Sumo (film)

2026-03-22T23:11:15Z

52.201.160.144: adjusted layout further and improved wording for accuracy

{{Short description|2025 Tamil film by SP Hosimin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Sumo film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[S. P. Hosimin]]
| screenplay = [[Shiva (actor)|Shiva]]
| story = S. P. Hosimin
| producer = [[Ishari K. Ganesh]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Shiva
* [[Yoshinori Tashiro]]
* [[Priya Anand]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Rajiv Menon]]
| editing = [[Praveen K. L.]]
| music = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| studio = Vels Film International
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2025|4|25}}
| runtime = 115 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Sumo''''' is a 2025 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[sports comedy film]] directed by [[S. P. Hosimin]], starring [[Shiva (actor)|Shiva]], [[Priya Anand]] and [[Yoshinori Tashiro]] with [[VTV Ganesh]], [[Yogi Babu]] and [[Sathish]] in supporting roles. The film was produced by [[Ishari K. Ganesh]] under his Vels Film International banner with the technical team consisting of cinematographer [[Rajiv Menon]], editor [[Praveen K. L.]] and composer [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]. ''Sumo'' was released in theatres on 25 April 2025 to mixed-to-negative reviews.

== Plot ==
The film starts with Jack, the owner of a surfing club with a lot of international guests, telling his backstory about a special container to the police. He also tells them about his friend surfer Shiva and his girlfriend Kani. He tells them about a sumo wrestler, who washed ashore near Chennai, who tightly clenches Shiva's pinky. Shiva gets a curtain stitched for the sumo wrestler as his clothes due to his size. Shiva tells the local police inspector about the sumo wrestler. After consulting a doctor, they discover that the sumo wrestler was mentally affected after landing ashore and acts like a child. Shiva suggests bringing the sumo wrestler to his and Jack's house to which Jack doesn't agree to.

Meanwhile, Kani is folding her clothes, her [[dupatta]] falls and lands on a local gangster Yogi Babu, which he mistakes for love. Yogi Babu tries to win over her father as well by drinking alcohol with him and indulges in antics such as making TikTok videos. Shiva and Jack take the sumo wrestler to local eating competitions to satisfy his insane hunger. Yogi Babu, who is jealous of Shiva, attacks the sumo wrestler with his henchman, but Shiva intervenes and saves him.

After he glares at a Japanese flag at a store, Shiva realises that the sumo wrestler has a special connection with Japan. Shiva, Kani and Jack name the sumo wrestler Ganesh after he acts as [[Ganesha|Ganesh]] during a festival. Shiva, Ganesh and Jack return to Japan via a travel agent in order for Ganesh to fight for his championship title, where he rediscover his past as a famous sumo wrestler named [[Yoshinori Tashiro|Tashiro]]. While they are in Japan, Yogi Babu takes advantage of the situation and falls for Kani. After going to Japan, Tashiro remembers his past where he trained under a famous master and how a famous don took advantage of him by making him act in advertisements and sending him to India. After much preparation, he wins the sumo championship even though the Japanese don killed his master. Shiva leaves with Kani to Australia and Jack is debt-ridden with his surfing club. A container containing a bunch of gold washes ashore while Jack is drinking alcohol during his sorrows and that Jack enjoys his newfound luxury after leaving some of the gold for the police.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Shiva (actor)|Shiva]] as Shiva
* [[Yoshinori Tashiro]] as Tashiro (Ganesh)
* [[Priya Anand]] as Kani
* [[VTV Ganesh]] as Jack
* [[Yogi Babu]] as Yogi Babu
* [[Sathish]] as Inspector V. Anbu
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Kani's father
* [[Chetan (actor)|Chetan]] as Pandian
* [[Srinath (Tamil actor)|Srinath]] as Kasa Kasa Asahi Sake
* [[Aarthi Ganeshkar]] as herself
* [[Besant Ravi]] as Yogi Babu's right hand
* Mani as Mani
* Saapattu Raman as himself
* Suresh Chakravarthi as Suresh (uncredited)
* [[Ishari K. Ganesh]] as chief guest (in portrait)
}}

== Production ==
In mid-June 2019, the production began for [[Shiva (actor)|Shiva's]] next film helmed by [[S. P. Hosimin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2020 |title=Sumō on India's Silver Screen: Retired Wrestler Puts Comic Spin on Japan's National Sport |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00830/sumo-on-india%E2%80%99s-silver-screen-retired-wrestler-puts-comic-spin-on-japan%E2%80%99s-national-spo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426173955/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00830/sumo-on-india%E2%80%99s-silver-screen-retired-wrestler-puts-comic-spin-on-japan%E2%80%99s-national-spo.html |archive-date=26 April 2025 |access-date=26 April 2025 |website=[[Nippon.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The film reunites the lead actor with [[Priya Anand]] as the female lead after ''[[Vanakkam Chennai]]'' (2013), while [[Yoshinori Tashiro]], a former [[Sumo]] wrestler plays an important role in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Pradeep |date=20 July 2019 |title=What happened on the sets of Mirchi Shiva-starrer 'Sumo'? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/what-happened-on-the-set-of-mirchi-shiva-starrer-sumo/article28619546.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123094336/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/what-happened-on-the-set-of-mirchi-shiva-starrer-sumo/article28619546.ece |archive-date=23 January 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Eighteen other Sumo wrestlers also star in the film. Apart from acting, Shiva wrote the screenplay, handled the casting and scouted locations for the film.<ref name="VS">{{Cite web |last=Darshan |first=Navein |date=15 July 2019 |title=Vanakam sumo |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/tamil/2019/Jul/14/vanakam-sumo-2003920.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410135041/https://www.newindianexpress.com/tamil/2019/Jul/14/vanakam-sumo-2003920.html |archive-date=10 April 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[Rajiv Menon]], a cinematographer-cum-director, agreed to work on the film since Hosimin had previously worked under him as an assistant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=17 July 2019 |title=Shiva turns screenplay writer for Sumo |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/170719/shiva-turns-screenplay-writer-for-sumo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126182551/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/170719/shiva-turns-screenplay-writer-for-sumo.html |archive-date=26 November 2024 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Praveen K. L.]] handled the editing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundar |first=Anusha |date=25 September 2024 |title=Much delayed Mirchi Shiva and Priya Anand's Sumo gets release window |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/much-delayed-mirchi-shiva-and-priya-anands-sumo-gets-release-window/7b085900c5678 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008120711/https://www.ottplay.com/news/much-delayed-mirchi-shiva-and-priya-anands-sumo-gets-release-window/7b085900c5678 |archive-date=8 October 2024 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref> The film has music composed by [[Nivas K. Prasanna]] and produced by [[Ishari K. Ganesh]] under his Vels Film International banner.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 May 2021 |title=Shiva-Priya Anand's 'Sumo' to finally release on OTT |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shiva-priya-anands-sumo-to-finally-release-on-ott/articleshow/82346365.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404203735/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shiva-priya-anands-sumo-to-finally-release-on-ott/articleshow/82346365.cms |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film also stars [[VTV Ganesh]], [[Yogi Babu]], [[Chetan (actor)|Chetan]], [[Besant Ravi]], [[Srinath (Tamil actor)|Srinath]] and others in supporting roles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Shiva-Priya Anand's Sumo gets a new release window |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Sep/23/shiva-priya-anands-sumo-gets-a-release-window |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108221608/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Sep/23/shiva-priya-anands-sumo-gets-a-release-window |archive-date=8 November 2024 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

A major portion of the [[principal photography]] took place in [[Japan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2025 |title=Mirchi Shiva's long-delayed 'Sumo' to release on THIS date |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mirchi-shivas-long-delayed-sumo-to-release-on-this-date/articleshow/120116624.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410135955/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mirchi-shivas-long-delayed-sumo-to-release-on-this-date/articleshow/120116624.cms |archive-date=10 April 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The release of a trailer in April 2025 confirmed the inclusion of [[Sathish]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaxc0eg4TMI |title=Sumo – Official Trailer {{!}} Shiva {{!}} Priya Anand {{!}} Yogi Babu {{!}} Satish {{!}} VTV Ganesh {{!}} S.P. Hosimin |date=20 April 2025 |publisher=[[Ishari K. Ganesh|Vels Film International]] |access-date=22 April 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/Xaxc0eg4TMI |archive-date=22 April 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Sumo
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| language = Tamil
| producer = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| prev_title = [[Emakku Thozhil Romance]]
| prev_year = 2024
| year = 2025
| next_title = [[Bun Butter Jam]]
| next_year = 2025
}}
The soundtrack is composed by [[Nivas K. Prasanna]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYfoqvDgxGU |title=Sumo Audio Jukebox {{!}} Shiva, Priya Anand {{!}} Nivas K Prasanna {{!}} S. P. Hosimin |access-date=2025-08-29 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The first single "Aazhiye" released on 21 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2025 |title='Aazhiye' song from Shiva's Sumo out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/22/aazhiye-song-from-shivas-sumo-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422135349/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/22/aazhiye-song-from-shivas-sumo-out |archive-date=22 April 2025 |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aazhiye
| lyrics1 = [[Mohan Rajan]], Deepti Reddy
| extra1 = [[Naresh Iyer]], Hevin Booster, Nithyasree, Rose Veronica, Deepti Reddy
| length1 = 5:46
| title2 = Kathiri Veyilil
| lyrics2 = Mohan Rajan
| length2 = 4:31
| title3 = Ganapathy
| lyrics3 = Mohan Rajan
| extra3 = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| length3 = 5:19
| title4 = Kanavugal
| lyrics4 = Mohan Rajan
| length4 = 4:18
| total_length = 19:54
}}

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
''Sumo'' was released in theatres on 25 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=4 April 2025 |title=Mirchi Shiva starrer Sumo gets a new release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/04/mirchi-shiva-starrer-sumo-gets-a-new-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405150725/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/04/mirchi-shiva-starrer-sumo-gets-a-new-release-date |archive-date=5 April 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref> The film was initially expected to release in theatres in 2021 but got delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=சிவா நடிக்கும் 'சுமோ' திரைப்படத்தின் ரிலீஸ் தேதி அறிவிப்பு |trans-title=Siva starrer 'Sumo' release date announced |url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinemanews/siva-starrer-sumo-release-date-announced-739791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923145738/https://www.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinemanews/siva-starrer-sumo-release-date-announced-739791 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[Maalai Malar]] |language=ta}}</ref> and after much of a delay, in late-September 2024, it was announced that the film would release in October 2024, without mentioning a specific date, which did not pan out.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2024 |title=Mirchi Shiva's 'Sumo' to release in October |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mirchi-shivas-sumo-to-release-in-october/articleshow/113621943.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925011549/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mirchi-shivas-sumo-to-release-in-october/articleshow/113621943.cms |archive-date=25 September 2024 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In early April 2025, the final release date was announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasreen |first=Raisa |date=4 April 2025 |title=Shiva's Long-Delayed Film Sumo Gets A Release Date |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/shivas-sumo-gets-a-release-date-article-151349069 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406084902/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/shivas-sumo-gets-a-release-date-article-151349069 |archive-date=6 April 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=[[Times Now]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Sumo'' began streaming on [[Sun NXT]] from 23 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=22 May 2025 |title=Shiva's Sumo to make its digital debut on this date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/May/22/shivas-sumo-to-make-its-digital-debut-on-this-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523091104/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/May/22/shivas-sumo-to-make-its-digital-debut-on-this-date |archive-date=23 May 2025 |access-date=23 May 2025 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Critical response ==
Abhinav Subramanian of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The comedy offers sporadic chuckles but doesn't consistently land with impact. The screenplay lacks a certain spark; events unfold, but often without exploring the culture clash or character depths beyond a surface level."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Abhinav |date=25 April 2025 |title=Sumo Movie Review : Charming idea needs more muscle |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/sumo/movie-review/120619280.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250425142403/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/sumo/movie-review/120619280.cms |archive-date=25 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Avinash Ramachandran of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 2/5 stars and wrote "With the strength of the film seemingly lying in comedy, the detours into emotional zones, and some serious zones are distracting at best, and infuriating at their worst. It is almost like the makers can't decide what to do with the simple one-liner, and fill it up with embellishments that only disengage us."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Avinash |date=25 April 2025 |title=Sumo movie review: Comic talents are squandered in this comedy that needed more absurdity, less drama |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sumo-movie-review-comic-talents-are-squandered-in-this-comedy-9965526/lite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250426015155/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sumo-movie-review-comic-talents-are-squandered-in-this-comedy-9965526/lite/ |archive-date=26 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

Narayani M of ''[[Cinema Express]]'' gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The film's failure to resonate with audiences could be attributed to its datedness as ''Sumo'' was scheduled to be released almost five years ago. However, even as our tastes and sensibilities evolve over time, we still crave certain fundamental things like emotional connection and entertainment."<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Narayani |date=25 April 2025 |title=Sumo Movie Review: Suffers from rudimentary storytelling and weak humour |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2025/Apr/25/sumo-movie-review-suffers-from-rudimentary-storytelling-and-weak-humour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250426014905/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2025/Apr/25/sumo-movie-review-suffers-from-rudimentary-storytelling-and-weak-humour |archive-date=26 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Anusha Sundar of ''[[OTTPlay]]'' gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "''Sumo'' has been put together to be a sports comedy entertainer. Neither does it delve into the sports aspect, nor is able to make you laugh. If you don't count the body shaming jokes, the film more or less treats sumo only as an exhibit, expected to pique curiosity."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundar |first=Anusha |date=25 April 2025 |title=Sumo movie review: Shiva's sports comedy wrestles more with silliness than story |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/sumo-movie-review-shivas-sports-comedy-wrestles-more-with-silliness-than-story/3b940fe5a1725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250425142345/https://www.ottplay.com/review/sumo-movie-review-shivas-sports-comedy-wrestles-more-with-silliness-than-story/3b940fe5a1725 |archive-date=25 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[News Today]]'' wrote, "If you're looking for an easy watch that brings together laughter and emotions, this one is worth your time. Let go of logic, and enjoy the ride with Shiva and his sumo friend".<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2025 |title=Sumo – Review |url=https://newstodaynet.com/2025/04/26/sumo-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426062218/https://newstodaynet.com/2025/04/26/sumo-review/ |archive-date=26 April 2025 |access-date=26 April 2025 |website=[[News Today]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}

[[Category:2025 Indian films]]
[[Category:2020s sports comedy films]]
[[Category:2025 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by S. P. Hosimin]]
[[Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Films produced by Ishari K. Ganesh]]
[[Category:Films scored by Nivas K. Prasanna]]
[[Category:Films set in Japan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Japan]]
[[Category:Indian sports comedy films]]
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Sumo films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language sports films]]

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Sumo (film)