Vasool Raja MBBS

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox film | image = Vasool Raja MBBS Poster.jpg | caption = Poster | director = [[Saran (director)|Saran]] | screenplay = [[Crazy Mohan]] (dialogues) | based_on = {{based on|''[[Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.]]''|[[Rajkumar Hirani]]}} | story = | starring = [[Kamal Haasan]]<br />[[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]]<br />[[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]]<br />[[Prakash Raj]] | cinematography = [[A. Venkatesh (cinematographer)|A. Venkatesh]] | editing = [[Suresh Urs]] | music = [[Bharadwaj (composer)|Bharadwaj]] | studio = [[Gemini Film Circuit]] | distributor = [[Raaj Kamal Films International]] | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2004|8|14}} | runtime = 148 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}

'''''Vasool Raja MBBS''''' ({{translation|Collection King MBBS}}) is a 2004 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[comedy drama]] film directed by [[Saran (director)|Saran]]. It is a remake of the 2003 [[Hindi]] film ''[[Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.]]''. The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] in the title role, while [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]], [[Prakash Raj]], [[Nagesh]], [[Rohini Hattangadi]], [[Jayasurya]], [[Malavika (actress)|Malavika]], [[Crazy Mohan]], [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi Bhaskaran]] and [[Karunas]] play supporting roles. It revolves around a gangster enrolling in a medical college and defying its norms, while the dean seeks to remove him. The film was released on 14 August 2004 and became a success.

== Plot == {{long plot|date=August 2022}}  Rajaraman, nicknamed "Vasool Raja," is a local don in [[Chennai]] who makes a living by extorting money from people with the help of his right-hand man, Vatti. Given that his father, Sriman Venkataraman, had wished for him to be a doctor, he creates the faux Venkataraman Charitable Hospital, and pretends to live in accordance with this wish.

One year later, Raja's plan goes awry when Venkataraman meets an old acquaintance, Dr. Vishwanathan. The two men decide to get Raja married to Vishwanathan's daughter, Dr. Janaki, aka "Paapu." At this point, the truth about Raja is revealed. Vishwanathan insults Raja's parents and ridicules them for being ignorant of Raja's real life. Venkataraman and Kasturi, who are both aghast and heartbroken, disown Raja and leave for their village. Raja decides that the only way to redeem himself and gain revenge for the humiliation suffered by his father is to become a real doctor. He goes to a medical college to obtain an [[Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery#India|MBBS]] degree.

With the help of Vatti and others, Raja gains admission to the SLR Institute of Medical Sciences. Upon admission, he again encounters Vishwanathan, who is the college dean. His success there becomes dependent upon the coerced help of Margabandhu, a faculty member of the college. While Raja's skills as a medical doctor are minimal, he transforms those around him with the "Kattipudi Vaithiyam" ("hugging therapy"), a method of comfort taught to Raja by his mother. Despite the school's emphasis on mechanical, impersonal, and often bureaucratic relationships between doctors and patients, Raja constantly seeks to impose a more empathetic regimen. To this end, he defies all convention by treating a brain-dead man Anand as if the man were able to perceive and understand normally.

Vishwanathan, who perceives all this as symptoms of [[Chaos (cosmogony)|chaos]], is unable to prevent it from expanding and gaining ground at his college. He becomes increasingly irritable, almost to the point of insanity. Meanwhile, Janaki becomes increasingly fond of Raja, who, in his turn, becomes unreservedly infatuated with her. Vishwanathan tries several times to expel Raja, but is often outsmarted by him.

Margabandhu's senile father is admitted to the hospital, and all hope seems lost for him. Having threatened Margabandhu before, Raja's gang knows that he is a passionate board game player, and Raja orders a [[carrom]] board to come to the hospital. Raja and his gang play carrom, and Margabandhu's father miraculously wakes up and walks to the board. Raja and Margabandhu's father play against each other, and Margabandhu's father wins the match and celebrates.

Upon recovery, Vishwanathan orders Raja to leave and brings police to throw him out, but everyone in the college protests and blocks the way. Vishwanathan tells the students the truth about Raja, but no one believes him. Vishwanathan promises to retain Raja if he answers all questions asked by the doctors in front of the entire university, a challenge Raja accepts. Despite preparing well, he is unable to focus as patient Zakir's condition becomes worse and he dies in Raja's hands.

The next morning, Raja starts answering the questions well, but Vishwanathan stops the staff and says he will ask all the forthcoming questions. Raja is unable to answer and is shamed into leaving the college. He confesses the truth to everyone. Everyone except Vishwanathan is moved to tears by his speech. Immediately following Raja's departure, Anand miraculously awakens from his [[vegetative state]]; Janaki criticises her father for having banished Raja. Vishwanathan eventually realises his folly.

Raja later marries Janaki while also reconciling with his parents.

== Cast == {{cast listing| *[[Kamal Haasan]] as Rajaraman Venkatraman / Vasool Raja *[[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] as Vatti *[[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]] as Janaki Vishwanathan alias "Paapu" *[[Prakash Raj]] as Dr. Vishwanathan *[[Nagesh]] as Venkatraman *[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] as Janaki's mother *[[Rohini Hattangadi]] as Kasturi Venkatraman *[[Crazy Mohan]] as Professor Margabandhu *[[Jayasurya]] as Zakir *[[Malavika (actress)|Malavika]] as Priya *[[Karunas]] as Kalaialangaram *Arun as the dejected lover<ref name="co">{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=23 August 2004 |title=Vasoolraja M. B. B. S. |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/moviereviews/tammov362.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016075324/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/moviereviews/tammov362.asp |archive-date=16 October 2006 |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> *[[Ajay Rathnam]] as Medicine Professor *[[Kavithalayaa Krishnan]] as Surgery Professor *[[Nithin Sathya]] as Neelakandan *[[Chitra Lakshmanan]] as Dr. Kalidas *[[Thalaivasal Vijay]] as Doctor *[[Santhana Bharathi]] as Gangadharan *[[Kaka Radhakrishnan]] as Margabandhu's father *[[Madhan Bob]] as Mani Raja, Raja's client *[[Vaiyapuri]] as Piles Patient *[[E. Ramdoss]] as Ward Boy *[[Karate Raja]] as Raja's sidekick *[[Kadhal Sukumar|Sukumar]] as Raja's sidekick *[[Sampath Ram]] as Raja's sidekick *[[Meera Krishnan]] as Mani Raja's wife *[[A. K. Veerasamy]] as Hospital Cleaner *[[Kaajal Pasupathi]] as Nurse *Boys Rajan as Professor *Mythili as Nurse *[[Yatin Karyekar]] as Anand, the Coma Patient *[[Benjamin (actor)|Benjamin]] as Pickpocket *[[Scissor Manohar]] as Coconut water seller *Rathina Sabapathy as Swaminathan, Raja's classmate *Raviraj as Doctor *[[Ragasya]] as dancer in song "Cheena Thaana" }}

== Production == === Development === Manohar Prasad of Gemini Film Circuit bought the remake rights of ''Munna Bhai MBBS'' to make it in Tamil and assigned [[Saran (director)|Saran]] as director with [[Kamal Haasan]] in lead. Saran who was making ''[[Attahasam]]'' at that time was assigned to commence the film within 15 days and to complete and release the film within three months after consulting [[Ajith Kumar]] who gave permission to do this film.<ref name="casting" /> To commence the film within 15 days, Saran assigned his usual crew consisting of music composer [[Bharadwaj (composer)|Bharadwaj]] and cinematographer A. Venkatesh.<ref name="casting" /> Suresh Urs worked as editor while Mohana Mahendra was chosen to handle art.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=10 June 2004 |title=Vasoolraja MBBS |url=http://chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/vasoolrajambbs.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204181142/http://chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/vasoolrajambbs.asp |archive-date=4 December 2004 |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> The film was initially titled ''Market Raja MBBS'' which Saran later used as the title for his [[Market Raja MBBS|2019 film]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suganth |first=M |date=4 January 2019 |title=Saran gets Arav and keeps his title 'Market Raja MBBS' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/saran-gets-arav-and-keeps-his-title-market-raja-mbbs/articleshow/67365262.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111134733/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/saran-gets-arav-and-keeps-his-title-market-raja-mbbs/articleshow/67365262.cms |archive-date=11 January 2021 |access-date=20 October 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |date=27 April 2004 |title=Munnabhai in Tamil |url=http://web.mid-day.com/entertainment/movies/2004/april/82036.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228123806/http://web.mid-day.com/entertainment/movies/2004/april/82036.htm |archive-date=28 February 2005 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref> It was dialogue writer [[Crazy Mohan]] who suggested the title ''Vasool Raja MBBS''.<ref name="casting" /> The project began as a bilingual venture in Tamil and Telugu, though later the Telugu version was made separately with a different cast as ''[[Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web |last=RR |date=29 May 2004 |title=Bharadwaj's first for Kamal |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Newlaunches/05vasool.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015213435/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Newlaunches/05vasool.asp |archive-date=15 October 2006 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>

=== Casting === [[Jyothika]] was initially approached to be the lead actress but her other commitments meant that the team sought and consequently signed on [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]]. [[Prakash Raj]] asked Saran if he could play the college dean, and was immediately cast.<ref name="casting">{{Cite web |last=காந்தி |first=உ. சுதர்சன் |date=18 August 2020 |title="அஜித் ஓகே சொல்லலைனா 'வசூல் ராஜா' படமே எடுத்திருக்க முடியாது!"- இயக்குநர் சரண் #16YearsofVasoolRaja |trans-title="If Ajith hadn't said okay, ''Vasool Raja'' wouldn't have been made!" - Director Saran |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/director-saran-shares-his-experience-about-vasool-raja-mbbs-movie |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930184151/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/director-saran-shares-his-experience-about-vasool-raja-mbbs-movie |archive-date=30 September 2020 |access-date=19 August 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> Saran initially thought of casting [[Karunas]] in the role of Vatti, later played by [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], but later created a new character for Karunas.<ref name="casting" /> Saran had hoped to sign on director [[K. Balachander]] to play Haasan's father, with the veteran director being both Haasan's and Saran's film industry mentor. However Balachandar was reluctant to act, and the team then considered [[K. Viswanath]] and [[Girish Karnad]] for the role, before signing [[Nagesh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasika |date=11 June 2004 |title=In search of a father |url=http://chennaionline.com/reeltalk/06reeltalk11th.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040620175106/http://chennaionline.com/reeltalk/06reeltalk11th.asp |archive-date=20 June 2004 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref><ref name="ie">{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=12 September 2018 |title=Vasool Raja MBBS: A fine balance |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/sep/12/vasool-raja-mbbs-a-fine-balance-1871209.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117162719/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/sep/12/vasool-raja-mbbs-a-fine-balance-1871209.html |archive-date=17 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> [[Yatin Karyekar]] and [[Rohini Hattangadi]], who were part of the Hindi original, reprised their roles.<ref name="casting" /> [[Dhanush]] initially agreed to play the cancer patient but opted out citing a busy schedule,<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2024 |title=வசூல் ராஜா MBBS படத்தில் தனுஷ் இப்படி ஒரு கதாபாத்திரத்தில் நடிக்க இருந்தாரா? |trans-title=Was Dhanush supposed to play a role like this in the film ''Vasool Raja MBBS''? |url=https://cineulagam.com/article/dhanush-missed-vasool-raja-mbbs-film-1623495448 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241017151028/https://cineulagam.com/article/dhanush-missed-vasool-raja-mbbs-film-1623495448 |archive-date=17 October 2024 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Cineulagam |language=ta}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Jayasurya]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasika |date=14 July 2004 |title=Jaisurya in Vasool Raja |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/07reel15.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040716025926/http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/07reel15.asp |archive-date=16 July 2004 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> Crazy Mohan, besides writing the dialogues, also played a college professor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=10 June 2020 |title=Crazy Mohan could laugh, and make us laugh: Prakash Raj on the first death anniversary of the iconic comedian |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/crazy-mohan-could-laugh-and-make-us-laugh-prakash-raj-on-the-first-death-anniversary-of-the-iconic-comedian/article31793494.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703091359/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/crazy-mohan-could-laugh-and-make-us-laugh-prakash-raj-on-the-first-death-anniversary-of-the-iconic-comedian/article31793494.ece |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=19 August 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Filming === Filming began in mid-May 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=S.R. Ashok |date=12 June 2004 |title=Right prescription for success |url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/06/12/stories/2004061211210200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040801022221/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/06/12/stories/2004061211210200.htm |archive-date=1 August 2004 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Saran observed Prakash Raj using hand gestures a lot while emoting so to capitalise on that, he created a "back and forth scene" focusing on his and Haasan's actions and was shot using close-up lenses.<ref name="ie" /> The song "Kalakkapovathu Yaaru" was shot on a set at Kushaldas Gardens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2004 |title=Vasool Raja Shooting creates an atmosphere of fun fair |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/01072004-6.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207205610/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/01072004-6.shtml |archive-date=7 February 2005 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref> Two songs were shot in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 August 2004 |title=Kamal, Sneha in Switzerland! |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13535741 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815235745/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13535741 |archive-date=15 August 2004 |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film's producers, after watching the film's final cut, were dissatisfied as they felt the director did not remain faithful to the original material but Saran convinced them this version will be responded well by audiences.<ref name="casting" />

== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by Bharadwaj who collaborated with Haasan for first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RR |date=29 May 2004 |title=Bharadwaj's first for Kamal |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/05vasool.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603135707/http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/05vasool.asp |archive-date=3 June 2004 |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> All songs were penned by [[Vairamuthu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vasool Raja Mbbs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/vasool-raja-mbbs-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1614804533 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125061524/https://music.apple.com/in/album/vasool-raja-mbbs-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1614804533 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref> The song "Alwarpettai Aandava" is set in [[Patdeep]] raga (A violin interlude of it is taken from the keerthanai "Enna Thavam Seidhanai", based on [[Kapi (raga)|Kapi]] raga).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |pages=122 |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}</ref> The audio launch was held in July 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S.R. |date=17 July 2004 |title=Successes in August |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/successes-in-august/article28670279.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606054705/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/successes-in-august/article28670279.ece |archive-date=6 June 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Mohan Thambirajah of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' rated the album 3.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Bharadwaj comes up with great compositions in this outing".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thambirajah |first=Mohan |date=19 August 2004 |title=Energetic hip-hop |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gB0uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vHsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1278%2C5284733 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103034348/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gB0uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vHsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1278,5284733 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |access-date=19 August 2020 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=27 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> {{Track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 28:62 | title1 = Kalakapovathu Yaaru | extra1 = [[Kamal Haasan]], [[Sathyan (singer)|Sathyan]], VNB | length1 = 4:37 | title2 = Pathukulle Number | extra2 = [[KK (singer)|KK]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]] | length2 = 5:19 | title3 = Alwarpetai Aandava | extra3 = Kamal Haasan, VNB | length3 = 5:13 | title4 = Sakalakala Doctor | extra4 = [[Bharadwaj (composer)|Bharadwaj]], Arjun, Donan | length4 = 4:31 | title5 = Kaddu Thirande Kidakinrathu | extra5 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Sadhana Sargam]] | length5 = 4:14 | title6 = Cheena Thana (Siruchi) | extra6 = [[Grace Karunas]] | length6 = 4:38 }}

== Reception ==

=== Critical response === [[Shobha Warrier]] of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' wrote, "''Vasool Raja'' is Kamal's show all the way. He does comedy, dances wonderfully, sings, and also does some great stunts. What more can people ask for by way of entertainment?".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=30 August 2004 |title=Vasool Raja is Kamal's show all the way |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/aug/30kamal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015192831/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/aug/30kamal.htm |archive-date=15 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Visual Dasan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote that the Kamal Haasan-Charan combo got a doctorate in laughing medicine for Tamil fans who were left irritated with [[masala film]]s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=22 August 2004 |title=வசூல் ராஜா MBBS |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-08-22/page/12/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230125055957/https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-08-22/page/12/mode/2up |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=12 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> However Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' gave a negative review, citing "Munnabhai...' was a laugh-riot, 'Vasoolraja...' hardly tickles!."<ref name="co" /> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "When a flick is remade comparisons are inevitable. And generally the original would invariably seem better. It is so with "Vasool Raja ... " too, though not entirely".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=20 August 2004 |title=Vasool Raja MBBS |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/08/20/stories/2004082001910300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114202601/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/08/20/stories/2004082001910300.htm |archive-date=14 January 2010 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

K. N. Vijiyan of ''New Straits Times'' wrote, "''Vasoolraja MBBS'' (King of Revenue) should live up to its name".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K.N. |date=23 August 2004 |title=Another comic turn by Kamalhaasan |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqc9AAAAIBAJ&sjid=t3sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4587%2C1504481 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820124519/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqc9AAAAIBAJ&sjid=t3sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4587%2C1504481 |archive-date=20 August 2024 |access-date=19 August 2020 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=27 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> ''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "Munnabhai MBBS's strongest assets were its screenplay and dialogues but here Crazy Mohan’s dialogues are not so funny. The script of Vasoolraja goes awry post interval as a layer of emotional corniness begins to set in and the two songs shot in Switzerland could have easily been done away with in this otherwise smoothly paced fun flick. The songs tuned by Bharadwaj are a major let down".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vasoolraja MBBS |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=13542941&ctid=5&cid=2429 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310075106/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=13542941&ctid=5&cid=2429 |archive-date=10 March 2005 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> G. Ulaganathan of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' wrote "While the first half is a racy entertainer, the second half drags. Songs are quite boring and music is nothing to write about".<ref>{{cite web |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=3 October 2004 |title=Vasool Raja MBBS |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct032004/mr6.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041101085937/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct032004/mr6.asp |archive-date=1 November 2004 |access-date=23 March 2025 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

=== Box office === Made on a budget of {{INR}}5.5 crore, ''Vasool Raja MBBS'' was sold for {{INR}}1 crore in Coimbatore distribution territory with 20 prints.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2004 |title='Chandramukhi' —First sale! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/chandramukhi-first-sale-news-tamil-kkfvDWiddfbsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026055051/http://www.sify.com/movies/chandramukhi-first-sale-news-tamil-kkfvDWiddfbsi.html |archive-date=26 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film was shown on about 285 screens worldwide to highly positive reception and box-office success.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gopalan |first=Krishna |date=29 July 2007 |title=The boss, no doubt |url=http://i49.tinypic.com/14mthlx.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710062648/http://i49.tinypic.com/14mthlx.jpg |archive-date=10 July 2012 |access-date=25 October 2014 |work=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]]}}</ref> Tabloid reported 10 million tickets were sold worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeshi |first=K. |date=27 September 2004 |title=No stopping him |url=http://www.thehindujobs.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/27/stories/2004092703100301.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220002728/http://www.thehindujobs.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/27/stories/2004092703100301.htm |archive-date=20 February 2012 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Controversy == The film's release faced a roadblock as a petition filed by the then Tamil Nadu Medical Council President K. R. Balasubramanian stated that the film's title ridiculed the medical profession and tarnished the image of the medical fraternity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Nadu Medical Council vs The Chairman on 6 August, 2004 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1960786/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125134740/https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1960786/ |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[Indian Kanoon]]}}</ref> The [[Madras High Court]] later cleared the film's release without the title changed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 August 2004 |title='Vasoolraja' will have 'MBBS' |url=https://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/vasoolraja-will-have-mbbs/1080/story.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125055718/https://www.nowrunning.com/news/tamil/vasoolraja-will-have-mbbs/1080/story.htm |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=Nowrunning |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref>

== Impact == In 2009, some aspiring teachers were caught cheating in examinations, which the Madras High Court judge [[K. Chandru]] felt emulated the plot of ''Vasool Raja MBBS''. Haasan refused to hold the film accountable, telling the court, "We only borrow what we see in society as we have a dearth of stories. So don't blame us".<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2009 |title=Cheating? Do not try in class |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/cheating-do-not-try-in-class/cid/573708 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250620032647/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/cheating-do-not-try-in-class/cid/573708 |archive-date=20 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

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

[[Category:2000s gangster films]] [[Category:2004 Indian films]] [[Category:2004 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:2004 comedy-drama films]] [[Category:2004 films]] [[Category:Films about medical students]] [[Category:Films directed by Saran (director)]] [[Category:Films scored by Bharadwaj (composer)]] [[Category:Films set in Chennai]] [[Category:Films set in universities and colleges]] [[Category:Films shot in Chennai]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by Crazy Mohan]] [[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian gangster films]] [[Category:Medical-themed films]] [[Category:Tamil remakes of Hindi films]] [[Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]