Dhoni (film)
Dhoni | |
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![]() Promotional poster in Tamil | |
Directed by | Prakash Raj |
Screenplay by | Prakash Raj T. Gnanavel |
Dialogue by | T. Gnanavel (Tamil) Mahesh Raja (Telugu) |
Based on | Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho by Mahesh Manjrekar |
Produced by | Prakash Raj |
Starring | Prakash Raj Aakash Puri Radhika Apte |
Cinematography | K. V. Guhan |
Edited by | Praveen K. L. N. B. Srikanth |
Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Duet Movies (Tamil) Sri Venkateswara Creations (Telugu) |
Release date |
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Country | India |
Languages |
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Dhoni is a 2012 Indian drama film co-written, acted, produced and directed by Prakash Raj. Simultaneously made in Tamil and Telugu languages, it features Prakash Raj in the lead role, along with Aakash and Radhika Apte.[1] The plot illustrates the conflicting interests of a father and his son; the father wants his son to study MBA, but his son is more interested in sports and wants to become a famous cricketer like Mahendra Singh Dhoni.[2][3] Based on the Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho by Mahesh Manjrekar, Dhoni released on 10 February 2012 to positive reviews.[4]
Plot[]
Subramaniam is a lower-middle-class widower with two kids. He works from dawn to dusk to bring up his daughter Kaveri and son Karthik. He wishes to give them a good education. He wants to see his son become an MBA graduate. But his son not interested in studies. Fourteen-year-old Karthik wants to become a good cricketer. His inspiration is Mahendra Singh Dhoni and like him, he wants to be an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman.
While Subramaniam enrolls him in a good school, Karthik fails in most of the subjects. However, his cricket coach is in all praise, as Karthik played a major role in winning a cricket tournament. Kaveri often spends time with Nalini. Subramaniam learns that Nalini earns her living through prostitution and strictly orders his daughter to stay away from her. As Karthik is poor in studies, the principal tells Subramaniam to take his son out.
Immediately Subramaniam takes Karthik away from cricket coaching and makes him to go a series of tuition classes. Karthik fails to cope with his studies even after leaving cricket, which makes Subramaniam lose his patience. He beats him and injures his head by mistake for which he is arrested. As Karthik goes into a coma, Subramaniam is very upset. He thanks Nalini for helping him pay the hospital bill.
When Subramaniam goes to his school to collect things from Karthik's locker, he finds many trophies and certificates which makes him argue with the teacher that if his son is not good at studies it does not mean that he is good for nothing. Soon he goes for TV shows to debate. As he is working in a government office they ban him from going to the office and cancel the loan for his son's operation. Subramaniam cannot bear it anymore and he goes to a function where the chief minister comes, he talks with the minister about all this. The minister promises him that there will be changes and he will get the money for his son's operation. Karthik's operation is successfully done. Karthik plays the final tournament in his school he hits the last ball which goes for a six and he wins the match. The movie ends as his coach and Subramaniam carry him.
Cast[]
- Prakash Raj as Subramaniam
- Aakash Puri as Karthik Subramaniam
- Radhika Apte as Nalini
- Brahmanandam as Subramaniam's boss
- Nassar as Karthik's coach
- Hema as History Teacher
- Tanikella Bharani as Karthik's school principal
- Murali Sharma as Ghani Bhai
- Sarath Babu as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh
- Sriteja as Kaveri (Karthik's sister)
- Thalaivasal Vijay as Doctor
- Chaams as Subramaniam's coworker
- Vishwanath as Subramaniam's neighbor
- Gollapudi Maruti Rao
- Pragathi
- Sri Lakshmi
- Singamuthu
- Prabhu Deva in a guest appearance
- C. Gopinath in a special appearance
Production[]
Prakash Raj announced that he would direct a bilingual named Dhoni. He said: "The film deals with the pressure that children undergo these days in schools".[5]
Mumbai-based model-actor Mugdha Godse was reported to have been signed on to essay the opposite lead role, while Ilaiyaraaja was roped in to do the musical honors.[5] Radhika Apte confirmed that she was playing a pivotal role in the film.[6] Telugu film director Puri Jagannadh's son Aakash was selected to portray Prakash Raj's son.[3]
The first look of the film was unveiled in August 2011.[7]
In November 2011, choreographer-actor Prabhu Deva shot for five days for a cameo role.[8]
Reception[]
Critical response[]
Dhoni received a positive response from critics. The Times of India rated it 3.5 out of 5, saying, "...thanks to a combination of inspired acting, stimulating writing, a stirring background score and fine camera work, the film rises above the ordinary to make for a compelling cinema experience."[9] Oneindia praised Prakash Raj's "electrifying performance", as well as his directorial abilities.[10] Rohit Ramachandran of Nowrunning.com gave the movie 2.5 stars out of 5, stating, "Instead of reaching the potent climax that the film had set itself up for or giving its characters the opportunity to evolve, Dhoni becomes a social statement we've heard before."[11]
fullhyd.com praised Dhoni's middle-class touches, and said it has "Prakash Raj written all over it — the man coats his film with the intensity and integrity we're used to seeing in his performances". It also said that some of the film's outrage is off-topic.[12] Sunita Chowdary of Cinegoer.com, said that Dhoni is "a perfect picture of hope and redemption", but added that the film is predictable.[13]
Soundtrack[]
Dhoni | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 2012 | |||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Label | Sony Music | |||
Producer | Ilaiyaraaja | |||
Ilaiyaraaja chronology | ||||
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The soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The album was released on 28 January 2012 with a special live performance by Ilaiyaraaja.[14] Behindwoods reported that the music was a "treat for Raja fanatics" and that the emphasis on melody was "there all through".[15]
- Tamil version
All lyrics were written by Na. Muthukumar.
Song | Singers |
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"Chinna Kanniley" | Shreya Ghoshal, Naresh Iyer |
"Vaangum Panathukkum" | S. P. Balasubramanyam |
"Thaavi Thaavi Pogum" | Ilaiyaraaja |
"Vilayaattaa Padagotty" | Hariharan |
"Vilayaattaa Padagotty" | Shreya Ghoshal |
- Telugu version
All the songs were written by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry.
Song | Singers |
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"Chitti Chitti Adugaa" | Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal |
"Mattiloni Chettu" | S. P. Balasubramanyam |
"Endhaaka Nee Payanam (Female)" | Surmukhi Raman |
"Gayam Thagili" | Ilaiyaraaja |
"Endhaaka Nee Payanam (Male)" | Sathyan |
Awards[]
Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
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2nd South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Prakash Raj | Nominated |
Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Radhika Apte | Nominated | |
Best Female Playback | Shreya Ghoshal (for Vilayatta Padagotty and China Kanniley) | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ Prakash Raj bats for Dhoni Sify.com, 23 August 2011.
- ^ INN (3 January 2012). "Audio release of Dhoni this month". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Dhoni is a thought provoking film". The Times of India. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
- ^ sify.com
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Prakash Raj bats for Dhoni". Sify.com. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ Chowdhary, Y Sunita (1 October 2011). "Straight from the heart". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- ^ "Prakash Raj's 'Dhoni' - First Look — IG Exclusive — Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ "Prabhu Deva shoots for Dhoni". The Times of India. 7 November 2011. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013.
- ^ Times Of India (11 February 2012). "Dhoni Review". Times Of India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
- ^ Oneindia.com. "Dhoni Review". Oneindia Entertainment.
- ^ Rohit Ramachandran. "Dhoni Review". Nowrunning.com.
- ^ Deepa Garimella. "Dhoni Review". fullhyderabad.com.
- ^ Y Sunita Chowdary. "Dhoni Review". Cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ Shankar (25 January 2012). "மேடையில் இளையராஜாவின் லைவ் ஷோவுடன் டோணி இசை வெளியீடு!- dhoni audio release with ilayaraja — Oneindia Tamil". Tamil.oneindia.in. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ "Dhoni Music Review — Dhoni Music Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
External links[]
- 2012 films
- Indian films
- Tamil-language films
- Telugu-language films
- Films about cricket in India
- Films about the education system in India
- Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja
- 2010s Tamil-language films
- 2010s Telugu-language films
- Indian multilingual films
- 2012 drama films
- Telugu remakes of Marathi films
- Tamil remakes of Marathi films
- Indian children's drama films
- 2010s children's drama films
- 2012 multilingual films