Tamil Cinema and the density of air

More Tamil cinema bashing. Last time I checked, the dynamic viscosity of air, helped along by the density of said gas was a thousand times smaller than that of water. So, unless there is a hurricane of Katrinaic dimensions swinging merrilly along its path in Kodambakkam everytime there's a showdown between our ubiquitous hero (we won't name names here) and the dregs of the criminal class, the fluid mechanician in me is offended by the quadrople, and higher order areal summersaults of a twenty stone man (the ubiquitous goonda, still no names) that result from a kick or punch from our man, who, is by way of containing less than half the mass of above goonda.

Yes, you guessed it. The topic of this blog is special effects in Tamil cinema. With the easy flow of talent and cash into special effects and graphics these days, Tamil cinema has cashed in in a big way. Gone are the days when the cameraman had to select special angles, and apply trick shots to show the valiant Vijakanth take on five men armed with sticks, knives and other such pleasant knicknacks. These days, Vijaykanth can take on fifty men armed with machine guns, napalm and acid bombs without breaking a sweat thanks to the judicious use of special effects.


The concept of using graphics to further the image of the god-like hero is something that has stuck on like a parasitic virus in Tamil cinema today. And it is clearly reflective of the movie-goer's tastes when you see one man take on a veritable battalion of thugs and despatch them to various parts of the city with a flick of his wrists, or some agile footwork. An intelligent call taxi proprietor might use stunt scenes out of modern Tamil movies as a simile to his speedy serive, as a brilliant marketing stratagem. Tweed-like teenagers who look like a leaf blown away in a gusty wind, and overburdened obese elderly gentlemen who give the impression of being more in their element while enjoying a relaxing mid-day siesta after a couple of full meals get miraculosuly transformed into mayhem wreacking juggernauts on the silver screen.

A little larger than life extravaganza here and there is definitely called for to make a movie what it is - a wholesome entertainer. But when young Simbu blows one villain three blocks away with a mere look, or Ultimate Star Ajith sideswipes another evil-doer into the afterlife, you being to wonder if its just you, or if it is the heat of Chennai that's got into your head and is conjuring up such virulent imagery. I guess even at a record 40 Rupees to the Dollar, the Indian Rupee is much devalued indeed everytime one spends 150 rupees to go and willfully subject himself or herself to this excess on the screen.