Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)

Pokkiri Raja (transl. Rogue king) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language action film written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by debutante Vysakh and starring Mammootty, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shriya Saran. The score was composed by C. Rajamani with additional songs written by Jassie Gift. The film marked the debut of Shriya Saran in Malayalam cinema.[3][4][5]

Pokkiri Raja
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVysakh
Produced byTomichan Mulakupadam
Written byUdayakrishna
Siby K. Thomas
Starring
Music by
CinematographyShaji Kumar
Edited byMahesh Narayanan
Production
company
Distributed byMulakuppadam Release
Release date
  • 7 May 2010 (2010-05-07) (India)
Running time
164 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Box officeest. ₹20.03 crore[1][2]

The film was released on 7 May 2010 in Kerala.[6] It was remade in Hindi as Boss & Telugu as Bhai. A sequel Madhura Raja released on 12 April 2019.

Plot

The film revolves around the life of Madhavan (Nedumudi Venu). The film begins with Madhavan's elder son Raja being arrested for killing a boy belonging to their opposite family, but it is also shown that the murder was by mistakenly done by madhavan himself, but Raja had taken up the blame. Even after he comes out of the jail, Madhavan refuses to accept him not knowing that Raja was innocent. Raja then reaches Madurai and there, he saves the life of the son of Maniannan (Charan Raj), the village landlord.Then Raja turns into his right hand and was names as Madurai Raja. Years later, a grown up Raja is now being called as Pokkiri Raja (Mammooty), a fearsome kingpin.

Meanwhile, Surya (Prithviraj Sukumaran), Madhavan's younger son is a young, energetic, educated guy well known for his rowdyism in the village.To change his character, he is sent to Ernakulam to his brother-in-law Sugunan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) , who is a scaredy-cat. There, he falls in love with Aswathy (Shriya Saran), the daughter of Nagendra Babu (Siddique (actor)), the City Police Commisioner. Sugunan takes advantage of Surya's character and sends him in his uniform to take care of some severe police cases. Meanwhile, Home Minister's son Mahendra (Riyaz Khan) is also behind Aswathy. First Aswathy shows hatred for Surya, thinking he is a police officer. Later she tells to him that Nagendra is not her real father but her step-father. And he killed her mother, and have left her alive beacause Mahendra is having a liking to her. Nagendra and Mahendra comes to know about Surya's and Aswathy's relationship and arrests him for false drug cases. He plan to kill Surya and gives the contract to Raja. At this point, Madhavan goes to Madurai in search of his elder son (which is again Raja) who left for Madurai 10 years back, and asks for his help to rescue his younger son Surya. After realising that Surya is his brother, Raja rescues Surya and opens up to Nagendra that Surya is his brother.

The rest of the story is how Raja will defeat Nagendra and Mahendra but spare their life and Surya unite with Aswathy.

Cast

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

The film was made on a budget of ₹3.5 crore, and cost ₹1.6 crore after adding print and publicity.[18] It grossed ₹13–16.5 crore at the box office.[1][2] The film was a major commercial success.[19][20][21] The film completed 100 days in a theatre.[22]

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.[23]

All lyrics are written by Kaithapram.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Manikinavain"K. J. Yesudas, Sujatha Mohan3:12
2."Kettille, Kettille"Vijay Yesudas, Rijiya, Anwar Sadat3:25
3."Manickya Kallil"Jassie Gift, Malathy, Ananthu4:00
4."Chenthengil Ponnilaneeru"Ranjith, Anwar Sadat, Suchitra, Rijiya3:50
5."Pokkiri Raja Theme"  
6.UntitledRajamani, Chorus 

References
  1. Manoj Nair (21 May 2011). "Malayalam movies: Non-linear narratives are making the box-office ring louder". The Economic Times.
  2. Unni R. Nair (25 June 2010). "Pokkiri Raja rules box-office". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  3. Shreya debuts in malayalam. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  4. Pillai, Gayathry V (3 December 2009). "Shriya to step into Mollywood". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012.
  5. George, Vijay (17 February 2010) Sriya Saran makes her entry into Mollywood with Pokkiri Raja. The Hindu.
  6. Pokkiri Raja released. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  7. "'Pokkiri Raja' Movie Launch". IndiaGlitz. 5 January 2010.
  8. "Pokkiri Raja – A trendsetter in the cards". IndiaGlitz. 8 April 2010.
  9. "Prithvi with Shreya in London for 'Pokkiri Raja' song shoot". nowrunning.com. 13 April 2010.
  10. Pillai, Sreedhar (20 April 2010). "Volcanic ash causes jitters in Kollywood!". The times of india.
  11. "Volcanic ash causes delay in Kollywood!Hindi version of the movie is Boss(Akshay Kumar)". sifymovies. 20 April 2010.
  12. "Pokkiri Raja beats T:20 record!". Sify. 19 May 2010.
  13. "Pokkiri Raja – Is a masala fiesta". IndiaGlitz. 10 May 2010.
  14. Palicha, Paresh C (10 May 2010). "Pokkiriraja disappoints". rediff.com.
  15. "Pokkiri Raja". sifymovies. 10 May 2010.
  16. "Pokkiri Raja Review". nowrunning.com. 8 May 2010.
  17. Pillai, Gayathry V (10 May 2010). "Pokkiri Raja-Movie Review". oneindia.in.
  18. Chandrakanth Viswanath (25 December 2016). "The Tiger Behind Pulimurugan". The New Sunday Express. Retrieved 16 January 2017. Remember, the film which was made on a budget of ₹7 crore 80 lakh...
  19. "Kerala Box-office (May 7-31, 2010)". Sify. 31 May 2010.
  20. "Roar of the southern tigers". The New Indian Express. 5 November 2016.
  21. "Multistarrer era comes to Mollywood". The New Indian Express. 5 June 2011.
  22. "Kerala Box-Office (Aug 1-15)". Sify. 16 August 2010.
  23. "Pokkiri Raja Music Review". IndiaGlitz. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
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