Well, here comes "Saroja" from Venkat Prabhu, which is now embraced by the Tamil audience, paper and online media with positive reports claiming a new era of Tamil cinema and path breaking original narration. I came across several interviews by Saroja team and Venkat Prabhu talking about how the idea emerged on a fine day and how the elaboration went on to become a movie. I went ahead and watched the movie and within first 30 minutes I realized I have either heard something similar to this. Went to Wikipedia, movie sites and checked and found - "JUDGEMENT NIGHT" by Steve Hopkins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgment_Night_(film). Y'day I downloaded this English Version and watched it. In Judgment Night it was a boxing match In Saroja its Cricket.. May be Prabhu is yet to get out of his CH28 days. There is no Kidnap story in the English version. In tamil version Venkat has attached it may be to give some more spice to the story . The accident scene comes in just 10mins from the start of the movie.. Where as in Tamil its almost 40mins.. Thanks to 3 songs before tht..
This basic movie plot, ideas and several scenes were a direct DVD pick from here. There is nothing wrong is making an Indian version of a Hollywood or any international movie... Maniratnam took the entire idea of Ayudha Yezhuthu from Amores Perros and there are so many such examples. The team can openly say that it was inspired rather than claiming to be a original path breaking idea. Everybody is praising Venkat Prabhu for pushing Tamil cinema into new stage with the plot and narration.
Today, the Tamil movies are being watched across the sea in many continents. People are aware and can clearly differentiate between the original and an inspired or remake film. So the directors can clearly say, "I was completely blown by this international movie and I am trying to do an Indian version," I am sure things will improve. To start with Chennai-28 was an original script and it had every element of excitement, narration and fun. With the days of many original ideas like Anjathey, Subramaniyapuram, Guru, Veyil, Paruthi Veeran etc., Tamil cinema is moving to a different genre and these directors are taking it to places. I am sure Venkat Prabhu, as a director, now has the expectation and is emerging into top directors of Tamil cinema...
FYI, I thoroughly enjoyed Saroja.. Wish Venkat all the best for his next project "GOA"
