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Machakaaran
Machakaaran
Machakaaran
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Machakaaran
Poster
Directed byTamilvannan
Written byTamilvannan
StarringJeevan
Kamna Jethmalani
CinematographyA. Venkatesh
Edited byRaja Mohammad
Music byYuvan Shankar Raja
Production
company
Madras Entertainment
Release date
  • 8 November 2007 (2007-11-08)
Running time
142 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Machakaaran is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic action film written and directed by Tamilvannan. The film stars Jeevan and Kamna Jethmalani in lead roles.[1] The film score and soundtrack were composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film was released on 8 November 2007 during Diwali.

Plot

[edit]

Vicky is the eldest son of a railway officer. He is a perpetual loser in whatever he does and other family members look down upon him. One day, he meets Shivani, the daughter of a rich textile tycoon, who has brought all the luck to her father Rajangam. The "unlucky" Vicky is drawn towards the "lucky" Shivani, and they fall madly in love. Due to circumstances, they are forced to elope, with Shivani’s cop brother in hot pursuit. The lovers decide to go to Rajangam’s village in Theni, where he is considered and treated as "Mr. Nice Guy", a philanthropist and savior of the locals, and is given the honour of conducting the temple festival every year. How the runaway couple against all odds rips his good guy image and exposes him in front of the entire village forms the rest of this predictable yarn.

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]

For the musical score of Machakaaran, director Thamizhvaanan teamed up with composer Yuvan Shankar Raja again, after the duo gave chart-topping songs in the director's previous venture Kalvanin Kadhali (2005). The soundtrack, which features 5 tracks overall, was released on 24 October 2007 and garnered generally positive reviews.[2]

Song Singer(s) Duration Lyricist
"Nellayila Mannedutha" Roshini 4:43 Pa. Vijay
"Vaanathayum Megathayum" Haricharan 4:49 Pa. Vijay
"Vayasu Ponnukku" Mahalakshmi Iyer 3:47 Pa. Vijay
"Jigiruthaanda" Shankar Mahadevan, Snekha Bandh 4:21 Pa. Vijay
"Nee Nee Nee" Hariharan, Madhushree 4:33 Devandharan

Reception

[edit]

A critic from Rediff.com rated the film 1⁄2 out of 5 stars and wrote that "Machakkaran is a sheer waste of time, money, efforts and everything else thanks to the absence of anything worthwhile during its span of approximately 195 minutes".[3] A critic from Sify wrote that the film "turns out to be a hackneyed, boring regressive piece of kitsch, that leaves you exhausted at the end!"[4] Kalki magazine wrote the film would have reached another dimension if the twists had been made less predictable. But the director has struggled which sadly he couldn't do.[5] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "'Machakkaran' is a much better effort than the director's earlier film 'Kalvanin Kadhali'. If only he had worked more on the second half of the script, the film would have turned into a more engaging entertainer".[6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Machakaaran

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from Grokipedia
Machakaaran is a Indian Tamil-language romantic action film written and directed by Tamilvannan, starring Jeevan and in the lead roles. The story centers on , the eldest son of a railway officer who is perpetually plagued by bad luck and faces ridicule from his family, until he meets and falls in love with , the fortunate daughter of a wealthy businessman. Produced by Madras Entertainment, the film features supporting performances by actors such as , Santhanam, and , with a runtime of 142 minutes. The soundtrack and score were composed by , contributing to its musical appeal during the release season. Released on 8 2007, Machakaaran marked Tamilvannan's second directorial venture following Kalvanin Kadhali (2006), blending elements of romance, , and action to explore themes of luck, love, and redemption. was handled by A. Venkatesh, enhancing the film's vibrant portrayal of urban and familial settings in . Despite mixed , with praise for Jeevan's energetic performance but criticism for a predictable plot and the music, the movie found an audience among fans of light-hearted Tamil entertainers.

Production

Development

Tamilvannan, who made his directorial debut with the 2006 romantic action film Kalvanin Kadhali, wrote and directed Machakaaran as his sophomore project in . The script originated as an original story penned by Tamilvannan himself, exploring themes of and family opposition set against a traditional Tamil cultural backdrop. The film was officially announced in May 2007, with the title Machakaaran—a Tamil colloquialism denoting a "lucky man"—chosen to underscore the protagonist's transformative arc involving fortune amid adversity. Madras Entertainment served as the production banner, mounting the venture as a standard mid-tier Tamil offering of the era. In , Tamilvannan assembled a key technical team, selecting A. Venkatesh as for his experience in handling dynamic visuals in Tamil films and Raja Mohammad as editor, known for his precise work on contemporary narratives. The project paired these elements with leads Jeevan and to realize its romantic action vision.

Casting

Jeevan was cast in the lead role of , portraying the unlucky protagonist whose fortunes change through the narrative. Following his debut as a lead in (2002) and his breakthrough villainous turn in (2003), Jeevan took on this central character in director Tamilvanan's project, marking another opportunity for him as a in a commercial entertainer. Kamna Jethmalani was selected for the female lead as Shivani, the fortunate heroine hailing from a wealthy family, representing a fresh on-screen pairing with Jeevan. Having gained recognition in with her debut in Premikulu (2005) and a commercial hit in Ranam (2006), this role came after her initial Tamil appearance in (2006), showcasing her transition to more prominent parts in Tamil films. The supporting cast featured a robust ensemble to flesh out the familial and antagonistic dynamics. Vinod Raj played Vicky's father, a railway ticket inspector, while G. M. Kumar portrayed Shivani's father, a prominent tycoon. M. S. Bhaskar appeared in a comedic supporting role, adding levity to the proceedings. Santhanam was cast in a key comic supporting part as Vicky's friend, contributing to the film's humor alongside ten other comedians, a deliberate choice to emphasize the story's lighter elements. Santhana Bharathi and Kalairani took on familial roles as Shivani's paternal uncle and aunt, respectively. Shobaraj essayed Shivani's brother, while Malavika performed a special in the song "Nellayila Mannedutha," and additional actors like Mayilsamy rounded out the ensemble. No major auditions or replacements were reported during the process, with the selections aligning with Tamilvanan's vision for character contrasts.

Filming

for Machakaaran took place throughout 2007, culminating in the film's release on 8 2007. The cinematography was managed by A. Venkatesh, whose work effectively blended with the film's romantic action tone, utilizing vibrant visuals to enhance key sequences. Editing duties were handled by Raja Mohammad, who paced the integration of romantic and action elements. During production, two song sequences were filmed as montages, a decision attributed to lead actor Jeevan's discomfort with elaborate dance routines. The action sequences, including pursuit scenes, relied on practical effects coordinated by the production team, though specific stunt directors were not publicly detailed.

Narrative

Plot

Vicky, the eldest son of a railway ticket inspector in Chennai, is depicted as a perpetual loser plagued by misfortune in both his personal and professional life, often facing ridicule from his family members. Despite his good intentions, Vicky's attempts to help others frequently backfire, such as when he unwittingly assists in a bike theft, leading to further complications. The story's inciting incident occurs when Vicky encounters Shivani, the daughter of a wealthy textile tycoon renowned for his philanthropy, whose presence seems to bring him good fortune. An instant attraction develops between them, blossoming into romance, but their relationship faces strong opposition from Shivani's family due to Vicky's lowly status and unlucky reputation. Forced to elope amid escalating pressure, the couple embarks on a perilous pursued relentlessly by Shivani's brother, a determined . Their journey leads them to the tycoon's village in , where he is celebrated as a benevolent figure and organizer of temple festivals, setting the stage for revelations about hidden secrets and the tycoon's deceptive public image. Along the way, intense action confrontations arise, intertwining themes of luck versus destiny as Vicky's fortunes begin to shift through his bond with .

Cast

The principal cast of Machakaaran features Jeevan in the lead role as the protagonist , an unlucky and jobless young man from a modest background, alongside Kamna Jethmalani as , the fortunate daughter of a wealthy businessman. Supporting roles include members and antagonists that highlight tensions between social classes and familial loyalties, such as Shivani's authoritative relatives who oppose the central romance.
ActorRole/CharacterBrief Description
JeevanVickyUnlucky, jobless college dropout and eldest son of a railway ticket inspector, often facing misfortune in his endeavors.
Kamna JethmalaniShivani RajangamFortunate heiress and daughter of a rich businessman, who becomes romantically involved with Vicky.
G. M. KumarRajangamShivani's father, a wealthy and scheming businessman who creates obstacles for the protagonists.
Vinod RajVicky's FatherHumble railway ticket inspector and Vicky's supportive parent.
ShobarajShivani's BrotherAntagonistic cop pursuing the lovers due to familial disapproval.
SanthanamFriendVicky's comic relief companion providing humorous support throughout.
Santhana BharathiShivani's UncleShivani's paternal uncle involved in family decisions against the romance.
M. S. BhaskarPolice ConstableComedic police officer contributing to lighter moments in the narrative.
KalairaniVicky's AuntVicky's aunt, part of his extended family dynamic.
MalavikaSpecial AppearancePerforms in the item song "Nellayila Mannedutha."
MayilsamyPolice ConstableAdditional comedic police role supporting law enforcement scenes.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Machakaaran was composed by and released on 24 October 2007, consisting of five tracks aimed at a youthful audience through a mix of melodic and rhythmic elements. All lyrics were written by . The album's production highlighted Yuvan's innovative approach, incorporating diverse sounds such as groovy techno-folk fusions and hip-hop influences to create trendy, hummable tunes. The tracks are integrated into the film's narrative to enhance key emotional and action-oriented moments, with romantic duets underscoring character meetings and upbeat numbers accompanying high-energy chases.
No.TitleSinger(s)
1Nellayela ManneduthaRoshini
2Vaanathayum MegathayumHariharan
3Vayasu Ponnukku
4Jegiruthanda, Snekha Bandh
5Nee Nee NeeHariharan, Madhusree
The album received positive reception for its catchy compositions and fresh sound mixing, which helped generate pre-release buzz for the film among listeners. Critics noted tracks like "Jegiruthanda" for its cheesy yet hummable energy and "Vaanathayum Megathayum" for its nifty hip-hop vibe, praising Yuvan's ability to blend genres effectively.

Background score

The background score for Machakaaran was composed by , the film's overall music director. Reviews of the film noted that Raja's music was not too impressive.

Release

Theatrical release

Machakaaran was released theatrically on 8 November 2007, coinciding with the festival to attract maximum audience turnout during the holiday period. The distribution in was managed by the production company Madras Entertainment. A Telugu-dubbed version titled Dheera was released on 6 November 2009 to expand its reach in . The film premiered with initial screenings in and other major cities across , featuring a runtime of approximately 150 minutes, as noted in contemporary reviews. Marketing efforts centered on the film's central theme of luck and the romantic pairing of leads Jeevan and , with promotional materials including posters, audio release of songs from Yuvan Shankar Raja's soundtrack, and trailers that showcased the action-romance blend to build anticipation ahead of the festive release.

Home media

Machakaaran saw increased availability through home media formats to reach wider audiences. In the digital era, Machakaaran became accessible on streaming platforms, with the full available in HD on for subscribers. Additionally, the complete movie has been uploaded to , allowing free viewing since at least 2021. International distribution remains limited, primarily through Tamil diaspora-focused channels and online platforms.

Reception

Critical response

Machakaaran received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Reviews from sources such as Behindwoods and Nowrunning noted a predictable storyline as a major drawback, with the screenplay described as hackneyed and lacking momentum. One review viewed it as an improvement over the director's previous work, though still formulaic. Yuvan Shankar Raja's received mixed responses, praised in some reviews for being in sync with the situations and providing an energetic backdrop, while others found it unimpressive. Jeevan's energetic performance was commended for carrying the lead role with ease and adding charisma to the sequences. The , particularly in the song sequences, was appreciated for its visual appeal and smooth execution. However, the film faced significant for its weak script and clichéd plot, which relied on overused tropes without . Poor pacing in half was a common complaint, with the narrative feeling rushed and underdeveloped, leading to underdeveloped supporting characters that failed to contribute meaningfully. The overall consensus positioned Machakaaran as a formulaic entertainer that failed to innovate within the action-romance genre, though it offered some enjoyment for fans of light-hearted fare. In the context of 2007 hits like Sivaji, the film was seen as underwhelming despite its commercial aspirations. This critical reception aligned with its underperformance at the .

Box office performance

Machakaaran was released on 8 November 2007, coinciding with the festival, where it faced stiff competition from high-profile Tamil films including , Vel, Polladihavan, and Kannamoochi Enada. The film recorded modest collections during its opening weekend, failing to match the strong openings of its rivals, which drew larger family and youth audiences with their action, romance, and comedy elements. Despite an initial wide release across , Machakaaran quickly saw declining occupancy rates due to poor word-of-mouth, positioning it as the underperformer—or "lone loser"—among the contenders by the following week. This rapid drop-off contributed to its classification as a , with no comprehensive gross figures publicly reported for the . Overseas earnings were negligible, totaling just $16,886 internationally. The film's commercial struggles were exacerbated by the dominant performance of 2007's major blockbusters such as Billa and earlier in the year, which set high expectations for releases. As Tamilvannan's sophomore project following the average success of his debut Kalvanin Kadhali, Machakaaran highlighted a directorial slump amid this competitive landscape. A Telugu-dubbed version titled Dheera received a limited release but did not achieve significant commercial traction.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497453-machakaaran
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1507325/
  3. https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Machakaaran
  4. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/machakaaran/cast-crew.html
  5. https://www.cineamo.com/en/movies/machakaaran
  6. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-07/machakaran-review.html
  7. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/may-07-05/31-05-07-machakaran.html
  8. https://letterboxd.com/film/machakaaran/
  9. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/jeevans-next/article7177449.ece
  10. https://www.indiaglitz.com/jeevan-in-debutants-movie-tamilfont-news-33213
  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1896684/
  12. https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/kamna-jethmalani.html
  13. https://www.indiaglitz.com/more-about-machaakkaran--news-33173
  14. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497453-machakaaran/cast?language=en-US
  15. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/machakaaran/story.html
  16. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497453-machakaaran?language=en-US
  17. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/497453-machakaaran/cast
  18. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/machakaaran.html
  19. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/machakkaran/cast-and-crew
  20. https://milliblog.com/2007/10/24/machakkaran-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/
  21. https://www.tamil2lyrics.com/movies/machakaaran/
  22. https://music.apple.com/us/album/machakaaran-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1702933910
  23. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/nov-07-04/27-11-07-jeevan.html
  24. https://www.teluguone.com/tmdb/amp/moviereview/Dheera-en-4003.html
  25. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/dheera.html
  26. https://www.justdial.com/streaming/watch-movies-online/Machakaaran/1534153811268
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqwtDPatO18
  28. https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/3863/tamil/machakkaaran/1400/review.htm
  29. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/nov-07-02/15-11-07-diwali.html
  30. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1507325/
  31. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/july-06-01/09-07-06-nayantara.html
  32. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/dheera/story.html
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