Well, movie-buffs have been plated a lot of fantastic epic/historical films in the recent 5 years. Bahubali’s himalayan success created a craze on epic films as it was released in several languages around the country. The lives of Kings and Queens were either hurriedly unearthed or created by many big-time production houses who wanted to make their own blockbuster flick. Its forerunners- Magadheera and Arundhati created sparks which now has led to the rise of this genre films in major South Indian movie houses.
Bollywood also has done a lot of historical/periodical films in the recent past. Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika which is about to release soon is the latest take in genre. The charming actress we knew is going to take the theaters by storm with her new avatar. The poster and the trailer are testimonies to it. But if I tell you that this specific genre has been resurrected by a comedian would you believe? I believe that ‘Vaigai Puyal’ Vadivelu is that heroic comedian who brought this genre back to life.
Of course periodical films have been done before his Imsai Arasan 23 am Pulikesi. Legendary actors Sivaji Ganeshan, M.G.R. and N.T. Rama Rao had done great justice to this genre back in the distant past but in the 80 and 90s the films focusing on royalty dropped to a new low and big stars like Rajini, Kamal or any one in higher ranks focused more on action/adventure, romance/comedy type. Periodical films or Epic/Historical films were forgotten.
But Vadivelu, after acting in that genre, breathed new life into it. Although the movie was a comedy film, its art design was aesthetically done and the visuals instantly clicked with the old-time movie-buffs who had seen a lot of good old epic films like Karnan, Katabomman, Kappalotiya Tamilan and Raja Raja Cholan. Of course Vadivelu’s performance was the paramount force in making it a success. Ever since then, major stars, especially in the South have taken interest in acting in epic/historical type of films. Rajini’s Kochadaiyan, Vijay’s Puli, Karthi’s Aayirathil Oruvan and other films of the millennium including the latest ones owe a little to Vadivelu. He was the one who went before them and proved that this digital world loves the good old-fashioned epic/historical films. The comedian’s Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi is getting its sequel title Imsai Arasan 24am Pulikesi. Fans of the star hope it releases this year. Whatever he does becomes a trend and this guy’s upcoming film could be counted to give a hearty laugh.