Thiru.Manickam
Thiru.Manickam | |
---|---|
Directed by | Nandha Periyasamy |
Written by | Nandha Periyasamy |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | M. Sukumar |
Edited by | Guna |
Music by | Vishal Chandrashekhar |
Production company | GPRK Cinemas |
Distributed by | Thirrupathi Brothers Masterpiece Srichakraas Entertainments |
Release date |
|
Running time | 131 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Thiru.Manickam (transl. Mr. Manickam) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Nandha Periyasamy starring Samuthirakani in the titular role,[1] alongside Ananya, Bharathiraja, Nassar, Thambi Ramaiah, Karunakaran and Ilavarasu in supporting roles.[2] The film is produced by GP Ravi Kumar, Chinta Gopala Krishna Reddy and Raja Senthil under GPRK Cinemas banner.[3] The technical crew consists of M. Sukumar as the cinematographer and Vishal Chandrasekhar scoring the music and Guna handling the editing.[4][5]
Thiru.Manickam released in theatres on 27 December 2024.
Plot
[edit]Manickam is a righteous man who runs a lottery shop at the Kumily bus stand, supporting his family consisting of his wife, Sumathi, and two daughters. To supplement their family income Sumathi prepares parcel meals for estate workers. Their younger daughter, Vaanathi, struggles with a speech stammering problem. Sumathi had borrowed ₹6 lakhs from SI Rajendran, and Manickam must soon vacate his rented shop due to upcoming construction. Sumathi gives her only gold chain to Manickam to secure a new premise.
An impoverished elderly man, whose pregnant daughter, Valli was abandoned by her husband over dowry issues, visits Manickam's shop. He selects lottery tickets but realizes he's lost his ₹500 note. Manickam agrees to keep the tickets aside until the elderly man returns to pay. One of the tickets selected by him wins a staggering ₹1.5 crore. Despite Sumathi's resistance citing the unpaid debt and her brother Chandru's attempted intervention, Manickam resolutely boards a bus to Idukki to hand over the ticket to the elderly man. En route, he meets Gurumoorthy, an NRI who questions the practicality of Manickam's quest, given the uncertainty of finding the elderly man. Sumathi's uncle attempts to persuade Manickam to return with the lottery tickets, citing his family's dire situation. However, Manickam remains resolute. They enlist the help of Church Father Samuel, whom Manickam respects, to convince him to return. Nevertheless, Manickam refuses to budge.
Father Samuel contacts Joseph, a cybercrime policeman, to track Manickam's location and intervene. Joseph agrees to help for a bribe of ₹2 lakhs. Meanwhile, Rajendran learns about the lottery ticket issue and seeks to exploit the situation for personal gain. He attempts to contact the bus driver Narayanan to intercept Manickam but fails. Undeterred, Rajendran sets off in his jeep to chase the bus. The KSRTC bus stops at a rest stop, where Sumathi emotionally blackmails Manickam. Meanwhile, Manickam's bag is stolen, but after a struggle, he retrieves the ticket from a sewage drain. Manickam firmly informs Sumathi that the lottery money doesn't belong to him. Manickam now boards another private bus. SI Rajendran contacts his colleague SI Kesavan in Senganur, instructing him to arrest Manickam on false charges of stealing ₹1.5 crores. Kesavan enlists Constable Esakki's help, claiming Manickam possesses 20 kg of cannabis.
Manickam's photo is sent to Constable Sargunam, who happens to be a co-passenger. However, due to a weak signal in the forest, Sargunam is unable to view the photo. When the bus gets punctured, Manickam boards another minibus. As Constable Sargunam views Manickam's photo, he realizes he has lost him. Meanwhile, Joseph, who had been tracking Manickam, misleads Chandru to a cliff, ensuring Manickam's safety. Sumathi attempts to emotionally manipulate Manickam using their younger daughter, but he instead shares a story from his childhood. The young Manickam had stolen from an elderly lottery seller, Bhai, who, instead of punishing him, forgives Manickam, thereby instilling guilt and remorse. Bhai takes care of Manickam, but tragically, Bhai passes away when Manickam was falsely arrested. The story moves Manickam's family, and his younger daughter encourages him to proceed. Manickam spots the elderly man, but the police apprehend him. Manickam escapes before SI Rajendran arrives and successfully hands over the lottery ticket, saving the elderly man's daughter from committing suicide. The elderly man insists that Manickam deserves the lottery winnings since he didn't purchase the ticket from him. However, Manickam refuses.
Manickam's selfless act goes viral on social media, earning him widespread recognition. The Chief Minister of Kerala felicitates Manickam and Sumathi is awarded a government job, and the district collector bears the education expenses of Manickam's daughter. The ruling party of Kerala covers Vaanathi's medical expenses, and a builder friend of the Chief Minister offers Manickam's family a residence. Manickam finally addresses the media, concluding that honesty and righteousness are fundamental principles, and being rewarded for these values seems to imply that being righteous is now considered exceptional. Also, the elderly man utilizes the lottery winnings to build a hospital in Poomparai village with government assistance.
Cast
[edit]- Bharathiraja as an elderly man
- Samuthirakani as Manickam
- Ananya as Sumathi, Manickam's wife
- Nassar as Bhai, a lottery ticket seller
- Vadivukkarasi as the elderly man's wife
- Thambi Ramaiah as Gurumoorthy, an NRI from UK
- Ilavarasu as Sumathi's paternal uncle
- Chinni Jayanth as Samuel, a church father
- Sriman as a private bus driver
- Karunakaran as Constable Sargunam
- Sulile Kumar as SI Rajendran
- Master Videsh Anand as young Manickam
- Baby Shivaani Harikumar as Manickam and Sumathi's elder daughter
- Baby Jaseena as Vanathi, Manickam and Sumathi's younger daughter
- Chaams as Narayanan, KSRTC bus driver
- Pondy Ravi as Constable Esakki
- Iravin Nizhal Chandru as Chandru, Sumathi's brother
- Reshma Prasad as Valli, the elderly man's daughter
- Singampuli as Sumathi's father (photographic appearance)
- Pichaikkaran Moorthy as a co-passenger
Additionally Arya, R. Parthiban, G. Gnanasambandan, Erode Mahesh, Pa. Vijay, Aari Arujunan, Venkat Renganathan, Kavitha Jawahar, Valaipechu Andhanan and KPY Bala were featured as themselves, praising the humanitarian act of Manickam.
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]On 20 September 2023, an announcement was made through a first-look poster released by Vijay Sethupathi[6] and Venkat Prabhu[7] regarding the project titled Thiru.Manikkam written and directed by Nandha Periyasamy, who last directed Anandham Vilayadum Veedu and wrote Rashmi Rocket (both 2021).[1][8] The film stars Samuthirakani portraying the titular character making his comeback as the lead actor after Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's Are You Ok Baby? (2023).[9][10] The film includes Ananya, Bharathiraja[8] in important roles alongside an ensemble cast including Nassar, Thambi Ramaiah, Sriman, Vadivukkarasi, Karunakaran, Ilavarasu, Chinni Jayanth and Chaams supporting roles.[11][12]
The film is produced by GP Ravi Kumar, Chinta Gopala Krishna Reddy and Raja Senthil under GPRK Cinemas banner.[3][13] The technical crew consists of M. Sukumar as the cinematographer and Vishal Chandrasekhar scoring the music and SP Raja Sethupathi[14] handling the editing.[11] In the film teaser, Guna was credited as the editor.[5]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography took place across different locations in Kerala such as Kumily, Munnar, Meghamalai and Thekkady[4] and on 8 October 2023, it was announced that the filming has been wrapped.[2]
Post-production
[edit]On February 18 2024, the makers announced that the entire cast has completed the process of dubbing[12][15] and in mid-April 2024 it was reported that film's background music work was started in Hyderabad[16] and was completed by Vishal by early May.[17]
Marketing
[edit]On the occasion of New Year 2024, a new poster was released featuring the lead actor along with his family consisting of his wife and two daughters.[11] The teaser was released on 1 August 2024 by Saregama[18] with the voice-over given by M. Sasikumar drawing comparisons between Manickam and a deer.[19][5]
Music
[edit]Thiru.Manickam | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Length | 14:45 | |||
Language | Tamil | |||
Label | Saregama | |||
Producer | Vishal Chandrashekhar | |||
Vishal Chandrashekhar chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Thiru.Manickam | ||||
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The soundtrack and background are composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar,[16] with lyrics written by Snehan, Raju Murugan, Sorko and Ilango Krishnan.[20] The first single "Bommakka" was released on 22 October 2024.[21] Following a pre-release event on 17 December 2024, the full album containing 5 songs was released.[22]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Bommakka" | Ilango Krishnan | Tippu | 3:44 |
2. | "Aaraaro" | Snehan | Haricharan | 3:04 |
3. | "Odi Odi" | Raju Murugan | Vijay Prakash | 3:28 |
4. | "Anbe Mozhi" | Snehan | Shibi Srinivasan | 2:54 |
5. | "Vanam Thembi" | Sorkko | Sinduri S, Karunguyil Ganesan | 1:35 |
Total length: | 14:45 |
Release
[edit]Theatrical
[edit]Thiru.Manickam released in theatres on 27 December 2024.[23] Earlier it was scheduled for 20 December 2024.[24]
Home media
[edit]The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film was bought by ZEE5 and the satellite rights of the film was bought by Zee Tamil and Zee Thirai.[25]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "All in all, Thiru Manickam strives to evoke a strong emotional response, but leaves you feeling as unmoved as a block of granite."[26] Anusha Sundar of OTT Play gave 2/5 stars and wrote "A preachy, and too-good to be true story does not elevate this flatline family drama."[27] Jayabhuvaneshwari B of Cinema Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "While Thiru.Manickam aspires to shine like the titular gem, the film ultimately feels more like polished glass—reflective on the surface, but lacking the brilliance within."[28] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of News18 gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Thiru. Manickam indeed, has its heart at the right place. However, it has to be reiterated that good intentions don’t always make good cinema."[29]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "சமுத்திரகனியின் திரு. மாணிக்கம் டீசர்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). 1 August 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "It's a wrap for Samuthirakani-starrer Thiru Manickam". Cinema Express. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b A, Manimegalai (20 September 2023). "Samuthirakani: சமுத்திரக்கனி நடிக்கும் 'திரு.மாணிக்கம்' படத்தின் ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியானது!!". Asianet News (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Thiru.Manickam first look: சமுத்திரக்கனி நடிக்கும் திரு.மாணிக்கம் படத்தின் பர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு!". ETV Bharat News (in Tamil). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Thiru.Manickam - Official Teaser". The Times of India. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Samuthirakani's next, 'Thiru Manikkam'; first look out". The Hindu. 20 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "VJS, Venkat Prabhu unveil first look of Thiru Manickam". DT Next. 21 September 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b கதிர்வேலன், நா. (2 November 2023). ""ரத்தம், வயலன்ஸ், கத்தி... எதுவும் இல்லாமல் ஒரு படம்!"". Cinema Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Sundar, Anusha (21 September 2023). "First look out for Samuthirakani's 'Thiru Manikkam'". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "The first look of Samuthirakani s film Thiru.Manickam ..?". indiaherald.com. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Here's a new poster from Samuthirakani's Thiru Manickam". Cinema Express. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Cast of Samuthirakani-starrer Thiru Manickam completes dubbing; Everything we know about the film". OTTPlay. 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Teaser Of Samuthirakani's Thiru.Manickam Promises An Intriguing Premise". Times Now. 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Samuthirakani-starrer Thiru Manickam first look out". Cinema Express. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Thiru Manickam dubbing wrapped". Cinema Express. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "சமுத்திரக்கனி நடிக்கும் திரு.மாணிக்கம் - பின்னணி இசைப் பணிகள் தொடங்கின! - Thiru Manickam Movie". ETV Bharat News (in Tamil). 12 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Samuthirakani-starrer 'Thiru Manickam' music score completed". The Times of India. 1 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Samuthirakani's Thiru Manickam teaser to drop on this date". Cinema Express. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Sundar, Anusha (1 August 2024). "Thiru Manickam teaser out: Watch out for Samuthirakani narrate the tale of deer vs forest". OTTPlay. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Thiru.Manickam teaser: Samuthirakani gets stuck in the middle of chaos". Cinema Express. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "'Bommakka' song from Samuthirakani's Thiru Manickam out". Cinema Express. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ மு.பூபாலன் (17 December 2024). "Samuthirakani: "இவன் சினிமாவ நெனச்சே பார்க்கக் கூடாதுனு காலால் உதைச்சாங்க" - சமுத்திரக்கனி உருக்கம்". Cinema Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Thiru.Manickam Trailer: Samuthirakani Is On A Quest To Prove He's Innocent". Times Now. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (27 November 2024). "Samuthikrani's Thiru Manickam gets release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Thiru Manickam release update: Samuthirakani's film to hit theatres on this date". OTTplay. 27 November 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Thiru.Manickam Movie Review : Good intentions, mixed results". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Thiru Manickam Movie Review: Samuthirakani's film is a preachy tale of righteous". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (27 December 2024). "Thiru.Manickam Movie Review: Overt messaging undermines its potential". Cinema Express. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Thiru. Manickam Movie Review: Samuthirakani's Film On Doing The Right Thing Gets A Lot Wrong". News18. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
External links
[edit]- 2024 films
- 2020s Indian films
- 2020s Tamil-language films
- 2024 drama films
- Fictional portrayals of the Kerala Police
- Films about families
- Films about lotteries
- Films directed by Nandha Periyasamy
- Films scored by Vishal Chandrashekhar
- Films set in Kerala
- Films shot in Idukki
- Films shot in Kerala
- Films shot in Munnar
- Films shot in Theni
- Indian drama films
- Tamil-language drama films
- Tamil-language Indian films