Theekuchi (transl. Matchstick) is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by A. L. Raja. The film stars Jai Varma and newcomer Mythriya, while Vadivelu and Ashish Vidyarthi play supporting roles. The music was composed by Srikanth Deva. The film was released on 14 March 2008. The film was dubbed into Telugu language as Aggiravva with additional scenes featuring Vinutha Lal and Brahmanandam, and it was released in 2014.[1][2]
| Theekuchi | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | A. L. Raja |
| Written by | A. L. Raja |
| Produced by | G. A. Lucas |
| Starring | Jai Varma Mythriya |
| Cinematography | S. R. Sathish Kumar |
| Edited by | V. M. Uthayasankar |
| Music by | Srikanth Deva |
Production company | Star Movie Makers |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editSakthi (Jaivarma) is on a mission to take revenge on those who usurped government land and killed his mother (Bhanupriya), who wanted to construct a school there. Instead, a local illicit arrack seller and rowdy named Pasupathy Pandian (Ashish Vidyarthi), with the help of the Education Minister Kanthasamy (Kadhal Dhandapani), builds a self-financing private engineering college and strikes gold. Pasupathy becomes rich and powerful by giving admissions by getting capitation fees. The poor students who do not pay up either commit suicide or disappear. Sakthi and his friends, including the heroine (Mythriya), Pasupathy's daughter, fight back against the injustice and nefarious activities going on in the campus. How they ultimately triumph and justice prevails is what the movie is about.
Cast
edit- Jaivarma as Sakthi
- Mythriya
- Vadivelu as Kuravan
- Ashish Vidyarthi as Pasupathy Pandian
- Kadhal Dhandapani as Kanthasamy, Education Minister
- Manivannan
- Bhanupriya as Sakthi's mother
- Vinu Chakravarthy as Periyasamy
- Cochin Haneefa as Madhanagopal, college principal
- Suman Setty as Sakthi's friend
- Thambi Ramaiah as Kurangu Ramasamy
- Rajeev as Inspector Sankarapandian
- Poovilangu Mohan
- Pandi as Kuravan's son
- Karate Raja
- Mahanadhi Shankar
- S. S. Rajendran
- Vasu Vikram
- Singamuthu
- Vaiyapuri as Vishwa, Sakthi's supporter
- Balu Anand
- Theni Kunjarammal
- Benjamin
- S. Rajasekar
- Crane Manohar as Panchangam
- Shobha
- Kalidas
Production
editTheekuchi is produced by G. A. Lucas for Star Movie Makers. A. L. Rajan, who earlier directed Parthiban starrer Ninaikkatha Naalillai, was selected as director. Jai Varma, brother of Disco Shanti and who earlier appeared in Azhagiya Theeye, was selected to play the lead role.[3][4] It was also the last film for S. S. Rajendran as an actor, before his death in 2014.[5]
The film was launched in 2005 and the shooting was commenced at locations in Madurai, Tirupparakundram, Kodaikanal, Nagercoil, and Kanyakumari among other places. The film faced controversy when actresses from Kerala complained that producer did not pay salary for them.[6] The filming was finished in 2006 and was finalised to release in 2007 but failed to meet deadline and it had a low key release in 2008.
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Srikanth Deva, while lyrics were written by P. Vijay, Snehan, Nandalala, Vijay Sagar, and Jayaravi.
- Thee Thee Theekuchi - Shankar Mahadevan
- Iyra Meenu - Tippu
- Kadhalane - Karthik, Sadhana Sargam
- Sogam Than - Deva
Reception
editSify wrote, "A film with newcomers should be encouraged, but Theekuchi makes you grimace as it is a ‘masala’ barbecue of the state of self finance ‘private’ colleges in the state. To call this film an amateurish attempt would be an understatement".[7] Chennai Online wrote "Overall a mediocre presentation and a dull star cast mars the flow and curbs the viewer's interest".[8]
References
edit- ^ "Srihari's BIL Jayaram's 'Aggiravva' audio on 23rd". Indiaglitz. 5 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "'Aggiravva' in August 1st week". Indiaglitz. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (29 March 2005). "New Launches". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 29 March 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "From bit roles to hero". IndiaGlitz.com. 30 March 2005. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ S, Karthigaichelvan (25 October 2014). "SSR, pioneering actor and politician, dead". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "Mallu actresses short changed by Tamil director". IndiaGlitz.com. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Theekuchi-". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Theekuchi". Chennai Online. 26 March 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.