Movie Review – Captain Miller

An Eye Sore, Ear Jar, Misfire of a film.

Never in my wildest dreams, did I imagine a film I chose to watch in theatres, out of my own interest, would be this bad. I should have understood by seeing only ten tickets booked for the show. But thinking that it has become a trend to watch films in OTT, I thought I was in for something special. But my first movie experience in theatre for this year ended up to be a debacle. It was nothing but a star vehicle disguised in the form of corny art film, which in the end misses to be both.

The film starts with all guns blazing and ends the same way and gets our ears impaired. I was sitting in the last row of the theatre. Similar to how I was sitting for ‘Oppenheimer’ Being a Nolan film, there were lot of fan boys who were defining where to sit for optimal film viewing, film hearing experience, when to loo, how much your bladder can hold etc. This film didn’t have any such advice. I was excited for the bass at the start of the movie and even was appreciating why it’s always a terrific feel to watch film in theatres but by the end of it, I was dead and tired. I was in the state of, “sugar patient ra naanu”.

Dhanush was getting high praise for his role of Captain Miller. It’s becoming very problematic when non Tamil people judge Dhanush’s acting. They were raving about ‘Raanjhanaa’ at the time of the release. Guess Bollywood is so tuned by its larger than life hero’s that even such a normal realistic acting feels like epitome of acting experience to them. It was the same for Miller. Dhanush does nothing extraordinary.

It was very difficult to understand what the film was trying. Was Arun Matheswaran, kidnapped by Dhanush and at knife point, was made to write an artsy story with commercial elements. The film was boring and bland, for the sake of appropriate adjective. There is Dhanush, who is Analeesan or Eesa who later becomes Miller or Captain Miller. Even a fourth standard student would be able to decode what the director was trying to do with names. He’s Eesan, the great god of destruction, who would come out of myth to save the village and in the journey kills a few thousand people and gets killed a lot of his people. It’s very difficult to understand when would he side with whom, yet he’s showcased as a character with clear motives.

There were a lot of corny dialogues, symbolisms and rapturous music. Hell, even the art direction was elementary. In the end nothing makes sense. It just feels like a loud ‘Maryan’ Dhanush’s choice of heroines are great to see in instagram but they do nothing in the film. In a film where she’s supposed to be strong with arms and words, the only scene Priyanka Mohan feels at home is when she smiles. What a misfit. Velmati (Priyanka Arul Mohan), except for her name was a disaster in all aspects. Truly resonating the fact that she’s nothing but a Melugu Doll.

There were two more interesting peculiar characters, Sengolan (Shiva Rajkumar) and Captain Rafiq (Sundeep Kishan). There is one shot where the three of them join hands and do an ‘Aayutha Ezhuthu’. By that time, I was tired to even criticize. Seriously, when there was so much guns and bombs around, who comes with a sword and bow and arrow to fight. (I could only remember Hawkeye coming with his bow and arrow and making a great scene dumb in the first Avengers movie.) And that was supposed to be heroic. Is this even the guy who made ‘Rocky’. And don’t get me started with the parallels he was trying to show between the two films with the help of ammunition.

Of course action films like these come up with a certain suspension of disbelief but the whole film being so was unacceptable. How was even Dhanush dodging so many bullets in the interval, why were none shooting at Dhanush when he was surrendering? Why were all the characters so one dimensional. Why so much Deus ex machina in a supposedly noncommercial movie. And who was this guy with munda baniyan and sunglasses, who comes out to save all the main characters just in time. But thanks to him, he was the only fun factor in an otherwise dull action movie. And finally that reveal, oh my god, it was truly exhausting. What should have been like the scene where Parthiban raises hand in ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ ends up to be like a total spoof? Is that sculpture supposed to look like Dhanush, or is it just me.

Out of three hours, the only scene which works is, when Eesa is in the army camp, Abdool Lee (Sembatta / Stephen) is criticized by one from the group getting the name. That reaction of Dhanush when he says, “enga ponalum ipdi oruthan vanthuran” was the only natural aspect of the whole film which tries to do so many things, without knowing what.

After ‘Rocky’ I was truly happy for Arun Matheswaran, so much so that, I didn’t want to immediately watch ‘Saani Kaayidham’ and exhaust his filmography. But after ‘Captain Miller’ I seriously doubt whether he has anything in him. More than anything, the film was such a disappointment.

Movie Review – Leo

An actor in fine form and a director who believes in his craft, sell this mediocre film, thanks to the sincerity.

Thanks to a lot of backlash, it took me a while to watch the film. For the hype it generated before it, I too, like many of you, wanted the film to fail. But it was surprisingly cool. Good that I already got to know about the fake flashback and boring second half. I was prepared for a snooze fest. But I was happy how Lokesh made an ambitious project, within his limits, in a blockbuster format movie. Lokesh and now Nelson, even though are lifting the standards of blockbuster genre with their way of handling cinema, it’s sad to see that they are inspiring a bunch of youngsters in just making a good film as a road to a big star’s project.

The film starts with an amazing Sandy and his gang stealing a house. Their whole part was done superbly and left to surprise as what they’re capable with, may be in some other film of LCU. Of course the looks and the way Sandy behaved was a template psycho character, yet it still worked. In fact the whole first half worked like a charm. It’s lovely to see how Lokesh is making a genre of his own, with this fake identity thing. He makes the story with a lot more respect than other masala filmmakers do.

The much coveted Hyena sequence happens next. It’s a reasonably well choreographed sequence. But don’t know why Vijay never gets his wig right. VFX was top notch. There are bound to be comparisons with the grizzly bear sequence of ‘The Revenant’ (a film and a sequence which I didn’t like) but it’s understandable that they couldn’t go to the level of that, with the limited expertise and budget available. Overall the sequence was a fair deal and how it acted as a setup for many things in the movie, about Parthi’s (Vijay) affinity towards animals, Joshy’s (Gautham Vasudev Menon) shooting skills, Siddhu’s (Mathew Thomas) javelin skills etc. Only because of that scene, in the second half when Siddhu throws the Javelin at Parthi, it was that powerful, otherwise it would have been bland like Andrea with the bow and arrow in Master. Also loved the suddenness of the title card post. It was short and sweet.

Vijay was at his charming best. I’m afraid I’m becoming a fan of him. I hate to confess but he’s aging like a fine wine. In this film as a father of two kids, his chemistry with them were amazing. Especially the “Karu Karu Karupayi” sequence, he absolutely owned it. Both Trisha and her character was dull and boring and there was absolutely no chemistry between the two of them, which was sad to see. It’s really difficult to be a woman testosterone filled Lokiverse. The only kind of women which would appeal in his films would be like that of Agent Tina (Vasanthi).

The highlight of the film would definitely be the fight sequences, whether or not it was clinical, whether or not it worked for you, each one was taken with so much effort and sincerity, every fight had a theme. It was like watching Shankar film’s song. Even though by now it had become redundant, he was the first person who invested (not just the money) on songs. But hopefully this concept doesn’t get beaten to death and become an excuse for bad writing.

By the time, the glass breaks and we hear the “Badass”, Lokesh almost sells the film, with the help of terrific Vijay. Anything and everything which happens in the film post that (except for that click of a tongue to call Subramani) is him trying to have a conclusive end to the film. The flashback was a disaster, especially as soon as Elisa Das (Madonna Sebastian) appears in the film. How are we supposed to sympathize for a character we had just seen? And Leo escaping the place too wasn’t convincing.

It’s followed by few high octane sequences and one sudden breakdown of Parthi in front of his wife. In cricket, you can say how well a batsman is in form, by the sound of ball striking the willow. That scene felt like it. Vijay doesn’t do that type of sequence anymore. There he doesn’t cheat only his wife but us too. Such terrific acting. The character reveal in the end was just ‘meh’ but how Lokesh has cleverly found out what works for Vijay and what doesn’t is shown in the end by his supposed comic take in the dinner table and his hesitancy in picking the call in the climax. A similar sequence would be there in ‘Master’ where he’d with his students and climb the stairs saying, “apdi enatha than da pesitu irupanga”. Its minute things like these which Lokesh has extracted from Vijay, which makes the film nice.

I hate to believe that he’s adding songs just for the market. I guess he too enjoys it. It was okay for “Pathala Pathala”, even though unnecessary, everyone were happy to see Andavar having his due of fun but “Naan Ready” was totally unnecessary and cringe. I don’t want to read too much into his idea of drug free society and LCU. It just feels like the message in ‘Thulluvadho Ilamai’, where they show everything and ask them not to do.

Travelogue: Rupin Pass – A Stairway to Heaven

Wonder when the last time was, I wrote a travelogue this late. Even if I had, it would have been due to my personal work, but this time, it was far from it. May be that’s personal too. Whatever it is, never imaged life would change so much in a gap of three months. When I think about it now, I hardly remember anything except for Raja going for shopping at a critical juncture and irritating me. But as always, when I write, it flows. I hope it does this time too.

Day -1 – A last minute thriller to Central

9/27/2023

When the time arrived, I thought all the planning was going to go down the drain rain because it started pouring when I was about to start. Unfortunately for me, there was a repair in the MRTS section, so trains were going till Chintadripet, so I thought I’d take an auto directly to Chennai Central. Never would auto/cab be my first preference. I would always prefer public transport. But that day due to no other choice I opted for auto. I started trying for auto from around two hours before my train, TAMILNADU EXP (12621) and didn’t get it for an hour. Finally, when I lost hope and started from my home to get on train and planned to get down at nearest point and then take an auto, I finally got a cab. The cab was for Rs. 800, equivalent to my ticket to Delhi. I was frustrated beyond words. That’s the problem with my family. Everyone has a backup in me to drop, but for me it’s always a trouble. It’s not the first time and of course it’s not going to be the last time too. But as usual, I’ll find a way.

Day 0 – RAC ride

9/28/2023

My RAC ticket didn’t get confirmed, which I didn’t tell anyone at home. Various questions like, why do you want to struggle and go, why can’t you take flights instead, why do you have to go at all? would arise. If a man doesn’t have the freedom to fail, then what is freedom. No, I didn’t tell that. Gandhi did. Anyways just like every time, I get to meet the most honest souls in train.

There was this young guy travelling to Rajasthan, who was silent and wasn’t talking to anyone. Just looking at him would make you feel sad. He was such a character. He was coming from somewhere south, taken the Delhi train to go to Agra first and then to go somewhere in Rajasthan. I think he was married; he was in a video call and in tears a couple of times. Of course, I didn’t ask him what it was but seeing him made me emotional. Everyone have their own stories, their own happiness, and sorrows. Trains are like reflection of entire society. When you go on a long-distance train, especially alone, sit on a side upper in sleeper class and watch people, seriously, there is nothing more humbling than that.

My friend, Raja was supposed to come by train but as usual cancelled without feeling guilty. Somehow, I’m forgiving to people nowadays. Without doing much, I was able to timepass that day. I read some short stories, which were mostly unimpactful, yet something is better than nothing. I got a berth to sleep that day as well as the previous day, so it was fine.

Day 1 – A Long Bus Ride to Jiskun (2,099M)

9/29/2023

The train reached well on time. My co-passenger got down happily at Agra and I got down at Delhi. I would have preferred it to be a bit late because I had to timepass till afternoon for the bus and I hadn’t booked any room. That was one of the two things that I had planned for this trip. To not take a room and to not eat non veg.

Once I got down, I used IRCTC Executive Lounge for breakfast. I had enough to keep me up for the day. The lounge was for couple of hours, so I left from there to Maharana Pratap ISBT Kashmiri Gate to catch my 16.50 bus to Rohru. As usual Raja came late at 16.30. But he bought homemade food from both his home and his friend’s home. We ate one packet of it in bus, which felt heavenly.

After sharing our stories with each other and some menace by transgender, the dinner point came, and we had the remaining food there. The dinner point was scary to even have water. There were lot of loo breaks where we got down and got back. The bus reached Shimla around midnight and Rohru a few hours late. One of my previous trek mates, Sachin, suggested me to have a sweet at one of the shops enroute to Rohru but that was not available.

I had an immediate liking for the Rohru bus stand. We had a good three to four hours to spend before catching our next bus to Gosangu. We had breakfast served by an old Nepali woman. Momos and Chowmein never felt this good. We had our fill. The person in the next shop was kind enough to give us a couple of apples.

Finally, the bus came around 11 AM and it took forever to go. We had thali among apple orchids, couldn’t pluck one, even though all of it were nearby. The views getting better with each stops and in the last stop we got to know that the bus driver had driven lorry from there to Chennai. That was crazy. It would take four days it seems. But he was quite nonchalant about it. By each minute I was getting scared whether it was a right decision to have opted for public transport. But Raja, even though wanted to take the transport by the organization, wasn’t complaining a bit. He too was accepting it as an adventure. Only I was ridden by guilt, thinking what to do, if we couldn’t reach on time and miss the trek.

By the way, we finally stopped at Gosangu and luckily for us the village madam (a government official) who was in the bus was travelling to some place before Jiskun so we too hopped on to the car. We got to know it was him who dropped Sachin the previous day to Jiskun. I had a bad feeling about him and as expected he was cunning and charged Rs. 500 for the ride. For some reason, I couldn’t reason it out with him, and paid the amount. Probably it was the only bad experience of the trip. If you rule out the cab that I had to compulsively take to the railway station.

Despite all these, we reached before the rest of the group. After three days of being on road, we were finally able to relax.

Day 2 – Bawta (2,350M) to Jhaka (2,750 M)

9/30/2023

It was a big group, and the trek leaders, Vijay, a silent guardian and Nitin, the regular culprit, were relaxed. So, I understood that this trek was for all. We had a lazy breakfast and started the trek. As usual everyone was over enthusiastic clicking pictures all around. The trek had good views right from day one. The first day’s hike was anyways short, and we reached the Jhaka campsite by lunch time.

There were on and off rains and we got a great room for ourselves. Got introduced to few more folks in the room. We played several games. The group was sportive, so it was all good. Guess, post dinner, few folks played Mafia, but I was happy to see the beds and one last day to relax properly.

The highlight of the day was when Raja and I were finally having a relaxing place to rest, we were opeining out about our lives to each other. Even though it had been three days, that was the first day where we felt truly relaxed. Anjali, who was in the next room, came out and seeing us having a deep conversation, asked us, “whether we are best friends”. Generally I don’t reply to questions like these immediately but without a moment of hesitation, Raja replied a firm “yes”. My eyes imaginarily swelled up hearing that. You know, it was one of those moments which happens only in novels.

Day 3 – Jhaka (2,750M) to Saruwas Thatch (3,280M)

10/1/2023

The start of the day was scary. It rained cats and dogs and immediately all my plans were getting on my head. Raja had booked the flight ticket the very next day of our trek ended and even if we slip at one place, the whole plan would go for a toss. Even if everything goes as per plan, it would be touch and go. It was irritating, but it was Raja.

The rains finally stopped, and we started off with the trek. It was a comparatively long trek with not-so-great views. The only time I got excited was when I saw the stream, but I got over excited and wet my shoes. And then it started to rain. Now I was not much worried because my shoe had already got wet.

We stayed near a Dhaba for the night, not before playing Mafia for long. I had removed my shoes and socks to dry, and it was getting cold for the night. The camp wasn’t too comfy. Felt like a makeshift camp.

Day 4 – Saruwas Thatch (3,280M) to Dhanderas Thatch camp (3,566 M)

10/2/2023

That was the day I would take back all my words written till then. I was of a feeling, why was Rupin pass rated this highly. I wasn’t liking it at all, but right from that day we started getting amazing views. First of all, my shoes dried, that was the biggest success and the rains stopped. So, all stars aligned for a successful trek. Finally, I stopped thinking about the choices I made and started being at the moment.

I think it was also the first day I got up to “Thottu thottu pesum” song. Well I could write a whole page on that song, but that’s for another day. But someone who prefers mostly soft music and wakes up grumpy most of the time, this song was a charm. By the time the last Sultanae… comes and gets followed by a humming. Well I would have been set for the day. Such a happy song and Simran, woof! Enough said.

By that time, most of us had mingled with each other, either by mafia or some other games. And everyone was aware of Raja’s return flight. Now, it became everyone’s target to make Raja reach airport by that time. We were all making permutation and combination of how to make him reach on time, even though as per no plan there was conclusive evidence that he would reach on time.

That night was easily the best campsite I’ve ever been. I told it even in the debriefing session. Loved the smile Vijay gave for my comment as an acknowledgment. It was a smile which meant that he truly understood what is said. Time and again, I came out to see the three-layered waterfall and couldn’t believe that we would be trekking to the top of it. I was looking in awe and wonder. Gave me a “Andaa kaa kasam abu kaa hukkum. Thiranthidu Sesame” feel.

I had a satisfying sleep that night.

Day 5 – Dhanderas Thatch camp (3566 m) to Upper Waterfall camp (4080 m)

10/3/2023

Next day I was in great mood. Whenever I’m in great mood, I walk last. I could see Aakanksha struggling. So, Raja and I were mostly along with her, which meant we trekked slow and trekked good, enjoying the views, and taking a lot of photos. By far it was the toughest day of the trek with continuous ascent but gave immense satisfaction when we reached the upper waterfall.

The place was wide open with great sun. Lunch was amazing. We sat out for the whole day, and it felt less cold than the previous day. We played Dum charades for some time and fooled around. Next day was the big day, the pass crossing day. We were supposed to get up early for the trek. So, in my mind I was thinking how many layers I should be wearing.

That day was good for photography too, thanks to the views. Thankfully as it was not a midnight start, I could sleep properly. I was not as restless as I generally used to be, during the night before the summit day.

Day 6 – Upper Waterfall camp (4080 m) to Rupin Pass (4657 m); Rupin Pass to Ronti Gad Camp (4005 m)

10/4/2023

We got up early around 4 AM and most of them were ready and filling the dining tent to the brim. The breakfast was a horrible chenna. The worst thing about the summit day is the chenna in the morning. After force feeding it in myself, I was waiting for start. But trek leaders were waiting for sun to rise to start the trek, I guess. So, we started only around 6 AM.

The trek was a consistent ascent. And Raja and I were discussing about how the trek was so simple. Especially compared to the previous day. But only in the last bit of ascent, we got to know why this trek was termed moderate difficult. It was one steep path, and we were crawling to get to the top, which felt like an illusion. The path felt like the one in Game of Thrones where the enemies would enter a narrow gate and the opposition attacks through it.

At the top of the pass, we got so much time to take photos, a rarity when you do winter treks. For example, in Pangarchulla, none were in mood to stand there for more than five minutes.

We had lunch after first bit of descent. The problems started from there. I was having a constant vomiting sensation. I thought it was due to the food. I felt like puking but couldn’t. There was no water source in the path so couldn’t have water too. With the heat, I was starting to have headache too.

Raja on other hand wanted to go to the last point so that he’d have more probability to catch the bus. I was in no mood to go because I was feeling sick, more than being tired. But if there had been a chance, I’d have taken that. But thankfully it wasn’t mean to happen, so I went to the tent. My head was paining like hell.

Even though I felt the exhaustion was less, i had never had this bad experience in any of the treks. But thankfully after a couple of hours I was alright. We decided that the next day we would go as early as possible and catch some bus to Delhi.

Day 7 – Ronti Gad Camp (4005 m) to Sangla Valley (2675 m) and the endurance test post that

10/5/2023

That day, Raja and I were given free license to run. But we didn’t run, we flew. Till the point where we got signal, we were going together, and we were at the start of the group. Once Nitin confirmed something, he asked us to proceed with the porters. We bid goodbye to everyone and flew along with them.

We reached the point where they were supposed to get cab. From there it was a humid, sandy downhill path, for the next couple of hours I could feel the heat coming out of my body. We rested for few minutes at two or three places but otherwise we were on cruise mode. Raja said that it was a test of endurance. As I’m generally good with descent and Raja was a fit guy, we were able to make it.

But the last few meters of ascent on the road was killing, I could literally feel my heart pumping through my ears. That was the maximum I’ve felt like it. Thankfully the torture didn’t last long, and we got to the bus stand soon.

When we reached the bus stand at about 12.40 PM, a bus to Rampur was ready to go by 1 PM. We quickly had lunch nearby and hopped on to the bus. The Kinnaur road was excellent. As soon as I switched on my mobile, I got a bad news from family and a train of thoughts started to run in mind. On the other hand, I wanted to catch the 5 PM bus to Delhi. If we catch that, Raja will have comfortable time to reach the airport. It was an AC Volvo, so thought, maybe it’s the reward for all the hard work. But on other side I didn’t want to get into an AC bus. En route Rampur the bus stopped at a great momo shop where we had momo and soup. Wonder what soup it was, it tasted different.

Thanks to the landslide and traffic jam due to it, we got stuck and couldn’t reach Rampur by 5 PM. So, we took the next bus to Chandigarh. In that short gap Raja went for shopping. The ticket counter got crowded like hell and we were on verge of not getting the tickets. We got the last two tickets. One in first row and one in last. I was severely irritated and scolded Raja for his carelessness.

The nights journey was hell. It was super uncomfortable with so many people around. Every time I wanted to sleep, the bus would stop for tea, and I couldn’t sit inside it. It was one of the worst bus journeys I’ve ever had.

After getting down at Chandigarh Bus Stand, we got bus to Delhi which was a lot more comfortable. I was telling how Chandigarh is such a beautiful city to Raja and he was commenting, “ne inga kooda poirkiya da” (whether you’ve been here too). I felt proud.

Day 8 – Warm hospitality at Gurgaon

10/6/2023

We got down at Delhi ISBT and it was time to goodbye to Raja and his great company. Guess finally I’ve got my wingman. Hope it lasts for lifetime. He took a metro to airport, and I took to Gurgaon. We had breakfast nearby. A Dosa, which was better than I expected.

Gurgaon was very developed with high rise buildings. I had a different mental image. It felt like Dubai to me with all skyscrapers and didn’t feel polluted. From Gurgaon metro, took auto to Jessy’s place. Felt relieved after taking a shower after a week. I was dead tired and wanted to sleep but waited for lunch. Jessy as usual was great company and that day I knew she was a great cook too. Generally, my last day on treks would be reserved for drinks and junks, I didn’t do both that day. It was nice and healthy homemade food.

In the evening we went to a sweet shop, had snacks and I bought sweet to the family. I wanted to do a roadside haircut like last time but unfortunately couldn’t get a proper place to do. In the evening I started well on time and took metro to Delhi. The whole of Gurgaon had such huge liquor stores which was very tempting.

I again had dinner in IRCTC Executive Lounge and got on the TAMILNADU EXP (12622). It was crowded like hell and there was a lot of chaos as a huge Tamil group who were back from a holy trip had got on the train. It’s a common tussle with two groups who don’t understand each other’s language. Even when I was about to keep my bag, the group in my coupe was tensed. For some reason I was in good mood and understood their problem, so I was able to clear out the issues with the luggage. I got a middle berth which I thought would be uncomfortable, but I slept peacefully.

Day 9 – a day of nothingness

10/7/2023

It’s the regular last day of the trip where all you feel empty, thinking how the life is going to be beyond this. Seriously, when I write this now, so much has changed between then and now. It was a day of scouting food and thinking of what to do next. An end to another trek.