Ghilli (2004)

Ghilli is one of the best made entertainers Tamil cinema has ever seen, and is the movie that brought Vijay into stardom. It is easy to remake a blockbuster movie, but to surpass the original is something only a few movies can do, and Ghilli is one of them. Although the general story line is the same as Okkadu, director Dharani had riveting screenplay that made the movie feel more intense and racy. The movie's decision to forego a comedy track was a great move, since Vijay does an excellent job in providing comic relief during his interactions with his family. Prakash Raj's role is extended a little bit more in the Tamil version and he does a great job portraying a menacing villain who will do anything to achieve his goal. Trisha also does a great job as playing a mortified girl who is running for her life. The soundtrack by Vidyasagar is simply iconic with songs like Appadi Podu. Some of the scenes maybe considered "over the top" by today's standards, but without a doubt this was a culturally significant movie in Tamil cinema. There really isn't much to complain about this movie since it did well in all areas.

Fmovies: "Ghilli" is the Tamil language remake of the Telugu film "Okkadu".

It is unfortunate that Dharani does not show any directorial stamp of his own, instead relying on the same techniques Gunasekhar had employed in the Telugu original. He makes a few (detrimental) changes in the screenplay to suit the star Vijay's image, such as addition of annoying comic sidekicks and making the scenes with his family more comic and OTT than the original, deleting all the sweet and enjoyable character interaction. Even the climax is hastily put together, without any buildup that the climax of the original had. The only two aspects where this version scores over its source is that Trisha makes for prettier eye candy than Bhoomika Chawla, and Vidyasagar's music is ROCKING and 100x better than Mani Sharma's forgettable score. Every song is enjoyable, but "Sura Thenga Adra Adra" which is the hero's intro song is my favourite, can't get enough of it.

brilliant screenplay..

the screenplay is very tight ..that u will be gelled in seat..

this movie is an example for movie can survive only with screenplay and no-story needed..

story is very simple that u can write in one line. but screenplay was amazing..

brilliant performance by Vijay and Prakashraj..

though plot is similar to okkadu.. director adapted only the plot. Tamil version is much fast paced than Telugu.

Movie travels straight without any chance of deviation, though u can understand each and every characters back-drop.

keep going

Ghilli fmovies. Ghillie a remake of the Telugu "okkadu' is thankfully a clarified version of the original. It packs the same punch and Dharani true to his cinematic brilliance delivers it with style and panache. A flagging Vijay's career with the entry of the likes of Surya and Vikram on the fray, got the much needed uplift with this movie. This might well prove to be the best movie Vijay has ever been on, considering the choices he has been making since then. The hard-working actor seems to have lost his bearing what with talented new entrants being accepted both by the industry and public alike.

The tightly snug script, which runs at, a neck-break speed revolves around Velu, a willful youngster aspiring to make a mark in the game of Kabaddi( a popular game among boys in India). The events following the chance encounter with Muthupandi, his rescue of the girl in distress and how he juggles with the aspirations of his friends and his own forms the fulcrum and end of the movie. Vijay fits as a 'T' into the role and essays a subdued and believable portrayal of the boy next door.

Trisha has more than a stereotyped Tamil heroine mantle to play. The role is far more complex than just a girl in trouble. With limited dialog's, Trisha exploits her occasional muted expressions and subtle vulnerability to add color to the role. This is a classic case of a cover page girl coming-of-age to become a professional actress. Trisha became my personal favorite after this movie.

The movie ends on predictable lines, although one has to credit the Director for keeping the audience guessing on many things including Trisha's change in decision to leave the country. Prakash Raj deserves a word of praise for providing the perfect counter-weight for Vijay's role. His almost indomitable stature in the role of a villain and the apparent chinks in the hero's armor form a perfect ploy for keeping the audience guessing.

Overall this is a great movie that deserves at least a single viewing. I give it a clear 8 out of 10.

The word Ghilli actually means a small sharp wooden game instrument that is used in a game called ghilli-danda (a precursor to Cricket) in India. The use of the word as nickname for the principal character is stylish, as it signifies one who is sharp, fast and can hurt badly when rubbed in the wrong way.

Ghilli is one of the best movies for Vijay and in it is unrivaled in its pace and action. The movie never slacks for a moment, and keep you always with some exciting action. The movie is set in Madurai and Chennai and its story core is simple. A rich landlord tries to covet a beautiful girl in his town, and his unquestionable power and authority, prevents the girl from seeking a justice. The hero tries to rescue her and the majority of this movie portrays the week in which all this action happens.

A very exciting movie and though the story is nothing new, the director and the actors receive praise for the full-paced action.

Am an ardent Vijay fan. I have never seen another movie of his which is as good as this.

It has all the regular clichés that one can expect from a commercial entertainer. A hero who is bad in studies but a star in his forte i.e.Kabbadi. His friends to fill in the comedy quota. A heroine in a life-and-death situation. A villain, which I say is the best ever portrayed by the protagonist. High octane chase and action sequences. Music that can make one dance. And above all that a perfect storyline to keep all the above factors within an enjoyable circle. Perfect.

The director doesn't give any chance for the audience to loosen up. He just goes on from one nail on the head to the next. And one can see the lighter side of Vijay in this film which he rarely executes.

All said.....This movie was and will be perfect for many years to come....