Ghilli (2004)

I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but my biggest complaint from this movie is... Prakash Raj. I was expecting him to be as pitch perfect as he was in Okkadu (2003)- bringing in the same sinister energy which doesn't let you laugh despite the comic excesses. Here, he was just a comic excess, which undermined the entire purpose of his character. They also didn't do justice to one of my most favourite scenes of all time, the one where Mahesh Babu puts a knife to Bhumika's throat. I have literally gone back to that scene on multiple occasions just to feel something, that's how much I love it. Ghilli could not manage to capture that same intensity and almost rushed through the entire sequence. Try as Vijay might, he couldn't save this scene from becoming a parody of the OG. My man tried his best, though.

However, all things considered, I love this movie with all my heart. Vijay and Trisha are both fantastic, and their chemistry just makes everything better. All the comedy scenes landed just where they had to, especially the ones involving Velu's (Vijay) family- someone give Ashish Vidyarthi more comic roles please!! The soundtrack by Vidyasagar is legendary; I mean, this is the album that gave us 'Appadi Podu' aka the biggest cultural reset of all time. For that alone, this movie had my heart even before I watched it. And also because Vijay keeps serving one look after another. I swear to god, that man's screen presence is something else only.

Special shout-out to my new favourite and comfort character, Bhuvana (Nancy Jennifer). She was too delightful as Velu's younger sister, and literally matched and complemented Vijay every single time. Not an easy task by any standards.

Finally, I want to acknowledge Trisha ma'am giving me yet another reason to love her- the final Kabaddi match sequence. She was the star of that entire bit, proving once more why she is a goddess and we did nothing to deserve her. The way she stops to get coffee while Prakash Raj is literally dragging her away from Vijay........ nothing is more relatable to my existence. And the way she enters the stadium? MY HEART MELTED. And the way she almost breaks down during the Vijay-Prakash Raj fight sequence?? You can see her guilt and her anxiety right there in a few seconds of footage, without a single dialogue. Queen of acting and also of everyone's heart. 

In conclusion, this right here is the cinematic excellence we need. When will we start making such movies again??? Who the fuck asked for anything else????? Ugh. 

PS- Vijay's eyes >>>> 

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