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Mullum Malarum[edit]

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I've listed this article for peer review because it failed two consecutive FACs, despite my best efforts (the first time, I withdrew it to rework). Before I take this to FAC for the fourth time, I want to know what is wrong and fix it. Thanks, Kailash29792 (talk) 07:04, 14 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Comments from Yashthepunisher[edit]

  • Fix the green links.
  • Was the NFAI poster different from its theatrical release one?
Dunno, it looks that way. The caption "NFAI poster" was chosen after much deliberation; I wonder why no-one was okay with simple captions like "poster" or "film poster". --Kailash29792 (talk) 11:53, 30 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • You should also mention the editor's name somewhere in the lead's second para.
Done accordingly. --Kailash29792 (talk) 11:53, 30 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • Is "Directormahendran.in" a RS?
It certainly should be, since it appears to take excerpts from his book. --Kailash29792 (talk) 11:53, 30 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Yashthepunisher (talk) 11:07, 30 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Yash, I removed Directormahendran.in since it basically takes content from his book which I have already used as a source here. Kailash29792 (talk) 07:03, 2 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Comments from Jim[edit]

  • which Mahendran read only part of better as only partly read
Done. --Kailash29792 (talk) 07:07, 12 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • 3,915.46 metres (12,846.0 ft) may be a bit over precise?
That's because I used the {{convert}} template. Any problem with that? --Kailash29792 (talk) 07:07, 12 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]
If you are convinced that it's accurate to 1 cm, that's OK Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:31, 2 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oedipal doesn't really apply to brother-sister, but if that's the quote...
Agreed, or maybe there's a mistranslation by the editor. The original book was in French, and I cited the English edition. Would it be fine to put {{sic}} anywhere? --Kailash29792 (talk) 07:07, 12 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]

perhaps more later Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:25, 12 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds OK. I've been on holiday, and I'm about to start TFA scheduling, so I won't have time to have another read, all looks pretty good though Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:31, 2 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Comments from Dwaipayanc[edit]

  • Production was complicated by Chettiar's opposition to cast Rajinikanth ... The reader may not be aware that Chettier is the producer (although mentioned in the beginning of the first para). I think better option is "...was complicated by producer Chettier's opposition..."
Done. Tweaked the sentence.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • The film substantially deviates from the novel, which Mahendran only partly read... You mentioned the novel several sentences earlier (in the first para). There is a disconnect here. You can either remove this sentence. Or, somehow put the info on novel all together. May be remove the novel info from the first para, and put them together here, like , "the movie was based on the novel but it deviated from the source because..."
I've removed the sentence.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Although Manga develops a liking for Kali, he is repelled by her fondness for food": sounds like an unusual reason for being repelled. Perhaps some other words will be better suited?
Its Kailash's call but IMO it doesn't seem to add any value to the plot as he does end up with her eventually. I've removed the sentence.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "...an austere-but-fair boss" why the hyphens?
Done. Removed them.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • Interesting plot, but I had to go back several times to check who is who (multiple names). Any reader may have the same issue. Have you thought about a cast section, where you will just name the actors and which roles did they play. that sometimes I found were easy to refer to while reading plots or any other section of the article.
There is a cast section below the plot section showing who played whom if you didn't notice, Dwaipayanc.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]

--Dwaipayan (talk) 20:56, 22 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]

I've tried my best to resolve your comments on Kailash's behalf. Do let either of us know if there's anything else to add. Thank you.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "...visually-focused film without melodrama, overacting, excessive dialogue or duets". The "duets" here some explanation/wikilinking/quotations. Duet normally means muical performance by two people. Why would a movie have duet (thinking generally about films)?
I think you understand that almost all Indian films have duets: the hero and heroine "singing" in exotic locations without relevance to the plot. Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Yes I surely know ;) But the audience of this article is global, so may need more explanation. You can actually use footnotes to explain things if you think including the explanation in the body of the article would be too much.
  • "Mahendran initially wanted Ramachandra Babu to be the cinematographer, but he did not accept the offer; he then suggested Ashok Kumar, who was unable to work on the film". the he after the semicolon: I am not sure whether it is an appropriate construction. Does that he mean Mahendran or Babu?
Rewrote that Ramachandra Babu refused, and instead suggested Ashok Kumar. Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • The first paragraph of "casting" section: seems Chettiar, the producer, was a very powerful person, trying to influence the director's decision. This is rather unusual I think. Did he have significant power due to some particular reason?
I dunno, and no longer can since Mahendran died on 2 April, hence we cannot verify. But it was always (and still is) very common for Indian actors to lose roles because of their complexion, even due to decisions by amateur producers. Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Inspired by Sringeri's marine environment, Mahendran characterised Manga as a "foodie who loves fish"." Needs some context. The reader has by this time forgotten what's the significance of Sringeri. Also marine environment usually means under-sea environment (I may be wrong).
The source reads, "For the Rajnikanth starrer Mullum Malarum, which we shot at Sringeri in Karnataka, I decided on the characterisation of Fatapat Jayalakshmi( she plays Manga, Rajnikanth’s wife in the film). She is a foodie who loves fish. This came to me after I observed how there were water bodies and fish everywhere on the location". Is there any factual error in the current phrasing? What phrasing do you suggest, Dwaipayanc? --Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Ok, I guess this is ok.--Dwaipayan (talk) 21:53, 30 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Latha said that she had to refuse a part in the film due to scheduling conflicts" Why is this information necessary? Was Latha a famous actor?
Yes, and a frequent co-star of MGR, a matinée idol just like Rajinikanth. At one point I was determined to add anything to make the article big. But if the info is not encyclopedic, I may as well remove it. --Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
So, you can say,"Latha, a popular actress, said she had to refuse..." --Dwaipayan (talk) 21:53, 30 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Chettiar initially refused to let Mahendran shoot in Sringeri, citing financial constraints, but Mahendran's friend Pazhaniappan convinced Chettiar and agreed to pay for the Sringeri shooting schedule" Now that makes complete sense. A producer refusing due to financial reasons. (as opposed to the first parapgraph of casting section).
  • "Since Mahendran had no previous directing experience, Mahendra, who was already an established director, assumed responsibility ..." Confusing, likely due to similarity in name. You need to specify who is Mahendra (cinematographer Mahendra).
Done as asked. --Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Sarath Babu was originally supposed to lip sync the full "Senthazham Poovil" scene with him and Shoba" Who is him?
I think you know that in more than 90% of Indian films, the actors only lip sync while a different man provides the actual vocals; so it is Sarath Babu obviously. Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
My point is more for grammatical reason. Sharathbabau, him and Shoba: sounds like 3 people. Perhaps, "himself" is better? Or even, "Sarath Babu was originally supposed to lip sync the full "Senthazham Poovil" scene with Shoba". --Dwaipayan (talk) 21:53, 30 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • This Chettiar seems to be a really whimsical proucer :)
Is kanjoos the word you are searching for? Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "noted that Rajinikanth expressed resentment of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the film with his lyrics..." With his lyrics? Rajnikanth wrote the lyrics? Is it resentment "of" or "against"?--Dwaipayan (talk) 21:17, 28 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
It's a mistake by the GOCE editor. Not all of them are flawless. But does this solve your doubts? {{xt!J Ramki in his book Rajni: Sapthama? Sagaapthama? writes that Rajnikanth had ruffled a few feathers in the ruling AIADMK since his Mullum Malarum (1978), where he sings ‘raman aandaalum raavanan aadaalum enakkoru kavalai illai [I don’t care if Raman rules the state or Raavanan]'.}} Is there an error somewhere? Kailash29792 (talk) 15:54, 29 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is actually an interesting point, and may need a little bit of explanation (either in the article or as a footnote). Indeed can quote the source (as you have done here) in footnote, and also mention (in footnote, preferably) that Ram and Ravan is the quintessential good and evil in Indian culture.Also, needs to mention that AIADMK was trh ruling party at that time (I presume). Finally, we do not know whether Rajinikanth expressed his resentment. rather, some AIADMK leaders were unhappy that he agreed to a suggestive lyric. --Dwaipayan (talk) 21:53, 30 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Comments by Wehwalt[edit]

Sorry to be so slow to respond:

  • "Mullum Malarum tells the story of Kali, a winch operator who dotes on his sister Valli and clashes with Kumaran, his superior, at a power plant." I would move the last four words to after "operator" and change "superior" to "supervisor".
Done. As asked.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • " taking place primarily in Sringeri and also in Ooty." I would cut "also in".
Done. As asked.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Although it opened to tepid box-office earnings, positive reviews from critics and favourable word of mouth helped make it a success, with a theatrical run of over 100 days. " I would cut the final comma.
Done. As asked.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Mullum Malarum, a breakthrough for Rajinikanth as an actor and a milestone of Tamil cinema, focused prominently on visuals without excessive melodrama and other Tamil cinema conventions that Mahendran disliked." I find the second half of the sentence ("focused ..." to the end) rather confusing. I imagine he didn't like melodrama but it's not entirely clear from the lede language.
I will leave this to Kailash.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Wehwalt, now I have written "Mullum Malarum became a breakthrough for Rajinikanth as an actor and a milestone of Tamil cinema for focusing prominently on visuals without excessive melodrama and other Tamil cinema conventions that Mahendran disliked" in both the lead and legacy sections. Does that solve any confusion or inconsistency? --Kailash29792 (talk) 04:51, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not sure how you "focus prominently" but in general it's fine.--Wehwalt (talk) 06:37, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "austere-but-fair" why the hyphens?
Done. Removed them.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • " In his absence, an emergency arises at the plant." Maybe "During his absence form the plant, there is an emergency".
Done. Removed them.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "and Manga feels guilty because she is responsible for Kali's plight." Sounds more like Kali is responsible for Kali's
I will leave this to Kailash.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:35, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I was thinking change, as it is her perspective so "and Manga feels responsible for Kali's plight"--Wehwalt (talk) 15:50, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Done. As asked, Wehwalt.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 16:02, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
-More soon.--Wehwalt (talk) 22:11, 23 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you very much for your comments thus far, Wehwalt.  — Ssven2 Looking at you, kid 15:43, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "but the story substantially diverged from the novel's plot, as Mahendran decided to make a minimalist, visually-focused film without melodrama, overacting, excessive dialogue or duets." So the novel contained these things?
Impossible that it contained songs. I've rewritten split the sentence, see now. --Kailash29792 (talk) 06:18, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "When Venu Chettiar of Ananthi Films offered Mahendran to direct his next production," this may be an ENGVAR thing but it reads oddly around "offered Mahendran to direct his new production". How do you offer someone a verb?
I'm pretty sure it means the producer Chettiar wanted Mahendran to direct a film for Ananthi Films, and "production" is also a noun. --Kailash29792 (talk) 06:18, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Adapting Uma Chandran's novel for the screen with the same title, Mahendran made his directorial debut.[13]" the first half of this sentence is very flowery, but unnecessary. I would suggest cutting that first half, and find a way to say that they didn't change the name of the novel for the screen, somewhere else.
  • "Mahendran was unable to find a worthy cinematographer" possibly "qualified" for "worthy"?
It means he was unable to find a cinematographer he deemed fit. --Kailash29792 (talk) 06:18, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Sringeri" a few words on why it's expensive to film there might help the non-Indian reader.
I dunno, the reasons are not mentioned in the source. But I think its because it was a hilly place. --Kailash29792 (talk) 06:18, 7 May 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • Chettiar's rationale for not financing the scene in question could be mentioned. Did he think it unnecessary?
I'm pretty sure Ssven2 has access to the book source (Cinemavum Naanum) since I shared it with him. If he still has, I know he'll paraphrase according to what the source says. Kailash29792 (talk) 16:33, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "After he saw the film Rajinikanth's mentor, director K. Balachander, wrote in a letter of appreciation to Rajinikanth that he was proud to have introduced him as an actor.[63][64]" some issue with the commas in the first part of the sentence, I think. At least, I find it hard to understand what is meant.--Wehwalt (talk) 17:14, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  • "were also named as such" How about simply "shared that name".
That's it. I don't pretend to know much about Indian film, so I can't speak to anything associated with that. But prose wise, I think it's either at FA standard or would get there in the course of prose improvements during a FAC.--Wehwalt (talk) 17:32, 24 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]
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