Indians & AdHoc Videos

On my drive to work today morning, I heard a discussion that was happening on THR Ragaa today morning. The topic in place was something to do about Indians and making videos and going viral on social issues or something in that line. This topic brought up mainly due to a couple of viral videos which has been going around Facebook and Whatsapp especially on the whole spray and Thaipusam event

Current "Sensation" Issue

This whole topic got my head thinking and wondering why all of this is actually happening. I've have noticed for a long time through my medium of social media that whenever there is a "hot" or "viral" issue going on, you would see a series of video suddenly going viral.

Example of A Video Screen Shot

Generally this videos would be a solo video, mostly being shot in their car and or in their room. They see themselves as "The Voice Of The People". They will go on either condemning the issue or justifying why is it not wrong to do so with full of passion and emotion. This videos would than be shared multiple times before it comes to the hand of our multiple Facebook Moral Police Pages.

These moral police would than share it in a manner to spark more controversy and unhealthy arguments. Try reading the comments on this pages and you can see how degrading some individuals can be. This goes on until the original video poster either comes up with an apology video or until the hype dies of.

Example Of A Facebook Moral Police Page

To date I have never seen anything positive coming out from these videos. Social media is a powerful tool. It could be used in many ways. For example look at the whole Jallikattu issue. Through proper used of social media, they managed to highlight why it shouldn't be banned and rally proper support

Power Of Social Media Used The Right Way

Which got me wondering, if nothing good comes out from this videos, why do people keep doing them for every tom dick and harry issue. First thing hit my mind was simple, cheap publicity. The idea of having your video or name being spread around community can give you a sense of being famous

But remember people can be famous for 2 things, one for the wrong stupid reason and two for the right purposeful reasons. Sadly those adhoc videos only makes you famous for the wrong reasons. You end up being insulted and become a victim of cyber bullying.

Stats On Cyberbullying

What actually allows these videos to have a big reach out is actually all those Facebook Moral Police Pages. I have been following a couple of those pages and all you get from this pages is that it is nothing more than a medium to brew hatred and cyber bullying. Again I have not seen any positive output or changing the community from these pages.

If you have time just go read the type of things being commented over there. It is just a bunch of people waiting to attack you, degrade you and bullying you. Anyone who tries to defend you will be attacked too. Those kind of pages needs to be rid off first. Cut the supply, and these nonsense will reduce and so will all those videos.

I am not telling you that you should never voice your opinions out. I think it is a good thing day by day more Malaysians are being vocal about things which doesn't satisfy them. But you got to do it in the right channel and in a proper manner with the proper tone. Instead of condemning and criticizing another person, try justifying why you are right without having the need to insult or criticize the other person.

Example Of A Proper Channel

Mingle with people in the right organization, ngo or article writers and voice your opinion on in such manner. That will have a larger and more positive impact to yourself and the people around you. Remember there is always two ways to deal with an issue. You can do it negatively with hatred or handle it positively and be wise.

Under The Spot Light: Bairavaa

This year's Ponggal turned out to be a special treat for Vijay fans, as the actor released his 60th film in his career in conjunction with this event in India. Vijay is one of the biggest actor in India and perhaps has the 2nd biggest fan base in India, only behind the great Thalaivar himself. So it is only natural that a Vijay movie generates a lot of hype, from both fans and haters. Let's dissect how Vijay 60th fared out in my opinion

Story Review

To sum it up, Bairavaa is a pakka commercial entertainer. The film's story will not create any magic neither will it wow you based on story brilliance or execution. The plot of the film is something you would have seen in countless other Tamil films, thus it is what makes it a commercial entertainer, because this kind of flow film has always worked with the Indian audience.

The film starts of with a mass/style entry of the film followed by an action block for the hero where he helps the weak and needy. This is followed by an opening advising song. Next the hero meets the heroine and it is almost instantly love at first sight. He tries to woo her together with a song sequence and soon after attempts proposes her. At this point we are almost mid of the film and the first half is blend together with a couple of comedy sequence between the hero and his friend.

As everything is smooth flowing and almost mid point, here comes the villain entry to turn the pace of the film and the whole direction of the film. A flashback scene comes in to set the structure for the second half and now the hero challenges the villain and wins the heroine. From here to the end of the film it is a cat and mouse game between the hero and the villain both going out to beat each other.in between this cat and mouse game comes a song between the hero and the heroine. As the hero is about to win, the villain will have an ace card to turn things his way, but than the hero bounces back and ends the villains chapter for once and for all. The end

By just reading that flow, a couple of other Tamil movies would have crossed your minds. It is a template that has been used over the years and it has proved to be successful with the audience depending on the director and the hero's presence.

Rating: 2.8/5.0

Director Review

Bharathan

When Vijay's 60th was announced to be directed by Bharathan, all my excitement as a Vijay faded. Bharathan was the same director who made his directional debut with Azhagiya Tamil Magan (ATM). After ATM was release, I was very much let down by Bharathan directional performance. Thus it was only natural I wasn't excited when I knew it was him he would be directing Vijay again.

The teaser also failed to create any hype for me and I kept my expectations at a very minimal in order to not get disappointed. As from the film, you could see that Bharathan chose a very safe script which he knew he can win with mass of the audience. Well played in that aspect.

If you were to really note, the flow between Bhairaa and Kathi doesn't differ too much. Both are an all out commercial entertainer, both involves a cat and mouse game between the hero and villain and both carried a strong social message. Yet Kathi felt so much better. I believe this is the difference between a talented director and an average director. Both has the same concept and flow but the execution is way different and you get two different feels. This is way Bharathan has to brush up.

Another area of improvement would be the utilization of his cast. Daniel Balaji should have been used more ruggedly, Satish should be more involved in the second half with Vijay and both Thambi Ramaiah and Sreeman should have more impact to the film

Rating: 2.4/5.0  

The Cast

Vijay

After Rajini, he is my favorite actor and it is for similar reasons. Both actors has such immense screen presence which can give goosebumps. Their solo scenes are amazing and both of them are at the top of their game when it comes to dialogue delivery and it is only both of them who can actually make work with a commercial entertainer concept film.

It was Vijay's performance that made Bairavaa worth the ticket money I paid. If it was some other actor I would be very much disappointed. His comedy timing, body language, action sequence was brilliant. It is no award winning performance nevertheless.When you want to do a film which is about the people's hero, Vijay is the man to go with. His performance in this film looks so effortless because the man is a natural in it. I wouldn't mind watching his scenes over again because he nails it with his screen presence

 Rating: 4.0/5.0

Keerthy Suresh

Her first ever movie which I watched was Thodari and ever since I have never liked watching her on the big screen. Yes she seemed to have many facial reactions, but I find her over doing it in her films which makes it annoying to watch.

Her performance here doesn't create any magic and infact in the whole flashback scene which took part with Vijay was so painful to watch. I was waiting for it to be over get film's focus back on Vijay. I didn't feel the chemistry between her and Vijay worked as well. She has alot of work to do to make her self one of the top actress in the industry and she has the time to do it still

 Rating: 2.2/5.0

The Music

Santosh Narayanan

When the album was released none of the songs turned my head. After watching the film my opinion did change. I think the opening song was good and the final song was good as well. the second song worked due to the way it was pictured

When it comes to hero's bgm, the combination between Santosh Narayanan and Arunraja Kamaraj are the best in the business at the moment. Their combo with Nerupu da for Rajini was perhaps the best in 2016 and with Varalam Vaa for Bairavaa they have recreated that magic again. Everytime that song/bgm was played with Vijay's screen presence it will hype you up. Credit to Santosh Narayanan and Arunraja Kamaraj for that and not to forget our fellow Malaysian Roshan Jamrock as well

 Rating: 3.3/5.0

Final Verdict: Bairavaa an all and out pakka treat for Thalapathy Fans

Final Rating: 2.95/5.0