Ethir Neechal
Theatrical release poster
Directed byR. S. Durai Senthilkumar
Written byR. S. Durai Senthilkumar
Produced byDhanush
Starring
CinematographyVelraj
Edited byKishore Te.
Music byAnirudh Ravichander
Production
company
Distributed byVendhar Movies[1]
Release date
  • 1 May 2013 (2013-05-01)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹5 crore
Box office₹22 crore

Ethir Neechal (transl. Swimming against the tide) is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy drama film written and directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar in his directorial debut. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Anand and Nandita Swetha. Produced by Dhanush under his studio Wunderbar Films, it was distributed by S. Madhan under the banner Vendhar Movies.[2] Principal photography commenced on 23 July 2012, and was ended on 22 February 2013. The music for the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography performed by Velraj and editing by Kishore Te. The film was released on 1 May 2013 to generally positive reviews and became a blockbuster.

Plot

In 1985, in rural Tanjore a woman named Sivagami has complications while giving birth. Sivagami's husband prays to his native deity that if she delivers his baby successfully, he would name the baby with the name of the deity. The baby is born without any problems and as per the wish, they name the baby Kunjithapadham. As a boy, Kunjithapadham faces many problems and embarrassments due to his name, as his peer mates call him "Kunju" or "Kunji" (the private part of the male body). He decides to change his name, but his mother falls severely ill, and he prays to God that he would never change his name. His mother recovers, and they move to Chennai.

Years later, Sivagami dies. Kunjithapadam's friend Peter advises him to change his name in order to have a change in his life. After meeting an astrologer Gunasekara Raja, he legally renames himself "Harish". He also changes residence and job. Luck starts to him from that day onwards. He falls in love with Geetha, a school teacher, and succeeds in winning her heart. He later gets a job, and life goes smoothly for him. One day, his lottery ticket hits victory, and he must cash it in for a TV as a prize. However, the lottery has registered his earlier name as "Kunjithapadham". He gets the TV using Peter, but Geetha finds out his true name and berates him for lying to her about his name. She tells him that he needs to succeed at something in life in order to win her heart.

Harish decides to participate in the coming Chennai Marathon. He meets a trainer, J. Prakash alias JP, who takes him to his former student Valli, who had quit athletics. She agrees to train Harish. Later, he sees her crying in the terrace with a photo of her deceased father. Harish asks her to tell her past. Valli was a naturally talented athlete from her young days. Her father supported her talent and spoke with many men to get her past many tournaments. She got into a state level tournament where she beat the rookie of the corrupt coach Raja Singh. Infuriated, Raja Singh accused Valli of failing a gender verification test. The board punished Valli and stopped her from participating. Heartbroken, Valli's father died of a heart attack. JP then met with an accident.

Hearing this flashback, Harish is moved and decides to win the marathon. Geetha also urges him to win it for the sake of Valli. During the marathon, Harish faces stiff competition from another one of Raja Singh's rookies Rahul, but he eventually wins the race and publicly reveals Valli's innocence. Raja Singh is arrested, and Valli resumes athletics. Harish later opens and runs a training academy under his original name. A man named Dinakaran, acting on Harish's advice, proposes his love to Valli, and she accepts.

Cast

Production

Development

Dhanush signed up actor Sivakarthikeyan in his maiden production venture, directed by newcomer R. S. Durai Senthilkumar, a former assistant of Vetrimaaran. Priya Anand was signed up as heroine.[2] She revealed, that Ethir Neechal is a city-based story without cheap comedy, vulgar dialogues or inappropriate scenes.[3] The film's title was derived from the 1968 film of the same name.[4] It was reported that Dhansika of Aravaan fame was cast as the second heroine. Soon after Dhansika left the project, Vasundhara Das was chosen to reprise the role. However Nandita Swetha of Attakathi fame was signed in, rehearsing the role of an athlete.[5] Anirudh Ravichander was hired as the music director, after his debut film 3. The film's technical crew included Velraj as the cinematographer, Kishore Te as the editor, G. Durairaj handling the art direction, Anu Parthasarathy as the costume designer, Stunt Silva choreographing the action sequences[6] and Baba Bhaskar as dance choreographer.

Filming

The film's photo shoot involving Siva Karthikeyan and Priya Anand happened at the Set Fire Studios, Chennai on 7 June 2012.[7] The principal photography for the film was commenced on 23 July 2012, with the first shot took by Balu Mahendra.[8] Dhanush and Nayanthara will be seen in a special appearance, dancing together in the Kuthu number Sathiyama Nee Enakku (Local Boys), with Nayanthara designing costumes for herself.[9] The song was shot in Nagercoil at a Punjabi dhabha restaurant.[10][11] The film's shooting wrapped up on 22 February 2013,[12] with the post production activities, being commenced after the shoot which was completed on 24 April 2013.[1][13]

Music

The soundtrack features six songs that belonged to varied genres; Vaali, Dhanush and R. S. Durai Senthilkumar penned lyrics for two songs each. For the title track "Ethir Neechal" composer Anirudh hired Punjabi rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh,[14][15] and Adhi from the duo Hiphop Tamizha, to croon the rap versions of the song.[16] The album's final mixing took place in Mumbai.[17]

It was announced that Sony Music had brought the marketing rights for the film's soundtrack album.[18] The soundtrack was initially slated to be released on 20 December 2012. However it was not confirmed from official sources.[19] The making of the album was launched by the film's crew members, prior to the audio launch.[20]

Release

Initially, it was speculated that Sun Pictures had acquired the distribution rights of the film.[21] However, it was proved untrue. The distribution rights of the film were secured by Vendhar Movies. The satellite rights of the film were purchased by STAR Vijay. Ethir Neechal was initially scheduled to release on April,[22] later being pushed to 1 May 2013.[23][24] The theatrical trailer of the film was released on 13 April 2013.[25] The film was given a U certificate by the Censor Board with no cuts.[26]

Ethir Neechal was released in 300 screens across Tamil Nadu on 1 May 2013,[27] clashing with Soodhu Kavvum and Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal.[1] Apart from the Tamil Nadu release, the film was simultaneously released in the US, by Gramaphone LLC, which acquired the distribution rights.[28] The film's success was celebrated at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Switzerland, along with audio functions of three other films distribuited by Vendhar Movies.[29]

Reception

Critical reception

The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "The first half of Ethir Neechal follows the current Tamil cinema formula of ‘laughs first, plot next’."[30] Behindwoods gave 3 out of 5 stars stating it as "A wholesome package which has something in it for everyone."[31] Baradwaj Rangan for The Hindu wrote "Sivakarthikeyan looks like he’s getting there — he’s not yet a star, at least in the leading-man sense,[sic] he gets a feature-length platform to display his comic chops".[32] The New Indian Express stated "Ethir Neechal is a mild passable entertainer".[33] News18 stated "The film starts off like every other romantic-comedy with adequate amount of comedy and drama, but there's hardly anything spectacular to rave about, including the story."[34] S. Saraswathi of Rediff gave 3.5 out of 5 stating "Ethir Neechal is a simple city-based romantic comedy that is guaranteed to provide some wholesome family entertainment."[35] Indiaglitz gave 3.5 out of 5 stating "A romcom and a sports film , put together makes you smile and inspire."[36]

Box office

The film opened 80 – 90% occupancy on first day collected ₹4 crore (US$500,000).[37] The film collected ₹17.97 lakh (US$23,000) in UK and ₹10.60 lakh (US$13,000) in United States in first weekend. The film collected ₹5.51 lakh (US$6,900) in United States in first day, ₹9.12 lakh (US$11,000) in three days including Thursday previews, around ₹1.5 lakh (US$1,900) on 5 April and total collection of ₹17.97 lakh (US$23,000).[38] It collected around ₹6.52 crore (US$820,000) in Chennai and ₹22 crore (US$2.8 million) in full run worldwide and became "blockbuster" at global box office.[39]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Priya Anand is eager to see Dhanush and Nayanthara rock". Behindwoods. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Priya Anand in Dhanush's home production". Sify. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  3. ↑ Jeshi K. (17 March 2013). "In a happy place". Chennai, India. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  4. ↑ "Dhanush's 'Ethir Neechal' has Siva Karthikeyan". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Jeshi, K. (4 October 2012). "A good start". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Manigandan, K. R. (9 June 2012). "Cool connect". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  7. ↑ "Siva Karthikeyan and Priya Anand clicked". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "Balu Mahendra directs Sivakarthikeyan!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "Nayanthara designs her own costume". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "Ethir Neechal set to release". nowrunning. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "Nayanthara did that herself". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Ethir Neechal shooting wrapped up". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  13. ↑ "Ethir Neechal nearing completion". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  14. ↑ "Anirudh introduces new talent in Tamil". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "Listen: Honey Singh raps for Tamil film 'Ethir Neechal'". News18. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  16. ↑ Suganth, M. "Aadhi raps for Anirudh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ethir Neechal final mix in Mumbai". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "Ethir Neechal: Sony Entertainment bags audio rights". News18. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "'Ethir Neechal' audio launch before 20th Dec". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "Ethir Neechal's funny audio making". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  21. ↑ "Sun Pictures bag Ethir Neechal?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  22. ↑ "Ethir Neechal ready for a summer release". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "Ethir Neechal on Ajith's birthday!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  24. ↑ "Ethir Neechal confirms release on May 1". Sify. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  25. ↑ "Ethir Neechal trailer". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "Ethir Neechal censored with U!". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  27. ↑ Oor Kaalan (15 March 2013). "Ethir Neechal slotted for April release | Vijay TV grabs Telecast rights". Kollyinsider.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Ethir Neechal to release in the US". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  29. ↑ "Vendhar Movies to hold four functions in Switzerland". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  30. ↑ "Ethir Neechal Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Ethir Neechal by Times of India", The Times of India, retrieved 28 June 2020
  31. ↑ "Ethir Neechal Movie Review". Behindwoods. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  32. ↑ Rangan, Baradwaj (5 May 2013). "Run culture". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  33. ↑ Mannath, Malini (4 May 2013). "Ethir Neechal (Tamil)". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  34. ↑ "Tamil review: 'Ethir Neechal' nothing exceptional, yet watchable". News18. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  35. ↑ "Review: Ethir Neechal is an absolute delight". Rediff. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  36. ↑ "Ethir Neechal review. Ethir Neechal Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  37. ↑ `Ethir Neechal` spells profit for Dhanush Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Zeenews.india.com (3 May 2013). Retrieved on 17 August 2014.
  38. ↑ "'Ethir Neechal' Box Office Collection: Sivakarthikeyan Starrer Earns ₹10.60 Lakh Overseas". International Business Times. 7 May 2013. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  39. ↑ "Ethir Neechal box office collection". Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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