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{{Short description|2010 Indian action film by Suseenthiran}}
{{Short description|2010 Indian Tamil-language action film}}
{{About|the 2010 film|the 1984 film|Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Naan Mahaan Alla
| image         = Naan Mahaan Alla 2010.jpg
| image = Naan Mahaan Alla 2010 poster.jpg
| caption       = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Suseenthiran]]
| director = [[Suseenthiran]]
| producer       = {{unbulleted list|[[K. E. Gnanavel Raja]]|S. R. Prakash Babu|S. R. Prabhu}}
| producer = {{unbulleted list|[[K. E. Gnanavel Raja]]|S. R. Prakash Babu|S. R. Prabhu}}
| writer         = {{unbulleted list|[[Suseenthiran]]|Bhaskar Sakthi}}
| writer = {{unbulleted list|[[Suseenthiran]]|Bhaskar Sakthi}}
| starring       = {{unbulleted list|[[Karthi]]|[[Kajal Aggarwal]]|[[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]]|[[Soori (actor)|Soori]]}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Karthi]]|[[Kajal Aggarwal]]|[[Jayaprakash]]|[[Soori (actor)|Soori]]}}
| music         = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| music = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| cinematography = [[R. Madhi]]
| cinematography = [[R. Madhi]]
| editing = [[Kasi Viswanathan]]
| editing       = [[Kasi Viswanathan]]
| studio = [[Studio Green]]
| studio         = [[Studio Green]]
| distributor = {{plainlist|
| distributor   = {{plainlist|
*[[Cloud Nine Movies]]
*[[Cloud Nine Movies]]
*[[Ayngaran International]]
*[[Ayngaran International]]
}}
}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|8|20}}
| released       = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|8|20}}
| runtime = 131 minutes
| runtime       = 131 minutes
| country = India
| country       = India
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| language       = Tamil
}}
}}
'''''Naan Mahaan Alla''''' ({{translation|I'm no saint}}) is a 2010 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action film]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Heroes-turn-real-again/article11643553.ece|title=Heroes turn real again|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2 October 2010|quote=Naan Mahaan Alla is a realistic action film that tries to fight off formula with its vulnerability and raw, street treatment.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/naan-mahaan-alla-v524350|title=Naan Mahaan Alla (2010) - Suseenthiran|website=[[AllMovie]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/160817/director-suseenthirans-film-undergoes-a-title-change.html|title=Director Suseenthiran's film undergoes a title change|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=16 August 2017|quote=Like my earlier movie Naan Mahan Alla, this is also an offbeat action film where I have touched upon a social issue.}}</ref> written and directed by [[Suseenthiran]]. It stars [[Karthi]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], [[Jayaprakash]] and [[Soori (actor)|Soori]]. Featuring music scored by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] and cinematography handled by [[R. Madhi]], the film was produced by K. E. Gnanavelraja and distributed by [[Dayanidhi Azhagiri]]'s [[Cloud Nine Movies]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-10-04/naan-mahaan-alla-karthi-arya-22-06-10.html |title=Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Movie News&nbsp;— Dayanidhi opts for Karthi... Udhayanidhi prefers Arya – Karthi &#124; Arya &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Madharasapattinam |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=2010-06-22 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> Set in [[Chennai]], the film follows Jeeva, an unemployed and carefree young man whose father becomes the target of a gang of young criminals after witnessing a kidnapping.
'''''Naan Mahaan Alla''''' ({{translation|I Am Not A Saint}}) is a 2010 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action film]] directed by [[Suseenthiran]] and produced by [[Studio Green]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2010 |title=Heroes turn real again |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Heroes-turn-real-again/article11643553.ece |access-date=2 October 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |quote=Naan Mahaan Alla is a realistic action film that tries to fight off formula with its vulnerability and raw, street treatment.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2017 |title=Director Suseenthiran's film undergoes a title change |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/160817/director-suseenthirans-film-undergoes-a-title-change.html |access-date=16 August 2017 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |quote=Like my earlier movie Naan Mahan Alla, this is also an offbeat action film where I have touched upon a social issue.}}</ref> It stars [[Karthi]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], [[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]] and [[Soori (actor)|Soori]]. The music was composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] with  cinematography handled by [[R. Madhi]] and editing by [[Kasi Viswanathan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-22 |title=Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Movie News&nbsp;— Dayanidhi opts for Karthi... Udhayanidhi prefers Arya – Karthi &#124; Arya &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Madharasapattinam |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-10-04/naan-mahaan-alla-karthi-arya-22-06-10.html |access-date=2011-08-24 |website=Behindwoods.com |archive-date=30 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730235633/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-10-04/naan-mahaan-alla-karthi-arya-22-06-10.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Set in [[Chennai]], Jeeva is an unemployed carefree young man whose father becomes the target of a gang of young criminals after witnessing a kidnapping.


The film, not related to the [[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|1984 film of the same name]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/aug/18/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-karthi.htm |title=Eagerly awaiting Karthi's Naan Mahaan Alla: Rediff.com Movies |publisher=Movies.rediff.com |date=2010-08-18 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> and based on a real-life incident,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/actor-karthi.html |title=Actor Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Cinema Actor Interview – Karthi &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Kajal Agarwal &#124; Paiyaa &#124; Tamannah&nbsp;— Behindwoods.com |publisher=Videos.behindwoods.com |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> released on 20 August 2010 to positive reviews, with critics praising the performances, action sequences and realistic tone. It was later dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Naa Peru Shiva'' ({{translation|My name is Shiva}}) and released across 230 screens in [[Andhra Pradesh]], where it was also commercially successful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-karthi-conquers-andhra/20110812.htm|title=Karthi conquers Andhra|website=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=12 August 2011}}</ref> The acclaimed climax fight sequence would later go on to become the benchmark for the makers of Karthi's 2019 action film ''[[Kaithi (2019 film)|Kaithi]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/i-didnt-want-to-be-a-one-film-wonder-lokesh-kanagaraj-6120638/|title=I didn't want to be a one-film wonder: Lokesh Kanagaraj|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=15 November 2019|quote=We were shooting live-action sequences, and Karthi had to perform risky stunts on a moving lorry. Our benchmark was the Naan Mahan Alla climax portions.}}</ref>
The film is not related to the [[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|1984 film of the same name]] and is based on a real-life incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-18 |title=Eagerly awaiting Karthi's Naan Mahaan Alla: Rediff.com Movies |url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/aug/18/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-karthi.htm |access-date=2010-08-24 |publisher=Movies.rediff.com |archive-date=20 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820232604/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/aug/18/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-karthi.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Cinema Actor Interview – Karthi &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Kajal Agarwal &#124; Paiyaa &#124; Tamannaah&nbsp;— Behindwoods.com |url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/actor-karthi.html |access-date=2010-08-24 |publisher=Videos.behindwoods.com |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707222257/http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/actor-karthi.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' was released on 20 August 2010 to positive reviews from critics with praise for  the cast performances, action sequences and realistic tone.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Jeeva is a [[Chennai]]-based youngster from a middle-class family. Pragasam is Jeeva's father and a [[Call Taxi (India)|call taxi driver]] who is also the family's sole breadwinner. Jeeva meets a woman named Priya at their friend's wedding and soon they fall for each other. Upon meeting Priya's father, Jeeva is asked to get a job first to get married. Jeeva accepts and takes the job as a [[Bank officer|bank manager]], but soon gets fired. Pragasam, who had witnessed the killing of two youngsters by a group of 5 young men, gets attacked by them, where he is admitted to the hospital. The gang tries to kill him again in the absence of Jeeva but to no avail.


Jeeva is a Chennai-based youngster who hails from a middle-class family. His father, Pragasam, is a call taxi driver and the family's sole breadwinner. Jeeva meets a woman named Priya at their friend's wedding, and soon they fall for each other. Upon meeting Priya's father, Jeeva is asked to get a job first in order to get married. Jeeva accepts, taking the job but soon gets fired. However, Pragasam, who had witnessed a girl being taken away by a group of 5 young men, gets attacked by them. He is admitted to the hospital, where they try to kill him again in the absence of Jeeva but fail to do so. Pragasam is brought home, and Jeeva starts taking responsibility for his family by reclaiming his lost job and maintaining all the accounts. Looking at the news reports of the girl that boarded his taxi and got mutilated by the 5 guys, Pragasam calls Jeeva to accompany him to the morgue, where he helps the investigating officer by providing him clues about the killer. Sensing trouble, the gang enlists the help of Pey Babu, the uncle of one of the members, to plan and kill Pragasam after explaining how they killed the girl and her lover. When Pragasam and Jeeva go out to shop for the latter's sister's wedding, one of the men calls Jeeva on behalf of a store, thus separating him from his father. The men then create a stampede by throwing bottles as one of them stabs Pragasam with a piece of poisoned glass shrapnel. Pragasam instantly dies in Jeeva's arms, and following his cremation, Jeeva tells the cops not to pursue the killers anymore as it would bring nothing but trouble for his middle-class family.
Pragasam is brought home and Jeeva starts taking responsibility for his family by reclaiming his lost job and maintaining all the accounts. Looking at the news reports of the girl that boarded his taxi and was raped and then mutilated by the gang, Pragasam calls Jeeva to accompany him to the morgue, where he helps the [[Criminal Investigation Department|investigating officer]] by providing clues about the killer. Sensing trouble, the gang enlists the help of Pey Babu, one of the member's uncle, to plan and kill Pragasam after explaining how they killed the girl and her lover. When Pragasam and Jeeva go out to shop for the latter's sister's wedding, one of the men calls Jeeva on behalf of a store, thus separating him from Pragasam. The gang then creates a stampede by throwing bottles as one of them stabs Pragasam with a piece of poisoned glass shard. Pragasam soon dies in Jeeva's arms, leaving Jeeva devastated.


However, Jeeva undergoes a violent transformation and decides to take the law into his hands, fearing the gang might commit more inhumane crimes if left free. He recalls one of the men, during his father's death, looked the same as Pragasam described him during his visit to the morgue. Jeeva enlists the help of his friend Kutti Nadesan, a Chennai gangster, to track down the gang. Kutti Nadesan, with his influence, asks his gang to bring all the guys who plan for a murder in Chennai, so that Jeeva can identify him. While Jeeva is busy identifying the killers, Pey Babu leaves upon being questioned by Nadesan. Jeeva realizes Pey Babu was the man who delivered pamphlets at his home before Pragasam's murder. A chase ensues, and Jeeva succeeds in capturing Pey Babu after a brief fight. He orders him to call the boys and tell them to stay in front of their college. Jeeva succeeds in capturing his father's killer and tries to escape, but the gang gets alerted and ends up freeing their friend from Jeeva's custody following a glass bottle attack. One of the gang members stabs Pey Babu to his death. Jeeva chases the attacker near a railway line where the two brutally fight, resulting in the attacker getting run over by a train.
Following his cremation, Jeeva tells the cops not to pursue the killers anymore as it would bring nothing, but trouble for his middle-class family. However, Jeeva decides to [[Vigilantism|take the law into his hands]], fearing the gang might commit more inhumane crimes if they are scot-free. Jeeva recalls one of the men during his father's death, who looked the same as Pragasam described him during his visit to the morgue. Jeeva enlists the help of his friend and a gangster named Kutti Nadesan to track down the gang. With his influence, Kutti Nadesan asks his gang to bring all the guys who plan for a murder in Chennai so that Jeeva can identify him. While Jeeva is busy identifying the killers, Pey Babu leaves upon being questioned by Nadesan.


Jeeva visits the deceased gang member's funeral to catch his friends, who escape before Jeeva sees them. They go to the beach, and Nadesan is also there along with his henchmen. The gang gets drunk and vows to kill Jeeva, who contacts Nadesan to find out about the four remaining boys. However, noticing the boys yelling, Nadesan asks for specifics and confirms the gang's location at the beach. While trying to confront the gang, Nadesan and his henchmen are lured into a trap where they are all eliminated one-by-one before Jeeva arrives. A brutal fight ensues, leaving the gang members fatally wounded. Jeeva throws them into a pit and departs after burying all of them.
Jeeva realizes Pey Babu was the man who delivered pamphlets at his home before Pragasam's murder. A chase ensues and Jeeva succeeds in capturing Pey Babu after a brief fight. He orders him to call the boys and tell them to stay in front of their college. Jeeva succeeds in capturing his father's killer and tries to escape, but the gang gets alerted and ends up freeing their friend from Jeeva's custody following a glass bottle attack. One of the gang members stabs Pey Babu to his death. Jeeva chases the attacker near a railway line where the two brutally fight, resulting in the attacker getting run over by a train.


===Alternate version ending===
Jeeva visits the deceased gang member's funeral to catch his friends, who escape before Jeeva sees them. They go to the beach and Nadesan is also there, along with his henchmen. The gang gets drunk and vows to kill Jeeva, who contacts Nadesan to find out about the four remaining boys. Noticing the boys yelling, Nadesan asks for specifics and confirms the gang's location at the beach. While trying to confront the gang, Nadesan and his henchmen are lured into a trap, where they are all eliminated one by one before Jeeva arrives. A brutal fight ensues, leaving the gang members fatally wounded. Jeeva throws them into a pit and departs after burying all of them.
After burying the boys, Jeeva arranges for his sister's marriage with the help of Priya. When Ravi arrives at the venue, Jeeva sees a young woman and her mother in trouble. When the two women approach a man for help, he shuns them. Seeing this, Jeeva walks in with a weapon and attacks the man. This ending was cut from the original, but is still present in the Telugu dubbed version.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
* [[Karthi]] as Jeeva Pragasam
* [[Karthi]] as Jeeva Pragasam
* [[Kajal Aggarwal]] as Priya, Jeeva's love interest
* [[Kajal Aggarwal]] as Priya Sudharsan, Jeeva's love interest
* [[Jayaprakash]] as Pragasam, Jeeva's father
* [[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]] as Pragasam, Jeeva's father
* [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] as Ravi, Jeeva's best friend
* [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] as Ravi, Jeeva's best friend
* [[Ramachandran Durairaj]] as Pei Babu
* [[Vijay Sethupathi]] as Ganesh, Jeeva's friend
* [[Vijay Sethupathi]] as Ganesh, Jeeva's friend
* [[Lakshmi Ramakrishnan]] as Jeeva's mother
* [[Lakshmi Ramakrishnan]] as Jeeva's mother
* Raviprakash as Sudharsan
* [[Mahendran Kandhaiyan]] as one of the antagonists.
* Ravi Prakash as Sudharsan, Priya's father
* [[Neelima Rani]] as Sudha
* [[Neelima Rani]] as Sudha
* [[Ramachandran Durairaj]] as Pei Babu
* [[Misha Ghoshal]] as Priya's friend
* [[Uday Mahesh]] as Santhanam
* [[Aruldoss]] as Kutti Nadesan
* [[Aruldoss]] as Kutti Nadesan
* [[Singampuli]] as Doss
* [[Vinod Kishan]]
* [[Vinod Kishan]]
* [[Rajeevan]]
* Thanjai Mahendran as Dhanam
* Priya Atlee as Jeeva's Sister
* Arun
* Anburaj
* Emmanuel
* [[Hari Vairavan]] as Valavan
* [[Rajeevan]] as Singaaram
* [https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2015/jan/15/a-new-innings-705555.html Satthya]
* Priya Atlee as Keerthi Pragasam, Jeeva's sister
* Sindhu as Saroja, Kutti Nadesan's wife
* Sindhu as Saroja, Kutti Nadesan's wife
* Krishna Priya as Keerthi Pragasam
* Gayathri Tutlu
* Thanjai Mahendran as Dhanam
* Shathiga Banu as the murdered girl
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


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===Development===
===Development===
After his first feature film ''[[Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu]]'', released in February 2009, became a success, receiving much critical acclaim as well, director [[Suseenthiran]] started to work on the script for his next film. Initially planning to do one titled ''[[Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai]]'', which failed to commence due to financial problems, he decided to first direct a film featuring a known lead actor, before coming back to that film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/director-interview/director-suseendiran.html |title=Director Suseendiran&nbsp;— Tamil Cinema Director Interview&nbsp;— Suseendiran &#124; Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Azhagar Saamiyin Kudirai &#124; Gautham Menon&nbsp;— Behindwoods.com |publisher=Videos.behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> He was ready with the script by August 2009, revealing details about the project. While his previous work was based on sporting incidents in a rural background, this one was said to be a "total city subject", shot entirely in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Karthihero">{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/748/karthi-is-my-hero-susi|title=Karthi is My Hero - Susi|publisher=top10cinema.com|access-date=2009-08-19}}</ref> An action family entertainer, it would deal about problems in city life, according to Suseenthiran.<ref name="Karthihero"/> On 19 August 2009, it was announced that the film was titled ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' and would be produced by K. E. Gnanavelraja under the banner of Studio Green, who earlier had produced [[Suriya|Suriya's]] ''[[Sillunu Oru Kadhal]]'' and the award-winning ''[[Paruthiveeran]]'' by [[Ameer Sultan]], which incidentally also starred [[Karthi]] in the lead role.<ref name="NaanmahaanillaiTOI">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-19/news-interviews/28158792_1_karthi-kajal-aggarwal-vennila-kabadi-kuzhu-fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811091028/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-19/news-interviews/28158792_1_karthi-kajal-aggarwal-vennila-kabadi-kuzhu-fame|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-08-11|title=It's Naan Mahan Illai for Karthi!|access-date=2009-08-19|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2009-08-19}}</ref> It was reportedly based on a real-life incident that happened to one of the relatives of director [[Suseenthiran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/58999.html |title=Bride hunting starts for Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Movie News |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2010-07-30 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> He scripted the film for five months.<ref name="TheHindu">{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article495354.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Malathi | last=Rangarajan | title=Good tidings continue | date=2010-07-01}}</ref>
After his first feature film ''[[Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu]]'', released in February 2009, became a success, receiving much critical acclaim as well, director [[Suseenthiran]] started to work on the script for his next film. Initially planning to do one titled ''[[Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai]]'', which failed to commence due to financial problems, he decided to first direct a film featuring a known lead actor, before coming back to that film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inian |title=I do have stories for Ajith and Vijay |url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/director-interview/director-suseendiran.html |access-date=2012-04-10 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> He was ready with the script by August 2009, revealing details about the project. While his previous work was based on sporting incidents in a rural background, this one was said to be a "total city subject", shot entirely in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Karthihero">{{Cite web |title=Karthi is My Hero – Susi |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/748/karthi-is-my-hero-susi |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204174402/http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/748/karthi-is-my-hero-susi |archive-date=4 February 2013 |access-date=2009-08-19 |website=top10cinema.com |publisher=}}</ref> An action film, it would deal about problems in city life, according to Suseenthiran.<ref name="Karthihero" /> On 19 August 2009, it was announced that the film was titled ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' and would be produced by K. E. Gnanavelraja under the banner of Studio Green, who earlier had produced ''[[Sillunu Oru Kadhal]]''.<ref name="NaanmahaanillaiTOI">{{Cite news |date=2009-08-19 |title=It's Naan Mahan Illai for Karthi! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Its-Naan-Mahan-Illai-for-Karthi/articleshow/4906556.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811091028/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-19/news-interviews/28158792_1_karthi-kajal-aggarwal-vennila-kabadi-kuzhu-fame |archive-date=2011-08-11 |access-date=2009-08-19 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> It was reportedly based on a real-life incident that happened to one of the relatives of Suseenthiran.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-30 |title=Bride hunting starts for Karthi |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/58999.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730165848/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/58999.html |archive-date=30 July 2010 |access-date=2012-04-10 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> He scripted the film for five months.<ref name="TheHindu">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=2010-07-01 |title=Good tidings continue |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article495354.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=4 February 2013 |access-date=5 September 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204022344/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article495354.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Casting===
===Casting===
While ''[[Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu]]'' (Suseenthiran's first feature film) starred mostly newcomers, he chose Karthi for the lead role in this film as he felt that Karthi has an "innocence in his face" that was needed for this role and that he could "convey charm, innocence and being jolly at the same time".<ref name="Karthihero"/> For the lead female role, [[Kajal Aggarwal]], who had appeared in Tamil films like ''[[Pazhani (film)|Pazhani]]'', ''[[Saroja (2008 film)|Saroja]]'' and ''[[Modhi Vilayadu]]'', was roped in. Suseenthiran chose her after seeing her performances in the [[Cinema of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu films]] ''[[Chandamama]]'' and ''[[Magadheera]]''. He felt that her "cute expressions" were what he needed for that character.<ref name="Karthihero"/> While Karthi's character is a middle-class bank employee, Aggarwal would play an employee in a mobile phone company.<ref name="Karthihero"/>
While ''Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu'' starred mostly newcomers, Suseenthiran chose Karthi for the lead role in this film as he felt Karthi has an "innocence in his face" that was needed for this role and that he could "convey charm, innocence and being jolly at the same time". He chose [[Kajal Aggarwal]] as the lead actress after seeing her performances in the Telugu films ''[[Chandamama]]'' and ''[[Magadheera]]''. He felt that her "cute expressions" were what he needed for that character.<ref name="Karthihero" />


Soori, who also played a comedic role in ''[[Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu]]'' was again included, while Jayaprakash, who played several supporting roles and rose to fame with his performance in ''[[Pasanga]]'' was chosen to play Karthi's father.<ref name="TheHindu"/> As in his previous film, Suseenthiran introduced several new artists,<ref name="TheHindu"/> such as five boys who played the villains with one of them being Vinod who played the younger character of [[Surya]] in ''[[Nandha]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/59827.html |title=Suseendran's fantastic five&nbsp;— Tamil Movie News |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2010-09-03 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> According to the director, he found three of them "loitering on a popular road in the city", whilst cinematographer Vijay Milton's assistant [[Ramachandran Durairaj]] and cinematographer [[Aruldoss]] debuted and played pivotal roles.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-03/news-interviews/28220773_1_telegu-film-villains-kutti-natesan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103085754/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-03/news-interviews/28220773_1_telegu-film-villains-kutti-natesan | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-11-03 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Suseenthiran to release a telegu film? | date=2010-09-03}}</ref>
Soori, who played a comedic role in ''Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu'' was again included, while Jayaprakash, who played several supporting roles and rose to fame with his performance in ''[[Pasanga]]'' was chosen to play Karthi's father.<ref name="TheHindu" /> As in his previous film, Suseenthiran introduced several new artists,<ref name="TheHindu" /> such as five boys who played the villains with one of them being Vinod who played the younger character of [[Suriya]] in ''[[Nandhaa]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-03 |title=Suseendran's fantastic five |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/59827.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904061325/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/59827.html |archive-date=4 September 2010 |access-date=2012-04-10 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> According to the director, he found three of them "loitering on a popular road in the city", whilst cinematographer Vijay Milton's assistant [[Ramachandran Durairaj]] and cinematographer [[Aruldoss]] debuted and played pivotal roles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-03 |title=Suseenthiran to release a telegu film? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Suseenthiran-to-release-a-telegu-film/articleshow/6480605.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103085754/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-03/news-interviews/28220773_1_telegu-film-villains-kutti-natesan |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=10 October 2024 }}</ref>


===Filming===
===Filming===
Filming began, after ten days of [[rehearsal]]s,<ref name="TheHindu"/> on 4 September 2009 and was held in cities as [[Chennai]], [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] and [[Visakhapatnam]].<ref name="NaanmahaanillaiTOI"/> In mid-September, reported locations included [[East Coast Road]] (ECR) near [[Chennai]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=1905|title=Naan Mahaan Alla shooting in ECR|publisher=[[Ayngaran]]|access-date=2009-09-17}}</ref> and later in the environs of the highways near [[Poonamallee]] in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/news/1041/karthi-shoots-for-naan-mahaan-alla|title=Karthi Shoots For Naan Mahaan Alla|publisher=top10cinema.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227135225/http://www.top10cinema.com/news/1041/karthi-shoots-for-naan-mahaan-alla|archive-date=2012-02-27|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-01-30}}</ref>
Filming began, after ten days of rehearsals,<ref name="TheHindu" /> on 4 September 2009 and was held in cities as [[Chennai]], [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] and [[Visakhapatnam]].<ref name="NaanmahaanillaiTOI" /> In mid-September, reported locations included [[East Coast Road]] (ECR) near [[Chennai]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naan Mahaan Alla shooting in ECR |url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=1905 |access-date=2009-09-17 |publisher=[[Ayngaran International]]}}</ref> and later in the environs of the highways near [[Poonamallee]] in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karthi Shoots For Naan Mahaan Alla |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/news/1041/karthi-shoots-for-naan-mahaan-alla |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227135225/http://www.top10cinema.com/news/1041/karthi-shoots-for-naan-mahaan-alla |archive-date=2012-02-27 |access-date=2017-01-30 |website=top10cinema.com |publisher=}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
{{Main|Naan Mahaan Alla (soundtrack)}}
| name      = Naan Mahaan Alla
| type      = Soundtrack
| artist    = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = 24 July 2010
| recorded  = 2009—2010
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length    = 24:21
| label      = [[Think Music India|Think Music]]
| language  = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| producer  = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| prev_title = [[Thillalangadi]]
| prev_year  = 2010
| next_title = [[Boss Engira Bhaskaran]]
| next_year  = 2010
| misc      = {{Singles
| name        = Naan Mahaan Alla
| type        = soundtrack
| single1    = [[Iragai Pole]]
| single1date = 24 July 2010
}}
}}
The soundtrack of ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' is composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], making this his third collaboration with [[Karthi]], after scoring highly successful results with ''[[Paruthiveeran]]'' (2007) and ''[[Paiyaa]]'' (2010),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southdreamz.com/2010/06/naan-mahan-alla-movie-preview.html |title=Naan Mahan Alla&nbsp;— Movie Preview |publisher=Southdreamz.com |date=2010-06-01 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=NAAN MAHAAN ALLA MUSIC REVIEW&nbsp;— NAAN MAHAAN ALLA MP3 DOWNLOAD&nbsp;— TAMIL MOVIE NAAN MAHAAN ALLA MUSIC REVIEW - TAMIL SONGS DOWNLOAD&nbsp;— TAMIL FILM MUSIC&nbsp;— NAAN MAHAAN ALLA MP3 - NAAN MAHAAN ALLA SONGS |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> and his first with director [[Suseenthiran]], who worked with [[V. Selvaganesh]] for his previous film. The soundtrack album, which features five songs, with lyrics penned by [[Na. Muthukumar]] and [[Yugabharathi]] was released on 24 July 2010 at [[Sathyam Cinemas]] in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14949787 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804005507/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14949787 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-08-04 |title=Naan Mahan Alla audio launched! |publisher=Sify.com |date=2010-07-24 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> The song "Va Va Nilava Pudichi" is repeated at the end of the album, with singer [[Rahul Nambiar]] credited for both. Nambiar, however, stated on his [[Facebook]] site that two versions were recorded featuring his and Haricharan's voice, respectively, but that both songs in the album were rendered by Haricharan only and his own version wasn't included at all. The songs were later dubbed for the Telugu version ''Naa Peru Shiva''. The Telugu album was launched on 25 June 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naa Peru Shiva Audio Release|url=http://www.ragalahari.com/functions/4416/naa-peru-shiva-audio-release.aspx|access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref>


Only three songs were used in the film in their entirety, with "Oru Maalai Neram" being left out completely. The album received extremely positive reviews, with "[[Iragai Pole]]" in particular, sung by composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, becoming hugely popular, topping the charts for several weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/news/5846/naan-mahaan-alla-has-been-passed-with-u-a |title=Naan Mahaan Alla Has Been Passed With 'U/A' &#124; News&nbsp;— General |publisher=Top 10 Cinema |date=2010-08-04 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> Before the soundtrack release, Yuvan claimed on [[Twitter]] that the song was one of his favorites, on which he had worked for days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/58404.html |title=I have sung one of my favourites in NMA: Yuvan - Tamil Movie News |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2010-07-07 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> After seeing the entire film, he was said to have remixed and completely reworked that song, altering the orchestration inter alia, to match it with the visuals.<ref name="Karthiinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/actor-actress-interview/actor-karthi.html |title=Actor Karthi&nbsp;— Tamil Cinema Actor Interview - Karthi &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Kajal Agarwal &#124; Paiyaa &#124; Tamannah - Behindwoods.com |publisher=Videos.behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> He garnered accolades for the film's score as well. As per Suseenthiran, the music was "crucial" in the second half of the film, which was the reason for opting for Yuvan Shankar.<ref name="TheHindu"/> According to Karthi, Yuvan had worked for 12 days for the score of the second half, which has "hardly any dialogues", adding that he was the one "who narrates the story in the second half through his music".<ref name="Karthiinterview"/>
The soundtrack of ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' is composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], making this his third collaboration with [[Karthi]], after scoring highly successful results with ''[[Paruthiveeran]]'' (2007) and ''[[Paiyaa]]'' (2010),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-01 |title=Naan Mahan Alla&nbsp;— Movie Preview |url=http://www.southdreamz.com/2010/06/naan-mahan-alla-movie-preview.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908083616/http://www.southdreamz.com/2010/06/naan-mahan-alla-movie-preview.html |archive-date=8 September 2011 |access-date=2010-08-24 |publisher=Southdreamz.com}}</ref> and his first with director Suseenthiran, who worked with [[V. Selvaganesh]] for his previous film. The soundtrack album, which features five songs, with lyrics penned by [[Na. Muthukumar]] and [[Yugabharathi]] was released on 24 July 2010 at [[Sathyam Cinemas]] in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-24 |title=Naan Mahan Alla audio launched! |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14949787 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804005507/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14949787 |archive-date=2010-08-04 |access-date=2010-08-24 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The album received extremely positive reviews, with "[[Iragai Pole]]" in particular, sung by composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, becoming hugely popular, topping the charts for several weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-04 |title=Naan Mahaan Alla Has Been Passed With 'U/A' |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/news/5846/naan-mahaan-alla-has-been-passed-with-u-a |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205143303/http://www.top10cinema.com/news/5846/naan-mahaan-alla-has-been-passed-with-u-a |archive-date=5 February 2013 |access-date=2012-04-10 |website=Top 10 Cinema |publisher=}}</ref>
 
{{tracklist
| headline        = Track listing
| extra_column    = Singer(s)
| total_length    = 24:21
| title1          = Va Va Nilava Pudichi
| lyrics1        = [[Na. Muthukumar]]
| note1          =
| extra1          = [[Haricharan]]
| length1        = 04:47
| title2          = [[Iragai Pole]]
| lyrics2        = [[Yugabharathi]]
| extra2          = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], [[Tanvi Shah]]
| length2        = 05:19
| title3          = Oru Maalai Neram
| lyrics3        = Na. Muthukumar
| note3          =  
| extra3          = [[Javed Ali]], [[Shilpa Rao]]
| length3        = 04:46
| title4          = Theivam Illai
| lyrics4        = Yugabharathy
| extra4          = [[Madhu Balakrishnan]]
| length4        = 04:41
| title5          = Va Va Nilava Pudichi II
| lyrics5        = Na. Muthukumar
| note5          =
| extra5          = Haricharan
| length5        = 04:47
}}


==Release==
==Release==
===Reception===
===Reception===
''Naan Mahaan Alla'' received positive reviews, with ''Top10Cinema.com'' labelling ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' as "outstanding", proceeding to highlight that "almost everything works: the plot and screenplay, performances, technical panoramas",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/review/6136/naan-mahaan-alla# |title=Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Movie Review |publisher=Top 10 Cinema |date=2010-08-20 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> while Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]].com'' described it as "almost perfect", giving it 3 out of 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/aug/20/south-tamil-review-naan-mahaan-alla.htm |title=Naan Mahaan Alla is almost perfect: Rediff.com Movies |publisher=Movies.rediff.com |date=2010-08-20 |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> Sreedhar Pillai of ''[[Sify]].com'' also gave a very positive verdict, stating that director Suseenthiran comes up with a "rocker of a film" that is "refreshingly fresh, innovative and packaged in a breezy manner within the commercial format", adding that it is "engrossing and racy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14954041&ctid=5&cid=2429 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823033434/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14954041&ctid=5&cid=2429 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-08-23 |title=Movie Review:Naan Mahaan Alla |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> Furthermore, he praised lead actor Karthi's "power packed" performance, citing that he "nails the character to perfection" and "carries the film to its winning point". Similarly ''[[Times of India]]'' reviewer Bhama Devi Ravi, gave 3.5 out of 5, claiming the film to be "entertaining almost till the end", whilst addressing high praise to both Suseenthiran, who according to her is "turning out to be a treasure", and Karthi, whose performance she described as his "best work yet".<ref>{{cite news|author=Bhama Devi Ravi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Naan-Mahaan-Alla/movie-review/6388035.cms |title=Naan Mahaan Alla movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India|agency=TNN |work=The Times of India |date= 2010-08-21|access-date=2010-08-24}}</ref> Behindwoods gave the movie 2.5 out of 5 and said "Although there are a few slow patches, Suseendiran should be appreciated for coalescing the energy and entertainment of a mainstream film with a sensitivity of a realistic one. He has the wholesome attention of the audience in most parts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/naan-mahaan-alla-movie-review.html|title=Naan Mahaan Alla Movie Review|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=2017-01-30}}</ref>
Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]'' gave 3/5 stars and described the film is "almost perfect."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-20 |title=Naan Mahaan Alla is almost perfect: Rediff.com Movies |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/aug/20/south-tamil-review-naan-mahaan-alla.htm |access-date=2010-08-24 |publisher=Movies.rediff.com |archive-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823225843/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/aug/20/south-tamil-review-naan-mahaan-alla.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Sreedhar Pillai of ''[[Sify]]'' wrote "''Naan Mahaan Alla'' reinvents the staple formula but stands out for its sheer style, speed and storytelling methods."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Movie Review:Naan Mahaan Alla |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14954041&ctid=5&cid=2429 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823033434/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14954041&ctid=5&cid=2429 |archive-date=2010-08-23 |access-date=2010-08-24 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Bhama Devi Rani of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3.5/5 stars, claiming the film to be "entertaining almost till the end", whilst addressing high praise to both Suseenthiran, who according to her is "turning out to be a treasure" and considering Karthi's performance as his "best work yet".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhama Devi Ravi |date=2010-08-21 |title=Naan Mahaan Alla movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Naan-Mahaan-Alla/movie-review/6388035.cms |access-date=2010-08-24 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103113838/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Naan-Mahaan-Alla/movie-review/6388035.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===Box office===
The film opened well,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-aug-23/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Top Ten Movies - Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Karthi &#124; Kajal Agarwal &#124; Suseendran &#124; Yuvan Shankar Raja &#124; Cloud Nine |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-aug-30/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Top Ten Movies - Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Karthi &#124; Kajal Agarwal &#124; Suseendran &#124; Yuvan Shankar Raja &#124; Cloud Nine |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> and made a steady progress in the Chennai box office,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-sep-06/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Top Ten Movies - Bale Pandiya Vamsam Naan Mahaan Alla Inidhu Inidhu Irandu Mugam |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-sep-13/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Top Ten Movies&nbsp;— Inithu Inithu Bale Pandiya Drohi Naan Mahaan Alla Boss Engira Baskaran |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-sep-20/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla&nbsp;— Behindwoods.com - Tamil Top Ten Movies&nbsp;— Bale Pandiya Drohi Vandae Maatharam Naan Mahaan Alla Boss Engira Baskaran |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> eventually becoming a very successful venture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-sep-27/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=Naan Mahaan Alla - Behindwoods.com&nbsp;— Tamil Top Ten Movies - Bale Pandiya Drohi Vandae Maatharam Naan Mahaan Alla Boss Engira Baskaran |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref> In five weeks ''Naan Mahaan Alla'' made a collection of {{INR}} 5 crore; 4.47 crore was collected in Chennai city alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/box-office-2010/naan-mahaan-alla.html |title=TOP 20 CHENNAI BOX OFFICE COLLECTION OF 2010 - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Movie Slide Shows - Endhiran &#124; Nandalala &#124; Myna &#124; Singam &#124; Paiyaa &#124; Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa &#124; Naan Mahaan Alla &#124; Uthama Puthiran &#124; Angadi Theru |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=2010-08-20 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref>


===Accolades===
===Accolades===
Line 147: Line 98:
! Outcome
! Outcome
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|{{center|2011 [[Edison Awards (Tamil)|Edison Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reviews.in.88db.com/index.php/movie/movie-news/6946-4th-edison-awards-2011-winners |title=4th Edison Awards 2011 Winners |publisher=reviews.in.88db.com |date=2011-02-14 |access-date=2011-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521094407/http://reviews.in.88db.com/index.php/movie/movie-news/6946-4th-edison-awards-2011-winners |archive-date=21 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>}}
|rowspan="4"|{{center|2011 [[Edison Awards (Tamil)|Edison Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-02-14 |title=4th Edison Awards 2011 Winners |url=http://reviews.in.88db.com/index.php/movie/movie-news/6946-4th-edison-awards-2011-winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521094407/http://reviews.in.88db.com/index.php/movie/movie-news/6946-4th-edison-awards-2011-winners |archive-date=21 May 2011 |access-date=2011-05-19 |publisher=reviews.in.88db.com |df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}
|Best Character Actor
|Best Character Actor
|[[Jayaprakash]]
|[[Jayaprakash (actor)|Jayaprakash]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
Line 164: Line 115:
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|{{center|[[58th Filmfare Awards South]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Nominees of Idea Filmfare Awards South|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/67252.html|publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=1 June 2011}}</ref>}}
|rowspan="2"|{{center|[[58th Filmfare Awards South]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} }}
|[[Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)|Best Music Director]]
|[[Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)|Best Music Director]]
|[[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
|[[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
Line 173: Line 124:
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|{{center|[[Vijay Awards 2011|5th Vijay Awards]]}}
|rowspan="5"|{{center|[[Vijay Awards 2011|5th Vijay Awards]] {{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} }}
|[[Vijay Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|[[Vijay Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|[[Karthi]]
|[[Karthi]]
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|-
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Stunt Director|Best Stunt Director]]
|[[Vijay Award for Best Stunt Director|Best Stunt Director]]
|Anal Arasu
|[[Anal Arasu]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
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{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{official website|http://naanmahaanalla.com/}}
* {{official website|http://naanmahaanalla.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|id=1507005|title=Naan Mahaan Alla}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{AllMovie title|524350}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes|naan_mahaan_alla}}


{{Suseenthiran}}
{{Suseenthiran}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Naan Mahaan Alla (2010 Film)}}
[[Category:2010 films]]
[[Category:2010 action films]]
[[Category:2010 action films]]
[[Category:2010 thriller films]]
[[Category:2010 Indian films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2010 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2010 action drama films]]
[[Category:2010 action thriller films]]
[[Category:2010 crime action films]]
[[Category:2010s vigilante films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Action films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Action films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Crime films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Drama films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Thriller films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Films about murder]]
[[Category:Films about murder]]
[[Category:Films directed by Suseenthiran]]
[[Category:Films produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja]]
[[Category:Films produced by S. R. Prabhu]]
[[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films directed by Suseenthiran]]
[[Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Studio Green films]]

Latest revision as of 14:19, 15 March 2026


Naan Mahaan Alla
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySuseenthiran
Produced by
Written by
Starring
Music byYuvan Shankar Raja
CinematographyR. Madhi
Edited byKasi Viswanathan
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • 20 August 2010 (2010-08-20)
Running time
131 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Naan Mahaan Alla (transl. I Am Not A Saint) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Suseenthiran and produced by Studio Green.[1][2] It stars Karthi, Kajal Aggarwal, Jayaprakash and Soori. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with cinematography handled by R. Madhi and editing by Kasi Viswanathan.[3] Set in Chennai, Jeeva is an unemployed carefree young man whose father becomes the target of a gang of young criminals after witnessing a kidnapping.

The film is not related to the 1984 film of the same name and is based on a real-life incident.[4][5] Naan Mahaan Alla was released on 20 August 2010 to positive reviews from critics with praise for the cast performances, action sequences and realistic tone.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Jeeva is a Chennai-based youngster from a middle-class family. Pragasam is Jeeva's father and a call taxi driver who is also the family's sole breadwinner. Jeeva meets a woman named Priya at their friend's wedding and soon they fall for each other. Upon meeting Priya's father, Jeeva is asked to get a job first to get married. Jeeva accepts and takes the job as a bank manager, but soon gets fired. Pragasam, who had witnessed the killing of two youngsters by a group of 5 young men, gets attacked by them, where he is admitted to the hospital. The gang tries to kill him again in the absence of Jeeva but to no avail.

Pragasam is brought home and Jeeva starts taking responsibility for his family by reclaiming his lost job and maintaining all the accounts. Looking at the news reports of the girl that boarded his taxi and was raped and then mutilated by the gang, Pragasam calls Jeeva to accompany him to the morgue, where he helps the investigating officer by providing clues about the killer. Sensing trouble, the gang enlists the help of Pey Babu, one of the member's uncle, to plan and kill Pragasam after explaining how they killed the girl and her lover. When Pragasam and Jeeva go out to shop for the latter's sister's wedding, one of the men calls Jeeva on behalf of a store, thus separating him from Pragasam. The gang then creates a stampede by throwing bottles as one of them stabs Pragasam with a piece of poisoned glass shard. Pragasam soon dies in Jeeva's arms, leaving Jeeva devastated.

Following his cremation, Jeeva tells the cops not to pursue the killers anymore as it would bring nothing, but trouble for his middle-class family. However, Jeeva decides to take the law into his hands, fearing the gang might commit more inhumane crimes if they are scot-free. Jeeva recalls one of the men during his father's death, who looked the same as Pragasam described him during his visit to the morgue. Jeeva enlists the help of his friend and a gangster named Kutti Nadesan to track down the gang. With his influence, Kutti Nadesan asks his gang to bring all the guys who plan for a murder in Chennai so that Jeeva can identify him. While Jeeva is busy identifying the killers, Pey Babu leaves upon being questioned by Nadesan.

Jeeva realizes Pey Babu was the man who delivered pamphlets at his home before Pragasam's murder. A chase ensues and Jeeva succeeds in capturing Pey Babu after a brief fight. He orders him to call the boys and tell them to stay in front of their college. Jeeva succeeds in capturing his father's killer and tries to escape, but the gang gets alerted and ends up freeing their friend from Jeeva's custody following a glass bottle attack. One of the gang members stabs Pey Babu to his death. Jeeva chases the attacker near a railway line where the two brutally fight, resulting in the attacker getting run over by a train.

Jeeva visits the deceased gang member's funeral to catch his friends, who escape before Jeeva sees them. They go to the beach and Nadesan is also there, along with his henchmen. The gang gets drunk and vows to kill Jeeva, who contacts Nadesan to find out about the four remaining boys. Noticing the boys yelling, Nadesan asks for specifics and confirms the gang's location at the beach. While trying to confront the gang, Nadesan and his henchmen are lured into a trap, where they are all eliminated one by one before Jeeva arrives. A brutal fight ensues, leaving the gang members fatally wounded. Jeeva throws them into a pit and departs after burying all of them.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Development[edit | edit source]

After his first feature film Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, released in February 2009, became a success, receiving much critical acclaim as well, director Suseenthiran started to work on the script for his next film. Initially planning to do one titled Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai, which failed to commence due to financial problems, he decided to first direct a film featuring a known lead actor, before coming back to that film.[6] He was ready with the script by August 2009, revealing details about the project. While his previous work was based on sporting incidents in a rural background, this one was said to be a "total city subject", shot entirely in Chennai.[7] An action film, it would deal about problems in city life, according to Suseenthiran.[7] On 19 August 2009, it was announced that the film was titled Naan Mahaan Alla and would be produced by K. E. Gnanavelraja under the banner of Studio Green, who earlier had produced Sillunu Oru Kadhal.[8] It was reportedly based on a real-life incident that happened to one of the relatives of Suseenthiran.[9] He scripted the film for five months.[10]

Casting[edit | edit source]

While Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu starred mostly newcomers, Suseenthiran chose Karthi for the lead role in this film as he felt Karthi has an "innocence in his face" that was needed for this role and that he could "convey charm, innocence and being jolly at the same time". He chose Kajal Aggarwal as the lead actress after seeing her performances in the Telugu films Chandamama and Magadheera. He felt that her "cute expressions" were what he needed for that character.[7]

Soori, who played a comedic role in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu was again included, while Jayaprakash, who played several supporting roles and rose to fame with his performance in Pasanga was chosen to play Karthi's father.[10] As in his previous film, Suseenthiran introduced several new artists,[10] such as five boys who played the villains with one of them being Vinod who played the younger character of Suriya in Nandhaa.[11] According to the director, he found three of them "loitering on a popular road in the city", whilst cinematographer Vijay Milton's assistant Ramachandran Durairaj and cinematographer Aruldoss debuted and played pivotal roles.[12]

Filming[edit | edit source]

Filming began, after ten days of rehearsals,[10] on 4 September 2009 and was held in cities as Chennai, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.[8] In mid-September, reported locations included East Coast Road (ECR) near Chennai[13] and later in the environs of the highways near Poonamallee in Chennai.[14]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Main article: Naan Mahaan Alla (soundtrack)

The soundtrack of Naan Mahaan Alla is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, making this his third collaboration with Karthi, after scoring highly successful results with Paruthiveeran (2007) and Paiyaa (2010),[15] and his first with director Suseenthiran, who worked with V. Selvaganesh for his previous film. The soundtrack album, which features five songs, with lyrics penned by Na. Muthukumar and Yugabharathi was released on 24 July 2010 at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai.[16] The album received extremely positive reviews, with "Iragai Pole" in particular, sung by composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, becoming hugely popular, topping the charts for several weeks.[17]

Release[edit | edit source]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff gave 3/5 stars and described the film is "almost perfect."[18] Sreedhar Pillai of Sify wrote "Naan Mahaan Alla reinvents the staple formula but stands out for its sheer style, speed and storytelling methods."[19] Bhama Devi Rani of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars, claiming the film to be "entertaining almost till the end", whilst addressing high praise to both Suseenthiran, who according to her is "turning out to be a treasure" and considering Karthi's performance as his "best work yet".[20]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Award Category Name Outcome
2011 Edison Awards[21]
 Best Character Actor Jayaprakash Won
Best Villain Mahi, Anbu, Iman, Vinoth and Arun Won
Best PRO (Public Relations Officer) John Won
Best Supporting Actress Neelima Rani Won
58th Filmfare Awards South[citation needed]
Best Music Director Yuvan Shankar Raja Nominated
Best Male Playback Yuvan Shankar Raja for Iragai Pole Nominated
5th Vijay Awards [citation needed]
Best Actor Karthi Nominated
Best Villain Vinoth Kishan Nominated
Best Art Director Rajeevan Nominated
Best Stunt Director Anal Arasu Won
Best Editor Kasi Viswanathan Won

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Heroes turn real again". The Hindu. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010. Naan Mahaan Alla is a realistic action film that tries to fight off formula with its vulnerability and raw, street treatment.
  2. ↑ "Director Suseenthiran's film undergoes a title change". Deccan Chronicle. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017. Like my earlier movie Naan Mahan Alla, this is also an offbeat action film where I have touched upon a social issue.
  3. ↑ "Karthi — Tamil Movie News — Dayanidhi opts for Karthi... Udhayanidhi prefers Arya – Karthi | Arya | Naan Mahaan Alla | Madharasapattinam". Behindwoods.com. 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Eagerly awaiting Karthi's Naan Mahaan Alla: Rediff.com Movies". Movies.rediff.com. 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Actor Karthi — Tamil Cinema Actor Interview – Karthi | Naan Mahaan Alla | Kajal Agarwal | Paiyaa | Tamannaah — Behindwoods.com". Videos.behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  6. ↑ Inian. "I do have stories for Ajith and Vijay". Behindwoods. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Karthi is My Hero – Susi". top10cinema.com. Retrieved 19 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "It's Naan Mahan Illai for Karthi!". The Times of India. 19 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  9. ↑ "Bride hunting starts for Karthi". IndiaGlitz. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Rangarajan, Malathi (1 July 2010). "Good tidings continue". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 September 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Suseendran's fantastic five". IndiaGlitz. 3 September 2010. Archived from the original on 4 September 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Suseenthiran to release a telegu film?". The Times of India. 3 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Naan Mahaan Alla shooting in ECR". Ayngaran International. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Karthi Shoots For Naan Mahaan Alla". top10cinema.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Naan Mahan Alla — Movie Preview". Southdreamz.com. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  16. ↑ "Naan Mahan Alla audio launched!". Sify. 24 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  17. ↑ "Naan Mahaan Alla Has Been Passed With 'U/A'". Top 10 Cinema. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ↑ "Naan Mahaan Alla is almost perfect: Rediff.com Movies". Movies.rediff.com. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  19. ↑ "Movie Review:Naan Mahaan Alla". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  20. ↑ Bhama Devi Ravi (21 August 2010). "Naan Mahaan Alla movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "4th Edison Awards 2011 Winners". reviews.in.88db.com. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.

External links[edit | edit source]

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