Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (transl. The affectionate, uncompromising / unflinching, uncontrollable man), also known as AAA, is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language romantic action comedy film, directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by S. Michael Rayappan. The film stars Silambarasan in a triple role, along with Tamannaah Bhatia and Shriya Saran. The film has music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with Krishnan Vasant and Ruben handling the cinematography and editing, respectively.
| Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Adhik Ravichandran |
| Written by | Adhik Ravichandran |
| Produced by | S. Michael Rayappan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Krishnan Vasant |
| Edited by | Ruben |
| Music by | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
Production company | Global Infotainment |
| Distributed by | T-Series Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 136 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan was released on 23 June 2017. The film was critically panned and underperformed at the box office.[2]
Plot
editIn Dubai, a cop named Ruby interrogates an old man in an attempt to capture the dreaded don Michael. The man narrates Michael's story. In 1992, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Madurai Michael is a notorious thug who works for a smuggler named Senthamarai and kills for money. He spends his time with his sidekicks played by Mahat and VTV Ganesh. Michael falls for Selvi, a girl from his town. Selvi rejects him initially, but later reciprocates his love. She asks him to leave his gangster life and move to Dubai, starting a new life. Michael half-heartedly accepts this. However, an enemy from the same gang backstabs Michael by turning into a witness for many murders committed by Michael and the latter is jail.
Michael then escapes prison with the help of his friends and finds out that Selvi is soon to marry a man of her parents' choice. Understanding that he is going to be on the run forever, Michael leaves Selvi and migrates to Dubai where he rose to become a dreaded gangster. Back in Dubai, the old man, one of Michael's friends, dies soon after narrating the story. Ruby and the other cops figure out that Michael will be over 50 years old and would be fearing for his life, hiding somewhere. They circle in on Chennai and send a fax of Michael's photo to the police in Chennai. But Michael is revealed to be living a lavish and happy life in Chennai under the Michael's grandfather Ashwin Thaatha.
Ashwin has all the money he wants in his life except for a woman. So he decides to get married. While interviewing probable brides, he falls in love with a much younger girl called Ramya, who along with her father is running an old-age home. Ashwin mistakes Ramya's friendly talks as a reciprocation of his love and is ecstatic when she decides to tell her father about her love. At a ceremony, Ramya breaks the news to her father by saying that she loves someone and wants to marry him, but the age difference might be a problem. To Ashwin's surprise, Ramya introduces a younger man called Shiva who looks like Ashwin. It turns out that Shiva is only a few years younger than Ramya and they had pursued a long-distance relationship, he is settled in the US.
A heartbroken Ashwin, overwhelmed by his emotions, resorts to drinking and becomes increasingly negative. In his desperation, he kidnaps Shiva. To further his plan, he hires a prominent makeup artist to transform his appearance, intending to use their resemblance to pose as Shiva and win over Ramya.
Cast
editAdapted from the opening credits:[3]
- Silambarasan in a triple role as
- Madurai Michael
- Ashwin
- Thikku Shiva
- Tamannaah Bhatia as Ramya
- Shriya Saran as Selvi
- Kovai Sarala as Sarala
- VTV Ganesh as Somu
- Rajendran as Mani / Raju
- Y. G. Mahendran as "Current" Murugan
- Mahat Raghavendra as Sabi
- Shanmugasundaram as Nattamai
- Pandu as doctor
- Neelu as Neelu Thatha
- Swaminathan as Swami Thatha
- Lollu Sabha Manohar as Manohar Thatha
- Pasanga Sivakumar as Sivakumar
- "Sengal Psycho" Ramkumar
- Cameo appearance
- Kasthuri Shankar as Agent Ruby[4]
- Vijayakumar[5]
- G. V. Prakash Kumar as Jeeva[6]
- Adhik Ravichandran as himself
Production
editIn February 2016, Adhik Ravichandran announced that his second directorial project would feature Silambarasan in the lead role, with several crew members from Trisha Illana Nayanthara returning. He would direct the film while working on Virgin Maapillai. Yuvan Shankar Raja was appointed as the music director in June 2016.[7] Trisha was considered for a leading female role but did not accept the project. Shriya Saran was instead cast.[2] The film's title Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan was announced in May 2016.[8] Silambarasan gained weight and grew a beard for one of his roles.[9] Filming began in July 2016 and was mostly completed by June 2017, with only a song sequence remaining.[10][11]
Music
edit| Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 26:11 | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Lahari Music | |||
| Producer | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |||
| Yuvan Shankar Raja chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan | ||||
| ||||
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan Audio Jukebox on YouTube |
The film's music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.[12] The first single, "Trend Song", featuring vocals and lyrics by Silambarasan, was released as a New Year special on 30 December 2016.[13][14] The next single, "Rottula Vandi Oodudhu", with lyrics by Silambarasan and sung by Ilaiyaraaja, was released on 2 June 2017.[15] The album features seven tracks, three of which are instrumental.[16]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Trend Song" | Silambarasan | Silambarasan | 6:05 |
| 2. | "Rottula Vandi Oodudhu" | Silambarasan | Ilaiyaraaja | 4:35 |
| 3. | "Ratham En Ratham" | Vairamuthu | Silambarasan | 4:15 |
| 4. | "Ashwin Thatha Theme" (Instrumental) | 2:56 | ||
| 5. | "Madura Michael Theme" (Instrumental) | 1:59 | ||
| 6. | "Retro Romance Theme" (Instrumental) | 3:09 | ||
| 7. | "Thatha Love" | Silambarasan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | 3:38 |
| Total length: | 26:41 | |||
Release
editAnbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan was theatrically released worldwide on 23 June 2017, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr.[17]
Reception
editAnbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan received generally negative reviews from critics.[2]
The review of The Indian Express was slightly more on the positive side, rating the film 3 out of 5 stars, and stating that "AAA's highlight would be the dialogues, especially ones about lead actor Simbu's father TR Rajendran and humour will draw audience to the theatres."[18] Sify called the film "a B-grade crowd-pleaser that knows exactly who its audience is. For die-hard fans of STR it is a treat".[19] Thinkal Menon from The Times of India rated 2 out of 5, stating that "A suspense cameo towards the end makes things worse as the film, by then, makes one yawn unapologetically."[20] Sreedhar Pillai, for Firstpost, rated the film 2 out of 5 and summarised that "AAA is hugely disappointing and a crashing bore. The film tests your patience with a confusing screenplay and disjointed narration."[21] Srivatsan of India Today rated 2 out of 5 stars, stating that "From what we get, Adhik Ravichandran wanted to bring Subramaniyapuram into his of Trisha Illana Nayanthara space. Save for the bits with Madurai Michael, there's no denial that Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangathavan is not even an ordinarily made film."[4] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute reviewed it as a loud, tacky "gentlemen" oriented film.[22] Baradwaj Rangan wrote for Film Companion, "Adhik Ravichandran appears to make movies with male gaze. He bandages the inabilities and insecurities of his _target audience with scene after scene that could be subtitled, "women are like this only."[5]
Controversy
editSeveral months after the film's release, producer S. Michael Rayappan and Adhik publicly criticised Silambarasan for his alleged unprofessional behavior during production. They claimed that the first schedule was delayed by two months because no actress wanted to work with Silambarasan due to his reputation. Additionally, they stated that he insisted on moving the shoot from Madurai to Dindigul because he disliked the warm climate in Madurai. Even after relocating, he allegedly refused to shoot in public areas or on Sundays and often did not show up according to the agreed schedule. During the first schedule, Silambarasan reportedly refused to film a song sequence, unfairly requested that Saran be replaced after she had completed her scenes, demanded the shoot be moved from Dubai to London, and failed to meet the script's requirement to reduce his body weight. In the second schedule, he allegedly refused to undergo makeup sessions, arrive on time, pay for his hotel expenses, and demanded a hotel room on the East Coast Road and the dismissal of a production executive. Silambarasan also allegedly cancelled the third schedule, demanded that the film be released in two parts, and sent his team to Thailand at the producers' expense. He later refused to cooperate in completing necessary scenes and half-heartedly provided dubbing work. Rayappan revealed that out of an agreed schedule of seventy-six days, Silambarasan only worked for thirty-eight days, leading to the wastage of Bhatia and Saran's dates.[10][23] Sources close to Silambarasan countered that Rayappan failed to pay his full remuneration, which caused him to avoid many shoot days. Nonetheless, Silambarasan faced widespread criticism from his peers in the Tamil film industry.[24][25] In September 2023, the Tamil Film Producers Council issued a "red card" to Silambarasan, prohibiting him from working on new projects until further notice. However, in June 2024, Silambarasan denied receiving a red card.[26][27]
References
edit- ^ "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "'AAA' director and producer blame Simbu for film's failure, warn other producers". The News Minute. 1 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (in Tamil). India: Global Infotainment. 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Amazon Prime Video.
- ^ a b Srivatsan (24 June 2017). "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangathavan movie review: Just an old man's rambling". India Today. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b Rangan, Baradwaj (23 June 2017). "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan Movie Review". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Composer GV Prakash to do a cameo in AAA?". The Times of India. 14 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "The Simbu-Yuvan Shankar combo is back!". Deccan Chronicle. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "Quirky title for Simbu's next film". Deccan Chronicle. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "STR has bulked up to 95 kilos for AAA!". Deccan Chronicle. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ a b "SHOCKING: PRODUCER REVEALS THE HARSH REALITY ABOUT STR AND AAA SHOOTING PROBLEMS". Behindwoods. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- ^ Anirudh (1 June 2017). "SIMBU TO DANCE AMONG 80S MASS HEROES?". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ LM, Kaushik (26 April 2017). "The real Simbu will be back". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "YUVAN AND STR'S TREND SONG, THE NEXT VIRAL HIT? REVIEW". Behindwoods. 30 December 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "WOW ! SIMBU ANNOUNCES A NEW YEAR SPECIAL RELEASE FROM 'AAA'". IndiaGlitz. 24 December 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ Sundar, Priyanka (2 June 2017). "AAA song Rottula Vandi Oodudhu: This 'spiritual gaana' by Ilaiyaraaja needs more spirit". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Aaa". Spotify. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Silambarasan's next movie Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan to release on Eid". The Indian Express. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan or AAA movie review: Simbu's performance, Adhik Ravichandran's direction is a win". The Indian Express. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan review: Strictly for STR fans". Sify. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Menon, Thinkal (24 June 2017). "Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (AAA) Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Pillai, Sreedhar (24 June 2017). "AAA movie review: With confused screenplay, disjointed narrtive, Simbu's film is disappointing". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (24 June 2017). "'Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan': A Beep review of Simbu's insufferable 'AAA'". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ MK, Surendhar (1 December 2017). "'Simbu bankrupted me during making of AAA,' alleges Kollywood producer Michael Rayappan". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Producers' Council serves 'Red Notice' to actor Silambarasan". The News Minute. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- ^ "Silambarasan gets a notice from Vishal-led producers' council, can't work in films till issue resolved". Hindustan Times. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- ^ "Dhanush, Silambarasan, Vishal And Atharvaa Receive Red Card From Tamil Film Producers Council". Zoom TV. 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Menon, Akhila (2 June 2024). "Silambarasan opens up about Thug Life and STR 48; reacts to 'red card' rumours". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
