Avinash Ramachandran

3 weeks ago | cinemaexpress.com | Avinash Ramachandran

Blood, Brotherhood, Betrayal. From the time world cinema began to be fascinated by the lives of gangsters, these three words have been the bedrock of every iteration of their story. More often than not, these gangsters escape the long arms of the law only to find themselves on the wrong end of the gun barrel. Godfather was no different. Nayakan was no different. And even if we thought otherwise, or were told otherwise, Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, after a point, is no different.

3 weeks ago | newindianexpress.com | Avinash Ramachandran

In the 1994 film Nammavar, an unruly student mob threatens to destroy college infrastructure if the Vice Principal doesn't apologise to a hooligan student. The VP, played by Kamal Haasan, tries to emulate Mark Antony's approach and work his way around apologising without actually expressing regret or saying the word 'Sorry'.

1 month ago | newindianexpress.com | Avinash Ramachandran

By Avinash Ramachandran In Ace, multiple things keep happening at the same time. There is so much chaos, and a lot more convenience. But it is that kind of film where we know everything will fall in place, simply because what's the point otherwise? When we watch Ocean's Eleven, we want the protagonists to steal and escape. Or closer home, when we watch Sadhuranga Vettai, we want the heist to be successful because it is cathartic to see a well-laid plan come into fruition despite all odds.

1 month ago | cinemaexpress.com | Avinash Ramachandran

In Ace, multiple things keep happening at the same time. There is so much chaos, and a lot more convenience. But it is that kind of film where we know everything will fall in place, simply because what’s the point otherwise? When we watch Ocean’s Eleven, we want the protagonists to steal and escape. Or closer home, when we watch Sadhuranga Vettai, we want the heist to be successful because it is cathartic to see a well-laid plan come into fruition despite all odds.

1 month ago | newindianexpress.com | Avinash Ramachandran

Family. Over the years, thanks to Tamil cinema's penchant for melodrama, this one word has resulted in or resolved many a conflict. If police stories are a sure-shot way for Tamil actors with starry aspirations to be considered seriously, then a family drama is the path taken by the same set of actors to become household names. Interestingly, Soori, who is already a household name, isn't content with just being the friendly neighbour, or the acquaintance with a heart of gold.