Chennai Super Kings is my Valentine

                                                                                In India, it is only Cricket after Food, Clothing and Shelter which is almost going on to become one of the basic amenities for living in this country. Although, the game has been played in very many different formats, one quirky catchy format of the game is the Twenty – Twenty format where the entire competition is got done in a total span of forty overs. This Indian Premier League is an absolute cob-web that flawlessly spins the whole of people’s interest towards it. This is a nicely scripted, formulated, regulated and competitive set-up where different teams representing different regions of India contest to clinch that glamorous trophy from the board. Chennai being a part of it, I started supporting it right from the beginning of the league and they went on to become a brand, a major brand with so many things revolving around them.

EVOLUTION:

                                                                                Chennai Super Kings is the franchise cricket team based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL) founded in 2008, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the captain of the side and Stephen Fleming as the coach. India Cements acquired the rights to the franchise for ten years while N.Srinivasan, vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements became the De facto owner of the club. Players were auctioned out in the league and team should bid for their part of the players for certain tenure and that kept the whole thing going. While the line-up kept changing for years, the only thing that did not change is the brand value and the fame for the club. CSK went on to become the most successful team in the league having won two titles in quick succession.

                                                                                With all these years of undaunted and super imposing success I decided to take you all through the team that is responsible for all name and fame. Like the soldiers along the borders, eleven warriors fighting wars to keep the team name up flying high is not an easy task. These players brought their specialities together, talent together and above all friendship together to take CSK off to greater heights. CSK is a balanced mix of super talented international players and hyper active local boys who kept the winning streaks up high in the air. 

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI:

                                                                                A team without a good captain is like a horse left without trained, for its skill and character going void. CSK is one such team to have been blessed with one of the finest captains of all times. DHONI – “Dynamic Hero Of Nation India” is the hero of this squad who has tormented to take CSK off to such heights leading from the front. This man who leads the nation by example has the tactics of getting great work from ordinary people done and every time he does that, CSK meets success without a doubt. He knows the pulse of the team and fits in the captain’s role apt and tailor made. He has played some mind blowing knocks for the team guiding the team home with some of comprehensive victories that is all out of thinking range. The way he finishes things off in style is an absolute beauty and a delight to watch. The command over the players he has and the mutual respect amongst remains a standing monument to prove CSK is one difficult team to beat by any margins. Dhoni is a kind of person who doesn’t lose the cool more often on the field and that is one important characteristic of a leader to be able to emerge all victorious. In nutshell, I could not imagine anybody else in the driver seat other than Dhoni who could constantly steer CSK home every time with a win. It is not just cricket that made him a super human but there are certain traits which carried him as a person all the way.

"CAPTAINCY IS AN ABILITY TO TRANSLATE VISION INTO REALITY, DHONI DOES THAT TO SHEER PERFECTION" 

         “DHONI WILL REMAIN THE MOST DARING AND UNDAUNTED CAPTAINS OF ALL TIME”

DWAYNE SMITH:

                                                                                The CSK batting line up starts with this Caribbean super star who constantly helps the team get off to a flyer always consuming lesser number of balls for settling down on the field. He is such a talented cricketer who swings the willow so powerfully that every time he does that, he gets a maximum. He is one inevitable reason as to why CSK is being regarded as a team with one of the most devastating opening pair. Not only with the bat, but also with the field has Smith hit gold, he drops very few and his hands are as safe as a house. Black smith, gold smith and he is our own SUPER SMITH.

BRENDON MCCULLUM:

                                                                                This formidable cricketer is an absolute asset to the team. Every time he comes out to bat, he makes sure CSK is all comfortably settled for going on to a big target. He bombards the opposition with his enormous talent and skill. The way he destroys the bowlers all across the ground is an absolute visual delight and he steadies the CSK batting with smith along-side. He is generally called the Super man at field and doesn’t let any ball go past him that easily. With the bat and field, Baz is an absolute asset for the team and one of all-time favourites in the side. Mccullum is the BOSS

SURESH RAINA:

                                                                                Suresh Kumar Raina, is somebody who has been with the team for a long time now. He has made the most number of appearances in IPL for CSK and is the vice-captain of the side. Humongous talented raina is the backbone of the CSK middle order and he takes CSK off from where the openers left without having to take a lot of time. The shot selection, the drives and placements are an absolute delight watching and he is somebody who gives his heart and soul on the field. Although not a regular bowler, he surprises the batsmen with his line and length varying the pace much to the need. He takes some crucial wickets and contains the run leaking from all sides. He will be the first person to run up to people and cheer them for all the good work they did. Raina keeps the team lively and positive. Such a positive energy in the side and he is to be called the RAJINI RAINA.

FRANCOIS DU PLESSIS:

                                                                                Faf, is somebody who comes after raina to take the CSK innings forward. He is one perfect example of the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race “. He starts off slow and steady to finish his scoreboard on a high. He makes a solid 30-40 runs on the board every time he comes out to bat and that emerges a support that CSK much needs. Running short of words to explain his fielding abilities, for he never takes things for granted on the field. He is such a valuable player in the side often being called the FANTASTIC FAF.

DWAYNE BRAVO:

                                                                                                This West Indian star is the most celebrated in the team. Fun-loving, jovial, dedicated and ambitious cricketer who never tends to put CSK down at any cost. He marks the end of the middle order in the team and makes sure CSK finishes off at a greater altitude for a comprehensive victory. He bats to perfection and with a care to settle CSK off to a great score. Not only with his bat does he magic, but also with the fielding and bowling. He is one of the most thinking bowlers in the side who doesn’t give away many runs contributing a lot to the team victory. As his name suggests, he is BRAVO!!

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN:

                                                                                                The local boy from Chennai who secured an indomitable place for himself in the side is a superb spinner who spins CSK all the way to the victory. He is often called the thinking bowler who has vast talents under his belts for his name. Batsmen go berserk for his carom ball and that is one tactics that never fails. He is one player who could also bat in times of adversities who could pull things off from any low. He is one most favourite player in the side who plays his heart off for the team. He is one reliable spinner who doesn’t give many runs giving CSK the much needed wicket break every time without fail.  ashWIN as his name suggests.

RAVINDRA JADEJA:

                                                                                                SIR and that is how he is fondly called by all his fellow mates. Jadeja is a handy all-rounder who plays his part to perfection every time and never failing to amuse us with the ball. The short arm throw and accuracy with which he delivers the ball is simply outstanding. Fielding is a cake-walk for him, never letting the ball goes past him giving the opponents no runs that easily. He has been regarded as one of the most stylish and super dedicated fielder on the side. Jadeja is a stylish batsman and an awesome bowler without who CSK would lack a worthy all-rounder. Dhoni bangs on Jadeja every time he needs a wicket and he flawlessly impresses his captain. SIR Jadeja!!

MOHIT SHARMA:

                                                                                                Mohit is a prolific bowler who does not give man runs away and sets the team to a great start as with defending a total. The line and length with which he bowls is simply outstanding. He keeps the ball to the stump that any time the batsman misses would cost a wicket. He is such a dignified and exuberant fielder who gives his heart and soul on the field. He is somebody who went on to play for the nation after playing this team.

Mo-HIT Sharma as his name suggests!!

ASHISH NEHRA:

                                                                                                Nehra was an international bowler who couldn’t reach the heights he deserved. He was widely criticized for his bad line and length that never let him go the distance he wanted in the game of cricket. CSK bid Nehra for an amount and took him recently in and he is already a rock-star in the team. Dhoni tried to take the best out of this guy and he succeeded flawlessly in his attempt. Nehra is the leading wicket taker this season and leads the flock of CSK bowlers from the front. It was only under the able captainship of Dhoni that Nehra is able to perform extremely well in the team and the captain is pretty much impressed with his performance. The line, length and the pace is something he is getting right every time this season and has taken CSK off to greater extent. He has been an instrumental tool while chasing bigger targets and handling pressure situations. He is a new joiner who plays like a true CSK who has been playing for years now. NehROCKS for CSK

This is a kind of team that you never want to hate unless and until you love the game of cricket.

Everybody in the side are champions and they play like one

3 times Finalists

2 times Semi-Finalists

2 times Champions

and 

1 Team CSK

Chennai Super Kings ku Whistle Podu !!

O Kadhal Kanmani - Get Soaked in All Love

                                                                “My 50^th post and I should make it in style” is the line that kept reverberating along the cross sections of my brain whenever I thought I should resume writing on my blog to keep it happening. Thought process ran amuck thinking what could possibly fit in as a part of this grand occasion. From deciding to write on famous personalities to stories to fiction, I settled in for writing about the much anticipated and hot sold cake of the K-town “OK Kanmani”.

                                                                From the day, the first look of the movie came with an art portraying, Dulquer and Nithya I thought Mani sir is going to be back but with a bang this time. Irrespective of somebody being a Mani sir fan or not being one, this movie is sure to bring all smiles in their faces for this movie is such a soothing poetry. It has been more than a decade after which a nice breezy romantic and elegant flick left us all with such a lovely touch.  

                                                                Contemporary love being taken up as a matter of show;                  the all well-versed “Old-Fashioned” story telling exemplary Mani sir renders a phenomenal product that leaves the audience stunned and asking for more. 

                                                                “Like this movie is a live capture of dialogues from people who were casted in, this blog is a live capture without an edit and goes on my site directly from the Blogger’s text editor”

WHAT HAS THE DIRECTOR GOT TO SAY?

                                                                “For the true feelings of love; marriage gives life”

                                                          The movie starts with introducing hero elegantly who gets out of the train to find the heroine about to jump into another moving train on the opposite direction. The hero happens to meet this lady again in an important occasion and gets along her somehow; and that is where the movie takes off at a lovely pace. They spend few of rest of the days to only understand that they both do not like getting married to somebody and they only like to enjoy their lives being single. These people based out of Mumbai, lives in the shadow of Bhavani and Ganapathy  who got married after loving each other so madly. Ganapathy looks after Bhavani like his baby and that slowly inspires this couple to fall in love with each other.

                                                                Adhi and Tara, the lead characters slowly start melting for each other after spending few days living-in at Ganapathy’s place and at some point in time they realise that they cannot live without the other person’s company. Towards the climax, they are forced to decide what comes in life first; their career or their love life and their decision is what is told the 135 minutes odd with a super class story narration that leaves the audience astounded. 

PUPPETS:

                                                                Dulquer Salmaan as Adhi and Nithya Menon as Tara rock the screen with their oozing chemistry. They fill the entire space with all joy and love, making the movie looks fresh and adorable. Prakash Raj as Ganapathy and Leela Samson as Bhavani fill the entire space with charm and innocent love. The whole of the story revolves around the four and has been etched in a way nothing lesser than sheer brilliance.

                                                                Dulquer, steps down from the train in the opening frame and girls in the theatre losing their minds for him and that is how much handsome he looks in the movie. The young lad looks too handsome, smart, ravishing and all apt to take the movie to the next heights. Dulquer as Adhi convinces people of his acting abilities and takes that extra mile to soak audience in his all charm. The way he carries himself through-out the movie with sheer ability and passion is much visible and he has done a great job of carrying the movie all the way on his shoulders. He has played his part to perfection to an extent that my mind can think of nobody else better in his place.

                                                                Nithya Menon, doesn’t just have to look good in the movie but also has to take the movie forward equally alongside the hero which she does it to ultimate perfection. Nithya look ravishingly hot, cute, bubbly and super sexy with the way she expresses herself out in the movie. Dialogue deliveries were on the dot with cute Tamil from all over her lips. She looks as pretty as a doll that keeps running all across the frames captivating all the audience attention. Nithya Menon in the movie is a superb choice and she is irreplaceable.

                                                         Mani puts the camera around them and captured everything that'll make the audience fall in love with the pair. Dulquer is at ease, speaking his lines in Tamil; he looked most suitable in the role. It is Nitya who steals the show hands down. It's impossible to not fall in love with her, even if you don't with the movie. The fact that the story is set in Mumbai, and all the characters speak their lines in Tamil really worked in favour of the film.

                                                                Prakash Raj and Leela Samson have got something considerable to do in the movie. They convince the audience of the fact that love can never get older and could only keep increasing days after days. They take the responsibility up of telling the contemporary generation as to what is good and what is bad. They are a perfect choice and I would rate a 5 on 5 for the casting and crew. Mani sir nailed it with the cast.

MUSIC:

                                                                Musical story telling is what I would call this movie as. If story telling is the body; music is the soul and nevertheless to say about A.R.Rahman who leaves everybody spell-bound at the end of the movie. Soul stirring is the word to describe the songs that occurs at regular time intervals. Movies after movies ARR is trying to become the best only by over-coming his own works as nobody could get closer. Background music takes the movie to the next level altogether. ARR proves once again as to why he is called a Genius. 

                                                                Tracks like “Chinnanjiru Chinnanjiru Ragasiyame”, “Naane varugiren” leave you dumb-struck failing to realise what good music could do to us. These tracks just crush your heart from inside and let you soak in all love and harmony.

CAMERA:

                                                                “Professionally Charismatic” Sreeram is how I would like to abbreviate him. His vision through the lens is just mind-boggling. The way he portrays everything almost leaves us stunned and shocked. Mumbai city has never been shown this beautiful in any of the movies that I saw off-late ever. He makes us realise every time that even India has such exotic locations and that we never saw them from an artistic angle. He let his cameras speak volumes about love and lust from the way he portrays stuffs. Visuals are just stunning and only next to brilliance. The friendship that PC shares with Mani is so evident on the screen, such an effortless work and artistic touch. Watching the world from PC’s camera is such a visual delight!!

VERDICT: Dulquer is the new Maddy in town and OKK is the new Alaipaayuthe !!

RATING: 4 / 5

                                                               

Dhanush - The Artist and Beyond

                                                      “CINEMA” – The six letter word that almost has become a primary reason that keeps the world spinning, if not other’s, mine at least.  It is recreation, that humans need after being satisfied with all their basic necessity, which flawlessly cinema does becoming almost mankind’s fourth basic necessity in life. Carrying forth this bigger responsibility and pamper, movies reflect different kinds of thoughts in different ways. There are numerous movies that come in different genres around the whole world and India is no exception. The word ‘Cinema’ and ‘India’ has almost become inseparable so does South India. ‘Kollywood’ is the term we used to refer the Tamil Cine industry as that commutes the audience through Tamil as primary language. This post is going to talk about one person who is becoming inevitable in the industry without whom would Kollywood lack lustre. 

                                                The Tamil Cinema industry has produced some extraordinary artists who complement the industry with authentic ease. Tamil Cine industry has been witnessing enormous growth over the generations together producing some exemplary stories. We are going to talk about one such risen star in the Tamil industry whose name will speak for who he is.

                                    “Dhanush” is a seven letter word and so do words “Victory” and “Success” are. This man has almost turned the Midas of the Tamil Film Industry; for whatever he touches turns Gold. 

                              “Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja” aka “Dhanush” started his career with a solid youth-rollicking flick “Thulluvatho Illamai” directed by his very own dad Mr. Kasthuri Raja which went on to fetch some rave reviews from both the critics and the public. This could be a dream start for any such hero coming into the industry fresh and un-prepared. Dhanush managed to capitalize on the script and pulled a decent venture off the subject with his innate and meticulous acting talents. His subsequent project “Kadhal Kondein” directed by his brother Mr. Selvaraghavan went on to become one of biggest hits then launching Dhanush as one of well-acclaimed actors in the industry. The film portrayed Dhanush as a mentally-disturbed youth, Vinodh, who yearned for the love of his friend, eventually turning possessive over her. Upon release, the film won critical acclaim and also became a major commercial success, catapulting Dhanush into the main foray of actors in Tamil films.

                        Although his subsequent flicks were an average selling cake; the victorious combo Dhanush-Selvaraghavan came together in 2006 to produce one of biggest hits in the history of Tamil Film Industry, “Pudhupettai”. This movie still remains a benchmark as to how a raw action oriented flick could be made. This movie launched “Dhanush” as one important performer in the industry. 

                        Movies like “Thiruvilayaadal Aarambam”, “Parattai”, “Pollathavan”, “Yaaradi Nee Mohini” and “Padikaathavan” portrayed Dhanush much as a commercial start who can help run the business profitably well. With combinations of the above mentioned flicks, Dhanush became a start that the industry much needed.

                        2011 was one key year in the life history of this star. His first release of the year “Aadukalam” went on to become a grandiose blockbuster and Dhanush was also conferred with “National Award for Best Actor” for pulling such a blinder off with absolute ease.  Dhanush played the role of a local cock fighter and described the venture as his "dream project" during production. This year brought laurels not just with his acting in movies but also with his singing “Why this Kolaveri” as a part of the sound track of his flick “3“. The song was released on YouTube and it just did not leave a stone unturned.  The song for itself has a number of records to mention and was claimed to be an International hit. The song reached the nook and corner of the world and at one stage was also the Youth Anthem then. Dhanush proved his amiable presence in the industry as a singer too and this album stood a milestone in his career. 

                        Dhanush is yet another rare multi-faceted personality in the industry. He sings, he performs and he amuses us with sense of cinema in all. His Bollywood debut venture “Raanjnaa” went on to become one of the biggest hits and entered the hundred Crore elite club with absolute ease. Dhanush has off-late started singing in all his films and those numbers are an exceptional hit as always. 

YEAR 2015 AND BEYOND:

                                    With not so longer time left to enjoy the mammoth success of “Vellailla Pattathaari”, which is considered to be a silver jubilee movie in his career, Dhanush joined the sets of “Shamithabh” to produce a master-piece with the legend Amitabh Bacchan himself. The movie features Amitabh, Dhanush and Akshara Hasaan doing the business while R.Balki scripting and filming it. The background score by Illayaraja is already a hit and the trailer looks ravishing. With P.C. Sreeram behind the lens, we could expect nothing less than a visual extravaganza. Dhanush is said to play a deaf and dumb junior artist in the movie and we are looking forward to an immortal chemistry with Amitabh who himself have dubbed it for Dhanush. The trailer on You-tube has already created magical waves with the number of hits and comments that is being poured into. Would like to wish this all-rounder hero a mammoth success for Shamithabh.

                                    The hero also has completed a project in Tamil by name “Anegan” directed by the Ace director turned cameraman “K.V.Anand”. The film was originally scripted for Dhanush which he had to turn down because of the date crunches referring Dhanush for this project. K.V.Anand is known for his cinematographic skills and a kind of director who can pull things off from nowhere. From whatever we see on the internet, Anegan has come rocking get-ups and stream-lined screenplay told crisp and crunch. The teaser and the audio of the movie are already a big hit with “Danga Maari Oothaari” number sung by Dhanush becoming a sky-rocketing hit. The movie is the next big expectation of the season and we are all looking forward to get drenched with Dhanush’s out of the world performance. 

                                    The Actor is currently shooting for Balaji Mohan’s Maari. The first look poster of the movie has already caught everybody’s expectation meter and the shoot has almost been wrapped up. Dhanush is seen sporting a casual look with an identical “Alex Pandian Rajni’s” shades. This combination of Dhanush and Balaji will go places as both are unarguably filled with immense creativity and talent. Looking forward to this movie with at-most anxiety. 

WHAT MAKES DHANUSH A STAR?

                                                            Right from his debut, Dhanush always had a steady progression graph. The way he has matured over the times is just amazing. The way he looks, the way he talks, the way he walks, the way he delivers the dialogues on the screen, the way he dances, the way he acts are simply mind-blowing. Right from his initial phases of his career, he kept himself low for others with no attitude and head-weight. He is such a down to earth person who believes in doing rather talking unlike many other heroes in the industry. 

1)    TALK LESS WORK MORE:

He is one of very few actors who talk less and work more. There are few actors in the industry who start blowing their own trumpet even on their second or third film of their career with Dhanush being a legendary exception to all these acts. He is such a soft-spoken human with great sense of humour who never opens his mouth unless and until the situation demands. 

2)    DHANUSH – THE DANCER:

The word ‘Dhanush’ and ‘Dancer’ are inseparable. The very first thought that would pop in everybody’s mind up as soon as they hear the word Dhanush is his dance. Stylish, elegant, peppy, energetic, heart-stealing, tough, enthusiastic and authentic are the words used to describe his dancing abilities. Each and every of his movie would contain a significant move that even the professional dancers would struggle to make. He shakes his legs for songs of almost all genres and everything is a hit. Almost every Dance master loves working with him and the best part is he does not rehearse or practice a lot. He is nearing perfection and it is a delight watching him dance on the screens. Everybody envies him for the kind of ability he possesses.

3)    DHANUSH-THE FUN FILLED:

Dhanush is a very down to earth and fun filled personality. He puts aside all his celebrity status and mingles with anybody and everybody so easily like nobody else does. Dhanush his known for his comical sense and he keeps his surrounding happy and joyous. Even in movies, the kind of one-liners and comedy acts he does would be very enjoyable. He is one of very few heroes who can do comedy in parallel to the main stream. His body language, his dialogue delivery, his thought process and performance would be highly enjoyable.

4)    DHANUSH-THE PERFORMER:

Dhanush is a complete actor. Be it dialogue delivery, be it dancing, be it romance, be it comedy Dhanush does it with absolute ease. He won’t strain a lot doing any kind of a role. He gives his best for any kind of a role that he plays that naturally comes out daringly well. Dhanush has attracted a wide range of audience through the entire course of his career and now he has fan followings from all the age groups.