ACHCHAM YENBADHU MADAMAIYADA

AYM is about two people in love and the resulting events with a road trip as the backdrop in the first half. And also about how that fun, romantic ride turns into a serious situation for both. Are they ready for it and how they overcome the crisis or do they?

The promos made you aware that you are not going to a get another VTV from the magical trio (GVM/ARR/STR) as it looked a little action packed. But even VTV fans will have something to cherish as the first half of the film gives you a windy romance.

AYM is so smartly set at the beginning. Surprisingly GVM has attempted to make a film that appeals to all center audience, unlike his previous works. He has come out of his comfort zone and has tried to give a commercial appeal to his film.

You generally don’t see cars flying in a GVM film; you don’t see superstar moments where the hero just keeps walking for a massy BGM. But you find all those in this film and one feels that is not where GVM’s strength lies and those scenes could have been made better. Looks like GVM was in a slight dilemma whether to go full-on mass or to retain his classy image. You find that feel towards the end. However, he has not overdone anything but AYM is more commercial than any of his previous works.

GVM’s intention appears to be like giving a clean love story and some vigorous action. The movie manages to shift sensitively from breezy love moments to intense action mode just around the interval mark. As usual, he scores high on romance part where the commercial intense action portions look a tag draggy. Even though the film is short and runs just for 2 hours and a quarter, you get a feel that you’re watching a 3-hour film. That is the biggest drawback of AYM even though you hardly find anything to complain.

The best part of AYM is that it has been packed with moments for both the performer and the mass image of Simbu. He sweeps you off your feet with his performance. AYM is another addition to his repertoire. We are told that most scenes that Simbu is involved were shot in a single take but it looks so meticulously shot. That’s where you realize how seasoned actor Simbu is. We hope he gives us more such endearing performances in the future.

Manjima has a well-written character and she fits the bill. Her chemistry with Simbu is good and you see their intimacy level growing in due course of their bike trip which is beautifully portrayed. GVM has the option to cut down on the emotions and make the product more edgy, but prefers just to make the whole story a little more real in the middle of all the gun firing (You get to see a lot of them).  

Dialogues are one of the strong points in the film. Songs which are already chartbusters have been pictured well and are a feast for the eyes and the ears. All the 5 songs are placed in the first half in a span of 1 hour. But you don’t get bored as Dan’s visuals arrest your eyes.  Thalli Pogathey looks force fitted but the latter half of the song explains why it is placed at that point. Some of the scenes shown in Idhu Naal look to have been shot long back and Simbu looks totally different and slim. This is a spoilsport in the continuity and also in Thalli Pogathey Simbu looks more beefed up as it was shot late.  There is another surprise element in Showkali as the theatrical version has Simbu’s voice instead of ADK.

Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada is an upcoming romantic film directed by Gautham Menon, starring Silambarasan and Manjima Mohan in lead roles. Music for the film is composed by A.R.Rahman.

Showkali
Singers: Aditya Rao, Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam and Sri Raskol
Lyrics: Vignesh Shivan
Rap Lyrics: ADK, Sri Raskol

The most anticipated album of this season begins with a funky and contemporary number with Reggae styled lyrics and Rap touches now and then. The song sure has an international appeal to it but it is the bass touches which give it a strange yet captivating flavor. Aditya Rao strikes gold with his confident rendition which never falters throughout. There is a faint Arabic flavor in terms of strings which is surprisingly fused with kuthu beats! A very special mention should be made for the Rap portion which was done in breathtakingly impressive style.

Idhu Naal 
Singers: Aditya Rao and Jonita Gandhi
Lyrics: Madhan Karky

The Reggae style Rahman strikes it perfectly once again with a feel good number and hummable tune which is ably supported by low Hip-Hop beats, swift electric guitar and trendy sounding. Aditya Rao hits the bull’s eye with his unique vocals and mesmerizing velvetiness. Jonita Gandhi adds the necessary diva touch through her voice to this extremely pleasant number. Watch out for those flow like interludes which move like a river stream!

Rasaali
Singers: Satya Prakash and Shashaa Tirupati
Lyrics: Thamarai

A breezy fusion number with all the makings of an ideal road song arrives next almost in a jiffy. Sathya Prakash’s lovely vocals are perfectly complemented by Shashaa’s classy rendition. The mild acoustic guitar and mellowed treble sets the stage for a picture perfect travel song and has a delicate tossing of a trance number as well. The icing on the cake comes in the form of an impressive presentation of popular Carnatic composition Navaragamalika varnam featuring the royal Yadakula Kambhoji and Sri Raga portions!

Avalum Naanum
Singers: Vijay Yesudas  
Lyrics: Pavendhar Bharathidhasan 

It is time for a yesteryear ARR styled ballad from the master singer Vijay Yesudas himself. The storytelling styled lyrics, casual approach with limited strings makes a larger than life impact on this amazing number. This track would sure become a bedtime listen for the modern generation! Watch out for the amazing violin solo in the first interlude which would take the breath away! Adding the trademark touch of Pan Flute which was so common for ARR from the 90s songs acts like an icing on the cake. 

Thallipogathey
Singers: Sid Sriram, Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam and Aparna Narayanan
Lyrics: Thamarai
Rap lyrics: ADK

The talented singer Sid Sriram who usually sings breezy numbers comes up with a laid back party number high on energy levels and sustained rhythm section. The tremendous vocal range of the singer comes to best use in this emotional number and Thamarai’s lyrics add the poetic dimension to this compelling number. All in all, a fitting track for the ideal finale!