Mudhalvan

You all may find this review to be a little exaggerated but that is exactly the truth. Nothing but the truth. I have to say, till this date, except for a few exceptions like the movies by Shyam Benegal or Satyajit Ray or for that matter, Satya and Khamoshi, Sholay, Angoor and a few others, I haven't seen such a DIFFERENT and THOUGHT PROVOKING, PRAISE INVOKING AND MARVELLOUS movie as Mudhalvan.

It is and will remain an eye-opener for all those in the Indian film industry who have been experimenting with the same love formula umpteen number of times and in effect, producing some of the most sensationally boring love stories of all times (Example: Kaho..Naa Pyar Hai). Hitting us like a bullet, the plot moves swiftly, never leaving any time to think. The story and screenplay, by Shankar himself, deserve mention for being creative, complete and utterly enjoyable to watch.

Shankar deserved an award for making this movie with such style and technique, while also keeping the story and other aspects in mind.

Pros. Award winning direction, dialogues, script, music, background music, cinematography, first-rate performances by Arjun, Manivannan, Raghuvaran and above all, the super climax, and excellent song picturization.

Cons. Manisha, who looks too flabby and old in some scenes

The movie was excellent. Songs and BGM in the movie were also fantastic. One of the best movie of Arjun and Shankar. The movie was very interesting. The movie was not at all boring. Everybody acted very well in the movie mainly Raghuvaran.

The movie revolves around Pugazhendi, a journalist who gets a chance to become one day CM of Tamilnadu. What happens next forms the crux of the story. Arjun as Pugazhendi and Raghuvaran as Aranganathan were apt. Manisha Koirala doesn't have much job. Other character artists like Manivannan, Vadivelu did thier job pretty well. Shankar's story and screenplay are totally lit. Coming to the technicalities, Production value, set designs, fight choreography, CGI were totally great (at that time). Music by A. R. Rahman is a highlight. The movie runs for around 3 hours, but you never feel lag. Shankar succeeds in giving a commercial movie with some social message. Highly recommended movie!

If I had'nt seen this movie before seeing the same director's Indian/Hindustani which had released 3 years earlier, I may not have been so very impressed. While Mudhalvan represents an excellent movie by itself, the director had already produced a movie which was simply much bigger and better, earlier, which thus takes expectations a bit higher.

One of the subjects handled in Mudhalvan, namely caste-based politics and vote banks, is very important. If it were'nt for the running time, I think that the same subject should have been explored further. I also did'nt appreciate Arjun in the movie, reducing the caste nos to 4, instead of eliminating caste based reservation in totality? I guess caste based politics have a hand even in movies. See some vijaykanth movies if you want more on that subject.

This movie is without a shadow of a doubt, Arjun's best performance in his career. While it may not be Shankar's best, it is again without doubt, one of Shankar's better movies and a must watch.

The movie is an excellent movie , one of the best dynamic movies of Shankar. It is the movie which clearly explains how politics should be and what sort of people should come to politics. The way in which Arjun traps raguvaran in the movie will take u to the real thrill. The steps that he takes after getting into the post as a single day CM(which is an entirely new concept.. hats off to Shankar) are really great and makes us think how good it will be if its the reality. Though, Manisha koirala will not play an important role in the movie, her role will be important in songs. Vadivelu's acting and comedy with 'Poda Panni' will make everyone laugh. In total, one of the best movies credited for Direction Skills!!