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 a planned shared universe, stars Varun in the titular role, alongside Raahei, Dhivyadharshini, Mansoor Ali Khan and Krishna. It revolves around a contract killer-turned bodyguard seeking to protect his ex-girlfriend from a Mexican drug cartel.

Filming began production in late 2019 but concluded only in 2021, 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, and received 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

Development

In July 2019, Gautham Vasudev Menon was reported to have agreed to direct 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), with the film starring Ganesh's nephew Varun.[2] [3] [4] Menon said Suriya was considered for the lead role at one point, but declined as he found the script too similar to that of his other film Kaappaan (2019).[5] Varun, who was shooting for Seeru in which he had gained weight to 94 kilograms for the film, subsequently lost 22 kilograms in order to achieve a sportive look.[6] Few media reports initially suggested that the film would be based on the script of , which was originally planned with Vijay in 2011, but Menon denied this and claimed it was a separate story.[7] [8]

To prepare for his role, Varun trained with Yannick Ben, a renowned Hollywood stunt director, in Paris for a month. Debutant actress Raahei was cast as the lead actress.[9] Darbuka Siva was initially announced as the music composer in November 2019 after working with Menon in Enai Noki Paayum Thota,[10] but was later replaced by playback singer Karthik in February 2020.[11] 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.[12] [13]

Filming

Principal photography began in October 2019.[14] 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.[15] As of June 2020, filming was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By April 2021, filming was complete. Varun began dubbing his lines in April 2022.[16] [17] [18]

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. The video of the second single "Naan Un Joshua" was released on 17 July 2020, along with the single in music platforms.[19] [20] The third single "Tappasu Neram" was released on 11 December 2021.[21] The fourth single "Joshua Siru Paeraasai" was released on 29 February 2024.[22]

Release

Joshua: Imai Pol Kaakha was released theatrically on 1 March 2024.[23] The film began streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 28 March 2024.[24]

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!."[25] 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."[26] 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."[27]

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."[28] 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."[29] 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."[30]

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.[31]

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: 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Web site: Rajendran . Gopinath . 2019-11-04 . Gautham Menon’s next titled Joshua to star Varun as lead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241125125750/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/Nov/04/gautham-menons-next-titled-joshua-to-star-varun-as-lead-2056570.html . 2024-11-25 . 2024-11-25 . . en.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Web site: CR . Sharanya . 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Web site: 2021-03-14 . ‘Be it for 60 seconds or two hours, we need to keep viewers hooked’ . 2024-11-25 . . en . 25 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241125052712/https://www.dtnext.in/lifestyletopnews/2021/03/14/be-it-for-60-seconds-or-two-hours-we-need-to-keep-viewers-hooked . live .
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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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