{{Short description|2024 Indian action drama film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Virunnu | image = Virunnu poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Kannan Thamarakkulam | producer = Gireesh Neyyar | writer = Dinesh Pallath | starring = {{plainlist| * Arjun Sarja * Nikki Galrani }} | narrator = | music = {{Ubl | '''Songs:''' | Ratheesh Vega | Saanand George Grace | '''Score:''' | Ronnie Raphael }} | cinematography = {{Ubl|Ravi Chandran|Pradeep Nair}} | editing = V. T. Sreejith | studio = Neyyar Films | distributor = | released = {{film date|2024|8|29|df=yes}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.--> | gross = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.--> }} '''''Virunnu''''' (lit. ''Feast'') is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Kannan Thamarakkulam and written by Dinesh Pallath. The film stars Arjun Sarja and Nikki Galrani in lead roles,<ref>{{cite news |title=Arjun Sarja and Nikki Galrani team up for 'Virunnu" |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/arjun-sarja-and-nikki-galrani-team-up-for-virunnu/articleshow/100840624.cms |work=The Times of India |date=8 June 2023}}</ref> with Mukesh, Sona Nair, Aju Varghese, Baiju Santhosh, Hareesh Peradi, Dharmajan Bolgatty, and Gireesh Neyyar portraying supporting roles.
The film is entirely in Malayalam, except for Arjun Sarja's portions which were shot in Tamil.<ref>{{cite news |title='Virunnu' release date: Arjun Sarja starrer to hit the big screens on THIS date|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/virunnu-release-date-arjun-sarja-starrer-to-hit-the-big-screens-on-this-date/articleshow/112360145.cms |work=The Times of India |date=8 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New poster from Arjun's Virundhu out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/Oct/19/new-poster-from-arjuns-virundhu-out-48777.html |work=Cinema Express |date=8 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arjun Sarja's Virundhu gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2024/Aug/23/arjun-sarjas-virundhu-gets-a-release-date |work=Cinema Express |date=5 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The Tamil version was released under the title ''Virundhu''.
==Plot==
The movie opens with the mysterious death of a businessman named John Kalathil. As the investigation into John's death unfolds, his wife Elizabeth also meets a tragic end in a car accident. In her final moments, Elizabeth sees Hemanth and implores him to meet a man named Balan. What follows is a mishmash of events as Hemanth embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the deaths of John and Elizabeth.
== Cast == {{Cast listing| * Arjun Sarja as Deva Narayanan * Nikki Galrani as Perly * Mukesh as John Abraham, Perly's father * Sona Nair as Elizabeth * Aju Varghese as Praveen * Baiju Santhosh as Balan Uncle * Hareesh Peradi as David Kalathil, Perly's grandfather * Dharmajan Bolgatty as Murali * Kochu Preman as Manoharan * Gireesh Neyyar as Rajan * Ajai Vasudev as Ponnan * Sudheer Sukumaran as Binto }}
== Production == In April 2021, it was reported that Arjun Sarja would play the lead role in the film.<ref>{{cite news |title=തമിഴ് സൂപ്പർ താരം അർജുൻ നായകനാകുന്ന 'വിരുന്ന്' വരുന്നു; സംവിധാനം കണ്ണൻ താമരക്കുളം |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/tamil-actor-arjun-sarjas-next-with-kannan-thamarakkulam-titled-as-virunnu/articleshow/82227477.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=24 April 2021 |language=ml}}</ref> The principal photography commenced on 3 May 2021,<ref>{{cite news |title=അർജ്ജുൻ സർജ്ജ നായകനാകുന്ന കണ്ണൻ താമരക്കുളം ചിത്രം; 'വിരുന്ന്' ടൈറ്റിൽ ലുക്ക് പോസ്റ്റർ! |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/tamil-actor-arjun-sarjas-next-with-kannan-thamarakkulam-virunnu-movie-title-poster-revealed/articleshow/85130483.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=7 August 2021 |language=ml}}</ref> but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=B |first1=Shibu |title=Film shooting in Kerala restarts Tuesday, movies that need wider canvas to wait |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/Jul/20/film-shooting-in-kerala-restarts-tuesday-movies-that-need-wider-canvas-to-wait-2332578.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=11 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Asha Sharath to play mysterious character in a family action thriller |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/asha-sharath-to-play-mysterious-character-in-a-family-action-thriller/articleshow/82701206.cms |work=The Times of India |date=17 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=മമ്മൂട്ടിക്കൊപ്പം 'സിബിഐ 5', അര്ജ്ജുനോടൊപ്പം 'വിരുന്ന്'; സന്തോഷം പങ്കിട്ട് ആശ ശരത്ത് |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/actress-asha-sharath-to-join-the-cast-of-mammootty-starrer-cbi-5-and-arjun-sarja-starrer-virunnu/articleshow/82973100.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=26 May 2021 |language=ml}}</ref> Filming resumed on 19 July 2021,<ref>{{cite news |title=Malayalam film shoots resume: Kannan Thamarakkulam's movie 'Virunnu' goes on floors in Peermedu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/malayalam-film-shoots-resume-kannan-thamarakkulams-movie-virunnu-goes-on-floors-in-peermedu/articleshow/84519381.cms |work=The Times of India |date=18 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=കണ്ണൻതാമരക്കുളത്തിന്റെ വിരുന്ന് തുടങ്ങി |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/kannan-thamarakulam-arjun-movie-virunnu-resumes-shooting-in-kerala-1.5843978 |work=Mathrubhumi |date=20 July 2021 |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007233645/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/amp/movies-music/news/kannan-thamarakulam-arjun-movie-virunnu-resumes-shooting-in-kerala-1.5843978 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=കണ്ണൻ താമരക്കുളത്തിന്റെ 'വിരുന്നി'ന്റെ ചിത്രീകരണം താത്കാലികമായി നിർത്തിവച്ചു |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/kannan-thamarakulam-movies-virunnu-arjun-sarja-started-rolling-1.5839058 |work=Mathrubhumi |date=18 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=കണ്ണൻ താമരക്കുളം 'വിരുന്ന്' പുനരാരംഭിച്ചു - Malabar News - Most Reliable & Dependable News Portal |url=https://www.malabarnews.com/kannan-thamarakkulam-resumes-virunnu/ |work=www.malabarnews.com |date=20 July 2021 |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418080136/https://www.malabarnews.com/kannan-thamarakkulam-resumes-virunnu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the second schedule began on 21 January 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arjun Sarja continues Virunnu's shooting in Thodupuzha |url=https://theprimetime.in/arjun-sarja-continues-virunnus-shooting-in-thodupuzha/amp/ |work=The PrimeTime News |date=19 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arjun Sarja starrer 'Virunnu' to resume shoot in Thodupuzha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/arjun-sarja-starrer-virunnu-to-resume-shoot-in-thodupuzha/articleshow/88994441.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive! Nikki Galrani to resume shooting for Malayalam mystery-thriller Virunnu after Pongal |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-nikki-galrani-to-resume-shooting-for-malayalam-mystery-thriller-virunnu-after-pongal/2742b2a927123 |work=www.ottplay.com |date=7 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=കേരളത്തിൽ സിനിമാ ചിത്രീകരണത്തിന് തുടക്കം; ആദ്യമായി ഷൂട്ടിംഗ് ആരംഭിച്ചത് 'വിരുന്ന്' |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/action-king-arjun-starrer-kannan-thamarakkulam-directorial-virunnu-movie-shoot-restarts/articleshow/84585853.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=20 July 2021 |language=ml |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727150027/https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/action-king-arjun-starrer-kannan-thamarakkulam-directorial-virunnu-movie-shoot-restarts/amp_articleshow/84585853.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was shot in Peermade, Thiruvananthapuram, Erattupetta and Thodupuzha.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Star Arjun Sarja Visits Kerala's Padmanabhaswamy Temple |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/south-star-arjun-sarja-visits-keralas-padmanabhaswamy-temple-4967755.html |work=News18 |date=12 April 2022 |language=en |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624055047/https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/south-star-arjun-sarja-visits-keralas-padmanabhaswamy-temple-4967755.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ചെങ്കല്ചൂള രാജാജി നഗറിലെ കുട്ടികൾ ഇനി സിനിമയിൽ, അർജുൻ സർജയോടൊപ്പം 'വിരുന്നി'ൽ! |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/chengal-choola-childrens-joins-kannan-thamarakkulam-s-new-movie-virunnu/articleshow/84918509.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=31 July 2021 |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='വിരുന്നി'ന്റെ ടൈറ്റിൽ പോസ്റ്റർ റിലീസ് ചെയ്തു |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/virunnu-movie-arjun-sarja-kannan-thamarakulam-nikki-galrani-title-launched-1.5897284 |work=Mathrubhumi |date=9 August 2021 |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007233945/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/amp/movies-music/news/virunnu-movie-arjun-sarja-kannan-thamarakulam-nikki-galrani-title-launched-1.5897284 |url-status=live }}</ref> The cinematography was by Ravi Chandran and Pradeep Nair. The editing was handled by VT Sreejith.<ref>{{cite news |title=അർജുൻ സിനിമ വിരുന്നിന്റെ ആദ്യ ഷെഡ്യൂൾ പൂർത്തിയായി |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/virunnu-arjun-sarja-kannan-thamarakkulam-1.5886344 |work=Mathrubhumi |date=5 August 2021}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack consists of the songs composed by Ratheesh Vega and Saanand George Grace,<ref>{{cite web |title=Virunnu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Songs: Virunnu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) MP3 Malayalam Songs by Ratheesh Vegha Online on Gaana.com |url=https://gaana.com/album/virunnu-original-motion-picture-soundtrack |website=Gaana |access-date=7 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Virundhu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Songs: Virundhu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) MP3 Tamil Songs by Ratheesh Vegha Online on Gaana.com |url=https://gaana.com/album/virundhu-original-motion-picture-soundtrack |website=Gaana |access-date=7 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> while the background score was by Ronnie Raphael.
{{track listing | headline = Track listing - Malayalam | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Kalyanapattu | length1 = 3:41 | lyrics1 = B. K. Harinarayanan | extra1 = Vineeth Sreenivasan | music1 = Ratheesh Vegha | title2 = Nila Nilavithal | length2 = 4:17 | lyrics2 = Rafeeq Ahamed | extra2 = Gouri Lakshmi | music2 = Ratheesh Vegha | title3 = Sakka Podu Podu | length3 = 2:30 | lyrics3 = Mohan Rajan | extra3 = Jagatheesh | music3 = Saanand George Grace | total_length = 10:28 }}
{{track listing | headline = Track listing - Tamil | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Kottu Kottu Getti Melam | length1 = 3:43 | lyrics1 = B. K. Harinarayanan | extra1 = Rahul Nambiar, Anjali Warrier | music1 = Ratheesh Vegha | title2 = Kana Kana Vizhiyoram | length2 = 4:17 | lyrics2 = Mohan Rajan | extra2 = Sharanya Srinivas | music2 = Ratheesh Vegha | title3 = Kottu Kottu Getti Melam (Male version) | length3 = 3:43 | lyrics3 = B. K. Harinarayanan | extra3 = Rahul Nambiar | music3 = Ratheesh Vegha | title4 = Sakka Podu Podu | length4 = 2:30 | lyrics4 = Mohan Rajan | extra4 = Jagatheesh | music4 = Saanand George Grace | total_length = 14:13 }}
== Release == The film was originally scheduled for release on 23 August 2024,<ref>{{cite news |title=Action King Arjun's Malayalam Film Virunnu Gets A Release Date |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/action-king-arjuns-malayalam-film-virunnu-gets-a-release-date-article-112370412/amp |work=Times Now |date=8 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Release Date Of Arjun Sarja's Malayalam Movie Virunnu Announced |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/release-date-of-arjun-sarjas-malayalam-movie-virunnu-announced-8996575.html |work=News18 |date=8 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831222819/https://www.news18.com/amp/movies/release-date-of-arjun-sarjas-malayalam-movie-virunnu-announced-8996575.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Watch: New Teaser Of Arjun Sarja Starrer Virunnu Raises The Intrigue |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/watch-new-teaser-of-arjun-sarja-starrer-virunnu-raises-the-intrigue-article-112410833/amp |work=Times Now |date=10 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> but was delayed. It subsequently released theatrically on 29 August 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Action King Arjun's Virunnu Gets A New Release Date |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/action-king-arjuns-virunnu-gets-a-new-release-date-article-112660033/amp |work=Times Now |date=20 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> It was released in OTT via Amazon Prime and Simply South (Tamil version).
== Reception == Virunnu received generally negative reviews by critics. Abishek Balaji of ''Cinema Express'' rated the film two out of five stars and wrote that "Arjun has a solid screen presence, and there are some gripping scenes. But the overdose of background music and quick cutaways gets exhausting".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Balaji |first1=Abishek |title=Virundhu Movie Review: This action flick has its moments but is hampered by chaotic treatment |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2024/Aug/31/virundhu-movie-review-this-action-flick-has-its-moments-but-is-hampered-by-chaotic-treatment |work=Cinema Express |date=31 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Harshini SV of ''The Times of India'' rated the film one-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "Unlike the usual pattern in Tamil cinema, ''Virundhu'' offers multiple twists and a cleverly designed climax, keeping you hooked throughout the second half. The actual surprises, including the story of a cult group, catch you off-guard. Their motives and routines are also interestingly captured and it’s here you get a glimpse of what the film could’ve been with a better-written screenplay".<ref>{{cite news |title=Virundhu Movie Review : Barring Arjun's Style, This Wannabe Thriller Is Messed Up |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/virundhu/movie-review/112942133.cms |work=The Times of India |date=31 August 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|tt15502790}}
Category:2024 action drama films Category:2024 Malayalam-language films Category:2024 Indian films Category:Films about murder Category:Films about post-traumatic stress disorder Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic Category:Films shot in Thiruvananthapuram Category:Indian action drama films