Ullaasam

Ullaasam
Directed by	JD-Jerry
Produced by	Amitabh Bachchan
Written by	JD-Jerry Balakumaran
Starring	Ajith Kumar Vikram Maheswari Raghuvaran S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music by	Karthik Raja
Cinematography	Jeeva
Editing by	B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan
Studio	Amitabh Bachchan Corporation
Release date(s)	23 May 1997
Language	Tamil

Ullaasam (Tamil: உல்லாசம், Ullācam ^?) is a 1997 Tamil language film directed and co-written by the duo JD-Jerry and produced by noted Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan. The film featured Ajith Kumar, Vikram and Maheswari in the lead roles with Raghuvaran, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Srividya in other pivotal roles. The film was released in May 1997 to poor box office collections and became a financial failure commercially.

Plot

The plot revolves around two father and sons. Raghuvaran was a smuggler,who lives in a house nearby S.P.Balasubramaniam, father of Ajith. In his childhood days, getting attracted by Raghuvaran's activities, Ajith remains to stay with him always. While SPB tries to convince his son, it is all in vain. He got vexed, and started to grow up Vikram, son of Raghuvaran as a good man. In college days, Vikram becomes a singer, and becomes a lover boy in the college. While Ajith studying in the same college becomes a dancer, and turns out to be a local dada, who helps Raghuvaran in his business. In the meanwhile, Ajith and Vikram love the same girl (Maheswari), who in turn loves Ajith. SPB comes to know about Vikram's love affair and begs Ajith to leave his love for Vikram, since he won't be able to lead a peaceful life in the shape he is. The film ends with Ajith having to choose between his lady love and the dark world.

Cast

• Ajith Kumar as Guru
• Vikram as Dev
• Maheswari as Megha
• Raghuvaran as GK
• S. P. Balasubrahmanyam as Thangiah
• Devan
• Srividya

Production

The film became Amitabh Bachchan's first Tamil language film production under his banner, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation and as a result roped in several leading stars for the project. Ajith Kumar signed on after the success of Kadhal Kottai, whilst Maheswari, the cousin of actress Sridevi, was enjoying success in Telugu films. Moreover, the film boasted of a strong supporting cast of Raghuvaran, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Srividya whilst Jeeva as cinematographer and Raju Sundaram as choreographer were also amongst the best at their occupations. The director duo were signed on after ABCL had been a part of the marketing team in some of the serial episodes they had directed. Abdullah, actress Kushboo's brother, and Roshni, actress Nagma's sister, were also reported to be a part of the initial cast but eventually did not feature.

Leading Tamil actor Kamal Haasan sung a song, "Muthe Muthamma" for the film under the composition of Karthik Raja. The film was briefly delayed due to the FEFSI production strikes of 1997. Furthermore, during production Ajith suffered due the dancing and fighting involved which caused problems for his back, leading to a further round of corrective surgery.

Release

The film opened to predominantly negative reviews with a critic labelling that "though boasting of impressive names in its credits, Ullasam doesn't bring out the best in any of them".

The film became a financial failure at the box office, and became one of the five consecutive failure films by Ajith Kumar in 1997.

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack was composed by Karthik Raja with actor Kamal Haasan also singing a song in the album.

• 1. Cho Larey -- Harini, S. P. Balasubramaniam, Venkat Prabhu
• 2. Izhavenil Thalattum -- Unnikrishnan
• 3. Konjum Manjal -- Harini, Hariharan
• 4. Mutthey Mutthamma -- Kamal Haasan, Swarnalatha , Bhavatharini
• 5. Ullasam Ullasam -- Harini, Swarnalatha, Bhavatharini
• 6. Valibam Vaazha Sollum -- Ajith Kumar, Vikram Kennedy, Bhavatharini
• 7. Veesum Kaatrukku -- Harini, Unnikrishnan
• 8. Yaaro Yaaryaro -- Ilaiyaraja, Bhavatharini