Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Explained
Thaanaa Serndha Koottam is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language crime comedy film[2] directed by Vignesh Shivan. The film stars Suriya, alongside Karthik, Ramya Krishnan, Keerthy Suresh, Nandha, Kalaiyarasan, RJ Balaji, and Suresh Chandra Menon. The film's music was composed by Anirudh Ravichander and the cinematography was performed by Dinesh B. Krishnan and edited by A. Sreekar Prasad. It is a remake of the 2013 Hindi film Special 26, which was inspired by the true event of the 1987 Opera House heist in Mumbai.[3] [4]
The principal photography of the film commenced in September 2016 and ended in August 2017. Thaana Serndha Kootam had a worldwide theatrical release on 12 January 2018. It received generally positive reviews from critics and the audience with praise for the performances of the cast (especially Suriya and Karthik), writing, direction, screenplay, social message, background score, and soundtrack.
Plot
All the events in this movie happen in the period of 1986–1987. The film begins with Pallavaram Paranjothi Pandian attending an interview for a clerk's post and getting rejected due to a lack of money for giving bribes to the officials.
Now the story shifts to Nachinarkiniyan, aka Iniyan, attending CBI interviews and his friend attending police interviews. Both were rejected due to a lack of bribe money for the post. Iniyan's father, Porchelvan, works as a CBI office clerk. He wants his son to be an officer; hence, he pleads for his son's posting to his higher officials.
However, he earned the wrath of his senior official officer, Uthaman, a corrupt official. Once during a raid, he asks for money. Porchelvan did not approve of this and complained about Uthaman in the form of an anonymous letter. Uthaman learns of this and exacts revenge by purposely rejecting and humiliating Iniyan at the interview and later asking him to bribe in order to get the job. Iniyan and his father are dejected, and Iniyan's friend is dejected due to his failure in the interview, and he later commits suicide.
Iniyan is depressed after all these events and decides to loot money from corrupt and rich people. He loots black money and tries to reform society, making sure the deserved people get postings in government departments. He forms a gang with him and starts to heist by posing as CBI and income tax officers.
The CBI appoints Kurunjivendhan to investigate and capture the thieves. Meanwhile, Iniyan falls in love with Madhu, and she accepts his marriage proposal. One day, the gang conducts an interview for the CBI (fake). The gang plans to raid a jewelry shop. Uthaman and Kurunjivendhan come to know about this, but learn that they already came and finished the raid. Kurunjivendhan, who apprehends Iniyan but appreciates his struggle against corruption, offers him and his gang to be police officers, but he rejects the offer as he believes that even more good can be done if he continues to do his deeds. He then reveals that all the police forces with Kurunjivendhan are actually the men he gave jobs to using the heist money. He escapes the place with ease.
Cast
Production
Development
Following the success of Neeraj Pandey's Special 26 (2013), the director revealed that he was approached by several film makers who were keen on producing a Tamil version of the film. Linguswamy subsequently bought the rights of the film and planned to produce the venture in collaboration with Friday Filmworks, who had made the original version.[5] [6] Linguswamy held initial discussions with Kamal Haasan, Suriya, Karthi and Vikram about portraying the film's lead role with Sathyaraj, but the production failed to materialise.[7] In August 2014, producer Thiagarajan announced that he had purchased the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language rights to remake Special 26, and revealed that he would also direct all four ventures. Thiagarajan's son Prashanth was revealed to be playing the lead role in the Tamil version, while Prakash Raj and Sathyaraj were signed to portray supporting roles.[8] [9] A further press release in March 2015 stated that Srikanth Ravichandran, then husband of television host Divyadarshini, would instead direct the film and that he had already begun work on planning music compositions with Thaman. The team also revealed that they had signed on actress Trisha to feature in the leading female role.[10] [11] After a period of little development, Prashanth revealed to the media in September 2015 that the film's shoot would commence soon after with Madhesh as the director of the project.[12]
It was stated that Anirudh Ravichander had been signed on to compose the film's music and Sreekar Prasad would be the film's editor.[13] Thiagarajan revealed that he would adapt the original film's script and dialogues to suit a Tamil audience and that filming would take place in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.[14] The film failed to materialise over 2016 and it was widely reported in the media that the remake rights of the original film had been transferred from Thiagarajan to Studio Green and the film was to be made as Thaana Serndha Kootam by Vignesh Shivan with Suriya in the lead role.[15] [16] The title was taken from a dialogue spoken by Rajinikanth in Baashha (1995).[17]
However, in an interview during February 2017, Thiagarajan insisted that the film was still being planned with Prashanth in the lead role.[18] In late 2017, Thiagarajan made an application seeking an interim stay of the film's release, claiming that his studio of Staar Movies still owned the film's rights. He stated that Staar Movies had entered into an agreement with the original producers, Viacom, in August 2014 and obtained the rights to remake the movie in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada and that the agreement was valid for a period of three years. In early January 2018, the High Court refused the interim order application and called for the issues to be decided in a civil claim.[19] [20]
Filming
Vignesh Shivan agreed to work on Thaanaa Serndha Koottam at short notice, after another project, Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal with Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu became delayed. Studio Green's K. E. Gnanavel Raja asked Vignesh to do a project to star Suriya and the team chose to use an earlier script planned by Vignesh on the 1987 Opera House heist, like Special 26, where a group posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers executed an income tax raid on the jeweller in Mumbai, which he initially wanted to make with either actors Sivakarthikeyan or Vijay Sethupathi.[21] The team claimed to legally purchase the remake rights of Special 26, but instead of copying the film scene-by-scene, Vignesh was insistent that it was adapted to make it suitable for Tamil-speaking audiences.[22] [23] The film was announced to the public in September 2016, with the shoot starting thereafter in October 2016.[24] [25] Keerthy Suresh was signed on as the lead actress, while an ensemble cast of veteran actors including Ramya Krishnan, Suresh Chandra Menon, Senthil and Sudhakar were also a part of the first schedule.[26] Suresh Chandra Menon initially dubbed in his own voice, but it was later replaced with Gautham Menon's voice.[27]
The film was predominantly shot across Chennai and Mysore, with the shoot finishing in August 2017.[28] [29] Post-production works for the film were completed at Knack Studios in Chennai. The film was also dubbed Hindi as well as in Telugu as Surya Ki Gang and Gang, respectively with Suriya choosing to dub for himself for the Telugu version titled Gang for the first time.[30] [31]
Music
See main article: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (soundtrack). Vignesh Shivan teamed up with Anirudh Ravichander to compose the soundtrack and background score of the film, once again after Naanum Rowdydhaan. This film also marks the first collaboration of Anirudh with Suriya. The tracklist features five songs, with lyrics for songs were written by Thamarai, Vignesh Shivan and Mani Amudhavan, where the former and latter penned two songs each and the rest of the songs were penned by Vignesh Shivan. The soundtrack was released on 6 January 2018.
Marketing
The first look was released on 23 July 2017, coinciding with Suriya's birthday. The teaser of the film was released on 30 November 2017, gaining positive reviews. Another poster was released on December clarifying that the film is slated for Pongal release.
Release
Thaana Serndha Kootam got a worldwide release on 12 January 2018, two days before the Thai Pongal festival.[32] It was dubbed and released into Telugu as Gang and in Hindi as Surya Ki Gang and released on the same day.[33]
Awards and nominations
Critical reception
The film opened to generally positive reviews.[34] The Times Of India rated 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "The film works wonderfully well as long as it stays closer to the plot of Special 26, and the changes are superficial."[35] India Today rated 2.5 stars out of 5 stating that "The film Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, starring Suriya released today and our review says that the film has not lived up to the original, Special 26."[36] Firstpost rated 3 out of 5 stars stating "TSK is an enjoyable ride for the entire family, and it’s refreshing to see Suriya back in form."[37] Sify rated 3 out of 5 stars stating "It’s Suriyas committed performance, that keeps you invested in the narrative and the fascinating characters etched out brilliantly by Vignesh."[38] The Hindu stated "For a film that handles serious topics, TSK remains a feel good, light-hearted film, tailor-made for the festival weekend".[39] Film Companion rated 3 out of 5 stars stating "Vignesh Shivn’s mass-ified remake of Special 26, starring Suriya, is quite entertaining."[40] Behindwoods rated 2.8 stars out of 5 stating "A smart heist film!"[41] The Indian Express rated 2.5 stars out of 5 stating "Walk in without expectation and let the Suriya and Keerthy Suresh starrer’s humour entertain you. As hard as the film tries to be serious, it is tough to take it so."[42] Deccan Chronicle rated 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "Thaanaa Serndha Koottam is a fast paced heist that barely wastes a minute in portraying a comedic entertainer."[43] IndiaGlitz rated 3 out of 5 stars stating "TSK is yet another feather in the cap moment for Vignesh Shivan. The timing of the movie could not have been better with IT raids becoming a routine in TN, a light hearted take on the raids makes the film an enjoyable watch."[44] Cinestaan rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "If you haven't watched the Hindi film Special 26 (2013), chances are you will like Thaanaa Serndha Koottam."[45]
Box office
The film collected 20cr Appx from worldwide box office in its opening day of which 6.5cr in Tamil Nadu, 1.9cr in Kerala, 1.1cr in Karnataka and over 10cr from rest of India and World. The film collected 90.2 cr worldwide during its two weeks run, while the film producer confirmed the film exceeded 100 Crore in its lifetime.[1]
Notes and References
- News: Thaana Serntha Kootam, racing towards the Rs 100 crore club. The News Minute. 25 January 2018. 4 June 2019. 4 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190604035718/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/suriya-s-thaana-serntha-kootam-all-set-join-rs-100-cr-club-75361. live.
- Web site: Thaana Serndha Kootam . 2022-07-14 . BBFC . 14 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714083522/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/thaana-serndha-kootam-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotqxmza . live .
- Web site: Suriya's 'TSK' not a scene by scene remake of 'Special 26', director clarifies. 21 December 2017. 27 December 2017. ...the director revealed that it is not an exact remake. Only the core theme of the film has been retained while the rest has been changed to suit the nativity of the audiences.... 13 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184636/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/suriya-s-tsk-not-scene-scene-remake-special-26-director-clarifies-73546. live.
- News: Story of unsolved opera house burglary in Mumbai, Rs 30-L heist amused everyone by its slick execution. Doctor. Vikram. 22 February 2013. The Economic Times. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227181928/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/story-of-unsolved-opera-house-burglary-in-mumbai-rs-30-l-heist-amused-everyone-by-its-slick-execution/articleshow/18619056.cms. live.
- Web site: Lingusamy interested in Bollywood remake!, N. Lingusamy, Tirupathi Brothers. www.behindwoods.com. 23 March 2018. 11 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180311082317/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/lingusamy-interested-in-bollywood-remake-n-lingusamy-tirupathi-brothers-28-02-13.html. live.
- News: Kajal's 'Special 26' to be remade down South?. The Times of India. 15 January 2017. 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233304/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Kajals-Special-26-to-be-remade-down-South/articleshow/18477848.cms. live.
- Web site: Vikram approaced for Special 26 Remake ?. 11 April 2014. 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062823/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/vikram-approaced-special-26-remake/. live.
- Web site: 'Special 26' to have four South remakes. 3 November 2014. 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108065432/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141103/entertainment-bollywood/article/special-26-have-four-south-remakes. live.
- Web site: Special 26 comes to South – Bangalore Mirror -. 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108120451/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Special-26-comes-to-South/articleshow/40859965.cms. live.
- Web site: After 'Queen' it is 'Special 26' remake for Thyagarajan!. https://web.archive.org/web/20150318211906/http://www.sify.com/movies/after-queen-it-is-special-26-remake-for-thyagarajan-news-tamil-pdsl2xfighcdh.html. dead. 18 March 2015. .
- Web site: - Tamil Movie News – IndiaGlitz.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150730074328/http://www.indiaglitz.com/prashanth-ropes-in-trisha-for-a-special-film-tamil-news-128396.html. dead. 30 July 2015. 23 March 2018.
- News: Prashanth confirms 'Special 26' Tamil remake . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034916/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Prashanth-confirms-Special-26-Tamil-remake/articleshow/49041696.cms . 24 September 2015 . 21 September 2015 . dead . The Times of India . 7 August 2018 .
- Web site: Anirudh will be the music director of 26, the Tamil remake of Special 26. 25 December 2015. 23 March 2018. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015610/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/anirudh-will-be-the-music-director-of-26-the-tamil-remake-of-special-26.html. live.
- Web site: Prashanth to bounce back with a super hit Bollywood remake – Tamil Movie News – IndiaGlitz.com. 25 December 2015. 23 March 2018. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322191725/https://www.indiaglitz.com/prashanth-anirudh-in-tamil-remake-of-special-26-titled-as-irupathiyaaru-26-tamil-news-149330.html/. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam- A remake of Special 26?. https://web.archive.org/web/20161224202836/http://www.sify.com/movies/thaanaa-serndha-koottam--a-remake-of-special-26-news-tamil-qmwlghecdhfgd.html. dead. 24 December 2016. . 23 March 2018.
- Web site: Suriya's team in 'Thaana Serndha Kootam'. https://web.archive.org/web/20170221013045/http://www.sify.com/movies/suriya-s-team-in-thaana-serndha-kootam-news-tamil-rcrl1Hcegfcdh.html. dead. 21 February 2017. .
- Web site: Suriya's next movie title taken from Rajinikanth's punch dialogue. 21 September 2016. 29 April 2018. 29 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429160302/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/suryias-next-movie-title-taken-from-rajinikanths-punch-dialogue-3042786/. live.
- Web site: 'Prashanth will re-enter B'wood with Naan remake'. 25 February 2017 . 23 March 2018. 20 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320194313/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/feb/25/prashanth-will-re-enter-bwood-with-naan-remake-1574342.html. live.
- News: HC clears decks for Suriya film. The Hindu. 6 January 2018. 23 March 2018. www.thehindu.com. 10 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230910033249/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/hc-clears-decks-for-suriya-film/article22380403.ece. live.
- News: 'Gang's' remake rights dispute settled. The Times of India. 7 January 2018. 23 March 2018. 23 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180523101659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/gangs-remake-rights-dispute-settled/articleshow/62403894.cms. live.
- Web site: Actor Suriya talks about Thaana Serndha Koottam's Kamal Haasan connect. 6 January 2018 . 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108063259/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jan/05/actor-suriya-talks-about-thaana-serndha-koottams-kamal-haasan-connect-1745720.html. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam is not a scene-by-scene remake of Special 26: Director Vignesh Shivan. 19 December 2017. 23 March 2018. 26 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180326193207/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-is-not-a-scene-by-scene-remake-of-special-26-director-vignesh-shivan-4265591.html. live.
- Web site: Suriya's 'TSK' not a scene by scene remake of 'Special 26', director clarifies. 21 December 2017. 23 March 2018. 13 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184636/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/suriya-s-tsk-not-scene-scene-remake-special-26-director-clarifies-73546. live.
- News: Vignesh Shivan's next with Suriya. Internet. Desk. The Hindu. 6 September 2016. 23 March 2018. www.thehindu.com. 5 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605022653/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Vignesh-Shivans-next-with-Suriya/article14625000.ece. live.
- News: Suriya's next titled as 'Thaanaa Serndha Koottam'. The Times of India. 16 January 2017. 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108071115/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Suriyas-next-titled-as-Thaanaa-Serndha-Koottam/articleshow/54458819.cms. live.
- Web site: Ramya Krishnan lands crucial role in Suriya's next. 29 November 2016 . 23 March 2018. 8 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062822/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/nov/29/ramya-krishnan-lands-crucial-role-in-suriyas-next-1543866.html. live.
- Web site: My voice could have been better than GVM's in TSK: Suresh. 2021-06-25. The New Indian Express. 24 January 2018 . 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625051642/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jan/23/my-voice-could-have-been-better-than-gvms-in-tsk-suresh-1762309.html. live.
- Web site: Thaana Serndha Kootam nearing completion. 19 August 2017. 23 March 2018. 23 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123123415/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/190817/thaana-serndha-kootam-nearing-completion.html. live.
- News: Suriya's 'Thaana Serndha Kootam' nearing completion. Ians. The Hindu. 13 March 2017. 23 March 2018. www.thehindu.com. 5 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605061716/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/suriyas-thaana-serndha-kootam-nearing-completion/article17457078.ece. live.
- Web site: Suriya's dubbing diaries. 8 January 2018. 23 March 2018. 26 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180326204023/https://deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/080118/suriyas-dubbing-diaries.html. live.
- News: Suriya impressed by Vignesh Shivan's narration and screenplay for 'Gang'. The Times of India. 7 January 2018. 23 March 2018. 18 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418080403/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/suriya-impressed-by-vignesh-shivans-narration-and-screenplay-for-gang/articleshow/62404376.cms. live.
- Web site: Chiyaan Vikram's Saamy Square eyes Ramzan weekend release on 14 June . Firstpost . 7 January 2018 . en-US . 10 January 2018 . 10 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174835/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/chiyaan-vikrams-saamy-square-eyes-ramzan-weekend-release-on-14-june-4291331.html . live .
- Web site: Suriya dubs in his own voice for Gang, the Telugu version of Thaana Serntha Kootam. 2018-01-04. Firstpost. en. 2020-04-19. 1 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220601144957/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/suriya-dubs-in-his-own-voice-for-gang-the-telugu-version-of-thaana-serntha-kootam-4287155.html. live.
- Web site: 2018-01-13 . Thaanaa Serndha Koottam review: Critics give Suriya-starrer a thumbs-up . 2020-05-23 . International Business Times . Suriya's Thaanaa Serndha Koottam has opened to positive reviews. . 25 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210525004726/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-review-critics-give-suriya-starrer-thumbs-756754 . live .
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam. The Times of India. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22. 12 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812073714/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/thaanaa-serndha-koottam/movie-review/62469665.cms. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Movie Review: Suriya's 35th film is no Special 26. India Today. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22. 31 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191231025909/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-movie-review-1143316-2018-01-12. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam movie review: Refreshing to see Suriya back in form in this heist caper. Firstpost. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22. 29 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429170507/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-movie-review-refreshing-to-see-suriya-back-in-form-in-this-heist-caper-4299539.html. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Kootam review: A crackling entertainer. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112120704/http://www.sify.com/movies/thaanaa-serndha-kootam-review-a-crackling-entertainer-review-tamil-sbmn2Nbbgbeae.html. dead. 12 January 2018. Sify. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22.
- News: 'Thaanaa Serndha Kootam' review: An able and fresh adaptation. The Hindu. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-30. Menon. Vishal. 21 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191221153846/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thaanaa-serndha-kootam-review-an-able-and-fresh-adaptation/article22427545.ece. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Movie Review. Film Companion. 2017-12-01. 2020-05-22. 5 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405094017/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-movie-review. live.
- Web site: THAANAA SERNDHA KOOTTAM MOVIE REVIEW. Behindwoods. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22. 2 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200202074936/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/thaanaa-serndha-koottam/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-review.html. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam movie review: The Suriya and Keerthy Suresh starrer is a fairly entertaining film. The Indian Express. 2018-01-13. 2020-05-22. 19 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119170332/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-movie-review-suriya-keerthy-suresh-star-rating-5020652/. live.
- Web site: Thaana Serndha Kootam movie review: An enjoyable affair. Deccan Chronicle. 2018-01-13. 2020-05-22. 6 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200706224333/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/130118/thaana-serndha-kootam-movie-review-an-enjoyable-affair.html. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam Review. IndiaGlitz. 2018-01-12. 2020-05-22. 11 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811193231/https://www.indiaglitz.com/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-review-tamil-movie-20997. live.
- Web site: Thaanaa Serndha Koottam review: Vignesh Shivn's film is good only in parts. Cinestaan. 2018-01-13. 2020-05-23. 5 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705151535/https://www.cinestaan.com/reviews/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-25173. live.