Krishna R
'Aadu Puli Aattam' is not the first movie that comes up in our mind, when we think of Kamal-Rajini starrers of late 70s. I don't think the movie was commercially successful or critically acclaimed. It might have been an also-ran movie, as there were no big names involved, apart from the superstars. The director S.P.Muthuraman wasn't really popular at that time.Nevertheless, it is not an avoidable one. I would say that APA is more watchable than Ninaithale Inikkum or Alaudinum ArpudaVilakkum. The first 20 mins are pretty interesting but the story takes some bizarre turns later and falters. Some parts of the movie, like the climax fight sequence are engaging. Unlike the other films these two acted together, this one is neither a family drama nor a romantic movie. The story seems like it is tailor-made for MGR & Nambiar as there are quite a few stunts scenes, two-timing and some punch dialogues too. 'Aadu Puli Aattam' (translated in English - 'The Goat and Tiger game') refers to an old chess-like board game played in Tamil nadu using pebbles. Themovie starts with Kamal and Rajini, close associates, playing this game in a bar. When the game is finished, the couple, along with their gangmembers ransack the bar and loot the money. There are some notable scenes. A prisoner called 'Bhai' who is to be hung soon has a blind son. After Bhai is executed, Kamal who does not want the kid to know the truth & tries to act as Bhai by mimicking Bhai's voice. Though not a great scene, it must have been new to Tamil cinema during those days. Later a Prabhudeva-Karthik movie was entirely based on this concept. Later when Kamal tricks one of Rajini's associates by 'capturing' Major is a nice scene. I especially liked Kamal's expression when he comes back to Major and unties him. The bike-car chase between Kamal and Major is also well shot. Just note the scene when he is shot on his leg. The way he limps is just too natural. No other actor bothers to display the pain and feelings as much as this man. The Sardarji make-up and north-Indian accent is a good attempt too. Similarly the climax stunt scene is a well made one featuring Kamal and Rajini in a long drawn fight on a roof top. It is a well picturised stunt scene with very few camera tricks, thanks to Kamal's agility. He is extremely quick, energetic and dedicated. I could not spot a single shot in which he uses a dupe. But the same can not be said about Rajinikanth. This whole fight sequence was shot on Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth's dupe. Yes, even in close-up shots you can see Rajini's dupe trying hard to cover his face with his palms. The movie has a good number of clichéd scenes. The director follows the age-old practice of placing an odd-looking wig on the hero's head in the flashback(to show him as an 'innocent' man!). The flashback scenes are pretty much avoidable(especially Kamal dreaming of his ex-lover, who chases a train in 'slow motion' is funny). Thankfully there are only two songs and there isn't much romance. I guess the Bhai and his son were straight out of some drama troupe as their acting reminded me of early-80's DD 'Nadagams'. Major Sunderrajan is asked to wear the Khaki uniform yet another time. I can imagine the outrageous response he would have received from the audience when he mouthed his famous two-liner - 'Naan Kandippa Seyyaran. I will certainly do it!'..;-) There are some good one-liners for Rajinikanth. Especially 'Idhu Rajini Style' is stylish, indeed. But the way he says 'Dost' every time he meets Kamal is funny. It sounds more like Sivaji Ganesan's 'Thambeeeee,Ammaaaaa'...:-). Thengai Sreenivasan gets introduced in a grand manner, as a pipe-smoking Brahmin CID with a double barrel gun. But his role is disappointing. This movie doesn't have any comedy track, either.In the second half of the movie, Kamal gets an opportunity to work for the Crime Branch. Kamal, as usual is at ease in these roles. In the investigation scenes I felt, he could have avoided starting all sentences with a 'Well...'(In fact all wannabe-Kamal Hassans appearing in mimicry shows, never fail to copy this). From here on, Kamal's role becomes more James Bond-like working for the police, two-timing Rajini's associates and finding Rajini's hideouts. In the end, Kamal pushes Rajini from the top of a building, Rajini falls on a bush and loses his eyesight. As expected, the villain mouths the most common dialogue used in a climax..'Naan thirundhitten'. Kamal Hassan is the heart of 'Aadu Puli Aattam'.The entire story is about him - his early life, his lover, shattered dreams, gang of thugs enlightenment and revenge. For most part of the film, he appears in the hippie-style, which was hugely popular in the late 70s. He looks dashing in the intro scene where he rides a bullet. Though this role is a cakewalk for this extremely skilled actor, he doesn't get a chance to showcase his abundant talents in APA. The scene in which he goes to Rajini's den and gets a cold welcome is good. Rajini throws a garland on Kamal and calls him an 'Aadu'. In turn, Kamal turns back and throws the same garland on air which falls right on Rajini's neck, and says, 'Idhu nanbanukku poatta malai illa', implying that he is the tiger and Rajini, the goat. Like this there are few promising sequences, but overall, the movie is just average.Music is disappointing(neither MSV not Illayaraja) but photography was pretty good, especially in the opening scene.(BTW, This is a Black& White movie).When I saw it, I could relate it to several other films which came later. Kamal's own Khakki Chattai,a much bigger hit and a better entertainer can be called a remake of APA. More recently, Kireedom and Pokkiri have some scenes resembling this movie.
