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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Soori
| image = Soori (2003 film).jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = Selvan
| producer = P. Vijayakumar
| writer = Selvan
| starring = {{ubl|[[Vignesh (actor)|Vignesh]]|[[Uma (actress)|Uma]]|[[Vijayalakshmi (Kannada actress)|Vijayalakshmi]]}}
| music = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| cinematography = [[Vijay Milton]]
| editing = [[Suresh Urs]]
| studio = Sri Kamakshi Studios
| distributor = Tamilini International
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2003|12|19}}
| country = India
| runtime = 150 minutes
| language = Tamil
| budget = {{INR}}2 crore
}}

'''''Soori''''' is a 2003 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]], written and directed by Selvan, a former associate of director [[S. Shankar]]. The film stars [[Vignesh (actor)|Vignesh]], [[Uma (actress)|Uma]] and [[Vijayalakshmi (Kannada actress)|Vijayalakshmi]] in the lead roles. [[Chinni Jayanth]], [[Senthil]] and [[Manobala]] play supporting roles. [[R. Parthiban|Parthiban]] plays a thug in a guest appearance. The film, produced by P. Vijayakumar, had music by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]] while [[Vijay Milton]] and Suresh Urs were cinematographer and editor respectively. The film was released on 19 December 2003.

The film's story revolves around a [[sales representative]] who falls in love with a student. He accepts to separate from his lover for one year to test their love endurance. The youth doesn't find her after the delay as promised. The love turns into hatred and revenge, until he sees his soul mate.

==Plot==

The story begins with Surya walking lonely during [[Valentine's Day]]. He [[head shaving|shaves his hair]] and his mustache, and then takes a container lorry. He starts to remember his happy past during the travel.

Surya was a sales representative and worked with his friend Pichamuthu. His family, even knowing he played [[kabaddi]] and often got into fights, was very kind to him. One day he saw Rishaba, a college student, at the bus stop, who advised a smoker not to smoke because it disturbed non-smokers and would cause cancer. Surya was amazed by her words, so he dropped his cigarette and decided to stop smoking.

Surya wakes up screaming and a container passenger jumps with fright. The container passenger is afraid of Surya and offers him a little alcohol. Surya refuses and takes a cigarette. He goes back to his memories.

Another day, his friend and he bought black tickets from a boy at the cinema. Rishaba's friends also bought by this way, so Rishaba tore the tickets and said that the tickets would encourage the boy to have a bad future. Surya tore the tickets in turn. Then she accidentally dropped her book and Surya took it. The full night, Surya decrypted her personality by studying [[graphology]]. The next day, he brought the notebook to Rishaba with her personality description. She was surprised. Surya proposed his love and gave her a love letter. The following morning, he waited at the bus stop for her answer. She ignored him. He began to follow everywhere she went. Anxious, he called out to her when she took the bus. He requested Rishaba to come tomorrow with the same clothes which she wore now (a blue [[shalwar kameez]]) if she agreed to his love or in other clothes if she disagreed his proposal, at the same place. The next day, she came with a red shalwar kameez. Surya was vexed and he promised her that he never would cross his path again. Rishaba immediately showed him her blue shalwar kameez. She explained that her mother had put this dress on the washing machine, so she could not wear it wet. Finally, Rishaba said "I love you" to Surya. Rishaba and Surya became much closer. One day, at the river, Surya wrote on his hand Rishaba's name and his name, and showed it to her. Rishaba found that to write separately their first name took away them. She surrounded the letter of each of their names: ''Soori''. Surya jumped for joy and shouted: "It's not her name, it's not his name, it's their name".

Back in the present, Surya takes his cigarette and burns his tattoo on his arm (which reads ''Soori'') with it, his eyes full of rage.

Rishaba waited for Surya at the bus stop, but he didn't arrive. The next day, she got mad at him, and Surya apologized by saying that his bike was repaired. She scolded him and was upset by his carelessness after only 15 days of love. She said, "Boys are very punctual and rigorous to charm girls who they love but when girls accept their love, they become careless about them." She explains to him that lovers looked only for their plus points and after the marriage, they looked only for their minus points which engaged later divorce. She didn't want them to separate because of this matter. She wished he shared his negative habits and she shared with him her bad habits to improve them to positive things.

They were lovers for 25 days. Rishaba was afraid that time changes people affections. Surya tried to appease him but in vain. They decided to put their love to an endurance test to prove to themselves that the romance was much more than infatuation. The endurance test would last until the next Valentine's Day. Surya became less and less concentrated with what he did. Pichamuthu, after hearing a sad story of a man, phoned Rishaba to tell her that Surya had been admitted at the hospital in a serious condition. She went at the hospital upset and she didn't find him. She phoned Surya, he answered, and she hung up without talking. Surya knew the matter and slapped his friend. He said to not compare his love to others and Pichamuthu apologized. The lovers suffered the pain of separation.

One year later, at Surya's home, his friends came to congratulate him. His family didn't understand why they came to congratulate him, and Surya narrated to them his love matter. They took it easy and they were proud of the way which Surya took. They prepared for the arrival of their future daughter-in-law. Surya waited a long time at the place she promised to come. Upset, his friends and him went to her home. A woman said that Rishaba had shifted to Trichy at her husband's city. His friends presented to his family about the issue and they were shocked.

Main Guard Gate Manikandan, a thug, makes his entry at this point. He fights against people who touched his wife. He goes home and calls a woman called Priya. Uma runs, and then smears him with coloured powder and hugs him with kisses. Surya comes at [[Trichi]] to find his old friend Devi, a former prostitute. Devi feels that Surya has changed a lot. She reveals that her boyfriend is Manikandan and she then asks him to find a house for Surya.

Surya moves on the odd jobs (milk deliverer, newspaper deliverer, etc.). One day, Surya thinks he sees Rishaba and runs behind an [[auto rickshaw]]. At the same moment, Manikandan is in a photoshop and punishes the seller to scratch Rishaba's frame photo. By going out of the store, he grows by Surya and brings down the frame. The frame is broken, Manikandan beats Surya, Devi intervenes in their fight, and she makes clear that it's Surya, her close friend. Surya doesn't even see the photo. While selling [[Kumkum|Kungumam]] at the temple, Devi saw Surya. She asks why he does that, he replies that he searches his girlfriend everywhere where the women are presents. Surya gives to Devi Rishaba's photo. Regrettably, Devi doesn't see the photo and put it at Manikandan's pocket. The housemaid gives the shirt to a [[Dhobi]]. The dhobi finds Priya's photo and gives it to Devi. She recognizes the cover given by Surya. Shocked, she goes to clear the matter. Surya agrees that the woman on the photo was his lover and he would like to kill her. The next morning, Surya reads the newspaper and Devi sees Rishaba's photo on the paper. She managed to take it. Surya cries by seeing his family photo. Finally, the fate shows him the article with Rishaba. Surya reads the articles and goes at the mentioned address. Devi sees the burnt paper. The housemaid said to Surya that they went. Devi also goes there and the housemaid said that a bold man came here to ask this. Devi phoned to Manikandan to prevent him, that Surya will kill Priya.

Surya sees his lover and Manikandan, takes his gun and shoots in Rishaba's direction. Manikandan saves her and takes the bullet on his shoulder. Manikandan puts the gun on his breast and orders Surya to shoot. Surya refuses because his goal is killing his love's traitor. He welds the gun towards Rishaba. Rishaba takes a man's ice cream and eats it like a baby. Surya doesn't understand what happened. Manikandan reveals that she has gone mad, she doesn't know herself and Manikandan but knows only the name: ''Soori''. Manikandan posted at the newspaper the news of her so Surya knows.

The pain of separation is the reason for her situation. She saw anywhere Surya, when she drove her scooter and she had an accident. Manikandan's sister was distributed after the accident, Rishaba hasn't any relation. So Manikandan decided to marry her. Then, just after the marriage, he read her diary and understood their hearts.

Surya, troubled and culprit, cries and refuses to marry her after wishing her death. Manikandan manages to make him accept.

Manikandan takes off the [[Mangalsutra|Thaali]] and Surya knots a new Thaali on Rishaba's neck. Devi takes Manikandan's hand and puts it on her belly, a synonym of her pregnancy. Rishaba takes from Surya's pocket a packet of cigarettes and throws it away.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
*[[Vignesh (actor)|Vignesh]] as Surya
*[[Uma (actress)|Uma]] as Rishaba/Priya
*[[Vijayalakshmi (Kannada actress)|Vijayalakshmi]] as Devi
*[[Chinni Jayanth]] as Pichamuthu, Surya's friend
*[[Senthil]] as Surya's friend
*[[Manobala]] as Container Passenger
*[[Vasu Vikram]] as Wine Shop Owner
*Laxmi Rattan as Surya's father
*Vijaya Singh as Surya's mother
*[[Pondy Ravi]] as Surya's friend
*[[Bava Lakshmanan]] as Surya's friend
*S. K. S Mani as Surya's grandfather
*[[Udayaraj|Master Udayaraj]] as Black Ticket Seller
*[[Suryakanth]] as [[Dhobi]]
*[[Kovai Senthil]] as Priest
*[[Sridhar (choreographer)|Sridhar]] as Dancer ("Pirivellam")
*[[R. Parthiban|Parthiban]] as Main Guard Gate Manikandan (special appearance)
}}

==Production==

===Development===

Selvan, an institute product, has worked under director [[S. Shankar]] for two of his films, ''[[Indian (1996 film)|Indian]]'' and ''[[Jeans (film)|Jeans]]''. He wanted his first feature film to be a love story with a difference. He has also produced and directed two reportages, which were screened at the International Reportages Festival in France. "The film has love, action and comedy. But the undercurrent is only love. One can find a definition for true and divine love," the director declared. "After the release of my film lovers will say that ''Soori'' is the definition of love." Shelvan announced proudly.<ref name="Soori production">{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/12/06/stories/2002120601050200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030730075809/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/12/06/stories/2002120601050200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-30|title= A message of true love|accessdate=2011-10-20|date= 2002-12-06|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=S. R. Ashok Kumar }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atozmasala.com/director-selvan-to-go-on-a-hunger-strike.html|title=Director Selvan to go on a hunger strike|accessdate=2011-10-20|date=2011-06-30|publisher=atozmasala.com}}</ref>

===Casting===

[[Vignesh (actor)|Vignesh]] immediately accepted the offer and was determined not to accept any other film before finishing this film.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Hot%20News%20Just%20for%20U771.htm|title=TAMIL CINEMA 2000 |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=cinematoday2.itgo.com}}</ref> [[Monal (actress)|Monal]] was expected to play the lead role, but her sudden suicide prompted the team to look for other actresses.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} Manya was originally selected as heroine but she was later replaced by Uma, daughter of former heroine [[Sumithra (actress)|Sumithra]], she would essay the role as Vignesh's love interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/11/26/stories/2004112602860400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050114074552/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/11/26/stories/2004112602860400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-01-14|title=Making a mark in a man's world|accessdate=2011-10-22|date=2004-11-26|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.india4u.com/kollywood/snippets.asp?mon=8&yy=2002|title=Debutante Uma in 'Soori'|accessdate=2011-10-22|publisher=india4u.com}}</ref> [[R. Parthiban]] would make a special appearance by playing the role of a thug.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mohankumars.com/html/cinebitssep25oct4.html |title= Soori in big league |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=mohankumars.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/cinebit/c93.html |title= Nilacharal|accessdate=2012-03-29 |publisher=nilacharal.com}}</ref> Actress [[Vijayalakshmi (Kannada actress)|Vijayalakshmi]], busy in Kannada cinema though she had Tamil origins, was chosen to portray an attractive role of a former prostitute and as Parthiban's love interest.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} [[Sayaji Shinde]] was also initially expected to play a leading role in the film, but was later left out.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/cinebit/c5.html |title= Nilacharal|accessdate=2012-03-29 |publisher=nilacharal.com}}</ref> Names of [[Mantra (actress)|Mantra]], [[Vennira Aadai Moorthy]], [[Madhan Bob]], Lakshmi Rattan cropped up for the portrayal of the antagonist's role in the film. Shelvan chose his technicians : [[Vijay Milton]] to handle the camera, Suresh Urs as editor, Sai Piccaso as the art director and Super Subbarayan as the stunt master.<ref name="Soori production" />

[[Deva (composer)|Deva]], composed the musical score whereas his songs featured lyrics provided by [[Vairamuthu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/cinebit/c39.html |title= Nilacharal|accessdate=2012-03-29 |publisher=nilacharal.com}}</ref>

===Filming===

The main scenes have been shot in [[Tiruchirappalli|Tiruchi]]. The director was fond of the [[Cauvery]] river, so he decided to shoot the climax there. A ''pattimandram'' ({{langx|en|[[public debate]]}}) under the stewardship of [[Solomon Pappaiah]] will be included, with regular speakers, indulging in a heated debate.<ref name="Soori production" />
Several actors shaved their head and the film's success was a turning point in their career ([[Sathyaraj]] in ''[[Amaidhi Padai]]'', [[Sarath Kumar]] in ''[[Suriyan]]'' or still [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] in ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]])''. Vignesh tonsured his head 70 times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mohankumars.com/html/cinebitsoct20oct30.html|title=(Ton)sure route to success|access-date=2011-10-23|publisher=mohankumars.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080422/http://www.mohankumars.com/html/cinebitsoct20oct30.html|archive-date=25 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The filming was held at locations in Chennai followed by Rameshwaram, Trichy, Mumbai and Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/location/soory.asp |title=Soory |website=Chennai Online |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212170734/http://www.chennaionline.com/location/soory.asp |archive-date=12 December 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was postponed several times. There was an altercation between, the producer, P. Vijayakumar and, the co-producer, S. Suresh Kumar. Due to difference of opinion both the partners split when the film was almost complete. Vijayakumar had agreed to pay back the sum of 13 lakhs to Suresh as part of the settlement. Following this Vijaykumar had issued cheques on various dates. All the cheques got bounced and Suresh filed a case in the Egmore court. In the meantime, Vijayakumar went ahead with the release of ''Soori'' and even conducted a function to release the audio. An agitated Suresh now filed another case in the [[Madras High Court]] to stop the filming of ''Soori'' till his amount was paid. Justice R.Balasubramanian after hearing the case gave the verdict that ''Soori'' should not be released and directed Vijayakumar to settle Suresh's amount.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thatstamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2006/09/soori.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715221701/http://thatstamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2006/09/soori.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |title= Court stay release of Soori film|access-date=2011-10-20|publisher=Oneindia}} {{in lang|ta}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mohankumars.com/html/cinebitsoct20oct30.html|title=Soori in trouble ?|access-date=2011-10-23|publisher=mohankumars.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080422/http://www.mohankumars.com/html/cinebitsoct20oct30.html|archive-date=25 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==

{{Infobox album
| name = Soori
| type = [[soundtrack]]
| artist = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2003
| recorded = 2003
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 34:49
| label =
| producer = Deva
| prev_title = [[Kadhal Kirukkan]]
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = [[Engal Anna]]
| next_year = 2004
}}

The film score and the soundtrack were composed by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]. The soundtrack, released in 2003, features 7 tracks with lyrics written by [[Vairamuthu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilsongs.allindiansite.com/soori.html |title= AllIndianSite — Soori — It's all about music |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=tamilsongs.allindiansite.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0000541.html|title= Soori Songs|accessdate=2011-10-20|website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Track !! Song !! Singer(s)!! Duration !! Choreographer !! Picturization
|-
|1 || "Kadavullae Kadavullae" || [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]] || 6:27 || Prabhu Srinivas || Vignesh
|-
|2 || "Labama Nashtama" || [[Anuradha Sriram]] || 5:15 || Prabhu Srinivas || Vijayalakshmi
|-
|3 || "Oh My Lover" || [[Harish Raghavendra]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]] || 6:02 || [[Raju Sundaram]] || Vignesh, Uma
|-
|4 || "Pirivellam" <small>(solo)</small> || Harish Raghavendra || 5:37 || Sridhar || Sridhar, Vignesh, Uma
|-
|5 || "Pirivellam" <small>(duet)</small> || Harish Raghavendra, [[Chinmayi Sripada|Chinmayi]] || 5:37 || Sridhar || Sridhar, Vignesh, Uma
|-
|6 || "Vaanam Kuninthu" || [[Udit Narayan]], [[Srimathumitha]] || 5:32 || Sridhar || Vignesh, Uma
|-
|7 || "Pre Paida" || Timmy || 5:56 || ||
|}

==Reception==

===Critical response===

The film gained primarily mixed reviews with critics, Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu|Hindu.com]]'' gave a positive review. She wrote that "Vijay Milton's excellent camera work and unique choice of angles deserve special mention" and "Sai Picasso's art, the rock temple, [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Srirangam]], and the roads in and around Tiruchi give the narration considerable boost.". She praised the cast : "But he (Vignesh) tends to go slightly overboard, especially when he howls aloud in agony. However Vignesh's earnest effort is very much evident in these scenes. As the friendly, fun loving Surya he is more natural and appealing.", "Uma's expressive face is proof enough of her talent" and "Parthiban makes a positive impact as a henchman with a kind heart". Malathi Rangarajan concluded that "If his debut venture ''Soori'' is a sample, Shelvan sure has potential".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/12/26/stories/2003122601440301.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040422112515/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/12/26/stories/2003122601440301.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-04-22|title="Soori"|accessdate=2011-10-20|date=2003-12-26|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref>
Another critic commended the actors by saying : "Actor Vignesh has made a come back through this film. He has given a good performance. Parthiban did a commendable job. Uma is refreshingly beautiful and played her role with understanding". He claimed that the film was average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kollywood.allindiansite.com/soori.html |title= AllIndianSite — Soori — It's all about movie |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=kollywood.allindiansite.com}}</ref> ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' wrote "Shelvan, a one time associate of Shankar, has handled the film well and the climax is bold, unusual and appreciable. The visuals in the song sequences are brilliant and Deva’s musical score is fresh".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun132004/mr3.asp|date=13 June 2004|access-date=21 March 2025|title=Soori|last=GU|website=Deccan Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041225173131/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun132004/mr3.asp|archive-date=25 December 2004}}</ref>

===Box office===
''Soori'' received mixed reviews and disappeared without any trace at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thiraipadam.com/cgi-bin/movie_review.pl?id=445&user_name=bbalaji&review_lang=english|title=Ulla Kadathal — Tamil Movie Review |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=thiraipadam.com|author=Balaji Balasubramaniam}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilgrounds.com/news-update/2010-04-14/krishnaleelai/|title=Krishnaleelai |accessdate=2011-10-20|publisher=tamilgrounds.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/director-threatens-to-go-on-hunger-strike-news-tamil-lg3pF8hidhi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702214919/http://www.sify.com/movies/director-threatens-to-go-on-hunger-strike-news-tamil-lg3pF8hidhi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-02|title=Director threatens to go on hunger strike|accessdate=2011-10-23|website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0816654|Soori}}

[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Deva (composer)]]
[[Category:2003 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2003 Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:2003 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films set in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Soori (2003 film) - Revision history

KellyePoindexter at 14:07, 14 April 2026