Kaalai

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox film | image = Kaalai poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Tarun Gopi | writer = Tarun Gopi | starring = Silambarasan<br />Vedhika<br />Sangeetha<br />Lal | producer = S. S. Chakravarthy | cinematography = R. D. Rajasekhar | editing = Anthony | music = G. V. Prakash Kumar | studio = NIC Arts | released = {{Film date|2008|01|15|df=y}} | runtime = 139 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }} '''''Kaalai''''' ({{IPA|ta|ˈkaːɭaɪ}} {{translation|Bull}}) is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Tarun Gopi. The film stars Silambarasan and Vedhika. Sangeetha, Seema, Santhanam, Lal and Sulile Kumar play supporting roles. The film's music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, with cinematography handled by R. D. Rajasekhar and editing by Anthony. ''Kaalai'' was released on 15 January 2008 and was a commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2009 |title='Kettavan' as good as shelved: Simbu |url=http://www.hindu.com/holnus/009200906200333.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329171224/http://www.hindu.com/holnus/009200906200333.htm |archive-date=29 March 2014 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=The Hindu |agency=IANS|language=en}}</ref>

== Plot == {{More plot|date=January 2025}} Jeeva shares his name with two other people: one villain and one police officer Jeevanandham who becomes a villain. The confusion arising from this is a significant part of the plot.

At the age of nine, Jeeva's grandmother Karuppayi Aatha slays five men because they scorned her father's advice and illegally distilled alcohol in the village. After her return from prison, the villagers both fear and revere her, and consider her the head of the village.

Jeevanandham comes to the village ruled by Karuppayi Aatha to try to find illicit activity. When he cannot find anything, he is thrashed by the villagers. He returns to take vengeance, and in the course of the hostilities burns Karuppayi Aatha alive.

Jeeva the criminal is meanwhile wooing Jeevanandham's daughter Brindha. But Brindha loves Jeeva, Karuppayi's grandson, and he wants to take revenge on his namesake for the death of his grandmother. He abducts Brindha as a hostage to lure her father to his death.

== Cast == {{cast listing| *Silambarasan as Jeeva *Vedhika as Brindha *Sangeetha as Lakshmi *Seema as Karuppayi Aatha *Lal as DCP Jeevanandham IPS *Santhanam as College Student and Jeeva's friend *Vinayakan as Mokkai *Tharun Kshatriya as Jeeva *Kadhal Dhandapani *Shanmugarajan as ACP Vallayan IPS *Nellai Siva as Police officer *Raneesh as Jeeva's friend ;Uncredited *Sabarna as Brindha's friend<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2016 |title=Tamil TV actor death: Police found Saberna's body in a pool of blood |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/tamil-tv-actor-death-police-found-saberna-saboo-body-in-a-pool-of-blood-4371490/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402030334/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/tamil-tv-actor-death-police-found-saberna-saboo-body-in-a-pool-of-blood-4371490/ |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> *Mahat Raghavendra as Jeeva's friend<ref name="Role">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2020 |title=காளை திரைப்படத்தில் ஒரு ஓரமாக நடித்துள்ள நடிகர் யார் தெரியுமா.? தெரிந்தால் ஷாக் ஆவிங்க |url=https://www.tamil360newz.com/viral-photo-of-a-famous-comedian-who-played-a-side-in-a-bull-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528065832/https://www.tamil360newz.com/viral-photo-of-a-famous-comedian-who-played-a-side-in-a-bull-movie/ |archive-date=28 May 2023 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=Tamil360Newz |language=ta}}</ref> *Meesai Rajendranath as Police Inspector *Lollu Sabha Easter as Ezhumalai *Ramdoss as Tea shop fight participant<ref name="Role" /> *Rinson Simon as a background dancer in the song "Kutti Pisaase"<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2021 |title=மாஸ் கெட்டப்பில் காட்சியளிக்கும் நண்பன் பட மில்லிமீட்டர் |url=https://tamil.news18.com/news/entertainment/cinema-dance-jodi-dance-fam-rinson-new-look-viral-on-social-media-vin-ghta-585595.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129045246/https://tamil.news18.com/news/entertainment/cinema-dance-jodi-dance-fam-rinson-new-look-viral-on-social-media-vin-ghta-585595.html |archive-date=29 November 2021 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=News18 |language=ta}}</ref> *Nila as dancer in "Guththa Lakkadi" (guest appearance) }}

== Production == Sulile Kumar made his acting debut in the film and took the screen name "Tharun Kshatriya" at the director Tarun Gopi's suggestion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Rinku |date=21 November 2013 |title=There's lots in a name for Sulile |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/Nov/21/theres-lots-in-a-name-for-sulile-540007.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314122006/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/Nov/21/theres-lots-in-a-name-for-sulile-540007.html |archive-date=14 March 2025 |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> A song sequence featuring Silambarasan and Vedhika was shot in Melbourne, Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaalai |url=http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/imagegallery/gallery/index.php?hcategory=13733818&hgallery=14586313 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112093723/http://sify.com/entertainment/movies/imagegallery/gallery/index.php?hcategory=13733818&hgallery=14586313 |archive-date=2008-01-12 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Sify |page=7}}</ref> Post-release, Tarun Gopi was critical of Silambarasan's involvement in the project and stated that the actor grossly interfered with his duties as a director. Gopi labelled the actor "unprofessional" and stated that he could not recognise the film from his original script.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2009 |title=Tarun Gopi hits out at Vishal and Simbu! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tarun-gopi-hits-out-at-vishal-and-simbu-news-tamil-kkfscGdabedsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211044511/http://www.sify.com/movies/tarun-gopi-hits-out-at-vishal-and-simbu-news-tamil-kkfscGdabedsi.html |archive-date=11 December 2015 |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=Sify}}</ref>

== Soundtrack == The soundtrack consists of six songs composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. Silambarasan suggested Mamta Mohandas to sing an alternate version of the rap song "Kaala Kaala".<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2007 |title=Mamta croons for Kaalai |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mamta-croons-for-kaalai-news-tamil-kkfu95dfjce.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427152943/http://www.sify.com/movies/mamta-croons-for-kaalai-news-tamil-kkfu95dfjce.html |archive-date=27 April 2014 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Sify}}</ref> The album was released on 31 December 2007. Karthik Srinivasan of ''Milliblog'' wrote, "Three neat tracks from GV Prakashkumar, but the nonchalance towards the language and pronunciation is appalling". He was particularly critical of the diction of the non-Tamil speaking Mamta and Madhushree, especially the former pronouncing a word as {{IPA|ta|ˈkaːlaɪ|}} ({{translation|Morning}}) rather than the correct {{IPA|ta|ˈkaːɭaɪ|}} ({{translation|Bull}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=31 December 2007 |title=Kaalai (Tamil – G.V.Prakashkumar) |url=https://milliblog.com/2007/12/31/kaalai-tamil-gvprakashkumar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126120311/https://milliblog.com/2007/12/31/kaalai-tamil-gvprakashkumar/ |archive-date=26 January 2025 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=Milliblog |language=en}}</ref> The music rights were released under Ayngaran Music and Sony Music South.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf0OlCbDAbk |title=Kaalai – Vandhuttaanda Kaalai Tamil Lyric {{!}} STR, Vedika {{!}} G.V. Prakash Kumar |date=2016-12-23 |last=SonyMusicSouthVEVO |author-link=Sony Music India |access-date=2025-11-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKMn8V4Ybzg |title=Kaalai – Audio Jukebox {{!}} Silambarasan {{!}} Vedhika {{!}} Tharun Gopi {{!}} GV Prakash Kumar {{!}} Ayngaran |date=2021-06-10 |last=Ayngaran |author-link=Ayngaran International |access-date=2025-11-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

{{Track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Kaala Kaala | length1 = 5:45 | lyrics1 = Silambarasan | extra1 = Benny Dayal, Mamta Mohandas | title2 = Vandhuttaanda Kaalai | length2 = 3:36 | lyrics2 = Tarun Gopi | extra2 = Benny Dayal, Rahul Nambiar, Silambarasan | title3 = Kutti Pisase | length3 = 5:36 | lyrics3 = Vaali | extra3 = Silambarasan, Suchitra | title4 = Guththa Lakkadi | length4 = 6:03 | lyrics4 = Vaali | extra4 = Lucky Ali, Sunidhi Chauhan | title5 = Veeramulla | length5 = 5:12 | lyrics5 = Vaali | extra5 = Manikka Vinayagam, Palakkad Sreeram, Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram | title6 = Eppo Nee | length6 = 5:00 | lyrics6 = Snehan | extra6 = Madhushree | total_length = 31:12 }}

== Release and reception == ''Kaalai'' was released on 15 January 2008, during Pongal, alongside ''Bheemaa'', ''Pidichirukku'', ''Pirivom Santhippom'', ''Pazhani'' and ''Vaazhthugal''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 2008 |title=4 days to Pongal! |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14587820 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215090201/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14587820 |archive-date=15 February 2008 |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=Sify}}</ref> ''Sify'' wrote, "When Silambarasan and director Tarun Gopi came together in Kaalai we expected a racy masala entertainer. Sadly it is a watered down version of earlier films and ends up as an over-the-top ham enterprise, Kaalai is like a bull in a china shop and makes you groan".<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2008 |title=Kaalai |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaalai-review-tamil-pclw3Jhagdjdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128064537/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaalai-review-tamil-pclw3Jhagdjdf.html |archive-date=28 January 2017 |access-date=14 March 2025 |website=Sify}}</ref> TSV Hari of ''Rediff.com'' wrote the film looked like an "unplanned assembly of chases, police encounters, hip-gyrations (you can't call them dances), cacophony and choreographed fights using a set of actors sans any purpose".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hari |first=TSV |date=16 January 2008 |title=Kaalai: A wasted effort |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/16kaalai.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031115253/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/16kaalai.htm |archive-date=31 October 2020 |access-date=13 September 2019 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Madhumitha of ''Kalki'' felt whether Tarun Gopi started well and stumbled or did he stumbled for not getting right output and also felt the film's screenplay had pace but lacked wisdom and the influence of ''Thimiru'' is too much.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=மதுமிதா |date=10 February 2008 |title=காளை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2008-02-10/page/n79/mode/2up |access-date=21 July 2024 |magazine=Kalki |pages=79–80 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote "No doubt the director after the initial confusing scenario, has cleverly knotted up all the seemingly loose ends, and put back the pieces of the puzzle into a coherent whole. But the complicated earlier part, and the attempt to decipher it do exhaust the viewer. He could have adopted a more simplistic narrative style to this vendetta story".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=29 January 2008 |title=Kaalai |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Jan08/01kaalai.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130085609/http://www.chennaionline.com/Film/Moviereviews/Jan08/01kaalai.asp |archive-date=30 January 2008 |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> S. R. Ashok Kumar of ''The Hindu'' appreciated the cinematography by Rajasekhar but was less positive of the music and Anthony's editing, adding, "Tharun Gopi's story is a neat one liner. The dialogue is up to the mark. It is in the departments of screenplay and direction that he has faltered".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=S.R. Ashok |date=25 January 2008 |title=The trumpet is too loud -- Kaalai |url=https://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/25/stories/2008012551320200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105142013/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/25/stories/2008012551320200.htm |archive-date=5 November 2008 |access-date=14 March 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

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

Category:2000s masala films Category:2008 action films Category:2008 films Category:2008 Indian films Category:2008 Tamil-language films Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police Category:Films produced by S. S. Chakravarthy Category:Films scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu Category:Films shot in Australia  Category:Indian action films Category:Indian films about revenge Category:Tamil-language action films Category:Tamil-language Indian films