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Vathikuchi
Vathikuchi
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Vathikuchi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byP. Kinslin
Written byP. Kinslin
Produced byAR Murugadoss
StarringDileepan
Anjali
CinematographyR. B. Gurudev
Edited byPraveen K. L.
N. B. Srikanth
Music byGhibran
Production
companies
AR Murugadoss Productions
Fox Star Studios
Release date
  • 15 March 2013 (2013-03-15)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Vathikuchi (transl. Matchstick) is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by newcomer P. Kinslin and produced by AR Murugadoss in association with Fox Star Studios. The film stars Dileepan, the younger brother of Murugadoss, in his acting debut and Anjali, while Jayaprakash, Sampath Raj and Jagan appear in supporting roles.[1] The film, which has music composed by Ghibran, released on 15 March 2013 to a positive response from critics and performed well at the box office.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Sakthi is an auto rickshaw driver, who is in love with his neighbour, Leena. His life changes when he runs into three dangerous criminals who want him dead.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was first announced in January when it was revealed that Murugadoss's brother Dileepan would make his debut as an actor in a venture to be co-produced by Fox Star Studios.[3][4] The title Vathikuchi was derived from the song "Vathikuchi Pathikadhuda" from Murugadoss's directorial debut Dheena (2001).[5] After winning accolades for her performance in Engaeyum Eppothum, Anjali was signed up by Murugadoss as the lead actress.[4]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ghibran. The soundtrack was released on 13 February 2013.[6][7][8]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Kuru Kuru"Na. MuthukumarSundar Narayana Rao04:30
2."Amma Wake Me Up"Pa. Vijay & ShabirShruthi Ravi, Anitha Karthikeyan & Shabir04:28
3."Kanna Kanna"ArivumathiSundar Narayana Rao04:54
4."Ari Unnai"YugabharathiShabir & Saisharan04:11
5."Theme Music"GhibranGhibran03:45

Marketing and release

[edit]

Because the lead character is an auto rickshaw driver, the makers of Vathikuchi promoted the film through auto rickshaws. At least four or five branded auto rickshaws would travel through Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore for promoting the film. Vathikuchi was released on 15 March 2013.[9]

Critical reception

[edit]

Vivek Ramz from in.com rated it 3 out of 5 and stated that Vathikuchi is more brawny than brainy. He added that Director Kinslin shows promise in his debut film with different treatment for this somewhat clichéd story. His way of storytelling is realistic at times with very grounded level approach towards a common man issue. The problem with the film is that he has introduced too many characters and made few simple situations more complex which works at times and at other times backfired. Finally concluding that it's not a bad film at all and can be watched once![10] Karthik Subramanian of The Hindu wrote that the film "is not so much bad in the way it is executed but the story just gets progressively mind-numbingly stupid".[11] Sify wrote, "Vathikuchi directed by P Kinslin is half baked and has too many plot holes. However, the first half of the film is quite entertaining, but post interval the film drags and a forced climax makes the debutant hero larger- than- life which sticks out like a sore thumb".[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Vathikuchi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vathikuchi (transl. Matchstick) is a Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by newcomer P. Kinslin in his directorial debut and produced by A. R. Murugadoss under his A. R. Murugadoss Productions banner in association with Fox Star Studios. The film stars as Shakthi, an auto-rickshaw driver in , and Anjali as his neighbor and love interest , with supporting roles played by , , Jagan, and Jayaprakash. It was released on March 15, , and centers on Shakthi's unwitting entanglement with three rival criminal gangs who seek to eliminate him after he stands up to their harassment, forcing him into a desperate fight for survival amid the city's underbelly. The production featured cinematography by R. B. Gurudev, editing by Praveen K. L. and , and a musical score by Ghibran, whose soundtrack—including tracks like "Kuru Kuru" and "Amma Wake Me Up"—received praise for its energetic fusion of folk and electronic elements that complemented the film's gritty tone. Shot primarily in Chennai's low-income locales to capture authentic urban realism, Vathikuchi emphasizes themes of ordinary resilience against , though critics noted its narrative inconsistencies and over-the-top action sequences in the latter half. Upon release, it garnered mixed reviews, with an user rating of 6.3/10, lauded for Dileepan's earnest performance and technical execution but critiqued for a predictable plot and lack of emotional depth. The film was an average grosser at the . It marked an early showcase for Ghibran's rising prominence in and highlighted emerging talents in the industry.

Plot and cast

Plot

Sakthi (), a share auto-rickshaw driver in Chennai's low-income neighborhood, leads a simple life with his supportive family, including his doting mother (). He develops a light-hearted romance with his chatty neighbor Leena (Anjali), who aspires to marry a well-to-do man and attends English coaching classes, often bantering with Sakthi about his modest profession. Sakthi's habit of helping strangers without ulterior motives inadvertently draws him into conflicts with three unrelated criminal gangs, each seeking his death for separate reasons. First, he humiliates goon-for-hire (Sampath Raj) by thrashing him during an altercation, exposing Benny's operations. Second, Sakthi disrupts mastermind Gangariya's (Jayaprakash) elaborate six-month murder plot by intervening at a critical moment. Third, he becomes an obstacle to his neighbor Vanaraj (Jagan), who plans a for a quick fortune and views Sakthi as a to his scheme. These incidents, revealed through flashbacks, turn Sakthi's routine life into a nightmare of pursuits across urban . As the gangs converge independently, Sakthi faces relentless chases, beatings, and near-fatal encounters, including a close escape from Vanaraj's shooting attempt that lands him in Benny's clutches, followed by interference from a corrupt cop on Gangariya's . Resourceful and quick-witted, Sakthi evades capture using everyday items during intense sequences. The thriller escalates with high-stakes action in city settings, blending , , and heroism as Sakthi navigates the threats alone. In the climax, Sakthi confronts all three antagonists in a unified, action-packed showdown, leveraging his resilience and street smarts to turn the tables despite the odds. He ultimately survives the ordeals, thwarts the gangs' plans, and resolves his relationship with , affirming his unyielding sense of justice amid the chaos.

Cast

The lead role of Sakthi, a resilient auto driver entangled in escalating dangers, is played by in his acting debut. Anjali portrays the dual-named character Leena/Meena, serving as Sakthi's supportive love interest and neighbor from a rural background. Her casting followed her critically acclaimed performance in the 2011 film . Sampath Raj enacts Benny, a ruthless hired killer characterized by his cold-blooded and methodical pursuit tactics. Jayaprakash plays Gangariya, a jeweler who evolves into a vengeful driving key conflicts. Jagan appears as Vanaraj, a street-smart criminal with a cunning edge in his interactions. In supporting roles, portrays Natarajan, a thug providing gritty muscle to the narrative's criminal elements. takes on the part of Sakthi's mother, acting as the emotional anchor for the protagonist's personal struggles. Additional cast members include , , and V. C. R. Vatsan in various supporting capacities.

Production

Development

The development of Vathikuchi marked the directorial debut of P. Kinslin, who also penned the for this urban thriller centered on the perils of a share auto driver. Produced by A.R. Murugadoss Productions in collaboration with Fox Star Studios, the project assembled a team focused on showcasing emerging talents in . Kinslin approached , the younger brother of producer A.R. Murugadoss, for the lead role of Shakthi, selecting him due to his natural fit for the everyday character of a share and familial connections that facilitated the debut without compromising on preparation. Dileepan underwent rigorous training, including a year observing and driving share autos in while honing his skills at the Koothu-P-Pattarai theater group, to authentically portray the protagonist's grounded persona. Anjali was cast as the female lead after her rising prominence from films like (2011), bringing established appeal to the romantic subplot. For the supporting roles, established actors like were chosen to portray the primary antagonist , emphasizing intensity in the thriller elements, while Jayaprakash took on another key villainous part to enhance narrative authenticity. The technical crew included cinematographer R.B. Gurudev, responsible for capturing the urban backdrop, and editors and , who handled the pacing of the action sequences. Music composer Ghibran was brought on board early to align the score with the film's tense, street-level crime atmosphere. These decisions underscored the production's aim to blend commercial action with realistic character-driven storytelling on a modest scale.

Filming

Principal photography for Vathikuchi primarily took place in crowded urban , , , capturing the everyday chaos of streets, auto stands, and neighborhoods central to the film's action-thriller narrative. The production began in early following the project's announcement and wrapped up ahead of the soundtrack launch in February 2013, with the total shoot spanning approximately six to eight months. In , editors Praveen K. L. and focused on tightening the footage to preserve the film's fast-paced rhythm, with minor reshoots conducted to enhance action clarity.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Vathikuchi was composed by Ghibran, who blended tense electronic beats and orchestral elements for the film's thriller sequences with melodic tracks emphasizing romance and urban energy. Ghibran's score incorporates four original songs alongside instrumental themes, totaling around 40 minutes, drawing on raaga-based structures like and while integrating native percussion and strings to heighten suspense in chase scenes. The compositions reflect the plot's themes of resilience and fleeting , with evoking danger and emotional turmoil amid urban pursuits. The full track listing includes the following songs:
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1"Kuru Kuru"Sundar Narayana Rao4:30
2"Amma Wake Me Up", ShabirShabir, Shruthi Ravi, 4:28
3"Kanna Kanna"ArivumathiSundar Narayana Rao4:54
4"Ari Unnai"Shabir, 4:11
These durations are from the official album release. Ghibran employed thunderous percussion and racy electronic synths in tracks like "Ari Unnai" to mirror the film's high-tension auto-rickshaw chases, creating a pulsating that builds thriller intensity through crescendoing strings and keys. In contrast, romantic pieces such as "Kuru Kuru" feature violin-led melodies with minimal , allowing space for lyrical expressions of love under duress, while "Kanna Kanna" incorporates jazz-influenced swing and native percussion for an urban folk-tinged vibe suited to the narrative's gritty backdrop. The background score integrates these elements, with the "Vathikuchi Theme" using high-pitched strings and menacing beats to underscore action sequences. The was launched on 13 February 2013, ahead of the film's release.

Album release

The audio launch of Vathikuchi took place on 13 February 2013 at the mall in , where actor Vijay served as the chief guest and formally released the album. Vijay praised the film's trailer and commended debutant lead actor for his potential during the event, which was attended by producer A. R. Murugadoss and other cast members. Distributed by Think Music, the soundtrack was promoted through online teaser clips of individual tracks, such as "Amma Wake Me Up," shared on platforms like YouTube to build anticipation ahead of the full release. These teasers were integrated into the film's promotional trailer, enhancing visibility across digital channels and Tamil music streaming services. The album garnered initial positive reception for composer Ghibran's innovative fusion of orchestral elements and contemporary beats, marking a fresh departure in Tamil film scoring. Tracks like "Kuru Kuru" quickly climbed Tamil music charts, appearing in top-ten lists on sites like Behindwoods, and achieved moderate commercial success as a standalone product prior to the film's theatrical debut.

Release

Marketing

The marketing efforts for Vathikuchi emphasized and thematic promotions aligned with the film's centered on a share auto-rickshaw driver, aiming to build anticipation among urban youth and local communities in . A key innovative campaign involved branding four to five auto-rickshaws with the film's posters and taglines, which were deployed to operate in major cities including , , and starting in March 2013. These mobile billboards not only raised visibility in everyday commuting routes but also featured accompanying flash mobs where young performers danced to the at strategic public spots, creating an interactive and energetic buzz. Trailer and poster releases further amplified the pre-release hype, with the official trailer launching on , 2013, via digital platforms to spotlight the urban thriller elements and Dileepan's acting debut as the . Posters highlighted high-octane action sequences, depicting Dileepan in intense chase scenes on a surrounded by pursuing bikers, underscoring the film's adrenaline-fueled tone. As a co-production with Fox Star Studios, these materials were integrated into the studio's online channels for broader digital dissemination. Publicity events played a crucial role in engaging media and fans, including press meets attended by producer A.R. Murugadoss, where he emphasized the film's fresh take on crime thriller tropes and support for debutant director Kinslin. The audio launch on February 13, 2013, at in doubled as a crossover promotional platform, with actor Vijay releasing the composed by Ghibran and praising the trailer's impact during his speech, drawing significant media coverage and fan attendance. These initiatives focused on targeted outreach to youth demographics and auto-rickshaw communities, fostering organic word-of-mouth ahead of the March 15 theatrical release.

Distribution and box office

Vathikuchi received a worldwide theatrical release on 15 March 2013. In , the film was distributed by Fox Star Studios. It was also released internationally in key diaspora markets, including on the same date. A dubbed Telugu version titled Pranam Kosam was released in 2014 and achieved average business. In , it recorded an above-average opening with ₹62.19 collected over the opening weekend across 363 shows and an average occupancy of 50%. By the end of the third week, cumulative collections in reached ₹1.71 , reflecting average to above-average occupancy levels, such as 70% during the opening weekend in select urban theaters. Overall, Vathikuchi achieved average performance relative to its modest budget, as exact figures are unavailable but trade reports indicate so. The film recovered its costs primarily through strong showings in urban multiplexes like those in , aided briefly by targeted marketing efforts such as auto campaigns.

Reception

Critical response

Vathikuchi received mixed reviews from critics, with an average rating of around 3 out of 5 stars across major publications. awarded it 3/5, praising the realistic action sequences and lead actor Dileepan's promising debut performance while criticizing the predictable plot elements. In contrast, described the story as "progressively mind-numbingly stupid," highlighting a forced climax that undermined the narrative's coherence. noted that while the concept initially grabs attention, the film fails to maintain momentum, resulting in a lackluster overall experience. Critics identified several strengths, particularly in technical aspects. The by R. B. Gurudev was commended for its swift and effective visuals that enhanced the thriller's tone. Ghibran's background score was highlighted for building tension and elevating key scenes, contributing to the film's atmospheric intensity. However, common criticisms focused on weaknesses, including convoluted logic in the antagonists' motivations and an underdeveloped romantic subplot that felt tacked on. The film showed a divide between critical and audience reception, with positive word-of-mouth among younger viewers drawn to its thriller elements and urban setting. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 50% score based on limited reviews.

Accolades

Vathikuchi received one notable nomination at the 2014 South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) in the Tamil category for Best Male Debutant, awarded to lead actor Dileepan for his performance as Sakthi; the award ultimately went to Gautham Karthik for Kadal. While the film did not secure any wins, it marked significant debuts for director P. Kinslin and actor , contributing to A. R. Murugadoss's reputation as a producer of emerging talents in . This recognition aligned with critical praise for Dileepan's raw portrayal, highlighting the film's role in spotlighting new voices despite its modest commercial outcome.

References

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