J Jayalalithaa - The Iron Lady of Tamil Nadu

A sitting CM, mass leader passed away. 'Amma' canteens functioned as usual. Not even a single stray incident of law and order reported. But the entire state cried for her. This is the best tribute for the #IronLady . There are many women in politics, but Jayalalithaa is still unique. She rose to power only because of her hardwork and remained a powerful force in politics due to her talent and charisma. MGR never announced her as his heir. Infact his wife Mrs.Janaki Ramachandran was made the CM by some 'so called MGR loyalists'. That govt lasted for just 2 weeks. All those loyalists are now either in dmk or has become their jalras. It was Jayalalithaa who united the party(Sasikala group helped her in that) and came to power. MGR's image helps ADMK, but then you need a credible face to cash in on that support. One may very well argue there were lot of negatives in Jaya's administration. Is there a govt without negatives? ADMK's rival DMK has proved itself to be worse than ADMK on numerous occasions. Be it Sarkaria or 2G, ADMK doesn't have such 'different' scandals to its name. . More than that, I can say there is none as bold as Jayalalithaa in TN(even in India). It was under Jaya's rule Veerappan was killed. Vijayakumar I.P.S paid respect to her today. An official, after retirement, still has respect towards a politician, that shows how much liberty he had while serving under her leadership. When Veeranam scheme was introduced, Kalaignar said, 'Veeranam thittam veenaana thittam', but the scheme was successfully implemented and that was one of the main reasons for ADMK's gains in Chennai. Rain water harvesting, cradle baby scheme, eradicating lottery, improving the power situation significantly etc are all achievements of Jayalalithaa. There is a perception that AIADMK is BJP's B team for obvious reasons(because it was led by Jaya). She was part of BJP alliance in 1998(only till 1999). Then she had an alliance with BJP during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and that alliance ended soon after the elections. She has strongly opposed BJP on several issues(sometimes sensible and sometimes political). Yet her haters and rivals, never failed to project her as a BJP ally. Whether or not, she was in alliance with the national parties, she never gave up on the rights of Tamil Nadu when it comes for issues like Cauvery or Mullai Periyar. Didn't make any compromise for political reasons. Opposed GST citing valid reasons that TN would get affected. Never made stupid comments on national security for the sake of publicity and to prove her secular credentials. Truly a no-nonsense Chief Minister. While it is true that the ADMK govt could have handled the recent floods in a better way, one cannot deny that they handled Tsunami very well. The ministers had a fear of losing their post based on the complaints against them. Being a dravidian party, ADMK was never against any religion. They openly acknowledged their faith in God. Jayalalithaa would never come out without performing 'pooja'. Jayalalithaa had an option to withdraw the cases against her in 2001, but she faced all the cases legally and emerged victorious. So much of confidence. Her political opponents even pulled her saree in assembly, but she came back stronger. Had she been healthy, I am sure in 2019 she would have been a strong contender in national politics. It is too hard to digest the fact that she is no more and we will not be able to hear her 'makkalaal naan, makkalukkaagave naan' kind of one liners. The welfare schemes announced by her were very well implemented. Her achievements cannot be listed down in a single article. The 'Amma' of Tamil Nadu, would continue to live in the hearts of the common man forever. No wonder she is called as 'Iron Lady'.

Saith'Aah'n - Review

Vijay Antony knows how to sell a product profitably. He doesn't command a huge fan base, but all his movies opens with houseful shows and infact sustains in the long run. This time he is back with a thriller(or science fiction or horror or revenge story or a message oriented movie or something else). Before writing more, the review may have spoilers, so if you haven't watched the movie and don't want to lose the excitement of watching the movie, you can skip the review.

Director Pradeep Krishnamoorthy should be appreciated for showing his respect for Writer Sujatha. Sujatha's photo is shown in title card and the director says, half the movie is based on writer Sujatha's novel. Thank you Mr.Pradeep, as a Sujatha fan, I was really happy to see the tribute shown to my favorite writer.

Yes, Saithan is based on Sujatha's Aah.. Reading novels itself is an experience. The beauty of reading is, we are left to imagine how the characters and the environment would be. It is not easy for a director to make a movie that can match the expectations of the readers. But Saithan's problems are actually different.

Here, the protagonist(Vijay Antony) is a psychologically disturbed software engineer - Dinesh Kumar.  He has a beautiful wife and caring mother. And he has good friends and a caring boss too. Suddenly he starts hearing voices in his head. That voice tells him to commit suicide. He consults a psychiatrist(Kitty) and says, he is not sure of whose voice it is - may be that of God. He speaks about Jayalakshmi teacher and some unknown names. How did he got to know about these people? Who are these people? From where they are? Whose voice is it? Did Dinesh Kumar commit suicide? Is Dinesh really disturbed? Or is he playing pranks with some motive? That is what Saithan is all about.

The script sounds interesting, isn't it? It was a novel written by Writer Sujatha in early 90s. Vijay Antony, as an actor hasn't shown any improvement but his command over box office has grown up to an unimaginable extent. He appears in almost all the scenes and its really unfortunate that he keeps his face rigid throughout the movie. He doesn't even attempt to show different expressions. But the heroine Arundhati Nair has done well.

The director says half the movie was based on Sujatha's novel, but he doesn't say what the other half is. The movie is nothing but rearranging the events in Aah with some stupidity in the name of scientific experience. We are suddenly introduced to a bunch of clowns as villains. Without villains, how can you show our hero is a 'mass'? To be fair, the first half is good, but the second half tests your patience and the climax leaves you disappointed.

Saithan may end up as yet another commercial blockbuster for Vijay Antony. If it happens, he should thank Joe D'Cruz for his clever dialogues and he can pat himself for an engaging background music.

The director has made a mockery of the novel by making Vijay Antony play both Dinesh and Sharma. He hardly makes any impact as either Dinesh or Sharma. The most interesting part of the novel was the way the flashback was narrated. In novel, there was a futurologist, who would hypnotize Dinesh Kumar and find out what he was going through. The psychological disturbance was explained very well(in novel). Aah didn't have villains. In Aah, Dinesh will kill his wife and what follows next is an exciting court sequence, involving the famous Ganesh-Vasanth. I am not sure, whether to complain or feel happy for leaving out this court sequence. Who knows Vijay Antony might have played both Ganesh and Vasanth too, so I should only feel happy.

Dear Pradeep Krishnamoorthy, inspiration is different from what you did. For this, you could have used the novel as such, it still would have worked wonders in box office, I swear. But you will not do.

Commercial cinema needs some 'saithans' like mass elements, transformation scenes,fights, romance, sentiments, songs etc. What could have been an exciting psychological thriller, ends up as an usual mass masala movie because of the saithans mentioned above. Unless and until these 'saithans' are destroyed, we will never get quality movies.

Saithan - strictly for masses. If you are looking for some cleverly written psychological thriller, you would only end up with disappointment.

Note ban : High Hopes and Nighmares

It has been almost 2 weeks since the Prime Minister of India made an announcement that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes will be illegal tender. A lot has been spoken and written about the announcement since Nov 8th(the day on which he made the announcement). To be fair, this is the only topic of discussion among atleast 90% of Indians. This has pushed back all other news items like the issue of a missing student at Delhi JNU stone pelting in Kashmir by people demanding 'freedom', protests against the suicide of an ex-army veteran etc. What the people are saying actually? To what extent this has impacted the life of common man? Does this have any positive effects? With whatever I heard from people and read in media(kind of reliable), I am writing this post. I would also like to add this disclaimer before writing further "I don't have much knowledge in economics".

There are two types of reactions coming out for this move. The reactions started pouring in minutes after the Prime Minister made this announcement. Though a lot has been written and spoken about this, the reactions can be classified into just 2 categories - 1) This is a great move to fight corruption, terrorism and fake currency. 2)This is a foolish move and not a war against the corrupt but against the common man.

This is a huge announcement, no doubt about it. To maintain something secret in a country like India itself is an achievement. Modi has done well to maintain the secrecy such that even his own ministers were not aware of it. I don't take Kejriwal seriously, so don't refer to his allegations and argue with me. This news - Rs 91 lakh worth old notes found in Maharashtra BJP minister’s vehicle  only proves that the information did not leak. As a common man, I can applaud the intention of Mr.Modi. The argument that Modi did this expecting some monetary benefits or political gains doesn't hold water. He has actually risked his political career. We all know, majority of the bureaucrats are corrupt and hand in glove with the corrupt politicians. Traders has been traditional vote bank of Modi, especially diamond merchants and jewelers. This move is going to affect them severely. Because they are not standing in queue to exchange their Rs.500 and 1000 notes, don't think they are happy.

The rich(especially those who lend money for daily interest) are trying their best to convert their black money to white money. They are following different strategies like asking their laborers to deposit money into their account, get their money exchanged through poor people etc. We have to wait until December 30 to see what action will be taken against these people. The income tax department started sending notice to those depositing huge cash - news . Stone pelting and the so called freedom struggle has come to a halt in Kashmir. Crime rate has come down too. The reason is, it is money that decides many things. Due to the note ban and limitations in drawing currency, it has become difficult to hire people to carry out unlawful activities. To this extent its all good.

But is the announcement foolproof? While we are cheering about the corrupt getting punished(till now we only have news about money being seized or thrown away and no other action), we fail to see the difficulty of people who are dependent on 'cash'. Not everyone who are complaining about the note ban are anti nationals or black money hoarders. There is an India which is yet to see the digital world, so whenever the question of cash deficiency is raised, the immediate response like 'pay using cards, paytm, use your card' etc would sound arrogant. Let me tell a small example. I thought of going to salon today, to shave off my beard, but I have only limited number of lower denomination notes(and no higher denomination notes :D ), as I have no hopes of drawing money from ATM in the next 2 days too, I dropped the plan of going to salon. I bought a blade and shaved off my beard myself. Had I gone to salon, he would have charged me Rs.100 atleast. So, I have saved Rs.100. But the barber lost his business due to non availability of cash. This is what happening today.

Small traders are severely affected. Small hotels and messes, hawkers, road side shops etc are not getting customers as much as they used to regularly. People are reluctant to spend 'cash' and expecting roadside hawkers to have card swiping machine is too much. The problem is not with the announcement. I dont agree with the point that Modi should have given more time. But the problem is the govt was not prepared enough to handle the after effects of demonetization. If people don't spend cash, how would the circulation happen? There are Modi fans and haters and their arguments only seems to be win the arguments and satisfy their ego. The haters simply abuse the Prime Minister with comments that neither has decency nor has common sense and the fans(or the Modi bhakts) are projecting as if the entire nation is happy and none is suffering. Something similar to Sun tv showing as if Tamil Nadu is burning and Jaya Tv showing as if the state is like heaven and people are happy like never before.

If you think, the poor and lower middle class is completely against Modi for making this announcement, then I would say you haven't understood the reality. While taking a survey, only when we keep aside our pre-meditated opinion and political affinity, we will be able to get the clear picture. Ofcourse I didn't conduct any surveys based on any so called 'scientific methods'. But I have tried my best to understand what people belonging to different professions think about this demonetization. People who are facing emergency situations are literally abusing the Prime Minister. They are not ready to listen any explanation. But there are people, who depend on their day to day business for food, supporting Modi. They openly welcomed the move. This is what I heard from many - 'yes I am struggling, I am not able to meet my necessities. But without pain there is no gain. I am ready to face this. For the first time a Prime Minister is openly calling for a war against corruption, we are ready to support him, our only expectation is the corruption should come down and the nation should prosper'. And on the other hand, people who are impatient, also not rejecting this move completely though they are angry with the way this has been implemented. 'Why should I suffer sir? I am paying my tax properly. I am not allowed to use my own money. They have made an honest citizen like me to suffer but people like Janardhana Reddy are not affected at all. Let me see sir, how long this circus goes on.' and when I asked them, 'what if this move has a positive effect in due course of time', some replies were sarcastic smile and some were 'if I am proved wrong,I will be happy'.

Hope the trust of these innocent hard working people is restored and the Prime Minister stands by his word to punish the corrupt and eradicates the black market.

I thought about this. Are our people so kind to support a Prime Minister who has been painted a demon by the media for more than a decade? I discussed this with some people who has deep knowledge in politics. I was able to figure out a reason - people are frustrated with the system. They are not ready to believe the gimmicks of a desperate opposition. Their expectation is, even if this goes on for a while, at one point of time, it should produce the desired outcome. Real estate and educational institutions are the main reason for black market to flourish. That has made owning a home a distant dream for the poor and middle class.

Ever since Modi made this announcement, not a single politician has made a sensible comment on this. A desperate Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee are visible in media more than Rahul Gandhi, a main leader of the principal opposition party - Congress. Kejriwal and Mamata wants a rollback of this decision. Will a rollback not result in more confusions? If someone is asking for a rollback desperately, I should only believe that they have loads of black money with them and are finding it difficult to get it exchanged. No wonder, Kejriwal is spreading lies daily.

 86% of the cash in circulation has become invalid overnight. There are some comments like the govt should have printed the new notes well in advance, they should have programmed the ATMs in advance etc. But these comments comes only from the common man, not from the politicians. The opposition parties are making insensitive comments like Modi made people as beggars. Comments like this would only increase the frustration against the opposition.

Not a single leader came up with statistics about how many ATMs are installed throughout the nation? How much cash transactions were made in these ATMs every day? Now how many ATMs are functioning properly? How much cash is being loaded into ATMs? How much cash is being withdrawn? Is the cash to population ratio being met? What are the steps taken by the govt to restore normalcy? The govt announced that you can get cash(upto Rs.2000) from petrol bunks by swiping your cards, but there are lot of challenges in that. The petrol bunks are not ready to give the cash for people who dont fill petrol in their bunks. Some petrol bunks claim they have tie up with private banks so they cannot use SBI swiping machines.  "Contacted, some fuel station proprietors argued that they have tie-ups only with private banks and so do not use a card swiping machine of SBI or other Nationalised banks. ‘’With limited currency available in our reserve, it is not feasible for us to tender cash to people who do not even purchase fuel,’’ a petrol pump owner said asking not to be quoted." - source - The New Indian Express . To what extent the micro ATMs and mobile ATMs has addressed the needs of people?

Instead of making a constructive criticism about this announcement, the opposition is behaving as if Modi has seized their entire wealth. Personally I feel, this is a welcome move , but Modi has overestimated his resources. With bank employees working hard all day and night to meet the requirements, the problem lies somewhere else. You cannot tax the bank employees too much. They are all human beings too. So, my point is, the govt should have been prepared enough with micro ATMs, mobile ATMs etc well in advance and then only made this announcement. Now that people are living with whatever inconvenience they have. If the restrictions on withdrawal continue even after 29th November, it will add up to the chaos and be difficult to manage, because on 30th is the Salary Day. Pensioners will suffer if the situation is not addressed at the earliest.

I am not asking for a rollback, I am not against making an overnight announcement, I am even ready to swallow the bitter pill, but it is the duty of the govt to ensure that the 'bitter pill' doesnt turn 'bitter meal'. If the demonetization produces the desired positive outcome, our standard of living will improve. If not, it would take lot of time to restore normalcy. 

வட்டியும் முதலும் - உணர்வுகளோடு ஒரு இனிய பயணம்

ராஜு முருகனின் வட்டியும் முதலும் படித்து முடித்து விட்டேன். 504 பக்கங்கள் தான் என்றாலும், இந்தப் புத்தகத்தை சுமார் மூன்று மாதங்கள் படித்தேன். காரணம்,ஒவ்வொரு தொடரையும் படித்து முடித்த பின்பு, மனத்திரையில் சில காட்சிகள் ஓடின. Time Machine என்று சொல்லப்படும் கால இயந்திரம் என்றாவது ஒரு நாள் நிஜமாகிவிடாதா என்ற ஏக்கம் எனக்கு எப்போதுமே உண்டு. பள்ளி நாட்களிலிருந்தே எனக்கு இந்த ஆசை இருந்தது.  எனக்கு வரலாறு, இதிகாசம் போன்றவற்றில் நிறைய ஈடுபாடு உண்டு. ராமாயணம், மகாபாரதம், முகலாய படையெடுப்பு, இந்திய சுதந்திர போராட்டம் போன்றவை நடைபெற்ற காலத்துக்கு ஒரு முறையேனும் சென்று விட வேண்டும் என்று பள்ளி நாட்களில் நினைத்ததுண்டு. சிவகாமியின் சபதமோ, பொன்னியின் செல்வனோ உடையரோ படிக்கும் போது, பல்லவர்களையும் சோழர்களையும் ஒரு முறை பார்த்து விட வேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணம். ஆனால் வட்டியும் முதலும் படிக்கும் பொழுது கால இயந்திரம் நிஜமாகி விட்டது போல ஒரு உணர்வு. கடந்த காலத்திற்கு பயணம் செய்த ஒரு திருப்தி.

ராஜு முருகன் குக்கூ மற்றும் ஜோக்கர் படங்களை இயக்கியவர்,அதனால்  இப்போது மிகப் பிரபலம். நான் இந்த புத்தகத்தை வாசிக்கத் தொடங்கும் முன் அவர் திரைப்படங்களை இயக்கிய விபரம் எனக்குத் தெரியாது. சுமார் 200 பக்கங்கள் படித்தப் பிறகு தான் ஜோக்கர் படத்தின் இயக்குனர் இவர் என்று தெரிந்து கொண்டேன். படம் வெளியாவதற்கு ஒரு சில நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு தான் தெரிந்து கொண்டேன்.

நீண்ட நாட்களுக்குப் பிறகு, நோட்டுப் புத்தகத்தில் தமிழ் எழுதினேன். வட்டியும் முதலும் பற்றி சிறு குறிப்புகள் எடுத்துக் கொண்டேன். ஒரு அளவுக்கு மேல் குறிப்புகள் எடுக்க முடியவில்லை, காரணம் இந்தப் புத்தகம் அத்தனை அனுபவங்களைக் கொண்டது. நான் இதில் ஒவ்வொரு அத்தியாயத்தைப் படிக்கும் போதும் எண்ணி எண்ணி வியந்தது இது தான் - எப்படி இத்தனை மனிதர்களை பற்றி இவரால் நினைவில் வைத்துக் கொள்ள முடிகிறது?

ஒவ்வொரு காட்சியும் நமக்கு ஒவ்வொரு உணர்வை ஏற்படுத்தும். அதை எல்லோரும் வார்த்தைகளால் விவரித்து முடியாது. ராஜு முருகன் போன்ற ஒரு சிலரால் தான் முடியும். உதாரணத்திற்கு சாலையில் tube light உடைத்துக் கொள்ளும் பெரியவரையும் அவர் பேரனையும் தினமும் கடந்து செல்கிறோம். நம்மில் எத்தனை பேர் அவர்களை பார்த்துப் பரிதாபப் பட்டிருக்கிறோம். ஒரு வேளை அவர்களைப் பற்றி சிந்தித்தோமே ஆனால் கூட, அந்த வேதனையை விவரித்து விட முடியுமா என்ன? ராஜு முருகன் விவரிக்கிறார்.

இந்தப் புத்தகத்தில், நகைச்சுவைக்குக் குறை இல்லை. தேர்தலைப் போட்டு அரசியலை வாங்குவோம் என்ற அத்தியாயத்தில் தன்னுடைய தாத்தா, திமுகவின் பிரபல தலைமைக் கழக பேச்சாளர்,  நன்னிலம் நடராஜன் பற்றி குறிப்பிடுகிறார். ஒவ்வொரு முறையும் தாத்தா புல்லெட்டில் வரும் போது, ஓர் அலுமினிய வாளியை ஆத்தாவிடம் கொடுக்கச் சொல்லி கொடுப்பாராம். "வாலியைத் திறந்து பார்த்த போது பாலிதீன் கவர்,அல்வா,வாழை இலை மல்லிப்பூ பண்டல். அத்தனை ஆண்டுகாலத் திராவிடக் கட்சிகளின் அரசியலை எவ்வளவு சூசகமாக அந்த வாளிக்குள் அடக்கிவிட்டார் தாத்தா. அரிசி..மல்லிப்பூ..அல்வா!"(பக்கம் 75 ).

 இதில் ராஜு முருகன் பெண்களைப் பற்றி சில அத்தியாயங்களில் விவரிக்கிறார், ஆங்காங்கே அரசியல்(இடது சாரி சிந்தனையாளர் அல்லவா), கடவுள் பக்தி(இவர் கடவுள் பக்தியுள்ள இடது சாரி சிந்தனையாளர் :-) ), நகைச்சுவை எனப் பல விஷயங்களைப் பற்றி எழுதினாலும், சில கட்டுரைகளைப் படிக்கும் பொழுது மனம் சொல்ல முடியாத வேதனைக்கு ஆளாகிறது.

உதாரணமாக ஒரு நல்ல படைப்புக்கான வாசிப்பு, வீதிக்கு வராத முகங்கள், பெண்களுக்கு கணம் கணமும் ரணம் போன்ற கட்டுரைகளைச் சொல்லலாம். இல்லை இல்லை, பல கட்டுரைகளிலும் சில சம்பவங்களையும் மனிதர்களை பற்றியும் படிக்கும் பொழுது கண் கலங்குவதைத் தவிர்க்க முடியவில்லை.

ஈழ எழுத்தாளர் எஸ்.பொ.அய்யா, தன் சுயசரிதையை சொல்லச் சொல்ல படி எடுத்துரைக்கிறார் திரு.யுகபாரதி அவர்களும் நமது ராஜு முருகனும். வீட்டில் இருந்த உறவுகளை ராணுவம் கொன்றதைப் பற்றிச் சொன்னபோது கூட கண் கலங்காத எஸ்.பொ.அய்யாவின் கண்களில், யாழ் நூலகம் எரிக்கப்பட்டதைப் பற்றி சொல்லும் போது கண்ணீர் பெருகி வழிந்தது. 'கண் முன்னாள் எங்கள் வரலாறு எரிக்கப்பட்டதைப் பார்த்தவர்கள் நாங்கள்' என்றாராம். நம் வரலாறு நம் கண்முன்னே அழிவதைக் காட்டிலும் உலகில் ஒரு கொடுமை உண்டோ?

அவருடைய நண்பர் அருளானந்தம் திடீரென ஒரு நாள் இறந்து போனாராம். அவர் இறந்த போது, வீடு முழுக்க வெறும் புத்தகங்கள் தான் நிறைந்து கடந்தனவாம்.இறுதிச் செலவிற்கே இவர்கள் தான் பணம் திரட்டித் தந்தார்களாம். உறவுகள் அத்தனை பேரும் திட்டித் தீர்த்திருக்கிறார்கள். வாசிக்கும் பழக்கம் கொண்டவர்களைப் பைத்தியக்காரன் என்று பட்டம் கட்டும் ஒரு தலைமுறை இன்று உருவாகிவிட்டது.

மயிலாப்பூரில் புத்தகங்கள் விற்கும் ஆழ்வார் சொன்ன வார்த்தைகள் "இத்தனை வருஷமா இந்த புத்தகங்களோடு வாழ்ந்துட்டேன். எனக்கு ஒண்ணுமே கிடைக்கலைங்கறதை நினைச்சி நான் கவலைப்படலை. எனக்குப் பிறகு இதெல்லாம் இன்னொரு தலைமுறைக்குப் போய்ச் சேரணும்.. அதை யார் செய்வாங்கங்கிறதுதான் என் கவலை". இந்த இணையம், சமூக வலைத்தளங்கள் தோன்றுவதற்கு முன்பு, புத்தகங்களுக்கு இருந்த முக்கியத்துவம் இப்போது குறைந்து வருவதாகத் தான் தோன்றுகிறது. வாசிக்கும் பழக்கம் ஒன்று தான், பண்பட்ட தலைமுறையை உருவாக்கும்.

பெண்களை பற்றி மிக உயர்வாக எழுதியதற்காகவே ராஜு முருகனுக்கு ரசிகனாக மாறி விடலாம். அதிலும் 'சதயம்' படத்தைப் பற்றி எழுதும் போது, அவர் குறிப்பிடும் மோகன்லால் பேசும் வசனம் 'ஒவ்வொரு ஆணிடமும் ஒரு விஷக் கொடுக்கு ஒளிஞ்சிருக்கு!", படிக்கும் போதே,ராஜு முருகன் குறிப்பிடுவது போல,மனம் ஏதோ ஒரு தொந்தரவுக்கு உள்ளாக்குகிறது. இன்று திரையரங்குகளில் 'பசங்க படர கஷ்டத்துக்குக் காரணமே பொண்ணுங்க தான்' என்ற வசனத்துக்குக் கிடைக்கும் கை தட்டல்கள் தான் அவர் குறிப்பிடும் விஷக் கொடுக்குப் போல.

நடனமாடும் பெண் நித்யாவைப் பற்றி இந்த புத்தகத்தில் படித்துவிட்டு பல இரவுகள் உறக்கமின்றி தவித்தேன். அந்தப் பெண் டைட் ஜீன்சும் டாப்ஸுமாக ஸ்கூட்டியில் போவாள். நைட்டியில் தண்ணி எடுக்க வருவாள். வேறு வேறு பையன்களை ஸ்கூட்டி பின்னால் வைத்துக் கொண்டு போயிருக்கிறாள். பால்கனியில் சத்தமாகப் பேசிக் சிரித்திருக்கிறாள். இவளைப் பற்றி அக்கம் பக்கத்தினர் அனைவரும் சொன்ன ஒரே கருத்து "அது ஒரு மாரி பாரட்டிப்பா".

நித்யாவிற்கு ஒரு அண்ணன்,இரண்டு தங்கச்சிகள் மற்றும் அம்மா. அண்ணன் டைவர்ஸ் ஆனவன், இவர்களோடே தங்கி விட்டான்.இவள் தான் குடும்பத்தையேப் பார்த்துக் கொள்கிறாள்.

இதே நித்யாவை நம் ராஜு முருகன் ஏழெட்டு வருடங்கள் கழித்துச் சந்திக்கிறார். "எக்கச்சக்கமாகக் குண்டடித்து ஆளே உருமாறி அடையாளமே தெரியவில்லை" - என்கிறார். தன்னை சரியாகக் கவனித்துக் கொள்ள தவறியதால் தைராயிடு பிரச்சனை ஏற்பட்டுவிட்டதாகக் கூறி இருக்கிறாள். இரண்டு தங்கைகளுக்கு கல்யாணம் செய்து கொடுத்து விட்டாள். "நீ கல்யாணம் பண்ணிக்கலயா?" என்று கேட்டதற்கு 'கரகரவென' அழுகை, பிறகு "கண்ணீரைக் கூட துடைத்துக் கொள்ளாமல் சிரிக்கிறாள், சரி வர்றேண்ணே" என்று கிளம்பி விடுகிறாள். 

உண்மை தெரியாமல், இப்படி எத்தனை நித்யாக்களைப் பற்றி நாம் கேவலமாகப் பேசுகிறோம்? ஒரு பெண் வெட்டிக் கொல்லப்பட்டால் கூட, அந்தப் பெண் மீது தான் தவறு என்று அருகிலிருந்து பார்த்ததைப் போல பேசுபவர்கள் இருக்கத் தானே செய்கிறார்கள். சமூக வலைத்தளம் இவர்களுக்கு மிகவும் வசதியாகப் போய் விட்டது. இப்படிப் பெண்களைப் பற்றி கேவலமாகப் பேசுவதைத் தவறு என்று சொல்பவனையும் சேர்த்துத் தான் திட்டுகிறார்கள்.

அதே போல ஆண் பெண் சிநேகிதத்தைப் பற்றிய கட்டுரையைப் பற்றியும் எழுதியாக வேண்டும். "காலமும் வயதும் பக்குவமும் மீட்டெடுக்கும்போதுதான் ஆண்-பெண் சிநேகிதத்தின் அற்புதங்கள் புரிய ஆரம்பிக்கும். அலுவலகத்தில் ஓர் ஆணும் பெண்ணும் தொடர்ந்து தேநீர் குடிக்கப் போனாலே,தவறாகப் பேச வைக்கிறது. 'தோழமை' என்ற வார்த்தையை சட்டென்றும் யாராலும் கொச்சைப்படுத்த முடிகிறது". அந்தக் கட்டுரையின் மிக முக்கியமான வரிகளை அப்படியே எழுதிவிட்டேன். 

இந்த ஆண் பெண் தோழமைப் பற்றி எழுதும் போது ஒரு முக்கியமான விஷயத்தைப் பற்றி எழுத வேண்டும். 

ஒரு பெண்ணைத் தோழி என்று சொல்லிக்கொண்டே,அவளோடு பழகிக் கொண்டே, அதே பெண்ணைப் பற்றி,அவள் இல்லாத நேரத்தில் தவறாகப் பேசுபவர்கள் எவ்வளவு அருவருப்பான பிறவிகள்? அதற்காகப் பழகாதப் பெண்ணைப் பற்றித் தவறாகப் பேசுவதை நியாயப்படுத்தவில்லை. அது அய்யோக்கியத்தனம் என்றால் இது பச்சைத் துரோகம் தானே? இவன் நம் நண்பன், நம் உணர்வுகளுக்கு மதிப்பளிப்பான் என்று நம்பித் தானே பழகுகிறார்கள், தங்களின் செல்போன் எண்களைப் பகிர்ந்து கொள்கிறார்கள், facebook நட்பாகவும் இணைத்துக் கொள்கிறார்கள்? அந்த நம்பிக்கையைத் தவறாகப் பயன் படுத்துவதைக் காட்டிலும் ஒரு கேவலமான செயல் உண்டா?

என்றாவது, ஏதோ ஒரு சூழ்நிலையில் தவறாகப் பேசி இருந்தாலும் அதை மறந்து, திருந்தி, அத்தவறை மீண்டும் செய்யாமல் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று நினைப்பது தானே நல்லவனுக்கு அழகு? சமீபத்தில் ஸ்வாதி என்ற இளம்பெண், நுங்கம்பாக்கம் ரயில் நிலையத்தில், கொடூரமாகக் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டார். ஆனால் அதை விடக் கொடூரமாக, பல முறை, சமூக வலைத்தளங்களிலும் தொலைக்காட்சிகளிலும் அதே பெண் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் கொல்லப்பட்டாள். யார் யாரோக் கூறித் திருந்தாதவர்கள், இந்தப் புத்தகம் பற்றி எழுதும் போது, நான் சொல்வதைக் கேட்டாத் திருந்தப் போகிறார்கள்? இருந்தாலும் இதை எழுத வேண்டுமென நினைத்தேன், எழுதினேன்.

வட்டியும் முதலும் பல அத்தியாயங்களில் என்னைப் பால்ய பருவத்துக்கே அழைத்துச் சென்று விட்டது. கோடை விடுமுறைக் கொண்டாட்டங்கள், நாம் அனுபவித்ததை இந்தத் தலைமுறை அனுபவிக்குமா என்றால் சந்தேகமே. 'பால்யம்' என்ற பேராற்றின் கரையில் என்ற கட்டுரையில் அவர் குறிப்பிடும் கிட்டிப் புள், பம்பரம், ஓடிப்புடிச்சி என அனைத்தும் நாங்களும் ஆடியதுண்டு. தோற்றவர்களை, கும்பல் கும்பலாக பின் தொடர்ந்து, அவர் குறிப்பிடும் அதே 'எங்க வீட்டு நாயி எதையோ திங்கப் போச்சு' பாடி வெறுப்பேற்றியிருக்கிறோம். அடியேனும் ஒரு முறை இந்தக் கேலிக்கு ஆளாகியிருக்கிறேன். அன்று என் காலில் காயம் பட்டிருந்தது, அதுவும் இவர்களுக்குச் சாதகமாகி விட்டது. 'எங்க வீட்டு நாயி எதையோ திங்கப் போச்சு, கல்லால அடிச்சி காலுடைஞ்சி போச்சி'  என்று பாடிப் பாடி அழ வைத்து விட்டார்கள். அதில் பெரும் பங்கு வகித்தவர் என் நண்பன் சுரேந்தர் தான். இன்றும் தொடர்பில் இருக்கிறோம். அவனோடும் சரி, நண்பன் அருண் குமாரோடும் சரி, தொலைபேசியில் உரையாடும் போது இது போன்ற நினைவுகள் தான் உரையாடலின் பெரும் பகுதியை ஆக்கிரமித்திருக்கும். வட்டியும் முதலும் படிக்கும் போது என் பால்யம் தான் என் மனத்திரையில் ஓடியது.

ராஜு முருகன் தன்னுடைய காதல் அனுபவங்களைக் 'காதலால் காதல் செய்வீர்' என்ற அத்தியாயத்தில் எழுதி இருக்கிறார். அருமையான கட்டுரை. ஒன்றுக்கும் மேற்பட்ட அன்புவங்களை எழுதி இருக்கிறார், அத்தனைக் காதலிகளுக்கும் 'கீர்த்தனா' என்ற பொதுப் பெயரை வைத்திருக்கிறார். "இரவு 8 மணிக்கு பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் கே.எஸ்.ஆர் லாட்டரிக் கடைக்கு பக்கத்தில் போய் நின்று கொள்வேன்.சரியாக அந்த நேரத்துக்கு கீர்த்தனா வருவாள். பஸ் கிளம்புகிற வரைக்கும் பார்த்துவிட்டு வந்துவிடுவேன். திடீரென்று கீர்த்தனாவைக் காணவில்லை. பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டே பிளாக் அண்ட் ஒயிட்டில் வெறுமையாகக் கிடந்தது. ஒரு நாள் ஜெராஸ் கடையில் நெற்றி வகிடு நிறையக் குங்குமம் அப்பிக் கொண்டு அங்கே ஜெராஸ் எடுத்துக் கொண்டு இருந்தாள். எந்தச் சலனமும் இல்லாமல் என்னைப் பார்த்தாள். காசு கொடுத்ததும் வாங்கிப் போட்டுக்கொண்டே மெல்லிய குரலில் அவள் என்னிடம் கேட்டதை ஆயுசுக்கும் மறக்க மாட்டேன் - "இன்னமும் அந்த லாட்டரிக் கடை பக்கத்துலேயே தான் நிக்கிறீங்களா..?" .

இந்த அத்தியாயத்தைப் பற்றிக் குறிப்பிட்டே ஆக வேண்டும். தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் இது எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்த அத்தியாயம். "மிருகங்களுக்கு ஆத்மா கிடையாதாம்..நான்சென்ஸ்! ". மற்ற அத்தியாயங்களைக் காட்டிலும் என் மனதில் இதற்கு தனி இடம் உண்டு. இதில் ஆசிரியர் அவருடைய அப்பாவைப் பற்றி எழுதி இருக்கிறார். அதிலென்ன சிறப்பு? அவருடைய அப்பா ஒரு கால்நடை மருத்துவர்.  "பின்னிரவுகளில் யாராவது வந்து அப்பாவை அடிக்கடி எழுப்புவார்கள்.செனமாடு முக்கிட்டே கெடக்கு..கண்ணு வரலைங்க..சத்தமா சத்தம் போடுது.. என இருட்டில் நிற்பார்கள். படக்கென்று எழுந்து மருந்து பையை எடுத்துக் கொண்டு என்னையோ குருவையோ எழுப்பி டி.வீ.எஸ்-50 யை எடுக்க வைப்பார். இருட்டில் நாலைந்து பேர் கவலையாக நிற்பார்கள். 'ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ஏஏஏ..' என அலை பாய்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் தாய்ப்பசு. கைலியை வரிந்து கட்டிக் கொண்டு மாட்டை பொத்தெரென்று அடிப்பார். 'ந்தாறு..ந்தாறு..ச்சூ..ச்சூ.." எனப் பேசி அதை விழ வைப்பார். 'எண்ணெய் விடுவாங்க..' என வாங்கித் தடவிக் கொண்டு, மாட்டுக்குப் பின்னால் கையைவிட்டுத் துழாவி, நேக்காக கன்னுக்குட்டிக் காலை பிடித்துவிடும்போது கண்கள் பிரகாசிக்கும்.பொசுக்கென்று குட்டிக் கால் குளம்புகள் வெளி நீட்டும். இன்னும் வெளிவர சிரமப்பட்டால்,ரத்தமும் கோழையும் கலந்து வடிய, கன்னுக்குட்டி காலில் கயிறு கட்டி, நைசாக வெளியே இழுப்பார். அந்த வீட்டுக்காரம்மா கொலசாமியைக் கும்பிட்டுக்கொண்டே பதறி நிற்கும். ஆளும் பேருமாய் இழுக்க.. அது உயிர் வலிப் போராட்டம். 

கொஞ்ச நேரத்தில் சொத்தென்று மண்ணில் விரித்த கோணியில் வந்து விழும் கன்னுகுட்டி. பக்கத்தில் உட்கார்ந்து இரண்டு கைகளாலும் அதன் முகத்தின் ஈரத்தையெல்லாம் வழித்துவிட்டு. அப்படியே அள்ளி காதிலும் மூக்கிலும் உயிர்க்காற்று ஊதுவார். கொஞ்ச நேரத்தில் கன்னுக்குட்டி காது மடல் அசைய, உடல் துள்ளும். வீட்டுக்காரம்மா ஓடிவந்து காளக் கன்னா, பசுவா எனப் பார்க்கும். மாடு தழைந்து தழைந்து வந்து கன்றை நக்கிவிடும்போது, பொலபொலவென விடியும் அந்த நாள்"(பக்கம் 89,90). Why this is so special? Because, my father is a Veterinary Doctor :-) . 

இரவு நேரங்களில், என் அப்பா, கன்னுக்குட்டியை இழுத்துப் போட்ட நிகழ்வுகள் ஏராளம். முறையாக மருத்துவரை அழைக்காமல், மக்களே, கயிறு கட்டி இழுப்பது, கை விட்டு இழுப்பது போன்ற பல அசுர முயற்சிகளைச் செய்துவிடுவார்கள். எதுவும் பலிக்காமல் போன பிறகே மருத்துவரை அழைப்பார்கள். என் அப்பா, கன்னுக்குட்டியை இழுத்துப் போட்டப் பிறகு, அங்கு சுற்றி இருப்பவர்கள் அசடு வழிந்து கொண்டே சொல்வார்கள் 'எல்லாம் முயற்சி பண்ணிட்டேன் சார், இந்த மாதிரி மட்டும் தான் இழுக்கல', அப்பா சற்று கோபமாகவே பதிலளிப்பார், 'அதனால தான் நான் டாக்டர்' என்று.

பாண்டிச்சேரியில் இருக்கும் போது, அருகே ஆரோவில்லில் வசிக்கும் வெளிநாட்டவர்களின் நாய்களுக்கு, அப்பா வைத்தியம் பார்த்து வந்தார். அப்போது தன்னிடம் ஏராளமான நாய்கள் இருப்பதாகவும், மேலும் நாய்களை வளர்க்க முடியாதென்றும் கூறி, ஒரு நாய் குட்டியை(சுமார் 5-10 நாட்கள் குட்டி) அப்பாவிடம் கொடுத்து கருணைக் கொலை செய்யுமாறு அந்த farmஇல் இருந்த ஒருவர் கேட்டார்.  'உன்னால் வளர்க்க முடியாதென்றால் போ, அதைக் கொல்ல வேண்டுமென்று சொல்ல உனக்கு உரிமை இல்லை' என்று கூறி நாய் குட்டியை எங்கள் வீட்டுக்கேக் கொண்டு வந்து விட்டார். அதற்கு ஜிம்மி என்று பெயரிட்டோம். 2004ஆம்  ஆண்டு முதல் எங்கள் செல்லப் பிராணி ஆனது ஜிம்மி. நாங்கள் சாப்பிடும் போது அதற்கும் தர வேண்டும், இல்லை என்றால் அடம் பிடிக்கும். சப்பாத்தி என்றால் ஜிம்மிற்கு கொள்ளைப் பிரியம். சப்பாத்தி, பூரி,ஐஸ் கிரீம், சாக்லேட், சிந்தெடிக் போனே, பெடிக்ரீ இவை தான் ஜிம்மியின் favorite. சோறு வைத்தால் லேசில் சாப்பிடாது. அதிலும் நாங்கள் சப்பாத்தி சாப்பிட்டு ஜிம்மிக்கு சோறு வைத்தால் முகர்ந்து பார்த்து விட்டு போய் படுத்துவிடும். கோபத்தின் வெளிப்பாடு. அம்மா ஐஸ் கிரீம் கப்பை கையில் பிடித்துக் கொள்ள ஜிம்மி முழுவதையும் நக்கித் தின்று விட்டு வாலாட்டும். குழந்தைகளோடு சகஜமாக விளையாடும். அபார்ட்மென்ட்டில் ஜிம்மியோட விளையாடாத ஆளே கிடையாது. ஆனால் மற்ற விலங்குகளை அனுமதிக்கவே அனுமதிக்காது. வைத்தியத்திற்கு நாய்களைக் கொண்டு வரும்போது ஜிம்மியை சமாளிப்பதே பெரும் தலைவலியாக இருக்கும். மாட்டுக்குப் பழம் கொடுத்ததால் கோபமடைந்த ஜிம்மி வீட்டிலேயே சிறுநீர் கழித்து விட்டது, பிறகு அமைதியாக எங்களிடம் தர்ம அடியும் வாங்கிக் கொண்டது. 

ஜிம்மி எங்கள் குடும்பத்தில் ஒருவராகத் தான் வளர்ந்தது. இறுதியாக 2012ஆம்  ஆண்டு இறந்து போனது. இறந்து போன போது சிறுநீர் கழித்தது. மேலே குறிப்பிட்ட இரண்டு தருணங்களைத் தவிர ஒரு நாள் கூட வீட்டில் சிறுநீர் கழித்ததில்லை. காலை ஒரு முறை மாலை ஒரு முறை என பழக்கப் படுத்தியதால் சரியாகக் கூச்சலிட்டு, வெளியே அழைத்துச் செல்ல வைத்து விடும். இவ்வளவுப் பாசமான நாய் இறந்த போது ஏற்பட்ட வேதனையை  வார்த்தைகளால் விவரிக்க முடியாது. அதனாலேயே அதற்கு பிறகு செல்லப் பிராணிகள் வளர்ப்பதைத் தவிர்த்து விட்டோம்.

வட்டியும் முதலும் படிக்கும் போது இது போல எண்ணற்ற நினைவுகள் மனத்திரையில் ஓடியது. அதனாலே தான் 504 பக்கங்கள் படிக்க மூன்று மாதங்கள் தேவைப்பட்டது. இது வரை நான் எழுதியது எல்லாமே வெறும் ட்ரைலர் தான். இந்தப் புத்தகத்தில் ரசித்து ரசித்துப் படிக்க வேண்டிய பக்கங்கள் ஏராளம், ஏன் அனைத்துப் பக்கங்களும் ரசித்துப் படிக்கப்பட வேண்டியவை தான். 'சின்னப் புறா ஒன்று பாடும் ரங்கய்யா, பள்ளிக் குழந்தைகளுக்குத் தீனி விற்கும் வேனியாத்தாள், பிச்சைக்கார பூவா, அரசியல் செய்கிறான் பேர்வழி என்று 'பிம்ப்'ஆக மாறிய நண்பர், தெருக்களில் பொம்மைகள் விற்கும் ஒருவன் என இவர் விவரித்ததில் பல மனிதர்களை நானும் சந்தித்திருக்கிறேன். நீங்களும் சந்தித்திருப்பீர்கள்.

"தர்மனாகவும் துரியோதனனாகவும் சாவதைவிட அபிமன்யுவாகச் சாவது தான் பெரிய விஷயம்" - இது ராஜு முருகன் பஞ்ச் ('நாம எல்லாம் ஜூனியர் ஆர்ட்டிஸ்ட் தான், பக்கம் 340)

இது புத்தக விமர்சனம் அல்ல. கடந்த சில மாதங்களில் என்னைப் பரவசப் படுத்திய ஒரே விஷயம் வட்டியும் முதலும் தான். இது ஆனந்த விகடனில் தொடராக வெளி வந்தது. விகடன் வாங்குவதில்லை என்ற கொள்கையோடு வாழ்வதால், ராஜு முருகன் இந்தத் தொடரை எழுதிய போது படிக்க முடியவில்லை. நண்பர்களின் சிபாரிசின் பேரில் தான் இந்தப் புத்தகத்தைப் பற்றி இணையத்தில் தேடித் பார்த்தேன். புத்தகக் கண் காட்சியில் எப்படியாவது இதை வாங்கிவிட வேண்டுமென்று பெரும்பாலான ஸ்டால்களிலும்  கேட்டு அலைந்தேன். கிடைக்கவே இல்லை. ஏமாற்றமே மிஞ்சியது. அமேசான் கை கொடுத்தது. பெரும்பாலானவர்கள் வட்டியும் முதலும் படித்திருப்பார்கள் என நம்புகிறேன், அப்படி இது வரைப் படிக்கவில்லை என்றால், தயவு செய்து வாங்கிப் படியுங்கள்.

 புத்தகங்கள் நம் நண்பர்களைப் போல என்று யாரோ சொன்னதாக சுஜாதா கற்றதும் பெற்றதும் புத்தகத்தில் எழுதி இருப்பார். அது எவ்வளவு உண்மை என்பதை ஒவ்வொரு முறை நல்லப் புத்தகங்கள் படிக்கும் போதும் உணர்ந்திருக்கிறேன். 

லைஃப் இஸ் பியூட்டிஃபுல் என்று இந்தத் தொடரை முடிக்கிறார் ராஜு முருகன். இந்தத் தொடரை எழுதியதற்காக, நமக்கு கொடுத்ததற்காக அவரிடம் இதைச் சொல்லியே ஆக வேண்டும் 'Thank you Mr.Raju Murugan'.

உணர்வுகளை எழுத்துக்களால் விவரித்தவர் ராஜு முருகன் என்றால், அந்த கட்டுரைகளுக்கெல்லாம் நெஞ்சில் நிற்கும்படி அழகான ஓவியங்களைத் தந்தவர் திரு.ஹாசிப் கான். இன்றும் விகடனில் இவரது கார்ட்டூன்களுக்குத் தனி ரசிகர் கூட்டம் உண்டு.  Thank you Hasif Khan.

குறிப்பு: நீல நிற எழுத்துக்கள் என் சொந்தக் கருத்து/அனுபவம்.

ReMo - A disgusting RomCom

ReMo a perfect example for how a bad movie, with an obnoxious storyline and misogynistic dialogues will strike gold at box office.. You have an actor, who is the most liked one by kids and has a mass appeal in the lead, still end up dishing out some socially irresponsible crap movie.

Usually, I don't reveal the storyline completely while reviewing a movie. But revealing the storyline is not going to make a difference for this particular movie and it also will give an idea about the movie.

Our hero is a good-for-nothing guy. He suddenly watches a girl crossing him and immediately falls in love with her. He is all set to propose her and straight away reaches her house, only to witness her engagement..The depressed lover boy doesn't give up easily. One or two incidents convinces him that the girl is born for him, so he goes in disguise as a woman and starts working with the heroine, who is a 'doctor'. He convinces her that her fiancé doesn't look good and a bad choice for her. The well educated doctor heroine falls into the trap laid by our 'intelligent' hero. One fine day, the hero in lady get-up, says some boy wanted to convey his love to the heroine and out of curiosity she agrees to meet him. He proposes her in a 'unique' way and gradually she falls for him(or gradually she realizes that she already fell for him in the first meeting itself). Now, somehow there should be a justification for this 'intelligent act' of our hero. So, as usual, show heroine's fiancé as a bad man. The climax says 'all iz well'.

This story is not something new to Tamil cinema. We have seen this in Kathal Mannan, Youth, Vaseegara etc. But as per my knowledge, those movies didn't openly endorse stalking and eve teasing(though personally I don't like those movies too). Throughout the movie we have dialogues ridiculing women and glorifying/justifying scoundrels and rogues. 'pasangaloda indha nilamaiku ellam ponnunga seira thappu thaan kaaranam', 'nichayam thaana aachi kalyaanam aagala la', 'ponnungaloda full time velaiye pasangala azha vekkaradhu dhaana', 'kaadhalikkira ponna kidaikanam nu muyarchi pannaadhavan, andha ponnu kidaikala nu varutha pada thagudhiye illadhavan' (though she is engaged to someone else), 'Appa Amma paatha ponnundradhuke ivlo scene podriye, avane sondhamaa love panna ponnu na avan evlo edhir neechal pottirupaan', when heroine refers to girl, who is an acid attack victim, you get an immediate justification with another guy ready to marry her 'lovekaaga uyira kudukravangalukum irukaanga, uyira kuduthu love panravangalum irukkaanga', 'enna maadhiri pasangaluku vera vazhi illa' etc. More than these dialogues, what is painful is, the kind of response it receives. Audience clapped and whistled for all these dialogues.

Throughout the movie, our hero whistles at the heroine and she responds to it, and there is a song to this lovely sequence. The message is clear, guys have all the rights to stalk, whistle and cheat on a girl. No matter whether she is engaged or married( though ReMo is magnanimous enough to spare married women). If she doesn't accept the proposal, then men again have all the rights to blame/abuse her. The nurse get-up is used well to make fun of the body of women.

I don't find anything good in this movie. It doesn't even have an engaging screenplay with almost all the scenes predictable. One or two scenes evoke laughter where Yogi Babu appears. Cinematography is awesome, thanks to P C Sreeram.

With so many incidents of stalking making it to headlines, the director has not bothered about it all. He happily justifies stalking and surely is going to achieve commercial success too, as a result of which, is going to come up with more such craps.

Otherwise, ReMo is a clear case of torture.

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story hits a sixer

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story - an entertaining biopic about an inspiring captain. The first scene itself creates interest in the movie. The walk, warm up,mannerisms etc brings M S Dhoni before our eyes.The background score is too good and inspiring.

As the title says, this is an untold story about Dhoni. I am not sure if everything shown in the movie is true, but its all packaged well to make it interesting. If you are going to expect this biopic to be based on Dhoni's experience in Indian team, I am sure you will be disappointed. But it has a lot to offer with respect to cricket. Right from the transformation of football goal keeper Mahi to wicket keeper Mahi, everything is connected well. The commentary of those commentators during his school days were enjoyable too. When he says, 'I know this boy, if he plays for an hour, this place will be heavily crowded', theater erupted in a thunderous response.

Throughout the movie, the dialogues are good. There are some intelligent dialogues that typically defines Mahendra Singh Dhoni, like, 'none can correct or spoil your game, playing natural game is your strength','You cannot afford to have distractions while playing for country','I am not scared of hard ball' etc. The director also doesn't forget to take a dig at the state of affairs in Bihar. 'You want to know, why only less no. of cricketers Bihar is producing, right? For us politics is more important than sports'. 'The letter didn't reach us on time, in this place, will anything work properly?'. When you are making a biopic, casting is very important and Neeraj Pandey has done his best. Well, while watching Yuvraj Singh, for some reason I couldn't stop laughing. But the guy has a striking resemblance to Yuvi. Anupam Kher, Bhumika,Dhoni's mother,friends etc everyone were apt, director makes no mistake.

There are certain things which Neeraj Pandey could have concentrated more. Dhoni is an unorthodox batsman, whereas here the cricketing shots looks bit different from actual MSD's, though the helicopter shot is an exception. He plays that exactly as M S Dhoni would play.Another point is, Dhoni is known for his patience and cool attitude,in pressure situations. The director could have added more scenes, showing how calm and composed Dhoni is. There are two scenes, where he walks away out of disappointment and sadness, consoles himself and comes back. But that looked pretty ordinary. The movie is a bit lengthy. To avoid controversies, they didn't give more footage to CSK part it seems. As mentioned in the beginning, I am not sure, how much real the love stories shown. Anyway the love stories shown are cute and enjoyable, definitely not boring.

Anyway, the movie is already a commercial blockbuster. M S Dhoni is celebrated in Tamil Nadu like anything. Initially, when Sushant Singh says his name 'Mahi', I couldn't hear anything, only using lip moments I had to guess, so much of claps and whistle in theater. When you make a cricketer's biopic, especially the one who played after 1990,you cannot avoid Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin's poster, boundaries, autograph etc, they have lot of reference to the God of cricket. Similarly, there are some scenes referring to Dada too. After all, it was Saurav Ganguly, who brought in M S Dhoni. Crowd cheered equally to all the cricketers Dada,Sachin,Dravid,Sehwag, Kohli etc. In short, the theater atmosphere was electrifying.

Neeraj Pandey knows how to sell this quality biopic to masses. The first and last scenes are good enough to take it to masses. At the end, the man, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, himself appears on screen and the audience leave the theater with a huge cheer.

If you do not belong to those group of people, who hate M S Dhoni from the heart for no reason, I am sure you will like the movie.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni : The Untold Story, told in an interesting way.

Pink - Review

It may be late, still I feel, it is must to write a review for this movie. Pink is not an usual film or even I should say, its not an usual feminist film. Pink is reality. It just the reflection of our society. The movie starts off with one guy getting hurt and 3 girls, who looks tensed and nervous. On a fateful night, something happened between those influential guys and these 3 girls. What happened? Who is at fault? Who are these girls? What the guys do to these girls? How these girls handle them?. That's all Pink is about.

What distinguishes Pink from usual movies is, the way it slaps the society for its hypocrisy. Pre-interval scenes prepares the audience for an engaging court sequence in the second half. With a haunting background score and interesting screenplay, I bet you, not a single scene will divert your attention towards your electronic gadgets. It is the post interval scenes, that makes Pink, a special movie in the history of Indian cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan, who comes as a lawyer, completely dominates the second half of the movie. The dialogues by Ritesh Shah and the director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, are sharp enough to tear into the prevailing misogynistic attitude of the society. Based on the cross examination, Amitabh suggests he can write a safety manual for women and suggests some rules too, all sarcastically. These dialogues are not meant to just laugh out and move on, but should realize how arrogant the society is towards the women. For example, one of the rules, 'a girl should not drink with a boy. Drinking is a bad habit and it would make your character questionable, only if you are a girl. For boys, there is no such rule and for them, drinking is a bad habit only health issues'. Another rule for women's safety is, 'a girl should not laugh and crack jokes with a guy and should not touch him too. If she does so, it will be considered as 'hint' for sexual relationship'.

Think for a moment, aren't these dialogues true? Isn't there a difference in criticizing a drinking woman and a man?Does the society treats both of them same way? Definitely no. These are all pretty simple quotes. But the director walks that extra mile and brings in an important topic. A woman, because she is not a virgin, because she had sex with some people of her choice, should not be taken for granted. Even if she is a prostitute, none should touch her without her consent.

The movie neither endorses nor criticizes, the act of a woman having sex,with multiple people. It's just the choice of the individual. Others doesn't have any right to abuse such women. Simply, they live their life, as they wish. None compels you to follow their style. You are free to make your choice, but do not peep into others' privacy and call them by names.  The point which the director tries to establish is, if a woman(whoever it may be) says 'NO', it means 'No' and men are supposed to understand this. She may be anyone, may be your girl friend or your wife, you cannot touch her without her consent. When questioned about virginity, the judge asks if this statement can be recorded secretly, but she refuses the offer and boldly says, 'I haven't done anything wrong, let the world know'.

There are some nuances in the movie, for which, the director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, deserves a pat on his back. After the case becomes popular, people start speaking so many things, about these girls.While Amitabh and Tapsee are jogging, someone identifies her and says something like 'hey look, she is that girl'. She feels humiliated and covers her face and starts running, Amitabh uncovers it and asks her to run. This particular scene has conveyed a strong message to the society. When you are a victim, you have done no wrong, but being abused by the society, don't run away. Don't get into a shell. You have been victimized, its not your fault. It's the fault of someone else. Only the guilty should feel humiliated and not the victim. Our society is full of insane people and hypocrites. Their stand on issues will differ based on the person involved.Don't care about what it says. You haven't done anything wrong, be bold,face the situation, fight it out and emerge victorious. Hiding and running away is an act of cowardice.

The man whom Kirti Kulhari loved sincerely, breaks up with her and leaves her alone and moves on. Tapsee calls him a coward.When your girl is in trouble, stand by her. Don't run away. If you do so, you are a coward - message conveyed here.

All the meaningful dialogues written by the trio(Ritesh Shah,Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
and Shoojit Sircar) gets life by Big B's majestic voice. Especially the feminist poems he recites during the end-card, receives thunderous response. What an actor Amitabh Bachchan is!!!!

I couldn't find any negatives in the movie. At the end, after observing the arguments, a woman police gets emotional and congratulates Amitabh Bachchan. The audience too, would like to congratulate the director similarly, for delivering this masterpiece.

 Undoubtedly, Pink is a landmark film in the history of Indian cinema. If you haven't watched it yet, go for it. 

Kabali - Review

#Kabali is watchable.. Rajni rocked,Ranjith failed.. Rajni's electrifying screenpresence and some good scenes makes it a watchable film.

Probably for the first time in the last 2 decades, Rajni has teamed up with an young director, which increased the expectations from the Kabali team. Except Rajni,everyone else failed.The movie has positives, I am not denying it.It is clearly a Ranjith film and Rajni has not influenced him at all.The director was given full freedom(which not many who directed the superstar got).Yet the director has tried to balance between the Superstar's image and his own agenda.

Rajni is an excellent actor, he hasn't done many challenging roles in recent past.But in Kabali, he has done very well.

I would not say this is a challenging role or some kind of method acting,but without too many mass scenes,Rajni was able to create an impact. One need not describe his walks or mannerisms, even a hater would clap for that while watching him on screen.His smile,the way he cries on hearing about Radhika Apte,the Pondicherry sequence etc are enough proofs to show what a quality actor Rajnikanth is. This is a different Rajni and completely satisfied with his brilliant performance.

Unfortunately, except Rajni,Radhika and Dhanshikaa,everyone else were very bad.John Vijay as Rajni's friend,itself a miscast.He looks jaded and tired.A brilliant actor like Kishore was wasted.He just shouts and shoots.Nothing to say about the other villain. 'Attakathi' Dinesh has played a comedian(ofcourse,unintentionally).The other guy,who played Johnny in Madras was indeed irritating. Among the supporting cast,the guy who takes care of Rajni's accomodation in Chennai,was the best.

Santhosh Narayanan songs failed to gel with the movie. The re-recording was a big let down,not sure who is responsible for this - Santosh Narayanan or Ranjith?

From the beginning,there are only dialogues and no surprise elements. Its a very predictable screenplay and a poor script.Yes, some dialogues like the one about birds, one shown in teaser,one about the coat-suit etc, recieved thunderous response.One can rely on dialogues, but should be backed by good scenes. All the 'Free life' scenes were artificial and it only tests your patience, at times.One couldn't avoid getting a feel of watching some documentary.

Rajni's intro scene was good,its a good idea to show the superstar going in search of his wife and taking on the enemies.In this journey,Ranjith should have given some powerful scenes to Rajni,whereas the director didn't do that. Rajni was also another character throughout the journey and that journey moves at a painfully slow pace.

The only way the director made of use of the superstar's mass image was to utter some dialogues,that is,to carry forward his agenda.I don't want to discuss whether the agenda is right or wrong.Infact, there is nothing wrong in utilizing a hero of Rajni's stature, to utter such dialogues.I would also appreciate the superstar for accepting such a role.But Ranjith failed to provide any justification for keeping such dialogues.

We all believe in some ideology,its quite natural. It is ok to make a movie to justify what we believe in.It is also fine to have one or two dialogues to cater our audience. When you make a movie,which isn't exactly based on your ideology and yet you try to thrust your views on audience through scenes and dialogues,which are not well connected to the script,you would end up making some halfbaked stuff. That is what happened with Kabali :-).

K Balachander -The Bhishma Pitamah of Tamil Cinema

K Balachander, now remembered as someone who introduced the big 2 - Rajni and Kamal, while his achievements are much more than just introducing these 2.He has introduced more than 65 artistes and technicians. Has more than 100 directorial ventures to his name. What distinguishes K Balachander from others is the variety of scripts he has handled.

He made his debut as a dialogue writer in MGR's Dheiva Thaai. During the shooting of Dheiva Thaai, KB used to remain isolated and calm.Not many other technicians working for the movie, were aware of who this young man was and out of curiosity people inquired about him.Once they came to know that he was the dialogue writer of the movie, one man asked him, 'you could have told us you are the writer and joined us during our meetings?', KB replied firmly, 'I want my dialogues to speak about myself'. The man who asked this question was none other than the legendary Tamil poet Vaali and  sensed this man is going to achieve greater heights. He mentioned this incident in his book 'Naanum indha Nootraandum'.

KB was basically a playwright and to my knowledge, none in Tamil cinema has handled the 'drama' genre better than KB. When you make movies in this genre(drama),your script should be backed by meaningful dialogues and strong performances. A director who gets this combination right, can give everlasting classics. For instance, you watch an Edhir Neechal, Nagesh will be accused of stealing money and none would believe him. One simple dialogue, Major Sundarrajan will understand he is innocent. When people lists out the stolen things accusing Nagesh, spontaneously Nagesh would respond, 'Nayaroda watch adha vittuteengle?'(you missed Nayar's watch). Dialogues like these and actors like Major Sundarrajan,Nagesh, Muthuraman etc has made these movies a classic.

When KB had a heart attack in a relatively young age,he was worried that he may die without achieving anything.But,he consoled himself saying, 'ok I have made a movie like Punnagai, so even if I die,the movie will speak up for myself'.He said this in an interview.But at the time of his death, he has given plenty of classics :-).

If you ask me to pick some best movies in the history of cinema, Punnagai will find a prominent place in my list.You can make a movie about Gandhi,you can also make a movie about the debate - whether Gandhi was right or wrong, but to make a film on Gandhian principles is always a challenging task,which KB pulled off with ease.Punnagai is all about Gandhian principles and I swear, if someone watches the movie, they would think of leading an honest life(ofcourse they may change later :D ).

KB has not hesitated to take on social issues too. His Achamillai Achamillai explains how a noble young man turns corrupt and demonic after joining politics. Through the character of an old man and a character called Sudhandhiram, Balachander mocks so many corrupt practices. Dialogues like 'Sudhanthiratha ella payalum thanakku saadhagamaa payanpaduthikaraanga, Suthandhiratha azha vittirukaangle,Sudhandhiram nee en porandha ne enakku vilangala' etc shows KB's creativity.

Kalyana Agathigal - not many would have heard about this movie. I have mentioned about it earlier too.This is one of my favorite movie. This is another simple movie with strong characterization and meaningful dialogues. The movie openly criticizes religious conversions in the name of love or marriage. The hero is a christian and the heroine Saritha is a Hindu and the hero wants Saritha to convert to Christianity. He says, we don't demand dowry as your Hindus do and Saritha replies, 'instead of money,you people are asking my religion. Isn't this a form of dowry robert?'. Finally she says,'Robert knew I was a Hindu and still he was in love with me, but now he says his religion is more important to him than me and our love. I cannot give up my age old tradition and culture.; When the hero calls her,she plays Kandha Sashti Kavasam and disconnects the call, meaning she is not ready to convert. Not many can make such hard hitting films.

His Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, a Kamal starer(remake of Rudra Veena,a Chiranjeevi directed by KB himself), deals with liquor prohibition and bringing discipline in an entire village. The hero leads from the front and makes his village liquor-free. While narrating the story, an age old gardener's character is introduced to us.The gardener says, 'indha mannula naama porandhadhuku oru artham irukkanam na,indha mannuku naama edhaachu thiruppi seyyanam nu oru nambikkai'(we should do something to this world to make our lives meaningful). The gardener continues,'I cant construct schools or lakes,I am just contributing as much as I can. I will plant daily atleast 2 saplings a day.The trees which I have planted are my children'.This old man becomes an inspiration for Udaya Moorthy(Kamal Hassan). His act of planting trees makes the hero question himself about his contribution to the society.It was then, the hero goes on to inspire the entire village and achieve total alcohol prohibition. Kamal Hassan or Chiranjeevi might have played the protagonist, but the impact this gardener character created was much more than what the hero's character could do(I am writing this with due respect to Kamal and Chiranjeevi).

His musical sense was another aspect that made him a commercially successful director too. Its highly impossible to get producers for your movies without delivering commercial success. You cannot deliver commercial hits with art movies. Infact, delivering commercial hits itself is a unique art. KB was able to extract the best from any music director. Ninaithale Inikkum had more than 12 songs and the movie was a genuine musical hit. He was able to get some lovely melodies like Sangeetha Swarangal Ezhe kanakka from Maragatha Mani. Sindhu Bhairaivi, Punnagai Mannan, Puthu Puthu Arthangal etc from Ilaiyaraja,Duet & Parthale paravasam from A.R.Rahman.

KB's Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal is one movie that had 2 stories, which again was an experiment. People enters cinema industry with lot of hopes and dreams After all, cinema is a dream factory. Rightly Sujatha wrote a novel based on cinema and titled it 'Kanavu Thozhirchalai'(dream factory).This dialogue comes in Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal.


His Ek Duuje Ke liye had a tragic climax, with the hero and heroine committing suicide. Inspired by this, a couple committed suicide in Goa. As a remedy, KB made another movie - Vaaname Ellai, against suicides.People who met with disappointments in their life happens to meet each other and they decide to commit suicide after enjoying their life for 100 days.Towards the end, we are introduced to Mr.Gandhi Raman, a differently abled man, who has done lot of social welfare activities. His presence and words inspires these youngsters and the movie ends with these people taking oath to remain confident and fight all the odds with courage. Watch this scene, none will ever commit suicide.

He made Manmadha Leelaimovie about a sex pervert sans vulgarity), Nootrukku Nooru(brilliantly portrayed how society frames up an innocent young man with fake charges and how he comes out of it all successfully),Neerkumizhi(about cancer patient), Navagraham(family drama which shows how a stranger can influence a family which doesn't have unity),Major Chandrakant(one of the best movies in the 'drama' genre) etc. He is a king of family dramas too viz Iru Kodugal,Velli Vizha,Baama Vijayam,Puthu Puthu Arthangal,Poova Thalaya,Sindhu Bhairavi etc.

As a KB fan, I clapped for all the scenes featuring K Balachander, while watching Uttama Villain in theater :-). Today the entire world is aware of Tamil Cinema mainly because of Superstar Rajni and Universal Hero Kamal. One cannot doubt their talent. Rajni and Kamal are legends. But KB also introduced Nassar,Prakash Raj,Vivek,Radharavi etc. Almost everyone from Balachander's school has achieved greater heights

It is possible to write a series of posts about KB. Given the variety of scripts he has handled and the kind of artists and technicians he has introduced, there is nothing wrong in calling him the Bhishma Pitamah of Tamil Cinema.

Media's role in covering Rajiv Assassins case

We have been seeing lot of outrage demanding the Rajiv Gandhi killers release..mother of one of the convict, Perarivalan,is getting lot of media attention and naturally,there is a huge wave of sympathy for Perarivalan and other convicts.. 4 years ago, one Tamil director made a movie against capital punishment and wrot in facebook that 'Perarivalan's mother appreciated the movie Aravaan'. Now actor Sathyaraj,Vijay Sethupathi, director Ranjith(director of Attakathi,Madras,Kabali etc), have also joined this 'release Rajiv Gandhi convicts' chorus. So much support they have. Cleverly these people are playing victim card, thanks to Mr.P.Sadasivam for commuting their death sentence and successive central govts to keep their mercy petition pending for long.

Anyway this article has nothing to do with the legal side of this case.

I have a question, while the media and 'socially responsible' citizens and celebrities are so concerned about those who are undergoing life sentence, did they ever bother about 18 other innocent people who died on that fateful day along with Rajiv Gandhi.. Media can do a cover story about them right? Who knows, if we give statistics about the caste and religion of the people died in the bomb blast, they may do some cover story, provided, people belonging to 'some communities' and 'some religions' are in the list.

You have been constantly giving media coverage to Mrs.Arputham Ammal, why don't you ask about the trauma, the family of deceased underwent? Ask them, if their family was given any relief fund? If someone from the deceased policemen's family got job? How they all suffered on losing their loved ones. After all, they are also human beings right? I bet you, none will care about these innocent people.

After Rajiv Gandhi's death, some rationalist and pro-Tamil groups took processions hailing Dhanu. Infact, one rationalist leader openly said, 'atleast once let us celebrate the victory of Ravan over Ram'. Their rationalism is that Lord Ram never existed, but Ravan existed and he was a Dravidian. According to them Brahmins are Aryans, whereas Ravan, who was a Brahmin according to Ramayana, is a Dravidian. Lord Ram, who was a Kshatriya,is an Aryan according to the Dravidian ideology. Such an intelligent ideology it is. The media is so spineless here, that, still they are supporting LTTE and these Dravidian outfits, in the name of liberalism.

Only in India, all these moronic activities of celebrating terrorists and assassination of a former PM will happen.

And, expecting the media here to make a cover story, about the victims, is absolute stupidity. Sadly, the warriors, who have suddenly realized the value of life and are in a hurry to save the Rajiv Gandhi assassins, will also not spare a minute for the family of the deceased.

Though I don't buy the arguments of pro-Rajiv Gandhi assassins group, I am convinced that many who were responsible for the assassination are still roaming free. Mark my words, you can only find out who killed Rajiv Gandhi, you will never know why he was killed and who were behind the murder.

TN Elections 2016 - Opinion/Exit Polls and Reality

Right now the hot topic in television channels and social media is the recently concluded assembly elections for 4 states and a UT - Tamil Nadu,Kerala,Assam,West Bengal and Puducherry. This blog post has nothing to do with other states and only deals with Tamil Nadu. The TV channels has published some data in the name of exit polls and are predicting a comfortable come-back for DMK barring C Voter. Before getting into the details we should understand what does an 'exit poll' mean?

An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations. Unlike an opinion poll, which asks for whom the voter plans to vote, or some similar formulation, an exit poll asks for whom the voter actually voted.

Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_poll.

Carefully observe the data, they have published the exit poll results for 234 constituencies while the elections are completed only for 232 constituencies(Aravakurichi and Tanjore elections postponed to 23rd May). Even before the elections, these channels found out to whom people have voted for. This is really mindblowing. It seems time travel has become a reality now, that these channels went to future and got the data for all the 234 constituencies.

When you call what you publish is an exit poll, you should have proper evidences to back your claim. Does these channels have any such evidence? On what basis these channels have published this data? NDTV says ADMK will get 110 seats and DMK will get 109 seats. Does this even appear to be an exit poll? There is a common opinion that it is very difficult to predict the results this time and most of the constituencies will see a close fight between the major Dravidian parties. These channels have just utilized it to their advantage. By publishing such an exit poll data, they will get a very good viewership which would increase their TRP. This only reminds me a scene from an old movie. The hero will be sitting with disappointment, after trying his luck with lotteries. A small boy will collect the lottery tickets lying on road and our hero will say, 'hey these tickets are expired' and the boy will reply firmly 'I know sir, I am collecting these tickets after knowing that they are expired, others' laziness is what feeding me for a long time'. He is someone who makes money out of wastepaper.

"தம்பி இதெல்லாம் குழுக்கள் முடிஞ்சா சீட்டு"

"தெரியும் சார் தெரிஞ்சி தான் எடுத்துட்டுப் போறேன், அடுத்தவங்க சோம்பேறித்தனம் தான் எனக்கு ரொம்ப நாளா சோறு போடுது"

This scene is from the movie 'Dhavani Kanavugal' vintage K Bhagyaraj film.

One of these surveys is based on caste. Its something like people belonging to a so and so community would have voted for a so and so party.One can't insult the Indian electoral system and electorate more than this.

I predicted 160-190 seats for AIADMK before elections. As per the electoral arithmetic, the AIADMK has a larger vote share compared to DMK. So if it's a direct fight between DMK and ADMK, without a wave(pro or anti), naturally the AIADMK should win. There is anti-incumbency factor. Yes the TN Chief minister is battling out the anti-incumbency,no doubt about it. But the anti-incumbency is not so powerful to bring a change of govt. Moreover, only if the anti-AIADMK votes goes to DMK, it will be a setback for ADMK. At present, the DMK is not in a position to cash-in on the situation. Had the DMK been strong enough, they would not have come down to such an extent asking Vijayakanth to join their alliance and Kalaignar made that infamous 'fruit' comment. Vijayakanth made the DMK to wait for long and dumped them. This has reduced the morale of DMK cadre. Other parties that would play a role in the outcome of these elections - 3rd front(PWF), PMK, Naam Thamizhar Katchi and BJP. The expectation was that these entities will take away the anti-ADMK votes from DMK. That seems to have not happened.

In AIADMK, Jayalalithaa changed the candidates frequently. Well, Jayalalithaa is known for this and she doesn't even spare her ministers. I used to make a funny comment that ADMK ministry is like a football team, that every substitute will get a chance to play. So I was not at all surprised by Jayalalithaa's decision to change the candidates. Whereas, the DMK's case is totally different.

The DMK party workers themselves were not happy with some candidates and they wanted them to be changed. Incidents of violence were reported too.Being in such a vulnerable position, how can DMK emerge as a super power all of a sudden? Even in 2006, there was not much of anti-incumbency against the ADMK govt, but DMK came to power. In 2006,the Congress party was considerably strong enough to help the DMK win many seats.This time too, the DMK and Congress are fighting the elections together, whereas the Congress is not the same as it was in 2006, as Vasan broke up with Congress and EVKS Elangovan has weakened Congress as much as possible.

To be fair, democracy is much more powerful than what we all think,so had the voters thought somehow they should throw away the current govt, they would have voted en-masse to DMK. And only in that situation DMK can form a govt. The overall polling percentage in Tamil Nadu is 73.76%, which is less than 2011. The CEO Mr.Rajesh Lakhani says it may be due to change in voters list and we should also remember that 2 constituencies goes to polls only on 23rd May.So we can consider the overall polling percentage around 76%(approximately) which is still less than 2011 and slightly more than 2014 LS elections. Generally if the overall polling percentage is not so high, it is considered as advantage ruling party.

I am not a reporter or I didn't do any fieldwork to get these details. These are purely based on what the newspapers and news websites(which I trust) publish. Based on these details and the candidates list, I arrived at the figures 160-190. The DMK, which was written off before 3 months, is suddenly making headlines. Well I am not sure what they did in these 3 months to emerge victorious. The reason for mentioning this is, I am just a random blogger and I am able to provide reasons for arriving at this figure. Infact, I can also write my understanding about each constituency and who may win. I may or may not get it right. My predictions have failed in 2006(predicted an ADMK govt),2009(I predicted a BJP govt at centre and more seats to ADMK in TN) and in 2014 ( predicted more seats to NDA in TN and less no. of seats to BJP at national level). But when all these channels got it wrong in 2011, my prediction came true in 2011.

"ADMK+ has a bright possibility of winning 180+ seats." - I wrote.

So this time, again, my prediction may or may not come true. But my point is, I predict based on some factors and observations, and I am no prodigy to get it right everytime.

But on what basis these channels publish the exit poll data? They were not able to give any convincing reason on how they arrived at these figures. Journalism at an all time low(well as usual). 

I am damn sure,even if any of these so called exit poll results come true, its pure co-incidence and these channels are giving random numbers too.

Consider a situation, 'its an India South Africa match, 4 balls remaining, South Africa need 7 runs to win with A B Devilliers on strike. If someone asks you, will India win, and if you answer no, it doesn't mean you want India to lose, it only means South Africa is going to win and you said this based on ABD's track record. This example is for people who don't know the difference between prediction and wish.