Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (transl. Isn't this what you wished for, Balakumara?), also referred to as iDhaaba,[1] is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, written and directed by Gokul. Produced by Leo Visions, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi, Ashwin, Swathi, Nandita, and Pasupathy. It was released on 2 October 2013. The film received positive reviews from critics and became a success. It was remade in Kannada as Jackson (2015).[2]
| Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Gokul |
| Written by | Gokul |
| Produced by | V. S. Rajkumar J. Satish Kumar |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mahesh Muthuswami |
| Edited by | Leo John Paul |
| Music by | Siddharth Vipin Ved Shankar (1 Song) |
Production companies | Leo Visions JSK Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2023) |
Kumaravel is a lower middle class youth who mainly lives in TASMAC bars. His friends and neighbors have nicknamed him "Sumaar Moonji Kumar" (transl. average-looking Kumar) alias SMK. Kumar stalks Kumudha, the girl living opposite his flat. Kumudha's father has sought the help of Annachi, the local boss, to find a solution and teach SMK a lesson. On a parallel track, another alcoholic named Balakrishnan is a smart bank salesperson but is always under pressure from his boss Poochandi and possessive girlfriend Renu. One night, the life of the principal characters gets entangled, leading to the climax.
Cast
edit- Vijay Sethupathi as Kumaravel aka Sumaar Moonji Kumar (SMK)
- Ashwin as Balakrishnan Gopalsamy aka Bala (Vaiko)
- Nandita as Kumudha, Kumar's crush
- Swathi as Renu, Bala's lover (Renuka Vaiko)
- Selma Edith as Aparna
- Pasupathy as Annachi
- Soori as Thambi
- Daniel Pope as Romba Sumaar Moonji Kumar (RSMK), Kumar's best friend
- Pattimandram Raja as Kumudha's father
- Bhargavi Radha as Kumudha's mother
- M. S. Bhaskar as Poochandi, Balakrishnan's boss
- Livingston as Sammandham, Kumar's father
- Vinodh Munna as Patti Babu
- Rajendran as Painter Rajendran aka Raj
- Madhumitha as Baby
- Robo Shankar as Sound Shankar
- Siddharth Vipin as Akilesh
- Thakkali as Shanmugam
- Mahanadhi Shankar as a police officer
- Senthi Kumari as a pregnant lady
- Syed as Saravanan, pregnant lady's husband
- Sai Priyanka Ruth as Renu's friend
- Raju Sundaram (special appearance in the song "En Veetula")[3]
- Johnny (special appearance in the song "En Veetula")[3]
- Nobel Paul (special appearance in the song "En Veetula").[3]
- V. S. Raghavan (special appearance in the song "Prayer Song")
Production
editThe film was announced in February 2012 as a dual hero comedy subject with Jai as one of the heroes.[4] In February 2013, the film was announced to be produced by Leo Visions and to feature Vijay Sethupathi, Nandita and Swati.[5] It was said to be based on the daily comical things that happen in our day-to-day life. Siddharth Vipin, who did the background score for Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, was chosen to do the music for the film.[6] Soori was playing an important role and Madhan Karky penned the dialogues for this film.[7] Pasupathy was selected to play an important role in this film.[6] The latest to join was Ashwin Kakumanu, who made his debut in Mankatha.[8] The film's puja was held on 11 March 2013.[9] The title of the film was inspired by a line in Thanga Padhumai (1959).[10]
Soundtrack
edit| Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 30 August 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 16:25 | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Think Music | |||
| Producer | Siddharth Vipin | |||
| Siddharth Vipin chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Ved Shankar chronology | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack album was composed by Siddharth Vipin who earlier composed background score for Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and this is his full-fledged debut as music composer. The lyrics were penned by Madhan Karky and Lalithanand. The single, "Prayer Song" was released on 12 August 2013.[11][12] It was an instant hit garnering lakhs of views.[13] The song was believed to have been inspired by Jaron and the Long Road to Love's "Pray for You" which Madhan Karky denied, concluding that both songs only had the same concept.[14] The chorus of the song "En Veetula" samples the Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai song "Sau Saal Pehle".[15]
The complete album was released on 30 August 2013 at Sathyam Cinemas.[16][17] The album was released by Jiiva in the presence of Balaji Sakthivel and received by the film cast.[18][19] The album consists of three tracks composed by Siddharth Vipin and an additional track by Ved Shankar.[20]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "En Veetula" | Lalithanand | Siddharth Vipin | Gaana Bala | 04:10 |
| 2. | "Yaen Endral" | Madhan Karky | Siddharth Vipin | Hariharan, Vishnupriya Ravi, R Maalavika Manoj | 04:31 |
| 3. | "Enge Ponaalum – Prayer Song" | Madhan Karky | Siddharth Vipin | Naresh Iyer, Dr. Narayanan | 04:36 |
| 4. | "Naaye Naaye" | Ved Shankar | Ved Shankar | Ved Shankar | 03:08 |
| Total length: | 16:25 | ||||
Release
editIdharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara released on 2 October 2013 coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti in 300+ screens worldwide.[21]
Box office
editThe film raked 100% occupancy on first day, collecting ₹90 million (US$1.1 million) which was the biggest opening for a Vijay Sethupathi film to that point.[22][23]
Critical reception
editThe film received positive reviews from critics, with most critics praising Vijay Sethupathi's performance and the writing.[24]
M. Suganth of The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote the film "lacks the sophistication of a Soodhu Kavvum or Pizza but makes up for it in sheer likeability". Suganth added, "His debut Rowthiram was an uneven effort but in Idhaaba, Gokul is more surefooted, deftly weaving plotlines and confidently untying the knots in his script".[25] IANS gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (IAB) doesn't merely entertain, but also addresses a domestic issue with a very strong dose of humour. It's undoubtedly one of the smartest yet funniest Tamil films in recent times.[26] S. Saraswathi of Rediff.com gave 3 out of 5 stars, wrote "Director Gokul in his film, Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara has created some weird, quirky and offbeat characters in hilarious situations who keep the audience entertained, writes" and called it a "laugh riot".[27] In contrast, Baradwaj Rangan wrote for The Hindu, "Gokul's Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara isn't a lazy movie. It is, in fact, the opposite. There's too much of everything — too much plot, too much mood, with three narrative strands infused with three unique sensibilities". He concluded that the film provided "Some mild laughs" and "Lots of tedium".[15]
Legacy
editThe character of Sumar Moonji Kumar inspired a song titled "Sumar Moonji Kumaru" in Bruce Lee (2017).[28] A spin-off titled Corona Kumar entered development in 2020 before being stalled.[29][30]
References
edit- ^ Shenoy, Sonali (21 August 2013). "Behold the all-new break-up anthem!". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ S, Shyam Prasad (16 January 2015). "Movie review: Jackson". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b c En Veetula Video Song | Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara | Vijay Sethupathy, Ashwin. Think Music India. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Rowthiram director to come up with a comedy flick". Behindwoods. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "NKPK makers' next". Behindwoods. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Vijay Sethupathi is Sumar Moonji Kumar!". The Times of India. 20 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Vijay in Gokul's next". The Times of India. 12 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ "Ashwin Kakamanu signs his next". The Times of India. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Vijay Sethupathi's next goes on floors!". The Times of India. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ Lakshmi, V (30 June 2013). "Kollywood movie titles based on popular dialogues". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara comes up with Soup song". 88db.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "We want girls to respond to this song". The Times of India. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara trailer and Prayer song a hit". Kollytalk.com. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Prayer Song from Vijay Sethupathy's Idharakkudhan Asaipattai Balakumura". SS Music. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ a b Rangan, Baradwaj (5 October 2013). "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara: The booze brothers". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara audio release". The Times of India. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Audio Launch Invite Gallery". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ Tyagarajan, Praveen. "A Musical Affair". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Audio Launch Photos". 88db.com. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Tamil Audio Cd By Ved Shankar". Banumass. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Sangeetha, Seshagiri (October 2013). "Will 'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara' Release Affect 'Raja Rani' Collections?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ Seshagiri, Sangeetha (5 October 2013). "'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara' Box Office Collection: Vijay Starrer Opens Well in TN". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "Tamil Movie Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Box Office Collections". Box Office Collections. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara' Review Roundup: Rib-Cracking Humour Makes it Worth Watching". International Business Times. 3 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ Suganth, M (4 October 2013). "Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara' review: It's a film with purpose". IBNLive. IANS. 3 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ Saraswathi, S (3 October 2013). "Review: Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara is a laugh riot". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Bruce Lee Songs Review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "'Corona Kumar' is a spin-off of 'Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'". The Hindu. 19 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Gokul to direct RJ Balaji next as 'Corona Kumar' with Simbu dropped". The Times of India. 19 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
