Vijay TV's Samsung Netru Indru Naalai: Yesterday, today and tomorrow was the theme of the unique musical created by Mani Ratnam and his team of technicians, Vasanth, Rajeev Menon and Sabu Cyril, and a host of actors, in aid of The Banyan, a home for the mentally challenged.
A large crowd of over twenty thousand was assembled on February 05, from 6.30 pm onwards, at Jeppiar Engineering College campus, to see the first and the foremost 'Broadway musical" type of live show in Chennai. It was a magical journey through the past, present and future of Tamil cinema.
It began with actress-dancer Bhanupriya and an ensemble of dancers dancing on top of huge drums. What followed was a spectacle that made the audience ask for “MORE!!” and they were not disappointed.
Shobana performed a remarkable dance, dancing around the stage like a startled gazelle. It was pure undiluted magic. A song sequence from the movie Kathalikka Neramillai recreated on the state with a touch of Eastman colour including the balcony was astounding. Ramesh Arvind, who came on stage wearing white pants and black shirt, with a whip in his hand, imitating MGR, performed the most famous song Naan Aanaiyittal, and was rewarded by the audience’s applause and calls for encores. Actor Shaam entered the stage on a motor-cycle imitating the famous Kamal song "Ilamai Itho Itho" from Sakala kala vallavan.
Just as in the movie, "Adi Raakamma kayye thatu" began with a bang with huge sets. The little super star Simbu and Simran danced together for the gala song. This is Simran’s first stage show after her marriage and childbirth. Actor Reema Sen and Simbu danced for the song "Thillana Thillana" from the movie Muthu, another famous number from Rajnikanth's movie. Both Simbu and Reema Sen sizzled on stage. With Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty doing the Chayya Chayya number (choreographed by dance master Kalyan), the crowd went shaking their legs for the song and dancing with all the energy of Shah Rukh Khan.
Kamalhaasan sang a song from Maniratnam’s Nayagan; even before Kamal Haasan entered the stage, the music was played and the crowd cheered the actor - a sight that had to be seen to be enjoyed.
The star of the Netru Indru Naalai show was undoubtedly Art director Sabu Cyril. Whether it was the hotel room of the early 60s, the ship in the sea, the fort in the song from Thalapathi, or the train from Dil Se, Sabu created something that was never seen before on stage. It was pure magic. For a song from Alaigal Oyvathillai, he created a field with sunflowers swaying in the breeze. The choreography of dance masters Kala and Brinda, needs to be appreciated.
Click here to see exclusive pictures of the event on galatta.com!
For those of you who want to see the show again, and for those of you who missed seeing the live show, here is the good news! Vijay TV's Samsung Netru Indru Naalai will be aired as two half hour specials leading up to the airing of the full show in a mega three hour show! The show timings are:
“The making of Netru Indru Naalai 2006” - curtain raiser 1 will be aired on February 18, at 7.30 pm.
“The making of Netru Indru Naalai 2006” - curtain raiser 2 will be aired on February 25, at 7.30 pm.
The event will be aired as a 3 hour special mega show on March 3, 2006 at 7 pm.
