Aayirathil Oruvan (2010 film)
| Aayirathil Oruvan | |
|---|---|
| File:Aayirathiloruvan.png Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Selvaraghavan |
| Written by | Selvaraghavan |
| Produced by | R. Ravindran |
| Starring | Karthi Sivakumar Reemma Sen Andrea Jeremiah R. Parthiban |
| Cinematography | Ramji |
| Edited by | Kola Bhaskar |
| Music by | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| Distributed by | DreamWorld Spotlight Motion Pictures |
Release date | 14 January 2010 |
Running time | 200 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | Rs.32 crores[1] |
Aayirathil Oruvan (Tamil: ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன், English: One Man in a Thousand) is a 2010 fantasy adventure Tamil–language film directed by Selvaraghavan, who with the project, directs his fifth feature film. The film stars Karthi Sivakumar, Reemma Sen and Andrea Jeremiah in the lead roles with Parthiban playing a pivotal role. The film, produced by R. Ravindran at a budget of 32 crore rupees, features music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography by Ramji and editing by Kola Bhaskar.
The film begins with an episode in AD 1279, when the successor of the last great Chola Emperor, pending invasion, sends his people, to survive the threat. The story resumes with an archaeologist, a coolie and a member of the army going in search of the archaeologist's father to the ruined city that was the place the exiled Chola Prince retreated to. An expedition is promptly arranged, and on the course they stumble on the lost Chola civilization and its king and find unexplained links between them and the culture. The shocking events and the problems that arise forms the crux of the story.
The film languished in development hell due to slow progress of the shoot and the extensive pre and post-production works, evading release dates ranging one year.[2] Shooting began in July 2007, and took place in various locations: Chalakudy, Kerala; Jaisalmer, Rajasthan; and other regions throughout India with a record number of extras.[3] Prior to release, the film was given an adult rating by the Central Board of Film Certification and worldwide rights for the film were sold for a record Rs.35 crores.[4][5] The film released simultaneously with a Telugu dubbing, coinciding with the festival of Thai Pongal on January 14, 2010. Upon release the film has received contrastingly mixed reviews.
Cast
- Karthi Sivakumar as Muthu
- Reemma Sen as Anitha Pandiyan
- Andrea Jeremiah as Lavanya Chandramouli
- R. Parthiban as a Chola King
- Pratap Pothan as Chandramouli
- Azhagam Perumal as Ravisekharan
Production
Development
Following the disappointing reception to Selvaraghavan's 2006 gangster film, Pudhupettai, he took a sabbatical to plan future projects and set up a production company, White Elephants, whose first project Idhu Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam started in November 2006. The film was co-produced by new producer, R. Ravindran, and the first schedule beganwith Karthi Sivakumar, whose first film Paruthiveeran was yet to release, and Sandhya. However the film was stalled in early 2007 due cinematographer Arvind Krishna's decision to leave White Elephants and the project was eventually shelved. In July 2007, Selvaraghavan announced a new film with a new team of Karthi and Reemma Sen in the cast, with Ramji replacing regular Arvind Krishna as the cinematographer. Erum Ali, wife of actor Abbas, became the team's head costume designer, whilst, Selvaraghavan's sister-in-law and Rajinikanth's daughter, Aishwarya Dhanush was signed on as an associate director. The film, was named after a popular M. G. Ramachandran film, Aayirathil Oruvan, and the producer was announced to be R. Ravindran whilst Yuvan Shankar Raja was appointed as music director following four previous successful soundtracks in Selvaraghavan films. Despite early indications that the director's brother, Dhanush was going to play a guest role, it became evident that the role was subsequently handed to R. Parthiban. Andrea Jeremiah was also signed up for a role in the film in October 2007, signing her second film after Pachaikili Muthucharam and director-actor Azhagam Perumal followed suit in November 2007.
Following nearly six months of filming, Yuvan Shankar Raja was ousted from the project, with claims from Selvaraghavan that the music director had failed to complete tracks in time. Subsequently, the role of the music director was handed to G. V. Prakash Kumar, for whom Aayirathil Oruvan becaem his biggest project to date. The film's stunt director, Rambo Rajkumar, died in April 2009 with reviews after the release, unanimously praising his action choreography. The film's music released two months later to much appraisal.
Filming
Following much development and pre-production, the film started the first schedule in the forests of Chalakudy in Kerala with Karthi, Reemma Sen and Andrea during October 2007. Thirty five days into the shoot, Selvaraghavan gave a statement that the film was forty percent over and the film should release by May 2008 whilst also mentioning that rains in Kerala led to the budget going over expectations two months into the project. In January 2008, the unit moved to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to shoot in the deserts in the region, however they were affected by unseasonal rains delaying schedules. Missing its original release date, the film's progress carried on through 2008, with shooting occuring towards the end of the year inside sets at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The film, eighteen months into shoot, soon began to face questions about the progress of the film, with the producer, Ravindran, having to complain to the Tamil Film Producers Council that Karthi was trying to change his look for his next film, Paiyya, following the long period he had spent with Aayirathil Oruvan. In February 2009, the film was announced complete after 263 days of shoot, with the producers signalling a summer release.
In regard to the long periods of shoot, the lead actor expressed that they were also unaware of the longetivity of the film's shoot. Andrea, originally signed for three months, whilst Reemma Sen signed for forty days, without knowing the film would last them two and a half years with 260 days of shoot. Furthermore, Parthiban claimed to have been signed for forty days, whilst his segment lasted up to 140 days.
Release
Reviews
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Upon release, the film remarkably gained predominantly either extremely positive reviews or extremely negative reviews. Reviews were often based upon the expectations that the film created prior to release, hampering the chances of the film living up to expectations. A reviewer from Sify.com, cited that the film represented "something new in the placid world of Tamil cinema" adding that it "broke away from the shackles of the stereotypes".[9] Selvaraghavan also was praised by the reviewer with claims that "the director transports us to a whole new world and at the end of it all, we are dumb stuck by the visuals, the packaging and the new way of storytelling".[9] Furthermore, in regard of the crew, Sify described the "top class camera work" by Ramji and that G. V. Prakash Kumar’s background score and his music was "tangy".[9] Rediff.com, gave the film a highly 3.5 out of 5 claiming that viewers should "steel your stomach before [you] watch it" and "regardless of the minor discrepancies, AO is definitely a movie to watch".[6] The reviewer, like Sify.com's review, continues to praise Selvaraghavan for attempting such a subject, whilst praising the film technically, claiming it is "a visual treat".[6] Moreover it claims that G V Prakash's music sets the tone for the period pieces; adding that "otherwise, the BGM is adequate". Whilst Ramji's cinematography "is brilliant but the movie could use some editing".[6] In contrast Behindwoods.com gave the film 2.5 out of 5 describing the film as "wildly crass", dismissing that "the underdeveloped script lacks everything - starting from strong plot twists to captive locations to graphics to credibility, above all".[8]
In regard of the performances of the lead cast, the Sify reviewer cites that Reemma Sen brings "an uninhibited joie to her role as Anitha" and has "extracted a fine performance".[9] Andrea Jeremiah is described as "likeable", whilst Parthiban is "adequate as the king". Karthi Sivakumar is unanimously praised, citing that he "is a scream.[9] Right from his introduction scene till the end, he is lovable and provides humour" and "has made a sensational comeback three years after his debut film".[9] Similarly Rediff claims that Reemma is "revelation", whilst alo praising the performances of Karthi and Andrea.[6] Meanwhile, the Behindwoods reviewer criticizes all three actors claiming that Karthi has "very little to spare for Aayirathil Oruvan", whilst Reemma Sen fails with her "improper synchronization" and that Andrea might be "multi-talented, but acting, sadly, is not one of those".[8]
Soundtrack
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
The film was launched in 2007 with Selvaraghavan's regular music director, Yuvan Shankar Raja, following four successive successful albums together. However, Yuvan Shankar Raja was ousted form the project in March 2008 due to differences of opinion. Subsequently, young music director G. V. Prakash Kumar was signed on for his biggest project to date and work for the soundtrack began again from scratch.[12] Controversially, a song composed for the project by Yuvan Shankar Raja was re-used in Vishnuvardhan's Sarvam, whilst a song with a similar tune released later in the album of Aayirathil Oruvan.
The soundtrack to Aayirathil Oruvan was released on June 14, 2009 at a University Auditorium in Chennai, in a critically praised event.[13] Prominent film personalities across the South Indian film industry attended the launch, which became one of the first films, to play live music at the audio launch. The launch featured live performances from G. V. Prakash Kumar and Andrea Jeremiah for several songs, as well as songs from Selvaraghavan's brother, Dhanush and his wife, Aishwarya Dhanush. Furthermore, the night featured a fashion show from Erum Ali, a Kalari performance in Chenda Melam by dancers from Kerala led by actress Poorna and choreographed by Sivashankar.[13]
The album features ten tunes; six being songs, two being alternate versions and another two being theme music. The album featured vocals from singers Karthik, Vijay Yesudas, Bombay Jayashree, Nithyasree Mahadevan and P. B. Srinivas, who made a comeback to playback singing with his song. Moreover husband-wife personality, Dhanush and Aishwarya Dhanush sung for the album along with the composer, Prakash Kumar and lead actress, Andrea Jeremiah. Lyrics for the songs were written by Vairamuthu, Veturi Sundararama Murthy, Selvaraghavan and Andrea Jeremiah.[10] The soundtrack garnered critical acclaim and was considered Prakash Kumar's finest work to date. Furthermore, shortly after the music release, an album success meet was held.[14]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oh Eesa (Composers Mix)" | Karthik, Andrea Jeremiah | 5:22 |
| 2. | "Maalai Neram" | Andrea Jeremiah, G. V. Prakash Kumar | 5:58 |
| 3. | "Un Mela Aasadhaan" | Dhanush, Aishwarya Dhanush, Andrea Jeremiah | 4:30 |
| 4. | "The King Arrives" | 3:02 | |
| 5. | "Thaai Thindra Mannae (The Cholan Ecstasy)" | Vijay Yesudas, Nithyasree Mahadevan, Shri Krishna | 5:57 |
| 6. | "Pemmane" | P. B. Srinivas, Bombay Jayashree | 5:59 |
| 7. | "Celebration of Life" | 3:32 | |
| 8. | "Thaai Thindra Mannae (Classical Version)" | Vijay Yesudas | 7:17 |
| 9. | "Indha Padhai" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | 4:53 |
| 10. | "Oh Eesa (Club Mix)" | Big Nikk | 4:53 |
| Total length: | 51:23 | ||
References
- ^ "Aayirathil Oruvan: Movie Preview". Behindwoods. 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ Moviebuzz (2007). "Selva on Aayirathil Oruvan". Sify. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (2010). "All eyes on Aayirathil Oruvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ Moviebuzz (2009). "Aayirathil Oruvan to get 'A' certificate?". Sify. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ Moviebuzz (2009). "Selva's Aayirathil Oruvan sold for 35 C!". Sify. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
- ^ a b c d e Srinivasan, Pavithra (2010). "Aayirathil Oruvan is not for the faint hearted". Rediff. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ Devi Rani, Bhama (2010). "Aayirathil Oruvan". Times of India. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ a b c "Aayirathil Oruvan Review". Behindwoods. 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ a b c d e f Moviebuzz (2010). "Aayirathil Oruvan-Review". Sify. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ a b Srinivasan, Pavithra (2009). "Aayirathil Oruvan's music works". Rediff. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
- ^ Sundaram, Malathy (2009). "Aayirathil Oruvan Music Review". Behindwoods. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
- ^ "Yuvan splits with Selva". Behindwoods. 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b Moviebuzz (2009). "Selvaraghavan's super show". Sify. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
- ^ Moviebuzz (2009). "Sony Music throws AO audio success party!". Sify. Retrieved 2009-06-21.