LKG (film)

2021-08-17T13:28:50Z

103.26.110.141:

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{short description|2019 Indian Tamil-language film}}
{{Infobox film
| name = LKG
| image = LKG poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = K. R. Prabhu
| producer = [[Ishari K. Ganesh]]
| writer = RJ Balaji & Friends
| starring = [[RJ Balaji]]<br />[[Priya Anand]]
| music = [[Leon James (composer)|Leon James]]
| cinematography = Vidhu Ayyanna
| editing = [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]
| studio = Vels Film International
| distributor = Sakthi Film Factory
| released = {{film date|2019|2|22|df=y}}
| runtime = 124 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross = 15 crores<ref>{{Cite web|title=Box Office: LKG declared blockbuster, Collects 5 times the budget spent!|url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/22653/box-office-lkg-declared-blockbuster-collects-5-times-the-budget-spent|access-date=2020-06-09|website=www.moviecrow.com}}</ref>
}}

'''''LKG''''' (an acronym for '''''Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi''''') is a 2019 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[political satire]] film produced by [[Ishari K. Ganesh]] under the banner Vels Film International, directed by K. R. Prabhu on his directorial debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.bookmyshow.com/rajapalayam/movies/lkg/ET00076112?fbrefresh=1|title=LKG Movie (2019) {{!}} Reviews, Cast & Release Date in Rajapalayam|last=BookMyShow|website=BookMyShow|language=en|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/rj-balaji-and-priya-anands-film-together-titled-lkg-directed-by-prabhu.html|title=RJ Balaji and Priya Anand’s film together titled LKG directed by Prabhu|date=18 May 2018|website=Behindwoods|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref> The film stars [[RJ Balaji]] and [[Priya Anand]] while [[Nanjil Sampath]], [[J. K. Rithesh]], [[Ramkumar Ganesan]] and [[Mayilsamy]] play supporting roles.<ref>https://www.sify.com/movies/lkg-review-neatly-written-and-executed-political-satire-review-tamil-tcwjWbbgcaidi.html</ref> [[Leon James (composer)|Leon James]] scored music for the film, while Vidhu Ayyanna and [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]] handled the cinematography and editing, respectively.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/rj-balaji-on-turning-to-lead-roles-in-lkg-id-be-a-friendly-neighbourhood-hero-wont-bash-up-goons-4475137.html|title=RJ Balaji on turning to lead roles in LKG: I'd be a friendly neighbourhood hero, won't bash up goons- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=19 May 2018|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/new-update-on-rj-balajis-lkg/articleshow/66607701.cms|title=New update on RJ Balaji's 'LKG' – Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref> The film released on 22 February 2019 to positive reviews and was a moderate run in the box office.

== Plot ==
The film begins with newly elected [[Lalgudi]] Karupaiah Gandhi (LKG) swearing in as [[List of chief ministers of Tamil Nadu|Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu]], where he is shot in the chest by a [[sniper]].

The story moves back to six months ago where LKG is a mere councillor from Lalgudi ward in Trichy rural and belongs to the ruling party. LKG aspires to quickly achieve big in politics, unlike his father Azhagu Meiyappan, who neither achieved fame as a politician nor made money. The incumbent CM and ruling party chief, Avudaiyappan Mudhaliar, falls ill and gets hospitalised, while Bojappan, the party general secretary, becomes the interim CM. Since Avudayappan is the MLA from Lalgudi, LKG decides to put all efforts to contest in the by-election on behalf of the ruling party, once Avudaiyappan dies.

However, LKG feels that he needs to create some media visibility to get into Bojappan's good books. LKG gets the paid help of Sarala Munusamy aka Sara M. Samy, an employee of V Analytica – a multinational company which is involved in election [[Strategic management|strategy formulation]]. LKG goes to Delhi to protest and create an awareness against diseases, which gets the media's attention. Finally, LKG gets Bojappan's attention and meets him at party HQ in [[Daryaganj]]. Within a week, Avudaiyppan dies, Bojappan becomes the official Chief Minister, and a by-election is scheduled in Lalgudi constituency. Bojapan urgently announces that LKG is the by-election candidate at the party's general body meeting. Most of the party members and ministers do not agree with Bojappan's decision.

The ruling party's deputy-General secretary Ramraj Pandian, who was in USA when Avudayappan died, comes to the meeting hall. He is furious and feels betrayed by Bojappan's actions. He reminds him that he had been elected as MLA from Lalgudi, his hometown, in a hat trick in last 17 years, and only relinquished the seat due to Avudayappan's personal request in the previous general election. He announces that he will contest in the election as an independent candidate, and once he wins, Bojappan will be expelled from the party and government, while he becomes the new CM.

Now, LKG realises the hardships of contesting in the elections. He understands that people are in favour of Ramraj due to his strong influence, hard work, caste and image. Also most of the state ministers, ruling party bigwigs, and MLAs do not work for LKG as they want to remain neutral to join the victor of the by-election. LKG devises a strategy to tarnish Ramraj's image with the help of [[Internet meme|meme]] creators and his sidekicks. He spreads rumours that Ramraj is actually a woman disguised as man, which results in the public [[Internet troll|trolling]] Ramraj on social media. Ramraj is also insulted when he is unable to sing "[[Tamil Thai Valthu]]" during a college function. Ramraj discovers that V Analytica is behind LKG and strikes a deal with Sara to support him.

Per Sara's advice, Ramraj goes to Delhi and meets national ruling party leaders. He also tries to break the ruling party of Tamil Nadu and prevent Bojappan from trying to take all the party [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]] to a resort. It is revealed that Sara was actually pretending to be on Ramraj's side. She comes back to help LKG, but a tussle comes within the party, while some party senior leaders do not want LKG to gain fame. However, Bojappan is in favour of LKG. During election, LKG wins against Ramraj, but Bojappan gets arrested in corruption cases, and LKG becomes the CM-elect of the state, due to Bojappan's efforts. The next morning, LKG is at the podium to be sworn-in, where he is shot.

The flashback ends, and now it is revealed that LKG was wearing a [[bulletproof vest]] during the swearing-in ceremony upon anticipating such an incident. The sniper is a youngster who aspires to some new-gen honest politicians. LKG speaks in front of the media that he is in to bring a change and that he has transferred the corruption cases against Bojappan to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]]. He also delivers a message that there are numerous educated youngsters contesting in elections independently with a hope of bringing a change but go unnoticed by the public due to big political parties staying in the limelight. The sniper is convinced now, and the entire state believes that LKG will bring some good to the state, unlike other politicians. In the end, Sara smiles upon seeing LKG, which implies that he is just becoming a corrupt politician through his speech trying to woo public which was her strategy as well to win the hearts of people. Also, LKG silently reveals that he never intends to bring Bojappan out of prison.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[RJ Balaji]] as Lalgudi Karupaiah Gandhi (LKG), a ward councillor who contests in a by-election as a candidate to become an MLA
* [[Priya Anand]] as Sarala Munusamy (Sara M. Samy), a V Analytica employee and political strategist who helps LKG in his purpose, later she developes her feelings for him.
* [[Nanjil Sampath]] as Azhagu Meiyappan, LKG's father
* [[J. K. Rithesh]] as Ramraj Pandian (Pandiamma), an MLA and LKG's opponent who is from the same ruling party
* [[Ramkumar Ganesan]] as Bojappan, the party secretary who becomes the interim CM and later gets arrested
* [[Mayilsamy]] as LKG's uncle
* [[Ananth Vaidyanathan]] as Avudaiyappan Mudhaliar, a deceased and former CM who has a by-election scheduled in his constituency
* [[Varun (actor)|Varun]] as Sniper (cameo), a youngster who shoots LKG
* [[Santhana Bharathi]] as Politician
* [[Manobala]] as Mukesh
* [[Vinodhini Vaidyanathan]] as Bhagya Rajappan
* Bijili Ramesh as Drunkard
* Radha Manaalan "Kichdy" Randy as Sukumaran
* Redin Kingsley as Ramraj Pandian's assistant
{{colend}}

== Production ==
The film announcement was made during February 2018 by debutant director K. R. Prabhu, who previously worked as an associate of [[Prabhu Deva]]. K. R. Prabhu was the son of producer [[K. Rajan (producer)|K. Rajan]], and had previously worked as an actor in films including ''[[Aval Paavam]]'' (2000). The filmmakers hired RJ Balaji to play the lead role as Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi in the film, in fact making his first main lead role in a film.<ref name=":0" /> It was reported that RJ Balaji himself has written the story and screenplay, while two other technical writers, Era Murukan and Pradeep Rangananthan, were recruited for writing the dialogues;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rj-balaji-turns-writer-and-lead-upcoming-tamil-political-satire-lkg-81583|title=RJ Balaji turns lyricist for the film LKG|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref> the final script is credited to "RJ Balaji & friends".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rangan |first1=Baradwaj |authorlink1=Baradwaj Rangan |title=LKG Movie Review: RJ Balaji Stars In A Fitfully Amusing Satire On Tamil Nadu Politics And Cinema |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/lkg-movie-review-rj-balaji-stars-in-a-fitfully-amusing-satire-on-tamil-nadu-politics-and-cinema/ |website=[[Film Companion]] |accessdate=8 September 2020 |date=22 February 2019}}</ref> The film was officially announced in May 2018.<ref name=":1" /> It was reported that the story is based on the [[Kannada]] political satire film ''[[Humble Politician Nograj]]'' (2018).<ref name=":1" />

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = LKG
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Leon James (composer)|Leon James]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 9 February 2019
| recorded = 2018—2019
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| length = 22:29
| label = [[Think Music India]]
| producer = [[Leon James (composer)|Leon James]]
| prev_title = [[Silukkuvarupatti Singam]]
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title = [[Oh My Kadavule]]
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = LKG
| type = soundtrack
| single1 = Ethanai Kaalam Dhaan (Remix)
| single1date = 26 January 2019
| single2 = Thimiru Kaattadha Di
| single2date = 7 February 2019
}}
}}
The soundtrack and background score for ''LKG'' is composed by [[Leon James (composer)|Leon James]]. The album features six songs where five songs were written by [[Pa. Vijay]], whereas one song was written by [[Vignesh Shivan]]. The audio rights were acquired by [[Think Music India|Think Music]]. Leon had remixed the song "Ethanai Kaalam Dhaan" from the [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]]-starrer ''[[Malaikkallan]]'' (1954) and released it as single on the [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]], 26 January 2019, under the [[Saregama]] record label, which bought the original rights of the song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/mgrs-song-to-be-recreated-in-rj-balajis-lkg/articleshow/67701294.cms|title=MGR’s song to be recreated in RJ Balaji’s LKG – Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> The remix version was sung by [[Sean Roldan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jan/25/lkg-first-single-rj-balaji-leon-james-9787.html|title=First single from RJ Balaji's LKG out|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> The second single, "Thimiru Kattaadha Di", which was penned by Vignesh Shivan and sung by Sathyaprakash, was released on 7 February 2019. The soundtrack album consists of other four songs were released on 9 February 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title='LKG' album released - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/the-third-single-from-rj-balajis-upcoming-film-lkg-released/articleshow/67941087.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-30|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> during the Final [[Twenty20|T20]] match between [[India]] and [[New Zealand]], which was aired on [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports Tamil]], where the lead actor [[RJ Balaji]], holding on the commentary. The lyrical video of, "Tamizh Anthem", was released by [[Anirudh Ravichander]] on 20 February 2019, coinciding with World Mother Tongue Day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anirudh Ravichander launches the song "Thamizh Anthem" from RJ Balaji starrer 'LKG' - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/anirudh-ravichander-launches-the-song-thamizh-anthem-from-rj-balaji-starrer-lkg/articleshow/68081297.cms|access-date=2020-06-30|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The song was penned by Pa. Vijay and rendered by [[Sid Sriram]] and [[Chinmayi]], along with veteran artists [[P. Susheela]], [[L. R. Eswari]], and [[Vani Jayaram]]. The song features elements of "[[Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu]]" written by [[Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai]], which was separately included in the soundtrack album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=L.K.G's Tamil Anthem is out! Golden voices of Tamil cinema give playback - watch video {{!}} Entertainment News|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/entertainment/south-gossip/article/l-k-gs-tamil-anthem-is-out-golden-voices-of-tamil-cinema-give-playback-watch-video/369963|access-date=2020-06-30|website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref>
{{Tracklist
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ethanai Kaalam Dhaan
| lyrics1 = [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]]
| extra1 = [[Sean Roldan]]
| length1 = 4:22
| title2 = Thimiru Kaattadha Di
| lyrics2 = [[Vignesh Shivan]]
| extra2 = D. Sathyaprakash
| length2 = 3:58
| title3 = Dappava Kizhichaan
| lyrics3 = [[Pa. Vijay]]
| extra3 = [[Shruti Hassan]]
| length3 = 4:11
| title4 = Tamizh Anthem
| lyrics4 = Pa. Vijay
| extra4 = [[Sid Sriram]], [[Chinmayi]], [[P. Susheela]], [[L. R. Eswari]], [[Vani Jayaram]]
| length4 = 4:52
| all_writing =
| title5 = Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom
| length5 = 3:52
| title6 = [[Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu]]
| length6 = 1:14
| title7 =
| length7 =
| title8 =
| length8 =
| title9 =
| length9 =
| total_length = 22:29
| extra5 = D. Sathyaprakash, [[Diwakar]]
| extra6 = P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari, Vani Jayaram
| headline = Track listing
| lyrics5 = Pa. Vijay
| lyrics6 = [[Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai]]
| title10 =
| length10 =
| lyrics0 =
| note1 = Remix
}}

==Release==
The film was earlier scheduled to release on [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] festival, clashing with [[Rajinikanth]]-starrer ''[[Petta (film)|Petta]]'' and [[Ajith Kumar]]-starrer ''[[Viswasam]]'',{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} however the release was postponed. The theatrical rights of the film in Tamil version was sold to Sakthi Film Factory, and the theatrical rights of the film in Karnataka were sold to ANK Films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RJ Balaji's 'LKG' theatrical rights bagged by Sakthi Film Factory – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rj-balajis-lkg-theatrical-rights-bagged-by-sakthi-film-factory/articleshow/67655054.cms|access-date=3 February 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=17 February|first=Adithya Narayan On|last2=2019|date=17 February 2019|title=RJ Balaji’s LKG To Release In Karnataka|url=https://silverscreen.in/news/rj-balajis-lkg-to-release-in-karnataka/|access-date=17 February 2019|website=Silverscreen.in|language=en-US}}</ref> The film was released on 22 February 2019.

== Marketing ==
The announcement of the film was done on [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports Tamil]] after a huge buzz created by the team painting street walls stating RJ Balaji's entry into politics.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=RJ Balaji turns writer and lead for upcoming Tamil political satire 'LKG'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rj-balaji-turns-writer-and-lead-upcoming-tamil-political-satire-lkg-81583?amp|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-30|website=www.thenewsminute.com}}</ref> The film is one of the few to have multiple brands as sponsors, including [[Nippon Paint]] and Ponvandu Detergents. A dedicated team worked on the marketing and promotions of the film right from the scripting phase till release. The release date was officially announced by the team on 11 February 2019 from the #BlueRoom at [[Twitter]] Headquarters, [[Mumbai]], [[India]]. It is notable that this is the first south Indian film to use the Twitter #BlueRoom for announcement of release date of movie.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

== Home media ==
The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]. The film had its television premiere on 14 April 2019, with the [[Puthandu|Tamil New Year Day]] at 11:00 a.m. [[Indian Standard Time|IST]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}

== Reception ==
LKG has released to a strong opening in Tamil Nadu with significant occupancy in all screens in metro areas. The movie received generally positive reviews from audience and critics.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020|reason=Looks like puffery cite to proper source}} While M. Suganth of The [[Times of India]] praised that this is a "Satisfying political satire film and in-arguably the best of recent politics based movies",<ref>{{Citation|title=LKG Review {3.5/5}: A satisfying political satire and inarguably the best among the recent crop of political films|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/lkg/movie-review/68105578.cms|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref> Subhakeerthana of Indianexpress notes that in spite of it being a "crowd-pleaser", "the story doesn’t rise above spoofing the clichéd political characters and situations".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/lkg-movie-review-rating-5597152/|title=LKG movie review: An unapologetic crowd-pleaser that literally spares no one|date=2019-02-22|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|tt9049540}}

[[Category:2019 films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian political satire films]]
[[Category:Indian political comedy films]]
[[Category:2010s political comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2019 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2019 comedy films]]

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LKG (film)