| Villu | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Villu_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Prabhu Deva |
| Written by | A. C. Mugil Rebel Ravi (dialogue) |
| Screenplay by | Prabhu Deva |
| Story by | A. C. Mugil Rebel Ravi |
| Based on | Soldier (Hindi) |
| Produced by | K. Karunamoorthy C. Arunpandian |
| Starring | Vijay Nayanthara |
| Cinematography | Ravi Varman |
| Edited by | Kola Bhaskar |
| Music by | Devi Sri Prasad |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Ayngaran International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 152 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Villu (transl. Bow) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Ayngaran International. The film stars Vijay in the main dual lead role as father and son alongside Nayanthara, Prakash Raj, Vadivelu, Manoj K. Jayan, Devaraj, Anandaraj, Sriman. Mumaith Khan, Zabyn Khan, and Khushbu appear as item numbers. It is partly based on the Hindi-language 1998 film Soldier, directed by Abbas–Mustan. The film follows Pugazh, an undercover police officer, who avenges the death of his father who was an honest army officer falsely accused and killed by corrupt army officers.
The film was officially announced in December 2007 under the initial title Pugazh, which was later changed to Singam, which was later changed to Vill after Deva received a copyright notice from Hari, which was soon after changed and finalised to be Villu after a negotiation with S. J. Suryah. Principal photography commenced in June 2008. It was sporadically in several legs, with filming locations including Palani, Karaikudi and Bangkok. The film has music composed by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematography handled by Ravi Varman and editing by Kola Bhaskar.
Villu was released worldwide on 12 January 2009 in the theatres to negative reviews from critics and became an average at the domestic box office.[1][2][3] The film acquired #221 spot in 2009 at the United Kingdom box office and collected well overseas.[4] Villu settled to an overall domestic profit of ₹50 lakhs.[1]
Rediff pointed out that, Vadivelu and Vijay were applauded for their style of slap-stick humor in the film.[5] Media outlets reported that, the film Villu became an average domestic venture as Vijay and Vadivelu comic-timing was the only saving grace of the film, since the screenplay, dialogues and dubbing were extremely ordinary.[1]
A re-edited comical 4K version of Villu with very less serious scenes was scheduled to re-release worldwide in theatres on June 21, 2024.[6] Vadivelu's version of My name is Billa song will be included in the re-release.
- ^ a b c "BOX OFFICE TOP 20 TAMIL MOVIES OF 2009". Behindwoods.com. 4 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "Villu (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Chennai Box Office - sify.com (1970)". archive.is. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ "2009 United Kingdom Yearly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra. "Review: Villu". Rediff. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ "'Villu', official remake of Bobby Deol's 'Soldier', to re-release on Vijay's 50th birthday". The Times of India. 6 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.