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Jarugandi
Jarugandi
Jarugandi
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Jarugandi
Directed byA. N. Pitchumani
Written byA. N. Pitchumani
Story byA. N. Pitchumani
Produced byBadri Kasthuri
Nithin Sathya
StarringJai
Reba Monica John
Amit Tiwari
Daniel Annie Pope
Narrated byA. N. Pitchumani
CinematographyR. D. Rajasekhar
Edited byPraveen K. L.
Music byBobo Shashi
Production
companies
Shraddha Entertainment
Shvedh Group
Release date
  • 26 October 2018 (2018-10-26)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Jarugandi (transl. Move forward) is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by A. N. Pitchumani and co-produced by Nithin Sathya and Badri Kasthuri. The film features Jai, Reba Monica John, and Amit Tiwari in the lead roles, while Daniel Annie Pope, Robo Shankar, Ilavarasu, and Bose Venkat play supporting roles. The music was composed by Bobo Shashi with editing by Praveen K. L. and cinematography by R. D. Rajasekhar. The production of this film started in late 2017. The film was released on 26 October 2018 and was a flop at the box office.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Annoyed with the struggles of living as a lower-middle-class person, Sathya (Jai) decides to go to any extent to make money for his family. With his friend Paari (Daniel Annie Pope), he meets Samuel (Ilavarasu), who promises to provide him with money if he can forge documents. Sathya and Paari start a travel company and dream of a happy life. However, police officer Appadurai (Bose Venkat), aware of the forged documents, threatens to jail them unless they arrange ₹10 lakh in two days. Sathya sends his family away and along with Paari starts looking for the money to bribe Appadurai. A rich man Gajendran (Robo Shankar) who is in love with Keerthy (Reba Monica John), offers to give them the money if they help him win over his love interest. However, circumstances force Sathya to kidnap Keerthy, which earns him the wrath of a human trafficking group led by a gangster (Amit Tiwari).

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Nithin Sathya announced the production number one titled Jarugandi, a Tamil feature family from Shvedh. He teamed up with Badri Kasthuri from Shraddha Entertainment in the production of the film. The film is written and directed by A. N. Pitchumani, a former assistant to director Venkat Prabhu. Bobo Shashi, R. D. Rajasekhar, Praveen K. L. and Remiyan were selected as the composer, cinematographer, film editor and art director respectively.

Jai plays the lead role in this movie. Nithin's association with Jai dates back to the film Chennai 600028 (2007) and Chennai 600028 2 (2016), where they appeared together on screen. This “comfortable equation” between them was the reason behind his interest to cast Jai for the film.[2] The film also marked the Tamil debut of Malayalam actress Reba Monica John,[3] who played the female lead of the movie. Amit Tiwari is the antagonist.[4] The film also features Robo Shankar, Daniel Annie Pope, and Ilavarasu. The motion poster of the movie was released in November 2017. It reveals a heist plot and exciting car chases, which piqued the expectations for the movie.

Following the announcement of the film's title in November 2017, 50% of the film was completed within a 20-day shooting schedule, thereby bringing justice to the title “Jarugandi” which translates to “Move on”. As the dates of the shoot were changed, the original cinematographer Arvi (the cinematographer of Pandigai) had to leave the project soon after the first schedule. Subsequently, ace cinematographer R. D. Rajasekhar was taken onboard to continue the camera work. The second schedule shoot was expected to start in December 2017, with promises of the rest of the film to be completed by the end of it.

In January 2017, following the allegations of non-cooperation by the producer of the film Balloon, Badri Kasthuri publicly backed Jai and his commitment to this work on Jarugandi[5]

Soundtracks

[edit]

All of the film's songs were composed by Bobo Shashi, while the film's audio rights were secured by U1 Records. Jai made his playback singing debut with this film.

Jarugandi
Soundtrack album by
Bobo Shashi
Released2018
VenueChennai
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length19:52
LanguageTamil
LabelU1 Records
ProducerBobo Shashi
Bobo Shashi chronology
Attu
(2017) 		Jarugandi
(2018) 		Hostel
(2022)
Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Yaaradi Nee"Uma DeviYuvan Shankar Raja3:48
2."Seyiradha Senju Mudi"Gangai AmarenJai3:30
3."Ooh Kanave"A. N. PitchumaniJesse Samuel2:28
4."Aadupuli Aattam"K. Chandru, A. N. PitchumaniDeva3:18
5."Yaaradi Nee (Karaoke)"Uma DeviBobo Shashi3:48
Total length:19:52

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Jarugandi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jarugandi is a Indian Tamil-language action comedy-drama film written and directed by A. N. Pitchumani. The film stars Jai in the lead role as Sathya, a middle-class who becomes entangled in a scheme to earn quick money, leading to a series of chaotic events involving and conflict with a trafficker. Co-produced by and Badri Kasthuri under Bhavani DVD, Shraddha Entertainment, and Shvedh Group, it features supporting performances by as Keerthy, , , and . The story revolves around Sathya and his friend Paari, who accept a job from Gajendran to help reunite him with his lover Keerthy, but their plan goes awry when Sathya resorts to abduction, drawing the ire of dangerous criminals. With a runtime of 133 minutes, the film blends elements of , and , and was released theatrically on , 2018. It was also dubbed in Telugu under the title Khiladi. Upon release, Jarugandi received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Jai's energetic performance but criticized the screenplay and pacing as uneven. The film holds an rating of 5.4 out of 10 based on 180 user votes (as of November 2025), reflecting its modest commercial and critical reception in the landscape.

Plot and characters

Synopsis

Jarugandi follows Sathya, a lower-middle-class man struggling to support his family, who forges documents with his friends Paari and to earn quick money through fraudulent means. When their scheme is uncovered, a arrests them and demands ₹10 within two days to avoid , forcing Sathya to send his family away and desperately seek funds. In a bid to raise the money, Sathya accepts a from Gajendran, who offers the required sum in exchange for helping him reunite with his lover, Keerthy, by her. The , however, provokes a notorious ring that has targeted Keerthy, entangling Sathya and his accomplices in a dangerous web of criminal operations led by a . As conflicts escalate through chases and confrontations, Sathya uncovers the extent of the trafficking network, leading to rising action and a climactic showdown that exposes and dismantles the ring.

Cast

Jai leads the ensemble as Sathya, an ambitious yet reckless middle-class youth whose desperation for quick money drives him to forge documents and embark on risky schemes. plays Keerthy, a resilient and strong-willed young woman targeted in a plot, showcasing her ability to escape and confront threats tied to . Amit Tiwari portrays the antagonist, a ruthless human trafficker whose brutal methods intensify the film's central conflicts. In a prominent supporting role, Daniel Annie Pope appears as Paari, Sathya's morally ambiguous friend who collaborates on illicit deals and forgery, adding layers of ethical complexity through his entertaining yet questionable actions. The supporting cast features as Gajendran, delivering comedic relief amid the tension; Ilavarasu as Samuel, an advisory figure who facilitates financial schemes; and as the police officer, embodying moral ambiguity by extorting the protagonists in exchange for leniency on their forgery charges.

Production

Development

Jarugandi marked the directorial debut of A. N. Pitchumani, who also penned the screenplay. The project was announced in November 2017, with the title Jarugandi revealed by the production team, highlighting its action-thriller elements infused with social commentary on issues like . The film was co-produced by and Badri Kasthuri under the banners of Shvedh Group, Shraddha Entertainment, and Bhavani DVD, with , known for his acting roles in films like Chennai 28, taking on a key production role. Jai was brought on board as the lead actor to anchor the narrative centered around a middle-class entangled in . Pitchumani's script revolved around core plot devices of and , blending high-stakes action sequences with dramatic explorations of moral dilemmas and societal vices. To support the film's dynamic visuals, acclaimed cinematographer was hired to capture the intense action choreography. Editor Praveen K. L., recognized for his work in maintaining taut pacing in thrillers, was selected to refine the narrative flow during .

Filming

Principal photography for Jarugandi commenced in late 2017 under the direction of A. N. Pitchumani, with an initial 20-day schedule completing 50% of the film, and wrapped up on June 22, 2018, after multiple schedules. The production team prioritized a swift schedule to align with the film's action-oriented narrative, allowing for seamless transitions between urban and high-stakes sequences. The majority of the filming took place in and its environs to capture the urban middle-class milieu central to the story. A notable peppy song sequence, inspired by energetic tracks like "Aalaporan ," was shot at iconic city landmarks such as the beach, Mount Road, Adyar Bridge, OMR Junction, and Island Grounds in February 2018, after the talkie portions had been completed. R. D. Rajasekar played a key role in framing the dynamic action elements, including chase scenes and confrontations, to heighten the film's tension without relying on extensive sets. In post-production, editor Praveen K. L. refined the footage to achieve a concise runtime of 133 minutes, ensuring a tight pacing that balanced comedy and thriller aspects. Visual effects supervisor Prabal Pavithran contributed enhancements to intensify the action sequences, integrating subtle digital elements for realism within the production's scope.

Soundtrack

Composition

The soundtrack for Jarugandi was composed by Bobo Shashi, a Chennai-based musician known for his work in Tamil cinema, who collaborated closely with the film's leads Jai and producer Nitin Sathyaa to infuse the music with a lively, camaraderie-driven energy reflective of their off-screen friendship. Shashi's approach blended energetic, street-style beats with melodic elements using instruments such as violins, guitars, and flutes to create emotional depth, particularly in balancing the film's action-oriented narrative with moments of romance and introspection. The background score, a key highlight of the album, effectively heightened tension during intense sequences and underscored heroic climaxes, elevating the overall cinematic experience despite mixed reception for the songs themselves. Shashi developed five songs specifically tailored to pivotal plot developments, incorporating upbeat rhythms to capture themes of ambition and more intense compositions for confrontational moments, resulting in a compact totaling 16:57 minutes. These tracks were designed to integrate seamlessly with the story's progression, such as maintaining consistent tempos to support emotional arcs without overpowering the visuals. The album was recorded and released by U1 Records, featuring lyrics from multiple writers including Uma Devi and , which adhered to conventions of the Tamil action genre by emphasizing rhythmic vitality and thematic relevance to the film's social undertones.

Track listing

The of Jarugandi consists of five songs composed by and released on September 15, 2018, by U1 Records ahead of the film's theatrical premiere.
No.TitleSinger(s)Lyricist(s)Length
1"Seyiradha Senju Mudi"Jai3:30
2"Aadupuli Aattam"Thenisai Thendral Deva, A. N. Pitchumani3:18
3"Yaaradi Nee"Uma Devi3:48
4"Ooh Kanave"Jesse SamuelA. N. Pitchumani2:28
5"Jarugandi"Kabilan3:53
The track listing is as presented on major streaming platforms such as and . Durations are sourced from and . Lyricist credits are attributed based on official promotional materials from the production label.

Release and reception

Release

Jarugandi was theatrically released on 26 October 2018 in , with simultaneous releases in the , , and , while saw screenings a day earlier on 25 October. The film's soundtrack, composed by , was launched on 15 September 2018 ahead of the theatrical rollout. A press meet event featuring the cast, including Jai and , took place on 23 October 2018 in to promote the upcoming release. Jarugandi received a U certification from the and has a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. International distribution in the was managed by Phars Film. The film became available for streaming on following its theatrical run.

Critical reception

Jarugandi received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with praise for certain technical aspects and performances overshadowed by shortcomings. The holds an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 on , based on 180 user votes (as of November 2025), reflecting a generally middling response. awarded it 2.5 out of 5 stars, noting some engaging moments but criticizing the lack of sustained attention. described it as a below average , highlighting its failure to capitalize on its premise. Critics praised the action sequences for their execution and energy, which provided occasional thrills amid the film's uneven tone. Jai's portrayal of the lead character Sathya was commended for delivering refreshing mass moments and effectively conveying the struggles of a lower-middle-class individual. The film's social message addressing was noted as a relevant theme, adding depth to the protagonist's motivations despite underdeveloped execution. Supporting performances, particularly Reba Monica John's subtle debut as the headstrong Keerthy, also received positive mentions for bringing emotional weight to key scenes. However, the screenplay faced significant criticism for weak writing and a predictable plot, particularly the overused trope that lacked originality and emotional resonance. Pacing issues were a common complaint, with the elements feeling slow and disjointed, especially in the first half, leading to disengagement. Many reviewers pointed out the wafer-thin plot and underdeveloped characters, which failed to evoke empathy or build tension effectively. labeled it an illogical thriller due to contrived sequences, while Cinema Express scored it 1.5 out of 5 for lacking urgency in its narrative. Overall, the consensus positioned Jarugandi as a promising directorial debut by A.N. Pitchumani, with an interesting premise on social issues let down by scripting flaws that prevented it from achieving greater impact. called it a taxing reliant on clichés, underscoring the mixed reception that appreciated isolated strengths but faulted the film's execution.

Box office performance

Jarugandi opened with $9,576 across 21 theaters during its opening weekend on October 25, 2018, in the . In , the film recorded low collections of Rs. 20,32,102 in its first week (October 22–28, 2018), securing the fifth position in the rankings amid competition from ongoing hits like 96 and . The movie underperformed in markets overall, with second-week earnings (October 29–November 4, 2018) adding roughly Rs. 12,08,817 to reach a cumulative gross of Rs. 32,40,919, while dropping to the eighth rank in the city. The film's total gross in the was $10,877, contributing to its overall flop verdict due to its inability to recover the , exacerbated by stiff from simultaneous releases like 96 and , and limited pre-release buzz.

References

  1. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Jarugandi/0NLI9XXTWHNJYDLYRCISKW4JEC
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7968500/
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/jarugandi/movie-review/66376125.cms
  4. https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/jarugandi-review-action-drama-starring-jai-let-down-poor-writing-90626
  5. https://www.dtnext.in/lifestyletopnews/2018/10/27/jarugandi-interesting-plot-let-down-by-a-weak-script
  6. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/Oct/27/jarugandi-a-film-that-lacks-the-sense-of-urgency-its-title-has-1890427.html
  7. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jarugandi
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7968500/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/jarugandi-movie-review-jai-reba-monica-john-1376118-2018-10-26
  10. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jais-next-film-is-titled-jarugandi/articleshow/61673891.cms
  11. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Nov/17/jarugandi-the-title-of-jais-next-1703929.html
  12. https://www.moviecrow.com/News/18545/jai-nitin-satyas-film-titled-jarugandi
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7968500/companycredits/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7968500/fullcredits
  15. https://www.moviebuff.com/jarugandi
  16. https://www.onlykollywood.com/dop-rd-rajasekar-on-board-jais-jarugandi/
  17. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-song-shoot-at-prominent-landmarks-of-chennai-for-jais-film/articleshow/62806037.cms
  18. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/music-review-jarugandi/articleshow/66378084.cms
  19. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/Oct/26/jarugandi-review--a-film-that-lacks-the-sense-of-urgency-its-title-has-8497.html
  20. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/reviews/2018/jarugandi-movie-review-rating-decent-watch-that-conveys-serious-social-message-278770.html
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/6tfa3dCKIAV7lGjslg3PbO
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYR3OmWzNk
  23. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/yaaradi-nee-song-from-jais-jarugandi-yuvan-sings.html
  24. https://www.indiaglitz.com/jarugandi-audio-lauch-release-details-reba-monika-nithin-sathya-jai-tamil-news-220843
  25. https://music.apple.com/us/album/jarugandi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1570075980
  26. https://gaana.com/album/jarugandi
  27. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/jarugandi/f7qRANfm-wI_
  28. https://www.moviecrow.com/movie/3654/jarugandi/songs
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7968500/releaseinfo/
  30. https://www.moviecrow.com/News/21368/jarugandi-seyiradha-senju-mudi-song-sung-by-jai
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N24zG_HUatI
  32. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jais-jarugandi-gets-a-u-certificate/articleshow/65210067.cms
  33. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3298132993/weekend/
  34. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/review-of-jarugandi-a-taxing-comedy-of-errors/article25336669.ece
  35. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/jarugandi/jarugandi-box-office-oct-28.html
  36. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/jarugandi/jarugandi-box-office-nov-04.html
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