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Deiva Thirumagal

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Deiva Thirumagal (transl. God's Daughter) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language melodrama film written and directed by A. L. Vijay and produced by M. Chinthamani and Ronnie Screwvala. The film features Vikram in lead role as an intellectually-disabled man while Sara Arjun, Anushka Shetty, Amala Paul, Nassar, Krishna Kumar, Santhanam, M.S Bhaskar and Sachin Khedekar playing pivotal roles.

Deiva Thirumagal
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. L. Vijay
Written byA. L. Vijay
Based onI Am Sam by Jessie Nelson
Produced byM. Chinthamani
Ronnie Screwvala
Starring
CinematographyNirav Shah
Edited byAnthony
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
companies
UTV Motion Pictures
Sree Rajakaliamman Medias
Distributed byUTV Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 15 July 2011 (2011-07-15) (India)
Running time
166 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budgetest. ₹ 24 crore[1]
Box officeest. ₹ 40 crore[2]

The film comprises director Vijay's regular technical crew with G. V. Prakash Kumar as music composer, Nirav Shah as cinematographer and Anthony as editor. Audiography was done by M. R. Rajakrishnan. A remake of the 2001 American film I Am Sam, the film released on 15 July 2011, and was later released in Japan as Kamisama ga Kureta Musume.

Plot

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Krishna is an intellectually-disabled man with the mental ability of a seven-year-old. He lives a peaceful life in the hill station of Avalanchi and is cared for by Victor, the owner of a chocolate factory where Krishna works. One day, he excitedly announces to the village that he will become a father. That night, his daughter is born, but her mother Banumathy (not shown on-screen) dies during childbirth.

Unable to grasp the concept of death, Krishna simply accepts that Banumathy has "gone to God" and starts life as a father. He names his daughter Nila and raises her with love and care. She soon grows into a happy young girl. With the help of Victor and his other disabled friends, Krishna enrolls Nila in school where she adjusts quickly befriends the school's vice-principal Shwetha Rajendran, who develops a maternal bond with her.

When Shweta sees Nila with her father, she recognises Krishna from a photo and realises that he is none other than her sister Banumathy's husband, making Nila her niece. Shwetha refuses to let Nila stay with Krishna as she is scared that he might unintentionally hurt her. Soon, a scuffle ensues between Krishna and Shwetha's fiancé Karthik.

The scuffle is broken up by Rajendran, Shweta and Banumathy's father, who reveals that Banumathy became estranged from him upon choosing to marry Krishna. He offers to take Krishna and Nila with him and claims that they are part of his family. Victor agrees and sends them with Rajendran, but at a distance from Chennai, Rajendran tricks Krishna into exiting the car and abandons him.

Distraught, Krishna wanders around the city asking passersby where Nila is. He eventually arrives at a court, where he meets lawyer Vinod, who assumes that Krishna is a rich person and promises him that his boss will defend him. He introduces him to his boss, Anuradha Ragunathan, who is hesitant to take up the case as she believes Krishna to be a lunatic, but Victor arrives looking for Krishna and explains their predicament, compelling Anu to take up the case.

Anu files a Habeas corpus case against Rajendran but loses hope when she learns that his lawyer is Bhashyam, a feared senior advocate who has never lost a case. The case is then heard in the High Court, with both parties arguing to the child's custody. Finally, Bhashyam asks Krishna about how he can raise his daughter and support her financially.

After a tearful show of father-daughter connection and affection, Bhashyam withdraws the case voluntarily, thereby giving the custody of Nila to Krishna, and leaves the court. After spending some time with his daughter, Krishna takes her back to Shwetha so that she can live a comfortable life with financial stability, and that she can become a doctor when she grows up. Krishna returns to Ooty to his old job at Victor's chocolate factory.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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The production of the film took five months from start to finish, however, Vijay claimed that the film had been in his plans for four years, but he waited for Vikram to give him dates.[3] With A. L. Vijay and Vikram confirming their presence in the project, the producers failed in attempts to persuade Vidya Balan to appear in the film.[4] In October 2010, Anushka Shetty agreed to appear in the lead female role in the film after agreeing terms.[4] Amala Paul, who appeared in the lead role in Mynaa, was signed in November 2010.[5] She had signed on in place of Meera Jasmine, who opted out of the film before production began.[6] Despite reports that Divya Spandana joined the cast of the film in early 2011, Vijay refuted the claim as a rumour.[7] The film saw the collaboration of several technicians who had worked in Vijay's earlier film Madrasapattinam, with G. V. Prakash Kumar as music composer, Nirav Shah as cinematographer and Anthony as editor. Santhanam was appointed as art director, whilst Deepali Noor took charge of costumes.[8] Sara had appeared in a commercial for Vijay when she was two but he then lost touch with Sara's family, before he met them and cast Sara in Deiva Thirumagal, following a visit to Mumbai.[9]

The film proceeded without an official title until April 2011, with several possibilities announced during the production period. The film was tentatively titled Deiva Magan (Son of God), a title from a 1969 film featuring Sivaji Ganesan. However, problems arose after Sivaji Productions claimed that they owned the rights of the title and expressed their interest on using the name for a future production featuring Sivaji's grandson, Vikram Prabhu.[10] The title Pitha (Father) also ran into trouble after a debutant team announced that they had registered the title, and the title Deiva Thirumagan also created controversies,[11] but subsequently the film was christened as Deiva Thirumagal in March 2011.[12][13]

Filming

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The film was predominantly across the hill country settings in Ooty throughout late 2010, with a chocolate factory being constructed as a set by art director Santhanam.[14] Scenes were also shot within Chennai, with the Chennai High Courtroom being reproduced for a scene in the film.[15] The team of the film returned to Ooty in February 2011 to complete the final schedule, after which the film was completed.[16] In order to perfect his portrayal of a mentally disabled adult with the maturity of a five-year-old boy, Vikram visited Vidya Sagar, a school for children with special needs, to learn and study the behavior of such children.[17]

Marketing

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After completing the film with little publicity, the film met the press at Raintree Hotel St Mary's Road in Chennai on 3 April 2011 to launch the title and logo, the teaser trailer and three twenty-second promotional videos of the film.[18] The event was attended by technicians and actors from the film, with the teaser trailer drawing acclaim and positive reviews from film critics.[19]

Themes and influences

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Despite film's director A. L. Vijay denying it,[3] many critics believed the film was heavily inspired from Jessie Nelson's 2001 drama film I Am Sam.[20][21] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu stated that "Those who have watched the Sean Penn stunner, I am Sam, and Dustin Hoffman's autistic travel in Rain Man can easily spot the similarities between them and DT" [..] and it "reminds you of Balu Mahendra's inimitable Moondraam Pirai. And at times Kamal's Guna".[22] The director A.L. Vijay has said that the film is about his cousin's real life story and this is not a remake film.[23]

Messages to society and morals

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One of the social message that the film conveys is, treat disable people as everyone. They are mentally and physically strong. Moreover, they have feeling and emotions as everyone.[24] The director A. L. Vijay wants to another message which is " Love is Life ".[25]

According to Anushka Shetty who has taken the lawyer role in the film has been giving a messages to all women."Every woman should be professionally independent. Also, she has asked every women to be physically and mentally strong and do not fear to face challenges and protect theirself."[26]

Soundtrack

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Main article: Deiva Thirumagal (soundtrack)

The film score and soundtrack for Deiva Thirumagan is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, collaborating with director Vijay for the third time after the success of Kireedam and Madrasapattinam. The soundtrack album released on 14 April 2011, at the Chennai Trade Centre.[27][28]

There are allegations that the song "Jagada Thom" has been taken from Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan's 2007 song "Truth" from the album of the same name.[29] The song "Pa Pa Pappa" is partially based on "Whistle-Stop" from Robin Hood (1973).[30][31]

Release

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Though initially planned to be released in 400-500 screens in India alone,[32] the film was released by UTV only across 250 screens in Tamil Nadu and another 50 in North India. The film premiered in Dubai.[33]

Reception

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Critical response

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The film received positive reviews.[34] CNN-IBN gave three and a half out of five stars, lauding Vijay for "having handled the emotional sequences with maturity", further adding that "his creative grip over the medium and the subject lifts the movie to higher levels despite some flaws and slow narrative."[35] Behindwoods.com called it an "emotional tale between a father and a daughter well told", giving it three and a half as well.[36] Sify noted that it was Vikram's "best work in years", further writing: "You can feel the earnestness of his intentions and the wetness of his tears. He is able to nail the character's boyish charm and innocence like sunshine and his restraint in the courtroom scene and his poignant dialogues in the climax, is heart breaking".[20] S. Viswanath from the Deccan Herald stated that "Deiva Thirumagan, with A L Vijay [...] proving his mettle and supported by his glorious team, ensures it's worth the ticket money", labelling it as a "not-to-be missed, must-see movie."[37] D.I. Aravindan from nowrunning rated it three and a half stating that "despite some flaws and slow narrative in the first half, the movie turns out to be worth watching -- thanks to some extraordinary performances and emotional strength".[38] Chennai Online cited it was a "stand-out film" that "works a big way with its sensitive approach, good music, spectacular cinematography, and excellent performances".[39] Malathi Rangarajan from The Hindu called it "a sensitive poem on celluloid" that "showcases paternal instinct in all its poignancy" further citing that "Vijay provides enough fodder for this veritable storehouse of talent, and the actor gobbles it up with glee". She heaped praise on Vikram stating "an antithesis almost, but temerity or timidity, the actor accomplishes the task assigned, with élan."[22]

However, the film also received mixed response from other critics. Rohit Ramachandran of nowrunning rated it two and a half describing the film as a "well-made crowd pleasing family entertainer with a developmental disability that gets mentally taxing for the audience towards the end."[40] Pavithra Srinivasan from Rediff also rated it two and a half, praising Vikram's performance, while citing that "if you're a fan of sentimental tear-jerkers, and have not seen I am Sam, Deiva Thirumagal might impress. For the rest, it might provide a sense of déjà vu, and towards the end, the meandering, weak screenplay is largely dissatisfying."[21]

Box office

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In Chennai, the film collected ₹80 lakh in the first three days with 100% occupancy in theaters.[41] After one week, the collections were around ₹2.53 crore with the average occupancy being 90%.[42] After six weeks, it had collected ₹7.01 crore from Chennai and was declared a super hit at the Kollywood box office, completing a 100-day run.[43][44][45]

Accolades

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Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 5 January 2012 Best Actor – Male Vikram Won [46]
Best Comedian – Male Santhanam Won
Best Child Artist Sara Arjun Won
Best Playback Singer – Female Saindhavi – for ("Vizhigalil Oru") Won
Filmfare Awards South 7 July 2012 Best Film – Tamil M. Chinthamani, Ronnie Screwvala Nominated [47]
[48]
[49]
Best Director – Tamil A. L. Vijay Nominated
Best Actor – Tamil Vikram Nominated
Critics Best Actor – Tamil Won
Best Actress – Tamil Anushka Shetty Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Tamil Santhanam Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Amala Paul Nominated
Best Music Director – Tamil G. V. Prakash Kumar Nominated
Best Lyricist – Tamil Na. Muthukumar – for ("Vizhigalil Oru") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil Saindhavi – for ("Vizhigalil Oru") Nominated
Mirchi Music Awards South 4 August 2012 Listener's Choice Award − Song G. V. Prakash Kumar for ("Arariro") Won (1st place) [50]
Listener's Choice Award − Album G. V. Prakash Kumar Won (3rd place)
Osaka Asian Film Festival 9–18 March 2012 Grand Prix Award for Best Film Deiva Thirumagal Won [51]
[52]
ABC Award for Best Entertainer Won
South Indian International Movie Awards 21–22 June 2012 Best Actor – Tamil Vikram Nominated [53]
[54]
Best Actor – Special Appreciation Won
Best Actress – Tamil Anushka Shetty Nominated
Vijay Awards 16 June 2012 Best Actor Vikram Won [55]
[56]
Favourite Hero Nominated
Best Actress Anushka Shetty Nominated
Favourite Heroine Won
Special Jury Award – Best Child Artist Sara Arjun Won
Best Comedian Santhanam Won
Best Cinematographer Nirav Shah Nominated
Best Background Score G. V. Prakash Kumar Nominated
Best Lyricist Na. Muthukumar – for ("Vizhigalil Oru") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Haricharan – for ("Aariraro") Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

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  1. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal Budget". bestoftheyear.in.
  2. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal Box Office". bestoftheyear.in.
  3. ^ a b "'I like to portray human values in my films' - Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Vikram - Tamil Movie News - Vikram, Vijay and Anushka - Vikram | Anushka | Vijay | Madharasapattinam". Behindwoods.com. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  5. ^ "Amala wants a success streak". The Times of India. 6 January 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Amala Paul to play Vikram's wife!". Sify. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Vikram will steal the show: Vijay". The Times of India. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Vikram as Deiva Thirumagan". Supergoodmovies.com. 3 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  9. ^ "Que Sara Sara". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Vikram debuts in Deiva Magan!". Sify. Archived from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Deiva Thirumagan caught in a controversy". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Vikram is Deiva Thirumagan". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  13. ^ "Vikram gives up Deiva Magan!". The Times of India. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Vijay shoots in Ooty". The Times of India. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  15. ^ "It's an untold story: Vikram - Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  16. ^ "Deiva Magan goes back to Ooty". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 February 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  17. ^ "Chiyaan returns as 'Deiva Thirumagan'". The New Indian Express. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  18. ^ Anupama Subramanian DC chennai (4 April 2011). "A turning point in my career". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  19. ^ "Plans For Deiva Thirumagan Audio Launch - Deiva Thirumagan - Vikram - Anushka - Vijay - Amala Paul - Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  20. ^ a b Movie Review:Deivathirumagal
  21. ^ a b "Review: Watch Deiva Thirumagal for Vikram - Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  22. ^ a b Malathi Rangarajan (16 July 2011). "Deiva Thirumagal: a sensitive poem on celluloid". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  23. ^ Ramchander (13 July 2011). "A real life story behind Deiva Thirumagal making". filmibeat.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  24. ^ Disability Etiquette: Treat Everyone with Respect (ny.gov)
  25. ^ "Director AL Vijay about 'Deiva Thirumagal'". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Deiva thirumagal: Latest News, Videos and Photos of Deiva thirumagal | Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Deiva Thirumagan audio on April 14". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  28. ^ "An audio launch to bring out the child in you!". Sify. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Amaan has no problems with plagiarism?". The Times of India. 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  30. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  31. ^ "Vikram sings for his next". The Times of India. 7 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012.
  32. ^ "UTV to release Deiva Thirumagan big". Sify. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  33. ^ "Deivathirumagan- Big premiere & release". Sify. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  34. ^ "Vikram's six pack from 'Sketch': A peek at the actor's different looks". www.thenewsminute.com. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Tamil Review: 'Deivathirumagan' wins for emotions". CNN-IBN. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  36. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal Review - Deiva Thirumagal Movie Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  37. ^ "Daddy divine and dearest". Deccan Herald. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  38. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal Review - Tamil Movie Review by D.I. Aravindan". Nowrunning.com. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  39. ^ "Movie Review :'Deivathirumagal'". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  40. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal Review - Tamil Movie Review by Rohit Ramachandran". Nowrunning.com. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  41. ^ "Chennai Box-Office- July 15 to 17". Sify. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  42. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  43. ^ Deiva Thirumagal is cut to single shows on 75th day
  44. ^ Deiva Thirumagal completed 50-day run
  45. ^ "Nana fails in Andhra". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  46. ^ "Vikatan Awards 2011". Ananda Vikatan. India Malaysia Online. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  47. ^ "59th Filmfare Awards South". Filmfare Awards South. 7 July 2012. Sun TV Network.
  48. ^ "59th Idea Filmfare Awards South (Winners list)". Filmfare. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  49. ^ "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  50. ^ "Mirchi Music Awards Listener's Choice". Radio Mirchi. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  51. ^ "OAFF 2012 Competition Winners". Osaka Asian Film Festival. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  52. ^ "Deiva Thirumagal wins two awards at Osaka Asian Film Festival". Rediff.com. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  53. ^ Manigandan, K. R. (28 June 2012). "The South Shines". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  54. ^ "SIIMA Awards: 2011 Winners". South Indian International Movie Awards. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  55. ^ "6th Annual Vijay Awards: Complete list of winners". CNN-IBN. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  56. ^ "6th Vijay Awards". Vijay Awards. Chennai. 30 June 2012. Star Vijay.
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