Rathnam (film) explained

Director:Hari
Producer:Kaarthekeyan Santhanam
Alankar Pandian
Cinematography:M. Sukumar
Editing:T. S. Jay
Music:Devi Sri Prasad
Studio:Stone Bench Films
Zee Studios
Invenio Origin
Distributor:Ayngaran International
Big Films
Runtime:156 minutes[1]
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Rathnam is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Hari and jointly produced by Stone Bench Films, Zee Studios and Invenio Origin. The film stars Vishal in the titular role, alongside Priya Bhavani Shankar, Samuthirakani, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Yogi Babu, Murali Sharma, Hareesh Peradi, Mohan Raman and Vijayakumar. It marks the third collaboration of Vishal and Hari after Thaamirabharani and Poojai.

The film was officially announced in April 2023 under the tentative title Vishal 34, as it is Vishal's 34th film as the lead actor, and the official title was announced in December 2023. Principal photography commenced in July 2023. It was shot sporadically in several legs, with filming locations including Thoothukudi, Trichy, Karaikudi, Vellore, Tirupati, Chennai, and wrapped by late-January 2024. The music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad, while cinematography and editing were handled by M. Sukumar and T. S. Jay.

Rathnam was released on 26 April 2024 to mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

Rathnam, a henchmen working for MLA Panneer Selvam in Vellore, protects Malliga, a medical student who bears a resemblance to Rathnam's late mother Loganayagi, from the relentless pursuit of land grabber Beema Rayudu and his brothers Subba Rayudu and Raghava Rayudu. Beema Rayudu, Subba Rayudu and Raghava Rayudu wanted Malliga's family to sell their land to them, but Malliga's family refused which led them to attack Malliga. Rathnam protects Malliga with the help of Panner Selvam and also reveals her resemblance to Loganayagi.

Malliga, on Rathnam's advice, sells the land to build a medical college. Rathnam kills Subba Rayudu and Raghava Rayudu, where he warns Beema Rayudu that he will finish him. When confronted by Panneer Selvam, Rathnam reveals that he met his real family and had learnt that Beema Rayudu, Subba Rayudu and Raghava Rayudu are actually Loganayagi's brothers Dharmalingam, Punniyakodi and Keshavan. Rathnam reveals that the trio had committed robberies and Loganayagi had learnt about this, where she tried to stop them, but the trio escaped.

Rathnam's father was a cop assigned to investigating the case, who learnt about this and decided to take action. The trio, in order to escape punishment, killed Rathnam's father, but Loganayagi survived and escaped. Loganayagi gave birth to Rathnam, but she committed suicide after she was later blamed as a prostitute by a pimp. Rathnam had killed the pimp when she tried to attack Panneer Selvam earlier. Rathnam introduces Malliga to his family. Beema Rayudu learns about this and attacks Rathnam's family, where some of Rathnam's family members are killed. Rathnam tracks Beema Rayudu and later kills him, where he surrenders to the police. Rathnam, before leaving for prison, requests Malliga to marry someone and also name her child after him.

Production

Development

On 23 April 2023, Vishal Film Factory announced that its founder, Vishal, was to join hands with director Hari for an upcoming project, tentatively titled Vishal 34. The project marks as Vishal's third film with Hari after Thaamirabharani (2007) and Poojai (2014). The shooting was reported to commence after Vishal finishes his commitments to Mark Antony (2023).[2] A muhurat puja was held on 23 April.[3] In mid June, Priya Bhavani Shankar was reported to play the lead female role, playing so under Hari's direction for the second time after Yaanai (2022).[4] In July, she was confirmed doing the role. Reportedly, the team was in talks with Sai Pallavi and Aishwarya Lekshmi to play the lead female role before finalising Priya.[5] In early July, Devi Sri Prasad was chosen to compose the soundtrack and background scores for the film.[6]

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 16 July 2023, with the first schedule in Chennai.[7] In August, the location was changed to Thoothukudi. The schedule reportedly featured an action sequence.[8] On 29 August, Vishal, via X (formerly Twitter), revealed that the schedule had concluded.[9] The second schedule commenced in early October in a village in Tuticorin called Kimarasakkanapuram. Vishal had helped the villagers there to get a drinking water facility during the schedule.[10] Principal photography wrapped by 23 January 2024.

Music

The music and background score is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, in his sixth collaboration with Hari after Aaru (2005), Singam (2010), Venghai (2011), Singam II (2013) and Saamy Square (2018); maiden with Vishal.[11] The first look song "Vaarai Rathnam" was released on 1 January 2024.[12] The first single "Don't Worry Da Machi" was released on 9 March 2024.[13] The second single “Ethanaala” was released on 29 March 2024.[14] The third single "Uyire En Uyire" was released on 19 April 2024.[15] The last single "Yeduvaraiyo" was released on 24 April 2024.[16] The entire soundtrack album was released on 26 April 2024 after the film's release.[17]

Later, the production house announced that the audio rights for the film were acquired by Aditya Music.[18]

Release

Theatrical

Rathnam was released on 26 April 2024.[19]

Home Media

The satellite and digital rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime Video and Zee Tamil.[20] The film had its digital premiere on the streaming platform from 23 May 2024.[21]

Reception

Critical response

Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "It‘s your typical Hari formula – action-packed, fast-paced, and unrelenting – but even by his standards, it feels sluggish at times."[22] Manigandan KR of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Rathnam is not a perfect commercial action entertainer. It has its share of faults and limitations but it is truly what we described it as -- an entertainer."[23] K. Janani of India Today gave 2/5 stars and wrote "'Rathnam' is a clichéd mass masala entertainer that is neither massy nor has masala."[24]

Akchayaa Rajkumar of The News Minute gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Neither stellar performances from Priya Bhavani Shankar and Samuthirakani nor the plot twists towards the end would save the audience from the headache and potential ear damage that Rathnam might cause."[25] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Vishal and Hari come together for an action-drama again, which is as dated as their old collaborations."[26] Anusha Sundar of OTTplay gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Even as Vishal stands tall and brings some action blocks to life, the caricature made out of his and other characters makes Rathnam a childish film. It is obsolete and loaded with unintentional quips."[27]

Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote "With old tropes and old action, Vishal and Hari are unable to capture the audience's attention with this one. Rathnam is a template masala Hari film and just old wine in an old bottle."[28] Bhuvanesh Chander of The Hindu wrote "In his latest outing with Vishal, Hari attempts to adapt some of his tropes to the sensibilities of the modern-day audience, but the ideas he plays around with and the story he wishes to tell still belong in the 2000s."[29] Ram Venkat Srikar of Film Companion wrote "With all the thoughts it wanted to blend, Rathnam could have been a lot more than what it ended up being."[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rathnam runtime revealed, here is how long Vishal and Hari's film is . 2024-04-25 . www.ottplay.com . 25 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425153643/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/vishal-and-haris-rathnam-runtime-revealed-here-is-how-long-the-film-is/c1ec20df7a652 . live .
  2. News: 23 April 2023 . It's official! 'Poojai' duo Vishal and director Hari reunite for the third time . . live . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813125008/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/its-official-poojai-duo-vishal-and-director-hari-reunite-for-the-third-time/articleshow/99705991.cms?from=mdr . 13 August 2023.
  3. News: 23 April 2023 . 'Vishal 34': Actor Vishal reunites with director Hari for his next . . live . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813133048/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vishal-34-actor-vishal-reunites-with-director-hari-for-his-next/article66769724.ece . 13 August 2023.
  4. News: 15 June 2023 . Priya Bhavani Shankar is likely to play the female lead in Vishal's film with director Hari . . live . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813125007/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/priya-bhavani-shankar-is-likely-to-play-the-female-lead-in-vishals-film-with-director-hari/articleshow/101012012.cms?from=mdr . 13 August 2023.
  5. News: 18 July 2023 . Priya Bhavani Shankar to play the female lead in #Vishal34 . . live . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813125005/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/priya-bhavani-shankar-to-play-the-female-lead-in-vishal34/articleshow/101848482.cms?from=mdr . 13 August 2023.
  6. News: 15 July 2023 . Devi Sri Prasad to compose music for Vishal's film with Hari . . live . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813133048/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/devi-sri-prasad-to-compose-music-for-vishals-film-with-hari/articleshow/101774397.cms?from=mdr . 13 August 2023.
  7. Web site: B . Satya . 16 July 2023 . Vishal 34: Bloody Stethoscope! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813122744/https://www.gulte.com/movienews/250097/vishal-34-bloody-stethoscope . 13 August 2023 . 15 October 2023 . Gulte.
  8. News: 12 August 2023 . Vishal shooting action sequences for director Hari's 'Vishal 34' . . live . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815102430/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-shooting-action-sequences-for-director-haris-vishal-34/articleshow/102681525.cms?from=mdr . 15 August 2023.
  9. News: 29 August 2023 . Vishal wraps up the first schedule of #Vishal34 . . live . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016043522/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vishal-wraps-up-the-first-schedule-of-vishal34/articleshow/103178467.cms?from=mdr . 16 October 2023.
  10. News: 10 October 2023 . Vishal shoots for 'Vishal 34' in Kumarasakkanapuram, helps villagers to set up a drinking water facility . . live . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016043523/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defaultinterstitial.cms?from=mdr . 16 October 2023.
  11. News: 15 July 2023 . Devi Sri Prasad to compose music for Vishal's film with Hari . . live . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813133048/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/devi-sri-prasad-to-compose-music-for-vishals-film-with-hari/articleshow/101774397.cms?from=mdr . 13 August 2023.
  12. Web site: 1 January 2024. Vaarai Rathnam - the action-packed song from Vishal's 'Rathnam'. The Times of India. 21 April 2024. 9 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240109150822/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vaarai-rathnam-the-action-packed-song-from-vishals-rathnam/articleshow/106441737.cms. live.
  13. Web site: 7 March 2024. First single from Vishal's Rathnam to be out on this date. Cinema Express. 16 April 2024. 27 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240327100605/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2024/Mar/07/first-single-from-vishals-rathnam-to-be-out-on-this-date. live.
  14. Web site: 29 March 2024. Vishal's Rathnam second single to release on this date. Cinema Express. 16 April 2024. 29 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240329160720/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/news/2024/Mar/28/vishals-rathnam-second-single-to-release-on-this-date. live.
  15. Web site: 19 April 2024. 'Uyire En Uyire' song from Rathnam out. Cinema Express. 22 April 2024. 22 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240422143619/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Apr/19/uyire-en-uyire-song-from-rathnam-out. live.
  16. Web site: 24 April 2024. விஷாலின் "ரத்னம்"- 4வது சிங்கிள் பாடல் ரிலீஸ். Maalaimalar. 27 April 2024. 27 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240427091225/https://www.maalaimalar.com/amp/cinema/cinemanews/vishals-ratnam-4th-single-song-release-714996. live.
  17. Web site: 26 April 2024. Get ready for an electrifying and heart-melting experience with the #Rathnam Audio Jukebox, out now!. Twitter. 29 April 2024. 29 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240429111649/https://twitter.com/stonebenchers/status/1783827530434384364. live.
  18. 1747552111330513312 . stonebenchers .
    1. Rathnam - Audio rights bagged by @adityamusic. Get ready for the big update soon!
    . Stone Bench Creations . Stone Bench Creations . 17 January 2024 . 17 January 2024.
  19. Web site: Kollywood . Only . 2024-01-23 . Rathnam: Vishal starrer gets wrapped up, to release in May! . 2024-01-23 . Only Kollywood . en-US . 23 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123165126/https://www.onlykollywood.com/rathnam-vishal-starrer-gets-wrapped-up-to-release-in-may/ . live .
  20. Web site: 15 April 2024. Vishal's Rathnam locks its satellite and OTT partners. The Times of India.
  21. Web site: 21 May 2024. Prime Video announces Global premiere of Tamil action-drama Rathnam on May 23. Bollywood Hungama.
  22. News: Rathnam Movie Review: Rathnam Is Vishal's Show Sans Logic. The Times of India. 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426131244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/rathnam/movie-review/109627556.cms. live.
  23. Web site: Rathnam Review: Priya Bhavani Shankar, Vishal Impress In This Typical Hari Entertainer. Times Now. 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426124245/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/tamil/rathnam-review-priya-bhavani-shankar-vishal-impress-in-this-typical-hari-entertainer-review-109623258. live.
  24. Web site: Rathnam' Review: Vishal and Hari's haphazard story has too many flaws. India Today. 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113004/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/rathnam-review-vishal-and-hari-haphazard-story-too-many-flaws-2532101-2024-04-26. live.
  25. Web site: Rathnam review: There is little to like in this noisy, gory Vishal film. The News Minute. 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426123337/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/rathnam-review-there-is-little-to-like-in-this-noisy-gory-vishal-film. live.
  26. Web site: Rathnam movie review: Unsurprisingly, Vishal and Hari deliver an outdated action-drama. The Indian Express. 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426121710/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/rathnam-movie-review-unsurprisingly-vishal-and-hari-deliver-an-outdated-action-drama-9292267/. live.
  27. Web site: Rathnam Movie Review: Vishal-starrer is a quintessential Hari movie that is a cringe fest. OTTplay. 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426123336/https://www.ottplay.com/review/rathnam-movie-review-vishal-starrer-is-a-quintessential-hari-film-that-comes-with-the-cost-of-being-obsolete-and-cringe-fest/1fea8d76d6926. live.
  28. Web site: Rathnam review: Vishal and Hari's masala flick is old wine in an old bottle. Hindustan Times. 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426160013/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/rathnam-review-vishal-and-haris-masala-flick-is-old-wine-in-an-old-bottle-101714129806141.html. live.
  29. News: 'Rathnam' movie review: Hari attempts to reinvent himself but the Vishal-starrer remains outdated. The Hindu. 26 April 2024 . 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426160013/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rathnam-movie-review-hari-attempts-to-reinvent-himself-but-the-vishal-starrer-remains-outdated/article68110579.ece. live . Chandar . Bhuvanesh .
  30. Web site: Rathnam Review: This Ultra-Violent Film Aims For Nuance But Ends Up As An Assault To The Senses. Film Companion. 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426160017/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/rathnam-review-this-ultra-violent-film-aims-for-nuance-but-ends-up-as-an-assault-to-the-senses-vishal-hari-tamil-movie. live.

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