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Kaashmora
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| Kaashmora | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gokul |
| Written by |
|
| Screenplay by | Gokul |
| Story by | Gokul |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Om Prakash |
| Edited by | V. J. Sabu Joseph |
| Music by | Santhosh Narayanan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Sri Thenandal Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹60 crore[1] |
Kaashmora (transl. Deadly spirit)[a] is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language horror masala film[2] written and directed by Gokul. It features Karthi in dual roles as the protagonist and antagonist respectively alongside Nayanthara, and Sri Divya. The film features soundtrack composed by Santhosh Narayanan, cinematography handled by Om Prakash and edited by V. J. Sabu Joseph. It was released worldwide on 28 October 2016, coinciding with Diwali.
Plot
[edit]Kaashmora and his family are con artists who cheat people in the name of black magic and dark spirits. One day, Yamini, a PhD research student, joins Kaashmora to gather evidence and expose him to the public. Kaashmora's fame makes him respected by a superstitious and fraudulent minister. Kaashmora earns Minister Dhanakodi's trust. When the income tax department raids Dhanakodi's house, he asks his henchmen to transfer all the illegal money to Kaashmora's house. Seeing this as an opportunity to escape and settle abroad, Kaashmora's family ran with the money. Meanwhile, Chelapathy Rao seeks Kaashmora's help and brings him to a haunted bungalow on the outskirts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In the house, actual ghosts haunt Kaashmora.
Meanwhile, in Chennai, Dhanakodi learns that Kaashmora is a fraudster and sends his henchmen to kill his family. The henchmen try to get Kaashmora from the bungalow but cannot since the ghost beats them and drags Kaashmora and his family inside the house. The family encounters a broker trapped inside the house for a long time. The broker says that the bungalow was once a princess's palace. Ever since her death, residents and owners of the house have met with an ill fate. He also informs us that there are 13 ghosts in the bungalow. The trapped people meet the ghost of Raj Nayak, the head of all 12 spirits. Raj Nayak asks Kaashmora to help him and his subordinates reach the spiritual world. He then locks them in the castle. That night, a young girl in Kaashmora's dream leads him to a closed door within the palace.
As Kaashmora wakes up, Yamini tells him that Chelapathy Rao, the man who led him here, died 75 years ago, and his spirit took Kaashmora and Yamini here. Kaashmora searches the castle and gets hold of an old book dating back 700 years, narrating about Raj Nayak.
Raj Nayak was a self-obsessed warlord and a womaniser. The king remained silent and did not interfere with Raj Nayak's growing atrocities because of his military prowess. One day, Princess Rathna Mahadevi elopes with her lover, the enemy kingdom's prince. The king announces that he will marry Rathna and give away half of his kingdom to the man who finds her. Raj Nayak kills the prince and brings Rathna back. He demands to be married to the princess and wants the other half of the kingdom to be a dowry. When opposed, he kills the crown prince and the king. Raj Nayak then marries Rathna and crowns himself king. However, Rathna has other plans. She and her friends deceives and seduce Raj Nayak and his subordinates. While Raj Nayak's subordinates are drugged and burned alive, Rathna beheads Raj Nayak when he starts to faint. However, he kills her and her assistants before dying. Before breathing her last breath, Rathna, having witch power, places a curse on the 13 men, preventing them from reaching the spiritual world.
Afterwards, Raj Nayak and the other 12 ghosts haunted the palace and its occupants. According to an exorcist, Raj Nayak would become immortal if he sacrificed five people in a family born with the same birth star (Rohini). A lady who is the only woman in her generation should perform the sacrifice. It should happen during the Navakaali Pournami, which occurs once every millennium. Kaashmora recollects that his family members all have the same birth sign and that Yamini is the only woman in her family.
That night, Navakaali Pournami occurs, and Raj Nayak forces Kaashmora and his family to the guillotine. The young girl from Kaashmora's dream appears and turns out to be Rathna's reincarnation. While Rathna and Raj Nayak fight each other, Kaashmora fends off the subordinate ghosts with the help of a magical sword. Rathna's conscience leads him to a chamber within the castle where Raj Nayak's remains are. Using the dagger, Kaashmora destroys the remains, making Raj Nayak vulnerable. Rathna's spirit destroys Raj Nayak's spirit, and it goes to the underworld thus escaping his curse. The other spirits flee the castle for the spiritual world. Having escaped the palace, Kaashmora claims he defeated the ghosts and cleansed the centuries-old bungalow. Kaashmora's family gives Dhanakodi his documents and informs him that the spirit kept the stolen money.
Cast
[edit]- Karthi as Kaashmora and Raj Nayak (dual role)
- Nayanthara as Rathna Mahadevi
- Sri Divya as Yamini
- Vivek as Kaashmora's father
- Sharath Lohithaswa as Minister Dhanakodi
- Syed as Minister's P.A.
- Madhusudhan Rao as Swamy Thirumeni
- Pattimandram Raja as Yamini's father
- Saravana Subbiah as show host
- Muruganandam as a property broker
- Jangiri Madhumitha as Amala, Kaashmora's sister
- Siddharth Vipin as Yamini's groom
- Vinoth Munna as Assistant Commissioner
- David Solomon Raja as Inspector
- Mukhtar Khan as King
- Ajay Ghosh as Priest
- Arandhai Rajagopal as Thirumeni's assistant
- Raju Sundaram special appearance in the song "Dhikku Dhikku Sir"
Production
[edit]Production begun in the first week of May 2015,[3] delayed from February.[4] Karthi plays two roles, including the title character.[5] Vadivelu was initially cast as this character's father before he was replaced by Vivek.[6][7] Karthi learnt horseriding in preparation for his other role.[8] The technical crew includes the art director Rajeevan, editor V. J. Sabu Joseph, and cinematographer Om Prakash.[9] The film was marketed as a mix of action and comedy.[10][11]
It's been said that the "3D Face scan" technology has been used in this film.[12][13] Karthi's face was 3D scanned for an important sequence which would run for 15 minutes.[14] Kaashmora comprises 70 minutes of VFX scenes.[15] Director Gokul says that, 360-degree omnidirectional camera rig is used for shooting a particular sequence and this is the first Indian film to use this technology.[10] This technology covers entire 360 degree, approximately entire sphere.[16] Omnidirectional cameras are used where large visual field coverage is needed, such as in panoramic photography.[17] This camera is used in this film to shoot a song and few scenes.[18] Filming wrapped in June 2016.[19]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Kaashmora | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |||||
| Released | 7 October 2016 | ||||
| Recorded | 2015–2016 | ||||
| Studio | Future Tense studios Prism Sounds Studios Studios 301 Studio M1 | ||||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 23:41 | ||||
| Language | Tamil | ||||
| Label | Think Music | ||||
| Producer | Santhosh Narayanan | ||||
| Santhosh Narayanan chronology | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
The soundtrack album is composed by Santhosh Narayanan, collaborating with Karthi for the second time after Madras (2014). The audio rights were purchased by Think Music.[20] The soundtrack album was launched on 7 October 2016, in Chennai.[21]
The Times of India rated the album 3 out of 5, and stated that "This one's not a usual Santhosh fest, but works in some parts!"[22]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dhikku Dhikku Sir" | Lalithanand | Santhosh Narayanan | 3:15 |
| 2. | "Jagadhammaa" | Muthamil | Ananthu | 3:25 |
| 3. | "Oyaa Oyaa" | Lalithanand | Kalpana Raghavendar | 4:57 |
| 4. | "Thakida Thakida" | Muthamil | Santhosh Narayanan, Saisharan | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Dhikku Dhikku Sir" (Karaoke) | 3:15 | ||
| 6. | "Oyaa Oyaa" (Karaoke) | 4:57 | ||
| Total length: | 23:41 | |||
Release
[edit]Kaashmora was released worldwide on 28 October 2016 with Sri Thenandal Films buying the distribution rights.[23] The satellite rights were sold to Jaya TV, where it premiered on 14 April 2017.[24] Digital rights of the film were bought by Amazon Prime Video.[25]
Reception
[edit]M. Suganth of The Times of India wrote, "The film contains the usual horror comedy tropes, but presents them all in a slightly different way, and at a grander scale, which makes it feel different, even though it is essentially an old wine in a new, big-budget bottle".[26] The Hindu wrote, "All in all, it is a good effort and should appeal to dark fantasy lovers".[27]
Box office
[edit]The film collected ₹8 crore (US$950,000) in Tamil Nadu in first day.The film collected more than ₹26 crore (US$3.1 million) worldwide in two days.[28] The film collected ₹12.50 crore (US$1.5 million) in Tamil Nadu and approximately ₹11.10 crore (US$1.3 million) in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala in first weekend. The film collected ₹8 crore (US$950,000) in overseas, ₹3 crore (US$350,000) in United States, ₹12 lakh (US$14,000) in Canada, ₹14 lakh (US$17,000) in UK, ₹86 lakh (US$100,000) in UAE, ₹9 lakh (US$11,000) in France, ₹64 lakh (US$76,000) in Malaysia, ₹34 lakh (US$40,000) in Australia, ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) in New Zealand, international collection of ₹2.25 crore (US$270,000) and ₹31.60 crore (US$3.7 million) worldwide.[citation needed]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Also the title character.
References
[edit]- ^ "Kaashmora box office collection: Karthi's film soars high, mints Rs 12 crore on Day 1". India Today. 30 October 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Venkateswaran, Vikram (26 October 2016). "'Kashmora', Rajinikanth & the Horror Masala Genre". The Quint. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Karthi's horror movie 'Kashmora' shooting starts". LiveChennai.com. 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Karthi Sivakumars Kashmora To Roll From February 2015". NDTV. IANS. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ "Karthi to play a dual role in Kashmora". The Times of India. 16 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Kashmora crew shooting in full swing". Deccan Chronicle. 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ Rajendran, Gopinath (23 January 2024). "Director Gokul on 'Singapore Saloon,' and his experience working with RJ Balaji and a slew of veteran actors". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Karthi wants to fly, for real!". Deccan Chronicle. 5 April 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ Alex (17 August 2016). "Kashmora Release Date: Kaashmora Movie Audio, Trailer". Scooptimes. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Makers of Karthi starrer 'Kashmora' use 360-degree camera rig". The Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Karthi's 'tyrant' look in Kashmora". Deccan Chronicle. 18 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ "Kashmora joins the Diwali race first". WoodsDeck. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Makers of Kashmora to use Motion capture technology". Tamil Star. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "3D Scanning Technology used in Kaashmora". IndiaGlitz.com. 21 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ "VFX supervisor Stalinsays that Kaashmora's CGI will be on par with the work produced in Hollywood". The Hindu. 22 October 2016. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Kashmora uses 360-Degree omnidirectional camera rig". Nowrunning. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "New Camera Technology in Kashmora". The New Indian Express. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Makers of 'Kashmora' use 360-degree camera rig". The Economic Times. IANS. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Kashmora is Wrapped up !". SS Music. 13 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ "Think Music bags Kashmora". The Times of India. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Kaashmora audio on October 7". The Times of India. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ CR, Sharanya (21 October 2016). "Music Review: Kaashmora". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
- ^ "Karthi's Kashmora release date officially announced". The News Minute. 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Premieres of blockbuster Tamil films significantly spiked Tamil GECs ratings: BARC". Exchange4media. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Pongal: Amazon Prime to premiere 'Kaashmora'; stream 'Kabali' & 'Theri'". indiantelevision.com. 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ Suganth, M (28 October 2016). "Kaashmora Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Kaashmora: A fine fantasy". The Hindu. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ R, Manoj Kumar (31 October 2016). "Kodi vs Kaashmora box office collections: Dhanush film dominates Tamil Nadu, Karthi film rocks worldwide". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
External links
[edit]Kaashmora
View on GrokipediaSynopsis and cast
Plot
Kaashmora unfolds across dual timelines, blending modern-day deception with an ancient supernatural legacy. In the present era, Kaashmora, a cunning con artist posing as a black magic expert, runs a lucrative family business specializing in fraudulent exorcisms and rituals to exploit superstitious clients.[4] Alongside his father, who aids in the elaborate scams, and his sister, who contributes to the operations, Kaashmora builds fame through sensational television appearances and high-stakes performances that fool even influential figures like politicians.[7] Their schemes thrive on preying upon fear and ignorance, turning black magic into a commercial enterprise.[8] The narrative escalates when, after conning a corrupt politician (Minister Dhanakodi) and stealing his hidden ill-gotten wealth, Kaashmora and his family—including research student Yamini, who has joined their team—are trapped inside a dilapidated, centuries-old palace by the vengeful politician.[4] Eager to escape with their loot and abandon their deceptive life, they enter the foreboding structure, only to face eerie supernatural events unfolding.[4] Vengeful spirits begin to manifest, disrupting their plans and forcing confrontations with genuine otherworldly threats that challenge their skepticism and survival.[9] Parallel to this, the story flashes back to an ancient era where Raj Nayak, a formidable warrior king proficient in both combat and occult practices, rules alongside his queen, Rathna Mahadevi.[1] Their reign becomes marred by an act of profound betrayal within the royal court, culminating in Rathna Mahadevi invoking a devastating curse that binds restless souls to the very palace, ensuring eternal unrest.[10] This historical conflict serves as the origin of the haunting, with the palace acting as a timeless nexus linking the two periods through escalating apparitions and possessions.[7] As Kaashmora's family navigates the intensifying horrors—ranging from ghostly assaults to revelations tying their greed-driven intrusion to the ancient vendetta—the plot builds chronologically toward a convergence of the timelines.[11] The central tension revolves around the family's desperate attempts to escape while unraveling the curse's hold, highlighting arcs influenced by avarice and the lingering echoes of treachery from centuries past.[8]Cast
Karthi leads the film in a dual role, portraying Kaashmora, a cunning modern-day con artist who poses as a black magic specialist and exorcist to deceive clients, and Raj Nayak, a ruthless ancient warlord driven by tyrannical ambition and conquest. This casting choice highlights the film's dual-lead dynamic by contrasting the protagonist's fraudulent, comedic persona in the present with the antagonist's fierce, historical intensity, marking Karthi's second such performance following his roles in Siruthai (2011).[12][13][14] Nayanthara plays Rathna Mahadevi, the cursed queen and vengeful spirit whose arc intertwines the past and present narratives, adding depth to the supernatural elements and complementing Karthi's dual portrayal through her commanding presence in the fantasy sequences. Sri Divya portrays Yamini, a research student who joins Kaashmora's team to expose his fraudulent activities, contributing to the contemporary storyline and central conflict.[12][15] In supporting roles, Vivek appears as Kaashmora's father, delivering comedic relief that balances the film's horror and action tones. Jangiri Madhumitha plays Kaashmora's sister, contributing to the familial ensemble, while Sharath Lohitashwa portrays Minister Dhanakodi, the corrupt politician in the present-day plot who sets the supernatural events in motion. The ensemble, including Madhusudhan Rao as Thirumeni and Pattimandram Raja as Yamini's father, enhances the film's layered structure without overshadowing the principal dual-lead interplay.[12][15]| Actor | Role | Character Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Karthi | Kaashmora / Raj Nayak | Con artist exorcist (present) / Tyrannical warlord (past) |
| Nayanthara | Rathna Mahadevi | Cursed queen and vengeful spirit |
| Sri Divya | Yamini | Research student who joins to expose scams, modern storyline contributor |
| Vivek | Kaashmora's father | Comedic paternal figure |
| Jangiri Madhumitha | Kaashmora's sister | Supporting family member |
Production
Development
Kaashmora was announced in August 2014 as the next project for director and writer Gokul following his earlier films, with Karthi cast in dual roles as the lead actor.[16] The script, conceived by Gokul, drew inspiration from ancient folklore elements blended with modern con artist narratives, aiming to fuse horror, comedy, action, and fantasy genres into a "masala" entertainer.[17] Gokul envisioned a multi-timeline structure spanning the present day and a historical period set 500 years earlier, emphasizing humorous situations amid supernatural thrills rather than a conventional romance.[18] The film was produced by S. R. Prabhu and S. R. Prakash Babu under Dream Warrior Pictures, with a budget of approximately ₹60 crore, positioning it as Karthi's most ambitious fantasy venture to date.[5][19] Gokul planned for around 90 minutes of VFX-intensive sequences to realize the grand historical and fantastical elements, drawing stylistic influences from epic fantasies like Magadheera while incorporating lighter horror-comedy tones.[20] Karthi committed to the dual roles after Gokul's narration, which highlighted a con-artist exorcist in the modern era and a fierce warlord in the past, requiring extensive physical transformations including stunts and prosthetics.[18][16] The title Kaashmora, sometimes stylized as Kashmora, translates to "deadly spirit". Principal photography was slated to commence by late 2014, marking the transition from pre-production planning to execution.[16]Filming
Principal photography for Kaashmora commenced in May 2015 at sets in Chennai, with the production wrapping up in June 2016 after several months of intensive shooting.[21][22] The team prioritized efficient scheduling to accommodate the film's dual timelines, blending contemporary and period elements, allowing for simultaneous filming across multiple setups. Major portions of the film were shot in and around Chennai, where the art direction team erected 17 custom-built sets to facilitate parallel production sequences, including elaborate palace interiors and kingdom structures.[23] A prominent palace set was constructed on Poonamalle High Road for key scenes featuring Karthi and Nayanthara.[24] Outdoor sequences, particularly ancient war scenes, were filmed in the deserts near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, including a notable shoot in a ghost village to capture the eerie atmosphere required for the narrative's supernatural undertones.[25] Night shoots were extensively used to enhance the horror elements, contributing to the film's atmospheric tension. Filming presented several challenges, notably in coordinating visual effects with live-action footage, as the production incorporated over 70 minutes of VFX-heavy content, much of it involving set extensions and supernatural manifestations.[26] The VFX work was handled by Indian studios such as Labyrinth Cinematic Solutions, requiring precise on-set planning to ensure seamless integration during post-production.[27] Cinematographer Om Prakash highlighted the difficulties in differentiating the ancient war sequences' visual tone from contemporary blockbusters like Baahubali, opting for desaturated textures and traditional camera angles to achieve a distinct period authenticity without relying on modern drones.[28] Delays from Karthi's concurrent commitments on other projects, such as Thozha, occasionally extended preparation time but ultimately allowed for refined set designs.[29] Technically, the film emphasized a mix of practical and digital elements, with practical setups for core action and horror beats complemented by CGI for spectral apparitions and large-scale battles.[28] Innovative tools included 14 rig-mounted GoPro cameras for 360-degree sequences in present-day segments, stitched using specialized software for potential VR applications, marking a first for Tamil cinema.[28] Traditional lenses and viewpoints were prioritized in battle scenes to maintain historical realism, with digital intermediate processes enhancing the grandeur in post.[28]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Kaashmora was composed by Santhosh Narayanan, who crafted four songs alongside a background score that enhances the film's supernatural and historical elements through a blend of rock, classical, and devotional influences. The album was digitally released on 7 October 2016 by Think Music, coinciding with promotional efforts ahead of the film's Diwali premiere.[30][31] Narayanan's compositions emphasize energetic rock fusion to match the film's larger-than-life action and horror sequences, while incorporating Carnatic instruments like the veena and mridangam for a classical depth that evokes the ancient warrior narrative. The background score, in particular, alternates between subtle ambient tones and rousing orchestral swells to underscore tense confrontations with spirits and cons, creating leitmotifs that tie the dual timelines together without overpowering the visuals.[32][33]Track listing
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dhikku Dhikku Sir" | Santhosh Narayanan | 3:35 | A funky rock track with retro vibes, featuring prominent guitar riffs, drums, and trumpet blasts; serves as an energetic character introduction song.[32] |
| 2 | "Jagadhammaa" | Ananthu | 3:51 | A devotional Tamil hymn reimagined with rock elements, including haunting guitar interludes that build a mystical atmosphere suited to the film's spiritual undertones.[32] |
| 3 | "Oyaa Oyaa" | Kalpana Raghavendar | 4:12 | A sensual number with classical Carnatic fusion, highlighted by mridangam rhythms and veena melodies, delivering an ambient and deliberate diction that contrasts the album's rockier tracks.[32][33] |
| 4 | "Thakida Thakida" | Saicharan Bhaskaruni, Santhosh Narayanan | 3:50 | An upbeat rock anthem driven by electric guitar hooks and high-energy vocals, capturing the film's comedic and action-oriented moments with infectious groove.[32] |
