Chennai 600028

Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu in his directorial debut. It stars Shiva, Jai, Premji, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Inigo Prabakaran, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with Vijayalakshmi and Kristine Zedek, making their acting debut as well.[2] The film was produced by S. P. B. Charan along with J. K. Saravana, a Singapore-based award-winning producer.[3] The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Premji Amaran and Yuvan Shankar Raja and also Illayaraja respectively.[4]

Chennai 600028
Promotional poster
Directed byVenkat Prabhu
Produced byS. P. B. Charan
J. K. Saravana
Written bySasidharan
StarringJai
Shiva
Premji
Nithin Sathya
Aravind Akash
Vijay Vasanth
Vijayalakshmi
Ajay Raj
Prasanna
Ranjith
Karthik
Arun
Narrated byS. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music byBackground score:
Premji Amaren
Original songs:
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Premji Amaren (1 Song)
CinematographySakthi Saravanan
Edited byFilm editor:
B. Lenin
Digital & Avid editor:
Praveen K. L.
Srikanth.N.B
Production
company
Distributed byTantra films
Release date
  • 27 April 2007 (2007-04-27)
Running time
141 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget 1.65 crore[1]

The film is based on street cricket played in India, focussing on various themes as friendship, love and rivalry in a suburban area.[5] Following its theatrical release on 27 April 2007, it received critical acclaim and emerged a surprise sleeper hit, running successfully for more than one year in theaters,[5][6] whilst going on to achieve cult status in the subsequent years.[7] The film's title is derived from the pincode for Mandaveli, a suburb of Chennai, where the story takes place. The success of the film gained the relatively unknown actors – Jai, Shiva, Premji and Nithin Sathya, newcomers Vijayalakshmi, Vijay Vasanth and the director Venkat Prabhu popularity.

Upon release, the film was dubbed into Telugu and released as Kodithe Kottalira.[8] The film was also remade in Bengali as Le Chakka (2010),[9] Sinhalese as Super Six (2012),[10] and in Kannada as Bangalore 560023 (2015).[11] A sequel for the film, Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings, has also since been released.

Plot

The story revolves around two local cricket league teams that compete against each other in local matches and consider each other as sworn enemies. Royapuram Rockers are on top of the chain and keep bashing the Sharks year after year. The heroes of the movie are the Sharks' team.

The story begins when Raghu's (Jai) parents move from Royapuram to Visalakshi Thottam, Chennai 600 028. Raghu is a member of the Royapuram Rockers Cricket team, and a college student living with his parents. He has no choice but to move with them although he detests the area. He is not very excited at the prospect of living in the same area as his sworn enemies. Raghu is faithful to his teammates, but they ignore him because of the distance. Angered at being replaced by a new guy in the team in one of the matches, Raghu estranges himself from cricket and the Rockers.

Raghu informs of Pazhani's (Nithin Sathya) sister Selvi's (Vijayalakshmi) love for Karthik (Shiva) to him. This incident initiates Raghu's friendship with a few Sharks team players and eventually gets induced into the team. Raghu practices with the Sharks to play against the Rockers in the upcoming Radio Mirchi trophy. Pazhani, who soon comes to know of his sister's and Karthik's love affair is disappointed and then there is a tiff amongst the friends. The team splits up for a while, but Karthik apologizes to Pazhani and they make up. The team is united again and they start practicing for the trophy once again. Unfortunately, Karthik gets stabbed by his brother's enemies and is rendered unfit to play the match. Pazhani replaces Karthik as the captain and the team heads for the match.

Under tight pressure and with a nail biting finish, the Sharks finally defeat the Rockers in the semi-finals of the tournament. In the finals they meet their enemies, a bunch of school kids named Bad Boys-II who practice by bunking school to play cricket on the beach. The kids are really good and the Sharks know it because they have lost to them once before and that too very badly...

The movie ends with the team really struggling to keep it up in the game.

Cast

Production

Chennai 600028 is the directorial debut of Venkat Prabhu.[12] He initially titled the film as Enga Area Ulla Varaadha (Don't come into our territory), but lyricist Vaali was critical of the idea, feeling that the title was "negative" sounding. Subsequently, the film was renamed as Chennai 600028, with the idea of including the area's postcode taken from the title of the American television series Beverly Hills, 90210.[13] Venkat Prabhu felt the new title was "more apt and universal".[14]

Soundtrack

Chennai 600028
Soundtrack album by
Released
19 February 2007 (India)
23 February 2007 (Singapore and Malaysia)
Recorded2006
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length37:20
LanguageTamil
LabelFive Star Audio
ProducerYuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja chronology
Deepavali
(2007)
Chennai 600028
(2007)
Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule
(2007)

The film's score was composed by Venkat Prabhu's brother, Premji Amaran, while his cousin, Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the soundtrack, which also featured two tracks that were rearranged by Premji. The soundtrack album, featuring 9 tracks, released on 19 February 2007 in India and four days later in Singapore and Malaysia, on 23 February 2007.[15] The audio was launched at the radio station Radio Mirchi, broadcasting all the songs live, which was said to be the first time in India.[15] The lyrics were written by 'Kavignar' Vaali and Gangai Amaran, father of Venkat Prabhu. Also, composer Yuvan Shankar Raja penned the lyrics for the song "Natpukullae", besides singing it. 19 singers had rendered their voice for the songs, including Yogi B, DJ Funky Sathiya and SilveStar, two Singaporean rappers, actor Karunas, director Venkat Prabhu and producer S. P. B. Charan.[2]

The album was both critically acclaimed and gained immense popularity upon its release, being described as, "excellent", a "rocking album"[16] and one of the "aesthetic highlights" of the film.[17] The songs were said to be a big hit as reportedly 25000 CDs were sold on the very first day,[18] "ruling the charts" worldwide.[19] The songs "Jalsa" and "Saroja Saman Nikalo" were "rocking the dance floors".[20]

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Ulle Vaa"VaaliYuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar Raja, Yogi B, DJ Funky Sathiya, SILVEstar3:51
2."Un Parvai"VaaliYuvan Shankar RajaVijay Yesudas4:09
3."Natpukkullae"Yuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar RajaYuvan Shankar Raja2:36
4."Yaaro" (Love Theme)VaaliYuvan Shankar RajaS. P. Balasubramanyam, K. S. Chithra5:15
5."Jalsa"Gangai AmaranYuvan Shankar RajaRanjith, Tippu, Premji Amaran, Haricharan, Karthik3:57
6."Oh! Oh! Ennanamo"VaaliYuvan Shankar RajaAnushka Manchanda4:06
7."Yaaro" (Friendship Theme)VaaliPremgi AmaranS. P. B. Charan, Venkat Prabhu5:01
8."Jalsa" (Remix)Gangai AmaranYuvan Shankar Raja (Remixed by Premgi Amaran)Sabesh, Gana Ulaganathan, Gana Pazhani, Karunas, Premji Amaren4:08
9."Saroja Saman Nikalo"Gangai AmaranYuvan Shankar RajaShankar Mahadevan, Premji Amaran4:15
Total length:37:20

Release and reception

Chennai 600028 was released on 27 April 2007, and emerged as a major commercial success. Sify in their review stated that "All the guys who acted in the film are candid and have let their hair down. RJ Shiva is the surprise packet in the film. Venkat Prabhu deserves a pat on his back for making a breezy fun movie which highlights the fact that cricket in India which is a religion for many is also won through team spirit and sacrifice. So go ahead, make your matinee and enjoy the match."[21] Filmibeat reviewed it as "Apart from cricket there is enough space for love, friendship, sentiments and decent comedy in the script."[22] Baradwaj Rangan reviewed the film as "A street-cricket saga from a bunch of no-names comes out of nowhere and knocks your socks off."[23] Writing for Rediff, the review stated as "The movie is a result of a perfect team effort in every sense. A perfect entertainer, not to be missed."[24]

The film emerged as a sleeper hit at the box office, and also emerging as the cult status, in coming years.[6][5] The film's 100th day celebrations, took place on 5 August 2007 at Chennai Trade Centre, with Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan being the chief guest.[25]

Dubbed versions and remakes

Chennai 600028 was dubbed into Telugu as Kodithe Kottalira upon release, and the film was remade in Bengali as Le Chakka (2009), and in Kannada as Bangalore 560023 (2015). The film was also remade in Sinhalese as Super Six in 2012.

Sequel

Plans to make a sequel to Chennai 600028 were reported several times in the media, shortly after the first film's release.[26] It features several cast members from the earlier film including Jai, Shiva, Premji, Aravind Akash and Nithin Sathya. Actors Vaibhav, Subbu Panchu, Abhinay Vaddi were chosen to play supporting roles in the film.[27] Production of the film was officially unveiled on 28 February 2016 and the film was released on 9 December 2016.

Awards and nominations

Vijay Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

See also

References

  1. "The new darlings of Kollywood". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. "Chennai 600028 Cast & Crew". Oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  3. "A creative force from Singapore". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  4. Illayaraja, Dr. R (30 July 2016). "Paventhar in cinema songs". Journal of Tamil Peraivu. 3 (1): 70–75. doi:10.22452/jtp.vol3no1.7. ISSN 2289-8379.
  5. "CHENNAI 28 BOX OFFICE TOP 10 OF 2007". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. "Tamil cinema in 2007 – half year report". Cinesouth.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  7. "Movies that beat the odds". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  8. The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 July 2007 http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/13/stories/2007071350160400.htm. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "Copycat chronicles". The Telegraph. Calcutta. 12 September 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  10. "Ravichandran Ashwin and Murali Vijay to make special appearances in a Tamil film". 5 April 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  11. "Chennai 600028 to be remade in Kannada". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  12. "Don't expect another Chennai 28 from Saroja". Behindwoods. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  13. Mani, Bhargavii (30 January 2016). "The kadalai man". The Hindu.
  14. "rediff.com: 'Rajni Sir enjoyed Chennai 600028'". Rediff.com.
  15. "Chennai-600028 audio on 19 Feb". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  16. "Chennai 600028 - A youthful musical journey". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  17. "Leading a winning team - Chennai 600028". Chennai, India: indiaglitz.com. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  18. "Chennai-600028 audio a big hit". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  19. "Chennai 600028's Audio Rules Top 10 List Worldwide!". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  20. "'Jalsa Pannungada' rocks dance floors!". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  21. "Review : (2007)". sify.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  22. "Read Chennai 600028 Movie Reviews and Critics Reviews". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  23. "Review: Chennai 600028". Baradwaj Rangan. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  24. "Chennai 600028: An entertainer". Rediff.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  25. "Chennai 600028-100days". Sify. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  26. "A sequel to Chennai 600028". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  27. Subhakeerthana, S. (20 April 2016). "Abhinay plays baddie in Chennai-28 sequel!". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
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