Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam Explained

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam
Director:R. Parthiepan
Producer:K. Chandramohan
Haresh Vikram Vijayakumar
Starring:
Music:
Cinematography:Rajarathinam
Editing:R. Sudharsan
Studio:Reves Creations
Distributor:Bioscope Film Framers
Runtime:128 minutes
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam (; also referred to as KTVI) is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language independent satirical drama film written and directed by R. Parthiepan and produced by K. Chandramohan and independent producer, Haresh Vikram Vijayakumar. The project stars an all-new cast along with several experienced actors in cameo roles and becomes Parthiepan's first directorial film in which he does not feature in the lead role. The film, which has a tagline reading "a film without a story", began production in late 2013 and was released on 15 August 2014.[1]

Plot

The trope of the movie is that there is no plot. It simply narrates the events in the life of a crew of film-makers as they attempt to get to a story for their proposed movie and whether they succeed.

Cast

Guest appearances

(in alphabetical order):[3]

Production

In February 2013, actor-director R. Parthiepan announced that he would write and direct his twelfth feature film and title it Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam, noting that he would not act in the film, unlike his previous ventures.[5] The film began its shoot in December 2013 after Parthiepan had completed his acting assignments, with a schedule taking place in Chennai.[6]

While newcomers were signed for the lead roles, several popular actors from the Tamil film industry were offered to play cameo roles in the film.[7] Vijay Sethupathi first shot scenes for a day[8] and did not take any remuneration for his participation and Parthiepan stated that Arya, Amala Paul, Nazriya and Prakash Raj were the other actors who had agreed to make cameo appearances.[9] Amala Paul was subsequently requested to appear in a cameo role and agreed to continue filming for scenes in Coimbatore.[10] She shot along with Arya,[11] whose role was also extended.[12] Nazriya meanwhile got engaged and backed out of all her projects she had accepted, including Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam[13] and instead Taapsee Pannu worked on the film for one day.[14] It was reported that Suriya and Dhanush were also approached[15] [16] which was not confirmed by the director, who instead informed that Vishal would act in a few scenes.[17] One of the film's lead actresses was revealed to be Akhila Kishore, a model who had appeared in few Kannada films.[18]

Soundtrack

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Alphons Joseph
Sharreth
Vijay Antony
S. Thaman
Released:2014
Recorded:2014
Genre:Soundtrack
Length:24:51
Language:Tamil
Label:Junglee Music
Producer:Alphons Joseph
Sharreth
Vijay Antony
S. Thaman
Chronology:Alphons Joseph
Prev Title:Pranayakadha
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Lonappante Mamodeesa
Next Year:2019

The soundtrack album has four tracks composed by four different artists Alphons Joseph, Sharreth, Vijay Antony and S. Thaman. The title song by Alphons Joseph was released as a single on 12 May 2014 at Suriyan FM,[19] the full album was launched on 25 May 2014. Parthiepan had stated that Yuvan Shankar Raja had agreed to compose a song for the film and that actress Simran had recorded a song in April 2014. The soundtrack album did not feature a song by neither artist, however. Actress Sneha also had recorded a song for the film, singing the pallavi and a charanam, but as she was displeased with the outcome, she suggested a professional singer replace her.[20]

Release

The satellite rights of the film were sold to STAR Vijay.[21]

Critical reception

Baradwaj Rangan of The Hindu wrote "For a good part, it just wants to make us laugh — and that it does very well. The one-liners and Parthiban’s trademark dialogues are funny enough to camouflage the fact that this is actually a pretty serious premise...Kathai Thiraikathai (Vasanam Iyakkam), for the most part, is borne along with rhythms that are slightly off-kilter, and it has the snap of a student film".[22] The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Radhakrishnan Parthiban and his films can sometimes come across as over-smart, and being quirky just for the sake of being so. But in Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam, this over smartness and quirkiness lend freshness to a regular one-line plot. The film proudly wears these two elements on its sleeves and feels fresh and zany".[23] The New Indian Express wrote, "With his refreshing screenplay and an unconventional narrative style Parthiepan makes a bold and successful attempt to veer cinema from its routine beaten path...the film packs enough punch to make it worthwhile for audiences, to experience a celluloid journey that is intriguing and fascinating. Kathai (Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam) comes as a whiff of fresh air".[24]

Sify wrote, "Kathai Thirakathai Vasanam Iyakkam...is fairly a decent and fresh approach to filmmaking...The film works largely on Parthipan’s smart writing and his humour laced sarcastic dialogues".[25] Indiaglitz gave the film a rating of 3 and wrote, "in one of the most captivating screenplays of recent times, with hardly any concrete story to stick to and an unbelievable climax, Parthiepan has ensured that Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam is one of a kind of an entertainer that glues you to the seat all the two and half hours, without any worry of the clock ticking".[26] Behindwoods gave 2.75 stars out of 5 and wrote: "Sharp dialogues, wit, Thambi Ramiah and screenplay experimentation make KTVI a good ride".[27]

Notes and References

  1. News: Shotcuts: It's different!. The Hindu. 11 October 2013. thehindu.com. 2014-01-26. Kumar. S. R. Ashok. 15 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131015022428/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/shotcuts-its-different/article5225194.ece. live.
  2. Web site: Loved ‘Super Deluxe’? Meet the film’s unsung heroes . 18 December 2021 . 18 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211218033659/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/meet-raasukutty-gaaji-balaji-and-mutta-puffs-from-super-deluxe/article26721501.ece . live .
  3. News: Young actors to shake a leg in KTVI. The Times of India. 15 June 2020. 5 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305150557/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/young-actors-to-shake-a-leg-in-ktvi/articleshow/37506196.cms. live.
  4. News: Amala Paul turns it on in a veshti. The Times of India. 15 June 2020. 19 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719122118/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Amala-Paul-turns-it-on-in-a-veshti/articleshow/32790310.cms. live.
  5. Web site: Interesting title for Parthiban's next !, r parthiban, Parthiban. Behindwoods.com. 2014-01-26. 14 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014013149/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/interesting-title-for-parthibans-next--r-parthiban-parthiban-08-02-13.html. live.
  6. Web site: The shoot of Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam, directed by Parthipan started on the 15th of Decem. Behindwoods.com. 2014-01-26. 5 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140205134200/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/the-shoot-of-kathai-thiraikathai-vasanam-iyakkam-directed-by-parthipan-started-on-the-15th-of-december-2013.html. live.
  7. Web site: Events - Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam on location . https://web.archive.org/web/20140405093435/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/Events/50019.html . dead . 5 April 2014 . IndiaGlitz.com . 2014-04-02 . 2014-04-24.
  8. Web site: Vijay Sethupathi aka Vijay Sethupathy in Parthiban's Kadhai Thiraikadhai Vasanam Iyakkam . Behindwoods.com . 2014-01-27 . 2014-04-24 . 23 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140423131409/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/vijay-sethupathi-aka-vijay-sethupathy-in-parthibans-kadhai-thiraikadhai-vasanam-iyakkam.html . live .
  9. News: Arya, Amala Paul, Nazriya, Prakash Raj in a cameo. The Times of India. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2014-04-03. 6 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306233501/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Arya-Amala-Paul-Nazriya-Prakash-Raj-in-a-cameo/articleshow/31476102.cms. live.
  10. Web site: Amala's extended cameo in KTVI. https://web.archive.org/web/20140324012738/http://www.sify.com/movies/amala-s-extended-cameo-in-ktvi-news-tamil-odxmz6ghehf.html. dead. 2014-03-24. Sify. 2014-04-03.
  11. Web site: Arya gets married to Amala second time! . https://web.archive.org/web/20140326132822/http://www.sify.com/movies/arya-gets-married-to-amala-second-time-news-tamil-odzjz0jhefc.html . dead . 2014-03-26 . . 2014-03-25 . 2014-04-24.
  12. Web site: Subha J. Rao . Team player . The Hindu . 2014-03-27 . 2014-04-24 . 25 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140425004915/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/team-player/article5839165.ece . live .
  13. Web site: Nazriya gives back advance money - Tamil Movie News . https://web.archive.org/web/20140406103209/http://www.indiaglitz.com/Nazriya-gives-back-advance-money-tamil-news-105666 . dead . 6 April 2014 . IndiaGlitz.com . 2014-04-03 . 2014-04-24.
  14. Web site: Subha J Rao . Where's the story? . The Hindu . 2014-04-01 . 2014-04-24 . 9 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140709035817/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/wheres-the-story/article5859005.ece . live .
  15. Web site: S. R. Ashok Kumar . Shotcuts: It's getting bigger! . The Hindu . 2014-03-28 . 2014-04-24 . 25 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140425004920/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/shotcuts-its-getting-bigger/article5843287.ece . live .
  16. Web site: Suriya or Dhanush for Parthepan's film? . Times of India . 2014-03-23 . 2014-04-24 . 27 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140327142054/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Suriya-or-Dhanush-for-Parthepans-film/articleshow/32544807.cms? . live .
  17. Web site: Simran croons for Parthepan's film . Times of India . 2014-04-20 . 2014-04-24 . 20 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140420191833/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Simran-croons-for-Parthepans-film/articleshow/33963376.cms . live .
  18. News: Parthepan moulded me as an actor: Akhila . Times of India . 2014-04-24 . 25 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140425215736/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Parthepan-moulded-me-as-an-actor-Akhila/articleshow/34160246.cms . live .
  19. News: Parthiban's single track released. The Times of India. 15 June 2020. 19 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719125128/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Parthibans-single-track-released/articleshow/35006674.cms. live.
  20. Web site: Sneha backs out of singing. 7 June 2014. Deccan Chronicle. 15 June 2020. 15 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200615033638/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140607/entertainment-kollywood/article/sneha-backs-out-singing. live.
  21. Web site: New Year 2015 Special Programs in Star Vijay Channel on 01/01/2015, 01/01/2015 Punthandu Sirappu Programs Vijay TV . Indreporter . 31 December 2014 . 21 September 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083623/http://www.indreporter.com/2014/12/31/new-year-2015-special-programs-in-vijay-tv-channel-on-01012015-01012015-puthandu-sirappu-programs-vijay-tv/ . dead .
  22. News: Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam review: Season of the meta movie. Baradwaj. Rangan. The Hindu. 16 August 2014. www.thehindu.com. 15 June 2020. 22 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022212153/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kathai-thiraikathai-vasanam-iyakkam-review/article6324277.ece. live.
  23. News: Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam Movie Review : Critic Review of Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam by Times of India. The Times of India .
  24. Web site: Refreshing Screenplay,Unconventional Style. The New Indian Express. 17 February 2024. 16 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116111819/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2014/aug/17/Refreshing-ScreenplayUnconventional-Style-648754.html. live.
  25. Web site: Movie Review : Kadhai Thiraikadhai Vasanam Iyakkam . . 9 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140816211728/http://www.sify.com/movies/kadhai-thiraikadhai-vasanam-iyakkam-review-tamil-15058140.html . 16 August 2014 . dead.
  26. Web site: Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam review. Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam Tamil movie review, story, rating. IndiaGlitz.com. 15 June 2020. 15 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200615033638/https://www.indiaglitz.com/kathai-thiraikathai-vasanam-iyakkam-review-tamil-movie-review-18442. live.
  27. Web site: Kadhai Thiraikkadhai Vasanam Iyakkam (aka) Kadhai Thiraikkadhai Vasanam Iyakkam review. www.behindwoods.com. 17 August 2014. 17 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140817191854/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/kadhai-thiraikkadhai-vasanam-iyakkam/kadhai-thiraikkadhai-vasanam-iyakkam-review.html. live.