Thoongaavanam

It is not disputed that Kamal is arguably the best in the current generation of actors. He keeps increasing the bar for performances constantly with his every other movie, constantly experimenting and not falling to a stereotype. With Uttama Villain, he went on a indulgent self admiration spree, aided by the admiration of the director Ramesh, it went to funny levels of self appraisal and portrayal by Kamala Hassan. He was back to his elements in Papanasam, (even though I personally attributed the credit to Jeetu Joseph, may be partly). But with Thoongavanam, the Kamal is back with a Bang as we know him. The movie features no frills in terms of Songs, Comedy track, too much SFX or spell binding performances like Dashavataram etc.. The plot and screen play alone keeps the audience gripped, handled nicely by the new director and all round great performances by all the characters. There are movies which only Kamal can make for example Dashavataram, Anbe Sivam etc...this is not one of them, but a must watch for a true Kamal fan. Hope it makes much needed money for RK films and Waiting eagerly for the release of VR2.

Seems Kamal Hassan's Raaj Kamal International is back into low-budget films made on tight schedules ! Jointly produced by RKF & Sree Gokulam Films on a shoe-string budget and almost shot entirely inside a dance pub,Thoongavanam is a realistic thriller sans any over the top action,unwanted songs,heroic dialogs and other gimmicks that we usually associate with an action thriller from Kollywood Industry.

The movie started slow but reached top gear within few minutes with Ulaga Naayagan giving out a top-notch performance alongside Prakash Raj who stole the show at times with his funny counters and one-liners.Neatly packed and utmost realistic,the racy first half went pretty well and ended on an impressive note giving still higher expectations about the second half in store.

Unfortunately,the second half in contrary couldn't match the brilliance of the first and was rather snail-paced and over-drawn without much to cheer of,the major reason why the movie doesn't classify for repeated viewing unlike many Kamal films in the past.The climax too was pretty ordinary and easily predictable for one who is into the genre for sometime.The sensible but gripping action choreography by French stunt-men Gilles Conseil, Sylvain Gabet and Virgine Arnaud deserves a special mention in an otherwise lackluster second half without much to rave about.

An official remake of critically acclaimed french thriller Nuit Blanche A.K.A Sleepless Night,Rajesh.M.Selva's directorial debut manages to keep entertained with its Hollywood-style narration,technical perfection and a brilliant performance from Kamal Hassan but still gives that feeling of 'something missing' once we are out of the cinemas,which could have been avoided had the second hour been presented better.I haven't watched the French counterpart based on which the movie is made,so at present a comparison is impossible.

If there is one simple reason why I would recommend this movie that will be Ulaga Nayakan Kamal Hassan who once again mesmerizes with a brilliant performance as Narcotics Control Officer Diwakar who's desperately on for saving his son from the hands of the drug mafia.Prakash Raj was another pick from the cast and gave an impressive act as Vital Rao,the menacy yet funny drug mafia leader.Trisha Krishnan made her presence in a role unlike that of a usual Tamil heroine.Kishore,Sampath and Yugi Sethu etc too did their part well.

The association between Ghibran and Kamal seems here to stay and the young musician manages to give full justice to the narration with a powerful background score that ranges from almost-silent hummings to loud techno beats.The title song towards the end credits came as a big surprise.

Overall, Thoongavanam is a sensible one-night thriller that classifies for a strictly average one-time watch.

I already saw the Sleepless Nights and still went into the movie to see how far they have remade it. I wasn't disappointed. It was a very sincere remake and we could see the effort they have done to pull this off within some 40 odd days. Hats off! Going into the review now.

It was a very smart move to handle this script as it is something rare in Tamizh cinema - events unfolding within a day. So, the casting has to be really really good to make this one a decent picture. The casting is the real strength of this movie. Right from big roles to small characters, the casting was very good. This makes the movie half job done!

Ghibran is the next half job. BGM was a major plus without which the movie would've been a dragging one. His music will keep you engaged all the time.

Screenplay has been adjusted a little here and there which turned out to be pretty successful in adapting to the taste of our audience.

I personally watched out for the stunt sequences as I was really impressed with the original. This hasn't impressed me and didn't disappoint me either.

Kamal Haasan is the stand out performer - once again! Watch out for him.

Trumcard lies with Ghibran who used it perfectly.

Rating - 7.25/10. If not for the final scene of the movie - 7.5/10

Thoongaavanam.... What to say about this film.. This is not just a film.. It is a course for young directors how Indian films should be.. No actor dares to act in Indian film without songs.. Ulaga Nayagan already acted thrice in films which doesn't contain songs are Pesum padam, Kuruthipunal, a man like you and now for the fourth time in Thoongaa vanam. Mass actor with class skills will be always one and only kamal hassan. And once again it is proved in this film. A strong crew consisting Prakash Raj, Kishore, Sampath, Trisha Krishnan, Aasha Sharath enough to make audience to go to this film.. But the bgm score which is the vital role of this film made it to the core.. Action sequences doesn't look like Indian way in which a hero will fought with 100 fighters, flying scenes, etc etc. Excellent stunt choreography made this film an action pack thriller.. An authentic story, screenplay, acting from the team. But Kamal Hasaan the man who stole the show with his marana mass acting.. Trisha, Prakash Raj, Kishore did enough what the film wants. The credits song after the film got over was the real suspense to the audience, unexpected. Very well planned screenplay made it like a kuruthipunal, vikram, vetri vizha which even after 20 years will be fresh for the cinema lovers... Everyone must go and watch in the theaters.. Thoongaavanam- a new path for Indian film makers.

This is certainly on Kamal's best action movies.The actor is just stepping up his game in every new film.This movie has slick Hollywood style editing as expected.I haven't watched the original version,but this is certainly eye catching.Another thing is this movie does not have songs and the movie is only 119 minutes long.Everybody's performance was very very convincing as they do so in every other Kamal movie, especially the boy.Kamal was just magnificent as a bad-ass cop and great father in the movie.The fight scene between Kamal and Trisha are such that are never seen before between a man and a woman.Overall,this is great movie to watch.I give it 8/10.It's not a perfect movie, but certainly one of the best Tamil action movie.We have NEVER,I REPEAT NEVER seen a Tamil movie this realistic...Hats off to Rajesh Selva and team...