Alex Pandian

{{Short description|2013 Indian film directed by Suraj}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox film | image = Alex Pandian movie poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [[Suraj (director)|Suraj]] | producer = [[K. E. Gnanavel Raja]] | writer = Suraj | starring = [[Karthi]] [[Anushka Shetty]] [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] [[Milind Soman]] [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] | music = [[Devi Sri Prasad]] | cinematography = [[S. Saravanan]] | editing = [[Praveen K. L.]] [[N. B. Srikanth]] | studio = [[Studio Green]] | released = {{Film date|2013|1|11|df=y}} | runtime = 162 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}

'''''Alex Pandian''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action comedy film]] written and directed by [[Suraj (director)|Suraj]] and produced by [[K. E. Gnanavel Raja]]. The film features [[Karthi]] as the titular character along with [[Anushka Shetty]], while [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]], [[Milind Soman]] and [[Suman (actor)|Suman]], among others, play supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]]. The film released on 11 January 2013, and was poorly received.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thimmayya |first=Daniel |date=12 January 2013 |title=Alex Pandian draws Rajini fans to theatres |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1417893.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119123739/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1417893.ece |archive-date=2013-01-19 |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot == The film starts with Alex Pandian and Divya jumping off a train in an attempt to escape the goons who are seeking to kill them. Three days later, Alex enters Kaalayan's house. Alex's playful attitude and closeness with Kaalayan's three sisters irritates him, and he makes many attempts to evict Alex from his house, but it only makes the bond between Alex and the sisters stronger. Alex also comes into conflict and shaves the head of a local goon, whose brother Parthiban swears revenge on him, but later, it is revealed that like the movie ''[[Paruthiveeran]]'', Alex and Parthiban are old friends, and they come to terms. Meanwhile, Divya is receiving treatment, [[chemist]] Alvin Martin and corrupt doctor GKM are in search of the two. Upon finding Alex and Divya, the goons chase them. Kaalayan demands to know who Divya is. Divya happens to be the daughter of the Chief Minister. Alex, a local thief, is asked to kidnap Divya for three days so that the CM would sign the papers which would allow Alvin and GKM to distribute fake medicines with devastating side effects. Alex brings her and keeps her as a hostage in a forest. On the third day, as Alex is driving back, Divya explains the reason for why she was asked to be kidnapped and thus requests him to take her back to her father. Alex decides to save Divya. The film shifts back to the present and by now, Divya has fallen in love with Alex. As fate would have it, the goons arrive at their hiding place. The film ends with Alex killing the villains and uniting with Divya.

== Cast == {{cast listing| * [[Karthi]] as Alex Pandian * [[Anushka Shetty]] as Divya * [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]] as Kaalayan * [[Milind Soman]] as Alvin Martin * [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] as Dr. GKM * [[Visu]] as Chief Minister * [[Prathap Pothen]] as Radhakrishnan (CM's secretary) * [[Saravanan (actor)|Saravanan]] as Parthiban * [[Mahadevan (actor)|Mahadevan]] as Swamiji * [[Nikita Thukral]] as Gayathri, Kaalayan's elder sister * [[Akanksha Puri]] as Kaalayan's middle sister * [[Sanusha]] as Sneha, Kaalayan's younger sister * [[Manobala]] as Captain Divakaran * [[Raj Kapoor (Tamil film director)|Raj Kapoor]] as Muthuvel (Police Commissioner) * [[Santhana Bharathi]] as Home Minister * [[Renuka (actress)|Renuka]] as Rani * [[Vaiyapuri]] as Nandu * [[Lollu Sabha Manohar]] as Saani Urundai * [[Aryan (Tamil actor)|Aryan]] as Rowdy * [[Vichu Vishwanath]] }}

== Production ==  === Development === In March 2011, the film was titled as ''Alex Pandiyan'' named after [[Rajinikanth]]'s character from ''[[Moondru Mugam]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=10 November 2012 |title=A win-win formula |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-winwin-formula/article4084841.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323032147/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-winwin-formula/article4084841.ece |archive-date=23 March 2018 |access-date=16 December 2019 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Karthi described ''Alex Pandian'' as a [[masala film]] since, like other films in the genre, it was a mixture of "entertainment, action and comedy".<ref name="MasalaGenre">{{Cite magazine |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=January 2013 |title=Gnashing his teeth with Alex Pandian |url=https://issuu.com/ssritzweb/docs/jan2013addtitional |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228013640/https://issuu.com/ssritzweb/docs/jan2013addtitional |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2021 |magazine=[[South Scope]] |page=8 |via=[[Issuu]]}}</ref>

=== Casting === In April 2011, it was announced that the film would be shot and readied for an August 2011 release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2011 |title=Karthi- Waiting for the right choice |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-waiting-for-the-right-choice-news-tamil-ldtkAxefbaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319212827/http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-waiting-for-the-right-choice-news-tamil-ldtkAxefbaa.html |archive-date=19 March 2011 |access-date=12 February 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> [[Anushka Shetty]] was signed on to play the leading female role in the film, after delivering consecutive box office successes with ''[[Singam]]'', ''[[Vaanam]]'' and ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]''. [[Nikita Thukral]] and [[Lakshmi Rai]] both claimed they had signed on to play the second heroine, before Suraj later confirmed that Thukral had edged it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2011 |title=Everyone wants a piece of Karthi |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-20/news-interviews/30537450_1_karthi-lakshmi-rai-heroines |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094839/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-20/news-interviews/30537450_1_karthi-lakshmi-rai-heroines |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=12 February 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Suraj revealed that Meghna would play another heroine – though conflicting reports had given the role to [[Meghna Naidu]],{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} [[Meghna Raj]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 2012 |title=Meghana opts out of Karthi's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Meghana-opts-out-of-Karthis-film/articleshow/11661812.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115204623/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-28/news-interviews/30673203_1_anushka-film-starrer |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and [[Meghna Nair]] of ''[[Siruthai]]'' fame.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} The role was later given to newcomer [[Akanksha Puri]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malini |first=Shankaran |date=10 February 2012 |title=Akanksha Puri: Who's that gal? |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-10/news-interviews/31045478_1_film-gal-anushka |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094823/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-10/news-interviews/31045478_1_film-gal-anushka |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=25 February 2013 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Sanusha]] was roped in for another leading female role in the film, while it was confirmed that Santhanam would play brother to the three girls apart from Anushka.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 January 2012 |title=Sanusha to romance Karthi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/sanusha-to-romance-karthi/articleshow/11401869.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094819/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-07/news-interviews/30601241_1_karthi-romance-mollywood |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=12 February 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Milind Soman]] and [[Suman (actor)|Suman]] were selected to play negative roles,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Karthi's Alex Pandian has mean villains |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-alex-pandian-has-mean-villains-news-tamil-mcslcdjiifj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413175100/http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-alex-pandian-has-mean-villains-news-tamil-mcslcdjiifj.html |archive-date=2012-04-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |work=Sify}}</ref> while [[Prathap Pothen]] was selected for a pivotal role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nayar |first=Parvathy S |date=7 August 2012 |title=Busy days ahead for Pratap Pothen |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/Busy-days-ahead-for-Pratap-Pothen/articleshow/15375086.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094844/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-07/news-and-interviews/33066739_1_mollywood-busy-days-22fk |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=7 December 2012 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

=== Filming ===  Shooting started on 11 November 2011 at [[Chalakudy]], [[Kerala]] without a title.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-14 |title=Karthi-Anushka starrer starts rolling! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-anushka-starrer-starts-rolling-news-news-llojHkhdjdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117014654/http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-anushka-starrer-starts-rolling-news-news-llojHkhdjdf.html |archive-date=2011-11-17 |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> In March 2012, Gnanavel Raja alleged that [[Ameer Sultan]] had stalled the shooting of the film,<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2012 |title=Alex Pandian shoot stalled |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/others/news-interviews/Alex-Pandian-shoot-stalled/articleshow/12258771.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094834/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-14/news-interviews/31164478_1_ameer-crew-members-fefsi |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=Mar 13, 2012 |title=Karthi's Alex Pandian shooting disrupted |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-alex-pandian-shooting-disrupted-news-tamil-mdnkv8fhbdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314122936/http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-alex-pandian-shooting-disrupted-news-tamil-mdnkv8fhbdf.html |archive-date=2012-03-14 |access-date=2026-01-10 |work=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> but he refuted the allegations.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} A stunt sequence on a train with Karthi and Anushka with the supervision of Ganesh with six cameras under the expertise of cameraman Saravanan, a train was hired for 15 days for this daring sequence which ran for a length of 30 km from Mysore to Krishnarajasagar dam, A sum of around 20 million was spent on the stunt sequence with 50 stunt artistes flying in from Chennai for the shoot. Over 300 junior artistes were involved in the sequence apart from Milind Soman and Suman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=Karthi's costly stunt sequence for Alex Pandian |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-costly-stunt-sequence-for-alex-pandian-news-tamil-mgnlvFhcieg.html?scategory=tamil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317074214/http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-s-costly-stunt-sequence-for-alex-pandian-news-tamil-mgnlvFhcieg.html?scategory=tamil |archive-date=17 March 2014 |access-date=18 August 2012 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Music == The film's music was composed by [[Devi Sri Prasad]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 2012 |title=Alex Pandian's tracklist |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-12/news-interviews/35773189_1_alex-pandian-suraaj-devi-sri-prasad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094826/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-12/news-interviews/35773189_1_alex-pandian-suraaj-devi-sri-prasad |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=25 February 2013 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The audio rights were secured by Gemini Audio. The album was released on 12 December 2012, Rajinikanth's birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2012 |title=Alex Pandian audio confirmed on 12/12/12 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-audio-confirmed-on-12-12-12-news-tamil-mlutcgcbjec.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121204540/http://www.sify.com/movies/Alex-Pandian-audio-confirmed-on-12-12-12-news-tamil-mlutcgcbjec.html |archive-date=21 November 2012 |access-date=21 November 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Alex Pandian for Pongal |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-for-pongal-imagegallery-kollywood-mmpmkEjedhi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221034914/http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-for-pongal-imagegallery-kollywood-mmpmkEjedhi.html |archive-date=2012-12-21 |access-date=2026-01-21 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

{{track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 22:11 | title1 = Onnam Class | lyrics1 = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] | extra1 = [[Mukesh Mohamed]], [[Priyadarshini (singer)|Priyadarshini]] | length1 = 3:54 | title2 = Thakka Thaiyaa | lyrics2 = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]] | extra2 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]] | length2 = 5:07 | title3 = Naalu Pakkam | lyrics3 = Viveka | extra3 = Devi Sri Prasad, [[Anitha Karthikeyan]] | length3 = 4:39 | title4 = Bad Boy | lyrics4 = Karunakaran | extra4 = [[Baba Sehgal]], [[Priya Himesh]] | length4 = 4:27 | title5 = Rayya Rayya | lyrics5 = [[Pa. Vijay]] | extra5 = [[Javed Ali]], [[Ranina Reddy]] | length5 = 4:04 }}

== Release and response == ''Alex Pandian'' was initially scheduled to release on 12 January 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Alex Pandian' gets aggressive! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-up-s-the-ante-news-tamil-nbilSPdfdbb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111075621/http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-up-s-the-ante-news-tamil-nbilSPdfdbb.html |archive-date=2013-01-11 |access-date=2026-01-10 |work=Sify}}</ref> but was advanced to the day before, 11 January.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Alex Pandian' preponed to Jan 11 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-preponed-to-jan-11-news-tamil-nbhw9giahhb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112014829/http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-preponed-to-jan-11-news-tamil-nbhw9giahhb.html |archive-date=2013-01-12 |access-date=2026-01-10 |work=Sify}}</ref> A critic from ''[[Sify]]'' described it as a "potpourri of commercial mass masala not mixed in the right proportion", going on to conclude: "An old-fashioned entertainer that plays to the gallery, ''Alex Pandian'' is exaggerated and formulaic".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Pandian |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-review-tamil-15017542.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505115346/http://www.sify.com/movies/alex-pandian-review-tamil-15017542.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> Pavithra Srinivasan from ''[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]'' stated that the film was a "masala, cliche-ridden entertainer which fails miserably", calling it a "disaster", while giving it 1.5 stars out 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=14 January 2013 |title=Review: Alex Pandian is a disaster |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-alex-pandian-is-a-disaster/20130114.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302183538/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-alex-pandian-is-a-disaster/20130114.htm |archive-date=2 March 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave it 2.5 out of 5 and wrote, "''Alex Pandian'', while not really a bad film or a badly-made one, often feels strictly functional. Yes, the comedy sequences work and save the film to an extent, but considering its minimal ambitions, a sense of deja vu and disappointment as you leave the theatre is inescapable".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M |date=Jan 12, 2013 |title=Alex Pandian |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Alex-Pandian/movie-review/18006979.cms |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116191855/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/alex-pandian/movie-review/18006979.cms |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]''{{'}}s Malathi Rangarajan wrote, "Karthi tries to infuse spirit and energy into the film with an ample dose of humour, but the story that's run of the mill and comedy that tires you after a point offer little help".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=12 January 2013 |title=Clichés of the commercial |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/clichs-of-the-commercial/article4301761.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223090128/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/clichs-of-the-commercial/article4301761.ece |archive-date=23 February 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' wrote that the film "may fail to enthral even die-hard Karthi fans".<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2013 |title=Review: 'Alex Pandian' |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130115/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/review-%E2%80%98alex-pandian%E2%80%99 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125175153/http://deccanchronicle.com/130115/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/review-%E2%80%98alex-pandian%E2%80%99 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' wrote, "A remix of what we’ve seen in earlier mass entertainers, the film is mainly old wine in a new bottle. ''Alex Pandian'' doesn’t take himself too seriously. So there is no reason why we should!"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=January 18, 2013 |title=Alex Pandian (Tamil) |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2013/Jan/18/alex-pandian-tamil-444187.html |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title}}

[[Category:2013 action comedy films]] [[Category:2013 films]] [[Category:2013 Indian films]] [[Category:2013 masala films]] [[Category:2013 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:Films produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja]] [[Category:Films scored by Devi Sri Prasad]] [[Category:Films shot in Chalakudy]] [[Category:Films shot in Thrissur]] [[Category:Indian action comedy films]] [[Category:Studio Green films]] [[Category:Tamil-language action comedy films]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]