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{{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Majaa
| image          = Majaa poster.jpg
| image          = Majaa poster.jpg
| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Poster
| director      = [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]]
| director      = [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]]
| screenplay    = Viji
| screenplay    = [[Viji (Writer/Director)|Viji]]
| story          = [[Benny P Nayarambalam]]
| story          = [[Benny P Nayarambalam]]
| based_on      = ''[[Thommanum Makkalum]]'' (Malayalam)
| based_on      = ''[[Thommanum Makkalum]]''
| starring      = [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]<br /> [[Pasupathy]]<br /> [[Asin Thottumkal|Asin]]<br /> [[Vadivelu]]<br />[[Manivannan]]
| producer      = [[Rockline Venkatesh]]
| producer      = [[Rockline Venkatesh]]
| music          = [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]
| starring      = [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]<br /> [[Asin]]<br /> [[Pasupathy]]
| cinematography = [[Balasubramaniem]]
| cinematography = [[Balasubramaniem]]
| editing        = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| editing        = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio        = [[Rockline Venkatesh|Rockline Entertainment]]
| music          = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| distributor    = [[Aascar Films|Aascar Films International]]
| studio        = Rockline Entertainment
| released      = {{Film date|2005|11|02|df=y}}
| distributor    = [[Aascar Films International]]
| released      = {{Film date|2005|11|01|df=y}}
| runtime        = 138 minutes
| runtime        = 138 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
Line 20: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''''Majaa''''' is a 2005 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[masala film]] directed by [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]], starring [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], [[Asin Thottumkal|Asin]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Pasupathy]], [[Anu Prabhakar]], [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]], [[Manivannan]], [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] and [[Biju Menon]]. The music is composed by [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]. It tells the story of two adopted children changing from their old, mischievous ways of life. The film is a remake of [[Shafi (director)|Shafi's]] own [[Malayalam]] film ''[[Thommanum Makkalum]]''. The movie was dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] with the same title. The movie was later dubbed into [[Hindi]] as ''Dada No. 1'' by Cinecurry and Royal Film Company.
'''''Majaa''''' ({{translation|Fun}}) is a 2005 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action comedy]] film directed by [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]] and produced by [[Rockline Venkatesh]]. It is a remake of the director's own [[Malayalam]] film ''[[Thommanum Makkalum]]'' (2005). The film stars [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]], [[Asin]], and [[Pasupathy]], while [[Manivannan]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]], [[Biju Menon]] (in his Tamil debut), [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]], and [[Abu Salim (actor)|Abu Salim]] (reprising his role from the original) play supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]. It tells the story of two adopted children changing from their old, mischievous ways of life.


==Plot==
== Plot ==
Govindan ([[Manivannan]]) is a thief who has two children: Aadhi ([[Pasupathy]]) and Arivumathi ([[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]). Years go by and the brothers decide to stop stealing, mend their ways, and lead a hardworking life with their father. They migrate to a neighboring village and meet a retired agricultural officer Chidambaram ([[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]]), who is in deep debt and is under pressure from the village's landlord Kalingarayar ([[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]) to clear his debts. In efforts to help Chidambaram, Mathi confronts Seetha Lakshmi ([[Asin Thottumkal|Asin]]), Kalingarayar's daughter, who comes to collect the money Chidambaram owes her father. Seetha Lakshmi starts to acquire a liking for Mathi, but keeps it hidden due to her father's atrocious temper. In an attempt to teach Kalingarayar a lesson, Mathi forcibly ties the mangalsutram around Seetha's neck. Kalingarayar, realizing his daughter's love for Mathi, comes down to arrange a grand remarriage between the two. But things go awry when Manicka Vel ([[Biju Menon]]), Seetha Lakshmi's maternal uncle, comes to town in an effort to stop the wedding between the two as he has plans of marrying her and wiping her family fortune.
Govindan is a thief who has two sons: Aadhi and Mathi. Years go by, and the brothers decide to stop stealing, mend their ways, and lead a hardworking life with their father. They migrate to a neighboring village named Devalapatti and meet a retired agricultural officer Chidambaram, who is in deep debt and is under pressure from the village landlord Kalingarayar to clear his debts. In efforts to help Chidambaram, Mathi confronts Seetha Lakshmi, Kalingarayar's daughter, who comes to collect the money Chidambaram owes her father. Seetha Lakshmi starts to acquire a liking for Mathi but keeps it hidden due to her father's atrocious temper. In an attempt to teach Kalingarayar a lesson, Mathi forcibly ties the mangalasutra around Seetha's neck. Kalingarayar, realizing his daughter's love for Mathi, comes down to arrange a grand remarriage between the two. However, things go awry when Rajavelu, Seetha Lakshmi's maternal uncle, comes to town in an effort to stop the wedding between the two as he has wicked plans of marrying Seetha Lakshmi and usurping her family fortune.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
{{cast listing|
* [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] as Arivumathi
* [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] as Arivumathi "Mathi"
* [[Pasupathy]] as Aadi
* [[Asin]] as Seetha Lakshmi
* [[Asin Thottumkal|Asin]] as Seetha Lakshmi
* [[Pasupathy]] as Aadhi Kesavan "Aadhi"
* [[Manivannan]] as Govindan
* [[Vadivelu]] as Pulipaandi
* [[Vadivelu]] as Pulipaandi
* [[Manivannan]] as Govindan
* [[Aadukalam Naren]] as Ramakrishnan
* [[Anu Prabhakar]] as Selvi
* [[Biju Menon]] as Manicka Vel
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Chidambaram
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Chidambaram
* [[Biju Menon]] as Rajavelu (Voice dubbed by [[P. Ravi Shankar]])
* [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] as Kalingarayar
* [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] as Kalingarayar
* [[Nithin Sathya]] as Chidambaram's son
* [[Anu Prabhakar]] as Selvi
* [[Nithin Sathya]] as Muthu, Chidambaram's son
* [[T. P. Gajendran]] as Doctor
* [[T. P. Gajendran]] as Doctor
* [[Ilavarasu]]
* [[Ilavarasu]]
* [[Sindu Tolani]] (special appearance)
* [[Mahanadi Shankar]]
{{colend}}
* [[Muthukaalai]]
* [[Crane Manohar]]
* [[Abu Salim (actor)|Abu Salim]] as Manickam, Rajavelu's henchman
* [[Sindu Tolani]] (special appearance in the song "Ayyarettu")
* [[Ram Lakshman (stunt choreographers)|Ram Lakshman]] as Ramudu & Bheemudu
}}


==Production==
== Production ==
Vikram watched the [[Mammootty]] starrer ''[[Thommanum Makkalum]]'', and requested director Shafi to remake it with him, in Tamil.<ref name=in>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/interview/6525.html |title=Malayalam Cinema News &#124; Malayalam Movie Reviews &#124; Malayalam Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Malayalam |accessdate=2011-07-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201121527/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/interview/6525.html |archivedate=1 February 2015 }}</ref> The film was launched at AVM Studios in 2005, a huge set of village was erected at studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/15262.html |title= interview - Archived copy |accessdate=2011-07-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201121527/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/interview/6525.html |archivedate=1 February 2015 }}</ref> The film was launched at AVM Studios in 2005, a huge set of village was erected at studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/15262.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Initially, [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] and [[Jyothika]] was considered for the lead female role, due to their unavailability [[Asin]] was chosen for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/15111.html|title=www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/15111.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The crew went to Australia to shoot a song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/17259.html|title=www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/17259.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Vikram worked as an assistant director under [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]] for this film.<ref name = in/>
Vikram revealed that he watched the original Malayalam film and approached its director about remaking it in Tamil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2006 |title=I've struggled a lot to reach this level: Vikram |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/interview/6525.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201121527/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/interview/6525.html |archive-date=2015-02-01 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> The film was primarily shot at [[Pollachi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-08-28 |title=Good times to roll |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Good-times-to-roll/article16148416.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109095454/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Good-times-to-roll/article16148416.ece |archive-date=9 November 2024 |access-date=2024-11-09 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sangeetha |first=P |date=Apr 17, 2023 |title=Ponniyin Selvan 2 star Chiyaan Vikram calls himself the 'original soup boy', says he is like Aditha Karikalan in real life |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/ponniyin-selvan-2-star-chiyaan-vikram-calls-himself-the-original-soup-boy-says-he-is-like-aditha-karikalan-in-real-life/202636d2e7789 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207204332/https://www.ottplay.com/news/ponniyin-selvan-2-star-chiyaan-vikram-calls-himself-the-original-soup-boy-says-he-is-like-aditha-karikalan-in-real-life/202636d2e7789 |archive-date=7 Dec 2024 |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref> Though the title ''Majaa'' received criticism from the media due to its perceived suggestiveness, the makers refused to change it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2005 |title=Vikram is firm&nbsp;– 'Majaa' title will remain |url=http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/20102005-6.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012085051/http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/20102005-6.shtml |archive-date=12 October 2006 |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20060510022352/http://www.musicindiaonline.com/ar/i/movie_name/8121/2/ --><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20071123163322/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/06/24/stories/2005062400020200.htm -->
 
==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name      = Majaa
| type      = soundtrack
| artist    = [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| caption    = Front cover
| released  = 6 October 2005
| recorded  =
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length    =
| label      = Ayngaran Music<br />An Ak Audio<br />[[Aditya Music]]
| producer  = [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]
| prev_title = [[Kaiyoppu]]
| prev_year  = 2005
| next_title = [[Periyar (2007 film)|Periyar]]
| next_year  = 2005
}}


== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2006 |title=Majaa |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/majaa/G2LSCuitSnI_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118012210/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/majaa/G2LSCuitSnI_ |archive-date=18 January 2024 |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
! Song title !! Singers !! Lyrics
! Song title !! Singers !! Lyrics
|-
|-
| "Aiyyarettu" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Anuradha Sriram]] || [[P. Vijay]]
| "Ayyarettu Naattukettu" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Anuradha Sriram]], [[Ganga Sitharasu]]|| [[P. Vijay]]
|-
|-
| "Chi Chi Chi" || [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Savitha Reddy]], Viji || [[Yugabharathi]]
| "Chi Chi Chi" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Savitha Reddy]], [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Manikka Vinayagam]]|| [[Yugabharathi]]
|-
|-
| "Hey Pangaali" || [[Udit Narayan]], [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Manikka Vinayagam]] || rowspan=2|[[P. Vijay]]
| "Hey Pangaali" || [[Udit Narayan]], [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Manikka Vinayagam]] || rowspan="2" |[[P. Vijay]]
|-
|-
| "Podhumadaa Saami" || [[Kailash Kher]]
| "Podhumadaa Saami" || [[Kailash Kher]]
|-
|-
| "Sollitharavaa" || [[Madhu Balakrishnan]], [[Sadhana Sargam]] || [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
| "Sollitharavaa" || [[Madhu Balakrishnan]], [[Sadhana Sargam]] || [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
|-
|}
|}


==Release==
== Release ==
The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Raj TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.com/tv/movies/raj-tv-144/majaa-24186.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222084416/http://www.in.com/tv/movies/raj-tv-144/majaa-24186.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2015 |title=Majaa Movie on Raj TV |publisher=In.com |date=1 October 2015 |accessdate=17 December 2015}}</ref> The film was released on 2 November 2005 on the eve of Diwali.
The film was released on 1 November 2005, [[Diwali]] day, alongside ''[[Sivakasi (film)|Sivakasi]]'' and ''[[Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2005 |title=Deepavali releases&nbsp;– 2005 |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/News/2005/10diwalirelease.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015010910/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/News/2005/10diwalirelease.asp |archive-date=15 October 2006 |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>


===Reception===
=== Critical reception ===
Sify wrote:"The major flaw of ''Majaa'' is its wafer-thin story and screenplay, a mediocre subject to be remade from Malayalam, [[sic]] the film gives you a dreary sense of déjà vu, a feeling that one has seen it before.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/majaa-review-tamil-13975377.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628033041/http://www.sify.com/movies/majaa-review-tamil-13975377.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-06-28|title=Majaa Review|work=Sify}}</ref>
[[Sify]] wrote, "The major flaw of ''Majaa'' is its wafer-thin story and screenplay, a mediocre subject to be remade from Malayalam [...] the film gives you a dreary sense of déjà vu, a feeling that one has seen it before".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majaa |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/majaa-review-tamil-13975377.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628033041/http://www.sify.com/movies/majaa-review-tamil-13975377.html |archive-date=28 June 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Malini Mannath from ''Chennai Online'' wrote that "'Thomanum Makkalum', the film's original Malayalam version, in which Mammootty starred, had some perfect casting for the trio. But here the combination of Vikram, Pasupathi and Manivannan somehow fails to jell together as a team".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=5 November 2005 |title=Maja |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/11maja.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014120539/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/11maja.asp |archive-date=14 October 2006 |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> A critic from ''webindia123'' wrote that "Overall it is a clean family entertainer worth a watch".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majaa |url=https://webindia123.com/movie/regional/majaa/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031084556/http://www.webindia123.com/movie/regional/majaa/index.htm |archive-date=31 October 2008 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Webindia123}}</ref>


===Box office===
Lajjavathi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised the humour and performances of Vadivelu, Pasupathy and Manivannan but felt Asin and Murali were wasted, Vidyasagar did not score well while panning Thaali sentiment scenes, crippling screenplay and lengthy dialogues. He was surprised by Vikram for choosing this film and she do not want to get him wasted in weak plots.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=13 November 2005 |title=மஜா |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2005-11-13/page/n1/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240427153127/https://archive.org/details/kalki2005-11-13/page/n1/mode/2up |archive-date=27 April 2024 |access-date=27 April 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=1 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> S. R. Ashok Kumar of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "Getting an opening from an established producer like Rockline Venkatesh and with Vikram in the lead, director Shafi should have made the effort to make the fare more interesting".<ref name="majaaindure">{{Cite web |last=Kumar, Ashok |date=4 November 2005 |title=Where is the entertainment? |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/11/04/stories/2005110402340200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211234401/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/11/04/stories/2005110402340200.htm |archive-date=11 February 2012 |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> G. Ulaganathan of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' wrote "One word to describe the movie--Bad. One wonders how the original film in Malayalam, Thommanum Makklalum clicked. This Tamil version is a rehash of hundred and odd old films and the only novel feature is that instead of the mother-son sentiment, there is father-sons sentiment".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=6 November 2005 |title=Majaa |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov62005/movies1722312005115.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518200336/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov62005/movies1722312005115.asp |archive-date=18 May 2006 |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20070428101615/http://www.musicindiaonline.com/ar/i/movie_name/8121/1/ -->
It was declared as an average grosser.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=13980025&cid=13525926|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124221619/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=13980025&cid=13525926|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-01-24|title=www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=13980025&cid=13525926<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14012644&cid=13525926|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910042143/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14012644&cid=13525926|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-09-10|title=www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14012644&cid=13525926<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


==Awards and Nominations==
=== Box office ===
* Nominated - [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil]] - [[Asin Thottumkal]]
It was declared an average grosser.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2005 |title=Chennai Box-Office (Nov 04-06) |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=13980025&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124221619/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=13980025&cid=13525926 |archive-date=24 January 2014 |access-date=20 June 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2005 |title=Chennai Box-Office (Nov 11-13) |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14012644&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910042143/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14012644&cid=13525926 |archive-date=10 September 2017 |access-date=20 June 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0476803}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{Shafi}}
{{Shafi}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
[[Category:2005 Indian films]]
 
[[Category:2000s masala films]]
[[Category:2005 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2005 action comedy films]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shafi]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar (composer)]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pollachi]]
[[Category:Indian action comedy films]]
[[Category:Rockline Entertainments films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar]]
[[Category:Rockline Entertainments films]]
[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shafi]]
[[Category:2005 action films]]

Latest revision as of 09:57, 3 March 2026

Majaa
File:Majaa poster.jpg
Poster
Directed byShafi
Produced byRockline Venkatesh
Screenplay byViji
Story byBenny P Nayarambalam
Based onThommanum Makkalum
StarringVikram
Asin
Pasupathy
Music byVidyasagar
CinematographyBalasubramaniem
Edited byV. T. Vijayan
Production
company
Rockline Entertainment
Distributed byAascar Films International
Release date
  • 1 November 2005 (2005-11-01)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Majaa (transl. Fun) is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Shafi and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. It is a remake of the director's own Malayalam film Thommanum Makkalum (2005). The film stars Vikram, Asin, and Pasupathy, while Manivannan, Vadivelu, Vijayakumar, Biju Menon (in his Tamil debut), Murali, and Abu Salim (reprising his role from the original) play supporting roles. The music was composed by Vidyasagar. It tells the story of two adopted children changing from their old, mischievous ways of life.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Govindan is a thief who has two sons: Aadhi and Mathi. Years go by, and the brothers decide to stop stealing, mend their ways, and lead a hardworking life with their father. They migrate to a neighboring village named Devalapatti and meet a retired agricultural officer Chidambaram, who is in deep debt and is under pressure from the village landlord Kalingarayar to clear his debts. In efforts to help Chidambaram, Mathi confronts Seetha Lakshmi, Kalingarayar's daughter, who comes to collect the money Chidambaram owes her father. Seetha Lakshmi starts to acquire a liking for Mathi but keeps it hidden due to her father's atrocious temper. In an attempt to teach Kalingarayar a lesson, Mathi forcibly ties the mangalasutra around Seetha's neck. Kalingarayar, realizing his daughter's love for Mathi, comes down to arrange a grand remarriage between the two. However, things go awry when Rajavelu, Seetha Lakshmi's maternal uncle, comes to town in an effort to stop the wedding between the two as he has wicked plans of marrying Seetha Lakshmi and usurping her family fortune.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Vikram revealed that he watched the original Malayalam film and approached its director about remaking it in Tamil.[1] The film was primarily shot at Pollachi.[2][3] Though the title Majaa received criticism from the media due to its perceived suggestiveness, the makers refused to change it.[4]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The music was composed by Vidyasagar.[5]

Song title Singers Lyrics
"Ayyarettu Naattukettu" Shankar Mahadevan, Anuradha Sriram, Ganga Sitharasu P. Vijay
"Chi Chi Chi" Shankar Mahadevan, Harini, Savitha Reddy, Karthik, Manikka Vinayagam Yugabharathi
"Hey Pangaali" Udit Narayan, Tippu, Manikka Vinayagam P. Vijay
"Podhumadaa Saami" Kailash Kher
"Sollitharavaa" Madhu Balakrishnan, Sadhana Sargam Kabilan

Release[edit | edit source]

The film was released on 1 November 2005, Diwali day, alongside Sivakasi and Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam.[6]

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

Sify wrote, "The major flaw of Majaa is its wafer-thin story and screenplay, a mediocre subject to be remade from Malayalam [...] the film gives you a dreary sense of déjà vu, a feeling that one has seen it before".[7] Malini Mannath from Chennai Online wrote that "'Thomanum Makkalum', the film's original Malayalam version, in which Mammootty starred, had some perfect casting for the trio. But here the combination of Vikram, Pasupathi and Manivannan somehow fails to jell together as a team".[8] A critic from webindia123 wrote that "Overall it is a clean family entertainer worth a watch".[9]

Lajjavathi of Kalki praised the humour and performances of Vadivelu, Pasupathy and Manivannan but felt Asin and Murali were wasted, Vidyasagar did not score well while panning Thaali sentiment scenes, crippling screenplay and lengthy dialogues. He was surprised by Vikram for choosing this film and she do not want to get him wasted in weak plots.[10] S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu wrote "Getting an opening from an established producer like Rockline Venkatesh and with Vikram in the lead, director Shafi should have made the effort to make the fare more interesting".[11] G. Ulaganathan of Deccan Herald wrote "One word to describe the movie--Bad. One wonders how the original film in Malayalam, Thommanum Makklalum clicked. This Tamil version is a rehash of hundred and odd old films and the only novel feature is that instead of the mother-son sentiment, there is father-sons sentiment".[12]

Box office[edit | edit source]

It was declared an average grosser.[13][14]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "I've struggled a lot to reach this level: Vikram". IndiaGlitz. 9 January 2006. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Good times to roll". The Hindu. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Sangeetha, P (17 April 2023). "Ponniyin Selvan 2 star Chiyaan Vikram calls himself the 'original soup boy', says he is like Aditha Karikalan in real life". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "Vikram is firm – 'Majaa' title will remain". Cinesouth. 7 October 2005. Archived from the original on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Majaa". JioSaavn. 28 November 2006. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Deepavali releases – 2005". Chennai Online. 27 October 2005. Archived from the original on 15 October 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Majaa". Sify. Retrieved 25 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ Mannath, Malini (5 November 2005). "Maja". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Majaa". Webindia123. Archived from the original on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  10. ↑ லஜ்ஜாவதி (13 November 2005). "மஜா". Kalki (in தமிழ்). p. 1. Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ Kumar, Ashok (4 November 2005). "Where is the entertainment?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  12. ↑ Ulaganathan, G. (6 November 2005). "Majaa". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 18 May 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Chennai Box-Office (Nov 04-06)". Sify. 8 November 2005. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Chennai Box-Office (Nov 11-13)". Sify. 16 November 2005. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2012.

External links[edit | edit source]

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