AYM - A 'Thalli Pogathey' Bike Ride

Neil Armstrong famously once said "One small step for man, One giant leap for Mankind". Modi Ji rewrote this highly well-known statement in his own style according to our context as "One giant step for man and woman, One massive leap for all Indians" when he struck everyone with a blasting and powerful boomerang this past week. Modi Ji and his crew kept all the cards close to their hearts till the paradigm-shift-moment arrived. Just like a magician who pulls out a rabbit from a hat, Modi Ji did not just let the cat but a roaring tiger out of the bag causing a tremendous buzz across the vast lengths and breadths of our country that would have even stunned the bees by such an enormous buzz of activity!

So, what does Neil Armstrong and our PM has got to do with AYM review? No more delays as we had enough of AYM delays!

First up. It's spoiler free.

Second. I would really want to applaud GVM for giving us all with AYM in such a manner.

Third. It is easily Simbu's best performance till date. He simply aces through every scene - be it he making jokes on his real life or his earlier character in VTV, Will-I-get-caught or not-scenes when he looks at Manjima, his complete changeover into a determined individual to fight back - Simbu is one of the towering pillars of AYM. 

Fourth. AR Rahman. Man! and Woman!! AYM's music had been creating a sensational flutter ever since "Thalli Pogathey" single got released in January. For more on AYM's music, do check out: AYM Music Review.  

Beyond the songs, the BGM was perfectly in harmony with the setting and mood of the film that it took the entire film to another level along with the movie's scintillating cinematography especially in the 'Thalli Pogathey' Song. Oh. My. Gawddddd. Nope. That was not in Janice Style! 

'Thalli Pogathey' cinematography was as mesmerizing as the song itself. It was ruddy brilliant. Not going to reveal anymore. Just watch it. IN THEATRE. I had envisioned a certain picturization for it when I listened to the song all this while - Simbu and Manjima have a break up and the song pops up as a dream sequence in either Simbu's or Manjima's. But, GVM brings all his experience to the fore and gives an out of an world experience in the most unexpected moment of the film that it really elevated the song to beyond the describable words of articulation. Hats off to GVM for even conceiving such an idea. 'Thalli Pogathey' truly lived upto the director's claim as 'best picturized song in a long while'.

From a warm, friendly and when-they-will-say-I-Love-You moments, AYM turns a big 360 degree riding into the second half. It was very intense. Poignant. GVM holds the reigns of the screenplay tightly with sufficient freedom for clap worthy, hooting and laughing jokes smuggled into the gripping second half, here and there, from time to time. For a debutant, Manjima sizzles in her portions, pun intended. You will know why I said pun for "portions" when you watch the movie.

Now, the most important question - What relevance does Modi Ji has got to do with this review?

Just like how our PM safe-guarded the secret of the Brahmastra 'Black Money', GVM has kept one vital information away from everyone in all his teasers and trailers. No. I am not going to reveal it but if you are a very logical and analytical person who will not cave in to the emotional leash thrown in by the director, you can easily find out the big Brahmastra as early as in the second half itself. 

There was one nagging question which was bothering my mind right from the start of AYM as to why Simbu was so beefy in the movie. Good luck to you for figuring it! Unfortunately, I was sucked into the romance-emotions that my sense of judgement was skewed and awry beyond the permissible limits that the surprise indeed came as a pleasant hollering from my end.

There is also another suspense that is netted throughout the movie. But, it was very evident to me this time considering the hype and did not come much as a big shock or surprise when the beans were spilled out. Good luck again for figuring that out!

Only Positives. No negatives? The biggest let down of AYM has got to be the hurried finish during the climax in this otherwise awesome GVM-ARR-Simbu magic. Also, I am not sure why a couple of lines were added in the "Showkali" song. It was so lazily added during the editing stages that those 2 lines were like a fish out of water! 

AYM has something in it for everyone - action, romance, comedy, the ever realistic and relatable scenes ,like playing cricket using hands as bats, that's prevalent in all the GVM movies, superb songs and amazing cinematography. But, it is definitely a must watch for all the love birds out there who will definitely hum 'Thalli Pogathey' when they are out of the theatres just like everyone else.

The wait was indeed worth it.

'Thalli Pogathey....Ennayum..Thalli Poga Solladhey'.....Still humming but alone!!!