It is only today we have many film reviewers who by the instrument of social media, are able to voice out reviews of films they watch.
Back then, the much coveted Ananda Vikatan was the IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes of Tamil cinema.
If a film had crossed even 50/100, it would be hailed as a piece of amazing cinema.
In a review that has since become legendary for its prescience, the Ananda Vikatan review committee delivered a mixed but critique of Mani Ratnam’s 1987 classic “Nayakan,” which insulted composer Ilaiyaraaja’s music saying it would be overshadowed by the film’s other technical achievements.
The review, recently resurfaced, lavished praise on the film as a “powerful brand in Tamil,” commending director Mani Ratnam for his work. It particularly highlighted the cinematography by P.C. Sriram, noting that his camera wonderfully captured a range of moods from “sadness, joy, [to] aggression” and was “catching up with the ranks of international experts.”
The critics reserved significant acclaim for Kamal Haasan’s iconic performance, describing his role as the ‘Godfather’ as a wonderful opportunity for the actor to “underplay” and showcase his “histrionics even through facial movements.”
The review also pointed out specific narrative strengths and flaws, praising the “touching” subplot involving the son of a murdered police officer but criticizing the “poor selection” of an actor who did not resemble the child version of the character.
However, the review offered a critique of the film’s musical score. While acknowledging the milestone of it being Ilaiyaraja’s 400th film, the review starkly declared that amidst the film’s “sets, taking, color, [and] richness,” the maestro’s music “disappears without a trace”.
This is how Vikatan had insulted Ilaiyaraaja in the interview:
“This is Ilaiyaraaja’s 400th film it seems! Amidst the film’s set, taking, colour, and richness, Ilaiyaraaja’s music disappears without a trace! Poor thing!”, wrote Vikatan.
Apart from the 60 marks & few good points, such an immature review of #Nayagan by @vikatan -Revealing the entire climax &berating Ilayaraja! pic.twitter.com/wRBEdmUGYY
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) October 22, 2016
Yes, these were the words for the Nayakan’s music which still ranks as one of the top works of Ilaiyaraaja with the Thenpaandi Cheemaiyile song and the flute theme standing as evergreen.
This critique stands in dramatic contrast to the maestro’s current moment. Ilaiyaraaja recently made headlines worldwide with his first English classical symphony No 1 “Valiant”, a monumental orchestral work that showcases the very complexity and grandeur of his musical genius.
Far from “disappearing”, the maestro’s music is now being celebrated in concert halls, being dissected and appreciated as standalone art of the highest order, independent of the cinematic visuals it once accompanied.
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