Jaggubhai

In mid-2004, K. S. Ravikumar planned a film under the title Jaggubhai with the proposed cast including Rajinikanth in the lead role playing a terrorist. Aishwarya Rai was finalized to play the female lead role, after initial expectations that Rani Mukerji or Jyothika would portray the role. The film which was set to have music composed by A.R. Rahman, had a photo shoot and was touted to be Rajinikanth's comeback film after the debacle of Baba in 2002. Shortly after, however, Rajinikanth was signed up for Chandramukhi, directed by P. Vasu. With the progress of Chandramukhi, Jaggubhai was delayed and subsequently shelved. Since it was shelved, Ravikumar went to direct Varalaru with Ajith Kumar in 2006 and the high-budget Dasavathaaram with Kamal Hassan. During the post-production of Dasavathaaram, Ravikumar announced that he would restart his shelved project, Jaggubhai with a different cast.

Sarath Kumar was signed to play the dual lead role, becoming the tenth collaboration between the director and the actor. Sneha, who was picked to portray the mother in the film, opted out due to her discontent in being the mother of the lead heroine. Despite early indications that Sarath Kumar's real-life stepdaughter, Rayan, would portray the role of the daughter, Shriya Saran secured the role. Saran who had met commercial success with Sivaji: The Boss was then requested to portray dual roles in the film, however, she rejected the opportunity, citing that she will only play a single role. After approaching Simran, Padmapriya Janakiraman, Kamalini Mukerji and Vimala Raman for the role, Bollywood actress Tabu agreed to do the mother's role, demanding a sum of 75 lakhs but later walked out of the role.[4] Newcomer Srisha was later handed that certain role. Kiran Rathod was also handed a role in the film, which is touted to be the first of her comeback.[5] Veteran comedian, Goundamani also plays a role in the project.[6]

Rafee was signed as the music director and Jacki as the art director of the film while Sarathkumar's home production company Radaan Mediaworks and Zee Motion Pictures collaborated to produce the film.[1] [7]

A full-length, unfinished version of Jaggubhai was discovered online on 31 December 2009, far from the film's official release date. The leaked copy has some unfinished effects shots and does not contain any voice-overs or dubs.[2] The film's producer Raadhika, the film's star and SIFAA president R. Sarathkumar, and K. S. Ravikumar held a press meet condemning the film's piracy, in which the former two had become emotional during the discussion. The press meet was supported by Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Surya Sivakumar.[2]

Jaggubhai had a well-attended premiere on 27 January 2010 at a popular multiplex in Chennai, with the event being dubbed as the most well-attended film premiere of all time for a Tamil film.[8] The film released two days later, amidst much competition and opened in most centres across Chennai, Tamil Nadu as well as in various regions overseas to an average opening. The film grossed Rs. 9,19,564 in the opening weekend in Chennai[9] and was declared an average film.

Upon release, the film generally received mixed to negative reviews from film critics. Rediff.com gave a very negative review of the film criticizing all major aspects of the film from performance to production values labelling K. S. Ravikumar as "the biggest culprit" whilst mentioning that "the screenplay is silliness personified".[10] Sarath Kumar is described as "a major disappointment, despite being given a role that would make any actor go green with envy", whilst Shriya Saran "gains brownie points by looking hot in various skimpy dresses" despite "not [being] successful in acting".[10]

Sify.com was relatively less critical describing the movie as "run of the mill" though citing that the "major plus point of the film is that it is only 2 hours, and the camera work of RD Rajasekhar is scintillating". Sarath Kumar with his "macho tough look carries the film on his shoulders", while Shriya Saran as the spoiled brat is "adequate". Srisha "can’t emote" while Goundamani is a "scream", continued the review.[11]