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Sullan
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| Sullan | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Ramana |
| Written by | Ramana |
| Produced by | Salem Chandrasekharan |
| Starring | Dhanush Sindhu Tolani Manivannan Pasupathy |
| Cinematography | N. Raghav |
| Edited by | Suresh Urs |
| Music by | Vidyasagar |
Production company | Sri Saravanaa Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 140 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Sullan (spelt Sulaan onscreen) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Ramana. The film stars Dhanush in the main lead role along with Sindhu Tolani, Manivannan, Pasupathy and Easwari Rao among others. It was released on 23 July 2004 and became a commercial failure.
Plot
[edit]Subramani, known as Sullan among his friends, is the son of Mani, a corporation garbage lorry driver. A first-year college student, his only objective in life is to have fun with his friends. He falls in love with Kavya. Soori is a moneylender who charges atrocious rates and then goes after those who fail to pay him back. When Soori's actions start to affect his family and friends, Sullan strikes back.
Cast
[edit]- Dhanush as Subramani (Sullan)
- Sindhu Tolani as Kavya
- Manivannan as Mani, Sullan's father
- Pasupathy as Soori
- Easwari Rao as Karpagam, Sullan’s elder sister
- Delhi Ganesh
- Bava Lakshmanan
- Vasu Vikram
- Kalairani
- Thennavan
- Muthukaalai
- Besant Ravi
- Sanghavi as Lakshmi Mani (special appearance)
Production
[edit]This was the first film produced by Salem A. Chandrasekhar who previously worked as distributor.[1] The song "Yaaro Nee" was shot at Christ Church Gardens at Australia while the song "Kavithai Iravu" was shot at Auckland.[2] A fight scene featuring Dhanush and Pasupathi fighting by hanging upside down was shot at Campa Cola Grounds.[1]
Soundtrack
[edit]Soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar.[3][4] The song "Kavidhai Iravu" is partially based a keyboard interlude from the song "Nuvve Naa Swasa" from Okariki Okaru.
| Song title | Singers | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|
| "Kavidhai Iravu" | K. S. Chitra, Karthik | Yugabharathi |
| "Sandakozhi" | Shankar Mahadevan, Tippu | Na. Muthukumar |
| "Yaaro Nee" | Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan | Kabilan |
| "Adho Varaa" | Harini, Pushpavanam Kuppusamy | Pa. Vijay |
| "Kilu Kiluppana" | Adnan Sami, Premji Amaran, Pop Shalini | Pa. Vijay |
| "Siragu Mulaitha | Madhu Balakrishnan | Arivumathi |
| "Kilu Kiluppana 2" | Karthik, Premji Amaran, Pop Shalini | Pa. Vijay |
Critical reception
[edit]Sify wrote "Ramana's narrative and script are absurd and his attempt to make Dhanush a superstar material has failed miserably. Sullan is all sound and no fury".[5] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "Director Ramana, who gave a success with his debut film 'Thirumalai', seems to lose control over his script, characters and artistes from the early scenes itself. The whole scenario being crass and loud, subtlety seems to be the last thing on the director's mind."[6] A critic from The Hindu wrote that "Just because the role of a college goer from a lower middle class family suits Dhanush to a T, he should not be made to repeat the socio-economic scenario in film after film".[7] Visual Dasan of Kalki criticised the characters of hero, heroine and villain behaving like hyper active patients, concluding the film had no story or whatsoever.[8] Deccan Herald wrote "The director tries to project Dhanush as a super-man but with movies like Spider-man hitting the screen, Sullan pales in comparison".[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mannath, Malini (5 June 2004). "Sullan". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 5 December 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Sullan songs in Australia, New Zealand". Tamil Star. 5 June 2004. Archived from the original on 5 June 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Sullan (2004)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Sullan (2004)". MusicIndiaOnline. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ "An attempt by Dhanush to do a superstar act". Sify. 24 July 2004. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (6 August 2004). "Sullan". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 3 December 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Sullaan". The Hindu. 29 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ தாசன், விஷுவல் (8 August 2004). "சுள்ளான்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 16. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Ulaganathan, G. (1 August 2004). "Sullan". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 31 December 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
External links
[edit]Sullan
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Sullan (Tamil: சுள்ளான்) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Ramana. It stars Dhanush in the lead role, alongside Sindhu Tolani, Manivannan, and Pasupathy. The film's music is composed by Vidyasagar. Produced by Salem A. Chandrasekaran under the banner Saravana Films, it was released on 23 July 2004 to mixed reviews from critics and became a commercial failure at the box office.[1]
Story and characters
Plot
Subramani, affectionately known as Sullan among his friends, is introduced as a carefree and mischievous first-year college student hailing from a modest background in Chennai. As the son of Mani, a corporation garbage lorry driver, Sullan leads a simple yet spirited life marked by his playful antics and unwavering loyalty to his close-knit circle of friends.[2][3] Sullan's daily routine revolves around college escapades, lighthearted banter with peers, and the gradual blossoming of a romance with Kavya, a fellow student whose presence adds a tender dimension to his otherwise boisterous world. This budding relationship highlights Sullan's more vulnerable side amid his otherwise roguish demeanor, setting the stage for deeper emotional stakes as external pressures mount.[4] The narrative's inciting incident unfolds when ruthless moneylender Soori begins issuing severe threats to Sullan's family and friends over mounting debts incurred by those close to him, including his father's colleagues and associates. Soori's aggressive tactics, involving intimidation and violence, culminate in the public humiliation and subsequent suicide of Sullan's friend Kannan, shattering the protagonist's carefree existence and forcing him to confront the harsh realities encroaching on his loved ones' safety.[5][4] In response, Sullan undergoes a profound transformation from a jovial youth to a determined avenger, launching a series of bold retaliatory actions against Soori and his gang. These escalating confrontations showcase Sullan's resourcefulness and growing resolve as he navigates perilous encounters to shield his family and friends from further harm.[4][1] The story builds to a gripping climax through intense confrontations that test Sullan's limits, culminating in a resolution where he decisively protects his family, restoring a semblance of peace amid the chaos. The film's 140-minute runtime structures this arc with a focus on high-octane action sequences that drive the pacing, interspersing moments of tension with Sullan's personal growth.[1][6]Cast
The principal cast of Sullan is led by Dhanush, who portrays Subramani, nicknamed Sullan, a hyperactive and unemployed college student who transforms into a vigilante to protect his family.[7] Sindhu Tolani plays the female lead, Kavya, Sullan's love interest and a key figure in his emotional arc.[8] Supporting roles include Manivannan as Mani, Sullan's father, a hardworking garbage lorry driver facing financial hardships.[7] Pasupathy delivers a strong antagonistic performance as Soori, the ruthless moneylender whose actions drive much of the central conflict.[9] Other notable cast members feature Easwari Rao as Karpagam, Sullan's elder sister, providing familial support amid the turmoil.[8] Karim appears as Kannan, one of Sullan's close friends involved in the group's dynamics, while actors like Madhan Bob, Charle, and Mayilsamy take on comic or minor antagonistic parts, contributing to the film's ensemble texture.[7] This film marked an early leading role for Dhanush following his breakthrough in Kaadhal Kondein (2003), solidifying his position in Tamil cinema.[10]Production
Development
Sullan marked the sophomore directorial venture of Ramana, following his successful debut with the 2003 film Thirumalai. Ramana also penned the original screenplay for Sullan, envisioning it as a high-energy project tailored for broad audience appeal. The film was produced by Salem Chandrasekharan under the banner of Sri Saravanaa Creations, which represented Chandrasekharan's inaugural production effort in Tamil cinema.[11] Ramana's concept for Sullan stemmed from a deliberate shift toward crafting an unabashed commercial action entertainer, incorporating mass-oriented elements such as intense fight sequences and romantic interludes to cater to diverse viewers. He aimed to demonstrate his versatility by transforming the lead into an action hero, acknowledging the pressures of commercial filmmaking where producer investments demand accessible narratives. This approach was influenced by the need to balance artistic aspirations with market viability, as Ramana later reflected on the compromises involved in such projects.[11] The production assembled a key technical team early in pre-production, with N. Raghav brought on as cinematographer to handle the visual dynamics of the action-driven story, and Suresh Urs appointed as editor to ensure a tight, engaging pace. Financing was secured on a modest scale for a 2004 Tamil film, with a minimum budget of ₹7 crore, reflecting the venture's focus on efficient resource allocation amid rising industry expectations.[7][11] In terms of lead casting, Ramana specifically chose Dhanush for the central role, drawn to the actor's vibrant energy and potential to embody an unconventional action protagonist.[11]Filming
Principal photography for Sullan spanned several months across 2003 and early 2004, allowing the production team to complete shooting ahead of the film's theatrical release on 23 July 2004. The bulk of the urban and family-oriented scenes were captured in Chennai and nearby locales to authentically depict the story's grounded, city-based narrative. For added visual appeal in the musical numbers, select song sequences were filmed abroad, including in Australia and New Zealand; notably, the track "Yaaro Nee" was shot in Australia to leverage its scenic landscapes. Cinematographer N. Raghav played a key role in enhancing the film's action elements through dynamic camera work that emphasized fluid motion and intensity in the fight sequences. The action choreography focused on high-impact stunts featuring protagonists Dhanush and antagonist Pasupathy, incorporating mass brawls and hand-to-hand combat to suit the commercial action genre. Director Ramana highlighted the physical demands of these scenes, particularly in portraying Dhanush—described as a "puny boy"—as a formidable action hero, which required meticulous planning to execute safely.[12] Challenges during filming included coordinating large-scale fight ensembles and prioritizing performer safety amid the high-energy stunts, compounded by the need to align actor schedules for reshoots. In post-production, editor Suresh Urs refined the footage to achieve the final 140-minute runtime, ensuring a tight pace that balanced action, drama, and songs without excess.[13]Music
Composition
The music for the 2004 Tamil film Sullan was composed by Vidyasagar, an acclaimed Indian musician renowned for his melodic scores in Tamil cinema that often emphasize emotional depth and tunefulness.[14] Tasked with suiting the film's action-oriented narrative, Vidyasagar blended high-energy action cues with tender romantic tracks to enhance the story's commercial appeal.[14] Recording sessions took place at Vidyasagar's Varsha-Vallaki Studios in Chennai, where the emphasis was on fusing traditional folk influences with modern contemporary sounds to create accessible, mass-oriented melodies.[15] This approach allowed for rhythmic vitality in the compositions while preserving melodic integrity, drawing from Vidyasagar's signature style in Tamil films.[14] The soundtrack comprises seven tracks in total, featuring romantic duets such as the melodic "Kavidhai Iravu" and energetic dance numbers like "Adho Varaa" to match the film's upbeat, masala tone.[16] The background score incorporates orchestral arrangements to build tension during action sequences centered on the protagonist's conflicts with a ruthless moneylender.[14] A distinctive element of the album's production involved musical arrangements inspired by international locales, as certain songs were picturized abroad, including "Kavidhai Iravu" filmed in New Zealand, which infused subtle global flavors into the orchestration.Track listing
The soundtrack of Sullan consists of seven songs composed by Vidyasagar, along with background score by the same composer, and was released on cassette and CD formats prior to the film's theatrical premiere in July 2004.[16] The lyrics were penned by a team of writers including Na. Muthukumar, Yugabharathi, Pa. Vijay, Kabilan, and Arivumathi.[17] Vidyasagar selected a mix of established playback singers to suit the film's energetic and romantic themes.[18]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandakozhi | Shankar Mahadevan, Tippu | Na. Muthukumar | 4:50 |
| 2 | Kavidhai Iravu | Karthik, K. S. Chithra | Yugabharathi | 4:39 |
| 3 | Kilu Kiluppana (Version 1) | Adnan Sami, Premji Amaren, Pop Shalini | Pa. Vijay | 4:40 |
| 4 | Yaaro Nee | Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan | Kabilan | 5:01 |
| 5 | Adho Varaa | Harini, Pushpavanam Kuppusamy | Pa. Vijay | 4:14 |
| 6 | Siragu Mulaythathu | Madhu Balakrishnan | Arivumathi | 4:16 |
| 7 | Kilu Kiluppana (Version 2) | Karthik, Premji Amaren, Pop Shalini | Pa. Vijay | 4:37 |