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Vathiyar
DVD cover
Directed byA. Venkatesh
Written byA. Venkatesh
G. K. Gopinath (dialogues)
Story byArjun
Produced byV. Palanivel
A. C. Anandan
StarringArjun
Mallika Kapoor
CinematographyK. S. Selvaraj
Edited byP. Saisuresh
Music byD. Imman
Production
company
AP Film Garden
Release date
  • 11 November 2006 (2006-11-11)
Running time
170 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Vathiyar (/vɑːðjɑːr/ transl. Teacher) is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by A. Venkatesh from a story written by Arjun. The film stars Arjun and Mallika Kapoor, while Vadivelu, Pradeep Rawat, Prakash Raj, Manivannan and Amit Tiwari play supporting roles. The soundtrack and background score were composed by D. Imman.

Vathiyar was released on 11 November 2006 and recorded as an average venture at the box office. The film's climax action sequences were inspired by the 2005 Thai film Tom-Yum-Goong.

Plot

[edit]

The film opens with former Chief Minister Naachiyar being sentenced to prison for his involvement in the Housing Board construction scam. Refusing to pay the penalty, Naachiyar vows to exact vengeance on the incumbent Chief Minister for putting him behind bars. Meanwhile, notorious gangster Veera terrorizes the public, prompting them to seek help from Annadurai "Dorai". Dorai confronts Veera and his men, ultimately killing Veera. ACP Eshwara Pandian investigates the scene and identifies Dorai as the perpetrator. However, he is frustrated by the lack of evidence to arrest Dorai. Eshwara Pandian warns Dorai that he will apprehend him once he gathers sufficient proof, criticizing Dorai's use of violence to achieve justice. Dorai runs an orphanage called Annai Illam. His violent methods have estranged him from his mother and younger sister, Susheela. His mother works in a garment factory to make ends meet. During a medical camp at the orphanage, Dorai discovers that contaminated water is harming the children. He confronts Rajaram, the owner of the Zeo Leather factory, for polluting the water source. Seizing the opportunity, Dorai rallies the factory employees to strike against Rajaram, using their protest to demand the installation of a water processing unit in the factory, enraging Rajaram.

Anjali, a TV reporter hosting a prank show, becomes smitten with Dorai after witnessing his commitment to public service. She devises a plan to get close to him by pretending to be an orphan and convinces the orphanage attender, Ayyanar, to let her stay at Annai Illam. Her wealthy father also moves in, hiding their true identities. Together, they persuade the orphanage inmates to encourage Dorai to marry Anjali. Meanwhile, Dorai's sister Susheela is engaged to Prakash, and their wedding expenses become a concern. Dorai's mother refuses his financial help, fearing his money may be tainted by his violent past. Unbeknownst to Susheela, Dorai secretly facilitates Prakash's promotion to manager at Zeo Leather Factory, with the help of Rajaram, who has since reformed. Three months pass, and Naachiyar is released from prison. Dorai's vigilante activities continue, as he kills a rapist and sends the body to the police station, infuriating ACP Eshwara Pandian. However, Eshwara Pandian lacks evidence to apprehend Dorai. Anjali misinterprets Dorai's kindness towards a woman, assuming he is having an affair. Subramaniam clarifies that the woman is Veera's wife, affected with AIDS, and Dorai has been discreetly supporting her. Subramaniam then reveals a flashback about Dorai's past, shedding light on his motivations and actions.

In Kumbakonam, Dorai worked as a teacher. During a paper correction trip to Trichy, he rescued Subramaniam from a group of goons. Additionally, he saved a teenage girl from a misbehaving college teacher and confronted him. This incident led to Dorai's dismissal from school due to his violent confrontation. Dorai's mother was upset about his job loss and warned him against using violence in the name of righteousness. Meanwhile, Manickavel, another teacher, sought Dorai's help regarding substandard facilities at his school. Despite previously reporting the issue to the education department, Manickavel turned to Dorai due to their inaction. However, Dorai declined, citing his mother's advice to remain calm and focus on teaching. Tragedy struck when the school mentioned by Manickavel suffered a devastating fire, claiming the lives of 48 children due to inadequate escape facilities. Overcoming his mother's objections, Dorai confronted the district education officer, inspection officer, revenue officer, Tahsildar, Health Officer, Health department Joint Director, Fire officer, District Education officer, and chief education officer, to confess to accepting bribes and their inaction leading to the tragedy. However, his actions led to his arrest and subsequent conviction for killing the District Education Officer. Dorai was sentenced to a minimum of 3 years in prison.

In the present, Anjali learns about Dorai's past and recognizes his kind-hearted nature, and also Dorai accepts Anjali's love. His mother, who had previously disapproved of his violent methods, now understands his intentions and accepts him. Meanwhile, Eshwarapandian plots to trap Dorai, informing Naachiyar about his activities. Naachiyar, seeking revenge, orchestrates a bombing plot in Chennai. Dorai thwarts the plan by killing the terrorists involved and notifies Naachiyar. Naachiyar retaliates by poisoning the orphanage food, killing Lakshmi and hospitalizing others. Dorai seeks vengeance, attacking Naachiyar's farmhouse. However, Naachiyar shoots Dorai and buries him in a coffin. Miraculously, Dorai escapes and recuperates in a nearby clinic. Upon learning of Dorai's escape, Naachiyar orders the police commissioner to execute an encounter killing. Eshwarapandian kidnaps five Human Rights Commission members and vindicates Dorai's righteousness, stating that Dorai has done what the police couldn't - protect the public. Eshwarapandian discloses his deliberate attempts to cross paths with Dorai, utilizing him to eliminate criminals, and implores the members to save Dorai from Naachiyar's planned encounter killing.

On Vinayaka Chathurthi, Dorai secretly meets Eshwarapandian at a hospital, where he reveals that Eshwarapandian had indeed aided Dorai in eliminating criminals. Eshwarapandian discloses that Naachiyar stabbed him for helping Dorai. With his last breath, Eshwarapandian expresses his support for Dorai and shares the truth. Determined to stop Naachiyar, Dorai confronts him, only to learn that a bomb has been implanted in the Ganesha statue, which is now part of a procession, threatening thousands of lives. Dorai bravely beats Naachiyar and his men, then rushes to the beach, where the procession will culminate. With seconds to spare, Dorai successfully defuses the bomb hidden within the statue. However, in the chaos, Naachiyar mortally wounds Dorai. Enraged and motivated by his mother's words, Dorai kills Naachiyar.

Cast

[edit]
Cameo appearances

Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by D. Imman.[1] The song "Yennadi Muniyamma" is a remix of "Nee Munnala" from the unreleased film Vaanga Mappillai Vaanga (1984) sung by T. K. S. Natarajan.[citation needed]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Yennadi Muniyamma"T. K. S. NatarajanKarthik, Blaaze, T. K. S. Natarajan04:32
2."Engo Paarthirukiren"Thabu ShankarD. Imman04:34
3."Thanjavooru Gopuramey"Thabu ShankarKarthik, Kalyani04:12
4."Kayyaveesamma"Palani BharathiD. Imman, Joshna04:27
5."Pappalapaappa"Kalai KumarAnuradha Sriram04:51
Total length:22:36

Release

[edit]

Vathiyar was released on 10 November 2006.[2] Shortly after release, an assistant director lodged a complaint with the Chennai police commissioner, stating that his story was stolen and made as Vathiyar. Arjun denied the accusations, saying the story was his own.[3]

Critical reception

[edit]

S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu wrote, "The story is by Arjun and director A. Venkatesh has neatly woven the script to make it enjoyable for the masses".[4] TSV Hari of Rediff.com wrote "It is incredible that with two decent films Yei and Madarasi under his belt, director Venkatesh could not come up with something better. The songs of D. Imman are terrible. In a nutshell, the normally saleable star Arjun has torpedoed his future with this dud."[5] Lajjavathi of Kalki wrote that to move the screenplay briskly, director Venkatesh seems to have overlooked logic; this would have been another Gentleman for Arjun had the director shown the elegance for the whole film like he did in flashback.[6]

Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "'Vathiyar' is an amalgam of various films like 'Gentleman' and 'Muthalvan', incidentally, both were Arjun-starrers. But despite the sense of [deja vu], what keeps the story moving is the racy narration, Arjun's fight scenes and the Vadivelu track that provides some fun moments".[7] Sify wrote, "Arjun has been doing the same formula action movies for the last two decades and still survives! The 40 plus actor is giving competition to our younger heroes! The secret of his success is that, the man sticks to the basics and delivers quite a kick with his actioners. For the Nth time, in Vathiyar, he once again re-heats his magic potion, which still seems to be working with B and C audiences".[8]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Vathiyar

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vathiyar is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action directed by A. Venkatesh and written by lead actor , who portrays Durai, an director driven by a traumatic past to enforce vigilante justice against societal ills while estranged from his mother and monitored by law enforcement. The features in the lead female role, alongside supporting performances from in comic relief, as an antagonist, and other character actors including and , with a runtime of 163 minutes and composed by . Released on 10 November 2006, Vathiyar drew mixed critical reception for its derivative vigilante narrative reminiscent of prior Arjun vehicles, though it was acknowledged for the star's enduring physical prowess in action sequences and 's comedic contributions during his career peak.

Production

Development

The story for Vathiyar was conceived by lead actor , who provided the foundational narrative focusing on a vigilante protagonist addressing societal injustices through forceful interventions. The screenplay was developed by director A. Venkatesh, with dialogues penned by G. K. Gopinath, adapting the concept into a high-stakes action framework typical of Tamil cinema's mid-2000s output, where individual heroism often confronted systemic corruption and crime without reliance on formal institutions. This approach drew from prevailing genre conventions, emphasizing moral retribution over nuanced legal processes, as seen in contemporaneous films featuring self-appointed enforcers. Pre-production was managed under the AP Film Garden banner by producers V. Palanivel and A. C. Anandan, prioritizing fast-paced action sequences and commercial elements to appeal to mass audiences amid a competitive release slate in 2006. The project's scripting phase integrated on —portraying the lead as a do-gooder operating outside the —while avoiding deeper institutional critique, aligning with Arjun Sarja's established persona in action roles from the era. Development concluded with final preparations ahead of its Diwali-timed release on November 10, 2006, reflecting efficient turnaround common in Tamil industry's action productions.

Casting

Arjun Sarja was cast in the lead role as Annadurai, alias Dorai, a character embodying a vigilante ethos central to the film's action narrative. Sarja, known for his action-oriented roles in , also contributed the story, influencing the portrayal of the protagonist as a do-gooder don evading police pursuit while aiding the underprivileged. Mallika Kapoor portrayed the female lead, Anjali, a news reporter who intersects with Durai's activities. Supporting roles featured as Ayyanar, the attendant providing , a staple casting for the comedian in mid-2000s Tamil films. played the antagonist ACP Eashwarapandian, leveraging his frequent antagonist personas in South Indian cinema, with additional support from as Subramani, Pradeep Rawat as the MP, Devan, and .

Filming

The principal photography for Vathiyar was completed ahead of its theatrical release on November 10, 2006. K. S. Selvaraj oversaw the visual aspects, capturing the film's action-oriented sequences featuring lead actor Arjun in high-energy confrontations. duties were managed by P. Saisuresh, ensuring the pacing aligned with the production's emphasis on dramatic and stunt-driven narratives. The shoot, produced by AP Film Garden, proceeded without publicly documented delays or major incidents, reflecting standard logistical execution for a mid-budget Tamil action project of the era.

Plot

Synopsis

Durai, the , manages an while grappling with estrangement from his and intense scrutiny from police authorities who view his activities with suspicion. Despite these personal and institutional antagonisms, Durai resorts to extralegal to address rampant and societal wrongs, often clashing with entrenched powers that exploit the vulnerable. The story escalates as Durai navigates alliances and betrayals, including confrontations with corrupt officials and a persistent police pursuit led by a determined , heightening tensions around his orphanage's mission and his quest for without revealing ultimate outcomes.

Cast

Arjun Sarja stars as Annadurai, a philanthropist known as Dorai, who aids the poor while evading . Mallika Kapoor plays Anjali, a television news reporter who becomes entangled in Dorai's conflicts. Vadivelu portrays Ayyanar, Dorai's loyal comic sidekick providing relief amid action sequences. Prakash Raj appears as ACP Eashwara Pandian, the determined relentlessly pursuing Dorai. Supporting performers include Manivannan as Subramani, Devan in a key role, and Thalaivasal Vijay, contributing to the ensemble of allies and adversaries.

Soundtrack

Composition

The soundtrack for Vathiyar was composed by , a Tamil who entered the industry in 2002 with . By the time of Vathiyar's production in 2006, Imman had gained experience assisting established composers from age 15, focusing on keyboard performance and integration of diverse musical influences. The five-song , with a total runtime of approximately 22 minutes, was recorded to support the film's action-comedy elements, emphasizing rhythmic drive suitable for its narrative. Imman's approach incorporated fusion techniques, as evidenced by elements updating prior melodies with contemporary production, aligning with evolving Tamil soundtrack trends of the mid-2000s.

Track listing

The soundtrack album of Vathiyar comprises five tracks, with a total runtime of 22 minutes. It was released on April 1, 2006, ahead of the film's theatrical debut.
No.TitleSinger(s)Lyricist(s)Length
1Ennadi Muniyamma (Remix), Karthik, T. K. S. Natarajan4:32
2Kai Veesamma, Josna4:27
3Engo Paarthirukkiren, Thabu ShankarThabu Shankar4:34
4Thanjavooru PettaiTippu, 4:36
5PappalappaKalaikumar4:22

Reception

The soundtrack of Vathiyar, composed by , received negative critical feedback. In a review published on November 13, 2006, TSV Hari of described the songs as "terrible," contributing to the overall dismissal of the film's musical elements. Tracks such as "Ennadi Muniyamma," featuring rap elements by and vocals by Karthik, were promoted prominently but failed to garner widespread acclaim or documented chart placements in Tamil music lists during 2006. Comedy-oriented songs, including those tied to ’s sequences like "Pappalapaappa," appealed to niche audiences for their lighthearted appeal but did not achieve standalone hit status. No verifiable data on audio sales or radio airplay indicates significant empirical impact comparable to top Tamil releases of the era.

Release

Theatrical release

Vathiyar premiered theatrically on 10 November 2006 across . The film was certified U by the , permitting unrestricted viewing for all audiences without parental guidance requirements. Distribution focused primarily on , where it screened in local theaters to cater to the Tamil-language market. No significant delays or disputes with the censor board were reported prior to its debut.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing campaign for Vathiyar emphasized Arjun's reputation as an action hero and Vadivelu's established comedic draw to generate pre-release interest among audiences. Promotional posters featuring the lead actors were distributed to highlight the film's masala entertainer elements, including action sequences and humor. The film was initially slated for a Diwali 2006 release to leverage the festival's high attendance, a common strategy for building hype through seasonal excitement, though production disputes delayed the rollout to . No major audio launch events or trailer unveilings were prominently documented, with promotion relying on standard industry practices for mid-budget action films of the era.

Commercial performance

Box office analysis

Vathiyar did not rank among the top grossing Indian films of according to records from , which tracks major releases and their performance metrics. This absence from leading earners suggests the film attained only moderate commercial returns, typical for mid-budget action dramas of the era starring Arjun, without reaching the scale of blockbusters like those dominating the year's charts. Specific gross figures for or worldwide markets, along with and recovery estimates, remain unreported in verifiable trade analyses, limiting quantitative assessment to qualitative industry consensus of average viability. The late release timing likely contributed to subdued earnings potential amid post-festival audience fatigue and competition from earlier high-profile Tamil releases.

Reception

Critical response

Critics gave Vathiyar mixed reviews, with an aggregate user rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 80 votes. Reviewers commended the film's action sequences, particularly Arjun's robust fight scenes, which maintained a fast-paced narration despite familiar tropes. Vadivelu's comedic track was highlighted as a source of relief and entertainment, aligning with his peak popularity during the mid-2000s. However, the script faced criticism for its formulaic structure, drawing comparisons to earlier vigilante narratives like Basha and Gentleman, resulting in a sense of predictability and déjà vu. The direction by A. Venkatesh was seen as delivering standard masala elements—action, romance, and comedy—without innovation, catering primarily to fans of the genre rather than offering fresh social commentary on vigilantism. The film's portrayal of extrajudicial justice was critiqued implicitly as dated, lacking depth in addressing real-world causal implications of such tropes. The movie received no major awards or nominations from film bodies like the or National Film Awards, reflecting its limited critical acclaim beyond commercial appeal. Outlets like IndiaGlitz noted Arjun's enduring and intensity in his 40s as a standout, but overall, the consensus emphasized entertainment value over substantive storytelling.

Audience and commercial legacy

Vathiyar elicited a mixed response from audiences, reflected in its user rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 80 ratings, where viewers appreciated the action elements alongside comedic interludes by during his peak popularity in Tamil . The film's narrative of resonated with segments seeking formulaic mass entertainers, yet failed to generate widespread enthusiasm or repeat viewings indicative of stronger public engagement. Commercially, it registered average returns upon its November 11, 2006 release, aligning with Arjun's mid-2000s output that hovered between modest hits and underperformers without breaking into blockbuster territory. Over time, Vathiyar has not cultivated a notable commercial legacy, lacking re-releases, anniversary screenings, or pervasive cultural references in discourse that typify enduring action films from the era.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6765648/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vathiyar
  3. http://www.indiaglitz.com/vathiyar-review-tamil-movie-8630
  4. https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/va/20061113.htm
  5. https://letterboxd.com/film/vathiyar/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6765648/fullcredits/
  7. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/arjun-sarja/17378
  8. https://www.indiaglitz.com/arjun-takes-a-bow--news-25928
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6765648/releaseinfo/
  10. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/vaathiyar/cast-crew.html
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvQ67qHNDng
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6765648/plotsummary/
  13. https://www.moviecrow.com/movie/2586/vathiyar/story
  14. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vathiyar/cast-and-crew
  15. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/69434-vathiyar/cast?language=en-US
  16. https://varnam.my/75944/d-imman-reminiscing-his-21-years-of-musical-journey-in-the-film-industry/
  17. https://music.apple.com/us/album/vaathiyar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1706188248
  18. https://music.apple.com/us/album/vaathiyar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1842073664
  19. https://gaana.com/album/vaathiyar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack
  20. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/vaathiyar/SPQ6m5FjuTQ_
  21. https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/vaathiyar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-songs-T0005517
  22. https://www.tamilcollections.com/movie-lyrics/vathiyar-2006/
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0sqOM98yr0
  24. https://www.facebook.com/groups/197157980877452/posts/1470008586925712/
  25. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/oct-06-04/25-10-06-arjun.html
  26. https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2006&pageId=5
  27. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/reviews/2006/vathiyar-review-141106.html
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