Starring: Vishal, Aarya, G.M Kumar, Madhu Shalini, Janani Iyer, Ambika, Jayaprabha, Ananth Vaidyanathan
Director: Bala
Banner: AGS Entertainments
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: Arthur A. Wilson
Editing: Suresh Urs
Producers: Kalpathi S. Aghoram, Kalpathi S. Ganesh, Kalpathi S. Suresh
Lyrics Na. Muthukumar.
SouthDreamz.com presents you the Avan Ivan movie review starring Aarya, Vishal, Madhu Shalini and Janani Iyer. Catch hold of Avan Ivan review on SouthDreamz.com
Bala one of the popular directors in Tamil film industry is coming back with another full fledged commercial movie Avan Ivan with an aim to make a profit.
Vishal, Aarya, Madhu Shalini and Janani Iyer are playing the leading roles in the film.
Normally director Bala films will have comedy scenes but Avan Ivan has more comedy scenes. The film is family oriented but at the same time it carries loads of action, comedy and sentiment etc. Avan Ivan is the story of two siblings where Vishal sported the look of a squint eyed boy throughout the film which is perhaps the first time in the history of Tamil cinema. Apart from doing this daring act, Vishal is going to play as a transgender which is yet again a bold attempt. Yuvan Shankar Raja has rendered the music with the smashing experimental songs and he changed his regular style and tried something different where flowered with success.
The film is releasing worldwide in nearly 700 screens and it is opening in 17 screens in Chennai city and suburbs. The film is releasing in 350 screens only in Tamilnadu.
The expectations on the film are running high as a multi- starrer has not released for quite some time and especially because of Bala’s direction.
The Telugu dubbed version which is titled Vaadu Veedu is also releasing tomorrow.
Kalpathi S. Aghoram of AGS Entertainments has produced the film. Arthur A. Wilson and Sreekar Prasad have done the cinematography and editing respectively.
Movie Review
Director Bala weaves characters and movies out of ubiquitous people, considered undesirables by the better offs. Gravedigger, drug peddler, sex worker, cannibal; and Bala could keep pulling out these characters from our everyday life to make movies. And in Avan Ivan, it’s a light-hearted zamindar, two thieve step brothers, their foul mouthed moms and an ‘everyone knows everyone’ countryside.
A sizable chunk of viewers, who have experienced Bala’s movies, consider him crude and heartless in creating his shady characters; but the underlying truth is that, he has implied time and again on screen, that these undesirables too could laugh, love and live like anyone. Bala has been the USP for his movies, but for Avan Ivan, it’s also the squint eyed Vishal and the shaggy Aarya.
G.M Kumar plays the dethroned Zamindar, who still rides on the pride that his kingdom owned the landscapes around him. He cares for his villagers like his own subjects, just the way his forefathers did. Stepbrothers Walter Vanangamudi (Vishal) and Kumbideran Saamy (Aarya) are thieves. That’s right! ‘Kumbideran Saamy‘, Aarya’s pseudonym, which he believes will make the pestering cops call him with respect, though they don’t mean to.
Aarya, the younger brother, is an elusive thief with a quick sense of mind, while Vishal is a simpleton, who tries his hand at thievery, with little success. Vishal’s heart lies in plays, acting and dance, which makes him believe, he is more of an artist than a thief. Both the brothers are the trusted stooges of the Zamindar, who lives alone in his humongous bungalow. Though they occupy each sides of the Zamindar, the brothers do not see eye to eye, and Aarya constantly sniggers at Vishal for his effeminate side.
Bala’s characters are powerful, but they seem to lack a gripping storyline to play on, compared to his earlier movies. Vishal as the gender-confused individual, movingly brings the man and woman out of him. He also expresses exceptional talent as a reluctant thief, who feels he is better off on a stage performing. Arya as Kumbideran Saamy is witty, assertive and shows no remorse in snubbing his stepbrother. Aarya’s coming of age role we can say. Bala always injects an amount of animal into his characters. Vishal’s reptile like moves and Aarya’s baby baboon type movements again prove Bala’s signature.
Like his earlier movies, the ‘undesirable’, or in this case the undesirable pair, stands up against a bigger enemy. In Avan Ivan it’s RK, who runs an illegal slaughter house. When the Zamindar calls upon the Police and animal activists to raid RK’s illegal trade, RK turns against the Zamindar, which ultimately pulls Vishal and Arya into the melee.
Vishal, Aarya, G.M Kumar, and the veteran actress Ambika, as Vishal’s foul mouthed, theft encouraging mother, are the prominent characters in the movie. Janani Iyer as Constable Baby, is of prominence to some extent, but Aarya’s pair Madhu Shalini‘s portrayal is vague. Bala‘s signature climax fighting scene, that seems like the world is coming to an end have been religiously added. Arthur Wilson shoulders Bala’s romance for the luscious landscapes of Theni, while Yuvan music combined with Vishal and Arya’s dance numbers is straight out of the streets. Avan Ivan is a good watch, but Bala has reused his successfully tested formula.
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WHERE IS THE REVIEW???? I AM AWAITING FOR IT?
Aarya, Vishal all thrilled
This is the big Friday in the lives of Vishal and Arya, for their Avan Ivan, directed by Bala, is getting released today in more than 300 screens all over the world.
Produced by Kalpathi S Aghoram’s AGS Entertainment, Avan Ivan has musical score by Yuvanshankar Raja. Dialogues are by popular Tamil writer S Ramakrishnan. ‘It is a satire dipped in humour,’ say sources.
Vishal is targeting a place in the Guinness Book of Records for his performance as a squint-eyed in Avan Ivan. While his good friend Arya is all smiles about his role in the movie.
The former is playing Walter Vanangamudi in Avan Ivan, while the name of the latter is Kumbudren Sami. ‘This is Bala’s first laugh riot and the output is so good,’ say sources in the know.
It was publicised as director Bala’s attempt at comedy. Vishal playing a youth with a squint-eye and Arya joining hands with Bala again after Nan Kadavul. The project has everything in it to attract film-buffs. Obviously with big names coming together, hype and expectations are running high on the movie. With sleek promotions and smart publicity, Avan Ivan is now the cynosure of all eyes. Does the end-product live up to the hype? Let’s uncover Avan Ivan review…
Story:
Aarya (Kumbiduren Saamy) and Valter (Vishal) are the two sons born to same father but different mothers. Valter lives with his mother Mary (Ambika). The brothers have a gala time in their village living life in their own way. While Valter wants to enter acting in dramas, Saamy wants to do what his father (Super Singer fame Ananth Vaidyanthan) does – indulging in petty robberies.
There is one Jameen (G M Kumar), a rich and influential landlord in the village who had given all his wealth for the villagers and commands their respect in return. He is close to Valter and Saamy. One day, Jameen gets insulted by a forest ranger and he wants to take revnge on them. He takes the help of Valter and Saamy.
The brothers block the way of forest ranger and attack him. Police rush to the spot and Valter escapes, while Saamy takes on his heels.
Meanwhile, Jameen comes across a man (RK) involved in illegal business of sending cattle for slaughter to Kerala from Tamilnadu border. Jameen helps Blue Cross and police nab him. He comes back and takes revenge on Jameen. Now the onus is on Valter and Saamy to take revenge on him for the death of Jameen.
Analysis:
Avan Ivan begins on a bright note. The characterisations by Bala is the hallmark of the movie. He manages to leave a mark with his typical style once the screen unfolds. But beware, it is no normal Bala film. It has its own commercial cliches. It proceeds on predictable path at few places. But the shrewd narration marked with a difference makes the movie count.
There are loads of comedy that is not like the Crazy Mohan stuff one we normally associate in Tamil cinema.
It is more a realistic comedy that we often see in our daily lives. The humour sometimes dark is praiseworthy.
Second half starts on a slow note but proceeds with engaging scenes. The film heads to climax that is wholesome and entertaining. S Ramakrishnan’s sweet and simple dialogues bring the lives of innocent rural people before our eyes.
Bala has proved why he is a master filmmaker for he blends commercial cinema with off-beat stuff making the end product awesome and amazing.
Performances:
It’s Vishal all the way. The actor who had been doing mindless masalas till now, has brought out his histrionic skills very well. He is amazing and outstanding at a squint-eyed youth. He is good in his body language and dialogue delivery. Bala has discovered a new Vishal.
Not far behind is Aarya. The actor oozes with amazing energy and his comedy skills are a treat to watch. His encounter with police and the chase with them is the hallmark of the film.
Suriya’s cameo, Ambika’s bold performance and the presence of two leading ladies who emote well – Madhu Shalini and Janani Iyer, deserves an applause.
RK is the typical baddie in the movie. He gives right expressions. As a wicked man, he suits the character well.
Walking away with all honours is G M Kumar. The veteran is the pillar of the film. He lends solidity to the script with is performance. He has proved that not just the lead heroes but even character artistes can lend solidity to scripts with the astute performance. Bala’s success in every film lies in casting right persons and extracting the best from each of them.
Technicalities
It is one of the best technically made movies by Bala so far. Arthur A Wilson’s camera captures landscapes of Theni in bright light and they look real and as it is on screen. The camera angles too seem to speak something in the film.
Editing by Suresh Urs makes the movie crisp and sharp. It is S Ramakrishnan’s dialogues that takes the movie to new heights. Music is another hallmark of Avan Ivan, Yuvan Shankar Raja has stepped into the shoes of his father Ilayaraja it seems. Soul-stirring and soothing are the songs. Suchitra Chandrabose’s choreography and Muthuraj’s art give authentic feel of being in a rural land.
Plus points
- Bala’s narration
- Vishal, G M Kumar’s performance
–Yuvan’s music
Minus points
- Cliched scenes
- Dragging chase
- Slow second half
Box office predictions:
Avan Ivan will not let down the audience. Though not a typical Bala film, a feel of joy creeps as we watch the film. A neatly-packaged one, Avan Ivan is here to stay
Avan Ivan Review rating: 3.5 / 5
Banner: AGS Entertainments
Cast: Arya, Vishal, G M Kumar, Ambika, Jannai Iyer, Madhu Shalini
Cinematography : Arthur A Wilson
Editing: Suresh Urs
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: Suchitra Chandrabose
Director: Bala
An awesome flick i watched the Tamil cersion morning and got tears for aryas acting.I am going to watch the Telugu version also. It is a Aarya, Vishal and G.M kumar show.Guys it has all the qualities of perfect movie.Please watch it
AWESOME, EXCELLENT,GREAT,ROCKING,HATS OFF……. DONT MISS IT
Rating : 4/5
the movie is good ! uncommon performances by everyone! espicially vishal ROCKS! Aarya too has acted well!
After ‘KO’ another stunning blockbuster of the year 2011.
Avan Ivan Story:
Movie begins with the trade mark scenes of Bala. Walter Vannangamudi (Vishal) and is the step brother of Kumbidaren Saamy (Arya). The brothers have a celebration time in their village living life in their own way but don’t maintain good relationship on each other as they have more ego rifts. Walter aspires to become and actor while his brother Samy wants to turn as a petty thief.
Both Walter and Saamy work near one Jameen (G M Kumar), who is a rich and influential landlord in the village. He sacrifices all his wealth for the villagers and commands their respect in return. One day Jameen gets snubbed by a forest ranger and he decides to take revenge on them. As Walter and Saamy are very close to him he takes the help. In order to take revenge on the forest ranger the brothers block the way of and attack him. In the meantime Police rush to the spot but both escape from the spot.
Kumbidaren falls in love with Themozhi (Madhu Shalini) while his brother Walter loves Constable Baby (Janani).
Meanwhile, Jameen comes across a man (RK) a cattle smuggler who smuggles aged cows (incapable of providing milk) and sells them to buyers in Kerala for the sake of consumption as beef. The cows are purchased in accordance to its weight and ensure that they get more money, the sellers force the aged cows to consume thick layers of mud mixed with water as it would look hefty.
On knowing this Jameen informs this to the Blue Cross and police and gets him arrested. But RK comes back and tries to revenge on Jameen. How he takes revenge on the Jammen? Will Vishal and Arya are able to save their Jammen?
Performances:
Vishal is back with a bounce with Avan Ivan. He is the hero of masses and has given an outstanding performance in the role Walter Vannangamudi. Vishal as squinted eye boy and also a transgender has delivered his best as one can watch his effort in each & every scene of the movie. The film will surely be a land mark film in Vishal’s career.
Arya has done his best with his dialogues and the humor part done by the film is an added flavour to the movie. All his hard work shows up in the film and has given a tough competition to Vishal in terms of performance but his character is on par with Vishal’s role.
Madhu Shalini as the love interest of Arya did her role well and she looked apt for the role. Janani Iyer the new comer did perfect justice to the role of innocent police constable and she paired for Vishal. Her performance can get her more offers in Tamil.
R.K excelled in the role of baddie and he is the perfect fit to the role. G. M. Kumar evoked outstanding humor and he is the big plus for comedy scenes. Ambika and Jaya Prabha as mothers to Vishal and Arya respectively have done a great job.
Suriya’s cameo is one of the highlight in the movie where he comes for a public meeting explains his Agoram foundation & its operations.
The best part of the film is Bala’s direction which is terrific and outstandingly brilliant. He should be appreciated for characterization and appropriate casting. But unlike Bala’s earlier outings Avan Ivan lacks in story. Though the characterizations and their establishment in the film are outstanding, the film falls short due to its thin story line. However Bala’s creative orientation in visualizing shots engages the audiences to the screens.
Background score and re-recording by Yuvan Shankar Raja is terrific. All the songs are excellent. His music is the USP of the movie. Especially Vishal’s intro BGM is Yuvan’s treat to the masses. The songs Avana Pathi Nan pada poren & Oru malayoram are one of the best from him and acts as a breather in between heavy sequences.
Screenplay is good most of the times. Dialogues by S. Ramakrishnan are good. Cinematography by Arthur A. Wilson is excellent while Editing by Suresh Urs’s is slick and neat but should have been more compact. Screenplay is the main plus point of the film.
Action sequences are true to reality, believable, realistic and very effective as well.
First half of the film is outstanding while the second half has some dragging moments with very slow pace. However the director got back his pace in the pre climax. The last 30 mins of the film is very effective.
Avan Ivan doesn’t stand on par with Bala’s earlier films in terms of its story as the expectations too were on peaks, but over all the film is packed with humorous scenes. Avan Ivan can be enjoyed as it was a different experience watching a different film.
Quick Take: Sensible Tale with Award winning performances
Talented guys, great job bala……………………!
avan ivan——->another trademark film from bala……but this time with full of entertainer…….final 20 min bala had a own touch…….vishal—>brilliant acting chance for his first award……….arya——>gud entertainer……..another important character G.M.Kumar—–> Ines by his character….sure he will bag some awards…..can’t miss any character in this movie……all r brilliant……good entertainer
‘Comedy’, ‘Violence’, ‘Relationships’, ‘Brutal Murder’ and finally ‘Revenge’ – What else do we need to define a typical Bala movie. The filmmaker has been gushing forth with this same-patterned formula over many movies and now lands up with ‘Avan Ivan’ that carries similar traits, but with minute changes. This time, the filmmaker seems to have tried working out on commercial grounds of success unlike previous ventures, where he was confined only to critical acclaims.
‘Avan Ivan’ is a comedy drama that unfolds the lives of step-brothers Walter (Vishal) and ‘Kumbudren’ Saamy (Aarya). Though they are dead against each, they have an intrinsic adherence towards each other. Their moms are more like pals to them as they keep against each other, but again their bonding is very much adorable during latter part of film. Walter and Saamy adore their Highness (GM Kumar), a Zamindar as their father-like figure and are ready to risk even their lives. Walter falls in love with a beautiful police Baby (Janani Iyer) while Saamy with a tutorial college student Thenu (Madhu Shalini). When everything seems to be moving like a pleasant breeze for these people, an unexpected turmoil strikes down the way…
Not many actors would dare to go for a different show like Vishal has opted for. Having played mass hero roles in several movies, he has completely himself to Bala. Final result? He leaps straights into A-League keeping up his performance a top-notching level.
Right from the beginning till the climax, Vishal is the showstopper.
It’s really hard for any such actor having a great physique to change his body language, facial expressions with the shades of feminism. Doubtlessly this will remain as his best spell in his entire career. Now that the film has issued him a ticket to bigger stardom, Vishal has to be careful over choosing the right scripts. Aarya doesn’t strain himself much apart from the burgundy-shaded trimmed hairs. His sense of humor as Saamy leaves us in splits. Watch him singing ‘Daddy Daddy’ (K. Bhagyaraj’s song) with GM Kumar and the complete sequencing is a laugh-riot. G.M. Kumar exerts an award-winning performance while Ambika is a special surprise.
Usually, Bala would have his female lead actresses delineated with a strong characterization. Over here, the scenarios seem to be different as Janani Iyer and Madhu Shalini don’t get proper footage. RK as a villain appears too late in the film, but does his best. Surya’s cameo and his praises for the Drama artists is a special welcome as Bala throws more light into their prominence.
Bala’s different attempt with caution. It’s noteworthy that his films would have a simple storyline, but go emblazoned with a strong screenplay. But here it remains undefined and sorry to say ‘Bala would have done better in this arena’.
While ‘Avanapathi’ and ‘Oru Malayoram’ were the cherry picks of this album, it’s a disappointment for the audiences as we don’t see the songs. Arthur Wilson’s cinematography is icing of cake. The shots over steady-cam and Crane across the mountainous regions of Theni are fabulous.
On the whole, ‘Avan Ivan’ is a performance oriented movie for almost all the actors in credit lists, but would have been much better if Bala had a convincing storyline.
What works: Vishal, Aarya, GM Kumar, Characterizations, Cinematography
What doesn’t work: Music, Story, Screenplay…
Verdict: A perfect show by Vishal.
After four ventures exploring very different genres, National Award winner director Bala comes with his fifth film: AGS Entertainment’s Avan Ivan, where he’s tried his hand at more or less full-length comedy. Naturally, the film has generated enormous hype: what with Vishal and Aarya coming together for the first time, in an industry notorious for its king-size egos.
Truth be told, the production crew, as usual, does a neat job. Arthur A Wilson’s cinematography is slick, especially when capturing the mountainous locales; Suresh Urs’s editing serves the purpose, while T Muthuraj’s art-work brings the Kamudhikottai Jameen alive. Yuvan’s music itself fits the film, even if the background score doesn’t elevate itself to brilliance.
The problem, you notice, is that Avan Ivan delivers very little of the things it promises. And it’s amplified by the fact that it all begins so well.
This is the tale of two step-brothers who’ve always been at logger-heads despite sharing a family business, that is, petty thieving. In the mountainous village of Kamudhikkottai, lives Walter Vanangamudi (Vishal), a squint-eyed, effeminate character who can’t even open safes without asking for a key (!). His one great passion is acting: he begins the film, in fact, with a fantastic kuthu number.
Then there’s Kumbiduren Saami (Aarya), so-named, he says, because he wants everyone to respect him the moment they hear his name. With his shorts and sidekick, he’s supposed to be the cleverer sibling; able to carry off a con with a slickness denied his softer brother.
Both brothers are loud, brash and wear their hearts on their sleeve – not a very bad thing.
The stumbling block arrives in the form of writer S Ramakrishnan’s dialogues, which aren’t that funny, and the crowd, which bursts into spontaneous laughter whenever each brother arrives, soon lapses into a puzzled silence.
Into the melee arrive Thenmozhi (Madhu Shalini ) who falls for Kumbiduren Sami and the bouncy Constable Baby (Janani Iyer), who bats her eyelids at Walter — why, exactly, you don’t really know. These aren’t the kind of men any self-respecting girl would fall for, especially their behaviour towards their respective women. You keep hoping that there’s something in the romance, but there isn’t.
There are a few heart-warming moments though: when you’re shown that the step-brothers, despite being ready to claw at each other’s throats almost every minute, do like each other. The common point of reference is the defunct Jameendar (G M Kumar), who is by far the best thing in the film. Whether he’s laughing at Walter’s antics, shaking with righteous anger at crimes or shivering with fear at the hands of the villain, the man rules.
Sadly, these moments are few and far between. You’re never quite sure what and how Vishal and Aarya’s characters are supposed to be shaped. You never really feel any affinity towards them. You’re not inclined to laugh at their antics, feel for their sorrows and their sudden shifts in character don’t gel well at all. The leading men try very hard (Vishal, especially, with his squint), but ultimately can’t carry off such flaky roles.
Then there’s the villain who appears almost at the fag end, and by then, you already know what his end is going to be.
The much-vaunted Suriya cameo does what it’s supposed to do: showcase Vishal’s many acting talents. It ends up doing, you feel, the exact opposite.
By contrast, you empathize intensely with the hapless G M Kumar, the beedi-smoking Ambika, the wannabee DSP who’s forever running after our heroes and even RK who appears as a shaggy haired man with murder in his heart.
Avan Ivan does have, at its heart, a nice storyline with plenty of comic elements. But director Bala doesn’t really capitalize on its strengths, and never pulls you into the story except in parts which is disappointing, as he is among today’s trend-setters in Tamil cinema.
Avan Ivan may look good on paper but fails in execution.
No doubt….Navneetha Krishnan never liked Bala’s films…! For 100s of years this group of people(so called “Elites of the society” till date) expected us to say “Kumbiduren Saami” when you happened to see them. But Bala questions this with guts…..! so…Navneetha Krishnan’s review reflects the group of people she belongs…!
If you are really want to see life time performance of international standards of “GM Kumar, Ambika & Vishal” then go for this film and appreciate thier hard work.
Same old story but vishal acting is awsome.
Avan Ivan is not a typical Bala’s film it is a huge let down. Another view on the film is at silentcritics dot com check it out
hi frds.. true t say , a bala fan including me wont be SATISFIED but SURELY NOT DISAPPOINTED .. tis may not be his best work but tis a best direction for tis particular story line..tat zaminder’s perfomance, wow,, no words t say .. der stands d direction by a directr lik bala.. hats-off t gm kumar.. one must not miss hard working performance of vishal. he has proved his skill n movie.. i want to say director has directed both of these vry well n a high peek but missed it sumwer in dng with d movie bt im sure he ll b able t find out wer he missd it.. anyhows bala sir v fans of u r waiting for ur next movie..all t best sir
The movie is very short only 2hr 5min.vishal & arya are good to watch in that roles.overall some thing is missing in bala’s touch ?….but u cannot find nothing new!!! Averge movie…
First things first. ‘Avan Ivan’ is no serious kind of a Bala film. It is like a marriage between commercial cinema with the signature style of Bala. The ace filmmaker has woven the script in such a way that there are no dull moments and the wafer-thin storyline does proceed without any lag.
All the characters blend well and there is a touch of realism in each of them even though Bala has opted for some commercial clich’s here and there in the film. The national award winning director has played to the gallery at most places, with Vishal and Aarya getting due space on screen to woo the audience with their acting skills.
But quite like other Bala movies, there are enough scope for other characters too that have a bearing on the script.
If the first half is more like a cat and mouse game between siblings (Aarya and Vishal), the latter part ensures that the two join hands for a cause. They embark on a journey to take revenge, reminding you ‘Pithamagan’.
Due credits should be given to Bala for breaking grammars of Tamil cinema. The heroes are not smart-looking fellows, the mother of the lead roles are not dotting, romance comes without duets and there are no punchlines to mouth. On the whole, the film has no structured pattern of narration.
Kumbidaren Saamy (Aarya) is a petty thief and his half-brother Walter Vanangamudi (Vishal) is an aspiring drama artiste. They both live life their own way. Their father (Ananth Vaidyanthan) is caught between his two wives.
There is an old time King who lost all his wealth but commands respect in the village. Called affectionately as His Highness (G M Kumar), he showers love on Saamy and Walter.
Both Saamy and Walter do anything for His Highness. As events unfold, Walter and Saamy fall in love with a police constable Baby (Janani Iyer) and a college girl Thenmozhi (Madhu Shalini) respectively which lead to hilarious situations.
Enters a cattle smuggler (RK). He transports animals illegally to Kerala. His Highness comes across his business and ensures he gets punished. But the latter swears revenge on Highness which leads to a riveting climax featuring Saamy and Walter.
It’s a totally new Vishal in the film. As a squint-eyed youth, his dialogue delivery and body language is outstanding. The actor is at his best from the very first reel. He carries the whole burden well in his shoulders. The highlight of Vishal’s performance is a scene where he pours out Navarasa emotions on stage. Wonder where this actor in him was hiding all these days.
Aarya plays second fiddle to him. He is cool, casual and is at utmost ease. He carries his role with utmost sincerity. His comic acts don’t fail to make us laugh. Suriya’s cameo, Ambika’s bold performance and the presence of two leading ladies, Janani Iyer and Madhu Shalini, adds strength to the script. RK as the baddie is a perfect foil.
The real scene stealer is G M Kumar. The veteran plays a disappointed but fun-loving old man. He emotes well on screen and deserves applause for playing such a tricky role with consummate ease.
Aarya’s encounters with Madhu Shalini especially the dialogues where he urges her to drop her money in the temple, Vishal’s encounter with Janani Iyer in the police station or the scenes involving Ambika swearing on his sons, all have the signature style of Bala.
Arthur A Wilson’s lens captures landscapes of Theni well, while crisp editing by Suresh Urs peps up the proceedings. Watch out for Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score that reminds his dad Ilayaraja in his prime form.
All said, ‘Avan Ivan’ is not a typical Bala film, and it has its own dull moments, courtesy clich’d scenes and dragging second half. But it also has many ingredients to entertain the masses. The producers (AGS Entertainment) and the director deserve credit for such an unusual attempt.
Bala’s first film with no story which revolves with the strong humor sensed screenplay .It’s fun till the last 15 minutes, after which it turns serious. The story revolves around two brother with same father and different mothers and their affection towards the only left over Jamin in their small hilly village. Vishal (Walter) comes as Transgender and Arya (Kumbudren Sammy his step brother. Both are petty thief with own values. GM Kumar as modern Jamin considers Vishal and Aarya as his own Sons. Film moves hilariously till the entry of R.K and what happens next is told in a typical Bala’s own identity.
As the entire story revolve around the two brothers and their friendly relationship with Jamin, the screenplay by the Director plays the key role with substantial importance for the lead roles.
Arya(Kumbudren Sammy) is unstoppable and his character makes us keep on laughing till the climax while Vishal (Walter) with a squint eye attracts everyone attention with his never seen performance.
Debutants both Janani Iyer opposite Vishal and Madhu Shalini opposite Aarya have done justice to their characters and a perfect hunt by Bala. Janani Iyer as a innocent constable and Madhu Shalini as a college Tutorial college student have did their part well.
Fatty boy character played by the debutant creates an impact for him in the screen with his humor sense and timings.
GM Kumar lived as Jamin and adds humor to the film. In climax his acting makes us feel sympathy for the character.
Ambika plays the mother of Aarya and Jaya Prabha for Vishal. Both with their rural dialect makes an unique impact on the screen. Vijay TV’s Airtel Super Singer programs voice expert comes as a father for Vishal and Aarya.
RK with negative shades scares us with his rough look and body language. Surya’s cameo appears in a school program and talks about his Agaram foundation.
Technical Work:
Camera by Arthur A. Wilson have done his job well by covering the Greeny part of the village and taking minute particles into account.
Yuvan’s mismerising Background music is a major plus to the entire film. Ramakrishnan’s Dialogues are note worthy.
Vishal opens up on AI:
We came to know Vishal Krishna through Sandakozhi and there has been no looking back ever since for Vishal! He has over ten movies under his cap, each with a varied role… We caught up with the star who gets chatty about his role in his forthcoming venture ‘Avan Ivan,’ his experience with Director Bala, his career so far and his future projects… Do post your comments for the actor is quite eager to hear from you! Watch on…
For any star in Kollywood, after they have seen a certain amount of success, their dream is all about working in a movie directed by Maniratnam, Bala or Shankar. And it is known that working with Director Bala is to bring an outright turn in the actor’s career. Would you say that getting a chance to work with Bala was accidental?
Yes, I would agree that it was an unexpected project and I would definitely credit Arya for this. Arya, who attended my birthday party informed me that Bala is ready with a script involving two brothers and asked me if I would be interested in working in the project. I was overwhelmed and told him that I will be more than happy to work under Bala’s direction. I would definitely give the credit to Arya for taking off the project and yes it was definitely unexpected, it wasn’t like I was planning to do a project this year with Bala, but it just happened. After watching Naan Kadavul, any actor would dream for such a role and I am overcome with joy since it has worked out for me.
Did Bala consider you as a mass hero and narrated the script properly or did he just ask you to act as per his whims? There’s a notion prevailing among many that Bala usually narrates only about the character to the star and doesn’t narrate the whole script…
Well, good that you asked me because I always wanted clear this misconception about Bala that is prevailing among many. So many had warned me that Bala sir is quite a psycho and he is very stubborn, a true taskmaster and doesn’t even narrate the story! After hearing all these, I was quite skeptical before I first met him. And similarly he had heard such rumours about me before we first met. Initially, both of us were quite hesitant due to this, but all this were proved wrong in our very first meeting. After listening to the script narrated by him, I understood that if I miss this script there would be no bigger a fool than me in the industry. When I told others that Bala had narrated the script to me, people thought I was fooling around! As any director would, as per the procedure narrate the story to the cast, Bala sir follows it as well. When it comes to shooting, I was so surprised to see the actor in Bala. He is fabulous and I was quite contented to see my performance under his mentoring, I surrendered myself to his monitoring for he knows what’s best for each character, he doesn’t ask for it and demand one to act as he wishes, but he is such a master of his own art that you would definitely want to surrender to him at one point of time.
How do you feel Bala treats his cast during shooting?
Bala sir’s body language might scare people initially. He doesn’t talk much to people and that might make one hesitant in approaching him, but the more you know him, you understand that he is the most flexible director ever! After working with him for a few days, I have come to consider him as a brother and I am definitely not offended by the way he treats people. There’s nothing to be offended about. I can proudly tell that, he has taken the entire responsibility of mentoring me, apart from my parents. He had faith in me as an actor and my future in the film industry, and in those ways I am thankful and of course not offended if he calls me in ‘da’ terms when he is being well-wisher for me. He’s very open with his attitude
Can you brief us about your role in ‘Avan Ivan’?
Firstly to clarify the long existing rumour, I am not doing the role of a thirunangai in this movie. It was exciting to come across these rumours, maybe in future if I come across a nice script with me as a thirunangai in it I would definitely accept it (smiles). I play the role of a stage performer in this movie, who travels to many places. I play Walter Vanangamudi who is a thief, and travels with his step-brother, played by Arya. The movie is all about emotions and characterization, more than calling it a different script I would say its all about the characters, played by me and Arya, that is to say ‘Avan’ and ‘Ivan’. I would say that portrayal of both of us will definitely be a shocker!
We‘ve heard that for your character you had removed your eye lashes and acted as a squint eyed person. It’s quite a unique initiative by an actor, how do you feel about this? How important is this initiative for this character?
(Laughs), well we finished the first schedule and came back to Chennai and we were heading to Kutralam to do the second schedule. It’s a very bizarre incident that I would never forget in my entire life! We were doing a scene in the road when Bala sir didn’t ask for the scene to be shot and started walking randomly in the set. I was quite scared if I had done a mistake and he called me privately and during our discussion he told he still is not satisfied with look of the character, he said he needs something more. We suddenly came up with the idea of a squint eyed person and tried it out, his first reaction were tears of joy! His excitement and his joy can be equaled to that of small child! He ran out and brought the photographer and took the stills and sent him to Chennai and told that he wants his character this way only and narrated to us an incident from the script (in the climax) and expressed that the appeal to that scene will be achieved only by this look! After this I agreed to his idea but was a little worried and consulted my doctor in Chennai who mocked at me as anyone would approach a doc to fix their squint and not asking for one! He also told me that this is very dangerous for my eyesight. That night I got back home and looked up online to see if any other actor had performed like that so that I can take up those videos as references. But shockingly, there were no references at all and I came to know that none had attempted to do this even for a school drama! I took it up as an opportunity and looked at the positive side of it that I will be the first actor ever, internationally, to perform like this! I did it, I don’t think I would do it again as it is not healthy, but I just did it for Bala and the film.
There were talks about how you were getting off a tree upside down like a chameleon, can you tell us a little about it?
Actually it’s a scene that comes in the last twenty minutes of the movie. I can say that more than any scene in the movie, this one made me witness death itself (laughs). It’s this scene where I have to climb this tree which is about sixty feet high and is next to a river, I have to get on to the branches and do a certain act. Well, I could have opted out but it was like a trance, I just wanted to do it! Only when I saw the scene in the dubbing theatre I saw what I had done, and the director was very happy with the scene, which I guess is the most important thing for an actor. As soon as he saw it he told it will be a well talked about scene. Well, time will tell the tale…
We heard that for a particular scene you were drunk and had performed. Can you comment on that?
Even before I got into the film industry my father had instructed that there are certain acts that are not to be followed by an actor and to always avoid a bad name. But despite all that, there was this scene where I am supposed to be in drunken state of mind. Bala sir came up to me and asked me to consume alcohol before this scene to get the whole feel. I don’t really remember few scenes that I have acted, when I went to the dubbing theatre I told them I want to watch the scene once before dubbing as I don’t even remember what I had done . I felt it was necessary for the scene and so I did it, I don’t see it as a wrong thing (laughs).
In all of Bala’s movies, humour is realistic and the whole plot is pretty serious. Is it true that Avan Ivan is a full-fledged comedy movie or is it a serious movie as well?
More than me and Arya shocking the viewers with our performances, Bala is sure take the viewers on a surprise as it is definitely a full-fledged laugh riot, except for the last twenty minutes which has a perfect stamp of Bala’s style and his signature added to it. His sense of humour is brilliant and it was perfect chemistry between me and Arya as brothers, it was like watching two Balas perform. ‘Avan Ivan’ will be a very different film from director Bala.
After watching Avan Ivan, Vishal is sure to get the name of being a ‘director’s hero.’ After this movie, will it still be a mass hero Vishal or will you move on to more offbeat and strong characterizations?
I am always a ‘director’s hero’ and I can never avoid being one! Because the director is the true captain of the ship, the wavelength between the director and the cast is very essential. Just like the hero-heroine chemistry is vital, so is the relationship between the director and the hero. Only if it works out the output would be great. ‘Avan Ivan’ is a true commercial entertainer. Speaking about future projects, it always depends… I don’t plan my movies, I accept good scripts as and when I come across them. I am currently working on a project with Prabhu Deva, after which I am doing a film with John. The answer for your question can also be John’s movie. After which, I have signed up a movie with Linguswamy, it always depends on the viewer and how they look at the project as.
Do you feel multi-starrer movies are the fad of the day? How was it to act with another mass hero, Arya?
Arya and I are friends from almost 16 years, even before both of us stepped into the film industry. We met in the gym and he is in the neighbouring street and we’ve been good friends ever since! That ways, we’ve never had ego or inferiority complex amongst ourselves. There hasn’t been a time where, I peep into his scenes secretly to get an idea or vice versa. And we’ll never get ourselves into such situations either, touchwood for the good friendship! This was like a blessing for Bala sir. It will definitely be a visual treat for the audience, maybe, watching both their favourite heroes come together for a movie! And that ways, it’s definitely a good thing! Multi-hero projects might be the next thing in the tamil film industry for all you know!
Each time a movie is released by Bala, there will be lot of talks about National Awards. Do you think Avan Ivan has scope for a National Award? There are already talks of Vishal bagging a National Award for the movie.
I am sure Bala will get for his unique script and direction and Arya for his performance. I do not know about myself, and I haven’t done the movie for a National Award. I of course, work hard for all movies but have never put in so much effort as I had done for ‘Avan Ivan’ and I don’t think I will do a similar project ever again as it is not fair as an actor! Even my parents and loved ones weren’t aware of the risk that I was taking for the movie, only when the stills came out they were all quite shocked. I just did it for the script, whatever was needed, and Bala had a smile on his face when we saw the final product which means the movie has come out good, which is enough for me. A National Award depends on the reactions from the audience and critics after the movie is released (smiles).
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and two more not related to AI:
A surprising fact is that, every single movie of Vishal’s has a fresh appeal for music. What’s the secret behind this?
(Laughs), I love music! Thanks to my music directors, especially Yuvan, Manisharma and Harris Jayarj. And all my directors had a good taste of music. I am proud of being a friend of Yuvan Shankar Raja, he is one of the most talented and spontaneous music composers ever! I was again, so very proud of Yuvan when I heard the tracks of ‘Avan Ivan,’ music is like a prelude to any movie. Even before the movie hits the screens, the audience judge a movie based on its audio, apart from the trailer of course. It’s one of the most important things for a movie.
Your movie with Linguswamy, Sandakozhi, is a movie that had given you a big break! In your upcoming movie with him, will it be a Sandakozhi part 2 or is it a whole new script? Does Vishal believe in sequels?
I’ll be more than happy to do a Sandakozhi part 2, if that ever happens! Because that is the kind of marvelous finishing Linguswamy had given for Sandakozhi. No doubt that Lingu is a brilliant screen player and even if he comes with a better script and not just Sandakozhi part 2, I would more than willingly accept it. When it comes to sequels, there are few movies that would have been registered in one’s mind, like Devarmagan or Thalapathi. So speaking in those terms, Sandakozhi is one movie that was well-accepted by people of all classes. So there’s nothing wrong in doing a Sandakozhi 2 or a Thamirabharani 2. So doing a sequel depends on the first movie’s impact and success…
CHANCELESS,AWESOME,BLOCK BUSTER IN 2011.HATS OFF TO BALA..
to be honest, avan ivan is a total waste. i liked all other movies of bala, but this is unacceptable. if people say the comedy is good in this, they are yet to see good comedy movies… if they say vishal acted well, i am sorry, he just overacted, and the navarasas were really really horrible. i didnt expect such a disaster from bala. no story or script at all, but 2 brothers killing a villain, and some dinosaur sounds and action by vishal. waste!
its high time bala leave the black shades in his movies, he has done too much such movies… and comedy is not his piece of bread.
Mr Kumaran Ur right Aryan race wont like bala’s work they only talk abu their people work which will be a ultimate copy of the oldies & hollywood remasterd one.U can see one thing in bala’s wrk that he has been affected by aryan race.Hats off to Bala’s wrk to continue his gr8 wrk.
avan ivan – complete disaster – pls dont go to theatre – its not worth watching in dvd too.
balas stuff over –
he is all left with sadistic thoughts and nothing else -
bala stop this nonsense and try to hear what people say
awe……………awe…………awesome. Am truly madly deeply love this film,
AVAN – IVAN
VISHAL – HARD WORKING PERFORMENCE…HE PROVE ONE OF THE BEST ACTOR IN TAMIL CINEMA….
ARYA – GOOD WORK….
BALA – HE IS THE GOD OF TAMIL CINEMA…. ANOTHER ONE TIME HE SHOWS THE PEOPLE”S REAL LIFE… HE IS THE ROLE MODEL OF ALL TAMIL CINEMA DIRECTORS…BALA ALWAYS ROCKZZZ………………… YUVAN – WOW…WHAT A MUSIC……..
Bala’s films are known for their realistic and emphatic portrayal of an environment which is not so familiar to Tamil films. Avan Ivan too shows a world which most of us would not be aware of. He sets his story in the backdrop of a small rural area which is the homeland of thieves. The lifestyle of the thieves is portrayed well with all its colour but Bala has failed to come out with a solid story and a coherent screenplay.
Walter (Vishal) and Kumbudren Saamy (Aarya) are half brothers who are always fighting with each other. But they also have subtle and strong warmth for each other. While Saamy is a clever thief, Walter is naïve in his profession but he is a very good actor who can stun everyone by his performance. He is longing for some recognition but his circle doesn’t bother about his artistic abilities.
They have a common patron and a close friend in form of Highness, an erstwhile Zameendhar (GM Kumar), who rescues them from all kinds of troubles. They, in turn, are very loyal to Highness and are ready to go to any extent to help him.
Meanwhile Walter and Saamy meet police constable Baby (Janani Iyer) and a college girl Thenmozhi (Madhu Shalini) respectively. Predictably they fall in love and the girls too reciprocate the same.
The routine life of the area is shacked by an incident when Highness exposes a cattle smuggler and puts him behind the bar. The smuggler takes gruesome revenge and the brothers get enraged. The climax tells you the predictable end to the smuggler. You also get to see how Walter gets recognized for his artistic traits thanks to the visit of actor Surya to their area.
Bala, known for his humourous touch within the framework of his serious stories, has opted for full fledged comical treatment. The movie makes us laugh from the word go with Vishal’s dancing in the disguise of a woman. The fighting between the mothers of Walter and Saamy, the activities of the police, and the lifestyle of Highness provide ample scope for laughter. However, this approach turns out to be a gimmicks as the incidents are loosely packed without any coherent meaning or purpose. The director takes too many scenes to give us the feel of the locality and hence the story fails to take off and it proves to be inadequate when it finally takes off.
Reality in a movie does not exist in not only capturing the raw feelings and language of the fringe group of the society. It is about making their lives come alive with a strong story and a coherent script. Bala has given us some glimpses of the lives of his characters but he has failed to make any impact as he does it without a proper premise or purpose. The ‘love’ affairs are poorly etched and hence they are hard to digest.
The major plus point of the movie is Vishal’s performance. His character is a squint-eyed person and an artiste par excellence. He is longing for recognition in an art which others care a damn. He has portrayed the feelings very well while his body language as someone who has some of the qualities of a woman is outstanding. He also scores in emotional sequences when he feels for his beloved Highness. The scene, where he exhibits nine different kinds of emotions (Navarasa), is marvelous. It is once-in-a-lifetime performance.
Aarya doesn’t get a meaty role when compared with that of Vishal’s but he has done his part well and has considerably contributed to the entertaining part with his awesome dialogue delivery and emotions. G.M. Kumar has portrayed the character with conviction. His naked appearance and his brutal death are hard to forget thanks to Bala’s handling of these sequences.
Janani Iyer and Madhu Shalini have little to perform. Veteran actor Ambika is quite impressive in a heavy role.
Arthur Wilson’s cinematography and Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music add value to the movie. S. Ramakrishnan’s dialogues are sharp and humourous.
Bala has attempted to provide us with a film that has comical elements as its major strength. He has gone overboard and failed to present it with coherent script. As a result the movie turns out to be a disappointing experience despite having stunning performances.
Hi I saw this movie in tamil version but its Block buster movie and Vishal Performance excellent even Arya acting also good Great job Director Bala…..
Ading goiyala,
Enamo screenplay pathi karachi kudicha madiri pesuranunga. Ithula ponnunga vara. Ennadi theriyum ungalukku cinema pathi? No comedya. Nee poi awtu pottu aaadu. Appadi kooda yaarum sirika matanga. I saw the movie yest with housefull of audiences. The theatre is full of whistle and joy. Dont even dare to talk about screenplay. Shut your mouth and go and watch this rare film. You will not even see characters like this in chennai. You should appreciate bala for showing the other side of tamilnadu and interior parts. I enjoyed and i didnt see any major flaw. Dey vijay padatha vida nalla irukuda pothuma. Mooditu padatha mudinja kaasu koduthu paaru. Intha oseela ticket vangi padam pathavan thaan overa pesuranunga. Padam supera iruku. The movie is a hit. I dont know why some fools have reviewed it badly and given their 2.5 stars. Mavaney kaila kadaicha naaareeeduveenga.
May not the best movie of Bala. After watching the film for the first time the brutal death of G.K.Kumar and scenes unfolding after that really disturbed me. I once again watched this film to see the performance of each and every notable charecters of the film.
Vishal: Bala has completely transformed this actor to a performer. Vishal should be careful to keep his class hence forth by choosing right scripts.
Arya: First of all Congrats for really recomending vishal for the role and it is really nice to see that the bonding between two artists both on and off the screen. Well done Arya. Even though you have down played in this role your performance is brilliant
G.K.Kumar: Common man you etched a mark in all peoples mind and in the history of tamil film by your natural and spontaneous performance. Where have been you all this days. your dialogue delivery, facial expressions , body language every thing is awesome. We simply loved and empathised your charecterization and performance.
Bala: Come on Man donot worry about the criticism and comments. There is some deep influence of your life in all the films you have weilded the megaphone.Be your self and continue to give us realistic movies and dont get compromised.
THHIS IS A PEICE OF S**T. ANOTHER DUMP f**K OF BALA
INSTEAD OF AVAN IVAN IT SHOULD HAVE THE NAME LIKE THIS PEE MUTHIRAM
THAT SONDS EVEN UGLIER!
few things are possible only with extraordinary persons like bala
if u like bala movies u will like this movie too
hey Daniel, if u don’t like the movie shut the f**k up. you have no rights to talk about Bala. He is the Best
I just saw this movie on a bus going from Bangalore to Chennai. The acting was so terrible I couldn’t figure out if it was a joke or not.
Nani’s Jameen…
Nani the hero of the film Naan Ee directed by Raja mouli is eyeing on kollywood. the naan ee hero’s latest Telugu film Pilla zamindar is allset for release in Tamil as Jameen. The film has Bindu Madhavi and haripriya as the lady leads. the film deals about the life of a wealthy young man who comes up through his own efforts.
The film is directed by Ashok and has music by selva ganesh of vennila kabadi kuzhu fame. The hero is also listening for some scripts to do more Tamil films and with jameen we may get a chance to see more of Nani in Tamil films too.