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Chennai 600028

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Chennai 600028
Poster
Directed byVenkat Prabhu
Written byVenkat Prabhu
Produced byS. P. B. Charan
J. K. Saravana
StarringJai
Shiva
Premji
Nithin Sathya
Aravind Akash
Vijay Vasanth
Vijayalakshmi Feroz
Ajay Raj
Narrated byS. P. Balasubrahmanyam
CinematographySakthi Saravanan
Edited byFilm editor:
B. Lenin
Digital & Avid editor:
Praveen K. L.
N. B. Srikanth
Music byBackground score:
Premji Amaren
Original songs:
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Production
company
Distributed byTantra Films
Release date
  • 27 April 2007 (2007-04-27)
Running time
141 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹ 1.65 crore[1]

Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu in his directorial debut. It stars Jai, Shiva, Premji, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Inigo Prabakaran, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with Vijayalakshmi Feroz and Kristine Zedek, making their acting debuts as well. The film was produced by S. P. B. Charan along with J. K. Saravana, a Singapore-based award-winning producer.[2] The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Premji Amaran and Yuvan Shankar Raja respectively.

The film is based on street cricket played in India, focusing on various themes such as friendship, love and rivalry in a suburban area.[3] Following its theatrical release on 27 April 2007, it received critical acclaim and emerged as a surprise sleeper hit, running successfully for more than one year in theatres,[3][4] while going on to achieve cult status in the subsequent years.[5] The film's title is derived from the pincode for Mandaveli, a suburb of Chennai, where the story takes place. The success of the film gained the relatively unknown actors – Jai, Shiva, Premji and Nithin Sathya, newcomers Vijayalakshmi and Vijay Vasanth and the director Venkat Prabhu popularity.[6]

The film was also remade in Bengali as Le Chakka (2010), in Sinhalese as Super Six (2012), and in Kannada as Bangalore 560023 (2015). A sequel to the film, Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings, was released in 2016.

Plot

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The story revolves around two local cricket league teams that compete against each other in local matches and consider each other as sworn enemies. Royapuram Rockers are on top of the chain and keep bashing the Sharks year after year. The heroes of the movie are the Sharks' team.

The story begins when Raghu's parents move from Royapuram to Visalakshi Thottam, Chennai 600028. Raghu is a member of the Royapuram Rockers cricket team, and a college student living with his parents. He has no choice but to move with them, although he detests the area. He is not very excited at the prospect of living in the same area as his sworn enemies. Raghu is faithful to his teammates, but they ignore him because of the distance. Angered at being replaced by a new guy in the team in one of the matches, Raghu estranges himself from cricket and the Rockers.

Raghu informs him of Pazhani's sister Selvi's love for Karthik. This incident initiates Raghu's friendship with a few Sharks team players and eventually gets him induced into the team. Raghu practices with the Sharks to play against the Rockers in the upcoming Radio Mirchi trophy. Pazhani, who soon learns of his sister and Karthik's love affair is disappointed and then there is a tiff amongst the friends. The team splits up for a while, but Karthik apologises to Pazhani and they make up. The team reunites and starts practising for the trophy once again. Unfortunately, Karthik is stabbed by his brother's enemies and is rendered unfit to play the match. Pazhani replaces Karthik as the captain and the team heads for the match.

Under tight pressure and with a nail-biting finish, the Sharks finally defeated the Rockers in the semi-finals of the tournament. In the finals, they meet their enemies, a group of school kids named Bad Boys-II who practice by shirking school to play cricket on the beach. The kids are really good, and the Sharks know it because they have lost badly to them once before.

The movie ends with the team really struggling to keep up in the game.

Cast

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Production

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Chennai 600028 is the directorial debut of Venkat Prabhu.[7] The film was initially Enga Area Ulla Varaadha (Do not enter our territory), but lyricist Vaali was critical of the idea, feeling that the title was "negative" sounding. Subsequently, the film was retitled Chennai 600028, with the idea of including the postal code taken from the title of the American television series Beverly Hills, 90210.[8] Venkat Prabhu felt the new title was "more apt and universal".[9]

Soundtrack

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Main article: Chennai 600028 (soundtrack)

The film's score was composed by Prabhu's brother, Premji Amaran, while his cousin, Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the soundtrack, with lyrics written by Yuvan himself, along with Vaali and Gangai Amaran. The album, featuring 9 tracks, released on 19 February 2007 in India and four days later in Singapore and Malaysia, on 23 February 2007.[10] The album was both critically acclaimed and gained immense popularity upon its release.[11][12]

Release and reception

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Chennai 600028 was released on 27 April 2007.[citation needed] Sify in their review stated that "All the guys who acted in the film are candid and have let their hair down. RJ Shiva is the surprise packet in the film. Venkat Prabhu deserves a pat on his back for making a breezy fun movie which highlights the fact that cricket in India which is a religion for many is also won through team spirit and sacrifice. So go ahead, make your matinee and enjoy the match."[13] Baradwaj Rangan reviewed the film as "A street-cricket saga from a bunch of no-names comes out of nowhere and knocks your socks off."[14] Writing for Rediff.com, Sriram Iyer stated "The movie is a result of a perfect team effort in every sense. A perfect entertainer, not to be missed."[15] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote "Every city youngster would have experienced one or the other situation projected in `Chennai ... ' And that's the film's USP. Venkat Prabhu has shown that without a glowing star cast or formulaic gibberish, enjoyable films can be made. Down-to-earth approach and levity are Prabhu's strengths. `Chennai 600028' is proof enough."[16] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "It's an interestingly scripted and narrated tale from producer-director duo of S P B Charan (his third production) and Venkat Prabhu. No doubt the takings at times are a bit amateurish. Also, the debutant director has done his bit of experimentation, breaking away from the grammar of conventional film-making. But all this has worked to the film's advantage. For, there is a candid, realistic feel to the whole narrative. The unconventional camera movements and angles (debutant Shakti Saravanan), and the slick editing (Lenin) all add to the effect. Yuvan Shanker Raja's songs too blend in well."[17] Lajjavathi of Kalki praised the acting of debutants, Venkat Prabhu's direction, Sakthi saravanan's cinematography and Yuvan Shankar Raja's music and concluded calling it perfect jolly treatment for youth.[18]

The film emerged a sleeper hit at the box office, and also attained cult status, in coming years.[4][3] The film's 100th day celebrations, took place in early August 2007 at Chennai Trade Centre, with Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan being the chief guest.[19] The film was later dubbed in Telugu as Kodithe Kottalira in 2009.[20]

Remakes

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The film was remade in Bengali as Le Chakka (2009),[21] and in Kannada as Bangalore 560023 (2015). The film was also remade in Sinhalese as Super Six in 2012.[22]

Awards and nominations

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Vijay Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Sequel

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Main article: Chennai 600028 II

A sequel to Chennai 600028 was released on 9 December 2016. It features several cast members from the earlier film including Jai, Shiva, Premji, Aravind Akash and Nithin Sathya. Actors Vaibhav, Subbu Panchu, Abhinay Vaddi were chosen to play supporting roles in the film.[23][24]

References

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  1. ^ Krishnamurthy, Akhila (9 July 2011). "The new darlings of Kollywood". Tehelka. Vol. 8, no. 27. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. ^ "A creative force from Singapore". IndiaGlitz.com. 4 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "BOX OFFICE TOP 10 Movies OF 2007 | CHENNAI 28". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b JBR (11 July 2007). "Tamil cinema in 2007 – half year report". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Movies that beat the odds | Chennai 600028". Behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Cricket theme goes on". The Hindu. 13 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  7. ^ "Don't expect another Chennai 28 from Saroja". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  8. ^ Mani, Bhargavii (30 January 2016). "The kadalai man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  9. ^ "'Rajni Sir enjoyed Chennai 600028'". Rediff.com. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Chennai-600028 audio on 19 Feb". IndiaGlitz.com. 21 February 2007. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  11. ^ "Chennai 600028 – A youthful musical journey". IndiaGlitz.com. 26 February 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Chennai-600028 audio a big hit". IndiaGlitz.com. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  13. ^ "Chennai-600028". Sify. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  14. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (31 May 2007). "Review: Chennai 600028". Baradwaj Rangan. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  15. ^ Iyer, Sriram (30 April 2007). "Chennai 600028 -- a potential blockbuster". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  16. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (4 May 2007). "Leading a winning team – Chennai 600028". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  17. ^ Mannath, Malini (15 May 2007). "Chennai 600028". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  18. ^ லஜ்ஜாவதி (13 May 2007). "சென்னை 600028". Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ "Kamal, Rajni attend Chennai – 600028 celebrations". Nowrunning. 16 August 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Audio launch – Kodithe Kottalira". Idlebrain.com. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Copycat chronicles". The Telegraph. Calcutta. 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  22. ^ Sharma, Suparna (18 November 2023). "10 must-watch cricket films in the lead up to the World Cup final". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  23. ^ Subhakeerthana, S. (20 April 2016). "Abhinay plays baddie in Chennai-28 sequel!". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Chennai 600028 boys meet to celebrate three years of the sequel". The Times of India. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
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