Kaadan

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Kaadan
Aranya
Haathi Mere Saathi
File:Kaadan Poster.jpg
Release poster (Tamil version)
Directed byPrabhu Solomon
Produced byEros International
Written byPrabhu Solomon
Dialogue byVanamali (Telugu)
Niranjan Iyengar (Hindi)
Starring
Music byShantanu Moitra
CinematographyA. R. Ashok Kumar
Edited byBhuvan Srinivasan
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • 26 March 2021 (2021-03-26) (Tamil and Telugu)
  • 18 September 2021 (2021-09-18) (Hindi)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryIndia
Language
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Hindi

Kaadan (transl. Forester) in Tamil, Aranya (transl. Forester) in Telugu, and Haathi Mere Saathi in Hindi (transl. Elephants are my friends), is a 2021 Indian action adventure film[1] written and directed by Prabhu Solomon.[2] Produced by Eros International, the film stars Rana Daggubati, Vishnu Vishal (Tamil and Telugu), Pulkit Samrat (Hindi), Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Zoya Hussain.[3] It was filmed simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages, each with slightly different cast members.[4]

Kaadan and Aranya were released on 26 March 2021, delayed from the initial release of 2 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theatrical release of Haathi Mere Saathi was put on hold which subsequently opted for a direct-to-video release on Zee Cinema and Eros Now on 18 September 2021.[5] The film was promoted as a comic strip by famous children's magazine, Tinkle as Little Bandev.

Plot[edit]

Kaadan (Tamil)/Aranya (Telugu)/Bandev (Hindi) is a true-blue animal film signifying a deep and strong bond between humans and animals.

Cast[edit]

Cast (Tamil/Telugu) Cast (Hindi) Role (Tamil) Role (Telugu) Role (Hindi)
Rana Daggubati Veerabharathi "Kaadan" Narendra Bhupathi "Aranya" Sumitranandan "Bandev"
Vishnu Vishal Pulkit Samrat Maaran Singa Shankar
Zoya Hussain Aruvi Arvi
Shriya Pilgaonkar Arundhati
Ravi Kale Superintendent of Police
Anant Mahadevan Kurinjinathan Kanakamedala Raja Gopalam Jagannath Sevak
Sheeba Chaddha Judge
Srinath — Attorney
Bose Venkat Vishwajeet Pradhan Divisional Forest Officer
Raghu Babu Ankit Sagar Maaran's uncle Singa's uncle Shankar's uncle
Bhuvan Arora Aarav
Sampath Ram Alok Gagdekar Divisional Forest Officer
  • Rajiv Kachroo
  • Avantika Chauhan
  • Abudhar Al Hassan

Production[edit]

The film was announced on 13 December 2017.[6][non-primary source needed] Prabhu Solomon wanted to bring the issue of elephant abuse to the light.[7] Unnikrishnan, an elephant who played a role in Kumki 2, also plays a pivotal role in the film. Hindi actress Zoya Hussain was signed to play a role.[8] Rana Daggubati shed 15 kilograms for this film by eating vegetarian food for six weeks.[9][10][11] The makers initially announced Kalki Koechlin to play a role in the film, however, she was replaced by Shriya Pilgaonkar.[12] Vishnu Vishal was signed to play a role in the Tamil and Telugu versions while Pulkit Samrat will reprise his role in the Hindi version.[13][14]

Release[edit]

Initially scheduled for release on 2 April 2020, the film release was then indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[15][16] before being rescheduled to be released on 15 January 2021 to coincide with Pongal festival.[17] In January 2021, the film has been announced to release on 26 March 2021.[18]

In March 2021, owing to the COVID-19 situation, the release of Hindi version Haathi Mere Saathi has been postponed. Tamil and Telugu versions, however, are released as scheduled.[19] The Hindi version is set to have a direct-to-video release on the television channel Zee Cinema followed by the streaming platform Eros Now on 18 September 2021.[20] The satellite rights of the film were sold to Zee Tamil for Tamil Version and Telugu version was sold to Zee Telugu

Music[edit]

Kaadan
Aranya
Haathi Mere Saathi
Soundtrack album by
Shantanu Moitra
Released17 March 2021 (All languages)[21][22][23]
Recorded2019-20
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length
LanguageTamil
Telugu
Hindi
LabelEros Music
ProducerEros International

The music for the film has been composed by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics written by Swanand Kirkire (Hindi version) and Vanamali (Tamil and Telugu versions).

Tamil
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Thaalaattu Paadum"  Haricharan 4:53
2. "Chinna China"  Haricharan 4:24
3. "Idhayame"  Javed Ali 5:06
Total length:
 14:23
Telugu
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Chitike 'Se' Aa Chirugaali"  Haricharan 4:53
2. "Vellu Vellu"  Haricharan 4:24
3. "Hrudayame"  Javed Ali 5:06
Total length:
 14:22
Hindi
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Shukriya"  Rituraj Mohanty 4:53
2. "Dheeme Dheeme"  Adriz Gosh 4:26
3. "Ae Hawa"  Javed Ali 5:06
Total length:
 14:25

Reception[edit]

Aranya[edit]

The Times of India critic Suhas Yelupantla rated the film 3.5 stars of 5 and calling it an "engaging ride." He added that, "The first few minutes of the film are among the best. The visual effects, backed by the background score is spot on. The portrayal of the elephants is even better."[24]

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu felt that the film could have been better, and added "Rana singularly tries to hold things together, trying to save the elephants as well as the film."[25] Hemanth Kumar, in his review for the Firstpost, also echoed the same, stating that: "Rana Daggubati's film on ecosystem conservation, is educational but exceptionally insipid."[26] The Indian Express journalist Manoj Kumar rated the film 2/5 and called it "sub-standard." He added that Aranya was redeemed by its cinematography, Resul Pookutty's sound design, and Daggubati's acting."[27]

Kaadan[edit]

A reviewer from Sify called it a "noble attempt." They termed "Rana and his earnest performance as Kaadan" and "AR Ashok Kumar's splendid cinematography" as the film's main highlights.[28] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times opined that the film was predictable and added: "its grandeur merely used as a gimmick to project the film on epic scale." Pudipeddi appreciated Daggubati's performance, calling it "one of his best till date."[29] M. Sugandh in his The Times of India review wrote: "Prabu Solomon is more interested in telling us a story. It is only in the climax that the filmmaker starts to sermonise, which feels unnecessary given that we get the movie's 'message' even without the need for any underscoring."[30]

Haathi Mere Saathi[edit]

NDTV's Saibal Chatarjee rated the film 2/5 and opined that the film rode on Daggubati's shoulders. He added that Solomon delivered the message on increasing deforestation in a gratuitously high-pitched manner, completely devoid of nuance.[31] Writing for the Rediff.com, Sukanya Verma gave a negative review and said: "Between bad writing, hysterical acting and a shoddy blend of CGI and the real deal, Haathi Mere Saathi completely neglects the message of saving our elephants."[32]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Ghosh, Devarsi (22 March 2021). "How Rana Daggubati lost weight and gained new insights into nature for 'Haathi Mere Saathi'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2 December 2021. All of this is delivered in an action-adventure tone, the most fun way to consume this story.
  2. ↑ "'Haathi Mere Saathi' completes second schedule". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  3. ↑ Ians (2 January 2018). "Rana unveils his new look in "Haathi Mere Saathi"". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  4. ↑ Iyengar, Shriram. "Haathi Mere Saathi first look: Rana Daggubati is intense, fierce as Bandev". Cinestaan. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi to premiere on TV on September 18". India Today. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Rana Daggubati on Twitter". Retrieved 9 September 2018 – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ "Kaadan is a soulful film: Rana Daggubati". The Times of India.
  8. ↑ "Mukkabaaz actress Zoya Hussain to star in Haathi Mere Saathi?". Deccan Chronicle. 3 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Rana Daggubati sheds 15 Kg for his upcoming film Haathi Mere Saathi". Deccan Chronicle. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Jungle Book: Rana Daggubati spends 200 days in different forests for 'Kaadan'". The New Indian Express.
  11. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2 March 2020). "Into the wild: Rana Daggubati on 'Kaadan' and running with herds of elephants". The Hindu.
  12. ↑ "Shriya Pilgaonkar replaces Kalki Koechlin in Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi". The New Indian Express.
  13. ↑ "Vishnu Vishal wraps up 20-day schedule for Kaadan". The Times of India.
  14. ↑ "Vishnu Vishal's look from Kaadan released". The New Indian Express.
  15. ↑ "Haathi Mere Saathi postponed due to coronavirus outbreak". Cinema Express. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  16. ↑ "Makers of Kaadan announces the film's postponement". The Times of India.
  17. ↑ "Vishnu Vishal-Rana-starrer Kaadan slated for a Pongal release in theatres". The Times of India. 21 October 2020.
  18. ↑ "Rana Daggubati and Vishnu Vishal's 'Kaadan' to release on 26 March". The Times of India. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  19. ↑ "Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi theatrical release postponed due to rise in COVID-19 cases". The Indian Express. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  20. ↑ "Rana Daggupati Led 'Haathi Mere Saathi' Skip The OTT Route To Go Straight To DTH". Koimoi. 2 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ↑ "Kaadan (Tamil) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jio Saavn. 28 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "Aranya (Telugu) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jio Saavn.
  23. ↑ "Haathi Mere Saathi (Hind) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jio Saavn.
  24. ↑ Aranya Movie Review: An engaging ride, retrieved 26 March 2021
  25. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (26 March 2021). "'Aranya'/'Kaadan' movie review: The jungle giants deserved better". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  26. ↑ "Aranya movie review: Rana Daggubati and the elephants deserve a better film". Firstpost. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ "Aranya movie review: Rana Daggubati and a worthy cause let down by a sub-standard film". The Indian Express. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  28. ↑ "Kaadan review: Watch it for Rana's earnest performance". Sify. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "Kaadan movie review: Rana Daggubati's film does a disservice to noble story". Hindustan Times. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  30. ↑ Kaadan Movie Review: Earnest storytelling keeps Kaadan engaging, retrieved 26 March 2021
  31. ↑ "Haathi Mere Saathi Review: Rana Daggubati's Film Is In Desperate Need Of A Rescue Act". NDTV.com. 18 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ VERMA, SUKANYA (20 September 2021). "Haathi Mere Saathi review". Rediff.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[edit]

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