Kaatru Veliyidai - L'Étendue du Vent

A Maniratnam film always has a "solid" base for human relationships and this film isn't different in that aspect. Where it differs is the story narration - that is less verbose, more visual(and cryptic). The Characters (VC & Dr.Leela) seems to be well thought- out (but defined more through visual cues & motifs). The director has focused more on reflecting the "moments"(What happens) - of their love, togetherness and conflicts than elaborating their story(and the Whys).. These moments give a trajectory that's sinusoidal. The final culmination (climax) might seem out-of-place for many, but for me that an organic end (where the characters seem to resolve their conflicts within and with the other, and end-up together,at least that moment).. This movie is definitely a visual treat and will stand-out as a classic(though it doesn't appear so today)

P.S: If Karthi's(VC) acting has irritated you, then the character has achieved its purpose(the same goes with you ending up adoring Dr.Leela -Aditi).How these opposites connect is a phenomenon(you call it love or whatever) that's mystical, not logical.. And the movie just reflects that.

I don't understand why this film got many negative reviews perhaps they thought this film portrays Lust in the name of love.This film portrays both that's why I called it "A story of Passionate love".A love between two almost opposite characters who wants enjoy love and sexual pleasures but not prepared for Family life and it's responsibilities.The psychological differences between the two main characters were well portrayed. Karthi suits his role when he plays "Rough" Character but his facial expressions irritated me during romantic scenes.Mani's Heroines are usually well educated,independent and adorable. Dr.Leela (Aditi) is an addition to this list. Aditi did a good job there. I was surprised to see RJ Balaji in Dr'Ilyas Hussain's role.As usual visuals were eye pleasing and I enjoyed them very much.Songs were good.I was disappointed that Mani was trying to normalize premarital sexual relationships.I'm aware premarital sexual relationship is increasing in India and SriLanka but portraying those as culturally "Normal" is unacceptable.

A Maniratnam movie. A familiar journey that brings joy yet due to his recent inconsistency, an unpredictable one. The benchmark is so high that anything short of exhilarating, full-on cinematic orgasm, it's a failure. We go to movies to judge. We judge them the moment the final credits roll as we make sense of what we feel.

With "Kaatru Veliyidai" (Breezy Expanse), you aren't happy when you come out of the theater. It still feels unfinished. Something left over. The journey is complete for the protagonist but as a viewer, you're still perplexed. That's when it hits you. You don't like the protagonist. You don't like his flaws, his demeanor, his behavior nor his antics.

Mani's hero's have a higher benchmark. Mani's heroine's, stand on an even taller pedestal. So, while as a film maker, you appreciate his latest character study, it fails to bring any kind of sympathy towards the protagonist. Even when he is a war hero, fighter pilot and becomes a prisoner of war. That's a big bummer as a viewer.

The female protagonist on the other side is flawless, evocative and shimmers in the snow. She is like a snowflake, sensitive, quiet but strong. Her only sin is falling for the bad boy. Karthik has the tougher role among the two and he almost succeeds but like Olympics, it's not good. Not even silver. Bronze, maybe. While he emotes the angry young man with ease, he loses completely when he needs to be vulnerable. Perhaps the biggest flaw is when he convinces his lady love on screen to forgive him but he doesn't even scratch the surface with the audience of his innocence or vulnerability. And that's like missing the penalty kick. Nothing else really matters.

Mani has broken new ground by focusing on just two characters for the entire movie. It's an engrossing ride until interval and a slow, drag in the second half. Ravi Varman, as promised, paints a wonderful background to these two characters in white snow and brown desert. Mani's flawed depiction of Raavan comes to haunt his Officer VC. There is no redemptive sparks in him when he acts immature and being a jerk.

Aditi Rao Hydari has arrived. She is spectacular in every shot and her range of emotions and acting craft is a treat. I had to remind myself that she is not Shobana from Dalapathi. "Kaatru Veliyidai" is a wonderful character study. It just feels like a television drama in the second half ending in a whimper than thunderous applause. It misses the goal post and loses but the journey is still interesting in parts.

Good visuals and music by AR Rahman but script is not intense enough in this latest Maniratnam outing. Karthi and Aditi shine; this is Aditi's career-best, no doubt. The script is average and the characters have a 90s style persona to them. Cant really help wondering is the movie trying to connect to current gen youths or youths of the past?

Katru Veliyidai fails to connect with the classic Maniratnam romance in the past where he wrote the script for the characters, adopting a film making style that is apt for the script rather than going along with latest trends. the characters here are fine but the romance and character interconnections is solely missing. As a result this movie comes out as a character study rather than a romantic film .

Recall watching Roja - and earlier, all of Mani Sir's films - and being awed, charmed and floored by his craft. Today, if his films - post Alaipayuthey, Kannathil Muthamittal and Aaytha Ezhuthu won international awards but fared poorly in Asia, thats because today's young people aren't the Arvindswamy or the Madhubala types, maybe they are not even Madhavan /shalini types... What this film does is merge the the characters from alaipayuthey and Roja to come up with new stereotypes that is supposedly apt for the late 2010s

The movie could have done better if it has more action and Pakistan jail scenes intermixed with with the flashback romance.

Kaatru Veliyidai / Cheliyaa (2017) : I never believe in such thing called Love these days because I never found a charming and true love like shown in Mani Ratnam's films.He is the only director who can make a perfect poetic love story with memorable cute performances,soulful music and stunning visuals.There is no such director like Mani Ratnam who can make movies like an artistic painting.He scored a memorable hit with OK Kanmani last year and this year he brought us another love story Kaatru Veliyidai starring Karthi and Aditi Rao Hydari.Music by A.R.Rahman is already a chart buster and trailer raised expectations.Did the movie reach it??

Plot:

The story of the film is set during the Kargil war of 1999 where doctor Leela(Aditi Rao Hydari) falls in love with a fighter pilot named Varun(Karthi). The romance is kindled right away but Varun's commitment phobic attitude keeps pushing Leela away from the relationship.The twist in the tale arises when Karthi is jailed in Pakistan because of the tense war situation. Rest of the story is as to how Karthi frees himself from Pakistan and wins his love all over again.

Plus Points:

1)Aditi Rao Hydari: Aditi Rao Hydari is a show stealer with her wonderful performance.She looks drop dead gorgeous as Mani Ratnam has showcased her in a never before seen way. Aditi's emotional performance is the backbone of the film as she delivers in both the glamor and acting departments.Her eyes twinkle in delight, twitch in anxiety and pale in fear and anger.Karthi gave a great performance too but Aditi overshadowed each and every other actor in this film.

2)Cinematography: Ravi Varman is a world class painter whose painting brush is camera and world is his canvas.Full marks to Ravi Varman for his spectacular cinematography. The snowcapped mountains, the silhouette featuring Karthi and all the song sequences are shot beautifully.Especially a scene where our heroine comes out of house to watch air crafts is one of the most visually stunning scene of the year.Another scene where Karthi and his companions escape from military and run with joy,that scene is captured stunningly.We have lot of such stunning visuals throughout the movie.

3)Music: Ratnam-A R Rahman chemistry of 25 years is unbeatable and inseparable.Like all his albums,Kaatru Veliyidai has soulful music but mostly in poetic way..Vaan Varuvaan is an instant classic and best song of this year.Azhagiye is foot tapping brilliant.But what I didn't;t know is about song Nallai Allai.That song is awesome and really captured the feel.

4)Dialogues: Mani Ratnam films do not have any path breaking or award winning dialogues but still there are lot of fans for his work.They are most realistically beautiful and make us fall in love with movie.But overuse of poetic language may not suit all.

Minus Points:

1)Lack of required emotion in crucial scenes: Mani Ratnam succeeded in bringing out 100% output from all the departments like acting,music,cinematography,settings but forgot to bring his best output.This movie lacked the emotion especially in crucial scenes like their conflicts and failed to create any patriotic feel in serious scenes.

So,Kaatru Veliyidai is a best proof about Mani Ratnam's brilliance in bringing out best output from all his departments but failed in bringing his best.

My rating 7.25/10