Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha Explained

Director:Gautham Vasudev Menon
Producer:Ishari K. Ganesh
Cinematography:S. R. Kathir
Editing:Anthony
Music:Karthik
Studio:Vels Film International
Runtime:140 minutes
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and produced by Ishari K. Ganesh. The film, the first instalment in the planned shared universe, stars Varun in titular role, alongside Raahei, Dhivyadharshini, Mansoor Ali Khan and Krishna. In the film, Joshua, a contract killer-turned bodyguard, seeks to protect his ex-girlfriend Kundhavi Chidambaram from a Mexican drug cartel.

The film began production in late 2019 but concluded only in 2021–2022, following delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The music was composed by Karthik, while S. R. Kathir and Anthony handled the cinematography and editing of the film.

Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha was released on 1 March 2024 to mixed reviews from critics.[1]

Plot

Joshua, an ex-contract killer working for a private security agency in Chennai, is assigned to protect his ex-girlfriend Kundhavi Chidambaram, a lawyer based in New York City. It is revealed that Kundhavi is one of the members of a prosecution team hired to testifying against Leguiziamo alias El Chapo, the leader of a Mexican drug cartel. El Chapo placed a bounty on the team and had them killed, only Kundhavi survived the attack. Kundhavi soon became the main attorney to punish El Chapo, which resulted in El Chapo in hiring local thugs to finish her.

One night, a gang headed by Don Shiva and Koti, Joshua's childhood friend, arrives to kill Kundhavi at the hotel, but Joshua and his men take them down and Joshua gets injured in the process. Joshua learns about the persons behind the attack through his boss Madhavi. Kundhavi gets kidnapped again by Shiva and Koti, but Joshua saves her again and kills Shiva. Koti escapes again and learns that Joshua is his friend. Koti tells his men to leave Kundhavi, while secretly trying to kill her for money. However, Joshua knew about this and a fight ensues in which Joshua spares Koti due to their friendship.

Meanwhile, Kundhavi's father Chidambaram arrives to take Kundhavi to a safe place, but Madhavi realises that Chidambaram hired Koti and Shiva to kill Kundhavi as Chidambaram was involved in El Chapo's drug trade. Kundhavi and Joshua learn about this through Madhavi, where Joshua finishes Chidambaram's henchmen and Kundhavi kills Chidambaram in self-defense. Joshua promises Kundhavi that he will always be with her and will protect her from various dangers.

Production

Pre-production

In September 2017, Gautham Vasudev Menon announced his new project with Arun Vijay in the leading role after reestablishing him in Yennai Arindhaal (2015), and it eventually marked the actor's 25th film in the leading role.[2] [3] [4] The film was reported to be an action thriller with Arun Vijay playing the role of a bodyguard for a rich entrepreneur. Arun lost weight in order to sport a ripped physique in the film.[5] Menon, who started working on the pre-production of the project, planned to shoot for the film during January 2018, whereas Arun trained for the project in Paris with action director Yannick Ben, but the film was put on hold in mid-2017 after Menon encountered financial constraints.[6] [7] While Menon planned to revive the project in April 2019, he approached Suriya for the leading role, but Suriya declined as he found the script too similar to that of his other film Kaappaan (2019).[8]

Development

In July 2019, Menon agreed on terms to work on a film produced by Ishari K. Ganesh of Vels Film International, following the producer's sudden intervention to relieve Menon from financial constraints that he faced during the making of Enai Noki Paayum Thota (2019). In return, Menon agreed to make a film starring Ganesh's nephew Varun in the lead role.[9] [10] [11] Varun, who was shooting for Seeru in which he had gained weight to 94 kilograms for the film, subsequently lost 22 kilos in order to achieve a sportive look, whereas Menon decided to revive the script with Varun, which was originally meant for Arun Vijay.[12] Few media reports initially suggested that the film would be based on the script of Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru, which was originally planned with Vijay in 2011, but Menon denied this and claimed it was a separate story.[13] [14]

To prepare for his role, Varun trained with Yannick Ben and his team of stunt directors and parkour experts in Paris during mid-2019. Debutant actress Raahei was also cast in the film as a rich individual, who is protected by Varun's character. Darbuka Siva was initially announced as the music composer in November 2019 after working with Menon in Enai Noki Paayum Thota, but was later replaced by playback singer Karthik in February 2020.[15] [16] The antagonist of the film was not disclosed until July 2020, when it was announced that Krishna will play the main antagonist. Krishna trained stunt sequences under Yannick Ben, who also choreographed the action sequences for the film.[17] [18]

Filming

Principal photography began in October 2019. By November 2019, 50% of the film was completed in a single stretch through a schedule in Chennai. The makers shot seven action sequences during January 2020, which include car fights and chasing sequences and later prepared to shoot scenes in the United Kingdom and United States.[19] [20] As of June 2020, filming was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, the film was nearing completion, with only two or three days of "patch-work" remaining. Varun began dubbing his lines in April 2022.[21] [22] [23]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Karthik in his third film as composer after Aravaan (2012) and Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum (2016). The first single "Hey Love", sung by Shashaa Tirupati and written by Vignesh Shivan, was released on 29 February 2020.[24] The video of the second single "Naan Un Joshua" was released on 17 July 2020, along with the single in music platforms.[25] [26] The third single "Tappasu Neram" was released on 11 December 2021.[27] The fourth single "Joshua Siru Paeraasai" was released on 29 February 2024.[28]

Release

Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha was released theatrically on 1 March 2024.[29] The film began streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 28 March 2024.[30]

Reception

Critical response

Manigandan KR of Times Now gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Joshua is yet another typical Gautham Vasudev Menon film – one that has class stamped all over it!."[31] Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "At a time when filmmakers, especially the established ones, are going for bigger and bigger, it's a relief to see one aim for something modest, something simple, something with no fluff—and pretty much deliver."[32] Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha works largely due to its action set pieces and music. Joshua, as a character, may be formidable but the same cannot be said about this film."[33]

Indiaglitz gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Action lovers and GVM fans will have a satisfying time."[34] Ranjani Krishnakumar of The News Minute gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Gautham Vasudev Menon's latest has got love, action, mystery and tension. Yet, none of it captures our emotion or imagination, independently or as a whole. In the end, it's as tiresome as it's tired."[35]

Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "In his most disappointing film yet, director Gautham Menon gives us a terribly weak lead protagonist who cannot hold afloat the emotionless narrative or the uninventive action set-pieces."[36] Harshini S V of Film Companion wrote, "You could like or dislike a Gautham Menon film, but Joshua is a film where you struggle to see the director's touch."[37]

Future

Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha is the first of a planned shared universe. Dhruva Natchathiram, which is the forthcoming sophomore instalment in the universe, has Dhivyadharshini reprising her role as Madhavi.[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manu . Hridyambika A . 1 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha Twitter review – Netizens are all for this 'GVM-style action' film despite its 'old story' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301124227/https://www.ottplay.com/news/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-twitter-review-netizens-are-all-for-this-gvm-style-action-film-despite-its-old-story/19900709d5473 . 1 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . . en.
  2. Web site: 14 September 2017 . Arjun Vijay's 25th film to be directed by Gautham Menon? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111523/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/arjun-vijay-next-to-be-directed-by-gautham-menon-1044432-2017-09-14 . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . India Today.
  3. Web site: 13 September 2017 . Gautham Menon to direct Arun Vijay's 25th film? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111528/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/sep/13/gautham-menon-to-direct-arun-vijays-25th-film-1656218.html . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The New Indian Express.
  4. Web site: 16 April 2019 . Arun Vijay signs his 25th film with director Gautham Menon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111523/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/arun-vijay-signs-his-25th-film-director-gautham-menon-100127 . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The News Minute.
  5. Web site: 12 September 2017 . Gautham Menon to helm Arun Vijay's 25th film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111524/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2017/sep/12/gautham-menon-to-helm-arun-vijays-25th-film-2097.html . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . Cinema Express.
  6. Web site: Bharadan . 20 October 2017 . Arun Vijay's 25th film gets an important update! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111530/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gautham-menons-speculated-project-with-arun-vijay-shooting-from-jan-2018.html . 19 May 2021 . 5 January 2022 . Behindwoods.
  7. Web site: 26 October 2017 . ARUN VIJAY OFFICIALLY UPDATES ABOUT HIS LANDMARK 25TH FILM . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235046/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/arun-vijay-updates-about-his-25th-film.html . 26 December 2019 . 5 January 2022 . Behindwoods.
  8. Web site: 3 August 2020 . Here is why Suriya turned down Gautham Vasudev Menon's Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201022165915/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/here-is-why-suriya-turned-down-gautham-vasudev-menons-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha/articleshow/77327536.cms . 22 October 2020 . 19 May 2021 . The Times of India.
  9. Web site: 23 July 2019 . ENPT and Dhruva Natchathiram yet to release,Gautham begins a new project? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812121217/https://www.sify.com/movies/enpt-and-dhruva-natchathiram-yet-to-releasegautham-begins-a-new-project-news-tamil-thxlqwdijejdb.html . 12 August 2020 . 10 August 2020 . Sify.
  10. Web site: 20 July 2019 . Gautham Menon's next to be produced by Isari Ganesh's Vels Films International? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235034/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jul/20/gautham-menons-next-to-be-produced-by-isari-ganeshs-vels-films-international-13098.html . 26 December 2019 . 1 December 2019 . Cinema Express.
  11. Web site: Balu . Aparajitha . 4 November 2019 . Gautham Vasudev Menon's Projects Receive A New Lease Of Life As Vels Steps In . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220106070718/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/gautham-vasudev-menons-projects-receive-a-new-lease-of-life-as-vels-steps-in/ . 6 January 2022 . 1 December 2019 . Silverscreen.in.
  12. Web site: Lakshmi . V . 16 July 2020 . Right-handed Varun trains in southpaw stance for Joshua . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111524/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/right-handed-varun-trains-in-southpaw-stance-for-joshua/articleshow/76988230.cms . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The Times of India.
  13. Web site: 16 October 2019 . Gautham Menon revives Vijay's 'Yohan' with 'Puppy' hero Varun as lead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235033/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gautham-menon-revives-vijays-yohan-with-puppy-hero-varun-as-lead/article29698542.ece . 26 December 2019 . 1 December 2019 . The Hindu.
  14. Web site: K . Janani . 3 November 2019 . Joshua Imai Pol Khaaka is not Yohan Adiyayam Ondru, confirms Gautham Menon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191105150441/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/joshua-imai-pol-khaaka-is-not-yohan-adiyayam-ondru-confirms-gautham-menon-1615319-2019-11-03 . 5 November 2019 . 1 December 2019 . India Today.
  15. Web site: 26 November 2019 . Darbuka Siva to score music for GVM's 'Joshua Imai Pol Kakka' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111526/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/darbuka-siva-to-score-music-for-gvms-joshua-imai-pol-kakka/articleshow/72235853.cms . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The Times of India.
  16. Web site: 25 February 2020 . Music director of 'Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha' changed! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200627063035/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/music-director-of-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-changed/articleshow/74314969.cms . 27 June 2020 . 28 February 2020 . The Times of India.
  17. Web site: Lakshmi . V . 3 August 2020 . Even the villains in Gautham Menon's films have mass appeal: Krishna . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111523/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/even-the-villains-in-gautham-menons-films-have-mass-appeal-krishna/articleshow/77321079.cms . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The Times of India.
  18. Web site: 16 July 2020 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha: Krishna to play antagonist in Gautham Menon film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200718011557/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-krishna-to-play-antagonist-in-gautham-menon-film-1701236-2020-07-16 . 18 July 2020 . 19 May 2021 . India Today.
  19. Web site: 3 November 2019 . Gautham Menon-Varun film titled Joshua . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235037/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/nov/03/gautham-menon-varun-film-titled-joshua-15291.html . 26 December 2019 . 1 December 2019 . Cinema Express.
  20. Web site: 19 October 2019 . Varun trains in Paris for GVM's spy thriller Joshua: Adhyayam Ondru . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191107222659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/varun-trains-in-paris-for-gvms-spy-thriller-joshua-adhyayam-ondru/articleshow/71648531.cms . 7 November 2019 . 1 December 2019 . The Times of India.
  21. News: Kumar . Pradeep . 10 June 2020 . Release work on for Vikram's 'Dhruva Natchathiram', says Gautham Menon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200613120911/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/release-work-on-for-vikrams-dhruva-natchathiram-says-gautham-menon/article31793369.ece . 13 June 2020 . 10 June 2020 . The Hindu.
  22. Web site: 2 March 2021 . JOSHUA Imai Pol Kaakha inches towards completion! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220105062640/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/27857/gautham-menon-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-update . 5 January 2022 . 5 January 2022 . Moviecrow.
  23. Web site: 6 April 2022 . Varun starts dubbing for Gautham Vasudev Menon's 'Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415135139/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/varun-starts-dubbing-for-gautham-vasudev-menons-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha/articleshow/90690310.cms . 15 April 2022 . 15 April 2022 . The Times of India.
  24. Web site: Shilpa . 29 February 2020 . HEY LOVE LYRICAL VIDEO FROM JOSHUA IMAI POL KAAKHA OUT; GVM'S LATEST ENTHRALLS . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200303130357/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/hey-love-lyrical-video-from-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-out-gvm.html . 3 March 2020 . 12 June 2020 . Behindwoods.
  25. Web site: 16 July 2020 . Naan Un Joshua from Gautham Menon's next to be an action song . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111523/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/jul/16/naan-un-joshua-from-gautham-menons-next-to-be-an-action-song-2170284.html . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The New Indian Express.
  26. News: 17 July 2020 . 'Naan Un Joshua': First video song from 'Joshua' promises captivating album from Karthik and Gautham Menon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519111528/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/naan-un-joshua-first-video-song-from-joshua-promises-captivating-album-from-karthik-and-gautham-menon/article32098645.ece . 19 May 2021 . 19 May 2021 . The Hindu.
  27. Tappasu Neram Lyric Video JOSHUA Imai Pol Kaakha Varun Gautham Vasudev Menon Karthik . 11 December 2021 . Think Music India . Think Music . 10 January 2022 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/qrSEMMZVK0k . 10 January 2022 . live . YouTube.
  28. Web site: 29 February 2024 . 'Joshua Siru Paeraasai' song from Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha out . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229084625/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/feb/29/joshua-siru-paeraasai-song-from-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-out-52500.html . 29 February 2024 . 29 February 2024 . . en.
  29. Web site: 16 February 2024 . Gautham Vasudev Menon's Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha gets release date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031930/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/feb/16/gautham-vasudev-menons-joshua-imai-polkaakhagets-release-date-52104.html . 17 February 2024 . 16 February 2024 . Cinema Express.
  30. Web site: 28 March 2024 . Gautham Vasudev Menon's Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha gets OTT premiere . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328181002/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/ott/news/2024/Mar/28/gautham-vasudev-menons-joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-gets-ott-premiere . 28 March 2024 . 28 March 2024 . . en.
  31. News: KR . Manigandan . 1 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha Movie Review: A typical Gautham Menon Film That Has Class Stamped All Over It . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301072731/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/tamil/joshua-film-review-a-typical-gautham-menon-film-that-has-class-stamped-all-over-it-review-108116325 . 1 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . Times Now.
  32. Web site: Srinivasan . Sudhir . 2 March 2024 . 'Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha' movie review: A no-frills actioner with good music and enjoyable urgency . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330072037/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2024/Mar/02/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-movie-review-a-no-frills-actioner-with-good-music-and-enjoyable-urgency . 30 March 2024 . 30 March 2024 . The New Indian Express.
  33. News: Radhakrishnan . Roopa . 1 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha Movie Review : This inauthentic but charming film fails to make you care for its characters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301072731/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha/movie-review/108126863.cms . 1 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . The Times of India.
  34. Web site: 1 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406042511/https://www.indiaglitz.com/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-review-tamil-movie-26337 . 6 April 2024 . 30 March 2024 . Indiaglitz.
  35. Web site: Krishnakumar . Ranjani . 2 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha review: A GVM film that lacks punch or passion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330072037/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-review-a-gvm-film-that-lacks-punch-or-passion . 30 March 2024 . 30 March 2024 . The News Minute.
  36. News: Chandar . Bhuvanesh . 1 March 2024 . 'Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha' movie review: Gautham Menon loses the plot — hook, line and sinker — in this chaotic mess . live . https://archive.today/20240301121449/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-movie-review-gautham-menon-loses-the-plot-hook-line-and-sinker-in-this-chaotic-mess/article67903100.ece . 1 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . . en.
  37. Web site: S V . Harshini . 1 March 2024 . Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha Review: Without GVM's Usual Touch, The Flaws Are Glaring In This Action Film . live . https://archive.today/20240301123258/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/joshua-imai-pol-kaakha-review-without-gvms-usual-touch-the-flaws-are-glaring-in-this-action-film-varun-raahei-tamil-movie . 1 March 2024 . 1 March 2024 . . en.
  38. Web site: 23 February 2024 . Gautham Vasudev Menon says Joshua Imai Pol Kaakh is part of Dhruva Naticharam universe; says this about Simbu's sequel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412083416/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/gautham-vasudev-menon-says-joshua-imai-pol-kaakh-is-part-of-dhruva-naticharam-universe-says-this-about-simbus-sequel-101708679465274.html . 12 April 2024 . 3 May 2024 . . en.

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