Thamizh

Thamizh is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Hari, in his directorial debut and produced by Amutha Durairaj. The movie stars Prashanth and Simran in the leading roles, while Vadivelu, Ashish Vidyarthi, Nassar, and Livingston, among others, portray supporting roles. Featuring music composed by Bharadwaj, Thamizh opened to positive reviews upon release in April 2002. The film was remade in Bengali as Aakrosh.

This article is about the movie. For the language, see Tamil language.

Thamizh
Movie Poster
Directed byHari
Produced byAmutha Durairaj
Written byHari
StarringPrashanth
Simran
Vadivelu
Ashish Vidyarthi
Nassar
Livingston
Music byBharadwaj
CinematographyPriyan
Edited byV. T. Vijayan
Production
company
Deivanai Movies
Release date
  • 14 April 2002 (2002-04-14)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Thamizh (Prashanth) leads a happy life with his mother (Manorama) and sister-in-law Kalaichelvi (Urvashi). Thamizh's brother Anbazhagan (Livingston) is working in Kuwait, and he too dreams of joining him there. Meenakshi (Simran), their tenant, and Thamizh fall in love. When the goons of Periyavar (Ashish Vidyarthi) injure Thamizh's niece, he stops Periyavar's car on the road and questions him. He then beats up one of Periyavar's goons when insulted. This makes him Periyavar's target, and though he tries to withdraw from the violence, he is forced to join forces with Rathnam (Nassar), Periyavar's sworn enemy, and eventually defeats him.

Cast

Production

The film marked the debut of director Hari, who earlier worked as an assistant director to K. Balachander, while Prashanth agreed to work in the film in early 2001.[1] The film's title of Thamizh was given by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who also helped create the film's logo.[2] Simran was selected as heroine pairing with Prashanth, for fourth time after successful collaborations in Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998), Jodi (1999) and Parthen Rasithen (2000). Actress Mamta Kulkarni was also attached to the project, but eventually did not feature.[3] Director Saran assisted Hari with the dialogues in the film, supervising his writing.[4] The team had worked on pre-production for close to a year and the script was ready prior to the start of the shoot, with Hari revealing he was inspired by the 1989 Malayalam film Kireedam.[5] For his role, Prashanth worked out at the gym, grew a beard and began smoking cigarettes to get into character. Shooting commenced in Chennai and proceeded in locations like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Scenes were also shot in Sikkim, reportedly becoming the first time that a Tamil film shot there. A few scenes were also later picturised on Prashanth, Charlie, Vadivelu, and Crane Manohar in Karaikudi.[6] Prashanth had performed a lengthy dialogue in front of Madurai Meenakshi Temple which gained accolades from the onlookers.[7] Prashanth shot action scenes for the film through pain after he had injured his knee during the making of Majunu (2001).[5]

The similarities of title and release date between Thamizh and Vijay-starrer Thamizhan created confusion with the producers of both films unable to accommodate any changes.[5] Made at a cost of ₹20 million, the film failed to get a distributor before release due to competition from other films, so producer Amudha Durairaj marketed the venture herself.[8]

Release

The film gained positive reviews upon release, with a critic noting the "debutant director has woven an action packed entertainer and has etched out the roles well".[9] Another critic wrote "When one leaves the theatre, one gets the satisfaction of watching a good film. This feeling has been rare in recent lives. Thamizh has turned out as the thirst quencher".[4] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noted "Thamizh is backed by a strong storyline and a significant end [sic] and the positive twist is appealing."[10]

The film became a box office success despite opening with little publicity, with positive word of mouth significantly helping the film's prospects.[5]

Soundtrack
Thamizh
Soundtrack album by
Bharadwaj
Released2002
Recorded2002
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelThe Best Audio
ProducerBharadwaj
Bharadwaj chronology
Raajjiyam
(2002)		 Thamizh
(2002)		 Enge Enadhu Kavithai
(2002)

The film score and the soundtrack were composed by film composer Bharadwaj in his first collaboration with director Hari. The soundtrack, released in 2002, features 7 tracks.

TrackSongSinger(s)Lyrics
1"Azhakana"Shankar MahadevanVaali
2"Kaathelenum"Harish RaghavendraSnehan
3"Kannukkulle Kadhala"Unni Krishnan, SwarnalathaThamarai
4"Penne"Manikka VinayagamSnehan
5"Rosappu"Yugendran, Anuradha Sriram
6"Thamizh"ManoPazhani Bharathi
7"Vikkuthe"Srinivas, SujathaViveka

References
  1. "Gokul's Tamil Cinema News". Reocities.com. 4 May 2001. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  2. "An Interview with Prashanth As a romantic hero". Cinematoday3.itgo.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20030814214146/http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/tamizh.asp
  4. "Tamil Cinema Review — Thamizh, Prashanth, Simran, director Hari, Aasish Vidhyarthi, Oorvasi, Livingston". Cinematoday3.itgo.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. "Movies: An interview with Prasanth". Rediff. 15 May 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20020522015243/http://www.chennaionline.com/location/tamizh.asp
  7. "Ushering in the new year". The Hindu. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  8. "rediff.com, Movies: What the marquee looks like this New Year". Rediff. 11 April 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  9. http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/BB92C2FF1CAC36F7E5256BC0000D7C80
  10. "Thamizh". The Hindu. 19 April 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
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