Vallavan
Vallavan (English: Expert) (spelt Valaavaan onscreen) is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language romance film written and directed by Silambarasan, starring himself as the titular character along with Nayanthara, Reema Sen and Sandhya whilst Santhanam, Premji, and Sathyan play supporting roles. The dialogues are written by Balakumaran. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film was later dubbed into Telugu and released as Vallabha. The film was commercially successful.[1]
| Vallavan | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Silambarasan |
| Produced by | P. L. Thenappan |
| Written by | Silambarasan Balakumaran (dialogues) |
| Starring | Silambarasan Nayanthara Reema Sen Sandhya Santhanam Premji Sathyan |
| Music by | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| Cinematography | Priyan S.Murthy |
| Edited by | Anthony |
Production company | Sri Raj Lakshmi Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 185 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Vallavan (Silambarasan) is a happy-go-lucky college student who is friends with Bala (Santhanam), Subbu (Sathyan), and Suchitra (Sandhya). While they are at temple, Vallavan sees Swapna (Nayanthara) and immediately falls in love with her. Vallavan encounters Swapna again in college and she is revealed to be a teacher who is three years elder than him. He decides to woo her by turning into Pallan, an ugly duckling with buck teeth and thick glasses. Pallan makes Swapna fall in love with him for his heart. When Swapna comes to know that Pallan is younger than her (from one of Vallavan's rivals in the college) and also a student, she dumps him and decides to marry another man. Meanwhile, a sequence of events take place, much to the chagrin of Vallavan, who is highly insulted by them. As Vallavan walks in the streets wondering how things got so messy, he recalls his school life.
When he was in higher secondary school, Vallavan met the hysteric Geetha (Reema Sen), who ensures that Vallavan is mad about her. Learning of her true nature, he ends things with her. She is not ready to let him go so easily and he teaches her a lesson.
Geetha returns for payback and tells Vallavan that she is the reason for the current mess in his life. In an effort to win his love, Vallavan once again as Pallan, goes to convince Swapna, and tells her that even though he is younger than her, his love for her is true and that age does not matter. Swapna realizes her mistake and they reconcile, infuriating Geetha. In a climax displaying her disorder, she kidnaps Suchitra, and Vallavan arrives and frees her. The film fast-forwards to three years later. Geetha is released from a mental asylum. The moment she steps out, she exhibits her fiery psychotic expression, showing that she never actually recovered. Vallavan is waiting for her, and they communicate telepathetically, with Vallavan saying that she cannot hurt him.
Cast
- Silambarasan as Valluvan (Vallavan) / Pallan, a happy-go-lucky college student
- Nayanthara as Swapna, Vallavan's love interest
- Reema Sen as Geetha, Vallavan's ex-girlfriend
- Sandhya as Suchitra, Vallavan's friend
- Santhanam as Bala, Vallavan's friend
- Sathyan as Subbu, Vallavan's friend
- Premji as Swapna's friend
- S. V. Shekhar as Bala's father
- Janaki Sabesh as Bala's mother
- Shankar
- Karthik Sabesh
- Raandilya
- Balakumaran as Psychiatrist (cameo appearance)
- T. Rajendar as dancer in song "Ammadi Aathadi" (special appearance)
- Kanal Kannan (cameo appearance)
- Mahat Raghavendra as Vallavan's friend (uncredited role)
Soundtrack
| Vallavan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 1 June 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 - 2006 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 41:45 22:40 (2nd release) | |||
| Label | Ayngaran Music An Ak Audio Hit Music | |||
| Producer | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |||
| Yuvan Shankar Raja chronology | ||||
| ||||
The music was scored by noted musician and Silambarasan's friend, Yuvan Shankar Raja, coming together again after churning out the successful album of Manmadhan (2004). The soundtrack was released on 1 June 2006 and features 9 tracks, including 7 songs and two Instrumental pieces. As it was the case in Manmadhan, a second Soundtrack was released afterwards with bit songs that feature in the film but not on the first soundtrack along with pieces from the film score. The lyrics were penned by Vaali, Thamarai, film director Perarasu and Silambarasan himself. Karunakaran wrote the lyrics of the bit song "Kadhal Vandhale", released in the second edition.
Yuvan Shankar Raja won accolades for his soundtrack, whereas especially the songs "Loosu Penne" and "Yammaadi Aathaadi" were huge hits, topping the charts for the following weeks, with the latter even becoming the anthem of the season.[2][3] His film score, too, was lauded, called as the film's highlight and "backbone of the film", while he himself was hailed as the film's "real hero".[4]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | Lyricist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Vallava Ennai" | Sunidhi Chauhan | 6:29 | Thamarai | |
| 2 | "Hooray Hooray Hip" | Sunitha Sarathy, Nakul, Ranjith & Karthik | 5:44 | 'Kavignar' Vaali | |
| 3 | "Kadhal Vanthirichu" | Silambarasan & Premji Amaren | 4:25 | Vaali | Remixed from the film Kalyana Raman, composed by Ilaiyaraaja |
| 4 | "Loosu Penne" | Silambarasan & Blaaze | 6:52 | Silambarasan | |
| 5 | "Yammaadi Aathaadi" | T. Rajendar, Suchitra, Silambarasan & Malathy Lakshman | 5:30 | Perarasu | |
| 6 | "Podu Attam Podu" | Vijay Yesudas | 5:38 | Vaali | |
| 7 | "He Knows What To Do (Vallavan Theme)" | Tanvi Shah (Humming) | 2:00 | - | |
| 8 | "Success of Love" | Instrumental | 1:05 | - | |
| 9 | "Loosu Penne (Club Mix)" | Silambarasan & Premji Amaren | 4:02 | Silambarasan |
All music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Yammaadi Aathaadi (2nd Version)" | Vijaya T. Rajendar, Silambarasan, Suchitra & Mahathi | 5:24 |
| 11. | "Hip Hip Hurrey (2nd Version)" | Sunitha Sarathy, Nakul, Ranjith & Karthik | 5:38 |
| 12. | "Theme Music (1)" | Instrumental | 1:38 |
| 13. | "Theme Music (2)" | Instrumental | 0:47 |
| 14. | "Loose Penne (Music)" | Instrumental | 0:50 |
| 15. | "Kadhal Vandhale" (Lyrics written by Karunakaran) | Yuvan Shankar Raja | 2:26 |
| 16. | "Folk Bit" | Instrumental | 0:35 |
| 17. | "Victory of Love" | Silambarasan | 0:56 |
| 18. | "Valla Valla Vallavan" | Blaaze | 1:10 |
| 19. | "Kadhal Vandhale (Music)" | Instrumental | 1:31 |
| 20. | "Ilamai Idho + Pothuvaga (Remix)" | Silambarasan | 1:45 |
| Total length: | 22:40 | ||
Telugu tracklist
| Title | Singer(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| "Aha Kanne Chilaka" | Raghu Kunche | |
| "Ammadi Alladhi" | Jassi Gilt, Suchitra, Malathi Sharma | |
| "Loosa Ammayi" | Silambarasan | |
| "Pora Rechchi Pora | Tippu | |
| "Vallabha Naa Vallabha" | Tanvi Shah | |
| "Hip Hip Hooray" | Karthik, Sunitha Sarathy |
Release
Critical reception
Vallavan received mixed to positive reviews from critics at the time of release. Critics praised the performance of the actors, particularly the chemistry between the lead actors Silambarasan and Nayanthara while Reemma Sen's portrayal as a psychopathic woman garnered critical acclaim. The Hindu wrote: "Vallavan's basic sketch is simpler than Manmadhan, though the maker has lent it his trademark frills".[5] Sify gave 2.5/5 stars to Vallavan and said: "If you are looking for some wholesome entertainment, then Vallavan is worth your time and money".[6] Behindwoods.com commented: "On a positive note, the glamorous quotient of two heroines along with music and the youth element can play to Vallavan’s advantage".[7] Oneindia wrote: "Yuvan's music and Santhanam's comedy provide the much-needed relief as the film's dark and tension filled screenplay roils throughout with murky games of passion and revenge."[8]
Box office
Vallavan was hit at the box office. The film also featured, prior to release, in "most awaited" lists from entertainment sites. The film got a grand release during Diwali 2006 along with other films like Ajith's Varalaru, Jiiva's E, Arya's Vattaram and Sarath Kumar's Thalaimagan. Due to the pre-release hype it created, Vallavan received a grand opening.
Controversies
While filming for Vallavan, Nayantara was romantically linked with the film's director and co-actor Silambarasan. She initially denied the reports. In November 2006, however, she confirmed that she and Silambarasan had broken up, going on to add that she would not work with him again. However, they later went on to appear in Idhu Namma Aalu (2016).[9] During the making, actress Reema Sen threatened legal action against Silambarasan after he made changes to the scope of her role in the film.[10] She later stated she regretted her claim and was proud to have won critical acclaim for the character.[11]
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf8Bhb1gexE
- "'Vallavan' beats 'Vettayadu' in Tamil audio race". indiainfo.com. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- "Vallavan has more reason to rock". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- "Vallavan — Forbidden love". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- Friday Review Chennai / Film Review : Age does matter - Vallavan. The Hindu (3 November 2006).
- Movie Review : Vallavan. Sify.com.
- Vallavan Review: A long way to go for director Simbu. Behindwoods.com.
- Vallavan Review - Oneindia Entertainment. Entertainment.oneindia.in (8 November 2006).
- http://www.sify.com/movies/pandiraj-ropes-in-nayanthara-for-str-project-news-tamil-nltoaVdjjihsi.html
- http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/may-06-04/25-05-06-simbu.html
- http://www.indiaglitz.com/reema-regrets-attack-on-simbu-tamil-news-27265.html