Unnale Unnale
| Unnale Unnale | |
|---|---|
 Life Is Beautiful | |
| Directed by | Jeeva |
| Written by | Jeeva, S. Ramakrishnan |
| Produced by | Oscar Ravichandran |
| Starring | Vinay Rai Sadha Tanisha Mukherjee, Lekha Washington, Raju Sundaram |
| Cinematography | Jeeva |
| Edited by | V. T. Vijayan |
| Music by | Harris Jayaraj |
| Distributed by |  Oscar Films[2] |
Release dates | 14 April, 2007[1] |
Running time | 162 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | 6 crores |
Unnale Unnale (Tamil: உன்னாலே உன்னாலே), English: Because of You) is a 2007 Tamil musical and romantic film. It was directed and co-written by Jeeva, while Oscar Ravichandran produced the film. Vinay Rai, Sadha and Tanisha Mukherjee played the lead roles. Raju Sundaram and Lekha Washington, prominent actors from the south Indian film industry, played the roles of the lead character's friends in the movie. The film was a success at the box office. Owing to its success, it was later dubbed into the Telugu language as Neevalle Neevalle.[3] Furthermore, the film is also set to be remade into Hindi, with both Sadha and Tanisha Mukherjee reprising their roles.[4] Unnale Unnale was the last film that director Jeeva completed before his death.
The film revolves around the aftermath of a relationship between a careless man and a serious woman. Despite being in a relationship, the latter walks out on the former due his antics with other women. However, the man changes his ways and on a business trip to Melbourne, he encounters another woman. This other woman turns out to be the personal assistant of the man's former lover. The events that follow and who the man eventually gets together with form the crux of the story.
The film opened to Indian audiences after several delays, on 14 April, 2007. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film went on to win the box office battle on Tamil New Year's Day and become a huge hit at the box office.[5]
Plot
The film opens with two people – a man (Aravind Akash) and a woman – interviewing civilians' thoughts on love and the opposite sex. After a mixture of answers, they cease their questions and the credits roll. The credits end as a boy, after being rejected by his girlfriend, commits suicide by jumping onto a passing car. Karthik (Vinay Rai walks off disturbed to his girlfriend Jhansi's (Sadha) office. There, he is criticized by her for his antics with other women and his lack of passion for their love. She walks off, ending their relationship.
Karthik is then shown as a civil engineer in Chennai, still playful and fun-loving. Accepting a request from his manager to go on a business trip to Melbourne, he bids farewell to his friends (Raju Sundaram and Satish). On the plane, he encounters a playful, flirtatious girl, Deepika (Tanisha Mukherjee), whom he sits next to during the flight. After spending hours together, they become good friends and exchange details. However, by coincidence, Deepika is travelling to Melbourne to be a personal assistant to Jhansi, who is settled there. Together they seem to conveniently bump into Karthik at every corner, prompting an unwelcome reunion for Jhansi and Karthik.
While Deepika takes a likening to Karthik, Jhansi still ignores him, even though Karthik has ambitions of getting back together. At a restaurant, Karthik bumps into a fellow Tamilian (Srinath) and explains his love for Jhansi. The story then moves two years back for a flashback of events. Karthik had met Jhansi at a festival at a temple, where she played a prank on Karthik and his friends. Taking a liking to her, Karthik begins to follow Jhansi intentionally, hoping for her to fall in love with him. Soon after this happens, she becomes more and more suspicious of Karthik. This comes to a head when Karthik acts as the boyfriend of his friend's girlfriend, Pooja, (Paloma), only for Jhansi to get confused and mistake him. His reputation as a trusting boyfriend takes another turn for the worse, when at a wedding, the bride (Lekha Washington) gives him a kiss after he improvises a song.
As the pair have a love-hate relationship, the break-up beckons when Jhansi sends her friend (Adhisayaa) undercover to go flirt with Karthik, however, he lies claiming he was at home ill, prompting Jhansi to end their relationship. At the end of the flashback, Srinath suggests to Karthik, that its more important to move on than think regretfully and Karthik gets over his relationship with Jhansi. However, finding out about Deepika's love towards Karthik, Jhansi becomes jealous and reinstates her love for Karthik. However, finding out that Karthik is no longer interested in her she flees anonymously to Sydney.
At the end of the film, the male interviewer who appeared at the start questions Sadha on her decision to leave anonymously, however she refuses to answer. She then confirms that she met up with Deepika recently, and had found that she is married to Karthik and has a child. She then walks away, claiming her future lies in her own hands.
Cast
The cast from the film was minimal, mainly focused on the three lead actors.[6]
- Vinay Rai as Karthik. A fun-loving young man who despite being a civil engineer, keeps his main intentions of attracting women. The child in his heart is released when he gets to know Jhansi.
- Sadha as Jhansi. A very reserved, hypocritical and caring young woman who expects Karthik to stay loyal to her. Her dominant vivacity presents Karthik, no hope but to leave her.
- Tanisha Mukherjee as Deepika. A bubbly, happy-go lucky young girl, who likes the antics of Karthik unlike Jhansi, prompting her to fall in love.
- Raju Sundaram as Raju. An energetic friend to Karthik with a severe habit of ruining the situation.
- Satish as Satish. A silent friend to Karthik who attempts to reconcile the relationship.
- Srinath as Srinath. Meets Karthik in Melbourne and becomes an advisor to him
- Lekha Washington as Lekha. Plays a vital cameo as a bride who kisses Karthik, further annoying Jhansi.
Production
The key elements
The entire production of the movie took about a year and a half to be completed and released.[7][8] Prior to Unnale Unnale, Jeeva had directed three films, 12B, Ullam Ketkumae and Run, a Hindi film. Unnale Unnale became his last finished film prior to his death on the sets of his next film, Dhaam Dhoom.[9]
The film, once announced, was titled July Kaatril (In the Winds of July)[10] and had the different cast of Arya, Sonia Agarwal and Parvati Melton.[11][12] However all three of the proposed lead cast opted out of the film. Arya, mentioned in a live chat with fans, claiming he opted out due to unknown reasons, while Agarwal cited that her marriage was on the cards and she would find it difficult to sign on for a year. Parvati Melton was also dropped due to unknown reasons.[13]
In an interview, Jeeva, said "Romance always finds a special place in Tamil movies. My new film July Kaatril is also about love", confirming it was a romantic flick.[14] While Harris Jayaraj was signed on as the music director with Kavignar Vaali and Pa. Vijay assisting him with the lyrics, Jeeva's wife, Aneez, debuted as a costume designer.[15]
Casting, location and music
The choice of Vinay Rai, after Arya opted out, was because of the sheer relevance to the character in real life. Vinay made his debut into the film industry after modelling and featuring in a couple of Tulu advertisements.[16] However, they finalised the choice of the actor only after the script was ready. The choice of Sadha was more difficult and since Anniyan she received bad reviews and the film became important for her.[17] The role of Deepika went to Tanisha Mukherjee, who despite being a leading heroine's sister (Kajol), she was yet to maintain a hit film. Mukherjee, came down to South India to look for new opportunities and attracted the producer into signing her on. She immediately liked the character and consented for the role.[18] The camaraderie that the lead actors shared during the filming, added on to their good performances. Raju Sundaram and Satish were picked for their dancing skills while actresses Paloma, Lekha Washington and Adhisayaa all played floating cameos in the film.[19]
The film was mostly shot in Melbourne, Australia overlooking the Melbourne Docklands.[20] The climax was shot in Sydney while the beginning and the flashback was picturized in various cities across South India.[21]
For the film's music and soundtrack, Jeeva renewed his previous association (12B and Ullam Ketkumae) with Harris Jayaraj. Playback singer, Chinmayi dubbed for Tanisha Mukherjee, while Socrates rendered the voice for Vinay's and Renuka for Sadha's characters respectively in the movie.[22]
Release
Reception
Unnale Unnale was released worldwide alongside Mayakannadi, Madurai Veeran and Arputha Theevu on Tamil New Year's Day.[23] Owing to the success of the film, the number of reels grew to about hundred, it was estimated that the film garnered about Rs. 5 crores (50 million) in India. The film completed 100 days of screening in the theaters in the state of Tamil Nadu.[24] In local parlance, this is considered to be one of the measures for a film's success. The reception in Malaysia was equally impressive. Released in six major metropolises for upto 9 weeks, the film collected 114,883 (then approximately Rs. 5 million) within its 50 day run.[25] The filmare was declared a hit overall, while multiplexes in cities claimed it was a blockbuster.[26]
Critical acclaim and controversies
The film received mixed reviews right from the story to the performances of the actors. Rediff.com praise Sadha but describe Tanisha Mukherjee's and Vinay Rai's performances as mediocre,[27] while the reviewers at SearchIndia.com contradict the statement, praising Tanisha and criticizing the other pair.[28] The film made business for Vinay, who signed up to plenty of films after the project. However Sadha and Tanisha, had no real impact on their careers with the film.
The film had its own share of controversies. Harris Jayaraj was found out to have copied various parts of the song, All Rise by Blue in June Pona.[29] In a separate incident, the director was criticized for lifting scenes from other films. Copied scenes included ones from the Hollywood flick, The Wedding Planner, when Jennifer Lopez (Tanisha) gets her heel stuck in guttering. The idea of 'Day 1, Day 2' in the film, was taken from Kal Ho Na Ho, a Bollywood picture while a scene from Dil Chahta Hain is also evident.[30]
DVD and Soundtrack
DVD
The DVD version of the film was released on August 8, 2007 in the United Kingdom but is yet to be released elsewhere. This DVD release was distributed by Ayngaran International all around the world. It is available in 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, progressive 24 FPS, widescreen and NTSC format.[31]
Soundtrack
The film has six songs composed by Harris Jayaraj with the lyrics primarily penned by Vaali asd Pa. Vijay. The audio of the film released nationwide on January 24, 2007, three months prior to the release. It received positive feedback.[32]
- June Pona sung by Krish & Arun. Appears after Jhansi walks out on Karthik. Picturized with Karthik, Satish and Raju.
- Hello Miss Imsaiyae sung by G. V. Prakash Kumar & Anushka. Karthik begins to follow Jhansi and Deepika during shopping in Melbourne.
- Vaigasi Nilavae sung by Haricharan and Madhushree. A romantic interlude on the lead pair of Karthik and Jhansi in studios.
- Mudhal Naal sung by Kay Kay, Shalini and Mahalakshmi. A romantic interlude on the lead pair of Karthik and Deepika in studios.
- Mudhal Mudhal sung by Kay Kay, Karthik and Harini. A romantic song in Chennai with Karthik and Jhansi after their first meeting.
- Ilamai Ulasam sung by Krish and Shalini. A short song featuring Lekha's wedding.
References
- ^ "Unnale Unnale promises clean fare". Indiaglitz.com.
- ^ "Charmingly presented". The Hindu.
- ^ "Neevalle Neevalle retraces Unnale Unnale". Galatta.com.
- ^ "Sadha's Hindi debut". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "Business booms for Tamil cinema". The Hindu.
- ^ "Unnale Unnale (2007)". Nowrunning.com.
- ^ "July Kaatril by Oscar Films". Galatta.com.
- ^ "A Summer Treat for Cinema Lovers!". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "Asin, Trisha mourn Jeeva". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "July Kaatril is now Unnale Unnale". Indiaglitz.
- ^ "Sonia Agarwal: "No" to July Kaatril". Galatta.com.
- ^ "Ajith's Akbar eyes Parvathi". Behindwoods.com.
- ^ "Arya Celebrity Chat". Galatta.com.
- ^ "July Kaatril is now Unnale Unnale". Indiaglitz.com.
- ^ "Unnale Unnale Review". Cinechance.com.
- ^ "Unnale Unnale". Indiaglitz.com.
- ^ "Sada pins her hopes on Unnale Unnale". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "Kajol's sister in Tamil film". Cinesouth.com.
- ^ "Paloma's Gallery". SSMusic.tv.
- ^ "Paloma's Unnale Unnale". Indiaglitz.com.
- ^ "Kajol's sister in Unnale Unnale". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "Tanisha's voice in Unnale Unnale". Chinmayi's personal blog.
- ^ "A Summer Treat for Cinema lovers!". OneIndia.com.
- ^ "Bingo!! Chennai 600 028 and Unnale Unnal". Kollywoodtoday.com.
- ^ "Malaysia Box Office". Boxofficemojo.com.
- ^ ""Not just in Reel life, in real life too" – Vinay". Behindwoods.com.
- ^ "Topsy turvy Unnale Unnale with mature ending". Rediff.com.
- ^ "Topsy turvy Unnale Unnale: Big Bore". SearchIndia.com.
- ^ "Unnale Unnale: Music Review". Nilacharal.com.
- ^ "Review: Unnale Unnale". Desipundit.com.
- ^ "Unnale Unnale". Ayngaran.com.
- ^ "Jayaraj's 'Unnale...' is hit Tamil album". Nowrunning.com.