Valimai (transl. Power) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by H. Vinoth,[2] and produced by Zee Studios and Boney Kapoor under Bayview Projects LLP.[3][4] The film stars Ajith Kumar, Huma Qureshi and Kartikeya Gummakonda. The film's music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, whilst cinematography performed by Nirav Shah and editing by Vijay Velukutty.
This film marked the second collaboration between Ajith, Vinoth and Kapoor after Nerkonda Paarvai (2019). Vinoth, wrote the script in mid-2018 even before the production of the film began, as Ajith initially declined the script and work on it later. The film was launched on 18 October 2019, with the official title was announced and principal photography began during December 2019 in Hyderabad and was completed with February 2021, irrespective of the film's production being disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India. Major portions of the film were shot across Chennai and Hyderabad, in addition to a few sequences in Russia.
The film was in the news due to the persuasion of fans to launch an update regarding the project, as a result, being listed one of "the most-anticipated Tamil film" according to the trade circuits.[5] The film, which was originally intended for a theatrical release during 2020, was delayed as production came to halt due to the COVID-19 lockdown, and is now scheduled to release on 13 January 2022, coinciding with Pongal.[6]
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Development
— H. Vinoth in an interview with The Times of India about the origin of Valimai.[19]
Soon after the release of director H. Vinoth's second film Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (2017), he approached actor Ajith Kumar for a high-profile action film, which will feature the actor in negative shades to his character. However, Ajith declined the project and asked the director to work on the Tamil remake of the 2016 Hindi film Pink titled as Nerkonda Paarvai.[20] In January 2019, during the film's making, producer Boney Kapoor announced that he would collaborate for the second time, with Ajith Kumar and director Vinoth for another Tamil film, which will be tentatively titled as Thala 60.[21][22] Kapoor also stated that, the film will have racing sequences,[23]suggesting that the movie would be an action thriller genre that uses the actor's passion for speed.[24][25] It was reported that Vinoth had wrote the script with another actor in mind, and with Ajith's involvement, he had to make changes in the script.[26] The film's production was expected to launch on 29 August 2019,[27][28] however it was briefly delayed, due to Vinoth's completion of the final draft of the film's script.
A formal launch ceremony for the film was held on 18 October 2019, at the office of Kapoor's production house.[29] The makers also announced the title of the film as Valimai.[30][31] Yuvan Shankar Raja was hired as the film's music director, and Nirav Shah was confirmed as the cinematographer.[32] National award-winning art director Thota Tharani was reported to join the film's technical crew,[33] but was replaced by K. Kathir.[34] Editor Vijay Velukutty and stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan too were a part of the technical team.[34] Sources claim that Ajith will essay the role of a police officer in the film,[35][36] and he will sport two different looks,[37] with one of them being similar to Ajith's bald look in Vedalam (2015).[38]
On the release of the trailer glimpse on 23 September 2021,[39] many cinephiles noted about the storyline revolving around Satan's Slaves Motorcycle Club, which was founded in Shipley (England) in the mid-1960s, and later spread on to various countries including Germany, North America, Scotland and Australia.[40] They were known for the heinous activities being involved such as drug peddling, trafficking in stolen goods, gunrunning, extortion, and prostitution; it's film's plot has a resemblance to the crime drama documentarycovered on the outlaw motorcycle club, titled Sons of Anarchy.[41] It was also revealed that the film also feature a connection to World War II, which was not true.[42] In a recent interview with Ananda Vikatan, Vinoth stated that he had partially re-written the script before the resumption of the film's shooting, being halted due to the pandemic.[43][44] He stated that some of the actors were hesitant to shoot during the pandemic and the location owners denied permission to shoot on the sets that were constructed in the pre-pandemic times. As a result, he had to re-write the story and change the location and setting, due to practical difficulties
Casting
S. J. Suryah was reported to play the antagonist in the film,[45][46] however the actor denied the claims of being a part of the film.[47] The makers approached Janhvi Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra to play the female lead, thus marking their debuts in South Indian cinema.[48] but both the actresses denied the offer due to call sheet issues.[49] Nayanthara and Keerthy Suresh were was also reported to play the female lead, which became untrue.[50][51] Nazriya Nazim was reported to play a pivotal role in the film,[52] but the actor denied such rumours.[53] While there have been questions surrounding over the film's female lead, with Ileana D'Cruz and Yami Gautam were under consideration,[54] Huma Qureshi was cast as a lead, in her second Tamil film after the Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala (2018).[55] She will essay the role of Ajith's friend in the film and there might not be any romantic scenes with the lead actor, due to the scripting changes made by Vinoth.[56]
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn was reported to play the antagonist, he could not act in the film due to his commitments with S. S. Rajamouli for his film RRR.[57] Similarly, Arvind Swami, too denied being a part of the film, since he has been shooting for Thalaivi.[58] Prasanna was also reported to play a pivotal role in Valimai,[59][60] but he turned down the offer.[61][62] Later, the makers finalised Kartikeya Gummakonda as the main antagonist.[63] Apart from Kartikeya, two other antagonists, were reported to be featured in the film,[64]with Pavel Navageethan of V1: Murder Case fame, being hired as one of the film's antagonists.[65]
Yogi Babu was approached for a comic role,[66] whilst Raj Ayyappa who played the antagonist in 100, plays Ajith Kumar's brother in the film. A leaked picture of the film in December 2020,[67] features Achyuth Kumar and Sumithra in the film's cast,[13] The latter was reported to play Ajith Kumar's mother in the film, which the makers stated her character as a crucial one in the film.[11][68] Popular television actor Pugazh was reported to play a pivotal role in the film.[18]
Filming
Principal photography of Valimai was expected to begin on 13 December 2019,[69][70] but the shooting was launched two days earlier at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.[71][72] The makers have filmed an action sequence for Ajith in Hyderabad,[73] which was completed within two weeks.[74] Soon after the completion, the team planned for a three-day shooting schedule, at Rekha Gardens in Chennai, and parts of the city.[75] It was reported that, Ajith met with an accident during the filming of a bike sequence before completing the schedule in Chennai, which resulted in the film's delay.[76][77] Filming was reportedly halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where, the team planned to shoot few sequences, which include car and motor race at Switzerland, within April 2020,[78] and also planned to shoot in Spain and Morocco, after lockdown.[79][80] However, the pandemic affected the foreign shooting schedules,[81] which made the team to make major changes in the shooting plan, with the planned foreign schedules to be shot across India.[82] The post-production works of the film did not happen after Ajith's request.[83] Nearly 60% of the shoot completed before the coronavirus lockdown imposed.[83]
After multiple delays, the film's shooting plan was resumed on 23 September 2020,[84] with Kartikeya joining the shoot.[85][86] Major portions of the film were shot at Red Hills in Chennai. The makers stated that, Ajith will join the film's shoot by January 2021 and planned to complete the shoot within February,[87] as more than 50–60 days of shoot is pending, including the actor's portions which will be completed within 30 days.[88] It was reported that a popular Hollywood stunt choreographer, was hired to direct the few action sequences, which will introduce a new-style stunt in Tamil cinema.[89] In October 2020, the team planned to shoot few sequences at New Delhi, but after the government denied permission to shoot the film citing the coronavirus pandemic,[90][91] the makers chose Hyderabad as the shooting schedule.[92]
Ajith Kumar joined the sets in Hyderabad, after which he resumed shooting on 25 October,[93][94] despite reported that he will start the shoot in early 2021.[95] In an interview with an online portal, H. Vinoth stated that the makers may not cancel the foreign schedule because the crucial scene involves more international stuntmen.[96] In mid-November 2020, it was reported that Ajith may take a month-long break in order to start the next phase of the shoot in Hyderabad.[97] After the shoot being resumed, the makers filmed a stunt sequence with Ajith performing a bike stunt without body double, however the actor lost his balance while performing a stunt, and fell off the bike.[98] Despite sustaining injuries, Ajith completed the schedule without delay.[99][100] As of December 2020, the makers have completed 80% of the film's shoot and talkie portions, whereas the songs and stunt sequences were yet to be under completion.[101] It was further reported that the makers planned to film the major stunt sequences in foreign countries post lockdown relaxations,[102] with a major schedule in South Africa and Spain,[103] where high-octane bike stunts will be filmed in the country.[104] The film's shooting was wrapped on 15 February 2021, barring the foreign schedule,[105] which was filmed in Russia during 26 August 2021 and was completed on 2 September, thereby shooting of the film was wrapped.[106][107]
Post-production
Post-production works for the film began during mid-February 2021.[108] Vijay Velukutty, who worked in films such as Sangu Chakkaram (2017) and Jackpot (2019), was announced as the editor in the same month.[109] He edited several portions of the film, except for the foreign schedule, which was speculated to be included with the edit, once the said shooting gets completed.[109] In the intermediate period, several actors completed dubbing for the film, including Ajith Kumar who dubbed for his portions in March 2021.[110] The team also worked on the visual effects and supervision in order to get the film ready.[111] With the foreign schedule held in Russia, being completed within September 2021, the team resumed activities on post-production.[112] The team needed to edit the final cut of the film, due to the inclusion of that particular sequence,[113] and more work on the visual effects, eventually delaying the release.[114] Ajith Kumar asked Vinoth to show the rough output of the film to him when the final edit was ready.[115] He initially watches the entire film after its release. But due to the actor's curiosity and excitement of the film, as it has many racing sequences, and also his profession as a racer, he decided to change his plans and was received a rough copy of the film by Vinoth.[115]
Release
Theatrical
Valimai was scheduled to release on 12 November 2020, coinciding the eve of Diwali (14 November 2020).[142] However, the film's shoot was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus resulting in the delay of its release.[143] Post-completion of the shooting, the film was initially speculated to be released on the Diwali festival again, which falls on 4 November 2021.[144] However, the producer Boney Kapoor, tweeted that the film will be postponed to Pongal (14 January 2022),[145][146] thereby clashing with other big-budget films including S. S. Rajamouli's RRR and the Prabhas-starrer Radhe Shyam.[147][148] It was further reported that the film will be scheduled to release theatrically on 13 January 2022, a day before Pongal,[149][150] whereas The Multiplex Association of India (TMAI), listed the release date as 14 January, in their official press release.[151][152] The theater owners and exhibitors in Tamil Nadu, planned for opening shows to begin at 1:00 AM in order to get more screenings, thereby enhancing the box office collection.[153] The makers also persuaded to receive permission from the government as to get benefit shows.[153]
Distribution
The theatrical rights of the film were acquired by Raahul of Romeo Pictures and film financier Anbu Chezhian's Gopuram Cinemas.[154] Both the distributors acquired the rights in Chennai and Madurai.[155] Subbaiyah Shanmugham of SSI Productions purchased the rights in the Coimbatore territory and Sri Kumaran Films acquiring the Salem theatrical rights.[156] The theatrical rights in Chengalpet region were sold to Kalaimagan Mubarak of Skyman Films International for an undisclosed price.[156][157] Rockfort Entertainment purchased the theatrical distribution rights in the Arcot region (North Arcot and South Arcot).[158] The theatrical rights were sold to Sri Durgambigai Films in the Trichy region, whilst MKRP Productions, a film production company owned by M. K. Ramprasad, purchased the rights in the Tirunelveli–Kanyakumari territories.[155] The film made a business of about ₹200 crore (US$27 million) before the release, with the inclusion of satellite, digital, audio and Hindi dubbing rights.[159] Many trade analysts considered it as the "biggest deal ever for a Tamil film post-pandemic".[159]
Marketing
Despite the film's title being announced in October 2019, there was no update regarding the film's first look. In April 2020, Boney Kapoor claimed that the team will not indulge in any promotional activities citing the COVID-19 pandemic, and also stated that the team will kickstart the promotions post-lockdown.[160][161] However, there was no clarification about the film promotion or first look which prompted fans of Ajith Kumar to trend the hashtag #Valimaiupdate on Twitter. Furthermore, the producer had confirmed that the first look will release only after the film's shooting being wrapped.[162] Although few members of the production team claimed that the first look will release on the end of February 2021,[163] some of the fans had prompted for the film's update at sporting[164][165] and political events and other public venues,[166] which left Ajith Kumar disappointed and asked his fans to remain patient till the team releases an update.[167] Although the film's first look was scheduled for a release on the first week of March,[168] the producer tweeted that the makers will unveil the first look on 1 May 2021, coinciding with Ajith's birthday.[169] However, a week prior to the said date, on 23 April 2021, the makers postponed the release of the film's first look due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in India.[170]
While the makers planning to launch the first look with release date,[171] on 11 July 2021, without pre-announcement, the makers launched the first look and motion poster of the film.[172][173] Apart from receiving positive response for fans praising Ajith's look in the film,[174] the motion poster received more than 10 million views on YouTube, within 48 hours.[175] However, it also fetched criticism as cinephiles apparently noticed that similar images from the poster are widely available on the internet, alleging that the makers have lifted random images from the internet and made it into a motion poster.[176] Few netizens also stated that the motion poster did not meet its expectations.[176] The making video of the film released on 14 December 2021, and was praised by fans and audiences.[177]
Home media
The entire rights of the film were owned by its co-producer and distributor Zee Studios, the production and distribution firm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises who sold the satellite rights to Zee Tamil and Zee Thirai, and the digital distribution rights to ZEE5 and its video-on-demand service Zee Plex.[178] The makers planned for a digital premiere through Zee Plex, only after 35 days of its theatrical run being completed, and later premiere it on ZEE5.[179] However, as Zee Enterprises decided to close down Zee Plex, as their products released through this model, did not fetch the required numbers expected resulting huge losses for the company,[180] the makers decided to sell the post-theatrical streaming rights to ZEE5, in which the film might have a 50-day window, between the theatrical and digital release.[179]
Impact
The impact of this film even before the release, has been noted by several cinephiles, with the hashtag #ValimaiUpdate becoming a trending topic on Twitter.[181] Producer Boney Kapoor too admitted the immense fan following of the actor in regard to this. Speaking in an interview with The Hindu, Kapoor clarified that "Fans are well within their rights to ask for updates, because they love Ajith a lot. However, I did not want to mislead them. I wanted to give out material only when there was something concrete at hand."[181] This trend, influenced celebrities from the film fraternity,[182] sportspersons,[183][184] politicians and media outlets too popularizing the film.[182][185] Ravichandran Ashwin shared the same in an online interaction, when he experienced a fan asking Moeen Ali and him,[186] for an update regarding the film during the first test match, between India and England in Chennai.[183][184] Politician Vanathi Srinivasan too said that after her win in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, the fans might get the update about the film.[187]#ValimaiUpdate campaign also influenced the elections, with Election Commission's Tamil Nadu wing advertising the title on the necessity to urge every individual to vote.[188] In July 2021, the film crossed more than 1 million interests on the online-ticketing portal BookMyShow,[189] thereby beating the records earlier set by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).[190] Valimai was the second most tweeted film in India, according to a year-ender survey report released by Twitter in December 2021.[191][192]
#Valimai #ValimaiTrailer #ValimaiTeaser #Aith #Aithkumar
