Wikipedia

Jaggubhai

Not to be confused with the Indian actor Jackie Shroff or the 2016 Indian film Jaggu Dada.

Jaggubhai is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film stars R. Sarathkumar, Shriya Saran and debutant Srisha; it is produced by Sarathkumar's wife Radhika, and Punit Goenka. The film has music composed by Rafee, whilst cinematography is handled by R. D. Rajasekhar and the film is edited by Don Max. The film is a remake of the 2001 French film Wasabi.[1]

Jaggubhai
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. S. Ravikumar
Screenplay byK. S. Ravikumar
Story byKamalesh Kumar
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyR. D. Rajasekhar
Edited byDon Max
Music byRafee
Production
company
Radaan Mediaworks
Distributed byZee Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 29 January 2010 (2010-01-29)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

The plot follows the journey of an Indian police officer, fondly known as "Jaggubhai", who is sent to Australia on an important mission to deal with anti-social elements there. The film, originally launched as a Rajinikanth-starrer in 2004, resurfaced in 2008 with a new cast. Shooting took place in various countries including, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand.[2][3]

Prior to release, the film was controversially leaked online and printed as DVDs, with subsequent actions causing a media uproar in the film industry. The film then re-shot the climax and premiered in Chennai to the most-well attended Tamil film premiere to that point on 27 January 2010, while the film released theatrically two days later.

Plot

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Jagannathan, fondly known as Jaggubhai, is an upright, straightforward, and tough Indian police officer with sharp methods. His way of dealing with the criminals strikes terror in the underground world. Jaggubhai is sent to Australia on an important mission to deal with antisocial elements there. In Australia, he meets Ilavarasi, and they fall in love with each other. Jaggubhai fails in his mission for which he came to Australia, and the brief romance with Ilavarasi also ends abruptly. Jaggubhai returns to India as a dejected officer, failing in both his official duty and personal life. However, fate had something in store for him. 20 years later, or as he says it 21 years later, he gets a call from Australia stating that Ilavarasi is dead and has left him a will. He reaches Australia and is shocked to know that the brief encounter with Ilavarasi had resulted in a daughter named Monisha, who is now a teenager. Jaggubhai realises that he has left behind his daughter and her wish that he should protect her. Monisha thinks he is her mother's friend and tries to act cranky. The threat comes in the form of some antisocial elements who want to eliminate Monisha. These thugs were the same ones who had tricked Jaggubhai 21 years earlier and who had killed Ilavarasi. Now, it is Jaggubhai's duty to save his only daughter and settle old scores with the thugs. He now meets his former colleague Kaaliyappan or MIB. With his help, he kills the thugs and their leader Hamid Ansari (Richard Raj). Monisha then accepts Jaggubhai as her father.

Cast

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Production

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In mid-2004, K. S. Ravikumar planned a film under the title Jaggubhai with the proposed cast including Rajinikanth in the lead role playing a terrorist, and Aishwarya Rai was finalised to play the female lead role. The film had a photoshoot and was touted to be Rajinikanth's comeback film after the debacle of Baba in 2002. Shortly after filming began, however, due to creative differences between Rajinikanth and Ravikumar, Jaggubhai was delayed and subsequently shelved.[4][5] Ravikumar revived the project in 2008 with R. Sarathkumar as the lead actor.[6] Jacki was signed as the art director while Sarathkumar's home production company Radaan Mediaworks and Zee Motion Pictures collaborated to produce the film.[7]

Sneha, who was picked to portray the mother in the film, opted out due to her discontent in being the mother of the heroine, played by Shriya Saran. After approaching Simran, Padmapriya Janakiraman, Kamalini Mukerji and Vimala Raman for the role, Bollywood actress Tabu agreed to do the mother's role, demanding a sum of ₹75 lakh (equivalent to ₹1.9 crore or US$220,000 in 2023) but later walked out.[8] Newcomer Srisha was later handed that role.[9] Kiran Rathod was also handed a role in the film, which is touted to be the first of her comeback.[10]

Internet piracy

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A full-length, unfinished version of Jaggubhai was leaked and released on the internet and DVDs, far from the official release date. The leaked version did not have any background score or sound effects. Radhika, Sarathkumar and Ravikumar held a press meet condemning the film's piracy. The press meet was supported by Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Suriya among others.[4][11] The filmmakers later reshot the climax.[4]

Soundtrack

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The soundtrack, released on 27 September 2009, was scored by newcomer Rafee, a Singapore-based musician and former assistant to A. R. Rahman.[9] Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com rated the album 2.5 out of 5 stars.[12]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Apple Laptop" Shankar Mahadevan, Chinmayi Kabilan 6:12
"Thuru Thuru" Maheshwari Rani Kathal Mathi 5:35
"Yezhu Vannathil" Hariharan, Maheshwari Rani Kabilan 5:37
"Vaa... Dhinam Dhinam" Sunitha Sarathy Na. Muthukumar 4:43
"Anbulla Maan Vizhiyae (Remix)" Rafi, Maheshwari Rani Vaali 3:20
"Acham, Madam" Suchitra Kalyanji 4:15
"Thuru Thuru" (slow) Maheshwari Rani Kadhal Mathi 4:32

Release

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Jaggubhai had a well-attended premiere on 27 January 2010 at a popular multiplex in Chennai, with the event being dubbed as the most well-attended film premiere of all time for a Tamil film.[13] The film was theatrically released two days later.[14]

Critical reception

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Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com gave a very negative review of the film, criticising all major aspects from performance to production values, labelling Ravikumar as "the biggest culprit" whilst mentioning that "the screenplay is silliness personified". She described Sarathkumar as "a major disappointment, despite being given a role that would make any actor go green with envy", whilst Saran "gains brownie points by looking hot in various skimpy dresses" despite "not [being] successful in acting".[15] Sify was relatively less critical, describing the film as "run of the mill" though citing that the "major plus point of the film is that it is only 2 hours, and the camera work of RD Rajasekhar is scintillating". The critical said Sarathkumar, with his "macho tough look carries the film on his shoulders", while Saran as the spoiled brat is "adequate". They added that Srisha "can’t emote" while Goundamani is a "scream".[16]

References

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  1. ^ C R, Balajee (31 January 2016). "Let's take a look at Kollywood's several attempts in remaking foreign films". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Down under, in style". The Times of India. 21 November 2008. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Gaurav Narayanan recollects memories of working in Jaggubhai". The Times of India. 23 January 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Balachandran, Logesh (28 May 2020). "Throwback Thursday: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Sarathkumar came together to fight piracy in 2010". India Today. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  5. ^ "K.S.Ravikumar- Giving hits, his speciality". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 July 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  6. ^ "'Aadhavan' to get released before 'Jaggubhai'". The New Indian Express. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Shriya plays Sarath's daughter!". Sify. 29 May 2008. Archived from the original on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Who wants to be Shirya's mom??". Chennai365. 10 June 2008. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  9. ^ a b "Tune in to Jaggubhai!". The Times of India. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  10. ^ Lakshmi, V (20 April 2008). "I am not here to do skin shows". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  11. ^ "Tamil film industry expresses solidarity with Sarath Kumar". The Hindu. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  12. ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra (8 October 2009). "Jaggubhai's music is interesting". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  13. ^ "Star studded Jaggubhai premiere!". Sify. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  14. ^ Prakash, R. S. (24 January 2010). "Damage controlled". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  15. ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra (1 February 2010). "Jaggubhai is a dull copy of Wasabi". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  16. ^ "Jaggubhai". Sify. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
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