Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi
Encyclopedia
Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi is a 2006 Tamil
historical comedy film
directed by Chimbudeven
. The film stars Vadivelu
in his first lead role alongside Monica
, Tejashree
, Manorama, Nassar and Nagesh
. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Sabesh-Murali. The film was produced and distributed by Tamil film director S. Shankar
. It was the first historical film after 28 years since "Maduraiyai Meeta Sundra Pandiyan". The film emerged a high commercial success.
In a faraway South Indian kingdom of Cholapuram Paalayam the ruler (Nagesh) and queen (Manorama) are longing for a child, as all their 22 children have died at birth. Little do they know that the queen’s brother Rajaguru Sangilimaayan (Nassar) is behind the death of their children, as he wants to be the next ruler. But when the palace astrologer predicts that the 23rd child will be a dimwit, Rajguru is happy. But the queen gives birth to twins; the smarter one (according to the astrologer's instructions) is ordered to be killed while the dimwit survives.
The child is named 23 am Pulikesi (Vadivelu) and he grows up to be the new king after the king's death. Pulikesi is a weak, hedonistic bully with grandiose delusions and is a puppet in the hands of Rajguru, who colludes with the British to loot the state. Meanwhile, the other child is adopted by the palace doctor (Venniradai Moorthy) and his wife, a childless couple and he grows up to be Ugrabuddhan (Vadivelu), an educated young man and a patriot with a lofty vision for his country. Ugrabuddhan tries to kill Pulikesi, but when Ugran sees him he realizes that Pulikesi is his twin brother. Soon Ugrabuddhan comes to know about his past and to save the land from Rajguru and British, he replaces Pulikesi as the king. He joins hands with Thalapathi (Sreeman), brings new reforms, exposes Rajguru and saves the land from the British.
with lyrics written by Pulavar Pulamaipithan.
moustache, Pulikesi's moustache became popular in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
historical comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Chimbudeven
Chimbudeven
Chimbudeven is a Tamil film director. He debuted in film directing with the blockbuster comedy film Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi, with Vadivelu donning the lead role.-Early life:Born in Madurai, Chimbu was the second child...
. The film stars Vadivelu
Vadivelu
Vadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
in his first lead role alongside Monica
Monica (actress)
Monica is an Indian film actress, who predominantly stars in Tamil language films. A child artist in the early 1990s, she mostly appeared in supporting roles, before essaying lead roles from the late 2000s on...
, Tejashree
Tejashree
Tejashree is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Kollywood movies. Tejashree is originally a kathak dancer, trained in kathak by her father Master Jaikumar Khele, a disciple of Pandit Gopi Krishna Maharaj. After a few modeling assignments, she broke into the Southern Film Industry...
, Manorama, Nassar and Nagesh
Nagesh
Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Sabesh-Murali. The film was produced and distributed by Tamil film director S. Shankar
S. Shankar
Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...
. It was the first historical film after 28 years since "Maduraiyai Meeta Sundra Pandiyan". The film emerged a high commercial success.
Cast
- VadiveluVadiveluVadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
as King 23rd Pulikesi and Ukraputhan - MonicaMonica (actress)Monica is an Indian film actress, who predominantly stars in Tamil language films. A child artist in the early 1990s, she mostly appeared in supporting roles, before essaying lead roles from the late 2000s on...
as Vasantha Soundary - TejashreeTejashreeTejashree is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Kollywood movies. Tejashree is originally a kathak dancer, trained in kathak by her father Master Jaikumar Khele, a disciple of Pandit Gopi Krishna Maharaj. After a few modeling assignments, she broke into the Southern Film Industry...
as Soolaayini - Nassar as Raja Guru Sangilimaayan (Pulikesi's Uncle)
- Manorama as Bavani ammaiyar
- NageshNageshNagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
as Raja Mokkaiyappar - IlavarasuIlavarasuIlavarasu is an Indian cinematographer-turned-actor, who works in the Tamil film industry. He started his career as a cinematographer and worked for 13 films, winning a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for one of them. He, however, became better known as an actor, after he debuted and appeared in...
as Minister Dagilandi - Sreeman as Commander Aganda muthu
- Thiagu as King Vallavaraayan
- Singamuthu as Poet Palapathra Onandi
- Venniradai MoorthyVenniradai MoorthyVenniradai Moorthy is a Tamil film comedian. He has starred in many Tamil films and television serials as a comedian and also essayed supporting roles. He is lawyer by profession and holds a B.L. degree in addition to being a self proclaimed astrologer. He is also a well known script-writer...
as Palace Doctor
Plot
Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi is a comical satire on the Machiavellian politics practiced in the late 18th century. The film is laced with references to present-day happenings in politics, sports and other areas.In a faraway South Indian kingdom of Cholapuram Paalayam the ruler (Nagesh) and queen (Manorama) are longing for a child, as all their 22 children have died at birth. Little do they know that the queen’s brother Rajaguru Sangilimaayan (Nassar) is behind the death of their children, as he wants to be the next ruler. But when the palace astrologer predicts that the 23rd child will be a dimwit, Rajguru is happy. But the queen gives birth to twins; the smarter one (according to the astrologer's instructions) is ordered to be killed while the dimwit survives.
The child is named 23 am Pulikesi (Vadivelu) and he grows up to be the new king after the king's death. Pulikesi is a weak, hedonistic bully with grandiose delusions and is a puppet in the hands of Rajguru, who colludes with the British to loot the state. Meanwhile, the other child is adopted by the palace doctor (Venniradai Moorthy) and his wife, a childless couple and he grows up to be Ugrabuddhan (Vadivelu), an educated young man and a patriot with a lofty vision for his country. Ugrabuddhan tries to kill Pulikesi, but when Ugran sees him he realizes that Pulikesi is his twin brother. Soon Ugrabuddhan comes to know about his past and to save the land from Rajguru and British, he replaces Pulikesi as the king. He joins hands with Thalapathi (Sreeman), brings new reforms, exposes Rajguru and saves the land from the British.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features five songs composed by Sabesh-MuraliSabesh-Murali
Sabesh-Murali is an Indian musical duo, consisting of two Tamil music directors and playback singers who have jointly composed for many Tamil films in Chennai, India. Sabesh and Murali are siblings who began their careers working under their brother, the music director Deva, as assistant composers....
with lyrics written by Pulavar Pulamaipithan.
| Song | Singers |
|---|---|
| "Aah Aadivaa" | Manicka Vinayagam, Binni Krishnakumar, Saindhavi, Kovai Kamala, Vadivelu Vadivelu Vadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards... |
| "Pootiya Sirayinai" | Tippu Tippu (singer) Tippu is a South Indian playback singer who has performed in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu languages. Tippu's original name, as told by him in Koffee with Anu, is Ekambaresh. He is married to playback singers Harini. Tippu did his schooling at St. John's Matriculation Higher Secondary School... |
| "Panju Methai Kaniyae" | Krishnaraj, Swarnalatha Swarnalatha Swarnalatha was a Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga.... |
| "Aasai Kanniye" | Naresh Iyer Naresh Iyer Naresh Iyer is a playback singer from Chennai, India. Naresh Iyer has rendered film songs in several Indian languages and has several chart hits to his credit. His rendition of "Roobaroo" from the movie Rang De Basanti composed by A. R. Rahman topped the music charts for many weeks in 2006 and won... , Kalyani |
| "Vanam Namakul" | T. L. Maharajan |
Production
The film was shot in 73 days. It was filmed in Tamil Nadu around Chennai, Thiruvanamalai and Kumili.All the actors went on a rigorous training in horse riding and sword fighting. Nearly 80 percent of the film was shot in studios. Every single shot was planned and story boarded during the pre production work.Reception
Was a milestone in Tamil cinema. Produced on a budget of 4 crores, the film was a commercial success, grossing 16 crores at the box office. The film also received critical acclaim for its comedy and for Vadivelu's performance. The film was critically praised for conveying social messages through comedy. Moreover, the film was celebrated as children's movie. Pulikesi's moustache was offered free in the theatres for the kids. Simailar to the Salvador Dalí'sSalvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
moustache, Pulikesi's moustache became popular in Tamil Nadu.
Awards
Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi- Best Actor Comedy - Filmfare Award
- Best Costume -Tamil Nadu State Award
- Best Makeup -Tamil Nadu State Award
- Best Film 2006 -Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers - Artist Association