Thursday, March 28, 2019

Super Deluxe review: Life lessons in a magic event at the cinemas











Disclaimer 1: Zero spoiler piece

Disclaimer 2: I used to think I have a really small and simple brain which can barely process calculations of monetary transactions above fifty rupees. This stands changed now onwards.

Disclaimer 3: I revel in basic dal-chawal meals, this evening I savored a 100-course buffet, and came back content and nourished. I might throw up in some time, but that is all going to be virtually on this blog of mine. In a parallel universe your screen might stink because of the vomit.

Sample the trailer of Thiagarajan Kumararaja sir's film, 'Super Deluxe':



Last disclaimer: I am not too well-versed in Tamizh cinema, so I might have not cracked all or any of the references or hat tips employed by TK sir. Pardon my ignorance.

Moving on to the two most important men in 'Super Deluxe' - TK sir and Vijay Sethupathi sir - they deserve all possible awards in all the universes that exist. I think each brain cell of TK sir can contain a universe of their own. The actor that Vijay sir was in this film, his cojones, as a rule must be used as weapons to attack satellites and planets of other galaxies. What a greedy actor, he has sunk his teeth not only into the meat his character offered, he also seems to have relished all the red and white blood cells on the offered meat.

I don't know why the director chose to start this esoteric film with a Bappi Lahiri tribute, but it really stamped my wrist the way they do at posh night clubs. It felt like I have surrendered to this universe completely unknown to me. I am perhaps one of the few cinephiles who have not savored the brilliance of 'Aaranya Kaandam' yet. Before you jump at me with carrots and dried fruit, I promise to make up for this faux pas. CineMaa Kasam.

As I mentioned earlier, I am too simple a guy who still can't fathom why Jai dies in Sholay or Tina dies in Mr. India - I still cry while watching these films for the millionth time. After watching 'Super Deluxe,' I am really surprised that I didn't cry even once through out the film. Could it be the genre? Could it be the flawed characters? Could it be that 'Super Deluxe' is four films rolled into one? Too much material to process, and I certainly was too overwhelmed with what I watched. I feel similarly while watching 'Pulp Fiction,' it never ever made me cry.

Before I go any further, music magician, Yuvan Shankar Raja sir, take a bow. 'Super Deluxe' is one of the few films that reminded me of the heydays of RGV. The way he used to employ music - both songs and BGM - I relived that era gone by in TK sir's genius of a film. As time passes, this creation of Yuvan sir will become a rage and beast of its own, and will spawn fan clubs all over the internet. I have been usually pissed off when the BGM tries to manipulate me while watching films, but the BGM of 'Super Deluxe' is stuff legends are made of.

So long into a blog, and no mention of Rani? Let me correct that immediately. Long before the movie Her, Rani came into my life - first we used to chat online, and then we started talking on the phone. These conversations usually began when I reached my favorite watering hole in Yaari Road called Madhuban, and lasted till either of us passed out or fell asleep or the phone battery died. There came a point in this stage of our life when I thought either she was an automated voice planted by my mother, a Russian spy or some prankster employed by my sick friends. I had a deja vu moment while watching 'Super Deluxe'. 

Getting back to The Film of The Weekend, I have been in love with Samantha since I first saw her in Gautham Menon sir's VTV - I still was till early this evening. I hated Fahadh Faasil since I first watched him in 'Bangalore Days'. Mind you this is my perception of them due to the characters they essay and has nothing to do with them as humans. May be some day I could bond with Fahadh over toddy and fish fry, but wait - I hate fish fry too. Hahahaha. Sorry couldn't resist. This love-hate equation I had with Samantha and Fahadh changed this evening - don't ask me for good or bad.

Time to wrap, Rani is waiting to read this and approve of this piece. So, parting words:

To employ the translation of a piece in the trailer of 'Super Deluxe:

"If a man chased by a tiger, has no where to hide & runs and flings himself over a cliff with a tree, if he falls through leaves and branches, grabs a vine, hangs in mid air; if he realizes that the vine is a snake, tiger above, abyss below,  a snake coiled around his body. As he lifts his head to curse his life, what if he spots a honey comb?  From which a drop of honey, trickles and drips and lands close to his lips...  And when death stands above and below & he knows his end is near; if for a split second he goes fuck the tiger, fuck the fall, fuck the snake, fuck them all, and in reckless abandon, if he sticks his tongue out and licks the honey & cries out 'aaaaaahhhh' in bliss..." 

This is the guy I want to be.

Thank you, TK sir, for this "magic event" at the cinemas. Next time you come home, I will kiss your shoelaces, and make boiled water (only thing I can make) for you. It's a promise. Post that please share all your references and tributes you planted in 'Super Deluxe'. 

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