Mani Ratnam's O Kaadhal Kanmani opens to positive reviews
It is not everyday you see women lining up in front of a theatre at 8 in the morning.
It is not everyday you see women lining up in front of a theatre at 8 in the morning. Certainly not in Chennai. But Vetri, a-not-so-fancy theatre at Chrompet, in the suburbs of Chennai - was teeming with an unusually large crowd, mostly made up of women. Mani Ratnam's latest venture O Kaadhal Kanmani hitting the screens today had brought them to the theatres on an otherwise ordinary morning.
For many who have watched the movie on day one, Mani Ratnam has made a spectacular comeback after a couple of dud films. Dulquer Salman and Nithya Menen are said to have come up with some brilliant performances as a new-age couple in a live-in relationship. For Mani Ratnam himself, the film is a throwback to his usual turf of romance - something that he has always done with ease and finesse.
His Mauna Raagam in 1986 enjoys a cult status among romances in Tamil cinema. In 2000, he came up with another brilliant and refreshing Alai Payuthe on life after marriage for lovers. Though touted as an upgraded version of Alai Payuthe, OKK viewers say, is a breezy romance with moments of its own.
Needless to speak of the tracks that A R Rahman has come up with for his mentor. It was Mani Ratnam who introduced Rahman to movies through his movie Roja in 1992.
From peppy to mellifluous, Rahman has belted out numbers that makes OKK a complete if not perfect romance.
Fans might not go berserk like they do with a Rajini flick nor stay up all night to catch up with an Ajith release, but Mani Ratnam commands a loyalty of his own among the fans. This time the fans feel they have not been let down.
On a scorching day in summer, all Chennai needs is a breezy romance they can soak into. And Mani Ratnam has dished it out, in style.