{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox film | name = Iruvar Mattum | image = Iruvar Mattum.jpg | caption = Promotional poster | director = Dwaraki Raghavan | producer = R. Jagadish | writer = Dwaraki Raghavan<br />T. Krishnakumar <small>(dialogues)</small> | starring = [[Srinagar Kitty|Abhay]]<br />[[Sunitha Varma]] | music = [[Vijay Antony]] <small>(Songs)</small><br />[[S. P. Venkatesh]] <small>(Score)</small> | cinematography = P. K. H. Das | editing = [[Suresh Urs]] | distributor = | studio = V. R. Miracle Movie | released = {{Film date|df=y|2006|11|30}} | runtime = 130 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}
'''''Iruvar Mattum''''' ({{translation|Only two persons}}) is a 2006 Indian [[Tamil language]] [[thriller film]] directed by Dwaraki Raghavan. The film stars [[Srinagara Kitty|Abhay]] and [[Sunitha Varma]]. The film, produced by R. Jagadish, was released on 30 November 2006.
== Plot ==
The film begins with an old couple going back to the forest to retrace their roots.
In a flashback, the [[hermit]] Azhagu ([[Srinagar Kitty|Abhay]]) lived in a wooden house in the forest. He ate only fruits and loved to take care of the wild animals. The carefree college student Selvi ([[Sunitha Varma]]) ran away from her house after her parents prepared her marriage with a man she did not like and she lost her way in the forest. Once night has fallen, she entered Azhagu's house to sleep and met the eccentric Azhagu. The next day, Selvi realized that he was different and loved his mother than anything. Selvi then begged him to get her out of the forest, but during the walk, the way was blocked by fallen trees and she turned back. Selvi stayed in Azhagu's house, and the two squabbled like children over small things, but they eventually fell in love with each other and Selvi could not leave the place. They decided to get married, so Azhagu introduced her to his mother, who turns out to be skeletal remains of her. A shocked Selvi tries to run away from Azhagu, but he abducted her and tied the knot with her. Selvi then tried to escape for a second time; during the run, she was wounded and Azhagu took care of her. Selvi tried to reason with Azhagu, but he became aggressive and strongly believed that his mother was still alive. Selvi made him believe that his mother will be reborn in her belly; thus, she became pregnant and gave birth to a baby.
Back to the present, the old couple is none other than Azhagu and Selvi. Selvi makes fun of Azhagu, who has now recovered from his mental illness, and they both laugh.
== Cast == *[[Srinagar Kitty|Abhay]] as Azhagu Sundaram *[[Sunitha Varma]] as Selvi
== Production ==
Kannada director Dwaraki Raghavan made his directorial debut in Tamil with ''By 2'', an experimental film which featured just two characters. Kannada actor [[Srinagara Kitty]], credited as Abhay, was selected to play the hero while [[Sunitha Varma]] played his love interest. The film was shot in the deep jungles of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka around 60 days. A bungalow with waterfalls as backdrop was built at Athirapalli falls at Kerala.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2006/04by-2.asp|date=8 April 2006|access-date=16 July 2024|website=Chennai Online|title=By2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007094750/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2006/04by-2.asp|archive-date=7 October 2006}}</ref> [[Vijay Antony]] composed the music, Murali took care of art direction and the cinematography was by P. K. H. Das. Dwaraki Raghavan said, "The movie has an innovative storyline; the happenings revolve around the forest. It has the trappings to sustain the audience interest and pave way for a new trend in the industry. Should that happen, it will be a great feeling and give the confidence to try a few other experiments". Following the state government's announcement of entertainment tax exemption for films titled in Tamil language, the title was changed from ''By 2'' to ''Iruvar Mattum''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iruvar Mattum |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/iruvar-mattum-preview-tamil-movie-7830 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209052054/https://www.indiaglitz.com/iruvar-mattum-preview-tamil-movie-7830 |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2006 |title=By2 is now Iruvar Mattum |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/by2-is-now-iruvar-mattum-tamil-news-27091 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209052145/https://www.indiaglitz.com/by2-is-now-iruvar-mattum-tamil-news-27091 |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by [[Vijay Antony]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=By2 (2006) |url=https://mio.to/album/By2+(2006) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517165449/http://mio.to/album/By2+(2006) |archive-date=17 May 2017 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=MusicIndiaOnline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2006 |title=By 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - EP |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/by-2-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1340774719 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240208145213/https://music.apple.com/us/album/by-2-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1340774719 |archive-date=8 February 2024 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! Song !! Singer(s) !! Lyrics !! Duration |- | "Azhaga Azhaga" || [[Sadhana Sargam]], [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]] || rowspan=3|[[Vairamuthu]] || 5:15 |- | "Unnai Paartha" || [[Sangeetha Rajeshwaran]] || 3:50 |- | "Poovin Madiyil" || Sadhana Sargam, Hariharan || 3:55 |- | "Nenjil Enna" || Dwaraki Raghavan, [[Chaitra H. G.]] || Dwaraki Raghavan || 2:14 |- | "Roja Poovin" || Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam || rowspan=2|Vairamuthu || 3:00 |- | "En Kaal Gal" || Chaitra H. G. || 4:49 |}
== Reception == ''[[Sify]]'' said, "the film drags as two characters get on to your nerves. Still, if you like to try out something different, then Iruvar Matttum is worth a glance".<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2006 |title=Iruvar Mattum |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/iruvar-mattum-review-tamil-pclwhLdbedeec.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817122209/http://www.sify.com/movies/iruvar-mattum-review-tamil-pclwhLdbedeec.html |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> S. R. Ashok Kumar of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "The thought is good and novel but the presentation could have been more sophisticated and refined" and praised the technical crew.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S. R. Ashok Kumar |date=8 December 2006 |title=Just two to pull you through - Iruvar Mattum |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/just-two-to-pull-you-through-iruvar-mattum/article3231568.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208141641/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/just-two-to-pull-you-through-iruvar-mattum/article3231568.ece |archive-date=8 February 2024 |access-date=7 March 2019 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Lajjavathi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote opting for a different story, the director has struggled to move the screenplay with only two characters, it misses vigour. A new effort can be appreciated but the team of ''Iruvar Mattum'' should understand that effort alone does not bring success.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=17 December 2006 |title=இருவர் மட்டும் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-12-17/page/n81/mode/2up |access-date=11 April 2024 |magazine=Kalki |page=80 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}}
[[Category:2000s avant-garde and experimental films]] [[Category:2006 Indian films]] [[Category:2006 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:2006 films]] [[Category:2006 thriller films]] [[Category:Films scored by Vijay Antony]] [[Category:Films set in forests]] [[Category:Indian avant-garde and experimental films]] [[Category:Indian thriller films]] [[Category:Two-handers]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]