Saguni

Saguni
Directed by Shankar Dayal
Produced by S R Prabhu
Written by Shankar Dayal
Starring
Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematography P. G. Muthiah
Edited by A. Sreekar Prasad
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • 22 June 2012 (2012-06-22)
[1]
Running time
 151 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
Budget ₹ 250 million
Box office ₹ 750 million

Saguni is a 2012 Tamil political satire-comedy film directed by Shankar Dayal and produced by S.R.Prabhu. The film features Karthi and Pranitha in the lead roles, while Santhanam, Roja, Prakash Raj, Raadhika and Nassar appear in supporting roles. Dubbed versions of the film were released in Telugu and Hindi as Shakuni (2012) and Rowdy Leader (2016) respectively.

Plot

The film starts with the demise of CM (Satyamoorthy), a political plot produced by R.K Boopathi (Prakash Raj), thereby starting the film on a serious note. Then we are introduced to Kamalakannan (Karthi), who tells his story to the auto driver Rajini Appadurai (Santhanam). Appadurai assumes that Kamal is rich and drives him around the city to be profited for him.

Kamal is a country boy who is working in a small company. He has come to the city to meet the concerned politicians and plead them to halt a subway project, by which he could lose his property in his village. He is the son of a humble person who serves unlimited food to the guests and passersby every day. Under this background, he has come to Chennai to settle the matter as the forefather’s property is living heaven for the family.

Kamal stays in his aunt Rani’s (Roja) house, and love blossoms between him and her daughter Sridevi (Pranitha Subhash). The love affair breaks up as it's not accepted by Rani.

He meets the politician Boopathi, who once visited their village during the election campaign and had promised to do good needs when required. But Kamal comes to know that he is the one behind the project. He later makes Ramani (Raadhika) as the Mayor of Chennai by helping in her campaigns. He later, in a jail, gets the contact of Perumal (Kota Srinivasa Rao), who has an infamous political party. Meanwhile, he joins Perumal's party and makes him win the election, making him the CM of Tamil Nadu. Boopathi is at last arrested for being the reason behind for Sathyamoorthy's suicide with his family. Kamal, at last saves his property with his intelligence and unites with Sridevi.

Cast

  • Karthi as Kamalakannan alias Kannan / Thota Kamalakrishna alias Kamal alias Krishna, a normal person, from Karaikudi/Kakinada, who tries to save his ancestral house from railway construction.
  • Pranitha as Dr. Sridevi, Kamal's love interest and cousin.
  • Santhanam as Rajini Appadurai alias Rajini alias Pappu Kumaran, auto driver and later PA for mayor.
  • Prakash Raj as Bhupathy, Chief Minister and leader of the IMK political party.
  • Kota Srinivasa Rao as Perumal, Leader of Opposition for 13 years and leader of VTMK. He later becomes CM.
  • Nassar as Beedi Saamiyaar, who later become Nelli Saami.
  • Raadhika as Ramani Aachi, a local lady don and later Mayor of Chennai, and a mentor to Kamal.
  • Roja as Dr. Rani, Sridevi's mother and Kamal's paternal aunt.
  • Kiran Rathod as Vasundhara Devi, Bhupathy's second wife, Mayoral candidate, and later deputy CM candidate.
  • V. S. Raghavan as Ramachandran / Thota Raghavaiah Chowdary, Kamalakannan's grandfather
  • Meera Krishnan as Mobile Court Judge
  • Manobala as Induratagaval
  • Nellai Siva
  • Chandra Mohan as CM of Tamil Nadu, at the beginning of the movie (guest character)
  • Delhi Ganesh as Lawyer (cameo appearance)
  • Anushka Shetty as Police Officer Anushka (cameo appearance)
  • Andrea Jeremiah as Andrea (cameo appearance)
  • Rejith Menon as Jagan (cameo appearance)
  • Anoop Menon as John (cameo appearance)
  • Balu Varghese as Jack (cameo appearance)
  • S. P. Sreekumar as Johny
  • Jagathy Sreekumar as Jagathy
  • Ahmed Sidhique as James
  • Riyaz Khan as Johns

Production

The film was first revealed in early April 2011, when it was reported that Karthi was considering a "social satire" script written by debutant film maker, Shankar Dayal, to be his next venture after the success of his previous film Siruthai.[2] Karthi confirmed the news and revealed he would feature in a new get-up for the film, although expressing that the script was still in development.[3][4] Veteran actress Raadhika signed on to play a supporting role in May 2011,[5] whilst Roja signed on to play a doctor in the film and Mumtaj was selected to play a role making her comeback after 3 years.[6] Kannada actress Pranitha who made her debut in Tamil with Udhayan, was confirmed for the lead female role after much speculation that Shriya Saran would form a part of the cast.[7]

Kota Srinivasa Rao and Salim Ghouse were selected to play politicians in the film, while Nassar was roped in to play a godman. However, in a turn of events, it was announced that the makers were unimpressed with Ghouse's performance and replaced him with Prakash Raj. Subsequently, combination scenes shot with Ghouse and Mumtaj, including those which appeared in the original trailer, were removed and reshot with Prakash Raj and Kiran Rathod. Anushka Shetty shot for a cameo role, that of a funny police officer within one day, while Andrea Jeremiah also appeared in a single scene.[8]

The first look of the film was duly released through a series of promotional posters in early 2011,[9] with the makers suggesting a potential release to coincide with Diwali 2011.[10] Some scenes were shot in and around Chennai including the Napier bridge,[11] while the climax was shot in Hyderabad.[12] The songs were choreographed by Bobby Antony, Baba Baskar, Prem Rakshith and Raju;[13] one of which was shot in Poland.[14] There were rumours that the film was based on Neera Radia but makers quickly denied it.[15] The team shot a scene at the famous shopping complex near Ashok Nagar in Chennai. The director and his crew were happy to complete the shoot before the place got uncontrollably crowded.[16]

Soundtrack

Saguni
Soundtrack album by G. V. Prakash Kumar Ouseppachan
Released 22 June 2012
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Language Tamil
Label Gemini Audio
Producer G. V. Prakash Kumar
G. V. Prakash Kumar Ouseppachan chronology
Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal
(2011)Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal2011		 Saguni
(2012)		 Joker
(2012)Joker2012

The soundtrack, composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, consists of 5 tracks. The audio launch was to be held on 11 May,[17] but postponed to 2 June. The Telugu version would release on 5 June.[18] Two songs along with the videos were launched on 25 May, Karthi's birthday.[19] The song "Kandha Kaaravadai" has been downloaded 75,000 times.[20] Other songs like "Manasellam Mazhaiye" and "Vella Bambaram" also topped the charts .[21]

Eventually the album became successful among masses. Rediff wrote that it was "run-of-the-mill and has nothing new to offer".[22] Behindwoods wrote: "The songs have all been composed with the sole intention of entertaining the audience. Save the melody, the rest all play to the gallery all the way. Good 'mass' album".[23]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Kandha Kaara Vadai"ParamuShankar Mahadevan, Karthi5:16
2."Manasellam Mazhaiye"Na. MuthukumarSonu Nigam, Saindhavi, G. V. Prakash Kumar5:32
3."Vella Bambaram"VivekaBaba Sehgal, Priya Himesh4:46
4."Pottadhu Pathala"AnnamalaiVelmurugan & Chorus4:56
5."Annachi Ammachi"Shankar DayalPushpavanam Kuppusamy, Maya Manikandan & Chorus4:00

Release

The distribution rights were bought by Studio Green and Vendhar Movies for ₹230 million (US$3.2 million).[24] The satellite rights of the film were secured by Sun TV. The film was given a "U" certificate by the Indian Censor Board and Telugu version was given a "U/A" certificate.[25] It was slated to release in April initially,[26] but failed to meet the deadline and would be released on 22 June eventually. Makers have planned to release the films in more than 1,100 screens across the globe. Andhra will see the film being released in 450 screens. Telugu rights were bought by Bellamkonda Suresh for ₹80 million (US$1.1 million).[27] The producers have spent more than ₹ 120 million for the promotion of the film.[28] The film Shakuni opened in 85 screens in Kerala by Beebah Creations & Sayujyam Cine Release.

Reception

Saguni received mixed to positive reviews upon release. Behindwoods quoted that Saguni was a fairly engaging political game giving main credits to Karthi and Santhanam.[29][30] The Tamil version was an average hit and the Telugu version titled Shakuni succeeded at the box office.[31]

Budget & Boxoffice

The budget of the film was ₹250 million (US$3.5 million)and the film's gross was ₹700 million (US$9.7 million).

References

  1. ↑ "'Billa 2' & 'Saguni' to clash in the Box Office". IndiaGlitz. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Dedicated to his craft". Deccanherald.com. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  3. ↑ Raghavan, Nikhil (16 April 2011). "Itsy-bitsy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Karthi Is Working On His Get-up". Behindwoods.com. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "Karthi's Tough Competitor". Behindwoods.com. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Mumtaj In A Different Garb". Behindwoods.com. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Pranita is Karthi's heroine in Saguni". Sify.com. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Anushka ready for Item Song in Saguni". Oneindia. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "Karthi gets going with Saguni". Sify.com. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "Karthi Eyes Diwali Release". Behindwoods.com. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Karthi and the Saguni update". Behindwoods. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "'Saguni' climax at Hyderabad". Indiaglitz. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Karthi's mass numbers in 'Saguni'". IndiaGlitz. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Saguni song in Poland". The Times of India. 20 February 2012.
  15. ↑ 3 January 2012 By Anupama Subramanian DC chennai (3 January 2012). "'No Nira Radia connection'". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "Karthis Saguni completes shopping scene". Kollytalk.com. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "'Saguni' music release on May 11". IndiaGlitz. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "'Saguni' from June 2, 'Sakuni' from June 5!". IndiaGlitz. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  19. ↑ "Two audio & video songs for 'Saguni' on May 25!". IndiaGlitz. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  20. ↑ "Audio of Saguni sets record". The Times of India.
  21. ↑ "TAMIL TOP 20". radiomirchi.com. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  22. ↑ "Review: Saguni's music is pretty ordinary". Rediff.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  23. ↑ "Saguni Music Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  24. ↑ "Karthi's Film For An Astronomical Amount!". Behindwoods.com. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  25. ↑ "'Saguni' bags 'U' - Release on June 22". IndiaGlitz. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  26. ↑ "Saguni to be released on April 14". The Times of India. 19 February 2012.
  27. ↑ Saguni Telugu rights were sold for 8 crore
  28. ↑ "Karthi's Saguni Enters The Biggies League". Behindwoods.com. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  29. ↑ "Saguni Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  30. ↑ "Saguni Tamil Movie Review". IndiaGlitz. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  31. ↑ Shakuni succeededs in Andhra
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