Dharmapuri is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Perarasu and produced by A. M. Rathnam. It stars Vijayakanth and Raai Laxmi, while Manivannan, Raj Kapoor, Bobby, Vijayakumar, and M. S. Bhaskar play supporting roles. The songs were composed by Srikanth Deva.
| Dharmapuri | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Perarasu |
| Written by | Perarasu |
| Produced by | A. M. Rathnam |
| Starring | Vijayakanth Raai Laxmi |
| Cinematography | S. Saravanan |
| Music by | Srikanth Deva |
| Distributed by | Sri Surya Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Dharmapuri released on 20 October 2006 to mixed reviews from critics and became a hit.
Plot
editThe movie is set in a remote village in Dharmapuri, known for making dolls from clay. It is the livelihood of people in the village. A man named Mokkaiyan, along with his sons Silandhi Karuppu and Peruchali Karuppu, grabs the land and gives it on a lease for a local MLA Konda Mookan. Humiliated and agitated, the villagers decide to put an end to their shenanigans. They set off in search of Sivaraman, the son of Meiyappan, who once strived for the welfare of the village and later was forced to flee the village due to Mokkaiyan's family. They finally spot Sivaraman in Rameshwaram, where he works tirelessly for the uplift of the people. They convince him to return to the village and teach Mokkaiyan and his family a lesson. Enters Sivaraman on a mission. He comes across Valarmathi and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, he also embarks on a mission to teach the baddies a lesson.
Cast
edit- Vijayakanth as Sivaraman
- Raai Laxmi as Valarmathi
- Vijayakumar as Meiyappan, Sivaraman's father
- Rajesh as Valarmathi's father
- Manivannan as Mokkaiyan
- Raj Kapoor as Silandhi Karuppu
- Bobby as Peruchali Karuppu
- M. S. Bhaskar as Shanmugam
- Jaya Prakash Reddy as MLA Konda Mookan
- Manobala as Silandhi Karuppu's henchman
- Sumithra as Maragatham, Sivaraman's mother
- Manochithra as Valarmathi's mother
- Anu Mohan as Villager
- Periya Karuppu Thevar as Villager
- Bava Lakshmanan as Peruchali Karuppu's henchman
- Peeli Sivam as School teacher
- Theni Kunjarammal as Kunjarammal
- Bosskey
- Rajendranath as Police inspector
- Venba as Young Valarmathi
- Ramji in a special appearance
- Nanditha Jennifer in a special appearance
- Perarasu as Lawyer (cameo appearance)
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Srikanth Deva and released by An Ak Audio. All lyrics were written by Perarasu.[1]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Naan Yaaru" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:25 |
| 2. | "Vandha Vaadi" | Suchitra, Perarasu | 4:23 |
| 3. | "Engamma Kuthamma" | Udit Narayan, Anuradha Sriram | 4:42 |
| 4. | "Vandhuttaru" | Swarnalatha, Manikka Vinayagam | 4:53 |
| 5. | "Karuthamachan" | Mukesh Mohamed , Reshmi | 4:59 |
| Total length: | 24:22 | ||
Production
editAfter the success of Thirupathi, Perarasu announced a project called "Pandigai" with S. J. Suryah[2] but the project was cancelled and he announced his next project "Dharmapuri" with Vijayakanth in 2006[3] since Producer A M Rathnam expressed his desire of Perarasu directing a film for him. Incidentally it was Rathnam who suggested Vijayakanth's name for the film. When Rathnam and captain heard the 'one liner', they both liked it instantly and thus ‘Dharmapuri’ was born without even a heroine.[4] The crew wanted Nayanthara as heroine[5] but she rejected as the film had political overtones instead Lakshmi Rai was selected.[6][7] The filming was held at Rameswaram where they shot few scenes, the film's climax was shot at Dharmapuri while the song "Nee Yaaru" was shot at Srirangam.[8] While shooting at Srirangam, Vijayakanth slapped a person which caused a stir but he clarified on media that it was his old friend.[9] A song sequence for the movie was shot at a village called Sarukani near Devakkottai.[10]
Release and reception
editThe film's distribution rights was sold for six crores.[11] Dharmapuri was released on 21 October 2006 on Diwali festival alongside Varalaru, Vallavan, Thalaimagan, E and Vattaram.[12]
Indiaglitz wrote: "Perarasu has dished out a movie that would certainly appease front-benchers. A commercial pot-boiler, the movie will be lapped by Vijayakanth's fans. Sure to make it big in rural centres, the movie also has enough stunt sequences for action-lovers".[13] Sify wrote: "Dharmapuri is pure DMDK propaganda machinery working overtime. Perarasu who has written the story, screenplay, dialogue, lyrics and directed the film has given it a commercial coating – songs, fights, punch lines and a bit of glamour. As a political propaganda film, Perarasu has done a fairly decent job as he has worked the script to suit Captain’s screen image".[14] Lajjavathi of Kalki called it a Perarasu film which stays with the formula and a political vehicle for Vijayakanth. She appreciated the performances of Vijayakanth and M. S. Bhaskar but panned Srikanth Deva's music and fight sequences and felt too many political dialogues and symbols gave an impression of watching an political film.[15] Cinesouth wrote "'Dharmapuri' is a sorry film".[16] Chennai Online wrote "Neither the characterisation, the story-line, the scenes nor the narrative style offers anything novel or exciting. And Vijaykanth is just about helpless to rise above such an insipid script".[17]
References
edit- ^ "Dharmapuri songs download". JioSaavn. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Perarasu to join with SJ Surya for 'Pandigai'". Behindwoods. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Perarasu's Dharmapuri with Vijayakanth!!". Behindwoods. 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Will director Perarasu strike a chord with Captain's Dharmapuri?". Behindwoods. 22 September 2006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Will Nayantra act opposite Vijayakanth? - Tamil News - IndiaGlitz.com". 26 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "Tamil movies : "You'll regret for not pairing with Captain" – Perarasu fumes over heroines!!". Behindwoods. 31 July 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Lakshmi Rai is the lucky one". IndiaGlitz. 31 July 2006. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "விஜயகாந்தை முதல்வராக்கும் தர்மபுரி!". Kalki (in Tamil). 23 July 2006. pp. 20–22. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Captain's slap to his friend!!". Behindwoods. 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Captain's politics and pity producer". Behindwoods. 10 October 2006. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Tamil movies : Varalaru vs Vallavan – Diwali movies sales report". Behindwoods. 4 October 2006. Archived from the original on 23 April 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Diwali release - 2006". Chennai Online. 21 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Dharmapuri Tamil Movie Review". IndiaGlitz. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ "Movie Review : Dharmapuri". Sify. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ லஜ்ஜாவதி (5 November 2006). "தர்மபுரி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 72. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Dharmapuri". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (31 October 2006). "Dharmapuri". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 7 January 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
External links
edit- Dharmapuri at IMDb