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Venghai

2026-08-13T16:43:55Z

2409:40E6:FC:A2C1:E5CF:3C15:8ECF:906D:

{{Short description|2011 film by Hari}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Venghai
| image = Venghai poster.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| producer = [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]
| writer = Hari
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Dhanush]]
*[[Tamannaah Bhatia]]
*[[Rajkiran]]
*[[Prakash Raj]]
*[[Ganja Karuppu]]
}}
| music = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cinematography = [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]]
| editing = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio = [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios|Vijaya Productions]]
| distributor = Vijaya Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|07|8}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Venghai''''' ({{translation|[[Tiger]]}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film|political action drama film]] directed by [[Hari (director)|Hari]] and produced by [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]. The film stars [[Dhanush]] and [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] in the lead roles, while [[Rajkiran]], [[Prakash Raj]] and [[Ganja Karuppu]] play supporting roles.<ref name="indiaglitz1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225022053/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2010 |title=Dhanush and Hari take 'Aruva' – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]] with cinematography by [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri Palanisamy]] and editing by [[V. T. Vijayan]].

''Venghai'' was released on 8 July 2011 to mixed reviews from critics and became an average grosser at the box office. It is dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Simha Putruudu''.

==Plot==
Veerapandi is a respected man in Chief Minister, Pandiapuram, [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai district]] who controls around 50% votes in his constituency. He is married to Thangam and has two children, Selvam and Selvi. Rajalingam is the corrupt incumbent local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA Minister]] from the [[ruling party]], who was elected with backing from Veerapandi. Rajalingam pretends to be loyal only for Veerapandi's support. One day, the [[district collector|DC]] organizes a meeting to decide the location of a new [[railway station]], where Rajalingam has already pre-fixed a town for bribe purpose, but Veerapandi thwarts Rajalingam's plan and convinces the meeting to set another small town as the location for the station. Rajalingam's henchmen bomb a railway track to derail a train, but Selvam stops the train and catches the bombers.

Frustrated that Selvam screwed up the chance to catch the real perpetrator, Veerapandi sends Selvam to [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]] to stay with his uncle Mariyappan, a [[real estate]] agent, in order to protect him. In Trichy, Selvam meets his childhood friend Radhika and also makes Mariyappan return money to Radhika's uncle, who had bought land from Mariyappan, which then went to a civil struggle with the air force. Selvam also gets beaten up by a local thug Peter, due to an [[SMS]] joke by Radhika on Peter, who is filmed attacking Selvam by a professor, and he is imprisoned. Rajalingam tries to kill Selvam to weaken Veerapandi and uses Peter's local gang in Tirchy. Selvam saves a college professor from being assaulted by Peter's gangster, in order to and a fight ensures. Peter is beaten up and goes to bring Anburaj and his men.

Veerapandi learns of Selvam's issues and arrives at the college at the same time. Anbu understands that Selvam is Veerapandi's son, and begs for forgiveness. Veerapandi learns that Rajalingam is about to buy a huge plot of land with [[Indian black money|black money]], and catches him red-handed after the registration in Trichy and thrashes him. Selvam arrives there accidentally, and the father-son duo makes Rajalingam donate the land to Sivagangai Corporation. Veerapandi also commands Rajalingam to resign within a week or he will be killed for rich man, with both events causing a [[by-election]]. Rajalingam gets enraged and sends goons to kill Selvam again. When he is cornered, Selvam is forced to take an [[aruval]] and defend himself, which gets filmed by the crowd. Veerapandi arrives to save Selvam, but Selvam gets arrested and remanded for 15 days as his action has reached the press.

Veerapandi swears to kill Rajalingam once he returns from the [[Legislative session|legislature meeting]]. After seeing Selvam's violence, Radhika decides not to disclose her love. Selvam is released and plans to kill off Rajalingam, who has become a [[Central Public Works Department|PWD]] chief minister by using a [[political crisis]] and openly challenges to kill off Veerapandi in 30 days, as he Prime Minister does not need his support anymore. Selvam challenges Rajalingam that either Rajalingam will die within 30 days or Selvam will publicly apologize to him. Radhika learns that Selvam helped her uncle by recovering the money invested in the disputed land. After much hesitation, Radhika propose to Selvam, who accepts. Radhika introduces herself to Selvam's parents. Meanwhile, Rajalingam plans to kill Veerapandi, knowing about his train journey based on information from an anonymous caller.

However, Selvam arrives to the rescue and attacks the goons. Meanwhile, the truck sent to hit Veerapandi's car crash kills an innocent family, whose deaths causes Veerapandi to tell Rajalingam that the family's death will never leave unpunished. Later, Veerapandi realizes that he drank poisoned coffee and is rushed to the hospital, where his life is saved. Selvam is shocked to know that Radhika poisoned the coffee and was the one who informed Rajalingam about Veerapandi's travel plans. Selvam rushes to Radhika's home minister, where her mother Padmavathi and grandfather tells that Veerapandi killed Radhika's father Manickavel years ago, and they were waiting for an opportunity to exact vengeance. Veerapandi arrives at Radhika's home, overhearing their conversation and reveals the truth that it was the ruling party's goons, who killed Manickavel and not him.

Radhika's family feels guilty about their actions. Selvam feels betrayed that Radhika cheated him, but Radhika's family apologizes to Veerapandi, where he and Thangam forgive Radhika's mistake and urge Selvam to accept Radhika, which he does. Rajalingam hires 50 men from [[Rameswaram|Rameshwaram]] to kill both Veerapandi and Selvam, which was overheard by a driver working for Rajalingam, when he tries to injured alert Veerapandi, Rajalingam's goons kill him and one of Veerapandi's closest ally, which was seen by Veerapandi's caretaker and alerts them. Selvam hatches a plan with other villagers to burn [[hay]]fields and make it look like the job is already done, and leaves to kill Rajalingam. Selvam gets henchmen to distract Rajalingam's goons and kills them one by one. The burnt haystacks cause the Rameshwaram goons to think that the job is done, and they stabbing temple leaves avenge his death. Selvam then lures Rajalingam to a place where he fight against kills him, and escapes to [[Kuala Lumpur]]. After 6 months, Selvam returns to Pandiapuram, where he happily reunites with Radhika and attempt his family.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Dhanush]] as Selvam
** [[Sree Raam]] as Young Selvam
* [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] as Radhika, Selvam's love interest
* [[Rajkiran]] as Veerapandi, Selvam's father
* [[Prakash Raj]] as [[Member of Legislative assembly|MLA]] turned [[Central Public Works Department|PWD Minister]] Rajalingam
* [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Ganesan, Selvam's friend
* [[Srithika Saneesh|Srithika]] as Selvi, Selvam's sister
* [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Thangam, Selvam's mother
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Manickavel, Radhika's father
* [[Sudha Chandran]] as Padmavathi, Radhika's mother
* [[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as Mariyappan, Selvam's uncle
* [[Paravai Muniyamma]] as Veerapandi's house cook
* [[Charle]] as Murugesan
* [[Y. G. Mahendra]] as a Tamil Professor
* [[Ramesh Khanna]] as Thangavelu, Selvam's friend
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police|DSP]] Rajmohan
* [[Uma (Tamil actress)|Uma]] as Rajalingam's wife
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Anburaj
* [[A. C. Murali Mohan]] as [[District collector|DC]]
* [[Benjamin (actor)|Benjamin]] as Vasu, Selvam's friend
* [[Cool Suresh]] as Selvam's friend
* [[Sampath Ram]] as Rajalingam's henchman
* [[Bayilvan Ranganathan]] as Veerapandi's associate
* [[G. Srinivasan (actor)|G. Srinivasan]] as Radhika's paternal grandfather
* Shivani as Jayanthi
* Azhagu as Gurusaamy, Veerapandi's advisor
* Rajadurai as Rajalingam's driver
* Nandha Saravanan as Peter, Anburaj's associate
* Rajendranath as Rajalingam's associate
* Anjali Devi as Radhika's aunt
}}

==Production==
Following the release of ''[[Singam]]'', it was announced in 2010 that Hari and Dhanush would collaborate. The title was said to be ''Aruva'', but Hari denied and instead the title was announced as ''Venghai''. Telugu cinematographer [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]] was appointed for cinematographer. The film started its shooting in November 2010 at [[Trichy]] and lasted until May 2011. The shooting took place in [[Karaikudi]], [[Courtallam|Kutralam]], and [[Munnar]]. The song sequences have been shot in [[Phuket Island|Phuket Islands]] and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |title=Hari to work with Dhanush ??? |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=16 March 2009 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220042735/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |title=Dhanush's next with Hari titled 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220043822/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |title=Title change for Hari's 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220014850/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz1"/><ref name="indiaglitz2">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122105725/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2010 |title='Venghai' on floors – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |title=Song sequences for Vengai has been shot in Phuket Islands |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220011206/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Venghai'' was Hari's first collaboration with Dhanush and his second film with Vijaya Productions after ''[[Thaamirabharani|Thamirabharani]]''. This was Dhanush's second collaboration with Vijaya Productions and Tamannaah after ''[[Padikkadavan (2008 film)|Padikkathavan]]''.

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Venghai
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cover =
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Original CD Cover
| released = 10 June 2011
| recorded = 2011
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:40
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music]]
| producer = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| prev_title = [[Ready (2011 film)|Ready]]
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = [[Dhada]]
| next_year = 2011
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Behindwoods
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |title=Venghai Music Review – Venghai Music Review |website=Behindwoods.com |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095042/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The film's music was scored by [[Devi Sri Prasad]].

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:40
| all_lyrics = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]], except where noted
| title1 = Dhenam Dhenam
| extra1 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Baba Sehgal]]
| note1 = Rap: Baba Sehgal
| length1 = 4:47
| title2 = Kaalangathale
| extra2 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| length2 = 5:12
| title3 = Yenna Solla Pore
| extra3 = [[Devi Sri Prasad]], M. L. R. Karthikeyan, Sibiranjith Nagesh
| note3 = Lyrics: [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| length3 = 4:26
| title4 = Orey Oru
| extra4 = [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Pudikale Pudikudhu
| note5 =
| extra5 = [[Mukesh Mohamed]], [[Suchitra]]
| length5 = 4:17
}}

==Release==
''Venghai'' released theatrically on 8 July 2011.

The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|title = TV Serial & New Episodes on – Latest News, Photos & Videos|website = [[The Times of India]]|access-date = 20 April 2018|archive-date = 22 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180922220018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|url-status = live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Box office===
The film collected {{INRConvert|8.9|m}} worldwide on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|title=Venghai – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Top Ten Movies – Venghai Theneer Viduthi 180 Pillaiyar Nootrenbadu Theru Kadaisi Veedu Udhayan Avan Ivan Aaranya Kaandam Azhagarsaamiyin Kudhirai Aanmai Thavarel Kanden Engeyum Kadhal Ko Vaanam|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713220653/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''Venghai'' received generally mixed reviews from critics, who particularly criticized the predictability of the plot.

Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]]'' gave the film 2.5 out of 5, labelling it as "tedious" and "an overdose of rural action", further claiming that it was "so overlaid with unnecessary bloodshed, repetitive action and predictable plot twists, that after a point you lose interest".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|title=Review: Venghai is tedious|date=8 July 2011|work=Rediff|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153521/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave 2.5 out of 5 and deemed that ''Venghai'' was "another Hari film with his usual ingredients but sans his usual spirit and this film might work for people who seek action entertainers set in villages."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|title=VENGHAI REVIEW – VENGHAI MOVIE REVIEW|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153523/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rohit Ramachandran of ''nowrunning.com'' rated it 1/5, calling it "cheap entertainment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |title=Venghai Review – Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran |publisher=Nowrunning.com |date=8 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124023/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

''IBN Live'' gave 2.5 of 5 citing that the film was "typical Hari style formula movie [...] Despite the predictable story, Hari has managed to make the script interesting to some extent [...] The major flaw is that the story and screenplay have nothing new. Everything happens in a predictable manner."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713172118/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-13|title=Venghai film review|publisher=IBN Live.com}}</ref> ''KollyInsider'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, claimed it as a 'Masala Entertainer'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |title=Venghai Movie Review, Rating |date=8 July 2011 |publisher=KollyInsider.com |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110442/http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another portal, ''Indiaglitz'' said "''Venghai'' is an entertainer that is racy and pacy. At the same time, there is no denial that a section of the audience would grouse, alleging that the film has nothing new to offer. But they are not Hari's target..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130204526/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2010|title=Venghai – A Dejavu ride|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1987021}}
* {{official website|http://www.venghaimovie.com/}}

{{Hari (director)}}

[[Category:2010s masala films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hari (director)]]
[[Category:Films set in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:2011 action films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian political films]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karaikudi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Munnar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films set in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films about elections]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]

Venghai

2026-08-13T16:42:00Z

2409:40E6:FC:A2C1:E5CF:3C15:8ECF:906D:

{{Short description|2011 film by Hari}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Venghai
| image = Venghai poster.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| producer = [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]
| writer = Hari
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Dhanush]]
*[[Tamannaah Bhatia]]
*[[Rajkiran]]
*[[Prakash Raj]]
*[[Ganja Karuppu]]
}}
| music = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cinematography = [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]]
| editing = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio = [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios|Vijaya Productions]]
| distributor = Vijaya Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|07|8}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Venghai''''' ({{translation|[[Tiger]]}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film|political action drama film]] directed by [[Hari (director)|Hari]] and produced by [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]. The film stars [[Dhanush]] and [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] in the lead roles, while [[Rajkiran]], [[Prakash Raj]] and [[Ganja Karuppu]] play supporting roles.<ref name="indiaglitz1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225022053/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2010 |title=Dhanush and Hari take 'Aruva' – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]] with cinematography by [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri Palanisamy]] and editing by [[V. T. Vijayan]].

''Venghai'' was released on 8 July 2011 to mixed reviews from critics and became an average grosser at the box office. It is dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Simha Putruudu''.

==Plot==
Veerapandi is a respected man in Chief Minister, Pandiapuram, [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai district]] who controls around 50% votes in his constituency. He is married to Thangam and has two children, Selvam and Selvi. Rajalingam is the corrupt incumbent local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA Minister]] from the [[ruling party]], who was elected with backing from Veerapandi. Rajalingam pretends to be loyal only for Veerapandi's support. One day, the [[district collector|DC]] organizes a meeting to decide the location of a new [[railway station]], where Rajalingam has already pre-fixed a town for bribe purpose, but Veerapandi thwarts Rajalingam's plan and convinces the meeting to set another small town as the location for the station. Rajalingam's henchmen bomb a railway track to derail a train, but Selvam stops the train and catches the bombers.

Frustrated that Selvam screwed up the chance to catch the real perpetrator, Veerapandi sends Selvam to [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]] to stay with his uncle Mariyappan, a [[real estate]] agent, in order to protect him. In Trichy, Selvam meets his childhood friend Radhika and also makes Mariyappan return money to Radhika's uncle, who had bought land from Mariyappan, which then went to a civil struggle with the air force. Selvam also gets beaten up by a local thug Peter, due to an [[SMS]] joke by Radhika on Peter, who is filmed attacking Selvam by a professor, and he is imprisoned. Rajalingam tries to kill Selvam to weaken Veerapandi and uses Peter's local gang in Tirchy. Selvam saves a college professor from being assaulted by Peter's gangster, in order to and a fight ensures. Peter is beaten up and goes to bring Anburaj and his men.

Veerapandi learns of Selvam's issues and arrives at the college at the same time. Anbu understands that Selvam is Veerapandi's son, and begs for forgiveness. Veerapandi learns that Rajalingam is about to buy a huge plot of land with [[Indian black money|black money]], and catches him red-handed after the registration in Trichy and thrashes him. Selvam arrives there accidentally, and the father-son duo makes Rajalingam donate the land to Sivagangai Corporation. Veerapandi also commands Rajalingam to resign within a week or he will be killed for rich man, with both events causing a [[by-election]]. Rajalingam gets enraged and sends goons to kill Selvam again. When he is cornered, Selvam is forced to take an [[aruval]] and defend himself, which gets filmed by the crowd. Veerapandi arrives to save Selvam, but Selvam gets arrested and remanded for 15 days as his action has reached the press.

Veerapandi swears to kill Rajalingam once he returns from the [[Legislative session|legislature meeting]]. After seeing Selvam's violence, Radhika decides not to disclose her love. Selvam is released and plans to kill off Rajalingam, who has become a [[Central Public Works Department|PWD]] chief minister by using a [[political crisis]] and openly challenges to kill off Veerapandi in 30 days, as he Prime Minister does not need his support anymore. Selvam challenges Rajalingam that either Rajalingam will die within 30 days or Selvam will publicly apologize to him. Radhika learns that Selvam helped her uncle by recovering the money invested in the disputed land. After much hesitation, Radhika propose to Selvam, who accepts. Radhika introduces herself to Selvam's parents. Meanwhile, Rajalingam plans to kill Veerapandi, knowing about his train journey based on information from an anonymous caller.

However, Selvam arrives to the rescue and attacks the goons. Meanwhile, the truck sent to hit Veerapandi's car kills an innocent family, whose deaths causes Veerapandi to tell Rajalingam that the family's death will never leave unpunished. Later, Veerapandi realizes that he drank poisoned coffee and is rushed to the hospital, where his life is saved. Selvam is shocked to know that Radhika poisoned the coffee and was the one who informed Rajalingam about Veerapandi's travel plans. Selvam rushes to Radhika's home minister, where her mother Padmavathi and grandfather tells that Veerapandi killed Radhika's father Manickavel years ago, and they were waiting for an opportunity to exact vengeance. Veerapandi arrives at Radhika's home, overhearing their conversation and reveals the truth that it was the ruling party's goons, who killed Manickavel and not him.

Radhika's family feels guilty about their actions. Selvam feels betrayed that Radhika cheated him, but Radhika's family apologizes to Veerapandi, where he and Thangam forgive Radhika's mistake and urge Selvam to accept Radhika, which he does. Rajalingam hires 50 men from [[Rameswaram|Rameshwaram]] to kill both Veerapandi and Selvam, which was overheard by a driver working for Rajalingam, when he tries to injured alert Veerapandi, Rajalingam's goons kill him and one of Veerapandi's closest ally, which was seen by Veerapandi's caretaker and alerts them. Selvam hatches a plan with other villagers to burn [[hay]]fields and make it look like the job is already done, and leaves to kill Rajalingam. Selvam gets henchmen to distract Rajalingam's goons and kills them one by one. The burnt haystacks cause the Rameshwaram goons to think that the job is done, and they stabbing temple leaves avenge his death. Selvam then lures Rajalingam to a place where he fight against kills him, and escapes to [[Kuala Lumpur]]. After 6 months, Selvam returns to Pandiapuram, where he happily reunites with Radhika and his family.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Dhanush]] as Selvam
** [[Sree Raam]] as Young Selvam
* [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] as Radhika, Selvam's love interest
* [[Rajkiran]] as Veerapandi, Selvam's father
* [[Prakash Raj]] as [[Member of Legislative assembly|MLA]] turned [[Central Public Works Department|PWD Minister]] Rajalingam
* [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Ganesan, Selvam's friend
* [[Srithika Saneesh|Srithika]] as Selvi, Selvam's sister
* [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Thangam, Selvam's mother
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Manickavel, Radhika's father
* [[Sudha Chandran]] as Padmavathi, Radhika's mother
* [[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as Mariyappan, Selvam's uncle
* [[Paravai Muniyamma]] as Veerapandi's house cook
* [[Charle]] as Murugesan
* [[Y. G. Mahendra]] as a Tamil Professor
* [[Ramesh Khanna]] as Thangavelu, Selvam's friend
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police|DSP]] Rajmohan
* [[Uma (Tamil actress)|Uma]] as Rajalingam's wife
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Anburaj
* [[A. C. Murali Mohan]] as [[District collector|DC]]
* [[Benjamin (actor)|Benjamin]] as Vasu, Selvam's friend
* [[Cool Suresh]] as Selvam's friend
* [[Sampath Ram]] as Rajalingam's henchman
* [[Bayilvan Ranganathan]] as Veerapandi's associate
* [[G. Srinivasan (actor)|G. Srinivasan]] as Radhika's paternal grandfather
* Shivani as Jayanthi
* Azhagu as Gurusaamy, Veerapandi's advisor
* Rajadurai as Rajalingam's driver
* Nandha Saravanan as Peter, Anburaj's associate
* Rajendranath as Rajalingam's associate
* Anjali Devi as Radhika's aunt
}}

==Production==
Following the release of ''[[Singam]]'', it was announced in 2010 that Hari and Dhanush would collaborate. The title was said to be ''Aruva'', but Hari denied and instead the title was announced as ''Venghai''. Telugu cinematographer [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]] was appointed for cinematographer. The film started its shooting in November 2010 at [[Trichy]] and lasted until May 2011. The shooting took place in [[Karaikudi]], [[Courtallam|Kutralam]], and [[Munnar]]. The song sequences have been shot in [[Phuket Island|Phuket Islands]] and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |title=Hari to work with Dhanush ??? |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=16 March 2009 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220042735/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |title=Dhanush's next with Hari titled 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220043822/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |title=Title change for Hari's 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220014850/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz1"/><ref name="indiaglitz2">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122105725/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2010 |title='Venghai' on floors – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |title=Song sequences for Vengai has been shot in Phuket Islands |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220011206/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Venghai'' was Hari's first collaboration with Dhanush and his second film with Vijaya Productions after ''[[Thaamirabharani|Thamirabharani]]''. This was Dhanush's second collaboration with Vijaya Productions and Tamannaah after ''[[Padikkadavan (2008 film)|Padikkathavan]]''.

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Venghai
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cover =
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Original CD Cover
| released = 10 June 2011
| recorded = 2011
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:40
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music]]
| producer = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| prev_title = [[Ready (2011 film)|Ready]]
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = [[Dhada]]
| next_year = 2011
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Behindwoods
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |title=Venghai Music Review – Venghai Music Review |website=Behindwoods.com |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095042/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The film's music was scored by [[Devi Sri Prasad]].

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:40
| all_lyrics = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]], except where noted
| title1 = Dhenam Dhenam
| extra1 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Baba Sehgal]]
| note1 = Rap: Baba Sehgal
| length1 = 4:47
| title2 = Kaalangathale
| extra2 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| length2 = 5:12
| title3 = Yenna Solla Pore
| extra3 = [[Devi Sri Prasad]], M. L. R. Karthikeyan, Sibiranjith Nagesh
| note3 = Lyrics: [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| length3 = 4:26
| title4 = Orey Oru
| extra4 = [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Pudikale Pudikudhu
| note5 =
| extra5 = [[Mukesh Mohamed]], [[Suchitra]]
| length5 = 4:17
}}

==Release==
''Venghai'' released theatrically on 8 July 2011.

The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|title = TV Serial & New Episodes on – Latest News, Photos & Videos|website = [[The Times of India]]|access-date = 20 April 2018|archive-date = 22 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180922220018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|url-status = live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Box office===
The film collected {{INRConvert|8.9|m}} worldwide on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|title=Venghai – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Top Ten Movies – Venghai Theneer Viduthi 180 Pillaiyar Nootrenbadu Theru Kadaisi Veedu Udhayan Avan Ivan Aaranya Kaandam Azhagarsaamiyin Kudhirai Aanmai Thavarel Kanden Engeyum Kadhal Ko Vaanam|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713220653/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''Venghai'' received generally mixed reviews from critics, who particularly criticized the predictability of the plot.

Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]]'' gave the film 2.5 out of 5, labelling it as "tedious" and "an overdose of rural action", further claiming that it was "so overlaid with unnecessary bloodshed, repetitive action and predictable plot twists, that after a point you lose interest".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|title=Review: Venghai is tedious|date=8 July 2011|work=Rediff|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153521/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave 2.5 out of 5 and deemed that ''Venghai'' was "another Hari film with his usual ingredients but sans his usual spirit and this film might work for people who seek action entertainers set in villages."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|title=VENGHAI REVIEW – VENGHAI MOVIE REVIEW|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153523/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rohit Ramachandran of ''nowrunning.com'' rated it 1/5, calling it "cheap entertainment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |title=Venghai Review – Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran |publisher=Nowrunning.com |date=8 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124023/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

''IBN Live'' gave 2.5 of 5 citing that the film was "typical Hari style formula movie [...] Despite the predictable story, Hari has managed to make the script interesting to some extent [...] The major flaw is that the story and screenplay have nothing new. Everything happens in a predictable manner."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713172118/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-13|title=Venghai film review|publisher=IBN Live.com}}</ref> ''KollyInsider'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, claimed it as a 'Masala Entertainer'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |title=Venghai Movie Review, Rating |date=8 July 2011 |publisher=KollyInsider.com |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110442/http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another portal, ''Indiaglitz'' said "''Venghai'' is an entertainer that is racy and pacy. At the same time, there is no denial that a section of the audience would grouse, alleging that the film has nothing new to offer. But they are not Hari's target..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130204526/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2010|title=Venghai – A Dejavu ride|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1987021}}
* {{official website|http://www.venghaimovie.com/}}

{{Hari (director)}}

[[Category:2010s masala films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hari (director)]]
[[Category:Films set in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:2011 action films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian political films]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karaikudi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Munnar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films set in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films about elections]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]

Venghai

2026-08-13T16:39:25Z

2409:40E6:FC:A2C1:E5CF:3C15:8ECF:906D:

{{Short description|2011 film by Hari}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Venghai
| image = Venghai poster.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| producer = [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]
| writer = Hari
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Dhanush]]
*[[Tamannaah Bhatia]]
*[[Rajkiran]]
*[[Prakash Raj]]
*[[Ganja Karuppu]]
}}
| music = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cinematography = [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]]
| editing = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio = [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios|Vijaya Productions]]
| distributor = Vijaya Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|07|8}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Venghai''''' ({{translation|[[Tiger]]}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film|political action drama film]] directed by [[Hari (director)|Hari]] and produced by [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]. The film stars [[Dhanush]] and [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] in the lead roles, while [[Rajkiran]], [[Prakash Raj]] and [[Ganja Karuppu]] play supporting roles.<ref name="indiaglitz1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225022053/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2010 |title=Dhanush and Hari take 'Aruva' – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]] with cinematography by [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri Palanisamy]] and editing by [[V. T. Vijayan]].

''Venghai'' was released on 8 July 2011 to mixed reviews from critics and became an average grosser at the box office. It is dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Simha Putruudu''.

==Plot==
Veerapandi is a respected man in Chief Minister, Pandiapuram, [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai district]] who controls around 50% votes in his constituency. He is married to Thangam and has two children, Selvam and Selvi. Rajalingam is the corrupt incumbent local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA Minister]] from the [[ruling party]], who was elected with backing from Veerapandi. Rajalingam pretends to be loyal only for Veerapandi's support. One day, the [[district collector|DC]] organizes a meeting to decide the location of a new [[railway station]], where Rajalingam has already pre-fixed a town for bribe purpose, but Veerapandi thwarts Rajalingam's plan and convinces the meeting to set another small town as the location for the station. Rajalingam's henchmen bomb a railway track to derail a train, but Selvam stops the train and catches the bombers.

Frustrated that Selvam screwed up the chance to catch the real perpetrator, Veerapandi sends Selvam to [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]] to stay with his uncle Mariyappan, a [[real estate]] agent, in order to protect him. In Trichy, Selvam meets his childhood friend Radhika and also makes Mariyappan return money to Radhika's uncle, who had bought land from Mariyappan, which then went to a civil struggle with the air force. Selvam also gets beaten up by a local thug Peter, due to an [[SMS]] joke by Radhika on Peter, who is filmed attacking Selvam by a professor, and he is imprisoned. Rajalingam tries to kill Selvam to weaken Veerapandi and uses Peter's local gang in Tirchy. Selvam saves a college professor from being assaulted by Peter's gang, in order to and a fight ensures. Peter is beaten up and goes to bring Anburaj and his men.

Veerapandi learns of Selvam's issues and arrives at the college at the same time. Anbu understands that Selvam is Veerapandi's son, and begs for forgiveness. Veerapandi learns that Rajalingam is about to buy a huge plot of land with [[Indian black money|black money]], and catches him red-handed after the registration in Trichy and thrashes him. Selvam arrives there accidentally, and the father-son duo makes Rajalingam donate the land to Sivagangai Corporation. Veerapandi also commands Rajalingam to resign within a week or he will be killed for rich man, with both events causing a [[by-election]]. Rajalingam gets enraged and sends goons to kill Selvam again. When he is cornered, Selvam is forced to take an [[aruval]] and defend himself, which gets filmed by the crowd. Veerapandi arrives to save Selvam, but Selvam gets arrested and remanded for 15 days as his action has reached the press.

Veerapandi swears to kill Rajalingam once he returns from the [[Legislative session|legislature meeting]]. After seeing Selvam's violence, Radhika decides not to disclose her love. Selvam is released and plans to kill off Rajalingam, who has become a [[Central Public Works Department|PWD]] chief minister by using a [[political crisis]] and openly challenges to kill off Veerapandi in 30 days, as he Prime Minister does not need his support anymore. Selvam challenges Rajalingam that either Rajalingam will die within 30 days or Selvam will publicly apologize to him. Radhika learns that Selvam helped her uncle by recovering the money invested in the disputed land. After much hesitation, Radhika propose to Selvam, who accepts. Radhika introduces herself to Selvam's parents. Meanwhile, Rajalingam plans to kill Veerapandi, knowing about his train journey based on information from an anonymous caller.

However, Selvam arrives to the rescue and attacks the goons. Meanwhile, the truck sent to hit Veerapandi's car kills an innocent family, whose deaths causes Veerapandi to tell Rajalingam that the family's death will never leave unpunished. Later, Veerapandi realizes that he drank poisoned coffee and is rushed to the hospital, where his life is saved. Selvam is shocked to know that Radhika poisoned the coffee and was the one who informed Rajalingam about Veerapandi's travel plans. Selvam rushes to Radhika's home, where her mother Padmavathi and grandfather tells that Veerapandi killed Radhika's father Manickavel years ago, and they were waiting for an opportunity to exact vengeance. Veerapandi arrives at Radhika's home, overhearing their conversation and reveals the truth that it was the ruling party's goons, who killed Manickavel and not him.

Radhika's family feels guilty about their actions. Selvam feels betrayed that Radhika cheated him, but Radhika's family apologizes to Veerapandi, where he and Thangam forgive Radhika's mistake and urge Selvam to accept Radhika, which he does. Rajalingam hires 50 men from [[Rameswaram|Rameshwaram]] to kill both Veerapandi and Selvam, which was overheard by a driver working for Rajalingam, when he tries to injured alert Veerapandi, Rajalingam's goons kill him and one of Veerapandi's closest ally, which was seen by Veerapandi's caretaker and alerts them. Selvam hatches a plan with other villagers to burn [[hay]]fields and make it look like the job is already done, and leaves to kill Rajalingam. Selvam gets henchmen to distract Rajalingam's goons and kills them one by one. The burnt haystacks cause the Rameshwaram goons to think that the job is done, and they leaves avenge his death. Selvam then lures Rajalingam to a place where he fight against kills him, and escapes to [[Kuala Lumpur]]. After 6 months, Selvam returns to Pandiapuram, where he happily reunites with Radhika and his family.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Dhanush]] as Selvam
** [[Sree Raam]] as Young Selvam
* [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] as Radhika, Selvam's love interest
* [[Rajkiran]] as Veerapandi, Selvam's father
* [[Prakash Raj]] as [[Member of Legislative assembly|MLA]] turned [[Central Public Works Department|PWD Minister]] Rajalingam
* [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Ganesan, Selvam's friend
* [[Srithika Saneesh|Srithika]] as Selvi, Selvam's sister
* [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Thangam, Selvam's mother
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Manickavel, Radhika's father
* [[Sudha Chandran]] as Padmavathi, Radhika's mother
* [[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as Mariyappan, Selvam's uncle
* [[Paravai Muniyamma]] as Veerapandi's house cook
* [[Charle]] as Murugesan
* [[Y. G. Mahendra]] as a Tamil Professor
* [[Ramesh Khanna]] as Thangavelu, Selvam's friend
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police|DSP]] Rajmohan
* [[Uma (Tamil actress)|Uma]] as Rajalingam's wife
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Anburaj
* [[A. C. Murali Mohan]] as [[District collector|DC]]
* [[Benjamin (actor)|Benjamin]] as Vasu, Selvam's friend
* [[Cool Suresh]] as Selvam's friend
* [[Sampath Ram]] as Rajalingam's henchman
* [[Bayilvan Ranganathan]] as Veerapandi's associate
* [[G. Srinivasan (actor)|G. Srinivasan]] as Radhika's paternal grandfather
* Shivani as Jayanthi
* Azhagu as Gurusaamy, Veerapandi's advisor
* Rajadurai as Rajalingam's driver
* Nandha Saravanan as Peter, Anburaj's associate
* Rajendranath as Rajalingam's associate
* Anjali Devi as Radhika's aunt
}}

==Production==
Following the release of ''[[Singam]]'', it was announced in 2010 that Hari and Dhanush would collaborate. The title was said to be ''Aruva'', but Hari denied and instead the title was announced as ''Venghai''. Telugu cinematographer [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]] was appointed for cinematographer. The film started its shooting in November 2010 at [[Trichy]] and lasted until May 2011. The shooting took place in [[Karaikudi]], [[Courtallam|Kutralam]], and [[Munnar]]. The song sequences have been shot in [[Phuket Island|Phuket Islands]] and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |title=Hari to work with Dhanush ??? |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=16 March 2009 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220042735/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |title=Dhanush's next with Hari titled 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220043822/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |title=Title change for Hari's 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220014850/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz1"/><ref name="indiaglitz2">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122105725/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2010 |title='Venghai' on floors – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |title=Song sequences for Vengai has been shot in Phuket Islands |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220011206/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Venghai'' was Hari's first collaboration with Dhanush and his second film with Vijaya Productions after ''[[Thaamirabharani|Thamirabharani]]''. This was Dhanush's second collaboration with Vijaya Productions and Tamannaah after ''[[Padikkadavan (2008 film)|Padikkathavan]]''.

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Venghai
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cover =
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Original CD Cover
| released = 10 June 2011
| recorded = 2011
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:40
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music]]
| producer = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| prev_title = [[Ready (2011 film)|Ready]]
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = [[Dhada]]
| next_year = 2011
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Behindwoods
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |title=Venghai Music Review – Venghai Music Review |website=Behindwoods.com |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095042/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The film's music was scored by [[Devi Sri Prasad]].

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:40
| all_lyrics = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]], except where noted
| title1 = Dhenam Dhenam
| extra1 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Baba Sehgal]]
| note1 = Rap: Baba Sehgal
| length1 = 4:47
| title2 = Kaalangathale
| extra2 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| length2 = 5:12
| title3 = Yenna Solla Pore
| extra3 = [[Devi Sri Prasad]], M. L. R. Karthikeyan, Sibiranjith Nagesh
| note3 = Lyrics: [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| length3 = 4:26
| title4 = Orey Oru
| extra4 = [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Pudikale Pudikudhu
| note5 =
| extra5 = [[Mukesh Mohamed]], [[Suchitra]]
| length5 = 4:17
}}

==Release==
''Venghai'' released theatrically on 8 July 2011.

The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|title = TV Serial & New Episodes on – Latest News, Photos & Videos|website = [[The Times of India]]|access-date = 20 April 2018|archive-date = 22 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180922220018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|url-status = live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Box office===
The film collected {{INRConvert|8.9|m}} worldwide on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|title=Venghai – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Top Ten Movies – Venghai Theneer Viduthi 180 Pillaiyar Nootrenbadu Theru Kadaisi Veedu Udhayan Avan Ivan Aaranya Kaandam Azhagarsaamiyin Kudhirai Aanmai Thavarel Kanden Engeyum Kadhal Ko Vaanam|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713220653/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''Venghai'' received generally mixed reviews from critics, who particularly criticized the predictability of the plot.

Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]]'' gave the film 2.5 out of 5, labelling it as "tedious" and "an overdose of rural action", further claiming that it was "so overlaid with unnecessary bloodshed, repetitive action and predictable plot twists, that after a point you lose interest".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|title=Review: Venghai is tedious|date=8 July 2011|work=Rediff|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153521/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave 2.5 out of 5 and deemed that ''Venghai'' was "another Hari film with his usual ingredients but sans his usual spirit and this film might work for people who seek action entertainers set in villages."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|title=VENGHAI REVIEW – VENGHAI MOVIE REVIEW|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153523/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rohit Ramachandran of ''nowrunning.com'' rated it 1/5, calling it "cheap entertainment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |title=Venghai Review – Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran |publisher=Nowrunning.com |date=8 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124023/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

''IBN Live'' gave 2.5 of 5 citing that the film was "typical Hari style formula movie [...] Despite the predictable story, Hari has managed to make the script interesting to some extent [...] The major flaw is that the story and screenplay have nothing new. Everything happens in a predictable manner."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713172118/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-13|title=Venghai film review|publisher=IBN Live.com}}</ref> ''KollyInsider'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, claimed it as a 'Masala Entertainer'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |title=Venghai Movie Review, Rating |date=8 July 2011 |publisher=KollyInsider.com |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110442/http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another portal, ''Indiaglitz'' said "''Venghai'' is an entertainer that is racy and pacy. At the same time, there is no denial that a section of the audience would grouse, alleging that the film has nothing new to offer. But they are not Hari's target..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130204526/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2010|title=Venghai – A Dejavu ride|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1987021}}
* {{official website|http://www.venghaimovie.com/}}

{{Hari (director)}}

[[Category:2010s masala films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hari (director)]]
[[Category:Films set in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:2011 action films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian political films]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karaikudi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Munnar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films set in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films about elections]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]

Venghai

2026-08-13T16:35:57Z

2409:40E6:FC:A2C1:E5CF:3C15:8ECF:906D:

{{Short description|2011 film by Hari}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Venghai
| image = Venghai poster.jpg
| caption = Release poster
| director = [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| producer = [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]
| writer = Hari
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Dhanush]]
*[[Tamannaah Bhatia]]
*[[Rajkiran]]
*[[Prakash Raj]]
*[[Ganja Karuppu]]
}}
| music = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cinematography = [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]]
| editing = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio = [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios|Vijaya Productions]]
| distributor = Vijaya Productions
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2011|07|8}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Venghai''''' ({{translation|[[Tiger]]}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film|political action drama film]] directed by [[Hari (director)|Hari]] and produced by [[B. Venkatarama Reddy]]. The film stars [[Dhanush]] and [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] in the lead roles, while [[Rajkiran]], [[Prakash Raj]] and [[Ganja Karuppu]] play supporting roles.<ref name="indiaglitz1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225022053/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54674.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2010 |title=Dhanush and Hari take 'Aruva' – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]] with cinematography by [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri Palanisamy]] and editing by [[V. T. Vijayan]].

''Venghai'' was released on 8 July 2011 to mixed reviews from critics and became an average grosser at the box office. It is dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Simha Putruudu''.

==Plot==
Veerapandi is a respected man in Pandiapuram, [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai district]] who controls around 50% votes in his constituency. He is married to Thangam and has two children, Selvam and Selvi. Rajalingam is the corrupt incumbent local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from the [[ruling party]], who was elected with backing from Veerapandi. Rajalingam pretends to be loyal only for Veerapandi's support. One day, the [[district collector|DC]] organizes a meeting to decide the location of a new [[railway station]], where Rajalingam has already pre-fixed a town for bribe purpose, but Veerapandi thwarts Rajalingam's plan and convinces the meeting to set another small town as the location for the station. Rajalingam's henchmen bomb a railway track to derail a train, but Selvam stops the train and catches the bombers.

Frustrated that Selvam screwed up the chance to catch the real perpetrator, Veerapandi sends Selvam to [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]] to stay with his uncle Mariyappan, a [[real estate]] agent, in order to protect him. In Trichy, Selvam meets his childhood friend Radhika and also makes Mariyappan return money to Radhika's uncle, who had bought land from Mariyappan, which then went to a civil struggle with the air force. Selvam also gets beaten up by a local thug Peter, due to an [[SMS]] joke by Radhika on Peter, who is filmed attacking Selvam by a professor, and he is imprisoned. Rajalingam tries to kill Selvam to weaken Veerapandi and uses Peter's local gang in Tirchy. Selvam saves a college professor from being assaulted by Peter's gang, in order to and a fight ensures. Peter is beaten up and goes to bring Anburaj and his men.

Veerapandi learns of Selvam's issues and arrives at the college at the same time. Anbu understands that Selvam is Veerapandi's son, and begs for forgiveness. Veerapandi learns that Rajalingam is about to buy a huge plot of land with [[Indian black money|black money]], and catches him red-handed after the registration in Trichy and thrashes him. Selvam arrives there accidentally, and the father-son duo makes Rajalingam donate the land to Sivagangai Corporation. Veerapandi also commands Rajalingam to resign within a week or he will be killed for rich man, with both events causing a [[by-election]]. Rajalingam gets enraged and sends goons to kill Selvam again. When he is cornered, Selvam is forced to take an [[aruval]] and defend himself, which gets filmed by the crowd. Veerapandi arrives to save Selvam, but Selvam gets arrested and remanded for 15 days as his action has reached the press.

Veerapandi swears to kill Rajalingam once he returns from the [[Legislative session|legislature meeting]]. After seeing Selvam's violence, Radhika decides not to disclose her love. Selvam is released and plans to kill off Rajalingam, who has become a [[Central Public Works Department|PWD]] minister by using a [[political crisis]] and openly challenges to kill off Veerapandi in 30 days, as he does not need his support anymore. Selvam challenges Rajalingam that either Rajalingam will die within 30 days or Selvam will publicly apologize to him. Radhika learns that Selvam helped her uncle by recovering the money invested in the disputed land. After much hesitation, Radhika propose to Selvam, who accepts. Radhika introduces herself to Selvam's parents. Meanwhile, Rajalingam plans to kill Veerapandi, knowing about his train journey based on information from an anonymous caller.

However, Selvam arrives to the rescue and attacks the goons. Meanwhile, the truck sent to hit Veerapandi's car kills an innocent family, whose deaths causes Veerapandi to tell Rajalingam that the family's death will never leave unpunished. Later, Veerapandi realizes that he drank poisoned coffee and is rushed to the hospital, where his life is saved. Selvam is shocked to know that Radhika poisoned the coffee and was the one who informed Rajalingam about Veerapandi's travel plans. Selvam rushes to Radhika's home, where her mother Padmavathi and grandfather tells that Veerapandi killed Radhika's father Manickavel years ago, and they were waiting for an opportunity to exact vengeance. Veerapandi arrives at Radhika's home, overhearing their conversation and reveals the truth that it was the ruling party's goons, who killed Manickavel and not him.

Radhika's family feels guilty about their actions. Selvam feels betrayed that Radhika cheated him, but Radhika's family apologizes to Veerapandi, where he and Thangam forgive Radhika's mistake and urge Selvam to accept Radhika, which he does. Rajalingam hires 50 men from [[Rameswaram|Rameshwaram]] to kill both Veerapandi and Selvam, which was overheard by a driver working for Rajalingam, when he tries to alert Veerapandi, Rajalingam's goons kill him and one of Veerapandi's closest ally, which was seen by Veerapandi's caretaker and alerts them. Selvam hatches a plan with other villagers to burn [[hay]]fields and make it look like the job is already done, and leaves to kill Rajalingam. Selvam gets henchmen to distract Rajalingam's goons and kills them one by one. The burnt haystacks cause the Rameshwaram goons to think that the job is done, and they leaves avenge his death. Selvam then lures Rajalingam to a place where he fight against kills him, and escapes to [[Kuala Lumpur]]. After 6 months, Selvam returns to Pandiapuram, where he happily reunites with Radhika and his family.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Dhanush]] as Selvam
** [[Sree Raam]] as Young Selvam
* [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] as Radhika, Selvam's love interest
* [[Rajkiran]] as Veerapandi, Selvam's father
* [[Prakash Raj]] as [[Member of Legislative assembly|MLA]] turned [[Central Public Works Department|PWD Minister]] Rajalingam
* [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Ganesan, Selvam's friend
* [[Srithika Saneesh|Srithika]] as Selvi, Selvam's sister
* [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Thangam, Selvam's mother
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Manickavel, Radhika's father
* [[Sudha Chandran]] as Padmavathi, Radhika's mother
* [[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as Mariyappan, Selvam's uncle
* [[Paravai Muniyamma]] as Veerapandi's house cook
* [[Charle]] as Murugesan
* [[Y. G. Mahendra]] as a Tamil Professor
* [[Ramesh Khanna]] as Thangavelu, Selvam's friend
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police|DSP]] Rajmohan
* [[Uma (Tamil actress)|Uma]] as Rajalingam's wife
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Anburaj
* [[A. C. Murali Mohan]] as [[District collector|DC]]
* [[Benjamin (actor)|Benjamin]] as Vasu, Selvam's friend
* [[Cool Suresh]] as Selvam's friend
* [[Sampath Ram]] as Rajalingam's henchman
* [[Bayilvan Ranganathan]] as Veerapandi's associate
* [[G. Srinivasan (actor)|G. Srinivasan]] as Radhika's paternal grandfather
* Shivani as Jayanthi
* Azhagu as Gurusaamy, Veerapandi's advisor
* Rajadurai as Rajalingam's driver
* Nandha Saravanan as Peter, Anburaj's associate
* Rajendranath as Rajalingam's associate
* Anjali Devi as Radhika's aunt
}}

==Production==
Following the release of ''[[Singam]]'', it was announced in 2010 that Hari and Dhanush would collaborate. The title was said to be ''Aruva'', but Hari denied and instead the title was announced as ''Venghai''. Telugu cinematographer [[Vetri (cinematographer)|Vetri]] was appointed for cinematographer. The film started its shooting in November 2010 at [[Trichy]] and lasted until May 2011. The shooting took place in [[Karaikudi]], [[Courtallam|Kutralam]], and [[Munnar]]. The song sequences have been shot in [[Phuket Island|Phuket Islands]] and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |title=Hari to work with Dhanush ??? |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=16 March 2009 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220042735/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/hari-to-work-with-dhanush/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |title=Dhanush's next with Hari titled 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220043822/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/dhanushs-next-with-hari-titled-aruva/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |title=Title change for Hari's 'Aruva' |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220014850/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/title-change-for-hari%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98aruva%e2%80%99/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz1"/><ref name="indiaglitz2">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122105725/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/61700.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2010 |title='Venghai' on floors – Tamil Movie News |website=IndiaGlitz |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |title=Song sequences for Vengai has been shot in Phuket Islands |publisher=Kollywood Today |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220011206/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/song-sequences-for-vengai-has-been-shot-in-phuket-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Venghai'' was Hari's first collaboration with Dhanush and his second film with Vijaya Productions after ''[[Thaamirabharani|Thamirabharani]]''. This was Dhanush's second collaboration with Vijaya Productions and Tamannaah after ''[[Padikkadavan (2008 film)|Padikkathavan]]''.

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Venghai
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| cover =
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Original CD Cover
| released = 10 June 2011
| recorded = 2011
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:40
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music]]
| producer = [[Devi Sri Prasad]]
| prev_title = [[Ready (2011 film)|Ready]]
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = [[Dhada]]
| next_year = 2011
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Behindwoods
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |title=Venghai Music Review – Venghai Music Review |website=Behindwoods.com |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095042/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/jun-11-02/vengai-music-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The film's music was scored by [[Devi Sri Prasad]].

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:40
| all_lyrics = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]], except where noted
| title1 = Dhenam Dhenam
| extra1 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Baba Sehgal]]
| note1 = Rap: Baba Sehgal
| length1 = 4:47
| title2 = Kaalangathale
| extra2 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| length2 = 5:12
| title3 = Yenna Solla Pore
| extra3 = [[Devi Sri Prasad]], M. L. R. Karthikeyan, Sibiranjith Nagesh
| note3 = Lyrics: [[Hari (director)|Hari]]
| length3 = 4:26
| title4 = Orey Oru
| extra4 = [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]]
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Pudikale Pudikudhu
| note5 =
| extra5 = [[Mukesh Mohamed]], [[Suchitra]]
| length5 = 4:17
}}

==Release==
''Venghai'' released theatrically on 8 July 2011.

The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|title = TV Serial & New Episodes on – Latest News, Photos & Videos|website = [[The Times of India]]|access-date = 20 April 2018|archive-date = 22 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180922220018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/venghai/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549747684/channelid-10000000000570000/starttime-201804011500|url-status = live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Box office===
The film collected {{INRConvert|8.9|m}} worldwide on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|title=Venghai – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Top Ten Movies – Venghai Theneer Viduthi 180 Pillaiyar Nootrenbadu Theru Kadaisi Veedu Udhayan Avan Ivan Aaranya Kaandam Azhagarsaamiyin Kudhirai Aanmai Thavarel Kanden Engeyum Kadhal Ko Vaanam|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=13 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713220653/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-july-11/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-venghai.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''Venghai'' received generally mixed reviews from critics, who particularly criticized the predictability of the plot.

Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]]'' gave the film 2.5 out of 5, labelling it as "tedious" and "an overdose of rural action", further claiming that it was "so overlaid with unnecessary bloodshed, repetitive action and predictable plot twists, that after a point you lose interest".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|title=Review: Venghai is tedious|date=8 July 2011|work=Rediff|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153521/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-venghai/20110708.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave 2.5 out of 5 and deemed that ''Venghai'' was "another Hari film with his usual ingredients but sans his usual spirit and this film might work for people who seek action entertainers set in villages."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|title=VENGHAI REVIEW – VENGHAI MOVIE REVIEW|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515153523/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/jul-11-01/venghai-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rohit Ramachandran of ''nowrunning.com'' rated it 1/5, calling it "cheap entertainment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |title=Venghai Review – Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran |publisher=Nowrunning.com |date=8 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711124023/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/8370/tamil/venghai/3193/review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

''IBN Live'' gave 2.5 of 5 citing that the film was "typical Hari style formula movie [...] Despite the predictable story, Hari has managed to make the script interesting to some extent [...] The major flaw is that the story and screenplay have nothing new. Everything happens in a predictable manner."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713172118/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-nothing-new-in-venghai/166447-8-68.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-13|title=Venghai film review|publisher=IBN Live.com}}</ref> ''KollyInsider'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, claimed it as a 'Masala Entertainer'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |title=Venghai Movie Review, Rating |date=8 July 2011 |publisher=KollyInsider.com |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110442/http://www.kollyinsider.com/2011/07/venghai-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another portal, ''Indiaglitz'' said "''Venghai'' is an entertainer that is racy and pacy. At the same time, there is no denial that a section of the audience would grouse, alleging that the film has nothing new to offer. But they are not Hari's target..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130204526/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/12847.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2010|title=Venghai – A Dejavu ride|website=IndiaGlitz|access-date=16 October 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1987021}}
* {{official website|http://www.venghaimovie.com/}}

{{Hari (director)}}

[[Category:2010s masala films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad]]
[[Category:Films directed by Hari (director)]]
[[Category:Films set in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:2011 action films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian political films]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karaikudi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Munnar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films set in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films about elections]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]

Stalin (2006 film)

2026-08-13T14:39:53Z

2409:40E6:FC:A2C1:E5CF:3C15:8ECF:906D:

{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Stalin
| image = Stalin 2006 Poster.jpg
| caption = Film poster
| native_name =
| director = [[A. R. Murugadoss]]
| producer = [[Nagendra Babu]]
| writer = A. R. Murugadoss [[Paruchuri Brothers]] (Dialogues)
| starring = [[Chiranjeevi]] [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] [[Prakash Raj]] [[Sharada Urvashi|Sharada]] [[Khushbu Sundar]] [[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] [[Brahmanandam]] [[Mukesh Rishi]]
| music = [[Mani Sharma]]
| cinematography = [[Chota K. Naidu]]
| editing = [[Anthony (editor)|Anthony]]
| distributor = [[Anjana Productions]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2006|09|20}}
| runtime = 176 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget = {{INR|16 [[crore]]|link=yes}}<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/a-few-hits-and-many-flops/article3231882.ece | title=A few hits and many flops | date=29 December 2006 | first=M. L. | last=Narasimham | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=23 June 2020}}</ref>
| gross = {{INR|53 [[crore]]|link=yes}}<ref name="Hindu" />
}}

'''''Stalin''''' is a 2006 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[political action drama film]] directed by [[A. R. Murugadoss]]. It stars [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], while an ensemble cast including [[Prakash Raj]], [[Sharada Urvashi|Sharada]], [[Khushbu Sundar]], [[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]], and [[Brahmanandam]] in supporting roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Stalin-strikes-gold/articleshow/25331962.cms |title=Stalin strikes gold |publisher=Bangalore Mirror |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=31 January 2014}}</ref> The film was screened at the [[International Film Festival of India]] in the mainstream section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm37IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=37IIFA.pdf|title=Directorate of Film Festival|work=iffi.nic.in|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415013528/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm37IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=37IIFA.pdf|archive-date=15 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Stalin-strikes-gold/articleshow/25331962.cms Stalin Strikes Gold], 6 November 2013</ref> The film released on 20 September 2006. It was remade into [[Hindi]] as ''[[Jai Ho (film)|Jai Ho]]'' in 2014.

== Plot ==
The only mission in Stalin's ([[Chiranjeevi]]) life is to help others and make the world a better place. It turns out that he served as a Major in the [[Indian Army]]. Although a war hero, he quit the army after a rift with Lt. Col. Iqbal Kakar ([[Mukesh Rishi]]) when he transfers him to the [[administrative division]] from the battlefield as a disciplinary action. His family includes his mother ([[Sharada Urvashi|Sharada]]) and sister Jhansi ([[Khushbu Sundar]]), who is not in talking terms with their mother since she married a [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]].

Stalin keeps helping a physically challenged girl named Sumati write her intermediate examination, and her [[suicide]] disturbs him. The death occurs as none of the people around her extend help. Stalin then plans a chain system. The theme works on a principle that everyone should help others, and in return, they should not seek a mere thanks but tell those who get the help to help three more, with a condition that those who get help from them should also demand the same. Stalin thinks that this chain will develop helping attitude among the people but unfortunately finds that the chain did not work. On one occasion, he bashes a rich boy who injured a beggar.

This goes in a chain reaction, and the rich boy employs goons to attack Stalin. As Stalin disappears from the scene, the goons take Jhansi and her friend Chitra ([[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]]) into their custody. Stalin reaches the spot and hacks the hand of one goon which happens to be the henchman of an MLA ([[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]]), who is the son-in-law of [[Home Minister]] Muddu Krishnayya ([[Prakash Raj]]). Krishnayya takes it as a prestige issue and tries to eliminate Stalin but loses his son ([[Riyaz Khan]]) in the process. When the [[Chief Minister]] intervenes to bring in a patch-up, Krishnayya plans to kill him and implicate Stalin in the murder. Stalin saves the injured Chief Minister but gets a severe chest pain due to exertion.

The reason for the chest pain is a bullet which remained in his chest, very near to his heart. Stalin sustains the bullet injury in the [[Kargil War]], and that was why Iqbal shifted him to the administrative department. Finally, the truth prevails, and the CM returns to the hospital to visit Stalin. The "help three people" concept was his brainchild, which saved him from death in the form of a schoolgirl. Finally, the doctors successfully remove the bullet in a very delicate surgery. Krishnayya also gets arrested. Stalin comes to know that his "help three people" concept worked well, and the same theme saved his life in the form of an auto driver. He thanks all the people for making his concept a success.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Chiranjeevi]] as Major Stalin
* [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] as Chitra
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Home Minister Muddu Krishnayya
* [[Sharada (actress)|Sharada]] as Stalin's mother
* [[Khushbu Sundar]] as Jhansi (Stalin's sister)
* [[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] as MLA
* [[Brahmanandam]] as Priest
* [[Mukesh Rishi]] as Lt. Col. Iqbal Kakar
* [[Riyaz Khan]] as Muddu Krishnayya's son
* [[Ravali]] as Muddu Krishnayya's daughter
* [[Sunil (actor)|Sunil]] as Stalin´s brother
* [[Siva Reddy]] as Stalin´s brother
* [[Harsha Vardhan|Harshavardhan]] as Stalin´s brother
* [[Baby Annie]] as Stalin's friend's daughter
* [[Hema (actress)|Hema]] as Chitra's mother
* [[Sudeepa Pinky]] as Chitra's sister
* [[Brahmaji]] as Captain Rao
* [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] as Doctor
* [[Subbaraju]] as Goon
* [[Amit Tiwari]] as Goon
* [[Mounica]] as Lakshmi
* [[L. B. Sriram]] as Auto Driver
* Gangadhar Pandey as Doctor
* [[Ravi Prakash (Telugu actor)|Ravi Prakash]] as Software Engineer
* Meena Kumari as Sireesha
* Surekha Vani as Baby's Mother
* [[Supreeth]] as Malli
* [[Chatrapathi Sekhar]] as Venkadri
* [[Narsing Yadav]] as Amarpet Abbulu
* [[Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao]]
* [[Anushka Shetty]] in a special song
{{colend}}

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name = Stalin
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Mani Sharma]]
| cover =
| alt =
| caption = Album cover
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2006|6|22}}
| recorded = 2006
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length = 30:30
| label = [[Aditya Music]]
| producer = [[Mani Sharma]]
| prev_title = [[Ashok (film)|Ashok]]
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Raraju (2006 film)|Raraju]]
| next_year = 2006
}}
Audio of Stalin was launched on 22 August 2006 at a jam pack auditorium of Lalitha Kala Vedika in Public Gardens, [[Hyderabad]]. [[Pawan Kalyan]] launched the audio of gave the first cassette to Nimmagadda Prasad (Matrix Labs) and Murali Krishnam Raju (MAA TV).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-stalin.html|title=Stalin – audio function – Chiranjeevi & Trisha|publisher=idlebrain.com|accessdate=22 August 2006}}</ref> The film has six songs composed by [[Mani Sharma]], with lyrics by [[Anantha Sriram]], Pedada Murthy, Kadikonda & [[Suddala Ashok Teja]].
{{tracklist
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 30:30
| title1 = Go Go Goa
| lyrics1 = [[Anantha Sriram]]
| extra1 = [[Ranjith (singer)|Ranjith]], [[Mahalakshmi Iyer]]
| length1 = 5:00
| title2 = Siggutho Chi Chi
| lyrics2 = Peddada Murthy
| extra2 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length2 = 4:59
| title3 = I Wanna Spider Man
| lyrics3 = [[Kandikonda]]
| extra3 = Naveen, Rita
| length3 = 5:07
| title4 = Thobare Thoba
| lyrics4 = [[Anantha Sreeram]]
| extra4 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sunitha Upadrashta]]
| length4 = 4:58
| title5 = Suryude Selavani
| lyrics5 = [[Suddala Ashok Teja]]
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length5 = 5:10
| title6 = Parare Parare
| lyrics6 = [[Anantha Sreeram]]
| extra6 = [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| length6 = 5:16
}}

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
The film received mixed to positive reviews. Jeevi of ''idlebrain.com'' praised the performances of Chiranjeevi and Khushboo and stated that "First half of the film is pretty mediocre as there is no conflict thread in terms of villain. Second half is better from the moment villain enters the scene. The last 20 minutes of the film stands out with very good emotions."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-stalin.html|title=Stalin - Telugu cinema Review - Chiranjeevi & Trisha|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref> ''Sify.com'' gave it 3 on 5 stars as well and stated "The much hyped Murugadoss directed Stalin does not have Chiru as the comic book superhero in the first half. He is basically a do-gooder for his fellow-men as he attempts to make the world a better place to live. Chiru in such a role may or may not work with the masses but in this refreshingly different role, he is cool with a capital C." ''Indiaglitz.com'' also commented "Director Murugadoss, who made us all sit up and take notice through Tagore (story) and Ghajini, once again underlines his talent for making a wholesome and powerful mass masala movie. In Chiranjeevi, he has somebody who can bring to life any kind of idea he (Murugadoss) has. Chiranjeevi, it seems, has been particular about the 'message' aspect — at his stature and seniority, he had every reason to be."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/stalin-telugu-movie-review-8093|title=Stalin review. Stalin Telugu movie review, story, rating|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{AllRovi movie|360921|Stalin}}
* {{IMDb title|0366180|Stalin}}

{{AR Murugadoss}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stalin (2006 Film)}}
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Films about social issues in India]]
[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:Films directed by AR Murugadoss]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mani Sharma]]
[[Category:2006 action films]]