K.V. Anand: The cinematographer who remembered his Chemistry and Science

A cinematographer first and then a director. A man who cared for his world around and who had a lot of fun making his fast paced action packed movies. A man who never forgot the infinite possibilities of Chemistry and Science. And not to forget his obnoxious humour. 

His first outing as a director he made the remarkable 'Kana Kanden'.with central concept exploring the the tenacity of one man to set up a desalination plant. 

Anand remained a dreamer of the infinite possibilities of science until the latest Kaappaan, where he dabbled about the virtues of  Organic farming.

One could always feel the technical finesse, research, the sweat and the lingering presence of Anand behind each and every sequence that he shot.

Anand certainly knew what he was making and possibly constrained by the markets that he operated in.

To me, KV Anand will always remain the man who could have made that perfect thriller or Sci-Fi thriller in India.

Unfair times. Unfair exits.

I guess we may just hear the  rumblings of giggles from the heaven as Anand narrates some of his raunchy jokes to the good lord!!!

Vivek, Comedian, Actor and Supremely Human

A good man who leaves behind a legacy of Lung Space, not only through innumerable laughs but an excess of 30 lakh trees that he has planted as a part of the Green Kalam initiative over the last decade.

Vivek, the only thought of you that arises is a SMILE,  I guess that is a privilege and honor for having lived a life well.

Envious of the gods who will now be regaled with your humour.

SCAM 1992 and The Big Bull

Ashwin Mehta: The 'Lakshman Rekha' that separates them

I like Abhishek Bachan. Therefore I tried to watch The Big Bull. Could not see it beyond 20 minutes. Well Abhishek you have made so many disastrous decisions in your acting career. This probably is an addition to those inglorious decisions. But I still have hope and believe this is certainly not the last of you.

The one reason why I loved SCAM and by the same token quite upset with the Big Bull was the very very special exploration of Harshad's brother Ashwin Mehta. A true brother to fall back upon. A brother concerned yet would stand like a rock behind every decision, foolhardy or otherwise. The scam sculpted the character of Ashwin so soulfully. Not very sure if Indian cinema has carved the character of Lakshman so well. 

In real life. It is interesting to note that Ashwin seems to have fought for Harshad's family even after his death. Ashwin, I understand he practices law in Mumbai and the supreme court.

The Scam is engaging, but a reflection of the JUGAAD which we are all so familiar and have even accepted as a part of life that we cannot change. There is probably a whole lot of people figuring out how to make a quick buck.

Ashwin Mehta, is a rare breath of fresh air, that we could draw inspiration from.

Mandela, Tamil Movie, streaming on Netflix

A lovely adaptation of 'It is a wonderful life'.

Three standouts moments for me.

The first was the naming of the protagonist, Mandela, a beautiful adaptation of 16 Vayathinile. 'Mayil' naming 'Chappani' as Gopalakrishnan. BY the way Mandela may have been sculpted out of 'Chappani'.

Last year I had the opportunity to travel in and around Madurai during MGRs birthday. I experienced how alive he was for about 75 kilometers around Madurai. So the outrageously hilarious sequence of an old lady and her belief about MGR was so real that I have never laughed out so loud in recent times. Amazingly true and a slice of brilliance.

When Mandela is about to end his life, the young lady's voice reminded you of sequence of the the guardian angel in 'It is a wonderful Life' but little did I expect the climax to converge into a lovely adaptation of ' IT is a wonderful Life'.

Ultimately the power is in our hand to build our lives.