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Theri (film)

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Theri
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAtlee Kumar
Written byAtlee & S. Ramana Girivasan
(Dialogue)
Screenplay byAtlee Kumar
Story byAtlee Kumar
Produced byKalaipuli S. Thanu
StarringVijay
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Amy Jackson
CinematographyGeorge C. Williams
Edited byRuben
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
company
Distributed bySPI Cinemas (Chennai)[2]
Release date
  • 14 April 2016 (2016-04-14)
[1]
Running time
158 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budgetest. ₹75 crore[4]
Box officeest. ₹150 crore[5][6][7][8]

Theri (transl. Spark)[9] is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action-thriller film written and directed by Atlee Kumar and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu. The film stars Vijay, Amy Jackson and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Featuring music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and cinematography handled by George C. Williams. The story revolves around a baker who holds a secret identity as former Deputy commissioner of police and he is on a secret Ghost Protocol mission organised by the Commissioner of police.

The film began production in Chennai during early July 2015. Action scenes were filmed throughout November, though the shoot was disrupted by the heavy flooding in Chennai. In addition, poor climatic conditions in China meant that the team had to abandon their idea of filming sequences there and instead opted to shoot in Bangkok.

The film had a worldwide release on 14 April 2016. The film was also dubbed into Telugu and was released as Policeodu on 15 April 2016. By the end of its first 6 days in theaters, Theri had grossed ₹1 billion (US$12 million). In the United Kingdom, it broke Enthiran's (2010) box office collection for the first weekend. Vijay won the Entertainer of the Year award for his performance in the film at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards in 2017.[10]

Plot

Joseph Kuruvilla (Vijay) leads a happy life in Kerala with his daughter Niveditha, alias Nivi (Baby Nainika), and runs a bakery with Rajendran (Rajendran). He meets Annie (Amy Jackson), Nivi's class teacher, and they both become good friends. After a series of mishaps and run-ins with local gangsters, Annie finds out about that Joseph is none other than the "late" Vijay Kumar. Joseph reveals his past as Vijay Kumar to Annie, but warns her not to tell Nivi about it.

Five years ago, Vijay Kumar was an honest and upright DCP in Chennai. He takes up a case involving the rape and subsequent death of an IT employee Raji. He finds out that the rapist is Ashwin, the son of Labour Minister Vanamaamalai (J. Mahendran). Vijay kills Ashwin and reveals himself as the murderer to Vanamaamalai, who swears to take revenge on him for killing his son. Meanwhile, Vijay falls in love with a medical student Mithra (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and both eventually get married and lead a happy life. But, Vijay's happiness is short-lived as Vanamaamalai, his younger brother Ratnam (Azhagam Perumal) and their henchmen barge into his house one night and kill Mithra and Vijay's mother (Raadhika). They brutally assault Vijay and attempt to drown Vijay's baby daughter, Nivi, in the bathtub. A dying Mithra manages to rescue Nivi and asks Vijay to take care of her, but not before making him promise that he will quit the police force and become a peaceful and loving father to Nivi, before dying in Vijay's arms. Vijay fakes his death, changes his name to Joseph Kuruvilla and maintains a low profile by moving to Kerala with Nivi and his constable friend Rajendran to protect Nivi from Vanamaamalai and his gang.

One day, while Nivi is on an excursion, the brakes of the school bus in which Nivi is traveling fails and the bus plunges into the backwater. Vijay, with the help of Annie, Rajendran and the local people, manages to rescue Nivi and the other children. He finds out that Vanamaamalai, who has realised that he and Nivi are still alive, was responsible for the bus plunging into the backwater in order to kill Nivi. Enraged, he decides to abandon his non-violent principles and destroy Vanamaamalai and his gang once and for all.

Vijay, posing himself as the "ghost" of Vijay Kumar, starts eliminating Vanamaamalai's henchmen one-by-one. He first kills an inspector Karikalan (Stun Siva), who is one of Vanamaamalai's henchmen and was present at the night when Mithra was killed. The police are baffled at the murder as it was done within the police station and refuse to believe that Vijay committed the murder since they think that he is dead. The "mysterious deaths" continue, with Vijay pushing Ratnam to his death from a high-story building being constructed by him. Vanamaamalai is accused of killing Ratnam since both had fallen out, forcing him to go into hiding. Finally, Vijay allows himself to be captured by Vanamaamalai's henchmen in order to enter his hideout. After eliminating Vanamaamalai's henchmen, Vijay kills him. The police soon arrive at Vanamaamalai's hideout, only to see his dead body hanging from the ceiling, and with nobody else around, his murder also gets sensationalized in the media as a mysterious murder. It is soon revealed that the Chennai commissioner of police Sibi Chakravarthi (Prabhu Ganesan) is aware that Vijay is alive and secretly re-employs him in the police to reduce crime in Chennai in his "ghost" form, taking advantage of the fear the negative elements of the society have for Vijay, while publicly denying that he is still alive.

A few years later, Vijay, an older Nivi (Divya Saasha), Annie and Rajendran have moved to Ladakh, with Vijay having changed his name to Dharmeshwar. But he continues to work secretly for the Chennai Police, eliminating crime in his "ghost" form.

Cast

Production

Development

In September 2014, Kalaipuli S. Thanu signed on to finance a project directed by Atlee, which would feature Vijay. Atlee continued to script the film through late 2014, while it was announced that Vijay would join the team to start filming after the completion of his other venture, Puli (2015).[12][13][14] Actresses Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson were reported to have signed the film in January 2015, after a few Hindi actresses turned down the opportunity to work on a Tamil film.[15] Several of the technical crew involved in Atlee's previous film, Raja Rani (2013), were also added to the team including music composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematographer George C. Williams, editor Ruben and art director T. Muthuraj.[16] An official launch event was held at the Kerala Club House on the East Coast Road in Chennai, with several members of the cast and crew in attendance. Alongside the lead actor, it was revealed that Prabhu, Raadhika, director Mahendran, and actress Meena's daughter Nainika would be a part of the film.[17] Several titles for the film including Moondru Mugam, Vetri, Thuppaki 2, Khakee and Thaarumaaru were considered, before the makers finalised Theri in late November 2015.[18]

Filming

The film began production in Chennai during early July 2015 and an introductory song for Vijay was shot in the city, followed by scenes featuring the actor and Samantha Prabhu on the East Coast Road.[19] Further scenes in Chennai were shot at Adityaram Studios and at Binny Mills, where art director T. Muthuraj had erected a huge set.[20] Raadhika was also a part of the shoot, while actress Sunaina shot for one day in the schedule which ended in mid July 2015.[21][22] The second schedule for the film restarted in Chennai during August 2015 and went on for twenty five days. Vijay and Samantha Prabhu participated in shooting of the month, while production was briefly delayed owing to a strike held by the Tamil Film Producers council against FEFSI employees.[23] MGM Dizzee World on the East Coast Road was also used as a location to film sequences during August 2015.[24] A further schedule began again for a month long shoot in September 2015 in Chennai.[25]

In November 2015, it was revealed that the film was "seventy percent complete" and portions involving Samantha Prabhu had finished being shot. Thereafter, Amy Jackson subsequently joined the team in Chennai to shoot for her part during a new schedule.[26] Action scenes, choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan were filmed throughout the month, with the shoot disrupted by the heavy flooding in Chennai.[27] Hollywood action choreographer Kaloyan Vodenicharov worked with the team in early December 2015 to help shoot the climax portions for the film.[28] Poor climatic conditions in China meant that the team had to abandon their idea of filming sequences there and instead opted to shoot in Bangkok.[29][30] Sets were erected in a factory in Chennai to shoot the climax scenes, with stunt choreographer Kaloyan Vodenicharov recruited to help train artistes and film the sequences during December 2015.[31]

Release

The film had a worldwide release on 14 April 2016[32] It was dubbed into Telugu and was released as Policeodu (transl. Police Man}}) also on 15 April 2016, however, the title was later on altered to Police[33][34] and was to be remade in Telugu with Ravi Teja.[35]

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Sun TV.[36]

Critical reception

The film received positive reviews from critics.[37] IndiaGlitz.com rated the film 3 out of 5 and called it "An entertaining revenge drama from Atlee and Vijay".[38] Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times rated the film 2.5 out of 5, saying, "When I walk into a Vijay film, I know exactly what I would be pounded with--cyclonic action, humongous heroism, nobility and syrupy romance. Vijay's latest Robin Hood adventure, Theri, has all of these ingredients to make the movie into a masala that Indian cinema terms entertainment".[39] Sify also rated the film 3 out of 5 stars saying that "Vijay's scorching screen presence and his infectious energy is the highlight." Behindwoods also rated the film 2.75 stars out of 5, stating that "The Theri man has given his best. Overall performance that will satisfy all center audiences and it is the most convincing cop avatar that Vijay has portrayed."[40] The Indian Express rated the movie 2 out of 5 and said that "Vijay's limitations as an actor exposed in a predictable storyline."[41] Bardwaj Rangan of The Hindu stated that Atlee's screenplay checks all boxes and we're checking these boxes 10 min. ahead of him." Times of India rated the movie 3 out of 5 stars and said that "With the right material Vijay can elevate even an ordinary scene with his amazing screen presence and he can effortlessly play to the gallery. This is a formulaic film and can be best described only with another cliche- Old wine in a fancy extra-large bottle."[42]

Box office

By the end of its first 6 days in theaters, the film had grossed ₹1 billion (US$12 million).[43] The film grossed ₹853.6 million (US$10 million) worldwide in first weekend; USA gross was US$632,000 (equivalent to $802,356 in 2023) and North America (US & Canada) grossed over US$900,000 (equivalent to $1,142,596 in 2023) as of Sunday (17 April) night.[44] In the United Kingdom, Theri broke Enthiran's box office collection for the first weekend. Enthiran had collected £277,918 (equivalent to £382,517 in 2023) in its first weekend and the Atlee directorial has achieved a benchmark figure of £280,696 (equivalent to £386,340 in 2023).[45]

Soundtrack

Main article: Theri (soundtrack)

Awards

64th Filmfare Awards South[46]
4th Behindwoods Gold Medals Ceremony[47]
2nd IIFA Utsavam Awards
  • Best Director - Atlee
  • Best Supporting Actor - Female - Baby Nainika
  • Best Actor in a Negative Role - J. Mahendran

References

  1. ^ "Theri Release Date (Vijay's Theri) is On Early January". galatawoods.in. 25 November 2015.
  2. ^ 'Theri:' Here's the area-wise distributors' list of Vijay-starrer, 6 April 2016
  3. ^ a b "Theri will be distributed in Kerala by Friday Film House in association with Carnival Motion Pictures". onlookersmedia. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Bigil's budget crosses the 140-crore-mark; making it the most expensive Vijay film till date!". in.com. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  5. ^ Iyengar, Anusha (10 November 2018). timesnownews.com https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/box-office/article/thalapathy-vijays-sarkar-beats-lifetime-collections-of-theri-crosses-rs-150-crores-worldwide-in-4-days-south-news/311759. Retrieved 25 September 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (2 June 2016). "'Theri' box office collection: Vijay's film grosses over Rs. 140 crore in 50 days". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  7. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (27 June 2016). "'Theri' box office collection: Vijay-starrer collects over Rs. 150 crore worldwide". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  8. ^ "50 blockbuster days for Vijay's Theri, all set to emerge as actor's biggest hit till date". CatchNews.com. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Tamil Star Vijay's 'Theri' Confirmed for Tamil New Year Release". The Quint. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  10. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2017 Day 2: Mohanlal wins Best Actor, Vijay bags Best Entertainer". India Today. Ist. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  11. ^ "From Naayagan to Mankatha: The sequels we deserve". The New Indian Express. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Atlee to direct Vijay in his next film". The Hindu. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  13. ^ "Vijay & Atlee together for 'Thuppaki' producer Thanu". Sify. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  14. ^ "'Raja Rani' director Atlee Kumar to work with Vijay in his next Tamil film". News18.com. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Samantha and Amy for Vijay's Atlee film?". Sify. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  16. ^ "Raadhika Sarathkumar in Atlee's Vijay59". Sify. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  17. ^ "'Vijay 59' will be a complete family entertainer:Atlee". Sify. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  18. ^ "'Theri' is the title for Vijay 59?". Sify. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  19. ^ "Ilayathalapathy Vijay's new get-up for Atlee film". Sify. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  20. ^ "Atlee's Vijay film Vijay59 to start rolling in July!". Sify. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  21. ^ "Raadhika wraps up first schedule of Vijay 59". Sify. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Sunainaa does a cameo role in Vijay 59 directed by Atlee". Behindwoods. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  23. ^ "Vijay and Samantha kick starts the 2nd schedule of Atlee film". Sify. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  24. ^ "Vijay 59 update: Chennai schedule nearing completion". Sify. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  25. ^ "The Atlee directed 'Vijay 59' is 45% done". Behindwoods. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  26. ^ "Amy Jackson starts shoot for 'Vijay 59'". Sify. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  27. ^ "High octane action sequences in Vijay 59!". Sify. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  28. ^ "Theri: Hollywood technicians roped in for Vijay's upcoming actioner". India Today. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  29. ^ "Vijay 59 may not be shot in China as planned". Behindwoods. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  30. ^ "Vijay-Atlee film titled Theri". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Vijay shoots for Theri's climax scenes". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  32. ^ "'Theri' to release in 144 screens in US". Indian Express. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  33. ^ Think Music India (9 April 2016), Policeodu Official Full Songs Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson Atlee G.V.Prakash Kumar Jukebox, retrieved 10 April 2016
  34. ^ Think Music India (8 April 2016), POLICE Official Trailer - 2K - Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson - Atlee - G.V.Prakash Kumar, retrieved 4 June 2016
  35. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/vijays-theri-to-be-remade-in-telugu-with-ravi-teja/articleshow/63682995.cms
  36. ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/sun-tv-acquires-vijays-theri-and-vip-2-satellite-rights.html
  37. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (16 April 2016). "'Theri' review round-up: Vijay's film gets mixed response from critics". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Theri review". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  39. ^ "Theri review: Vijay is delightfully human, not his usual cold-face self". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  40. ^ "Theri (aka) Therii review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  41. ^ Goutham V S (4 April 2016). "Theri Movie Review". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  42. ^ M Sugganth (4 April 2016). "Theri Movie Review". Times Of India. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  43. ^ "'Theri' box office collection: Vijay's film grosses Rs. 100 crore in first week". International Business Times. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  44. ^ "'Theri' box office collection: Vijay-starrer grosses Rs. 85.36 crore worldwide in first weekend". International Business Times. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  45. ^ "'Theri' Breaks Box Office Records Worldwide". IndiaGlitz. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  46. ^ "64th Filmfare Awards Tamil Nominations". timesofindia.com. 2017.
  47. ^ "Behindwoods Gold Medals 2017". behindwoods.com. 12 June 2017.
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