modern life. The film also features Vijay Sethupathi, a lost soul, wandering the countryside seeking salvation, and Yogi Babu, the proud owner of an elephant
. Released February 1, 2022
Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 – Director Mani Ratnam’s adaptation of a beloved series of Tamil historical novels is an immensely enjoyable adventure film. It is inspired by political intrigue in Southern India’s ruling dynasties in the 11th and 12th centuries. PS-1 boasts an ensemble cast of many popular stars. Vikram is Chola Prince Aditha, whose youthful passion for Nandini, a mysterious Aishwariya Rai Bachchan, whose rejection has turned him into an obsessed and uncontrollable warrior. Aditha’s closest aide, Vandiyadevan, played with exuberance and by Karthi, is sent to spy on other parts of the kingdom. Using his gift for gab, he slips in and out of situations with charm. Trisha Krishan as Aditha’s sister, Princess Kundavai, is wise in the ways of politics, clever and intelligent, and her younger brother, Arunmozhi, whose quiet competence and level head outwit all who seek to do him harm. Will they be able to save the Chola kingdom from those who seek to destroy it from within and without? The battles rage on land and on sea, from Southern India to Sri Lanka.
Released October 1, 2022
Nitham Oru Vaanam – Arjun has been socially awkward all his life. He is a prickly and unhappy young man. Left at the altar by the only girl he ever loved, he leashes out at his family and falls into a deep depression. In an effort to help him see that overcoming pain is a part of life, his doctor gives him two unfinished diaries to read. Arjun has been an avid reader all his life and can easily imagine himself as any character. As he immerses himself in these stories, he feels an urgent need to find out what happened to these people. At this point, the movie becomes a road trip, including a quirky female companion with her own troubles. ‘Nitham Our Vaanam’ first-time director Ra Karthik gently pokes fun at the overly dramatic nature of Arjun’s fears and anxiety. Actor Ashok Selvan keeps our interest as three completely different characters and actress Ritu Varma is sweet and endearing as his easygoing travel mate. Music and visuals add to the cheerfulness and mood of the movie.
Released November 4, 2022
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect –The fascinating true story of Indian rocket scientist Nambi Narayanan. Instrumental in developing India’s cryogenic rocket engine, he was arrested by police on November 30, 1994, and charged as a traitor. Accused of selling rocket technology to Pakistan, Nambi’s family was persecuted and he was reviled by his fellow countrymen. Nambi’s story takes us to his days as a brilliant student, winning a scholarship to Princeton University and being offered an important job with NSA. A patriot, he turned the offer down and returned to India to join its space program in its infancy. Nambi’s affinity for thinking out of the box was important in moving the program forward rapidly. R. Madhavan was so moved by Nambi’s story, that he dedicated four years of his life to writing a script, which he then acted and directed, portraying the scientist with passion and dignity.
Released July 1. 2022
