{{Short description|2011 Indian Tamil science fiction martial arts film}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = 7 Aum Arivu.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = A. R. Murugadoss | writer = A. R. Murugadoss | producer = Udhayanidhi Stalin | starring = {{ubl|Suriya|Shruti Haasan|Johnny Trí Nguyễn}} | cinematography = Ravi K. Chandran | editing = Anthony | music = Harris Jayaraj | studio = Red Giant Movies | distributor = Red Giant Movies | released = {{Film date|df=y|2011|10|25}} | runtime = 168 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = {{Estimation}} {{INR}}80–85 crore<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok |first=T.N. |date=16 February 2013 |title=Tamil films alive and kicking |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2022%20No%2021/tamil-films-alive-and-kicking.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223801/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2022%20No%2021/tamil-films-alive-and-kicking.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |access-date=18 March 2015 |website=Madras Musings |language=en}}</ref><ref name="news18">{{Cite news|date=24 October 2011|title=7am Arivu, Velayutham, RA.One: South's big Diwali|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/7am-arivu-velayutham-ra-one-souths-big-diwali-412587.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313192310/https://www.news18.com/news/india/7am-arivu-velayutham-ra-one-souths-big-diwali-412587.html |archive-date=13 March 2026|website=News18}}</ref><ref name="budget">{{Cite web |date=25 October 2011 |title=It is Diwali dhamaka at the box office |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/lifestyle/report/story/ra-one-7aum-arivu-velayutham-25707-2011-10-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528022700/https://www.businesstoday.in/lifestyle/report/story/ra-one-7aum-arivu-velayutham-25707-2011-10-25 |archive-date=28 May 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref> | gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR}}100–109 crore{{Efn|According to ''The Times of India'' and ''Kungumam'', the film grossed {{INRConvert|100|c|year=2011}} worldwide.<ref name="7aum finances2">{{Cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title=Kollywood Stars' debut Rs 100 crore box office hits |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/web-stories/flashback-friday-kollywood-stars-debut-rs-100-crore-box-office-hits/photostory/103854504.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922062633/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/web-stories/flashback-friday-kollywood-stars-debut-rs-100-crore-box-office-hits/photostory/103854504.cms |archive-date=22 September 2023 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="kungumam">{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020 |title=சூர்யா...close up |url=http://www.kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=17482&id1=3&issue=20201129 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111030628/http://www.kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=17482&id1=3&issue=20201129 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |access-date=19 December 2020 |website=Kungumam |language=ta}}</ref> ''Moneycontrol'' reported that the film grossed {{INRConvert|109|c|year=2011}} worldwide.<ref name="BO">{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Suriya's top 10 films ahead of Retro release |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/suriyas-top-10-films-ahead-of-retro-release-visual-story-3004615.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725233716/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/suriyas-top-10-films-ahead-of-retro-release-visual-story-3004615.html |archive-date=25 July 2025 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}</ref>}} }}
'''''7 Aum Arivu''''' ({{IPA|ta|eːɻaːm ariʋu}} {{Translation|The seventh sense}}) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin under Red Giant Movies. The film features Suriya in dual roles, along with Shruti Haasan (in her Tamil debut), and Johnny Trí Nguyễn. In the film, a genetics student enlists the help of a descendant of Bodhidharma, to revive Bodhidharma's skills to stop a Chinese mercenary with hypnotic powers from starting a government-planned biological war against India.
The film was announced in May 2010 with principal photography commencing the following month and continued for a year before being completed by July 2011. Filming was held predominantly in Chennai, Coimbatore with sporadic schedules in parts of China, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The film's music is composed by Harris Jayaraj, with cinematography being handled by Ravi K. Chandran and editing done by Anthony. The visual effects for the film were provided by Legacy Effects.
''7 Aum Arivu'' was released on 25 October 2011 in Chennai and a day later, on Diwali, worldwide. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a commercial success and received seven nominations at the Filmfare Awards South, including Best Film – Tamil and a nomination for Best Actor – Tamil at the inaugural South Indian International Movie Awards, while winning two awards each at the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards and Vijay Awards, respectively.
== Plot == Bodhidharma, a master of martial arts and medical remedies, is the son of a great Indian king of the Pallava dynasty. He is sent to China by his guru, who requests him to stop the spread of an epidemic existing there from spreading to India. Initially, the Chinese treat him as an inferior. However, when he cures a little girl infected by the disease and defeats people who ill-treated the villagers, the Chinese then began to respect and worship him. He begins to teach them how to cure many diseases, the skills of hypnotism, and the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Shaolinquan. After several years, when he expresses his desire to return to India, the villagers believing that their village would be free of diseases if he were buried there, plot to poison him and bury him near the temple. Bodhidharma agrees to die and subsequently becomes a fundamental figure in Chinese history, affectionately being dubbed "Damo".
In modern-day China, Dong Lee, a mercenary working for the Chinese government, is given the task of starting a government-planned biological war against India, called ''Operation Red''. He arrives in Chennai and commences by injecting a virus into a pariah dog, with the virus being the same strain as the one from Bodhidharma's time. Meanwhile, Subha Srinivasan, a genetics student, discovers that Bodhidharma can be brought back to life if his sample of DNA is matched with another sample of DNA. Coincidentally, she finds a matching sample in Aravind, a descendant of Bodhidharma who is working as a circus artist. Lee finds out about Subha's mission to revive Bodhidharma and plans to kill her first.
Subha approaches Aravind for the sake of the mission. One day, Aravind's family sees Subha and clearly remembers that she visited them a year before to find Aravind and learn all about him for her research on Bodhidharma. Saving herself, she lies that she does not know them. Later that night, Aravind's uncle tells him Subha visited them a year before. Aravind meets her and is enraged upon realising the truth. However, the next day, he reconciles with her and agrees to contribute to the research. The research begins to resurrect Bodhidharma and to end ''Operation Red''. Meanwhile, Lee continues to wreak havoc on the city.
Subha goes to her genetics department and announces that ''Operation Red'' can be stopped if they read and make use of the cures in a book written by Bodhidharma. However, the department refuses to believe and looks down on her, claiming that an ancient book is of no use in modern times. After some time, she and Aravind learn that her professor from the genetics department is assisting Lee in ''Operation Red''. They sneak into the professor's apartment and learn about the operation. The next day, the professor is caught by Aravind, Subha, and her friends Ashwin, Imran, Malathi and Nisha but surrenders and explains that he received a huge sum of money from the Chinese government to carry out ''Operation Red''. After the professor gives the group more details about ''Operation Red'' and how to stop it, they leave. However, Lee eventually arrives, and the professor once again teams up with him to save his own life. Lee is now even more determined to kill the entire group, especially Aravind, after he was unable to hypontize him and after finding out that he's a descendant of Bodhidharma.
Subha, Aravind, and the group barely escape from an attempt on their lives by Lee. They finally locate a research centre where they can complete their research and decide to make it their base of operation for a few days. They all deactivate their phones so that nobody can trace them. However, Lee traces them through Malathi and Imran, before killing them. Lee then locates the research centre. Subha and her friends in the research centre escape in a van, but Lee catches them. An unconscious Aravind eventually awakens Bodhidharma's powers, using them to fight and kill Lee in battle. Aravind uses an ancient medicine to cure the disease, marries Subha and finally tells the press about the importance of Indian history.
== Cast == {{Cast listing| * Suriya in a dual role as: ** Bodhidharma ** Aravind * Shruti Haasan as Subha Srinivasan * Johnny Trí Nguyễn as Dong Lee * Ilavarasu as Aravind's uncle * Sujatha as Aravind's aunt * Guinness Pakru as Aravind's friend * Ramanathan as Prof. Rangarajan V. * Dhanya Balakrishna as Malathi * Saahil Chitkara as Imran Saahil * Meesha Ghoshal as Nisha * Ashwin Kakumanu as Ashwin * Avinash as a Tamil king * Urmila Unni as a Tamil queen of the Pallava dynasty * Abhinaya as Bodhidharma's wife (cameo appearance) }}
== Production ==
=== Development === <!-- https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2010/May/17/bollywood-makes-bad-films-too-155344.html --> In late 2009, director A. R. Murugadoss intended to collaborate with Salman Khan to remake the Telugu film ''Kick'' (2009), which was produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |date=10 December 2009 |title=For the first time, Deepika Padukone will star opposite Salman Khan in Kick directed by A R Murugadoss |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_MIRRORNEW&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=AMIR/2009/12/10&ID=Ar02401 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194744/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_MIRRORNEW&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=AMIR/2009/12/10&ID=Ar02401 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |pages=24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 December 2009 |title=Deepika, Salman get Kick-start |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/deepika-salman-get-kick-start/articleshow/5317901.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250221080226/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/deepika-salman-get-kick-start/articleshow/5317901.cms |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> But the plans did not materialise and Murugadoss later decided to collaborate with Suriya for another project. It was produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin under Red Giant Movies, in their fourth production venture following ''Kuruvi'' (2008), ''Aadhavan'' (2009) and ''Manmadan Ambu'' (2010).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=13 May 2010 |title=Suriya & Shruti in Murugadoss next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/suriya-shruti-in-murugadoss-next/articleshow/5921740.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401050612/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/suriya-shruti-in-murugadoss-next/articleshow/5921740.cms |archive-date=1 April 2024 |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The company made a public announcement in May 2010, also announcing the title as ''7 Aum Arivu''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=28 May 2010 |title=Suriya,Murugadoss team up for Ezhaam Arivu |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/suriya-murugadoss-team-up-for-ezhaam-arivu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909012614/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/suriya-murugadoss-team-up-for-ezhaam-arivu/ |archive-date=9 September 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The technical crew includes music composer Harris Jayaraj, cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran,<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=4 May 2011 |title=Ravi K Chandran back to 7am Arivu |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ravi-k-chandran-back-to-7am-arivu-news-tamil-lfdm1qbhjfcsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830123143/http://www.sify.com/movies/ravi-k-chandran-back-to-7am-arivu-news-tamil-lfdm1qbhjfcsi.html |archive-date=30 August 2017 |access-date=22 May 2017 |website=Sify}}</ref> editor Anthony and production designer Rajeevan.<ref name=":1" />
Murugadoss was intrigued on learning about the descendants of the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma being tracked to Tamil Nadu.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rajamani |first=Radhika |date=23 November 2011 |title='7 Aum Arivu is not a commercial entertainer' |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-suriya/20111123.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219210456/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-suriya/20111123.htm |archive-date=19 February 2012 |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=Rediff.com |language=en}}</ref> Though people worship him for spreading Zen Buddhism and martial arts, and being deified in several parts of the world, there had been minimal awareness in India. As a result, he researched extensively on providing details that referred to Bodhidharma and his ancestors. It took him nearly ten-months for the pre-production. Murugadoss further admitted that the film's first 15 minutes would be set during the 6th century on tracking Bodhidharma's origins and remain completely authentic, while the outstanding portions were to be set in the present period.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=15 October 2011 |title=Power of Seven |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/power-of-seven/article2540312.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221101220/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/power-of-seven/article2540312.ece |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
=== Casting === {{Quote box | quote="We are documenting an important personality. So it has to be as close as possible to real life facts as we know them. This person is supposed to be the wide-eyed barbarian. On the Internet he is called the 'blue-eyed barbarian'. Of course I had to be Bodhidharma and not Suriya." | source = Suriya on playing Bodhidharma for ''7 Aum Arivu''<ref name="RediffSurya" /> | align = right | width = 25% }} Suriya portrayed two different roles—one being Bodhidharma, and the other being his fictional descendant, a circus artist.<ref name="RediffSurya">{{Cite web |date=30 August 2010 |title=Suriya joins the circus! |url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/aug/30/slide-show-1-south-tamil-snippets.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117004522/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/aug/30/slide-show-1-south-tamil-snippets.htm |archive-date=17 January 2012 |access-date=10 September 2011 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Speaking to Radhika Rajamani of ''Rediff.com'', he said it took him a long time to authentically portray the character, and a lot of effort was required.<ref name=":2" /> Suriya watched Osho's videos for bringing the serenity in his eyes as well as incorporating with the mystic's calmness and further practised martial artists from stunt choreographer Peter Hein by referencing few online videos and discussed with the crew enquiring on the right way to perform those stunts. For portraying the circus artist, Suriya worked with the crew of the Great Bombay Circus and stayed with them for a night which he called "a wonderful experience" as the crew employed people from various states.<ref name=":2" /> A trainer from Rajkamal Circus was hired to help Suriya get the body language of a trapeze artist.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=6 August 2010 |title=Suriya to play a circus artiste in next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-to-play-a-circus-artiste-in-next/articleshow/6261307.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250221110225/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-to-play-a-circus-artiste-in-next/articleshow/6261307.cms |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
{{Multiple image | image1 = Shruti Haasan.jpg | image2 = Johhnny Tri Nguyen.jpg | footer = Shruti Haasan (left) plays the lead actress and Johnny Trí Nguyễn (right) plays the antagonist. | total_width = 250 }}
The film marked Shruti Haasan's Tamil debut as a lead actress, after having previously acted in Hindi and Telugu films.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=C R |first=Sharanya |date=12 October 2011 |title=I was born with comparisons: Shruti Hassan |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_i-was-born-with-comparisons-shruti-hassan_1597905 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014212221/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_i-was-born-with-comparisons-shruti-hassan_1597905 |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=14 October 2011 |website=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |date=25 October 2011 |title=Shruti: 7 Aum Arivu is a dream Tamil debut |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-shruti-haasan/20111025.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106074639/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-shruti-haasan/20111025.htm |archive-date=6 November 2011 |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=Rediff.com |language=en}}</ref> She played the role of a scientist researching Bodhidharma's roots. Murugadoss said he wanted a beautiful and intelligent woman, hence he chose Haasan for the role.<ref name=":3" /> Vietnamese American actor and martial artist Johnny Trí Nguyễn was signed to play the antagonist.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=18 April 2011 |title=Suriya is a great actor: Johnny |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-is-a-great-actor-johnny/articleshow/8006631.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907123849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-is-a-great-actor-johnny/articleshow/8006631.cms |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> He received the offer when he was in contact with Peter Hein, and the latter recommended his name to Murugadoss for someone who can perform numerous action sequences. Describing his experience in the film, Trí Nguyễn stated:
<blockquote>"There are quite a few scenes that have elaborate fights between Suriya and me [...] When I started work on ''7am Arivu'', I had no expectations. But I was pleasantly surprised when Murugadoss asked me to shoot a lengthy action scene on a highway in the middle of a traffic jam on the very first day of the schedule. Cars were flipping and vehicles were crashing all around. I was quite surprised when I learnt about the unit's pre-production work and the number of days they spent in choreographing the scene."<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
Abhinaya was cast as Bodhidharma's wife, reportedly because the director wanted a "non-glamorous" actress for the role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2011 |title=Abhinaya in 7am Arivu? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/abhinaya-in-7am-arivu-news-tamil-ldvjxRhgaje.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324130035/http://www.sify.com/movies/abhinaya-in-7am-arivu-news-tamil-ldvjxRhgaje.html |archive-date=24 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> Ashwin Kakumanu was cast in a supporting role after Murugadoss saw him in ''Nadunisi Naaygal'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web |last=C R |first=Sharanya |date=11 July 2011 |title=Essaying character roles lets him learn more: Ashwin Kakumanu |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_essaying-character-roles-lets-him-learn-more-ashwin-kakumanu_1564562 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715021317/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_essaying-character-roles-lets-him-learn-more-ashwin-kakumanu_1564562 |archive-date=15 July 2011 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> Dhanya Balakrishna had stated that though her friends were against her taking up supporting roles, it did not stop her from accepting one in ''7 Aum Arivu''.<ref name="T">{{Cite news |date=18 June 2013 |title=The new girl on the block: Dhanya Balakrishnan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/The-new-girl-on-the-block-Dhanya-Balakrishnan/articleshow/20642046.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411095959/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/The-new-girl-on-the-block-Dhanya-Balakrishnan/articleshow/20642046.cms |archive-date=11 April 2019 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Malayalam actress Urmila Unni made her Tamil debut in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2011 |title=Urmila Unni gets busy in Kollywood |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/urmila-unni-gets-busy-in-kollywood/articleshow/10016914.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127180459/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/urmila-unni-gets-busy-in-kollywood/articleshow/10016914.cms |archive-date=27 November 2024 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
=== Filming === thumb|The opening sequence of the film was shot in China. Principal photography began in June 2010 at Chennai.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=17400680449 |user=galattadotcom |title=Tamil: Ezham Arivu starts rolling http://bit.ly/bDo8Yw |author=Galatta Media |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=10 January 2026 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/V21Bt |archive-date=10 January 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=16347629103 |user=galattadotcom |title=Tamil: Ezhaam Arivu to begin in Chennai http://bit.ly/9Fq4SK |author=Galatta Media |date=17 June 2010 |access-date=10 January 2026 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/C6LMR |archive-date=10 January 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> The team shot a sequence at the Ampa Skywalk, followed by the song "Oh Ringa Ringa".<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2011 |title=7 Aum Arivu: All praise for Suriya |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/7-aum-arivu-all-praise-suriya-429 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724085420/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/7-aum-arivu-all-praise-suriya-429 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |access-date=16 December 2011 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> It was filmed in over 40 locations in and around the city, including Besant Nagar and Ranganathan Street in T. Nagar, with around 500–1000 junior artists who rehearsed their dance choreography at the AVM Studios for three days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2011 |title=Murgadoss cans mega song in 7am Arivu |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/murgadoss-cans-mega-song-in-7am-arivu-news-tamil-ldykgKfcdfa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824230100/http://www.sify.com/movies/murgadoss-cans-mega-song-in-7am-arivu-news-tamil-ldykgKfcdfa.html |archive-date=24 August 2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=26 September 2011 |title=Suriya dances in T Nagar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-dances-in-t-nagar/articleshow/10126828.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250221110230/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-dances-in-t-nagar/articleshow/10126828.cms |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> According to the song choreographer Shobi, "The place is so crowded that two people cant even walk side by side at a given time. But, we made Suriya, along with 500 other dancers, shake their legs to the number. We shot the sequence using hidden cameras."<ref name=":7" /> Many dancers had to be outsourced from other regions as the makers could not find enough dancers in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2017 |title=7am Arivu's 'real' test |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/7am-arivus-real-test/articleshow/10019939.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/z6BGB |archive-date=22 May 2026 |access-date=27 January 2026 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> In late August, Haasan suffered an elbow injury during the filming of a stunt sequence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2010 |title=Shruthi injures herself on the sets OF 7am Arivu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/shruthi-injures-herself-on-the-sets-of-7am-arivu/articleshow/6467505.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306090725/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/shruthi-injures-herself-on-the-sets-of-7am-arivu/articleshow/6467505.cms |archive-date=6 March 2026 |access-date=27 January 2026 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Later in early December, Suriya had a spinal injury after a stunt sequence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dabholkar |first=Reshma Kelkar |date=4 December 2010 |title=Why Suriya didn’t attend RC-2 Premiere? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/why-suriya-didnt-attend-rc-2-premiere/articleshow/7041999.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203005433/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/why-suriya-didnt-attend-rc-2-premiere/articleshow/7041999.cms |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=10 January 2026 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
By August 2010, the team moved to Coimbatore for filming the circus portions at the Great Bombay Circus, and Suriya performed the trapeze acts under the supervision of Pratap Master.<ref name=":4" /> Suriya underwent physical training for a kung fu sequence within 16 days, following Ravi K. Chandran's request. The team then moved to China for filming the 6th century portions; the fifteen minutes of the edited film reportedly cost {{INRConvert|15|c|year=2011}}.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=23 October 2021 |title=10 Years of 7aum Arivu: Interesting facts about the film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/10-years-of-7aum-arivu-interesting-facts-about-the-film/photostory/87208154.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107185000/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/10-years-of-7aum-arivu-interesting-facts-about-the-film/photostory/87208154.cms |archive-date=7 November 2021 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> On shooting in China, Suriya added that the people there were excited and had learnt new things, while also adding that "At 3 am, the whole crew (''even kids'') would be ready with their costumes and make-up. It was not a burden for them; it was not like working on another project, it was like worship for them, it was like being in a temple. The discipline and respect they showed and the support they gave was amazing."<ref name=":2" />
In January 2011, the team moved to Bangkok for filming the song "Mun Andhi" with Suriya and Haasan, and few portions of the song were also shot in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2011 |title=Suriya & Shruti in Thailand |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/suriya-shruti-in-thailand-news-tamil-lbsjlQaffdj.html?scategory=tamil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217133613/http://www.sify.com/movies/suriya-shruti-in-thailand-news-tamil-lbsjlQaffdj.html?scategory=tamil |archive-date=17 February 2011 |access-date=18 February 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2011 |title=Thailand here we come! |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Mar/22/thailand-here-we-come-237922.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528022748/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Mar/22/thailand-here-we-come-237922.html |archive-date=28 May 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Shabina Khan designed the costumes for Suriya and Haasan, staying with the team throughout the filming process.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 2011 |title=Shabina Khan designs for 7 am Arivu |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Shabina-Khan-designs-for-7am-Arivu/articleshow/10399199.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019123402/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Shabina-Khan-designs-for-7am-Arivu/articleshow/10399199.cms |archive-date=19 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Afterwards, the team moved to Chennai for filming the climax sequence in the Tambaram and Pallavaram bypass area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2011 |title=7am Arivu climax shoot in Chennai |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7am-arivu-climax-shoot-in-chennai-news-tamil-lcrmWfdjjjh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220075955/http://www.sify.com/movies/7am-arivu-climax-shoot-in-chennai-news-tamil-lcrmWfdjjjh.html |archive-date=20 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> Despite shooting 80 percent of the film, Ravi K. Chandran left the project as his dates clashed with ''Agneepath'' (2012), but returned in May 2011.<ref name=":11" /> During his absence, cinematographer Ravi Varman shot the remaining portions.<ref name=":11" /> The team further shot few sequences at the IIT Madras research institute in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 2012 |title=Suriya's d'j' vu moment |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriyas-dj-vu-moment/articleshow/12482470.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250221110201/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriyas-dj-vu-moment/articleshow/12482470.cms |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 2015 |title=Colleges turn shooting spots in Chennai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/colleges-turn-shooting-spots-in-chennai/articleshow/47536976.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021101619/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/colleges-turn-shooting-spots-in-chennai/articleshow/47536976.cms |archive-date=21 October 2016 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2011 |title=7 am Arivu shot in Chennai streets |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7-am-arivu-shot-in-chennai-streets-news-tamil-ld5kfDejebf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403053455/http://www.sify.com/movies/7-am-arivu-shot-in-chennai-streets-news-tamil-ld5kfDejebf.html |archive-date=3 April 2011 |access-date=3 April 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> Filming continued for over a year before wrapping in July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2011 |title=A younger and fitter Suriya! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-younger-and-fitter-suriya/articleshow/9049198.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221113217/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-younger-and-fitter-suriya/articleshow/9049198.cms |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2011 |title=7 am Arivu shoot completed |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7-am-arivu-shoot-completed-news-tamil-lhhjE6gfjjh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820161306/http://www.sify.com/movies/7-am-arivu-shoot-completed-news-tamil-lhhjE6gfjjh.html |archive-date=20 August 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref>
=== Post-production === Suriya began dubbing for his portions in the film and completed it by July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2011 |title=Suriya is back in action |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/suriya-is-back-in-action/articleshow/9246734.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/ADCQr |archive-date=22 May 2026 |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Legacy Effects handled the visual effects supervision in their second Indian film after ''Enthiran'' (2010).<ref name="sify1" /><ref name=":8" /> The visual effects were made at an approximate cost of {{INRConvert|10|c|year=2011}}.<ref name="sify1">{{Cite news |date=13 September 2011 |title=7aum Arivu special effects in Stan Winston Studios! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-arivu-special-effects-in-stan-winston-studios-news-tamil-ljnqwzacaha.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004163859/http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-Arivu-special-effects-in-Stan-Winston-Studios-news-tamil-ljnqwzacaha.html |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011 |work=Sify |language=en}}</ref> The budget of the film was estimated to be around {{INRConvert|80|c|year=2011}} to {{INRConvert|85|c|year=2011}}.<ref name="news18" /><ref name="budget" />
== Themes and influences == Media reports claimed that the film drew inspirations from the Christopher Nolan-directed ''Inception'' (2010), but Murugadoss dismissed those reports reasoning that he had begun shooting much before the release of ''Inception''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2010 |title=I didn't copy 'Inception': AR Murugadoss |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/Jul/10/i-didnt-copy-inception-ar-murugadoss-168754.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250221120208/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/Jul/10/i-didnt-copy-inception-ar-murugadoss-168754.html |archive-date=21 February 2025 |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=9 July 2010 |title=The tales of 7am Arivu! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/the-tales-of-7am-arivu/articleshow/6143459.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120125724/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/the-tales-of-7am-arivu/articleshow/6143459.cms |archive-date=20 January 2020 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> After the film's release, it was reported that the film shared similarities to the ''Assassin's Creed'' game series. Some were of the opinion that the film and the game were based on the same concept, despite being different in other aspects. ''Velayudham'', which had released alongside ''7 Aum Arivu'' was also compared with the game.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=19 November 2011 |title=7aum Arivu inspired by a video game? |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-19/news-interviews/30422288_1_foreign-films-video-game-filmmakers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602164623/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-19/news-interviews/30422288_1_foreign-films-video-game-filmmakers |archive-date=2 June 2013 |access-date=16 December 2011 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Sudhish Kamath in his column for ''The Hindu'' opined that ''7 Aum Arivu'' is a superhero film, but it had "a broad base in science though the premise of telepathy and hypnotism itself is comic book stuff."<ref name="ThreeSuperheroes">{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=6 November 2011 |title=Tale of three superheroes |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tale-of-three-superheroes/article2600891.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116104540/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tale-of-three-superheroes/article2600891.ece |archive-date=16 November 2016 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
== Music == {{Main|7 Aum Arivu (soundtrack)}}
The soundtrack featured musical score composed by Harris Jayaraj in his second collaboration with Murugadoss after ''Ghajini'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2011 |title=Harris Jayaraj says 7am Arivu audio in July |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/harris-jayaraj-says-7am-arivu-audio-in-july-news-tamil-lhqjN4hgfgd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916013652/http://www.sify.com/movies/harris-jayaraj-says-7am-arivu-audio-in-july-news-tamil-lhqjN4hgfgd.html |archive-date=16 September 2011 |access-date=17 July 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> The lyrics for the songs were written by Pa. Vijay, Na. Muthukumar, Kabilan and Madhan Karky, who wrote a Chinese track.<ref name=":12" /> The album was released by Sony Music India on 22 September 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 August 2011 |title=7am Arivu audio launch to be a grand affair |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-23/news-interviews/29918342_1_7am-arivu-harris-jayaraj-grand-affair |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202092957/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-23/news-interviews/29918342_1_7am-arivu-harris-jayaraj-grand-affair |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=26 August 2011 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2011 |title=Grand audio launch of 7aum Arivu |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/grand-audio-launch-of-7aum-arivu-news-kollywood-ljxkh5iahfb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130101314/http://www.sify.com/movies/grand-audio-launch-of-7aum-arivu-news-kollywood-ljxkh5iahfb.html |archive-date=30 November 2011 |access-date=24 September 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref>
== Release == ''7 Aum Arivu'' was considered a highly anticipated film in Tamil cinema, owing to the previous successful collaboration of Suriya and Murugadoss with ''Ghajini''.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=19 February 2011 |title=Kollywood- Summer of 2011 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kollywood-summer-of-2011-news-tamil-lctl1pccgbg.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222151053/http://www.sify.com/movies/kollywood-summer-of-2011-news-tamil-lctl1pccgbg.html |archive-date=22 February 2011 |access-date=21 February 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> The film was originally intended to release theatrically in the summer (April–June) of 2011, but was delayed as production was not completed on time to meet that release window.<ref name=":13" /> Udhayanidhi then confirmed that the film would be released on Diwali (26 October 2011).<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2011 |title=7aum Arivu confirmed for Diwali |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-Arivu-confirmed-for-Diwali-news-tamil-ljkk3Bfcccg.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120161157/http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-Arivu-confirmed-for-Diwali-news-tamil-ljkk3Bfcccg.html |archive-date=20 January 2016 |access-date=13 September 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> The film's promotional material created anticipation among film buffs to know about Bodhidharma's history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 August 2011 |title=7 aum Arivu look unveiled |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7-aum-arivu-look-unveiled-news-tamil-lidlCAfijib.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103124236/http://www.sify.com/movies/7-aum-arivu-look-unveiled-news-tamil-lidlCAfijib.html |archive-date=3 November 2011 |access-date=4 August 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2011 |title=Bodhidharma is the buzz word |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/bodhidharma-is-the-buzz-word/articleshow/10311508.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327055513/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/bodhidharma-is-the-buzz-word/articleshow/10311508.cms |archive-date=27 March 2017 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
The film was set to clash with ''Velayudham'' and the Hindi film ''Ra.One''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2011 |title=Udhayanidhi feels it is healthy competition |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/udhayanidhi-feels-it-is-healthy-competition-news-tamil-lkbmeSgbabb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003120910/http://www.sify.com/movies/udhayanidhi-feels-it-is-healthy-competition-news-tamil-lkbmeSgbabb.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 |access-date=2 October 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2011 |title=Diwali release update |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-release-update-news-tamil-lkerbMijghf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005021100/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-release-update-news-tamil-lkerbMijghf.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> Udhayanidhi then announced that the film would be opened a day prior (25 October), with paid premieres being held across Chennai city and suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2011 |title=Diwali Countdown- 5 days more |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-5-days-more-news-tamil-lkvm3yabbha.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022214713/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-5-days-more-news-tamil-lkvm3yabbha.html |archive-date=22 October 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> The film was given a U certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2011 |title=Diwali releases gets censored |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-releases-gets-censored-news-tamil-lkolbDaefff.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015233558/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-releases-gets-censored-news-tamil-lkolbDaefff.html |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=14 October 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> but did not get the 30 percent entertainment tax waiver until more than 100 days after release.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=19 April 2012 |title=Udhayanidhi Stalin falls prey to political vendetta |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-19/news-interviews/31362098_1_tax-exemption-political-vendetta-film |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112059/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-19/news-interviews/31362098_1_tax-exemption-political-vendetta-film |archive-date=24 December 2013 |access-date=1 June 2012 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> A special screening was held for Shruti Haasan's father, actor Kamal Haasan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=27 October 2011 |title=Kamal Haasan watches '7 Aum Arivu' |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/kamal-haasan-watches-7-aum-arivu-278 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230123133/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/kamal-haasan-watches-7-aum-arivu-278 |archive-date=30 December 2011 |access-date=16 December 2011 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>
The film was the largest release in Suriya's career, opening with 1000 prints worldwide, with 400 prints in Tamil Nadu alone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2011 |title=Diwali countdown begins- 8 days more |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-begins-8-days-more-news-tamil-lkslaChjbei.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018224709/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-begins-8-days-more-news-tamil-lkslaChjbei.html |archive-date=18 October 2011 |access-date=19 October 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref name="budget" /> In Chennai, the film released in 51 screens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2011 |title=Diwali Countdown- 6 Days more! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-6-days-more-news-tamil-lkumMBedeje.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021140717/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-countdown-6-days-more-news-tamil-lkumMBedeje.html |archive-date=21 October 2011 |access-date=17 November 2011 |work=Sify |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2011 |title=Battle for screens |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Oct/20/battle-for-screens-302390.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202061446/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Oct/20/battle-for-screens-302390.html |archive-date=2 February 2026 |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> It was dubbed into Telugu as ''7th Sense'' and had the second largest release in Andhra Pradesh for a dubbed film by opening up in 400 screens across the state.<ref name="second">{{Cite news |date=17 February 2012 |title=K-town's successful Tollywood link |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news-interviews/K-towns-successful-Tollywood-link/articleshow/11914826.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915021907/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news-interviews/K-towns-successful-Tollywood-link/articleshow/11914826.cms |archive-date=15 September 2017 |access-date=31 May 2012 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="budget" /> The Kerala distribution rights were acquired by Ravi of Divya Pictures for {{INRConvert|2.5|c|year=2011}} and was released in over 100 screens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2011 |title=7aum Arivu creates history in Kerala |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-arivu-creates-history-in-kerala-news-malayalam-ljyln9djjfb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926165402/http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-arivu-creates-history-in-kerala-news-malayalam-ljyln9djjfb.html |archive-date=26 September 2011 |access-date=25 September 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> The producers also planned for a Hindi dubbed version, owing to Murugadoss' popularity in North India after the success of ''Ghajini'' (2008), but that did not happen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2010 |title=7am Arivu in Hindi |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7am-arivu-in-hindi-news-tamil-kkguNihhicf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128000345/http://www.sify.com/movies/7am-arivu-in-hindi-news-tamil-kkguNihhicf.html |archive-date=28 January 2011 |access-date=20 August 2010 |website=Sify}}</ref> In Malaysia, the film was released in a then-record 53 screens.<ref name="budget" /> In the United States, the film was released in 50 screens for both Tamil and Telugu versions.<ref name="budget" />
== Reception == === Box office === ''7 Aum Arivu'' had a strong opening on 25 October, a day prior to Diwali. It collected around {{INRConvert|2.35|c|year=2011}} in Chennai in its opening weekend.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=2 November 2011 |title=Chennai Diwali Box-Office (October 26 to 30). |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14982616 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717013648/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14982616 |archive-date=17 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> The film earned {{INRConvert|40.25|c|year=2011}} in its six-day opening weekend from all over the world.<ref name=":16" /> In Chennai alone, the film grossed {{INRConvert|9|c|year=2011}} in its lifetime.<ref name=":16" /> Indian film trades considered the film a commercial success,<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2011 |title=Top 10 Tamil grossers of 2011 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/top-10-tamil-grossers-of-2011-news-tamil-lm3mOLjjccd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108065644/http://www.sify.com/movies/top-10-tamil-grossers-of-2011-news-tamil-lm3mOLjjccd.html |archive-date=8 January 2012 |access-date=31 December 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> despite a high budget and distribution price.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-12-31 |title=2011- Films which disappointed us this year |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/2011-films-which-disappointed-us-this-year-news-tamil-lm5m55hghad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107214225/http://www.sify.com/movies/2011-films-which-disappointed-us-this-year-news-tamil-lm5m55hghad.html |archive-date=2012-01-07 |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=Sify |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2011 |title=Box-office business: a bleak streak for Tamil filmdom |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/box-office-business-a-bleak-streak-for-tamil-filmdom/story-K8HZCGLGQsv3Y59mEOHRXM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212092138/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/box-office-business-a-bleak-streak-for-tamil-filmdom/story-K8HZCGLGQsv3Y59mEOHRXM.html |archive-date=12 February 2026 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |agency=IANS}}</ref> ''7 Aum Arivu'' grossed an estimated {{INRConvert|100|c|year=2011}}–{{INRConvert|109|c|year=2011}} worldwide in its lifetime;<ref name="7aum finances2" /><ref name="kungumam" /><ref name="BO" /> it was proclaimed to be Suriya's first film to cross {{INR}}100 crore at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2011 |title=7aum Arivu received tremendous response: Suriya |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-arivu-received-tremendous-response-suriya-news-tamil-llihLVfddfi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109174416/http://www.sify.com/movies/7aum-arivu-received-tremendous-response-suriya-news-tamil-llihLVfddfi.html |archive-date=9 November 2011 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2011 |title=7 Aum Arivu spells magic at box office, Suriya excited |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/7-aum-arivu-spells-magic-at-box-office-suriya-excited-602390 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510060843/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/7-aum-arivu-spells-magic-at-box-office-suriya-excited-602390 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=NDTV |publisher=Indo-Asian News Service |language=en}}</ref> According to Udhayanidhi, it was the third highest-grossing Tamil film at the time of its release.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=139764348292837377 |user=Udhaystalin |title=7am arivu special promo for entering into top3 box office collection in 80 years of thamizh cinema |author=Udhay |author-link=Udhayanidhi Stalin |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=26 March 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418025358/https://twitter.com/Udhaystalin/status/139764348292837377 |archive-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>
=== Critical reception === The film received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=R S |date=9 November 2011 |title='˜It's my biggest hit' |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/its-my-biggest-hit/articleshow/21482900.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328130049/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/its-my-biggest-hit/articleshow/21482900.cms |archive-date=28 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en}}</ref> J. Hurtado of ''Screen Anarchy'' wrote, "''7aam Arivu'' is a good film with flashes of greatness. It is bogged down with commercial elements that do a grave disservice to the film we could have seen".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hurtado |first=J |date=26 October 2011 |title=7AAM ARIVU (THE SEVENTH SENSE) Review |url=https://screenanarchy.com/2011/10/7aam-arivu-the-seventh-sense-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526204714/https://screenanarchy.com/2011/10/7aam-arivu-the-seventh-sense-review.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=Screen Anarchy}}</ref> Pavithra Srinivasan of ''Rediff.com'' rated the film three stars out of five, noting that the film was "worth a watch" and had "several things working for it".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=26 October 2011 |title=Review: 7am Arivu is worth a watch |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-seven-am-arivu/20111026.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115162548/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-seven-am-arivu/20111026.htm |archive-date=15 January 2017 |access-date=27 October 2011 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> N. Venkateswaran of ''The Times of India'' also rated the film three stars, saying, "If the movie deserves a look, it is only because of the ever-dependable Suriya" and was critical of Shruti Haasan's dialogue delivery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venkateswaran |first=N |date=30 October 2011 |title=7 Aum Arivu Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/7-Aum-Arivu/movie-review/10542111.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608214139/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/7-Aum-Arivu/movie-review/10542111.cms |archive-date=8 June 2015 |access-date=1 April 2024 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''The Hindu'' wrote, "Murugadoss could have started off with a credible line at a lesser level, before trying the seventh. All the same, plaudits to him for a sincere attempt to steer clear of the usual."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=29 October 2011 |title=Does Seven make complete Sense? |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/does-seven-make-complete-sense/article2579928.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214022314/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/does-seven-make-complete-sense/article2579928.ece |archive-date=14 December 2013 |access-date=19 January 2018 |website=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
''Sify'' wrote that "the effort of Murugadoss to make a special kind of film is laudable but seems to lack the imagination required to pull off what he set out to achieve".<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 aum Arivu |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/7-aum-arivu-review-tamil-14982089.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321161755/http://www.sify.com/movies/7-aum-arivu-review-tamil-14982089.html |archive-date=21 March 2013 |access-date=8 November 2011 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> ''The New Indian Express'' also noted that the film had "a brilliant opening, after which the rest lacks focus and coherence" and concluded that "watch it for the first 20 minutes".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2011 |title=7aum Arivu |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2011/Oct/29/7aum-arivu-304919.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528022737/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2011/Oct/29/7aum-arivu-304919.html |archive-date=28 May 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> ''Deccan Herald'' wrote, "despite its techical finesse, Suriya's 'sang froid' sophistry, Shruthi's pretty as picture presence, "7am Arivu", instead of being a savvy, slick thriller, turns out into a jingoistic, mindless moralising "jugaad"."<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2011 |title=7am Arivu |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/7am-arivu-2452413 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260522005315/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/7am-arivu-2452413 |archive-date=May 22, 2026 |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> Reviewing the Telugu-dubbed version, Jeevi of ''Idlebrain.com'' rated the film three out of five and wrote that "''7th Sense'' is an example for a big-star-cast-huge-budgeted movie that looks wonderful on the paper, but falters in the execution. The concept is innovative, but format/screenplay/arch is not good enough to narrate this story in an arresting fashion".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeevi |date=26 October 2011 |title=Telugu Movie review – 7th Sense |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-7thsense.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123025758/https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-7thsense.html |archive-date=23 January 2012 |access-date=5 November 2024 |website=Idlebrain.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Accolades === The film was one out of several films selected by the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce as the Indian submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 September 2012 |title=Oscar race: Vazhakku trumps 7aum Arivu |url=http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=25§id=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=19-09-2012&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar02504&publabel=TOI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023060008/http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=25§id=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=19-09-2012&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar02504&publabel=TOI |archive-date=23 October 2014 |access-date=30 September 2012 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" |- ! scope="col"| Award{{efn|Awards, festivals and organisations are in alphabetical order.}} ! scope="col"| Date of ceremony{{efn|Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}} ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Recipient(s) ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" |Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | rowspan="2" |5 January 2012 |Best Art Direction |Rajeevan |{{won}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vikatan Awards 2011 |url=http://indianmalaysian.com/2012/Star%202012/vikatan_awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302053835/http://indianmalaysian.com/2012/Star%202012/vikatan_awards.html |archive-date=2 March 2026 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta |via=India Malaysia Online}}</ref> |- |Best Makeup Artist |Banu Bashyam, A. Kodhandapaani |{{won}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="7" |Filmfare Awards South | rowspan="7" |7 July 2012 |Best Film – Tamil |''7 Aum Arivu'' – Red Giant Movies |{{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7" |<ref>{{Cite episode |title=59th Filmfare Awards South |series=Filmfare Awards South |network=Sun TV Network |date=7 July 2012}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2012 |title=59th Idea Filmfare Awards South (Winners list) |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/59th-idea-filmfare-awards-south-winners-list-809.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811102950/http://www.filmfare.com/news/59th-idea-filmfare-awards-south-winners-list-809.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Filmfare}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 July 2012 |title=The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South) |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/The-59th-Idea-Filmfare-Awards-2011South/articleshow/14742576.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811103446/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/The-59th-Idea-Filmfare-Awards-2011South/articleshow/14742576.cms |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> |- |Best Director – Tamil |A. R. Murugadoss |{{nom}} |- |Best Actor – Tamil |Suriya |{{nom}} |- |Best Actress – Tamil |Shruti Haasan |{{nom}} |- |Best Music Director – Tamil |Harris Jayaraj |{{nom}} |- |Best Lyricist – Tamil |Na. Muthukumar – ("Mun Andhi") |{{nom}} |- |Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil |Karthik – ("Mun Andhi") |{{nom}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" |Mirchi Music Awards South | rowspan="3" |4 August 2012 |Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil |S. P. Balasubrahmanyam – ("Yamma Yamma") |{{won}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mirchi Music Awards Background |url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811130934/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/index.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Radio Mirchi}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mirchi Music Awards Winners |url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/winners.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811131047/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/winners.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Radio Mirchi}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mirchi Music Awards Listener's Choice |url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/listners_choice.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811131053/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/tamil/listners_choice.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Radio Mirchi}}</ref> |- |Best Lyricist – Tamil |Pa. Vijay – ("Innum Enna Thozha") |{{won}} |- |Listeners' Choice Award for Best Album – Tamil |''7 Aum Arivu'' |{{won}} |- ! scope="row" |South Indian International Movie Awards |21{{ndash}}22 June 2012 |Best Actor – Tamil |Suriya |{{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manigandan |first=K. R. |date=28 June 2012 |title=The South Shines |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-south-shines/article3581006.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811115724/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-south-shines/article3581006.ece |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=SIIMA Awards: 2011 Winners |url=http://siima.in/siima-awards.php?year=2012&action=winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811120512/http://siima.in/siima-awards.php?year=2012&action=winners |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=South Indian International Movie Awards}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="12" |Vijay Awards | rowspan="12" |16 June 2012 |Best Actor |Suriya |{{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="12" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2012 |title=6th Annual Vijay Awards: Complete list of winners |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/6th-annual-vijay-awards-complete-list-of-winners-483185.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811113839/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/6th-annual-vijay-awards-complete-list-of-winners-483185.html |archive-date=11 August 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=IBNLive}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite episode |title=6th Vijay Awards |series=Vijay Awards |network=Star Vijay |date=30 June 2012 |location=Chennai}}</ref> |- |Best Villain |Johnny Trí Nguyễn |{{nom}} |- |Best Debut Actress |Shruti Haasan |{{nom}} |- |Best Cinematographer |Ravi K. Chandran |{{nom}} |- |Best Art Director |Rajeevan |{{nom}} |- |Best Dialogue |A. R. Murugadoss |{{nom}} |- |Best Stunt Director |Peter Hein |{{nom}} |- |Best Make Up |A. Kodhandapaani |{{won}} |- |Best Costume Designer |Anu Vardhan, Murthy |{{won}} |- |Favourite Hero |Suriya |{{nom}} |- |Favourite Film |''7 Aum Arivu'' – Red Giant Movies |{{nom}} |- |Favourite Director |A. R. Murugadoss |{{nom}} |}
== Historical accuracy == Some criticism toward the film involved historical inaccuracies pertaining to Bodhidharma. Bikku Bodhi Bala, professor of Pali and Buddhist studies at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, expressed his disappointment on the inaccuracies as Bodhidharma had travelled from India to China with the main intention of propagating Buddhism and his portrayal as a man with "medicinal knowledge" and his expertise at "martial arts" were not well received among researchers, claiming that the film gives too much emphasis on his identity as a Tamilian rather than highlighting the other facts.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Muralidharan |first=Kavitha |date=9 November 2011 |title=7 Aum Arivu row: Debate rages over Bodhi Dharma's identity |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/7-aum-arivu-row-debate-rages-over-bodhi-dharma%E2%80%99s-identity-006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217043347/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/7-aum-arivu-row-debate-rages-over-bodhi-dharma%E2%80%99s-identity-006 |archive-date=17 December 2011 |access-date=16 December 2011 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>
Stalin Rajangam, a researcher in Tamil Buddhism, commented that the film failed to discuss about his contribution to Buddhism, and admitted that it "should have ideally discussed the relationship between Tamil society and Buddhism". Historian S. Theodore Baskaran noted that "Tamil films have scant regard for history. Almost always, they confuse between history and folklore", and compared ''7 Aum Arivu'' to other Tamil films such as ''Veerapandiya Kattabomman'' (1959) and ''Parthiban Kanavu'' (1960) which had historical inaccuracies.<ref name=":15" />
Babu T. Raghu, a Bangalore-based Buddhist teacher, noted in a press conference that the monk was 150 years old when he reached China, while in the film they had depicted him in his 20s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2011 |title=Buddhist targets '7aum Arivu' for inaccuracy |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/06/buddhist-targets-7aum-arivu-for-inaccuracy-307260.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805065430/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/06/buddhist-targets-7aum-arivu-for-inaccuracy-307260.html |archive-date=5 August 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> He also said that the film showed the exhumation of his body while in reality Bodhidharma's body was never found and claimed that his life and death had been portrayed wrongly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sreedhar |first=Nemmani |date=15 November 2011 |title='Bodhidharma portrayal wrong in film' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bodhidharma-portrayal-wrong-in-film/article2629366.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912035427/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bodhidharma-portrayal-wrong-in-film/article2629366.ece |archive-date=12 September 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref> Babu added that he had material evidence to prove it, while sparking off a hunger strike across the country on Bodhidharma's followers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2011 |title='Facts in 7am arivu are inaccurate' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/08/facts-in-7am-arivu-are-inaccurate-308209.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805065409/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/08/facts-in-7am-arivu-are-inaccurate-308209.html |archive-date=5 August 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
== Legacy == In March 2020, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, ''7 Aum Arivu'' resurfaced as one among the few South Indian films that highlighted viral outbreaks which included ''Dasavathaaram'' (2008), ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' (2014) and the Malayalam film ''Virus'' (2019);<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=23 March 2020 |title=Quarantine Curation: Contagion spooked you out? These Indian movies on viruses are better |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/quarantine-curation-contagion-spooked-you-out-these-indian-movies-on-viruses-are-better-1657881-2020-03-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406014015/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/quarantine-curation-contagion-spooked-you-out-these-indian-movies-on-viruses-are-better-1657881-2020-03-23 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> ''7 Aum Arivu'' was primarily discussed among cinephiles as the film's themes had foreshadowed the global pandemic scenario.<ref name=":17" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2020 |title=Five Tamil movies that discuss virus outbreak |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/five-tamil-movies-that-discuss-virus-attacks-coronavirus-6324348/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324102414/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/five-tamil-movies-that-discuss-virus-attacks-coronavirus-6324348/ |archive-date=24 March 2020 |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The film also became a subject of an internet meme, along with Suriya's other films, during that same year as his films had predicted the future scenarios around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2020 |title='Ayan' to 'Kaappaan': Six times when Suriya predicted the future with his films |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ayan-to-kaappaan-six-times-when-suriya-predicted-the-future-with-his-films/photostory/76197021.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610224255/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ayan-to-kaappaan-six-times-when-suriya-predicted-the-future-with-his-films/photostory/76197021.cms |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2020 |title=Suriya films trend online as meme creators compare his films with the ongoing pandemic |url=https://www.dtnext.in/lifestyletopnews/2020/06/06/suriya-films-trend-online-as-meme-creators-compare-his-films-with-the-ongoing-pandemic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608045057/https://www.dtnext.in/lifestyletopnews/2020/06/06/suriya-films-trend-online-as-meme-creators-compare-his-films-with-the-ongoing-pandemic |archive-date=8 June 2023 |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=DT Next |language=en}}</ref>
== In other media == In ''Massu Engira Masilamani'' (2015), Suriya appears as a fake exorcist at Brahmanandam's house, helping him to get rid of ghosts; the latter visualises him as a saint during his introduction, with the song "The Rise of Damo (Mandarin)" used as a callback to the character.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThhioKoH7C8 |title=Masss Tamil Movie Comedy Scenes {{!}} Part 2 {{!}} Surya {{!}} Nayantara {{!}} Prenji Amaren {{!}} Karunas {{!}} Rajendran |date=6 June 2017 |language=ta |publisher=API Tamil Comedy |access-date=23 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407105026/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThhioKoH7C8 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}</ref> The character Bodhidharma was spoofed in ''Tamizh Padam 2'' (2018), while the song "Kalavarame" contains various callbacks to "Mun Andhi".<ref name="Sify review">{{Cite web |date=12 July 2018 |title=Tamizh Padam 2 review: Sometimes, a good laugh is all you need to make your day |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamizh-padam-2-review-sometimes-a-good-laugh-is-all-you-need-to-make-your-day-review-tamil-shmnl3aaiabdc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713173446/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamizh-padam-2-review-sometimes-a-good-laugh-is-all-you-need-to-make-your-day-review-tamil-shmnl3aaiabdc.html |archive-date=13 July 2018 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref>
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{AR Murugadoss}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2010s chase films Category:2011 controversies Category:2011 films Category:2011 Indian films Category:2011 martial arts films Category:2011 science fiction action films Category:2011 Tamil-language films Category:Films about Buddhism Category:Films about genetic engineering Category:Films about hypnosis Category:Films directed by A. R. Murugadoss Category:Films produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin Category:Films scored by Harris Jayaraj Category:Films set in ancient China Category:Films set in ancient India Category:Films set in Beijing Category:Films shot in Chennai Category:Films shot in China Category:Films shot in Hong Kong Category:Films shot in Thailand Category:Films shot in Tiruchirappalli Category:Indian chase films Category:Indian martial arts films Category:Indian science fiction action films Category:Kalarippayattu films Category:Martial arts science fiction films Category:Religious controversies in film Category:Religious controversies in India Category:Tamil-language Indian films Category:Tamil-language science fiction action films