Mark Antony (2023 film) explained

Director:Adhik Ravichandran
Screenplay:Adhik Ravichandran
S. J. Arjun
R. Savari Muthu
Story:Adhik Ravichandran
Producer:S. Vinod Kumar
Cinematography:Abinandhan Ramanujam
Editing:Vijay Velukutty
Music:G. V. Prakash Kumar
Narrator:Karthi
Studio:Mini Studio
Distributor:Ayngaran International
Runtime:150 minutes[1]
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Mark Antony is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action comedy film directed by Adhik Ravichandran. The film stars Vishal and S. J. Suryah in dual roles with Ritu Varma, Abhinaya, Sunil, Selvaraghavan, Y. G. Mahendran, Nizhalgal Ravi, Redin Kingsley and Manikandan in supporting roles. In the film, Mark, the son of a gangster Antony, finds a telephone which can contact the past, but Madhan, the son of rival gangster Jackie, wants it for himself.

The film, produced by S. Vinod Kumar under Mini Studio, was officially announced in December 2021 under the tentative title Vishal 33, as it is Vishal's 33rd film as the lead actor, and the official title was revealed in January 2022. Principal photography began in May 2022 and wrapped by May 2023. The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Abinandhan Ramanujam and Vijay Velukutty.

Mark Antony was released in theatres on 15 September 2023, during Vinayagar Chathurthi. The film grossed over 100 crore, becoming the highest-grossing film in Vishal's career.[2]

Plot

In 1975, Chiranjeevi, a scientist, invents a telephone that enables its users to make calls to people in the past by selecting a past date, with a constraint that only one call can be made for each selected date. Meanwhile, Antony and Jackie Pandian are best friends and gangsters in Chennai, who have a common enemy named Ekambaram. Ekambaram decides to take revenge against Antony for killing his brother. He kills Antony in a club, also resulting in Chiranjeevi getting killed. Jackie soon becomes the solo kingpin, adopts Antony's son Mark, and raises him like his own son.

In 1995, Mark, now a mechanic in Royapuram, hates Antony for being responsible for his mother Vedhavalli's death. He is in love with his neighbour Ramya and decides to get married soon. He decides to sell his garage and move away from Royapuram, but Jackie does not allow him, fearing for his safety. At the registrar office, Ekambaram tries to shoot Jackie but gets killed that night by the latter. Ramya's mother gets to know that Mark is Antony's son and asks him to leave her alone.

One day, a drunken Mark finds Chiranjeevi's telephone and realises its capabilities. Using the telephone, he first saves his mother and his younger self from Ekambaram and his men. He then warns Antony's advocate Selvam about his upcoming demise and asks him to meet him in 1995 at his garage. Mark soon learns from Selvam that Antony was not a bad person and was made to believe it by Jackie, the actual mastermind behind Antony and Vedhavalli's deaths, as Antony refused Jackie's involvement in illegal activities like drug smuggling, arms trafficking and prostitution. Mark manages to change history by making calls to the past, where Jackie is killed.

Mark soon wakes up in the present to find that he is in Jackie's place as a gangster with Ekambaram as his guardian, while Jackie's son Madhan is in Mark's place as a mechanic. Madhan soon learns about the telephone and Mark's involvement in changing the history previously, which he informs to Jackie. A cat-and-mouse game ensues where Jackie makes various attempts to kill Antony, but Antony survives all the attempts and learns about Jackie's true intentions. Jackie and his men surround Antony and Ekambaram at the club, and Antony is seemingly killed. Mark awakens in the present to find himself back as a mechanic along with Ekambaram, while Jackie is still alive and Madhan is a gangster.

Madhan kidnaps Ramya and orders Mark to arrive at the club godown. Mark arrives and is thrashed by Madhan and Jackie's men. However, Antony arrives at the godown; it is revealed that Ekambaram saved Antony in the club shootout and had sent him to Colombia due to many encounter killings of gangsters by the police. Antony gained the partnership of the Colombian underworld as Jackie usually sent commission to the gangsters under Antony's name. Antony kills all of Jackie's henchmen at the godown by using his secret weapon Anaconda, and finally kills Jackie and Madhan. Antony reunites with Mark and calls Vedhavalli in the past, who is being held at gunpoint by Chiranjeevi, wanting his telephone back. Chiranjeevi discovers, to his horror, that Jackie is holding him at gunpoint.

Production

In September 2021, it was reported that Vishal would team with Adhik Ravichandran for a film and would be produced by S. Vinod Kumar under Mini Studio.[3] In December, it was officially confirmed by the team that they are teaming up for the tentatively titled project Vishal 33.[4] The same month, S. J. Suryah was reported to play the antagonist and was confirmed on New Year's Day,[5] [6] along with the title Mark Antony, named after Raghuvaran's character from Baashha (1995).[7] Later, G. V. Prakash Kumar was added to the crew to compose the music.[8] In May 2022, the team announced Ritu Varma as the female lead, while Sunil and Nizhalgal Ravi appear in prominent roles.[9] Vishnu Priya Gandhi, a social media influencer, was chosen by the makers to portray Silk Smitha due to her resemblance. Make-up and visual effects were used to further enhance her resemblance to Smitha.[10] [11]

Principal photography began on 5 May 2022 with a muhurat puja in Chennai. The first schedule took place in Chennai, with Varma joining them in July.[12] The shooting was placed on hold because Vishal got injured during shooting in August and resumed in October with the second schedule.[13] The final schedule started in January 2023 and was nearing shooting completion.[14] Suryah completed shooting his portions in April.[15] In May, Vishal and Sunil finished their portions with a cake-cutting.[16] Vishal started dubbing for his portions in May.[17] In July, Vishal, via Twitter, stated that the dubbing was in the final stages.[18]

Soundtrack

Mark Antony
Type:soundtrack
Artist:G. V. Prakash Kumar
Released:2023
Genre:Film soundtrack
Length:11:52
Language:Tamil
Label:Think Music India
Producer:G. V. Prakash Kumar
Prev Title:Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
Prev Year:2023
Year:2023
Next Title:Tiger Nageswara Rao
Next Year:2023

The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar in his second collaboration with Vishal after Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) and second with Adhik Ravichandran after Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) and first with S. J. Suryah. The first single "Adhirudha" released on 15 July 2023 and the second single "I Love You Di" on 23 August 2023.[19] [20]

Release

Mark Antony was released on 14 September 2023, during Vinayagar Chathurthi.[21] According to Vishal, he had to pay a bribe of to a Mumbai censor board official to ensure its Hindi dubbed version's release.[22]

Home media

The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were initially acquired by ZEE5, which eventually lost the rights to Amazon Prime Video.[23] The satellite rights were sold to Zee Tamil.[24] The film began streaming on Prime Video from 13 October 2023.[25]

Reception

Critical response

OTTPlay reported that Mark Antony received positive reviews from critics,[26] while The Times of India noted they were mixed.

Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony is not a great film, but it's quite a refreshing entertainer that delivers what it promises."[27] Krishna Selvaseelan of Tamil Guardian gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Overall, although oftentimes headache inducing and downright nonsensical, Ravichandran should be lauded for a unique and entertaining film".[28]

Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony is a valiant effort and, with certain shortcomings, it still manages to engage the audience and leave them in splits."[29] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "SJ Suryah single handedly saves Mark Antony from becoming a redundant mess."[30]

Gautaman Bhaskaran of News18 gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Vishal and SJ Suryah are wasted in a whacky and crazy script."[31] Sangeetha P of OTTPlay gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony, packed with many exciting and mass moments, and despite its many flaws, makes for an entertaining watch. While Vishal is back with a bang, SJ Suryah turns out to be the star of this commercial entertainer."[32]

Bharathy Singaravel of The News Minute gave 2/5 stars and wrote "While actor Vishal plays a predictable double role as Mark and Antony, director Adhik Ravichandran has thrown in a generous helping of sexualising trans women, and homophobia."[33] Priyanka Sundar of Firstpost gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony squandered its potential, leaving us with a lingering sense of dissatisfaction."[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 9 September 2023 . Mark Antony completes its censor formalities . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522051612/https://pynr.in/mark-antony-completes-its-censor-formalities/ . 22 May 2024 . 22 September 2024 . Pynr . en.
  2. Web site: 5 October 2023 . 'Vishal joins the 100-crore club with 'Mark Antony' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004121207/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-joins-the-100-crore-club-with-mark-antony/articleshow/104154229.cms . 4 October 2023 . 4 October 2023 . The Times of India.
  3. News: 25 September 2021 . Vishal to team up with director Adhik Ravichandran . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927174752/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-to-team-up-with-director-aadhik-ravichandran/articleshow/86502999.cms?from=mdr . 27 September 2021 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  4. News: 16 December 2021 . Vishal and Adhik Ravichandran team up for Vishal 33 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429092317/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-and-adhik-ravichandran-team-up-for-vishal-33/articleshow/88323060.cms?from=mdr . 29 April 2023 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  5. News: 23 December 2021 . SJ Suryah to play the villain in Vishal's next . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421214150/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sj-suryah-to-play-the-villain-in-vishals-next/articleshow/88449331.cms?from=mdr . 21 April 2023 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  6. News: 1 January 2022 . SJ Suryah joins Vishal's film with Adhik Ravichandran . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220101070230/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sj-suryah-joins-vishals-film-with-adhik-ravichandran/articleshow/88630329.cms?from=mdr . 1 January 2022 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  7. News: 1 January 2022 . Vishal's film with Adhik Ravichandran titled Mark Antony . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304125110/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishals-film-with-adhik-ravichandran-titled-mark-antony/articleshow/88635899.cms?from=mdr . 4 March 2023 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  8. News: 12 January 2022 . GV Prakash to compose music for Vishal's 'Mark Antony' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530021341/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/gv-prakash-to-compose-music-for-vishals-mark-antony/articleshow/88860087.cms?from=mdr . 30 May 2023 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  9. News: 5 May 2022 . Vishal, SJ Suryah's 'Mark Antony' begins shoot; Ritu Varma plays the female lead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221230133220/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-sj-suryahs-mark-antony-begins-shoot-ritu-varma-plays-the-female-lead/articleshow/91340916.cms?from=mdr . 30 December 2022 . 11 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  10. Web site: 5 September 2023 . Recreation of late Silk Smitha; Vishal-starrer Mark Antony's trailer goes viral . live . https://archive.today/20230914083455/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/recreation-of-late-silk-smitha-vishal-starrer-mark-antony-s-trailer-goes-viral-1.8878005 . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023 . Mathrubhumi.
  11. Web site: 6 September 2023 . Vishal Shares Recreating Silk Smitha in Mark Antony Cost a Bomb: 'Didn't Want to Misuse...' Exclusive . live . https://archive.today/20230914083853/https://www.news18.com/movies/vishal-shares-recreating-silk-smitha-in-mark-antony-cost-a-bomb-didnt-want-to-misuse-exclusive-8566290.html . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023 . News18.
  12. News: 26 July 2022 . Ritu Varma joins Vishal's 'Mark Antony' shoot in Chennai . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220924212156/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ritu-varma-joins-vishals-mark-antony-shoot-in-chennai/articleshow/93135564.cms?from=mdr . 24 September 2022 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  13. News: 1 October 2022 . Next schedule of Vishal's 'Mark Antony' begins today . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015012103/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/next-schedule-of-vishals-mark-antony-begins-today/articleshow/94582105.cms?from=mdr . 15 October 2022 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  14. News: 26 January 2023 . Vishal's 'Mark Antony' nearing completion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130043555/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishals-mark-antony-nearing-completion/articleshow/97351251.cms?from=mdr . 30 January 2023 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  15. News: 18 April 2023 . SJ Suryah's portions in 'Mark Antony' wrapped up . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511084557/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sj-suryahs-portions-in-mark-antony-wrapped-up/articleshow/99581260.cms?from=mdr . 11 May 2023 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  16. News: 15 May 2023 . Vishal and Sunil finish shooting for 'Mark Antony'; Check out the cake cutting video here! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531221109/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-and-sunil-finish-shooting-for-mark-antony-check-out-the-cake-cutting-video-here/articleshow/100240521.cms?from=mdr . 31 May 2023 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  17. News: 7 May 2023 . Vishal dubs in 3 different languages for 'Mark Antony'; shares a BTS video . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524024508/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-dubs-in-3-different-languages-for-mark-antony-shares-a-bts-video/articleshow/100050089.cms?from=mdr . 24 May 2023 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  18. News: 10 July 2023 . 'Mark Antony' in final stages of dubbing; Vishal shares BTS video . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230714073714/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mark-antony-in-final-stages-of-dubbing-vishal-shares-bts-video/articleshow/101628606.cms?from=mdr . 14 July 2023 . 12 July 2023 . The Times of India.
  19. 1679112204409241601 . VishalKOfficial .
    1. TR Sir, Man of energy always. Thank you for being a part of #WorldOfMarkAntony. Betting on it straight on that people are going to love it, GB. #AdhridhuMaame #BayankaramanaSambavam #MarkAntony
    . Vishal . Vishal (actor) . 12 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230714073725/https://twitter.com/VishalKOfficial/status/1679112204409241601 . 14 July 2023 . live.
  20. News: 23 August 2023 . Second Single 'I Love U Di' from Mark Antony out . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230904031158/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/second-single-i-love-u-di-from-mark-antony-out/articleshow/102990920.cms?from=mdr . 4 September 2023 . 27 August 2023 . The Times of India.
  21. Web site: 12 September 2023 . Mark Antony gets court clearance; film to arrive on September 15 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240627092432/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/Sep/12/mark-antony-gets-court-clearance-film-to-arrive-on-september-15-47566.html . 27 June 2024 . 27 June 2024 . . en.
  22. News: 29 September 2023 . Actor Vishal opens up about corruption in the film censor board; says he had to pay Rs 6.5 lakh to release his film 'Mark Antony' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003120752/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actor-vishal-opens-up-about-corruption-in-the-film-censor-board-says-he-had-to-pay-rs-6-5-lakh-to-release-his-film/articleshow/104022402.cms . 3 October 2023 . 10 June 2024 . The Times of India.
  23. Web site: 8 October 2023 . Mark Antony on OTT: Vishal's blockbuster gangster drama to drop on Amazon Prime on THIS date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011101533/https://www.ottplay.com/news/mark-antony-on-ott-vishals-blockbuster-gangster-drama-to-drop-on-amazon-prime-on-this-date/6505f3eb93736 . 11 October 2023 . 8 October 2023 . OTTPlay.
  24. Web site: 24 April 2023 . Digital rights of Mark Antony sold . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506183548/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/apr/24/digital-rights-of-mark-antony-sold-42638.html . 6 May 2023 . 18 September 2023 . Cinema Express.
  25. Web site: 10 October 2023 . Mark Antony sets OTT release date, to stream on Prime Video India from October 13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011030920/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/mark-antony-sets-ott-release-date-to-stream-on-prime-video-india-from-october-13-101696938877297.html . 11 October 2023 . 10 October 2023 . Hindustan Times.
  26. Web site: 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony: Retro references in the Vishal and SJ Suryah action entertainer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011101534/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/mark-antony-retro-references-in-the-vishal-and-sj-suryah-action-entertainer/1ceb79f574622 . 11 October 2023 . 8 October 2023 . . the film has opened to some positive reviews from the critics..
  27. Web site: Balachandran . Logesh . 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony Movie Review: SJ Suryah rules this quirky sci-fi gangster drama . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915121550/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/mark-antony/amp_movie_review/103688195.cms . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . The Times of India.
  28. Web site: Selvaseelan . Krishna . 16 September 2023 . Mark Antony – Impressively Stupid and Stupidly Impressive . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124172230/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/mark-antony-impressively-stupid-and-stupidly-impressive . 24 November 2023 . 24 November 2023 . Tamil Guardian.
  29. Web site: K . Janani . 15 September 2023 . 'Mark Antony' Review: SJ Suryah is the heart and soul of this mindless time-travel film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915121550/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/reviews/story/mark-antony-review-sj-suryah-is-the-heart-and-soul-of-this-mindless-time-travel-film-2436076-2023-09-15 . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . India Today.
  30. Web site: Purushothaman . Kirubhakar . 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony movie review: SJ Suryah elevates this middling sci-fi film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915121552/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mark-antony-review-sj-suryah-elevates-this-middling-sci-fi-film-8941244/lite/ . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . The Indian Express.
  31. Web site: Bhaskaran . Gautaman . 15 September 2023 . Mark Anthony Review: Vishal, SJ Suryah's Film Is A Hotch-Potch Of Ideas . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915121558/https://www.news18.com/movies/mark-anthony-review-vishal-sj-suryahs-film-is-a-hotch-potch-of-ideas-8578852.html . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . News18.
  32. Web site: Sangeetha . P . 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony Review: Vishal is back with a bang but SJ Suryah steals the show in this action-packed entertainer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915121600/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/review/mark-antony-review-vishal-is-back-with-a-bang-but-sj-suryah-steals-the-show-in-this-action-packed-entertainer/dfe2e119bb937 . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . OTT Play.
  33. Web site: Singaravel . Bharathy . 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony review: This sci-fi action film simply fails to work . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916041457/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/mark-antony-review-this-sci-fi-action-film-simply-fails-to-work . 16 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . The News Minute.
  34. Web site: Sundar . Priyanka . 15 September 2023 . Mark Antony movie review Guns, gore and time travel, everything in excess ruins this Vishal, SJ Suryah-starrer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916041457/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mark-antony-movie-review-guns-gore-and-time-travel-everything-in-excess-ruins-this-vishal-sj-suryah-starrer-13130362.html . 16 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . Firstpost.

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