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Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Pokkiri Raja' is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language masala film written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by debutante Vysakh and starring Mammootty and Prithviraj Sukumaran with the supporting cast including Shriya Saran, Siddique, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan, Salim Kumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Riyaz Khan. The score was composed by C. Rajamani with songs composed by Jassie Gift.

The film received positive response from the critics and audience and was a box office success. The film marked the debut of Shriya Saran in Malayalam cinema.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141202010410/http://www.sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14922183 Shreya debuts in malayalam]. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.George, Vijay (17 February 2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100221181229/http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article108148.ece Sriya Saran makes her entry into Mollywood with Pokkiri Raja]. The Hindu.

The film was released on 7 May 2010 worldwide.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141202010406/http://www.sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14935193 Pokkiri Raja released]. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014. It was remade in Hindi as 'Boss' & Telugu film 'Bhai' was loosely based on this film. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as 'Raja Pokkiri Raja'. A spin-off named 'Madhura Raja' released on 12 April 2019. The film was a major commercial success and was the highest grossing Malayalam film of the year.

Plot



The film revolves around the life of Madhavan and his two sons Raja and Surya. The film begins with Madhavan's elder son Raja being arrested for killing a boy belonging to their opposite family, but it is also shown that the murder was by mistakenly done by Madhavan himself, but Raja had taken up the blame. Even after he comes out of the jail, Madhavan refuses to accept him not knowing that Raja was innocent. Raja then reaches Madurai and there, he saves the life of the son of Maniannan), the village landlord. Then Raja turns into his right hand and was names as Madurai Raja. Years later, a grown Raja is called Pokkiri Raja, a fearsome kingpin. Meanwhile, Surya, Madhavan's younger son is young, energetic, educated, and well known for his rowdyism in the village. To change his character, he is sent to Ernakulam to his brother-in-law S.I. Sugunan, who is fearful. There, he falls in love with Aswathy, the daughter of Rajendra Babu, the City Police Commissioner. Sugunan takes advantage of Surya's character and sends him in his uniform to take care of some severe police cases. Meanwhile, Home Minister's son Mahendran is also behind Aswathy. First Aswathy shows hatred for Surya, thinking he is a police officer. Later she tells to him that Rajendra Babu is not her real father but her step-father. And he killed her mother, and have left her alive because Mahendran is having a liking to her. Rajendran and Mahendran learns of Surya's and Aswathy's relationship and arrests him for false drug cases. He plans to kill Surya and gives the contract to Raja. At this point, Madhavan goes to Madurai in search of his elder son (which is again Raja) who left for Madurai ten years back, and asks for his help to rescue his younger son Surya. After realises that Surya is his brother, Raja rescues Surya and opens up to Rajendran that Surya is his brother. The rest of the story is how Raja will defeat Rajendran and Mahendran but spare their life and Surya unite with Aswathy.

Cast





* Mammootty as Kunnath Raja / Madhura Raja

* Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kunnath Surya Narayanan

* Shriya Saran as Aswathy (voiceover by Sreeja Ravi)

* Nedumudi Venu as Kunnath Madhavan Nair, Raja and Surya's father

* Vijayaraghavan as Kunnath Krishnan

* Siddique as City Police Commissioner Rajendra Babu IPS

* Riyaz Khan as Mahendran, Aswathy's Fianc and Kumaran's son

* Suraj Venjaramoodu as SI 'Idivettu' Sugunan

* Salim Kumar as Novelist Manoharan Mangalodayam

* Charan Raj as Maniyannan

* Bindu Panicker as Rugmini, 'Idivettu' Suganan's wife, and Raja and Surya's sister

* Thesni Khan as Ramani, Manoharan's wife

* Ambika Mohan as Lathika, Raja's and Surya's mother

* Delhi Ganesh as Velu, Raja's assistant

* Santhosh Jogi as Sathya, Raja'a assistant

* Rizabawa as Home Minister Kumaran

* Ponnamma Babu as Home Minister's wife

* Anil Murali as CI Dinesh Menon

* Sadiq as SI Raveendranath

* Urmila Unni as Aswathy's Mother

* Arun as Varun

* Kalabhavan Shajohn as SI Thomas

* Joemon Joshy as Gopi

* Jagannatha Varma as Thirumeni

* Kozhikode Narayanan Nair as Poojari Narayanan

* T. P. Madhavan as Shivankutty, Temple Committee Member

* Dhandapani as Parthasarathy

* Abu Salim as Quotation Vasu

* Kalashala Babu as Achuthan Nair

* Kundara Johny as Chandrashekharan, Achuthan's son

* Santhosh as Divakaran, Achuthan's son

* Paravai Muniyamma

* Karate Raja as Raja's assistant

* Baburaj as Unnithan

* Baiju Ezhupunna as Chandru

* Kanya Bharathi as Malini, Rajendra Babu's wife

* Sasi Kalinga as Police officer Rakesh Tiwari

* Shweta Menon in a guest appearance in a song Manikyakallin

* Rachana Maurya as a bar dancer (Cameo appearance in the item song "Chenthengil Ponnilaneeru")

Production



The film was launched by Mammootty with the absence of Prithviraj and Shriya Saran at Changanassery on 30 December 2009. Veteran director Joshiy lighted the ceremonial lamp at the function. Shooting of the film began on 11 January 2010 at various locations in Pollachi and Ernakulam. Prithviraj's song 'Manikyakallin Mukkuticharhtum' song was first shot. The shooting completed within 50 days with a production cost around 5 crores and distribution works started in April. Audio was launched in April at Ernakulam. The dubbing of the film was happen at Kochi. A song was planned to shoot at London featuring the lead pair Prithviraj and Shriya Saran but had to canceled because of volcanic ash from london has stopped the airport from fly in or out any flight. While actress Shriya Saran get stranded with Tamil actor Arya at London while shooting for their film 'Chikku Bukku'.

Release



The film got released in 110 screens in India, with 90 of it in Kerala. It was later remade into Hindi as Boss starring Akshay Kumar.

Reception



Box office

The film was made on a budget of 10crore, and as of 24 June 2010, the film grossed 25 crore at the box office. The film collected around 5 crore and was successful at the UAE box office. The film was major commercial success, and highest grossing Malayalam film of the year 2010. The film ran 175 days in theatres.

Critical response

'Indiaglitz.com' reviewed it as a "masala fiesta" and commented that the cinematography and editing are the main highlights of the film, also said "Vysakh as a debutant director has made a decent entertainer and the young man is definitely destined to go places in mainstream Malayalam cinema". Paresh C. Palicha of 'Rediff.com' onelined as "Pokkiriraja disappoints" and rated 2/5 stars, he criticize the script does not care for logic or storytelling. But Prithviraj packaged as a wholesome entertainer does not disappoint. And concluded "Pokkiriraja may supposedly achieve the super hit status with the help of the fans. But, for the genuine viewer, it is a disappointment". 'Sify.com' called it "mass masala" and commented as it doesn't have a decent storyline but appreciating the visuals. And said the writers have succeeded in allotting equal importance to both the lead actors. But criticized the lack of logic in the script. Veeyen of 'Nowrunning.com' rated 2/5 stars and heavily criticized the script saying "I just have one simple question to ask. Is it too much to ask for a simple, good story in films?", also said "Pokkiri Raja" is like a fusion of Tamil and Telugu cinema, but sadly of the 80's. Gayathry V. Pillai of 'One India' stated "The movie is somewhat similar to a Tamil film with lots of actions, songs and punch dialogues" and called it a "mass masala entertainer", and criticized the length.

Music



The music is composed by Jassie Gift and Theme music by Rajamani. The album contains 6 songs. The songs will be featured throughout the film except the other version of Ketile Kettile song. Kaithapram contributed the lyrics. This audio was released on 8 April 2010.

Spin-off



A spin-off named Madhura Raja was released on April 12, 2019, which grossed over 104 crore from worldwide box office. The third one of the Raja series has been announced and titled as 'Minister Raja'.

References




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