Veruli (transl. Scarecrow) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film produced, written and directed by P. Amudhavanan. Starring Abhishek Vinod, Syed Subahan, Ravi Prakash and Archana Singh, the film's original score and soundtrack were composed by V. M. Dinesh Raja and R. S. Raj Prathap, and has cinematography by Siva Prabhu.[1]

Veruli
Theatrical release poster
Directed byP. Amudhavanan
Written byP. Amudhavanan
Produced byP. Amudhavanan
StarringAbhishek Vinod
Syed Subahan
Ravi Prakash
CinematographySiva Prabhu
Gavaskarraju
Edited byGavaskarraju
Music byV. M. Dinesh Raja
R. S. Raj Prathap
Production
company
Team A Ventures
Release date
  • 16 June 2017 (2017-06-16)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

The film's plotline revolved on potholes in India which have become death traps. The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 16 June 2017.[2][3]

Plot

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Cast

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Production

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The film's director, Amudhavanan, who had previously worked on several short films, chose to make his first film on the topic of road safety.[4] He quit his job at Tata Motors to make the film. Principal photography commenced on 8 April 2016 in Chennai. The film was shot in Chennai, Chittoor, Coimbatore and Kerala and was completed within 40 days by June 2016.[5][6]

Singer Syed Subhahan made his debut as an actor with this film and portrayed the son of K. Bhagyaraj's character. He was approached by the director Amudhavanan, who was impressed by Syed's speeches on social issues during his participation in the Super Singer reality show.[7][8][9] The film was among actor Shanmugasundaram's final films, as he died in August 2017.[10]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by V. M. Dinesh Raja and R. S. Raj Prathap.[11]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Mazhai Kalathil"Syed Subahan 
2."Rottu Mela"Syed Subahan, Aparna Narayanan 
3."Hey Thozha"Aparna Narayanan, Sai Neysan, Dinesh Raja 
4."Kaal Mela"Syed Subahan, Aparna Narayanan 
5."Malar Kannukulla"Aparna Narayanan 

Marketing

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A promotional event for the film was held in January 2017, and was notable for being "paperless". No papers or banners promoting the film were created, and guests were asked to use their smartphone instead and use the SHAREit app to promote the film. Amudhavanan noted "we want to motivate our audience to be socially responsible and want them to travel with us till the release of the movie".[12]

Release and reception

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The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 16 June 2017. A reviewer from Maalai Malar gave the film a middling review, while noting the screenplay improves as the film develops.[13] Following the film's release, Amudhavanan announced that profits from the film would be spent for social causes and to create awareness on road safety.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Sangeetha, P. (12 June 2016). "Veruli is based on real- life incidents in Tamil Nadu". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  2. ^ Sangeetha, P (6 June 2021). "Director Amudhavanan's Quota bags Best Film award at IIFF". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  3. ^ Rajendran, Gopinath (11 November 2020). "Quota will be India's first film on gymnastics, says director Amudhavanan". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  4. ^ "This one is about road safety". The Times of India. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Veruli". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  6. ^ Jeshi, K. (15 June 2016). "A Coimbatore special". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  7. ^ Jeshi, K. (1 July 2016). "Reaching for the high notes". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ^ "The first look of Trip is here". The Times of India. 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Syed Subahan to make his film debut". The Times of India. 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  10. ^ "'Bowlinga, fieldinga?': Veteran Kollywood actor Shanmugasundaram is no more". The News Minute. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Veruli (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Spotify. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  12. ^ Jeshi, K. (21 January 2017). "A social event". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  13. ^ "வெருளி". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Veruli film director vows to donate part of the film's profit for social causes". Simplicity.in. 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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