Narayani M
By now, the word is out: Good Bad Ugly is a hat-tip to Ajith's career and filmography, packed as a commercial entertainer replete with high moments for fans to celebrate. The Adhik Ravichandran-directorial has been receiving positive acclaim, more so for its callbacks to several classic films as well as earlier Ajith entertainers.
Check out the slides to know all the references packaged in GBU:
The OG Happy New Year song's full length version blared as Ajith punches and kicks dons of Mumbai in GBU
Song: 'Ilamai idho, idho'
Film: Sakalakala Vallavan (1982)
Another Kamal Haasan classic was featured during the film along with a remix with 'Oththa Roova'. The riveting track rings nostalgia.
Song: 'En Jodi Manja Kuruvi'
Film: Vikram (1986)
Simran and Ajith's on-screen chemistry has been undeniably iconic in Tamil cinema. The way she whistles a tune from Vaalee was enough to evoke nostalgic memories of their films. Truly an assassin with a romantic heart!
Song: 'April Maathathil'
Film: Vaalee (1999 film)
Now we come to the nucleus of one of the most memorable moments in the film: 'Oththa Roova', a rural classic song is pictured on a cruise ship with the villain Johnny (Arjun Das) shaking his leg with an alcohol bottle on his head. An insanely creative frame that cannot be erased for months.
Song: 'Oththa Roova'
Film: Nattupura Pattu (1996)
Think about all the evergreen Simran hits. 'Thottu Thottu Pesum' constantly remains at the top of the table with its foot-tapping beats and the actor's dance steps. A recreation was featured in GBU with Priya Prakash Varrier donning the same costume from the 1999 film.
Song: 'Thottu Thottu Pesum'
Film: Ethirum Puthirum (1999)
'Vizhiyil Un Vizhiyil' was a breath of fresh air when it first played during the scene where Ajith and Trisha meet for the first time. It's a timeless classic that beautifully captures the fluttering emotions and excitement of first love.
Song: 'Vizhiyil Un Vizhiyil'
Film: Kireedam (2007)
While technically not a Tamil song, the Odia song 'Chhi Chhi Chhi Re Nani' has been adopted by Tamilians with a Tamil version 'Panathukaga Avan Kuda Poniey' that has strangely become a earworm in the state among music lovers.
Again, this is not a classic or a yesteryear song, but a party number that always manages to make the audience break into a dance. 'Aaluma Doluma' in Anirudh's music continues to echo as a memorable song that sneaks into every DJ's playlist, and switches the mood on any dull day.
Song: 'Aaluma Doluma'
Film: Vedalam (2015)