Master (2021 film)

Master
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLokesh Kanagaraj
Written by
Produced byS. Xavier Britto
Starring
CinematographySathyan Sooryan
Edited byPhilomin Raj
Music byAnirudh Ravichander
Production
company
XB Film Creators
Distributed bySeven Screen Studio
Release date
  • 13 January 2021 (2021-01-13)
Running time
179 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹135 crore[2][3]
Box officeest. ₹220–300 crore[a]

Master is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film[4] directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by XB Film Creators. The film stars Vijay in the lead role as the protagonist and Vijay Sethupathi as the antagonist. Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah, Arjun Das, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Gouri G. Kishan play supporting roles. It is also co-produced by Vijay's manager, Jagadish Palanisamy, jointly with Seven Screen Studio, which also distributed the film. The film follows John Durairaj "J.D.", an alcoholic professor, who takes a three-month teaching job in a juvenile home and clashes with a ruthless gangster named Bhavani, who uses the children as the scapegoat for his criminal activities.

Lokesh Kanagaraj narrated the script to Vijay in May 2019, and after his acceptance, the film was launched in August 2019. Kanagaraj wrote the script, screenplay and dialogue with Rathna Kumar and Pon Parthiban being credited as co-writers. Principal photography commenced in October 2019 and ended in February 2020; the entire film was shot across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Karnataka within 129 working days. Originally announced under the tentative title Thalapathy 64, the official title Master was announced on 31 December 2019. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, while cinematography and editing are performed by Sathyan Sooryan and Philomin Raj, respectively.

Master was initially planned for a theatrical release on 9 April 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The makers preferred to wait for a theatrical release, rather than release it on any streaming service. After being delayed for several months, the film was finally released in theatres on 13 January 2021, a day before Pongal. In addition, the film was simultaneously dubbed and released in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi (titled Vijay the Master) languages.[5] Master also became the fastest Tamil film to be available on a streaming service post its theatrical release; it premiered on Amazon Prime Video after 16 days of theatrical release on 29 January 2021, along with a Malayalam, dubbed version.[6]

Master received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. It was the first Indian film to have occupied the first position in the global box office at the time of release.[7] Irrespective of the fragmented theatrical release, and the early streaming release, the film grossed around ₹220–300 crore,[a] thus becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time and become third highest grossing Indian films in 2021.[12][13] Many trade analysts and exhibitors praised the film's team for the revival of the theatrical business in Tamil Nadu, which suffered heavy losses due to the pandemic.[14]

  1. ^ "Certificate Detail". Central Board of Film Certification. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference budget was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Thalapathy Vijay Box Office Report Card: Looking At Performance Of His Last Five Films". TimesNow. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  4. ^ "3 years of Vaathi Raid! Vijay's 'Master' makers recall the blockbuster film on the special day". The Times of India. 13 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  5. ^ "'Master Will Release In Theatres On Jan 13th', Confirms Theatre Owners' Association Chief". DT Next. 28 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Vijay's Master to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 29 January, two weeks after theatrical release". Firstpost. 27 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Varisu box office collection: Vijay's Pongal release enters Rs 300 crore club". The Indian Express. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Sooryavanshi Is Top INDIAN Film Post Pandemic In Two Weeks". Box Office India. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference worldwide2b was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "'Thalapathy 65' will be a pan-Indian project: Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa". The News Minute. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Master Completes 150 Stupendous Days at Box Office, Thalapathy Vijay Roars in Tamil Nadu – Figures Inside". India.com. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Year Ender 2021: Master to Annaatthe, Highest-grossing Tamil Movies of 2021". News18. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Theatre distributors, analysts weigh in on success of Master, Krack; predict early revival with upcoming big releases". Firstpost. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.


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