[Slonopotam845]

I still get goosebumps watching Singgari Sarakku or Varuthu Varuthu. There were cheese in those fat masalaic features, but they sure were delicious.

neenga namma jaadhi

Plum, btw wr can I get Kamal's full filmography based an release date ? adha poruththu I can decide which phase I like more

[S.T.D.]

Poll listing looks a bit kuzhaRupadi - so unable to decide.

In terms of his career - I always have this feeling of Pre Naayagan and Post Naayagan.

The poll options "seem"to overlap, but I guess Plum wants to be very specific.

[Paul Bunyan]

Originally Posted by groucho070 I still get goosebumps watching Singgari Sarakku or Varuthu Varuthu. There were cheese in those fat masalaic features, but they sure were delicious.

neenga namma jaadhi

Plum, btw wr can I get Kamal's full filmography based an release date ? adha poruththu I can decide which phase I like more AdhellAm, Anban, CR pOndra mandra perumaKkaL dhaan link tharaNum

[Beerinkol]

my friend from BR's blogspace Really?

[HedgeYourBets]

Originally Posted by Roshan Poll listing looks a bit kuzhaRupadi - so unable to decide.

In terms of his career - I always have this feeling of Pre Naayagan and Post Naayagan.

The poll options "seem"to overlap, but I guess Plum wants to be very specific. Yes, kid-glove, you caught it pretty well. I guess I didnt articulate well enough. For example, it is easy to say post-Apoorva, but that includes a tenali as much as a hey ram. So, here's my logic
1. Child artiste - pretty much a bright young lovable kid doing what he wants, and the best thing about this phase is he is not trying to impress like the abominal shalinis and shamilis. One must congratulate the directors also for this.
2. Entry in 70's - basically dance assistant dabbling in glamour boy roles, and pretty much taking what comes to him
3. Phase 2 overlaps with his evolution into a super-actor of the 70's culminating in 16 V. So, chronologically it is tough to separate, but we can track the persona that continued to dabble in intelligent projects in 70's even while being involved in pattampoochis. So, Option 3 is essentially this persona of Kamal in the 70's.
4. From there, the kalyanaramans followed, and there were two things he was doing in late70's-late 80's. Option 3 covers the actor par excellence dabbling in the 16Vs, Saagara Sangamams, Nayagans, Pushpaks. Option 4 covers the kalyanaramans, SKVs up to per sollum piLLai.
5. Post Apporva sagodharargaL - there are 2 kamals clearly, and they make up 5 & 6.

I suspect Prabhu Ram's purported problems with the options will be with division of 5 & 6.

We can work this around, people. Pour your thoughts

[LottiFurmann]

plum,

in option 5 - U must add acting too!...

[radikal]

Is Raja Paarvai covered by option 5, or you don't rate that film? People bring up "Sparsh" (or sometimes "Graduate") to diminish that film, but it's a film I have weakness for.

The best phase is 5. Sometimes 5 doesn't allow one to survive financially. 6 might be fillers in between, but it is vital, and a consequence of 5.

[Drugmachine]

I agree with Brangan's article a lot. I think that itself serves as a biggest campaign material for Kamal the masala man.

Okay, I am not saying that is the only phase I like, it's just that that was the phase that put seed into us kids to always talk, think, share info about it.

70s born kids would be able to relate more to what I am going to say. With Kamal, in addition to great acting (they told us he won National Award few years earlier), he also brings the "whoa!" factor to those masala.

In all his masala films (Manggamaa Sabatham utpada) he'd bring with him:
Good comedy.
Great dance, cool moves.
Up to date costume (the others were few years back in fashion always).
Some great American Speech Language top!

And most importantly, the wildly imaginative action sequences. His is the best...till today!The way he uses prop, rolling atop tables, barrels, using tea stall bench, four sided spanner, anything! Of course, we know later that he was indeed influenced by Jackie Chan, but we saw more Kamal than Chan!

Of course, he brings along IR's great tune and background score. We would have already purchased (naangga illa, but dad a close fan) the cassette to the upcoming film and ready to lap it up when it appears on screen. Vikram's cassette was the biggest talk at that time. "Ennamoo kampiuttarla music pootaaram!" He was always bringing something latest. Like Brangan said, he was cool man. Really cool.

Oh, I never really liked the "kissing" bit and the fact that he has it in his contract somewhere that he has to appear in at least one "underwear" scene.

[radikal]

Is Raja Paarvai covered by option 5, or you don't rate that film? People bring up "Sparsh" (or sometimes "Graduate") to diminish that film, but it's a film I have weakness for.

The best phase is 5. Sometimes 5 doesn't allow one to survive financially. 6 might be fillers in between, but it is vital, and a consequence of 5.

I have to include that in 5, k-g. My divisions are about the dominant characteristic in that chronological phase so exceptions will be there, like a Vasoolraja and VV in phase 6.

I am not at all questioning the necessity of each phase, including the masala phase. Just want the perspectives. I am enjoying groucho's posts - and also learning what distances me from the masala phase.

[Fegasderty]

plum,

in option 5 - U must add acting too!...

Cant edit the poll options anymore, but obviously, acting is included in that option vivs.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Yeah, partly due to aversion to JC-style action, and Dances, you say.

To appeal as a "masala star", he had to pass through as a 'mannin maindhan'. lack of Dravidian 'look' at odds? Is that a factor? I don't know. I never felt that way, but some people tell me that.

Is it also because of demeanor, and idiosyncrasy. This again is judgmental IMO.

[softy54534]

Originally Posted by Vivasaayi plum,

in option 5 - U must add acting too!...

Cant edit the poll options anymore, but obviously, acting is included in that option vivs. fine..voted!

[Fegasderty]

Voted for the "young genius" phase (16 vayadhinilE , sigappu rOjAkkaL, moondRAm piRai etc). He was thoroughly enjoyable with far less irritations

Ofcourse he was good in nAyakan, Aboorva, MMKR etc but some amount of "artificiality" is felt here and there...

[tgs]

Plum,
I voted for option 5 but the overlapping is confusing.I know it's already been answered by you but couldn't help not mentioning my confusion.

I feel it's the mid 80's onwards that he has been very very impressive an an artiste-actor/writer/director.

Also as an 70's born guy,it was Moondram Pirai which sucked me into being his fan.So I am more prone to like him in movies with that kind of a sensibility then an SKV or a Kakki chattai.

[NeroASERCH]

Plum,
About the 80s, mandrams etc engaludaya gurumaargal would be the best to answer but in any case (I'm Moondram Pirai generation, still a very young), he had a huge fan-following back then in TN (arguably the biggest). I don't think one can attribute the choice of his movies to fan club pressure as such (Kurudhippunal/Drohi appo direct pressure nu sonnaanga). He has always made sure that his fans/followers know their place - he is distinct when it comes to this.
Nagaraj nu Iyakka front man irundhaaru, considered to be a very able guy. Romba straight forward kooda pola irukku. Oru thadava Thalaivar office la poi edho konjam direct a "suggest" pannirukkaaru (exact a enna sonnaaru nu marandhutten, enna suggestion/grievance nu), Thalaivar wouldn't take that kind of stuff and konjam unpleasant a poiruchu and Nagaraj quit. (Appo dhaan Gunaseelan enum saniyan entry).
Innoru instance la Madhiya Sennai la romba strong kuruppu irundhuchu, and due to an issue, Gunaseelan a adikka poittaanga. Thalaivar stopped them, asking them to maintain the status quo in spite of them voicing their concerns about Guna. Andha group la main guys joined Vikram's group! (ippovum namma fans, but still...)
I mean the reason i'm mentioning these is because Thalaivan podhuva evan solradhayum kekka maattaan. Yes, he compromises but thats unavoidable, isn't it?
I get reminded of (a) Mahanadhi the way he handles/treats his oor kaarargal when they come to his defence against Haneefa (b)Thevar Magan, where he protects the wanted family. Adhavadhu, he is practical enough to understand that he needs elements of mass (to an extent, the masala segment must have been conscious right?), fans etc but hegenerally knows to clearly draw the line. "Evanayum 'madhikka' maattaaru" (not in a derogatory sense) and strange and frustrating as it may seem at times, its something

One can say that he was always against or reluctant about doing "mass"films but then how would you explain the passion behind 'Vikram' or 10A?
Thats a spectacular example of getting the best of both worlds.

[Beerinkol]

CR, very nice post. Idhai ellAm veLila kondAra thaan indha thread-E. My objectives are getting satisfied thoroughly.

I think that mahanadhi referecene is very apt - he sure picks his scenes from real life - and i can imagine how what you related might have worked in his mind.

[qupte]Adhavadhu, he is practical enough to understand that he needs elements of mass (to an extent, the masala segment must have been conscious right?), fans etc but hegenerally knows to clearly draw the line. "Evanayum 'madhikka' maattaaru" (not in a derogatory sense) and strange and frustrating as it may seem at times, its something
[/quote]
Definitely agree. But a pEr sollum piLLai, uyarndha uLLAm - idhai ellAm epdi explain pandradhunnu theriyala - incidentally, both are AVM so maybe the home company feeling-la paNNi irukkalAm.
(grouch, epdi paarthaalum, per kedutha piLLai is a theeradha vadu for me)

[Lillie_Steins]

It is not such a bad film. I mean for..it was a film with meagre aspirations and managed to do what it set out to.

OTOH Sankarlal is terrible. Poorly made. And apparently Kamal directed parts of it

Old man Dharmalingam leaves and returns several years later as veLlaikaarar R.D.L.Gum.

And nto trusting the audience a sidekick explains to villain Major: "kaanaama pOna dharmalingam dhaan R.D.L.Gum appidinnu adhE pErai maathi vachikittu vandhirukkaan"
Major: 'taken aback' reaction

[radikal]

Early to late 80s he was impressive. Thoroughly entertaining.

kAkki sattai is eminently watchable. Just before ingAri sarakku, he enters Y.Vijaya's 'bar' and doesn't know how much drink to order: "oru litre kudu"

SingAri sarakku and nAdha vinOdhangaL were in the same year. Nothing defines his career better than that.

SingAri is thoroughly enjoyable but Nadha VinodhangaL was watched because it was Kamal. i.e. he led us to watch it. Well atleast me. I am not into classical dance . But he did make Salangai Oli and the pieces in NN, Ek Duje...exciting to watch. That is, to me, what Kamal is all about.

To quote his own words
அன்னிக்கே சொன்னாங்கொ பெரியவங்க ஆழமா சொன்னாங்கோ
அத்தையே அண்ணாத்தே தண்ணி ஊத்தி லைட்டா சொன்னாரு

That's what he did when he settled down on the writing table. Our appreciation of films in general was raised by what he did when he settled down to write.

I don't think I can say that about any - that's right any - other writer in TFI.

Right, no issues. I realise that in some way, the masala kamal had a munificient hand in his all other ventures but somehow, I am still not able to appreciate those inspite of that knowledge.

On the writing part, well, I dont even need to explicitly agree to that. Implied.

That still leaves the question on "what motivated him to do really uninspiring movies like PSP and UY" hanging? What, really? Just the money? If so, why such dud masala movies? Just a mistake in judgement or a misplaced sense of loyalty to AVM(or any other similar indebted-to party)?

[radikal]

PR, I'll put it this way. Padikkadhavan vs Per Sollum PiLLai - which will you choose?
(masala with strong dose of sentiment hence the comparison)

[9mm_fan]

It is not such a bad film. I mean for..it was a film with meagre aspirations and managed to do what it set out to.

OTOH Sankarlal is terrible. Poorly made. And apparently Kamal directed parts of it

terrrrrible'kku ejjamples : kAdhal parisu, gerAftAr