Bheemaa

For the Mahabharata character, see Bhima.
Bheemaa

Theatrical poster
Directed by N. Linguswamy
Produced by A. M. Rathnam
Written by S. Ramakrishnan
N. Linguswamy
Starring Vikram
Trisha Krishnan
Prakash Raj
Raghuvaran
Ashish Vidyarthi
Music by Harris Jayaraj
Cinematography R. D. Rajasekhar
Edited by Anthony Gonsalvez
Distributed by Sri Surya Movies
Release dates
  • 14 January 2008 (2008-01-14)
Running time
 167 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
Budget ₹157 million

Bheemaa is a 2008 Indian Tamil action film, written and directed by N. Linguswamy. It stars Vikram, Trisha Krishnan, Prakash Raj and Raghuvaran. The film score was by composer Harris Jayaraj, shot by cinematographer R. D. Rajasekhar, and edited by Anthony. The film was released on 14 January 2008, after two years of production delays, to mixed reviews. The release coincides with the Thai Pongal harvest festival in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[1] Later it was dubbed in Hindi as Vachanbadh

Plot

The story follows a tug of war between two underworld gangs trying to outsmart each other. Chinna’s (Prakash Raj) gang, the smaller of the two, struggles to overtake Periyavar’s (Raghuvaran) gang until a man named Sekar (Vikram) gives Chinna’s gang new life. Sekar is a man of steel, physically and mentally, who had idolised Chinna in his childhood; he is similar to the character Bhima from the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. Sekar challenges Periyavar’s group and puts Chinna on top.

The gangs are then targeted by the new police commissioner (Ashish Vidyarthi). Sekar later leaves the fight to settle down with his girlfriend Shalini (Trisha Krishnan). Though Chinna wants Sekar to lead his own life, his gang members want him back. In the film's climax, one of Chinna's gang members kills Shalini, thinking that she is the distraction. Sekar retaliates by killing Chinna thinking that Chinna was behind the attack on Shalini. However, Chinna was trying to save Sekhar, who is then killed by police.

Cast

Production

Development

After Vikram had created an identity for himself by portraying performance oriented offbeat roles, he began alternating between commercial cinema and arthouse films. After playing heavy roles in Arul and Anniyan, Vikram wanted to make a light hearted comedy film. Upon seeing the Malayalam film Thommanum Makkalum starring Mammootty, Vikram approached the director of the film Shafi and expressed interest in remaking it in Tamil.[2] The film was titled Majaa and the film shooting began. During the production of Majaa, Vikram met with actor Dileep who was then working on his film Chanthupottu. Chanthupottu had Dileep playing an effeminate character. When it was released, it was commercially successful and brought critical acclaim for Dileep's portrayal.

Vikram, who saw the movie, was impressed and wanted to remake it in Tamil. Vikram approached producer Mohan Natarajan to buy the remake rights of the film. The remake was tentatively titled Bheemaa. When his film Majaa hit the screens, it had only average success, and Vikram was skeptical about remaking Chanthupottu.[3] The film was first postponed but later shelved.[4][5] The producer of the film, A. M. Rathnam, approached director Lingusamy to come up with a new script.[3]

After Ji, Lingusamy announced his next project, Bheemaa, in 2005.[6] Vikram trained his body for three months with the help of former Mr. Tamil Nadu bodybuilding champion Rajendran for the part of Sekar so that he would look more like the physically strong character of Bheemaa.[7][8] Vikram stated that he approached the film like an actor even though the film's script was written "for a star"[9] and furthermore he said that it is one of the most powerful roles.[10]

Casting

Katrina Kaif,[11] Deepika Padukone[12] and Simran[13] were considered to play heroine but replaced by Trisha.[14] There were rumours that Mammootty would act in the film but reports proved untrue.[15] Nana Patekar was replaced by Prakashraj to play villain.[16] Raghuvaran was selected to play an important role.[17] Sherin was selected to perform item number.[18]

Filming

A song was shot with 3000 junior artistes flown in from Mumbai.[19] The duet song was shot at Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal.[20] The scenes were shot in Rameshwaram and Tuticorin. A song sequence with Vikram and Trisha was picturised for the last few days on a huge ship located in mid sea.[21] A song was shot in Australia.[22] Re-recording was completed in 30 days and the song "Oru Mugamo" was shot with 30 scenes.[23]

Since the film was in production for such a long time, Vikram had no releases in 2006 and 2007. The filming was finally completed in 2007.

Controversy

Vijaykanth has lodged a formal complaint at the Producers’ Council and the Nadigar Sangam against producer A.M. Rathnam for settlement of dues amounting to Rs.8.5 million. According to Vijayakanth’s sources, the producer had promised the actor to pay the amount after the release of the movie Dharmapuri in which he had acted. However, the producer moved on to his next project, Bheemaa, starring Vikram, without keeping his promise. Perturbed by this, the actor has sought action against the producer and has requested Rama Narayanan, president of the Producers’ Council, to intervene and stop the release of Bheemaa until his dues are settled.[24]

A petition was filed by a travels company alleging that Sri Surya Movies, who had produced Bheemaa, had card dues for air tickets bought from them to go abroad and shoot Bheemaa. Hence, the petitioners sought a stay on the movie's release. When the petition came up for hearing at the Madras High Court on Friday, the judges declined to grant the stay and they rather insisted the production house to pay dues from their property security amount.[25]

Soundtrack

Bheemaa
Soundtrack album to Bheemaa by Harris Jayaraj
Released 19 January 2008
Genre Film soundtrack
Language Tamil
Label Five Star Audio
Producer Harris Jayaraj
Harris Jayaraj chronology
Munna
(2007)		 Bheemaa
(2008)		 Sathyam
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Behindwoods*[26]
Rediff*[27]

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Harris Jayaraj. The lyrics are penned by Na. Muthukumar, Pa.Vijay, Thamarai and Yugabharathi. it was well received by the audience. Bheemaa is the only film Harris scored for Linguswamy. The soundtrack received tremendous response, both critically and commercially. Behindwoods rated the soundtrack 4 out of 5 and mentioned, "Overall the music is good and Harris has once again proved his mettle with six numbers which are sure to be lapped up by all the music lovers in the coming months. "

Tamil Tracklist
No. TitleLyricsSinger(s) Length
1. "Ragasiya Kanavugal"  YugabharathiHariharan, Madhushree 06:05
2. "Mudhal Mazhai"  Na. MuthukumarHariharan, Mahathi, R. Prasanna 05:48
3. "Rangu Rangamma"  Pa. VijayVijay Yesudas, Kailash Kher, Swarnalatha 06:11
4. "Siru Paaravaiyaale"  ThamaraiKarthik, Harini 05:01
5. "Oru Mugamo"  Pa. VijayKrish, Naresh Iyer 05:19
6. "Enadhuyire"  YugabharathiNikhil Mathew, Chinmayi, Sadhana Sargam, Sowmya Raoh 04:45
Telugu Tracklist
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Rahasyapu Kalale"  Hariharan, Madhushree 06:05
2. "Paruvapu Vaana"  Hariharan, Mahathi, R. Prasanna 05:48
3. "Rangu Rangamma"  Vijay Yesudas, Kailash Kher, Swarnalatha 06:11
4. "Kanu Choopula"  Karthik, Harini 05:01
5. "Oka Mukhamu"  Krish, Naresh Iyer 05:19
6. "O Manasa"  Nikhil Mathew, Chinmayi, Sadhana Sargam, Sowmya Raoh 04:45

Release

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Kalaignar. The film was given an "A" certificate by the Indian Censor Board. After three years of production, Bheemaa was finally released on 14 January 2008, on the eve of Pongal,[28] alongside other releases like Pazhani, Kaalai, Vaazhthugal, Pidichirukku and Pirivom Santhippom.

Reception

Critical response

Nowrunning wrote: "Bheema is a mix of action, romance, thrill and sentiment, but fails to impress. The shoddy screenplay and jerky narration are more to blame than the lack of ingenuity on the part of the director, Bheema is a one-man show of Vikram".[29] Sify wrote: "The film lacks a solid story with no twists, and instead it tests the patience of the viewers as it turns out to be a mix of fight followed by a song, and again breaking out into another well choreographed action scene that dissolves into yet another song in Switzerland and followed by more stunt scenes".[30] Behindwoods wrote: "For pure lovers of action, Bheema might just be the Pongal movie they are looking for, but those expecting an action movie with a strong story will be disappointed".[31] Rediff wrote: "A M Rathnam's flashy Tamil venture, produced with state-of-the-art techniques and freeze frames that promise to dazzle you. That promise, at least, they manage to deliver".[32]

Box office

[33][34] The film debuted in the number one position at the Chennai box office and grossed ₹5.8 million in the first four days of release,[35] eventually grossing ₹30 million there.[36] In the overseas market, the film grossed $637,779 in United Kingdom and Malaysia.[37][38] The film was considered an average grosser overall.[39]

References

  1. ↑ "300 prints for 'Bheema'". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008. External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ↑ "Vikram grabs 'Thommanum Makkalum'!". Sify.com. 18 April 2005.
  3. 1 2 "Vikram in Dilemma". 8 October 2005.
  4. ↑ "Vikram postpones Chanthupottu". BizHat.com.
  5. ↑ "The Vikram Thread". www.bollywhat-forum.com.
  6. ↑ "Tamil movies : Lingusamy will direct Vikram in Bheema". Behindwoods. 24 October 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Vikram trimming his body
  8. ↑ "Muscle man Vikram - Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 17 February 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  9. ↑ Kamath, Sudhish (7 September 2007). "Vikram versus Kenny". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  10. ↑ "Tamil movies : Vikram: "Bheema, one of the most powerful roles"". Behindwoods. 4 January 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  11. ↑ "Vikram to team up with Katrina Kaif for Bheema". Behindwoods. 25 November 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bheema — A new contender for Trisha!!". Behindwoods. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Vikram plays a tough cop in Bheema". Behindwoods. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2006.
  14. ↑ "Trisha confirms her cast in Bheema". Behindwoods. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Bheema — Harris and Mamooty to come in". Behindwoods. 1 February 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Tamil movies : Bheema: Prakashraj to replace Nana?". Behindwoods. 3 June 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "Raghuvaran in Bheema!!". Behindwoods. 24 July 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  18. ↑ "Sherin Bheema". Behindwoods. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "Bheema song: 3000 dancers and the Vikram party". Behindwoods. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  20. ↑ "Tamil movies bheema vikram tuticorn madurai thirumalai nayakkar mahal". Behindwoods. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Bheema - Shooting at mid sea". IndiaGlitz. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  22. ↑ "Vikram, Trisha to fly to Australia". IndiaGlitz. 3 March 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  23. ↑ "Bheemaa: A special treat". IndiaGlitz. 25 December 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  24. ↑ "VIJAYAKANTH BHEEMA Kollywood Ameer Sivakumar Vijayakanth Nadigar Sangam A M Rathnam Dharmapuri Vikram Rama Narayanan". Behindwoods. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  25. ↑ "'Bheemaa' gets a reprieve". IndiaGlitz. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Vaaranam Aayiram MUSIC REVIEW - Behindwoods.com". Behindwoods.com. 2007-12-05. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  27. ↑ "Music review: Vaaranam Aayiram". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  28. ↑ "'Bheemaa' confirmed for Pongal". IndiaGlitz. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  29. ↑ http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/3025/tamil/bheema/1471/review.htm
  30. ↑ http://www.sify.com/movies/bheema-review-tamil-14589515.html
  31. ↑ http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-1/bheema-review.html
  32. ↑ http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/15ssbheema.htm
  33. ↑ http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/35879.html
  34. ↑
  35. ↑ Bheema - A pongal bonanza
  36. ↑ Bheema - Chennai Box office collections
  37. ↑ Bheema - UK Box office collections
  38. ↑ Bheema - Malaysia Box office collections
  39. ↑ South Indian Flops of the year- MSN

External links

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