Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is the soundtrack to the eponymous 2022 Tamil-language neo-noir gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and starring Silambarasan in the lead role. The film's soundtrack features five songs composed by A. R. Rahman and lyrics written by Thamarai. It is preceded by two singles—"Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" and "Marakkuma Nenjam"—before the album's release on 31 August 2022 through Think Music. The album, particularly the song "Mallipoo", received positive response from music critics.
| Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 31 August 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2022 | |||
| Studio | Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 18:37 | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Think Music | |||
| Producer | A. R. Rahman | |||
| A. R. Rahman chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu | ||||
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Development
editVendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu marked Rahman's third collaboration with Menon after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010) and Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016); fourth with Silambarasan after the former two films and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018).[1] As with Menon's previous films, Thamarai penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film. Rahman had initially worked on three songs for Nadhigalil Neeradum Sooriyan, a film that was intended before the production of Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. Menon, then requested Rahman to use the same tunes with different lyrics but Rahman composed fresh tunes for the film.[2] Producer Ishari K. Ganesh after meeting Rahman multiple times in his studio, described that the songs "have come out very well".[3]
The track "Mallipoo"—which received huge popularity post the film's release—was shot in a single sequence, which is about the gangsters dancing in a single room connecting with the world.[4] Menon said "When you listened to the song, you might have thought that it was a number with women. But we didn’t want to do that at all. It is about the guys and their connection with the rest of the world through a phone."[5] Rahman suggested the song "Mallipoo" regarding that particular sequence and composed it entirely which he sent to Menon, and he liked it.[5]
Madhushree recorded vocals for the song; her first since three years.[6] She revealed that, she had received numerous offers for singing in Tamil films during the COVID-19 pandemic but turned down them as she was skeptic on travelling to Chennai for recording. She accepted her part for "Mallipoo" due to her long-standing collaboration with Rahman.[6] Besides acting in a prominent role, Neeraj Madhav wrote and performed a rap number "Porattam" for this film.[7]
Release
editThe audio rights were purchased by Think Music.[8] The first single titled "Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" was released on 6 May 2022.[9] The song was performed by Silambarasan and Rakshita Suresh;[10] it was the second time Silambarasan had sung for Rahman, after "Bailamore" from Kadhal Virus (2002).[11] The second single "Marakkuma Nenjam" sung by Rahman, which was featured in the film's teaser, was released on 15 August 2022.[12] The film's music was launched on 31 August 2022 at the Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies in Chennai, with the cast and crew in attendance.[13][2] Kamal Haasan and Udhayanidhi Stalin preceded the event as chief guests.[13] The event's broadcast rights were acquired by Star Vijay and was premiered on 11 September 2022.[14]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Muthu's Journey" | A. R. Rahman | 1:22 |
| 2. | "Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" | Silambarasan, Rakshita Suresh | 4:54 |
| 3. | "Marakuma Nenjam" | A. R. Rahman | 4:18 |
| 4. | "Unna Nenachadhum" | Shreya Ghoshal, Sarthak Kalyani | 3:56 |
| 5. | "Mallipoo" | Madhushree | 4:05 |
| Total length: | 18:37 | ||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Porattam" | Neeraj Madhav | Neeraj Madhav | 2:03 |
| Total length: | 20:44 | |||
Original score
edit| Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (Original Score) | |
|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 12 February 2023 |
| Recorded | 2021–2022 |
| Studio | Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 19:42 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Label | Think Music |
| Producer | A.R. Rahman |
The film's background score featuring 19 tracks was released by Think Music on 12 February 2023.[15]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Muthu's Past" | 2:10 |
| 2. | "The Forbidden Iron" | 1:02 |
| 3. | "Parotta Shop" | 1:58 |
| 4. | "Muthu In Love" | 1:00 |
| 5. | "Idho Arambam" | 1:00 |
| 6. | "Innocence Lost" | 0:46 |
| 7. | "The Wild Ferris Wheel" | 0:56 |
| 8. | "Muthu Forgives" | 1:13 |
| 9. | "Something Fishy" | 1:17 |
| 10. | "Stand By Me" | 2:00 |
| 11. | "I'm Older Than You" | 3:00 |
| 12. | "Rawther's Theme" | 1:15 |
| 13. | "Muthu 2.0" | 1:59 |
| Total length: | 19:42 | |
Reception
editVipin Nair of Music Aloud said that the album has "a great set of songs, occasionally let down by the vocal choices" and rated three-and-a-half out of five.[16] Ramesh S. Kannan of Moviecrow described it as "a short but wholesome soundtrack" where 'each melody shines on its own and is refreshing to listen".[17] Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint wrote "[Rahman] simply elevates the film with his scintillating music and background score that gives you frissons at periodic intervals".[18] Janani K. of India Today wrote "AR Rahman’s haunting music and brilliant background score elevate Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu’s mood drastically".[19] Kirubakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express called Rahman's score being "restrained" which "lets the silence and dialogue do the job at many places".[20] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute praised the placement of "Marakkuma Nenjam" that was used both "song and refrain".[21]
Accolades
edit| Award[a] | Date of ceremony[b] | Category | Recipient(s) and Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | 30 March 2023 | Best Music Director | A. R. Rahman[c] | Won | [23] [22] |
| Best Lyricist | Thamarai for "Marakkuma Nenjam" and "Mallipoo" | Nominated | |||
| Best Playback Singer – Male | A. R. Rahman for "Marakkuma Nenjam" | Won | |||
| Best Playback Singer – Female | Madhushree for "Mallipoo" | Won | |||
| Best Choreographer | Brinda for "Mallipoo" | Nominated | |||
| Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | 14 February 2023 | Best Playback Singer – Female | Madhushree for "Mallipoo" | Won | [24] |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 15–16 September 2023 | Best Lyricist – Tamil | Thamarai for "Marakkuma Nenjam" | Nominated | [25] [26] [27] |
| Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil | A. R. Rahman for "Marakkuma Nenjam" | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil | Madhushree for "Mallipoo" | Won |
Notes
edit- ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
- ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
- ^ A. R. Rahman won the award for three films[22] – Ponniyin Selvan: I, Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu and Cobra
References
edit- ^ "Simbu's next with Gautham Vasudev Menon titled Vendhu Thaninthathu Kaadu, see first look". The Indian Express. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b Ramanujam, Srinivasa (1 September 2022). "STR at 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' audio launch: 'Gratitude is my new attitude'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Producer Ishari Ganesh on 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu': It is a musical treat for AR Rahman fans". The Times of India. 1 July 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (21 September 2022). "Inside Mallipoo: How The Remarkable VTK Song Was Shot". Film Companion South. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b Velicheti, Lahari (26 September 2022). "Gautham Menon On Making A "Low-Lying" Gangster Film With VTK". Film Companion South. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Singer Madhushree: I don't want to be a replica". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Neeraj Madhav on performing rap in Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu: Dreams come true". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu shooting resumes! Audio rights bagged!". Moviecrow. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "First single 'Kaalathukkum Nee Venum' from Simbu's 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' is out now!". The Times of India. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ "'காலத்துக்கும் நீ வேணும்' : வெந்து தணிந்தது காடு திரைப்பட பாடல் வெளியீடு". Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "மனதை வருடி லைக்ஸை அள்ளும் 'வெந்து தணிந்தது காடு' பட பாடல்…". News18 தமிழ் (in Tamil). 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Marakkuma Nenjam single from Vendhu Thaninthadhu Kaadu". The Times of India. 15 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Audio launch of STR's Venthu Thaninthathu Kaadu today, AR Rahman to perform live". The Indian Express. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ M, Pichaimuthu (8 September 2022). "பிரபல TV சேனலில் ஒளிபரப்பாகும் 'வெந்து தணிந்தது காடு' இசை வெளியீட்டு விழா! எப்போ? எதுல?". Behindwoods (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Original Sound Track of 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' out!". The Times of India. 12 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Nair, Vipin (14 September 2022). "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu – Music Review (Tamil Soundtrack)". Music Aloud. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ S. Kannan, Ramesh (2 September 2022). "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Music Review". Moviecrow. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Athimuthu, Soundarya (15 September 2022). "'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' Review: Simbu, AR Rahman Shine in This Gangster Saga". TheQuint. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ K., Janani (15 September 2022). "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Movie Review: Simbu's terrific acting saves GVM's gangster origin film". India Today. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu review: Gautham Menon-Simbu film is done in by half measures". The Indian Express. 15 September 2022. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (15 September 2022). "Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu review: Gautham Menon returns to form in Simbu gangster film". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Cinema Awards 2022 – Tribute to talent". Ananda Vikatan. 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2022". Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "14th Norway Tamil Film Festival Tamilar awards – winners list". Kalaignar Seithigal. 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ K., Janani (2 August 2023). "SIIMA 2023 nomination out. 'PS 1', 'RRR', 'KGF 2' and 'Kantara' bag top spots". India Today. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2023 Day 2: R Madhavan takes home award for best debutant director; Kamal Haasan best actor; Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan shines". The Indian Express. 17 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "SIIMA 2023 winners: Ponniyin Selvan I, Nna Thaan Case Kodu, R Madhavan, Trisha, Tovino Thomas and Kalyani Priyadarshan win big". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.