Varun Live

For the first time, the UPA declared its PM candidate much before the elections started. The candidate, Dr. Manmohan Singh was attacked by the NDA and third front saying he was the weakest PM. But still why did UPA win?

Firstly, the most important factor was the manner of campaign. While BJP and Left were keen on speaking how weak a PM Dr. Manmohan Singh was, the UPA was campaigning with the agenda of development of India. I still don’t seem to understand, instead of spreading their agenda, the BJP was busy pointing out the negatives in the UPA government.

Secondly, the youth of India were tired of hearing the age old Babri Masjid stories. If I could speak on behalf of the youth, then I would say, we were looking for a change, a leader around whom we could rally about. That leader was seen in Rahul Gandhi. His charisma simply won over the youth.

To a certain extent, I could say that BJD handed the UPA the win. The confusion raised about BJP’s PM candidate (Modi or Advani) nor the supporting of Varun Gandhi did them any good. What the BJP failed to realise is that the people are not willing to face another commnal battle.

UPA’s big win in potentially BJP, Left states cost NDA a lot. The win in TN, UP, AP, Rajasthan and West Bengal drove the nail through the coffin of the NDA and the third front. Thus BJP lost almost all their ploys and even their adwords campaign.

Last but not the least, ‘The Manmohan Singh Factor’ had a lot to do with the win. Even after being label as a weak PM, the people of India didn’t forget the man who stood adamant for the passing of the Indo-US Nuclear deal and got it done at all costs. This UPA win has marked the resurgance of national parties. India has said ‘JAI HO’.

The movie Neelathaamara is the remake of a yesteryear movie of the same name. It is scripted by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, produced by Revathy Kalaamandhir and directed by Lal Jose. Here is a look back at some stills of the old movie.

After four succesful editions, Barcamp Kerala is back for the fifth time, bigger and better. Come, join and enjoy the biggest technical unconference in Kerala.

For those who don’t know about BarCamp… BarCamp Kerala is an ad-hoc gathering rooted in the desire to share and learn in an open & friendly environment. It is an intense yet cool, event with discussions, demos, and strong interactions. The 5th edition of BarCamp Kerala (BCK5), is scheduled to be on May 3rd, 2009, Sunday at TechnoPark, Thiruvananthapuram.

Register | Take A Session | Venue | Promote

In Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, one of malayalam film’s all time favourite action character of Sagar from Irupatham Nootandu is reconstructed. The movie stars Mohanlal, Manoj K Jayan, Bhavana, Shobhana, Jagathy Sreekumar and others. The movie is penned by SN Swami and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. Amal Neerad of ‘Big B’ fame handles the camera and direction.

Synopsis
Sagar (Mohanlal) plays an international don who in a quest to save his friend Manu (Manoj K Jayan) ends up rubbing shoulders with Naina (Suman) and the Rozario brothers. After Sagar rescues Manu, Manu is murdered. At the request of Manu’s wife Indu (Shobana), Sagar searches for Manu’s killer.

Analysis
‘Never judge a book just by looking at its cover’. This saying is perfectly applicable to this movie. SAJR is a stylishly shot movie which stretches a little over two and a quarter hours aimlessly. The entire movie is constructed over one weak premise which actually begins and ends in the second half. The movie moves from one incident to another which have very little relation to each other.

The first half is simply wasted in introducing and setting up the characters. Mohanlal’s introduction scene is very well shot. But then onwards first half hurts badly due to slow pace. The movie wanders too far off track and by the time the movie is back on track, the audience have no patience left. The second half falls badly with an absurd climax which makes you feel silly.

Performance Of The Cast
Mohanlal plays the lead role well as one expects from him. He talks, walks and fights in style. But the dialogues written in this movie for him are childish. It is embarrassing to see an actor of the caliber of Mohanlal speak these words.

Bhavana has very little to do in this movie. She looks ok in the role of a TV reporter but her character has little significance in this role. Manoj K Jayan and Shobhana take their roles too seriously. Jagathy Sreekumar fails to impress. It is very rare that a director fails to use Jagathy properly. His character has no importance at all. Sampath who plays one of the Rozario brothers is someone to be noted. He plays the part with intensity.

Technical Analysis
Direction by Amal Neerad is wayward. The director is clearly confused in what he wants to show on screen. But his work as a cinematographer is what makes this movie one of a kind. All scenes are stunningly shot and the movie has a visual Hollywood feel to it. Maybe the additional role of cinematography distracted the director from his target. It is sad to see that a director who gave a powerful movie like Big B with intelligent dialogues delivers this movie.

I find it hard to believe that SN Swami scripted this movie. The dialogues are childish, screenplay is slow and the story (if ever there was one) is weak. Music by Gopisundar suits the mood of the movie. Background score is irritating mostly. Costumes are excellent, especially Mohanlal’s costumes. Action scenes are well coordinated. The movie has been made on a grand scale with very good production values but unfortunately, the movie fails in most departments.

Verdict
The movie is nothing more than a bunch of stunning visuals coupled with action. Mohanlal and the stunning shots (subjected to digital colour correction) are the only saving graces of the movie. The movie will find it hard to recover the investment.

Rating: 2/5