Sridevi

'In the zone' onscreen and eternally in our hearts

I was sitting exactly in the same seat yesterday in Palazzo, watching Three Billboards, where I saw Mom, last year. Reminded of Sridevi and 'Mom', more so because in both the pictures there was the tortured mom and raped daughter.

The first images of Sridevi was in 'Babu', where a beaming child, took the food out of Sivaji Ganesan's 'plaintain' leaf. An unalloyed smile. That was early seventies.

We were all smitten by Sridevi in the teens. While Moondru Mudichi launched her, 'Mayilu' in her 'Dhavani' was irresistible. But it was 'Varumayin Niram Sigappu' where she appealed more. "Moondram Pirai' may probably regarded her best. 

One cannot forget Mr. India and her recent roles, English Vinglish, Puli and Mom.

For me the greatest takeaway from Sridevi's acting career is her ability to get into the zone. An uncanny ability to transform herself into the role she had to perform. Great focus on the job on hand.

An entertainer for nearly fifty years, has eternally carved a place in the hearts of the fans world over.

You shall live with us forever, Sridevi and may you help your daughter's recreate your magic.

Nachiyar, Tamil Film

In a time freeze

The film making is diligent. There is a lot of restraint. Palpable excitement that could be felt in each frame of a Bala film seems to be toned down.  I had nothing to complain about it. I would certainly have loved a bit more of the typical Bala adrenalin and the sarcasm. The tongue in cheek sarcasm seemed to be only reserved for the Iyengar's in a movie named Nachiyaar.

Ilayaraja seems to be one of the biggest surprises in the film. It is good to see somebody constantly learning. In his last outing with Bala, the music was overbearing and dominating, Raja almost never has been so light and almost gets  lost in the narrative. Such a great pleasure to hear the maestro juggle around.

Jyothika does a lady Alex Pandian, GV Prakash makes his presence felt, but the real deal is the innocent Ivana, a casting coup, enough innocence to melt the Himalayas.

And while Bala may not be in his darkest hue, my disappointment is with the content. Have we not seen variations of this tale, over and over again?

The anger simmers, the frustration remains and the system remains malignant.

Bala seems to be in a Time Freeze.

Bala,  just has to look at the filmography of Spielberg, Scorcese, Ridley Scott, Zemeckis.....

People experiment so many genres. 

A director of Bala's calibre, is probably suffering from his own self imposed world view.