Tamil Blu-Ray Wish List

[adept777]

Hey all, hope you're having a joyous long weekend so far (if you're in America).

So my blu-ray library is basically a bunch of English Movies(161) and one or two Tamil Movie. Mainly because there are no quality (movie) releases in Tamil language! Most of the available blu-ray titles as of now are "mass" but no class movies, though I do enjoy the mass every now and then, we need to encourage the "blu-ray" producers of Tamil Film Industry to produce classy and award winning movies. And who else to start with but Kamal Haasan!

IMO, Indian movies goers and producers/directors/actors appetite for quality films has been voracious thanks to this man! Arguably the best talent in the Indian movie firmament in the recent times. So, I would like to see some of his movies transferred to Blu-ray for us and the future generations to enjoy!

IMO, I will like to see almost all his movies on Blu-ray but I wanted to choose my five most favorite movies by him. A very difficult task, but just to start some activity I will stick to 5 so that others can join in this thread with their lists. So enjoy my list and present yours if you will..

1 - Apoorva Sagothararkal ( Dubbed in Hindi as Appu Raja) Released in 1989

This is the one movie which can be easily dismissed as yet another Revenge story but the slick screenplay and superb acting by Kamal Hassan ( triple roles including a role of dwarf ) elevated this movie to an all time hit.

The method by which Kamal acted as a dwarf is now currently taught in Pune Film Institute as a chapter such is its reach .

Directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Written by Panju Arunachalam, Screen played by Kamal Hassan and Music by Maestro Illayaraja.


2 - Sagara Sangamam (dubbed in Tamil as Salanki Oli) Released in 1983

Who can stop talking about the most handsome and perfect dancer, Kamal Hassan. When his dance movie “Sagara Sangamam” released, boys and men were lining up to take dance lessons.

This cinema deals with the tragedies in the life of a talented dancer. Gorgeous Jayapradha stars against him in a love story that is absolutely touching. Kamal Hassan proved to all those parents who are afraid of their sons joining in dance studios that male version of classical dance is glamorous, masculine, tasteful and elegant. Even though he was trained in Bharata Natyam, in this film Kamal Hassan performs many other styles also.

Directed, Written & Screen played by K.Viswanath, Music by Maestro Illayaraja remains to be a mile stone in Kamal’s career.

3 - Devar Magan (Remade in Hindi as Virasaat) Released in 1992

Kamal teamed up with Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan to create an astounding village story of warring factions. This film is a treat to the eyes not only because of P.C. Sriram’s cinematography but also because of the presence of some of the best actors of the South.

The movie proves that cinema is a reflection of real life. This is a story that could happen in any Indian village.

Directed by Bharathan, Written & Screen played by Kamal Hassan, Cinematography by P.C. Sriram, Music by Maestro Illayaraja.

4 - Moonram Pirai (Remade in Hindi as Sadma) Released in 1982

Though titles "pirai" ( meaning the crescent phase of moon) undoubtedly shines as one of the brightest moons in the Tamil Film Industry!

Directed, Written, Screen play & Cinematography by Balumahendra, Music by Maestro Illayaraja.

5 - Hey! Ram released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000.

Hey! Ram is an important and must-see film, a visceral and visionary experiment in mainstream Tamil/Hindi cinema. The movie is a glimpse of yesterday, from a vantage angle, but a temporary height called today.

Directed, Written & Screen played by Kamal Hassan, Music by Maestro Illayaraja.

FYI - the list is not in any order, just 5 of my fav. Kamal movies I would like to see in Blu-ray! Thanks for reading and post your list and comments.

[adept777]

no one???

[tamil king]

Not intrested in these movies and these are too old, since these movies negatives might be damaged more than batsha

[raj1402]

forgot blurays of these movies u can at best expect a good dvd9 of these movies first!!!

[nishomac]

Hey ram ,you must be mad !!! Worst film ever !!!

[scorpion83]

Originally Posted by nishomac

Hey ram ,you must be mad !!! Worst film ever !!!

To each their own !!

Personally, I would buy this in a heartbeat if it ever gets released !

[adept777]

Originally Posted by raj1402

forgot blurays of these movies u can at best expect a good dvd9 of these movies first!!!

I was just wondering about that, so are you telling me that even KamalHaasan the producer of some of his movies does'nt have a master copy? I just don't get it!!!

Can someone here who has the contact find out for sure? It is sad that films produced in the late 80s and early 90s can't be re-released in a good format!!! WTF!

[adept777]

Originally Posted by nishomac

Hey ram ,you must be mad !!! Worst film ever !!!

It is just my top 5 favorite movies , you are more than welcome to post your top 5, I just wanted to create an interaction from fans to encourage blu-ray producers in our industry. And to get some talking going about the movies//

[pyramidUSA]

please send me a PM for all Pyramid AV titles- I might be able 2 help.

[raj1402]

Originally Posted by adept777

I was just wondering about that, so are you telling me that even KamalHaasan the producer of some of his movies does'nt have a master copy? I just don't get it!!!

Can someone here who has the contact find out for sure? It is sad that films produced in the late 80s and early 90s can't be re-released in a good format!!! WTF!

i am not saying they wont be having master copy or whatever
i am saying they dont care for dvd9 release itself and you expecting a bluray
all blurays releasing now are only with efforts taking by authoring company's like ayngaran Seyons Mosear bear and pyramid etc!!!

but yeah remember once kamal said we should take efforts to restore films in digital format not sure how fare that has gone!!!

[nishomac]

Originally Posted by adept777

It is just my top 5 favorite movies , you are more than welcome to post your top 5, I just wanted to create an interaction from fans to encourage blu-ray producers in our industry. And to get some talking going about the movies//

Sure bro it's a great idea.. Ok here's my top 5 :

MANKATHA
CHANDRAMUKHI
VETTAIYADU VILLAYADU
INDIAN
BILLA (2007)

[sunil83]

i am surprised that being a Kamal fan there is no mention of Nayakan or Kurudhi punal there.

You should be happy with a 4:3 VCD for Apoorva Sagothararkal,
Sagara Sangamam, Devar Magan and Moonram Pirai.


More chance of Marudhunayagan releasing than these movies on Blu Ray :P

[pyramidUSA]

@sunil83 - Pyramid is remastering most of the Kamal films for blu ray- no release date yet. email us for details.

[sunil83]

Originally Posted by pyramidUSA

@sunil83 - Pyramid is remastering most of the Kamal films for blu ray- no release date yet. email us for details.

hey thats cool...

What source are you guys using - the pyramid Dalapati DVD has Audio sync issue - its out by a 1 second or 2. Bought 2 copies and both have the same issue. The Moser Baer version has the same issue as well. The Raj Video Vision version is fine but there is a massive watermark like an ugly pimple on a face that spoils the experience.

Nayagan - another pet peeve.. The Scene where the police commissioner comes to meet Kamal is horrible and that is a compliment.

Will these be fixed in the blu rays.

Agree when there is no release date - but has this processes already started yet.

Also are there any Pyramid DVDs still floating around ?

[pyramidUSA]

please visit pyramidtalkies.com for ALL pyramid AV titles- email us for special orderS!

[adept777]

Originally Posted by pyramidUSA

@sunil83 - Pyramid is remastering most of the Kamal films for blu ray- no release date yet. email us for details.

Thanks for the info, it is much appreciated. I have a few questions and request at the same time. Is there a list of movies(kamal's) that you guys are remastering? I would like to see the list if possible, second will it be a true remaster from Master? for example will you guys be scanning the original 35mm footage, and re-creating the original colors/effects in high definition? Will it be a full 1080p with at least a 5.1 DTS audio reconstructed from the original track?

And the MOST IMPORTANT question in regards to Apoorva Sagothararkal, will you be cutting all most all the first few scenes of the movie citing censor?? If so please don't release the movie as it does not do ANY JUSTICE to the film! Please please please consider the director/writers point of view and the importance of those scenes with Father Kamal before the titles, it is very crucial that you guys don't cut the scenes.

Thank you for listening to me.

[adept777]

Originally Posted by sunil83

i am surprised that being a Kamal fan there is no mention of Nayakan or Kurudhi punal there.

You should be happy with a 4:3 VCD for Apoorva Sagothararkal,
Sagara Sangamam, Devar Magan and Moonram Pirai.


More chance of Marudhunayagan releasing than these movies on Blu Ray :P

this is just my top 5 list man, but I do love all most all his movies And personally I feel Nayakan is not one of Kamal's best. IMHO! Kurthipunal is def. a good one.

[adept777]

Originally Posted by raj1402

i am not saying they wont be having master copy or whatever
i am saying they dont care for dvd9 release itself and you expecting a bluray
all blurays releasing now are only with efforts taking by authoring company's like ayngaran Seyons Mosear bear and pyramid etc!!!

but yeah remember once kamal said we should take efforts to restore films in digital format not sure how fare that has gone!!!

Yeah, I get what you mean.. but here is me just hoping to encourage them folks to make that change..

And yes, Kamal has been saying that for a few now.. I just hope he will be that change soon!

[sunil83]

Originally Posted by adept777

this is just my top 5 list man, but I do love all most all his movies And personally I feel Nayakan is not one of Kamal's best. IMHO! Kurthipunal is def. a good one.

I will tell you my list of the top of my head..

Nayakan - Hands down winner for me. I reckon Kamal actually ghost directed the movie :P

Michael Madan Kamarajan - Crazy mohan and Kamal hassan the heroes of the movie.

Kuridhipunal - Bold move by the legend of indian cinema to make a movie with no songs. PC Sriram's camera moves like a snake.

Hey Ram - Definitely one of his most underrated movies. How authentic are the sets they built.

Pushpak - Words wouldnt do justice to it - probably why there are no words in the movie at all :P

Kathala Kathala, Panchatantiram, Avvai Shanmuggi - shows the great man's talent for Comedy.

[ravenus]

Ah well, I don't mind making a "Kamal films I like" post although I highly doubt most of these are going to make it to any HD format. I don't care for most of his latter day films as he has stopped working with strong directors and works more with chamchas whose brief is to put him in front of the camera as much as possible.

1. Varumayin Niram Sivappu - Great Balachander flick.
2. Sivappu Roja - Fantastic serial killer film. To me more effective than horror flicks like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The Hindi version with Rajesh Khanna was also nicely done (same director Bharatiraaja).
3. Pushpak - Amazing film with some truly genius sequences. Kamal also puts in an admirably restrained performance, something of a rarity in his latter day career.
4. Oru Kaidhyin Diary - Another Bharatiraaja exploitation classic with Kamal playing a restrained vigilante father and a loudmouth cop son. Amitabh also did a good job in the Hindi remake Aakhree Raasta
5. Dasavataram - I don't care for most of Kamal's later films but here he takes his narcissism to glorious heights, and it's hilarious Besides which other movie do you get to see Mallika Sherawat banged about by an elephant, impaled on a spike and THEN shot in the head?