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3 (2012 Indian film)
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| 3 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Aishwarya Rajinikanth |
| Written by | Aishwarya Rajinikanth |
| Produced by | K. Vimalageetha Dhanush |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Velraj |
| Edited by | Kola Bhaskar |
| Music by | Anirudh Ravichander |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
3 is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic psychological thriller film written and directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, in her directorial debut. Her then husband Dhanush played the lead role alongside Shruti Haasan, whilst Prabhu, Sivakarthikeyan and Sunder Ramu appear in prominent roles. The film follows Ram (Dhanush) and Janani (Haasan), two intermediate sweethearts who eventually get married. However, Ram commits suicide all of a sudden and she tries to unearth the truth behind his death.
The cinematography was handled by Velraj and editing was done by Kola Bhaskar. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Dhanush's cousin-in-law Anirudh Ravichander, marking his debut as a composer with lyrics written by Dhanush, received positive reviews upon release. The song "Why This Kolaveri Di" penned and sung by Dhanush, became one of the most streamed songs of all time and was also listed as one of the "Recently Most Popular (Gold) Videos" on YouTube.
The film was released worldwide on 30 March 2012, and mixed reviews, with most critics praising the performances of Dhanush and Shruti, Anirudh's soundtrack and score, but the narration of the film received some criticism.[1] The film won three Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Playback Singer for Dhanush, and Best Music Director for Anirudh Ravichander. Dhanush won three awards, Best Actor, Best Lyricist, and Best Male Playback Singer at the 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards. Following the success of "Why This Kolaveri Di", Dhanush was invited by Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as a Guest of Honour.[2]
Plot
[edit]At Ram's funeral, his wife Janani hallucinates about him running away, and the film flashes back to when Ram and Janani were 12th-grade students when Ram helps Janani fix her bicycle and tells his friends Senthil and Kumaran that he has a crush on her. He joins her tuition, to see her every day, in the hopes that she will reciprocate his love for her. As time goes by, she eventually reciprocates his love.
After Janani is awoken by her maid, she tries to hunt for Ram's friend, Senthil, to know the mystery behind Ram's death. Janani enquires about Senthil's parents but she doesn't find any clue. Later, Janani finds a suicide letter from Ram in his coat. She again requests Senthil's parents to convince Senthil to help Janani and she asks him to reveal what they were hiding from her. A distraught Senthil tells Janani that when she was leaving for the US, Kumaran got a job and moved to Singapore. Upon finding out that his two friends have moved on, Ram hallucinates and almost drowns when he tries to swim past a beach but is saved by Senthil. Senthil doesn't suspect anything strange and just thinks that this happened because Ram was drunk. Later on, one day when Ram took a 3.2 crore loss, he lost his control and accidentally killed Janani's pet dog, Tom. This leads Senthil to consult a doctor who notices him being strange having extreme emotions, the primary emotions being despair or anger. Senthil tells a doctor about Ram's actions, the doctor reveals it might be bipolar disorder, and if bipolar disorder is not treated, It could lead to suicide. When Senthil tries to warn Ram by inviting him to spend nights out with him, Ram loses his sense of control and attacks Senthil with a bottle and chair, leaving the place. Later, Senthil finds Ram unconscious on the road.
The visit from the doctor confirms Ram has severe bipolar disorder, but Ram refuses to get admitted to the Hospital because of his love for Janani. To stay away from Janani, Ram goes on a pilgrimage, causing further anguish. Janani takes notice of Ram's absurd behavior and she asks Ram why he is acting weird. Later, at a club, Ram picks a fight with a drunkard who was misbehaving with Janani. Later, Ram and Senthil are beaten up by the gang of the drunkard's friends. When the drunkard tries to kill him, Ram beats them up and hinders them. That night, Ram and Senthil get back home with wounds. Janani becomes restless seeing Ram injured. After this incident, Ram decides not to reveal his condition to Janani. Ram spends time in the hospital as his condition worsens. Janani becomes frustrated with Ram for not telling her where he goes, and why. Janani suspects Ram of having an extramarital affair. Janani lashes out at Ram and she cries. After a while, Ram, in a manic state, tries to kill Janani, unbeknownst to her (since she was in a deep sleep) but is stopped by Senthil. This makes Ram feel guilty.
Ram requests his father to transfer his company shares to Janani, and Ram wants Senthil to leave him to see Janani. Senthil refuses, and Ram suddenly bashes Senthil's head against a steering wheel, rendering him unconscious. Ram tearfully says goodbye to Senthil and he leaves the car. In the present, Senthil and Janani are crying profusely. As Ram goes to Janani's bedroom and he watches her sleep, he suddenly hallucinates seeing a young girl saying "Either kill her or you die." Terrified, Ram immediately gets away from her bed. Ram goes to his office and he writes a suicide note while the hallucinations continue. Ram grabs a knife and struggles to kill himself. In the present, Janani is wailing in grief as she learns her husband's fate. The film ends with Ram committing suicide by slitting his throat and saying his final words, "I love you, Janani".
The movie ends with a message that "Suicide is not a solution. Bipolar disorder can be treated with proper medical help."
Cast
[edit]- Dhanush as Ramachandran "Ram"
- Shruti Haasan as Janani Ramachandran, Ram's wife
- Prabhu as Ram's father
- Sivakarthikeyan as Kumaran, Ram's friend since school days
- Sunder Ramu as Senthil, Ram's friend since school days, the only one who knew Ram's condition
- Bhanupriya as Ram's mother
- Jeeva Ravi as Janani's father
- Rohini as Janani's mother
- Gabriella Charlton as Sumi, Janani's sister
- Sunita Gogoi as Priya, Janani's friend
- Sumathi Sree as Eshwari, Ram's and Janani's housemaid
- Badava Gopi as Teacher
- Manoj Kumar as Senthil's father
- Anuradha Krishnamoorthy as Senthil's mother
Production
[edit]Aishwarya Rajinikanth stated that the script was written with Amala Paul in mind after being impressed by her work in Mynaa, but the actress was unavailable to do the film. Aishwarya later signed Amala Paul to the role. However, Amala Paul was unavailable to start the film early and left the project, and Shruti Haasan joined the team after her Telugu film was delayed.[3][4][5][6] Filming began in late July 2011.[7] A press meet was held at the Star City Hotel in early August 2011 in Chennai.[8]
Music
[edit]The soundtrack and score for this film are composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his debut as a music composer. The song "Why This Kolaveri Di" was released as a single by Sony Music on 16 November 2011. This song written and performed by Dhanush, became one of the most streamed songs of all time. It also featured in the "Recently Most Popular (Gold) Videos" on YouTube. The full soundtrack album was released at a launch event on 23 December 2011 and gained extremely positive reviews.
Release
[edit]The film was released on 30 March 2012, with 400 prints in Tamil.[9]
Film producer and distributor Natti Kumar reportedly said that out of the Rs. 60 million (US$1.33 million approximately) he spent on distribution rights and publicity, he had been able to recover only Rs. 47.0 million (US$0.83 million approximately).[10]
In September 2024, the film was re-released in theatres.[citation needed]
Reception
[edit]The film received mixed reviews from critics.[11] Vishnupriya Bhandaram of The Hindu wrote "Aishwarya R. Dhanush takes a twisted look at love and its meaning – when you put someone before your own existence – comes across as profound, underlining theme in the film. It fades out as a moving and tragic ode to romance, to the grand idea called 'love'".[12] Sify called the film "poignant", quoting that "On the whole, 3 has its heart in the right place, though the second half seem scattered. Overlook these faults, and make it a point to watch 3".[13] Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff rated the movie 3 out of 5, saying that "There are certain moments in 3 that defy logic at times, and sentiment rules the roost, but Aishwarya Dhanush has chosen to present a take on romance that is appealing in its freshness. The lead actors help as well. Her little thriller-twist aside, 3 is a movie that is an ode to romance, above all else."[14]
L Romal M Singh of DNA India gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, commenting that "We do not think anyone would want to watch the movie again, only because it demands too much from you emotionally. We however, plan to watch this movie once more and walk out during the interval, we'd advise the romantics to do the same."[15] In.com rated the film 3.5 out of 5, claiming that "3 is average and not worth watching in the theaters. Better wait for the DVD! It fails to meet the expectations and works only in parts, but Aishwarya had shown promise by taking a serious subject in her very first film".[16]
Awards
[edit]- Best Actor - Dhanush
- Best Lyricist - Dhanush for "Kannazhaga"
- Best Male Playback Singer - Dhanush for "Why This Kolaveri Di"
- Nominated—Best Actress - Shruti Haasan
- Nominated—Best Music Director - Anirudh Ravichander.
- Nominated—Best Male Playback Singer - Mohit Chauhan for "Po Nee Po"
- Nominated—Best Female Playback Singer - Shruti Haasan for "Kannazhaga"
- Nominated—Best Female Playback Singer - Shweta Mohan for "Nee Partha Vizhigal"
- Nominated—Best Debutant Producer - Dhanush
- Nominated—Best Debutant Director - Aishwarya Dhanush
- Best Actor - Dhanush
- Best Male Playback Singer - Dhanush ("Why This Kolaveri Di")[17]
- Nominated—Best Actress - Shruti Haasan
- won—Best Music Director - Anirudh
- Excellence in Tamil - Shruti Hassan[18]
- Best Actor - Dhanush
- Best Male Playback Singer - Mohit Chauhan for "Po Nee Po"
- Best Find of the Year - Anirudh
- Nominated—Best Actress - Shruti Haasan
- Nominated—Best Music Director - Anirudh
- Nominated—Favourite Hero - Dhanush
- Nominated—Favourite Heroine - Shruti Haasan
- Nominated—Favourite Song - "Why This Kolaveri Di"
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Birthday Special: The Top 10 Films of Dhanush". Rediff. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ ""Kolaveri" bags YouTube Gold Award". Sify. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011.
- ^ "Shruti Haasan rejects Rajinikanth's film". DNA India. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "My dates could not be reworked: Amala Paul". Sify. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "Shruti Haasan replaces Amala Paul!". Sify. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ "Shruti Haasan back in 3!". The Times of India. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Aishwarya's gift to Dhanush on his birthday". The Times of India. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Number 3 Press Meet dhanush amala paul aishwarya. Behindwoods TV. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Dhanush's '3' to hit the screens on March 30". IBNLive. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "Dhanush-Shruti's 3 fails at the box office". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- ^ "Happy Birthday, Dhanush. The Extraordinary Journey of the Actor @36". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Vishnupriya Bhandaram. "3 Review by The Hindu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ^ "3". Sify. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Pavithra Srinivasan. "3 Review by Rediff". Rediff. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ L Romal M Singh. "Review: 3 (Tamil)". DNA India. DNA India. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "3 Review:Makes you sulk in the second half". In. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ ""South Indian movie stars honoured in run-up to awards ceremony"date=23 Oct 2012". The Gulf Today. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012.
- ^ "South Indian movie stars honoured in run-up to awards ceremony". The Gulf Today. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012.
External links
[edit]
3 (2012 Indian film)
View on GrokipediaPlot
The film opens in the present day with Janani (Shruti Haasan) mourning the suicide of her husband Ram (Dhanush). As she grapples with grief and questions surrounding his death, the narrative flashes back to their teenage years in high school. Ram, a carefree and affluent student, falls in love with the studious Janani at first sight and, with the help of his friends Senthil and Kumaran, persistently woos her despite initial rejections. Janani eventually reciprocates his feelings, leading to a deep romance.[7] However, their relationship faces significant obstacles from Janani's conservative family, who oppose the match due to social differences. Defiant, Janani burns her passport to symbolize her commitment to Ram, resulting in her disownment. With the support of Ram's father, the couple marries and begins a seemingly blissful life together, marked by playful moments and intimacy.[7] As their marriage progresses, cracks begin to appear. Ram's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, revealing undiagnosed bipolar disorder that manifests in mood swings, aggression, and hallucinations. His condition escalates during conflicts, including a violent altercation at a nightclub and a car accident, straining their relationship. Senthil, aware of Ram's mental health issues, attempts to intervene, but Ram's episodes grow more dangerous, culminating in an attack on Senthil and threats to Janani's safety.[8] In a final act of love and self-sacrifice, Ram decides to end his life to spare Janani further pain, leaving behind a suicide note expressing his enduring love. The film returns to the present, where Janani uncovers the truth about Ram's struggles, finding closure in their shared memories.[7]Cast
- Dhanush as Ramachandran "Ram"[9]
- Shruti Haasan as Janani Ramachandran[9]
- Sivakarthikeyan as Kumaran, Ram's friend[9]
- Sunder Ramu as Senthil, Ram's friend[9]
- Prabhu as Ram's father[9]
- Rohini as Janani's mother[9]
- Bhanupriya as Ram's mother[9]
- Gabriella Charlton as Sumi, Ram and Janani's daughter[9]
Production
Development
Aishwarya Rajinikanth made her directorial debut with 3, a Tamil-language romantic psychological thriller that she also wrote, drawing on themes of love complicated by mental health challenges such as bipolar disorder and its potential consequences, including suicide.[2] As the elder daughter of actor Rajinikanth, Aishwarya had previously worked as an assistant director on films like Sivaji: The Boss (2007) and Enthiran (2010), but 3 represented her first foray into helming a feature, motivated by a passion for storytelling that delves into emotional and psychological depths in relationships.[10] The script was penned by Aishwarya herself, focusing on an intimate narrative about a couple navigating high school romance, marriage, and ensuing turmoil, with the story structured around the protagonist's undiagnosed bipolar disorder.[2] Development of the project aligned with the formation of Wunderbar Films in 2010 by Aishwarya and Dhanush, which served as the primary production banner. The film was co-produced by K. Vimalageetha, Aishwarya's mother, and Dhanush, emphasizing a modest approach to production that prioritized character-driven intimacy over spectacle, with an estimated budget of around ₹29 crore.[11][12] The title 3 (also stylized as Moonu in Tamil) originates from its depiction of three distinct stages in the central couple's life: their courtship during school years, their married life, and the devastating aftermath marked by tragedy.[3][13] This symbolic choice underscores the film's exploration of love's evolution and fragility. Initially, Aishwarya wrote the script envisioning Shruti Haasan in the lead female role, though scheduling conflicts led to adjustments during casting.[2]Casting
The lead role of Ram was portrayed by Dhanush, the husband of director Aishwarya R. Dhanush, marking a family collaboration in her directorial debut. Shruti Haasan was initially selected for the female lead role of Janani but had to opt out due to prior commitments; Amala Paul was subsequently signed on in her place.[2] However, in July 2011, Amala Paul exited the project owing to scheduling conflicts arising from changes in the filming dates, allowing Shruti Haasan to reprise the role in an amicable transition.[14] This last-minute replacement occurred shortly after the film's launch on 5 August 2011, prompting adjustments to the production schedule.[14] For the supporting cast, newcomer Sivakarthikeyan, known from television hosting and stand-up comedy, was chosen for the role of Kunju, marking one of his early film appearances following his debut in Marina earlier that year.[15] Sunder Ramu was cast as Senthil, drawing from his recent collaboration with Dhanush in the 2011 film Mayakkam Enna, where he had made his acting debut as a close friend character.[16] The casting emphasized fresh talents to complement the leads in the film's blend of romance and drama.Filming
Principal photography for 3 commenced in mid-2011, primarily in Chennai and its surrounding areas, with the production wrapping up in late 2011 after approximately six months of shooting. The final schedule, lasting about a month, took place in Chennai in November 2011, allowing the team to complete key scenes amid a compressed timeline aimed at an early 2012 release.[17][18] The film utilized urban Chennai locations to authentically portray everyday Tamil life, including school environments for the protagonists' early romance, domestic settings for their married life, and hospital interiors for pivotal dramatic moments. These choices grounded the story's nonlinear narrative—spanning school days, courtship, and marriage—in relatable, contemporary surroundings without relying on exotic backdrops.[19][17] Cinematographer Velraj captured the proceedings with a focus on intimate, realistic visuals that supported the film's emotional depth, while the nonlinear structure demanded meticulous scheduling to ensure continuity across timelines. In post-production, editor Kola Bhaskar skillfully interwove the three phases of the protagonists' relationship, creating seamless transitions that heightened the psychological thriller elements; visual effects were kept minimal, emphasizing practical techniques for the hallucination sequences tied to the lead character's mental state.[17][20] The shoot operated on a tight schedule due to the lead actors' prior commitments, with Dhanush and Shruti Haasan balancing 3 alongside other projects, yet no significant delays were reported, enabling the film to meet its March 2012 release. Shruti Haasan's entry into the production helped streamline the romantic sequences, leveraging her chemistry with Dhanush for efficient filming.[18][21]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of 3 is Anirudh Ravichander's debut film composition, consisting of six principal songs that fuse romantic ballads, upbeat rhythms, and melancholic tunes to underscore the film's exploration of love and emotional turmoil. The lyrics, predominantly written by lead actor Dhanush, revolve around themes of affection, longing, and heartbreak, with additional contributions enhancing the narrative's intimate tone. "Idhazhin Oram" was penned by director Aishwarya R. Dhanush. Recorded at studios in Chennai, including sessions at A.R. Rahman's AM Studios, the album spans about 28 minutes and was released digitally by Sony Music on December 23, 2011, ahead of the film's March 2012 premiere.[22][23][24] A defining track is "Why This Kolaveri Di", a quirky Tanglish number written and sung by Dhanush, composed by Ravichander in roughly 10 minutes during an impromptu studio session attended by director Aishwarya Rajinikanth and co-star Shruti Haasan.[25] Dhanush finalized the lyrics and recorded the vocals in about 20 minutes, capturing a light-hearted yet poignant "soup song" about romantic despair.[24] An early rough version leaked online in early November 2011, prompting its official digital release on November 16 and fueling widespread online buzz.[24] "Po Nee Po", a soulful romantic duet rendered by Anirudh Ravichander and Mohit Chauhan with lyrics by Dhanush, evokes the subtle pains of separation through its gentle melody and harmonious vocals.[26] The track's picturization integrates seamlessly with the film's intimate sequences, emphasizing emotional vulnerability.[27] "Nee Paartha Vizhigal", an introspective emotional ballad sung by Vijay Yesudas and Shweta Mohan to Dhanush's evocative lyrics, captures the depth of unrequited love and inner conflict with its haunting orchestration.[28] The album's other notable tracks include the lively, celebratory "Come On Girls", a high-energy ensemble piece led by Anirudh Ravichander with Nadisha Thomas and Maalavika Manoj, blending peppy beats and playful lyrics by Dhanush to inject youthful exuberance.[23] Rounding out the collection is "Idhazhin Oram", a tender melody voiced by Ajesh Ashok and Anirudh Ravichander with lyrics by Aishwarya R. Dhanush, and the duet "Kannazhaga" featuring Dhanush and Shruti Haasan, penned by Dhanush to highlight budding romance and sensory allure.[28]| No. | Title | Singers | Lyricist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Idhazhin Oram (The Innocence of Love)" | Ajesh Ashok, Anirudh Ravichander | Aishwarya R. Dhanush | 3:24 |
| 2 | "Kannazhaga (The Kiss of Love)" | Dhanush, Shruti Haasan | Dhanush | 3:25 |
| 3 | "Why This Kolaveri Di (The Soup of Love)" | Dhanush | Dhanush | 4:21 |
| 4 | "Po Nee Po (The Pain of Love)" | Mohit Chauhan, Anirudh Ravichander | Dhanush | 4:12 |
| 5 | "Nee Paartha Vizhigal (The Touch of Love)" | Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan | Dhanush | 4:25 |
| 6 | "Come On Girls (The Celebration of Love)" | Anirudh Ravichander, Nadisha Thomas, Maalavika Manoj | Dhanush | 2:54 |
Background score
The background score for the 2012 Tamil film 3 was composed by Anirudh Ravichander, who handled both the soundtrack and the instrumental elements in his debut project. Created entirely in post-production after filming wrapped, the score was designed to enhance the film's emotional intensity without overpowering its dialogue-driven narrative. Anirudh emphasized that the BGM served as a key tool to elevate the overall movie experience, distinct from the songs which were tailored for on-set sequences.[29] Anirudh invested full dedication into the process, completing the score over 20 to 25 days—a timeframe he described as intensive and challenging, reflecting his commitment to aligning the music with director Aishwarya Dhanush's vision for the story's tense and poignant moments. In a 2025 interview, he reflected that working on the BGM for 3 was particularly tough, highlighting the demands of his early career breakthrough. The score's integration during editing ensured seamless transitions, such as from viral tracks like "Why This Kolaveri Di" to atmospheric cues that underscored the film's themes of love and tragedy.[29][30]Release
Promotion
The promotion of 3 primarily revolved around the viral sensation of its debut song "Why This Kolaveri Di", which served as the film's anchor for building pre-release hype. The song was uploaded to YouTube on November 16, 2011, at A.R. Rahman's studio in Chennai, quickly amassing 19 million views within three weeks and over 6.5 million shares on Facebook.[31] This low-budget digital strategy emphasized emotional appeal, humor, and user engagement by encouraging parodies without strict copyright enforcement, sparking widespread curiosity and co-creation across social platforms like Twitter, where it generated over 10,000 daily tweets in the first week.[31] Sony Music, the soundtrack's label, seeded the content through its Facebook page (with 1 million followers) and Twitter, while tying in with radio stations—reaching 43 across India—and granting exclusive two-day rights to Radio Mirchi and MTV for national premieres, marking the first such honor for a Tamil film song.[32] News channels further amplified its reach, turning it into a cultural phenomenon that boosted anticipation for the film's romance-thriller elements without traditional high-cost advertising. Building on the song's momentum, the first teaser trailer, featuring "Why This Kolaveri Di", was released in November 2011 alongside the track to capitalize on its buzz. The full theatrical trailer followed on March 27, 2012, highlighting the leads' chemistry and blending romantic and thriller tones to target audiences in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu markets, where a dubbed version was planned.[33] Promotional posters emphasized Dhanush and Shruti Haasan's on-screen pairing, distributed at press meets in Chennai to generate local media coverage. The audio launch event in March 2012, attended by Rajinikanth, further leveraged familial star power and the song's popularity for television and radio tie-ins, focusing efforts on southern Indian regions with cost-effective digital and broadcast synergies rather than expansive national campaigns.[31]Theatrical release
The film 3 was released worldwide on 30 March 2012. It received a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which allowed unrestricted public exhibition following several cuts to intense passionate scenes between the lead characters to qualify for a 30% entertainment tax waiver.[34][35] Distribution was handled primarily by Wunderbar Films in India, with the Tamil version released across 400 prints and the simultaneously dubbed Telugu version titled 3 distributed in 700 prints in Andhra Pradesh.[36][37] The release emphasized Tamil Nadu theaters as the core market, alongside Telugu-speaking regions, while overseas screenings were limited through international distributors like Divo in the United States.[38] A special premiere screening took place at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai, attended by key cast and crew including Dhanush, Shruti Haasan, director Aishwarya Rajinikanth, composer Anirudh Ravichander, and veteran director S. P. Muthuraman.[39] The final runtime after certification stood at 148 minutes.[36] The film has seen subsequent re-releases, including in 2022 and September 2024, which ran to housefull shows in select regions.[40]Reception
Critical response
The film 3 garnered mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with aggregate scores averaging between 3 and 3.5 out of 5 across major publications, reflecting appreciation for its emotional core alongside reservations about its execution.[41][42] Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, commending the strong chemistry between leads Dhanush and Shruti Haasan in the first half, Dhanush's climactic performance, and Anirudh Ravichander's soundtrack, particularly "Why This Kolaveri Di?", but critiquing the second half's excessive melodrama, illogical elements, and overly loud background score that undermined the pacing.[43] Vishnupriya Bhandaram of The Hindu praised the film's emotional depth and realistic portrayal of love evolving into marital challenges, highlighting the engaging screenplay's oscillation between past and present, witty dialogues, and strong supporting performances, though she noted the second half's descent into repetitive melodrama and medical jargon that disrupted the narrative flow.[1] L. Romal M. Singh of DNA India also rated it 3 out of 5, describing it as an innovative thriller with bold direction in Aishwarya R. Dhanush's debut, but flawed by uneven pacing and a script that failed to sustain its initial freshness, leading to a protracted ending. Critics frequently lauded Aishwarya R. Dhanush's bold directional debut for its sensitive yet occasionally stereotypical handling of mental illness and suicide, with themes of raw romance and psychological strain resonating through Dhanush's versatile portrayal of bipolar tendencies.[1][44] However, a common critique centered on narrative jumps and melodramatic excess in addressing the protagonist's suicide, which some felt sensationalized rather than explored deeply.[43] While critics often pointed to these structural inconsistencies as detracting from the film's potential, audiences embraced its raw emotional intensity, creating a divide where the hype from promotional music hits like "Kolaveri Di" amplified viewer appreciation despite professional reservations.[41] Internationally, reception was limited but generally positive in overseas Tamil diaspora press, with Tamil Guardian highlighting the film's strong emotional extremes and seamless song integration as a highlight for global audiences.[45] Common Sense Media offered a harsher 1 out of 5 assessment, decrying it as a jumbled mess in depicting bipolar illness, violence, and suicide, though acknowledging the leads' attractiveness.[44]Box office performance
It achieved an opening weekend gross of ₹10 crore in India, largely fueled by the viral sensation of the song "Why This Kolaveri Di," which generated significant pre-release buzz.[46] Performance varied regionally, with initial strong collections in Tamil Nadu, though distributors reported collective losses of ₹20 crore there; the Telugu markets saw underwhelming returns, with the distributor recovering only ₹1.70 crore out of a ₹6 crore investment on rights and publicity.[47] The virality of "Why This Kolaveri Di" propelled initial attendance, but the film's pacing issues contributed to a sharp decline in collections after the first week, leading to an overall average verdict despite mixed critical reception.[47][48] Compared to contemporaries like Thuppakki, 3 exceeded expectations for a debut directorial venture but fell short of blockbuster benchmarks.[48]Awards and legacy
Awards
At the 60th Filmfare Awards South, held on 20 July 2013 in Hyderabad, 3 secured two wins: Best Actor for Dhanush's portrayal of Ram, and Best Male Playback Singer for Dhanush's rendition of "Why This Kolaveri Di". The film also earned nominations for Best Actress (Shruti Haasan) and Best Music Director (Anirudh Ravichander).[49][50] The 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA), conducted in September 2013 in Dubai and Malaysia, recognized 3 with four accolades, including Best Actor (Dhanush), Best Lyricist (Dhanush for "Kannazhaga"), Best Male Playback Singer (Dhanush for "Why This Kolaveri Di"), and Sensation Innovative Marketing. These honors highlighted the film's strong performances and soundtrack contributions, with Shruti Haasan receiving a nomination for Best Actress.[51][52] During the 7th Vijay Awards on 11 May 2013 in Chennai, Dhanush won Best Actor for 3, while the film received nominations in categories such as Best Music Director and Best Cinematographer. Anirudh Ravichander was additionally awarded Best Find of the Year for his debut work on the film. In the Chennai Times Film Awards 2012, announced in late 2013, 3 claimed Best Actor (Male) for Dhanush and Best Music Director for Anirudh Ravichander, further affirming the film's impact in acting and musical categories.[53] Overall, 3 amassed 10 wins across major South Indian award ceremonies, with a focus on Dhanush's performances and the viral success of its music.[6]| Ceremony | Date | Wins | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60th Filmfare Awards South | 20 July 2013 | Best Actor (Dhanush) Best Male Playback Singer (Dhanush, "Why This Kolaveri Di") | Best Actress (Shruti Haasan) Best Music Director (Anirudh Ravichander) |
| 2nd SIIMA Awards | September 2013 | Best Actor (Dhanush) Best Lyricist (Dhanush, "Kannazhaga") Best Male Playback Singer (Dhanush, "Why This Kolaveri Di") Sensation Innovative Marketing | Best Actress (Shruti Haasan) |
| 7th Vijay Awards | 11 May 2013 | Best Actor (Dhanush) Best Find of the Year (Anirudh Ravichander) | Best Music Director Best Cinematographer |
| Chennai Times Film Awards 2012 | Late 2013 | Best Actor (Male) (Dhanush) Best Music Director (Anirudh Ravichander) | - |