Kaantha (2025) Review: Selvamani Selvaraj’s Directorial Canvas Overview As a 15-year veteran blogger who’s tracked directors from indie debuts to studio epics, I approached Kaantha with curiosity and a critical eye. The film is a period drama-thriller set in 1950s Madras that examines mentorship, ego, and the fall of stardom through the fraught relationship between…
Phoenix (2025) Review: Anl Arasu’s Vision of Grit, Justice, and Redemption Having covered Tamil cinema for over 15 years, I’ve seen many debut directors attempt to balance emotion with action, but Anl Arasu’s Phoenix (2025) stands out for its intent and intensity. As a stunt master-turned-director, Arasu’s shift from physical choreography to narrative storytelling feels…
Madras Mafia Company (2025) Review: Director’s Vision Under the Streetlights Overview As a reviewer with 15 years covering South Indian cinema, I went into Madras Mafia Company expecting a standard gangster yarn. What A. S. Mukundan delivers is a focused, atmospheric study of power and place — less about spectacle, more about the moral weather…
Bison Kaalamaadan (2025) Review: Soundtrack & Production Deep-Dive Quick verdict As an 18-year veteran who’s followed production design and film scoring across Indian cinema, I found Bison Kaalamaadan a film of strong intentions and uneven execution. Rating (Production & Soundtrack): Category Score (out of 5) Production Design 3.5 Soundtrack & Score 3.0 Overall Production 3.2…
Middle Class (2025) Review: Director’s Vision Deep Dive You know that rare film that feels like a quiet conversation with your neighbourhood? Middle Class — directed by Kishore M. Ramalingam — does exactly that. As someone who’s covered films for 15 years and seen how small moments become cinematic statements, this one felt intentional and…
Kombuseevi (2025) Review: Ponram’s Directorial Vision You know that rare film where the director’s choices feel like a heartbeat under every scene? Kombuseevi (2025) is that for me. As a critic with 15 years covering South Indian cinema and over 500 films reviewed, I found Ponram’s directorial voice loud and specific here. Overview Ponram has…
Diesel (2025) Review — Cinematography & VFX Breakdown Quick hook You know that rare commercial Tamil action that aims for grit and scale? Diesel tries to be that — a thriller rooted in North Chennai’s diesel mafia, shot with widescreen ambitions. As someone who’s analysed cinematography in 100+ Indian films and studied Oscar contenders’ visual…
Vattakhanal (2025) Review: Pithak Pugazhenthi’s Gritty Director’s Vision Quick rating Aspect Score (out of 5) Overall 3.8 / 5 Director’s Vision (Pithak Pugazhenthi) 4.0 / 5 This rating’s personal — could change on a director’s cut. One-line hook You know that rare film where the director treats a crime saga like a character study? Vattakhanal…
Cristina Kathirvelan (2025) Review: Director’s Vision & Debut Flourish Overview As a reviewer with 15 years of watching directors grow, I find Cristina Kathirvelan a confident debut from SJN Alex Pandian. The film is a rural romance that balances social friction and quiet emotion with an assured visual language. Release: November 7, 2025. Star Ratings…
DC (2026) Soundtrack & Production Review: Mood, Muscle, and Mad Love You know that rare film where the mood hugs you first and the story whispers later? DC feels exactly like that—an action romance dipped in shadow, stitched with longing. As a reviewer who’s covered 500+ films over 18 years, I walked out thinking: this…