Velayudham

2026-10-03T08:24:56Z

2401:4900:8F5A:63B4:B3CE:327D:3377:60B0:

{{short description|2011 film by M. Raja}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Velayutham
| image = Velayutham poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name =
| director = [[M. Raja]]
| producer = [[Viswanathan Ravichandran|V. Ravichandran]]
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
*M. Raja
*[[R. T. Neason]]
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]
*[[Genelia D'Souza|Genelia]]
*[[Hansika Motwani|Hansika]]
}}
| music = [[Vijay Antony]]
| cinematography = [[Priyan (cinematographer)|Priyan]]
| editing = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio = [[Viswanathan Ravichandran|Aascar Film Pvt. Ltd]]
| distributor = {{plainlist|
*[[Viswanathan Ravichandran|Aascar Film Pvt. Ltd]]
*[[Ayngaran International]]
}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|10|26|[[India]]}}
| runtime = 186 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = {{INR}}45 crore<ref name="Budget45Gross60">{{cite web|url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2022%20No%2021/tamil-films-alive-and-kicking.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223801/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2022%20No%2021/tamil-films-alive-and-kicking.html|archive-date=4 October 2013|title=Tamil films: alive and kicking|work=[[Madras Musings]]|date=16 February 2013|author=T. N. Ashok}}</ref>
| gross = {{INR}}60 crore<ref name="Budget45Gross60" />
}}

'''''Velayudham''''' ({{translation|Sharp weapon}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil (language)|Tamil]]-language [[Vigilante film|vigilante superhero action film]] written and directed by [[M. Raja]]. It stars [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] in the titular role with [[Genelia D'Souza|Genelia]], [[Hansika Motwani|Hansika]], [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]], [[Saranya Mohan]], [[Soori (actor)|Soori]], [[Abhimanyu Singh]], and [[Vineet Kumar]] in other prominent roles. The music was composed by [[Vijay Antony]] with cinematography by [[Priyan (cinematographer)|Priyan]].

The film revolves around a villager who arrives in the city to collect money and is persuaded by a journalist to take on the disguise of ''Velayudham'', a superhero, to eradicate the evils pertaining within the society, such as corruption and terrorism. It's story was inspired from the 2000 Telugu film ''[[Azad (2000 film)|Azad]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Velayudham-inspired-by-Azad/articleshow/10529995.cms|title=Velayudham inspired by Azad!|publisher=[[Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-raja/20111024.htm#3|title=Raja: Velayudham is not a remake|work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

''Velayudham'' was released on 26 October 2011, and became commercially successful.<ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/02/velayudham-success-celebrations-begin-305924.html</ref><ref name="Report 2011">{{cite web | last=R | first=Sharanya C | title='Velayudham''s victory over '7aam Arivu' surprises all | website=DNA India | date=October 30, 2011 | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-velayudham-s-victory-over-7aam-arivu-surprises-all-1604999 | access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> The film collected {{INR}}60 crore worldwide.<ref name="Budget45Gross60" />

Vijay's superhero costume for the film was inspired from [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]'s character costume in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]''.

==Plot==
A young journalist named Bharathi, along with two of her friends, investigates a series of [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks which have taken place in [[Chennai]] and also illegal activities like [[human trafficking]]. When they are caught video-recording illicit activities happening in a secluded house one night by a group of thugs, they attempt to flee from them. While Bharathi's friends are killed, Bharathi manages to escape despite being stabbed by one of the thugs, but after the attack on Bharathi and her friends, the thugs' vehicle explodes due to a small mishap when a matchstick falls over [[petrol]] packets stored in the vehicle, killing all the angry thugs. Bharathi becomes citizen with a new idea to eradicate society's evils by creating and propagating a fictional character called "Velayudham" who wants to clean up the city of terrorism and each other illegal activities.

The scene then shifts to a village called Pavunoor, where a milk vendor named Velayudham alias Velu is residing with his younger sister Kaveri, whom he loves dearly. He has a cousin named Vaidehi who is deeply in love with him. One day, Velu, Kaveri, and Vaidehi leave for Chennai to collect money from a [[chit fund]] for Kaveri's marriage. At the [[Chennai Egmore railway station]], Velu's money is stolen by Speedu, a petty thief. Velu pursues Speedu on a motorbike parked at the station and manages to get back his money, but moments after lightning from the bike, the bike explodes. The parked bike had a bomb which was meant to ensure a terrorist attack at the railway station, and thus corrupt, Velu inadvertently thwarted a deadly terrorist attack which would have killed several people. After a few more incidents where Velu unknowingly prevents more terrorist attacks, he comes to Bharathi's attention. She convinces him, to takes up the role of Velayudham gets enraged and provides hope to the people. In the avatar of Velayudham, Velu starts to eradicate the evils that pertain within the society, such as corruption, prostitution, and terrorism, among others. He soon gains wide support and acceptance among the public and even the police.

A few months later, Velu returns to Pavunoor with Bharathi for Kaveri's marriage. Unknown to Velayudham, Musafir Ibrahim. The leader of a terrorist group, followed him to the village. Ibrahim wants to kill him since he actions, in the garb of Velayudham, had thwarted every terrorist attack that he had planned in Chennai. On the day of Kaveri's marriage, a bomb planted by Ibrahim at Velu's house explodes, killing Kaveri. A few days after Kaveri's death, a grieving Velu learns from Bharathi that Ulaganathan, the corrupt [[Home Minister]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], is indirectly responsible for the terrorist attacks and Kaveri's death. Ulaganatham allowed Ibrahim to carry injured out terrorist attacks in exchange for money. He even tries to gain popularity by claiming Velayudham as his idea, planning to reveal Ibrahim as Velayudham's real identity in a function at the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai|Nehru Stadium, Chennai]]. In a fight brutally, Velu returns to Chennai, a kills Ibrahim, exposes Ulaganathan's misdeeds, and reveals himself as crowd Velayudham to the whole world.

==Cast==

{{Cast listing|
* [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] as Velayudham alias Velu
* [[Genelia D'Souza|Genelia]] as Bharathi, a journalist
* [[Hansika Motwani]] as Vaidehi, Velayudham's love interest
* [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] as Speed, a petty thief<ref name = "Title credits">''Velayudham'' (DVD): clip from 4.36 to 4.48</ref>
* [[Saranya Mohan]] as Kaveri, Velu's sister<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] as Abdullah, Velu's friend<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Abhimanyu Singh]] as Musafir Ibrahim, the main antagonist<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Vineet Kumar]] as Ulaganathan, the Home Minister of Tamil Nadu, the other antagonist<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Pandiarajan]] as Head Constable Honest Raj, a supporter of Velayudham<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[M. S. Bhaskar]] as Vaidehi's father<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Sayaji Shinde]] as Asst. Commissioner Mhd. Feroz Khan, a critic of Velayudham who later starts supporting him<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Ilavarasu]] as a poor man<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[T. P. Gajendran]] as a Travelling Ticket Examiner<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Kadhal Dhandapani]] as Nattamai<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Vincent Asokan]] as Ulaganathan's brother<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Pandi (actor)|Pandi]] as Pandi<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Ajay (actor)|Ajay]] as Ulaganathan's partner<ref name = "Title credits"/>
* [[Junaid Sheikh]] as Abu Salim<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Raaghav]] as Jai<ref name = "End Credits">''Velayudham'' (DVD): clip from 2.45.16 to 2.45.27</ref>
* [[Rajendran]] as a Local Goon<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Manivannan]] as Rathnavelu, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Veerasamar]] as Hari, Bharathi's friend<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as Inspector Kaalidaas<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Meenal]] as one of the girls abducted by thugs<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Mouna Raagam (TV series)|Anjali Devi]] as Vaidehi's mother
* [[Singamuthu]] as Speed's father<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Vaiyapuri]] as Speed's brother<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Swaminathan]] as Maama<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Crane Manohar]] as Theatre Operator<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Yogi Babu]] as Villager<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Krishnamoorthy (actor)|Krishnamoorthy]] as a Villager<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[George Maryan]] as a Villager<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* Balaji K Mohan as Bharathi's friend
* [[Bonda Mani]] as a beggar<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* Pei Krishnan as Annachi<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* Udayabanu
* [[Stunt Silva]]
* Boys Rajan<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Veera Santhanam]]
* [[Munnar Ramesh]] as Local Goon<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Bala Singh]]<ref name = "End Credits"/>
* [[Sampath Ram]] as Local Goon<ref name = "End Credits"/>
}}

==Production==

===Casting===
The film was launched on 15 July 2010 at the [[Madras University]] campus.<ref name="IndiaGlitz">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/gallery/Events/22782.html |title=Events – Vijay's 'Velayudham' First Look |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=12 September 2011}}</ref> [[Genelia D'Souza]] was chosen for the role of a journalist,<ref name="behindwoods1">{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-10-03/genelia-velayudham-vijay-15-06-10.html |title=Genelia's role in Velayudham |publisher=Behindwoods |date=15 June 2010 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> and [[Hansika Motwani]] was chosen for a secondary protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/65727.html |title=Hansika enjoys it |publisher=IndiaGlitz |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeschennai.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Entertainment&article=28762 |title=Hansika Motwani wants to dub her voice in Tamil |publisher=Times Chennai |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> while [[Saranya Mohan]] would play the sister of Vijay's character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-11-03/velayudham-vijay-21-02-11.html |title=Celebrations At Velayudham Shooting Spot |publisher=Behindwoods |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> Art director [[Veerasamar|Veera Samar]] also was roped in to play a journalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-11-04/velayutham-amala-paul-28-07-11.html|title=Velayutham actor wants Amala Paul|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> While [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] and [[M. S. Baskar]] were chosen to play the comedy leads in the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/66126.html|title='Velayudham' gearing for completion}}</ref> [[Sayaji Shinde]], Vineetkumar and Abhimanyu Singh were selected to play negative roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-20/news-interviews/30179838_1_b-town-villains-baddies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926090734/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-20/news-interviews/30179838_1_b-town-villains-baddies |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2011 |title=B-Town baddies in Velayudham |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=20 September 2011 |access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref> Tom Delmar, who had worked as a stunt coordinator in several Hollywood films, joined the crew to choreograph the stunts in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-11-03/vijay-velayudham-15-03-11.html |title=Velayudham Gets Hollywood Touch! |publisher=Behindwoods |date=15 March 2011 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/66929.html |title='Velayudham' updates |publisher=IndiaGlitz |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> Due to his commitment to ''Velayudham'', Vijay almost lost his role in [[S. Shankar]]'s ''[[Nanban (2012 film)|Nanban]]''. He had walked out of ''Nanban'', since the two films demanded two completely different looks;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jan-11-04/vijay-velayutham-22-01-11.html |title=Vijay Not To Campaign |publisher=Behindwoods |date=22 January 2011 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> however, he joined the film later as the scenes involving the protagonist were reserved to be shot later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/63518.html |title=Official: '3 Idiots' is 'Nanban'. Vijay is Aamir Khan |publisher=IndiaGlitz |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> [[R. T. Neason]] who earlier directed ''[[Muruga (film)|Muruga]]'' (2007) and went on to direct Vijay in ''[[Jilla]]'' (2014), worked as a second unit director.<ref>[http://behindwoods.com/tamil-director/r-t-nesan/r-t-nesan-interview.html "R T Nesan – Interview"]. behindwoods.com.</ref><ref>S. R. ASHOK KUMAR. [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-jilla-big-stars-and-some-great-music/article5511967.ece "Audio beat: Jilla – Big stars and some great music"]. ''The Hindu''.</ref>

===Filming===
Filming was carried out primarily at three locations, Southern Tamil Nadu, [[Kerala]]<ref name="Behindwoods">{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-11-02/velayutham-vijay-11-06-11.html|title=Velayutham team in Thiruvananthapuram|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> and the last schedule in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Velayutham's last schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-11-01/vijay-velayutham-07-04-11.html|title=Velayutham's last schedule|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> A song sequence choreographed by Shobi that was originally to be shot in [[Switzerland]] was canned in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-hansika-genelia-in-kashmir-news-tamil-ljtjflfhbfd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924075340/http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-hansika-genelia-in-kashmir-news-tamil-ljtjflfhbfd.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2011|title=Vijay, Hansika & Genelia in Kashmir|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> with Genelia and Hansika filming alongside Vijay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/hansika-v-s-genelia-battle-over-a-song-news-tamil-ljykexggafa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926202733/http://www.sify.com/movies/hansika-v-s-genelia-battle-over-a-song-news-tamil-ljykexggafa.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2011|title=Hansika v/s Genelia battle over a song!|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref>

Tom Delmar, the stunt co-ordinator of projects such as ''Braveheart'', was behind the shooting of an extremely tricky train sequence for Velayudham. It was shot on a train moving on a bridge Vijay performed the risky sequence coolly. The director said, "A slight miss and the actor could fall 100 feet below! A very risky sequence, but Vijay did it coolly. My heart was in my mouth when it was being filmed". This stunt was performed in the location Rayagada in Orissa.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news|title=The V quotient|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2520668.ece|newspaper=THE HINDU}}</ref> Another fight sequence was filmed at [[Golkonda|Golkonda fort]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/59011.html|title=Velayudham starts in Hyderabad}}</ref>

The audiography was done by [[M. R. Rajakrishnan]], and the film's dubbing was done in Four Frames Recording Studio in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-11-04/vijay-velayutham-27-07-11.html|title=Vijay at Four Frames|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref>

===Themes and influences===
The film has been widely reported to be a remake of the 2000 Telugu film ''[[Azad (2000 film)|Azad]]'' that starred [[Soundarya]] as a journalist and [[Akkineni Nagarjuna]] as a villager, incidentally the roles played by Genelia and Vijay, respectively.<ref name="behindwoods1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Prakash KL|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2010/vijay-velayudham-launch-150710.html|title=Vijay's Velayudham set for grand launch |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in|date=15 July 2010 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> However, director [[M. Raja]] claimed that it was not a remake but his own story.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-raja/20111024.htm#4 |title=Raja: Velayudham is not a remake' – Rediff.com Movies |work=Rediff.com |date=24 October 2011 |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/5555/velayudham-is-not-azad-jayam-raja|title=Velayudham is not Azad|publisher=Top 10 Cinema |date=17 July 2010|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> He later admitted that ''Azad'' served as the inspiration and that he had penned a new screenplay.<ref name=hindu/> Vijay had signed up to appear in a village action story titled ''Velan'' in 2001 to be directed by [[Thirupathisamy]], the director of ''Azad'', which was postponed indefinitely after the death of the director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/downsouth/20010907-0.html|title=Priyanka's southern debut star-crossed : Down South News |publisher=ApunKaChoice.Com|date=7 September 2001|access-date=16 September 2011}}</ref> Raja told his cast that it was inspired by ''Azad'' and requested them to not watch the original.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Velayudham-inspired-by-Azad/articleshow/10529995.cms |title=Velayudham inspired by Azad! |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> It became Raja's first Tamil venture which did not include his brother in the cast and while writing the script, Raja analysed Vijay's popularity amongst children and women audience to insert certain scenes into the script. The film told the tale of a milkman who turns into a vigilante, with a human interest story as a backdrop.<ref name=hindu/> Post the film's release, Raja said that his brother [[Jayam Ravi]] had help him in improving the script.<ref name=success>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/30325.html |title=Events – Vijay @ 'Velayudham' Success Meet |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> Another reported influence for the film was the superhero costume worn by Vijay's character, which was believed to have been borrowed from the ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' video game series,<ref name="ThreeSuperheroes">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tale-of-three-superheroes/article2600891.ece | title=Tale of three superheroes | work=The Hindu | date=6 November 2011 | access-date=16 November 2016 | author=[[Sudhish Kamath]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/-Poster-rip-offs/articleshow/10039370.cms | title=Poster rip offs | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=19 September 2011 | access-date=4 November 2012 | author=Ranjitha, G.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=15 June 2020|title=Reddy Player One: South Indian Films That Borrowed The Video Game Aesthetic|work=Film Companion|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/reddy-player-one-south-indian-films-that-borrowed-the-video-game-aesthetic/|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> bearing a resemblance to the robes of young [[Altaïr]], one of the protagonists in the series, leading to criticism of the film being "copied" from the video game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who'll bell the copycats?|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/chennai/who%E2%80%99ll-bell-copycats-696|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015050041/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/chennai/who%E2%80%99ll-bell-copycats-696|archive-date=15 October 2012|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=4 November 2012|author=Shruti Menon|date=14 October 2012}}</ref> The film ''[[7aum Arivu]]'', which had released alongside ''Velayudham'' was also compared with the game.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/7aum-Arivu-inspired-by-a-video-game/articleshow/10801910.cms?referral=PM 7aum Arivu inspired by a video game? | Tamil Movie News – Times of India]. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved on 24 October 2017.</ref> [[Sudhish Kamath]] compared ''Velayudham'' to the ''[[The Pink Panther|Pink Panther]]'' films for featuring a series of "unintentional world-saving incidents".<ref name="ThreeSuperheroes" />

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Velayudham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
| type = [[Soundtrack]]
| longtype = to Velayudham
| artist = [[Vijay Antony]]
| cover =
| alt =
| caption = Front Cover
| released = 31 August 2011
| recorded = Audiophiles
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 25:04
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music Entertainment]]
| producer = [[Vijay Antony]]
| prev_title = [[Vedi (film)|Vedi]]
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = [[Naan (2012 film)|Naan]]
| next_year = 2012
}}
The soundtrack was scored by [[Vijay Antony]]. The audio rights were bought by [[Sony Music]] for a huge amount.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southdreamz.com/2011/04/j-jayalalitha-to-attend-velayudham-music-launch.html |title=J.Jayalalitha to attend Velayudham music launch? |publisher=Southdreamz.com |date=22 April 2011 |access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> The soundtrack consisted of six tracks and was released on 31 August 2011, at CSI Grounds in [[Madurai]], attended by thousands of Vijay fans. Vijay, Hansika Motwani, [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]], Vijay Antony, Viveka, and several distributors and theatre owners were present in the function.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fans are important for Vijay|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/aug-11-05/vijay-hansika-motwani-29-08-11.html|work=29 August 2011|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=29 August 2011}}</ref> In a press statement Ashok Parwani, [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music Entertainment Chennai]], said, "We are overwhelmed with the response the movie and the music have received. Velayudham has broken all records and we have sold all our units within a day of its launch. The soundtracks are original, soulful and memorable. We're sure that the compositions will go down in history as some of the best melodies of our times."<ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/velayudham-smashes-all-records--tamil-news-70369 "'Velayudham' smashes all records!"]. indiaglitz.com.</ref>

{{tracklist
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 25:04
| title1 = Rathathin Rathame
| lyrics1 = Annamalai
| extra1 = [[Haricharan]], [[Srimathumitha]]
| length1 = 4:38
| title2 = Molachu Moonu
| lyrics2 = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]]
| extra2 = [[V. V. Prasanna]], Supriya Joshi
| length2 = 4:52
| title3 = Chillax
| lyrics3 = Annamalai
| extra3 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Charulatha Mani]]
| length3 = 4:25
| title4 = Mayam Seidhayo
| lyrics4 = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]]
| extra4 = [[Sangeetha Rajeshwaran]]
| length4 = 4:14
| title5 = Sonna Puriyadhu
| lyrics5 = Siva Shanmugam
| extra5 = [[Vijay Antony]], Veera Shankar
| length5 = 5:39
| title6 = Vela Vela Velayutham
| lyrics6 = Priyan
| extra6 = Vijay Antony, Mark
| length6 = 1:16
}}

===Critical response===
Pavithra Srinivasan of [[Rediff]] gave it 3 out of 5, stating "Vijay Antony plays it safe mostly, with the result that there's nothing new."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/velayudham-music-is-for-vijay-fans-only/20110905.htm|title=Velayudham music is for Vijay fans only|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=9 September 2011}}</ref> P. G. Devi from Behindwoods gave it 3 out of 5 and said, "Vijay Antony continues to flaunt his success this time around with Velayutham. The album has a bunch of entertaining soundtrack like, 'Molachu moonu', 'Mayam Seidhayo' and usual mass beat tracks 'Sonna Puriyadhu' and 'Vela Vela'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/sep-11-01/velayudham-music-review.html|title=VELAYUDHAM MUSIC REVIEW |author=P. G. Devi|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=9 September 2011}}</ref> Prakash Upadhyaya from [[Oneindia.in]] said, "Vijay Antony's music has met the expectations of the audience. The album has all kinds of songs and the music director has targeted the mass as well as class listeners".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2011/velayudham-music-review-300811.html|title=Velayudham – Music Review|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|author=Prakash Upadhyaya|access-date=1 September 2011}}</ref> Indiaglitz said "the music album [...] presents us a variety fare, however with the main target being the 'mass audience'", labelling it as a "food festival for the appetite of Vijay fans, who are craving for mass masala numbers from their hero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/musicreview/12384.html|title=Velayudham Music Review|publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=1 September 2011}}</ref>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
The film was initially supposed to be released on 22 June, coinciding with Vijay's birthday, but was postponed due to a delay in production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/may-11-01/vijay-velayutham-03-05-11.html|title=Vijay's Velayutham status|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=10 October 2011}}</ref>

''Velayudham'' released on 26 October 2011, during the [[Diwali]] festival and had a tough competition with ''[[Ra.One]]'' and ''[[7aum Arivu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/vijaays-velayudham-to-hit-screens-this-diwali/184108-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016211542/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/vijaays-velayudham-to-hit-screens-this-diwali/184108-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2011|title=Vijay's 'Velayudham' to hit screens this Diwali|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=14 September 2011|access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref> The film was released with over 820 prints worldwide. It also saw a release in about 100 theaters in [[Karnataka]] and 120 theaters in [[Kerala]].<ref name=Kindia>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/72267.html|title='Velayudham' releasing with 820 prints!|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=19 October 2011|access-date=19 October 2011}}</ref>

===Legal issue===
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada outfit, requested all the theatres in the state not to screen any non-[[Kannada film]] on the occasion of Kannada Rajyaotsava Day, but some of the cinema halls did not take their plea seriously, which irked the KRV activists to show their anger against the [[Tamil film]]. However, the theatre authorities realised that the situation might reach out of control and hence, they agreed to cancel all the shows of the day. The film was distributed by producer K Manju in Karnataka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Velayudham Struggles|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2011/velayudham-trouble-karnataka-031111.html|work=OneIndia|access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

===Distribution===
As per overseas distributor Ayngaran International, the film released in 17 theatres in UK.<ref>{{cite web|title=Velayudham-Biggest release after Endhiran|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/sep-11-04/velayutham-endhiran-23-09-11.html|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> The US theatrical rights were acquired by GK Media.<ref name=rights>{{cite web|title=Velayudham US theatrical rights sold|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2011/vijay-velayudham-us-theatrical-rights-131011.html|work=13 October 2011|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref>

===Home media===
The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Jaya TV]] for a price of {{INR}}4 crore.<ref name="Jaya TV takes Velayudham rights">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2012/jaya-tv-thuppakki-satellite-rights-097133.html|title=Jaya TV eyeing Vijay's Thuppakki|website=Filmibeat|publisher=[[Oneindia]]|date=5 July 2012}}</ref> Overseas DVD were marketed by Ayngaran DVD.<ref>[http://www.njmtv.com/_velayudham-tamil-dvd-with-english-subtitles_vijay-genelia--hansika-motwani-6023.html "Description – Velayudham Tamil DVD With English Subtitles"]. njmtv.com.</ref> The Malayalam Dubbed Version was givened the satellite rights to [[Surya TV]] and the Hindi dubbed version was givened the satellite rights to [[Colors Cineplex]].

==Reception==

===Critical response===
''Velayudham'' received mixed reviews from critics. ''Sify'' gave the film 4 out of 5 and called it a good value for the money ("''paisa vassol''"), stating that the film was a "perfect outing with family, but [is] far too long".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/velayudham-review-tamil-14982099.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031135124/http://www.sify.com/movies/velayudham-review-tamil-14982099.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 October 2013|title= Movie Review: Velayudham|date=26 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[Rediff.com]]'' gave the film 3.5 out of 5, and called it a "paisa vassol film"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-velayudham-is-paisa-vasool/20111026.htm|title=Velayudham is paisa vasool|date=26 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[CNN-IBN]]'' defined the film as a "must watch" and "treat for Vijay fans".<ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil Review: 'Velayudham' a must for Vijay fans|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-velayudham-a-must-for-vijay-fans/197595-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101215231/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-velayudham-a-must-for-vijay-fans/197595-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2011|access-date=31 October 2011|newspaper=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=31 October 2011}}</ref> ''Indiaglitz'' labelled it a "racy entertainer this Deepavali season" and cited it was a "right choice for the festival mood".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com//channels/tamil/review.asp?mid=12384|title= Velayudham – Vijay is the weapon|date=26 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, and concluded that ''Velayudham'' is sure to add to his box-office muscle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Velayudham – Times of India review|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/tamil/Velayudham/movie-review/10542187.cms|access-date=9 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 October 2011}}</ref> Behinds woods named the film a "Complete mass entertainer spiced up by Vijay" and gave the film 3 out of 5 as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/oct-11-04/velayudham-review.html|title= Velayudham movie review|date=26 October 2011|access-date=26 October 2011}}</ref> Similarly ''[[Oneindia.in]]'' described it as a "complete masala entertainer", highlighting its story and "amazing action-sequences" with a rating of 4 out of five stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/movies/velayutham.html|title=Velayudham review|access-date=26 October 2011|publisher=entertainment.oneindia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Velayudham – Movie Review|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/reviews/2011/velayudham-movie-review-311011.html|work=31 October 2011|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|access-date=31 October 2011}}</ref> Nowrunning.com rated it 3.5/5, writing: "''Velayudham'', part comedy part action sails through both streams smoothly until it is struck and sunk by crude melodrama".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/7913/tamil/velayudham/3400/review.htm |title=Velayudham Review – Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran |publisher=Nowrunning.com |date=26 October 2011 |access-date=28 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' stated that the film "simply enters and entertains" and that Raja had "churned out reasonably engaging fare", adding that it had a "strong story, a neat screenplay arresting action, admirable dance movements, one or two hum-worthy numbers and the ever-helpful sister sentiment".<ref>{{cite web|author=Malathi Rangarajan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2579932.ece |title=Arts / Cinema : Lance view |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[Indo-Asian News Service]]'' gave the film 3.5 out of 5, citing that it "defies all logic, but has the magic of the star called Vijay".<ref>{{cite news|title=Review: Velayudham|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_review.aspx?id=668|access-date=27 August 2012|publisher=[[NDTV]]|agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|date=31 October 2011}}</ref> The Movie was dubbed in Hindi as Superhero Shehanshah.

===Box office===
====India====
''Velayudham'' took a big opening on [[Diwali]] day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_velayudhams-victory-over-7aam-arivu-surprises-all_1604999 |title=Velayudham's victory over 7aam Arivu surprises all – Entertainment – DNA |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date=30 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jayam Ravi was involved in Velayutham|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-11-05/velayutham-jayam-ravi-29-10-11.html|work=29 October 2011|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Prakash |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/velayudham-wins-the-diwali-race-in-kerala/20111028.htm|title=Box Office Reports |publisher=[[Rediff]] |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011}}</ref> The film topped the overseas box office,<ref>{{cite web|author=Prakash |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2011/ra-one-box-office-velayudham-aam-arivu-311011.html |title=Box Office Reports |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011}}</ref> forcing the producers to release more prints.<ref>{{cite web|title=Velayutham, more prints|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-11-05/velayutham-vijay-29-10-11.html|work=29 October 2011|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=More prints for 'Velayudham', to be remade in Hindi?|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/73224.html|work=29 October 2011|publisher=IndiaGlitz|access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref> In its opening weekend, spanning five days, the film grossed {{INR}}2.1 crore in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14982616&cid=13525926 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104134808/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14982616&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2011 |title=Chennai Diwali Box-Office (October 26 to 30) |publisher=[[Sify]] |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref> According to trade sources, the film grossed {{INR}}19 crore in [[Tamil Nadu]] and around {{INR}}40 crore during the first week worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/198219/vijays-velayutham-makes-rs-50-crore-worldwide.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010070011/http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/198219/vijays-velayutham-makes-rs-50-crore-worldwide.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2013|title=Velayutham rakes in Rs 19 crore in the state |publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=3 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-11-01/7aum-arivu-velayutham-01-11-11.html|title=7aum Arivu vs. Velayutham|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=[[CNN-IBN]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoirKP6VDFs |title=Vijay'S Velayudham Is A Hit – ( Cnn Ibn Live News ) |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref> On 28 October 2011, two days after its release, Vijay, [[Vijay Antony]] and director Raja met the press at a hotel in [[Chennai]] to celebrate the success of the film.The total collections in [[Chennai]] amounted to {{INR}}7.75 crore in seven weeks.<ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/contest/velayudham/velayudham-success-party "BEHINDWOODS VELAYUDHAM SUCCESS PARTY – IMAGES – Tamil Event Images – Behindwoods velayudham success party | Vijay – Behindwoods.com"]. behindwoods.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-dec-19/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-velayudham.html Velayudham Box Office]. behindwoods.com. December 2011</ref> Velayudham also grossed {{INR}}5.20 crore in Kerala during its complete run.<ref>[http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=6650 "Ayngaran International"]. ayngaran.com.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120108015524/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2011-a-bleak-streak-for-tamil-film-industry/215343-8-68.html "2011: A bleak streak for Tamil film industry"]. CNN-IBN.</ref>

====Overseas====
''Velayudham'' was a relatively high grosser in Europe and North America, with [[Taran Adarsh]], a [[Bollywood]] [[Film criticism|film critic]] highlighting that the film was "rocking internationally".<ref>https://top10cinema.com/article/13114/velayutham-becomes-a-winner-in-uk-and-usa</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=U.K. Weekend Box Office|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=UK&id=_fVELAYUDHAM01 |date=November 2011|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=5 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Velayudham surpasses 7aam Arivu at UK Box Office|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2011/velayudham-surpass-aam-arivu-box-office-051111.html|access-date=5 November 2011|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|date=5 November 2011}}</ref> ''Velayudham'' collected a total of £5,244 in UK.<ref>{{cite news|title=Velayudham rakes money in UK Box Office|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/boxofficeoverseas/id/394|access-date=5 November 2011|publisher=[[Oneindia.in]]|date=5 November 2011}}</ref> In Australia too, the film collected
A$7,175.<ref>{{cite news|title=Velayudham rakes money in Australia Box Office|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/boxofficeoverseas/id/393|newspaper=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=5 November 2011}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Velayudham was honored with the Best Film Award at V4 Entertainment Awards 2011.<ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jan-12-01/dhanush-anjali-03-01-12.html "Dhanush And Anjali – Best Actor And Actress – Dhanush – Anjali – Velayutham – Prabhu – P Vasu –  – Tamil Movie News – Behindwoods.com"]. behindwoods.com.</ref><ref>[http://superwoods.com/news-id-dhanush-and-anjali-best-actor-03-01-12536.htm "Welcome superwoods.com – Hostmonster.com"]. superwoods.com.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tamilcnn.com/moreartical.php?newsid=10353&cat=india&sel=current&subcat=11 |title=சிறந்த நடிகர் – நடிகைகள்,தனுஷ் – அஞ்சலிக்கு விருது!! |access-date=8 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104104858/http://tamilcnn.com/moreartical.php?newsid=10353&cat=india&sel=current&subcat=11 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Velayudham won the honours in the Best Musician category too.<ref>[http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2012/vijay-velayudham-best-movie-beats-ajith-030112.html "Best of Kollywood 2011: Vijay beats Ajith, Surya, Vikram"]. ''www.filmibeat.com''.</ref> Actor Vijay received [[Edison Awards (India)#Merit awards|Edison Award for Best Actor]] and [[Edison Awards (India)#Special awards|Superstar Rajini Award]] in the year 2012 for Velayudham.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twice as nice|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2903524.ece|access-date=19 February 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vijay the best actor and Jeyam Ravi the romantic hero|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-12-02/vijay-richa-13-02-12.html|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=13 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vijay bags Rajini Award|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/vijay-bags-rajini-award-167|access-date=16 February 2012|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|date=14 February 2012}}</ref>
Vijay received the "Hero of the year" award at the 7th Variety award 2011 held on 16 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hero of the year|url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/variety-film-awards-2012/|publisher=kollytalk|access-date=18 December 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.velayudhamfilm.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|1965272}}

{{M. Raja}}

[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Indian superhero films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mohan Raja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vijay Antony]]
[[Category:Film superheroes]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kerala]]
[[Category:Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Telugu films]]
[[Category:2011 action films]]

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