Viswasam
| Viswasam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster
| |
| Directed by | Siva |
| Written by | Siva Aadhi Narayana K. Manikandan Ra. Savarimuthu Antony Bakyaraj Chandran Pachaimuthu |
| Produced by |
T. G. Thyagarajan (presenter) Sendhil Thyagarajan Arjun Thyagarajan |
| Starring |
Ajith Kumar Nayanthara Jagapathi Babu |
| Cinematography | Vetri Palanisamy |
| Edited by | Ruben |
| Music by | D. Imman |
Production company |
|
| Distributed by | KJR Studios Raja Mannar Films Sakthi Film Factory |
Release date |
|
Running time |
156 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹100 crore |
| Box office | est. ₹185–200 crore |
Viswasam (transl. Loyalty) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Siva. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Nayanthara, Jagapathi Babu and Anikha Surendran. Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, the film was officially announced on 20 November 2017 and principal photography began in May 2018.
The film was released on 10 January 2019 and performed well at the box office. The film received mixed reviews from critics D. Imman won Best Music Director at the 67th National Film Awards.
Plot
Thookkudurai is the well-respected chieftain and businessman of his village Koduvilarpatti in Theni. After ten years, a festival is set to occur at the village's Ayyanar temple. Thookudurai's family and his friends have been longing to see his wife and his daughter. After much deliberation, Thooku Durai decides to go to Mumbai to meet them. During the journey, Thooku Durai's uncles's Merit and Rosamani are upset over Thooku Durai's current life and reminces his life 10–12 years ago. Thooku Durai used to be a happy-go-lucky man and a rice mill owner, who uses violent ways to deal with problems.
While chasing a few goons, Thooku Durai stumbles across a doctor named Niranjana, who witnesses his antics and lodges a case against him. When Thooku Durai sees Niranjana, he immediately falls for her and he surrenders to the police. but she is later forced to release him after Aavudaiyappan threatens to close her medical camp unless she pays him. After fighting the goons, Thooku Durai relocates her field to his rice mill. Niranjana realizes her love for Thooku Durai and proposes to him, which he accepts after some consideration. They get married and lead a happy life, but Niranjana is disturbed by Thooku Durai's involvement in feuds. Soon, she gets pregnant and is accepted to go to one of the most exceptional pharmaceutical programs abroad, which she refuses for Thooku Durai.
After their daughter Swetha is born, Niranjana leaves out of town, after getting a promise from Thooku Durai not to bring Swetha to any fights. On the way to pick her from the station, Aavudaiyappan, who is waiting for revenge, picks up a fight with Thooku Durai. Not finding Niranjana at the train station, Thooku Durai finds her at home, and the baby passes out as she had been injured during the fight. After rushing to the emergency ward, she survives, but Niranjana gets infuriated at Thooku Durai and tells him to stay away from her and the child. She leaves the village to the city. After the flashback, Thooku Durai tries to meet up with Niranjana at her company Niranjana Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, but to no avail. He later sees his daughter Swetha, who is in contention for the Junior National 100 m title.
Swetha travels home when attempts are made to kill her. Thooku Durai arrives at the nick of time to save her. It is then revealed that well-known entrepreneur Gautham Veer is the one behind this as his daughter Neha had been paralyzed while attempting suicide. Gautham is the owner of Skyline exports and owns a range of multinational companies, and expects the first position in everything, as he used to achieve the same in his earlier days, including academics and sports. He expects the same of his daughter Neha, who is slower than Swetha by milliseconds. After Gautham threatens Neha that she would find no affection in him if she loses, she resorts to doping, which helps her win the race. Unfortunately, this is found out by Swetha, who reports it to the authorities. Fearing that her father's reputation and affection would completely vanish, Neha attempts suicide but becomes paralyzed in the process.
Gautham is distraught on seeing his daughter's condition and vows to have Swetha killed at any cost. After saving her, Thooku Durai requests Niranjana to appoint him as Swetha's driver for the next ten days, until her competition, on the condition that he does not reveal about him being her father, to which she reluctantly agrees. He enjoys being in the company of his daughter while saving her from goons on multiple occasions. Thooku Durai later meets Gautham and challenges him. Unfortunately, Thooku Durai is run over by a car before Swetha's competition and is critical. Swetha then is forced to leave for America, and Thooku Durai recovers. Swetha also brings Gautham's daughter and wife. Before the competition, Gautham fights an already injured Thooku Durai, at which point Niranjana reveals that Thooku Durai is Swetha's father. Swetha lags during the meet as she has no encouragement.
Thooku Durai fights Gautham back, reaches the track, and encourages his daughter by whistling. Swetha wins the race. At the same time, Gautham arrives on the road to attack Thooku Durai, but after seeing his daughter's recovery, he realizes his mistake. Thooku Durai tells Gautham that children should grow up as they desire and not burden them with what their parents want. Swetha is announced as the winner, along with Thooku Durai's name added to her name by Niranjana, and they reunite with Thooku Durai.
Cast
- Ajith Kumar as Thookku Durai
- Nayanthara as Niranjana, Thookku Durai's wife
- Anikha Surendran as Swetha, Thookku Durai and Niranjana's daughter
- Jagapathi Babu as Gautham Veer, Thooku Durai's rival
- Vivek as Kesavan
- Thambi Ramaiah as Rosamani
- Robo Shankar as Merit
- Kovai Sarala as Philomeena
- Yogi Babu as Velu
- Saloni Umesh Burde as Neha
- Kalairani as Pechiammal, Thookudurai's aunt
- Sujatha Sivakumar as Thookudurai's aunt
- Rajitha as Thookudurai's aunt
- R. N. R. Manohar as Thookudurai's uncle
- Cheeniamma as Thookudurai's grandmother
- Jangiri Madhumitha as Thookudurai's cousin
- Ramesh Thilak as Thookudurai's friend
- Namo Narayana as Thookudurai's friend
- Bharath Reddy as Swetha's coach
- Surekha Vani as Gautham's wife
- Ravi Prakash as Gautham's personal assistant
- Mime Gopi as Aavudaiyappan
- O. A. K. Sundar as Kozhimuthu, Thookudurai's rival
- Narayan Lucky as Niranjana's colleague/manager
- Papri Ghosh as Priya, Niranjana's colleague
- Sakshi Agarwal as Niranjana's colleague
- T. M. Karthik as Niranjana's colleague
- Sharmila Thapa as Niranjana's colleague
- George Maryan as a police inspector
- Ramachandran Durairaj as a police constable
- Hello Kandasamy as a police constable
- Mathew Varghese as a district collector
- Chatrapathi Sekhar as Khadar, Thookudurai's friend
- Sampath Ram as Kozhimuthu's aid
- Meesai Ramesh as a villager
- Ravi Awana as D'Souza, a wrestler
- Temper Vamsi as a corporate official
- Sai Siddharth as a Thookudurai friend
Production
Development
The collaboration between Sathya Jyothi Films, director Siva, and actor Ajith Kumar was announced via the studio's official Twitter handle in late November 2017, after months of speculation on Ajith Kumar's next project. Nayanthara was announced as the lead actress in early February 2018. D. Imman was signed on to work as the film's music composer, which marked his first collaboration with Ajith Kumar and Siva. This would be Yogi Babu's 100th film as an actor.
Filming
Principal photography was supposed to begin on 23 March 2018 but was pushed back significantly to the Tamil Film Producers Council's strike. It eventually began on 7 May at Hyderabad, and wrapped in November 2018 and released for Pongal 2019.
Music
The soundtrack album is composed by D. Imman, making his first collaboration with Ajith Kumar and Siva. The background music was copied for the Bollywood film Marjaavaan, directed by Milap Milan Zaveri and starring Sidharth Malhotra, Tara Sutaria and Riteish Deshmukh in lead roles.
Release
Theatrical
Viswasam was released on 10 January 2019, coinciding with the occasion of Thai Pongal festival along with Rajinikanth starrer Petta.
Home media
The film was released on digital platform Amazon Prime Video on 25 February 2019. The satellite rights were sold to Sun Network.
Reception
Box office
The film collected more than ₹15 crore (US$2.34 million) in Tamil Nadu, ₹2 crore (US$311,760.06) in Kerala, more than ₹1.5 crore (US$233,820.04) in Karnataka, ₹1 crore (US$155,880.03) in Rest of India, more than ₹7 crore (US$1.09 million) in Overseas and with a total of ₹25.4 crore (US$3.96 million) in first day. The film collected ₹33.50 crore (US$5.22 million) in India in 2 days. The film collected ₹180 crore (US$28.06 million) worldwide in 3 weeks.
Critical response
The film received mixed reviews praising the performances(particularly Ajith Kumar and Jagapathi Babu), action sequences, soundtrack, film's score and emotional quotient but criticism for the direction, screenplay, and predictable plot
. The Times of India rated 3/5, stating, "The film follows the regular template in its narration and changes track at a point keeping in mind to reach all sections of audience. The plot also becomes predictable once the real story unfolds. But the lack of evident flaws make it a one time watch entertainer".Behind Woods rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam is packaged with right commercial elements to satisfy the family audience and Thala fans".Film Companion rated 3/5 stating "A lot of mainstream filmmaking is about finding new ways to tell the same old story. With Viswasam, Siva does more. He justifies his star’s faith in (and perseverance with) him". First Post rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam has several moments worth paying a visit to the theatre. The bang for buck interval fight sequence in the rain is one of the highlights of the film. As a pair, Ajith and Siva make a strong comeback with the film, which has its issues but makes for quite an entertaining watch anyway".India Glitz rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam is Siva – Ajith combo's emotional Pongal treat for families".Sify rated 3/5 stating "Ajith is endearing and is in tremendous form that the actor looks super energetic as Thooku Durai. Viswasam is a pucca family entertainer for this Pongal festival. Go and enjoy with your family!".India Today rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "After churning out an underwhelming spy thriller Vivegam, Ajith and director Siruthai Siva go back to the rural route with Viswasam. But the film does not do justice to expectations and is impressive only in parts, says our review".The News Minute rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "After touring Eastern Europe in 'Vivegam', Siva brings Ajith back to Tamil Nadu and it proves to be a wise move".The Hindu stated "The problem with the film is that it offers very little for Ajith, the star".Hindustan Times rated 1.5 out of 5 stars stating "While the idea would have been to make audience feel the moment of sweet victory, all it does is ruin the palette for those who enjoy a good commercial film".Deccan Chronicle stated "Though there’s nothing new by way of story, Siva has made a movie that is all about a mass star – Thala Ajith".Cinema Express rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Director Siva's biggest achievement is giving us an Ajith who is having fun on screen after a long time, apart from which the film mainly works on surprise value".
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edison Awards | 12 January 2020 | Mass Hero Of The Year | Ajith Kumar | Pending |
|
| Best Film | Viswasam | Pending | |||
| Favourite Actress | Nayanthara | Pending | |||
| Best Music Director | D. Imman | Pending | |||
| Best Playback Singer – Male | Sid Sriram ("Kannaana Kanney") | Pending | |||
| Best Child Artist | Anikha | Pending | |||
| Best Movie Poster | Anil & Bhanu | Pending | |||
| National Film Awards | 25 October 2021 | Best Music Direction | D. Imman | Won | |
| Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | 15 January 2020 | Best Music Diretor | Won | ||
| Best Playback Singer Male | Sid Sriram ("Kannaana Kanney") | Won | |||
| Best Lyricist | Thamarai ("Kannaana Kanney") | Won | |||
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 18–19 September 2021 | Best Film – Tamil | Sathya Jyothi Films | Nominated | |
| Best Actor – Tamil | Ajith Kumar | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in a Negative Role – Tamil | Jagapathi Babu | Nominated | |||
| Best Lyricist – Tamil | Thamarai – (for "Kannaana Kanney") | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress – Tamil | Nayanthara | Won | |||
| Best Music Director – Tamil | D. Imman | Won | |||
| Zee Cine Awards Tamil | 4 January 2020 | Favourite Film of The Year | Viswasam | Won |
|
| Favourite Heroine | Nayanthara | Won | |||
| Favourite Music Director | D. Imman | Won | |||
| Favourite Song | "Kannaana Kanney" | Won | |||
| Best Playback Singer – Male | Sid Sriram ("Kannaana Kanney") | Won | |||
| Best Lyricist | Thamarai ("Kannaana Kanney") | Won |