Thursday, October 20, 2005

Chinna Kalaivanar Namba Vivek




Was reading about Vivek's sudden absence in one of the movie websites and also ended up reading an interview given by the comedian. Also, watched a Raj TV or Vijay TV downloaded interview of this nagaichuvai mannan and throughly enjoyed it. Just thought it would be nice to review this man's background.

Many of us remember the thin, spectacled character who played a secretary role in K.Balachander's Pudhu Pudhu Aarthangal and also his Manathil Uruthi Vendum. Both these films had a serious story line and Vivek was plugged in to lighten the moments along with playing a part in the main story. He refers to NS Krishnan, the olden days comedy veteran as his inspiration for choosing social issues as comedy scripts.

Vivek specifically likes to target the youth as his audience, as he feels that reforming the society likes in their hands. His favourite author is Sidney Sheldon and he also reveres Abdul Khalam to a large extent. He believes in all Gods and religions, but wants to put an end to the superstions and man made religious practices that he often mocks about in his films. On a personal front, he says that he takes things lightly and doesn't have great ambitions and hence looks young :)

The man talks passionately about comedy being an important part of a film and also the essence of humor in our daily life.

Out of his numerous comedy roles, I have lovedhis performance in Minnale, Saami and Anniyan. Of course, there are countless other scenes of his from different movies that i have enjoyed. His Aal Thotta Bhoopathi role in some film was also one of my favorites.

After Anniyan, he has been out of the buzz world for a bit and rumors have that he is facing issues with the release of movie Solli Adippen with him playing hero.

Somehow, seeing Vivek as a hero will probably be well received by his fans for the first time, but am not so sure, if i want to see him do traditional hero roles and hurt his beloved comedy image.

Vivek vaazhga!!!

11 comments:

Rags said...

Yes Vivek has provided a welcome change to comedy from people who were irritating people instead of making them laugh.

The social messages he gives is a bonus...

Narayanan Venkitu said...

I love Vivek. One guy who can make me laugh so loud. I remember the Pudhu Pudhu arthangal - Inniki sethal naalaikku paal dialogue.

I watched him recently in Sun tv where he mentioned about Dr. Kalam.

By the way, He worked with my cousin, Ambi ( In E.B) , who is another blogger in the bay area.

Mitr, can you please email me. Kiruba has emailed me about his visit to Bay Area Nov-1 thru 4th. He like to meet bloggers around. Also if you know any other bloggers please spread the word. If possible please post on his visit. It will be fun to meet.

mitr_bayarea said...

rags: i agree..vivek did bring in a scent of freshness to the tamil cinema comedy....

narayana sir:good to know an extra piece of info abt Vivek's EB background.

Thanks for letting me know about the bloggers meet-not sure if i can make it though.

katpadi_murali:yes, timing and sponteinity is Vivek's strong side and he builds a good script based on the storyline too.

Raju said...

Vivek is my favorite too.. I used to tell my brother (who is also a big Vivek fan): "Annan sollu, Annan sollu" (along with 'innaikku setha..' dialogue from Pudhupudhu arthangal).

He has touched quite a lot of social issues in the last 3 years or so, which is very good. He earned the wrath of certain section of people for his aethist comments.

He acted as a hero in a movie, which I think is "Sendhoora selvi" or something opposite Kanaga. It was a Rama.Narayanan movie, with Baby Shamli in the double role.

One thing I kinda didnt like from Vivek was his appearance in a caste-based meeting alongwith other actors from his caste. (He is a 'thevar' it seems... but I didnt and dont care about it.. He shouldnt project/support caste-based politics). I dont know why he did that...

Balaji said...

i think we can call vivek the first 'classy' comedian in tamil cinema in quite a long time. there were lots of movies where he proved that a comedian is only as good as his script writer but with the right script, he is way better than the others around...

mitr_bayarea said...

raju:hmm..thanks for sharing your likes and dislikes about Vivek. Am hearing the "thevar" info along with his appearance in a caste based meeting for the first time..didn't think he would talk abt all gods being the same etc and still do something like this.

mitr_bayarea said...

balaji:i agree.What distinguishes Vivek from the others is his own script and his right blend of mimicry of other actors.

Me too said...

Vivek's comedy is so hilarious! I even bought a few Vivek comedy VCDs during my last trip to India!

mitr_bayarea said...

aparna: yeah..i have exhausted seeing all the vivek comedies from the nearvy Indian store.Cool-you got that from India!

Ram C said...

Of late, he has become stereo typed... and probably more demanding with the producers. I too loved lots of his deliveries.. includig the one from 'Priyamanavale'

Kaps said...

vivek has carved a unique place for himself.

in recent years, his demands seem to be increasing like mad.....he charges a bomb, demands publicity on par with the hero in the movie's stills and hoardings. some of his recent movies have lot of double entendres (M Kumaran and few more movies). hope his arrogance vanishes and he returns backs to the vivek we all know.