Dhoni - Director Prakashraj - 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja

[KV]

I think Raaja's citing was more specific to the usage of a Thyagaraja kriti, as in, how many movies now can you accommodate something like this? Would it be possible to do it in films of Vijay or Ajith? Will the audience accept it? Ofcourse, both these guys have had some lovely semi-classical numbers in their films (udhaya udhaya or Godfather songs), but are there movies with scope for a full-fledged Thyagaraja kriti? I think this was Raaja's point. Yeah, the man's blunt, on-the-face... appadi dhaan pEsuvaaru. Namma marubadiyum sattaya pudichukkalaam, but adhunaala onnum aavaadhu.

[AravindMano]

AravindMano sollirukka maadhiri Apte-kkaagavum, Raja-kkaagavum kandippaa padam paakkalaam.

[AravindMano]

I didn't recognize Mahendran at all

And worse, Vijay TV kept showing his 'mEni, gnAni' comment and I kept alternately guessing him as piRaisoodan or pulamaipiththan.

nallA pEsinAr. 'mahaa kavingan vAli' dhAn konjam light-A

[BM]

How can one not love a movie about children crafted with utmost compassion? Dhoni, written and directed by Prakash Raj is a well-intended and sincere film with a good message, and it tugs at your heartstrings.
The film illustrates the conflict of interests of a father and his son; as their aspirations clash. The father wants his son to study MBA, but the boy is more interested in playing cricket and his role model is Indian Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The film is also a scathing attack on our education system which burdens the child.

Karthik (Akash) is a 14-year old son of Subramaniam (Prakash Raj) a middle class government employee. But there is one thing he is obsessed and passionate about and that is cricket. His inspiration is Dhoni and like him, he wants to be an attacking wicket Keeper- batsman, and his coach (Nassar) sees a great potential in him. At school, Karthik struggles with numbers and to make sense of them, falling way behind his classmates, much to the frustration of his teachers and his father who wants to see his son to be an MBA graduate.

It is one-man show for Prakash Raj who is brilliant as Subbu as he carries this film completely on his shoulders. He delivers a mature and sensitive performance, adding those little touches that make a difference. It is to his credit that he balances his role as the protagonist and director. Aakash as the young boy is spontaneous and everyone in the cast like the girl who plays Subbu’s daughter, Radhika Apte playing a pivotal character, Brahmanandam, Charms are all good.

There are no commercial trappings like fancy camera angles, unwanted songs or clichéd sentiments. The film benefits from Ilayaraja’s inspiring background score which lifts the film.The special song with Prabhu Deva is cute and it goes with the narrative.

Who can't relate with the Subramaniam, the doting father and Karthik who can't seem to get his head around his studies? Everyone can relate to the premise of this relatable story as it is a film about parents and children, about the pressures we put on them, about how we push them into becoming assembly-line products instead of encouraging them to find their own unique strengths.

All great, except the dash of seemingly inevitable melodrama, as the climax is exaggerated where Subbu is beaten up and he meets the Chief Minister and has a lengthy conversation. There are a couple of verbose, preachy scenes which are repetitive and could have been avoided.

On the whole, don’t miss Dhoni. The beauty of the narration is that the message applies to everyone and it might change your life.

Verdict- Good

http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/rev...tid=5&cid=2429

[vithagan]

Dhoni - Boundary Lines

Actor - producer Prakash Raj's maiden venture as a filmmaker in Tamil - 'Dhoni' has finally hit the screens amidst much anticipation. The very title may arouse curiosity for it is named after Team India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Cheers to Prakash Raj for taking a sensitive issue and dealing it with conviction. The film talks about parental pressures on children and discusses whether today's education system is a boon or bane for students. Dealt from the point of view of a middle class family, the movie takes a closer look at how every anxious father runs behind money to get his ward educated. In trying to be too caring, he fails to recognize the extra talent present in his child and makes him/ her a slave to books and notebooks. In this clich�d commercial cinema, films by producers like Prakash Raj are whiff of fresh air. His Duet Movies has won the distinction of making different films within commercial ambit. Joining the list of some innovative attempts from his hut is 'Dhoni'. With handful of characters he has managed to come out with an engrossing entertainer. Subramanaim alias Subbu (Prakashraj) is a middle class father of a daughter and son Karthick (Akash). Subbu showers all love on his children. Though he is a government employee, he does other works like selling pickles and ensures his children study in one of the best schools in the locality. While his daughter lives up to dad's expectations, problems begin with his son. Karthick wants to become a cricketer. He fares badly in his examinations as his heart and mind are behind bat and ball. He is inspired by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and wants to become one like him in life. One day Subbu is summoned by Karthick's school teacher. He informs of their decision to detain him in ninth standard since he fares bad in examinations. An annoyed Subbu chides his son and slaps him. Unfortunately the boy sustains serious injuries and falls into coma. Now the dotting father slowly realizes his folly. He understands that rat race for marks; grades had made him a beast. He decides to make his voice felt against the system of education which makes children a slave to books. The rest is about whether Subbu manages to bring a change on the whole in the system and get his son back from coma and pursue what the boy wanted. Prakash Raj combines both the hats of director and actor exceedingly well. With his natural dialogue delivery and amazing screen presence, he brings a middle class father living on hopes well before our eyes. For a versatile actor like him, doing such roles is sure a cakewalk. Akash, son of Tollywood director Puri Jagannadh plays an adolescent child possessed by cricket fever. He does his job in an engrossing manner. Actors in the cast like Radhika Apte, Nasser, Brahmanandham, Chaama and Thalaivasal Vijay. Each have a part to play in the script. They have got under the skin to perform their best. Prabhu Deva appears in a cameo. Giving life to 'Dhoni' is Ilayaraja. His meaningful background score provides right pep to the proceedings. It strikes our soul instantly. The songs too bear a typical Ilayaraja stamp evoking right emotions in the serious script. KV Guhan's cinematography captures the proceedings at leisurely pace. His camera speaks a thousand words. All said, 'Dhoni' preaches the need of the hour. This Prakash Raj's film has set the ball rolling on a fresh debate on our education system. 'Dhoni' is a refreshing change in hero-dominated bastion. Let's welcome the change!

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/t...iew/15184.html

[Nerd]

3/5 - Behindwoods
3/5 - Rediff

[Anban]

Paathaachu .. Good movie .. But last two minutes were super dumb .. Prakashraj excels as an actor and director .

[SoftSword]

there comes the twist.

[venkkiram]

http://cablesankar.blogspot.com/2012...g-post_11.html

எது நமக்கு பிடிக்கிறதோ அதை தொடர்ந்து செய்தால், அதற்கான ஆதரவும் கிடைத்தால் வெற்றி பெறுவது உறுதி. அது போல நல்ல படங்களை மட்டுமே தர வேண்டுமென்ற ஒரே நோக்கோடு படங்களை தயாரித்து வந்திருக்கும் ப்ரகாஷ்ராஜின் டூயட் மூவீஸ் படம். முதல் முறையாய் தமிழில் அவர் இயக்கி வெளிவந்திருக்கும் படமென்ற எதிர்பார்ப்பை எற்படுத்தியிருந்த படம். அந்த எதிர்பார்ப்பை பூர்த்தி செய்திருக்கிறதா என்று கேட்டால் நிச்சயமென்று சொல்வேன்.

கே.வி.குகனின் ஒளிப்பதிவு உறுத்தலில்லாமல் கதையோடு பயணிக்கிறது. பத்திரிக்கையாளர் த.செ. ஞானவேலின் வசனம் படத்திற்கு பெரிய பலம். பத்திரிக்கையாளர் என்பதால் சமூக கோபமும், சாமானியனின் இயலாமமை கலந்த வசனங்கள் நம்மை மேலும் படத்தோடு இணைந்து பயணப்பட ஏதுவாயிருக்கிறது.

தோனி- நிஜமாகவே நாட் அவுட்

[Mahen]

Watched Dhoni..One of those movies that makes u feel good when u leave the theater hall The movie has Radhamohan's stamp all over - interesting subplots/good people with good heart/witty dialogues etc..The story is predictable but the radhamohan treatment makes it worth watching

Pluses
Prakash Raj..Wow what a ferfarmaance
Radhika Apte..super figurru and loved her role and acting
Vilayata padagoti-Shreya G version together with visuals..poetry-nga

Minuses
Some preachy and melodramatic scenes

Btw, did i miss Mughda Ghodse or she wasnt in the film?