Product Code Database
Thalaivaa () is a 2013 Indian Tamil language-language action thriller film directed by A. L. Vijay and produced by Vendhar Movies. The film stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Santhanam, Abhimanyu Singh, Ragini Nandwani, Nassar and Rajeev Pillai. In the film, a dancer in Australia takes over his father's duty as a crime boss in Mumbai after his death.
The film, which commenced production in November 2012 in Mumbai, was released on 8 August 2013 on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr. The film received mostly positive reviews from the critics. The film upon its early release was successful at the overseas box office, and also successful in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka box office. Due to opposition from the ruling AIADMK as insisted by the then Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the film had a delayed release in Tamil Nadu on 20 August 2013 and its performance was affected at the Tamil Nadu box office. The film went on to be remade in Punjabi cinema as Sardar Saab in 2017. It was also screened in Japan in 2020.
2013: Vishwa is a dancer who lives in Sydney and manages a water distribution business in the name of Ganga with his childhood friend Logu and his dance team members. Ramadurai is a crime boss who fights for the rights of migrated Tamilians and also keeps in contact with Vishwa as he grows up and lies to him about his profession. Vishwa falls in love with Meera, the daughter of a restaurateur, who is one of his customers. Meera reciprocates Vishwa's feelings and joins his dance team, helping them win a dance competition. She soon proposes to Vishwa, who agrees. Meera's father accepts the marriage but wants to discuss the matter formally with Ramadurai.
They leave for Mumbai, where Vishwa finds out about Ramadurai's true profession and that he is hiding due to several false charges registered against him by his arch-enemy Bhima, Bhadra's son. Vishwa also finds out that Meera and her father are Crime Branch officers who lured him to Mumbai so that they could arrest Ramadurai. Ramadurai gets arrested, but just after he enters the police van, a bomb planted by Bhima in the vehicle explodes, killing him. Distraught over his father's death, Vishwa decides to stay back in Mumbai and take over his father's syndicate. He dons the title of Thalaivaa and provides his brand of justice for the helpless and downtrodden.
Meanwhile, Bhima initiates a riot in Mumbai, which leads to the deaths and injuries of several people. Vishwa arrives at the scene and saves several others, including a Bhojpuri woman named Gowri, whose marriage became nullified due to the riots. Although there is seemingly inadequate evidence that Bhima is responsible, a video recorded by a cameraman, Kumar, highlighting Bhima's involvement in the riots, is stolen by a Bhojpuri-speaking pickpocketing. Vishwa and his gang manage to reclaim the tape from the pickpocketer and make it public, leading to Bhima's arrest. Vishwa also kills the corrupt CM of Maharashtra, who had given Bhima and his gang free rein and blames Bhima.
However, Bhima soon escapes from prison and kills most of Vishwa's henchmen on the night of Maha Shivaratri, including Gowri, with the help of Vishwa's uncle Ranga, who is Vishwa's second-in-command. When Vishwa enters a fort after hearing Ranga is being "held hostage" there by Bhima, Ranga stabs him. Taking his son, who is also the driver and cousin of Vishwa, he leaves the fort. He immediately informs the police that Vishwa is "dead". Ranga also reveals to have aided Bhima in killing Ramadurai to replace him as the leader. When Ranga's son hears about his father's betrayal, he becomes enraged and drives the car into a petroleum tanker, killing them both.
Though injured, Vishwa fights with Bhima's goons and kills them individually. After a bitter fight, he kills Bhima by stabbing his throat. Meera soon arrives at the fort and realises that Vishwa killed Bhima, but she acts quickly and shoots the corpses of Bhima and his goons to imply that she killed them, thus saving Vishwa from prison. Meera eventually quits her job after realising her love for Vishwa, and the two get married. With Bhima and his gang out of the way, Vishwa is now the unchallenged crime boss in Mumbai.
As of 8 February 2013, 50% of total shootings were completed, with stunt scenes conducted by Stunt Silva. Ragini Nandwani, who plays a North Indian, stated that all of her film sequences were shot in Mumbai over 25–30 days. They moved to Chennai and shot a song at Binny Mills. A last shooting schedule in Australia was completed by 24 April. They shot scenes at the Bondi Beach in New South Wales. It was revealed that Vijay would portray a leader of a dance group based in Australia, performing dance styles of different genres including tap dancing with Sathish Krishnan ( June Ponal from Unnale Unnale song fame), Karthik (Ungalil yaar Prabhu Deva winner), and their dance schoolmates.
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Behindwoods rated it 3.5/5, stating "A true for the fans, high on energy and drama". "Thalaivaa Songs Review Thalaivaa, Vijay, Amala Paul" . behindwoods.com. Oneindia said GV Prakash Kumar has composed the songs keeping new-age audience in mind. Thalaivaa album simply cannot be ignored. "Thalaivaa Music Review" . http://www.filmibeat.com. 21 June 2013 Indiaglitz said "Thalaivaa is all about energy and jive. Ranging from foot tapping to soul lifting, the album is elevating in all respects. For a crowd puller like Vijay, this album is aptly scored to be cheery and soulful. In all, GV Prakash has redefined music crafted for dance and rated 3.75 / 5 – Energy packed album. Get up and dance." "Thalaiva Music Review songs lyrics". IndiaGlitz. 21 June 2013
Thalaivaa opened well at international markets, especially in the US and UK. Thalaivaa USA and UK Box Office report – Thalaivaa USA And UK Box Office Report- Box Office Analysis- Thalaivaa- Kerala- Karnataka- Tamil NAdu- Thalaivaa Box Office- Thalaivaa Box Office . Cinemalead.com (12 August 2013). Retrieved on 12 October 2015. In UK From the paid previews on Thursday till Saturday, Thalaivaa's gross in the UK is approximate from 34 locations and it is seen as a very impressive opening. Vijay's films generally embark on a great start in the UK, and Thalaivaa is no exception. Thalaiva release | Box office release report of Thalaiva (aka) Thalaivaa outside Tamil nadu . Behindwoods.com (12 August 2013). Retrieved on 12 October 2015. The film's UK collection is said to be in its opening weekend. In UK "Thalaivaa" made an impressive start earning (£1,21,249) from 36 screens in the opening weekend. The film has made higher collections than Suriya's "Singam 2" in the UK. "Singam 2" earned around in the first week of its release. But Vijay's "Thalaivaa" crossed "Singam 2" collections in its debut weekend. The film continued its dream run at the UK box office even in its second weekend. Its total UK collections are now pegged at . 'Thalaivaa' Box Office Collection: Vijay Starrer a Hit in UK, Earns Over ₹2 Crore . Ibtimes.co.in (20 August 2013). Retrieved on 12 October 2015.
At the end of the first weekend, the US gross of Thalaivaa from 44 reported locations is US$212,000 . A record total of 70 locations are screening Thalaivaa and the total gross for the first weekend is expected to be in the US$250,000 range Thalaivaa fared well in Malaysia too. Thalaivaa has maintained exceptionally well in its second weekend in Malaysia. The film has become ninth highest grosser of all time in Malaysia's box office in just 10 days collection. In its second weekend the film has collected (MYR 579,153) on 60 screens and average working out per screens (MYR 9,654). Account Suspended. Glintcinemas.com. Retrieved on 12 October 2015. Thalaivaa collected around in just 10 days at the Malaysian box office. Account Suspended. Glintcinemas.com. Retrieved on 12 October 2015. Baradwaj Rangan of the Hindu wrote "The director gets a lot of things right...this film has been made with some integrity, with respect for the story being told (and, to some extent, the audience too). After Vishwa's transformation, he's rarely shown smiling. Even when Santhanam makes a re-entry, there is no joyous reunion. Even after the heroine is separated from the hero for a while, there are no "dream songs". "
'Times of India' gave it a 3/5, stating Vijay is in top form when he's normal and menacing. Sathyaraj as the don is effective. But the one who makes this arduous journey enjoyable is Santhanam, whose poker-faced humour provides relief in a largely grim story. Thalaivaa movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved on 29 December 2013. MovieCrow rated it a 3/5, stating that the movie is a typical entertainer. 'Thalaivaa Review – Rehashed Godfather' Tamil Movie, Music Reviews and News . Moviecrow.com. Retrieved on 29 December 2013. Ananda Vikatan rated the film 42 out of 100. Bookmyshow rated the film 3/5, stating that "Overall, Thalaivaa is a very good movie to watch, not just for movie fanatics down south but all across the nation. If it's the one thing you learn from this flick is – If you're your father's son, you will follow his footsteps!". Thalaivaa: Film Review . In.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved on 12 October 2015.
| Vijay Awards | Favourite Hero | Vijay | |
| Entertainer of the Year | |||
| Favourite Film | Thalaivaa | ||
| Techofes Awards | Favourite Actor | Vijay |
|
|
