Seethakaathi

2021-08-22T21:38:59Z

2607:FEA8:4C87:EE00:3597:7552:2C67:5ED9:

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Seethakaathi
| image = Seethakaathi Poster.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Official First Look Poster
| director = [[Balaji Tharaneetharan]]
| producer = Sudhan Sundaram Umesh G. Jayaram [[Arun Vaidyanathan]]
| writer = Balaji Tharaneetharan
| starring = [[Vijay Sethupathi]] [[T. S. B. K. Moulee|Mouli]] [[Archana (actress)|Archana]]
| music = [[Govind Vasantha]]
| cinematography = Saraskanth T. K.
| editing = R. Govindaraj
| studio = [[Arun Vaidyanathan|Passion Studios]]
| distributor = Trident Arts
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2018|12|20}}
| runtime = 173 minutes
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Tamil (language)|Tamil]]
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Seethakaathi''''' is a 2018 Tamil-language [[Speculative fiction|Speculative]] [[experimental film|experimental]] [[art film]] written and directed by [[Balaji Tharaneetharan]], starring [[Vijay Sethupathi]] in his 25th lead role in a film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/seethakaathi-first-look-vijay-sethupathi-undergoes-a-stunning-makeover-for-his-25th-film-4304781.html |title=Seethakaathi first look: Vijay Sethupathi undergoes a stunning makeover for his 25th film |work=Firstpost |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030134211/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/seethakaathi-first-look-vijay-sethupathi-undergoes-a-stunning-makeover-for-his-25th-film-4304781.html |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The film began production in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/press-release-of-seethakathi-directed-by-balaji-tharaneetharan/|title=Press release of Seethakathi directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan|date=17 April 2017|work=kollywoodtoday.net|accessdate=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418083213/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/press-release-of-seethakathi-directed-by-balaji-tharaneetharan/|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Upon release the film received very positive reviews from critics but they criticised the lengthy runtime of the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/seethakathi-movie-review-vijay-sethupathis-quirky-meta-film-celebrates-art-in-the-most-entertaining-way-5756791.html |title=Seethakathi movie review: Vijay Sethupathi’s quirky meta film celebrates art in the most entertaining way |date=19 December 2018 |work=firstpost.com |access-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219230415/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/seethakathi-movie-review-vijay-sethupathis-quirky-meta-film-celebrates-art-in-the-most-entertaining-way-5756791.html |archive-date=19 December 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Plot==
Ayya Aadhimoolam ([[Vijay Sethupathi]]) is a veteran theater actor who refuses to act in films because he only wants to act in front of a live audience. In recent years, due to films and various other means, Ayya's plays attract a meager audience which bothers him. During an act of Sujatha's Oonjal, Ayya dies. After his death, Ayya's assistant Parasuraman ([[Moulee]]) and his troupe decide to stage plays frequently. During the rehearsals of Panjali Sabadham, Parasuraman observes that two actors perform significantly better than usual. During the play, he observes that Saravanan ([[Rajkumar (Tamil actor)|Rajkumar]]), a budding actor performing beyond expectations and also bowing to the audience even when the curtains are closed. Parasuraman affirms that Ayya's spirit is still acting.

Saravanan's performance is also observed by Thyagu, a film director on the lookout for the male lead for his next film. He is convinced by Parasuraman that it was Ayya who acted through Saravanan. Thyagu signs Saravanan on in the hope that Ayya will act. Ayya acts through Saravanan and the film becomes a success making Saravanan a sought after actor. It is revealed that Ayya acted in the film because he liked the story of the film.

Saravanan signs a film without Parasuraman's knowledge who selects the script for him. During director Sundar's([[Bagavathi Perumal]]) shoot, Ayya's spirit suddenly stops acting after which it is revealed to the public that Ayya acted in the films which featured Saravanan as the lead.

Various producers approach Ayya for their film and Parasumaran selects the scripts of the film on the basis of content. This makes Ayya a huge superstar in Tamil Cinema. A producer Dhanapal (Sunil Reddy) wants Ayya to act in his film but doesn't reveal that he inserts action and song sequences.

When Parasumaran comes to know that Dhanapal is behind this, he is aghast. Afterwards, due to Dhanapal's deception, Ayya stops acting permanently but Dhanapal who wants to complete his film at any cost pressurizes Parasumaran and Ayya's family. After lodging a complaint, the Producers council alleges that Ayya didn't act in the first place and that they are fraudsters. The case goes to court where Ayya's family gets footage of Dhanapal's film. Dhanapal alleges that they stole his film but the film is presented as an exhibit for the Judge ([[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]) who observes Dhanapal's acting and tells him to act in the film but Dhanapal refuses to act which implies that Ayya acted in the film. The Judge concludes that a man cannot be separated from his art and Ayya though not here but somewhere he is there for his art. After the case ends, a statue commemorating Ayya is consecrated in front of his theater. Elsewhere, a school play is shown where the lead actor bows down for a long time implying that Ayya's spirit is still alive.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Vijay Sethupathi]] as "Ayya" Aadhimoolam
* [[Archana (actress)|Archana]] as Lakshmi
* [[T. S. B. K. Moulee|Mouli]] as Parasuraman
* [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]] as a judge
* Sunil Reddy as Dhanapal
* [[Ramya Nambeesan]] as herself
* [[Gayathrie]] as herself
* [[Parvatii Nair]] as herself
* [[Karunakaran (actor)|Karunakaran]] as an advocate
* [[Bagavathi Perumal]] as Sundar
* [[Rajkumar (Tamil actor)|Rajkumar]] as Saravanan
* Suhashini Sanjeev as Mohana
* Sutharshi as Punitha
* [[G. M. Sundar]] as Dhanapal's lawyer
* Vetrimani
* Deekay
* Socrates
* K. V. N. Manimekalai
* Subhashree
* [[Govind Vasantha]]
* Winner Ramachandran
* [[Baradwaj Rangan]]
*[[K. Bhagyaraj]] as cameo in award function
*[[Bharathiraja]] as himself (cameo appearance)
{{colend}}

==Production==
Following the success of ''[[Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom]]'' (2012), director [[Balaji Tharaneetharan]] began working on his next project titled ''Seethakaathi''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-sethupathis-next-film-titled-seethakathi.html|title=Vijay Sethupathi's next film titled Seethakathi|date=2017-04-11|work=Behindwoods|access-date=2017-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012200433/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-sethupathis-next-film-titled-seethakathi.html|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In an interview during January 2014, Balaji revealed that the film would be based on artists and would not be related to the tale of the philanthropist of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/oct/19/all-you-want-to-know-about-oru-pakka-kathai-1529339.html|title=All you want to know about Oru Pakka Kathai|work=newindianexpress.com|accessdate=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162034/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/oct/19/all-you-want-to-know-about-oru-pakka-kathai-1529339.html|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/naduvula-konjam-pakkatha-kaanom-fame-balaji-tharaneetharans-next-titled-seethakathi.html|title=Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom fame Balaji Tharaneetharan's next titled Seethakathi|work=behindwoods.com|accessdate=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418082624/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/naduvula-konjam-pakkatha-kaanom-fame-balaji-tharaneetharans-next-titled-seethakathi.html|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After postponing work on the film to complete the romantic comedy ''[[Oru Pakka Kathai]]'' (2017), Balaji revived ''Seethakaathi'' in April 2017 and announced that [[Vijay Sethupathi]] would portray the leading role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/balaji-tharaneetharan-revives-seethakathi-vijay-sethupathi-lead/|title=Balaji Tharaneetharan Revives 'Seethakathi' With Vijay Sethupathi In The Lead - Silverscreen.in|date=13 April 2017|work=silverscreen.in|accessdate=19 April 2017}}</ref> Produced by Sudhan Sundaram, Umesh, Jayaram and [[Arun Vaidyanathan]] of Passion Studios who earlier produced [[Nibunan]], the film would mark the actor's 25th film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/reunion-with-vijay-sethupathi-beyond-emotional-connect-balaji/articleshow/58192171.cms|title=Reunion with Vijay Sethupathi beyond emotional connect: Balaji - Times of India|work=indiatimes.com|accessdate=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418183848/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/reunion-with-vijay-sethupathi-beyond-emotional-connect-balaji/articleshow/58192171.cms|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/160417/vijay-sethupathi-is-an-actor-in-seethakathi.html|title=Vijay Sethupathi is an actor in Seethakathi|date=16 April 2017|work=deccanchronicle.com|accessdate=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419060522/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/160417/vijay-sethupathi-is-an-actor-in-seethakathi.html|archive-date=19 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After roping in [[Remya Nambeesan]] and [[Gayathrie]], the team signed veteran director [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42248/vijay-sethupathis-25th-film-gets-one-more-big-attraction|title=Vijay Sethupathi’s 25th film gets one more big attraction|date=2017-04-19|work=Top 10 Cinema|access-date=2017-04-19|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922002511/https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42248/vijay-sethupathis-25th-film-gets-one-more-big-attraction|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Newcomer Sunil Reddy was signed to play the antagonist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vaibhavs-brother-sunil-plays-the-antagonist-in-seethakathi/articleshow/66693891.cms|title=Vaibhav’s brother, Sunil plays the antagonist in Seethakaathi - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/221118/vaibhavs-brother-turns-baddie-in-vijay-sethupthi-film.html|title=Vaibhav’s brother turns baddie in Vijay Sethupthi film|first=Anupama|last=Subramanian|date=22 November 2018|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack album is composed by [[Govind Vasantha]] of [['96 (film)|''<nowiki/>'96'']] fame, with lyrics written by [[Thiagarajan Kumararaja|Thiyagarajan Kumararaja]], [[Madhan Karky]], [[Karthik Netha]] and [[Yugabharathi]]. This is his fourth film as composer. [[Junglee Music]] secured the audio rights. The first single track "Ayya" sung by [[Vijay Prakash]] was released on 15 October 2018. The second single "Avan" sung by Harish Sivaramakrishnan was released on 30 November 2018. The third single, an [[instrumental]] track "The Journey of Ayya" was released on 6 December 2018. The fourth single "Kozhi Onnu" sung by [[Pushpavanam Kuppusamy|Pushpavanam Kuppuswamy]] was released on 14 December 2018. The complete soundtrack album, with seven tracks, and instrumentals were released on 17 December 2018.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Seethakaathi
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[Govind Menon|Govind Vasantha]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 17 December 2018
| recorded = 2018
| venue =
| studio = 20db Studios, Chennai Seed Studios, Chennai Rajiv Menon Studio, Chennai
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length =
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Times Music|Junglee Music]]
| producer = [[Govind Vasantha]]
| prev_title = [[Solo (2017 film)|Solo]]
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = [[Moothon]]
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{Singles
| single1 = Ayya
| single1date = 15 October 2018
| single2 = Avan
| single2date = 30 November 2018
| single3 = The Journey of Ayya
| single3date = 6 December 2018
| single4 = Kozhi Onnu
| single4date = 14 December 2018
}}
}}
{{track listing
| all_writing =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ayya
| length1 = 3:13
| lyrics1 = [[Thiagarajan Kumararaja]]
| extra1 = [[Vijay Prakash]]
| title2 = Avan
| length2 = 5:03
| lyrics2 = [[Madhan Karky]]
| extra2 = Harish Sivaramakrishnan
| title3 = Uyir
| length3 = 3:15
| lyrics3 = [[Karthik Netha]]
| extra3 = [[Govind Vasantha]]
| title4 = Kozhi Onnu
| length4 = 2:21
| lyrics4 = [[Yugabharathi]]
| extra4 = [[Pushpavanam Kuppusamy]]
| title5 = Isai
| length5 = 4:47
| lyrics5 =
| extra5 = Vishnu Vijay
| title6 = The Journey Of Ayya
| length6 = 4:06
| lyrics6 =
| extra6 = Vijay Prakash
| title7 = Theme Of Seethakaathi
| length7 = 2:49
| lyrics7 =
| extra7 = Vijay Prakash
| length10 =
| note6 = Instrumental
| note5 = Instrumental
| total_length =
| title8 =
| title10 =
| length9 =
| title9 =
| length8 =
| note7 = Instrumental
| headline = Track listing
}}

==Release==
The film, scheduled to release on 16 November 2018, was postponed to a later date following [[Tamil Film Producers Council|TFPC]] committee and actor [[Udhaya (actor)|Udhaya]]'s request.<ref name="Behindwoods">{{cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/seethakathi-and-adangamaru-release-postponed.html|title=Seethakathi and Adangamaru release postponed|website=Behindwoods|accessdate=2018-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211200/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/seethakathi-and-adangamaru-release-postponed.html|archive-date=4 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Twitter">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PROThiyagu/status/1058691164298047488|title=@ACTOR_UDHAYAA thanking the entire team of #Seethakaathi & #Adangamaru for moving release date to later. #UtharavuMaharajafromNOV16|website=Twitter|accessdate=2018-11-04}}</ref> The makers finally confirmed that the film will be released on 20 December 2018 through the release of third look poster. Earlier, the [[Tamil Nadu]] wing of the [[Indian National League]], a political party, had objected to the title and asked the film team to "immediately change the name of the movie," saying [[Umaru Pulavar|Seethakaathi]] was the name of a renowned [[Muslims|Muslim]] poet.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/seethakathi-in-trouble-indian-national-league-asks-makers-to-change-title-1412651-2018-12-19|title=Seethakathi in trouble: Indian National League asks makers to change title|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421191142/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/seethakathi-in-trouble-indian-national-league-asks-makers-to-change-title-1412651-2018-12-19|archive-date=21 April 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://silverscreen.in/news/indian-national-league-asks-seethakaathi-team-to-change-title/|title=Indian National League Asks Seethakaathi Team To Change Title|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421191142/https://silverscreen.in/news/indian-national-league-asks-seethakaathi-team-to-change-title/|archive-date=21 April 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A wax statue of Vijay Sethupathi's character was unveiled at Express Avenue Mall in [[Chennai]] and the occasion was marked by a grand event promoted by the producers of the film. The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[STAR Vijay]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/seethakaathis-tv-rights-bagged-by-star-vijay.html |title=SEETHAKAATHI TV RIGHTS BAGGED BY THIS TOP CHANNEL! |website=Behindwoods |date=12 December 2018 |access-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412113008/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/seethakaathis-tv-rights-bagged-by-star-vijay.html |archive-date=12 April 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|8011324}}
*[https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/20741/tamil/seethakadhi/ Seethakathi] on nowrunning

[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Govind Menon]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films about actors]]
[[Category:2018 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films about artists]]

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Seethakaathi