12B

One morning, Shakthi leaves his house for a job interview when he sees a beautiful woman, Jo, walking down the street. Shakthi is distracted by Jo and begins to follow her. He misses his bus and gets mugged. The film then pauses as a voice-over tells the audience they are about to examine the impact of missing the bus on Shakthi's life.

Shakthi the bank manager arrives on time for the job interview and is offered the job of a bank manager, and a beautiful young colleague Priya falls in love with him. Shakthi, however, is still in love with Jo but something repeatedly prevents him from meeting her. The obstacle turns out to be his alternate self (the mechanic). Shakthi the bank manager is well-off in life but is miserable because he cannot win the affections of Jo.

The Shakthi who missed the bus arrives late at the interview and is thrown out. On his way home, he passes by a junkyard, where he meets his friend Madhan, who gives him a job as a mechanic. The next day, while crossing the street, he sees Jo and again follows her. He gains her attention and they begin a relationship. One day, Jo's uncle Aravind visits, and it is revealed he too is in love with Jo and wants to marry her, much to Jo's dislike.

Due to a misunderstanding, Jo and Shakthi the mechanic separate. Priya expresses her love for the Shakthi the bank manager who, while reciprocating his love for Priya, has an accident. At the same moment, Shakthi the mechanic is also seriously hurt in the same accident while he tries to repair his relationship with Jo. Both Shakthis are admitted to the hospital. While Priya is crying over the death of Shakthi the bank manager, she glimpses Shakthi the mechanic making up with Jo.

12B marked the directorial debut of cinematographer Jeeva and is narrated in a dual narrative format.[3][4] Jeeva said the film would be titled 12B after a bus he used to take during his college days.[lower-alpha 1][2] The basic premise of the film was taken from the 1998 English film Sliding Doors by Peter Howitt, which also follows the lead character's alternate timelines.[2] Film producer Vikram Singh opted to make his first foray into Tamil film production after being encouraged to by director Priyadarshan.[5]

Madhavan was initially considered for the lead role, but the actor was busy with other projects.[5] Newcomer Srikanth also auditioned for the role, but fellow rookie actor Shaam was selected to play the lead role.[6] Shaam had worked as a model in Bengaluru for four years before model coordinator Biju Jayadevan introduced him to director Jeeva, who was auditioning a debutant actor for his debut venture, 12B.[7] Shaam had unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in Kadhalar Dhinam (1999);[7] he said during his first meeting with Jeeva, he handed over his portfolio and introduced himself in English. Jeeva said: "Repeat what you just said, in Tamil". Shaam did so and was signed on next day after a meeting with producer Vikram Singh.[8][9] In 12B, Shaam's voice was dubbed; an uncommon practice for male actors in Tamil cinema at that time.[10][11]

Simran and Jyothika, two of the leading Tamil female actors at the time, were cast in the other lead roles; Jyothika got more screen time.[2] National Film Award winner Thotta Tharani worked as the art director for the film.[2] The promos of the film were critically praised; Shaam signed on to appear in several projects before 12B was released.[4] The film also featured Jeeva's assistant director, Srinath, in a supporting role.[12] After the first filming schedule, another actor tried to fill the lead role but Jeeva insisted on retaining Shaam.[13] Parthiban provided a voiceover for the film.[14]

Hindi actor Sunil Shetty was cast to play Jyothika's uncle.[15] Bengali actor Moon Moon Sen, mother of Riya Sen, was signed on to play Jyothika's mother in the film.[16] The appearance of Sunil Shetty in a prominent role led the filmmakers to release it in Hindi.[16] Shiva, who later starred in Chennai 600028 (2007), made his acting debut with this film in a minor role.[17] Chennai-based model Manish Borundia made a cameo appearance in the film.[18] Deepak Bhojraj, edited the trailer in four days, which was the fastest trailer editing in Tamil cinema at the time.[19]

The soundtrack of 12B was composed by Harris Jayaraj.[20] The soundtrack gained recognition upon release, although the film was made on a moderate budget.[20][21] The songs became popular before the film was released.[14] A critic from New Straits Times said; "Since [Jeeva] is also the cameraman of this movie, all of the songs are colourful". He also said Jothi Niranjava is the best song but criticised the placement of songs in the film.[16] A critic from The Hindu stated "'Poovae Vai Pesum...' is a melodious number that has traces of a couple of songs you've heard before".[14]

All lyrics are written by Vairamuthu except where noted.

All tracks are written by Kulasekhar.

Simran and Jyothika had previously co-starred in S J Suryah's Vaali (1999), but had shared no scenes, for which Jeeva had been the cinematographer.[22]

The film received pre-release publicity because it brought together Simran and Jyothika, two of the Tamil film industry's leading female actors of the period.[23][22][24]

12B opened to above-average reviews; a critic from The Hindu said the film is like "moving through a maze, because for many it could be confusion confounded, at least for the most part of the first half". The critic added; "Shyam in the hero's garb is an apt choice and looks more like a Madhavan clone and for a newcomer, Shyam is absolutely at ease in dance and fights" and "Simran does a commendable job in the climax".[14] New Straits Times wrote; "The presence of Jyotika, Simran and Shyam saves this movie from boredom".[16]

Rediff concluded its review; "full marks to the intention – considerably less for the execution", praised the film's performances and technical aspects and said a "drawback would be the languid pace—there is not enough tension built into the film and, for large chunks of time, the story remains static, with the result that you do not empathise with the characters". The reviewer said Simran's portrayal "continues with her policy of shifting gradually from glam roles to the more sedate, serious ones and proves to have what it takes".[15] Sify wrote; "Ultimately it is very difficult for the audience to understand this superficial tale, as they cannot follow the thin line between reality and imagination. It is total confusion". The reviewer praised the Jayaraj's music for the film.[25]

12B performed modestly at the box office with average collections reported.[26][7] Jeeva later stating he felt the film had not been properly promoted and could have done better business if it had been.[27] The film was dubbed and released in Telugu under the same name in October 2005.[28]

12B introduced the concept of dual narrative to Tamil cinema.[29][30] The film also helped establish Shaam as a chocolate boy;[lower-alpha 2][13][10] he acquired a fan following after the film's release.[31]

Shaam was cast in the lead role in Iyarkai before 12B was released[32] and later received further film offers including Vasanth's Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! and Priyadarshan's Lesa Lesa (2003).[10][4] He was also set to work with K. Balachander after Paarthale Paravasam (2001) but the project did not materialise.[10] Shaam and the producer of 12B collaborated again on Lesa Lesa (2003).[26] Shaam considers Jeeva as his mentor.[33] Jeeva went on to make other films in the romance genre including Ullam Ketkumae (2005) with Shaam in the lead and Unnale Unnale (2007), both of which were successful at the box office.[34][30][35][36]

In a scene in Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukey! (2002), Subbu (Vivek) tells Hari (Shaam) to take any bus but 12B.[37] In 2009, a film titled Sariya Thavara based on the song of the same name with Faisal Saif as the director and starring Shaam was announced but the film was later abandoned.[38][39] The storyline of the film Oh My Kadavule (2020) contains an alternative version of the story that is similar to that of 12B.[40][41]

• 12B at IMDb