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Pathu Thala

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Pathu Thala
Theatrical release poster
Directed byObeli N. Krishna
Screenplay byObeli N. Krishna
Dialogue by
  • S. A. Ramakrishnan
Story byNarthan
Obeli N. Krishna
Based onMufti
by Narthan
Produced byJayantilal Gada
K. E. Gnanavel Raja
StarringSilambarasan
Gautham Karthik
Priya Bhavani Shankar
Gautham Vasudev Menon
CinematographyFarook J. Basha
Edited byPraveen K. L.
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
companies
Release date
  • 30 March 2023 (2023-03-30)
Running time
152 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Box office₹55 crores[1]

Pathu Thala (transl. Ten-Headed) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Obeli N. Krishna and produced by Studio Green, in the company of Pen Studios. The film stars Silambarasan in the lead role, alongside Gautham Karthik, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Santhosh Prathap, Kalaiyarasan, Anu Sithara and Teejay Arunasalam. It is a remake of the 2017 Kannada-language film Mufti. The film follows AG Ravanan "AGR", a crime boss, who gets tracked down by Guna, an undercover cop as Sakthivel.

The Tamil remake of Mufti was announced in June 2019, with Narthan, the director of the original film, as the director. Principal photography faced postponement due to Silambarasan delaying the commencement. Which led to, the following year in October, Narthan opting out and subsequently being replaced with Krishna. Principal photography commenced in August 2021. It was shot sporadically in several legs and wrapped by late-November 2022. Filming locations included Chennai and Karnataka. The film has music composed by A. R. Rahman, cinematography handled by Farook J. Basha and editing by Praveen K. L.

Pathu Thala was released on 30 March 2023. It's received mixed reviews from critics.[2] The film grossed ₹55 crore at the box office making it an above average success.[1]

Plot

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Tamil Nadu CM, Arunmozhi Raja, disappears after being summoned at night by Deputy CM Naanjilar Gunasekaran, who is also his political rival. The CBI investigates Ameer, the henchman of a dreaded crime boss AG Raavanan alias AGR, who is known to be Naanjilar's sworn enemy. After being surrounded by the police, Ameer commits suicide rather than surrendering.

Sakthivel, an undercover CBI officer, is dispatched to undercover under the alias of Guna to work under crime boss Kareem Bhai and collect evidence against AGR. After an incident, Bhai sends Guna to work for AGR, where he meets and butts heads with AGR's trusted henchman Selvin. Guna encounters his ex-girlfriend Leela Thompson, a Tahsildar who makes an effort to thwart AGR's illegal sand mining operation. He later ends up earning the trust of AGR's right-hand man Singha after he retrieves ₹400 crores from a goods train under the noses of a CVC team. During a contested by-election, Naanjilar convinces Ruby Fernandez, a career criminal and head of the Fishermen’s Association, to compete against AGR's candidate by protesting against AGR's illegal sand mining. The small protest escalates, resulting in the arson of an old age home 'Nesakaram'. Naanjilar alleges that AGR was behind the fire. In retaliation, AGR beheads Ruby. Leela, frustrated by AGR's power, decides to run for office in the by-election. Guna finally meets AGR after he saves him from an assassination attempt orchestrated by Naanjilar. Guna learns that Arunmozhi’s wife Samudra is AGR’s sister, who resides with AGR along with her daughter Aradhana, and who holds a grudge against her brother.

AGR later threatens Naanjilar, who vows to kill him. During the campaigning for the by-election, Selvin sees Leela and Guna having a conversation and suspects that he might be the mole in AGR’s gang. He breaks into Guna's residence and finds a pen-drive which has all the evidence collected against AGR. Guna watches Selvin through the surveillance cameras in his home and sees Selvin get gunned down. AGR's underlings initially suspect Guna as the murderer, but AGR proves his innocence. Meanwhile, the people residing in Nesakaram learn that AGR has been the sponsor of their nursing home, and has been conducting charitable activities funded by the profits of his illegal sand mining. This earns AGR the respect of the people, including Leela.

AGR later discovers that his business manager Sabari is the mole in his operations. After finding out that Sabari killed Selvin, informed the CVC team about his illegal profits being transported by train, and helped Ruby burn down Nesakaram under Naanjilar's instructions, AGR brutally kills Sabari in front of Guna. Guna helps AGR and Samudra reconcile and overhears Samudra forgive her brother for killing her husband. AGR later reveals to Guna that Arunmozhi had been bribed by a pharmaceutical company that planned to start an epidemic under the pretext of introducing a vaccine. An angry AGR then kidnapped and killed Arunmozhi. AGR further reveals that he knows Guna's real identity as Sakthivel but does not plan to retailate against him as he helped AGR reconcile with his sister. Naanjilar arrives with his men to kill AGR. In the ensuing melee, Singha is killed, and Sakthivel is shot in place of AGR. An angry AGR kills Naanjilar.

The next morning, the CBI arrests AGR using his confession to Sakthivel, despite widespread protests by the people. The CBI chief pushes Sakthivel to submit the recorded confession as evidence, but Sakthivel lies and claims that the encrypted evidence was destroyed when he was shot. The CBI chief bitterly remarks that his Sakthi has truly become AGR's Guna. Due to a lack of evidence, AGR is released.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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The film was launched in June 2019 with Narthan, who directed Mufti (2017), as the director. Silambarasan and Gautham Karthik were announced to star in the film.[3] After a delay in the film's shooting due to Silambarasan not showing up to the sets, media outlets started reporting that the film was dropped in October 2019.[4] Narthan later opted out and was replaced by Obeli N. Krishna, who previously directed films like Sillunu Oru Kaadhal (2006) and Nedunchaalai (2014).[5] After Krishna entered the project, the film's writing was reworked to include more characters and a modified storyline.[6] Silambarasan, who was simultaneously shooting for Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, was reported to join the film's sets again.[7] The scenes involving Silambarasan had to be reshot because of his weight transformation post-Eeswaran (2021).[8] The title Pathu Thala was announced on 24 December 2020.[9]

Filming

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Principal photography began in August 2021. The second schedule was postponed so many times, the shooting resumed in July 2022.[10] Major portions of Silambarasan were shot near Bellary Palace in the Mysore district in Karnataka.[11] In October 2022, it was reported that the Karnataka schedule of the film was wrapped.[12] The third schedule of the film began in Chennai on 13 August 2022 with Gautham Karthik joining the sets.[13][14] The final schedule of the film was reported to begin in July and was reported to complete in August 2022.[15] On 23 November 2022, the entire shooting of the film was wrapped.[16][17] Despite the film's three year delay, Silambarasan said that "he was determined that I should finish this film for Gautham Karthik's sake".[18]

Post-production

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The post-production works began in December 2022.[19] Gautham Karthik and Priya Bhavani Shankar completed dubbing for their portions on 22 December 2022 and 3 January 2023, respectively.[20][21]

Music

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The music of the film is composed by A. R. Rahman which marks his second collaboration with the director after Sillunu Oru Kaadhal and fifth film to feature actor Silambarasan after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016), Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018) and Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (2022).[22] The first single titled "Namma Satham" was released on 3 February 2023 coinciding with Silambarasan’s birthday.[23] The second single titled "Ninaivirukka" was released on 13 March 2023.[24] The entire soundtrack was released on 18 March 2023, with an additional song, titled "Osarattum Pathu Thala", releasing on 27 March.

Track listing - Tamil
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Namma Satham"VivekA. R. Rahman, Yogi Sekar3:41
2."Ninaivirukka"KabilanA. R. Ameen, Shakthisree Gopalan4:44
3."Nee Singam Dhan"VivekSid Sriram4:07
4."Raawadi"SnehanShuba, Nivas3:11
5."Osarattum Pathu Thala"Naattu Raja DuraiDeepthi Suresh, Sreekanth Hariharan, Sathyaprakash4:48

Release

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Theatrical

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The film was released theatrically on 30 March 2023.[25] Initially the film was scheduled to be released theatrically on 14 December 2022, but the film's release was postponed.[26]

Home media

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The post-theatrical streaming and satellite rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime Video and Zee Tamil.[27] The film was premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 27 April 2023.[28]

Reception

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Box office

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The film grossed over ₹20 crores worldwide after three days of its release.[29] After the sixth day of its release the film grossed ₹50 crores worldwide.[30] Its closing worldwide collection stands at ₹55 crore.[1]

Critical response

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Pathu Thala received positive reviews from critics.[2]

Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India gave the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Pathu Thala may not be a great film for those who have watched the original, but it's still worth watching for the lead actors and some standout moments."[31] Janani K of India Today gave the film 2.5 out of 5 and wrote "Pathu Thala could have been an intriguing gangster drama if only it had done away with predictable elements."[32]

Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "It is unfair to compare Mufti and Pathu Thala; however, this remake is a good case study of how it isn’t enough to infuse more novelty on paper if the same doesn’t translate to the screen."[33] Bharathy Singaravel of The News Minute gave the film 1.5 out of 5 and wrote "The film has a few formulaic moments that aspire to that description, but director Obeli N Krishna fails to pull together a cohesive story. Even AR Rahman's music does not elevate this film which cannot boast of a single memorable song."[34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "'Pathu Thala' box office collection day 7: Silambarasan starrer closes the first week with Rs 55 crores at the ticket windows". The Times of India. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "'Pathu Thala' box office collection day 2: Simbu starrer mints Rs 6 crore on day 2". The Times of India. 1 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  3. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (16 May 2019). "Tamil remake of Shivarajkumar's Mufti, starring Simbu and Gautham Karthik, to go on floors in June". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Simbu's Mufti remake dropped?". The Times of India. 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Simbu-Gautham Karthik's 'Mufti' Tamil remake runs into trouble, director Narthan opts out". The News Minute. 23 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Pathu Thala Is Way Different From Mufti, Reveals Film Actor!". Movie Crow. 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Director Obeli N Krishna shares photo of Simbu shooting for a song from the sets of 'Pathu Thala'". The Times of India. 30 October 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Simbu's scenes in 'Mufti' Tamil remake to be shot afresh". The News Minute. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Simbu, Gautham Karthik's Tamil remake of 'Mufti' titled as 'Pathu Thala'". The New Indian Express. 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Silambarasan meets Pathu Thala director Obeli Krishna; shoot to resume soon". OTT Play. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Silambarasan completes the Karnataka schedule of 'Pathu Thala'". The Times of India. 10 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Silambarasan wraps up important schedule of Pathu Thala, shares new photo". The Indian Express. 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  13. ^ "'Pathu Thala' shooting begins in Chennai; Gautham Karthik joins the sets". The Times of India. 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Gautham Karthik joins Pathu Thala shooting in Chennai". Cinema Express. 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Silambarasan TR's Pathu Thala final schedule to begin in July". The Times of India. 22 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Silambarasan TR's 'Pathu Thala' shooting wrapped up". The Times of India. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  17. ^ "It's a wrap for Silambarasan's Pathu Thala". Cinema Express. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Pathu Thala star Simbu describes Shivarajkumar as Rajinikanth of Kannada cinema: 'I can't even slightly match his acting'". OTT Play. 19 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Pathu Thala: Gautham Karthik completes dubbing for Silambarasan TR's action entertainer". Pinkvilla. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Gautham Karthik completes dubbing for 'Pathu Thala'". The Times of India. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Priya Bhavani Shankar reveals a surprise update from Pathu Thala, leaves Silambarasan fans thrilled". OTT Play. 3 January 2023. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  22. ^ "AR Rahman has begun composing for Silambarasan's Pathu Thala". The Times of India. 3 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Official: First single 'Namma Satham' from 'Pathu Thala' to be released on Simbu's birthday!". The Times of India. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Ninaivirukka from Silambarasan's Pathu Thala: Makers unveil second single's promo video featuring AR Rahman". OTT Play. 11 March 2023. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Silambarasan's 'Pathu Thala' locks a release date". The Times of India. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Release Date For Actor Simbu's Pathu Thala Announced". News18. 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Simbu's Pathu Thala Streaming Rights Acquired By This Streaming Platform: Report". News18. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Silambarasan's 'Pathu Thala' is announced to stream on OTT from THIS date". The Times of India. 22 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  29. ^ "'Pathu Thala' box office collection: Movie mints Rs 20 crore in 3 days". The Times of India. 4 April 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  30. ^ "'Pathu Thala' box office collection day 6: Silambarasan's film hits Rs 50 crores worldwide". The Times of India. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  31. ^ Balachandran, Logesh (31 March 2023). "Pathu Thala Movie Review: STR and Gautham Karthik elevate this fairly-engaging gangster film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  32. ^ K, Janani (30 March 2023). "Pathu Thala Movie Review: Simbu's middling gangster drama takes a formulaic route". India Today. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  33. ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (30 March 2023). "'Pathu Thala' movie review: Simbu sizzles, but this gangster drama lacks any real punch". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  34. ^ Singaravel, Bharathy (30 March 2023). "Pathu Thala review: This Simbu-starrer will keep you busy looking for the plot". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
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