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{{Short description|2007 Indian film by Raghava Lawrence}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Muni film poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| director = [[Raghava Lawrence]]
| writer = [[Ramesh Khanna]] (dialogues)
| screenplay = Raghava Lawrence
| story = Raghava Lawrence
| producer = [[Saran (director)|Saran]]
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Rajkiran]]
*Raghava Lawrence
*[[Vedhika]]
}}
| cinematography = [[K. V. Guhan]]
| editing = [[Suresh Urs]]
| music = '''Original songs:''' [[Bharadwaj (composer)|Bharadwaj]] '''Background Score:''' [[S. P. Venkatesh]]
| studio = Gemini Productions
| released = {{Film date|2007|03|09|df=y}}
| runtime = 153 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Muni''''' ({{translation|Sage}}){{Efn|Also the title character.}} is a 2007 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[comedy horror film]] directed by [[Raghava Lawrence]] and produced by [[Saran (director)|Gemini Productions]]. The film stars [[Rajkiran]], Lawrence and [[Vedhika]]. [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]], [[Vinu Chakravarthy]], [[Delhi Ganesh]], [[Kadhal Dhandapani]] and [[Kovai Sarala]] play supporting roles. It follows Ganesh, a man with [[Fear of ghosts|phasmophobia]], who gets possessed by the title character, who seeks revenge against an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] who killed him.

''Muni'' was released on 9 March 2007 and became a box office success. It is the first instalment in the [[Kanchana (film series)|Kanchana film series]], and a spiritual successor, ''[[Kanchana (2011 film)|Kanchana]]'', was released in 2011.

== Plot ==
Ganesh, a man with [[Fear of ghosts|phasmophobia]] who refuses to go out after 6 PM, moves into a new house with his mother, father, and wife Priya. All of a sudden, Ganesh is possessed by a ghost and starts behaving in a rude manner; his family cannot understand his behaviour, so they seek the help of a priest named Andaiyar. Andaiyar asks the ghost about his past. The ghost says that he is Muniyaandi and starts revealing his flashback.

Muni was a kindhearted but poor man living in the slums with his daughter. His friend is [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] Marakka Dhandapani, who uses Muni to win local elections and promises that he would give lands to the poor villagers. Dhandapani wins the election but cheats on Muni. Muni fights with Dhandapani, who kills Muni and his daughter. Dhandapani lies to the poor people by saying that Muni and his daughter fled with the money that he had given Muni for the welfare of the villagers.

After hearing Muni's story Ganesh feels sorry for him and decides to help him, Ganesh requests Andaiyar to lie to his family that the ghost has left and andaiyar agrees. Ganesh now possessed by Muni manages to get a job as a bodyguard for Dhandapani's daughter but after he brutally kills Dhandapani's brother Dhandapani finds out that Ganesh is Muni and hires an exorcist named Mastaan Bhai to save himself. Bhai captures Muni and bargains with him, who agrees to let Dhandapani go if he repents and helps the poor villagers. In the climax, at Ayyanaar temple, Dhandapani confesses to the people that he killed Muni and his daughter. He then leaves money with the villagers. Muni talks with the people and eats the feast prepared by them. Bhai tells Muni to leave Ganesh's body, and he does. However, Dhandapani lied and was planning to get back all his money from the villagers. Ganesh, upon hearing this, kills Dhandapani. Bhai sees this act but does nothing, as he finally sees the injustice done by Dhandapani.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Rajkiran]] as Muniyandi "Muni"
* [[Raghava Lawrence]] as Ganesh
* [[Vedhika]] as Priya Ganesh
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as Andaiyar
* [[Vinu Chakravarthy]] as Kandasamy
* [[Delhi Ganesh]] as Priya's father
* [[Kadhal Dhandapani]] as MLA Dhandapani
* [[Kovai Sarala]] as Kannamma
* [[Bala Singh]]
* [[Rahul Dev]] as Mastan Bhai
* Vadivelu David as Murugesan
* [[Scissor Manohar]] as House Broker
* Kallukkul Eeram Ramanathan
* Pudhupettai Suresh as Dhandapani's Brother
* [[Meera Krishnan]] as Priya's mother
* Asha
* Kavya
* Neelima Naidu as Chandramukhi
}}

== Production ==
''Muni'' is the second film produced by Saran via Gemini Productions after ''[[Aaru (film)|Aaru]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2006 |title=Lawrence acts in 'Muni' under Saran's direction |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/31052006-2.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901080620/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/31052006-2.shtml |archive-date=1 September 2011 |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Cinesouth |language=en}}</ref> The film was launched with a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] at [[AVM Studios]] in late June 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2006 |title=Pooja for 'Muni' starring Raj Kiran / with pics |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/28062006-4.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131170315/http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/28062006-4.shtml |archive-date=31 January 2010 |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Cinesouth |language=en}}</ref> In early January 2007, a song sequence was shot before a {{convert|40|feet|metres}} tall idol of [[Muneeswarar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2007 |title='Muni' song in front of 40 foot high idol |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/10012007-5.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131103355/http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/10012007-5.shtml |archive-date=31 January 2010 |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Cinesouth |language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Bharadwaj (composer)|Bharadwaj]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=12 January 2007 |title=Muni (Tamil – Bharadwaj) |url=https://milliblog.com/2007/01/12/muni-tamil-bharadwaj/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228080604/https://milliblog.com/2007/01/12/muni-tamil-bharadwaj/ |archive-date=28 February 2024 |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=[[Milliblog]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muni (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/muni-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1337350767 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/qolrl |archive-date=12 March 2026 |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=[[Apple Music]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Assah Pussah
| extra1 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Priya Himesh]]
| lyrics1 = [[Pa. Vijay]]
| length1 = 4:16
| title2 = Suru Suru Susuravarthi
| extra2 = [[Ranjith (singer)|Ranjith]], [[Anuradha Sriram]]
| lyrics2 = Raghava Lawrence
| length2 = 4:18
| title3 = Gulla Gulla Dracula
| extra3 = Bharadwaj
| lyrics3 = Pa. Vijay
| length3 = 4:23
| title4 = Thalai Suthuthey Mami
| extra4 = Bharadwaj, Kavitha
| lyrics4 = Raghava Lawrence
| note4 = Version 1
| length4 = 4:50
| title5 = Varranda Muni
| extra5 = [[Mukesh Mohamed|Mukesh]]
| lyrics5 = Pa. Vijay
| length5 = 3:53
| title6 = Thalai Suthuthey Mami
| extra6 = Raghava Lawrence
| lyrics6 = Raghava Lawrence
| note6 = Version 2
| length6 = 4:10
| total_length = 25:50
}}

== Critical reception ==
''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "On the whole, ''Muni'' does not make for great horror film. At best it provides some funny comedy time!!".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2007 |title=Muni |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/muni-review-tamil-pclwmDegajaaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929075938/http://www.sify.com/movies/muni-review-tamil-pclwmDegajaaa.html |archive-date=29 September 2018 |access-date=18 November 2021 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote "Lawrence's Telugu ventures were better crafted and presented. He hasn't revealed even half that potential here. Again, the attempt to blend comedy with the supernatural doesn't quite work out here. For, the film neither makes you laugh nor takes you to the edge of your seat. Minus it's gore and violence, 'Muni' at most could have turned out to be enjoyable fare for children!".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=26 March 2007 |title=Muni |url=http://chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2007/03muni.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011071159/http://chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2007/03muni.asp |archive-date=11 October 2007 |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> Lajjavathi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised the acting of Rajkiran and Lawrence and other actors, Bharadwaj's music and Ramesh Khanna's dialogues and called the film as comedy express.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=1 April 2007 |title=முனி |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2007-04-01/page/64/mode/2up |access-date=17 August 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=65 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Sriram Iyer of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' wrote, "Though the first half of the movie seems frivolous, it has, nevertheless contributed to building up the plot, which takes a serious turn in the second half where it ceases to be scary".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyer |first=Sriram |date=12 March 2007 |title=''Muni'' is entertaining |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/12ssmuni.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216125651/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/12ssmuni.htm |archive-date=16 February 2025 |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "''Muni'' exemplifies the multifarious skills of Raghava Lawrence. The only snag is he tries to showcase all of them at the same time. The choreographer, in particular, often tries to overtake the director, and in the process treatment suffers".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=23 March 2007 |title=Spirited session in progress -- Muni |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/03/23/stories/2007032300190200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707054140/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/03/23/stories/2007032300190200.htm |archive-date=7 July 2007 |access-date=12 March 2026 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Sequels ==
{{Main|Kanchana (film series)}}
The success of the film spawned three spiritual successors: ''[[Kanchana (2011 film)|Kanchana]]'' (2011), ''[[Kanchana 2]]'' (2015) and ''[[Kanchana 3]]'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |editor-last=Subhakeerthana |editor-first=S |title=Raghava Lawrence is back with 'Kanchana 4' |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/raghava-lawrence-is-back-with-kanchana-4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614070437/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/raghava-lawrence-is-back-with-kanchana-4/ |archive-date=14 June 2024 |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=The South First |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Saran (director)}}
{{Raghava Lawrence}}

[[Category:2000s ghost films]]
[[Category:2007 comedy horror films]]
[[Category:2007 films]]
[[Category:2007 Indian films]]
[[Category:2007 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films about spirit possession]]
[[Category:Films directed by Raghava Lawrence]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bharadwaj (composer)]]
[[Category:Indian comedy horror films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian ghost films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy horror films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Muni (film) - Revision history

ABGRemona5804008: starting new info w/ infobox