{{short description|2021 film by Halitha Shameem}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox television | image = Aelay poster.jpg | caption = Poster | genre = Comedy drama | writer = Halitha Shameem | director = Halitha Shameem | starring = Samuthirakani<br />K. Manikandan | music = Aruldev | country = India | language = Tamil | producer = S. Sashikanth<br />Chakravarthy Ramachandra<br />Pushkar–Gayathri | editor = Raymond Derrick Crasta<br />Halitha Shameem | cinematography = Theni Eswar | company = YNOT Studios<br />Reliance Entertainment<br />Wallwatcher Films | network = Star Vijay | released = {{Start date|2021|02|28|df=yes}} }} '''''Aelay''''' is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama television film written and directed by Halitha Shameem, and produced by S. Sashikanth and Ramachandra of YNOT Studios while creative produced by Pushkar–Gayathri of Wallwatcher Films. Co-produced by Reliance Entertainment, The film stars Samuthirakani and K. Manikandan, and has music composed by Kaber Vasuki and Aruldev, with cinematography handled by Theni Eswar and editing done by Shameem and Raymond Derrick Crasta respectively.
The film was scheduled for theatrical release on 12 February 2021, but the producers later opted for a direct-to-television premiere through Star Vijay on 28 February 2021 and internationally on Netflix on 5 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2021 |title=Samuthirakani's 'Aelay' to have a direct television premiere |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samuthirakanis-aelay-to-release-tomorrow-excluding-tamil-nadu/articleshow/80845132.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130303/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samuthirakanis-aelay-to-release-tomorrow-excluding-tamil-nadu/articleshow/80845132.cms |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
== Plot == {{more plot|date=December 2021}} An unexpected life event forces a young man to reconsider the past and his opinions about his father, who was an ice-cream seller.
== Cast == * Samuthirakani as Muthukkutty and Sudhakar (Imbuttu Kanji) * K. Manikandan as Parthi * Madhumathi as Nachiya * Deepa Shankar as village school teacher *Sana Udhyakumar as Parthi's elder sister (Meena) *Sudharshan Gandhi as Parthi's friend
== Production == In May 2019, YNOT Studios announced their collaboration with director duo Pushkar–Gayathri's newly launched production studio Wallwatcher Films, for Halitha Shameem's new project titled ''Aelay''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Prabhu |first=Mani |date=3 May 2019 |title=Pushkar-Gayatri to team up with director Halitha |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/may/03/pushkar-gayatri-to-team-up-with-director-halitha-11371.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130306/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/may/03/pushkar-gayatri-to-team-up-with-director-halitha-11371.html |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=Cinema Express}}</ref> Both the directors also joined the film's team as the creative director, with Shameem revealed that she had written the script nine years back,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2021 |title=Samuthirakani :Halithaa Shameem first script was 'Aelay' |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/samuthirakani-halithaa-shameem-first-script-was-aelay-news-tamil-vcchP8bgdbiad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202095134/https://www.sify.com/movies/samuthirakani-halithaa-shameem-first-script-was-aelay-news-tamil-vcchP8bgdbiad.html |archive-date=2 February 2021 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=Sify}}</ref> and was waiting for the right producer.<ref name=":0" /> She earlier worked as an assistant to Pushkar and Gayathri, whom agreed to produce the film after her narration.<ref name=":0" /> The film was touted to be a neo-realistic comedy set in rural areas, with the relationship dynamics between a father and son at its core.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Prabhu |first=Mani |date=4 May 2019 |title=First look of director Halitha's neo-realistic comedy Aelay out |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/may/04/first-look-of-director-halithas-neo-realistic-comedy-aelay-out-1972325.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606123003/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/may/04/first-look-of-director-halithas-neo-realistic-comedy-aelay-out-1972325.html |archive-date=6 June 2020 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Shameem decided to cast Samuthirakani and Manikandan, whom were a part of the director's ''Sillu Karuppatti'' (2019), essaying the roles of father and son, whereas the rest of the cast were non-actors from the village of Manjunayakanpatti in Dindigul district.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=3 May 2019 |title=Aelay is a neo-realistic comedy |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/030519/aelay-is-a-neo-realistic-comedy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130328/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/030519/aelay-is-a-neo-realistic-comedy.html |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Principal photography began in Palani on 3 May 2019, where the makers planned to shoot the film in a single stretch,<ref name=":1" /> and wrapped on 1 July 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=1 July 2019 |title=Samuthirakani's 'Aelay' shooting wrapped up |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samuthirakanis-aelay-shooting-wrapped-up/articleshow/70023544.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706013818/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samuthirakanis-aelay-shooting-wrapped-up/articleshow/70023544.cms |archive-date=6 July 2019 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == {{Infobox album | name = Aelay | type = Soundtrack | artist = Kaber Vasuki, Aruldev | released = {{Start date|2021|02|01|df=yes}} | recorded = 2020 | genre = Feature film soundtrack | length = 15:03 | language = Tamil | label = Sony Music | producer = Kaber Vasuki<br />Aruldev }} The songs are composed by Kaber Vasuki and Aruldev. The original score is composed by Aruldev, as he earlier worked with Shameem in her debut film ''Poovarasam Peepee'' (2014). The soundtrack album features six songs with lyrics written by Kaber Vasuki, Halitha Shameem, M. K. Kadal Vendhan and K. Chitrasenan. The album was released by Sony Music on 1 February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2021 |title=Aelay (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/aelay-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/Y9xjHjcP3h4_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130435/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/aelay-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/Y9xjHjcP3h4_ |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=JioSaavn}}</ref>
{{Track listing | lyrics2 = M. K. Kadal Vendhan | extra6 = Yogi Sekar, Roja Adithya | extra5 = Alexander Babu | extra4 = Kaber Vasuki | extra3 = K. Chitrasenan | extra2 = M. K. Kadal Vendhan | music6 = Kaber Vasuki | music5 = Kaber Vasuki | music4 = Kaber Vasuki | music3 = Aruldev | music2 = Aruldev | lyrics6 = Halitha Shameem | lyrics5 = Halitha Shameem | lyrics4 = Kaber Vasuki | lyrics3 = K. Chitrasenan | length6 = 3:55 | title1 = Aelay | title2 = Ettuthikkum Oorum | length1 = 2:14 | total_length = 15:03 | extra_column = Singer(s) | lyrics1 = – | music1 = Aruldev | extra1 = Aruldev | title3 = Kooduvittu | length5 = 2:45 | title4 = Magaraasa | title5 = Muthukutti Settai | title6 = Seevanukke | length2 = 2:02 | length3 = 1:57 | length4 = 2:10 | headline = Track listing }}
== Release == The film was initially scheduled for a theatrical release in September 2019, but was postponed due to the post-production delays and the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=":2" /> The official trailer of the film was released on the occasion of Republic Day, 26 January 2021 and the film's release date of 12 February 2021 was announced.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
A day before the scheduled release, the makers withdrew plans for theatrical release and further announced that the film will be aired directly through Star Vijay on 28 February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2021 |title=Halitha Shameem's 'Aelay' skips theatrical release, to have television premier |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/halitha-shameems-aelay-skips-theatrical-release-have-television-premier-143363 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715075759/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/halitha-shameems-aelay-skips-theatrical-release-have-television-premier-143363 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=The News Minute}}</ref> Exhibitors demanded a film should have its streaming premiere only after 30-days of theatrical run, this was one of the reasons that the makers went for a straight-to-television premiere.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} After its television premiere, the film began streaming via Netflix from 5 March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Netflix announces Samuthirakani's Aelay release date |url=https://www.thandoratimes.com/news-id-netflix-announces-samuthirakanis-aelay-release-date11355.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130336/https://thandoratimes.com/news-id-netflix-announces-samuthirakanis-aelay-release-date11355.htm |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=2021-04-30 |website=Thandoratimes.com}}</ref>
== Critical reception == M. Suganth of ''The Times of India'' called out "Aelay" as "a journey that leaves you with a smile even if the ride was sort of bumpy for some parts", giving 3 out of 5 stars for the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=25 February 2021 |title=Aelay Movie Review: Aelay is overlong, but leaves you with a smile |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/aelay/movie-review/81215064.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130836/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/aelay/movie-review/81215064.cms |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=2021-04-30 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Avinash Ramachandran of ''Cinema Express'' also gave 3 out of 5, writing "The film stays afloat, courtesy its efficient humour, some good performances from the leads, and impressive music".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Avinash |date=28 February 2021 |title=Aelay Movie Review: A warm, funny tale bogged down by some missteps |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/feb/28/aelay-tamil-movie-review-samuthirakanimanikandanhalitha-shameem-tamil-ynot-studios-23070.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502042438/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/feb/28/aelay-tamil-movie-review-samuthirakanimanikandanhalitha-shameem-tamil-ynot-studios-23070.html |archive-date=2 May 2021 |access-date=2021-04-30 |website=Cinema Express}}</ref>
''Sify'' called the film "a breezy feel-good drama", adding "it makes you smile in several places but it falls short due to the overstretched second half and climax.".<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2021 |title=Aelay review: A breezy feel-good drama |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/aelay-review-a-breezy-feel-good-drama-review-tamil-vc0gpEgbgcaef.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226082146/https://www.sify.com/movies/aelay-review-a-breezy-feel-good-drama-review-tamil-vc0gpEgbgcaef.html |archive-date=26 February 2021 |access-date=28 February 2021 |website=Sify}}</ref> Srinivasa Ramanujam from ''The Hindu'' noted "director Halitha Shameem’s latest offering lacks pace but the performances and characterisation make up for it."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=26 February 2021 |title='Aelay' film review: A well-crafted rural film on a problematic father son relationship |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/aelay-movie-review/article33942240.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130919/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/aelay-movie-review/article33942240.ece |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Despite criticising its lengthy pace, Haricharan Pudipeddi of ''Hindustan Times'' called ''Aelay'' as a "fun, sweet film that gets so much right about life in a small village and their tradition".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=2021-02-28 |title=Aelay movie review: A fun, sweet rural drama that's let down by its length |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/aelay-movie-review-a-fun-sweet-rural-drama-that-s-let-down-by-its-length-101614484327301.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905130847/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/aelay-movie-review-a-fun-sweet-rural-drama-that-s-let-down-by-its-length-101614484327301.html |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=2021-04-30 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Reviewing for ''Film Companion'', Baradwaj Rangan stated the film as watchable, despite its issues. He wrote "There’s always something fresh and interesting and “quirky” enough to match the score, like the father and son giving up a chase while halfway up a tree. But you wish Halitha had leaned one way and stayed that course".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |date=2021-02-26 |title=Review Of Halitha Shameem's Aelay On Vijay TV, With Samuthirakani And Manikandan: A Low-Key Charmer Saddled With A Shrill Second Half |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/aelay-tamil-movie-review-vijay-tv-a-low-key-charmer-saddled-with-a-shrill-second-half-halitha-shameem-samuthirakani-and-manikandan-baradwaj-rangan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905131010/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/aelay-tamil-movie-review-vijay-tv-a-low-key-charmer-saddled-with-a-shrill-second-half-halitha-shameem-samuthirakani-and-manikandan-baradwaj-rangan/ |archive-date=5 September 2023 |access-date=2021-04-30 |website=Film Companion}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}} {{YNOT Studios}}
Category:2021 Indian films Category:2021 Tamil-language films Category:2021 comedy-drama films Category:2021 films Category:2021 television films Category:Films about father–son relationships Category:Films produced by S. Sashikanth Category:Indian comedy-drama films Category:Indian television films Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films Category:Tamil-language Indian films Category:YNOT Studios films