Banner: Red Giant Movies, The Show People, Vasan Visual Ventures
Production: K. Srinivasan, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Aarya
Direction: Rajesh
Star-casts: Aarya, Nayanthara, Santhanam, ‘Naan Kadavul’ Rajendran, Chitra Lakshmanan, Subbu Panchu and others
Music:Yuvan Shankar Raja
Camera: Sakthi Saravanan
Editing: Vivek Harshan
Films patently based on comic quotients aren’t often in Kollywood and precisely making a hilarious entertainer turns to be the most speculative bet, a filmmaker can afford for. But Rajesh makes sure audiences are kept with great coolness and composure under strain. In fact his debut directorial ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’ was a blatant illustration for his motto. Nearly after a year, he strikes back with yet another entertainer ‘Boss Engira Baskaran’. Though not much exceeding your expectation levels as SMS, this movie has its own style of amusing the masses.
It’s hard to proceed with a comedy flick sans story and Rajesh has carefully handled screenplay in a nitty-gritty manner and assures of commendable entertainment.
The hilarious portions of Santhanam is the major plus while Aarya and Nayanthara are just mediocre.
Set in backdrops of Kumbakonam, Baskaran aka Boss (Aarya) leads a devil-may-care life. More arrears, jobless and such factors make his days grow unintentional. He falls in love with Chandrika (Nayanthara), a well educated post-graduate, whose elder sister (Vijayalakshmi) marries Boss’ elder brother (Subbu Panchu). Nalla Thambi (Santhanam) is often wretched with the friendship of Boss and yet stands by his side in times of distress. When Baskaran professes his love for Chandrika through her elder sister, oppositions takes in place on front place as his family members complain of his idleness and irresponsiblenesses. Rajnikanth’s challenge in Annamalai becomes Boss’ intentions as he challenges of making it bigger in life. Rest of the story is about the comical encounters of Baskaran and Nalla Thambi as they commence a tutorial school.
Aarya looks stylish, but is just passable with his experiment in comedy. Nayanthara could have worked on her makeovers. It would have been nice, if her looks of ‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini’ was sustained in this flick as well. All praises to Santhanam as his tremendous sense of humor with rib-tickling one- liners wins him applause. In fact, he has more prominence than the lead characters and Rajesh has utilized his presence in the best way.
Subbu Panchu as Aarya’s brother fits the role. Vijayalakshmi has made a come back and make her presence. Chitra Lakshmanan, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan and ‘ Naan Kadavul’ Rajendran have done what way have been told.
In terms of narration, the first hour proceeds with right momentum while it drops during the second half. Onscreen chemistry between Aarya and Nayan is completely missing.
Yuvan Shankar Raja disappoints with the background score. Except ‘Yaar Indha Penn’, nothing sustains into your senses. He keeps repeating the same percussions in background through second half. Sakthi’s Saravanan camera work is a manifestation of great visuals. Vivek Harshan’s editing is okay.
Rajesh does everything that sets thing on right way, No matter of things dropping away during post-intermission sequences. Santhanam’s presence stands out the major reason of embellishing ‘Boss Engira Baskaran’ as entertainer.
Rajesh’s has missed packing a feel good family entertainer
What works: Santhanam, Camera
What doesn’t work: Onscreen chemistry between Aarya-Nayan, Music, Song, Climax
Verdict: Boss gets a ‘ Just Pass’
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Director Rajesh seems to have begun from where he left in ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’. Though he is just one-film old, he has almost mastered the knack of rendering a movie that oozes with energy, fun and laughter right from reel one to the last.
Humour is no easy job. It is a serious business. In ‘Boss Engira Baskaran’, the director and his team have emerged successful in coming out with an unpretentious entertainer, ably executed by a wonderful star cast – Arya, Nayanthara, Santhanam and Subbu Panchu among others.
It may be a simple storyline, but the way in which Rajesh approaches it makes the difference. His dialogues and screenplay are the backbone. Especially the one-liners by Santhanam no doubt brings the roof down in laughter. Arya is at his ease delivering a befitting performance, while Nayanthara sans much glamour is a treat to watch.
A callous youth is bitten by love bug. With the help of his friend, he goes hammer and tongs to climb the ladder of success in life. This is what ‘Boss…’ is all about. A shrewd Rajesh has made spoof of some contemporary films, added right commercial elements with humour as under current, and the end product, eventually, is impressive.
The whole story unfolds in Kumbakonam. At a time when most filmmakers go around Madurai with action-packed themes, ‘Boss…’ comes as a relief. Baskaran (Arya), affectionately called as Boss by friends is a happy-go-lucky youngster who strives hard to clear his arrear exams. For him the day starts in the company of Nallathambi (Santhanam), who runs a saloon. Boss’s family comprising his mom, elder brother Saravanan (Subbu Panchu) and sister lead a happy life.
Boss comes across Chandrika (Nayantara) and it’s love at first sight for him. Interestingly, she happens to be a trainee professor and Boss is caught by her while copying in an exam. Turn of events results in Chandrika’s sister (Vijayalakshmi) marrying Saravanan. When Boss expresses his desire to marry Chandrika all hell breaks loose. He is chided for his callous lifestyle and irresponsibility.
Boss takes a vow to earn money in six months and get his sister married before holding the hands of Chandrika. He takes refuge in Nalathambi’s saloon. With the help of his friend, he tries to make money, but nothing works out. Meanwhile, Chandrika appears now and then and urges him to achieve his mission.
Now Boss and Nallathambi start a tutorial college with money obtained from a loan shark Velpandi (‘Naan Kadavul’ Rajendran) under one condition – that to help his son who repeatedly flunked in exams to pass or otherwise become a servant in his house. They face many a hurdle in their mission, but eventually they succeed.
Boss earns money and gets his sister married. But his desire of marrying Chandrika shatters as her father is against the proposal, thanks to a stupid act by the two friends. Now enters an NRI youth (Jiiva) to marry Chandrika. It’s game between him and Boss.
Kudos to Arya who pulled it off well. After a serious portrayal in ‘Madrasappatinam’, he is right there bringing out his comical skills to the fore. As a callous youth, he fits the bill exceedingly well. In other words, the vintage Arya of ‘Arindhum Ariyamalum’ is back. His comical antics in the company of Santhanam are enjoyable.
Nayantara plays a professor and is draped in sarees sans much glamour. She plays her part well. Subbu Panchu as Arya’s brother is adequate. Son of veteran producer Panchu Arunachalam, he is good at giving out what the director wants. ‘Friends’ fame Vijayalakshmi, Lakshmi as Arya’s mother, Chitra Lakshmanan as Nayantara’s father get under the skin of their respective characters and play well.
But the real scene-stealer is Santhanam. His wits, punches are enjoyable. As Arya’s friend, who always gets into a tangle for no fault of his, he has done a great job. Santhanam has announced his arrival to the big league of comedians with this movie.
Kumbakonam has been captured at its pristine beauty by Sakthi Saravanan. His use of soft tones fits well for a laughathon. Also songs in foreign locales get life thanks to him. Giving him good company is Yuvanshankar Raja. As usual, he has come up with songs that gel with the story. The number ‘Yar Intha Penthan…’ is humable.
Rajesh has made spoof of some contemporary Tamil films in an enjoyable manner. Quite like ‘Thamizh Padam’, they are outrightly hilarious. Produced by K S Srinivasan and presented by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies and Arya’s The Show People, ‘Boss Engira Baskaran’ is right there oozing with abundant energy and unlimited fun. Kudos to Udhayanidhi for choosing quality films with varied stories that leave an impression with the masses.
The latest offering from Arya, in his maiden production, this film is a clean family entertainer with a strong comic line running right through in keeping with what seems to be director Rajesh’s signature style now even in his second film post SMS.
The story :
The story is simple. Baskaran aka Boss ( Arya) is an unemployed youth without a care in the world whose elder brother Saravanan ( Subbu) is a vet still unmarried at 45. The doting family consisting or amma and a sister is completed when a bride enters the home as Saravanan falls in love. In the meanwhile Boss finds that the girl he has fallen for, Chandrika ( Nayan) is the sister of his new anni. Nallathambi ( Santhanam) is his one and only best friend who runs a hair saloon and helps the hero in everything from passing arrears to wooing his girl.
This happy state of affairs continues till the day Boss asks for Chandrika’s hand in marriage, a move strongly opposed by her father (Chitra Laxman) and also the anni since the hero is unemployed and has not even a college degree. What brings about a change in him and what he does to win his girl in marriage forms the last half of the film.
What works:
The comic scenes aided by dialogues and the bonding between the two friends are a huge plus and reason enough to see the movie. The casting of each character has been aptly done with no room for excess anywhere making for one smooth ride all through. Nayan and Arya make an adequate pair though there are no great sparks of chemistry between them. However Nayan does make a pretty picture throughout . The song picturisations are enough to keep the audiences occupied while some of Yuvan’s songs do remain in the mind long after you leave the theatre.
The art work and the locations are well chosen adding to the realistic appeal of this film set in Kumbakonan. The surprise guest appearance in the end is also an interesting part of the film.
The film lags in certain places where nothing much that is new happens in the hero’s life so it looks as if time is hanging on your hands. One song towards the end seems added just to keep front benchers happy.
The film is worth a watch with the family and sure to keep the viewer in good cheer throughout.
Certain movie trailers excite me. Boss Engira Baskaran was one of them. Watched it over and over again in Behindwoods and I decided that I will
watch this movie first day. The movie was every bit as I expected and was a laugh riot. The dialogues were hilarious and the casting was impeccable. The brother of Arya needs a special mention here. The chemistry between Arya and Santhanam is better than Arya/Nayanthara. After a decade I could see even my father sitting next to me was having a hearty laugh. Credit to the director for giving an uncomplicated comedy that just relies on the core values of making an entertaining movie.
I have been an ardent follower of Santhanam right from the Lollu Sabha days. His counter punching dialogues are second best to Goundamani and in the days to come I guess he will be one of the most revered comedians in Tamil cinema. When his name appeared on the title there was handful of people who clapped along with me. Quite a few sharing the same emotions I would say. In the entire industry he is the one who is making a silent but a steady progress to the top. He has already acted as a hero in a movie and most of the comic capers he shares almost equals the screen space with the hero. His next release is Endhiran along side super star which I think he has achieved in the shortest time.
He could achieve all this without imitating styles,
Santhanam, Arya
not requiring a separate track and a different theme for himself in the movie. His roles fits in well with the movie, he looks good and doesn’t over act. His screen presence is energizing. He is an example to aspiring artists that you need not be from a cinema family; need not come from a great director’s school to achieve. Knowing your limitations, choosing roles that will project your positives is good enough. Another wonderful thing is he can act as a friend to any young actor in the industry and one would feel if he really is a friend to all of them to be so comfortable in the role. We can say one thing that is common in movies of Simbu, Arya, Jeyam Ravi, Dhanush, Jeevan and Vishal and it is Santhanam. He even acted with Vijay, Ajith and Suriya. I guess someone with extra ordinary character can only gel with all of them. True Awesomeness!!
You could see that he goes about his business by keeping it simple, uncomplicated, unconventional and result oriented. Can he be called the Dhoni of Tamil cinema?
Hope he gets better roles on the days to come.
Kudos to Santhanam for his performance in BEB and all the best for the upcoming releases.
Nanbenda!!
i did not saw such a kind of enterainmet ful film in my life.i am sure this is the shanthanam best film and also i like flexibility adaptability of arya foe each and every film .all the best for rest of your carrier
Santhanam has done a very good job in the movie and he deserves a pat on his back. Not every one has that timing sense to crack a word which lightens the mood and tempo of the discussion. Good job!!
One of the nice movie in the year 2010. The combination of Arya and Santhanam really worked out nicely. It is the best entertainment movie of this year. Especially punch dialogue NANBAANDA is very nice.
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