Mandela (2021 film)
Mandela | |
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Genre | Political satire Comedy drama |
Written by | Madonne Ashwin |
Directed by | Madonne Ashwin |
Starring | Yogi Babu Sheela Rajkumar |
Music by | Bharath Sankar |
Country of origin | India |
Original language | Tamil |
Production | |
Producers | S. Sashikanth Chakravarthy Ramachandra Balaji Mohan |
Cinematography | Vidhu Ayyanna |
Editor | Philomin Raj |
Running time | 140 minutes |
Production companies | YNOT Studios Reliance Entertainment Open Window Productions Wishberry Films |
Original release | |
Network | Star Vijay |
Release | April 4, 2021 |
Mandela is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language political satire television film written and directed by Madonne Ashwin on his directorial debut and produced by S. Sashikanth and Ramachandra of YNOT Studios while director Balaji Mohan, co-produced the film under his banner Open Window Productions. The film being titled after the late South African President Nelson Mandela, stars Yogi Babu in the titular lead role while Sheela Rajkumar, Kanna Ravi, Sangili Murugan and G. M. Sundar play supportive roles.[1] The music for the film is composed by Bharath Sankar, whereas cinematography and editing were handled by Vidhu Ayyanna and Philomin Raj respectively.
The film is set on the backdrop of a village panchayat election scenario between two political parties where a local barber's vote will determine the fate of the election.[1] The film was directly released via Star Vijay on 4 April 2021 and internationally through Netflix, the following day.[2] The film received universal acclaim praising the script, performances and technical aspects of the film. It was shortlisted as one among the 14 Indian films to be nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 94th Academy Awards scheduled to be held in mid-2022.[3][4][5] At the 68th National Film Awards, it won 2 awards for Best Debut Film of a Director and Best Screenplay (Dialogues), both for Madonne Ashwin. The film was remade in Telugu as Martin Luther King (2023).[6]
Plot
[edit]In a small village named Soorangudi in Tamil Nadu, the population of around 1000 people, is split into two caste-based factions, Northerners and Southerners. When the long-unopposed village president, a follower of caste indiscrimination, becomes paralyzed months before the election, his two sons, Rathinam and Mathi, decide to run for president. The election is divided along caste lines, as the elder son's mother is a Northerner and the mother of the younger son is a Southerner. Based on pre-polling, it turns out the vote is split. The tiebreaker vote falls upon a lower-caste local hairstylist named Smile, alias Nelson Mandela, who recently joined the voter list. The rest of the movie is about who gets Mandela's vote to win. In the process, Mandela gets the two contenders to improve the village by laying a road, building a school, etc. with their wealth from the contract to establish a quartz factory, which is worth 300 million. The movie ends with a 'surprising' result to the election that is not disclosed who has won but points to the fact that the people of Soorangudi have unitedly won the election.
Cast
[edit]- Yogi Babu as Nelson Mandela (Smile)
- Sheela Rajkumar as Thenmozhi
- Sangili Murugan as Periya Ayya
- Mukesh as Kirudha
- G. M. Sundar as Rathinam
- Kanna Ravi as Mathi
- Shankar Thas as Kaalai
- Douglas Kumaramoorthy as Bala
- Kalki as Isakki
- A. Gunaseelan as Marudhu
- Aaru Bala as Murugesan
- Prasanna Balachandran as Sudalai
- Pandiyammal as Devi
- Senthi Kumari as Valli
- Deepa Shankar as Rathinam's wife
- George Maryan as BDO Officer
- Saranya Ravichandran as Vairamuthu
- Subadhini Subramanian as Isakki's wife
- Semmalar Annam as Murugesan's wife
- Master Lingesh as Murugesan's son
- ARK as MLA
- V. Gopiraam as MLA's PA
- V. Vignesh as Pragatheesh
- Yazar as Mookayi's grandson
- Sai Shankar as Thenmozhi's father
- Allwin Ramaiah as Bus Conductor
- Sonaimuthu as Pichamuthu
- J. S. Manikuzhalan as Pichamuthu's son
- Panjavarnam as Bakkiyam
- Kasthuri as Kaalai's wife
- Balaji Ayya as Siruttu Thatha
- Oru Kodi Muthamma as Muthupatti
- Kumki Meenakshi as Mookayi
- Prakash as MLA's Driver
Production
[edit]The film was announced by debutant director Madonne Ashwin in July 2019, and principal photography began the very same day.[7] Yogi Babu was chosen to play the lead role as a barber.[8] Director Balaji Mohan came on board as co-producer of the film which also marked his maiden feature film production venture for his Open Window Productions banner. Madonne who was a participant in the reality show Naalaya Iyakunar came up with the script to Balaji who expressed his interest in setting a production venture, but to have a wide reach, he approached S. Sashikanth to jointly produce the film. Talking about the script, Balaji stated, "It is a social satire, set against a rural backdrop. It talks about quite a few things that are relevant in today’s scenario. Though it will have humour, it will be more sensible and meaningful."[9] Principal photography wrapped in November 2019 with just a single schedule.[10]
Soundtrack
[edit]Mandela | ||||
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Soundtrack album by Bharath Sankar | ||||
Released | 28 March 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Length | 23:20 | |||
Language | Tamil | |||
Label | Sony Music | |||
Producer | Bharath Sankar | |||
Bharath Sankar chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Mandela | ||||
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The music is composed by Bharath Sankar of the Oorka band. The soundtrack album featured six tracks with lyrics written by Yugabharathi, Arivu, Mamiliva Randriamihajasoa, Pradeep Kumar and Bharath Sankar. One song "Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi" was released as a single on 19 March 2021,[11] and the remaining tracks were released on 28 March 2021, through Sony Music label.[12]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi" | Yugabharathi | Anthakudi Ilayaraja | 4:42 |
2. | "Yela Yelo" | Arivu | Arivu | 2:50 |
3. | "Mic Testing" | Arivu | Mano Eswaran, Dhanush | 4:24 |
4. | "Ela Mandela" | Arivu | Anthony Daasan, Musa Mashiane | 4:32 |
5. | "Mandela Tribute" | Bharath Sankar | Bharath Sankar | 3:26 |
6. | "Iaino – To Live" | Mamiliva Randriamihajasoa, Pradeep Kumar | Bharath Sankar, Tsanta Randri, Vololona Randriamihajasoa | 3:26 |
Release
[edit]In March 2021, YNOT Studios decided to release the film as a direct television premiere on Star Vijay on 4 April 2021 and the film would be globally streamed via Netflix from 9 April 2021.[13][14] However, the Netflix release was brought forward to 5 April 2021, as they wanted to release the film before the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections.[15][2] The film's theatrical premiere was held at PVR Cinemas, Chennai on 31 March 2021.[16]
Reception
[edit]The film received critical acclaim.[citation needed]
Thinkal Menon from The Times of India praised the performances of the cast and technical aspects, and wrote that the film is "outright hilarious from the word go, though it deals with umpteen relevant, sensitive topics". Menon further gave three-and-a-half out of five stars for the film.[17] Ranjani Krishnakumar of Firstpost gave 4 stars (out of 5) for the film, further stating it as "Mandela is a film that will remind us of our priorities. It will encourage us to think about our rights as people and our power when we're together, and will also stand as a thoughtful and optimistic view of democracy, for one and all."[18] Giving three out of five stars, Behindwoods further added "A stellar Yogi Babu and some honest, nuanced writing makes Mandela entertaining."[19]
The Indian Express chief critic Manoj Kumar R, wrote "This political satire is direct and obvious in its messaging. And that adds to the movie's strengths and makes the narration more effective", and rated the film three out of five.[20] Srivatsan S of The Hindu wrote "‘Mandela’ is a first-rate political satire that shows how deep-seated caste is, by taking an unflinching yet unsentimental look."[21] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "The film allows Yogi Babu to truly showcase his potential and he plays the titular character with so much sincerity."[22] Navien Darshan of Cinema Express gave 3.5 stars (out of 5) stating it as "A hilarious and yet, hard hitting entertainer backed by strong writing and performances".[23]
Accolades
[edit]Award Ceremony | Date of Ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Edison Awards | 12 March 2022 | Best Screenplay | Madonne Ashwin | Won | |
68th National Film Awards | 22 July 2022 | Best Debut Film of a Director | Madonne Ashwin | Won | [24] |
Best Screenplay (Dialogue) | Won | ||||
10th South Indian International Movie Awards | 10–11 September 2022 | Best Film | YNOT Studios | Nominated | [25] [26] |
Best Debut Director | Madonne Ashwin | Won | |||
Outstanding Performance of the Year | Yogi Babu | Won | |||
67th Filmfare Awards South | 9 October 2022 | Best Film | S. Sashikanth Chakravarthy Ramachandra Balaji Mohan |
Nominated | [27] |
Best Director | Madonne Ashwin | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Sheela Rajkumar | Nominated | |||
Best Playback Singer – Male | Bharath Sankar | Nominated | |||
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | December 2022 | Best Debut Director | Madonne Ashwin | Won | [28] [29] |
Best Child Artist | Mukesh | Won | |||
Best Story | Madonne Ashwin | Nominated | |||
Best Screenplay | Madonne Ashwin | Nominated | |||
Best Film | YNOT Studios | Nominated | |||
Best Actor | Yogi Babu | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Sheela Rajkumar | Nominated | |||
Best Playback Singer – Male | Anthakudi Ilaiyaraja | Nominated |
Controversy
[edit]People from Maruthuvar community and Barber's profession have condemned the film for poor portrayal of their profession and community. SK Raja, the president of Tamil Nadu Barbers Welfare Association, accused the filmmakers, stating that denigrates their community and profession and propagates prejudice and social injustice.[30] A petition was filed by R. Munusamy, the president of the Tamil Nadu Hair Dressers Union, on 21 April, alleged that the film contains several objectionable scenes that speak ill about the barber community.[31]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Here is the trailer of Yogi Babu's 'Mandela'". The Times of India. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Mandela: TV, OTT Release date for Yogi Babu's film!". Moviecrow. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Yogi Babu's 'Mandela' makes it to the shortlist of films for India's entry to the Academy Awards". The Times of India. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Nayattu, Mandela in shortlist of films for India's entry to Academy Awards". The News Minute. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Yogi Babu's Mandela is under consideration for India's entry to the Oscars!". Sify. 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Venkatesh Maha's new film titled Martin Luther King". 123Telugu. 19 September 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Yogi Babu's next titled 'Mandela', first-look out". The News Minute. 24 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Yogi Babu starts shooting for 'Mandela'". The Times of India. 24 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ CR, Sharanya (27 July 2019). "Yogi Babu's next is a social satire". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Yogi Babu's 'Mandela' shooting wrapped up". The Times of India. 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Video: கலக்கப்போவது யாரு பிரபலம் பாடியுள்ள யோகிபாபுவின் மண்டேலா பட FirstSingle வெளியீடு!". Behindwoods (in Tamil). 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Check Out Latest Tamil Music Audio Songs Jukebox Of 'Mandela' Starring Yogi Babu, Sangili Murugan, G.M. Sundar, Sheela Rajkumar And Kanna Ravi". The Times of India. 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Yogi Babu's political satire Mandela to premiere on April 4!". Sify. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Mandela – Vijay TV premiere and Netflix release dates inside, read on!". LetsOTT. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Star Vijay to premiere Mandela on April 4". Exchange4media. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Mandela – Red Carpet Event. Y Not Studios. 5 April 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Menon, Thinkal (2 April 2021). "Mandela Movie Review: The movie, which unarguably has the best performance of Yogi Babu till date, is also aided by beautiful visuals, sensible cuts, captivating music and engaging narration". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Krishnakumar, Ranjani (5 April 2021). "Mandela movie review: Madonne Ashwin's film is a balcony view of the darkly amusing times we live in". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Mandela Movie Review". Behindwoods. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ R, Manoj Kumar (7 April 2021). "Mandela review: The timely political satire is a must watch this election season". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ S, Srivatsan (3 April 2021). "'Mandela' movie review: Yogi Babu excels in a film that understands caste structure and vote-bank politics". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Pudipeddi, Haricharan (5 April 2021). "Mandela movie review: The only film you need to watch before the next election". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Darshan, Navien (4 April 2021). "Mandela Movie Review: A bold, no-nonsense and funny political satire". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "68th National Film Awards | Updates". The Hindu. 22 July 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "SIIMA 2021 Nominations: Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa', Dhanush's 'Karnan' Get Top Nods". ABP News. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2022 Winners: Silambarasan TR, Tovino Thomas, Sivakarthikeyan, Arya, Kangana Ranaut, Aishwarya Rajesh Win Awards on Day 2 of SIIMA 2022 – Check Full List of Winners". LatestLY. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Nominations for the 67th Parle Filmfare Awards South 2022 with Kamar Film Factory". Filmfare. 7 October 2022. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2020–21 & 2022 is back". Exchange4media. 29 March 2023. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ சுப்ரமணியன், நாராயணி (9 May 2023). "Highlights from Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2020–21 ft. Suriya, Kamal, Maniratnam & Sivakarthikeyan". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ Red Pix-Mandela Movie Protest by Barbers Association (in Tamil). Red Pix 24x7. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Producers of film 'Mandela' issued notice over 'derogatory' references to barber community". The New Indian Express. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
External links
[edit]- 2020s political satire films
- 2020s Tamil-language films
- 2021 comedy-drama films
- 2021 directorial debut films
- 2021 films
- 2021 television films
- Best Debut Feature Film of a Director National Film Award winners
- Comedy television films
- Drama television films
- Films about elections
- Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Indian comedy-drama films
- Indian political satire films
- Indian television films
- Tamil films remade in other languages
- 2020s Indian films
- Films directed by Madonne Ashwin
- Tamil-language Indian films
- Race-related controversies in film
- 2021 controversies