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Kaashmora
Kaashmora
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Kaashmora
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGokul
Written by
  • Yashwant Mahilwar
  • John Mahendran (dialogue)
  • R. Murugesan (additional dialogue)
Screenplay byGokul
Story byGokul
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyOm Prakash
Edited byV. J. Sabu Joseph
Music bySanthosh Narayanan
Production
company
Distributed bySri Thenandal Films
Release date
  • 28 October 2016 (2016-10-28)
Running time
164 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget60 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]

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
Released7 October 2016 (2016-10-07)
Recorded2015–2016
StudioFuture Tense studios
Prism Sounds Studios
Studios 301
Studio M1
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length23:41
LanguageTamil
LabelThink Music
ProducerSanthosh Narayanan
Santhosh Narayanan chronology
Kodi
(2016)
Kaashmora
(2016)
Guru
(2017)
External audio
audio icon Official Audio Jukebox on YouTube

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]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Dhikku Dhikku Sir"LalithanandSanthosh Narayanan3:15
2."Jagadhammaa"MuthamilAnanthu3:25
3."Oyaa Oyaa"LalithanandKalpana Raghavendar4:57
4."Thakida Thakida"MuthamilSanthosh Narayanan, Saisharan3:51
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]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kaashmora is a Indian Tamil-language blending horror, action, comedy, and fantasy elements, written and directed by . The film stars in dual roles as Kaashmora, a contemporary specialist, and Rajnayak, an ancient-era warlord, alongside as the queen Ratnamahadevi and in a supporting role. Released on 28 October , it runs for approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes and was produced by . The plot follows Kaashmora, a fraudulent shaman, and his family who become trapped in a dilapidated haunted by vengeful spirits tied to a historical conflict involving and warfare. Interweaving present-day events with flashback sequences depicting ancient battles, the narrative explores themes of supernatural possession and redemption, featuring elaborate for its period drama aspects. Upon release, Kaashmora received mixed reviews, with praise for Karthi's versatile performance and the technical achievements in action and horror sequences, but criticism for its predictable storyline and uneven pacing. Commercially, it performed strongly, grossing over ₹12 on its opening day and achieving worldwide success, contributing to its status as one of Karthi's notable films in the genre. The , composed by , also garnered attention for its fusion of traditional and modern sounds.

Synopsis and cast

Plot

Kaashmora unfolds across dual timelines, blending modern-day deception with an ancient legacy. In the present era, Kaashmora, a cunning con artist posing as a expert, runs a lucrative family business specializing in fraudulent exorcisms and rituals to exploit superstitious clients. 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. Their schemes thrive on preying upon fear and ignorance, turning into a commercial enterprise. The narrative escalates when, after conning a corrupt (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 by the vengeful politician. Eager to escape with their loot and abandon their deceptive life, they enter the foreboding structure, only to face eerie events unfolding. Vengeful spirits begin to manifest, disrupting their plans and forcing confrontations with genuine otherworldly threats that challenge their skepticism and survival. Parallel to this, the story flashes back to an ancient era where Raj Nayak, a formidable proficient in both combat and practices, rules alongside his queen, Rathna . 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. 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. 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. 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.

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). 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. portrays Yamini, a research student who joins Kaashmora's team to expose his fraudulent activities, contributing to the contemporary storyline and central conflict. In supporting roles, appears as Kaashmora's father, delivering comedic relief that balances the film's horror and action tones. plays Kaashmora's sister, contributing to the familial , while Sharath Lohitashwa portrays Minister Dhanakodi, the corrupt politician in the present-day plot who sets the supernatural events in motion. The , including Madhusudhan Rao as Thirumeni and as Yamini's father, enhances the film's layered structure without overshadowing the principal dual-lead interplay.
ActorRoleCharacter Overview
Kaashmora / Raj NayakCon artist exorcist (present) / Tyrannical warlord (past)
Rathna MahadeviCursed queen and vengeful spirit
YaminiResearch student who joins to expose scams, modern storyline contributor
Kaashmora's fatherComedic paternal figure
Kaashmora's sisterSupporting family member

Production

Development

Kaashmora was announced in August 2014 as the next project for director and writer following his earlier films, with cast in dual roles as the lead actor. The script, conceived by , drew inspiration from ancient elements blended with modern narratives, aiming to fuse horror, , action, and fantasy genres into a "masala" entertainer. 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. The film was produced by and S. R. Prakash Babu under , with a of approximately ₹60 , positioning it as 's most ambitious fantasy venture to date. planned for around 90 minutes of VFX-intensive sequences to realize the grand historical and fantastical elements, drawing stylistic influences from epic fantasies like while incorporating lighter horror-comedy tones. committed to the dual roles after 's narration, which highlighted a con-artist in the modern era and a fierce in the past, requiring extensive physical transformations including stunts and prosthetics. The title Kaashmora, sometimes stylized as Kashmora, translates to "deadly spirit". was slated to commence by late 2014, marking the transition from planning to execution.

Filming

for Kaashmora commenced in May 2015 at sets in , with the production wrapping up in June 2016 after several months of intensive shooting. 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 , where the art direction team erected 17 custom-built sets to facilitate parallel production sequences, including elaborate palace interiors and kingdom structures. A prominent palace set was constructed on Poonamalle High Road for key scenes featuring and . Outdoor sequences, particularly ancient war scenes, were filmed in the deserts near , , including a notable shoot in a ghost village to capture the eerie atmosphere required for the narrative's undertones. 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. The VFX work was handled by Indian studios such as Cinematic Solutions, requiring precise on-set planning to ensure seamless integration during . 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. Delays from Karthi's concurrent commitments on other projects, such as Thozha, occasionally extended preparation time but ultimately allowed for refined set designs. 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. Innovative tools included 14 rig-mounted cameras for 360-degree sequences in present-day segments, stitched using specialized software for potential VR applications, marking a first for . Traditional lenses and viewpoints were prioritized in battle scenes to maintain historical realism, with processes enhancing the grandeur in post.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Kaashmora was composed by , who crafted four songs alongside a background score that enhances the film's and historical elements through a blend of rock, classical, and devotional influences. The album was digitally released on 7 October 2016 by , coinciding with promotional efforts ahead of the film's premiere. 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 and 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.

Track listing

No.TitleSinger(s)LengthDescription
1"Dhikku Dhikku Sir"Santhosh Narayanan3:35A funky rock track with retro vibes, featuring prominent guitar riffs, drums, and trumpet blasts; serves as an energetic character introduction song.
2"Jagadhammaa"Ananthu3:51A devotional Tamil hymn reimagined with rock elements, including haunting guitar interludes that build a mystical atmosphere suited to the film's spiritual undertones.
3"Oyaa Oyaa"Kalpana Raghavendar4:12A 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.
4"Thakida Thakida"Saicharan Bhaskaruni, Santhosh Narayanan3:50An upbeat rock anthem driven by electric guitar hooks and high-energy vocals, capturing the film's comedic and action-oriented moments with infectious groove.

Music videos

The promotional campaign for Kaashmora featured video songs for its four tracks, released around the audio launch in October 2016 to highlight the film's blend of action, horror, romance, and fantasy. "Dhikku Dhikku Sir" served as an energetic introduction to the lead character, with funky rock visuals emphasizing and swagger. "Oyaa Oyaa" was a romantic number picturized on and , featuring sensual choreography and Carnatic fusion elements in lush settings. "Thakida Thakida" showcased high-octane action sequences introducing the ancient role, with dynamic stunts and rock anthems building anticipation for the historical timeline. "Jagadhammaa" provided a mystical devotional teaser, incorporating haunting rock elements to evoke the themes. Directed by , the videos employed a stylistic fusion of live-action and , teasing the dual timelines central to Kaashmora's storyline and generating buzz across social platforms.

Release

Theatrical release

Kaashmora was released worldwide on 28 October 2016, coinciding with the festival, with the Tamil version serving as the primary language and a dubbed Telugu version titled Kashmora. The film received a U/A rating from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), permitting viewing by audiences above 12 years with parental guidance. Distribution in Tamil Nadu was managed by Sri Thenandal Films, while overseas markets were handled by multiple companies, including Cinegalaxy for North America; the film was screened on nearly 1700 screens globally. The audio launch event took place on 7 October 2016 in , attended by , , and director . The official trailer was unveiled on the same day.

Home media and dubs

The film was released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu versions on 28 October 2016. Dubbed versions in , titled Kaashmora, and followed for television broadcast. The dub, produced by Goldmines Telefilms, premiered on television channels in 2017. The dub aired on in September 2018. Digital streaming of Kaashmora became available on platforms including starting in 2017. By November 2025, the film is accessible for streaming on , VI Movies and TV, and Tentkotta in , with ad-supported options on JioHotstar, , and . No 4K remaster has been announced as of 2025.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, Kaashmora received mixed reviews from critics, with an average rating of around 3 out of 5 from major Indian outlets. On aggregator sites, it holds a 5.6/10 rating on based on over 2,000 user votes and an 18% critics score on from a limited sample of three reviews. Critics praised Karthi's dual performance as both the modern-day and the ancient , noting his ability to balance comedy and intensity effectively. Nayanthara's portrayal of the vengeful spirit was highlighted for its fierce and captivating presence, often stealing scenes despite limited . The film's , particularly in depicting spirits and historical battles, were lauded for their innovation and scale, contributing to the fantasy atmosphere. Santhosh Narayanan's background score was commended for enhancing tension and immersion in key sequences. However, the film's 161-minute runtime drew significant criticism for feeling overlong and unevenly paced, especially in the second half, which many found dragged despite the engaging premise. Reviewers pointed out reliance on familiar horror-comedy tropes and clichés, with mixed reactions to the blending of humor and horror elements, often describing it as disruptive to the narrative flow. Notable quotes include The Hindu's assessment that it is "a fine fantasy" with substantial elements, while Screen called it "a colossal waste of potential," lamenting the squandered talent and energy.

Box office

Kaashmora was produced on a budget of ₹60 by . The film earned ₹8 in on its opening day. It grossed ₹26 worldwide over the opening weekend. The final worldwide gross stood at approximately ₹60 , with contributing ₹30.5 , and ₹12.6 , ₹2.75 , ₹2.6 , rest of ₹0.4 , and overseas markets ₹11.15 (US$1.66 million). The film enjoyed a strong run in , opening to $298,000 in the . It was declared a hit by trade analysts. Compared to the simultaneous release Kodi, Kaashmora outperformed in overseas territories but underperformed in Tamil Nadu, with lifetime figures verified by analysts like Behindwoods.

Legacy

Awards and nominations

At the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2016, Kaashmora won Best Makeup Artist (Roshan).

Cultural impact

Kaashmora contributed to elevating standards in mid- Tamil films through its extensive use of CGI, comprising over 70 minutes of VFX sequences that were praised for matching Hollywood quality. The film's production, with a of approximately ₹60 , demonstrated that ambitious could be effectively integrated into regional cinema without relying solely on high-end imports, influencing subsequent projects in the horror-fantasy genre. VFX supervisor Stalin Saravanan highlighted the work's parity with international benchmarks, particularly in set extensions and war scenes, setting a precedent for Tamil filmmakers to explore advanced digital techniques more confidently. The film's dubbed versions significantly broadened its audience beyond Tamil Nadu, achieving notable popularity in Hindi-speaking regions where it became a streaming hit despite modest theatrical reception in its original language. Hindi dubs released by Goldmines Telefilms garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube. This success underscored the growing appeal of South Indian horror-fantasy masalas in northern markets during the late 2010s and 2020s, fostering a cult following among viewers who appreciated its blend of comedy, horror, and historical elements. Availability on streaming services like Prime Video further sustained its visibility as of 2025. In Karthi's career, Kaashmora marked a pivotal shift toward multi-genre experimentation, allowing him to transition from action and roles to thrillers while showcasing dual performances that highlighted his versatility. The project, described by the as a challenging mix of , horror, and , helped solidify his reputation for tackling diverse narratives, influencing his subsequent choices in films blending fantasy with mainstream appeal. Though not without flaws, the movie's enduring fanbase views it as an entertaining entry in Tamil cinema's evolving horror landscape, with no major controversies attached to its release or themes.

References

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