Nungambakkam is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film directed by Ramesh Selvan and produced by K. C. Ravidhevan. Based on the Swathi murder case, the film stars Ajmal, Mano, and Ayra, while A. Venkatesh, G. Gnanasambandam, and R. N. R. Manohar play supporting roles. The film completed its shoot in 2017 but faced production and legal delays before releasing on 30 October 2020 through a digital platform.

Nungambakkam
Film poster
Directed byRamesh Selvan
Produced byK. C. Ravidhevan
StarringAjmal
Mano
Ayra
CinematographyJones Anand
Edited byA. Marish
Music bySam D. Raj
Production
company
Dream World Cinemas
Distributed byCiniFlix
Release date
  • 30 October 2020 (2020-10-30)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Synopsis

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The film is based on the Swathi murder case, which took place at the Nungambakkam railway station in Chennai during June 2016.[1]

Cast

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Production

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Director Ramesh Selvan and writer R. B. Ravi scripted the film Swathi Kolai Vazhaku on the Swathi murder case.[2] Rookie actors Ayra and Mano from Koothu-P-Pattarai have were cast to play Swathi and Ramkumar, respectively, while Ajmal was signed to play the role of the Nungambakkam inspector investigating the murder, and A. Venkatesh reprised the role of Ramraj, Ramkumar's lawyer. After completing shoot in early 2017, a trailer was released by actors Vishal and Arya in May 2017.[3][4]

The father of Swathi and the brother of Ramkumar expressed their objections to the film, prompting Ramesh to change the script, character names and title to Nungambakkam. The censor board made a series of further cuts, prompting the team to reshoot more scenes.[5][6] The film was delayed even further after politician Thol. Thirumavalavan raised an objection to the film's release for portraying dalits in a demeaning manner. He opted to drop his case after a special screening.[7]

Release

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Following the production delays, the team prepared to release the film in July and then August 2019. However, the film was postponed and failed to have a theatrical release.[8][9]

In October 2020, the team released the film on 30 October 2020 through the streaming service, CiniFlix.[10][11] After a poor response on the service, the film re-released in theatres on 20 November. Cinema Express called the film "a tedious watch with lackadaisical storytelling".[12][13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "Movie based on Swathi murder case". The Hindu. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Swathi Kolai Vazhaku: Film based on infamous Nungambakkam murder faces legal hurdles". Firstpost. 2 June 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Trailer of 'Nungambakkam' based on real life murder case of Swathi". The Times of India. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Swathi Kolai Vazhakku trailer: Sensational murder case makes its way to the big screen". The New Indian Express. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  5. ^ Madhav, Pramod (7 June 2017). "Swathi Kolai Valaku: Swathi's father files complaint against director Ramesh Selvan". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Nungambakkam to have digital release soon". Deccan Chronicle. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (23 July 2019). "Thiruma gives clean chit to Nungambakkam". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. ^ "'Nungambakkam' movie set to release after long struggle". The New Indian Express. 24 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  9. ^ "'Nungambakkam', a film based on Swathi murder!". Sify. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Nungambakkam: The controversy-stricken film on Swathi murder case to get OTT release". Cinema Express. 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Film on Swathi murder case, 'Nungambakkam' set for OTT release". The News Minute. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Nungambakkam Movie Review: An easily forgettable snooze fest". Cinema Express. 23 November 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Nungambakkam Review | Tamil Movie Reviews | Nettv4u (2020) - Rating, Cast & Crew with Synopsis". Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  14. ^ "ரெயில் நிலையத்தில் நடந்த கொலை... நுங்கம்பாக்கம் விமர்சனம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 21 November 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
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