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Vikram (2022 film)


Vikram is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil.[6][7] Kalidas Jayaram,[8] Narain and Chemban Vinod Jose play supporting roles while Suriya makes a cameo appearance. The film's soundtrack and score are composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography handled by Girish Gangadharan and editing done by Philomin Raj. The film continues from Kaithi (2019) and follows a black-ops squad led by Amar tracking down masked vigilantes, while he learns of a drug syndicate group called Vetti Vagaiyara, led by Sandhanam, who wants the missing drugs to be delivered to his cold-blooded boss Rolex.

The film is a spiritual successor of the 1986 film with the same name, also starring Hassan.[9] The film also features a remixed version of the theme song from the 1986 film. Vikram serves as the second installment in the planned Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) after Kaithi.[10][11] Principal photography began in July 2021 and ended in February 2022 with filming taking place across Tamil Nadu including Karaikudi, Chennai, Pondicherry, and Coimbatore. Vikram was released theatrically on 3 June 2022, and generally received positive reviews from critics, praising the film’s narrative style, action sequences, technical aspects and cast performances (particularly Hassan, Faasil and Sethupathi). The film grossed ₹312 crore (US$41 million) and went on to become the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year





Plot

Following the events after busting the illegal consignment of Adaikalam and Anbu by Inspector Bejoy,[N 1] Amar, the head of a black-ops team, is summoned by Police Chief Jose to bring justice to a group of masked vigilantes, who have killed Stephen Raj (following his arrest and subsequent release), ACP Prabhanjan and his adopted father, Karnan. Amar leads the investigation by digging into Karnan's life, whose murder seems out of place, as Karnan was a common man and the other two were higher officials in the Narcotics division. He learns about Karnan's past as a drunkard, drug addict, and womaniser, but is very close to his adopted infant grandson. While investigating, Amar learns about the missing containers needed by Sandhanam, who is part of a large family and runs a crime syndicate named Vetti Vagaiyara. Sandhanam wants the drugs to be delivered to his cold-blooded smuggler boss named Rolex, whose identity is unknown to anyone. If the drugs are delivered, Rolex will help Sandhanam form his own government.

Meanwhile, Veerapandian, who is a gang member of Vetti Vagaiyara, assigns a meeting with other gangsters at a casino theatre, where he reveals that he, along with another gang member named Rudra Pratap, know the location of the drug containers as they want to bring the containers to Rolex, bypassing Sandhanam in the process. However, the masked men arrive and kill Veerapandian. After learning that Veerapandian is the target of the masked men from a chip of Karnan's, found in a brothel he frequented, Amar chases after them and successfully captures one of them, revealed to be Bejoy. Amar interrogates Bejoy, where Bejoy tells them that the syndicate members killed his family after busting the drug consignment. Realizing that Rudra Pratap is also the target of the members, Amar, along with his team, barges into Rudra Pratap's daughter's wedding ceremony, where Rudra Pratap has also invited Sandhanam, for protection, fearing for his life and family.

The masked men, along with their leader, arrive at Rudra Pratap's daughter's wedding, where the leader forces Rudra Pratap by holding his daughter at knifepoint, drags Rudra Pratap, and escapes from the wedding. He leaves some of his members to deal with Sandhanam, but Sandhanam thrashes all of them. Amar chases the masked men, where he confronts the leader, who makes a video call to Sandhanam and reveals himself as Karnan, who is actually alive and faked his death. Karnan kills Rudra Pratap and escapes from the police. Amar learns that Karnan is actually Arun Kumar Vikram aka Vikram, who was the former commander of the black-ops squad, Pilot Black. Vikram, along with his team of eleven members, were disbanded after a botched mission in 1991 and declared as terrorists. Subsequently, they were hunted down and only Vikram and three other members of the team, managed to stay alive. Amar meets up with Jose and slyly finds out that Jose, himself, is Sandhanam's mole in the department.

It is revealed that Sandhanam was the one who killed Prabhanjan, along with Jose's help, as he learned about Sandhanam's involvement with Jose. Jose, with the help of Veerapandian and Rudra Pratap, covered up the murder, by making it look like it was committed by terrorists. Amar orchestrates a bomb blast at Sandhanam's house, which destroys his drug lab in the basement, bungalow, and associate-Elango. However, Sandhanam (who was informed by Jose) escapes, along with his whole family. Jose reveals Vikram's and Amar's identity to Sandhanam. Later, Vikram arrives at the prison and frees Bejoy and his team. Sandhanam brutally kills Amar's wife, Gayathri, and sends his men to attack and kill Vikram's daughter-in-law and grandson at Prabhanjan's house, but Vikram arrives and saves them. However, a team member of Vikram's Pilot Black squad and associate, Agent Tina, who was undercover as the domestic help of the house Valliammal, is killed while helping Vikram. Distraught at Gayathri's death, Amar joins Vikram's gang to take down Sandhanam and his syndicate. He leaves for Jose's house and kills him after learning about his involvement in Gayathri's murder.

It is revealed that the reason for Vikram's actions is not vengenace, but a personal mission to bust the drug syndicate in the city, which manifested, in him, through Prabhanjan's death. He also admits that Prabhanjan was his own biological son. Afterwards, Vikram along with his grandson, reaches the Chennai port, where the containers are hidden. However, Sandhanam learns about the location of the containers and attacks Vikram. Vikram mows down Sandhanam's men with a Cannon and DShK and kills Sandhanam, with the help of his team. However, the remaining members of his Pilot Black squad, Agents Uppiliappan and Lawrence, are killed in the action whilst trying to protect Vikram's grandson. Amar mourns Gayathri's death and with the syndicate destroyed, he dons the grease paint to continue Vikram's mission, by joining his team, along with Bejoy.

In the mid-credits scene, in Sassoon Docks, Mumbai, Anbu and Adaikalam, along with the gangsters affiliated with Sandhanam, hold a meeting with their boss, Rolex. Adaikalam and Anbu reveal Dilli's involvement in the drug ambush, and Sandhanam's men reveal Vikram and Amar's involvement in destroying their drug syndicate. Rolex announces a huge sum as a reward for the execution of Amar, Dilli and Vikram's team. They also reveal the current location of Dilli, in Uttar Pradesh, and Vikram's family in San Francisco. However, unknown to Rolex and everybody else at the meeting, Vikram is hiding amongst the gangsters, and learns about the bounty placed on his team and Dilli.

Cast

Suriya makes a cameo appearance as Rolex, the kingpin of the illegal drug trade.[14] Additionally, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, Dheena, Hareesh Peradi and Baby Monica appear in cameos reprising their roles, Anbu, Adaikalam, Kamatchi, Stephen Raj and Amudha from Kanagaraj's 2019 film, Kaithi while Karthi reprises his role as Dilli from the same film in a voiceover.

Production

Development

Lokesh Kanagaraj was signed by Kamal Haasan's production house Raaj Kamal Films International to direct a film for the studio during November 2019. For which he had previously mentioned his admiration of Kamal Haasan's work, noting that two of the actor's films, Sathya (1988) and Virumaandi (2004), had influenced him to become a film director.[15] Despite agreeing terms, both the director and the studio opted to prioritise commitments, for other films before beginning production work.[16][5] Lokesh narrated the script of the proposed film to Rajinikanth during December 2019.[17][18] The project which was tentatively titled as Thalaivar 169, was scheduled to be launched in March 2020.[19] Despite the progress of discussions, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the launch of the film.[20][21][22]

In September 2020, Lokesh announced a different project, that would feature Kamal Haasan in the lead role.[23] The film's official poster was released on 16 September 2020,[24][25] which came under the tentative titles as Kamal Haasan 232, a 232nd film to Kamal Haasan and Evanendru Ninaithaai,[26][27][28] a titular song from his film Vishwaroopam (2013), and it features Anirudh Ravichander scoring music for the film, collaborating with Kamal Haasan and Lokesh for the second time after Indian 2 and Master.[29] The team shot for a promotional teaser of the film during October 2020 in Chennai, adhering to the COVID-19 safety regulations suggested by the Indian government.[30] Coinciding with the actor's 66th birthday, 7 November 2020,[31] the makers unveiled the title teaser of the film,[32] featuring Kamal Haasan,[33] in which the title of the film was revealed to be Vikram, a repeat of an earlier film of the same name, starring the actor which was released in 1986.[34][35]

After Kamal Haasan's commitments during the 2021 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, on 7 April, a post was shared by Lokesh Kanagaraj through his social media handles,[36] anticipating that the pre-production works for the film had begun.[36] Since Haasan decided to shoot for the film only after the election results, since he contested in the Coimbatore South constituency, he demanded Lokesh to make changes in the script,[37] however, that was delayed due to the pandemic. Initially, it was planned as a single shooting schedule for 60 days,[38] with a new technology, that would shorten the days of film production, being undisclosed, did not happen as plan.[39] In the film, Kamal Haasan was reported to play a retired police officer and media reports stated that he will don a "khaki uniform" for this film, after 15 years since the Gautham Vasudev Menon-directorial Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006).[38] He was reported to sport a thick beard in the film.[40] For the flashback portions, Lokesh Kanagaraj reported to use de-aging technology for the film.[41] The flashback sequence in its entirety, was eventually said to be cost around ₹10 crore, particularly for the technology used in the film.[41][42] In April 2022, Lokesh had submitted the film's script at the Copyright Office, New Delhi for legal copyrights.[43]

Casting

The lead actors: Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil[44][45]

Lokesh roped in his norm technicians, cinematographer Sathyan Sooryan and editor Philomin Raj, who previously worked with the director in his projects for the film.[46] However, due to schedule conflicts, Sooryan was replaced by Girish Gangadharan, in his second Tamil film after Sarkar (2018),[47] whose inclusion was later confirmed by Lokesh in July 2021.[48][49] Twin stunt choreographers Anbariv, were announced a part of the film's technical crew.[50] This marked the duo's second collaboration with Lokesh after Kaithi (2019), where they received accolades for the stunt sequences.[50][51]

Raghava Lawrence was initially approached to play the antagonist in the film during March 2021,[52] however he stepped out of the project due to his prior commitments.[53] In April 2021, Fahadh Faasil confirmed his presence in acting in the film, where he will be seen as a politician.[54] The film marked Fahadh's third project in Tamil after Velaikkaran (2017) and Super Deluxe (2019).[54][55] In May 2021, Vijay Sethupathi announced his confirmation in the project, collaborating with Lokesh for the second time after Master and first with Kamal Haasan.[56] He is also likely to play the role of a villain and Vijay described the role as one of his favorites and is different from the Vijay’s film starrer Master.[57] Antony Varghese who earlier stepped out of the director's previous film Master citing date issues agreed to play an integral part in the film, thus making this his debut in Tamil cinema.[58] It was revealed that Arjun Das was approached for a role in the film, in his third consecutive association with the director Lokesh after Kaithi and Master.[59] Narain who appeared in a pivotal role in Lokesh's Kaithi too signed the project.[60] Kalidas Jayaram was approached to be cast in a pivotal role in July 2021, where he essays Haasan's son.[61]

Actress Shanvi Srivastava was confirmed to play a pivotal role in this film and her scenes in this film appear for approximately 10 minutes.[62] In August 2021, Andrea Jeremiah hinted her presence working in this film after being associated in Haasan's previous projects.[63] The same month, television actress and one of the constants of Bigg Boss Tamil series, Shivani Narayanan was roped in to play one of the three female leads paired opposite Sethupathi's character.[7][64] In September, Mynaa Nandhini and Maheshwari Chanakyan were confirmed as the other two actresses.[65][66] Swathishta Krishnan and Malayalam actor Chemban Vinod Jose, were cast in pivotal roles, the latter in his Tamil film debut.[67] In October, popular Tamil-language YouTube channel, Village Cooking Channel team (M. Periyathambi, the grandson V. Subramanian and his cousins), were cast as a part of the film during the third schedule for a wedding sequence.[68][69] In November 2021, Hareesh Peradi was also confirmed to star in a pivotal role.[70] Later, in early-January 2022, veteran actor-director Santhana Bharathi joined the film's shoot.[71] Actor Suriya will also be seen in the film in a cameo appearance.[72] His scenes will appear approximately for 10 minutes.[73] Kamal Haasan talked about Suriya’s role at the Film Companion in the Cannes Film Festival stating that "It’s no more a rumour. We had to put up our hand and admit that Suriya is playing an incredible last minute appearance. That should take the story a little further, probably into part 3."[74][75][76]

Filming

The film's principal photography began with a photoshoot session on 16 July 2021.[77] The team began shooting for the film's first schedule in Karaikudi on 6 August, which was delayed eventually since the shooting of Suriya's Etharkkum Thunindhavan, took place in the same location and the crew had to begin filming only after the crew members leave the location post-shooting, as per the COVID-19 safety regulations.[78] The first schedule began on 20 August, and shooting took place for a month in Karaikudi. The team began second schedule of the film in Chennai on 19 September and later moved to Pondicherry, to shoot further sequences.[79] The second schedule of the film was subsequently wrapped on 2 October 2021.[80][81] On 13 October, the film makers started shooting for the third schedule of the film.[82] The team planned to shoot two sequences at the Tamil Nadu Police Museum for four days, including two days of set work in 24–25 October and two days of shooting 27–28 October 2021, but the officials denied permission to shoot there, citing pandemic restrictions. The makers later decided to postpone the shoot, as they needed an alternative location.[83][84]

The team began the final and month-long schedule on 17 November 2021 in Coimbatore,[85][86] with scenes featuring Haasan, Sethupathi and Faasil being shot.[87][88] However, filming was halted after Kamal Haasan was diagnosed with COVID-19 after his travel to the United States, for the inauguration of his clothing brand.[89] This resulted in the team shooting major stunt sequences indoors.[90] A set work with more than 50 damaged cars, had been shot in Coimbatore during this schedule, and following the actor's health condition, the team decided to shift the location to Binny Mills for continuity.[90] Shooting resumed on 10 December 2021 with important sequences being canned with other actors and later Haasan joined the sets on 22 December.[91]

In late-December 2021, the team continued shooting few sequences at a house located in East Coast Road at a quick pace. However, in early-January, the shoot had to be stalled after a few technicians working on the film were infected with COVID-19. The production cost simultaneously increased as the rent paid for the house was enormous, even on non-shooting days.[92] Furthermore, Haasan's medical commitments and his participation in the Bigg Boss Ultimate show, delayed the shooting further, which resulted in the team skipping an entire schedule.[93] Due to the rise in COVID-19 infections in Tamil Nadu, the team planned to shoot the film with minimal crew.[93] On 24 January 2022, the team shot few sequences at the premises of Vettri Theatres in Chromepet (Chennai).[94][95] The final filming schedule began on 5 February 2022, with face off scenes with Haasan and Sethupathi being shot for 15 days.[96][97]

To prioritise for the film's shooting, Haasan stepped down as the host for Bigg Boss Ultimate show, and participated for patchwork filming.[98] On 1 March, it was announced that filming had completely wrapped.[99]

Music

Main article: Vikram (soundtrack)

The film's soundtrack and background score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, making this his second collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj and Kamal Haasan after Master and Indian 2 respectively. The music rights were purchased by Sony Music India. Film's audio launch took place in a grand manner in Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai on 15 May 2022.[100]

Marketing

As a part of the film's promotions, in collaboration with Southern Railways, the marketing team designed the film's posters at the locomotive trains travelling across India.[101][102] Raajkamal Films International collaborated with Vistas Media Capital's Fantico and Lotus Metaentertainment, for the film's launch in the metaverse platform, Vistaverse.[103][104][105] Vistaverse further announced the launch of utilities through non-fungible tokens (NFT), which will be launched at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2022.[106][107] The film's audio and theatrical trailer were both launched simultaneously at a grand audio launch event held in Chennai on 15 May 2022 and all the cast and crew attending the event[107] and actor Simbu,[108] director Pa. Ranjith,[109] and veteran actress Radhika attended the pre release event as chief guest.[citation needed]

Reviewing the trailer of the film, The Hindu stated that "Director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film comes on the back of two hits — Kaithi and Master — and expectations are massive for the project, that is produced by Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) and Red Giant Movies. Interestingly, Vikram was also the title of a 1986 action adventure-film directed by Rajasekhar, starring Kamal Haasan and Sathyaraj, among others."[110] Hindustan Times after reviewing the trailer, wrote "While the trailer hardly gives away the plot, what it does offer is the glimpse of the film’s grand scale of action. It is packed with guns, explosions and gangsters."[111]

Release

Theatrical

Vikram was theatrically released on 3 June 2022.[112][113] It was initially scheduled for theatrical release in mid-April 2022.[114][115] The film was later preponed to 31 March,[116][117] and pushed back to 29 April,[118] and then to June 2022,[119] both times after the producers adjusted the release date due to the scheduling of several other big-budget films and production delays caused due to COVID-19 pandemic.[119]

The film will also be dubbed in Hindi and Telugu languages, both with the Telugu and Hindi versions titled Vikram Hitlist.[120][121][122]

Distribution

Several trade pundits claimed the film as the "hottest in the trade".[123][124] The film made a business of about ₹200 crore (US$26 million) before the release, with the inclusion of satellite, digital, audio and Hindi dubbing rights.[122] The Hindi dubbing rights of the film are sold for ₹37 crore (US$4.9 million).[124] The Hindi dubbing rights of the film were sold to Goldmines Telefilms, prior to the announcement of theatrical release. In late-March 2022, Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant Movies acquired the film's theatrical distribution rights in Tamil Nadu.[125] The film will be distributed in North India by Pen Marudhar Entertainment.[126] The film's Kerala rights were acquired by Shibu Thameens HR Pictures for ₹8 crore (US$1.0 million).[127] Shree Karpaga Vinayaga Film Circuits has acquired the Karnataka distribution rights of the film.[128] The Andhra Pradesh and Telengana distribution rights,[129] have been acquired by Telugu actor Nithin’s Sreshth Movies.[130]

Home media

In late-February 2022, it was announced that the satellite and digital distribution rights were acquired by Star India Network for ₹112 crore (US$15 million).[131] The film's digital streaming rights are sold to Disney+ Hotstar and will be premiered in the month of August soon after its theatrical release.[132] The satellite rights for the film’s Tamil version are sold to Star Vijay,[133][134] while the satellite rights for the dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada are sold to Star Gold, Star Maa, Asianet and Star Suvarna respectively.[135]

Reception

Box Office

Vikram had a total gross collection of ₹100.75 crore in India and ₹50 crore overseas making the first weekend collection to ₹150–163 crore gross worldwide.[136][137][138][139] The film collected over ₹82.75 crores in Tamil Nadu, ₹20.5 crores in Kerala, ₹13 crores in Karnataka, ₹15.75 crores in Telugu states and ₹5.5 crores in rest of India.

In it's opening weekend the film had collected ₹13.23 crore in USA, ₹3.9 crore in UK and ₹3.55 crore in Australia.[141] The film grossed ₹260 crore (US$34 million) worldwide with in seven days.[142] On the fourth day of its release, the film collected around $2.10 million in Russia, $2.65 million in Middle East, $1.25 million in Malaysia, $0.46 million in Singapore, $0.22 million in France, $0.50 million in Europe.[143] On the sixth day of its release, the film crossed the 200 crores mark, surpassing the collections made by the Tamil film Beast.[144] The film has also performed well in Norway and Russia, grossing $31,320 and $6,543 respectively on the first week of its release.

Vikram grossed over ₹260 crore in the first week of its theatrical run, and emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year by surpassing Beast.[13] The film has collected over $2.5 million in USA and grossed ₹312 crore worldwide after it's second weekend run.

Critical Response

Vikram received highly positive reviews from critics.[148][149] Divya Nair of Rediff rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "With ample whistle podu moments, Vikram is a macho blockbuster that shouldn't be missed".[150] Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "Lokesh Kanagaraj has loaded Vikram with a battalion of characters but he has ensured that all of them have their due scope to perform, even though some might have lesser screen time including Ulaganaayagan".[151] A critic for Pinkvilla rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Kamal Haasan is a visual delight in this action thriller".[152] Ashameera Aiyappan of Firstpost rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "One glimpse of Kamal Haasan in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Vikram and you just know he is the G.O.A.T".[153] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Lokesh must be applauded for not wasting time on fanboy tributes to the superstar on board, and sticking to telling the story".[154] Shubham Kulkarni of Koimoi rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram is a mass entertainer that does not alienate the ones who try to find meat in a film".[155] Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram is only the beginning. In the climax, Lokesh teases at least three separate movies that could branch out from this one.[156] A critic for Zee News rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram works if one looks at it as just an action entertainer".[157] Vivek M V of Deccan Herald rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Lokesh has found his own voice and his fast yet admirable growth promises exciting things going forward".[158] Josh Hurtado of The Austin Chronicle rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "An incredible booming background score from Anirudh Ravichandar, and some very fun surprises throughout, Vikram is definitely among the year’s best Tamil films".[159] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times stated that "Anirudh Ravichander’s music, especially the background score, plays a pivotal role in amplifying the overall experience of watching Vikram on the big screen, apart from the terrific action sequences. Suriya’s brief but powerful cameo is just the high one needs as you step out of Vikram."[160] Srivatsan S of The Hindu stated that "The new ‘Vikram’ disappoints the fans of the 1986 original and could have been a standalone film with Fahadh Faasil carrying on the legacy of the agent like in the James Bond films."[161]

Lakshmi Subramanian of The Week rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram is packed with thrilling moments from the very first minute. With technical superiority and terrific casting, the first half is an interesting watch, while the narration and a few long rants tire you in the second half".[162] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Kamal Haasan is fabulous. Vijay Sethupathi fleshes out an edgy criminal whose frazzled heart and addled mind push him in startling directions".[163] M Suganth of The Times Of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "In a film filled with action heroes, the biggest mass moment comes in a stunt scene involving a female character. Vikram needed a few more such moments to have been truly memorable".[164] Janani K of India Today rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram has several whistle-worthy moments. But, the plot becomes too generic after a point".[165] Gautaman Bhaskaran of News 18 rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Vikram is drama, drama, drama all the way in which the director has not only bitten more than he can chew but exhibits his diehard admiration for Kamal Haasan".[166] Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Much like the morality of both characters, I’ll have to say it lies somewhere in between, and much like those two men, the film does tilt towards the good."[167] Indiaglitz, gave the film rating 3.5 out of 5 and stated that "Go for this highly engaging action thriller with Lokesh Kanagaraj touch and enjoy the mass of Kamal, VJS, Fahadh and Suriya."[168] Behindwoods gave the film 3 out of 5 stars stating that "Kamal, VJS, Fahadh, Lokesh & Anirudh deliver an entertaining Vikram with amazing performances, terrific music, surprise twists and stylish stunts.



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