{{Short description|2017 Indian film directed by Atlee}} {{other uses}} {{Copy edit|date=March 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox film | image = Mersal film poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Atlee | producer = N. Ramasamy<br />Hema Rukmani<br />N. Murali | based_on = | screenplay = V. Vijayendra Prasad<br />S. Ramana Girivasan | starring = {{plainlist| *Vijay *S. J. Suryah *Kajal Aggarwal *Samantha Ruth Prabhu *Nithya Menen }} | music = A. R. Rahman | cinematography = G. K. Vishnu | editing = Ruben | studio = Thenandal Studio Limited | distributor = Sri Thenandal Films | released = {{Film date|2017|10|18|India|df=y|ref1=<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal release date is here |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-release-date-is-here.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110180006/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-release-date-is-here.html |archive-date=10 November 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref>}} | runtime = 163 minutes<ref name="BBFC">{{Cite web |title=Mersal |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/mersal-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zoty0njk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803153621/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/mersal-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zoty0njk |archive-date=3 August 2021 |website=British Board of Film Classification |access-date=26 December 2020}}</ref> | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = {{INR}}120 crore<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 November 2017 |title=Mersal box office collection: Vijay's film crosses Rs 20 crore in Kerala |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-box-office-collection-thalapathy-vijay-atlee-1080448-2017-11-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117154142/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mersal-box-office-collection-thalapathy-vijay-atlee/1/1083305.html |archive-date=17 November 2017 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bigil's budget crosses the 140-crore-mark; making it the most expensive Vijay film till date! |url=https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/bigils-budget-crosses-the-140-crore-mark-making-it-the-most-expensive-vijay-film-till-date-472381.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708084432/https://www.in.com/entertainment/regional/bigils-budget-crosses-the-140-crore-mark-making-it-the-most-expensive-vijay-film-till-date-472381.htm |archive-date=8 July 2019 |access-date=8 August 2019 |website=in.com |language=en}}</ref> | gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR}}200–260 crore<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 June 2020 |title='Vivegam' - 'Mersal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/viswasam-bigil-to-mankatha-thuppakki-five-times-when-vijay-surpassed-ajith-at-the-box-office/photostory/76643009.cms?picid=76643266 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610120530/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/viswasam-bigil-to-mankatha-thuppakki-five-times-when-vijay-surpassed-ajith-at-the-box-office/photostory/76643009.cms?picid=76643266 |archive-date=10 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="260c">{{Cite web |title=அடேங்கப்பா, பாக்ஸ் ஆபிஸ் வசூல் இவ்வளவா? மெர்சல் சாதனையை முறியடித்த 'சர்கார்'! |url=https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/sarkar-beats-mersal-lifetime-collections-breaches-260-crore-mark/articleshow/66783172.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161258/https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/sarkar-beats-mersal-lifetime-collections-breaches-260-crore-mark/articleshow/66783172.cms |archive-date=3 April 2019 |website=Samayam Tamil |language=ta |date=24 November 2018 |access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>(see{{nbsp}}below) }}
'''''Mersal''''' ({{Translation|Zapped}}) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film<ref name="BBFC" /> directed by Atlee and produced by Thenandal Studio Limited, in the studio's hundredth film production. The film stars Vijay in triple roles (father and twin sons), alongside S. J. Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nithya Menen, Vadivelu, Hareesh Peradi, Kovai Sarala, Sathyan and Sathyaraj. It is the second out of the three collaboration between Vijay and Atlee, before they began working with others. The film follows Maaran, a reputed doctor who charges meagre amounts from his patients, seemingly works in a double life as a vigilante magician who is against the medical crimes. When he was arrested, his past was revealed.
The film was officially announced in October 2016, the film's principal photography commenced on 1 February 2017, at Chennai and was completed in June 2017, within 130 working days. Filming took place on Gdańsk, Poland and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The background score and soundtrack album were composed by A. R. Rahman, while the cinematography was done by G. K. Vishnu and edited by Ruben.
''Mersal'' was released worldwide on 18 October 2017, coinciding with Diwali. The film received mostly positive reviews with critics praising the performances of the main cast, A. R. Rahman's soundtrack, cinematography, social message and Atlee's direction, but criticised the cliched plot and excessive length. Recipient of various accolades, the film was a commercial success, grossing {{INRConvert|200|c}}–{{INRConvert|260|c}} worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film in Vijay's career at that time as well as one of the highest-grossing Tamil films.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2017 |title=Mersal Box Office collection: Vijay's film to enter Rs. 250 crore club |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/241117/mersal-box-office-collection-vijays-film-to-enter-rs-250-crore-club.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605134532/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/241117/mersal-box-office-collection-vijays-film-to-enter-rs-250-crore-club.html |archive-date=5 June 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> The film completed 100-day theatrical run on 25 January 2018.<ref name="260c" /><ref name="total">{{Cite news |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |title=Mersal box office collection: Vijay, Samantha's film completes 100 days |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-box-office-collection-vijay-samanthas-film-completes-100-days-758196 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083625/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-box-office-collection-vijay-samanthas-film-completes-100-days-758196 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=26 January 2018 |work=International Business Times, India Edition |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 November 2018 |title=Sarkar box office collection: Vijay-starrer collects Rs 214 crore in first 10 days |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/buzztop/buzztop-feature/sarkar-box-office-collection-vijay-starrer-collects-rs-214-crore-in-first-10-days/story/291630.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116150651/https://www.businesstoday.in/buzztop/buzztop-feature/sarkar-box-office-collection-vijay-starrer-collects-rs-214-crore-in-first-10-days/story/291630.html |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=8 January 2019 |magazine=Business Today}}</ref> The film was released on 6 December 2018 in China by HGC Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 August 2018 |title=Thalapathy Vijay's Mersal to release in China |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/thalapathy-vijays-mersal-to-release-in-china.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083456/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/thalapathy-vijays-mersal-to-release-in-china.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=Behindwoods}}</ref> Due to demand, the film was screened at the largest cinema theatre in Europe Grand Rex, France.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=13 October 2017 |title=Mersal fever in France |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/mersal-fever-in-france.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203052313/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/mersal-fever-in-france.html |archive-date=3 February 2018 |access-date=7 February 2019 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The film was screened at the Hainan International Film Festival in Hainan, China<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=7 March 2019 |title=Headlines from China: Live Streaming Platform Panda TV Rumored to File for Bankruptcy |url=http://chinafilminsider.com/headlines-from-china-live-streaming-platform-panda-tv-rumored-to-file-for-bankruptcy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308122908/http://chinafilminsider.com/headlines-from-china-live-streaming-platform-panda-tv-rumored-to-file-for-bankruptcy/ |archive-date=8 March 2019 |access-date=14 March 2019 |website=China Film Insider}}</ref> and at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=30 July 2018 |title=Vijay's Mersal screened at BIFAN Film Festival |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-screened-at-bifan-film-festival.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403231358/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-screened-at-bifan-film-festival.html |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=14 March 2019 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
== Plot == {{Long plot|reason=Per WP:FILMPLOT, the plot summary should be between 400 and 700 words|date=March 2025}} A series of abductions of medical staff occur at dawn: an ambulance driver, a medical broker, a hospital worker, and a surgeon. The abductions get traced to Maaran. Maaran is arrested and interrogated by DCP Ratnavel "Randy".
A flashback reveals that Maaran is a doctor, who takes only 5 rupees for treatment, and has a huge support in his home city, Chennai, due to which he receives an award in Paris from doctor Arjun Zachariah.
During his days in Paris, Maaran is also shown to be a magician. He meets Pallavi, a doctor from India and Arjun Zachariah's assistant, and they soon fall in love. He soon conducts a magic show in Paris, in which he kills Arjun Zachariah. This case is being investigated by DCP Ratnavel "Randy". Daniel Arokiaraj, another corrupt doctor arrives in the scene of murder, threatening Randy to find who killed his friend. Maaran comes back to Chennai. He soon meets Tara, a news reporter, and they fall in love.
In the present, Maaran reveals the reasons for the abductions. Maaran explains that the four were responsible for the death of an auto driver's daughter and the suicide of his wife due to their greed for money and negligence in providing proper healthcare. He then gives Randy the locations of his hostages but asserts that if they reach the hospital in time, then they will survive, like the auto driver's daughter. However, the police found them killed.
Back to the past, Daniel sees Maaran's inexpensive healthcare as a threat to his hospital business. He decides to kill Maaran using his goons. That night, Maaran is beaten up by goons, but is saved by his doppelgänger Vetri. It is then revealed that the crimes were committed by Vetri, thus revealing that the magician (Vetri) and the doctor (Maaran) are different persons. In the present, the person arrested is Vetri, who had kidnapped Maaran after rescuing him. He escapes using his magic tricks, while Maaran is rescued at that same time.
Vetri and Pallavi soon reconcile. Meanwhile, Maaran's family and girlfriend Tara, are kidnapped by Daniel, who demands and asks him for Vetri. Randy and his assistant then interrogate Salim Ghosh, a famous magician, who is revealed to be Vetri's father. Soon that same night, Maaran finds Vetri's hideout and confronts both Vetri and Vadivu. He constantly demands to know who Vetri is, in which Vadivu intervenes and asks Maaran to know who he really is.
'''Past''': Maaran and Vetri are the sons of Aishwarya "Aishu" and Vetrimaaran, an altruistic village wrestler and chieftain in the 1970s. Vetrimaaran builds a temple in his area and holds a grand festive event. However, a fire breaks out, injuring many and killing two children. On the advice of Aishu, Vetrimaaran established a hospital in his village with Daniel, and Arjun made the chief doctors, presuming the doctors were good-hearted. However, it's soon revealed that Daniel and Arjun are money-minded misanthropists and perform a Caesarean section on Aishu when she is in labour with her second child (Vetri) to extract more money from Vetrimaaran, though the child could undergo a normal delivery
With an overdose of anaesthesia and loss of blood, Aishu dies while the child is declared stillborn. When Vetrimaaran learns about this, he is enraged that they deceived them and tried to confronts Daniel who leaves, but when he realized the hospital, Maaran is struck by a glass bottle, falls unconscious and loses his memory and Vetrimaaran is attacked by glass bottles and placed Maaran in a truck while the doctor throws the stillborn Vetri in the dump. Vetrimaaran fights Daniel's henchmen while gravely injured but gets stabbed by Daniel who reveals that he only caused the fire accident and Vetrimaaran swears that he will pay for the misdeeds before dying. However, just before he died, he amputated Daniel's henchmen Kasi arm. Daniel and Arjun embezzle money from the medical services to consolidate their dictatorship over the years. Soon, Vetri miraculously survives, and their paternal uncle, Vadivu, takes care of him. Salim Ghosh then adopts Vetri and Vadivu who found them when he returned home after his magic show performance in Dindigul. Vetri soon learns all the magic tricks from Salim Ghosh to exact vengeance. Maaran is found by Sarala who adopted him.
'''Present''': Upon learning about his past, Maaran reconciles with Vetri, and they swap places. Vetri (who is Maaran) is in custody, and Daniel meets him in prison and contemplates misusing the medical industry for his gains. Meanwhile, Daniel's nephew, Sesha, tries to make a deal with Maaran (revealed to be Vetri) to shut down his practice. However, when they both learn the truth, Vetri slits Sesha's hand. Daniel rushes to Vetri's hideout. Vetri defeats all of Daniel's henchmen and injures Daniel. Vetri is hurt in the process and nearly dies. However, Maaran revives Vetri via CPR. In a fight, Maaran kills Kasi, and Vetri brutally electrocutes Daniel, killing him. Later, the police arrest Vetri for his role in the murders. Before leaving, Vetri gives a press conference justifying his actions by exposing corrupt medical practices and the embezzlement of money in the field. In prison, Vetri watches a news report in which, despite his efforts, another young girl had died from medical negligence. On hearing this, Vetri escapes using his magic tricks and continues his mission. Maaran becomes the head of the Indian Medical Council.
== Cast == <!--as per beginning credits--> {{Cast listing| * Vijay in a triple role as: ** Vetri: Aishwarya and Vetrimaaran's younger son, a magician and Maaran's younger brother ** Dr. Maaran: Aishwarya and Vetrimaaran's elder son, a doctor who serves people for just 5 rupees and Vetri's elder brother. *** Akshath Das as Young Maaran ** Vetrimaaran, a village wrestler, commonly referred to by the people as "Thalapathy" ({{Translation|Commander}}), Aishwarya's husband, Maaran and Vetri's biological father * S. J. Suryah as Dr. Daniel Arokiyaraj, a corrupt doctor * Kajal Aggarwal as Dr. Anu Pallavi (voiceover by Deepa Venkat), Vetri's love interest, a doctor and assistant of Arjun Zachariah * Samantha Ruth Prabhu as Tara, Maaran's fiancée and a media reporter * Nithya Menen as Aishwarya "Aishu" Vetrimaaran, Vetrimaaran's wife, Maaran and Vetri's biological mother * Vadivelu as Vadivu, Vetri's assistant and Maaran's compounder (their paternal uncle) and Vetrimaaran's younger brother **Raj Manickam as young Vadivu * Kovai Sarala as Sarala, Maaran's adoptive mother * Sathyan as Maniya, Randy's assistant * Rajendran as Tamil Nadu Health Minister * Yogi Babu as Nolan, Tara's friend * Kaali Venkat as Poongodi's father, an auto driver * Hareesh Peradi as Dr. Arjun Zachariah, Daniel's friend and another corrupt doctor * Devadarshini as a nurse * Surekha Vani as a nurse * Misha Ghoshal as Tara's friend * Abdool Lee as Vetrimaaran's friend * Shivani Murali as Paapu, Anu Pallavi's friend * Sathyaraj as DCP Rathnavel "Randy" IPS * Sangili Murugan as Salim Ghosh, a magician, Vetri and Vadivu's adaptive father * Pasanga Sivakumar as the hospital HR * Telephone Raj as a pharmacy worker * M. Kamaraj as Kasi, Daniel's henchman * Bharath Raj as Sesha, Daniel's nephew * Senthi Kumari as Selvi<ref>{{Cite web |last=காயத்ரி |first=வெ வித்யா |date=25 October 2017 |title="கிடுகிடுனு உடம்பெல்லாம் நடுங்கிருச்சு!" - மெர்சல் அனுபவம் சொல்லும் 'சரவணன் மீனாட்சி' செந்தில்குமாரி #Mersal |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/105807-actress-senthilkumari-talks-about-her-experiences-in-mersal |access-date=9 November 2024 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref> * Priya as Tara's mother * Seeni Amma as Chitti Kuruvi * Parithabangal Gopi as a show host * Parithabangal Sudhakar as a show contestant * Thavasi as a priest * Sai Dheena as a prisoner * Poo Ramu as a victim's father * Pandian as a police officer * Marianna Mehring-Steinborn as an airport passenger * Michał Zacharek as a doctor }}
== Production ==
=== Development === Following the release of Atlee's ''Theri'', with Vijay in the lead, the pair was signed by Sri Thenandal Films for another project together in September 2016.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Sri Thenandal Films signs Ilayathalapathy Vijay? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sri-thenandal-films-signs-ilayathalapathy-vijay-news-tamil-qjjkwnjbfbjbd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912222655/http://www.sify.com/movies/sri-thenandal-films-signs-ilayathalapathy-vijay-news-tamil-qjjkwnjbfbjbd.html |archive-date=12 September 2016 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=9 September 2016 |title='Vijay 60': 'Bairavaa' star to collaborate with Atlee, Sri Thenandal Films |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-60-bairavaa-star-collaborate-atlee-sri-thenandal-films-693082 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-60-bairavaa-star-collaborate-atlee-sri-thenandal-films-693082 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=International Business Times |language=en}}</ref> Initially, reports surfaced that Atlee will be directing Mahesh Babu after ''Theri'', and was developing the script for the past seven months which did not happen;<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2017 |title=Mahesh Babu to team up Atlee? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/mahesh-babu-to-team-up-atlee/articleshow/51766464.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032425/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/mahesh-babu-to-team-up-atlee/articleshow/51766464.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, Vijay too being signed for ''Sangamithra'' produced by Thenandal Films, but as the film demanded 250 days of the schedule which he could not afford, he politely declined the offer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2017 |title=Vijay says no to Sundar C's 'Sangamittra' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-says-no-to-sundar-cs-sangamittra/articleshow/53487243.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032415/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-says-no-to-sundar-cs-sangamittra/articleshow/53487243.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2016 |title=Vijay turns down Sundar C's Sanghamitra |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijay-turns-down-sundar-c-sanghamitra-2947617/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijay-turns-down-sundar-c-sanghamitra-2947617/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> It was reported that the film will begin production only after the release of Vijay's ''Bairavaa''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2016 |title=Vijay's song shoot for Bairavaa commences |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijays-song-shoot-bairavaa-commences-50903 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155125/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijays-song-shoot-bairavaa-commences-50903 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> In October 2016, Safwan Saleem, the chief executive officer of the production house, confirmed the project; and further announced that writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, who had earlier worked in films like the ''Baahubali'' series and ''Bajrangi Bhaijaan'' will be a part of the technical team.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=19 October 2016 |title=Vijay 61: Sri Thenandal Films confirms producing Ilayathalapathy, Atlee's film |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-sri-thenandal-films-confirms-producing-ilayathalapathy-atlees-film-700191 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083607/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-sri-thenandal-films-confirms-producing-ilayathalapathy-atlees-film-700191 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=International Business Times}}</ref>
The film featured Vijay playing triple role for the first time in his career,<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2017 |title=Vijay to sport two rural looks and a stylish one in his next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-to-sport-two-rural-looks-and-a-stylish-one-in-his-next/articleshow/57631303.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-to-sport-two-rural-looks-and-a-stylish-one-in-his-next/articleshow/57631303.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> as a doctor, magician and a head of panchayat in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2017 |title=Vijay to play a magician and doctor in Thalapathy 61 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-play-magician-and-doctor-thalapathy-61-62105 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155125/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-play-magician-and-doctor-thalapathy-61-62105 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> A report from ''Deccan Chronicle'' said that: "The actor’s comic timing will be brought on screen through the magician’s role. His portions are intended to evoke laughter and lighten up the mood."<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=15 May 2017 |title=Vijay to sway us with magic |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/150517/vijay-to-sway-us-with-magic.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/150517/vijay-to-sway-us-with-magic.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> The report further denied claims that Vijay will play a Sikh in the film.<ref name=":12" /> Vijay learnt a few magic tricks in preparation for his role as the magician. He learnt the magic tricks from three magicians: Gogo Requiem from the Republic of Macedonia,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2017 |title=Vijay is a quick learner and an incredible actor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-is-a-quick-learner-and-an-incredible-actor/articleshow/60308390.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032413/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-is-a-quick-learner-and-an-incredible-actor/articleshow/60308390.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Raman Sharma from Canada,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2017 |title=Vijay did the tricks so well that it seemed like a camera trick! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-did-the-tricks-so-well-that-it-seemed-like-a-camera-trick/articleshow/60324885.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032424/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-did-the-tricks-so-well-that-it-seemed-like-a-camera-trick/articleshow/60324885.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> and Dani Belev from Bulgaria.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 August 2017 |title=Vijay learns a few tricks for Mersal |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/060817/vijay-learns-a-few-tricks-for-mersal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083430/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/060817/vijay-learns-a-few-tricks-for-mersal.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=7 August 2017 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 September 2017 |title=If Vijay decides to become a magician, he will be one of the best in the world |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/if-vijay-decides-to-become-a-magician-he-will-be-one-of-the-best-in-the-world/articleshow/60337590.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712172134/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/if-vijay-decides-to-become-a-magician-he-will-be-one-of-the-best-in-the-world/articleshow/60337590.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
Hema Rukmani, CEO of Sri Thenandal Films announced that the film would be the 100th production of the company, instead of ''Sangamithra'';<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2016 |title=Work on Sundar C's Sanghamitra to begin from April 2017 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/work-on-sundar-c-s-sanghamitra-to-begin-from-april-2017/story-pPfrdApRv9G2sLVLmwaUBM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/work-on-sundar-c-s-sanghamitra-to-begin-from-april-2017/story-pPfrdApRv9G2sLVLmwaUBM.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> On 21 April 2017, the producers announced that the film would be launched under their newly renamed banner Thenandal Studio Limited and also announcing a release date of October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treat to see Vijay improvise on set: Producer Hema Rukmani |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/treat-to-see-vijay-improvise-on-set-producer-hema-rukmani/1081798 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/treat-to-see-vijay-improvise-on-set-producer-hema-rukmani/1081798 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Outlook India}}</ref> At the first look launch of ''Sangamithra'' at the Cannes Film Festival, Hema Rukmani said that "Most people look at Vijay as a 'mass actor.' But, I've seen him perform. He's an outstanding actor". She added, "I've noticed a lot of things during shooting. His sense of continuity is brilliant. He will know even the minutest details like where and how he kept his hand or leg during a particular shot. Whether the assistant director remembers or not, he will know. I had the great joy of watching him improvise".<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2017 |title=Vijay is not just a mass actor, but an outstanding actor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-is-not-just-a-mass-actor-but-an-outstanding-actor/articleshow/59269694.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155129/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-is-not-just-a-mass-actor-but-an-outstanding-actor/articleshow/59269694.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> The production of the film began without announcing a title; on 21 June 2017, the makers announced the title as ''Mersal'' and also released the first look poster of the film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=22 June 2017 |title=Mersal first look out: Ilayathalapathy Vijay looks Theri in Atlee's film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-first-look-ilayathalapathy-vijay-atlee-kajal-samantha-984039-2017-06-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403154134/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-first-look-ilayathalapathy-vijay-atlee-kajal-samantha-984039-2017-06-22 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 June 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal first look revealed; film to be released on Diwali this year |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vijays-mersal-first-look-revealed-film-to-be-released-on-diwali-this-year-3732191.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vijays-mersal-first-look-revealed-film-to-be-released-on-diwali-this-year-3732191.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Firstpost}}</ref>
=== Casting === In December 2016, actresses Jyothika,<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2016 |title=Jyothika, Samantha and Kajal part of Thalapathy 61 |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/top-10-news-of-this-week-dec-25-dec-31/jyothika-samantha-and-kajal-really-part-of-thalapathy-61-answer-here.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153621/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/top-10-news-of-this-week-dec-25-dec-31/jyothika-samantha-and-kajal-really-part-of-thalapathy-61-answer-here.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> Kajal Aggarwal<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2017 |title=Kajal Aggarwal to pair up with Vijay for his 61st film |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/kajal-aggarwal-to-pair-up-with-vijay-for-his-61st-film-4481412/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/kajal-aggarwal-to-pair-up-with-vijay-for-his-61st-film-4481412/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> and Samantha Ruth Prabhu were announced as the female leads for the film.<ref name="samantha">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=22 December 2016 |title=Vijay 61: Is Samantha ready to romance Ilayathalapathy for the third time? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-samantha-ready-romance-ilayathalapathy-third-time-709410 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-samantha-ready-romance-ilayathalapathy-third-time-709410 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=International Business Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="kajal">{{Cite web |date=8 December 2016 |title=Vijay 61 – Kajal to team up with Vijay for the third time? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-61-kajal-team-vijay-third-time-54001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153620/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-61-kajal-team-vijay-third-time-54001 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>{{Efn|Jyothika, Samantha Akkineni, and Kajal Aggarwal earlier collaborated with Vijay in two films.<ref name="samantha" /><ref name="kajal" />}} However, the production team later revealed that Jyothika opted out of the film due to unavoidable reasons and the role went to Nithya Menen in her first collaboration with Vijay.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 February 2017 |title=Jyothika walks out of Vijay's film, replaced by Nithya Menen |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/jyothika-walks-out-of-vijay-film-replaced-by-nithya-menen-451174/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/jyothika-walks-out-of-vijay-film-replaced-by-nithya-menen-451174/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In January 2017, A. R. Rahman was reported to compose the film's background score and soundtrack album, collaborating with Vijay after ten years since ''Azhagiya Thamizh Magan'' (2007).<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=27 January 2017 |title=Vijay 61 aka Thalapathy 61 cast and crew: Take a look at Atlee's complete team |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-aka-thalapathy-61-cast-crew-take-look-atlees-complete-team-713791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-aka-thalapathy-61-cast-crew-take-look-atlees-complete-team-713791 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=International Business Times |language=en}}</ref> Actors S. J. Suryah and Sathyaraj also joined the cast as supporting actors, the former in a negative role with two looks in the film.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=22 April 2017 |title=Vijay 61 official news on firstk look and theatrical release |url=https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42292/vijay-61-official-news-on-first-look-and-theatrical-release |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422212446/https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42292/vijay-61-official-news-on-first-look-and-theatrical-release |archive-date=22 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |work=Top 10 Cinema |language=en-US}}</ref> Vadivelu who eventually wanted to act with Vijay in ''Theri'', missed the role due to unavoidable reasons.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijay-Vadivelu-team-up-for-a-cop-act/articleshow/46476018.cms Vijay, Vadivelu team up for a cop act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827002655/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Tamil/Movies/News/Vijay-Vadivelu-team-up-for-a-cop-act/articleshow/46476018.cms |date=27 August 2016 }}. ''The Times of India'' (16 January 2017). Retrieved on 4 October 2017.</ref> He was later announced as a part of this project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 March 2017 |title=Vadivelu missed Theri, bagged Vijay 61 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vadivelu-missed-theri-bagged-vijay-61/articleshow/57855042.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032407/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vadivelu-missed-theri-bagged-vijay-61/articleshow/57855042.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Other comedians Kovai Sarala, Sathyan and Rajendran also joined the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2017 |title=Ilayathalapathy Vijay to romance Kajal, Samantha, nithya menon in his next |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-61-ilayathalapathy-vijay-jyothika-kajal-samantha-958359-2017-02-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083420/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-61-ilayathalapathy-vijay-jyothika-kajal-samantha-958359-2017-02-01 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>
Atlee's usual cinematographer George C. Williams whom worked for ''Raja Rani'' and ''Theri'', was supposed to work in this film too, but failed due to date clashes with his other project. Later, newcomer G. K. Vishnu, an erstwhile assistant of Richard M. Nathan was signed on this project.<ref>Kumar, Karthik (20 March 2017) [http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/no-thalapathi-title-for-ilayathalapathy-vijay-s-film-with-sri-thenandal-films/story-VcpMdg4GWc4cQOr9YnPbNK.html No thalapathi title for Ilayathalapathy Vijay's film with Sri Thenandal Films!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521210524/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/no-thalapathi-title-for-ilayathalapathy-vijay-s-film-with-sri-thenandal-films/story-VcpMdg4GWc4cQOr9YnPbNK.html |date=21 May 2017 }}. ''Hindustan Times''. Retrieved on 4 October 2017.</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=31 January 2017 |title=Sri Thenandal Films officially announces the cast and crew details about Vijay 61 |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/sri-thenandal-films-officially-announce-the-cast-and-crew-details-about-vijay-61.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083609/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/sri-thenandal-films-officially-announce-the-cast-and-crew-details-about-vijay-61.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The official cast and crew members working in the film, were announced by Thenandal Films in January 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2017 |title=Official: Complete Cast and Crew Details of 'Thalapathy 61' |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/vijay-samantha-kajal-aggarwal-ar-rahman-thalapathy61-officially-confirmed-complete-cast-and-crew-details-tamil-news-177974 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.indiaglitz.com/vijay-samantha-kajal-aggarwal-ar-rahman-thalapathy61-officially-confirmed-complete-cast-and-crew-details-tamil-news-177974 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> with Anal Arasu as the action choreographer, Ruben who worked with Atlee in his previous projects were announced as the film's editor, T. Muthuraj as the film's production designer, Shobi and Prem Rakshith as dance choreographers, Neeraja Kona and Komal Shahani as the costume designers.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /> During the film's production, Hareesh Peradi, Yogi Babu and Cheenu Mohan joined the film's cast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prakash |first=Asha |date=12 May 2017 |title=Hareesh Peradi joins Vijay 61 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/hareesh-peradi-joins-vijay-61/articleshow/58645388.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032410/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/hareesh-peradi-joins-vijay-61/articleshow/58645388.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sundar |first=Mrinalini |date=29 June 2017 |title=Cheenu Mohan plays an important role in Vijay's 'Mersal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/cheenu-mohan-plays-an-important-role-in-vijays-mersal/articleshow/59354117.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/cheenu-mohan-plays-an-important-role-in-vijays-mersal/articleshow/59354117.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 June 2017 |title=Yogi Babu has an interesting character in Vijay's Mersal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-has-an-interesting-character-in-vijays-mersal/articleshow/59319843.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032408/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-has-an-interesting-character-in-vijays-mersal/articleshow/59319843.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
=== Filming === [[File:Ayuntamiento Principal, Gdansk, Polonia, 2013-05-20, DD 02.jpg|thumb|right|The city of Gdańsk, Poland, served as Paris for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal will not be releasing in Inox and PVR theatres chennai |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-will-not-be-releasing-in-inox-and-pvr-theatres-chennai.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083511/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-will-not-be-releasing-in-inox-and-pvr-theatres-chennai.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref>]] A launch event for the film was held at Adityaram Studios in Chennai on 1 February 2017 with production beginning thereafter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=31 January 2017 |title=Vijay 61 aka Thalapathy 61 movie launched: The shooting of Ilayathalapathy-Atlee film begins |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-aka-thalapathy-61-movie-launch-ilayathalapathy-atlee-film-hit-floors-714283 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083559/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-aka-thalapathy-61-movie-launch-ilayathalapathy-atlee-film-hit-floors-714283 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=International Business Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nithya Menen replaces Jyothika in 'Thalapathy 61' |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/nithya-menen-replaces-jyothika-in-thalapathy-61-news-tamilk-rcgsptdacgcaj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801054352/http://www.sify.com/movies/nithya-menen-replaces-jyothika-in-thalapathy-61-news-tamilk-rcgsptdacgcaj.html |archive-date=1 August 2017 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=Sify}}</ref> The shooting of the film took place at Panaiyur in East Coast Road, Chennai on the first day of the shoot,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2017 |title=First day shooting update of Vijay 61 directed by Atlee |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/first-day-shooting-update-of-vijay-61-directed-by-atlee.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/first-day-shooting-update-of-vijay-61-directed-by-atlee.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> and went continuously for 20 days until 19 February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2017 |title=First schedule of Vijay 61 to wrap up |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/first-schedule-of-vijay-61-to-wrap-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715025008/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/first-schedule-of-vijay-61-to-wrap-up.html |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The team took a brief break after production and then started the second schedule in Chennai on 1 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2017 |title=Vijay 61 second schedule starts today |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-61-second-schedule-starts-today.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153628/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-61-second-schedule-starts-today.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2017 |title=Vijay's triple action special for the first time ever |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/mar/01/vijays-triple-action-special-for-the-first-time-ever-1576364.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/mar/01/vijays-triple-action-special-for-the-first-time-ever-1576364.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> On 15 March, one of the stills from the film unofficially released through the internet with Vijay in a twirled moustache and a dhoti, and went viral.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2017 |title=Vijay to sport two rural looks and a stylish one in his next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-to-sport-two-rural-looks-and-a-stylish-one-in-his-next/articleshow/57631303.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-to-sport-two-rural-looks-and-a-stylish-one-in-his-next/articleshow/57631303.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Following the schedule's completion, the team headed to Rajasthan on 31 March,<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=1 April 2017 |title=Atlee's next pit-stop is Rajasthan |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010417/atlees-next-pit-stop-is-rajasthan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010417/atlees-next-pit-stop-is-rajasthan.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2017 |title=After wrapping two schedules in Chennai, Vijay 61 team on a break |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-wrapping-two-schedules-chennai-vijay-61-team-break-59871 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155130/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-wrapping-two-schedules-chennai-vijay-61-team-break-59871 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> despite being reported that filming may take place in Europe, after the second schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2017 |title=Nithya Menen talks about working with Vijay in Rajasthan |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/nithya-menen-in-jaisalmer-of-rajasthan-for-thalapathy61-song-shoot-says-it-is-hot-but-feels-happy-to-work-with-vijay-tamil-news-182840 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.indiaglitz.com/nithya-menen-in-jaisalmer-of-rajasthan-for-thalapathy61-song-shoot-says-it-is-hot-but-feels-happy-to-work-with-vijay-tamil-news-182840 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>
The team has decided to shoot with Vijay and Nithya Menen in Jaisalmer for a song (which was later titled as "Aalaporaan Thamizhan"), irrespective of the hot weather prevailing in the location.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 2017 |title=Vijay-Nithya Menen in hot backdrops of Jai Salmer |url=https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42069/vijay-nithya-menen-in-hot-backdrops-of-jai-salmer |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406023141/https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42069/vijay-nithya-menen-in-hot-backdrops-of-jai-salmer |archive-date=6 April 2017 |access-date=5 April 2017 |work=Top 10 Cinema |language=en-US}}</ref> The steam engine named 7161WP AKBAR was used in this film while shooting in Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2017 |title=Vijay 61 brings back Rajasthani heritage |url=https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42218/vijay-61-brings-back-rajasthani-heritage |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083459/https://www.top10cinema.com/article/42218/vijay-61-brings-back-rajasthani-heritage |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=18 April 2017 |work=Top 10 Cinema |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 April 2017 |title=Vijay 61 New clean-shaven look goes viral on Online |url=https://www.keralanews247.com/vijay-61-new-clean-shaven-look-goes-viral-online/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517211310/https://www.keralanews247.com/vijay-61-new-clean-shaven-look-goes-viral-online/ |archive-date=17 May 2017 |access-date=18 April 2017 |work=Latest News |language=en-US}}</ref> An action sequence was also filmed at Rajasthan and within its completion, the team completed the Rajasthan schedule on 12 April 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2017 |title=Vijay 61 Rajasthan schedule wrapped up |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-61-rajasthan-schedule-wrapped-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715145711/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-61-rajasthan-schedule-wrapped-up.html |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> Then, the team planned for a month-long schedule in Europe on 25 April,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2017 |title=Vijay 61 to have month-long Europe schedule from May |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-61-have-month-long-europe-schedule-may-60979 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155122/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-61-have-month-long-europe-schedule-may-60979 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2017 |title=Thalapathy 61 crew heads to Europe for month-long schedule |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/thalapathy-61-crew-heads-europe-month-long-schedule-61346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153623/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/thalapathy-61-crew-heads-europe-month-long-schedule-61346 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> with Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal and other cast members being present.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2017 |title=Vijay's off to Europe |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-off-to-europe/articleshow/58342692.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-off-to-europe/articleshow/58342692.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> A song (titled "Maacho") and few action sequences were filmed at Poland (Gdańsk, Poznań<ref>{{in lang|pl}} [http://kultura.gazeta.pl/kultura/7,114438,22433495,zwiastun-hinduskiego-filmu-a-tam-stadion-w-gdansku-starowka.html#Czolka3Img Zwiastun hinduskiego filmu, a tam... Stadion w Gdańsku, Poznań i lotnisko im. Wałęsy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003030035/http://kultura.gazeta.pl/kultura/7,114438,22433495,zwiastun-hinduskiego-filmu-a-tam-stadion-w-gdansku-starowka.html#Czolka3Img |date=3 October 2017 }}. Kultura.gazeta.pl (27 September 2017). Retrieved on 4 October 2017.</ref> and Rzeszów's airport<ref>[http://rzeszow.eska.pl/poznaj-miasto/obiekt-g2a-arena-planem-indyjskiego-filmu-zobacz-zwiastun-wideo/570859 Obiekt G2A Arena planem indyjskiego filmu: Zobacz zwiastun [WIDEO] – rzeszow.eskainfo.pl]. Rzeszow.eska.pl. Retrieved on 4 October 2017. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223231/http://rzeszow.eska.pl/poznaj-miasto/obiekt-g2a-arena-planem-indyjskiego-filmu-zobacz-zwiastun-wideo/570859 |date=7 October 2018 }}</ref>), as well as filming being conducted in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bollywood movie to be shot in Poland |url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/308356,Bollywood-movie-to-be-shot-in-Poland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083622/http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/308356,Bollywood-movie-to-be-shot-in-Poland |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>
Following the shooting in Europe, the team returned to Chennai in June 2017 and began the intermediate schedule on 5 June 2017, with Samantha being present and was filmed subsequently at the location. Scenes were shot with Vijay and Devadarshini, which were later edited out of the film.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHJnzFuPTCc |title=Thalapathy Vijay's Speech {{!}} Bigil Audio Launch {{!}} Sun TV |date=23 September 2019 |time=12:57-13:02 |work=Sun TV}}</ref> Later, shooting began at Hosur, Palakkad and Ooty where scenes involving Vijay were shot.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2017 |title=Samantha starts shooting in Chnenai for Vijay61 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samantha-starts-shooting-in-chnenai-for-vijay61/articleshow/59001183.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155138/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samantha-starts-shooting-in-chnenai-for-vijay61/articleshow/59001183.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> In mid-July 2017, sources had reported that the team had planned to complete the entire shooting within 130 working days, so that the team would have enough time to work on the film's post-production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2017 |title=Vijay and team to complete Mersal shooting by July 31st |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-and-team-to-complete-mersal-shooting-by-july-31st.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716032320/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-and-team-to-complete-mersal-shooting-by-july-31st.html |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> However, the film's shooting was affected following the indefinite strike announced by the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) on 1 August,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=2 August 2017 |title=FEFSI strike halts film shooting |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fefsi-strike-halts-film-shooting/article19404838.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153622/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fefsi-strike-halts-film-shooting/article19404838.ece |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and another strike on 1 September.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=1 September 2017 |title=FEFSI calls for indefinite strike from today |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/fefsi-calls-for-indefinite-strike-from-today/article19596784.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/fefsi-calls-for-indefinite-strike-from-today/article19596784.ece |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After FEFSI withdrew the strike on 13 September,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2017 |title=Film Employees Federation of South India calls off strike |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/sep/14/film-employees-federation-of-south-india-calls-off-strike-1656818.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/sep/14/film-employees-federation-of-south-india-calls-off-strike-1656818.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> work on the film's production been resumed, with few scenes being shot at the Kathipara Junction in Chennai, leading to traffic congestion as the shoot went till 8:00 A.M. despite the officials gave permission to shoot till 6:00 A.M. The climax of the film was shot in Jeeyapuram.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2017 |title='மெர்சல்' படப்பிடிப்பால் கிண்டி கத்திப்பாராவில் போக்குவரத்து பாதிப்பு |url=https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinemanews/2017/09/16152735/1108304/Traffic-jam-in-Guindy-Kathipara-Flyover-behalf-of.vpf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinemanews/2017/09/16152735/1108304/Traffic-jam-in-Guindy-Kathipara-Flyover-behalf-of.vpf |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=maalaimalar.com |language=Tamil}}</ref> Following a song shoot and patchwork sequences the principal photography was wrapped up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2017 |title=What remains to be shot for 'Mersal'? |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-kajal-aggarwal-samantha-mersal-shooting-completed-except-one-song-and-patch-work-telugu-news-192208 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-kajal-aggarwal-samantha-mersal-shooting-completed-except-one-song-and-patch-work-telugu-news-192208 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> {{clear}}
== Themes and influences == The character Maaran (or {{Indian Rupee|5}} doctor), played by Vijay in the film, was inspired from Dr. Balasubramanian, a doctor who hails from Bodinayakkanur, Theni district, and charges {{Indian Rupee|2}} from patients. It is also known that Vijay's character Jeevanantham in ''Kaththi'' (2014), is inspired by a real-life social activist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2017 |title=Is Mersal's 5 rupees doctor inspired by late Dr.Balasubramanian from Theni |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/is-mersals-5-rupees-doctor-inspired-by-late-drbalasubramanian-from-theni.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327123130/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/is-mersals-5-rupees-doctor-inspired-by-late-drbalasubramanian-from-theni.html |archive-date=27 March 2020 |access-date=27 March 2020 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> Critics noted that the film has similarities related to MGR-starrers ''Kudiyirundha Koyil'' (1968) and ''Neerum Neruppum'' (1971), where he played dual roles,<ref>{{Citation |title=Mersal Review {3.5/5}: When you have a mass hero in full form like Vijay is in the film, how can things go wrong? |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/mersal/movie-review/61127534.cms |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> Rajinikanth-starrer ''Moondru Mugam'' (1982),<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2018 |title='Mersal' director Atlee accused of plagiarism |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mersal-director-atlee-accused-plagiarism-89691?amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208032443/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mersal-director-atlee-accused-plagiarism-89691?amp |archive-date=8 February 2019 |access-date=27 March 2020 |website=www.thenewsminute.com}}</ref> and Kamal Haasan's ''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' (1989; ''Appu Raja'' in Hindi), which had the actors playing triple roles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Sujatha |date=20 October 2017 |title=Mersal may be a triumph for its star Vijay, but what does it say about its director Atlee? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-may-be-a-triumph-for-its-star-vijay-but-what-does-it-say-about-its-director-atlee-4158441.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705072835/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-may-be-a-triumph-for-its-star-vijay-but-what-does-it-say-about-its-director-atlee-4158441.html |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=9 July 2022 |work=Firstpost}}</ref> Shyam Gowtham in his review for the magazine The Week has stated about the references of M. G. Ramachandran in the film saying "Vijay is doing what M. G. Ramachandran, did in the 1950s; the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu did what Joseph Goebbels did in Hitler’s Germany—use cinema to propagate its ideology. Thus, it changed the way films were made. There are four instances in the film where Vijay is compared with MGR—in fact, his introduction scene starts with an MGR song."<ref name=":18" />
== Music == {{Main|Mersal (soundtrack)}} A. R. Rahman composed the soundtrack album and background score of ''Mersal'', teaming up with Vijay for the third time, after his films ''Udhaya'' (2004), and ''Azhagiya Tamizh Magan'' (2007), and his first collaboration with Atlee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 January 2017 |title=Kajal Aggarwal, AR Rahman roped in for 'Vijay 61 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kajalaggarwal-ar-rahman-roped-in-for-vijay-61/articleshow/56808637.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226203822/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kajalaggarwal-ar-rahman-roped-in-for-vijay-61/articleshow/56808637.cms |archive-date=26 February 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> The lyrics for the film were written by Vivek, who also teams up with Rahman for the first time. It marked the first release of Vijay and Rahman in the silver jubilee year.{{Efn|Both Vijay and Rahman made their debut in 1992, and completed 25 years in the film industry in 2017.}}<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=19 August 2017 |title=Vijay, AR Rahman's silver jubilee: Mersal audio release expected to be 2017's biggest Kollywood event |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-ar-rahman-mersal-audio-release-live-event-tamil-cinema-4804087/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711171257/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-ar-rahman-mersal-audio-release-live-event-tamil-cinema-4804087/ |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The audio rights of the film were acquired by Sony Music India, for a record price.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2017 |title=Record price for Mersal audio rights |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Jul/25/record-price-for-vijay-starrer-mersal-audio-rights-1633014.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323084547/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jul/25/record-price-for-vijay-starrer-mersal-audio-rights-1633014.amp |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref> The tracks "Aalaporaan Thamizhan" and "Neethanae" were released as singles on 10 and 17 August 2017. The audio launch event was held on 20 August 2017, at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2017 |title=The wait is over! Vijay's Mersal audio release date is out! |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/wait-over-vijays-mersal-audio-release-date-out-65675?amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908060201/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/wait-over-vijays-mersal-audio-release-date-out-65675?amp |archive-date=8 September 2023 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=www.thenewsminute.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2017 |title=Mersal audio launch on August 20 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/mersal-audio-launch-on-august-20/articleshow/59710594.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223042318/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/mersal-audio-launch-on-august-20/articleshow/59710594.cms |archive-date=23 February 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> which was touted to be the "biggest Kollywood event of the year",<ref name=":32" /> and it saw the attendance of prominent celebrities from the Tamil film Industry being present at the event,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2017 |title=Mersal audio launch: Vijay, A R Rahman, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Dhanush turn it into a gala night |url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/mersal-music-live-update-vijay-arrives-early-at-the-venue-to-welcome-the-guests-and-his-fans-go-wild-1046983/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323090648/https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/mersal-music-live-update-vijay-arrives-early-at-the-venue-to-welcome-the-guests-and-his-fans-go-wild-1046983/ |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=Bollywood Life |language=en}}</ref> which also featured a live music performance by Rahman and his team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2017 |title=Mersal audio launch on August 20, AR Rahman may perform at the function |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-audio-launch-on-august-20-ar-rahman-may-perform-at-the-function/story-6oZWXrxyhUUwr0iKJhk65O.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323090634/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-audio-launch-on-august-20-ar-rahman-may-perform-at-the-function/story-6oZWXrxyhUUwr0iKJhk65O.html |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=hindustantimes.com |language=en}}</ref> The album crossed 100 million streams, within 10 days, setting a streaming record for a Tamil album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2017 |title='Mersal' music breaks crosses 100 million streams |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Oct/27/mersal-music-breaks-crosses-100-million-streams-1684433.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323100005/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/27/mersal-music-breaks-crosses-100-million-streams-1684433.amp |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref><!-- Infobox album and track list were featured in the article for the film's soundtrack -->
== Marketing == The first look posters released on 21 June 2017 became the highest retweeted first look in Twitter, close to 50,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2017 |title=Vijay 61 is Mersal; fans get a double treat with two posters |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-61-is-mersal-fans-get-a-double-treat-with-two-posters/articleshow/59269907.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032417/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-61-is-mersal-fans-get-a-double-treat-with-two-posters/articleshow/59269907.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal first look and second look posters get massive retweets |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-first-look-and-second-look-posters-get-massive-retweets.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716032113/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-first-look-and-second-look-posters-get-massive-retweets.html |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
As an innovative approach, Hema Rukmani teamed up with ICONICbot, an Indo-Austrian Venture, powered by actor Vishakha Singh,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manohar |first=Niveda |date=16 August 2017 |title=Vishakha Singh's Mersal surprise |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/150817/vishakha-singhs-mersal-surprise.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/150817/vishakha-singhs-mersal-surprise.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> to launch an artificial intelligence based chat-bot for the production house through Facebook Messenger. This is a first-of-a-kind initiative in the South Indian film industry, in which an artificial intelligence technology is used to connect with all movie goers personally, where chat-bots are used in Hindi cinema by top stars for promoting their films.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=15 August 2017 |title=Mersal makers venture into Artificial Intelligence for fans |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-makers-venture-into-artificial-intelligence-for-fans/articleshow/60072007.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713032420/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-makers-venture-into-artificial-intelligence-for-fans/articleshow/60072007.cms |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Hema Rukmani had stated that "though we share the information about the film through the official Twitter handle of the production house, there must be false news prevailing all around. So, we had planned for launching TSL chatbot where fans can share the relevant information with them exclusively."<ref name=":15" />
The film is the first South-Indian film to get a Twitter emoji of its first look<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Hindu Net Desk |date=18 August 2017 |title=Twitter launches emoji for Vijay's Mersal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/twitter-launches-emoji-for-vijays-mersal/article19518548.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325085326/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/twitter-launches-emoji-for-vijays-mersal/article19518548.ece |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal gets Twitter emoji, first for a Tamil film. See it here |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-gets-twitter-emoji-first-for-a-tamil-film-see-it-here/story-MlRxEdqLE7kgp6GMHXuHmJ.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325085324/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-gets-twitter-emoji-first-for-a-tamil-film-see-it-here/story-MlRxEdqLE7kgp6GMHXuHmJ.html |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and also to trademark its title.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2017 |title=Mersal becomes the first south Indian movie to get trademarked |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-becomes-the-first-south-indian-movie-to-get-trademarked/articleshow/60258812.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155145/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-becomes-the-first-south-indian-movie-to-get-trademarked/articleshow/60258812.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Few sources from the production house stated that "if one uses the term ''Mersal'' for commercial purposes, a part of their revenue should be paid to the team as royalty".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal first south Indian film to get trademarked |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-first-south-indian-film-to-get-trademarked/story-0oD9iNJeRyuD2YxlGoAY7J.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153621/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-first-south-indian-film-to-get-trademarked/story-0oD9iNJeRyuD2YxlGoAY7J.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2017 |title=After emoji, Vijay's 'Mersal' title gets trademarked |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-emoji-vijay-s-mersal-title-gets-trademarked-67551 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155128/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-emoji-vijay-s-mersal-title-gets-trademarked-67551 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>
The teaser trailer of the film unveiled on 21 September 2017 (coinciding Atlee's birthday)<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 September 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal teaser to be out on September 21 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-teaser-ilayathalapathy-vijay-atlee-kajal-samantha-1046426-2017-09-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-teaser-ilayathalapathy-vijay-atlee-kajal-samantha-1046426-2017-09-17 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and became the most-viewed Indian movie teaser with 34.6 million views, surpassing ''Kabali'' (2016)<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2017 |title=Mersal beats Kabali to become most viewed Indian film teaser |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-beats-kabali-to-become-most-viewed-indian-film-teaser/story-LtZhR1mFjC2ufZTuc7LLPP.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153622/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-beats-kabali-to-become-most-viewed-indian-film-teaser/story-LtZhR1mFjC2ufZTuc7LLPP.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and ''Vivegam'' (2017),<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Mersal: Teaser of Vijay's film clocks 9 million views in less than 24 hours, beats Ajith's Vivegam |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-teaser-of-vijay-s-film-clocks-9-million-views-in-less-than-24-hours-beats-ajith-s-vivegam/story-dJbb053D70OP9wgmrUx2rI.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-teaser-of-vijay-s-film-clocks-9-million-views-in-less-than-24-hours-beats-ajith-s-vivegam/story-dJbb053D70OP9wgmrUx2rI.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and became the first Indian movie teaser to get 1 million likes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2017 |title=Mersal teaser is the first teaser to get 1 Million likes |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/mersal-teaser-is-the-first-teaser-to-get-1-million-likes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/mersal-teaser-is-the-first-teaser-to-get-1-million-likes.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
Two TV spots were premiered during the television broadcast of ''Baahubali 2: The Conclusion'' (Tamil dubbed version) on 8 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2017 |title=Mersal: Two promos of Vijay's next released during Baahubali 2: The Conclusion TV premiere |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-two-promos-of-vijays-next-released-during-baahubali-2-the-conclusion-tv-premiere-4123387.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-two-promos-of-vijays-next-released-during-baahubali-2-the-conclusion-tv-premiere-4123387.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2017 |title=Watch Mersal promos: Vijay starrer promises to be politically relevant, funny |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/watch-mersal-promos-vijay-starrer-promises-to-be-politically-relevant-funny-4881607/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153621/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/watch-mersal-promos-vijay-starrer-promises-to-be-politically-relevant-funny-4881607/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
Sources claimed that the innovative marketing strategies of the film contributed to the film's success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=#Mersal50: An analysis of how Mersal's innovative marketing strategies contributed to its success |url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/18723/mersal50-an-analysis-of-how-mersals-innovative-marketing-strategies-contributed-to-its-success |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/18723/mersal50-an-analysis-of-how-mersals-innovative-marketing-strategies-contributed-to-its-success |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=www.moviecrow.com}}</ref> Exchange4Media, an advertising company commented that ''Mersal'' was one of the South Indian films that disrupted the digital marketing space.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2017 |title=Baahubali 2, Mersal and more South films that disrupted digital marketing space in 2017 |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/baahubali-2mersal-and-more-south-films-that-disrupted-digital-marketing-space-in-2017-87761.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/baahubali-2mersal-and-more-south-films-that-disrupted-digital-marketing-space-in-2017-87761.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=exchange4media.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Release ==
=== Theatrical === ''Mersal'' was earlier scheduled for theatrical release on 29 September 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=31 December 2016 |title=Vijay 61: SJ Surya to play a baddie in Atlee-Ilayathalapathy's film |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-sj-surya-play-baddie-atlee-ilayathalapathys-film-710497 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-61-sj-surya-play-baddie-atlee-ilayathalapathys-film-710497 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=www.ibtimes.co.in |language=en}}</ref> however as Shankar's ''2.0'' which was scheduled for release on Diwali (18 October 2017) got delayed due to extensive visual effects;<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2017 |title=After Rajinikanth's 2.0 gets delayed, Vijay-Atlee film joins Diwali release race |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/after-rajinikanth-2-0-gets-delayed-vijay-atlee-film-joins-diwali-release-race-4623838/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/after-rajinikanth-2-0-gets-delayed-vijay-atlee-film-joins-diwali-release-race-4623838/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> the producers decided to release the film on that date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2017 |title=Rajinikanth's 2.O postponed to January 2018, Vijay may get Diwali release date |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/rajinikanth-s-2-o-postponed-to-january-2018-vijay-may-get-diwali-release-date/story-8IUG5JRKkZlqmJiFiybhEM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/rajinikanth-s-2-o-postponed-to-january-2018-vijay-may-get-diwali-release-date/story-8IUG5JRKkZlqmJiFiybhEM.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> On 16 October 2017, the film received a U/A certificate from CBFC, with few cuts after getting NOC from AWBI.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal gets U/A certificate |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-gets-ua-certificate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531190946/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-gets-ua-certificate.html |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref name="adhirel">{{Cite news |last=Ch Sushil |first=Rao |date=3 November 2017 |title=Adhirindhi' for cinema-lovers: Telugu version of 'Mersal' gets censor nod |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/adhirindhi-for-cinema-lovers-telugu-version-of-mersal-gets-censor-nod/articleshow/61477053.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083424/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/adhirindhi-for-cinema-lovers-telugu-version-of-mersal-gets-censor-nod/articleshow/61477053.cms |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=6 November 2017 |work=Times of India |location=Hyderabad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 November 2017 |title=Mersal's Telugu version Adirindhi gets censor clearance, 9 November release date |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersals-telugu-version-adirindhi-gets-censor-clearance-9-november-release-date-4190143.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314135857/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersals-telugu-version-adirindhi-gets-censor-clearance-9-november-release-date-4190143.html |archive-date=14 March 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>
The film opened on more than 3,300 screens worldwide which is highest for a Tamil film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madhu |first=Vignesh |date=13 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal to release in over 3300 screens worldwide; One of the biggest ever for a Tamil movie! |url=http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/vijays-mersal-release-3300-screens-worldwide-one-biggest-ever-tamil-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325103550/http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/vijays-mersal-release-3300-screens-worldwide-one-biggest-ever-tamil-movie/ |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=onlookersmedia |language=en-US}}</ref> In Malaysia, the film released on 800 screens,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Rob |title=Vijay's 'Mersal' Snags Massive Screen Count In Malaysia, 3,300+ Worldwide |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/10/10/vijays-mersal-snags-massive-screen-count-in-malaysia-3300-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325103549/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/10/10/vijays-mersal-snags-massive-screen-count-in-malaysia-3300-worldwide/ |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> and more than 275 screens in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vijay's 'Mersal' to release in over 350 screens in Kerala |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-s-mersal-release-over-350-screens-kerala-69782?amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318084718/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-s-mersal-release-over-350-screens-kerala-69782?amp |archive-date=18 March 2022 |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=The News Minute}}</ref> In Karnataka, the film was released in 100 screens, and in Andhra Pradesh, it accounted 400 screens.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=11 October 2017 |title=Mersal total screen count to set a new benchmark for Ilayathalapathy Vijay |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-total-screen-count-set-new-benchmark-ilayathalapathy-vijay-745147 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325104218/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-total-screen-count-set-new-benchmark-ilayathalapathy-vijay-745147 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=International Business Times, India Edition |language=en}}</ref> The film was later screened in PVR Cinemas and Inox Multiplex on 24 October 2017, following their strike against the double taxation row which held on 3 October.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal will not be releasing in Inox and PVR theatres chennai |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-will-not-be-releasing-in-inox-and-pvr-theatres-chennai.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075238/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijays-mersal-will-not-be-releasing-in-inox-and-pvr-theatres-chennai.html |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2017 |title=PVR Cinemas and Inox in Chennai withdraw their strike against double taxation |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/pvr-cinemas-and-inox-in-chennai-withdraw-their-strike-against-double-taxation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075239/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/pvr-cinemas-and-inox-in-chennai-withdraw-their-strike-against-double-taxation.html |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The film was re-released again in March 2018, following the producer council's strike against digital service providers over the increase of Virtual Print Fee charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2018 |title=Strike on, Vijay's 'Mersal' and Madhavan's 'Vikram Vedha' to hit screens again |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/strike-vijay-s-mersal-and-madhavan-s-vikram-vedha-hit-screens-again-77289 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155120/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/strike-vijay-s-mersal-and-madhavan-s-vikram-vedha-hit-screens-again-77289 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>
''Mersal'' was screened at Grand Rex, France, which is the largest cinema theatre in Europe, due to the high demand of the film.<ref name=":7" /> It was further released in Japan in four major cities Tokyo, Ebino, Osaka and Nakayama, which is the highest for a Tamil film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vijays Mersal set to amaze Japanese fans this Diwali!- News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-mersal-set-to-release-in-japan-theatres-tamil-_amp-news-198556 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325105705/https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-mersal-set-to-release-in-japan-theatres-tamil-_amp-news-198556 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=IndiaGlitz |language=en}}</ref> The film was released in China by HGC Entertainment on 6 December 2018, through 10,000 screens, ''Mersal'' became the first Tamil film to be released in this country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2018 |title='Mersal' is all to become the first Tamil film to release in China! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/mersal-is-all-to-become-the-first-tamil-film-to-release-in-china-news-tamil-sillw0cchdgbb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811124324/http://www.sify.com/movies/mersal-is-all-to-become-the-first-tamil-film-to-release-in-china-news-tamil-sillw0cchdgbb.html |archive-date=11 August 2018 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Vijay-starrer 'Mersal' will be the first Tamil film to be released in China |url=https://scroll.in/reel/890005/vijay-starrer-mersal-will-be-the-first-tamil-film-to-be-released-in-china |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404164351/https://scroll.in/reel/890005/vijay-starrer-mersal-will-be-the-first-tamil-film-to-be-released-in-china |archive-date=4 April 2019 |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> The film was screened at the Hainan International Film Festival in Hainan, China in March 2019,<ref name=":8" /> and at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in Bucheon, South Korea at 29 July 2018.<ref name=":9" />
=== Distribution === North Star Entertainment along with SN Techs Film Distribution Company have secured the distribution rights for the film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; Global United Media has secured the distribution for the film in Kerala;<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=28 July 2017 |title=Kerala rights of Vijay's Mersal sold for Rs 7 crore, highest for the actor's film |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kerala-rights-of-vijay-s-mersal-sold-for-rs-7-crore-highest-for-the-actor-s-film/story-LvTquUFB2WPZJiHSrlqF0J.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323092155/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kerala-rights-of-vijay-s-mersal-sold-for-rs-7-crore-highest-for-the-actor-s-film/story-LvTquUFB2WPZJiHSrlqF0J.html |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=hindustantimes.com |language=en}}</ref> Horizon Studios acquired the Karnataka rights; MKS Talkies has secured the distribution rights for the film in Australia and New Zealand, ATMUS Entertainment has secured the distribution rights for the film in United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandian |first=Avinash |date=27 June 2017 |title=Pakka Mass Opening Guaranteed For Mersal In These States! |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/northstar-entertainment-to-release-vijays-mersal-in-andhra-pradesh-and-telangana.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083452/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/northstar-entertainment-to-release-vijays-mersal-in-andhra-pradesh-and-telangana.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=9 February 2021 |website=BehindWoods}}</ref> The overall pre-release revenue of ''Mersal'' is reported to be in the region of {{INRConvert|156|C|lk=}},<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=17 October 2017 |title=Mersal pre-release business: Vijay's film zooms past Rs 150-crore mark; a feat next only to Rajinikanth films |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-pre-release-business-vijays-film-mints-rs-156-crore-positions-next-only-rajinikanth-films-745838 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325095450/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-pre-release-business-vijays-film-mints-rs-156-crore-positions-next-only-rajinikanth-films-745838 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=International Business Times, India Edition |language=en}}</ref> which includes the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights about {{INRConvert|70|c|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> Karnataka distribution rights about {{INRConvert|5.5|C|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> Kerala rights about {{INRConvert|6.6|C|lk=}},<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Andhra Pradesh and Nizam rights about {{INRConvert|4.6|C|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> Rest of India, for {{INRConvert|80|L|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> and Overseas rights about {{INRConvert|26|C|lk=}}.<ref name=":5" /> The worldwide theatrical rights accounted to {{INRConvert|113.5|c|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> while the satellite rights, sold to {{INRConvert|28|c|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> music rights for {{INRConvert|3.5|c|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> home video rights for {{INRConvert|1.5|c|lk=}},<ref name=":5" /> and Hindi dubbing rights for {{INRConvert|11|C|lk=}}.<ref name=":5" />
=== Home media === The television broadcast rights were sold to Zee Tamil for {{INR}}30 crore in July 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 July 2017 |title=After Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar's 2.0, Zee TV bags Vijay's Mersal for Rs 30 cr? |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/after-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-2-0-zee-tv-bags-vijay-mersal-for-rs-30-cr-4733667/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083450/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/after-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-2-0-zee-tv-bags-vijay-mersal-for-rs-30-cr-4733667/ |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=8 September 2017 |work=The Indian Express |language=en-US}}</ref> The film had its global television premiere on 14 January 2018 on occasion of the Thai Pongal festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=4 January 2018 |title=Mersal TV premiere: Vijay's blockbuster to be screened this Pongal |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-tv-premiere-vijays-blockbuster-be-screened-this-pongal-755591 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083453/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-tv-premiere-vijays-blockbuster-be-screened-this-pongal-755591 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=24 January 2018 |website=International Business Times}}</ref> The satellite rights of the Telugu, Kannada and the Malayalam dubbed versions were acquired by Star Maa, Udaya TV and Asianet respectively. It is available in digital streaming platforms through Netflix and ZEE5 (in Tamil), YouTube and Prime video (in Telugu), Sun NXT (in Kannada), and Hotstar (in Malayalam).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersal |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81016196 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713192316/https://www.netflix.com/title/81016196 |archive-date=13 July 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}}</ref> The film's Hindi dubbed version was directly premiered on Dhinchaak TV channel (now renamed to Goldmines) on 13 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2022 |title=Exclusive: "This is what the Shehzada producers told me," says Manish Shah on his 'Kartik Aaryan threatened to quit Shehzada' statement |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/exclusive-shehzada-producers-told-says-manish-shah-kartik-aaryan-threatened-quit-shehzada-statement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125080623/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/exclusive-shehzada-producers-told-says-manish-shah-kartik-aaryan-threatened-quit-shehzada-statement/ |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=#Mersal (Hindi) {{!}} Vijay {{!}} A R Rahman {{!}} Atlee {{!}} TV Par Pehli Baar {{!}} 13 March 8 PM {{!}} #Dhinchaak |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do2W-jA-Jvc |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219153439/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do2W-jA-Jvc |archive-date=19 February 2022 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception == === Box office === In the opening day of its release the film earned {{INR}}31.3 crore in domestic region and {{INR}}47.1 crore worldwide.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal box office collection: Vijay's film shatters Kabali record to become biggest opener in TN; mints Rs 47.1 crore worldwide |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-1st-day-box-office-collection-vijays-film-gets-earth-shattering-opening-beat-baahubali-746055 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153619/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-1st-day-box-office-collection-vijays-film-gets-earth-shattering-opening-beat-baahubali-746055 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=www.ibtimes.co.in |language=en}}</ref>
==== India ==== At the Chennai city box office, the film collected {{INR}}1.50 crore and became the highest opening day grosser, beating Ajith Kumar's ''Vivegam''.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=19 October 2017 |title=Mersal box office day 1: Vijay-Atlee unseats Vivegam's opening day collections in Chennai, earns Rs 1.50 crore |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mersal-box-office-day-1-earns-rs-1-48-crore-4897851/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mersal-box-office-day-1-earns-rs-1-48-crore-4897851/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The film became the biggest opener in Tamil Nadu at that point, grossing {{INR}}24.8 crore and yielded a share of {{INR}}14.1 crore to its distributors.<ref name=":16" /> It eventually broke the record of Rajinikanth's ''Kabali'' which earlier collected {{INR}}21.5 crore.<ref name=":16" />
==== Other territories ==== The film collected {{INR}}1.7 crore from the premiere shows held at United States and {{INR}}2.5 crore the following day, totalling up to {{INR}}3.08 crore.<ref name=":17" /> The film earned A$133,057 ({{INR}}68.01 lakh) from 25 locations, upon its release in Australia and earned £94,311 (₹81.08 lakhs) upon its release in United Kingdom in 37 locations, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=920904374125129728 |user=taran_adarsh |title=Tamil film #Mersal - Wed previews... AUS: A$ 133,057 [₹ 68.01 lakhs] - 25 locations UK: £ 94,311 [₹ 81.08 lakhs] - 37 locations 👍👍👍 |first=Taran |last=Adarsh |author-link=Taran Adarsh |date=19 October 2017 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> The film collected ₹90.31 lakhs from its opening day in Malaysia around 800 theatres.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=920904374125129728 |user=taran_adarsh |title=Wednesday release in MALAYSIA too... It's Tamil film #Mersal MANIA there... Wed MYR 586,665 [₹ 90.31 lakhs]... Reported screens... |first=Taran |last=Adarsh |author-link=Taran Adarsh |date=19 October 2017 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
In its five-day opening weekend, the film collected {{INR|link=yes}}140 crore (1.4 billion Indian rupees) worldwide<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2017 |title=Mersal 5-day box office collection: Vijay's film racing towards Rs 150 crore mark |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-5-days-box-office-collection-vijays-film-racing-towards-rs-150-crore-1st-weekend-746518 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083638/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-5-days-box-office-collection-vijays-film-racing-towards-rs-150-crore-1st-weekend-746518 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=25 June 2018 |website=IBTimes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |title=Mersal box office collection: Vijay's film gets an earth-shattering opening, beats Baahubali 2 in Tamil Nadu |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-1st-day-box-office-collection-vijays-film-gets-earth-shattering-opening-beat-baahubali-746055 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083423/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-1st-day-box-office-collection-vijays-film-gets-earth-shattering-opening-beat-baahubali-746055 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=19 October 2017 |work=International Business Times, India Edition |language=en}}</ref> and {{INR}}170 crore its first week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2017 |title=Mersal box office: Vijay's film inching towards Rs 200 crore, set to beat Enthiran record in TN |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mersal-box-office-vijay-film-inching-towards-rs-200-crore-set-to-beat-enthiran-record-in-tn-4906121/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083610/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mersal-box-office-vijay-film-inching-towards-rs-200-crore-set-to-beat-enthiran-record-in-tn-4906121/ |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=26 October 2017}}</ref> In 12 days, the film grossed {{INR}}200 crore worldwide, including {{INR}}130 crore domestically in India. It became the highest-grossing film of Vijay's career, and the first of his films to enter the {{INR}}200 crore club.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=30 October 2017 |title=Mersal box office collection: A crowning-moment for Vijay as his film joins Rs 200-crore club |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-12-days-box-office-collection-crowning-vijay-film-joins-rs-200-crore-club-2nd-weekend-747432 |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=International Business Times |language=en}}</ref> At the end of its fifth week, the film had reportedly collected {{INR}}120 crore in Tamil Nadu, {{INR}}16 crore in Kerala, {{INR}}13 crore in Karnataka and {{INR}}15 crore from the rest of India, tallying {{INR}}164 crore (1.6 billion rupees) domestically and {{INR}}260 crore (2.6 billion rupees) worldwide.<ref name="merbo">{{Cite web |date=23 November 2017 |title=Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Mersal creates history; breaches Rs 250-crore mark |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ilayathalapathy-vijays-mersal-creates-history-breaches-rs-250-crore-mark-750449 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126001330/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ilayathalapathy-vijays-mersal-creates-history-breaches-rs-250-crore-mark-750449 |archive-date=26 November 2017 |access-date=23 November 2017 |website=IBTimes}}</ref> According to The Hans India article published in January 2018, the movie has raked in {{INR}}244.8 crores by the end of its run.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2018 |title=Vijay's Mersal Final Box Office Collections Report |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2018-01-08/Vijays-Mersal-Final-Box-Office-Collections-Report/350742 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123200800/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2018-01-08/Vijays-Mersal-Final-Box-Office-Collections-Report/350742 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref>
However, according to the articles by ''Hindustan Times'', ''Financial Express'' and ''India Today'', one of the leading distributors, Ramanathan, owner of the Abhirami Mega mall, said that the numbers reported by Mersal are highly inflated and the movie has not raked in {{INR}}200 crore as reports claim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal box-office numbers are fake, says a leading distributor in Chennai |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-box-office-numbers-are-fake-says-a-leading-distributor-in-chennai/story-8htLH6y53fP4xxyuqy5ilN.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123191239/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vijay-s-mersal-box-office-numbers-are-fake-says-a-leading-distributor-in-chennai/story-8htLH6y53fP4xxyuqy5ilN.html |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2017 |title=Mersal box office collections: Big shock, Vijay starrer's figures are fake? This man makes massive claim |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/mersal-box-office-collections-big-shock-vijay-starrers-figures-are-fake-this-man-makes-massive-claim/912362/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123210042/https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/mersal-box-office-collections-big-shock-vijay-starrers-figures-are-fake-this-man-makes-massive-claim/912362/ |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=The Financial Express |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=30 October 2017 |title=Mersal box-office numbers are fake, alleges distributor Abirami Ramanathan |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-box-office-collection-vijay-atlee-samantha-kajal-1079657-2017-10-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123210038/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-box-office-collection-vijay-atlee-samantha-kajal-1079657-2017-10-30 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
===Critical response=== ''Mersal'' received positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2017 |title=Mersal Box Office collection: Vijay's film to enter Rs. 250 crore club |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/241117/mersal-box-office-collection-vijays-film-to-enter-rs-250-crore-club.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083503/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/241117/mersal-box-office-collection-vijays-film-to-enter-rs-250-crore-club.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>
M. Suganth, editor-in-chief of ''The Times of India'' rated the film three-and-a-half out of five and said, "With Mersal, we have got this year's most engaging mass masala movie. When you have a mass hero in full form like Vijay is in the film, how can things go wrong?".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mersal Review {3.5/5}: When you have a mass hero in full form like Vijay is in the film, how can things go wrong? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/mersal/movie-review/61127534.cms |access-date=2 November 2017 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Manoj Kumar R. of ''The Indian Express'' also gave three-and-a-half out of five stars stating "Atlee has not just exploited Vijay's stardom to deliver a flamboyant crowd-pleaser (which he did in ''Theri'' already) but has fleshed out an interesting script that plays up the best onscreen traits of the actor."<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal movie review: There is never a dull moment in this Ilayathalapathy Vijay starrer |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/mersal-movie-review-vijay-atlee-samantha-ruth-prabhu-kajal-aggarwal-star-rating-4895175/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106152101/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/mersal-movie-review-vijay-atlee-samantha-ruth-prabhu-kajal-aggarwal-star-rating-4895175/ |archive-date=6 January 2019 |access-date=2 November 2017 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
''Sify'' rated the film three out of five stars and said the film as a "formulaic mass masala action film with a strong social message, whistle worthy moments, eye candy heroines and grand visuals". It further added that the film "relies squarely on the charm of its leading man (Vijay) to pull off its over-the-top tone".<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2017 |title=Mersal- A crowd-pleaser that knows exactly who its audience is! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/mersal--a-crowd-pleaser-that-knows-exactly-who-its-audience-is-review-tamil-rkskL9aebjffd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018073506/http://www.sify.com/movies/mersal--a-crowd-pleaser-that-knows-exactly-who-its-audience-is-review-tamil-rkskL9aebjffd.html |archive-date=18 October 2017 |access-date=22 April 2020 |website=Sify}}</ref> Priyanka Sundar of ''Hindustan Times'' said that the film "is not about the story, but the way it is delivered; the emotions, sentiment and social message formed the crux of the story", but criticised the length of the second half and the manner in which Samantha's character's arc is resolved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundar |first=Priyanka |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal movie review: For Vijay and his fans, Atlee has delivered a celebratory film |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mersal-movie-review-what-is-better-than-one-vijay-three-vijays/story-CdvJzyDYEXgEpCmCBDY42N.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171019051945/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mersal-movie-review-what-is-better-than-one-vijay-three-vijays/story-CdvJzyDYEXgEpCmCBDY42N.html |archive-date=19 October 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' stated there are triple Vijay in the movie and it had created triple positive impact and rated it 2.75 out of five stars.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2017 |title=Mersal (aka) Vijay's Mersal review |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/mersal/mersal-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083605/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/mersal/mersal-review.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=2 November 2017 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
Baradwaj Rangan of ''Film Companion South'' called the film as "gigantic, but deflavoured take of ''Apoorva Sagotharargal''". He added that "the lack of newness is compensated for by rich production values", but praised Vijay's performance saying "Vijay is one actor who seems to be getting younger on screen. He moves beautifully in the dance sequences. He even manages an effective dramatic bit. But he’s let down by the writing".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2017 |title=Mersal uses rich production values to compensate for its lack of newness |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/mersal-movie-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155120/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/mersal-movie-review/ |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Film Companion |language=en-US}}</ref> Anupama Subramanian of ''Deccan Chronicle'' gave two-and-a-half out of five stars and added "Though the storyline is not new, Atlee cleverly uses the terrific screen presence of Vijay and presents it in an engaging way".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=20 October 2017 |title=Mersal movie review: It's a Vijay show all the way in this engaging revenge drama |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/201017/mersal-movie-review-its-vijay-show-all-the-way-in-this-engaging-revenge-drama.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153620/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/201017/mersal-movie-review-its-vijay-show-all-the-way-in-this-engaging-revenge-drama.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> Vishal Menon of ''The Hindu'' had opined that the film had "references to yesteryear blockbusters; but that could not be determined as dislikeable; it is quite enjoyable".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=19 October 2017 |title=Mersal review: Twin it to win it |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mersal-review/article19881555.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mersal-review/article19881555.ece |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Sreedhar Pillai of ''Firstpost'' called that "the perfect film for the larger-than-life image of its superstar Vijay, has something in it to satiate viewers with varied tastes", giving a rating of three out of five stars.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal movie review: A rollicking entertainer to satisfy hardcore Vijay fans, and family audiences |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-movie-review-a-rollicking-entertainer-to-satisfy-hardcore-vijay-fans-and-family-audiences-4154497.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922081141/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mersal-movie-review-a-rollicking-entertainer-to-satisfy-hardcore-vijay-fans-and-family-audiences-4154497.html |archive-date=22 September 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Firstpost}}</ref> ''The New Indian Express''-based critic Daniel Thimmayya called the film as "ultimate commercial entertainer that rides on Vijay's solid performance and Atlee's slick storytelling".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersal review: Vijay makes this entertainer seem terrific |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2017/oct/19/mersal-review-vijay-makes-this-entertainer-seem-terrific-1677628.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2017/oct/19/mersal-review-vijay-makes-this-entertainer-seem-terrific-1677628.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
Srivatsan S of ''India Today'' gave three out of five saying "one could say that ''Mersal'' is nothing but the rise of a matinee idol".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Srivatsan |date=2 August 2017 |title=Mersal movie review: This Diwali, Vijay is back to doing what he does best |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/mersal-movie-review-vijay-samantha-kajal-aggarwal-atlee-1066883-2017-10-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403155359/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/mersal-movie-review-vijay-samantha-kajal-aggarwal-atlee-1066883-2017-10-18 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Poornima Murali of ''News18'' called the film "as good in parts: during the evocative flashbacks"; but pointed out a few lame dialogues, logical contradictions and frequent song sequences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal Movie Review: It's Vijay, Vijay, Vijay With a Political Message |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mersal-movie-review-its-vijay-vijay-vijay-with-a-political-message-1550831.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117114408/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mersal-movie-review-its-vijay-vijay-vijay-with-a-political-message-1550831.html |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> Vikram Venkateshwaran of ''The Quint'' wrote "It’s got three whole Vijays, with intersecting plot lines, great fight scenes and twelve murders, that will either squeeze your heart, or make you cheer along, all in the name of entertainment".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venkateswaran |first=Vikram |date=18 October 2017 |title=Mersal Review: Vijay Treats Fans to a Super Diwali Laddoo |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/review-mersal-vijay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/review-mersal-vijay |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref> Writing for ''Manorama Online'', Prem Udhayabhanu gave the film three out of five stars saying "The film charms the fans with an elaborate canvas spun for the hero and a social message weaved into it".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mersal review: Just another Diwali cracker for Vijay fans |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2017/10/18/vijay-mersal-atlee-tamil-movie-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2017/10/18/vijay-mersal-atlee-tamil-movie-review.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>
Shyam Goutham, in his review for the magazine ''The Week'' wrote "through the film which is packaged with heavy drama and action sequences, Atlee tries to convey a message. For a Vijay fan, there are enough wow moments—slow-motion scenes, 'Ilayathalapathy' saving people and punch dialogues. In fact, a scene showing Vijay talking to the media about the problems in the country has become mandatory".<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |title=Mersal review: A perfect Diwali treat for Vijay fans |url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/Mersal-review-A-perfect-Diwali-treat-for-Vijay-fans.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153618/https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/Mersal-review-A-perfect-Diwali-treat-for-Vijay-fans.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=theweek.in}}</ref> ''Ananda Vikatan'' rated the film 43 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite web |last=சார்லஸ் |first=தேவன் |date=22 June 2021 |title=பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100344/https://cinema.vikatan.com/amp/story/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref>
== Controversies == {{main|Mersal (film) controversies}}
The film was subjected to several criticisms with the first being, the interim ban issued against the film producers by Madras High Court, for using the title ''Mersal'' for promotions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Vijay's Mersal: Madras HC bans use of title 'Mersal' till Oct 3 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vijays-mersal-madras-hc-bans-use-of-title-mersal-till-oct-3/articleshow/60796066.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155143/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vijays-mersal-madras-hc-bans-use-of-title-mersal-till-oct-3/articleshow/60796066.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> In a lawsuit filed by Rajendran of AR Film Factory, he registered the title ''Mersalayitten'' at the Tamil Film Producers Council in 2014, and claimed that the use of the title will affect the business of his film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Madras High Court has imposed an interim ban on using Mersal name for promotion |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/madras-high-court-has-imposed-an-interim-ban-on-using-mersal-name-for-promotion.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716144358/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/madras-high-court-has-imposed-an-interim-ban-on-using-mersal-name-for-promotion.html |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The high court later dismissed the plea on 6 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=6 October 2017 |title=Mersal title issue: Madras HC lifts interim stay on Vijay's film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-madras-hc-lifts-interim-stay-on-vijay-film-1059081-2017-10-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075248/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-madras-hc-lifts-interim-stay-on-vijay-film-1059081-2017-10-06 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The Tamil Film Producers Council strike from 6–13 October over double taxation row,<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2017 |title=Will Mersal break the hurdles? - No result in Theatre strike talks with govt |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/theater-association-and-tfpc-talks-with-ministers-kadambur-raju-and-velumani-yields-no-results--tamil-news-197941 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716032322/https://www.indiaglitz.com/theater-association-and-tfpc-talks-with-ministers-kadambur-raju-and-velumani-yields-no-results--tamil-news-197941 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> and the denial of NOC from Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2017 |title=Vijay's 'Mersal' in AWBI trouble? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-mersal-in-awbi-trouble/articleshow/61067014.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075238/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-mersal-in-awbi-trouble/articleshow/61067014.cms |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> were rumoured to affect the plans release; however, it was resolved later.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2017 |title=Vijay's 'Mersal' finally gets PASC certificate, all set to release on Diwali |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-mersal-finally-gets-pasc-certificate-all-set-to-release-on-diwali/articleshow/61103875.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155137/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-mersal-finally-gets-pasc-certificate-all-set-to-release-on-diwali/articleshow/61103875.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 October 2017 |title=Actor Vijay meets Tamil Nadu CM |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actor-vijay-meets-tamil-nadu-cm/articleshow/61089812.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716220403/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actor-vijay-meets-tamil-nadu-cm/articleshow/61089812.cms |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
Upon release, several notions expressed in the film were opposed by various organisations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling political party of Government of India, and the then ruling AIADMK had objected to scenes in which the protagonist, played by Vijay, criticises the recently introduced Goods and Services Tax,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Govindarajan |first=Vinita |title='Mersal' row has Tamil film industry worried: 'We don't know what to depict in our films now' |url=https://scroll.in/reel/855247/mersal-row-has-tamil-film-industry-worried-we-dont-know-what-to-depict-in-our-films-now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075301/https://scroll.in/reel/855247/mersal-row-has-tamil-film-industry-worried-we-dont-know-what-to-depict-in-our-films-now |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=8 January 2020 |work=Scroll.in}}</ref> and also a scene in which a character ridicules Digital India, an initiative promoted by the Government of India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 2017 |title=P Chidambaram on Mersal row: Soon, only films 'praising' govt policies will be allowed |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/soon-only-films-praising-govt-policies-will-be-allowed-p-chidambaram-reacts-to-mersal-row-4899680/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083432/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/soon-only-films-praising-govt-policies-will-be-allowed-p-chidambaram-reacts-to-mersal-row-4899680/ |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=22 October 2017 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stalin |first=J Sam Daniel |last2=Varma |first2=Shylaja |date=6 February 2020 |title=65 Crores Reportedly Found From Film Financier As Actor Vijay Questioned |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rs-25-crore-found-in-raid-on-tamil-film-financier-over-alleged-tax-evasion-for-which-actor-vijay-was-2175716 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206043020/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rs-25-crore-found-in-raid-on-tamil-film-financier-over-alleged-tax-evasion-for-which-actor-vijay-was-2175716 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |access-date=6 February 2020 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> The ruling BJP demanded that those scenes be cut from the film for future viewership.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 October 2017 |title=Cut Scenes Mocking GST and Digital India in Vijay's Mersal, Demands BJP |url=http://www.news18.com/news/politics/cut-scenes-mocking-gst-and-digital-india-in-vijay-starrer-mersal-demands-bjp-1551317.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083604/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/cut-scenes-mocking-gst-and-digital-india-in-vijay-starrer-mersal-demands-bjp-1551317.html%20 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=22 October 2017 |work=News 18}}</ref> Several medical associations such as the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors' Association, condemned the film for the alleged cynical portrayal of doctors working in government-operated hospitals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 2017 |title=Government doctors criticise 'Mersal' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/government-doctors-criticise-mersal/article19893820.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153620/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/government-doctors-criticise-mersal/article19893820.ece |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Doctors working with the Indian Medical Association planned to boycott the film and shared links of the film on pirated websites online, in the hope that it would cause monetary losses to the makers of the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2017 |title=TN doctors boycott Vijay-starrer Mersal, prescribe piracy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-doctors-boycott-vijay-starrer-mersal-prescribe-piracy/articleshow/61151055.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226083620/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-doctors-boycott-vijay-starrer-mersal-prescribe-piracy/articleshow/61151055.cms%20 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=22 October 2017 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajagopal |first=Shyama |date=26 October 2017 |title=After BJP, doctors too cry foul over Mersal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/after-bjp-doctors-too-cry-foul-over-mersal/article19926113.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075239/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/after-bjp-doctors-too-cry-foul-over-mersal/article19926113.ece |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> These acts were seen as an attack on freedom of expression by opposing political parties and various other celebrities working in Tamil cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2017 |title=Vijay vs BJP: Kollywood celebs take a stand against re-censoring Mersal |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-vs-bjp-kollywood-celebs-take-a-stand-against-re-censoring-mersal-4900269/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716144401/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-vs-bjp-kollywood-celebs-take-a-stand-against-re-censoring-mersal-4900269/ |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff Reporter |date=22 October 2017 |title=Opposition stands with Mersal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/opposition-stands-with-mersal/article19900227.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153615/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/opposition-stands-with-mersal/article19900227.ece |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Shashi Tharoor condemned BJP's acts against ''Mersal'', similar to infringement of democratic rights.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2017 |title=Attack on Mersal infringement on democratic rights: Tharoor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/attack-on-mersal-infringement-on-democratic-rights-tharoor/articleshow/61216082.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/attack-on-mersal-infringement-on-democratic-rights-tharoor/articleshow/61216082.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
Mersal was also associated with conflicting claims regarding its financial outcome for the producers. According to producer T. Siva, while the film performed well for distributors and others involved in its business, the production house, Thenandal Studios Limited, reportedly incurred losses. He attributed this to the high production costs and the prevailing business model in the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No producers should give films to Atlee: Producer T Siva |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/no-producers-should-give-films-to-atlee-producer-t-siva/articleshow/63513772.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=16 April 2026}}</ref>
Similarly, actor S. Ve. Shekher claimed that producer Murali Ramaswamy suffered losses of nearly ₹100 crore despite the film being declared a blockbuster.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vijay's Mersal producer suffered Rs 100 crore loss? S Ve Shekher's explosive claim |url=https://www.oneindia.com/entertainment/vijays-mersal-producer-suffered-rs-100-crore-loss-s-ve-shekhers-explosive-claim-7842213.html |website=Oneindia |access-date=16 April 2026}}</ref>
The film was touted to have an approximate organic collection of {{INR}}100-150 crore, the production house Thenandal Studio Limited had to file for bankruptcy due to the high production costs involved. The social media propaganda loss of this film amounts to an approximate {{INR}}60 crore,<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com2">{{Cite news |date=28 March 2018 |title=No producers should give films to Atlee: Producer T Siva |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/no-producers-should-give-films-to-atlee-producer-t-siva/articleshow/63513772.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075258/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/no-producers-should-give-films-to-atlee-producer-t-siva/articleshow/63513772.cms |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> with references citing Atlee asked a salary hike of more than 300% and exceeding the production budget.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaac |first=Anna |date=1 December 2017 |title=Another controversy breaks out over 'Mersal', did the Vijay film make a loss? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/another-controversy-breaks-out-over-mersal-did-vijay-film-make-loss-72457 |access-date=20 January 2025 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com2" /> However, G. Dhananjayan opined that the film was considered profitable to all distributors across Tamil Nadu region, as was, the film's producer Murali Ramaswamy.<ref name="IndiaGlitz.com 20202">{{Cite web |date=5 May 2020 |title='Mersal' hit or flop - Producer opens up for first time and reveals next with Vijay |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-mersal-hit-or-flop-thenandal-films-murali-ramaswamy-statement-tamil-news-259629 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507154413/https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-mersal-hit-or-flop-thenandal-films-murali-ramaswamy-statement-tamil-news-259629 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |access-date=6 May 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> In November 2018, the Canada-based magician Raman Sharma, who worked in the project accused Thenandal Studios of non-payment of dues and slammed the company for their unprofessional behaviour.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=10 December 2018 |title=Mersal magician Raman Sharma on payment dues: Thenandal Studios are thugs |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-magician-raman-sharma-on-payment-dues-thenandal-studios-are-thugs-1406435-2018-12-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427033621/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mersal-magician-raman-sharma-on-payment-dues-thenandal-studios-are-thugs-1406435-2018-12-10 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In August, Sharma's team sent a legal notice to the makers, demanding the rest of his payment under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2019 |title=Two years since 'Mersal', Canadian magician says Thenandal still hasn't paid him |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/two-years-mersal-canadian-magician-says-thenandal-still-hasnt-paid-him-108369 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075246/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/two-years-mersal-canadian-magician-says-thenandal-still-hasnt-paid-him-108369 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> The financial tussles surrounding over the production house led the makers shelve all of their upcoming projects: notably the company's big-budget film ''Sangamithra'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2018 |title=Sangamithra has not been shelved, assures filmmaker Sundar C |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/sangamithra-has-not-been-shelved-assures-filmmaker-sundar-c/story-5zR9YlmNnVmaRgXVRYO47J.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723075241/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/sangamithra-has-not-been-shelved-assures-filmmaker-sundar-c/story-5zR9YlmNnVmaRgXVRYO47J.html |archive-date=23 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Dhanush's untitled project with Karthik Subbaraj<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=21 February 2018 |title=Dhanush and Kartik Subbaraj's film not shelved |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-karthik-subbaraj-film-produced-by-y-not-sashikanth-1174476-2018-02-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207040829/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-karthik-subbaraj-film-produced-by-y-not-sashikanth-1174476-2018-02-21 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and his directorial film,<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2017 |title=Dhanush's next directorial with Sri Thenandal Films |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/dhanush-s-next-directorial-with-sri-thenandal-films-117122900234_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716144700/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/dhanush-s-next-directorial-with-sri-thenandal-films-117122900234_1.html |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=Business Standard India |agency=IANS}}</ref>{{Efn|The project was later exchanged to YNOT Studios and released under the title ''Jagame Thandhiram'' in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2018 |title=Dhanush – Karthik Subbaraj project changes hands, but not shelved |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-karthik-subbaraj-project-changes-hands-but-not-shelved/story-hujxFlp46V3xVzVHSPo8JK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-karthik-subbaraj-project-changes-hands-but-not-shelved/story-hujxFlp46V3xVzVHSPo8JK.html |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>}} A. R. Rahman's virtual reality film ''Le Musk'', and other productions;<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2017 |title=Mersal makers have an interesting line-up of films, includes one with Dhanush |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-makers-have-an-interesting-line-up-of-films-includes-one-with-dhanush/story-4Xn0mX5QBgP8iduHvAJskK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428130332/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mersal-makers-have-an-interesting-line-up-of-films-includes-one-with-dhanush/story-4Xn0mX5QBgP8iduHvAJskK.html |archive-date=28 April 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> furthermore, their completed projects ''Vallavanukkum Vallavan'' and ''Iravaakaalam'' remained unreleased.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2017 |title=After the success of Vijay's Mersal, producers Thenandal Films line-up 6 Tamil films |url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/after-the-success-of-vijays-mersal-producers-thenandal-films-line-up-6-tamil-films-1110853/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716032110/https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/after-the-success-of-vijays-mersal-producers-thenandal-films-line-up-6-tamil-films-1110853/ |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Bollywood Life |language=en}}</ref><!-- Further details can be covered in the main article -->
==Accolades== {{main|List of accolades received by Mersal}}At the 65th Filmfare Awards South, ''Mersal'' received eleven nominations including those for Best Director (Atlee), Best Actor (Vijay) and Best Supporting Actor (S. J. Surya). It won in two categories – Best Supporting Actress (Menen) and Best Music Director (Rahman).<ref name="FFNom">{{Cite web |date=4 June 2018 |title=Nominations for the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018_-28652-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604163156/https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018_-28652.html |archive-date=4 June 2018 |access-date=4 June 2018 |website=Filmfare}}</ref><ref name="FFWin">{{Cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=Winners: 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/winners-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018/articleshow/64617904.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617071126/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/winners-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018/articleshow/64617904.cms |archive-date=17 June 2018 |access-date=17 June 2018 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> At the 10th Vijay Awards, the film received eight nominations and won three awards: Favourite Film, Best Director and Favourite Song.<ref name="Vijay1">{{Cite news |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=4 June 2018 |title=Vijay Awards 2018: Here is the complete list of winners [Photos] |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-2018-catch-live-updates-event-photos-complete-winners-list-770862 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604112225/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-2018-catch-live-updates-event-photos-complete-winners-list-770862 |archive-date=4 June 2018 |access-date=4 June 2018 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> ''Mersal'' received twelve nominations at the 7th South Indian International Movie Awards ceremony and won five awards, including Best Director for Atlee, Best Actor in a Negative Role for Surya and Best Music Director for Rahman.<ref name="SIIMA1">{{Cite web |last=Goyal |first=Divya |date=15 August 2018 |title=SIIMA 2018 Nominations: Vijay's Mersal Beats Madhavan And Vijay Sethupathi's Vikram Vedha |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/siima-2018-nominations-vijays-mersal-beats-madhavan-and-vijay-sethupathis-vikram-vedha-1901012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910171301/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/siima-2018-nominations-vijays-mersal-beats-madhavan-and-vijay-sethupathis-vikram-vedha-1901012 |archive-date=10 September 2018 |access-date=10 September 2018 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref name="SIIMA2">{{Cite news |last=Hooli |first=Shekhar H. |date=16 September 2018 |title=SIIMA Awards 2018 – Tamil winners list and photos: Vijay's Mersal tops list with 5 honours |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-awards-2018-tamil-winners-list-photos-vijays-mersal-tops-list-5-honours-780694 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918112557/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-awards-2018-tamil-winners-list-photos-vijays-mersal-tops-list-5-honours-780694 |archive-date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> Among other wins, the film received ten Techofes Awards,<ref name="Techofes2">{{Cite news |last=ஸ்கிரீனன் |date=19 February 2018 |title=இதுவரை 'மெர்சல்' செய்துள்ள சாதனைகள்: பட்டியலிட்ட படக்குழு |trans-title=Mersal's achievements thus far: List given by Crew |url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/cinema/tamil-cinema/article22795343.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418010350/http://tamil.thehindu.com/cinema/tamil-cinema/article22795343.ece |archive-date=18 April 2018 |access-date=18 April 2018 |work=The Hindu Tamil |language=Tamil}}</ref> seven Edison Awards,<ref name="Edison">{{Cite news |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=26 February 2018 |title=Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Mersal sweeps Edison Awards [winners' list] |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/11th-edison-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-complete-winners-list-2017-761866 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429105814/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/11th-edison-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-complete-winners-list-2017-761866 |archive-date=29 April 2018 |access-date=29 April 2018 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> five Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards<ref name="AVW1">{{Cite news |last=Upadhyaya |first=Prakash |date=11 January 2018 |title=Vijay's Mersal wins big at Vikatan Cinema Awards 2017 [See Complete Winners List] |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vikatan-cinema-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-ajith-bags-best-hard-working-actor-vivegam-756538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121155032/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vikatan-cinema-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-ajith-bags-best-hard-working-actor-vivegam-756538 |archive-date=21 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2018 |work=International Business Times}}</ref><ref name="AVW2">{{Cite web |date=11 January 2018 |title=ஆனந்த விகடன் சினிமா விருதுகள் 2017 - திறமைக்கு மரியாதை |url=https://www.vikatan.com/anandavikatan/2018-jan-17/ananda-vikatan-awards/137757-ananda-vikatan-awards-2017.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121155037/https://www.vikatan.com/anandavikatan/2018-jan-17/ananda-vikatan-awards/137757-ananda-vikatan-awards-2017.html |archive-date=21 January 2018 |access-date=21 January 2018 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=Tamil}}</ref> and two Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards. At the international ceremonies, the film won one award for Best Foreign Film at the National Film Awards UK.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vijay gets two international nominations for 'Mersal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-gets-two-international-nominations-for-mersal/articleshow/65089739.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712172135/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-gets-two-international-nominations-for-mersal/articleshow/65089739.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2018 |title=Vijay's 'Mersal' wins international award |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-s-mersal-wins-international-award-78864 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190403155318/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-s-mersal-wins-international-award-78864 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> and Best International actor award for Vijay at International Achievement Recognition Award UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2018 |title=IARA 2018: Vijay wins best international actor award for 'Mersal' |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/iara-2018-vijay-wins-best-international-actor-award-mersal-88818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/iara-2018-vijay-wins-best-international-actor-award-mersal-88818 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2018 |title=Vijay collects his IARA Award for 'Mersal' in person |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-collects-his-iara-award-mersal-person-93275 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417121006/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-collects-his-iara-award-mersal-person-93275 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>
== Legacy and impact == Prior to the film's release, Hollywood stuntman Serge Crozon Cazin, who starred in Ajith Kumar's ''Vivegam'',<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hollywood stuntman gets an invite to watch Mersal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/hollywood-stuntman-gets-an-invite-to-watch-mersal/articleshow/60953942.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712172137/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/hollywood-stuntman-gets-an-invite-to-watch-mersal/articleshow/60953942.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> and S. S. Rajamouli expressed their anticipations on the film, with the latter calling it as "a fantastic film to look forward to".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mersal is a fantastic film to look forward to: SS Rajamouli |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-is-a-fantastic-film-to-look-forward-to-ss-rajamouli/articleshow/60954663.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712155133/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersal-is-a-fantastic-film-to-look-forward-to-ss-rajamouli/articleshow/60954663.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Following the criticism towards the GST and Digital India-scenes levied by BJP, Rajinikanth,<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2017 |title=Rajinikanth tweets support for 'Mersal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rajinikanth-tweets-support-for-mersal/articleshow/61178992.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716220354/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rajinikanth-tweets-support-for-mersal/articleshow/61178992.cms |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Kamal Haasan,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kamal Haasan throws his weight behind 'Mersal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kamal-haasan-throws-his-weight-behind-mersal/articleshow/61158812.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153625/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kamal-haasan-throws-his-weight-behind-mersal/articleshow/61158812.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Vishal, Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy and Khushbu Sundar, extended their support towards ''Mersal'' and praised Vijay and the team for "bravely addressing social issues in the film".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Film industry backs Vijay's 'Mersal' over GST row |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/film-industry-backs-vijays-mersal-over-gst-row/articleshow/61173866.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153623/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/film-industry-backs-vijays-mersal-over-gst-row/articleshow/61173866.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Madhav |first=Pramod |date=24 October 2017 |title=Vishal on Mersal GST row: H Raja, you've committed a crime. I'm still waiting for an answer |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vishal-mersal-row-h-raja-controversy-house-raids-1070377-2017-10-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vishal-mersal-row-h-raja-controversy-house-raids-1070377-2017-10-24 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}</ref> As H. Raja criticised the Censor Board officials over the film's certification after watching the film online, demanding that they should be removed from posts,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2017 |title=Censor board's fitting reply on 'Mersal' GST issue |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/censor-board-fiiting-reply-on-mersal-gst-issue-thalapathy-vijay-atlee-tamil-news-198829 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715025003/https://www.indiaglitz.com/censor-board-fiiting-reply-on-mersal-gst-issue-thalapathy-vijay-atlee-tamil-news-198829 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> Gautami Tadimalla, the member of CBFC who watched a screening of the film on 22 October, claimed that "Mersal has been given a fair censor certificate. There was no foul in the film’s dialogues with reference to GST, and asking the scenes to be lifted off the film is a direct threat to freedom of speech."<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2017 |title=Gautami talks about Mersal |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gautami-talks-about-mersal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123024954/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/gautami-talks-about-mersal.html |archive-date=23 January 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2017 |title='Mersal' certified fairly, says Gautami Tadimalla |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/mersal-certified-fairly-says-gautami-tadimalla/articleshow/61178732.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153621/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/mersal-certified-fairly-says-gautami-tadimalla/articleshow/61178732.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to Smriti Irani, the Information and Broadcasting minister, seeking action against H. Raja for watching the pirated version of the film online.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mersol Row: SIFCC writes to PM, Smriti Irani; seek action against Raja |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersol-row-sifcc-writes-to-pm-smriti-irani-seek-action-against-raja/articleshow/61198441.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720082740/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mersol-row-sifcc-writes-to-pm-smriti-irani-seek-action-against-raja/articleshow/61198441.cms |archive-date=20 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=No Cuts To Telugu Version Of 'Mersal': Censor Board Chief Prasoon Joshi |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-cuts-to-telugu-version-of-mersal-censor-board-chief-prasoon-joshi-1768033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153616/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-cuts-to-telugu-version-of-mersal-censor-board-chief-prasoon-joshi-1768033 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> In a positive note, ''Mersal'' emerged as the most tweeted hashtag of 2017 in the entertainment section, according to a survey report by Twitter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2017 |title=Mersal, Baahubali Most Talked About Subjects on Twitter in 2017 |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/mersal-baahubali-most-talked-subjects-hashtags-on-twitter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153617/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/mersal-baahubali-most-talked-subjects-hashtags-on-twitter |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |title=South films and stars rule Twitter in 2017 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/south-films-and-stars-rule-twitter-in-2017/articleshow/62240892.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712172139/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/south-films-and-stars-rule-twitter-in-2017/articleshow/62240892.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|id=6485666}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|mersal}} * {{Mojo title|mersal}}
{{Atlee (director)}}
Category:2017 Indian films Category:2017 Tamil-language films Category:2010s vigilante films Category:2017 action thriller films Category:2017 films Category:2017 masala films Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police Category:Films about body swapping Category:Films about corruption in India Category:Films about magic (illusion) Category:Films about surgeons Category:Films about twin brothers Category:Films directed by Atlee (director) Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman Category:Films set in 1970 Category:Films set in Chennai Category:Films set in hospitals Category:Films set in Madurai Category:Films set in Paris Category:Films set in Punjab, India Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh Category:Films shot in Chennai Category:Films shot in North Macedonia Category:Films shot in Paris Category:Films shot in Poland Category:Films shot in Rajasthan Category:Indian action thriller films Category:Indian films about revenge Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films Category:Indian pregnancy films Category:Indian vigilante films Category:Medical-themed films Category:Twins in Indian films Category:Tamil-language Indian films