Watching Vasantam and Priyamaana Thozhi Back-to-Back

These two identical films, Vasantam and Priyamaana Thozhi, were written and directed by Vikraman,  They were filmed in separate locations in different languages, but released on the same day in 2003.  I watched them back-to-back and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Plot Summary:

Julie and Ashok have had a deep, platonic friendship since they were children. When Ashok becomes engaged to Nandini, Julie is ready to make any changes needed for the happiness of the marriage. By the same token, when Julie falls in love, Ashok is willing to sacrifice his dreams for the benefit of her future.

Both films feature the exact same plot and dialogue, so that part can be reviewed as one.  It is a charming, sweet story about the beauty and importance of friendship.  Though the feel-good plot isn't always believable, it's still a fun and pleasant experience.

Priyamaana Thozhi

(translates as "lovable female friend")

4/5 stars

In this Tamil-language version,  Madhavan stars as Ashok, Sridevi Vijayakumar as Julie, and Jyothika as Nandini.  The three leads have excellent, believable chemistry together.  Madhavan displays great energy and life, as well as open emotions.  The songs, both music and lyrics, are quite lovely, with some being memorable.  The cinematography is beautiful, with vibrant colors and effective backgrounds.  It may not be a five-star movie, but is worth watching, and definitely entertaining.

(Cast also includes Vineeth, R. Sundarrajan and Manivannan.)

Sridevi Vijaykumar and Jyothika

Vasantam

(translates as "spring")

3/5 stars

This is the Telugu-language version, and stars Venkatesh as Ashok, Kalyani as Julie, and Arti Agarwal as Nandini.  Venkatesh, a good actor in general, is miscast in this role.  The twenty-year age gap between him and both female leads is visibly obvious, and he doesn't project the joie de vivre that Ashok is credited with by the other characters.  Kalyani and Arti Agarwal have good friendship chemistry, but lack any with Venkatesh.  The filming is beautiful, bright and crisp, with effective backgrounds. The music is lovely, but I didn't have subtitles for the songs, so I can't comment on the lyrics.  It's still enjoyable, despite its faults, but of the two, it's not the one I'd recommend.
(Cast also includes Akash, Giri Babu and Tanikella Bharani.) 

Raakilipattu

Raakilipattu

(translates as "rock music")

2007

5/5 stars

This film is the Malayalam-language version of Snegithiye, a Tamil movie which was shot simultaneously in both languages, and intended to be released at the same time in 2000.  For reasons I couldn't discover, the release of the Malayalam version, as well as a Hindi dubbed one, did not happen until 2007.

Radhika (Sharbani Mukherjee) and Josephine (played by Jyothika) are best friends at college where they are free-spirits, and even pranksters at times.  Radhika's aunt wants to see Radhika become more responsible, and feels that marriage would be the answer.  To avoid this, the friends invent a boyfriend for Radhika, called Ramesh Nair.  When Radhika begins to receive letters and phone calls from someone calling himself Ramesh Nair, both girls become terrified.  However, things get worse when someone by that name is found dead and Radhika and Josephine are the prime suspects for his murder.  An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gayathri (played by Tabu), is an alumna of their college and the two go to her for help.  She seems to believe Josephine and Radhika, but someone is determined that the girls will not be alive to tell their side of the story. 

What starts out as a fun film about female friendship quickly turns into a tense, twisty, amazing thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, and then reduced me to tears at the end.

The acting by Jyothika, Tabu, and Sharbani Mukherjee is fantastic -- so believable and natural -- and the supporting cast is solid. The dramatic film techniques and effective incidental music add to the suspense and general excellence of the movie.  Though the music is average, with the exception of the memorable item number, it fits perfectly and is used effectively.  

It's important to note that the main story is worked around substories about the dangers women face, and as such, is peopled almost entirely by women.  There are only a few times when a male voice is heard throughout the whole movie.  This gives an additional depth to the overall feel of the film.

The first time I watched it, I was so caught up in the plot that I missed much of the nuances that add an extra layer.  The second viewing, I was able to take it all in, and was thoroughly wowed.  This is truly a sadly underrated gem. 

Miss You

Miss You

2024

4/5 stars

In this Tamil-language romantic comedy/drama, Vasu (played by Siddharth) has an accident that causes a loss of two-years' worth of memories.   A few months after his recovery, he goes to visit a friend and falls in love with Subbulakshmi (Ashika Ranganath), a young woman in the same apartment complex.  What Vasu doesn't realize is that Subbulakshmi has a strong, valid reason to hate him.  What follows is a charming, moving love story about redemption and second chances.  

While there were no outstanding performances, the leads were convincing, especially with their emotions. The music, fight scenes, and choreography were just average, but the evocative incidental music and all around solid cinematography added much to the film. The storytelling was excellent, with the viewer learning only as much as Vasu knew, so that the plot unfolded slowly and compellingly, making it a film that I enjoyed tremendously.

Rewatching Bodyguard

Kapoor and  Khan

Bodyguard, Hindi language version, 2011 4/5 stars

starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor

(original review from March 2017 here)

Bodyguard, Telugu language version, 2012 4/5 stars

starring Venkatesh and Trisha

(original review from November 2020 here)

For the second half of 2023 and most of 2024, I watched mysteries on BritBox and hardly any actual movies (in any language).  

So far this year, I've rewatched Bachelor Mother (1939; my favorite Ginger Rogers film) and While You Were Sleeping (an all-time favorite from 1995).  I just haven't been in the mood for movies.

Until this week.

Trisha and Venkatesh

On Tuesday night, I rewatched the Salman Khan version of Bodyguard (Hindi, 2011) and over last night and today, the Telugu version (2012) starring Venkatesh. 

It was not my first time rewatching the Khan film -- it's a favorite and I've viewed it three or four times now, and I have enjoyed it every time.  This was my first rewatch of Venkatesh's version, though.  

I watched them originally three years apart, and at that time I said I preferred the Hindi version.  Watching them back-to-back, though, I've decided that I love the Telugu best.

They both have the same general story -- which has a great twist and is such fun overall -- but the subtle differences in personalities and the slightly varying plot nuances makes the Telugu version a notch better for me.  (Plus, to be honest, I prefer Trisha to Kareena Kapoor.)

And now, I'm in the mood for more Indian cinema!