Jaggubhai

Jaggubhai
File:Jaggubhai.jpg Poster
Directed by	K. S. Ravikumar
Produced by	Raadhika Punit Goenka
Written by	K. S. Ravikumar
Story by	Kamalesh Kumar
Starring	Sarath Kumar Shriya Saran Srisha Goundamani Richard Raj
Music by	Rafee
Cinematography	R. D. Rajasekhar
Edited by	Don Max
Production company	Radaan Mediaworks
Distributed by	Zee Motion Pictures
Release date	29 January 2010 (2010-01-29)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Jaggubhai is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar, who with collaborates with the lead actor, Sarath Kumar for their ninth film. Also starring Shriya Saran, debutant Srisha and veteran comedian Goundamani; the film is produced by Sarath Kumar's wife, Radhika and Punit Goenka. The film features music composed by Rafee, whilst cinematography is handled by R. D. Rajesekhar and the film is edited by Don Max.

The film's plot is a remake of the 2001 French film Wasabi, which follows the journey of a tough Indian police officer, fondly known as "Jaggubhai", who is sent to Australia on an important mission to deal with anti-social elements there.

The film, originally launched as a Rajinikanth-starrer in May 2004, resurfaced in May 2008 with a new cast with changes to the story. Shooting started months later, and took place in various locations: Melbourne, Australia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangkok, Thailand and Chennai, India being primary locations. Most scenes portraying Australia were shot in Malaysia.

Prior to release, the film was controversially leaked online and printed as DVDs, with subsequent actions causing a media uproar in the film industry. The film then re-shot the climax and premiered in Chennai to the most-well attended movie premiere in recent times on 27 January 2010. The film was a flop at Box Office.

Plot

Jagannathan, fondly known as Jaggubhai, is an upright, straightforward, and tough Indian police officer with sharp methods. His way of dealing with the criminals strikes terror in the underground world. Jaggubhai is sent to Australia on an important mission to deal with antisocial elements there. In Australia, he meets Ilavarasi, and they fall in love with each other. Jaggubhai fails in his mission for which he came to Australia, and the brief romance with Ilavarasi also ends abruptly. Jaggubhai returns to India as a dejected officer, failing in both his official duty and personal life. However, fate had something in store for him. 20 years later, or as he says it 21 years later, he gets a call from Australia stating that Ilavarasi is dead and has left him a will. He reaches Australia and is shocked to know that the brief encounter with Ilavarasi had resulted in a daughter named Monisha, who is now a teenager. Jaggubhai realizes that he has left behind his daughter and her wish that he should protect her. Monisha thinks he is her mother's friend and tries to act cranky. The threat comes in the form of some antisocial elements who want to eliminate Monisha. These thugs were the same ones who had tricked Jaggubhai 21 years earlier and who had killed Ilavarasi. Now, it is Jaggubhai's duty to save his only daughter and settle old scores with the thugs. He now meets his former colleague Kaaliyappan or MIB. With his help, he kills the thugs and their leader Hamid Ansari (Richard Raj). Monisha then accepts Jaggubhai as her father.

Cast

• Sarath Kumar as Jagannathan (Jaggubhai)
• Shriya Saran as Monisha Jagannathan
• Srisha as Ilavarasi Jagannathan
• Goundamani as Kaaliyappan (MIB-Man in Black)
• Richard Raj as Hamid Ansari
• Vijayakumar as Police Commissioner and Jagannathan's father
• Kiran Rathod as Sumathi
• S. V. S. Kumar as Ilavarasi's father
• Manimaran Thorasamy as Manimaran
• Neelima Rani as Priya
• Mahendran as Monisha's boyfriend
• K. S. Ravikumar in a Special appearance

Production

Development

In mid-2004, K. S. Ravikumar planned a film under the title Jaggubhai with the proposed cast including Rajinikanth in the lead role playing a terrorist. Aishwarya Rai was finalized to play the female lead role, after initial expectations that Rani Mukerji or Jyothika would portray the role. The film which was set to have music composed by A.R. Rahman, had a photo shoot and was touted to be Rajinikanth's comeback film after the debacle of Baba in 2002. Shortly after, however, Rajinikanth was signed up for Chandramukhi, directed by P. Vasu. With the progress of Chandramukhi, Jaggubhai was delayed and subsequently shelved. Since it was shelved, Ravikumar went to direct Varalaru with Ajith Kumar in 2006 and the high-budget Dasavathaaram with Kamal Hassan. During the post-production of Dasavathaaram, Ravikumar announced that he would restart his shelved project, Jaggubhai with a different cast.

Casting

Sarath Kumar was signed to play the dual lead role, becoming the tenth collaboration between the director and the actor. Sneha, who was picked to portray the mother in the film, opted out due to her discontent in being the mother of the lead heroine. Despite early indications that Sarath Kumar's real-life stepdaughter, Rayan, would portray the role of the daughter, Shriya Saran secured the role. Saran who had met commercial success with Sivaji: The Boss was then requested to portray dual roles in the film, however, she rejected the opportunity, citing that she will only play a single role. After approaching Simran, Padmapriya Janakiraman, Kamalini Mukerji and Vimala Raman for the role, Bollywood actress Tabu agreed to do the mother's role, demanding a sum of 75 lakhs but later walked out of the role. Newcomer Srisha was later handed that certain role. Kiran Rathod was also handed a role in the film, which is touted to be the first of her comeback. Veteran comedian, Goundamani also plays a role in the project.

Rafee was signed as the music director and Jacki as the art director of the film while Sarathkumar's home production company Radaan Mediaworks and Zee Motion Pictures collaborated to produce the film.

Internet piracy

A full-length, unfinished version of Jaggubhai was discovered online on 31 December 2009, far from the film's official release date. The leaked copy has some unfinished effects shots and does not contain any voice-overs or dubs. The film's producer Raadhika, the film's star and SIFAA president R. Sarathkumar, and K. S. Ravikumar held a press meet condemning the film's piracy, in which the former two had become emotional during the discussion. The press meet was supported by Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Surya Sivakumar.

Release

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Zee Thamizh. The film was given a "U/A" certificate by the Indian Censor Board.

Reception

Jaggubhai had a well-attended premiere on 27 January 2010 at a popular multiplex in Chennai, with the event being dubbed as the most well-attended film premiere of all time for a Tamil film. The film released two days later, amidst much competition and opened in most centres across Chennai, Tamil Nadu as well as in various regions overseas to an average opening. The film grossed Rs. 9,19,564 in the opening weekend in Chennai and was declared an average film.

Reviews

Upon release, the film generally received mixed to negative reviews from film critics. Rediff.com gave a very negative review of the film criticizing all major aspects of the film from performance to production values labelling K. S. Ravikumar as "the biggest culprit" whilst mentioning that "the screenplay is silliness personified". Sarath Kumar is described as "a major disappointment, despite being given a role that would make any actor go green with envy", whilst Shriya Saran "gains brownie points by looking hot in various skimpy dresses" despite "not [being] successful in acting".

Sify.com was relatively less critical describing the movie as "run of the mill" though citing that the "major plus point of the film is that it is only 2 hours, and the camera work of RD Rajasekhar is scintillating". Sarath Kumar with his "macho tough look carries the film on his shoulders", while Shriya Saran as the spoiled brat is "adequate". Srisha "can’t emote" while Goundamani is a "scream", continued the review.

Soundtrack

Jaggubhai
Soundtrack album by Rafee
Released	27 September 2009
Recorded	2008–2009
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Label	Think Music
Producer	Rafee

The film soundtrack released on 27 September 2009 and was scored by newcomer, Rafee. The album contains seven songs. The songs will be featured throughout the film. Vaali, Na. Muthukumar Kabilan, Kaadhal Mathi and Kalyanji have contributed the lyrics. The album has singer like Shankar Mahadevan, Chinmayi, Suchitra, Maheshwari Rani, Sunitha Sarathy and Rafi.

No.	Song	Singers	Length (m:ss)	Lyrics	Notes
1	"Apple Laptop"	Shankar Mahadevan, Chinmayi	6:12	Kabilan	Featuring Sarath Kumar and Shriya Saran in a shopping mall as Sarath Kumar sings the song and Shriya will dance in the song. Shriya will dance many varieties dances such as western, breakdance, hip hop, ballet, salsa, classical and Indian folk dance as mention by herself throughout the song.
2	"Thuru Thuru"	Maheshwari Rani	5:35	Kathal Mathi	Featuring Srisha in club sing this song. While Sarath Kumar will get attracted to her.
3	"Yezhu Vannathil"	Hariharan, Maheshwari Rani	5:37	Kabilan	Featuring Sarath Kumar and Shriya Saran with a melodious way where Sarath Kumar will feel his love toward Shriya after nearly 20 years did not meet her.
4	"Vaa... Dhinam Dhinam"	Sunitha Sarathy	4:43	Na. Muthukumar	Shriya Saran's introduction song with foreign dancer. The song take place nearby the beach.
5	"Anbulla Maan Vizhiyae (Remix)"	Rafi, Maheshwari Rani	3:20	Vaali	Featuring Sarath Kumar in a romantic way. They also will be accompanied by Goundamani as guitar player.
6	"Acham, Madam"	Suchitra	4:15	Kalyanji	This song features actress Kiran Rathod in an item number. It is set in a club.
7	"Thuru Thuru" (slow)	Maheshwari Rani	4:32	Kadhal Mathi	Featuring Shriya Saran in a club sings this song after she heard about her mother's death news as this song was teach by her mother to her.

External links

• Jaggubhai on IMDb