Rajapattai
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySuseenthiran
Written byBhaskar Sakthi (Dialogues)
Screenplay bySuseenthiran
Story byAasim Tiger
Produced byPrasad V. Potluri
Starring
CinematographyR. Madhi
Edited byKasi Viswanathan
Music byYuvan Shankar Raja
Production
company
Distributed byGemini Film Circuit[1]
Release date
  • 23 December 2011 (2011-12-23) (India)
[1]
Running time
133 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹38 crore[2]
Box office₹52 crore

Rajapattai (transl. King's path) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language masala film[3] co-written and directed by Suseenthiran based on a story by Seenu Vasan.[4] The film stars Vikram and Deeksha Seth. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, the film is produced by Prasad V. Potluri's newly launched PVP Cinema on a budget of ₹390 million (US$4.9 million).[2] The story revolves around the issue of land grabbing and how the protagonist becomes involved in it.[5] The film was also dubbed into Telugu and was released as Veedinthe on 30 December 2011 and into Hindi as Main Hoon Dada No.1 in 2013.[6]

Plot

'Anul' Murugan, a gym boy who dreams of becoming a successful villain in films, lives along with Shanmugham and his gym co-boys. He bumps into an old man Dakshinamoorthy who is under pressure from his son Chidambaram to sell his orphanage to a scheming lady politician Ranganayaki, who is majorly into land grabbing along with her hatchet man 'Vaappa' Abdul Kadhir. Murugan eventually falls in love with Dharshini. Murugan becomes Dakshinamoorthy's savior as Ranganayaki and her men are after them. How Murugan single-handedly fights Ranganayaki and brings her to light forms the rest of the story.

Cast

Production

Development

In early 2007, it was reported that director Boopathy Pandian would direct a film written by his assistant, Seenu Vasan, with Ajith Kumar expected to play the lead role.[7] The film was briefly postponed as Ajith had to complete his remaining projects and soon Boopathy Pandian confirmed otherwise and revealed that the film would actually be made by Rajakaliamman Films with Vikram and Nayantara in the lead roles.[8][9] However Vikram's commitment to Kanthaswamy and Raavanan resulted in the film eventually becoming shelved. In late 2010, Vikram was forced to pull out of his film with director Selvaraghavan after the project was shelved too and gave dates to a new venture produced by the same studio, for a film to be directed by Suseenthiran.[10] Reports emerged that the film would be titled Vendhan,[11] but this was dismissed by the director.[12] The director initially wanted to experiment with a new script but to make use of the actor's tight schedules he chose to use Seenu's original script. The new title of the film, "Rajapattai" was eventually released in May 2011,[13][14] with the first schedule planned to begin in early June.[15] A first press meet was held on 6 June 2011 with the entire crew being present. Kanakaratna Ramesh was to produce the film,[10] however his teenage sons Pratish and Santosh were eventually revealed to be producers, launching their own banner named SP Creations.[16] Suseenthiran disclosed that the film would be a "full-fledged commercial" masala film, with action, comedy and romance,[3][17] further adding that the dialogues would be penned by Bhaskar Sakthi.[3] By September 2011, reports confirmed that the film had been taken over by Prasad V. Potluri's PVP Cinemas, after Ramesh faced financial restraints.[2]

Casting

Reports suggested that the film would depict the relationship between a grandfather, played by K. Vishwanath and his grandson played by Vikram. Furthermore, the film was supposed to feature Vikram in dual roles as father and son,[18][19] however the news was denied by sources, which confirmed that Vikram was to essay dual roles initially, but since the script had been reworked, he would play only one character.[20][21] Vikram was revealed to play a stunt man who aspires to become a noted villain in the film industry,[22] with the makers adding that his character had negative shades.[23][24][25] In March 2011, Deeksha Seth confirmed her presence in the film,[26] citing that she would portray the leading female role of an IT professional.[27] For a parallel lead female role, Amala Paul was signed on, but was forced to pull out due to schedule problems.[28] Sources reported that Mithra Kurian was then signed on for the film for her second big Tamil venture after Kaavalan,[29] after discussions with Abhinaya were unsuccessful.[30] However, the reports turned out to be false. Pradeep Rawat, best known for his performance in Ghajini, was selected to play the main antagonist in the film.[31] Actresses Shriya Saran and Reemma Sen, who had both worked together with Vikram earlier, were roped in to perform an item number together,[32] after attempts to sign Hansika Motwani, who was reportedly offered ₹ 12 million for the role,[33] had failed.[34] In late October, National Film Award-winner Thambi Ramaiah as well as cinematographer-turned-actor Aruldass, who had also played a pivotal role in the director's Naan Mahaan Alla, were roped in for other supporting roles.[27] Suseenthiran also confirmed that he would rejoin with the Naan Mahaan Alla crew, with Yuvan Shankar Raja, R. Madhi and Mu. Kasi Viswanathan taking care of the music, cinematography and editing, respectively.

Filming

Filming began in June 2011, with the first schedule, during which filming was held in and around Chennai, lasting for 60 days.[35] In August 2011, the first song was shot for five days in Mahabalipuram, with Vikram, Deeksha Seth and fifty back-up dancers participating.[36] The team subsequently shot scenes in a set worth ₹ 4 million that was erected at Senthil Studios in Saligramam, Chennai,[36] while the next schedule was to be shot in Thiruvannaamalai and Pondicherry.[36] In October 2011, filming was held near the Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai.[37] Few days later, the crew was shooting a song and several stunt sequences near Karaikudi,[38] and later in Kumbakonam.[39] The climax scene that was canned for eight days at the Binny Mills in Chennai,[40] had reportedly cost approximately ₹ 30 million.[39][41] During the last week of October and early November, Saloni Aswani, who had previously starred in Madurai Veeran, was shooting for the song "Villadhi Villain" along with Vikram at the AVM Studios, Chennai.[42] The item number, featuring Shriya Saran and Reemma Sen, was initially to be filmed in Japan,[32] however, since Suseenthiran was not satisfied with the locations, he decided to can it in Lucca, Italy.[43][44][45] Other locations in Italy where filming was held include Volterra, Monteriggioni and Montecatini Terme.[46]

Music

Rajapattai
Soundtrack album by
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Released
  • 7 December 2011 (Telugu version)
  • 9 December 2011 (Tamil version)
Recorded2011
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length23:10
LanguageTamil
LabelGemini Audio
ProducerYuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja chronology
Kazhugu
(2012)		 Rajapattai
(0000006)		 Vettai
(2012)

Rajapattai's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, becoming his first work for a Vikram-starrer.[35] Since Yuvan Shankar Raja's previous single tracks from Vaanam and Mankatha had met with success,[47] the team planned to release a single track from Rajapattai, too, by late October.[48] However, the plan did not materialize. The final mixing of the songs was planned to be held in London.[49]

The album's Telugu version was launched first on 7 December 2011 at Taj Deccan in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh by director V. V. Vinayak,[50] with other noted Telugu film directors S. S. Rajamouli, Krish and badminton player Jwala Gutta being present along with the cast and crew.[51][52] The original Tamil version was released two days later at the Anna Centenary Auditorium in Kotturpuram, Chennai.[53][54]

The soundtrack album features five tracks, with the first song ("Podi Paiyan Polave") being repeated at the end. As reported earlier,[55][56] Vikram had performed the song "Laddu Laddu" in both languages. The song "Paniye Pani Poove" was co-sung by Renu Kannan, one of the finalists of the second season of the reality-based singing competition Airtel Super Singer.

All tracks are written by Yugabharathi

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Podi Paiyan Polave (I)"Haricharan04:36
2."Villathi Villain"Mano, Malathi04:34
3."Paniye Panipoove"Javed Ali, Renu Kannan04:51
4."Laddu Laddu Rendu Laddu"Vikram, Suchitra, Priyadarshini04:37
5."Podi Paiyan Polave (II)"Haricharan04:36
Total length:23:10

Release

In early November 2011, reports confirmed that Sun Pictures had bought the domestic distribution rights of the film.[57] However two weeks later, Sun Pictures cancelled the deal and opted out.[58] Subsequently, Gemini Film Circuit acquired the theatrical release rights, confirming the film' release for the Christmas weekend on 23 December 2011.[59][60] The Telugu version would be released one week later, distributed by Suresh Movies.[61] The film released about 500+ screens worldwide.

The film accounted for 64% of the takings in Chennai box office in its second weekend.[62]

Reception

Critical response

Behindwoods gave the film 3.5 out of 5 and wrote that it was "only for Vikram's fans and action lovers" and also stated 'Rajapattai is popcorn in its flavor'.[63] Pavithra Srinivasan from Rediff described the film as bland, adding that it was "just an actor's quest for superstardom, and is a disappointing fare", giving it 2 out of 5.[64] Sify wrote: "This old-fashioned masala entertainer is enjoyable in parts. It is vintage Vikram coupled with rich production values that makes Rajapattai watchable, despite its obvious flaws".[65] CNN-IBN rated 2 out of 5 and wrote that it was a "road unfit to travel".[66] Chennaionline noted: "Had Suseenthiran managed to keep an element of suspense somewhere in the script, the film could have been more watchable".[67]

References

  1. 1 2 "'Rajapattai': Under Gemini Film Circuit". Archived from the original on 29 November 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rajapattai taken over by PVP Cinemas!". Sify. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "FIR on Vikram's Rajapattai". IndiaGlitz. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "FIR on Vikram's 'Rajapattai'". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Tough guy, Vikram!". Daily News and Analysis. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  6. ↑ "Gemini Film Circuit snaps Rajapattai". Sify. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Ajith on the move – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 5 April 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Nayantara opposite Vikram – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 10 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 September 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "Suseendiran - Tamil Cinema Director Interview - Suseendiran | Rajapattai | Vikram | Deeksha Seth". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Vikram drops Selva, grabs Suseendran". Sify.com. 31 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Yuvan to score Chiyaan's Vendhan". IndiaGlitz. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  12. ↑ "Not Vendhan..." IndiaGlitz. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  13. ↑ "Vikram walks on Raja Pattai". IndiaGlitz. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Vikram to shoot in Chennai". The Times of India. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  15. ↑ "Vikram goes back to romance". The Times of India. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Raja Pattai team meets the press". Sify.com. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  17. ↑ "Vikram On Rajapaattai". Behindwoods.com. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  18. ↑ "Vikram's Latest Gimmick!". Behindwoods.com. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  19. ↑ "Vikram to don dual roles in Suseendran's next". IndiaGlitz. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  20. ↑ "No dual role for Vikram". The Times of India. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  21. ↑ "Vikram's Vendhan is now 'Raja Pattai'". Reviews.in.88db.com. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  22. ↑ "The Other Side Of Vikram Revealed!". Behindwoods.com. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  23. ↑ "The Latest On Vikram Film". Behindwoods.com. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  24. ↑ Subramanian, Anupama (29 September 2011). "Vikram is an aspiring villain". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  25. ↑ "Latest on Vikram's 'Rajapattai'". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  26. ↑ "Deeksha to begin Kollywood career". The Times of India. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  27. 1 2 "Off-beat film maker Suseendran changes tack". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  28. ↑ "An ace up Amala's sleeve!". Sify.com. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  29. ↑ Subramanian, Anupama (7 April 2011). "Mithra Kurien to team up with Chiyaan Vikram". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  30. ↑ "Vikram Trilingual flick with Singanamala Ramesh". Cinefundas.com. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  31. ↑ "Action all the way for Pradeep Rawat". The Times of India. 27 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  32. 1 2 "Vikram to sizzle with Reema & Shriya!". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  33. ↑ Subramanian, Anupama (17 September 2011). "Hansika Motwani offered Rs 1.2cr for item song". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  34. ↑ "Hansika turns down '1cr for item song". The Times of India. 18 September 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  35. 1 2 "Vikram walks on 'Raja Pattai'". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  36. 1 2 3 "Deeksha, Vikram hit the beach!". The Times of India. 30 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  37. ↑ "Raja Pattai Team Spotted!". Behindwoods.com. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  38. ↑ "Vikram & Suseenthiran shoot near Karaikudi". The Times of India. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  39. 1 2 "Rs 3 crore climax for Rajapattai". The Times of India.
  40. ↑ "Vikram's Rajapattai nears completion!". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  41. ↑ Daiya, Nidhi R. (1 November 2011). "Kollywood's urge to splurge". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  42. ↑ "Saloni shakes a leg with Vikram for Rajapattai". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  43. ↑ "Suseenthiran's Italian job". The Times of India. 1 November 2011. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  44. ↑ "Shriya, Reemma shoot for the special song with Vikram". Behindwoods. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  45. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (17 December 2011). "Tuscany welcomes Chinese soap opera". Variety.
  46. ↑ http://archivio-radiocor.ilsole24ore.com/articolo-1004990/toscana-set-cinematografici-due-mega/ (in Italian)
  47. ↑ "Yuvan On A Hat – Trick?". Behindwoods.com. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  48. ↑ "Yuvan on a hat – trick?". Behindwoods.com. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  49. ↑ "Kollywood: Not on track". The Times of India. 20 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  50. ↑ "Veedinthe music launched". Sify.com. 8 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  51. ↑ "Veedinthe (by birth) music launch – Telugu cinema". Idlebrain.com. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  52. ↑ "Jwala Gutta becomes a regular at filmi events". The Times of India. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
  53. ↑ "Rajapattai audio launched". Sify.com. 11 December 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  54. ↑ "Vikram's 'Rajapattai' audio launched! – Bollywood Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  55. ↑ "Vikram's 'Rajapattai' joins the single bandwagon". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  56. ↑ "Yuvan To Make Vikram Sing Again?". Behindwoods.com. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  57. ↑ "Sun snaps Vikram's Rajapattai". Sify.com. 3 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  58. ↑ "Sun Pictures opts out of Rajapattai!". Sify.com. 18 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  59. ↑ "Gemini Film Circuit snaps Rajapattai". Sify.com. 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  60. ↑ "'Rajapattai': Under Gemini Film Circuit – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  61. ↑ "Vikram's Veedinthe on Dec 30". Sify.com. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  62. ↑ Rajapattai remains No.1 in Chennai box office for second weekend
  63. ↑ "RAJAPATTAI MOVIE REVIEW".
  64. ↑ "Movie Review: Rajapattai".
  65. ↑ "Movie Review:Rajapattai". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  66. ↑ "Tamil Review: 'Rajapattai' - a road unfit for travel - Movies News - Tamil - ibnlive". ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  67. ↑ "Movie Review : 'Rajapattai' | Movie Review – Movies". ChennaiOnline. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.