Development

Gautham Vasudev Menon first discussed the script of Enai Noki Paayum Thota with actor Suriya during mid-2013, but the actor's rejection meant that they instead chose to finalise Dhruva Natchathiram as their next project together. However, soon after the pair had creative differences and their intended collaboration in 2013 was cancelled.^[5]

The film was relaunched with Dhanush in the lead role during February 2016, after Gautham and Dhanush had discussed the script following their work on a talk show.^[6][7] Intended to be a quick project, the team expected to finish the shoot within two months starting from March 2016.^[8] Jomon T. John was signed as the film's cinematographer, while actress Megha Akash was selected to play the leading female role after Gautham was impressed with her work in the unreleased, Oru Pakka Kathai.^[9][10] The film was announced as a joint production between Gautham Menon and P. Madan of Escape Artists Motion Pictures, while Harris Jayaraj was chosen as the music composer, after A. R. Rahman turned down the offer citing a busy schedule .^[11][12] Harris Jayaraj later opted out, and the team considered Santhosh Narayanan and Yuvan Shankar Raja as his replacement, before opting to keep the identity of the final composer as a secret.^[13][14] For a further role of the antagonist, the makers approached S. J. Surya for the character, but he turned down the opportunity. Gautham also considered playing the role, but opted against doing so owing to his multiple ongoing directorial ventures, and Gautham's associate Senthil Veerasamy was later selected.

Filming

The film's shoot began at SSN Engineering College in Chennai during mid-March 2016.^[15] Dhanush and Megha Akash shot scenes on the first day, and were joined by Rana Daggubati, who would portray a guest role.^[11] In April 2016, the team travelled to Turkey to film a song and scenes in regions including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Alanaya.^[14] Gautham had initially attempted to simultaneously shoot the film's Turkey schedule alongside his commitments for his other long-delayed venture, Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016), but the lead actor of the other film, Silambarasan, opted not to turn up to the shoot.^[16][17][18] In October 2016, following a brief production break to allow Dhanush and Gautham to finish other ventures, the team shot an action scene with Stunt Silva in areas across Chennai such as Alwarpet and Thiruvanmiyur. Scenes featuring actress Sunaina and actor Vela Ramamoorthy were also shot in late 2016.^[19][20][21]

In November 2016, Gautham revealed that 85% of the film's shoot was complete and that only one more schedule in Mumbai remained. He added that five songs were shot as montages, because the team had not yet finalised a music composer.^[22] The film's first look posters and teaser were released in the same month, and the team announced a February 2017 release, but the date was not met after the film ran into financial troubles.^[23][24] Gautham also later revealed that he was yet to write a climax to the film and that the film had started shoot without a complete script.^[25]

Following a year-long production delay owing to financial problems and Gautham and Dhanush's other commitments, another schedule began in December 2017, with Gautham suggesting it would complete the film.^[26][27] A further final ten day schedule was then shot in Mumbai during July 2018 with extra scenes added to include actor Sasikumar, whose character would play the elder brother of Dhanush's character.^[28][29] Principal photography ended in September.^[30]

In regard to the continuous delay of the film, Dhanush stated that he was unaware of the financial reasons behind the delay but that he agreed to film whenever Gautham had requested.^[31] The South Indian Film Financiers’ Association (SIFFA) later announced that their members would not finance any of Gautham's films unless Enai Noki Paayum Thota or his other long-delayed venture Dhruva Natchathiram were released. The film was censored without Dhanush dubbing for his character, and even by March 2019, Dhanush's salary had not been settled.^[32] The film skipped several more proposed release dates throughout late 2018 and early 2019, before getting for release in early September 2019.^[33][34]

Critical reception

Enai Noki Paayum Thota received mixed reviews from critics and audience.^[47]

Pradeep Kumar of The Hindu wrote "ENPT is no stroke of genius from Gautham Menon. But the way he makes the film punch way above its weight, is a mark of one".^[48] India Today gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Director Gautham Menon's Enai Noki Paayum Thota starring Dhanush and Megha Akash has a solid storyline. But the promising action drama is diluted by weak writing. Marks Gautham Menon's big-screen comeback after four years. Backed by brilliant performances, the film is a decent watch minus the crazy coincidences".^[49] The News Minute gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Gautham Menon’s film is stylish but has little substance, his thrillers increasingly feel like he’s remaking the same template over and over again".^[50] The Times of India gave 2 out of 5 stars stating "Enai Noki Paayum Thota is more or less a reiteration of Gautham Vasudev Menon's previous film, Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada. A competently shot but less than compelling film".^[51]

News18 gave 2 out of 5 stars stating "Cinema has long ceased to be fantasy and make-believe. Gautham Vasudev Menon helms this kind of unbelievable existence, his earlier works too have more or less remained in this groove. Dhanush is not a bad actor, and has learnt to be subdued and subtle, not giving himself to histrionics. But his range is something we have never seen".^[52] Firstpost gave 2 out of 5 stars stating "Enai Noki Paayum Thota is way off the target and should have been shorter. The Gautham Menon magic is clearly missing".^[53] IndiaGlitz gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Though completely reminiscent of Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada, Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta survives and works despite predictability, thanks to Dhanush, the rich technical aspects and few enjoyable GVM brand romance sequences and terrific action episodes".^[54] Sify gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Average romantic action thriller".^[55]