The Curtain Falls with 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein': 6th Jagran Film Festival, 1st to 5th July, 2015

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Closing Film of 6th Jagran Film Festival

All good things come to an end, though temporarily; when it ends a void is created - you start missing the best movies, meetings and interactions with film personalities and movie buffs like you. The 6th Jagran Film Festival ended with the screening of film 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' by Director Nila Madhab Panda. It was well attended by the delegates and its star casts along with the rest of the team of 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein'.

Prashant, the DGM Jagran Brand

Prashant, the DGM Jagran Brand, welcomed everyone and said that he was very happy with Delhi this year, particularly in comparison to his last five years of experience. He said he was personally overwhelmed by the tremendous response and attendance Jagran Film Festival received this year. He said more than 18000 cinema lovers attended the five-day film festival with 80-90% occupancy. He also added that the response received has motivated the team to showcase more regional films next July, 2016 during the 7th film festival. The announcement received cheers from the delegates assembled.

Manoj Srivastav, the Strategic Consultant of Jagran took over from him and shared that the film festival screened 105 films during this five-day fest and their next destination is Lucknow and Kanpur. He said the journey of this film festival shall culminate in Mumbai, where the Board of Jury will declare the awards under 16 categories. The Jury Members are renowned film editor Sreekar Prasad, ad-director and cinematographer Mahesh Aney, music sensation Udit Narayan, Bollywood filmmaker Pooja Bhatt and the Malayalam film icon and the chairman of the Jury Hariharan.

Manoj Srivastav, the Strategic Consultant of Jagran

Manoj in his address also said that he was very happy to screen 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' as the closing film of 6th Jagran Film Festival because last year they chose the film 'Water' and the group has taken the social cause of water scarcity in our country seriously. And 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' is the natural choice that comes to one's mind to generate awareness about how valuable 'water' as a resource is to survive on this planet.

Vinod Srivastav, General Manager Jagran Prakashan

Vinod Srivastav, General Manager Jagran Prakashan, felicitated the the team of 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' on stage. Veteran actors like Saurabh Shukla, Gulshan Grower, the film Director Nila Madhab Panda, the lead actor Kunal Kapoor were felicitated. The lead actress Radhika Apte was missed by the delegates and it was also raised by one of them. The Director shared that Radhika wanted to come but then she had a play in Mumbai. The film is scheduled to be released across the country on 21st August, 2015.

Nila Madhab Panda, the Director of 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein'

Nila Madhab Panda, the Director of 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein', said that the film is the story of a village in western Odisha, where the villagers had almost lived for three decades struggling with water scarcity. He said that he has dealt this story in a satirical manner and hoped that the audience will love the film.

Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover, popularly known as the  bad man was applauded  the moment he took the podium to interact with the delegates. One could hear one of the audience say loudly 'The Bad Man'. Gulshan appreciated Jagran Film Festival for being one of the most unusual kind of film fest that has the courage to take films to those cities where big shows are not held so often. The group has dared to promote and help reach good movies to people. He shared that the film 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' is very important for him because it has a social cause. He also shared his experience of working with Nila Madhab Panda for 'I am Kalam'. According to him, Nila Madhab Panda as a director has always tried to come up with socially relevant films.

Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover told the delegates that he was in LA last day and he was fortunate enough to be here to attend the fest because his shoot was wrapped up on time. He expressed his excitement to watch the film with all the delegates because he hasn't seen a single frame of the movie and therefore, it is too special for him to be here.

Saurabh Shukla

Saurabh Shukla, in his comical style asked to once again applaud for him on stage which generated laughter and people cheered for him. He said he is going to see the film for the first time after the shoot and therefore, it is like meeting your girlfriend for the first time and he is curious to know whether the girl likes him or not. Saurabh said he was busy shooting for Pk, Badlapur and for some other movies as well, eating, drinking, enjoying with co-actors and filmmakers- though all the experiences were good but 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' is the cherry on the cake for him. He said it is because Nila Madhab Panda has picturized a true story of Orissa and he said that he believes the movie will catch the attention of the people.

Kunal Kapoor

Kunal Kapoor, the lead actor in this film, while interacting with the delegates hhared that 'Kaun Kitne Paani Mei' has been a really unique film for him too. He said it comes from a world Nila Madhab Panda has experienced and a world he has never seen before. So it is very special for him.

Divya Dutta

Divya Dutta, who was there with Sreeram Raghavan at Jagran Film Festival for the screening of her film Badlapur, was asked by Vinod Srivastav to say a few words in regard to her experience with Jagran Film Festival. Divya Dutta told that she had travelled city to city taking films with Jagran. And she also said that she was happy personally to be associated with this kind of initiative. She ended her interaction with a beautiful shayari - "Jis raah mei kadam rakhe hi....'

Piyush Misra

Piyush Misra was also requested to say few words about his experience about the film festival. Piyush Misra was there to be part of his film's screening 'Playback Singer'. He in his activist and theatrical style said - "What can I say about being here, rather I am thoroughly enjoying(Bahut Mazaa aaraha hi). Inquilab Zindabad!" People urged him to sing but he humbly declined because he said he just sang in another hall for the audience after his film's (Playback Singer) screening.

Manoj, Gulshan, Nila, Saurabh, Kunal & Vinod

Vinod Srivastav in his thank you note reminisced the journey of Jagran Film Festival from the days of writing its happening on a white board to the present day. He was proud to be associated with this group since its beginning. He thanked all the delegates for promoting the the film festival and also wished them to have a very happy viewing of the 6th Jagran film Festival's closing film 'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' with its star casts.

'Kaun Kitney Panee Mein' is the story of two villages which were divided based on caste and its customs. Both the villages has a common story for their motive behind each act they do against each other and that is the merciless killing of two lovers - Lakshmi and Dora by the then ruthless king. It beautifully and satirically depicts the haves and have-nots fight for supremacy culturally and economically. Will history rpeat and if will there be any twist this time is something to be watched and relished in a nearby theatre when the film soon hits the theatres by next month.

Post Screening and Q & A Session

Prashant, Nila Madhab Panda (Director of Kaun Kitne Panne Mein), Me & Bindu

The entire star cast was there on the stage to answer questions raised by the delegates. There were less questions and more appreciation for the way Nila Madhab Panda and team handled the story.

The team also expressed wonderful bonhomie on stage, which was actually seen on screen and in the final outcome of the movie.

Screening: Badlapur

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There was100% occupancy in the auditorium to watch Badlapur. Most of them were repeat viewers.Sreeram Raghavan, the Director and Divya Dutta added more enthusiasm to the delegates.

Sreeram Raghavan & Divya Dutta

Sreeram Raghavan  said that he would like to watch the movie with the delegates first and then engage in Q & A session after the screening. Delegates seated in the balcony wanted him and Divya to meet them there, which was humbly declined and promised them that he shall do so after the screening.

Divya Dutta the ever smiling diva shared her happiness with the audience for loving her film Badlapur and thanked for all the appreciation received for the film. She also expressed her desire to watch the movie along with the audience.

Watching Badlapur with Sreeram Raghavan, Divya & Prashant

The film 'Badlapur' has powerful performances by Varun Dhawan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Raghu and Laik, respectively. Badlapur, which is reportedly based on a true story, see ace director Sreeram Raghavan's breathtaking depiction of the story. Divaya Dutta essays an NGO activist's role in the movie. In short, Badlapur offers the viewers cinematic excellence.

Screening: Play Back Singer

Image Courtesy: ksr-ugc.imgix.net

Piyush Mishra, a singer and a song writer in real life as well does 1005 justice to the character he plays in the movie 'Playback singer' directed by Suju Vijayan. He plays the character of Ashok, a Bollywood movie playback singer and also the father-in-law of a jungle-gym architect, Ray (Ross Partridge) who is married to his daughter Priya (Navi Rawat) settled in US. Ashok had sacrificed his personal life for his career but when his success didn't match his dreams, he was devastated. Why Ashok visits US? What happens when he starts staying with his daughter and son-in-law? Is he there to salvage the relationship with his daughter? Are some of the questions one would like to find answers when the movie releases in theatres soon. Watch Piyush Mishra's first Hollywood Movie and that too so powerfully and spectacularly performed.

Q & A Session and  Piyush even sang a song 'Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Jaye Tho Kya Hi"

Me, Piyush Mishra, Bindu & Prashant

Screening: Lajwanti

Image Courtesy: eclipsemagazine.com (Sanghamitra & Pushpender) 

Q & A Session : Pushpender Singh (Director of  Film Lajwanti)

Lajwanti is a film based on a folk tale by the legendary Rajasthani writer Vijaydan Detha. It is the story of a beautiful young married woman  Lajwanti (Sanghamitra Hitaishi) whose face is hidden behind her veil who falls in love with a stranger (an eccentric person in white robes and a turban, played by the director, Pushpender Singh, himself) with whom everyday her path crosses. The film is produced by Pushpender Singh and Sanjay Gulati. It was also screened in Berlin Film Festival (Forum).

Bindu, Sanjay Gulati (Producer of Lajwanti), Pushpender Singh (Director), Me & Prashant Sehgal (a filmmaker)

Meeting both of them after the screening and listening to their passion in making this film was quite inspiring. This movie is for those people who admires and love folk stories and also can enjoy an unusual kind of story telling which Pushpender Singh has developed as a story teller in this industry. I loved the movie thoroughly because it captures an unusual love story in the backdrop of Rajasthan's desert.

My experience

The 6th Jagran Film Festival was an amazing experience and journey for me. For me it was not just watching a couple of movies, it was experiencing the experience of people who had made such wonderful and thought provoking inspiring movies. It was having a varied genre of movies to watch, talk, debate and explore further with the very own makers and actors of the movies. The initiative to bring and promote meaningful movies should stay and grow more in the coming days. Moreover, the film festival also gave me a wonderful platform to find new friends who has common interests. Thank you Jagran. 

6th Jagran Film Festival, 1st to 5th July, 2015

Image Courtesy: http://jff.co.in/

6th Jagran Film Festival

The 6th Jagran Film Festival opened with the screening of film 'Masaan' by Director Neeraj Ghaywan. I feel that 'Masaan' being the 'The Opening Film' of the fest has set the right tone and mood for the whole event. The event is scheduled till 5th July, 2015. The festival is showcased based on the theme 'Happiness' and the organizers intend to take it to 17 cities over three months. So, it is time for cinema lovers to share and spread their happiness along with all the star cast and crews of various movies of all genre showcased during the fest. After a bagful of accolades for this film, when the star cast along with its makers and architects appeared on stage the jam packed theatre cheered making them know how proud they have made Indian Cinema and its audience in Cannes.

Inaugural Session

Ajay

Ajay Brahmatmaj introduced the star cast of Masaan one by one amidst thunderous applause from the audience. He said in his 20 years of journalistic life he had seen many come and go but only a few stay to tell their version emphatically. And among those few are Neeraj Ghaywan. He also said in his welcome speech that Anurag Kashyap, Neeraj Ghaywan, Sanjay Misra, and Richa Chaddha are among those few who are bringing in a kind of newness to Indian cinemas.

Sanjay, the strategic consultant of the event, on stage conveyed that internet has changed the world and cinemas. He said that the fest theme is 'Happiness' because cinema is about life and life is about happiness. Every film in one or the other way is in pursuit of happiness. He added that the fest with its unique and interesting bouquet of films is going to enthral the cinema lovers for sure.

Hariharan, Pooja, Sreekar

Udit Narayan

Ajay Brahmatmaj welcomed and felicitated the jury members - renowned film editor Shreekar Prasad, ad-director and cinematographer Mahesh Aney, music sensation Udit Narayan, Bollywood filmmaker Pooja Bhatt and the Malayalam film icon and the chairman of the Jury Hariharan.

John Degory, deputy spokesperson of US embassy, said that Indians  like Americans believe that cinemas are not just to entertain but are also meant to inform and create awareness on various socially relevant issues. He said his country is going to celebrate its birthday and he thanked Jagran Group for giving him and the cinema lovers such a wonderful gift of organizing a film fest like this. John Degory, picked the popular line from Bollywood movie Sholay- "Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Thodenge"!

Basant Rathore, the VP Brand Jagran, in his address shared with the audience that his group is going to reach more than 100 million audience through this Jagran Film Festival and asked the guests assembled to enjoy the 6th Jagran Film Festival.

Neeraj

Neeraj Ghaywan with great humility told the guests that Ajay has seen his journey in this industry from the sets of Gangs of Wasseypur to Masaan. He said that though we are moving ahead but are still locked by our traditions. Masaan speaks about this.

Rahul Ram & Nikhil

Indian Oceans' Rahul Ram and Nikhil brought loud cheers from the audience and Rahul Ram said that he is missing his other two friends of Indian Ocean who were not present. The audience were in splits when he said that his two colleagues (bechaare) were working and he and Nikhil were here to have fun.

Varun Grover

When the film's writer Varun Grover was welcomed by Ajay on stage, he said that Varun is the ' majbhoot neev' (strong foundation) of the movie Masaan. Varun was quick to share his sense of humour when he replied - "abhi thodi hi der mai pata chalenga ki neev kitni majbhoot hi'' (people will soon come to know how strong the foundation is).

The assembled guests gave a standing ovation to the makers and actors of 'Masaan' just before the screening and their applause was an indication of their belief that they are going to have a thumping good time watching Masaan.

Post Screening and Q & A Session

Q & A Session

Masaan truly enthralled the audience. What was promised was delivered, there was an upbeat to meet the stars and the makers of the movie. Richa Chaddha, Vicky Kaushal, Sanjay Misra, Shweta Tripathi, Writer Varun Grover, Director Neeraj Ghaywan, Rahul Ram, Nikhil and the Marketing-in-charge Ranjan (introduced as the Marketing Champion) were there on the stage to answer the queries of the guests.

Neeraj was asked how did he decide to cast Vicky Kaushal. Vicky said he was initially doubtful about he being part of the movie. Neeraj answered that Vicky was one of the ADs for Gangs of Wasseypur and he found him to fit the character 'Deepak' in Masaan. Neeraj also shared with the audience that the movie screened here in the Jagran Film fest is a Cannes cut film and the movie that shall release the Indian theatre on July 24th, 2015 shall have 9 more minutes of the story.

Neeraj also thanked his mentors by saying that what he has done till now, he has learnt from Anurag Kashyap and Vikram Motwane.

Vicky Kaushal

On being asked how challenging it was doing the role of 'Deepak', Vicky Kaushal said he belongs to a Punjabi family and is also a Mumbaiwala, and therefore, he had to understand the nuances and the minute details of the culture, customs and rituals of Banaras. He stayed there to learn the dialect because he knew that the film makers especially Neeraj was very particular about these things. He also said that as the story, character, and the whole course of the movie was so crystal clear, he didn't face challenge in getting into the skin of the character 'Deepak'.

Ajay, Richa & Sanjay Misra

Richa Chaddha was asked how much did she prepare to enact 'Devi'? Richa told the guest that Neeraj gave her dozen foreign films to see and observe how to express the pain, humiliation and boldness without being loud. Adding to that, she also said that she was in safe hands and therefore, it was easy for her to play the role of 'Devi'.

Sanjay Misra

Sanjay Misra witnessed tremendous love and adulations from the viewers. He was asked by a guest that how he deftly enacts varied characters like Vidhyadhar in every movie. He was also told that he was appreciated well for the role he played in Ankhon Dekhi. Sanjay Misra, said he was humbled by the love of the viewers. He said - "Main Zinda hun" (I am alive) that makes me perform and he looks into the eyes of his director and performs. He is indeed a man of less words but a powerhouse performer.

I asked Varun Grower, the writer, that what would have happened with the story if one of the love story depicted would have materialized in a caste, custom and tradition driven society like Benaras? I told him, may be that could have questioned and challenged the traditions head-on.

Varun's answer generated laughter and big applause when he said "Hum sequel ke zamane mai rehete hi" (we are living in the era of sequels, so wait and watch").  Varun was appreciated by the audience for his story. He told the audience that the original story started outside Benaras and then reaches the ghats and actually flowed and ends in Allahabad's sangam based on the natural course of river Ganga. But then there were some constraints and therefore, in the movie they opted to begin with Benaras and end in Allahabad's sangam. 

He was asked how he decided the title of the movie . He said 'Masaan' means crematorium and he chose this because the plot revolves around Benaras and its Ghat where corpse are burnt. Varun adding more fun to the Q & A session said that actually he had some other names which he was sure that the censor board would have never approved and that would have drawn unnecessary attention to other scenes and invited trouble. The audience cheered him when he quickly added - "you know that the Indian Censor Board is still a child even though everything and everyone around it has become adult (Grown up).

In short, the 6th Jagran Film Festival had an apt and thumping opening with a standing ovation before and after the screening of 'Masaan'. The edition of Jagran Film Festival will traverse from Delhi to cities like kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Dehradun, Hisar, Ludhiana, Patna, Ranchi, Janshedpur, Raipur, Indore, Bhopal and shall culminate in Mumbai.

With my blogger friends Murtaza & Bindu

With the Music Sensation Udit Narayan

And for me as a blogger and a film buff the opening day of the fest reminded me the popular number of the movie 'Shamitabh' - "Ishq fillum, junnoone fillum, hai darde fillum, davaa hi fillum, duvaa hi fillum... juma juma jahhazse fillum, hassi kushi ka hi raaz fillum, hi naaze fillum".

Interacting with Richa. She was fabulous as Devi in Masaan

With Vicky Kaushal

I had a great time interacting with Neeraj, Richa, Vicky, Sanjay Misra and the rest of the star cast of Masaan. Masaan is surely going to have jam packed theatres across the country, so go and book your tickets in advance. Share your 'Happiness' by taking someone dear to you to the nearest cinema hall.

 

Neeraj, Shweta Tripathi, Richa, Vicky, Pooja

Movie Review of Hola Venky

Image Courtesy: www.indigogo.com

The Story Frame

Hola Venky is the second film from the independent film maker Sandeep Mohan after his success with his first film, 'Love, Wrinkle-Free'. It is the story of Venkatesh, a techie, who is divorced and confused. He embarks on a journey forced by his boss to attend a training from Matunga in Mumbai to the Bay Area in San Francisco. In this quirky and amusing journey of Venky he comes across many odd situations where he is forced to relook and question certain traditional and so-called notions about manliness and life. It is definitely one of the most interesting and exciting indie movie to be released recently.

Cast: Roger Narayan (Venky), Sonia Balcazar (Inez), Giju John  (Kurian), Ashwin Mushran (Psychiatrist), Papiha Nandy, Karl Arana, Sanjeet Dutta, Daikin, Geeta Singh, Sachin G, Sanjeet H, Michelle Lam, Juliette Donahue, Roma Bhansali, Kristen Nolan, Audra Baker

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Language: Hinglish

Story: Sandeep Mohan

Director: Sandeep Mohan

Producers: Giju John

Music: Vivek Philip

Film Editing by: Shreyas Beltangdy

Cinematography: Prashant Sehgal

Visual Effects: Vijesh Rajan, Aditya Tawde

Sound Department: Subir Kumar Das, Avantika Nimbalker, Ravi Dev Singh

Online Release: 2nd April, 2015

Duration: 88 minutes

Reviewer's Thumb Mark

Independent filmmaker, Sandeep Mohan, and his three member crew undoubtedly wins the viewers on to their side starting from the groin tirelessly and happily to their heart. They have successfully woven a beautiful romantic comedy with a shoe-string budget of Rupees 10 lakhs only. Hole... Holy... Hola... oops... typographical error; this is something similar to what Venkatesh aka Venky, the lead Protagonist of 'Hola Venky' go through in his life. A failed marriage, a sperm seeking 30 something workaholic fiancée, a forced corporate-training US trip and what not, Venky's life as a techie becomes a roller coaster ride for him.

According to Venky's psychiatrist, God resides in either of the three parts of human body - Brain, Heart or Groin. Some people love from the brain, some prefer to love through their heart and some focuses on the groin. Venky believes that his 'God' rests in his groin. He follows the ritual of worshiping his God by lying down on the floor placing a jasmine flower on his Groin and cupping his palms around it making a heart shape to meditate in that position. These scenes are quite hilarious. It turns out to be more funny when you see in one of the scene where Venky not able to find a peaceful spot decides to lie down in a lavatory to do his meditation.

Hola Venky, a nice Indie Movie, is a fine take on funny perceptions and beliefs people hold about life. It is an introspective journey questioning many so-called notions. It is satirical of male chauvinism and depicts beautifully the fast-paced corporate life and how its ambitious lot think about the institution of marriage and how they handle love in their life. There is a dialogue where Venky's retired dad tells that Venky is a man and he should be always on the Top (pun intended) and in another scene where the subtitles reads that Venky is ok now and enjoys life even when his wife prefers to be at the Top always (pun intended).

Sandeep Mohan (Director), Prashant Sehgal (Cinematographer) & Giju John (Producer)

Watch Hola Venky to know about the quirky and amusing journey of a techie from his groin to his heart. What happens to Venky's life when he loses 2% of his 'God' and how Mariachi music helps him to focus on his heart replacing Jasmine with Dahlia flower as offering to his God. Prashant Sehgal's cinematography is commendable and worth mentioning. To watch Hola Venky online click the link below and enjoy the journey from Matunga to San Francisco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw87cYfrdyE

Life Connoisseur Movie Rating:  3.5/5

Movie Review of Kaaka Muttai (Tamil)

Courtesy :http://telugnet.na1381756400.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Kaaka-Muttai-Tamil-Movie-Re.jpg 

The Story Frame

Kaaka Muttai is a Tamil Movie by a debutant director M. Manikandan who tells the story of two street urchins who longs to savour the steaming hot pizza one day. They live in a tiny concrete-and-tin dwelling in a slum in Chennai along with their mother and granny. Like any other children of their age, they too have their desires and demands - to have a mobile, a TV, and a steaming hot pizza they happened to see on TV - unaware and least bothered that both the women in their life can't afford to fulfill their small but costly demands. Actor Dhanush and filmmaker Vetrimaaran are the co-producers and Fox Star India the distributor. The film had its world premiere in the 39th Toronto International Film Festival, September, 2014 and was released worldwide on June 5th, 2015. It has won a string of awards - National Film Award for Best Children's Film and Ramesh and  Vignesh, the two lead characters were awarded as Best Child Artists, and  Audience Award at the Indian Film Festival Los Angeles.

Why Kaaka Muttai (Crow's Egg) has a significance as title and what makes the journey of these street urchins so touching and thought provoking is something to watch in a nearby theatre, that too with your family and kids for sure.

Cast: Vignesh (Periya Kaaka Muttai), Ramesh (Chinna Kaaka Muttai), Iyshwarya Rajesh  (Mother), Joe Malloori (Pazharasam), Babu Anthony (Pizza Spot Owner), Silambarasan (as himself in a cameo), Ramesh Thilak, Yogi Babu, Krishnamoorthy

Genre: Drama

Language: Tamil (With English Sub Titles)

Story: M Manikandan

Director: M Manikandan

Producers: Dhanush & Vetrimaaran

Production Company: Wunderbar Films & Grass Root Film Company

Distributed by: Fox Star Studios

Music: GV Prakash Kumar

Film Editing by: Kishore

Cinematography: M Manikandan

Theatre Release: 5th June, 2015

Duration: 109 minutes

Reviewer's Thumb Mark

Kaaka Muttai speaks volumes of the social disparity through the eyes of Perriya Muttai and Chinna Muttai, the siblings who are the lead protagonists of the film. It is one of the most realistic film that has struck the right chord with the mass in India and abroad equally. The film and its debutant director is being highly appreciated for its wonderful depiction of the stark reality of life of people who live in the outskirts of the so-called society. It also shows how the politicians jump into the ring under the garb of seeking social justice to actually exploit the hapless by forging a nexus with the police system and the business class. The beauty of the movie is it depicts the story of each person and their class they represent without being judgmental and leave the viewers to ponder - who is right and who is wrong. The film doesn't indulge being preachy but takes us through an experiential journey to look beneath what we often see daily but fail to see what we need to see and understand. The movie brings you to cheers and at the same time it leaves you teary eyed. It makes you to introspect on which side of the fence you are - with Perriya Muttai and Chinna Muttai or on the other side - where the rich middle class boy who offers the leftover of his pizza to them. Is it sympathy, empathy or whether it is our act of making us free from guilt of being just spectators of the social vices we see and experience around? Perriya Muttai and Chinna Muttai is still there waiting on the other side of the fence looking at all of us for an answer.

Kaaka Muttai is a story of two siblings who make their living by toiling along the railway tracks collecting coal pieces that fall from the passing goods train. Their life in the slums, their relationship with other kids in their area, their rapport with their mother and granny, their ignorance about how hard their mother works to meet both the ends are all so beautifully captured that you fall in love with the characters and the filmmaker. The television advertisement that shows the mouthwatering steamy- hot pizza and how the siblings fall for it. How every act and talk of Perriya Muttai and Chinna Muttai's life becomes pizza-centric generates laughter but at the same time tugs your heart.

Ishywarya Rajesh has given a commendable and worth mentioning performance as a distraught mother caught between too many responsibilities of life in the absence of her husband who is in the jail's TB ward, taking care of her septuagenarian mother-in-law, her job and her two lovely brats.

Manikandan's cinematography is laudable, GV Prakash music is so apt to the scenes that it moves the viewers, and Kishore is adept in using his scissors well.

I am reminded what the Noble Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children's right activist and an activist against child labour has said - "India has hundreds of problems and millions of solutions".

In short, Kaaka Muttai shall provide us ample protein to ignite our heart and mind so do not miss it to see what Perriya Muttai and Chinna Muttai have in store for you. Be ready to get captivated by their stellar performances.

Life Connoisseur Movie Rating:  5/5