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{{Infobox film
#REDIRECT [[Pokiri]]
| name = Pokkiri
| image = Pokirri poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| director = [[Prabhu Deva]]
| story = [[Puri Jagannadh]]
| screenplay = Prabhu Deva<br>V. Prabhakar <small>(dialogues)</small>
| starring = [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]<br />[[Asin Thottumkal]]<br />[[Prakash Raj]]<br />[[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]]<br />[[Mukesh Tiwari]]<br />[[Vadivelu]]<br />[[Nassar]]
| producer = [[Singanamala Ramesh]]
| cinematography = [[Nirav Shah]]
| music = [[Mani Sharma]]
| editing = [[Kola Bhaskar]]
| studio = Kanagarathna Movies
| distributor = [[Aascar Films]]
| released = {{Film date|2007|1|12|df=y}}
| runtime = 170 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = {{INRConvert|12|c}}<ref name=cs>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/specials/tamilcinima2007tam.shtml |title=Tamil cinema in 2007 – half year report |publisher=Cinesouth.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref>
| gross = {{INRConvert|35|c}}<ref name=cs/>
}}
'''''Pokkiri''''' ({{lang-ta|போக்கிரி}}, {{lang-en|Rogue}}) is a [[2007 in film|2007]] [[Kollywood|Tamil]] [[action film|action]]-[[thriller film]] directed by [[Prabhu Deva]]. The film stars [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] and [[Asin]] with [[Prakash Raj]], [[Nassar]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]] and [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] playing supporting roles. [[Mumaith Khan]] and [[Prabhu Deva]] make guest appearances. [[Nirav Shah]] handled cinematography while [[Kola Bhaskar]] was the film's editor. The film was launched in 6 July 2006. Shooting took place in India and Australia.

It is a remake of [[Puri Jagannadh]]'s Telugu blockbuster ''[[Pokiri (2006 film)|Pokiri]]'' (2006) starring [[Mahesh Babu]] and [[Ileana D'Cruz]]. Some changes have been made in the film to suit [[Tamil Nadu]] audiences. The strength of the story lies in maintaining the suspense of the true identity of the hero till the end. It is a mix of action and romance with a message about the duty and responsibility of the police force. [[Prabhu Deva]] remade the film again in [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] as ''[[Wanted (2009 film)|Wanted]]'' (2009). The film's plot revolves around a young IPS officer who acts as an undercover cop to weed out the anti-socials who are ruling the roost. The film's score and soundtrack, composed by [[Mani Sharma]], released on 15 December 2006. The film was released during [[Pongal]] on 12 January 2007 and became the 3<sup>rd</sup> highest grossing Kollywood film of that year behind [[Rajinikanth]]'s [[Sivaji: The Boss|Sivaji]] & [[Ajith Kumar|Ajith]]'s [[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokkiri is a Blockbuster|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2007/top-ten-2007-part-2-281207.html|publisher=oneindia|accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref> The film was declared as a blockbuster in Kollywood.<ref>http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Topten/top-10-movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-pokkiri.html</ref>

==Plot==
The city of [[Chennai]] is rife with the nefarious activities of [[land mafia]]. There are two rival gangs; one under Ali Bhai ([[Prakash Raj]]) who resides in [[Dubai]] and controls the operation through his capos Guru ([[Vincent Asokan]]), Loggu ([[Subbaraju]]) and Mona ([[Brinda Parekh]]); and another operated by local goon Narasimhan ([[Anand Raj]]). Both gangs threaten builders and land owners into giving them protection money or property, through force, extortion or murder. Mohamed Maideen Khan ([[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]]) arrives as the new Commissioner of Chennai and starts cracking down on crime.

Tamizh ([[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]), a thug, is abducted by Loggu. Tamizh has taken a contract from Narasimhan to beat up Loggu, which he does. Guru invites Tamizh to join Ali Bhai's gang. Tamizh declines stating that he does not work for any gang, but is ready to do anything given enough money. Tamizh falls in love with Shruthi ([[Asin Thottumkal|Asin]]) when he visits his friend Saravanan's ([[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]]) father Shanmugavel's ([[Nassar]]) aerobics class, but she mistakes him for a thug. Shruthi, a college student, lives with her widowed mother and younger brother. Body Soda ([[Vadivelu]]) lives above Shruthi's house, and frequently and unsuccessfully tries to convince Shruthi to marry him. Sub inspector L. Govindan ([[Mukesh Tiwari]]), is a corrupt officer in the colony where Tamizh and Shruthi live who often works with the land mafia. He is also on the payroll of Ali Bhai. He falls for Shruthi and decides to make her his mistress, even after multiple rejections by Shruthi.

Tamizh's first assignment with Ali's gang is to kill a member of Narasimhan's gang. However, police show up at the spot where Tamizh and the other gangsters are waiting. Tamizh engages the cops long enough for the others to finish the task and flee. He also helps Shruthi escape from Govindan. She is impressed by his kindness and friendship soon blossoms between the two, leading to the development of unspoken romantic feelings for each other. When Shruthi tries to expresses her feelings they are attacked by members of Narasimhan's gang, whom Tamizh finishes off. Shruthi is shocked to learn that Tamizh is a gangster with no qualms about killing people.

Govindan arranges for some thugs to pretend to rape Shruthi, so that no decent family will want to take her as their daughter-in-law; with no other option Shruthi and her mother will accept his demands. Tamizh learns of this and assaults Govindan incognito, warning him that if he is found responsible for this incident then things will turn ugly for him. After much ado and mental anguish, Shruthi accepts Tamizh.

Ali Bhai comes to Chennai and kills Narasimhan. He also meets Tamizh to discuss the killing of a minister by blowing up a balloon. Tamizh disagrees with Ali Bhai's method as it would involve killing innocents. In the middle of their argument police raid the club and arrest Ali Bhai. His gang members retaliate by kidnapping the commissioner's daughter, creating a lewd video of her and releasing it to the media. This forces the police to release Ali Bhai. Ali Bhai then drugs the commissioner's daughter, causing her to reveal that her father placed a mole in Ali Bhai's gang. They find that Shanmugavel was a police inspector and the inspector's son, Sathyamoorthy, is now a part of Ali Bhai's gang, as the mole. Ali Bhai kills Sathyamoorthy in front of Shanmugavel. However, it is revealed that the person who died was not Sathyamoorthy, but Shanmugavel's foster son, Saravanan. The actual Sathyamoorthy is none other than Tamizh. His father explains that Sathyamoorthy was a gold medallist IPS officer and has been masquerading as a gangster to penetrate the underworld gangs and wipe them out from the inside by being an undercover agent. Ali Bhai kills Shanmugavel and goes away.

Later Shruthi and the rest of Ali Bhai's gang also find out that Tamizh is Sathyamoorthy. Sathyamoorthy then avenges his father's death by finishing off all members of Ali Bhai's gang including Ali Bhai and Govindan and finally saves the commissioner's daughter.

==Cast==
* [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] as Tamizh/Sathyamoorthy IPS
* [[Asin Thottumkal]] as Shruthi
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Ali Bhai
* [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] as Mohammed Moideen Khan
* [[Nassar]] as ShanmughavelPS
* [[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]] as Saravanan
* [[Mukesh Tiwari]] as L. Govindan
* [[Vadivelu]] as Body Soda (Sunky Monkey)
* [[Vincent Asokan]] as Guru
* [[Subbaraju]] as Baangu
* [[Brinda Parekh]] as Mona
* [[Anandaraj]] as Narasimha

[[Vaiyapuri]] and [[Dhamu]] also appear in supporting roles. [[Mumaith Khan]] appears as an [[item number]] during the song "En Chella Peru Apple" while [[Prabhu Deva]] makes a cameo appearance.

==Production==
After his film ''[[Aathi]]'' in January last, For nearly six months Vijay was listening to stories but none appealed he was supposed to do a Tamil version of Dharani's Bangaram, until that film's failure made him look at other options.<ref>http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/jul/13slid2.htm</ref> That's when he got to watch the Telugu `Pokkiri.' he felt that it would work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/01/26/stories/2007012600230100.htm |title=Friday Review Chennai : Scaling heights with `Pokkiri' |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=2007-01-26 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref> After difficulty in finding directors, Prabhudeva was selected as director directing his first film in tamil after the flop of his telugu film ''[[Pournami]]''.<ref>http://telugu.cinesouth.com/english/masala/hotnews/new/17052006-2.shtml</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/22926.html |title=Prabhu Deva as a Director in Tamil - Telugu Movie News |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2006-06-08 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref> The movie was launched in 6 July 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/gallery/events/10016.html |title=Events - 'Pokiri' Movie Launch |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2006-07-06 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref> Vijay's father SAC conducted special puja at the Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. On Saturday night, which was the full moon day, which is an auspicious occasion for the presiding deity there, he spent a full hour before the Lord seeking his blessings. He also prayed at the Sacred Church at Velankanni.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/june-06-02/13-06-06-vijay.html |title=Tamil movies : Pokiri announced! Vijay’s father offers prayers at temples!! |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=2006-06-13 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref>

[[Ileana]], heroine of the original was selected but due to her busy commitments in Telugu, [[Trisha Krishnan|Trisha]] was also selected but she withdrawn from the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/june-06-02/17-06-06-vijay.html |title=Tamil movies : How Asin signed up for Vijay’s Pokkiri |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=2006-06-17 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref> [[Asin]] was selected pairing with Vijay for second time after ''[[Sivakasi (film)|Sivakasi]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14208642 |title=Asin in `Pokiri` remake! |publisher=[[Sify]] |date=2006-01-21 |accessdate=2011-01-22}}</ref>

The first day of shoot for the film was held at the new Pillayar Kovil at AVM studios, with various dignitaries gracing the occasion. Vijay's mother Shobha Chandrasekhar gave the clap for the first shot. The first scene shot was with Asin and Vijay, the lead pair in the film, in an elevator that was specially designed for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/july-06-01/06-07-06-pokiri.html |title=Tamil movies : Vijay's Pokkiri sold at record price! |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=2006-07-06 |accessdate=2011-11-22}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack has 8 songs composed by [[Mani Sharma]]. Two of the songs from the original Telugu version were retained, and remade in Tamil.

{{Infobox album| <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
Name = Pokkiri
| Type = [[Album]]
| Artist = [[Mani Sharma]]
| Cover =
| Released = <div style="white-space: nowrap;">15 December 2006 (India)
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| Length = 34:27
| Label = <div style="white-space: nowrap;">5 star audio
| Producer = [[Mani Sharma]]
| Reviews = [[Rediff.com]] Movies {{Rating|2.5|5}}|
Last album = ''[[Ashok (film)|Ashok]]''<br />(2006)
| This album = '''''Pokkiri'''''<br />(2007)
| Next album = ''[[Yogi]]''<br />(2007)
}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:50%;"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
| '''Song''' || '''Artist(s)''' || '''Picturization''' || '''Length''' || '''Lyrics'''
|-
| Dole Dole Than || [[Ranjith (Singer)|Ranjith]], [[Suchitra]] || [[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]], [[Asin Thottumkal]] || 4:43|| [[Pa. Vijay]]
|-
| Aadungada Yennai Suththi || Naveen || Vijay, [[Prabhu Deva]] || 4:29 || Kabilan
|-
| Nee Mutham Ondru || Ranjith, [[Swetha Mohan]] || Vijay, Asin || 4:52 || Pa. Vijay
|-
| Mambazhamam Mambazham || [[Shankar Mahadevan]], Ganga || Vijay, Asin, [[Vadivelu]] || 4:41 || [[Snehan]]
|-
| En Chella Peru Apple || [[A. V. Ramanan]], Suchitra || Vijay, [[Mumaith Khan]] || 4:35 || Pa. Vijay
|-
| Vasaantha Mullai || [[Rahul Nambiar]], Krishnamoorthy || Vijay, Asin || 4:19 || [[Na. Muthukumar]]
|-
| Nee Mutham Ondru (Remix) || Ranjith, Suchitra || || 4:12 || Pa. Vijay
|-
| Pokkiri Theme || [[Mani Sharma]] || || 2:36 ||
|}

==Release==
Pokkiri was released in 2007 at the festival of Pongal, alongside with [[Ajith]]'s ''[[Aalwar]]'' and [[Vishal Krishna|Vishal]]'s ''[[Thaamirabharani]]''. The film became the 3<sup>rd</sup> most successful film of the year 2007 and the team celebrated the 200 days run of the film at the box office with [[Kamal Haasan]] as the chief guest of the function. The movie opened to 100 per cent collections all over the State. It also collected huge revenue in overseas markets too.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/28555.html|publisher=Indiaglitz|accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref> The film had 100% occupancy for the first three weeks and netted close to 16 crores in total collections in Tamil nadu in 7 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Topten/top-10-movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-pokkiri.html|publisher=Behindwoods|accessdate=11February 2012}}</ref>
Pokkiri collected 6.10 crores in Tamil Nadu in its first weekend from 142 screens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Topten/top10Movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-1.html|publisher=Behindwoods|accessdate=11February 2012}}</ref> Pokkiri entered the top ten Asian films chart topped by Sivaji.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection|url=http://www.screendaily.com/malaysian-box-office-hits-all-time-high-of-100m/4037013.article|publisher=screendaily|accessdate=11February 2012}}</ref> The film ran for 75 days in theaters in Kerala.<ref>http://www.sify.com/movies/Pokkiri-75-days-in-Kerala-imagegallery-events-jdwmMxihdgh.html?html=5</ref>

===Critical reception===
Pokkiri opened to positive Reviews.[[Sify]] said that the film was "enjoyable while it lasts".<ref>{{cite web|title=Movie Review:Nanban|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14369041&ctid=5&cid=2429|publisher=Sify.com|accessdate=12 January 2012}}</ref> Indiaglitz stated that Vijay stole the show with his "typical 'Vijayisms' (action, humor and punch dialogues)" and that the show was "action-packed entertainer".<ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/8570.html Pokkiri - Action aplenty] Indiaglitz January 15, 2007</ref> Behindwoods review felt that Vadivelu and Prakash Raj’s performances were lackluster, and stated that Raj " might do well to sit back and analyze the roles that he accepts," but concluded that the movie overall "packs a punch."<ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-05/pokkiri-review.html Pokkiri Review] at Behindwoods</ref> [[Rediff.com]] gave the movie one and half stars, stating "there's nothing more tedious than a badly made remake." <ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/15sspokkiri.htm Pokkiri: Watch only for Vijay, Asin] Rediff. Shwetha Bhaskar January 15, 2007</ref> Nowrunning.com stated that ''Pokiri' is attractively packaged and presented''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Movie Review:Pokkiri|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/3230/tamil/pokkiri/1020/review.htm |accessdate=12 January 2012}}</ref> [[Oneindia.in]] stated that ''Pokiri' is a full length action movie of Vijay''<ref>{{cite web|title=Movie Review:Pokkiri|url=http://popcorn.oneindia.in/movie-review/4451/pokiri.html|publisher=Oneindia.in |accessdate=12 January 2012}}</ref>

==Boxoffice==
The film became a huge success at box office.The total collections of the film were 35 crores in 175 days from all over the world.It is said to be one of the most successful films in actor Vijay's career.The film had a housefull run of 75 days in Kerala as well.

===Awards===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient
! Result
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[Vijay Awards]]
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Film|Favourite Film]]
|Pokkiri
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Director|Favourite Director]]
|[[Prabhu Deva]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year|Entertainer of the Year]]
|[[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Hero|Favourite Hero]]
|[[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine|Favourite Heroine]]
|[[Asin]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
|[[Asin]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Villain|Best Villain]]
|[[Prakash Raj]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Choreographer|Best Choreographer]]
|[[Dinesh Kumar (choreographer)|Dinesh]]<br>(Vansantha Mullai)
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Art Director|Best Art Director]]
|Kathir
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Stunt Director|Best Stunt Director]]
|Fefsi Vijaan
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Best Actor Award (Tamil)|Best Actor]]
|[[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Mathrubhumi Film Awards]]
|[[Mathrubhumi Film Award Best Film Award (Tamil)|Best Tamil Film]]
|Pokkiri
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Mathrubhumi Film Award Best director Award (Tamil)|Best Tamil Director]]
|[[Prabhu Deva]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Mathrubhumi Film Award Best Actor Award (Tamil)|Best Tamil Actor]]
|[[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]]
|{{won}}
|}

==Remakes==
The original [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[Pokiri (2006 film)|Pokiri]]'', directed by [[Puri Jagannadh]], was remade in several other languages and still found success in the respective regional cinemas. ''Pokkiri'' is the first remake. The second one was ''[[Wanted (2009 film)|Wanted]]'', the [[Hindi language|Hindi]] version in [[2009 in film|2009]] which was also directed by [[Prabhu Deva]], Like the two other versions, ''Wanted'' had [[Salman Khan]] and [[Ayesha Takia]] in the lead and has also [[Prakash Raj]] as the villain.<ref name="Prabhudeva Wanted">{{cite web|author=Behindwoods|year=2009|title=Pokkiri's Hindi remake|publisher=[http://www.behindwoods.com Behindwoods]|accessdate=2009-08-22|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/bollywood/hindi-movies-news/aug-09-01/prabhudeva-22-08-09.html}}</ref> After that, a [[Kannada language|Kannada]] version, ''Porkhi'', directed by M.D. Sridhar, was released in 14 January 2010. Below is an actor map of the lead actors in the story of ''[[Pokiri (2006 film)|Pokiri]]'' and its remakes.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:50%;"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
| '''''[[Pokiri (2006 film)|Pokiri]]'''''<br>([[Telugu language|Telugu]])<br>([[2006 in film|2006]]) || '''''Pokkiri'''''<br>([[Tamil language|Tamil]])<br>([[2007 in film|2007]]) || '''''[[Wanted (2009 film)|Wanted]]'''''<br>([[Hindi language|Hindi]])<br>([[2009 in film|2009]]) || '''''Porkhi'''''<br>([[Kannada language|Kannada]])<br>([[2010 in film|2010]])
|-
| [[Mahesh Babu]] || [[Joseph Vijay|Vijay]] || [[Salman Khan]] || [[Darshan (Actor)|Darshan]]
|-
| [[Ileana D'Cruz]] || [[Asin Thottumkal]] || [[Ayesha Takia]] || [[Pranitha Subhash|Pranitha]]
|-
| [[Prakash Raj]] || [[Prakash Raj]] || [[Prakash Raj]] || [[Ashish Vidyarthi]]
|-
| [[Nassar]] || [[Nassar]] || [[Vinod Khanna]] ||
|-
| [[Sayaji Shinde]] || [[Napoleon (actor)|Napoleon]] || [[Govind Namdeo]] || [[Sayaji Shinde]]
|-
| [[Ashish Vidyarthi]] || [[Mukesh Tiwari]] || [[Mahesh Manjrekar]]|| Shobaraj
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Prabhu Deva}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2011}}

[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2007 films]]
[[Category:2000s action films]]
[[Category:2000s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian film remakes]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films directed by Prabhu Deva]]

[[fr:Pokkiri]]
[[no:Pokkiri]]
[[ta:போக்கிரி (திரைப்படம்)]]

Revision as of 04:39, 19 August 2012

Pokkiri
File:Pokirri poster.jpg
Promotional poster
Directed byPrabhu Deva
Screenplay byPrabhu Deva
V. Prabhakar (dialogues)
Story byPuri Jagannadh
Produced bySinganamala Ramesh
StarringVijay
Asin Thottumkal
Prakash Raj
Napoleon
Mukesh Tiwari
Vadivelu
Nassar
CinematographyNirav Shah
Edited byKola Bhaskar
Music byMani Sharma
Production
company
Kanagarathna Movies
Distributed byAascar Films
Release date
  • 12 January 2007 (2007-01-12)
Running time
170 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹12 crore (US$1.4 million)[1]
Box office₹35 crore (US$4.2 million)[1]

Pokkiri (Tamil: போக்கிரி, English: Rogue) is a 2007 Tamil action-thriller film directed by Prabhu Deva. The film stars Vijay and Asin with Prakash Raj, Nassar, Vadivelu, Sriman and Napoleon playing supporting roles. Mumaith Khan and Prabhu Deva make guest appearances. Nirav Shah handled cinematography while Kola Bhaskar was the film's editor. The film was launched in 6 July 2006. Shooting took place in India and Australia.

It is a remake of Puri Jagannadh's Telugu blockbuster Pokiri (2006) starring Mahesh Babu and Ileana D'Cruz. Some changes have been made in the film to suit Tamil Nadu audiences. The strength of the story lies in maintaining the suspense of the true identity of the hero till the end. It is a mix of action and romance with a message about the duty and responsibility of the police force. Prabhu Deva remade the film again in Hindi as Wanted (2009). The film's plot revolves around a young IPS officer who acts as an undercover cop to weed out the anti-socials who are ruling the roost. The film's score and soundtrack, composed by Mani Sharma, released on 15 December 2006. The film was released during Pongal on 12 January 2007 and became the 3rd highest grossing Kollywood film of that year behind Rajinikanth's Sivaji & Ajith's Billa.[2] The film was declared as a blockbuster in Kollywood.[3]

Plot

The city of Chennai is rife with the nefarious activities of land mafia. There are two rival gangs; one under Ali Bhai (Prakash Raj) who resides in Dubai and controls the operation through his capos Guru (Vincent Asokan), Loggu (Subbaraju) and Mona (Brinda Parekh); and another operated by local goon Narasimhan (Anand Raj). Both gangs threaten builders and land owners into giving them protection money or property, through force, extortion or murder. Mohamed Maideen Khan (Napoleon) arrives as the new Commissioner of Chennai and starts cracking down on crime.

Tamizh (Vijay), a thug, is abducted by Loggu. Tamizh has taken a contract from Narasimhan to beat up Loggu, which he does. Guru invites Tamizh to join Ali Bhai's gang. Tamizh declines stating that he does not work for any gang, but is ready to do anything given enough money. Tamizh falls in love with Shruthi (Asin) when he visits his friend Saravanan's (Sriman) father Shanmugavel's (Nassar) aerobics class, but she mistakes him for a thug. Shruthi, a college student, lives with her widowed mother and younger brother. Body Soda (Vadivelu) lives above Shruthi's house, and frequently and unsuccessfully tries to convince Shruthi to marry him. Sub inspector L. Govindan (Mukesh Tiwari), is a corrupt officer in the colony where Tamizh and Shruthi live who often works with the land mafia. He is also on the payroll of Ali Bhai. He falls for Shruthi and decides to make her his mistress, even after multiple rejections by Shruthi.

Tamizh's first assignment with Ali's gang is to kill a member of Narasimhan's gang. However, police show up at the spot where Tamizh and the other gangsters are waiting. Tamizh engages the cops long enough for the others to finish the task and flee. He also helps Shruthi escape from Govindan. She is impressed by his kindness and friendship soon blossoms between the two, leading to the development of unspoken romantic feelings for each other. When Shruthi tries to expresses her feelings they are attacked by members of Narasimhan's gang, whom Tamizh finishes off. Shruthi is shocked to learn that Tamizh is a gangster with no qualms about killing people.

Govindan arranges for some thugs to pretend to rape Shruthi, so that no decent family will want to take her as their daughter-in-law; with no other option Shruthi and her mother will accept his demands. Tamizh learns of this and assaults Govindan incognito, warning him that if he is found responsible for this incident then things will turn ugly for him. After much ado and mental anguish, Shruthi accepts Tamizh.

Ali Bhai comes to Chennai and kills Narasimhan. He also meets Tamizh to discuss the killing of a minister by blowing up a balloon. Tamizh disagrees with Ali Bhai's method as it would involve killing innocents. In the middle of their argument police raid the club and arrest Ali Bhai. His gang members retaliate by kidnapping the commissioner's daughter, creating a lewd video of her and releasing it to the media. This forces the police to release Ali Bhai. Ali Bhai then drugs the commissioner's daughter, causing her to reveal that her father placed a mole in Ali Bhai's gang. They find that Shanmugavel was a police inspector and the inspector's son, Sathyamoorthy, is now a part of Ali Bhai's gang, as the mole. Ali Bhai kills Sathyamoorthy in front of Shanmugavel. However, it is revealed that the person who died was not Sathyamoorthy, but Shanmugavel's foster son, Saravanan. The actual Sathyamoorthy is none other than Tamizh. His father explains that Sathyamoorthy was a gold medallist IPS officer and has been masquerading as a gangster to penetrate the underworld gangs and wipe them out from the inside by being an undercover agent. Ali Bhai kills Shanmugavel and goes away.

Later Shruthi and the rest of Ali Bhai's gang also find out that Tamizh is Sathyamoorthy. Sathyamoorthy then avenges his father's death by finishing off all members of Ali Bhai's gang including Ali Bhai and Govindan and finally saves the commissioner's daughter.

Cast

Vaiyapuri and Dhamu also appear in supporting roles. Mumaith Khan appears as an item number during the song "En Chella Peru Apple" while Prabhu Deva makes a cameo appearance.

Production

After his film Aathi in January last, For nearly six months Vijay was listening to stories but none appealed he was supposed to do a Tamil version of Dharani's Bangaram, until that film's failure made him look at other options.[4] That's when he got to watch the Telugu `Pokkiri.' he felt that it would work.[5] After difficulty in finding directors, Prabhudeva was selected as director directing his first film in tamil after the flop of his telugu film Pournami.[6][7] The movie was launched in 6 July 2006,[8] Vijay's father SAC conducted special puja at the Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. On Saturday night, which was the full moon day, which is an auspicious occasion for the presiding deity there, he spent a full hour before the Lord seeking his blessings. He also prayed at the Sacred Church at Velankanni.[9]

Ileana, heroine of the original was selected but due to her busy commitments in Telugu, Trisha was also selected but she withdrawn from the film,[10] Asin was selected pairing with Vijay for second time after Sivakasi.[11]

The first day of shoot for the film was held at the new Pillayar Kovil at AVM studios, with various dignitaries gracing the occasion. Vijay's mother Shobha Chandrasekhar gave the clap for the first shot. The first scene shot was with Asin and Vijay, the lead pair in the film, in an elevator that was specially designed for the film.[12]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack has 8 songs composed by Mani Sharma. Two of the songs from the original Telugu version were retained, and remade in Tamil.

Untitled
Song Artist(s) Picturization Length Lyrics
Dole Dole Than Ranjith, Suchitra Vijay, Asin Thottumkal 4:43 Pa. Vijay
Aadungada Yennai Suththi Naveen Vijay, Prabhu Deva 4:29 Kabilan
Nee Mutham Ondru Ranjith, Swetha Mohan Vijay, Asin 4:52 Pa. Vijay
Mambazhamam Mambazham Shankar Mahadevan, Ganga Vijay, Asin, Vadivelu 4:41 Snehan
En Chella Peru Apple A. V. Ramanan, Suchitra Vijay, Mumaith Khan 4:35 Pa. Vijay
Vasaantha Mullai Rahul Nambiar, Krishnamoorthy Vijay, Asin 4:19 Na. Muthukumar
Nee Mutham Ondru (Remix) Ranjith, Suchitra 4:12 Pa. Vijay
Pokkiri Theme Mani Sharma 2:36

Release

Pokkiri was released in 2007 at the festival of Pongal, alongside with Ajith's Aalwar and Vishal's Thaamirabharani. The film became the 3rd most successful film of the year 2007 and the team celebrated the 200 days run of the film at the box office with Kamal Haasan as the chief guest of the function. The movie opened to 100 per cent collections all over the State. It also collected huge revenue in overseas markets too.[13] The film had 100% occupancy for the first three weeks and netted close to 16 crores in total collections in Tamil nadu in 7 weeks.[14] Pokkiri collected 6.10 crores in Tamil Nadu in its first weekend from 142 screens.[15] Pokkiri entered the top ten Asian films chart topped by Sivaji.[16] The film ran for 75 days in theaters in Kerala.[17]

Critical reception

Pokkiri opened to positive Reviews.Sify said that the film was "enjoyable while it lasts".[18] Indiaglitz stated that Vijay stole the show with his "typical 'Vijayisms' (action, humor and punch dialogues)" and that the show was "action-packed entertainer".[19] Behindwoods review felt that Vadivelu and Prakash Raj’s performances were lackluster, and stated that Raj " might do well to sit back and analyze the roles that he accepts," but concluded that the movie overall "packs a punch."[20] Rediff.com gave the movie one and half stars, stating "there's nothing more tedious than a badly made remake." [21] Nowrunning.com stated that Pokiri' is attractively packaged and presented.[22] Oneindia.in stated that Pokiri' is a full length action movie of Vijay[23]

Boxoffice

The film became a huge success at box office.The total collections of the film were 35 crores in 175 days from all over the world.It is said to be one of the most successful films in actor Vijay's career.The film had a housefull run of 75 days in Kerala as well.

Awards

Award Category Recipient Result
Vijay Awards Favourite Film Pokkiri Won
Favourite Director Prabhu Deva Won
Entertainer of the Year Vijay Won
Favourite Hero Vijay Nominated
Favourite Heroine Asin Nominated
Best Actress Asin Nominated
Best Villain Prakash Raj Nominated
Best Choreographer Dinesh
(Vansantha Mullai) 		Won
Best Art Director Kathir Nominated
Best Stunt Director Fefsi Vijaan Nominated
Filmfare Awards South Best Actor Vijay Nominated
Mathrubhumi Film Awards Best Tamil Film Pokkiri Won
Best Tamil Director Prabhu Deva Won
Best Tamil Actor Vijay Won

Remakes

The original Telugu film Pokiri, directed by Puri Jagannadh, was remade in several other languages and still found success in the respective regional cinemas. Pokkiri is the first remake. The second one was Wanted, the Hindi version in 2009 which was also directed by Prabhu Deva, Like the two other versions, Wanted had Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia in the lead and has also Prakash Raj as the villain.[24] After that, a Kannada version, Porkhi, directed by M.D. Sridhar, was released in 14 January 2010. Below is an actor map of the lead actors in the story of Pokiri and its remakes.

Pokiri
(Telugu)
(2006)		 Pokkiri
(Tamil)
(2007)		 Wanted
(Hindi)
(2009)		 Porkhi
(Kannada)
(2010)
Mahesh Babu Vijay Salman Khan Darshan
Ileana D'Cruz Asin Thottumkal Ayesha Takia Pranitha
Prakash Raj Prakash Raj Prakash Raj Ashish Vidyarthi
Nassar Nassar Vinod Khanna
Sayaji Shinde Napoleon Govind Namdeo Sayaji Shinde
Ashish Vidyarthi Mukesh Tiwari Mahesh Manjrekar Shobaraj

References

  1. ^ a b "Tamil cinema in 2007 – half year report". Cinesouth.com. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Pokkiri is a Blockbuster". oneindia. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  3. ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Topten/top-10-movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-pokkiri.html
  4. ^ http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/jul/13slid2.htm
  5. ^ "Friday Review Chennai : Scaling heights with `Pokkiri'". The Hindu. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  6. ^ http://telugu.cinesouth.com/english/masala/hotnews/new/17052006-2.shtml
  7. ^ "Prabhu Deva as a Director in Tamil - Telugu Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Events - 'Pokiri' Movie Launch". IndiaGlitz. 6 July 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  9. ^ "Tamil movies : Pokiri announced! Vijay's father offers prayers at temples!!". Behindwoods.com. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  10. ^ "Tamil movies : How Asin signed up for Vijay's Pokkiri". Behindwoods.com. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Asin in `Pokiri` remake!". Sify. 21 January 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Tamil movies : Vijay's Pokkiri sold at record price!". Behindwoods.com. 6 July 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection". Indiaglitz. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  14. ^ "Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection". Behindwoods. Retrieved 11February 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ "Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection". Behindwoods. Retrieved 11February 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ "Pokkiri Tamilnadu collection". screendaily. Retrieved 11February 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ^ http://www.sify.com/movies/Pokkiri-75-days-in-Kerala-imagegallery-events-jdwmMxihdgh.html?html=5
  18. ^ "Movie Review:Nanban". Sify.com. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  19. ^ Pokkiri - Action aplenty Indiaglitz January 15, 2007
  20. ^ Pokkiri Review at Behindwoods
  21. ^ Pokkiri: Watch only for Vijay, Asin Rediff. Shwetha Bhaskar January 15, 2007
  22. ^ "Movie Review:Pokkiri". Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  23. ^ "Movie Review:Pokkiri". Oneindia.in. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  24. ^ Behindwoods (2009). "Pokkiri's Hindi remake". Behindwoods. Retrieved 22 August 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)

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