Yogi (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
Yogi is a 2009 Indian
Tamil
action
-drama film
directed by Subramaniya Shiva, who earlier directed films like Thiruda Thirudi
and Pori
. Starring director-turned-actor Ameer Sultan
, Madhumitha
, Swathi
, Ponvannan
, lyricist Snehan
, making his acting debut, and Ganja Karuppu
in lead roles, the film is written by Ameer himself and has musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja
. The film, an uncredited remake of the 2005 South African
Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi
, was launched in October 2007 and released on 27 November 2009 to very positive reviews, but garnered poor response, eventually failing to succeed at the box office.
), and his gang of three men live in a slum on the edge making a living out of robberies and murders and having no human emotions. Yogi, in particular, has a dark secret about his bad past, which he keeps to himself. One day during a robbing spree, he is chased by the police. He gets into a car parked by a woman in front of a fruit shop and manages to flee, when he suddenly hears the cry of a child, finding a three month old baby in the back seat of the car. He abandons the car and leaves the baby in the car, but as he hears the baby crying, he is moved and the human being in him wakes up. He gets back to shove the baby into a large shopping bag and takes it home with him. He from them hides the baby from the rest of his gang and tries to take care of the baby alone.
Yogi then, holding at gunpoint, coerces Rajasulochana (Madhumitha
), a young mother hailing from Andhra Pradesh
and deserted by her husband, to breastfeed that baby. Meanwhile it is revealed, that the child's real mother Caroline (Swathi) is despearate to get her child back, whilst her husband Linden (Vincent Asokan), happening to be merely the step father of the baby, searches with the help of rowdys for the baby, which he actually wants dead.
In the meantime, Yogi slowly gets transformed, turning into a new man thanks to the baby, which apparently prompts feelings in him, even planning to keep and bring up the child himself. A flashback reveals his past, where he had an atrocious childhood as he was terrorized by his sadistic father (Devaraj), a beggar, who was responsible for the death of his mother and sister and for making Yogi himself a brute. However, he changes his plans and decides to reunite the baby with its mother, but unfortunately the child slips into the hands of her husband Linden. Yogi gets to know that Linden wants to kill the baby and tries to prevent that and to save the baby.
, teaming up with Ameer again for this picture, having earlier worked on several projects as Mounam Pesiyadhe
(2002), Raam
(2005) and Paruthiveeran
(2007), which all turned out to be huge musical hits. The score and most of the songs are centred on the traditional Indian string instrument
sarangi
, an essential part of Hindustani classical music
, which is considered the hardest to Indian instrument to master. Noted Sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan was therefore assigned to perform the sarangi pieces in this film.
The soundtrack was released on 13 September 2009 at Sathyam Cinemas among many prominent personalities. Yuvan Shankar Raja and Ameer had travelled to France
in September 2007 to compose and record the songs, which were released only 2 years later. The album consists of six tracks and features the voices of Ameer Sultan
himself, composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, lyricist Snehan
, rapper Blaaze
, Neha Bhasin
and noted Sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan, who has performed the Sarangi in this album as well, among others. Both versions of "Yogi Yogi Thaan" weren't featured in the film. The lyrics were written by Snehan, who usually pens for Ameer's films.
The soundtrack received generally positive reviews. Karthik of Bangalore Mirror described it as "brilliant", while a critic from Indiaglitz.com wrote it was "stylish" and "scintillating". Rediffs Pavithra Srinivasan gave a mixed review, citing that Yuvan Shankar Raja "partially delivers in Yogi". However, despite garnering favorable reviews, the songs failed to become prominent, due to the film's poor theatrical run.
in February 2007, there were some speculations regarding Ameer's
next projext. Even before completing Paruthiveeran, it was reported, that Ameer's next film will be Kutravaali, a film about a criminal, that will not feature any songs, starring Surya in the lead role, which, however turned out to be wrong. In January 2007 then, it was reported, that Ameer will be directing a film, titled Kannabiran, again with Surya in the lead role, produced by himself. In the following months, Ameer again and again citwed, that he was working on Kannabiran and he was still looking for someone to play the lead role. It was also stated, that he might direct a film with Vikram
or Vijay
after Kannabiran. All these reports turned out be rumors, when Ameer suddenly shelved the Kannabiran-project for unknown reasons and instead teamed up with director Subramaniam Siva to create a film, that will be written and produced by himself and directed by Subramaniam Siva, which will be titled Yogi, in which Ameer himself will act in the lead role.
The distribution rights were initially said to be brought by Kalaignar TV
, who had beaten Sun Pictures
, who had also plans to acquire the film's rights. However, as a sudden twist, the film's rights slipped into the hands of Sun Pictures
, who were said to distribute this film. Eventually these news turned out to be fictional, with the film being released by the production house itself.
, who played the lead female character of "Muththazhagu" in Ameer's previous venture, Paruthiveeran
, that won her much accolades, fame and the National Film Award, and who, according to Ameer, was the first choice, was approached to play the role as later was Trisha Krishnan
, who debuted in Ameer's 2002 film Mounam Pesiyadhe
. However, both the actresses refused the offer, before Madhumitha then accepted to play the role of the lead female character named Rajasulochana, which is said to have great scope to perform. Also actress Swathi, who acted in films like Selva and Vaanmathi
with Vijay
and Ajith Kumar
, respectively in the 1990s was signed up to play an important role in the film. Moreover, Ameer insisted, that the actress should dub for herself in the film as well. Also lyricist Snehan was casted to play a vital role in the film as was journalist Devaraj, director Nanda Periyaswamy and a real-life politician Gazzali. Apart from these, 20 newcomers are said to make their debut in the film, including two real-life slum dwellers, who would play as Ameer's friends.
on a cost of nearly 12 crores. The shooting of the film began in mid-November 2007 and was completed by mid-July 2009. Since the story is said to revolve around a slum dweller in an urban slum, shooting was mainly held around slum areas in Chennai as in Egmore
, Saidapet
, Chennai Central
and Teynampet
. The various locations in Chennai include the Chennai City Centre
and the Sathyam Theatre, for which the unit had to get permissions first, which was said to be very costly and one main reason for the delay of the shooting. Several fight scenes in the climax were shot at the teraace of Big Bazaar
in Vadapalani
, at Ennore
and a house in Besant Nagar
. In August 2009, however, it was reported, that "last leg shooting" was being held in Thiruvottiyur in Chennai
at the famous Vadivudaiyamman Temple
. In April 2008, reports claimed, that Ameer was injured during the shooting, which was going on at the AVM Studios, when he was jumping from 40 meter high and sustained fracture in his right hand.
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
Tamil
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
action
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
-drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Subramaniya Shiva, who earlier directed films like Thiruda Thirudi
Thiruda Thirudi
Thiruda Thirudi is a Tamil film directed by debutant Subramaniam Siva. The film stars Dhanush and Chaya Singh. This film was a low-budget production and the soundtrack was composed by Dhina. This comedic love story is set in the clashing enemies starring Manikka Vinayagam, Ginja and Illavarasu...
and Pori
Pori (film)
Pori is a Tamil film directed by Subramani Siva. Subramani Siva, who rendered his debut Thiruda Thirudi, a 2004 runaway blockbuster. This movie has Jeeva in the lead and Pooja as his lady love. The film failed to make an impact in box office.-Plot:Hari is an unemployed youth who runs a pavement...
. Starring director-turned-actor Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
, Madhumitha
Madhumitha
Madhumitha is an Indian actress, who has appeared in films in various South Indian industries, frequently in Tamil and Telugu films...
, Swathi
Swathi (actress)
Swathi is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. She is probably best known for her performances in Deva and Vaanmathi.-Career:...
, Ponvannan
Ponvannan
Ponvannan is an Indian film actor, who has played supporting roles throughout his career. He directed the award-winning film, Jamila. He is married to fellow actor, Saranya.- Tamil TV Serials -...
, lyricist Snehan
Snehan
Snehan is a Tamil poet, lyricist. Debuting in the film Putham Pudhiya Poove, he has written lyrics for more than 600 songs.-Career:...
, making his acting debut, and Ganja Karuppu
Ganja Karuppu
Ganja Karuppu, born Karuppu Raja, is an Indian film actor who plays comedy roles in Tamil cinema. He has appeared in many well-known Tamil films like Raam , Paruthiveeran , Subramaniyapuram , and Naadodigal...
in lead roles, the film is written by Ameer himself and has musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
. The film, an uncredited remake of the 2005 South African
Cinema of South Africa
The cinema of South Africa refers to the films and film industry of the nation of South Africa.-List of South African films:* Sarie Marais * Die kaskenades van Dr...
Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi
Tsotsi
Tsotsi is a 2005 film written and directed by Gavin Hood. The film is an adaptation of the novel Tsotsi, by Athol Fugard. The soundtrack features Kwaito music performed by popular South African artist Zola as well as a score by Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker featuring the voice of South African...
, was launched in October 2007 and released on 27 November 2009 to very positive reviews, but garnered poor response, eventually failing to succeed at the box office.
Plot
Yogeshwaran, simply known as Yogi (Ameer SultanAmeer Sultan
Ameer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
), and his gang of three men live in a slum on the edge making a living out of robberies and murders and having no human emotions. Yogi, in particular, has a dark secret about his bad past, which he keeps to himself. One day during a robbing spree, he is chased by the police. He gets into a car parked by a woman in front of a fruit shop and manages to flee, when he suddenly hears the cry of a child, finding a three month old baby in the back seat of the car. He abandons the car and leaves the baby in the car, but as he hears the baby crying, he is moved and the human being in him wakes up. He gets back to shove the baby into a large shopping bag and takes it home with him. He from them hides the baby from the rest of his gang and tries to take care of the baby alone.
Yogi then, holding at gunpoint, coerces Rajasulochana (Madhumitha
Madhumitha
Madhumitha is an Indian actress, who has appeared in films in various South Indian industries, frequently in Tamil and Telugu films...
), a young mother hailing from Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
and deserted by her husband, to breastfeed that baby. Meanwhile it is revealed, that the child's real mother Caroline (Swathi) is despearate to get her child back, whilst her husband Linden (Vincent Asokan), happening to be merely the step father of the baby, searches with the help of rowdys for the baby, which he actually wants dead.
In the meantime, Yogi slowly gets transformed, turning into a new man thanks to the baby, which apparently prompts feelings in him, even planning to keep and bring up the child himself. A flashback reveals his past, where he had an atrocious childhood as he was terrorized by his sadistic father (Devaraj), a beggar, who was responsible for the death of his mother and sister and for making Yogi himself a brute. However, he changes his plans and decides to reunite the baby with its mother, but unfortunately the child slips into the hands of her husband Linden. Yogi gets to know that Linden wants to kill the baby and tries to prevent that and to save the baby.
Cast
- Ameer SultanAmeer SultanAmeer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
as Yogeshwaran (Yogi) - MadhumithaMadhumithaMadhumitha is an Indian actress, who has appeared in films in various South Indian industries, frequently in Tamil and Telugu films...
as Rajasulochana - Vincent Asokan as Linden Fernando
- SwathiSwathi (actress)Swathi is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. She is probably best known for her performances in Deva and Vaanmathi.-Career:...
as Caroline Linden - SnehanSnehanSnehan is a Tamil poet, lyricist. Debuting in the film Putham Pudhiya Poove, he has written lyrics for more than 600 songs.-Career:...
as Sadai - PonvannanPonvannanPonvannan is an Indian film actor, who has played supporting roles throughout his career. He directed the award-winning film, Jamila. He is married to fellow actor, Saranya.- Tamil TV Serials -...
- Nanda Periyaswamy
- Ganja KaruppuGanja KaruppuGanja Karuppu, born Karuppu Raja, is an Indian film actor who plays comedy roles in Tamil cinema. He has appeared in many well-known Tamil films like Raam , Paruthiveeran , Subramaniyapuram , and Naadodigal...
as 'Stills' Mani - Ghazali as MLA Thiruna
- Devaraj as Yogeshwaran's father
- Vinodh as Inbaraj
- Jijuba as Urula (Sampath)
Music
The musical score of Yogi is composed by Ameer's friend, Yuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
, teaming up with Ameer again for this picture, having earlier worked on several projects as Mounam Pesiyadhe
Mounam Pesiyadhe
Mounam Pesiyadhe is a 2002 Indian Tamil romantic drama film, directed and written by Ameer Sultan, making his directorial debut. It stars Suriya, Trisha, newcomers Nandha and Mahaa and choreographer-turned-actor Anju Mahendra in supporting roles along with several other newcomers, while Laila...
(2002), Raam
Raam (film)
The music was scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, joining with director Ameer Sultan. The soundtrack, released on 12 January 2005, features 7 tracks, including one instrumental. The lyrics were written by Snehan...
(2005) and Paruthiveeran
Paruthiveeran
Paruthiveeran is a 2007 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Ameer Sultan. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the titular character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan and Ganja Karuppu and Sujatha essaying supporting roles...
(2007), which all turned out to be huge musical hits. The score and most of the songs are centred on the traditional Indian string instrument
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
sarangi
Sarangi
The Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
, an essential part of Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
, which is considered the hardest to Indian instrument to master. Noted Sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan was therefore assigned to perform the sarangi pieces in this film.
The soundtrack was released on 13 September 2009 at Sathyam Cinemas among many prominent personalities. Yuvan Shankar Raja and Ameer had travelled to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in September 2007 to compose and record the songs, which were released only 2 years later. The album consists of six tracks and features the voices of Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
himself, composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, lyricist Snehan
Snehan
Snehan is a Tamil poet, lyricist. Debuting in the film Putham Pudhiya Poove, he has written lyrics for more than 600 songs.-Career:...
, rapper Blaaze
Blaaze
Blaaze is a rap artist and a popular playback singer in Indian films. An Indian by birth, born in Chennai, he grew up in Zambia and later did his education in England and in the US...
, Neha Bhasin
Neha Bhasin
Neha Bhasin is an Indian singer-songwriter, performer, and TV hostess and was a member of the Indian pop girl group Viva!.-Biography:Neha Bhasin was born on November 18, 1982 in Delhi in a Punjabi Khatri family, India to Ashok Bhasin and Rekha Bhasin and has an elder sister and a younger brother...
and noted Sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan, who has performed the Sarangi in this album as well, among others. Both versions of "Yogi Yogi Thaan" weren't featured in the film. The lyrics were written by Snehan, who usually pens for Ameer's films.
The soundtrack received generally positive reviews. Karthik of Bangalore Mirror described it as "brilliant", while a critic from Indiaglitz.com wrote it was "stylish" and "scintillating". Rediffs Pavithra Srinivasan gave a mixed review, citing that Yuvan Shankar Raja "partially delivers in Yogi". However, despite garnering favorable reviews, the songs failed to become prominent, due to the film's poor theatrical run.
Development
Shortly after the release of his multiple-award-winning Tamil film ParuthiveeranParuthiveeran
Paruthiveeran is a 2007 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Ameer Sultan. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the titular character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan and Ganja Karuppu and Sujatha essaying supporting roles...
in February 2007, there were some speculations regarding Ameer's
Ameer Sultan
Ameer Sultan ; born 5 December 1966) is an Indian film director, producer and actor, working in the Tamil film industry. He has directed three films and has gained notable critical praise for two of them, the mystery thriller Raam and the drama Paruthiveeran...
next projext. Even before completing Paruthiveeran, it was reported, that Ameer's next film will be Kutravaali, a film about a criminal, that will not feature any songs, starring Surya in the lead role, which, however turned out to be wrong. In January 2007 then, it was reported, that Ameer will be directing a film, titled Kannabiran, again with Surya in the lead role, produced by himself. In the following months, Ameer again and again citwed, that he was working on Kannabiran and he was still looking for someone to play the lead role. It was also stated, that he might direct a film with Vikram
Vikram (actor)
Vikram is an Indian film actor who has predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. During his years in the Indian film industry, he has won five Filmfare Awards as well as one National Film Award and Tamil Nadu State Film Award amongst other recognitions and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate...
or Vijay
Joseph Vijay
Vijay is an Indian film actor and playback singer, who is based in the cinema of Tamil Nadu. He is the son of film producer and director S. A. Chandrasekhar. After performing uncredited roles as a child actor in films produced by his father, he made his debut in a lead role in the 1992 film...
after Kannabiran. All these reports turned out be rumors, when Ameer suddenly shelved the Kannabiran-project for unknown reasons and instead teamed up with director Subramaniam Siva to create a film, that will be written and produced by himself and directed by Subramaniam Siva, which will be titled Yogi, in which Ameer himself will act in the lead role.
The distribution rights were initially said to be brought by Kalaignar TV
Kalaignar TV
Kalaignar TV is a Tamil language satellite television channel based in Chennai, India.-History:After disputes between Kalanithi Maran and M. K. Azhagiri, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched this channel on September 15 2007...
, who had beaten Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures is a film distribution and production studio unit of Chennai, based Sun Network owned by Kalanidhi Maran. Founded in 2008, it started distributing low-budget Tamil-language films, Kadhalil Vizhunthen being the first, and holds the credit of producing India's costliest film Enthiran...
, who had also plans to acquire the film's rights. However, as a sudden twist, the film's rights slipped into the hands of Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures is a film distribution and production studio unit of Chennai, based Sun Network owned by Kalanidhi Maran. Founded in 2008, it started distributing low-budget Tamil-language films, Kadhalil Vizhunthen being the first, and holds the credit of producing India's costliest film Enthiran...
, who were said to distribute this film. Eventually these news turned out to be fictional, with the film being released by the production house itself.
Casting
Ameer decided to take up the title role of the film himself, after no other actor was ready to enact the character of Yogeshwaran. He then was looking for an actress to take up the lead female role. Initially looking for a 13-year-old schoolgirl to play that role as per the original script, he had to drop the idea as he couldn't find any suitable actress for that role and hence changed the script. PriyamaniPriyamani
Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer, better known by her stage name Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in several Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films...
, who played the lead female character of "Muththazhagu" in Ameer's previous venture, Paruthiveeran
Paruthiveeran
Paruthiveeran is a 2007 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Ameer Sultan. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the titular character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan and Ganja Karuppu and Sujatha essaying supporting roles...
, that won her much accolades, fame and the National Film Award, and who, according to Ameer, was the first choice, was approached to play the role as later was Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian film actress and model, who primarily appears in Tamil and Telugu language films, but has also appeared in Hindi language films. She was noticed after winning several beauty pageants like the Miss Madras contest , which marked her entry into filmdom...
, who debuted in Ameer's 2002 film Mounam Pesiyadhe
Mounam Pesiyadhe
Mounam Pesiyadhe is a 2002 Indian Tamil romantic drama film, directed and written by Ameer Sultan, making his directorial debut. It stars Suriya, Trisha, newcomers Nandha and Mahaa and choreographer-turned-actor Anju Mahendra in supporting roles along with several other newcomers, while Laila...
. However, both the actresses refused the offer, before Madhumitha then accepted to play the role of the lead female character named Rajasulochana, which is said to have great scope to perform. Also actress Swathi, who acted in films like Selva and Vaanmathi
Vaanmathi
Vaanmathi is a 1996 Tamil language film directed by Agathiyan starring Ajith Kumar and Swathi in the lead roles. This film portrays hatred that slowly transforms to love between two young souls who are from very different financial backgrounds...
with Vijay
Joseph Vijay
Vijay is an Indian film actor and playback singer, who is based in the cinema of Tamil Nadu. He is the son of film producer and director S. A. Chandrasekhar. After performing uncredited roles as a child actor in films produced by his father, he made his debut in a lead role in the 1992 film...
and Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
, respectively in the 1990s was signed up to play an important role in the film. Moreover, Ameer insisted, that the actress should dub for herself in the film as well. Also lyricist Snehan was casted to play a vital role in the film as was journalist Devaraj, director Nanda Periyaswamy and a real-life politician Gazzali. Apart from these, 20 newcomers are said to make their debut in the film, including two real-life slum dwellers, who would play as Ameer's friends.
Filming
Filming was held for 161 days in various areas in and around ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
on a cost of nearly 12 crores. The shooting of the film began in mid-November 2007 and was completed by mid-July 2009. Since the story is said to revolve around a slum dweller in an urban slum, shooting was mainly held around slum areas in Chennai as in Egmore
Egmore
-Main places:* Chennai Egmore railway station.* Office of the commissioner of Greater Chennai Police department.* Government Museum, Chennai.* Connemara Public Library, one of the biggest libraries in India.* National Art Gallery...
, Saidapet
Saidapet
Saidapet is an important neighbourhood in Chennai , India. The Saidapet Court, the only other court of judicature in Chennai city apart from the Madras High Court and the Saidapet bus depot are located here...
, Chennai Central
Chennai Central
Chennai Central , erstwhile Madras Central, is the main railway terminus in the city of Chennai . It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. The other major railway hub stations in the city are Chennai Egmore and Tambaram...
and Teynampet
Teynampet
Teynampet is one of the busiest commercial localities of the city of Chennai, India. Neighbouring localities include Alwarpet, T. Nagar, Nandanam, and Nungambakkam. Teynampet is along Anna Salai, the arterial road of Chennai...
. The various locations in Chennai include the Chennai City Centre
Chennai Citi Centre
The Chennai Citi Centre is a shopping mall in Mylapore, Chennai, India. It was opened in 2006. According to Cushman and Wakefield, a global real estate consultancy firm, it is one of the most expensive shopping malls in Chennai.-Major outlets:...
and the Sathyam Theatre, for which the unit had to get permissions first, which was said to be very costly and one main reason for the delay of the shooting. Several fight scenes in the climax were shot at the teraace of Big Bazaar
Big Bazaar
Big Bazaar is a chain of hypermarket in India. Currently, there are 210 stores across 80 cities and towns in India. Big Bazaar is designed as an agglomeration of bazaars or Indian markets with clusters offering a wide range of merchandise including fashion and apparels, food products, general...
in Vadapalani
Vadapalani
-Murugan Koyil:Built about 125 years back, this much-hallowed and regularly frequented Lord Muruga sannidhi has emerged from a thatched shed, an unostentatious one enshrining a Murugan picture only, and established for itself a name on par with ancient places of worship...
, at Ennore
Ennore
Ennore is a suburb in Chennai, India. Ennore is situated on a peninsula and is bounded by the Korttalaiyar River, Ennore creek and the Bay of Bengal...
and a house in Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar is one of Chennai's well known neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society Headquarters is located here. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal...
. In August 2009, however, it was reported, that "last leg shooting" was being held in Thiruvottiyur in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
at the famous Vadivudaiyamman Temple
Thiruvotriyur Temple
Thyagaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva located in Tiruvottiyur, in the suburbs of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is revered by the Thevaram hymns of Saiva nayanars, 7th century Tamil saint poets and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.-The Temple:The name of the goddess...
. In April 2008, reports claimed, that Ameer was injured during the shooting, which was going on at the AVM Studios, when he was jumping from 40 meter high and sustained fracture in his right hand.