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{{short description|2010 Indian | {{short description|2010 Indian film directed by Shankar}} | ||
{{featured article}} | {{featured article}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date= | {{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} | ||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| image = Enthiran poster.jpg | | image = Enthiran poster.jpg | ||
| alt = Theatrical release poster of the film Enthiran | | alt = Theatrical release poster of the film Enthiran | ||
| caption = Theatrical release poster | | caption = Theatrical release poster | ||
| director = [[S. Shankar]] | | director = [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] | ||
| producer = [[Kalanithi Maran]] | | producer = [[Kalanithi Maran]] | ||
| writer = | | writer = Shankar | ||
{{Infobox | |||
| decat = yes | |||
| child = yes | |||
| label1= Dialogues by | |||
| data1 = {{ubl | [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]]|[[Madhan Karky]]|Shankar}} | |||
}} | |||
| starring = {{Plainlist| | | starring = {{Plainlist| | ||
* [[Rajinikanth]] | * [[Rajinikanth]] | ||
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| distributor = Sun Pictures | | distributor = Sun Pictures | ||
| released = {{Film date|2010|10|1|df=y}} | | released = {{Film date|2010|10|1|df=y}} | ||
| runtime = | | runtime = 180 minutes{{refn|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]] lists the runtime as 176 minutes, while the [[British Board of Film Classification]] lists the runtime as 180 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enthiran (English Subtitled) |url=https://www.amazon.com/Enthiran-English-Subtitled-HD-Rajnikanth/dp/B00RA9G2V0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122160952/http://www.amazon.com/Enthiran-English-Subtitled-HD-Rajnikanth/dp/B00RA9G2V0 |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref><ref name="Tamil version runtime">{{Cite web |title=Enthiran - The Robot|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/enthiran-the-robot-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjmxmzq |access-date=28 January 2026|website=www.bbfc.co.uk |language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128004601/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/enthiran-the-robot-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjmxmzq|archive-date=28 January 2026}}</ref>|group=Note}} | ||
| country = India<!-- do not link per MOS:OVERLINK --> | | country = India<!-- do not link per MOS:OVERLINK --> | ||
| language = Tamil | | language = Tamil | ||
| budget = | | budget = {{INR}}132–150 crore{{refn|''[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]''<ref>{{Cite news |title=From Baahubali, Ra.One to Dhoom 3, here are India's most expensive movies even as Rs 1,000-cr Mahabharata reportedly on way |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/entertainment-from-baahubali-ra-one-to-dhoom-3-here-are-indias-most-expensive-movies-even-as-rs-1000-cr-mahabharata-reportedly-on-way-632524/ |work=The Financial Express |date=18 April 2017 |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref> reported ₹132 crore, and ''[[The Times of India]]'',<ref name="timesofindia_64543488">{{Cite news |title='Baashha' to 'Kabali': Highest grossing films of Rajinikanth |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/baashha-to-kabali-highest-grossing-films-of-rajinikanth/baashha/photostory/64543488.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013092554/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/baashha-to-kabali-highest-grossing-films-of-rajinikanth/baashha/photostory/64543488.cms |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> ''[[The Indian Express]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajnikanth-Ash Enthiran is India's costliest film |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajnikanthash-enthiran-is-indias-costliest-film/658998/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308070449/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajnikanthash-enthiran-is-indias-costliest-film/658998/ |archive-date=8 March 2023 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> ''[[Deccan Herald]]''<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2020 |title='Enthiran' rewrote South's place in Indian cinema |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/enthiran-rewrote-south-s-place-in-indian-cinema-899877.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422041107/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/enthiran-rewrote-south-s-place-in-indian-cinema-899877.html |archive-date=22 April 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> and ''[[India Today]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endhiran: The costliest film in India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/rajini/story/endhiran-the-costliest-film-in-india-80199-2010-08-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013092929/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/rajini/story/endhiran-the-costliest-film-in-india-80199-2010-08-10 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=[[India Today]]|date=11 August 2010 }}</ref> reported that the budget was ₹150 crore.}} | ||
| | | gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|283–320}} crore{{refn|Reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹283 crore (''[[Hindustan Times]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Nivedita |date=3 August 2015 |title=Five non-Hindi films that smashed records at the box office |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/five-non-hindi-films-that-smashed-records-at-the-box-office/story-0BtaVxS8AxqGm7ZHbvLLFK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718085258/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/five-non-hindi-films-that-smashed-records-at-the-box-office/story-0BtaVxS8AxqGm7ZHbvLLFK.html |archive-date=18 July 2023 |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>) – ₹290 crore (''[[India Today]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=8 August 2023 |title=Before 'Jailer', here's a look at top 7 highest-grossing films of Rajinikanth |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-jailer-heres-a-look-at-top-7-highest-grossing-films-of-rajinikanth-2417510-2023-08-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828091047/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-jailer-heres-a-look-at-top-7-highest-grossing-films-of-rajinikanth-2417510-2023-08-08 |archive-date=28 August 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024 |website=India Today}}</ref>) – ₹300 crore (''[[The New Indian Express]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raghu |first=Sunita |date=4 May 2014 |title=Setting the Cash Registers Ringing. The Top Ten Grossers So Far |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/May/04/setting-the-cash-registers-ringing.-the-top-ten-grossers-so-far-607866.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126063622/https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/may/04/Setting-the-Cash-Registers-Ringing.-The-Top-Ten-Grossers-So-Far-607866.html |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>) – ₹320 crore (''[[Box Office India]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=2.0: All India – Overseas – Worldwide Update |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4486 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926091131/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4486 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref>)}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
The story revolves around the struggle of a scientist | '''''Enthiran''''' ({{translation|Robot}}) is a 2010 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[science fiction action film]] co-written and directed by [[S. Shankar|Shankar]].<ref name="AV Club">{{Cite web |last=Koski |first=Genevieve |date=3 March 2011 |title=Enthiran |url=https://www.avclub.com/enthiran-1798224462 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123151947/http://www.avclub.com/article/ienthirani-52653 |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=1 August 2011 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> It is the first instalment in the [[Enthiran (film series)|''Enthiran'' film series]]. The film stars [[Rajinikanth]] in dual lead roles as a scientist and the robot he created. Along with [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]], actors like [[Danny Denzongpa]], [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] and [[Karunas]] play supporting roles. The [[Enthiran (soundtrack)|soundtrack album and background score]] were composed by [[A. R. Rahman]] while the dialogues, cinematography, editing and art direction were handled by [[Madhan Karky]], [[R. Rathnavelu]], [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]] and [[Sabu Cyril]] and action sequences was done by [[Peter Hein]] respectively. The story revolves around the struggle of a scientist named Vaseegaran to control his sophisticated [[Android (robot)|android robot]] named [[Chitti (character)|Chitti]], after Chitti's software is upgraded to give it the ability to comprehend and exhibit human emotions and to commission it to the Indian Army. The project backfires when Chitti falls in love with Vaseegaran's girlfriend Sana, and is manipulated by Vaseegaran's mentor Bohra into becoming homicidal. | ||
After being stalled in the [[development hell|development]] phase for nearly a decade, the film's principal photography began in 2008 and lasted two years. The film marked the debut of [[Legacy Effects]] studio (which was responsible for the film's [[Facial prosthetic|prosthetic make-up]] and [[animatronics]]) in Indian cinema. ''Enthiran'' was released worldwide on 1 October 2010 | After being stalled in the [[development hell|development]] phase for nearly a decade, the film's principal photography began in 2008 and lasted two years. The film marked the debut of [[Legacy Effects]] studio (which was responsible for the film's [[Facial prosthetic|prosthetic make-up]] and [[animatronics]]) in Indian cinema. ''Enthiran'' was released worldwide on 1 October 2010. Produced by [[Kalanithi Maran]], it was the [[List of most expensive Indian films|most expensive Indian film]] at the time of its release. | ||
The film received generally positive reviews upon release | The film received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics being particularly appreciative of Shankar's direction, storyline, Rajinikanth's performance as Chitti, music, action sequences, production values and the visual effects by [[V. Srinivas Mohan]]. ''Enthiran'' emerged as the [[List of Indian films of 2010#Box office collection|highest-grossing Indian film of 2010]]. It won two [[National Film Awards]], three [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]], seven [[Vijay Awards]] and two [[Screen Awards]]. ''Enthiran'' was followed by a [[Standalone film#Standalone sequel|standalone sequel]], ''[[2.0 (film)|2.0]]'', which released in late 2018. | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
The scientist K. Vaseegaran creates an [[android (robot)|android robot]] named [[Chitti (character)|Chitti]] with the help of his assistants, Siva and Ravi, to commission it into the [[Indian Army]]. Chitti helps Sana, Vaseegaran's [[medical student]] girlfriend, cheat on her examination, then saves her from a group of thugs in an electric train while returning. Vaseegaran's mentor, Bohra, is secretly contracted to create similar robots for a terrorist organisation but so far has been unsuccessful. Threatened with death if he fails to meet the deadline, Bohra seeks the details of Chitti's [[Image schema|neural schema]], intending to program his robots correctly. | |||
Vaseegaran prepares Chitti for an evaluation by the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development (AIRD) Institute, | Vaseegaran prepares Chitti for an evaluation by the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development (AIRD) Institute, headed by Bohra. During the evaluation, Chitti nearly stabs Vaseegaran at Bohra's command, which convinces the evaluation committee that the robot is a liability and [[AI safety|cannot be used for military purposes]]. Hoping to prove Bohra wrong, Vaseegaran deploys Chitti to save people from a burning building but fails when Chitti saves a girl bathing but flees being ashamed filmed naked on TV and is hit by a truck and dies. Vaseegaran requests Bohra for one month to modify Chitti's neural schema to enable it to understand human behaviour and emotions to which Bohra agrees. While nearing the deadline, Vaseegaran insults Chitti, who becomes angry with Vaseegaran, demonstrating to him that it can manifest emotions. | ||
Chitti uses Sana's textbooks to | Chitti uses Sana's textbooks and an ancient delivery method to help Sana's sister, Latha's childbirth complication. Bohra congratulates Vaseegaran and belatedly lets Chitti pass the AIRD evaluation. Chitti develops romantic feelings for Sana after she congratulates Chitti by kissing it. Later, at Sana's birthday party, Chitti seduces her while dancing and is confronted by Vaseegaran and Sana, to whom it confesses its love towards her. Vaseegaran reprimands Chitti, while Sana explains that they can only be friends. Chitti is saddened by her rejection, until Bohra convinces it to fight for its love for Sana, at Vaseegaran's expense. Chitti purposely fails an evaluation by the Indian Army by talking off-topic. Enraged, Vaseegaran chops Chitti into pieces, which Siva and Ravi dump into a landfill site. | ||
Bohra visits the site to retrieve Chitti, which has | Bohra visits the site to retrieve Chitti, which has crudely reassembled itself. He reconstructs Chitti, in exchange for its neural schema, with the help of Siva and Ravi. Bohra embeds a red chip which converts it into a ruthless killer. Bohra tells Siva and Ravi that he is doing this to earn money through his business and defame Vaseegaran. Chitti gatecrashes Vaseegaran and Sana's wedding, kidnaps Sana, kills many police officers, and creates replicas of itself using Bohra's robots. Bohra tries to stop Chitti, who kills him. Using its robot army, Chitti occupies AIRD. After informing Sana that it has acquired the human ability to reproduce, Chitti wishes to marry her so that a machine and a human being can give birth to a preprogrammed child, but Sana refuses. It eventually finds Vaseegaran, who entered AIRD to stop it, and nearly kills him before the police appear. The ensuing battle between Chitti's robot army and the police personnel leads to many casualties. Vaseegaran eventually captures Chitti using a magnetic wall and accesses its internal control panel, whereby he instructs all the other robots to self-destruct, and removes Chitti's red chip, making him back to normal. | ||
In a court hearing, Vaseegaran is sentenced to death for the casualties | In a court hearing, Vaseegaran is sentenced to death for the casualties caused by the robot army, but Chitti explains that Bohra is the culprit and shows the court video footage of Bohra installing the red chip. The court drops all charges on Vaseegaran but orders Chitti to be dismantled. Left with no choice, Vaseegaran tells Chitti to dismantle itself. Chitti does so while apologising to Sana and Vaseegaran, and receives their forgiveness. | ||
By 2030, Chitti has become a museum exhibit. A curious school student asks her guide why it was dismantled, to which Chitti responds that it started thinking. | |||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
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| width = 35% | | width = 35% | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{cast listing|* [[Rajinikanth]] in a [[dual role]] as | |||
{{ | ** Dr. K. Vaseegaran | ||
* [[Rajinikanth]] as K. Vaseegaran | ** [[Chitti (character)|Chitti]]<ref name="OC">{{Cite AV media |title=Enthiran |date=1 October 2010 |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Sun Pictures]] |place=India |time=01:00 to 02:00 |time-caption=Opening credits from}}</ref> | ||
* [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]] as Sana<ref name="netflix">{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=Enthiran |url=https://www.netflixmovies.com/enthiran-2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171005082958/https://www.netflixmovies.com/enthiran-2010 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |access-date=8 October 2017 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref> | * [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]] as Sana, K. Vaseegaran's girlfriend (later wife)<ref name="netflix">{{Cite web |last1=Movies |first1=Netflix |date=2010 |title=Enthiran |url=https://www.netflixmovies.com/enthiran-2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171005082958/https://www.netflixmovies.com/enthiran-2010 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |access-date=8 October 2017 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref> | ||
* [[Danny Denzongpa]] as Professor Bohra<ref name="netflix" /> | * [[Danny Denzongpa]] as Professor Bohra, K. Vaseegaran's mentor, who secretly contracted to create similar robots for a terrorist organisation, and upgrading Chitti using the red chip<ref name="netflix" /> | ||
* [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] as Siva<ref name="netflix" /> | * [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] as Siva, Vaseegaran's assisstant scientist<ref name="netflix" /> | ||
* [[Karunas]] as Ravi<ref name="netflix" /> | * [[Karunas]] as Ravi, Vaseegaran's co-assisstant scientist<ref name="netflix" /> | ||
* [[Cochin Haneefa]] as the traffic police officer<ref name="netflix" /> | * [[Cochin Haneefa]] as the traffic police officer<ref name="netflix" /> | ||
* [[Kalabhavan Mani]] as Pachaimuthu<ref name="netflix" /> | * [[Kalabhavan Mani]] as Pachaimuthu<ref name="netflix" /> | ||
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* [[Revathi Sankaran]] as Vaseegaran's mother<ref name="OC" /> | * [[Revathi Sankaran]] as Vaseegaran's mother<ref name="OC" /> | ||
* [[Sabu Cyril]] as Shah{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2014|page=231}} | * [[Sabu Cyril]] as Shah{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2014|page=231}} | ||
* | * [[Chaams]] as one of the barbers working at [[The Park, Chennai|The Park Hotel]]<ref name ="CC">{{Cite AV media |title=Enthiran |date=1 October 2010 |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[Sun Pictures]] |place=India |time=2:55:05 |time-caption=Closing credits at}}</ref> | ||
* [[Devadas Kanakala]] as K. Bhajanlal, a customer at The Park Hotel<ref name="CC" /> | * [[Devadas Kanakala]] as K. Bhajanlal, a customer at The Park Hotel<ref name="CC" /> | ||
{{ | * [[Sai Dheena|Dheena]] as a thug<ref name="CC" /> | ||
* Sugunthan as the police inspector<ref name="CC"/> | |||
* [[Shriya Sharma|Shriya]] as the curious student<ref name="CC" /> | |||
* ''Boys'' Rajan as a professor (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8MVoMY4i9w|title=திருநங்கை Role-ல நடிக்கணும் - Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Actor 'Boys' Rajan Interview {{!}} DotsMedia|publisher=YellowBench Tamil|language=ta|via=[[YouTube]]|date=3 June 2022|access-date=11 May 2025|time=12:23-12:26}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
== Production == | == Production == | ||
=== Development === | |||
In 1996, following the release of ''[[Indian (1996 film)|Indian]]'', [[S. Shankar]] approached and pitched three storylines to [[Rajinikanth]] to consider for his next venture. This included scripts which would later become ''[[Sivaji: The Boss]]'' (2007), ''Enthiran'' (2010) and ''[[I (2015 film)|I]]'' (2015). Rajinikanth was sceptical and refused all three scripts at the time.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeYKXbj9oOo |title=Super Star Rajini – Special Interview |date=October 2010 |type=Interview |language=ta |publisher=Sun TV |place=Chennai |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/HeYKXbj9oOo |archive-date=14 November 2021 |url-status=live |people=[[Rajinikanth]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Following the completion of his first directorial venture in Hindi, ''[[Nayak: The Real Hero|Nayak]]'' (2001), Shankar announced his next project, ''Robot'', which was to feature [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Preity Zinta]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 2010 |title=Shankar's Endhiran to become a reality soon |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Shankars-Endhiran-to-become-a-reality-soon/articleshow/6215072.cms? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118101009/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Shankars-Endhiran-to-become-a-reality-soon/articleshow/6215072.cms |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=27 May 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref name="BZ">{{Cite web |date=2 January 2002 |title=Boys Zone |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jan/02south.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130544/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jan/02south.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The film was to be produced by the now-defunct company [[Media Dreams]], a division of [[Pentamedia Graphics]].<ref name="BZ" /><ref name="Govardan">{{Cite news |last=Govardan |first=D. |date=5 January 2008 |title=Rajinikanth replaces Shah Rukh Khan in India's costliest movie |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-01-05/news/28413738_1_rajinikanth-lulla-owned-eros-multimedia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126124918/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-01-05/news/28413738_1_rajinikanth-lulla-owned-eros-multimedia |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> The film was reported to be a futuristic [[techno-thriller]] set in Chennai in around 2200 or 3000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2004 |title=Man vs. machine |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/08/16/stories/2004081600740200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118100919/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/08/16/stories/2004081600740200.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2008 |title=Nirav and Sabu sign up for Robot! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/nirav-and-sabu-sign-up-for-robot-news-tamil-kkfuh8aidcdsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118162759/http://www.sify.com/movies/nirav-and-sabu-sign-up-for-robot-news-tamil-kkfuh8aidcdsi.html |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Despite the completion of a photoshoot featuring Haasan and Zinta,<ref name="RFR" /> the project was shelved as a result of scheduling conflicts with Haasan.<ref name="Fate">{{Cite news |last=Tankha |first=Madhur |date=27 December 2010 |title=Script decides the fate of the movie |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/script-decides-the-fate-of-the-movie/article982047.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118101504/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/script-decides-the-fate-of-the-movie/article982047.ece |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Shankar consequently started work on ''[[Boys (2003 film)|Boys]]'' (2003).<ref name="BZ" /> | |||
After ''Boys'', Shankar began work on his next feature starring [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], which was initially reported by [[Rediff.com]] to be ''Robot'' revived,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2003 |title=Shankar now wants sci-fi with Vikram |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/24south.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118101527/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/24south.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> but was later revealed as ''[[Anniyan]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=11 March 2005 |title=Director's dream project |url=http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/03/11/stories/2005031101810100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113151544/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/03/11/stories/2005031101810100.htm |archive-date=13 November 2012 |access-date=19 April 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=M.I.N |date=15 March 2004 |title=Shankar's next |url=http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2004/03/15/stories/2004031500800200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050529005859/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/03/15/stories/2004031500800200.htm |archive-date=29 May 2005 |access-date=19 April 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> One month post the release of ''Sivaji: The Boss'' in June 2007, he approached [[Shah Rukh Khan]] for the lead in ''Robot''.<ref name="srkcasting">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=29 July 2007 |title=Shah Rukh to star in Shankar's 'Robot' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/shah-rukh-to-star-in-shankars-robot/article1881733.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118101927/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/shah-rukh-to-star-in-shankars-robot/article1881733.ece |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Shankar had cast [[Priyanka Chopra]] in the lead opposite him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chauhan |first=Gaurang |date=28 November 2018 |title=Not Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were the first choice for Robot |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/not-rajinikanth-and-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-shah-rukh-khan-and-priyanka-chopra-were-the-first-choice-for-robot-bollywood-news/322385 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329165639/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/not-rajinikanth-and-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-shah-rukh-khan-and-priyanka-chopra-were-the-first-choice-for-robot-bollywood-news/322385 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |access-date=30 March 2020 |work=[[Times Now]]}}</ref> Khan was about to produce it under his own banner, [[Red Chillies Entertainment]], but in October the same year the project was officially aborted due to creative differences between him and Shankar.<ref name="srkcasting" /><ref name="Superstar casting">{{Cite web |last=Vilakudy |first=Rajaneesh |date=2 January 2008 |title=Shankar signs on Rajnikanth for Robot |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/02robot.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118101954/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/02robot.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> | |||
The project was revived in January 2008 with [[Eros International]] and the [[London]]-based production company [[Ayngaran International]] willing to produce the film.<ref name="Govardan" /> The state government of [[Tamil Nadu]] granted tax exemptions for films titled in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], resulting in the new production being renamed ''Enthiran''.<ref name="Fate" /> While [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]] was originally assigned to write the dialogue for the film, [[Madhan Karky]] took over after Sujatha's death in February 2008.<ref name="RFR">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=12 August 2010 |title=Ready for Robot? |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article566585.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118103719/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article566585.ece |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 September 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In December 2008, Eros International withdrew from funding the project after financial difficulties caused by the box-office failure of ''[[Drona (2008 film)|Drona]]'' (2008) and ''[[Yuvvraaj]]'' (2008),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. Suresh |date=30 December 2008 |title=Hollywood dreams |url=http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2008/dec/301208-Rajinikanth-Aishwarya-Rai-Enthiran-Hollywood-HBO-simultaneous-release.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118162001/http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2008/dec/301208-Rajinikanth-Aishwarya-Rai-Enthiran-Hollywood-HBO-simultaneous-release.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref> with the subsequent departure of Ayngaran International, which struggled during the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Balakrishnan |first=Ravikumar |date=26 December 2008 |title=Sri Lankan born producer edged out of Rs. 150 crore Rajanikanth's mega film 'Endhiran' |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/14840 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605045455/http://www.asiantribune.com/node/14840 |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |work=[[Asian Tribune]]}}</ref> The film's production and release rights were sold to [[Sun Pictures]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2008 |title=Sun Pictures to produce Rajni's Endhiran |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/dec/18sun-pictures-to-produce-endhiran.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118102809/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/dec/18sun-pictures-to-produce-endhiran.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> | |||
The project was revived in January 2008 with [[Eros International]] and the [[London]]-based production company [[Ayngaran International]] willing to produce the film.<ref name="Govardan" /> The state government of [[Tamil Nadu]] granted tax exemptions for films titled in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], resulting in the new production being renamed ''Enthiran''.<ref name="Fate" /> While [[Sujatha | |||
=== Cast and crew === | === Cast and crew === | ||
In January 2008, Rajinikanth accepted the lead role in the film for a salary of {{INR}}450 million ([[Indian rupee]]s).<ref name="Superstar casting" /><ref name="R+R">{{Cite news |last1=Subramanian |first1=Lakshmi |last2=Bamzai |first2=Kaveree |date=9 October 2010 |title=Robot+Rajini=Rs. 300 cr |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20101018-robot-rajini-rs-300-cr-744412-2010-10-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122111859/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/robot%2Brajini%3Drs-300-cr/1/115629.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref>{{refn|The average exchange rate in 2008 was 49.82 [[Indian rupee]]s ({{INR}}) per 1 US dollar (US$).<ref name="ex2010">{{Cite web |date=18 May 2012 |title=Rupee vs dollar: From 1990 to 2012 |url=http://inwww.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-rupee-vs-dollar-in-the-last-2-decades/20120518.htm?print=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321115240/http://inwww.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-rupee-vs-dollar-in-the-last-2-decades/20120518.htm?print=true |archive-date=21 March 2015 |access-date=21 March 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref>|name=exchange2008|group=Note}}{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2014|page=227}} Shankar rewrote the original script to suit Rajinikanth's acting style.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2014|page=227}} Although [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]] was Shankar's original choice for the female lead in 2001, she declined it owing to a busy schedule and was replaced by Zinta.<ref name="Touch">{{Cite news |last=Sahgal |first=Geety |date=1 October 2010 |title=The HUMAN Touch |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/the-human-touch-6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120151720/http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/the-human-touch-6/ |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> When Shankar revived the project with Rajinikanth,<ref name="Superstar casting" /> contenders for the part included [[Deepika Padukone]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 January 2008 |title=Who should Rajni romance in Robot: Deepika or Ash? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/10robot.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118164646/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/10robot.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref> [[Shriya Saran]] and Rai, who was ultimately selected and paid {{INR}}60 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupshup |first=Gullu |date=17 March 2008 |title=Ash is back in Rajni's Robot |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/17ash.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118170445/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/17ash.htm |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2008 |title=Should Shriya star opposite Rajni in Robot? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/17msg.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506070110/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/17msg.htm |archive-date=6 May 2009 |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2008|group=Note}} Rai's voice was dubbed by [[Savitha Reddy]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2013 |title=Savitha Reddy to dub for Deepika in 'Kochadaiyaan' |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/savitha-reddy-to-dub-for-deepika-in-kochadaiyaan-113101000828_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225062543/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/savitha-reddy-to-dub-for-deepika-in-kochadaiyaan-113101000828_1.html |archive-date=25 February 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |work=[[Business Standard]] |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref>{{refn|In an interview with Geety Sahgal of ''[[The Indian Express]]'', Shankar stated that Rai had her dialogues translated from Tamil to English and rehearsed it the night before each day of filming.<ref name="Touch" />|group=Note}} | |||
In January 2008, Rajinikanth accepted the lead role in the film for a salary of {{INR}}450 million ([[Indian rupee]]s).<ref name="Superstar casting" /><ref name="R+R">{{Cite news |last1=Subramanian |first1=Lakshmi |last2=Bamzai |first2=Kaveree |date=9 October 2010 |title=Robot+Rajini=Rs. 300 cr | |||
Several actors were considered for the role of Professor Bohra, including [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[J. D. Chakravarthy]],<ref name="IT">{{Cite news |date=4 January 2016 |title=Rajinikanth told me not to play villain in Enthiran, says Amitabh Bachchan | Several actors were considered for the role of Professor Bohra, including [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[J. D. Chakravarthy]],<ref name="IT">{{Cite news |date=4 January 2016 |title=Rajinikanth told me not to play villain in Enthiran, says Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-told-me-not-to-play-villain-in-enthiran-says-amitabh-bachchan-301937-2016-01-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605050104/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-told-me-not-to-play-villain-in-enthiran-says-amitabh-bachchan/1/561739.html |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |work=India Today}}</ref> [[Sathyaraj]] and British actor [[Ben Kingsley]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=28 January 2012 |title=Character Call |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/character-call/article2839950.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118171750/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/character-call/article2839950.ece |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref name="Manoj" /> but it was [[Danny Denzongpa]] who eventually received it, making ''Enthiran'' his first film in Tamil.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dutt |first=Purba |date=8 September 2010 |title=Rajini's unflappable: Danny |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rajinis-unflappable-Danny/articleshow/6512564.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108142816/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rajinis-unflappable-Danny/articleshow/6512564.cms |archive-date=8 November 2017 |access-date=18 January 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Dubbing for Denzongpa was provided by Kadhir.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Subha J. |date=17 December 2011 |title=Over to the voices ... |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/over-to-the-voices/article2723614.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119031821/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/over-to-the-voices/article2723614.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Comedians [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] and [[Karunas]] were cast to portray Vaseegaran's assistants Siva and Ravi respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2010 |title=Rajnikanth's 'Endhiran' truly entertaining movie |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/101071/rajnikanths-endhiran-truly-entertaining-movie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005083136/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/101071/rajnikanths-endhiran-truly-entertaining-movie.html |archive-date=5 October 2017 |access-date=5 October 2017 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> | ||
The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman.<ref name="Roll">{{Cite news |date=8 September 2008 |title=Endhiran set to roll out | The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman.<ref name="Roll">{{Cite news |date=8 September 2008 |title=Endhiran set to roll out |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/endhiran-set-to-roll-out/article1424451.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121024256/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/endhiran-set-to-roll-out/article1424451.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Vairamuthu]], [[Pa. Vijay]] and Madhan Karky authored the lyrics for the songs.<ref name="Roll" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reddy |first=T. Krithika |date=5 May 2011 |title=Carry On Karky |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/money-and-careers/carry-on-karky/article1993594.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325054559/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/money-and-careers/carry-on-karky/article1993594.ece |archive-date=25 March 2014 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Manoj Bharathiraja]] was signed on to be an assistant director after he approached Shankar and helped him find the location for Rajinikanth's house in the film.<ref name="Manoj">{{Cite news |last=Malini |first=Shankaran |date=14 September 2010 |title=Manoj Bharatiraja and 'Endhiran' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article301242.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119024947/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article301242.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Arul and Manoj, uncredited, worked as body doubles for both the Vaseegaran and Chitti characters.<ref name="CC" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2020 |title=Manoj played Rajini's body double in Enthiran |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/dt-next/20200413/282076278993514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250326221111/https://www.pressreader.com/india/dt-next/20200413/282076278993514 |archive-date=26 March 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=[[DT Next]] |via=[[PressReader]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2025 |title=பாரதிராஜா மகன் மனோஜின் நிறைவேறாத ஆசை என்ன? |url=https://www.bbc.com/tamil/articles/cvgdxyw1xl4o |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=ta}}</ref> Also working as assistant directors were [[Atlee (director)|Atlee]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chowdhary |first=Y. Sunita |date=15 March 2014 |title=Atlee displays his chops |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/atlee-displays-his-chops/article5788431.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119025905/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/atlee-displays-his-chops/article5788431.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Shree and Karthik G. Krish.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=8 March 2014 |title=Audio Beat: Damaal Dumeel – Hitting the high notes |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-damaal-dumeel-hitting-the-high-notes/article5764172.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119030538/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-damaal-dumeel-hitting-the-high-notes/article5764172.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=5 May 2014 |title=Reading between friendship |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/reading-between-friendship/article5979081.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119030857/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/reading-between-friendship/article5979081.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Sabu Cyril]], in addition to being the film's art director, made a guest appearance as Shah, an interpreter between Bohra and the terrorist organisation.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2014|page=231}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=23 July 2011 |title=All in a set's work |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/all-in-a-sets-work/article2287617.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119031637/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/all-in-a-sets-work/article2287617.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> | ||
[[R. Rathnavelu]] was hired as the cinematographer after [[Ravi K. Chandran]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=13 July 2008 |title=Seeing through the lens, he creates magic | [[R. Rathnavelu]] was hired as the cinematographer after [[Ravi K. Chandran]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=13 July 2008 |title=Seeing through the lens, he creates magic |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/seeing-through-the-lens-he-creates-magic/article1295670.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119033950/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/seeing-through-the-lens-he-creates-magic/article1295670.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Nirav Shah]] and [[Tirru]] were considered.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnamoorthy |first=Suresh |date=22 January 2014 |title=Light, camera and a lens to top it all |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/light-camera-and-a-lens-to-top-it-all/article5604618.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119034410/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/light-camera-and-a-lens-to-top-it-all/article5604618.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref name="Shoote">{{Cite web |date=15 February 2008 |title=''Robot'' shoot starts! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/robot-shoot-starts-news-tamil-kkftUPbiagdsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422081847/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14605537 |archive-date=22 April 2008 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]] was the film's editor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Renju |date=30 September 2010 |title='Robot': 'Endhiran' – Behind the camera |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/robot-endhiran--behind-the-camera/131984-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119040451/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/robot-endhiran--behind-the-camera/131984-8-66.html |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> [[Yuen Woo-ping]], known for his work in [[The Matrix (franchise)|''The Matrix'' trilogy]] and the ''[[Kill Bill: Volume 1|Kill Bill]]'' films, was selected to be the stunt co-ordinator, while [[Legacy Effects]], a visual effects studio based in the United States, were in charge of the prosthetic make-up and animatronics in the film.<ref name="MYS" /> [[Munich]]-based film technical company, [[Panther (company)|Panther]], were responsible for the [[crane shot]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2012 |title=The sea inside |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-sea-inside/article3657464.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120080408/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-sea-inside/article3657464.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>{{refn|In [[filmmaking]] and [[video production]], a crane shot is a shot taken by a [[video camera|camera]] on a [[Crane (machine)|crane]] or [[Jib (camera)|jib]].|group=Note}} The film's [[Subtitles|subtitle captioning]] was done by Rekha Haricharan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhavanishankar |first=Jyothsna |date=28 September 2010 |title=Rekhs Interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rekha.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412124101/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rekha.html |archive-date=12 April 2015 |access-date=12 April 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> | ||
=== Costume design === | === Costume design === | ||
[[Manish Malhotra]] and Mary E. Vogt were chosen to design the film's costumes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2009 |title=Manish Malhotra's fab filmi fashion – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Endhiran |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/apr/01slide3-best-of-manish-malhotra.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119041810/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/apr/01slide3-best-of-manish-malhotra.htm |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>{{refn|Vogt was also the costume designer for the ''[[Men in Black (film series)|Men in Black]]'' film series.<ref name="MYS">{{Cite web |last=Iyengar |first=Pushpa |date=30 September 2010 |title=Platinum Man's Dance |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Platinum-Mans-Dance/266773 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119042620/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Platinum-Mans-Dance/266773 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref>|group=Note}} Fifty-seven costumes were used for Rai, including a "Mexican tribal" look that she sported during the filming of the "[[Kilimanjaro (song)|Kilimanjaro]]" segment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramani |first=Nithya |date=21 May 2009 |title='Ash's tribal look in Enthiran is very glamorous' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/may/20slide-show-1-ojas-talks-about-favourite-stars.htm#1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120170121/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/may/20slide-show-1-ojas-talks-about-favourite-stars.htm |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> According to make-up artist [[Banu (make-up artist)|Banu]], no prosthetics were used for Rajinikanth to avoid bothering him by withholding his time on set.<ref name="Banu">{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=8 October 2010 |title=Man behind Rajni's looks | [[Manish Malhotra]] and Mary E. Vogt were chosen to design the film's costumes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2009 |title=Manish Malhotra's fab filmi fashion – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Endhiran |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/apr/01slide3-best-of-manish-malhotra.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119041810/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/apr/01slide3-best-of-manish-malhotra.htm |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>{{refn|Vogt was also the costume designer for the ''[[Men in Black (film series)|Men in Black]]'' film series.<ref name="MYS">{{Cite web |last=Iyengar |first=Pushpa |date=30 September 2010 |title=Platinum Man's Dance |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Platinum-Mans-Dance/266773 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119042620/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Platinum-Mans-Dance/266773 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref>|group=Note}} Fifty-seven costumes were used for Rai, including a "Mexican tribal" look that she sported during the filming of the "[[Kilimanjaro (song)|Kilimanjaro]]" segment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramani |first=Nithya |date=21 May 2009 |title='Ash's tribal look in Enthiran is very glamorous' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/may/20slide-show-1-ojas-talks-about-favourite-stars.htm#1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120170121/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/may/20slide-show-1-ojas-talks-about-favourite-stars.htm |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> According to make-up artist [[Banu (make-up artist)|Banu]], no prosthetics were used for Rajinikanth to avoid bothering him by withholding his time on set.<ref name="Banu">{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=8 October 2010 |title=Man behind Rajni's looks |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Man-behind-Rajnis-looks/articleshow/6706929.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713014228/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Man-behind-Rajnis-looks/articleshow/6706929.cms |archive-date=13 July 2016 |access-date=29 January 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Additional make-up was by Vance Hartwell, an employee of Legacy Effects.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mathai |first1=Kamini |last2=Nurullah |first2=Abdullah |date=8 December 2014 |title=What's the secret behind 63-year-old superstar Rajinikanth's youthful looks? |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/whats-the-secret-behind-63-year-old-superstar-rajinikanths-youthful-looks/articleshow/45409978.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150130131858/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/whats-the-secret-behind-63-year-old-superstar-rajinikanths-youthful-looks/articleshow/45409978.cms |archive-date=30 January 2015 |access-date=30 January 2015 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> | ||
The visual appearance of Chitti was based on the [[G.I. Joe]] [[action figure]]s. For Chitti's "villain robot" look, its hair was spiked and brown coloured lenses were used for its eyes, whereas for its "good robot" look, green coloured lenses were used.<ref name="Banu" /> The wig used for Chitti's "villain robot" look had a silver streak in the middle, made out of [[Yak]] hair,<ref name="Banu Sify">{{Cite web |date=9 October 2010 |title=Banu – I give full credit to Rajini sir |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/banu-i-give-full-credit-to-rajini-sir-news-tamil-kkjrmldfhchsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221074710/http://www.sify.com/movies/banu-i-give-full-credit-to-rajini-sir-news-tamil-kkjrmldfhchsi.html |archive-date=21 February 2015 |access-date=21 February 2015 |website=Sify}}</ref> while its leather jacket was designed by Vogt.<ref name="Banu Sify" /> To make Vaseegaran look mature, the team made Rajinikanth sport an [[Beard#Styles|Oakley beard]].{{refn|According to Banu, an Oakley beard is "neither a French beard not a full beard". It developed as a result of shaping Rajinikanth's already grown beard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingston |first=Daya |title=Make – up artist Banu interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/make-up-artist-banu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225062905/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/make-up-artist-banu.html |archive-date=25 February 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>|group=Note}} Suits made of copper were used for Chitti's costumes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2009 |title=Rajini's metallic look! | The visual appearance of Chitti was based on the [[G.I. Joe]] [[action figure]]s. For Chitti's "villain robot" look, its hair was spiked and brown coloured lenses were used for its eyes, whereas for its "good robot" look, green coloured lenses were used.<ref name="Banu" /> The wig used for Chitti's "villain robot" look had a silver streak in the middle, made out of [[Yak]] hair,<ref name="Banu Sify">{{Cite web |date=9 October 2010 |title=Banu – I give full credit to Rajini sir |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/banu-i-give-full-credit-to-rajini-sir-news-tamil-kkjrmldfhchsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221074710/http://www.sify.com/movies/banu-i-give-full-credit-to-rajini-sir-news-tamil-kkjrmldfhchsi.html |archive-date=21 February 2015 |access-date=21 February 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> while its leather jacket was designed by Vogt.<ref name="Banu Sify" /> To make Vaseegaran look mature, the team made Rajinikanth sport an [[Beard#Styles|Oakley beard]].{{refn|According to Banu, an Oakley beard is "neither a French beard not a full beard". It developed as a result of shaping Rajinikanth's already grown beard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingston |first=Daya |title=Make – up artist Banu interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/make-up-artist-banu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225062905/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/make-up-artist-banu.html |archive-date=25 February 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>|group=Note}} Suits made of copper were used for Chitti's costumes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2009 |title=Rajini's metallic look! |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Rajinis-metallic-look/articleshow/4131575.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323035744/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Rajinis-metallic-look/articleshow/4131575.cms |archive-date=23 March 2018 |access-date=29 January 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | ||
=== Principal photography === | === Principal photography === | ||
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For Sabu Cyril's sets, Shankar required approximately twice as much studio floor space as for his previous film. After rejecting [[Ramoji Film City]] for technical reasons, ''Enthiran''{{'s}} producer, [[Kalanithi Maran]], took six months to set up three air-conditioned studio floors on land in [[Perungudi]] owned by Sun TV Network.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=226}} Filming began on 15 February 2008 at [[AVM Productions|AVM Studios]] in Chennai.<ref name="Shoote" /> After the initial stages of filming, Shankar and Rathnavelu toured the world for three weeks, scouting for exotic filming locations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2008 |title=Shankar goes on a global location hunt! |url=http://www.sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/boxoffice/fullstory.php?id=14694570 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617110015/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14694570 |archive-date=17 June 2008 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=Sify}}</ref> They visited Austria, Germany, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, looking for a backdrop to shoot the "Kilimanjaro" and "Kadhal Anukkal" segments,<ref name="YHSH">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=2 October 2010 |title=Your hunt stops here | For Sabu Cyril's sets, Shankar required approximately twice as much studio floor space as for his previous film. After rejecting [[Ramoji Film City]] for technical reasons, ''Enthiran''{{'s}} producer, [[Kalanithi Maran]], took six months to set up three air-conditioned studio floors on land in [[Perungudi]] owned by Sun TV Network.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=226}} Filming began on 15 February 2008 at [[AVM Productions|AVM Studios]] in Chennai.<ref name="Shoote" /> After the initial stages of filming, Shankar and Rathnavelu toured the world for three weeks, scouting for exotic filming locations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2008 |title=Shankar goes on a global location hunt! |url=http://www.sify.com/entertainment/movies/tamil/boxoffice/fullstory.php?id=14694570 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617110015/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14694570 |archive-date=17 June 2008 |access-date=19 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> They visited Austria, Germany, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, looking for a backdrop to shoot the "Kilimanjaro" and "Kadhal Anukkal" segments,<ref name="YHSH">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=2 October 2010 |title=Your hunt stops here |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/your-hunt-stops-here/article804495.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120164057/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/your-hunt-stops-here/article804495.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> eventually deciding on Peru and Brazil.<ref name="WSJ" /><ref name="EL" /> "Kilimanjaro" was filmed at the ruins of the [[Inca Empire|Incan]] city of [[Machu Picchu]] in Peru, with some 100 Brazilian extras.<ref name="YHSH" /><ref name="WSJ">{{Cite news |last=Lahiri |first=Tripti |date=1 October 2010 |title=Machu Picchu Welcomes Rajinikanth (and India) |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/10/01/machu-picchu-welcomes-rajnikanth-and-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120104833/https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/10/01/machu-picchu-welcomes-rajnikanth-and-india/ |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> It was choreographed by [[Raju Sundaram]] and supervised by Fernando Astete, director of the Machu Picchu archaeological park.<ref name="WSJ" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shetty |first=Shakti |date=19 April 2014 |title=Why Bollywood filmmakers are spending generously on a song shoot |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-bollywood-filmmakers-are-spending-generously-on-a-song-shoot/15239094 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120105528/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-bollywood-filmmakers-are-spending-generously-on-a-song-shoot/15239094 |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref> "Kadhal Anukkal" was filmed in [[Lençóis Maranhenses National Park]] in northeastern Brazil.<ref name="EL">{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=26 October 2010 |title=Kollywood in search of exotic locations |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Kollywood-in-search-of-exotic-locations/articleshow/6809384.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120161715/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Kollywood-in-search-of-exotic-locations/articleshow/6809384.cms |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | ||
The filming for Chitti's introduction to the international robotics conference was completed in December 2008 at [[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering]] and [[Vellore Institute of Technology]], where more than 400 students were used as extras.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2008 |title=Aishwarya, Rajnikanth in Vellore for Endhiran | The filming for Chitti's introduction to the international robotics conference was completed in December 2008 at [[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering]] and [[Vellore Institute of Technology]], where more than 400 students were used as extras.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 2008 |title=Aishwarya, Rajnikanth in Vellore for Endhiran |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Aishwarya-Rajnikanth-in-Vellore-for-Endhiran/articleshow/3897654.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605082449/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Aishwarya-Rajnikanth-in-Vellore-for-Endhiran/articleshow/3897654.cms |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2010 |title='Enthiran' highest budget Indian film! |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article427262.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120073105/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article427262.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Further footage was shot over five days at the [[Ennore Port]] on the [[Mitsui O.S.K. Lines]] car carrier, ''Neptune Ace''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Padamanabhan |first=Geeta |date=6 June 2012 |title=Cresting the tech wave |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/cresting-the-tech-wave/article3497160.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120072000/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/cresting-the-tech-wave/article3497160.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> An action sequence where Chitti saves Sana from thugs was filmed in [[Lonavala]], under the supervision of the action choreographer [[Peter Hein]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2009 |title=''Endhiran'' action scenes in Lonavala |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/endhiran-action-scenes-in-lonavala-news-tamil-kkfrgkfbfjesi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122163026/http://www.sify.com/movies/endhiran-action-scenes-in-lonavala-news-tamil-kkfrgkfbfjesi.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Scenes featuring Rajinikanth as Chitti were captured over five days at the [[Perungudi#Dump Yard|Perungudi Dump Yard]] in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=H. Ramakrishnan |first1=Deepa |last2=Lakshmi |first2=K. |date=5 May 2010 |title=Now garbage dump turns shooting spot |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/now-garbage-dump-turns-shooting-spot/article761579.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120065159/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/endhiran-almost-complete-shankar/article76198.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Sabu Cyril told Uma Kannan of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' that the sets for the climax sequence, which was filmed at [[Mayajaal]], consisted of a tar road and glass buildings which rose to {{convert|65|ft|m}}, and that [[Sandwich panel|aluminium composite panels]], reported to have cost {{INR}}50 million, were also used to design the sets.<ref name="Sabu">{{Cite news |last=Kannan |first=Uma |date=29 September 2010 |title=Sets, Sabu and 'Enthiran' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article479419.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120100715/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article479419.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2009 |title=Endhiran shot on expensive sets |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/endhiran-shot-on-expensive-sets-news-tamil-kkfrK8bjcdjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122162428/http://www.sify.com/movies/endhiran-shot-on-expensive-sets-news-tamil-kkfrK8bjcdjsi.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>{{refn|The average exchange rate in 2010 was 45.09 Indian rupees ({{INR}}) per 1 US dollar (US$).<ref name="ex2010" />|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} | ||
The set for " | The set for "Arima Arima", a sequence choreographed by [[Prabhu Deva]],<ref name="Dancing" /> was designed and constructed by Cyril at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.<ref name="Sabu" /> Filming of the number took place over 22 days in April 2009.<ref name="Dancing">{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=28 April 2009 |title=Dancing in 100 ways, Rajini style |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/dancing-in-100-ways-rajini-style/article317305.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120161226/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/dancing-in-100-ways-rajini-style/article317305.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Junior artists were employed by Rathnavelu to wear masks of Rajinikanth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=S. |date=15 October 2010 |title=Unveiled! |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/unveiled/article831081.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121043753/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/unveiled/article831081.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> For the sequence entitled "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam", choreographed by [[Remo D'Souza]] and featuring Rai and Rajinikanth as Chitti,<ref name="D" /> three different sets were used: one of copper, one of gold and one in silver.<ref name="Sabu" /> The musical number, which was filmed in AVM Studios for eight days, was the last portion of the film's principal photography. D'Souza incorporated the [[popping]] style of [[street dance]]s, but encountered difficulties in performing the dance movements in tandem with the robot, and with the restrictions created by the rigid costumes.<ref name="D">{{Cite news |last=Malini |first=Shankaran |date=21 September 2010 |title=Remo D'Souza and the 'Enthiran' dance |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article488740.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120155914/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article488740.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Principal photography ended on 7 July 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajinikanth, Aishwarya and Shankar at the Enthiren party |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-aishwarya-and-shankar-at-the-enthiren-party-imagegallery-kollywood-khnkP2egjifsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609155103/http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-aishwarya-and-shankar-at-the-enthiren-party-imagegallery-kollywood-khnkP2egjifsi.html |archive-date=9 June 2016 |access-date=9 June 2016 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> | ||
=== Visual effects === | === Visual effects === | ||
Impressed with the film's script, [[V. Srinivas Mohan]] became the visual effects supervisor in December 2007. He asked Shankar to increase the filming schedules by six months to include pre-production requirements.<ref name="SMBW">{{Cite web |last=Bhavanishankar |first=Jyothsna |date=22 October 2010 |title=Endhiran VFX Supervisor Srinivas Interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/srinivas-mohan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121032143/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/srinivas-mohan.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref name="Clone">{{Cite news |last=Devi Dundoo |first=Sangeetha |date=31 October 2010 |title=Animatronics maketh the clone | Impressed with the film's script, [[V. Srinivas Mohan]] became the visual effects supervisor in December 2007. He asked Shankar to increase the filming schedules by six months to include pre-production requirements.<ref name="SMBW">{{Cite web |last=Bhavanishankar |first=Jyothsna |date=22 October 2010 |title=Endhiran VFX Supervisor Srinivas Interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/srinivas-mohan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121032143/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/srinivas-mohan.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref name="Clone">{{Cite news |last=Devi Dundoo |first=Sangeetha |date=31 October 2010 |title=Animatronics maketh the clone |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/animatronics-maketh-the-clone/article860359.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121041958/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/animatronics-maketh-the-clone/article860359.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Both Mohan and Shankar visited several visual effects companies, including the New Zealand–based [[Weta Digital]] and the United States–based [[Industrial Light & Magic]], [[Cafe FX]] and [[Tippett Studio]] before partnering with Legacy Effects.<ref name="SMBW" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=13 August 2010 |title=Science meets cinema |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/science-meets-cinema/article567194.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121030008/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/science-meets-cinema/article567194.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The original Eros-Ayngaran visual effects budget was {{INR}}700 million,{{refn|name=exchange2008|group=Note}} but after Sun Pictures took over production, it was significantly reduced to {{INR}}200 million.{{refn|name=exchange2008|group=Note}} As a result, the visual effects team had to omit and alter some sequences, making Chitti wear sunglasses for most of the film to reduce the cost and difficulty of animating his eyes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Venkadesan |first=S. |date=18 October 2012 |title=Why Enthiran Rajini wore coolers? |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1304321.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121034556/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1304321.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> | ||
After a series of [[previsualisation]] tests, including a scene in which Chitti jumps on a train to save Sana, Mohan eventually decided to use the technique in 40 out of the 60 visual effects scenes featured in the film,<ref name="SMBW" /> consisting of 2,000 takes.<ref name="Behind">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=30 October 2010 |title=Behind the Robot | After a series of [[previsualisation]] tests, including a scene in which Chitti jumps on a train to save Sana, Mohan eventually decided to use the technique in 40 out of the 60 visual effects scenes featured in the film,<ref name="SMBW" /> consisting of 2,000 takes.<ref name="Behind">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=30 October 2010 |title=Behind the Robot |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/behind-the-robot/article859242.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119040836/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/behind-the-robot/article859242.ece |archive-date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Further previsualisation supervision was conducted by P. C. Sanath of Firefly Creative Studios, a visual effects company based in [[Hyderabad]]. [[Storyboard#Creation|3D storyboards]] were constructed using 3D animation programs for every scene in the film and were shot from different angles.<ref name="Clone" /> In an interview with Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'', Mohan said all the pre-production work took one-and-a-half years to complete.<ref name="Behind" /> | ||
Rathnavelu used the [[Arriflex 435#435 Xtreme|435 Xtreme]] camera and also wrote a 1,600-page manual, in which he listed all the possible angles from where he could film the characters Rajinikanth played.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhavanishankar |first=Jyothsna |date=22 October 2010 |title=Cameraman Rathanvelu Interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rathnavelu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120171704/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rathnavelu.html |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reddy |first=T. Krithika |date=29 November 2014 |title=Lingaa through Randy's lens | Rathnavelu used the [[Arriflex 435#435 Xtreme|435 Xtreme]] camera and also wrote a 1,600-page manual, in which he listed all the possible angles from where he could film the characters Rajinikanth played.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhavanishankar |first=Jyothsna |date=22 October 2010 |title=Cameraman Rathanvelu Interview |url=http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rathnavelu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120171704/http://behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/rathnavelu.html |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reddy |first=T. Krithika |date=29 November 2014 |title=Lingaa through Randy's lens |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/interview-with-cinematographer-rathnavelu/article6646451.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120080947/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/interview-with-cinematographer-rathnavelu/article6646451.ece |archive-date=20 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Legacy Effects and the Hong Kong–based visual effects companies Kinomotive Studios and Menfond Electronics took responsibility for the film's [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] work.<ref name="Behind" /> To create the robots with Rajinikanth's appearance, a complete scan of his face in 3D digital format in all possible lighting conditions was conducted using the Doom Light Stage,{{refn|The Doom Light Stage is based on an original research conducted by [[Paul Debevec]] at the [[Institute for Creative Technologies|ICT]] division of the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. The Light Stage systems efficiently capture how an actor's face appears when lit from every possible lighting direction. From this captured imagery, realistic virtual renditions of the actor are created in the illumination of any location or set, faithfully reproducing the colour, texture, shine, shading and translucency of the actor's skin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seymour |first=Mike |date=23 October 2010 |title=Light Stage brings The Robot to life in India |url=http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/light-stage-brings-the-robot-to-life-in-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123145843/http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/light-stage-brings-the-robot-to-life-in-india/ |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=23 January 2015 |website=[[Fxguide]]}}</ref>|group=Note}} so that his face could be replicated on the [[mannequin]]s.<ref name="Clone" /> The technique, according to Shankar, was previously used in ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=29 September 2010 |title='Enthiran doesn't have a regional mosaic' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/Enthiran-doesnt-have-a-regional-mosaic/articleshow/6644888.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604084807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/enthiran-doesnt-have-a-regional-mosaic/articleshow/6644888.cms |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=26 January 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The robot Chitti featured in the film was a mannequin made by a Legacy Effects team of 100 technicians in Los Angeles. For every robotic mannequin used, six puppeteers were employed to control the mannequin's movements.<ref name="Behind" /> | ||
== Themes and influences == | == Themes and influences == | ||
''Enthiran'' focuses on the battle between man and machine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |date=23 October 2010 |title=Enjoy the carnival folks | ''Enthiran'' focuses on the battle between man and machine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |date=23 October 2010 |title=Enjoy the carnival folks |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/enjoy-the-carnival-folks/article842791.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127041324/http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/enjoy-the-carnival-folks/article842791.ece |archive-date=27 January 2015 |access-date=27 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Despite Shankar's claim that ''Enthiran'' was a purely original idea,<ref name="RFR" /> it has been compared to [[Mary Shelley]]'s 1818 novel ''[[Frankenstein]]'', owing to the similar personae of Chitti and [[Frankenstein's monster]], both of whom turn against their respective creators.<ref name="malini">{{Cite news |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=4 October 2010 |title=Enthiran |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/article287453.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123151201/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/article287453.ece |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=G. Tilak |first=Sudha |date=10 October 2010 |title=BBC News – India's most expensive film is another Rajinikanth hit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11498630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123151717/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11498630 |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=23 January 2015 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> K. Moti Gokulsing and Wimal Dissanayake, in their book ''Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas'', noted the similarity between the two works, arguing that Chitti was "manipulated by Bohra to become a Frankenstein-like figure".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gokulsing |first1=K. Moti |author-link1=Wimal Dissanayake |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QwGgF-rDucEC |title=Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas |last2=Dissanayake |first2=Wimal |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-415-67774-5 |pages=294 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413223856/http://books.google.com/books?id=QwGgF-rDucEC |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', Genevieve Koski observed, "The plot of ''Enthiran'' is essentially ''Frankenstein'' via [[Isaac Asimov|[Isaac] Asimov]]'s [[Three Laws of Robotics]]."<ref name="AV Club" /> | ||
Director and film critic [[Sudhish Kamath]] called ''Enthiran'' "a superhero film, a sci-fi adventure, a triangular love story with a hint of the [[Ramayana]]", while remarking that ''Enthiran''{{'s}} similarities to ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984) were "more than obvious. Not just visually—where we see the Superstar with one human eye and one scarred metallic eye but also intentionally spelt out when the bad robot announces that he has created Terminators." Kamath compared two of the film's robots to [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]], [[droid (Star Wars)|droids]] from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film series, which was referenced in ''Enthiran'' when Vaseegaran refers to one of his creations as "R2".<ref | Director and film critic [[Sudhish Kamath]] called ''Enthiran'' "a superhero film, a sci-fi adventure, a triangular love story with a hint of the [[Ramayana]]", while remarking that ''Enthiran''{{'s}} similarities to ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984) were "more than obvious. Not just visually—where we see the Superstar with one human eye and one scarred metallic eye but also intentionally spelt out when the bad robot announces that he has created Terminators." Kamath compared two of the film's robots to [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]], [[droid (Star Wars)|droids]] from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film series, which was referenced in ''Enthiran'' when Vaseegaran refers to one of his creations as "R2".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |date=19 October 2010 |title=Superstar Wars: Man versus Machines |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/superstar-wars-man-versus-machines/article836818.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126074813/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/superstar-wars-man-versus-machines/article836818.ece |archive-date=26 January 2015 |access-date=26 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film was noted to have similarities with the 2002 [[Kannada]] film ''[[Hollywood (2002 film)|Hollywood]]'' which had its lead actor playing three roles – one of which was a scientist and another was a humanoid robot invented by that scientist which falls in love with the girlfriend of his creator.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 September 2010 |title=Is Endhiran a rich man's Hollywood? |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/is-endhiran-a-rich-mans-hollywood/articleshow/21774804.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806173123/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/is-endhiran-a-rich-mans-hollywood/articleshow/21774804.cms |archive-date=6 August 2020 |access-date=28 May 2021 |work=[[Bangalore Mirror]]}}</ref> | ||
Although Shankar initially claimed that ''Enthiran'' would be made for all audiences, including those lacking [[computer literacy]],<ref>{{Cite | Although Shankar initially claimed that ''Enthiran'' would be made for all audiences, including those lacking [[computer literacy]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=I |first=Shaheen |date=29 September 2010 |title=Interview : Shankar |url=https://www.glamsham.com/bollywood/interview/interview-shankar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510180846/https://www.glamsham.com/bollywood/interview/interview-shankar |archive-date=10 May 2021 |access-date=29 April 2022 |website=Glamsham}}</ref> the film is influenced by and makes references to many scientific principles relating to the fields of engineering, computer science and robotics, including [[terabyte]]s and Asimov's laws of robotics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Balakrishnan |first=Ravi |date=2 October 2010 |title=The experience of first show of a Rajinikanth film |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/business-of-bollywood/the-experience-of-first-show-of-a-rajinikanth-film/articleshow/6668088.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812230024/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/business-of-bollywood/the-experience-of-first-show-of-a-rajinikanth-film/articleshow/6668088.cms |archive-date=12 August 2015 |access-date=28 January 2015 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Visual references are made to the [[science book]]s ''[[A Briefer History of Time (Hawking and Mlodinow book)|A Briefer History of Time]]'' (2005) and ''[[Freakonomics]]'' (2005).<ref name="R+R" /> In his book ''Visual Perception and Cultural Memory: Typecast and Typecast(e)ing in Malayalam Cinema'', Sujith Kumar Parayil notes the similarities between Kalabhavan Mani's role in the film to the one Mani played in the [[Malayalam]] film ''[[Sallapam]]'' (1996).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Parayil |first=Sujith Kumar |year=2014 |title=Visual Perception and Cultural Memory: Typecast and Typecast(e)ing in Malayalam Cinema |url=http://synoptique.hybrid.concordia.ca/index.php/main/article/view/40/50 |url-status=live |format=PDF |journal=Synoptique |pages=75–76 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413071441/http://synoptique.hybrid.concordia.ca/index.php/main/article/view/40/50 |archive-date=13 April 2015 |access-date=13 April 2015}}</ref> Chitti taking revenge by duplicating himself and combining his duplicates together to form larger beings was compared to ''[[Voltron]]'', [[Agent Smith]] in ''[[The Matrix Reloaded|Reloaded]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Revolutions|Revolutions]]'' (both 2003), and Indian mythology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reactormag.com/review-enthiran-english-the-robot/|title=Review: Enthiran ("The Robot")|first=Danny|last=Bowes|work=Reactor|date= 8 October 2010|access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref> | ||
== Music == | == Music == | ||
{{Main|Enthiran (soundtrack)}} | {{Main|Enthiran (soundtrack)}} | ||
The film marked the debut of Rahman's daughter [[Khatija Rahman|Khatija]] as a playback singer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2010 |title=Daughter croons for AR Rahman |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIBG/2010/08/01&ID=Ar04102 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316051521/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIBG%2F2010%2F08%2F01&ID=Ar04102 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |access-date=16 March 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | |||
The soundtrack album to ''Enthiran'' was released on 31 July 2010.<ref name="ndtv-soundtrack">{{Cite news |date=31 July 2010 |title=Aishwarya, Rajnikanth launch Endhiran music |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/aishwarya-rajnikanth-launch-endhiran-music-615789 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124043033/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/aishwarya-rajnikanth-launch-endhiran-music-615789 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=[[NDTV]] |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> The original Tamil and dubbed Telugu versions were released by [[Think Music]], while the dubbed Hindi version was released by [[Ishtar Music|Venus Music]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2010 |title=Venus acquires Hindi audio rights of Endhiran |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/venus-acquires-hindi-audio-rights-of-endhiran-615772 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124043413/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/venus-acquires-hindi-audio-rights-of-endhiran-615772 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=30 July 2010 |work=NDTV |agency=IANS}}</ref> Think Music purchased the release rights of the original Tamil and dubbed Telugu versions of the album for {{INR}}70 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kandavel |first=Sangeetha |date=20 July 2011 |title=Sony Music buys 146 catalogues of Think Music but loses on Rajinikanth starrer Endhiran's rights |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/news/29795015_1_sony-music-shridhar-subramaniam-endhiran |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124043155/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/news/29795015_1_sony-music-shridhar-subramaniam-endhiran |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} The album of the film's dubbed Telugu version, ''Robo'', was released on 6 August 2010, while its dubbed Hindi version, ''Robot'', was released on 14 August 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 August 2010 |title=Ash down with high fever, gives Endhiran music launch a miss |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ash-down-with-high-fever-gives-endhiran-music-launch-a-miss-615920 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124054557/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ash-down-with-high-fever-gives-endhiran-music-launch-a-miss-615920 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=NDTV |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Padmanabhan |first=Krishnakumar |date=16 August 2010 |title=When superstar Rajnikanth met superstar Big B |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-robot-launch-in-mumbai/20100816.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124054705/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-robot-launch-in-mumbai/20100816.htm |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=24 January 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> After the second day of release, the album's original Tamil version reached the number one position in the Top 10 World Albums chart on [[iTunes]], making it the first Tamil album to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Sharadha |date=4 August 2010 |title='Endhiran' tops iTunes chart |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article200776.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124043426/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article200776.ece |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="Fells">{{Cite news |last=Narasimhan |first=T. E. |date=2 October 2010 |title=Rajini fells all records with sci-fi entertainer Endhiran |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/rajini-fells-all-records-with-sci-fi-entertainer-endhiran-110100200074_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605123527/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/rajini-fells-all-records-with-sci-fi-entertainer-endhiran-110100200074_1.html |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> | |||
The | The Tamil album was officially released on 31 July 2010 with a promotional event held at the [[Putrajaya International Convention Centre]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref name="ndtv-soundtrack"/> Co-hosted by [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] and [[Punnagai Poo Gheetha]], the event was attended by most of the film's cast and crew members. Other invited guests were [[Dayanidhi Maran]], [[Radha Ravi]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Shriya Saran]], [[Jayam Ravi]], [[Ramya Krishnan]], [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]], [[Aishwarya Rajinikanth|Aishwarya]] and [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]], [[Krish (singer)|Krish]], and [[Sangeetha Arvind]]. Furthermore, [[Silambarasan]], [[Vijayalakshmi Feroz|Vijayalakshmi]], and [[Shamna Kasim|Poorna]] were part of stage performances. The release event of the Telugu version, titled ''Robo'', was held in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] on 6 August 2010, which was attended by [[Chiranjeevi]], [[D. Ramanaidu]], [[Mohan Babu]], [[Srinu Vaitla]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], and [[Kamna Jethmalani]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2010 |title=Audio launch: 'Robo' |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/hyderabad/audio-launch-robo/articleshow/6299003.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621072013/https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/hyderabad/audio-launch-robo/articleshow/6299003.cms |archive-date=21 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=[[Indiatimes]]}}</ref> The [[Hindi]] version, titled ''Robot'', was released by Venus<ref>{{Cite web |last=NDTV |year=2010 |title=Venus acquires Hindi audio rights of Endhiran |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100148241&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood&nid=40943 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802025856/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100148241&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood&nid=40943 |archive-date=2 August 2010 |access-date=30 July 2010 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> on 14 August 2010, in a function held in [[Mumbai]]. The event was attended by [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Jaya Bachchan]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]], along with the crew of the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2010 |title=Amitabh is my inspiration, says Rajini |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article572627.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818001213/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article572627.ece |archive-date=18 August 2010 |access-date=15 August 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> | ||
== Release == | == Release == | ||
''Enthiran'' was released on 1 October 2010 in | ''Enthiran'' was released on 1 October 2010. The film was dubbed and released in Hindi as ''Robot'' and in Telugu as ''Robo'' and later in Kannada as ''Bombat Robo''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bombat Robo (2010) Movie – JioCinema |url=https://www.jiocinema.com/movies/bombat-robo-?type=0&id=4a0cc7a03ae711eba75671a92ff069dc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131112045/https://www.jiocinema.com/movies/bombat-robo-?type=0&id=4a0cc7a03ae711eba75671a92ff069dc |archive-date=31 January 2022 |access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="CNN Travel">{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Anirban |date=7 October 2010 |title=Rajinikanth's 'Robot' to end all robots |url=http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/play/rajinikanths-robot-end-all-robots-538335/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605125444/http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/play/rajinikanths-robot-end-all-robots-538335/ |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |website=[[CNN Travel]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2010 |title=''Enthiran'' – D-Day is here! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiran-d-day-is-here-news-tamil-kkgu7Xchbedsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221064709/http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiran-d-day-is-here-news-tamil-kkgu7Xchbedsi.html |archive-date=21 February 2015 |access-date=21 February 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film was released in 2,250 theatres worldwide, including 500 theatres in Tamil Nadu,<ref name="HBLScreens" /> 350 theatres in [[Andhra Pradesh]],<ref name="HBLScreens">{{Cite news |last=Ravikumar |first=R. |date=29 September 2010 |title=Enthiran – curious audience, optimistic Kollywood |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/enthiran-curious-audience-optimistic-kollywood/article1005373.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121084052/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/enthiran-curious-audience-optimistic-kollywood/article1005373.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |work=[[Business Line]]}}</ref> 128 theatres in [[Kerala]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 September 2010 |title=''Enthiran'' creates record in Kerala |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14957682&cid=2362 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121083015/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14957682&cid=2362 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> 23 theatres in [[Karnataka]], and 750 theatres in North India.<ref name="Fells" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2010 |title=Enthiran crosses screening limit; Kannada producers irked |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/enthiran-stalls-new-releases/article811969.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121084058/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article817325.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=26 October 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> With an estimated budget of {{INR}}1.32{{mdash}}1.62 billion,<ref name="Q3">{{Cite news |date=28 January 2011 |title=Sun TV Network Q3 Net up 48.40% at Rs 225.49 cr |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-01-28/news/28425591_1_interim-dividend-satellite-rights-enthiran |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204082505/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-01-28/news/28425591_1_interim-dividend-satellite-rights-enthiran |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=4 February 2015 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>{{refn|''[[The Economic Times]]'' claims the film's budget to be {{INR}}132 crore,<ref name="Q3" /> whereas Anirban Bhattacharya of [[CNN Travel]] and T. S. Sreenivasan Raghavan of ''[[Bangalore Mirror]]'' state that it is {{INR}}162 crore.<ref name="CNN Travel" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=T. S. Sreenivasan |date=22 October 2010 |title=Chitti, the robot, delights tax officials |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/chitti-the-robot-delights-tax-officials/articleshow/21756582.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813085423/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/chitti-the-robot-delights-tax-officials/articleshow/21756582.cms |archive-date=13 August 2018 |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Bangalore Mirror]]}}</ref>|name=budget|group=Note}}{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} ''Enthiran'' was [[List of most expensive Indian films|India's most expensive film]] up to that point,<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 August 2010 |title=Endhiran: The costliest film in India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/rajini/story/endhiran-the-costliest-film-in-india-80199-2010-08-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203012913/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/endhiran-the-costliest-film-in-india/1/108599.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 |access-date=11 August 2010 |work=India Today |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |date=3 October 2010 |title=Meet India's biggest film star |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meet-indias-biggest-film-star-2096273.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122065142/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meet-indias-biggest-film-star-2096273.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=3 October 2010 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> surpassing the Hindi film ''[[Blue (2009 film)|Blue]]'' (2009), which was filmed on a budget of {{INR}}750 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iyer |first=Meena |date=10 August 2010 |title=At 150 crore, Rajinikant's Robot costliest ever movie |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-10/news/27627378_1_first-film-special-effects-yuen-woo-ping |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141214014845/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-10/news/27627378_1_first-film-special-effects-yuen-woo-ping |archive-date=14 December 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>{{refn|The average exchange rate in 2009 was 46.29 Indian rupees ({{INR}}) per 1 US dollar (US$).<ref name="ex2010" />|group=Note}} | ||
''Enthiran'' became the first Tamil film to be released at the [[Colosseum kino]], a [[Norway|Norwegian]] theatre complex in [[Oslo]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raj K. |first=Rohith |date=10 October 2010 |title='Enthiran's bitter pill to Malayalam cinema |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article289735.ece |url-status= | ''Enthiran'' became the first Tamil film to be released at the [[Colosseum kino]], a [[Norway|Norwegian]] theatre complex in [[Oslo]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raj K. |first=Rohith |date=10 October 2010 |title='Enthiran's bitter pill to Malayalam cinema |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article289735.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208085811/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article289735.ece |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=8 February 2015 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> and it was screened at the 21st [[Bath Film Festival]], held in the United Kingdom in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 21st Bath film festival |url=http://bathfilmfestival.org.uk/the-robot.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101081726/http://bathfilmfestival.org.uk/the-robot.html |archive-date=1 November 2010 |access-date=24 November 2011 |website=[[Bath Film Festival]]}}</ref> Additionally, a version of the film, edited to a running length of two hours, was released in Japan in May 2012, and later screened at the 24th [[Tokyo International Film Festival]], where it won a special award under the section "Winds of Asia–Middle East".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winds of Asia-Middle East – Film Panorama of Asia-Middle East: The Robot |url=http://2011.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/works.php?id=108 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714152139/http://2011.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/works.php?id=108 |archive-date=14 July 2015 |access-date=2 November 2011 |website=[[Tokyo International Film Festival]]}}</ref><ref name="TIFF">{{Cite web |title=24th Tokyo International Film Festival – List of Winners |url=http://2011.tiff-jp.net/en/tiff/awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121094438/http://2011.tiff-jp.net/en/tiff/awards.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=Tokyo International Film Festival}}</ref> By public demand, the original, unedited version was later released in that country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2012 |title=Rajnikanth's 'Robot' hit with cine goers in Japan |url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/rajnikanths-robot-hit-with-cine-goers-in-japan_113554.html |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=Zee News |language=en |agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]] |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130212936/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/rajnikanths-robot-hit-with-cine-goers-in-japan_113554.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
=== Marketing and distribution === | === Marketing and distribution === | ||
The first poster for ''Enthiran'' was released on 8 September 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2008 |title=Enthiren (Robot) – First Look! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiren-robot-first-look-news-tamil-kkfsWHedhfisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605085125/http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiren-robot-first-look-news-tamil-kkfsWHedhfisi.html |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 | | The first poster for ''Enthiran'' was released on 8 September 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2008 |title=Enthiren (Robot) – First Look! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiren-robot-first-look-news-tamil-kkfsWHedhfisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605085125/http://www.sify.com/movies/enthiren-robot-first-look-news-tamil-kkfsWHedhfisi.html |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film's trailer was released on 11 September 2010, at the [[SPI Cinemas|Sathyam Cinemas]] theatre complex in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2010 |title=Endhiran trailer released |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/endhiran-trailer-released/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121100152/http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/endhiran-trailer-released/ |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> To promote ''Enthiran'', [[AGS Entertainment]] organised a festival from 25 September 2010 until its release date, in which they screened popular films of Rajinikanth at the company's theatre in [[Villivakkam]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2010 |title=One for the fans |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/one-for-the-fans/article791697.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208044841/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/one-for-the-fans/article791697.ece |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=8 February 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In Coimbatore, the [[India Post|Department of Posts]] printed 100,000 post cards advertising the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2010 |title=Endhiran advertisement on post cards |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/endhiran-advertisement-on-post-cards/article799913.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208044846/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/endhiran-advertisement-on-post-cards/article799913.ece |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=8 February 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Sun Pictures invested a total of {{INR}}500 million on promotional activities.<ref name="R+R" />{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} | ||
Advance bookings for the film began two weeks before the release date in the United States. In the [[Jackson Heights, Queens|Jackson Heights]] neighbourhood in New York, tickets were sold out within ten minutes of going on sale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nivas |first=Namita |date=1 October 2010 |title=Endhiran makes news even before release |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/endhiran-makes-news-even-before-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121100802/http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/endhiran-makes-news-even-before-release/ |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> In Kerala the distribution rights were sold for {{INR}}50 million,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2010 |title=Malayalam rights of 'Endhiran' sets record |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article209164.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121080239/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article209164.ece |archive-date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |website=The New Indian Express |publisher=Sampurn Wire}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} while in Karnataka they were sold for {{INR}}100 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Shyam |date=25 September 2010 |title=Enthiran will singe you |url=http://bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=10&contentid=2010092520100925051125158c0163429 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707213303/http://bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=10&contentid=2010092520100925051125158c0163429 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |access-date=24 December 2010 |website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} The distribution rights in Mumbai were sold to Shringar Films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheikh |first=Aminah |date=4 October 2010 |title=Robot, Anjaana Anjaani sweep box office |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-10-04/news/27624325_1_box-office-anjaana-anjaani-occupancies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126024710/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-10-04/news/27624325_1_box-office-anjaana-anjaani-occupancies |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=5 June 2016 |website=The Economic Times}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Enthiran'' was released by Ayngaran International, while ''Robot'' was released by [[B4U (network)|B4U Network]].<ref name="Tamil version runtime" /> DVD marketing in India was handled by [[Moser Baer]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endhiran (Movie, DVD) |url=http://www.flipkart.com/endhiran/p/itmdgyahufaytfhh?pid=AVMDGY9Y6P2RHTKK&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=endhiran&ref=18d2e162-a197-461c-9b97-f2efd7a691b1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130155109/http://www.flipkart.com/endhiran/p/itmdgyahufaytfhh?pid=AVMDGY9Y6P2RHTKK&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=endhiran&ref=18d2e162-a197-461c-9b97-f2efd7a691b1 |archive-date=30 January 2015 |access-date=30 January 2015 |website=[[Flipkart]]}}</ref> Ayngaran International released the two-DVD set of the film in early 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endhiran 2 DVD Special Edition |url=https://www.amazon.com/Endhiran-2-DVD-Special-Edition/dp/B004L2FCOW |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808143758/http://www.amazon.com/Endhiran-2-DVD-Special-Edition/dp/B004L2FCOW |archive-date=8 August 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015 |website=Amazon}}</ref> | |||
ASTPL, an Indian software developer, also released a [[mobile video game]] based on the film, titled ''Enthiran The Robot''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enthiran The Robot |url=https://phoneky.com/games/?id=j4j28459 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123143705/https://phoneky.com/games/?id=j4j28459 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=30 September 2023 |website=phoneky.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Plagiarism allegations === | === Plagiarism allegations === | ||
The novelist Aarur Thamizhnadan made a complaint with the [[Chennai Metropolitan Police]] against the filmmakers in November 2010, stating that the producers plagiarised his 1996 novel ''Jugiba''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyengar |first=Pushpa |date=11 November 2010 |title=Chennai Corner – So who wrote Endhiran? |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Chennai-Corner/267919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122035951/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Chennai-Corner/267919 |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |website=Outlook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2011 |title=Scribe stakes claim to Enthiran story |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/scribe-stakes-claim-enthiran-story-743 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530010555/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/scribe-stakes-claim-enthiran-story-743 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |access-date=15 December 2011 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> Thamizhnadan demanded {{INR}}10 million{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} from the director and producers for damages and filed a case against Kalanithi Maran.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 November 2010 |title=Plea to restrain screening of 'Enthiran' | The novelist Aarur Thamizhnadan made a complaint with the [[Chennai Metropolitan Police]] against the filmmakers in November 2010, stating that the producers plagiarised his 1996 novel ''Jugiba''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyengar |first=Pushpa |date=11 November 2010 |title=Chennai Corner – So who wrote Endhiran? |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Chennai-Corner/267919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122035951/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Chennai-Corner/267919 |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2011 |title=Scribe stakes claim to Enthiran story |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/scribe-stakes-claim-enthiran-story-743 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530010555/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/scribe-stakes-claim-enthiran-story-743 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |access-date=15 December 2011 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> Thamizhnadan demanded {{INR}}10 million{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} from the director and producers for damages and filed a case against Kalanithi Maran.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 November 2010 |title=Plea to restrain screening of 'Enthiran' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/plea-to-restrain-screening-of-enthiran/article877295.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122054356/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/plea-to-restrain-screening-of-enthiran/article877295.ece |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=22 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref name="EPMHC">{{Cite news |date=10 June 2011 |title=HC stay on case against Kalanithi |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/HC-stay-on-case-against-Kalanithi/articleshow/8794646.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604084620/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/HC-stay-on-case-against-Kalanithi/articleshow/8794646.cms |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=15 March 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In June 2011, the [[Madras High Court]] dismissed the case after a petition filed by Maran denying the allegation was approved.<ref name="EPMHC" /> The case was dismissed by courts in June 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 2023 |title=Madras High Court dismisses civil suit alleging Rajinikanth-starring film Enthiran's script was stolen |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-dismisses-civil-suit-alleging-rajinikanth-starring-film-enthiran-script-was-stolen/article66971054.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617030144/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-dismisses-civil-suit-alleging-rajinikanth-starring-film-enthiran-script-was-stolen/article66971054.ece |archive-date=17 June 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In February 2025, Shankar's assets amounting to approximately ₹10 crore were attached to the case by the [[Enforcement Directorate]] for violating Section 63 of the [[Copyright law of India|Copyright Act, 1957]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/enthiran-plagiarism-case-ed-attaches-director-shankars-assets-worth-over-10-crore-under-pmla-101740059671625.html |title=ED attaches director Shankar's assets worth over ₹10 crore under PMLA in Enthiran plagiarism case |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |agency=PTI |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025}}</ref> | ||
== Reception == | == Reception == | ||
=== Box office === | === Box office === | ||
The daily newspaper ''[[Business Line]]'' reported that ''Enthiran'' grossed {{INR}} | The daily newspaper ''[[Business Line]]'' reported that ''Enthiran'' grossed {{INR}}58 crore from all versions in the opening weekend,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Varada |date=4 October 2010 |title=Bollywood buoyant as Q3 opens on positive note |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-marketing/bollywood-buoyant-as-q3-opens-on-positive-note/article1005838.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206082026/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-marketing/bollywood-buoyant-as-q3-opens-on-positive-note/article1005838.ece |archive-date=6 February 2015 |access-date=4 October 2010 |website=Business Line}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} and ''[[The Economic Times]]'' stated it netted {{INR}}117 crore by the end of its opening week.<ref name="first week">{{Cite news |last=Dubey |first=Bharati |date=9 October 2010 |title=Rs 117 cr in just 7 days, 'Robot' Rajini smashes all records |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-10-09/news/27593126_1_film-collection-endhiran |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126032109/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-10-09/news/27593126_1_film-collection-endhiran |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=9 October 2010 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} According to a February 2015 report by the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', the film has grossed ₹256 crore worldwide in its lifetime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2015 |title=Vikram's I crosses Rs 200 crore mark, eyes Enthiran record |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vikram-s-i-crosses-rs-200-crore-mark-eyeing-endhiran-record/story-yiOmxaPA0HSNn8v8s3T1mK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919134414/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vikram-s-i-crosses-rs-200-crore-mark-eyeing-endhiran-record/story-yiOmxaPA0HSNn8v8s3T1mK.html |archive-date=19 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> [[Indo-Asian News Service]] stated in July 2015 that the film grossed ₹290 crore from both its original and its dubbed versions.<ref name="2.90 billion">{{Cite web |date=19 July 2015 |title=SS Rajamouli's Baahubali enters RS 300 crore club |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/ss-rajamoulis-baahubali-enters-rs-300-crore-club/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919134359/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/ss-rajamoulis-baahubali-enters-rs-300-crore-club/ |archive-date=19 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} ''Enthiran'' became the top-earning Indian film of 2010 ahead of ''[[My Name Is Khan]]'' and ''[[Dabangg]]'' and became the highest-grossing Tamil film at that point.<ref name="worldwide gross">{{Cite web |date=1 November 2010 |title=Endhiran – The Robot Expected Lifetime Business |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2171&nCat=box_office_news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104233643/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2171&nCat=box_office_news |archive-date=4 November 2010 |access-date=6 February 2015 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> It is currently [[List of highest-grossing Tamil films|12th highest-grossing Tamil film worldwide]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=5 May 2017 |title='Baahubali 2' Becomes All-Time No. 1 Indian Film at Worldwide Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-record-box-office-india-imax-north-america-worldwide-prabhas-1202079770/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505171227/http://deadline.com/2017/05/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-record-box-office-india-imax-north-america-worldwide-prabhas-1202079770/ |archive-date=5 May 2017 |access-date=5 May 2017 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=30 July 2016 |title='Magizhchi' at the box-office |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kabali-has-had-the-biggestever-opening-for-a-tamil-film/article8921554.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731061021/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kabali-has-had-the-biggestever-opening-for-a-tamil-film/article8921554.ece |archive-date=31 July 2016 |access-date=31 July 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> | ||
[[Box Office India]] estimated that ''Enthiran'' netted {{INR}}195 crore across India with the Tamil version netting {{INR}}120 crore, the Telugu version netting {{INR}}53 crore and the Hindi version netting {{INR}}22 crore.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2016 |title=Kabali Set To Be Biggest Tamil Grosser |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=2189 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727095155/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=2189 |archive-date=27 July 2016 |access-date=27 July 2016 |website=Box Office India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kabali (Hindi) And Madaari Are Low On Monday |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=2187 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727095208/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=2187 |archive-date=27 July 2016 |access-date=27 July 2016 |website=Box Office India}}</ref>{{refn|name=exchange2010|group=Note}} The website estimated the overseas earnings of the film (including its dubbed versions) at approximately $12 million as of November 2010 with the Tamil version grossing $11 million and the remaining $1 million coming in from the Telugu and Hindi versions.<ref name="worldwide gross" /> | |||
In Japan, the film grossed $407,438, including $370,697 for the Hindi version and $36,741 for the Tamil version.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 2019 |title=Japan's love for Indian films continues to rise | In Japan, the film grossed $407,438, including $370,697 for the Hindi version and $36,741 for the Tamil version.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 2019 |title=Japan's love for Indian films continues to rise |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/japans-love-for-indian-films-continues-to-rise-3505491.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209095056/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/japans-love-for-indian-films-continues-to-rise-3505491.html |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=9 February 2019 |work=[[Moneycontrol]]}}</ref> | ||
=== Critical response === | === Critical response === | ||
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|77|6|13|consensus=}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2010 |title=Endhiran (2010) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/endhiran/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422065031/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/endhiran |archive-date=22 April 2022 |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]}}</ref> | |||
==== India ==== | ==== India ==== | ||
''Enthiran'' received positive reviews from critics in India, with praise particularly directed at Rathnavelu's cinematography, Cyril's art direction, Srinivas Mohan's visual effects and Rajinikanth's performance as Chitti.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2010 |title=Critics give a thumbs up to Endhiran | <!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20101013202412/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14957842&ctid=5&cid=2429 --> | ||
''Enthiran'' received positive reviews from critics in India, with praise particularly directed at Rathnavelu's cinematography, Cyril's art direction, Srinivas Mohan's visual effects and Rajinikanth's performance as Chitti.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2010 |title=Critics give a thumbs up to Endhiran |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/critics-give-a-thumbs-up-to-endhiran/story-o1InoBdTUUJ7tpF1Xtcl8K.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127100230/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/critics-give-a-thumbs-up-to-endhiran/article1-606784.aspx |archive-date=27 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Agarwal |first=Vibhuti |date=1 October 2010 |title=Review Round-Up: 'Endhiran'/'Robot' |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/10/01/review-round-up-endhiranrobot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129105107/http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/10/01/review-round-up-endhiranrobot/ |archive-date=29 January 2015 |access-date=29 January 2015 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Aniruddha Guha of ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' gave the film a rating of four out of five stars and believed it had the "best special effects ever seen in a Tamil film" and that it was "one of the most entertaining Tamil films—across all languages—ever made."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guha |first=Aniruddha |date=1 October 2010 |title=Robot (Endhiran) is an Indian film to be proud of |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-robot-endhiran-is-an-indian-film-to-be-proud-of-1446033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123151434/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-robot-endhiran-is-an-indian-film-to-be-proud-of-1446033 |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=1 October 2010 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}</ref> Both [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''The Times of India'' and Kaveree Bamzai of ''[[India Today]]'' rated the film four out of five stars. Kazmi called it "the perfect getaway film".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kazmi |first=Nikhat |author-link=Nikhat Kazmi |date=30 September 2010 |title=Robot Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Robot/movie-review/6658514.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612223402/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Robot/movie-review/6658514.cms |archive-date=12 June 2015 |access-date=1 October 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Bamzai praised Rajinikanth's acting in the film and said, "Rajni tells us why robot sapiens are superior to homo sapiens".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |date=1 October 2010 |title=Film review: Endhiran |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/film-review-endhiran-83022-2010-09-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204095812/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-endhiran/1/114755.html |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=9 July 2011 |work=India Today}}</ref> Cable Shankar of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' magazine praised the technical aspects, music, stunts and direction while calling Chitti's character attracts more attention than Vaseegaran. He also stated that first half was interesting using Chitti's character but the second half had uninteresting sequences which proves to be a obstacle to the screenplay yet they manage to compensate with graphics in the film's climax and concluded saying little bit of science fiction + usual emotions + many Rajinis + logic = Enthiran.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=கேபிள் சங்கர் |date=17 October 2010 |title=எந்திரன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2010-10-17/page/2/mode/2up |access-date=4 October 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=2–3 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> | |||
Both [[Anupama Chopra]] of [[NDTV]] and Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com gave ''Enthiran'' a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five. Chopra criticised the film's portions in the second half, describing them as "needlessly stretched and cacophonous", but concluded her review by saying, "''Robot'' rides on Rajinikanth's shoulders and he never stoops under the burden. Aided by snazzy clothes, make-up and special effects, he makes Chitti endearing."<ref name="Chopra">{{Cite web|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|author-link=Anupama Chopra|date=1 October 2010|title=Review: Robot|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-robot-551|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204151648/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-robot-551|archive-date=4 February 2015|access-date=1 October 2010|website=NDTV}}</ref> Srinivasan, however, said that Shankar "strikes the balance between science fiction and masala quotient." She concluded that, "Whichever way you look at it, | Both [[Anupama Chopra]] of [[NDTV]] and Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com gave ''Enthiran'' a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five. Chopra criticised the film's portions in the second half, describing them as "needlessly stretched and cacophonous", but concluded her review by saying, "''Robot'' rides on Rajinikanth's shoulders and he never stoops under the burden. Aided by snazzy clothes, make-up and special effects, he makes Chitti endearing."<ref name="Chopra">{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |date=1 October 2010 |title=Review: Robot |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-robot-551 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204151648/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-robot-551 |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=1 October 2010 |website=NDTV}}</ref> Srinivasan, however, said that Shankar "strikes the balance between science fiction and masala quotient." She concluded that, "Whichever way you look at it, ''Enthiran'' is one of those rare films that give you just enough material to pull you in, and enjoy yourself."<ref name="PRrediff">{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=1 October 2010 |title=Shankar, Rajinikanth make Endhiran work |url=http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/oct/01/south-tamil-review-endhiran.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204094855/http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/oct/01/south-tamil-review-endhiran.htm |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=9 July 2011 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[News18]] gave a rating of three out of five stars and said, "In the end, it's the fantastic special effects and an inspired performance from {{sic|Rajnikant|nolink=y}} that keeps the film fresh."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masand |first=Rajeev |author-link=Rajeev Masand |date=8 October 2010 |title='Robot' is an adventure waiting for you |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-robot-is-an-adventure-waiting-for-you/132161-47-84.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013055753/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masand-robot-is-an-adventure-waiting-for-you/132161-47-84.html |archive-date=13 October 2012 |access-date=6 November 2011 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> | ||
Malini Mannath of ''The New Indian Express'' noted ''Enthiran'' for having "An engaging script, brilliant special effects, and a debonair hero who still carries his charisma effortlessly."<ref name="malini" /> Karthik Subramanian of ''The Hindu'' observed that actors "tend to get lost in special effects movies." He believed it was not the case in ''Enthiran'': "Rajinikanth and [Aishwarya Rai] carry the movie on their shoulders, and considering the fact that much of the acting must have been in front of green screens, one has to say that nothing looks artificial right through."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Karthik |date=1 October 2010 |title=Unabashed entertainer | [[Mayank Shekhar]], writing for ''Hindustan Times'', rated it three stars and said, "Leave aside jokes running on the Internet. This film, just a few feet too long, is fine entertainment by itself."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekhar |first=Mayank |author-link=Mayank Shekhar |date=4 October 2010 |title=Mayank Shekhar's Review: Robot |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-robot/story-QvlgAwwSQRpAbqpE5utmRO.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922090833/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-robot/story-QvlgAwwSQRpAbqpE5utmRO.html |archive-date=22 September 2017 |access-date=22 September 2017 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''The New Indian Express'' noted ''Enthiran'' for having "An engaging script, brilliant special effects, and a debonair hero who still carries his charisma effortlessly."<ref name="malini" /> Karthik Subramanian of ''The Hindu'' observed that actors "tend to get lost in special effects movies." He believed it was not the case in ''Enthiran'': "Rajinikanth and [Aishwarya Rai] carry the movie on their shoulders, and considering the fact that much of the acting must have been in front of green screens, one has to say that nothing looks artificial right through."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Karthik |date=1 October 2010 |title=Unabashed entertainer |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/unabashed-entertainer/article807284.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204094450/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/unabashed-entertainer/article807284.ece |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In contrast, Gautaman Bhaskaran of ''Hindustan Times'' rated it two out of five stars, writing that "Shankar's work slips into a loud, overdramatic and exaggerated mess".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhaskaran |first=Gautaman |date=1 October 2010 |title=Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: Endhiran |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/gautaman-bhaskaran-s-review-endhiran/story-ENP80sXGeoKJxuITEAdiyN.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204100758/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/gautaman-bhaskaran-s-review-endhiran/article1-606907.aspx |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=26 October 2010 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> | ||
==== | ==== International ==== | ||
Lisa Tsering from ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said, "Rajinikanth is such a badass that [[Chuck Norris]] is [[Chuck Norris facts|afraid of him]]." She praised the filming locations, especially the "Kilimanjaro" song sequence, but criticised the length of the film's climax portions.<ref name="LSHR">{{Cite news |last=Tsering |first=Lisa |date=14 October 2010 |title=Robot – Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/robot-film-review-30163 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205164503/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/robot-film-review-30163 |archive-date=5 February 2015 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Genevieve Koski from ''The A. V. Club'' believed that ''Enthiran'' was "pretty good" and concluded that "if you prefer elaborate costumes and dance music mixed in with your killer-robot action, expect to enjoy up to an hour of ''Enthiran''."<ref name="AV Club" /> Marc Savlov of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' called ''Enthiran'' "the best apocalyptic sci-fi-romcom-melodrama-dance-off date movie of the year."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Savlov |first=Marc |date=25 February 2011 |title=Endhiran (Robot) |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2011-02-25/endhiran-the-robot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206072711/http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2011-02-25/endhiran-the-robot/ |archive-date=6 February 2015 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]]}}</ref> | |||
Following the film's screening at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]], American film director [[Oliver Stone]] praised ''Enthiran''{{'s}} originality.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Balasubramanianram|first1=P. C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SaabAwAAQBAJ|title=Grand Brand Rajini|last2=Ramakrishnan|first2=N.|publisher=Rupa Publications|year=2012|isbn=978-81-291-2059-5|pages=79|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614154325/https://books.google.com/books?id=SaabAwAAQBAJ|archive-date=2021 | Roger Moore, writing for the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', gave a mixed review, evaluating it as a "melodramatic kitschy Indian musical about a robot built for national defense but who discovers his human side."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Roger |date=7 October 2010 |title=Movie Review: Endhiran |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/10/movie-review-endhiran.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013034935/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/10/movie-review-endhiran.html |archive-date=13 October 2010 |access-date=21 April 2015 |website=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> Following the film's screening at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]], American film director [[Oliver Stone]] praised ''Enthiran''{{'s}} originality.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Balasubramanianram |first1=P. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SaabAwAAQBAJ |title=Grand Brand Rajini |last2=Ramakrishnan |first2=N. |publisher=Rupa Publications |year=2012 |isbn=978-81-291-2059-5 |pages=79 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614154325/https://books.google.com/books?id=SaabAwAAQBAJ |archive-date=14 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Conversely, [[Joe Leydon]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' believed that Shankar "riffs on everything" from ''Frankenstein'' to ''The Terminator'', but suggested that the film was an "overwhelming mash-up of American-style, f/x-driven sci-fi spectacle and a Bollywood musical."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leydon |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Leydon |date=8 October 2010 |title=Review: 'Endhiran – The Robot' |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/endhiran-the-robot-1117943809/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223083911/http://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/endhiran-the-robot-1117943809 |archive-date=23 December 2013 |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> | ||
== | === Accolades === | ||
{{Main|List of accolades received by Enthiran}} | {{Main|List of accolades received by Enthiran}} | ||
At the [[58th National Film Awards]], ''Enthiran'' won for [[National Film Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] and [[National Film Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=58th National Film Awards for 2010 announced |url=http://dff.nic.in/awards.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233408/http://dff.nic.in/awards.asp |archive-date=30 December 2013 |access-date=19 May 2011 |website=Directorate of Film Festivals}}</ref> It won in three categories at the [[58th Filmfare Awards South]] for [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South|Best Cinematographer]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Director – South|Best Art Director]] and Best Costume Design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=58th Idea Filmfare Awards South winners |url=http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/58th-south-filmfare-awards-winners-10839/slide/21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122121638/http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/58th-south-filmfare-awards-winners-10839/slide/21 |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=27 May 2012 |website=[[NDTV]] |pages=21, 22, 23 27, 28, 30}}</ref> At the [[5th Vijay Awards]], it was nominated in fourteen categories and won in seven, including [[Vijay Award for Best Villain|Best Villain]] and [[Vijay Award for Favourite Hero|Favourite Hero]] for Rajinikanth, [[Vijay Award for Favourite Film|Favourite Film]] and [[Vijay Award for Favourite Director|Favourite Director]].<ref name="Vijay">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0sMfvSm_M |title=Vijay Awards 07/15/11 |date=6 June 2012 | |||
At the [[58th National Film Awards]], ''Enthiran'' won for [[National Film Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] and [[National Film Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=58th National Film Awards for 2010 announced |url=http://dff.nic.in/awards.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233408/http://dff.nic.in/awards.asp |archive-date=30 December 2013 |access-date=19 May 2011 |website=Directorate of Film Festivals}}</ref> It won in three categories at the [[58th Filmfare Awards South]] for [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South|Best Cinematographer]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Director – South|Best Art Director]] and Best Costume Design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=58th Idea Filmfare Awards South winners |url=http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/58th-south-filmfare-awards-winners-10839/slide/21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122121638/http://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/58th-south-filmfare-awards-winners-10839/slide/21 |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=27 May 2012 |website=[[NDTV]] |pages=21, 22, 23 27, 28, 30}}</ref> At the [[5th Vijay Awards]], it was nominated in fourteen categories and won in seven, including [[Vijay Award for Best Villain|Best Villain]] and [[Vijay Award for Favourite Hero|Favourite Hero]] for Rajinikanth, [[Vijay Award for Favourite Film|Favourite Film]] and [[Vijay Award for Favourite Director|Favourite Director]].<ref name="Vijay">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0sMfvSm_M |title=Vijay Awards 07/15/11 |date=6 June 2012 |place=[[Chennai]] |access-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921063254/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0sMfvSm_M |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> At the [[Screen Awards|17th Screen Awards]], the film won awards under the [[Screen Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] and Spectacular Cutting Edge Technology categories.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2011 |title=Winners of 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1748/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126105906/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1748/ |archive-date=26 January 2015 |access-date=7 January 2011 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> However, the film missed out on being the [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|official Indian submission for the Academy Awards]] since the jury noted out that it had sequences lifted from four American films.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2011 |title=Tamil entries for Oscars lack originality |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2011/oct/05/tamil-entries-for-oscars-lack-originality-297658.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200707165253/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2011/oct/05/tamil-entries-for-oscars-lack-originality-297658.html |archive-date=7 July 2020 |access-date=7 July 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> | |||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
''Enthiran'' was the only Tamil film featured on the [[IMDb|Internet Movie Database]] (IMDb) list of the 50 best films of 2010.<ref name="Facts">{{Cite web |title=Rajinikanth: Lesser known facts – Page 7 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Rajinikanth-Lesser-known-facts/photostory/34830196.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204161154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Rajinikanth-Lesser-known-facts/photostory/34830196.cms |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=4 February 2015 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film was also included as a case study in a postgraduate elective course of the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]], "Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective".<ref name="Facts" /> | |||
Scenes from ''Enthiran'', particularly one known as the "Black Sheep" scene,{{refn|The "Black Sheep" scene refers to a scene where Chitti finds Dr. Vaseegaran disguised as him amidst the robot army.<ref name="Behind" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gunasekaran |first=Ranjitha |date=10 October 2010 |title=Why you should watch Endhiran | Scenes from ''Enthiran'', particularly one known as the "Black Sheep" scene,{{refn|The "Black Sheep" scene refers to a scene where Chitti finds Dr. Vaseegaran disguised as him amidst the robot army.<ref name="Behind" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gunasekaran |first=Ranjitha |date=10 October 2010 |title=Why you should watch Endhiran |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article289615.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206165657/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article289615.ece |archive-date=6 February 2015 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>|group=Note}} have been parodied in subsequent films, including ''[[Mankatha]]'' (2011),<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Mankatha |date=2011 |last=[[Venkat Prabhu|Prabhu, Venkat]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=[[Cloud Nine Movies]] |place=India |time=45:12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Mankatha |date=2011 |last=[[Venkat Prabhu|Prabhu, Venkat]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=[[Cloud Nine Movies]] |place=India |time=2:17:26}}</ref> ''[[Osthe]]'' (2011),<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Osthe |date=2011 |last=[[Dharani (director)|Dharani]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=Balaji Real Media |place=India |time=2:01:16}}</ref> ''[[Singam II]]'' (2013),<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Singam II |date=2013 |last=[[Hari (director)|Hari]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=Prince Pictures |place=India |time=14:25}}</ref> ''[[Ya Ya (film)|Ya Ya]]'' (2013),<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Ya Ya |date=2013 |last=I. Rajasekaran (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=M10 Productions |place=India |time=53:13}}</ref> ''[[I (2015 film)|I]]'' (2015) with the same director,<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=I |date=2015 |last=[[S. Shankar]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=Aascar Film |place=India |time=25:34}}</ref> ''[[Jailer (2023 Tamil film)|Jailer]]'' (2023),<ref>{{Cite web |last=V |first=Harshini S. |date=11 August 2023 |title=Jailer First Day First Impression: Despite The Flaws, Rajinikanth and Nelson Are Back and How! |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/jailer-first-day-first-impression-despite-the-flaws-rajinikanth-and-nelson-are-back-and-how-ramya-krishnan-mohanlal-jackie-shroff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822115347/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/jailer-first-day-first-impression-despite-the-flaws-rajinikanth-and-nelson-are-back-and-how-ramya-krishnan-mohanlal-jackie-shroff |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref> as well as in the Telugu films ''[[Parama Veera Chakra]]'' (2011),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaforums.com/article/give-parama-veera-chakra-a-miss-telugu-movie-review_23400|title=Give 'Parama Veera Chakra' a miss ( Telugu Movie Review)|date=16 January 2011|work=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]|access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref> ''[[Dookudu]]'' (2011),<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Dookudu |date=2011 |last=[[Srinu Vaitla|Vaitla, Srinu]] (director) |type=motion picture |publisher=14 Reels Entertainment |place=India |time=1:43:02}}</ref> and ''[[Nuvva Nena]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=18 March 2012 |title=Old wine, same old bottle |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/old-wine-same-old-bottle/article3007871.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122041218/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/old-wine-same-old-bottle/article3007871.ece |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>{{refn|The satellite rights of ''Mankatha'', ''Osthe'' and ''Singam II'' were purchased by Sun TV.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2011 |title=K – Family unites to release ''Mankatha'' |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/k-family-unites-to-release-mankatha-news-tamil-lizkKhjibjesi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314135235/http://www.sify.com/movies/k-family-unites-to-release-mankatha-news-tamil-lizkKhjibjesi.html |archive-date=14 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Osthi'', all clear for Dec 8 release |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/osthi-all-clear-for-dec-8-release-imagegallery-kollywood-lmfpb5aabfisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314135338/http://www.sify.com/movies/osthi-all-clear-for-dec-8-release-imagegallery-kollywood-lmfpb5aabfisi.html |archive-date=14 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2014 |title=Sun TV Grabs Rights for Anjaan |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sun-TV-Grabs-Rights-for-Anjaan/2014/05/01/article2198491.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605113455/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sun-TV-Grabs-Rights-for-Anjaan/2014/05/01/article2198491.ece |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=5 June 2016 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>|group=Note}} In the film, Chitti often introduces himself by stating the [[clock rate]] of his [[central processing unit]], which is 1 terahertz (10<sup>12</sup> [[hertz]]), and his [[random-access memory]] limit, which is 1 zettabyte (10<sup>21</sup> [[byte]]s). This introduction dialogue, which is spoken by Chitti as "Hi, I'm Chitti, speed 1 terahertz, memory 1 zettabyte" became popular.<ref name="Clone" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2RPAk2Tipw |title=Chitti meets G.One sequence – RA.One |date=5 January 2012 |author= | ||
Eros Now Music |type=Motion picture |publisher=[[Eros International|Eros Now]] |place=India |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914034010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2RPAk2Tipw |archive-date=14 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rajinikanth featured in a cameo role as Chitti in the science-fiction film ''[[Ra.One]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2011 |title=Rajnikanth plays Chitti – the robot in SRK's "Ra. One" |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajnikanth-plays-chitti-the-robot-in-srks-ra-one/article2511736.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122041225/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajnikanth-plays-chitti-the-robot-in-srks-ra-one/article2511736.ece |archive-date=22 January 2015 |access-date=20 January 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]] |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> | |||
On Rajinikanth's 64th birthday, an agency named Minimal Kollywood Posters designed posters of Rajinikanth's films, in which the [[Despicable Me | On Rajinikanth's 64th birthday, an agency named Minimal Kollywood Posters designed posters of Rajinikanth's films, in which the [[Minions (Despicable Me)|Minion]] characters from the ''[[Despicable Me]]'' franchise are dressed as Rajinikanth. The digital art was hand drawn on a digital pad by Gautham Raj. One of the posters depicted a mutated Minion, reminiscent of Chitti's "villain robot" look in ''Enthiran''.<ref name="Minions">{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Shiva |date=15 December 2014 |title=Superstar Rajinikanth as Minions – Enthiran (2010) |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/Superstar-Rajinikanth-as-Minions/photostory/45519505.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706224058/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/Superstar-Rajinikanth-as-Minions/photostory/45519505.cms |archive-date=6 July 2015 |access-date=21 March 2015 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In March 2015, Kamath, in his review of the science fiction film ''[[Chappie (film)|Chappie]]'', compared its eponymous lead character to Chitti in terms of learning human emotions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |date=14 March 2015 |title=Chappie: Chitti's Hollywood cousin |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/chappie-chittis-hollywood-cousin/article6993688.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330064030/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/chappie-chittis-hollywood-cousin/article6993688.ece |archive-date=30 March 2015 |access-date=30 March 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> While promoting ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' in India, co-director [[Russo brothers|Joe Russo]] said that the sequence in ''Enthiran'' where numerous clones of Chitti come together to form a giant python inspired a similar scene in ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]''{{'}}s predecessor ''[[Avengers: Age of Ultron|Age of Ultron]]'' (2015) where [[Ultron (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Ultron]] and his clones come together to form a gigantic version of himself, but that the scene was cut from the final version of the film to accommodate its runtime.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |date=1 April 2019 |title=What to expect as the countdown to 'Avengers: Endgame' begins: 'The cost of being a hero' |url=https://scroll.in/reel/918568/what-to-expect-as-the-countdown-to-avengers-endgame-begins-the-cost-of-being-a-hero |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402140056/https://scroll.in/reel/918568/what-to-expect-as-the-countdown-to-avengers-endgame-begins-the-cost-of-being-a-hero |archive-date=2 April 2019 |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Naahar |first=Rohan |date=1 April 2019 |title=Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo confirms he is 'talking to Priyanka Chopra' about future project |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/avengers-endgame-director-joe-russo-confirms-marvel-is-talking-to-priyanka-chopra-about-future-project/story-Ty0qzYYZeLzZgQ8xWFchCM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402135840/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/avengers-endgame-director-joe-russo-confirms-marvel-is-talking-to-priyanka-chopra-about-future-project/story-Ty0qzYYZeLzZgQ8xWFchCM.html |archive-date=2 April 2019 |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> | ||
== | == Sequel == | ||
{{Main|2.0 (film)}} | {{Main|2.0 (film)}} | ||
==See also== | In September 2015, writer [[B. Jeyamohan]] announced that the pre-production stage of a standalone sequel to ''Enthiran'' was "going on in full swing" and that principal photography would commence once Rajinikanth finished filming for ''Kabali'', by the end of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sidhardhan |first=Sanjith |date=3 September 2015 |title=Enthiran sequel to start filming by the end of this year |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Enthiran-sequel-to-start-filming-by-the-end-of-this-year/articleshow/48773748.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909053314/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Enthiran-sequel-to-start-filming-by-the-end-of-this-year/articleshow/48773748.cms |archive-date=9 September 2015 |access-date=9 September 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Nirav Shah]] would be the cinematographer and A. R. Rahman would return as music director, while Muthuraj would handle the art direction. Titled ''2.0'', the film entered production in December 2015 and was released worldwide on 29 November 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Express Web Desk |date=11 July 2018 |title=Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0 to hit screens on November 29, 2018 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/2-0-movie-release-date-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-5254093/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180712032616/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/2-0-movie-release-date-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-5254093/ |archive-date=12 July 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018 |work=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref> Rajinikanth reprised his roles as Vaseegaran and Chitti,<ref>{{Cite news |title='2.0' Teaser Review: Chitti, Chitti, Bang Bang. End. |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/20-review-teaser-chitti-saves-the-day-rajinikanth-photocopy-hollywood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930081136/https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/20-review-teaser-chitti-saves-the-day-rajinikanth-photocopy-hollywood |archive-date=30 September 2018 |access-date=24 September 2018 |work=The Quint |language=en}}</ref> with the additional cast played by [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Amy Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=29 November 2018 |title=2.0 Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/2-0/movie-review/66858163.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181129130545/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/2-0/movie-review/66858163.cms |archive-date=29 November 2018 |access-date=29 November 2018 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> | ||
== See also == | |||
* ''[[En Iniya Iyanthira]]'' | * ''[[En Iniya Iyanthira]]'' | ||
* ''[[Meendum Jeano]]'' | * ''[[Meendum Jeano]]'' | ||
* [[ | * [[Science fiction films in India]] | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 201: | Line 215: | ||
=== Sources === | === Sources === | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-81-8475-796-5 |edition=2nd |location=New Delhi | * {{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-81-8475-796-5 |edition=2nd |location=New Delhi |orig-date=2012}} | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{IMDb title | * {{IMDb title}} | ||
* {{Mojo title | * {{Mojo title}} | ||
{{Enthiran franchise}} | {{Enthiran franchise}} | ||
{{National Film Award Best Special Effects}} | {{National Film Award Best Special Effects}} | ||
{{S. Shankar}} | {{S. Shankar}} | ||
{{Sujatha (writer)}} | |||
[[Category:Enthiran| ]] | [[Category:Enthiran| ]] | ||
[[Category:2010 controversies]] | |||
[[Category:2010 films]] | [[Category:2010 films]] | ||
[[Category:2010 Indian films]] | |||
[[Category:2010 science fiction action films]] | [[Category:2010 science fiction action films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:2010 Tamil-language films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Films about androids]] | ||
[[Category:Films about artificial intelligence]] | [[Category:Films about artificial intelligence]] | ||
[[Category:Films adapted for other media]] | |||
[[Category:Films directed by S. Shankar]] | [[Category:Films directed by S. Shankar]] | ||
[[Category:Films involved in plagiarism controversies]] | [[Category:Films involved in plagiarism controversies]] | ||
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]] | [[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]] | ||
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]] | [[Category:Films set in Chennai]] | ||
[[Category:Films set in the 2010s]] | |||
[[Category:Films set in the 2030s]] | [[Category:Films set in the 2030s]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]] | [[Category:Films shot in Chennai]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in Himachal Pradesh]] | [[Category:Films shot in Himachal Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:Films shot in Peru]] | [[Category:Films shot in Peru]] | ||
[[Category:Films subject to a lawsuit]] | |||
[[Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award]] | [[Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award]] | ||
[[Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award]] | [[Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award]] | ||
[[Category:Indian | [[Category:Indian intellectual property law]] | ||
[[Category:Indian science fiction action films]] | [[Category:Indian science fiction action films]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Sun Pictures films]] | ||
[[Category:Tamil-language films]] | [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]] | ||
[[Category:Tamil-language science fiction action films]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:14, 28 March 2026
| Enthiran | |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release poster of the film Enthiran Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Shankar |
| Produced by | Kalanithi Maran |
| Written by | Shankar |
| Dialogues by |
|
| Starring | |
| Music by | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | R. Rathnavelu |
| Edited by | Anthony |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Sun Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 180 minutes[Note 1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹132–150 crore[8] |
| Box office | est. ₹283–320 crore[13] |
Enthiran (transl. Robot) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film co-written and directed by Shankar.[14] It is the first instalment in the Enthiran film series. The film stars Rajinikanth in dual lead roles as a scientist and the robot he created. Along with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, actors like Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam and Karunas play supporting roles. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman while the dialogues, cinematography, editing and art direction were handled by Madhan Karky, R. Rathnavelu, Anthony and Sabu Cyril and action sequences was done by Peter Hein respectively. The story revolves around the struggle of a scientist named Vaseegaran to control his sophisticated android robot named Chitti, after Chitti's software is upgraded to give it the ability to comprehend and exhibit human emotions and to commission it to the Indian Army. The project backfires when Chitti falls in love with Vaseegaran's girlfriend Sana, and is manipulated by Vaseegaran's mentor Bohra into becoming homicidal.
After being stalled in the development phase for nearly a decade, the film's principal photography began in 2008 and lasted two years. The film marked the debut of Legacy Effects studio (which was responsible for the film's prosthetic make-up and animatronics) in Indian cinema. Enthiran was released worldwide on 1 October 2010. Produced by Kalanithi Maran, it was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release.
The film received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics being particularly appreciative of Shankar's direction, storyline, Rajinikanth's performance as Chitti, music, action sequences, production values and the visual effects by V. Srinivas Mohan. Enthiran emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2010. It won two National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards, seven Vijay Awards and two Screen Awards. Enthiran was followed by a standalone sequel, 2.0, which released in late 2018.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The scientist K. Vaseegaran creates an android robot named Chitti with the help of his assistants, Siva and Ravi, to commission it into the Indian Army. Chitti helps Sana, Vaseegaran's medical student girlfriend, cheat on her examination, then saves her from a group of thugs in an electric train while returning. Vaseegaran's mentor, Bohra, is secretly contracted to create similar robots for a terrorist organisation but so far has been unsuccessful. Threatened with death if he fails to meet the deadline, Bohra seeks the details of Chitti's neural schema, intending to program his robots correctly.
Vaseegaran prepares Chitti for an evaluation by the Artificial Intelligence Research and Development (AIRD) Institute, headed by Bohra. During the evaluation, Chitti nearly stabs Vaseegaran at Bohra's command, which convinces the evaluation committee that the robot is a liability and cannot be used for military purposes. Hoping to prove Bohra wrong, Vaseegaran deploys Chitti to save people from a burning building but fails when Chitti saves a girl bathing but flees being ashamed filmed naked on TV and is hit by a truck and dies. Vaseegaran requests Bohra for one month to modify Chitti's neural schema to enable it to understand human behaviour and emotions to which Bohra agrees. While nearing the deadline, Vaseegaran insults Chitti, who becomes angry with Vaseegaran, demonstrating to him that it can manifest emotions.
Chitti uses Sana's textbooks and an ancient delivery method to help Sana's sister, Latha's childbirth complication. Bohra congratulates Vaseegaran and belatedly lets Chitti pass the AIRD evaluation. Chitti develops romantic feelings for Sana after she congratulates Chitti by kissing it. Later, at Sana's birthday party, Chitti seduces her while dancing and is confronted by Vaseegaran and Sana, to whom it confesses its love towards her. Vaseegaran reprimands Chitti, while Sana explains that they can only be friends. Chitti is saddened by her rejection, until Bohra convinces it to fight for its love for Sana, at Vaseegaran's expense. Chitti purposely fails an evaluation by the Indian Army by talking off-topic. Enraged, Vaseegaran chops Chitti into pieces, which Siva and Ravi dump into a landfill site.
Bohra visits the site to retrieve Chitti, which has crudely reassembled itself. He reconstructs Chitti, in exchange for its neural schema, with the help of Siva and Ravi. Bohra embeds a red chip which converts it into a ruthless killer. Bohra tells Siva and Ravi that he is doing this to earn money through his business and defame Vaseegaran. Chitti gatecrashes Vaseegaran and Sana's wedding, kidnaps Sana, kills many police officers, and creates replicas of itself using Bohra's robots. Bohra tries to stop Chitti, who kills him. Using its robot army, Chitti occupies AIRD. After informing Sana that it has acquired the human ability to reproduce, Chitti wishes to marry her so that a machine and a human being can give birth to a preprogrammed child, but Sana refuses. It eventually finds Vaseegaran, who entered AIRD to stop it, and nearly kills him before the police appear. The ensuing battle between Chitti's robot army and the police personnel leads to many casualties. Vaseegaran eventually captures Chitti using a magnetic wall and accesses its internal control panel, whereby he instructs all the other robots to self-destruct, and removes Chitti's red chip, making him back to normal.
In a court hearing, Vaseegaran is sentenced to death for the casualties caused by the robot army, but Chitti explains that Bohra is the culprit and shows the court video footage of Bohra installing the red chip. The court drops all charges on Vaseegaran but orders Chitti to be dismantled. Left with no choice, Vaseegaran tells Chitti to dismantle itself. Chitti does so while apologising to Sana and Vaseegaran, and receives their forgiveness.
By 2030, Chitti has become a museum exhibit. A curious school student asks her guide why it was dismantled, to which Chitti responds that it started thinking.
Cast[edit | edit source]
— Rajinikanth, on his experience of playing Chitti.[15]
- Rajinikanth in a dual role as
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Sana, K. Vaseegaran's girlfriend (later wife)[17]
- Danny Denzongpa as Professor Bohra, K. Vaseegaran's mentor, who secretly contracted to create similar robots for a terrorist organisation, and upgrading Chitti using the red chip[17]
- Santhanam as Siva, Vaseegaran's assisstant scientist[17]
- Karunas as Ravi, Vaseegaran's co-assisstant scientist[17]
- Cochin Haneefa as the traffic police officer[17]
- Kalabhavan Mani as Pachaimuthu[17]
- Delhi Kumar as Vaseegaran's father[17]
- Raaghav as the neighbourhood bully[16]
- Devadarshini as Latha, Sana's sister[17]
- Revathi Sankaran as Vaseegaran's mother[16]
- Sabu Cyril as Shah[18]
- Chaams as one of the barbers working at The Park Hotel[19]
- Devadas Kanakala as K. Bhajanlal, a customer at The Park Hotel[19]
- Dheena as a thug[19]
- Sugunthan as the police inspector[19]
- Shriya as the curious student[19]
- Boys Rajan as a professor (uncredited)[20]
Production[edit | edit source]
Development[edit | edit source]
In 1996, following the release of Indian, S. Shankar approached and pitched three storylines to Rajinikanth to consider for his next venture. This included scripts which would later become Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Enthiran (2010) and I (2015). Rajinikanth was sceptical and refused all three scripts at the time.[21] Following the completion of his first directorial venture in Hindi, Nayak (2001), Shankar announced his next project, Robot, which was to feature Kamal Haasan and Preity Zinta.[22][23] The film was to be produced by the now-defunct company Media Dreams, a division of Pentamedia Graphics.[23][24] The film was reported to be a futuristic techno-thriller set in Chennai in around 2200 or 3000.[25][26] Despite the completion of a photoshoot featuring Haasan and Zinta,[27] the project was shelved as a result of scheduling conflicts with Haasan.[28] Shankar consequently started work on Boys (2003).[23]
After Boys, Shankar began work on his next feature starring Vikram, which was initially reported by Rediff.com to be Robot revived,[29] but was later revealed as Anniyan (2005).[30][31] One month post the release of Sivaji: The Boss in June 2007, he approached Shah Rukh Khan for the lead in Robot.[32] Shankar had cast Priyanka Chopra in the lead opposite him.[33] Khan was about to produce it under his own banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, but in October the same year the project was officially aborted due to creative differences between him and Shankar.[32][34]
The project was revived in January 2008 with Eros International and the London-based production company Ayngaran International willing to produce the film.[24] The state government of Tamil Nadu granted tax exemptions for films titled in Tamil, resulting in the new production being renamed Enthiran.[28] While Sujatha was originally assigned to write the dialogue for the film, Madhan Karky took over after Sujatha's death in February 2008.[27] In December 2008, Eros International withdrew from funding the project after financial difficulties caused by the box-office failure of Drona (2008) and Yuvvraaj (2008),[35] with the subsequent departure of Ayngaran International, which struggled during the 2008 financial crisis.[36] The film's production and release rights were sold to Sun Pictures.[37]
Cast and crew[edit | edit source]
In January 2008, Rajinikanth accepted the lead role in the film for a salary of ₹450 million (Indian rupees).[34][38][Note 2][15] Shankar rewrote the original script to suit Rajinikanth's acting style.[15] Although Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was Shankar's original choice for the female lead in 2001, she declined it owing to a busy schedule and was replaced by Zinta.[40] When Shankar revived the project with Rajinikanth,[34] contenders for the part included Deepika Padukone,[41] Shriya Saran and Rai, who was ultimately selected and paid ₹60 million.[42][43][Note 2] Rai's voice was dubbed by Savitha Reddy.[44][Note 3]
Several actors were considered for the role of Professor Bohra, including Amitabh Bachchan, J. D. Chakravarthy,[45] Sathyaraj and British actor Ben Kingsley,[46][47] but it was Danny Denzongpa who eventually received it, making Enthiran his first film in Tamil.[48] Dubbing for Denzongpa was provided by Kadhir.[49] Comedians Santhanam and Karunas were cast to portray Vaseegaran's assistants Siva and Ravi respectively.[50]
The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman.[51] Vairamuthu, Pa. Vijay and Madhan Karky authored the lyrics for the songs.[51][52] Manoj Bharathiraja was signed on to be an assistant director after he approached Shankar and helped him find the location for Rajinikanth's house in the film.[47] Arul and Manoj, uncredited, worked as body doubles for both the Vaseegaran and Chitti characters.[19][53][54] Also working as assistant directors were Atlee,[55] Shree and Karthik G. Krish.[56][57] Sabu Cyril, in addition to being the film's art director, made a guest appearance as Shah, an interpreter between Bohra and the terrorist organisation.[18][58]
R. Rathnavelu was hired as the cinematographer after Ravi K. Chandran,[59] Nirav Shah and Tirru were considered.[60][61] Anthony was the film's editor.[62] Yuen Woo-ping, known for his work in The Matrix trilogy and the Kill Bill films, was selected to be the stunt co-ordinator, while Legacy Effects, a visual effects studio based in the United States, were in charge of the prosthetic make-up and animatronics in the film.[63] Munich-based film technical company, Panther, were responsible for the crane shots.[64][Note 4] The film's subtitle captioning was done by Rekha Haricharan.[65]
Costume design[edit | edit source]
Manish Malhotra and Mary E. Vogt were chosen to design the film's costumes.[66][Note 5] Fifty-seven costumes were used for Rai, including a "Mexican tribal" look that she sported during the filming of the "Kilimanjaro" segment.[67] According to make-up artist Banu, no prosthetics were used for Rajinikanth to avoid bothering him by withholding his time on set.[68] Additional make-up was by Vance Hartwell, an employee of Legacy Effects.[69]
The visual appearance of Chitti was based on the G.I. Joe action figures. For Chitti's "villain robot" look, its hair was spiked and brown coloured lenses were used for its eyes, whereas for its "good robot" look, green coloured lenses were used.[68] The wig used for Chitti's "villain robot" look had a silver streak in the middle, made out of Yak hair,[70] while its leather jacket was designed by Vogt.[70] To make Vaseegaran look mature, the team made Rajinikanth sport an Oakley beard.[Note 6] Suits made of copper were used for Chitti's costumes.[72]
Principal photography[edit | edit source]
For Sabu Cyril's sets, Shankar required approximately twice as much studio floor space as for his previous film. After rejecting Ramoji Film City for technical reasons, Enthiran's producer, Kalanithi Maran, took six months to set up three air-conditioned studio floors on land in Perungudi owned by Sun TV Network.[73] Filming began on 15 February 2008 at AVM Studios in Chennai.[61] After the initial stages of filming, Shankar and Rathnavelu toured the world for three weeks, scouting for exotic filming locations.[74] They visited Austria, Germany, Peru, Brazil and Argentina, looking for a backdrop to shoot the "Kilimanjaro" and "Kadhal Anukkal" segments,[75] eventually deciding on Peru and Brazil.[76][77] "Kilimanjaro" was filmed at the ruins of the Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru, with some 100 Brazilian extras.[75][76] It was choreographed by Raju Sundaram and supervised by Fernando Astete, director of the Machu Picchu archaeological park.[76][78] "Kadhal Anukkal" was filmed in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in northeastern Brazil.[77]
The filming for Chitti's introduction to the international robotics conference was completed in December 2008 at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering and Vellore Institute of Technology, where more than 400 students were used as extras.[79][80] Further footage was shot over five days at the Ennore Port on the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines car carrier, Neptune Ace.[81] An action sequence where Chitti saves Sana from thugs was filmed in Lonavala, under the supervision of the action choreographer Peter Hein.[82] Scenes featuring Rajinikanth as Chitti were captured over five days at the Perungudi Dump Yard in Chennai.[83] Sabu Cyril told Uma Kannan of The New Indian Express that the sets for the climax sequence, which was filmed at Mayajaal, consisted of a tar road and glass buildings which rose to 65 feet (20 m), and that aluminium composite panels, reported to have cost ₹50 million, were also used to design the sets.[84][85][Note 7]
The set for "Arima Arima", a sequence choreographed by Prabhu Deva,[86] was designed and constructed by Cyril at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.[84] Filming of the number took place over 22 days in April 2009.[86] Junior artists were employed by Rathnavelu to wear masks of Rajinikanth.[87] For the sequence entitled "Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam", choreographed by Remo D'Souza and featuring Rai and Rajinikanth as Chitti,[88] three different sets were used: one of copper, one of gold and one in silver.[84] The musical number, which was filmed in AVM Studios for eight days, was the last portion of the film's principal photography. D'Souza incorporated the popping style of street dances, but encountered difficulties in performing the dance movements in tandem with the robot, and with the restrictions created by the rigid costumes.[88] Principal photography ended on 7 July 2010.[89]
Visual effects[edit | edit source]
Impressed with the film's script, V. Srinivas Mohan became the visual effects supervisor in December 2007. He asked Shankar to increase the filming schedules by six months to include pre-production requirements.[90][91] Both Mohan and Shankar visited several visual effects companies, including the New Zealand–based Weta Digital and the United States–based Industrial Light & Magic, Cafe FX and Tippett Studio before partnering with Legacy Effects.[90][92] The original Eros-Ayngaran visual effects budget was ₹700 million,[Note 2] but after Sun Pictures took over production, it was significantly reduced to ₹200 million.[Note 2] As a result, the visual effects team had to omit and alter some sequences, making Chitti wear sunglasses for most of the film to reduce the cost and difficulty of animating his eyes.[93]
After a series of previsualisation tests, including a scene in which Chitti jumps on a train to save Sana, Mohan eventually decided to use the technique in 40 out of the 60 visual effects scenes featured in the film,[90] consisting of 2,000 takes.[94] Further previsualisation supervision was conducted by P. C. Sanath of Firefly Creative Studios, a visual effects company based in Hyderabad. 3D storyboards were constructed using 3D animation programs for every scene in the film and were shot from different angles.[91] In an interview with Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu, Mohan said all the pre-production work took one-and-a-half years to complete.[94]
Rathnavelu used the 435 Xtreme camera and also wrote a 1,600-page manual, in which he listed all the possible angles from where he could film the characters Rajinikanth played.[95][96] Legacy Effects and the Hong Kong–based visual effects companies Kinomotive Studios and Menfond Electronics took responsibility for the film's CGI work.[94] To create the robots with Rajinikanth's appearance, a complete scan of his face in 3D digital format in all possible lighting conditions was conducted using the Doom Light Stage,[Note 8] so that his face could be replicated on the mannequins.[91] The technique, according to Shankar, was previously used in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008).[98] The robot Chitti featured in the film was a mannequin made by a Legacy Effects team of 100 technicians in Los Angeles. For every robotic mannequin used, six puppeteers were employed to control the mannequin's movements.[94]
Themes and influences[edit | edit source]
Enthiran focuses on the battle between man and machine.[99] Despite Shankar's claim that Enthiran was a purely original idea,[27] it has been compared to Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein, owing to the similar personae of Chitti and Frankenstein's monster, both of whom turn against their respective creators.[100][101] K. Moti Gokulsing and Wimal Dissanayake, in their book Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas, noted the similarity between the two works, arguing that Chitti was "manipulated by Bohra to become a Frankenstein-like figure".[102] Writing for The A.V. Club, Genevieve Koski observed, "The plot of Enthiran is essentially Frankenstein via [Isaac] Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics."[14]
Director and film critic Sudhish Kamath called Enthiran "a superhero film, a sci-fi adventure, a triangular love story with a hint of the Ramayana", while remarking that Enthiran's similarities to The Terminator (1984) were "more than obvious. Not just visually—where we see the Superstar with one human eye and one scarred metallic eye but also intentionally spelt out when the bad robot announces that he has created Terminators." Kamath compared two of the film's robots to C-3PO and R2-D2, droids from the Star Wars film series, which was referenced in Enthiran when Vaseegaran refers to one of his creations as "R2".[103] The film was noted to have similarities with the 2002 Kannada film Hollywood which had its lead actor playing three roles – one of which was a scientist and another was a humanoid robot invented by that scientist which falls in love with the girlfriend of his creator.[104]
Although Shankar initially claimed that Enthiran would be made for all audiences, including those lacking computer literacy,[105] the film is influenced by and makes references to many scientific principles relating to the fields of engineering, computer science and robotics, including terabytes and Asimov's laws of robotics.[106] Visual references are made to the science books A Briefer History of Time (2005) and Freakonomics (2005).[38] In his book Visual Perception and Cultural Memory: Typecast and Typecast(e)ing in Malayalam Cinema, Sujith Kumar Parayil notes the similarities between Kalabhavan Mani's role in the film to the one Mani played in the Malayalam film Sallapam (1996).[107] Chitti taking revenge by duplicating himself and combining his duplicates together to form larger beings was compared to Voltron, Agent Smith in Reloaded and Revolutions (both 2003), and Indian mythology.[108]
Music[edit | edit source]
The film marked the debut of Rahman's daughter Khatija as a playback singer.[109]
The soundtrack album to Enthiran was released on 31 July 2010.[110] The original Tamil and dubbed Telugu versions were released by Think Music, while the dubbed Hindi version was released by Venus Music.[111] Think Music purchased the release rights of the original Tamil and dubbed Telugu versions of the album for ₹70 million.[112][Note 7] The album of the film's dubbed Telugu version, Robo, was released on 6 August 2010, while its dubbed Hindi version, Robot, was released on 14 August 2010.[113][114] After the second day of release, the album's original Tamil version reached the number one position in the Top 10 World Albums chart on iTunes, making it the first Tamil album to do so.[115][116]
The Tamil album was officially released on 31 July 2010 with a promotional event held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[110] Co-hosted by Vivek and Punnagai Poo Gheetha, the event was attended by most of the film's cast and crew members. Other invited guests were Dayanidhi Maran, Radha Ravi, Vadivelu, Shriya Saran, Jayam Ravi, Ramya Krishnan, S. A. Chandrasekhar, Aishwarya and Soundarya Rajinikanth, Krish, and Sangeetha Arvind. Furthermore, Silambarasan, Vijayalakshmi, and Poorna were part of stage performances. The release event of the Telugu version, titled Robo, was held in Hyderabad on 6 August 2010, which was attended by Chiranjeevi, D. Ramanaidu, Mohan Babu, Srinu Vaitla, Kajal Aggarwal, and Kamna Jethmalani.[117] The Hindi version, titled Robot, was released by Venus[118] on 14 August 2010, in a function held in Mumbai. The event was attended by Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, along with the crew of the film.[119]
Release[edit | edit source]
Enthiran was released on 1 October 2010. The film was dubbed and released in Hindi as Robot and in Telugu as Robo and later in Kannada as Bombat Robo.[120][121][122] The film was released in 2,250 theatres worldwide, including 500 theatres in Tamil Nadu,[123] 350 theatres in Andhra Pradesh,[123] 128 theatres in Kerala,[124] 23 theatres in Karnataka, and 750 theatres in North India.[116][125] With an estimated budget of ₹1.32—1.62 billion,[126][Note 9][Note 7] Enthiran was India's most expensive film up to that point,[128][129] surpassing the Hindi film Blue (2009), which was filmed on a budget of ₹750 million.[130][Note 10]
Enthiran became the first Tamil film to be released at the Colosseum kino, a Norwegian theatre complex in Oslo,[131] and it was screened at the 21st Bath Film Festival, held in the United Kingdom in 2011.[132] Additionally, a version of the film, edited to a running length of two hours, was released in Japan in May 2012, and later screened at the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival, where it won a special award under the section "Winds of Asia–Middle East".[133][134] By public demand, the original, unedited version was later released in that country.[135]
Marketing and distribution[edit | edit source]
The first poster for Enthiran was released on 8 September 2008.[136] The film's trailer was released on 11 September 2010, at the Sathyam Cinemas theatre complex in Chennai.[137] To promote Enthiran, AGS Entertainment organised a festival from 25 September 2010 until its release date, in which they screened popular films of Rajinikanth at the company's theatre in Villivakkam.[138] In Coimbatore, the Department of Posts printed 100,000 post cards advertising the film.[139] Sun Pictures invested a total of ₹500 million on promotional activities.[38][Note 7]
Advance bookings for the film began two weeks before the release date in the United States. In the Jackson Heights neighbourhood in New York, tickets were sold out within ten minutes of going on sale.[140] In Kerala the distribution rights were sold for ₹50 million,[141][Note 7] while in Karnataka they were sold for ₹100 million.[142][Note 7] The distribution rights in Mumbai were sold to Shringar Films.[143] In the United Kingdom, Enthiran was released by Ayngaran International, while Robot was released by B4U Network.[2] DVD marketing in India was handled by Moser Baer;[144] Ayngaran International released the two-DVD set of the film in early 2011.[145]
ASTPL, an Indian software developer, also released a mobile video game based on the film, titled Enthiran The Robot.[146]
Plagiarism allegations[edit | edit source]
The novelist Aarur Thamizhnadan made a complaint with the Chennai Metropolitan Police against the filmmakers in November 2010, stating that the producers plagiarised his 1996 novel Jugiba.[147][148] Thamizhnadan demanded ₹10 million[Note 7] from the director and producers for damages and filed a case against Kalanithi Maran.[149][150] In June 2011, the Madras High Court dismissed the case after a petition filed by Maran denying the allegation was approved.[150] The case was dismissed by courts in June 2023.[151] In February 2025, Shankar's assets amounting to approximately ₹10 crore were attached to the case by the Enforcement Directorate for violating Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957.[152]
Reception[edit | edit source]
Box office[edit | edit source]
The daily newspaper Business Line reported that Enthiran grossed ₹58 crore from all versions in the opening weekend,[153][Note 7] and The Economic Times stated it netted ₹117 crore by the end of its opening week.[154][Note 7] According to a February 2015 report by the Hindustan Times, the film has grossed ₹256 crore worldwide in its lifetime.[155] Indo-Asian News Service stated in July 2015 that the film grossed ₹290 crore from both its original and its dubbed versions.[156][Note 7] Enthiran became the top-earning Indian film of 2010 ahead of My Name Is Khan and Dabangg and became the highest-grossing Tamil film at that point.[157] It is currently 12th highest-grossing Tamil film worldwide.[158][159]
Box Office India estimated that Enthiran netted ₹195 crore across India with the Tamil version netting ₹120 crore, the Telugu version netting ₹53 crore and the Hindi version netting ₹22 crore.[160][161][Note 7] The website estimated the overseas earnings of the film (including its dubbed versions) at approximately $12 million as of November 2010 with the Tamil version grossing $11 million and the remaining $1 million coming in from the Telugu and Hindi versions.[157]
In Japan, the film grossed $407,438, including $370,697 for the Hindi version and $36,741 for the Tamil version.[162]
Critical response[edit | edit source]
Template:Rotten Tomatoes prose[163]
India[edit | edit source]
Enthiran received positive reviews from critics in India, with praise particularly directed at Rathnavelu's cinematography, Cyril's art direction, Srinivas Mohan's visual effects and Rajinikanth's performance as Chitti.[164][165] Aniruddha Guha of Daily News and Analysis gave the film a rating of four out of five stars and believed it had the "best special effects ever seen in a Tamil film" and that it was "one of the most entertaining Tamil films—across all languages—ever made."[166] Both Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India and Kaveree Bamzai of India Today rated the film four out of five stars. Kazmi called it "the perfect getaway film".[167] Bamzai praised Rajinikanth's acting in the film and said, "Rajni tells us why robot sapiens are superior to homo sapiens".[168] Cable Shankar of Kalki magazine praised the technical aspects, music, stunts and direction while calling Chitti's character attracts more attention than Vaseegaran. He also stated that first half was interesting using Chitti's character but the second half had uninteresting sequences which proves to be a obstacle to the screenplay yet they manage to compensate with graphics in the film's climax and concluded saying little bit of science fiction + usual emotions + many Rajinis + logic = Enthiran.[169]
Both Anupama Chopra of NDTV and Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com gave Enthiran a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five. Chopra criticised the film's portions in the second half, describing them as "needlessly stretched and cacophonous", but concluded her review by saying, "Robot rides on Rajinikanth's shoulders and he never stoops under the burden. Aided by snazzy clothes, make-up and special effects, he makes Chitti endearing."[170] Srinivasan, however, said that Shankar "strikes the balance between science fiction and masala quotient." She concluded that, "Whichever way you look at it, Enthiran is one of those rare films that give you just enough material to pull you in, and enjoy yourself."[171] Rajeev Masand of News18 gave a rating of three out of five stars and said, "In the end, it's the fantastic special effects and an inspired performance from Rajnikant [sic] that keeps the film fresh."[172]
Mayank Shekhar, writing for Hindustan Times, rated it three stars and said, "Leave aside jokes running on the Internet. This film, just a few feet too long, is fine entertainment by itself."[173] Malini Mannath of The New Indian Express noted Enthiran for having "An engaging script, brilliant special effects, and a debonair hero who still carries his charisma effortlessly."[100] Karthik Subramanian of The Hindu observed that actors "tend to get lost in special effects movies." He believed it was not the case in Enthiran: "Rajinikanth and [Aishwarya Rai] carry the movie on their shoulders, and considering the fact that much of the acting must have been in front of green screens, one has to say that nothing looks artificial right through."[174] In contrast, Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times rated it two out of five stars, writing that "Shankar's work slips into a loud, overdramatic and exaggerated mess".[175]
International[edit | edit source]
Lisa Tsering from The Hollywood Reporter said, "Rajinikanth is such a badass that Chuck Norris is afraid of him." She praised the filming locations, especially the "Kilimanjaro" song sequence, but criticised the length of the film's climax portions.[176] Genevieve Koski from The A. V. Club believed that Enthiran was "pretty good" and concluded that "if you prefer elaborate costumes and dance music mixed in with your killer-robot action, expect to enjoy up to an hour of Enthiran."[14] Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle called Enthiran "the best apocalyptic sci-fi-romcom-melodrama-dance-off date movie of the year."[177]
Roger Moore, writing for the Orlando Sentinel, gave a mixed review, evaluating it as a "melodramatic kitschy Indian musical about a robot built for national defense but who discovers his human side."[178] Following the film's screening at the Mumbai International Film Festival, American film director Oliver Stone praised Enthiran's originality.[179] Conversely, Joe Leydon of Variety believed that Shankar "riffs on everything" from Frankenstein to The Terminator, but suggested that the film was an "overwhelming mash-up of American-style, f/x-driven sci-fi spectacle and a Bollywood musical."[180]
Accolades[edit | edit source]
At the 58th National Film Awards, Enthiran won for Best Special Effects and Best Production Design.[181] It won in three categories at the 58th Filmfare Awards South for Best Cinematographer, Best Art Director and Best Costume Design.[182] At the 5th Vijay Awards, it was nominated in fourteen categories and won in seven, including Best Villain and Favourite Hero for Rajinikanth, Favourite Film and Favourite Director.[183] At the 17th Screen Awards, the film won awards under the Best Special Effects and Spectacular Cutting Edge Technology categories.[184] However, the film missed out on being the official Indian submission for the Academy Awards since the jury noted out that it had sequences lifted from four American films.[185]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Enthiran was the only Tamil film featured on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) list of the 50 best films of 2010.[186] The film was also included as a case study in a postgraduate elective course of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, "Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective".[186]
Scenes from Enthiran, particularly one known as the "Black Sheep" scene,[Note 11] have been parodied in subsequent films, including Mankatha (2011),[188][189] Osthe (2011),[190] Singam II (2013),[191] Ya Ya (2013),[192] I (2015) with the same director,[193] Jailer (2023),[194] as well as in the Telugu films Parama Veera Chakra (2011),[195] Dookudu (2011),[196] and Nuvva Nena (2011).[197][Note 12] In the film, Chitti often introduces himself by stating the clock rate of his central processing unit, which is 1 terahertz (1012 hertz), and his random-access memory limit, which is 1 zettabyte (1021 bytes). This introduction dialogue, which is spoken by Chitti as "Hi, I'm Chitti, speed 1 terahertz, memory 1 zettabyte" became popular.[91][201] Rajinikanth featured in a cameo role as Chitti in the science-fiction film Ra.One (2011).[202]
On Rajinikanth's 64th birthday, an agency named Minimal Kollywood Posters designed posters of Rajinikanth's films, in which the Minion characters from the Despicable Me franchise are dressed as Rajinikanth. The digital art was hand drawn on a digital pad by Gautham Raj. One of the posters depicted a mutated Minion, reminiscent of Chitti's "villain robot" look in Enthiran.[203] In March 2015, Kamath, in his review of the science fiction film Chappie, compared its eponymous lead character to Chitti in terms of learning human emotions.[204] While promoting Avengers: Endgame in India, co-director Joe Russo said that the sequence in Enthiran where numerous clones of Chitti come together to form a giant python inspired a similar scene in Avengers: Infinity War's predecessor Age of Ultron (2015) where Ultron and his clones come together to form a gigantic version of himself, but that the scene was cut from the final version of the film to accommodate its runtime.[205][206]
Sequel[edit | edit source]
In September 2015, writer B. Jeyamohan announced that the pre-production stage of a standalone sequel to Enthiran was "going on in full swing" and that principal photography would commence once Rajinikanth finished filming for Kabali, by the end of that year.[207] Nirav Shah would be the cinematographer and A. R. Rahman would return as music director, while Muthuraj would handle the art direction. Titled 2.0, the film entered production in December 2015 and was released worldwide on 29 November 2018.[208] Rajinikanth reprised his roles as Vaseegaran and Chitti,[209] with the additional cast played by Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson.[210]
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Amazon.com lists the runtime as 176 minutes, while the British Board of Film Classification lists the runtime as 180 minutes.[1][2]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The average exchange rate in 2008 was 49.82 Indian rupees (₹) per 1 US dollar (US$).[39]
- ↑ In an interview with Geety Sahgal of The Indian Express, Shankar stated that Rai had her dialogues translated from Tamil to English and rehearsed it the night before each day of filming.[40]
- ↑ In filmmaking and video production, a crane shot is a shot taken by a camera on a crane or jib.
- ↑ Vogt was also the costume designer for the Men in Black film series.[63]
- ↑ According to Banu, an Oakley beard is "neither a French beard not a full beard". It developed as a result of shaping Rajinikanth's already grown beard.[71]
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 The average exchange rate in 2010 was 45.09 Indian rupees (₹) per 1 US dollar (US$).[39]
- ↑ The Doom Light Stage is based on an original research conducted by Paul Debevec at the ICT division of the University of California, Berkeley. The Light Stage systems efficiently capture how an actor's face appears when lit from every possible lighting direction. From this captured imagery, realistic virtual renditions of the actor are created in the illumination of any location or set, faithfully reproducing the colour, texture, shine, shading and translucency of the actor's skin.[97]
- ↑ The Economic Times claims the film's budget to be ₹132 crore,[126] whereas Anirban Bhattacharya of CNN Travel and T. S. Sreenivasan Raghavan of Bangalore Mirror state that it is ₹162 crore.[121][127]
- ↑ The average exchange rate in 2009 was 46.29 Indian rupees (₹) per 1 US dollar (US$).[39]
- ↑ The "Black Sheep" scene refers to a scene where Chitti finds Dr. Vaseegaran disguised as him amidst the robot army.[94][187]
- ↑ The satellite rights of Mankatha, Osthe and Singam II were purchased by Sun TV.[198][199][200]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Enthiran (English Subtitled)". Amazon. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Enthiran - The Robot". www.bbfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "From Baahubali, Ra.One to Dhoom 3, here are India's most expensive movies even as Rs 1,000-cr Mahabharata reportedly on way". The Financial Express. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ↑ "'Baashha' to 'Kabali': Highest grossing films of Rajinikanth". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "Rajnikanth-Ash Enthiran is India's costliest film". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "'Enthiran' rewrote South's place in Indian cinema". Deccan Herald. 10 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "Endhiran: The costliest film in India". India Today. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ↑ The Financial Express[3] reported ₹132 crore, and The Times of India,[4] The Indian Express,[5] Deccan Herald[6] and India Today[7] reported that the budget was ₹150 crore.
- ↑ Mishra, Nivedita (3 August 2015). "Five non-Hindi films that smashed records at the box office". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ↑ K, Janani (8 August 2023). "Before 'Jailer', here's a look at top 7 highest-grossing films of Rajinikanth". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ↑ Raghu, Sunita (4 May 2014). "Setting the Cash Registers Ringing. The Top Ten Grossers So Far". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ↑ "2.0: All India – Overseas – Worldwide Update". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ↑ Reported worldwide grosses vary between ₹283 crore (Hindustan Times[9]) – ₹290 crore (India Today[10]) – ₹300 crore (The New Indian Express[11]) – ₹320 crore (Box Office India[12])
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Koski, Genevieve (3 March 2011). "Enthiran". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Ramachandran 2014, p. 227.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Enthiran (motion picture) (in தமிழ்). India: Sun Pictures. 1 October 2010. Opening credits from 01:00 to 02:00.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 Movies, Netflix (2010). "Enthiran". Netflix. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ramachandran 2014, p. 231.
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- ↑ Prabhu, Venkat (director) (2011). Mankatha (motion picture). India: Cloud Nine Movies. Event occurs at 45:12.
- ↑ Prabhu, Venkat (director) (2011). Mankatha (motion picture). India: Cloud Nine Movies. Event occurs at 2:17:26.
- ↑ Dharani (director) (2011). Osthe (motion picture). India: Balaji Real Media. Event occurs at 2:01:16.
- ↑ Hari (director) (2013). Singam II (motion picture). India: Prince Pictures. Event occurs at 14:25.
- ↑ I. Rajasekaran (director) (2013). Ya Ya (motion picture). India: M10 Productions. Event occurs at 53:13.
- ↑ S. Shankar (director) (2015). I (motion picture). India: Aascar Film. Event occurs at 25:34.
- ↑ V, Harshini S. (11 August 2023). "Jailer First Day First Impression: Despite The Flaws, Rajinikanth and Nelson Are Back and How!". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ↑ "Give 'Parama Veera Chakra' a miss ( Telugu Movie Review)". IANS. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ↑ Vaitla, Srinu (director) (2011). Dookudu (motion picture). India: 14 Reels Entertainment. Event occurs at 1:43:02.
- ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (18 March 2012). "Old wine, same old bottle". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ↑ "K – Family unites to release Mankatha". Sify. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ↑ "Osthi, all clear for Dec 8 release". Sify. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ↑ "Sun TV Grabs Rights for Anjaan". The New Indian Express. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ Eros Now Music (5 January 2012). Chitti meets G.One sequence – RA.One (Motion picture). India: Eros Now. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ↑ "Rajnikanth plays Chitti – the robot in SRK's "Ra. One"". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ↑ Prasad, Shiva (15 December 2014). "Superstar Rajinikanth as Minions – Enthiran (2010)". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
- ↑ Kamath, Sudhish (14 March 2015). "Chappie: Chitti's Hollywood cousin". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (1 April 2019). "What to expect as the countdown to 'Avengers: Endgame' begins: 'The cost of being a hero'". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ↑ Naahar, Rohan (1 April 2019). "Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo confirms he is 'talking to Priyanka Chopra' about future project". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ↑ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (3 September 2015). "Enthiran sequel to start filming by the end of this year". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ↑ Express Web Desk (11 July 2018). "Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0 to hit screens on November 29, 2018". Indian Express. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "'2.0' Teaser Review: Chitti, Chitti, Bang Bang. End". The Quint. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ Suganth, M. (29 November 2018). "2.0 Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Ramachandran, Naman (2014) [2012]. Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-81-8475-796-5.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Enthiran on IMDb
- Enthiran at Box Office Mojo
