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Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu
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Wikipedia article
'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Part I: The Kindling', is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, written by B. Jeyamohan and produced by Ishari K. Ganesh. The film stars Silambarasan and Siddhi Idnani, with Raadhika Sarathkumar, Siddique, Neeraj Madhav and Aangelina Abraham in supporting roles, the film has music composed by A. R. Rahman.
Principal photography began in August 2021 and ended in April 2022. The film was released in theatres on 15 September 2022 to positive reviews. A sequel is in development.
Premise
Muthuveeran, a graduate from a village in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, comes to Mumbai to earn money for his struggling family, consisting of his mother and younger sister. The story revolves around him and the dark underworld of Mumbai, where people like, Muthu, are ordered to kill others, for a livelihood. The film portrays Muthuveeran's life, from a struggling young man to becoming a much feared and respected gangster.
Cast
* Silambarasan as Muthuveeran (Muthu)
* Siddhi Idnani as Paavai
* Raadhika Sarathkumar as Aaruthira
* Siddique as Kutty Bhai
* Neeraj Madhav as Sridharan
* Delhi Ganesh as Iyer, from 'Nayakan'
* Appukutty as Saravanan
* Aangelina Abraham as Muthu's younger sister
Production
Development
In February 2018, Gautham Vasudev Menon announced a sequel to 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' (2010) titled 'Ondraga', which would focus on Karthik and his best friends from college travelling to the United States to attend a wedding ten years after the events of the first film. It had Silambarasan reprising his role from the original film, and had pulled out prominent names from South Indian film fraternity, but the film did not begin production. Later, Silambarasan and Menon worked on the short film 'Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn', based on the characters from the first film which was shot during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.Soon after its release, speculations arose that Silambarasan and Menon would collaborate for the sequel of 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa', or a fresh script written by Menon. In January 2021, Silambarasan announced his new project which will be directed by Menon with Ishari K. Ganesh of Vels Film International bankrolling the project, thus marking the third collaboration between Menon and Silambarasan. A. R. Rahman was announced as the music composer in early February 2021, with lyricist Thamarai also joining the technical team. On Menon's birthday (25 February 2021), the makers announced the film's title as 'Nadhigalile Neeradum Suriyan', named after a line from the song "Ondra Renda Asaigal" from Menon's 'Kaakha Kaakha' (2003).
Pre-production
During the production of 'Nadhigalile Neeradum Suriyan', Silambarasan insisted Menon to work on a raw and rustic-toned script, leading to a change in the storyline as well as the film genre. Menon brought in the basic plotline of the novel 'Agni Kunjondru Kanden' (inspired from a poem written by Subramania Bharati) by screenwriter B. Jeyamohan, instead of a fresh script he planned. On 6 August 2021, Menon announced the film's new title 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu', also named from one of the lines from the same poem written by Bharati. The first look also released on the same day, featuring Silambarasan in a rustic avatar. He had reportedly lost 15 kilos for his role in the film. Ganesh described his role as "a character he hasn't done before". In the same month, Kayadu Lohar was announced as the lead actress. However, the role went to Siddhi Idnani in January 2022.Director-cinematographer Siddhartha Nuni, who worked in the Kannada film 'Lucia' (2013) was hired for the project, along with Anthony, who regularly collaborated with Menon in his previous ventures, handled the editing works. Silambarasan shared a picture on social media revealing his current transformation for the film, to quell rumours that the first look was "photoshopped". A report from 'The Times of India' stated that the actor had hired a special instructor to reduce his weight for the past six months and had also trained for the stunt sequences too. The film's cast further included Malayalam actors Siddique and Neeraj Madhav, playing pivotal roles in the film.
The film revolves around the plight of migrant workers, which is Menon's first attempt on portraying the tale of marginalised section in the society. Menon also stated that Silambarasan would be seen in five different looks as the film narrates his journey from teenage to adulthood. Jeyamohan said the film would not be a full-fledged rural action drama like 'Asuran', but a portion of it would be set in a rural backdrop, and the film will also feature urban portions. He added that the film would be rustic tonally, with the style of Menon's earlier directorial ventures. Menon stated that the film will be on the lines of 'Vaaranam Aayiram', and will see Silambarasan in five different looks as the film progresses from his teenage to adulthood.
Filming
Principal photography began on 7 August 2021 at Tiruchendur. On 23 August 2021, shooting was suspended due to the tussle between Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), as several producers filed complaints against Silambarasan in the past over his failure to commit to the projects he signed and also demanded for compensation. Following Ganesh's assurance to compensate the producers, shooting resumed on 26 August, with the second schedule beginning in Chennai.On 20 September 2021, the makers announced that the second schedule had been completed. The team took a brief break, following Silambarasan's involvement's in the post-production of 'Maanaadu' and on 18 October, Silambarasan went to Mumbai to begin the third schedule. It was reported that the team had planned to resume the shooting in Chennai and had constructed a set resembling Mumbai, in a private film studio. Hollywood-based stunt choreographer Lee Whittaker was hired for the action sequences, joined the schedule in Mumbai on mid-October. The team had several complications on the film's production in Mumbai, citing the difficulties in travel due to pandemic and weather conditions, and decided to begin the final schedule in Chennai for more than 25 days. However, contrary to the earlier statements, the final schedule began on 7 December 2021 in Mumbai.
On 11 December, Silambarasan was hospitalised in Chennai due to a viral infection, resulting in shooting being stalled for a few days. A minor shooting schedule was later held in Chennai on 3 January 2022, and took place for 10 days. By 13 January 2022, the Chennai shooting schedule has been wrapped and was informed that the team will return to Mumbai for the final schedule which involves few patchwork scenes. A source from the production team stated that the shooting in Mumbai, will be stalled for some time due to the rise in COVID-19 infections in the city, and will be planned appropriately only after the restrictions being lifted. As of mid-January, 50% of the film has been completed. The third and final schedule began in Mumbai on 9 February 2022. Filming completely wrapped on 15 April 2022.
Music
The music for the film is composed by A. R. Rahman in his third collaboration with Menon after 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' (2010) and 'Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada' (2016) and fourth collaboration with Silambarasan after the former movies and 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' (2018). The audio rights were purchased by Think Music. The first single "Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" was released on 6 May 2022.
Release
Theatrical
The film was released in theatres on 15 September 2022, by Red Giant Movies.Home media
Initially, there were reports suggesting that the film's digital rights were acquired by Aha Tamil, but later it was announced that Amazon Prime Video had done so.Reception
Critical response
'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' received positive reviews from critics praising the performances and storyline but criticised the climax as hurried and confusing.Nidhima Taneja of 'The Print' rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "It is the journey of the most incomprehensible or an underdog if you will man in the pyramid that makes 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' worth a watch". Sowmya Rajendran of 'The News Minute' rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Gautham Vasudev Menons film has all the familiar material that you expect from a gangster film but also a few departures and inclusions that keep things engrossing". Karthik Keramalu of 'Firstpost' rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "The movie humanizes the lives of gangsters whore at the bottom of the chain". M. Suganth of 'The Times of India' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and called it "an uneven gangster saga that works in parts". Kirubhakar Purushothaman of 'The Indian Express' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' begins on a great note and keeps the momentum till the interval only to drop the ball in the climax. 'Pinkvilla' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' is an entertaining gangster drama that has some amazing performances in place". Janani K. of 'India Today' rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "'Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu' could have been Simbus 'Pudhupettai', but it falls short by a few miles. The second half could have been more nuanced". Srivatsan S of 'The Hindu' wrote "The biggest positive has got to be how well-rounded the screenplay structure is: where it begins is where the film also ends."
A critic for 'Deccan Herald' rated 3 out of 5 and wrote "The template of a small-town man getting sucked into the criminal world isnt new. Gautham reinvents it and he has a great partner in crime in Simbu. Its a great combination." Sowndarya Athimuthu of 'The Quint' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Though 'Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu' might come across as a usual gangster saga, it is a unique attempt from Gautham Vasudev Menon, who submits to writer Jeyamohans vision". Sudhir Srinivasan of 'Cinema Express' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "'VTK' shows plenty of potential, and the disappointment is that it doesnt quite hit as many highs as you would expect".
Box office
On the first day of its release, the film grossed over 12 crore worldwide with the film collecting over 8.25 crore in Tamil Nadu.Legal issues
Before the production of the film, several producers had filed a complaint against Silambarasan at the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) for not working on the projects he had advanced before the shoot. Global Infotainment's Michael Rayappan too criticised Silambarasan, after failing to compensate the losses incurred during the production of 'Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan' (2017). As a result, the Tamil Film Producers Council issued a red card against Silambarasan following the complaints and also insisted the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) to stop the production works on the film. However, FEFSI had supported the film because Ishari K. Ganesh had helped the association in several ways during the COVID-19 lockdown. It eventually resulted in the split between TFPC and FEFSI, and the shooting was disrupted following this incident. Fans of Silambarasan eventually supported the actor and condemned TFPC's actions; they started using the hashtag "#SaveTamilCinemafromTFPC" eventually being trending for two days on Twitter. Later, on 26 August 2021, Ganesh admitted to pay the requested amount on behalf of the actor in order to resume shooting; an assurance letter was submitted to the producers council.
Sequel
The complete title 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Part I: The Kindling' was unveiled in early September, confirming that a sequel was in development.
References
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