Coming Soon - Oram Po

Oram Po! is a phrase that asks others to move aside so that you can move forward. But ironically, the movie Oram Po ended up being pushed aside for a long time because of financial issues. But the problems have been resolved and Oram Po finally hits screens tomorrow. Aside from the biggies, this is one of the movies I've been looking forward to for a long time (so inspite of Jeeva's recent track record with respect to his films, I'm disappointed that they're screening Rameswaram rather than Oram Po, here in the Bay Area).

One thing about Oram Po is definitely unique - it is being directed by the husband-wife team of Pushkar and Gayatri. They seem to have worked hard on the film and must be relieved now that its release is imminent.

I think the day I started looking forward to Oram Po was the day I first saw its trailer. Oram Po is one of the few movies where the trailer actually does what it is supposed to do - raise interest in the movie and make us want to watch it. Very funny and nicely edited, it is one the best trailers in recent times. The characters introduced look interesting and capable of carrying a fun movie and the auto race sequence looks very stylish. Tamil cinema trailers are pretty ineptly put together. But I've noticed that films with trailers that stood out from the crowd - Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Veyyil, Imsai Arasan 23aam Pulikesi and Sivaji are some I remember - have turned out to be big hits. So the good trailer portends well for Oram Po.

While G.V.Prakash has had hits like Pollaadhavan since Veyyil, I think the Oram Po was actually his second album. And his sophomore outing kept up the promise he showed in his first film. T.Rajendar is an inspired choice for Gun Ganapathy... and his rough voice actually brings a lot of energy to the fun song (after Simbhu and films like Veerasamy, I didn't think I'd like anything associated with TR!). The lyrics are fun too. Kozhi Kaalu... is another fun song that benefits from Jassie Gift's unique voice and singing style. There are just a few lines that get repeated but it has good rhythm and beats. Idhu Enna Maayam... is one of those soft and melodious number that Prakash seems to do very well. I also love the theme song which includes some fast lines.

Oram Po a pretty important movie for both its leads Arya and Pooja. Arya started off strong and quickly attained pin-up status but hasn't had a release, let alone a hit, for almost a year. While Naan Kadavul might help him being taken seriously as an actor, Oram Po is his chance at box-office success (I'm sure he'll be a happy man if it becomes even half as successful as another movie where the hero played an auto-driver :-). Pooja's last hit(which was also Arya's last hit) was Pattiyal and since then she has been seen only in Thagappansamy, a no-show at the BO. I've had a soft corner for her ever since her debut in Jay Jay and am hoping that this movie becomes a hit and helps her get a foot in the big league door.

Hope Oram Po zooms to the top of the box-office...