Romance on the High Seas Review – Ulaga Madayan is a Shameless Thief
Gun, knife, rope, the sea or the Annanagar Tower, take your pick, Kamal.
Folks, Kamal Haasan’s Manmadhan Ambu has fared worse than Vijay’s Sura, the colossus of nonsense, at the UK box office.
Bollywood Humgamma has put out the Manmadham Ambu U.K. box office numbers and, oh, they are shameful, pitiful and disgraceful.
This piece of junk should not have been released in theaters but should been reserved for friends and family of the clown.
For the five-day opening Christmas Weekend, Manmadhan Ambu could manage only a piffling £50,095 at the UK box office with an average gross of a mere £2,947.
Can it get any worse?
Un kannil neer vazhinthaal
en nenjil uthiram kottuthadi
Ha ha ha ha. Serves the idiot right for unleashing such trash on viewers.
Here, see for yourself in the below table how miserably Manmadhan Ambu has fared at the UK box office in the opening weekend compared to a few prominent Tamil movies:
Related Stories:
Manmadhan Ambu Review – Ulaga Madayan Stumbles Badly
may i ask where you get your BO values from?? Its a bit biased to chose some from the UK Council website and then some from Bollywood Hungama…
i mean look:
NAAN MAHAAN ALLA [Tamil film] has debuted at No. 32 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 14,555 [approx. Rs. 10.51 lacs] on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,426.
RAVANAN [Tamil film] has debuted at No. 16 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 66,317 [approx. Rs. 45.03 lacs] on 14 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 4,737.
SINGAM has debuted at No. 21 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 54,230 [approx. Rs. 37.42 lacs] on 9 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 6,026.
SURA has debuted at No. 22 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 44,318 [approx. Rs. 30.10 lacs] on 7 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 6,331.
BILLA [Tamil film] has debuted at No. 14 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 38,984 [approx. Rs. 31.01 lacs] on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 3,898.
BHEEMAA [Tamil film] has debuted at No. 20 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 51,243 [approx. Rs. 39.49 lacs] on 14 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 3,660.
so, MMA got more than Sura and Billa, right?? hehehe
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: may i ask where you get your BO values from?? Its a bit biased to chose some from the UK Council website and then some from Bollywood Hungama…
Our first preference is to use the Box Office numbers from UK Film Council. In the event they are not available, then we use other well known sources like Bollywood Hungama.
As you can see in this UK Film Council link, the box office numbers are currently not available for the Christmas weekend.
I donno why you waste web space posting something obvious.
MAN MADHAN AMBU (Cupid’s Arrow) was way off the mark by a gazillion miles.
People here didn’t even want to give it a try because the film gained BAD PUBLICITY by WORD OF MOUTH. It goes off to show that people won’t take shit for long even if you are a ULAGA MADAYAN.
BTW, Kamal’s NEELA VANAM song has been either INSPIRED or as we say PLAGIARIZED from an album COLD PLAY – the SCIENTIST (or whatever it is) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfTB6KhPzHU
Please take some time to write about quality movies, not box office collections of failed films.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hello Sweetie, howdy.
1. You write: I donno why you waste web space posting something obvious.
You can always blame it on Jagermeister.
2. You write: BTW, Kamal’s NEELA VANAM song has been either INSPIRED or as we say PLAGIARIZED from an album COLD PLAY – the SCIENTIST (or whatever it is) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr1HpRQsb3Q
We just purchased Cold Play – The Scientist from iTunes. Please send money order for 69 cents. 😉
Not sure if we’d ask the Cold Play folks to seek royalties from Kamal and that Udayanidhi podiyan (kid).
Maybe, we’ll have to listen to both a few more times to see if you are right. Wonder what other readers think.
(Note to U.S. readers: Don’t bother to click on Ashwin’s above YouTube link because it isn’t playing in the U.S. due to geographic restrictions by EMI.)
3. You write: Please take some time to write about quality movies, not box office collections of failed films.
Here’s a bunch of nice films (mix of Hollywood & Foreign, Old and New):
Irreversible
L’Homme du Train
The Sicilian Girl
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Unstoppable
The Good, the Bad and the Weird
Infidel (not reviewed yet)
BTW, your favorite Agneepath is being remade by Karan Johar. 😉
Agneepath???? remake…. that too by KARAN JOHARRR………… Please, haven’t I had enough???
In Tamil there is a saying “Nalla Maatukku oru soodu, nalla manishanukku oru sollu (I cannot translate this, sorry)”. I think I have heard enough of AGNEEPATH.
Btw, I agree with your point, you did review good films, but not MANy good movies. Since I don’t follow other movies much, I can only recommend a very few rare movies that I know:
1) Manichitrathazhu (A Malayalam thriller film starrring the talented Danseuse SHOBANA and the ever-talented Mohanlal). Maybe, to make it much clearer, this is the original film from which movies like the KANNADA HIT AAPTHAMITRA, Rajini’s CHANDRAMUKHI, and AKSHAY’s BHOOL BULAIYYA were remade.
2) Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu (The color of Poverty is RED) – An 1980s film made by BALACHANDAR, starring Kamal Haasan, SV SEKHAR, and the Sridevi in the lead roles. this film is based on the lives of youngsters who try to overcome the sorrows of joblessness and poverty. A hard-hitting film, I must say.
3) Angaadi Theru: A recent film, which was a sleeper hit in tamilnadu, comprising of little-known actors. This film portrays the ugly realities of the so-called FANCY retail stores, namely Saravana stores. One of the most hard-hitting films in recent times and without a doubt the best film of 2010. A pity that people hyped ENDHIRAN as the biggest blockbuster when this tiny little film gained almost 100% profit even with a very miserly budget.
4) Mounam Pesiyadhe: Director Amir’s first film starring Surya Sivakumar (Yes, the now- SORI PADAM SURIYA was once a very talented actor), Trisha Krishnan, and Laila in the lead roles. A very decent film which deals with a routine subject in a very different way.
5) EVANO ORUVAN: Be warned, this film has got anywhere from BAD to Very GOOD Reviews. One of Madhavan’s favorite movies after Anbe Sivam. In this film, Madhavan portrays the role of a common man who is frustrated by the evils around him and takes matters into his own hands to cleanse the society, but falls prey to the system. Another hard hitting film, but I guess Madhavan did go over the top in a few scenes.
Maybe, if you are interested, you can have a look at some of these movies. I can assure you that these films are better than the usual crap tamil movies you watch,
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thanks for the recommendations (above).
We’ll try and watch/review as many of those movies as we can lay our hands on. We’ll get to all of them eventually.
I’d ask you to first watch Manichitrathazhu. It’s the best of the 5.
Since you have watched Chandramukhi, you’d obviously be aware of the main storyline but there are certain differences. Manichitrathazhu is closer to reality. No commercial elements, scintillating music and splendid performances by the actors. Also the dialogs are very natural, which makes the comedy scenes even more enjoyable. It would be better if you know Malayalam.
I haven’t watched the other movies except for Mounam pesiyadhe. Paruthiveeran was also by the same director. Mounam Pesiyadhe is alright. Decent acting and decent music.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll eventually watch Manichitrathazhu. Plus, we like Shobana. 😉
Do you just hate Kamal Haasan and his movies and that reflects on your reviews/posts? Just curious.. based on that I can take these posts in perspective. I also watch a lot of movies especially Tamil so if I may share my views…
Movie: Was Manmadhan Ambu a great movie? No! Was it good? well… in parts atleast until travesty was unleashed upon us in the name of comedy in the last 30 minutes. Was it bad? not really… the acting was adequate, there was a story and fairly decent screenplay for that content until the last 30 minutes, it was far better than most Tamil movies that in 2010.
Box office: One fact that I know is that the movie was released late in UK instead of the regular Thursday/Friday due to bad weather. People don’t have to rush to catch a movie braving bad weather cos they can as well wait and watch it another day. The collections reflect that. The title of the post seemed more like a delibrate attempt to target this movie and Kamal. That may well be your intent and that is fine if you spell it out.
Your deduction from the numbers is highly manipulative. It is skewed to compare the results of an also ran movie with the numbers from the first weekend. This movie made in the first weekend what SURA could make in its entire run. If I have to draw an analogy to the way you have chosen to interpret the numbers then since Endhiran’s average gross is lesser than that of SURA, it was also a less successful movie than SURA.
Another website.. I think Behindwoods reported that Manmadhan ambu has grossed almost 1 cr in Chennai during first weekend.. that is half of Endhiran by running in half as many theaters with comparitively less hype and promotion. The movie has been running to packed houses in all major theaters in Chennai and it will do so for another week or so due to holidays. I am sure this movie will be profitable and get a “Hit” status.
If you are going to conclude that I am a Kamal fan then you may do so. But, just to put things in perspective.. I like Kamal haasan the actor and his movies irrespective of whether they are original or inspired or copied because when he does a good remake the result is usually more entertaining than the original. Getting inspired or copying is not wrong. I also agree that his Dasavatharam was garbage, Manmadhan Ambu is below average quality and he does rank bad movies from time to time but none of that warrent personal insults.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Do you just hate Kamal Haasan and his movies….I am a Kamal fan…I like Kamal haasan the actor and his movies irrespective of whether they are original or inspired or copied because when he does a good remake the result is usually more entertaining than the original. Getting inspired or copying is not wrong.
You can try your cheap, nasty little tricks with your malevolent suggestions (see your beginning) till the cows come home but our habitues know from experience we’re unbiased and that the milk of human kindness overfloweth in our breast.
Truth be said, With Malice Toward None and Charity for All (Thank you, Lincoln) is the credo we live by.
Should you care to read our other posts, you’ll find there are no sacred cows or favorites here. Both humans and non-humans are treated fairly and with utmost respect, albeit what they deserve and what they’ve earned.
The box office numbers for all films in the table are for the opening weekend. It’s hard for sane minds to defend Manmadhan Ambu’s pitiful performance.
We’re talking Five-Day-weekend, kid. Get over your disappointment. As some other commenters have written, bad word-of-mouth is likely having a negative impact on BO collections.
Copying is not wrong? You may care two hoots for theft (as you confess) but there are many movie fans who detest and loath theft, particularly when an Ulaga Madayan stoops down to it.
http://www.searchindia.com/2010/12/30/romance-on-the-high-seas-review-ulaga-madayan-is-a-shameless-thief
Now, cut the diabolical ad hominem attack to deflect attention from the crappy film and its miserable BO numbers.
Bottom line, you do not make a strong enough case for your points. Try peddling your dubious wares elsewhere.
2. You write: I am sure this movie will be profitable and get a “Hit” status.
Of course, it’s possible in India where SHIT often is a HIT.
///You can try your cheap, nasty little tricks with your malevolent suggestions (see your beginning) till the cows come home but our habitues know from experience we’re unbiased and that the milk of human kindness overfloweth in our breast. ///
Thanks for clarifying that you are unbiased. By the way that “milk” stinks.. mayhe you can refer that as shit in future.
///Truth be said, With Malice Toward None and Charity for All (Thank you, Lincoln) is the credo we live by. ///
If you says so…
///Should you care to read our other posts, you’ll find there are no sacred cows or favorites here. Both humans and non-humans are treated fairly and with utmost respect, albeit what they deserve and what they’ve earned.///
I did not read all but read many posts even before my first comment. The “respect” you mention was hard to spot. But that is ok!
///The box office numbers for all films in the table are for the opening weekend. It’s hard for sane minds to defend Manmadhan Ambu’s pitiful performance.///
My bad. I thought those were the total earnings. Manmadhan Ambu’s numbers aren’t good.
We’re talking Five-Day-weekend, kid. Get over your disappointment. As some other commenters have written, bad word-of-mouth is likely having a negative impact on BO collections.
///Pretending that I didnt see your condescendence, I just pointed out that the movie released late in most theaters in UK. You can take 5 day weekend or 7 day weekend but the movie released in many theaters only on Friday or Saturday. I don’t have media proof but i have two friends there who said the date was pushed. I agree with the negative word of mouth. (Even I am saying to my friends that the movie is average)
///Copying is not wrong? You may care two hoots for theft (as you confess) but there are many movie fans who detest and loath theft, particularly when an Ulaga Madayan stoops down to it.///
I agree.. i dont mind inspirarions/copies. Nothing wrong with it. At the same time when i saw the originals of Thenali and Avvai Shanmughi i was bored. The copied/remade versions were more entertaining for me. Just because something is original it does not have to be better than the remake/copy. If something is good then take it! The point where i agree is the crediting. All movie makers in India copy or get inspired routinely without crediting the original including Kamal. I agree he is a pesudo.
http://www.searchindia.com/2010/12/30/romance-on-the-high-seas-review-ulaga-madayan-is-a-shameless-thief
///Now, cut the diabolical ad hominem attack to deflect attention from the crappy film and its miserable BO numbers.///
No need to defend anything boss… the numbers are there for everyone to see and interpret.
///Bottom line, you do not make a strong enough case for your points. Try peddling your dubious wares elsewhere.///
If insulting were a profession then you would be the industry leader in it. Nevertheless, you can satisfy your fat ego by pickand choosing points from my comment and conveniently ignoring the fact that I am also critical of some of the so called hits and blockbusters of Kamal. I like Kamal the actor but i am not a fan.
///2. You write: I am sure this movie will be profitable and get a “Hit” status.
Of course, it’s possible in India where SHIT often is a HIT.///
True but it happens everywhere in relatively less frequency.
I will let you have the last word because going by the other posts you cannot digest others point of views and you have an urge to have the last word. Continue your constipation…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Guys, we were tempted to reply to this tedious 602-word monologue.
But after we read this Chutiya arguing: when i saw the originals of Thenali and Avvai Shanmughi i was bored. The copied/remade versions were more entertaining for me., we realized the futility of responding to such bozos.
Garbage, the commenter’s line of argument and Thenali.
[Trash Talk]
Hola SI!
Good to see your comments open! Why did you close your comment section? Any specific reason?
Anyway, we drove 7 hours to Houston to watch this movie. Though it was not worth the drive, but I would say the movie was better than the regular nonsense offered by Bollywood / Tollywood. Few scenes were definitely enjoyable.
Keep writing SI. We enjoy your work.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Howdy Sweetie?
You write: Anyway, we drove 7 hours to Houston to watch this movie. Though it was not worth the drive….
And we thought we were crazy for driving about two hours.
fodder for incredible india
after all the media circus ‘Arushi Murder Case’ is closed due to lack of evidence.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
What’s new. That’s why we call it Incredible India. 🙁