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{{short description|2013 Indian Tamil film by Thiru}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Samar 2013 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Thiru (director)|Thiru]]
| producer = Rudrapati Ramana Rao T. Ramesh
| writer = Thiru and [[S. Ramakrishnan]] '''(Dialogue)'''
| screenplay = Thiru
| story = Thiru
| starring = [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] [[Sunaina]]
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] '''Score:''' [[Dharan Kumar]]
| cinematography = [[Richard M. Nathan|Richard Nathan]]
| editing = [[Ruben (film editor)|Ruben]]
| studio = Jaya Balaji Real Media
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|01|13}}
| runtime = 137 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=SAMAR |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/samar-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zode5njy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250925025122/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/samar-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zode5njy |archive-date=25 September 2025 |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Samar''''' ({{Translation|War}}) is a 2013 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[mystery film|mystery]] [[action thriller film]] written and directed by [[Thiru (director)|Thiru]]. It stars [[Vishal Krishna|Vishal]], [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] and [[Sunaina]], while [[Manoj Bajpayee]], [[J. D. Chakravarthy]], [[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]] , [[Sampath Raj]], and [[John Vijay]], play supporting roles. [[Richard M. Nathan]] handled the cinematography, while the film's soundtrack and score were composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] and [[Dharan Kumar]], respectively. The story revolves around a trekking guide who goes to Bangkok to meet his girlfriend and witnesses a series of puzzling incidents there.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Manigandan |first=K. R. |date=14 July 2012 |title=Strange encounters |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3639482.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722021815/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3639482.ece |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> After several delays, the film was released on 13 January 2013.

== Plot ==
The film opens with Sakthi, the son of a forest ranger, beating up a gang that illegally cuts precious trees to earn money. Sakthi is a jungle trekker who spends his time bringing groups of tourists into the jungle.

Almost immediately, the story changes track and introduces Sakthi's girlfriend Rupa. The lovers soon part ways, citing compatibility issues, where Rupa complains that Shakthi is not the loving boyfriend she wanted. Sakthi's character is such that he does not remember even a single detail in their love life that Rupa deems important. Rupa tells Sakthi that he does not seem to have time for a girlfriend and does not even care to. Rupa further aggravates the situation by asking Sakthi to close his eyes and tell her the colour of the dress she was wearing, but Sakthi cannot. Grieved, Rupa leaves Sakthi, saying this was his character and that he would not change.

After three months, Sakthi still had not recovered from his breakup. However, he receives a courier from his girlfriend saying she misses him, and a flight ticket to Bangkok, where she now lives. Sakthi is overjoyed and leaves for Bangkok. As this is his first trip to a foreign country, Sakthi seeks help from his co-passenger Maya. They end up becoming friends, and Sakthi tells Maya about his lady love.

In Bangkok's [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]], Sakthi and Maya part ways, and Sakthi makes his way to the Buddhist Temple where Rupa had written in the letter that she would meet him at. Although he waits for hours, Rupa does not turn up. At night, IPS Officer Muthumaran checks on him, saying he is not allowed to stay at the temple at night. Upon learning that Sakthi is a Tamilian like himself, he offers him a place to stay while Sakthi finds his girlfriend. However, Muthumaran implies that he does not trust women and that Sakthi should not get his hopes up that Rupa will come looking for him. Another day, in a case of mistaken identity, Sakthi gets caught up in the middle of a shootout between two gangs, one intent on protecting him and the other seemingly hell-bent to riddle him full of holes. As the gang protecting Sakthi gains the upper hand in the firefight, they whisk him away to a posh hotel in a luxury car. Sakthi is confused and does not understand why he was dragged off.

A magazine in the seat next to him in the car attracts Sakthi's attention. To his shock, he sees an exact lookalike on the magazine cover. It turns out that his [[doppelgänger]], also named Sakthi, is a multi-millionaire tycoon who is adored by many and targeted by a few in Bangkok. He does not know how to prove his identity, as everything stands against him. Things get bizarre as Trekker Sakthi has been forcefully dropped into the role of Tycoon Sakthi, and situations seem to prove him to be someone he was not.

At the hotel, Trekker Sakthi argues with Tycoon Sakthi's personal assistant Manohar about his true identity. He takes out his passport and shows it to Manohar. An amused Manohar gives the passport back to Trekker Sakthi and asks if he was merely the son of a forest ranger, why he would have multiple visas of so many countries, which was expected in a businessman's passport. To his horror, Trekker Shakthi finds that his ordinary, rarely travelled Indian passport has inexplicably turned into a Thai passport with visas to several countries, like Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Sakthi enlists the help of Maya, who takes him to a branch of [[Bangkok Bank]] to recover his details, hoping there would be a discrepancy somewhere to help Trekker Sakthi prove he was not Tycoon Sakthi.

In a turn of events, when Trekker Sakthi signs his signature to access Tycoon Sakthi's bank account balance, hoping that his different signature might be proof enough, the bank's security system shows that his signature was an exact match and that he had a little over half a billion US dollars in his account. At this juncture, even Maya starts to suspect that both Sakthis are the same person. Sakthi gets further and further mangled in more trouble with his assumed identity.

After a long cat-and-mouse game, Sakthi spots Manohar again, not in a business suit as before, but as a pimp in the streets. Sakthi gives chase and beats him up enough to find out the truth: he was being played by two ruthless, psychotic businessmen watching his every move through hidden cameras, who have orchestrated all the bizarre situations Sakthi had found himself in before Manohar reveals the names. He is shot and falls into the hole. Shakthi is blamed for the murder, and the police do not believe his story. Shakthi learns that Rupa had never written the letter. Two business tycoons, Rajesh Arunachalam and John Frederick, are childhood friends who were born in rich families. They intentionally create problematic situations for unsuspecting people, placing bets to determine whether or not they survive.

In the present, Rajesh and John bring a person posing as Maya's boyfriend Rohit to provoke Sakthi's anger so that he would show his anger towards Maya. Sakthi plays the same game back at the villains with Maya by pretending to slap and kill her (the villains think Maya is really dead). Maya stands on a road where Rajesh and John are travelling. They think she is a ghost, and they panic, lose control of the car, and become unconscious. The next day, Rajesh and John find themselves staying in a suite owned by them, and a news broadcast shocks them: to the whole world, Rajesh and John are dead, and their funeral is taking place. They run away and end up in front of Shakthi and Maya. Joseph Kuriyan, Muthumaran, and Jayaraj, the people involved in the game, arrive there. The film ends with Shakthi and Maya walking away from the seaside while the sound of a pistol is heard, indicating that both villains are killed.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] as Sakthi
* [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] as Maya
* [[Sunaina]] as Roopa
* [[Manoj Bajpayee]] as Rajesh Arunasalam
** [[Saran Shakthi]] as young Rajesh
* [[J. D. Chakravarthy]] as John Frederick
* [[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]] as Joseph Kuriyan
* [[Sampath Raj]] as Muthumaran
* [[John Vijay]] as Manohar
* [[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]] as Jayaraj
* [[Narayan Lucky|Narayan]] as Rohit, Maya's boyfriend
* [[Azhagam Perumal]] as Sakthi's father
* [[Rajendran]] as Tree Cutter
* [[Uma Padmanabhan]]
* [[Munnar Ramesh]]
* [[Sandra Amy]]
* Chevvalai Rasu
* Scarlett Mellish Wilson as an [[item girl]] in "Rajaavin Thoattathil"
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
In mid-August 2011, [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] confirmed that his next project after ''[[Vedi (film)|Vedi]]'' would be a film to be directed by [[Thiru (director)|Thiru]], with whom he had collaborated in ''[[Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai]]'' before.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=12 August 2011 |title=Spa retreat for Vishal and Shriya? |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/chennai/spa-retreat-vishal-and-shriya-159 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812062833/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/chennai/spa-retreat-vishal-and-shriya-159 |archive-date=12 August 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> The film was titled ''Samaran'', and was reported to be an action adventure film, with Vishal playing a "forest trekker".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |date=12 October 2011 |title=Vishal plays a forest trekker in Samaran |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-plays-a-forest-trekker-in-samaran-news-tamil-lkmk6Cjjhei.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013114804/http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-plays-a-forest-trekker-in-samaran-news-tamil-lkmk6Cjjhei.html |archive-date=13 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film's title was changed to ''Samar'' in April 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 April 2012 |title=Vishal's 'Samaran' becomes 'Samar' |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-s-samaran-becomes-samar-news-tamil-me4kd2gfdij.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501000528/http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-s-samaran-becomes-samar-news-tamil-me4kd2gfdij.html |archive-date=1 May 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> At the audio release function, Vishal revealed that the film was written for his friend, actor [[Arya (actor)|Arya]], but that he wanted to enact the lead role after listening to its narration.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 December 2012 |title='I've been selfish about Samar' |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1367925.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210034725/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1367925.ece |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> The first look of the film was unveiled by Thiru on 1 May 2012 via Twitter.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 May 2012 |title=Vishal's Samar first look out! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Vishal-s-Samar-first-look-out-news-tamil-mfbkUSjifah.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503002739/http://www.sify.com/movies/Vishal-s-Samar-first-look-out-news-tamil-mfbkUSjifah.html |archive-date=3 May 2012 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], who had previously declined five of Vishal's films – ''[[Thaamirabharani]]'', ''[[Satyam (2008 film)|Sathyam]]'', ''[[Thoranai]]'', ''Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai'' and ''Vedi -'' was signed as the lead actress of ''Samar''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=19 August 2011 |title=Trisha says yes to Vishal |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/trisha-says-yes-vishal-859 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819085647/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/trisha-says-yes-vishal-859 |archive-date=19 August 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2011 |title=Trisha in Vishal's next film! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/trisha-in-vishal-s-next-film-news-tamil-litlP0bffcd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019111317/http://www.sify.com/movies/trisha-in-vishal-s-next-film-news-tamil-litlP0bffcd.html |archive-date=19 October 2013 |access-date=18 October 2011 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> It was initially reported that [[Arvind Swamy]] had agreed to play a negative character; in response, Thiru clarified that Arvind Samy was considered but never approached, adding that it was not a negative character either.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2011 |title=Will Aravind Swamy make a comeback? |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-29/news-interviews/29941055_1_roja-star-films-comeback |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107025443/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-29/news-interviews/29941055_1_roja-star-films-comeback |archive-date=7 November 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Arvind Swamy later clarified that he was not going to make a comeback.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 August 2011 |title=Show Buzz |url=http://www.hindu.com/rp/2011/08/28/stories/2011082850020100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906211422/http://www.hindu.com/rp/2011/08/28/stories/2011082850020100.htm |archive-date=6 September 2012 |access-date=18 October 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Sunaina]] accept to star in the film after initial hesitancy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 25, 2012 |title=Director’s delight |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/directors-delight/article3820993.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306020341/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/directors-delight/article3820993.ece |archive-date=2026-03-06 |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Prakash Raj]] originally agreed to act in the film, but as filming became delayed by a month, he opted out of the project and was subsequently replaced by [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] actor [[Manoj Bajpai]], making his Tamil film debut,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M |date=31 January 2012 |title=Manoj Bajpayee in Samaran |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203113519/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms |archive-date=3 February 2012 |access-date=31 January 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> while [[J. D. Chakravarthy]], with whom Bajpai acted in the [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] film ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' (1998), was recruited to play another pivotal role as Thiru wanted to reunite the ''Satya'' actors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Venkadesan |date=11 July 2012 |title=Director Thiru ready with 'Samar', the Vishal-starrer |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/Jul/11/director-thiru-ready-with-samar-the-vishal-starrer-385793.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925032825/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/Jul/11/director-thiru-ready-with-samar-the-vishal-starrer-385793.html |archive-date=25 September 2025 |access-date=25 September 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
The director stated that ''Samar'' would be filmed on location in the forests of [[Chalakudy]], Kerala.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Most of the scenes from the first schedule were shot in [[Ooty]] and featured only Vishal and Sunaina.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2011 |title=Straight talk! |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Nov/30/straight-talk-315632.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306023406/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Nov/30/straight-talk-315632.html |archive-date=March 6, 2026 |access-date=25 September 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Several stunt scenes were shot in Bangkok with the help of Chinese stuntman Nung, which Vishal performing without using any safety ropes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 July 2012 |title=Vishal's Samar has plenty of action |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vishals-samar-has-plenty-of-action-news-tamil-mhlkqijddaj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711105221/http://www.sify.com/movies/vishals-samar-has-plenty-of-action-news-tamil-mhlkqijddaj.html |archive-date=11 July 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The song "Poikaal Kuthirai", picturised on Vishal, was shot for over five days in almost 18 locations in Bangkok.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 2012 |title=An abstract song for Vishal |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-17/news-interviews/32699347_1_vishal-director-thiru-j-d-chakravarthy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520233325/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-17/news-interviews/32699347_1_vishal-director-thiru-j-d-chakravarthy |archive-date=20 May 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> In October 2012, the crew left for Malaysia to shoot the last song on Vishal and Trisha.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2012 |title=Trisha off to Malaysia with Vishal! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/trisha-off-to-malaysia-with-vishal-news-tamil-mk5oojfgiea.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105003159/http://www.sify.com/movies/trisha-off-to-malaysia-with-vishal-news-tamil-mk5oojfgiea.html |archive-date=5 November 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

In August 2012, a producer named Vijay brought an interim injunction over the usage of the title ''Samar'', claiming that he had registered the same a year ago for his upcoming film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 August 2012 |title=Samar's title woes continue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samars-title-woes-continue/articleshow/15617265.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306031422/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samars-title-woes-continue/articleshow/15617265.cms |archive-date=6 March 2026 |access-date=25 September 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> Thiru confirmed by October 2012 that the title issue had been solved and that the film's title remains unchanged.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2012 |title=Vishal's Samar for Diwali ? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Vishals-Samar-for-Diwali-news-tamil-mkjjEhgiacf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011072239/http://www.sify.com/movies/Vishals-Samar-for-Diwali-news-tamil-mkjjEhgiacf.html |archive-date=11 October 2012 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Samar
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 4 December 2012
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 24:11
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]]
| producer = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| prev_title = [[Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal]]
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga]]
| next_year = 2013
}}
The soundtrack was composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], continuing his association with Thiru. It was released on 4 December 2012, with [[Agathiyan]], Thiru's father-in-law, being present at the event.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 December 2012 |title=Samar audio launched, sans Yuvan &Trisha! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-audio-launched-sans-yuvan-trisha-news-tamil-mmfjKafgdbj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024170819/http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-audio-launched-sans-yuvan-trisha-news-tamil-mmfjKafgdbj.html |archive-date=24 October 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The background score was composed by [[Dharan Kumar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2013 |title=Dharan's surprise to Yuvan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Dharans-surprise-to-Yuvan/articleshow/18030191.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250925051522/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/dharans-surprise-to-yuvan/articleshow/18030191.cms |archive-date=25 September 2025 |access-date=25 September 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

Pramodh of ''Musicperk'' rated the album 6.5/10, quoting "This album is a treat for Yuvan fans".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pramodh |date=12 December 2012 |title=Samar |url=http://www.musicperk.com/samar/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120074324/http://www.musicperk.com/samar/ |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=15 December 2012 |website=Musicperk |language=en}}</ref> [[Karthik Srinivasan|Karthik]] of ''[[Milliblog]]'' wrote, "''Samar'' is proof that Yuvan can doze off while composing".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=4 December 2012 |title=Samar (Music review), Tamil – Yuvan Shankar Raja |url=https://milliblog.com/2012/12/04/samar-music-review-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319033705/https://milliblog.com/2012/12/04/samar-music-review-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |archive-date=19 March 2025 |access-date=25 September 2025 |website=[[Milliblog]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 24:11
| title1 = Oru Kannil Vaegam
| extra1 = [[Ranjith (singer)|K. G. Ranjith]], Naveen Madhav, [[Suchitra]]
| length1 = 4:54
| lyrics1 = [[Na. Muthukumar]]
| title2 = Azhagho Azhaghu
| extra2 = [[Naresh Iyer]]
| length2 = 4:50
| lyrics2 = Na. Muthukumar
| title3 = Poikkaal Kuthirai
| extra3 = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| length3 = 5:47
| lyrics3 = Na. Muthukumar
| title4 = Rajaavin Thoattathil
| extra4 = [[Ranjith (singer)|K. G. Ranjith]], [[Rita (Indian singer)|Rita]]
| length4 = 3:48
| lyrics4 = Na. Muthukumar
| title5 = Vellai Maiyil
| extra5 = [[Udit Narayan]], [[Shweta Mohan]]
| length5 = 4:52
| lyrics5 = [[Kabilan]]
}}

== Release ==
''Samar'' was supposed to release for the Christmas weekend on 21 December 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 December 2012 |title=Dec 21 – X' Mas releases in Kollywood |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/dec-21-x-mas-releases-in-kollywood-news-tamil-mmsjxiijhhj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220110503/http://www.sify.com/movies/dec-21-x-mas-releases-in-kollywood-news-tamil-mmsjxiijhhj.html |archive-date=20 December 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> It was later pushed to 28 December since it had not yet been cleared by the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC). Due to "severe" financial issues, the film was postponed to mid-January 2013, to release during the week of [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2012 |title=Samar postponed to Pongal ! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Samar-postponed-to-Pongal-news-tamil-mmzlAXegajj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226223702/http://www.sify.com/movies/Samar-postponed-to-Pongal-news-tamil-mmzlAXegajj.html |archive-date=26 December 2012 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> It was cleared by the CBFC on 22 December,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 December 2012 |title=Samar gets censored with UA certificate! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Samar-gets-censored-with-UA-certificate-news-tamil-mmwjPqiidfg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223155457/http://www.sify.com/movies/Samar-gets-censored-with-UA-certificate-news-tamil-mmwjPqiidfg.html |archive-date=23 December 2012 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> and released on 13 January 2013 across 1600 screens worldwide, clashing with ''[[Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2013 |title=2013 – Pongalo Pongal |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/2013-pongalo-pongal-news-tamil-nbmtVFiihfg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115040806/http://www.sify.com/movies/2013-pongalo-pongal-news-tamil-nbmtVFiihfg.html |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The rights for the Telugu dubbed version were bought by Five Colours.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 2012 |title=Five Colours bags Samar's Telugu rights |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/five-colours-bags-samars-telugu-rights/articleshow/17238837.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250925030630/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/five-colours-bags-samars-telugu-rights/articleshow/17238837.cms |archive-date=25 September 2025 |access-date=25 September 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Post-release, Thiru lashed out at a major production house,<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2013 |title='Samar' director lashes out at competition |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-director-lashes-out-at-competition-news-tamil-nbpjfuhhjdh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115180435/http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-director-lashes-out-at-competition-news-tamil-nbpjfuhhjdh.html |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> alleging that it tried to stall the release of ''Samar'' for Pongal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2013 |title='Samar' director vents out at competition |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-15/news-interviews/36351918_1_director-thiru-vishal-s-samar-festival-releases |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520223829/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-15/news-interviews/36351918_1_director-thiru-vishal-s-samar-festival-releases |archive-date=20 May 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
According to ''[[Box Office Mojo]]'', the film grossed $11,132 at the UK box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samar |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1264420097/weekend/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701192246/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1264420097/weekend/ |archive-date=1 July 2021 |access-date=25 September 2025 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "a suspense thriller that is intelligently structured, Vishal's Thiru directed ''Samar'' is an all-new experience for Tamil commercial cinema viewers", with the reviewer going on to add that it was not "what one would rate as great cinema but we assure it has enough zing, visual and thrills to keep you in your seats for its runtime of a little over two hours".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samar |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-review-tamil-15017664.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813085443/http://www.sify.com/movies/samar-review-tamil-15017664.html |archive-date=13 August 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Vivek Ramz from ''[[In.com]]'' rated it 3 out of 5 and stated, "Samar has an interesting storyline, but is somewhat let down in its treatment. Still, it's watchable, especially for those who love suspense and thrills".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramz |first=Vivek |date=14 January 2013 |title=Samar is a watchable thriller |url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/samar-is-a-watchable-thriller-50167154-in-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119074045/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/samar-is-a-watchable-thriller-50167154-in-1.html |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=20 March 2013 |work=[[In.com]]}}</ref> M. Suganth from ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and claimed, ''Samar'' is an engaging film that is quite a different attempt for Tamil cinema (Hollywood routinely comes up with such thrillers) and Thiru deserves a pat for confidently exploring this slightly tricky genre and managing to succeed in it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suganth |first=M |date=15 January 2013 |title=Samar |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Samar/movie-review/18036080.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116193126/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Samar/movie-review/18036080.cms |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Rediff.com]]'''s Pavithra Srinivasan gave it 3 out of 5 and cited that it "manages to wring out a tale that's entertaining and snappy, despite its flaws", further adding that "it is slick, makes you get involved with the characters, and doesn't let you pause until almost the end", and calling it an "ideal festival fare".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=15 January 2013 |title=Review: Samar is a commercial entertainer |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-rview-samar-is-a-commercial-entertainer/20130115.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117004149/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-rview-samar-is-a-commercial-entertainer/20130115.htm |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=16 January 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' stated that ''Samar'' was a "neat thriller with an interesting plot and a good script".<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2013 |title=Review: 'Samar' |url=http://deccanchronicle.com/130115/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/review-%E2%80%98samar%E2%80%99 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125180918/http://deccanchronicle.com/130115/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/review-%E2%80%98samar%E2%80%99 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:2010s mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:2013 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2013 action thriller films]]
[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2013 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Thiru (director)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
[[Category:Films set in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chalakudy]]
[[Category:Films shot in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Ooty]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language mystery thriller films]]

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Samar (2013 film) - Revision history

AsliKhan99 at 23:31, 20 March 2026