Vikram Prabhu, the grandson of the late Sivaji Ganesan and the son of Prabhu, starrer Kumki also features newcomer Lakshmi Menon, Thambi Ramaiah and Asvin Raja in the cast. It is produced by director Lingusamy and has music by D Imman
Friday, 11 January 2013
Deccan Chronicle - Kumki review
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/121218/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/kumki
‘Kumki’ is the story of ‘Bomman’ (Vikram Prabhu) and his pet elephant ‘Manikkam’. Bomman spends most of his time with his pet and earns his livelihood by hiring out his elephant for festivals in temples and wedding celebrations. He lives with his uncle (Thambi Ramaiah).
Life goes on rather smoothly until he is forced to go to Aadhikudi village located in western ghat to tame a wild elephant using his own elephant as Kumki (an elephant which is trained to tackle a wild elephant).
Well aware that his pet animal is not trained enough for the assignment, Bomman undertakes the assignment for just two days, just to help his friend who had to send a Kumki but failed to do so for some reason.
Bomman moves to the adjacent village along with his elephant where he meets ‘Alli’ (Lakshmi Menon), the daughter of the village leader and falls head-over-heels in love with her.
The village has severe restrictions in place and follows old traditions which bar outsiders from marrying girls from their village. Despite knowing that they are on a sticky wicket, Bomman and Alli let their love affair flourish, hoping for a miracle to bail them out of their predicament.
Bomman falls into trouble when the wild elephant returns to the village. How he escapes the wrath of the wild elephant and does he manage to save his love forms the climax.
Cast:
Vikram Prabhu, Lakshmi Menon and Thambi Ramaiah
Direction:
Prabhu Solomon
Music:
D Imman
Produced by:
Thirupathi Brothers
Story Review:
Solomon's reputation as a script-writer of note precedes him. The director, who had made films of varying nature in Lee and Mynaa, has taken up a hitherto untold theme in a new backdrop in Tamil films. To his credit, he has done reasonably well in depicting the culture and the predicaments of the people who live in the forest.
But he has failed to present a gripping story and an engaging script. The story on Kumki elephant has the potential to be a different one but the director concentrates more on the love affair. The sequences are quite predictable and the turning points are not exciting.
The film ends with a question mark, probably leaving the door open for a sequel to be made in future!
Performances
One of the most awaited debutant heroes in recent times has finally come alive on-screen. Vikram Prabhu, son of veteran actor Prabhu and grandson of the legendary Sivaji Ganesah, is making his debut as hero in the film. Vikram is blessed with good looks and manages to make a mark in his first venture though the character is not that strong.
For Lakshmi Menon, this was to be her debut film but it got delayed resulting in Sasikumar's Sundarapandian becoming her launch-pad in Tamil films. Lakshmi looks natural in the backdrop of the forest. She emotes well.
Thambi Ramaiyah, the national award-winning actor, cakewalks through his role with the ease of a veteran. His presence gives the much needed entertainment element to the film.
Watch the movie for:
· Lakshmi Menon's performance.
· Stunning cinematography by Sugumar.
· Thambi Ramaiyah's ever-so-casual act
· The locations where the film has been shot
· Background score by D Imman
Skip it for:
· Predictable story and screenplay
· Lack of pace
Verdict:
The movie is surely worth a watch for its cinematography and different backdrop. It would have been a much better had Prabhu concentrated more on the story.
PAGES
'Kumki' Review: This Tamil film is visually very evocative
'Kumki' Review: This Tamil film is visually very evocative
Cast: Vikram Prabhu, Lakshmi Menon, Thambi Ramaiah, Asvin Raja
Director: Prabhu Solomon
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kumki-review-this-tamil-film-is-visually-very-evocative/310593-71-179.html
After the critically acclaimed 'Mynaa', filmmaker Prabhu Solomon returns with an equally uplifting film, in which an elephant plays the eponymous character. 'Kumki' is the kind of film that reminds us yet again that we don't need hero-worshipping scripts anymore to draw audiences to the cinemas.
Set in the backdrop of forests of Kerala and Karnataka, Prabhu paints a simple love story that instantaneously strikes a chord with the audience.
The film takes us through the lives of the farmers in a village called Aadi Kadu, where a wild elephant called Komban, has been causing havoc for many years. From bringing down huts and destroying plantation, the elephant eventually goes to the extent of crushing few villagers. The villagers unanimously decide to hire a mahout and a Kumki elephant, which are trained to fend off wild elephants.
Cut to next scene, Bomman and his elephant come to offer their service and they're treated with utmost respect in return by the villagers. Meanwhile, Bomman falls in love with Alli, daughter of the village chief. Over the course of the events, the lives of Bomman, Alli and the elephant are changed forever. What really happens in their lives, forms the rest of the story.
Prabhu interconnects two stories together to form an arching bigger story that never in its running time, deviates from its destined path. It might have taken some great deal of time to arrive at the conclusion, but never did it deviate. The crux of the film is about how a trained elephant is called upon to save the villagers from wild elephants, while the two other sub-plots are that of the relationship between Bomman, his elephant and Alli.
Though the film progresses at average pace, but thanks to an engaging and highly entertaining cast, the audience are kept hooked to their seats. Debutant Vikram Prabhu as the lovestruck mahout is brilliant and bereft of any criticism. Lakshmi, after her satisfying performance in 'Sundarapandian', steals the limelight with her innocent character.
Unlike other Tamil films, there are no separate comedy tracks here. Thambi Ramaiah and Asvin, along with Vikram, bring the house down with hilarious one-liners. The relationship between Thambi and Vikram may appear wafer thin, as most of the time Vikram is seen verbally abusing his uncle, but it's not until the climax that we get to understand the depth of their relationship.
The locations are out of this world and I don't remember seeing anything as visually engrossing in the recent past. Be it the mountains in the background or the greenery spread across the village or the dense forests, everything in the film won't go unnoticed.
In a long time, I felt the music in a film was very apt and the songs were suitably placed. Immam's music is highly melodious and works beautifully in the favour of the film. This may very well be his best work to date.
'Kumki' may not be the year's best film, but definitely can't be looked down upon.
கும்கி - cablesankar - review
கும்கி
புதிதாய் ஏதும் கதை பண்ண முடியாது. ஆனால் புதியதாய் ஒர் களம் பிடிக்கலாம். அதற்கு இன்ஸ்பிரஷனாய் பல விஷயங்கள் இருந்தாலும் அதை நமக்கு ஏற்றார்ப் போல சரியான திரைக்கதையாக்கும் வித்தை தெரிந்தால் போதும் மிகப் பெரிய வெற்றியை கொடுக்கும். அந்த வகையில் கும்கி தமிழ் சினிமாவிற்கு புதிய களன் என்றே சொல்ல வேண்டும். ஆனால் இன்ஸ்பிரேசன் எதுவாக இருக்கும் என்று கேட்டீர்கள் என்றால் ஆச்சர்யப்படுவீர்கள்.
ஒரு மலையடிவார கிராமத்தின் எல்லா செல்வங்களையும் திடீர் திடீரென கொள்ளையர்கள் வந்து கொள்ளையடித்துப் போகிறார்கள். ஊர் மக்களுக்கு என்ன செய்வது என்றே தெரியவில்லை. அப்போது ஊர் தலைவர் சொல்கிறார் நம்மையும் நம் ஊரையும் காக்க நல்ல வீரர்கள் தேவையென. உடனே ஒவ்வொரு ஊராய் போய் ஏழு சமுராய்களை தெரிவு செய்து அவரின் கிராமத்தை காக்க அழைக்கிறார்கள். அவர்களை கிட்டத்தட்ட தெய்வமாய் நடத்துகிறார்கள். அந்த ஏழு சமுராய்களில் ஒருவனுக்கும் அந்த ஊரில் உள்ள ஒரு பெண்ணுக்கும் காதல். காதல் முற்றுகையில் கொள்ளையர்கள் மீண்டும் கிராமத்தை கொள்ளையடிக்க வர, எப்படி சமூராய் வீரர்கள் அந்த கிராமத்தை காப்பாற்றுகிறார்கள்? அந்த சமுராய்க்கும், அவ்வூர் பெண்ணிற்குமான காதல் என்னவாயிற்று என்பது தான் அகிராகுரசேவாவின் செவன் சமுராயின் கதை.
கும்கியிலும் அதே தான். மலையடிவார கிராமத்தை காட்டு யானை ஒன்று துவம்சம் செய்து ஊரில் புகுந்து மக்களை கொல்கிறது. அரசின் தயவை நாடினாலும் அங்கிருந்து ஏதும் உதவியில்லை. வேறு வழியில்லாமல் ஊர் தலைவர் தங்கள் மக்களிடம் பணம் வசூலித்து காட்டு யானையை கும்கி யானைக் கொண்டு துரத்த நினைத்து கும்கியானையையும் அதன் பாகனையும் வேலைக்கு அமர்த்துகிறார்கள். ஆள் இல்லாததால் கோயிலுக்கும், கல்யாணத்துக்கும் வாடகைக்கு போகும் யானையை வைத்திருக்கும் விக்ரம் பிரபு, தம்பி ராமையாவும், ஒர் உதவியாளரும் ஊருக்குள் தங்களது யானை கும்கி யானை என்று போகிறார்கள். போன இடத்தில் அந்த மலை ஜாதி ஊர்தலைவனின் பெண்ணை பார்த்த மாத்திரத்தில் விக்ரம் காதலிக்க ஆரம்பிக்க, அந்தக் காதலை மெயிண்டெயின் பண்ண விக்ரம் பிரபு அங்கே தங்க, ஒரிஜினல் கும்கியானையாக பயிற்சிவிக்காத யானையை வைத்து காட்டு யானையை கொன்றார்களா? விக்ரம் பிரபு லஷ்மியின் காதல் என்னவாயிற்று? என்பதுதான் கதை. இன்ஸ்பிரேஷன் (உனக்கு மனசாட்சியே இல்லயா? அகிராவின் படத்தோடு எல்லாம் இதை கம்பேர் செய்கிறாயே என்று கேட்பவர்களுக்கு சாரி.. சட்டென ஞாபகம் வந்திருச்சு அதான்.)
விக்ரம் பிரபு கட்டுமஸ்தாக இருக்கிறார். க்ளோசப்புகளில் அவரின் நாசி புடைப்பதை பார்க்கும் போது மெல்ல நடித்துவிடுவார் என்கிற நம்பிக்கையிருக்கிறது. இருந்தாலும் இப்படத்தில் நடித்து நிருபிக்க ஏதுமில்லை.யானை மீது ஏறிவருவதும், கொஞ்சம் கிரக்கமாய் பார்வை பார்ப்பதைத் தவிர, குரல் ஒரிஜினலாய் இருந்தால் ம்ம்ம்..ஓகே. லஷ்மி ஆதிவாசிப் பெண்ணாய் அழகாய் இருக்கிறார். இவருக்கும் பெரிதாய் நடிக்க ஏதுமில்லாவிட்டாலும் இவரது பெரிய கண்கள் பல இடங்களில் கொஞ்சுகிறது. ஆனால் பத்தாப்பூ படிக்கிற பெண் என்கிறார்கள் இடுப்பையும் பிருஷ்டத்தையும் பார்தால் பயமாய் இருக்கு. இயக்குனர் இவர்களை விட அதிகம் நம்பியிருப்பது தம்பிராமையாவைத்தான் என்று தெரிகிறது. அவர் நம்பிக்கையை தன் தும்பிக்கையா நினைத்து படம் நெடுக பேசிக் கொண்டேயிருக்கிறார். சமீப காலங்களில் இவரது ஓவர் டயலாக் ஒத்துவரவே மாட்டேன் என்கிறது. அதே நேரத்தில் கும்கியானை இல்லை என்று தெரிந்துவிட்டால் நம்மை பதம் பார்த்து விடுவார்களே என்று பயத்தில் அமைதியாய் இருக்க, அதை பார்த்த ஊர் மக்கள் இவரை ஆஹா ஓஹோவென புகழ இவர் பயந்து நடுங்குமிடம் நல்ல நகைச்சுவை. இதிலிருந்தாவது அடுத்த படங்களில் இவர் அதிகம் பேசாமல் இருந்தால் நன்றாக இருக்கும் என்பதை புரிந்து கொள்வாராக. மைனா இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் இதில் காட்டிலாக்கா அதிகாரியாய் வந்து அவ்வப்போது முறைக்கிறார் அதைத் தவிர வேறேதும் செய்யவில்லை.
படம் ஆரம்பித்து காட்டுக்குள் போன மாத்திரத்தில் நம்மை விஷுவல் ப்யூட்டியினால் சுகுமார் கட்டிப் போடுகிறார். அற்புதமான வைட் ஷாட்டுகள், அண்மையிலும் அண்மையான க்ளோசப் காட்சிகள் என்று அவர் ஒர் புறம் நம்மை வசீகரிக்கிறார் என்றால் இன்னொருபக்கம் இமான் தன் அருமையான ட்யூன்களால் நம்மை கட்டிப் போடுகிறார்.அய்யய்யோ.. , எப்ப புள்ள சொல்லப் போறே, ஓண்ணும் புரியலை, சை..சை.. ஆகிய பாடல்கள் ஹிட்லிஸ்டில் இருக்கு, பல இடங்களில் இளையராஜாவின் இம்பாக்டில் பாடல்களையே பின்னணியிசையாய் அமைத்திருப்பது சுவாரஸ்யம்.
காட்டு யானையின் ப்ரச்சனை, போலி கும்கி யானை, அதன் பாகன் கேரக்டர் ஆறிமுகம். கிராமத்து ஆட்கள், காட்டு யானைப் பற்றிய பில்டப், மொக்கையான பாகன் அஸிஸ்டெண்ட்டை ஊர் மக்கள் ஏற்றிவிட்டே கதறவிடுவது, லஷ்மியை பார்த்த மாத்திரத்திலேயே காதல், என்று சுவாரஸ்யமாகவே போகிறது. இடைவேளைக்கு பிறகுதான் குழப்பமே.. இவர்களுக்குள் காதல் இரண்டாம் பாதியில் தான் வருகிறது. அதுவும் கிட்டத்தட்ட க்ளைமாக்ஸின் போது. அது வரை யானையை கும்கியாக்க முயற்சிக்கும் பயிற்சி, தூரத்திலிருந்து பார்ப்பது, பாட்டு பாடுவது, போனுக்கு சார்ஜ் போடுவது என்று விக்ரம் பிரபு அலைந்து கொண்டிருப்பது போல படமும் அலைந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது. காமெடி என்று தம்பி ராமையாவையே பேசியே திரைக்கதையை அதிலும் பல இடங்களில் மைண்ட் வாய்ஸிலேயே ஓட விட்டிருப்பது எரிச்சலாக இருக்கிறது. அதிலும் பல இடங்களில் அவர் பேசும் ஆங்கிலம் ரொம்பவெ ஓவர்.
காதலுக்கு ப்ரச்சனை வந்தவுடன் அட இப்போதாவது ஆரம்பித்ததே என்று நிமிர்ந்து உட்காரும் போது, மாபெரும் புயலிலாலேயே சாய்க்க முடியாத மரத்தை ஒத்தையானையாய் சாய்த்ததை காட்டி இன்னும் பில்டப் ஏற்ற, மாபெரும் யானை ஏதோ ஒன்று வரப் போகிறது என்று பார்த்தால் படு சுமாரான படத்தில் வரும் கோயில் யானை மாணிக்கம் ரேஞ்சுக்கு ஒரு சிஜி யானை வர, அதனுடன் சிஜி மாணிக்க யானை சண்டையிடுவதை பார்க்கும் போது ஏன் நல்லா செலவுப் பண்ணித்தான் செய்யறது. என்ன அவசரம்?. படத்தின் உயிர்நாடியே இந்த யானை ஃபைட்தான் எனும் போது அதற்கு மெனக்கெட வேண்டாமா? ராமநாராயணன் ஒர் படத்தில் யானையை கிரிக்கெட் எல்லாம் விளையாட வைப்பார். அதுவே ஒரு மொக்கை சிஜி என்றால் இது அதை விட மொக்க சிஜி. வித்யாசமான படத்தை தருவதாய் நினைத்துக் கொண்டு, ஹீரோவின் காதலையும், அவனையும், அவனை சார்ந்த்வர்களையும் படம் பார்க்கும் ரசிகர்களையும் அம்போவென விட்டுவிட்டு எ பிலிம் பை பிரபு சாலமன் என்று போடுவது நெம்ப மோசம் சாரே..
indianmirror.com -'Kumki was a wonderful experience'
'Kumki was a wonderful experience' |
India December 14(IM):This Friday is a historic moment.
Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan's grandson, Vikram Prabhu, Prabhu's son, makes his on-screen debut in Kumki. This movie is presented by Thirrupathi Brothers' N Lingusamy and produced by N Subash Chandra Bose.
It is released by Studio Green K E Gnanavelraja. In the Prabusolomon-directed Kumki, Vikram shares screenspace with Lakshmi Menon and Manikkam, the elephant.
How has his debut flick shaped up? Vikram says, "Kumki has been a wonderful experience to me. We have shot in spectacular locations for the film. Shooting for the flick was physically tiring. I lived a different lifestyle during the making of the film. I had to run barefoot in the forests, tame an elephant and trek gigantic mountains during the shoot.
When I saw the outcome, I was so happy. This is the magic of cinema and I understood it in my very first film itself." On playing the role of a mahout and forging a special relationship with the elephant, he says, "The character taught me a lot of patience, which is the most important aspect of a mahout.
I miss Manikkam now. He was incredible." So, is Vikram feeling the pressure of this momentous occasion? The actor says, "The pressure is very much on. All these days I was excited about the release. My fingers are crossed for a good response for my debut film. I have an added responsibility as I have come from a renowned film family. There are high expectations riding on me.
I hope I do not disappoint my grandfather's and my dad's fans."
Ask him how his family background helped him bag Kumki and he says, "My family tag helped me for the first step in films. But I know only my hard work and talent will take me further from here." Vikram recently met Rajinikanth at his residence. He says, "Rajini sir has always been very supportive. I met him on his birthday and got his blessings for my debut film. He wished me wholeheartedly for Kumki's success."
Rediff.com - Review: Kumki is brilliant
Review: Kumki is brilliant
December 17, 2012 10:30 IST
A film about the emotional bond between a mahout and his elephant, Pavithra Srinivasan says that Kumki is an unforgettable ride through the wilds of Tamil Nadu's virgin forests.Viewers who welcomed his Myna might have expected him to fall into the 'great anticipation' trap with Studio Green and director Lingusamy's Kumki, but thankfully, both for our sakes and his, Prabhu Solomon has managed to avoid the trap and deliver a beautiful love story in the wild.
Besides the hero, there are two others who walk away with the honours in this film: the elephant Manickam around whom the film revolves, and cinematographer R Sukumar, who brings us the visual treat of the Theni Hills.
The simple story is about a mahout Bomman (Vikram Prabhu) who comes to the wild, untamed, and beautiful forests of Adhi Kadu (in the region of Panimalai, Marthandam), to prevent the attacks of a wild elephant known as Komban who has been causing devastation in the area.
In the first scene we are introduced to the mammoth destruction wrought by the elephant and this sets the tone for the first half.
The twist in the tale is that while Bomman has brought his trained elephant Manickan and his assistants (Thambi Ramaiah and Aswin) to guard the villagers' harvests and fend off the wild elephant, they know that Manickam is not really a fierce animal capable of teaching Komban a lesson. Manickam is, in reality, very timid, even shying away from breaking coconuts!
Bomman has no intention of carrying on his charade for more than two days, but something happens to change his mind: Alli (Lakshmi Menon), the daughter of the chieftain Mathaiyan walks into his line of sight, and life changes completely.
His attraction for her forces him to stay on in the village that expects him to save them from a gory death and provide them a safe harvest. But Bomman has no idea how he is going to do this.
The visuals are astounding. D Imman scores with melodious songs such as Onnum Puriyalai, Sollitaale Ava Kaadhala and Ayyayyyayo Anandhame, which work perfectly with the movie and linger on in memory.
Vikram Prabhu does a good job in his debut film, and seems at ease with his elephant. Their scenes together work well, which is important since their relationship is the focal point of the movie.
Lakshmi Menon looks fresh-faced and plays her part well. Plenty of screen-space has been given to Thambi Ramaiah, who scores with his comic one-liners, although these get repetitive after a while.
Credit undoubtedly goes to Prabhu Solomon for picking a storyline that catches our interest, and sustains it. The lives of tribal villagers with almost no contact with the outside world, is depicted convincingly.
This isn't to say that Kumki is completely without faults. The second half of the movie loses its momentum a little, walking away from the Komban storyline and focusing almost exclusively on the romance, which seems to dilute the proceedings.
More attention to how Bomman deals with the menace of wild elephants might have been more interesting.
The dialogues, songs, Sukumar's cinematography and the plausible storyline all come together to make an interesting film set in a wonderful location. A must-watch.
Rediff Rating:
Friday, 4 January 2013
Superwood.com -Kumki telugu - Collections is 30.31 Crores
http://superwoods.com/news-id-gajaraju-collections-gajaraju-box-office-collections-31-12-125017.htm
Vikram Prabhu has given a convincing performance. He is a perfect fit to Boppanna, His understanding with the elephant is absolutely amazing. Lakshmi Menon is like a breath of fresh air. She is an actress to watch out for. Thambi Ramaiah is an absolute treat to watch. This National Award winning actor is more than just a supporting cast. He has given a brilliant performance. The others in the cast have given able support.
Gajaraju 1st Day Collections is 3.65 Crores
Gajaraju 2nd Day Collections is 3.75 Crores
Gajaraju 3rd Day Collections is 3.10 Crores
Gajaraju 4th Day Collections is 2.90 Crores
Gajaraju 5th Day Collections is 3.05 Crores
Gajaraju 7th Day Collections is 2.90 Crores
Gajaraju 8th Day Collections is 2.71 Crores
Gajaraju 9th Day Collections is 2.65 Crores
Gajaraju 10th Day Collections is 2.60 Crores
Total Collections is 30.31 Crores
"Kumki' becomes a Huge Blockbuster Super Hit
| ||||||||
IBN live 'Kumki' earns Rs 8.51 crore in three days
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-romanticdrama-kumki-earns-rs-851-crore-in-three-days/311076-71-180.html
Tamil romantic-drama 'Kumki' earns Rs 8.51 crore in three days
Chennai: Debutant Vikram Prabhu's Tamil romantic-drama 'Kumki' has raked in Rs 8.51 crore at the box-office in the first three days in Tamil Nadu.
"The film (Kumki) collected Rs 8.51 crore at the box-office in Tamil Nadu in the first three days, making it a dream start for debutant Vikram Prabhu," Trinath, trade analyst, told IANS.
Directed by Prabhu Solomon, 'Kumki', which came out Dec 14 and hit over 1,000 screens worldwide, shows how a mahout and his elephant help farmers in driving away wild elephants in their village.
Besides Vikram Prabhu, it also stars Lakshmi Menon, Thambi Ramaiah and Asvin Raja in the lead.
Shot in exotic locales of Karnataka and Kerala, 'Kumki' was dubbed in Telugu as 'Gajaraju', but didn't release on the same day due to lack of screens. The film, produced by Thirupathi Borthers, has music by D Imman and cinematography by Sukumar.
Behindwoods Review Board - kumki
KUMKI MOVIE REVIEW
Release Date : Dec 14,2012
Review by : Behindwoods Review Board
CAST AND CREW
2
Prabu Solomon’s latest release Kumki introduces two bright young talents in Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon. Thambi Ramaiah also adds weight to the cast with his presence as a character actor.
At the start of the movie we are told that Kumki is actually an elephant that is used to tame wild elephants and send them back to the forests.
Aadhi Kadu is one such village that is forced to seek the services of a Kumki till their harvest, after a wild elephant named Komban goes on a rampage and kills three people. This village is bound by strict customs and rituals that are in place since 200 years.
Meanwhile, Bomman and his elephant Manickam are almost like brothers and Manickam is a nice gentle elephant that is primarily used during festivals for processions. Due to circumstances, Bomman volunteers to go to Aadhi Kadu with his elephant masquerading as a Kumki elephant. He is also smitten by Alli, a young girl in the village.
With the menace of Komban nearing and with the increasing trust and dependence that the village shows on him and his elephant, Bomman is caught in a difficult situation. His love also keeps intensifying on the other hand. How he handles this entire Catch 22 situation is the crux of Kumki.
First things first, the premise of Kumki is totally new. The lifestyle of a mahout and the information that is presented to us about wild elephants, kumki, their manners etc. is hitherto untold in Tamil cinema.
The film is brilliantly shot and the visuals are dream-like. Hats off to cinematographer Sukumar. The shots of Bomman taking pull-ups on his elephant’s tusks, the beautiful shots of the fully harvested sunflower fields and the jaw-dropping waterfalls shown in the Sollitaley number will stay with you for long. The pristine locales of Theni are such a lush treat to the eye.
Imman is the other hero of Kumki with all his numbers competing for top honors. Soi, Sollitaley, Ayyayo Anandhame and Nee Yeppo Pulla are strong contenders for being the song of the year. His menacing use of wind instruments in his re-recording is apt for the huge elephants on screen.
Lakshmi Menon shines in her natural portrayal and her ease at portraying even intricate expressions is a true gift. Thambi Ramiah is almost like the hero of the movie till the climax. His one-liners, gestures, reactions play to the gallery big time. It does get monotonous beyond a point as scene after scene is dominated by this free-spirited actor. The sidekick named Undiyal also provides some laughter with his dialogues.
Coming to Vikram Prabhu, he proves that he is indeed from the Sivaji Ganesan household in the intensely emotional scenes in the climax. He is also at ease portraying angst, gratitude and rage. His physique is a major plus and this hunk is sure to go places. He can be expected to carry on the Ganesan family lineage. One particular scene when he realizes how much trust and respect the village is having on him is a nice example of his merit.
On the downside, the film’s pace is steady and it doesn’t get racy till the end. The mandatory VFX shots dedicated to the action scenes featuring the elephants are sadly below-par and standout sorely. But, these blips aren’t major enough to affect the movie’s fortunes at the box-office.
Kumki should prove to be another jewel in Prabhu Solomon’s crown. His team’s work in giving us such a good looking film which also has its heart in place, is commendable. Kudos too, for the ending which doesn’t abide by commercial cinema’s unwritten rules.
At the start of the movie we are told that Kumki is actually an elephant that is used to tame wild elephants and send them back to the forests.
Aadhi Kadu is one such village that is forced to seek the services of a Kumki till their harvest, after a wild elephant named Komban goes on a rampage and kills three people. This village is bound by strict customs and rituals that are in place since 200 years.
Meanwhile, Bomman and his elephant Manickam are almost like brothers and Manickam is a nice gentle elephant that is primarily used during festivals for processions. Due to circumstances, Bomman volunteers to go to Aadhi Kadu with his elephant masquerading as a Kumki elephant. He is also smitten by Alli, a young girl in the village.
With the menace of Komban nearing and with the increasing trust and dependence that the village shows on him and his elephant, Bomman is caught in a difficult situation. His love also keeps intensifying on the other hand. How he handles this entire Catch 22 situation is the crux of Kumki.
First things first, the premise of Kumki is totally new. The lifestyle of a mahout and the information that is presented to us about wild elephants, kumki, their manners etc. is hitherto untold in Tamil cinema.
The film is brilliantly shot and the visuals are dream-like. Hats off to cinematographer Sukumar. The shots of Bomman taking pull-ups on his elephant’s tusks, the beautiful shots of the fully harvested sunflower fields and the jaw-dropping waterfalls shown in the Sollitaley number will stay with you for long. The pristine locales of Theni are such a lush treat to the eye.
Imman is the other hero of Kumki with all his numbers competing for top honors. Soi, Sollitaley, Ayyayo Anandhame and Nee Yeppo Pulla are strong contenders for being the song of the year. His menacing use of wind instruments in his re-recording is apt for the huge elephants on screen.
Lakshmi Menon shines in her natural portrayal and her ease at portraying even intricate expressions is a true gift. Thambi Ramiah is almost like the hero of the movie till the climax. His one-liners, gestures, reactions play to the gallery big time. It does get monotonous beyond a point as scene after scene is dominated by this free-spirited actor. The sidekick named Undiyal also provides some laughter with his dialogues.
Coming to Vikram Prabhu, he proves that he is indeed from the Sivaji Ganesan household in the intensely emotional scenes in the climax. He is also at ease portraying angst, gratitude and rage. His physique is a major plus and this hunk is sure to go places. He can be expected to carry on the Ganesan family lineage. One particular scene when he realizes how much trust and respect the village is having on him is a nice example of his merit.
On the downside, the film’s pace is steady and it doesn’t get racy till the end. The mandatory VFX shots dedicated to the action scenes featuring the elephants are sadly below-par and standout sorely. But, these blips aren’t major enough to affect the movie’s fortunes at the box-office.
Kumki should prove to be another jewel in Prabhu Solomon’s crown. His team’s work in giving us such a good looking film which also has its heart in place, is commendable. Kudos too, for the ending which doesn’t abide by commercial cinema’s unwritten rules.
Verdict: Kumki definitely lives up to the hype. It is a beautifully shot movie with good performances and an emotional core.
Sfiy.com - kumki no:1 collection of the year
| Wednesday, 26 December , 2012, 15:59 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)