Thadaiyara Thaakka is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni, starring Arun Vijay and Mamta Mohandas. The title is derived from a devotional song titled Kanda Shasti Kavasam. The film was released theatrically on 1 June 2012, receiving acclaim for its action sequences, technical aspects and screenplay.
Plot
Selva, is a self-built man who owns a small travel agency in Chennai. He works hard and honest and dreams to make it big in life. He is all set to marry his lover Priya. The city is under the grip of dreaded baddies Maha, and his brother Kumar. They are loan sharks who go to any extent to wield their clout in the city. During a rainy night, Selva comes across a drunk Maha, and within minutes, Maha is killed in mysterious circumstances. The blame falls on Selva. Kumar and his men want to bump off Selva. A perplexed Selva runs for cover. He sets out to find the real killer, but there is a twist in the tale. Maha had abducted Gayathri Ramakrishnan, the only daughter of a very rich Businessman based in Delhi. He has been using her solely as his personal sex slave for nine months, revolting on the thought that even the richest and most powerful men in the country can't touch her. One rainy night, Gayathri escapes captivity and comes across the intoxicated and defenseless Maha sitting on the road. She uses the chance to exert revenge and kills him. She discreetly places the murder weapon in Selva's car, and Selva is thus framed. Selva's two friends are taken captive and killed off brutally by Kumar. Selva's two cars and office are also destroyed by Kumar's men, and Priya's family escapes the city to save themselves. With his entire life turned around by a crime he did not commit, Selva takes a new avatar as he decides to wage a bloody war with the baddies. Finally, he kills Kumar and the eight main members of his gang. To dispose the bodies, he uses a meat grinder overnight and fees the flesh to pigs in a sty. Though Selva and Priya take care of Gayathri, she comes to know that she is pregnant from Maha's rape. At the same time, Selva's gang comes to know of Gayathri's origins from the TV news. Unfortunately, Gayathri commits suicide, and the film ends.
After achieving commercial successes with Malai Malai and Maanja Velu, Feather Touch Entertainment and Arun Vijay came together for a third collaboration. The film was launched at the Palani Murugan temple, with the film's crew being present. The film's title was announced to be Thadaiyara Thaakka, derived from the Kanda Shasti Kavasam. Arun Vijay plays a left handed character. About the title, director said:"When I was working with Gautham Menon, we were discussing this title for Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu. Generally Gautham Menon will ask his assistant directors for titles for his scripts and I had suggested this then. Gautham too liked this but somehow we could not use it then. However this title stayed with me for a long time and when I had readied the script, I felt this suited the script very well" and about the story idea he further added that:"The idea was conceived once when I was bedridden with viral fever. When an idea is very good and simmers for a long time, it kind of grows on you and the characters come to life and become powerful. That’s how the characters and the story took shape seven years ago".
Casting
actress Prachi Desai was first roped in for the lead female role, signing her first Tamil project, with sources claiming that she was paid 15 million as remuneration. Despite having signed up, Desai failed to turn up for shooting, delaying the filming. Nearly five months later, she was removed from the project, and Malayali singer-actress Mamta Mohandas replaced her, making Thadaiyara Thaakka her third Tamil film. Prior to Mamta's entry, Kannada film actress Nidhi Subbaiah was considered for the role. Rakul Preet Singh, Femina Miss India 2011 contestant, who previously had starred in a Kannada film, was selected for another pivotal female role. Salim Baig, who played the antagonist in Gharshana, Kaakha Kaakha's Telugu version, was chosen to enact the villain in Thadaiyara Thaakka, with reports noting that there were two more villains in the film.
Filming
Some scenes of the film were shot at Border Thottam, at night. Arun Vijay stated that the film was primarily shot in night at second half. The team roped in Mumbai based model Debi Dutta for the kuthu number "Poondhamalli Dhaan". The track was canned in TR Gardens in an enormous set resembling the famous Zam Bazaar at nights in a grand scale with 50 dancers and 150 junior artists. It was choreographed by Noble Master. Arun Vijay had developed a six-pack for this film. Rain had delayed the schedule and pushed back the release. The crew shot the climax at the Binny Mills for nine days. A factory set was erected with 15 feet fenced compound worth 4.5 million rupees. Art director Mohana Mahendran tried to find a live location but since he wasn't satisfied, the team erected a set of an old abandoned factory with machinery. A scene featuring Arun Vijay, Vamsi and his gang was shot there. Stunt director Anal Arasu composed a lengthy shot which was canned with four cameras. During the take Vamsi had to swing a huge iron bar against Arun Vijay in the end, where Arun has to miss it and jump. However, the iron bar slipped from Vamsi's hand and hit Arun's shoulder. Shoot was wrapped with few shots remaining.
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by Thaman, with lyrics by Madhan Karky and Vaali. Arun Vijay had sung few lines for a folk-song with L. R. Eswari. The audio was launched at radio station "Suryan FM". Magizh Thirumeni, Arun Vijay, Thaman and Madhan Karky were present at the launch, while Mamta Mohandas was absent as she had one on a trip.. Soundtrack rights were sold to Saregama.
Critical reception
Milliblog wrote: "Short, tuneful soundtrack by Thaman who gets the melodies right and the sole kuthu wrong". Behindwoods wrote:"A decent effort from Thaman that passes muster". Nowrunning wrote:"Flawed but praiseworthy flick". Behindwoods wrote:"Credible characters, fairly good screen play and neat performances are the factors that work for TT, However, there are a few snag moments in the second half when the script’s journey appears a bit meandering.
Box-office
The film has grossed in first week. In the second week, film took average opening and grossed. The film was a success at the box office selling 220,000 tickets in Tamil Nadu.
