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Kaavalan

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Kaavalan
File:Kaavalan promo poster.jpg
Directed bySiddique
Written bySiddique
Produced byC. Romesh Babu
StarringVijay
Asin Thottumkal
Rajkiran
Roja Selvamani
Vadivelu
CinematographyN. K. Ekambaram
Edited byGowri Shankar
Music byVidyasagar
Production
company
Ekaveera Creations
Distributed byCinema Paradise
Release date
  • 15 January 2011 (2011-01-15)
CountryTemplate:Film India
LanguageTamil
Budget₹ 35 crore [1]

Kaavalan (Tamil: காவலன்; English: Bodyguard) is a 2011 Tamil romantic comedy film written and directed by Siddique. Starring Vijay and Asin Thottumkal in lead roles, the film is the remake of the director's own previous Malayalam film Bodyguard. The film features Rajkiran, Roja, Mithra Kurian and Vadivelu in supporting roles with a musical score composed by Vidyasagar. The film's principal shoot commenced in April 2010[2][3][4] and was completed by November 2010. Following several hurdles, Kaavalan released on 15 January 2011 with relatively positive reviews.

Plot

Boominathan (Vijay) idolises Muthuramalingam (Rajkiran) and at the request of his parents, accepts to work for the latter as his bodyguard. There enters Muthuramalingam's rival, who has lost his daughter since she committed suicide, the reason being rejection by Muthuramalingam's son. While Boominathan protects Muthuramalingam, his rival threatens the life of his daughter Meera (Asin). Boominathan is sent to college along with Meera and Madhu to protect them from the threat. Meera tries to distance herself from Boominathan by calling him froma private number; Boominathan falls in love with the girl without knowing that it is Meera herself. At one point, Meera too feels herself becoming attracted to Boominathan and expresses her desire to meet him in person. What happens then forms the crux of the film.[5]

Cast

Production

Development

File:Kavalan press meet stills photos 03.jpg
Director Siddique, Vijay and Asin during an official press meet

During the post-production stages of Bodyguard, Siddique had the idea of remaking the film in Tamil. He later announced his decision to remake the film with enhancements in the script to better suite the Tamil audience. The film was initially referred to as "Kaavalkaaran," which transliterally means "bodyguard" in Tamil. After rumours of the title being changed to Kaaval Kaadhal, the film was officially confirmed to be titled as Kaavalan in August 2010.[6] The reason for the name confusion and its eventual permanent change was due to the complications in obtaining the rights to the title of "Kavalkaran" from M. G. Ramachandran's producers. They refused to sell the title to Vijay, leading to the rechristening of the title to Kaavalan.[7]

Casting

With the announcement of the remake, Siddique had finalized Vijay to play the lead role, reminiscent to their previous venture Friends (2001), which was also a remake of Siddique's own Malayalam film. Asin Thottumkal was signed up to pair with Vijay for the third time after their previous pairings in Sivakasi (2005) and Pokkiri (2007), also giving Thottumkal a comeback in Tamil cinema after her last appearance in Dasavathaaram (2008). Vadivelu, Rajkiran, and Roja Selvamani were also signed up for supporting characters. The film's principal shoot began in April at Kumbakonam.[8]

Filming

An incident occurred on sets in April, where Asin, her father, and her make up assistants had fainted in their caravan after being exposed to a gas leak. They were treated in hospital the same day and were eventually discharged.[9][10] The second shoot schedule occurred in Vellore. Vijay and Asin, along with director Siddique and rest of crew had taken part in the shooting at the Vellore Institute of Technology. A song was shot at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, making it Vijay's second trip to the country for a film shoot after Kuruvi.

Release

After the failure of Vijay's 2010 film Sura, the TN Film Exhibitors Association (TFEA) distributed a circular advising theaters not to screen the actor's future films until he compensated for the losses his movies had incurred. Vijay was asked to pay 30% of an estimated ₹9 crore loss suffered by theaters, or about ₹3 crore.[11] Kaavalan ran into turmoil as the Theatre Owners’ Association threatened not to release the movie. The movie's release was postponed from December 17 to January 15, citing the lack of theaters available to release the movie.[12][13] The actor shelled out his salary and four additional crores to release the movie with the help of producer Aascar Ravichandran.[14]

The trailer was world premiered on December 16 in the Bay Area, California, USA, notably the first time a Tamil film trailer was launched outside India.[15][16][17] Speaking at the event, Vijay made a request to his USA fans to provide support for the growth of Tamil Nadu.[18]

Critical reception

Sify.com's review of Kaavalan praised the film: "The Tom & Jerry comic escapades of Vijay and Vadivel [are] a scream, song placements are perfect, romance is subtle but touching and the emotional climax twist is hard hitting."[19]

Rediff.com gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, commenting, "It says a great deal for Vijay's commanding screen presence, comic timing and spontaneity that he can take logic-less scenes and make them completely his own."[20]

Behindwoods gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a relatable love story shot in a cute and simple manner, rich with emotions, but on the slow side of narration". The reviewer also stated that "Asin, in Tamil for the first time after Dasavatharam, convinces us with her portrayal."[21]

Oneindia commented, "After years Vijay has come out of his masala formula; Kaavalan is a family entertainer... [It] is not an extraordinary one but is watchable."[22]

Cinesnacks gave the film 6 out of 10, commenting, "Kaavalan is an excellent romantic entertainer that is precisely for audiences from 8-80 years", and added, "Don’t miss the special surprise of Vijay".[23]

Kollytalk wrote, "This movie, burdened with expectations, has stayed to be on the safer side and well, it surely has succeeded in a way. Vijay returns folks, that’s for sure. He is yet to give his best though".[24]

Get Cinemas wrote, "Kaavalan is a clear departure from what began being dubbed as Vijay-style-movies. People who love hilarious comedy or touching love scenes would love this romantic family entertainer. Bundled with giggles and romance, Kaavalan is a Must Watch!"[25]

Soundtrack

Untitled

Kaavalan's audio launch was held on December 8, 2010.[26] The soundtrack has been received positively by critics.[27][28]

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Vinnai Kaapan"Pa. VijayTippu, Shweta Mohan4:30
2."Yaradu"YugabharathyKarthik, Suchitra4:27
3."Step Step"VivegaBenny Dayal, Megha4:36
4."Sada Sada"YugabharathyKarthik4:15
5."Pattamboochi"KabilanKK, Rita3:48

References

  1. ^ "Thalapathy is back With a Bang As Kavalan-Releasing on 14th January 2011". Spiderkerala.net. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  2. ^ "VIJAY PICKS M G R’S ONCE AGAIN" - Behind Woods
  3. ^ "Bodyguard is Kaavalkaran in Tamil?" - Yahoo Movies India
  4. ^ "Vijay’S ‘Kaavalkaran’ Is Fast And Glorious " - Top 10 Cinema
  5. ^ Pavithra Srinivasan (January 15, 2011). "Vijay of yore is back as Kaavalan". Rediff.com. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  6. ^ Kaaval Kathal becomes Kaavalan!
  7. ^ Mahesh, R Richard, "Finally, Vijay’s film has a name", The New Indian Express, August 20, 2010
  8. ^ http://www.anytimechennai.com/Latest-Tamil-News/vijays-next-kaavalkaaran.html "Vijay’s next Kaaval kaadhal" - Anytime Chennai
  9. ^ "ASIN FAINTS…" - Behind Woods
  10. ^ "Asin hospitalized after gas leakage" - Sulekha Movies News
  11. ^ Sify: "Vijay Facing Trouble"
  12. ^ Behindwoods: "Vijay Faces Huge Obstacle"
  13. ^ Sify: "Vijays Kavalan needs protection"
  14. ^ Sify: "Vijay Shells out Salary"
  15. ^ Hummer Limo For Vijay! - Vijay - Kavalan - Hummer Limo - Usa - Usa Theatres - Tamil Movie News - Behindwoods.com
  16. ^ Vijay to launch Kaavalan trailer in US
  17. ^ "Kaavalan makes history in USA". indiaglitz. 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  18. ^ IndiaGlitz - Vijay's 'Kavalan' makes history In USA - Tamil Movie News
  19. ^ Sify: "Perfect Pongal Outing"
  20. ^ Rediff: "Vijay of Yore is Back"
  21. ^ Behindwoods: "Vijay (re)turns romantic! Feel good – Feel emotional"
  22. ^ Oneindia: "Kaavalan is a family entertainer"
  23. ^ Cinesnacks: "Special surprise of Vijay"
  24. ^ Kollytalk: "Vijay returns folks"
  25. ^ http://www.getcinemas.com/kaavalan-review
  26. ^ "Kaavalan songs, Audio Launch Event on December 8". Kaavalan.net. December 3, 2010.
  27. ^ Musicaloud (2010). "Kaavalan - Music Review". Retrieved 08-12-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ^ "Kaavalan - Rediff Music Review". Rediff. 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
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