Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)
| Pokkiri Raja | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Vyshakh |
| Produced by | Tomichan Mulakupadam |
| Written by |
Udayakrishna Siby K. Thomas |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jassie Gift |
| Cinematography | Shaji Kumar |
| Edited by | Mahesh Narayanan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Mulakuppadam Release |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 136 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | ₹4.25 crore[1] |
| Box office | est. ₹13 crore[2] |
Pokkiri Raja (English: The Rogue King) is a 2010 Malayalam action masala film starring Mammootty in the title role along with Prithviraj and Shriya Saran in supporting roles. The film is written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by debutante Vyshakh, and the music is composed by Jassie Gift. The film marked the debut of Shriya Saran in Malayalam cinema.[3][4][5]
The film was released on 7 May 2010 in Kerala.[6] It was remade in Hindi as Boss and in Telugu as Bhai though the female lead in the latter had played opposite the main character rather than his brother. The film was dubbed in Hindi as Ek Boss The Raja.
Plot
The film revolves around Madhavan Nair (Nedumudi Venu) who unknowingly kills a teenager and his eldest son, Raja, takes the blame and is sentenced to jail for five years. After returning from jail, his father refuses to accept him still with no knowledge that his son was innocent,and so Raja moves to Madurai and there he rescues the life of the son of Maniannan(Charan Raj), the village land lord and then Raja turns his right hand and he is named as Madurai Raja. Years later, he started being known as Pokkiri Raja (Mammootty).
Meanwhile Surya (Pritviraj), the younger son of Madhavan Nair, is a young energetic and educated naughty guy who is well famous for his rowdisim in his village. He is sent to Ernakulam to his brother-in-law Sugunan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) to change his character, who is a scary cat. At Ernakulam, Surya falls in love with Aswathy (Shriya Saran) unknowing that she is the daughter of the City Police Commissioner (Siddique). Sugunan takes advantage of Surya's character and sends him in his uniform to take care of some severe police cases. Surya gets arrested for this offence. The commissioner finds that Surya is in love with his daughter and charges Surya with another drugs case and makes it a non bailable offence. Meanwhile the commissioner plans to murder Surya in jail and gives the contract to Pokkiri Raja. At this point, Madhavan Nair goes to Madurai in search of his elder son who left for Madurai 10 years back and asks for his help to rescue his younger son Surya.
Cast
- Mammootty as Raja / Madhurai Raja / Pokkiri Raja
- Prithviraj as Surya Narayan
- Shriya Saran as Aswathy (Anjali in the Hindi dubbed Version)
- Nedumudi Venu as Madhavan Nair
- Vijayaraghavan as Krishnan
- Siddique as City Police Commissioner Rajendra Babu
- Riyaz Khan as Mahendran, Aswathy's fiancee and Home Minister's Son.
- Suraj Venjaramood as 'Idivettu' Sugunan ( Bhajikhao 'Singham' in the Hindi dubbed Version)
- Salim Kumar as Manoharan Mangalodayam
- Bindu Panicker as Rugmini, wife of 'Idivettu' Suganan and sister of Raja & Surya
- Thesni Khan as Ramani Manoharan's wife
- Rizabawa as Home Minister
- Joemon Joshy as Gopi
- Aswin as Raja Childhood
- Jeevan as Surya Childhood
- Ponnamma Babu as Home Minister's Wife
- Delhi Ganesh
- Santhosh Jogi
- Kalashala Babu
- Arjun Bose
- Chempil Asokan
- Paravai Muniyamma
- Kanya Bharathi as Aswathy's step-mother
- Arun as a college student who disturbed Aswathy
- Baburaj
- Baiju
- Shweta Menon ... Guest Appearance in a song
- Rachana Maurya ... Guest Appearance in a song
Production
The film was launched by Mammootty with the absence of Prithviraj and Shriya Saran at Changanassery on 30 December 2009. Veteran director Joshi lighted the ceremonial lamp at the function.[7] Shooting of the film began on 11 January 2010 at various locations in Pollachi and Ernakulam.[8] Prithviraj's song 'Manikyakallin Mukkuticharhtum' song was first shot. The shooting completed within 50 days with a production cost around 5 crores and distribution works started in April. Audio was launched in April at Ernakulam. The dubbing of the film was happen at Kochi.[9] A song was planned to shoot at London featuring the lead pair Prithviraj and Shriya Saran but had to canceled because of volcanic ash from london has stopped the airport from fly in or out any flight.[10] While actress Shriya Saran get stranded with Tamil actor Arya at London while shooting for their film Chikku Bukku.[11]
Release
The film got released in 110 screens in India, with 90 of it in Kerala.[12]
Reception
Critical response
Indiaglitz.com reviewed it as a "masala fiesta" and commented that the cinematography and editing are the main highlights of the film, also said "Vysakh as a debutant director has made a decent entertainer and the young man is definitely destined to go places in mainstream Malayalam cinema".[13] Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff.com onelined as "Pokkiriraja disappoints" and rated 2/5 stars, he criticize the script does not care for logic or storytelling. But Prithviraj packaged as a wholesome entertainer does not disappoint. And concluded "Pokkiriraja may supposedly achieve the super hit status with the help of the fans. But, for the genuine viewer, it is a disappointment".[14] Sify.com called it "mass masala" and commented as it doesn't have a decent storyline but appreciating the visuals. And said the writers have succeeded in allotting equal importance to both the lead actors. But criticized the lack of logic in the script.[15] Veeyen of Nowrunning.com rated 2/5 stars and heavily criticized the script saying "I just have one simple question to ask. Is it too much to ask for a simple, good story in films?", also said "Pokkiri Raja" is like a fusion of Tamil and Telugu cinema, but sadly of the 80's.[16] Gayathry V. Pillai of One India stated "The movie is somewhat similar to a Tamil film with lots of actions, songs and punch dialogues" and called it a "mass masala entertainer", and criticized the length.[17]
Box office
According to director Vysakh, the film was made at a budget of ₹4.25 crore.[1] It grossed ₹13 crore at the box office.[2][1] The film was commercial success,[18][19][20][21][22][23] and became highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2010.[24][25] The film completed 100 days in theatres.[26]
Character map of remakes
Soundtrack
The music is composed by Jassie Gift and Theme music by Rajamani. The album contains 6 songs. The songs will be featured throughout the film except the other version of Ketile Kettile song. Kaithapram contributed the lyrics. This audio was released on 8 April 2010. All the song in this album become extremely popular among people of Kerala even before the film release.[27]
All lyrics written by Kaithapram.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Manikinavain" | K. J. Yesudas, Sujatha Mohan | 3:12 |
| 2. | "Kettille, Kettille" | Vijay Yesudas, Rijiya, Anwar Sadat | 3:25 |
| 3. | "Manickya Kallil" | Jassie Gift, Malathy, Ananthu | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Chenthengil Ponnilaneeru" | Ranjith, Anwar Sadat, Suchitra, Rijiya | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Kettille, Kettille" | Vijay Yesudas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Rijiya | 4:59 |
| 6. | "Pokkiri Raja Theme" | Rajamani, Chorus |
References
- 1 2 3 Unni R. Nair (25 June 2010). "Pokkiri Raja rules box-office". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- 1 2 Manoj Nair (21 May 2011). "Malayalam movies: Non-linear narratives are making the box-office ring louder". =The Economic Times.
- ↑ Shreya debuts in malayalam. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
- ↑ Pillai, Gayathry V (3 December 2009) Shriya to step into Mollywood. Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
- ↑ George, Vijay (17 February 2010) Sriya Saran makes her entry into Mollywood with Pokkiri Raja. The Hindu.
- ↑ Pokkiri Raja released. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
- ↑ "'Pokkiri Raja' Movie Launch". IndiaGlitz. 5 January 2010.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja – A trendsetter in the cards". IndiaGlitz. 8 April 2010.
- ↑ "Prithvi with Shreya in London for 'Pokkiri Raja' song shoot". nowrunning.com. 13 April 2010.
- ↑ Pillai, Sreedhar (20 April 2010). "Volcanic ash causes jitters in Kollywood!". The times of india.
- ↑ "Volcanic ash causes delay in Kollywood!". sifymovies. 20 April 2010.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja beats T:20 record!". Sify. 19 May 2010.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja – Is a masala fiesta". IndiaGlitz. 10 May 2010.
- ↑ Palicha, Paresh C (10 May 2010). "Pokkiriraja disappoints". rediff.com.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja". sifymovies. 10 May 2010.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja Review". nowrunning.com. 8 May 2010.
- ↑ Pillai, Gayathry V (10 May 2010). "Pokkiri Raja-Movie Review". oneindia.in.
- ↑ "Akshay Kumar to remake Pokkiri Raja". The Times of India. 11 June 2011.
- ↑ "Kerala Box-office (May 7-31, 2010)". Sify. 31 May 2010.
- ↑ "Roar of the southern tigers". The New Indian Express. 5 November 2016.
- ↑ "A Muslim-Hindu comedy clash". Gulf News. 8 January 2015.
- ↑ "The first gift for 'Pulimurugan' success came from Mammootty: Vysakh...". Malayala Manorama. 17 November 2016.
- ↑ "From Boss to Kyon Ki, 5 times Bollywood biggies made flops of South Indian remakes". Catch News. 5 May 2016.
- ↑ "Multistarrer era comes to Mollywood". The New Indian Express. 5 June 2011.
- ↑ "Top 10 Malayalam actors of 2010". Sify. 30 December 2010.
- ↑ "Kerala Box-Office (Aug 1-15)". Sify. 16 August 2010.
- ↑ "Pokkiri Raja Music Review". IndiaGlitz. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.