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Vattaram
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 | This article's plot summary needs to be improved. (March 2025) |
| Vattaram | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Saran |
| Written by | Saran |
| Produced by | Saran |
| Starring | Arya Napoleon Kirat Bhattal |
| Cinematography | Venkatesh Anguraj |
| Edited by | Suresh Urs |
| Music by | Bharadwaj |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Gemini Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 165 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Vattaram is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action gangster film written, produced, and directed by Saran. The film stars Arya, Napoleon and Kirat Bhattal, while Ramji, Raaghav, Kadhal Dhandapani, and Avinash play supporting roles. The score and soundtrack are composed by Bharadwaj. The film was released on 21 October 2006 and was an average grosser.
Plot
[edit]Burma is the son of Gurupadam's chauffeur. Gurupadam, a rich businessman and arms dealer is Burma’s role model, and his dream is to be like him. Soon, Burma's father is framed by Ayravadham, Gurupadam's right-hand man, and unable to bear the humiliation, he commits suicide. Burma grows up in the mean streets to be a gun dealer and waits for an opportunity to enter Gurupadam’s house and take revenge. Soon, he wins over Gurupadam and his daughter Sangeetha. But Ayra and Veeravel, Gurupadom’s elder son, are tooth and nail opposed to him and fear that he will take over their empire. However, Burma uses tact and cunningness to overcome their resentment and wins over Gurupadom’s trust. Slowly, he starts to understand the machinations of the power play in the underworld. He uses Gurupadam’s bitter foe Karuppusamy aka A. K. Samy, who was once Gurupadam's close friend, to his advantage and causes havoc, which leads to a gripping climax.
Cast
[edit]- Arya as Burma (Vattaram)
- Napoleon as Gurupadam, a rich businessman and arms dealer
- Kirat Bhattal as Sangeetha Gurupadam, Gurupadam's daughter
- Ramji as Veeravel Gurupadam, Gurupadam's elder son
- Raaghav as Vetrivel Gurupadam, Gurupadam's younger son
- Kadhal Dhandapani as Ayravadam (Ayra)
- Avinash as Karuppusamy aka A. K. Samy
- Nassar as Thayumanavan
- Adithya Menon as Corrupt Inspector
- Vasundhara as Veena
- Anoop Kumar as Ramesh
- Srinath as Veena's brother
- Ramesh Khanna as Dilli, Burma's sidekick
- Vaiyapuri as Burma's sidekick
- Nellai Siva
- Balu Anand as Inspector
- Vijay Ganesh
Production
[edit]Saran had initially cast Vasundhara Kashyap in the lead role and rechristened her with the stage name of Adhisaya, before his team convinced him to cast someone else.[1] He also initially cast Kamna who left the film due to date issues while also considered Anushka Shetty,[2] Amogha, Reema Sen and Deepika Padukone but finally zeroed in debutant Kirat as the lead actress after seeing her in an advertisement.[3]
Music
[edit]The soundtrack was composed by Bharadwaj with lyrics by Vairamuthu.[citation needed]
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Naana Idhu Naana" | Kalyani |
| "Mudhal Mudhala" | Rajesh Krishnan & Janani Bharadwaj |
| "Ovvoru Pillaiyum" | Mukesh |
| "Idhu Kadhal Kadhal" | Rajesh Krishnan |
| "Unnai Partha" | Pop Shalini & Chorus |
| "Yaar Tharuvaar" | Bharadwaj |
| "Star Hotel Vendam" | Kavitha, Mrinalini & Sathyan |
Release and reception
[edit]Vattaram was released on 21 October 2006 on Diwali festival alongside Varalaru, Vallavan, Thalaimagan and Dharmapuri.[4] Sify wrote, "Saran's Vattaram is an engaging action packed masaala entertainer which moves at rapid pace. Director Saran has spiffily shot and stylishly packaged the film with a milieu that is new to Kollywood – Gun running trade".[5] Lajjavathi of Kalki wrote for people who is used of seeing gangsters with sickles, Saran has shown a different world stylishly.[6] Cinesouth wrote, "Though a bit slow in the first half, the second half is all action and energy, making Saran's 'Vattaram' a good entertainer".[7] Chennai Online wrote, "The backdrop is unusual for a Tamil film. The script is focused, with no silly comedy track or distracting scenes. 'Vattaram' is one of Saran's best efforts to date both as a scenarist and director. There is a lot more maturity and consistency that he reveals here than he has done in his earlier films".[8] The film's performance at the box office was impacted by the sudden release of delayed films including Varalaru and Vallavan.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Ajith and I went in disguise to watch Vijay films" | Interview with Director Saran | Fully Filmy. Fully Filmy. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2017 – via YouTube.[time needed]
- ^ Rangaraj, R (6 July 2006). "Saran signs Arya for 'Vattaram'". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "ஆர்யா இன்னொரு சூர்யா!". Kalki (in Tamil). 29 October 2006. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Malini Mannath, Malini (21 October 2006). "Diwali Release - 2006". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ "Vattaram". Sify. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ லஜ்ஜாவதி (12 November 2006). "வட்டாரம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 1. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Vattaram". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (6 November 2006). "Vattaram". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 1 December 2006. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
External links
[edit]- Vattaram at IMDb
- Vattaram at Rotten Tomatoes
Vattaram
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Development and Pre-production
Concept and Writing
Director Saran conceived Vattaram as an action gangster film centered on a revenge-driven narrative within the illicit arms trade, drawing inspiration from the real-life international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi to shape the central antagonist Gurupaadham as a suave multimillionaire operating between governments and local criminals.[7] This creative vision marked Saran's return to high-stakes action storytelling following his earlier works like Attagasam (2004) and Idhaya Thirudan (2006), where he promised to deliver a more intense, commercially oriented Tamil film emphasizing loyalty, betrayal, and underworld infiltration.[2] The story originates from a father-son dynamic, with the protagonist idolizing a powerful gangster figure from childhood, fueling a personal quest for power and vengeance in Chennai's criminal circles.[5] Saran personally penned the screenplay in the mid-2000s, crafting a plot where the lead character infiltrates a rival gang through cunning alliances and strategic rises in rank, highlighting themes of deception and retribution amid the arms smuggling underworld.[7] The script builds tension through unexpected twists, particularly in the first half, blending gritty realism with dramatic confrontations to explore the cyclical nature of gang loyalty and betrayal.[5] Initial title ideas reportedly considered various options evoking gang territories before settling on Vattaram, a Tamil term denoting a "circle" or localized network in slang, symbolizing the enclosed world of criminal alliances and turf wars.[2] Under his own production banner, Gemini Film Circuit, Saran oversaw the project with a focus on stylish execution to match the narrative's intensity, allocating resources toward dynamic action sequences and character-driven drama without confirmed budget figures exceeding standard mid-2000s Tamil productions around ₹10 crore.[2] This self-financed approach allowed Saran full creative control, aligning the film's vision with his signature blend of commercial masala elements and thematic depth in portraying gangster hierarchies.[7] The lead role was tailored for rising actor Arya, whose breakthrough performances in films like Ullam Ketkumae (2005) positioned him as an ideal fit for the ambitious anti-hero.[5]Casting
The principal cast of Vattaram features Arya in the lead role as Burma, the ambitious young henchman navigating the gangster world. This marked Arya's third leading role in Tamil cinema, following his debuts in Arinthum Ariyamalum (2005) and Ullam Ketkumae (2005), where Saran selected him for his ability to portray youthful intensity suitable for the action-oriented narrative.[8][9] Napoleon portrays the antagonist Gurupadam, a powerful businessman and arms dealer. Napoleon accepted the role primarily because it allowed him to wear a suit, marking a significant departure from his typical rural characters in films like Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1990) and Seevalaperi Pandi (1996), where he often appeared in traditional attire such as veshtis. In an interview, he stated, "When director Saran told me that my character would wear a suit in Vattaram, I immediately said yes without even hearing the story."[10] Kirat Bhattal makes her Tamil film debut as the female lead Sangeetha, Gurupadam's daughter and Burma's love interest. Bhattal was cast in the lead role, with Vasundhara Kashyap appearing in a supporting capacity as Veena.[3][11] The supporting ensemble includes Ramji as Veeravel, providing comic relief as Gurupadam's elder son; Raghav Ranganathan as Vetrivel, Gurupadam's son; Kadhal Dhandapani as Ayravadam; Avinash in a key supporting role; and Nassar in a cameo as the chauffeur. Additional cast members such as Srinath, Ramesh Khanna, and Anoop Kumar contribute to the gangster dynamics. Saran prioritized actors who could deliver the film's intense action sequences, conducting chemistry tests to ensure synergy among the leads.[12][13]Filming and Post-production
Principal Photography
Principal photography for Vattaram took place in various locations, including some scenes and songs shot in Goa and Kerala.[14] Director Saran completed the shooting swiftly within the planned schedule.[15] Cinematographer Venkatesh Anguraj employed gritty, high-contrast visuals to effectively capture the urban decay and intense action chases central to the film's narrative.[16] Key action sequences, including the filming of Burma's infiltration scenes and the climax shootout, relied on practical effects and minimal CGI to heighten realism during on-set production.Editing and Visual Effects
The editing of Vattaram was handled by Suresh Urs, who assembled the film's raw footage into a final cut with a runtime of 165 minutes.[17] This process focused on maintaining the narrative pace of the revenge-driven storyline while eliminating extraneous elements to heighten tension in key sequences. Urs, known for his work in South Indian cinema, had edited approximately 92 films by 2006. Sound design emphasized immersive audio layers, incorporating ambient gangster-era noises such as street clashes and weapon sounds to enhance the Tamil audience's engagement through synchronized dialogues. The integration of these elements created a gritty atmosphere without relying on extensive dubbing, as the production featured native Tamil performances. Visual effects were employed sparingly to support action elements, including bullet impact simulations and basic crowd enhancements during gang confrontations, executed by a modest team in Chennai. This approach aligned with the film's modest budget and 2006 production standards, avoiding elaborate CGI in favor of practical shots. Color grading was applied to underscore the film's dark, vengeful aesthetic, with desaturated tones and shadowed contrasts to evoke moral ambiguity and urban grit.Music and Soundtrack
Composition Process
The soundtrack was composed by Bharadwaj, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.[18]Track Listing and Release
The soundtrack album of Vattaram, composed by Bharadwaj, features seven tracks and was released on 30 September 2006 through Ayngaran International.[19] The lyrics for the songs were penned by Vairamuthu. The audio launch event took place in Chennai, with attendance from key cast members including Arya and Napoleon, as well as director Saran.[20] The album garnered moderate chart performance in Tamil music circles, particularly through radio airplay, where "Naana Idhu Naana" stood out as a hit single for its melodic and foot-tapping appeal.[18]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naana Idhu Naana | Kalyani | 4:28 |
| 2 | Mudhal Mudhala | Rajesh Krishnan, Janani | 4:50 |
| 3 | Ovvoru Pillaiyum | Mukesh | 4:12 |
| 4 | Idhu Kadhal Kadhal | Rajesh Krishnan | 4:32 |
| 5 | Unnai Paartha | Pop Shalini & Chorus | 4:45 |
| 6 | Yaar Tharuvaar | Bharadwaj | 4:55 |
| 7 | Star Hotel Vendam | Kavitha, Mrinalini, Sathyan | 4:58 |
Plot and Themes
Synopsis
The film opens with the suicide of Burma's father, a loyal chauffeur to the powerful arms dealer and ganglord Gurupadam, who is framed and betrayed by Gurupadam's aide Dhandapani in a botched arms transaction, leading to unbearable humiliation.[3][5] As a young boy idolizing Gurupadam despite the tragedy, Burma grows up on the streets of Chennai's Burma Bazaar as a small-time gun dealer, harboring a deep-seated desire for revenge while aspiring to emulate his father's employer's success. He seizes an opportunity to infiltrate Gurupadam's organization by saving the ganglord from an assassination attempt, quickly rising through the ranks to become a trusted henchman and right-hand man. During this time, Burma begins a romance with Gurupadam's daughter, Sangeetha (portrayed by Kirat Bhattal), who falls in love with him unaware of his ulterior motives.[2][5][21] Tensions escalate as Gurupadam's rival gang leader Karuppusamy plots against him amid ongoing turf wars. Burma manipulates the situation by fueling the rivalry and inciting chaos between the two factions, ultimately orchestrating a deadly confrontation in a warehouse shootout where he kills Gurupadam, avenging his father's death and fulfilling his long-nursed vow.[5][22] In the aftermath, Burma assumes control of Gurupadam's criminal empire, transforming from a vengeful street orphan into a ruthless kingpin, but the narrative closes on a cycle of unrelenting violence as he navigates the same treacherous underworld that claimed his family.[2][3]Key Themes
Vattaram explores the central theme of revenge and betrayal within the gangster genre, portraying the underworld as a realm where personal loyalties are fragile and vendettas drive the narrative. The title itself, meaning "circle" or "territory" in Tamil, symbolizes the inescapable fate of those entangled in gang life, where betrayals perpetuate a cycle of retribution that binds characters to their violent surroundings.[23][24]Cast and Characters
Main Cast
Arya as BurmaArya portrays Burma, the vengeful protagonist driven by a quest for retribution against his father's former employer, embodying the film's central conflict through his ascent in the criminal underworld.[25] His role highlights the tensions of loyalty and betrayal within gang hierarchies, positioning him as a key figure who disrupts established power structures.[13] Napoleon as Gurupadam
Napoleon plays Gurupadam, the ruthless arms dealer and gang leader who commands fear and respect in the illicit trade, serving as the antagonist whose decisions propel the narrative's conflicts.[25] His portrayal underscores the dominance of patriarchal authority in the film's depiction of organized crime dynamics.[26] Kirat Bhattal as Sangeetha
Kirat Bhattal makes her Tamil film debut as Sangeetha Gurupadam, Gurupadam's daughter and the love interest whose emotional vulnerability introduces a romantic dimension to the gang's power struggles, complicating alliances and rivalries.[27] She was cast in the role after Anushka Shetty withdrew from the project.[28] Her character contributes to the interpersonal tensions that influence the broader hierarchy of control and influence among the leads.[25]