Japan (2023 film)

Japan is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language heist action comedy film written and directed by Raju Murugan. It is produced by S. R. Prakash Babu and S. R. Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures. The film stars Karthi and Anu Emmanuel, alongside Sunil, Vijay Milton and Jithan Ramesh.

The film was officially announced in August 2022. Principal photography began in November, and wrapped by late-June 2023. The official title Japan was revealed in the same month. The film has music composed G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by Ravi Varman and editing by Philomin Raj.

Japan was released on 10 November 2023, the week of Diwali. Despite high expectations, the film was panned by critics and audiences, although Karthi's performance was praised, but criticised the screenplay, story, cast performance & some improper Foul language being not censored properly and the film became a box-office bomb.

Plot
A notorious master thief steals a fortune in jewels at a jewellery shop, and a cat-and-mouse chase ensues between him and the police.

Cast

 * Karthi as Japan Muni
 * Anu Emmanuel as Sanju Kutty
 * Sunil as Sridhar (Voice dubbed by Aruldoss)
 * Vagai Chandrasekhar as Perinbam (Inbam)
 * K. S. Ravikumar as Minister Pazhanisamy
 * Jithan Ramesh as Gangadhar Reddy (main antagonist)
 * Vijay Milton as Karuppasamy
 * Bava Chelladurai as Boomer
 * Sridhar as himself
 * Rajendran as Japan's aide (cameo appearance)
 * Arunraja Kamaraj as a director
 * C. V. Kumar as a film producer
 * Sanal Aman as Eesu
 * Rajesh Aggarwal as Mitesh
 * Palakkad Sreeram as a doctor
 * YouTuber Irfan's View as himself
 * Legend Saravanan as himself (Cameo)
 * Lionel Messi (Photo Appearance Only)
 * Pawan Kalyan ( Photo Appearance Only)
 * Pawan Kalyan ( Photo Appearance Only)

Development
In mid-March 2020, it was reported that Raju Murugan was to collaborate with Karthi for his next directional. In February 2022, the project's launch was reported to happen in May, as Karthi would have finished his commitments to Viruman (2022), Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022), Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023) and Sardar (2022). The project was reported to be funded by S. R. Prakash Babu and S. R. Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures. That May, Ravi Varman was reportedly roped in to handle the cinematography. In early August, Murugan, during a press meet for Viruman, officially announced the project. In late September, was it reported that the launch would happen in October and the music will be composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. On 11 September, the producers S. R. Prakash Babu and S. R. Prabhu made an public announcement of the project. A muhurat puja was held in Chennai the same day. The crew were also announced the same day, which includes editor Ravi Varman, composer G. V. Prakash Kumar and editor Philomin Raj.

Casting
In February 2022, reports claimed that Vijay Sethupathi was approached to play the antagonist role. In June, Prabhu stated that they not had approached the actor. Karthi reportedly underwent immerse training for the film. In early-September, Sunil was reported to be a part of the cast. In November, Rashmika Mandanna was reported to play the lead female role, alongside Karthi for the second time after Sulthan (2021), but it turned to be false.

Filming
Principal photography commenced on 8 November 2022, with the first schedule in Thoothukudi. The schedule concluded in mid-December. The second schedule in Chennai started a week after the first concluded. Filming wrapped in late-June 2023.

Music
The music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar in his fifth collaboration with Karthi after Aayirathil Oruvan (2010), Saguni (2012), Komban (2015) and Sardar (2022).

The first single, "Touching Touching", was released on 23 October 2023. The second single, "Sottangalla", was released on 2 November 2023.

Theatrical
Japan was released on 10 November 2023, coinciding the week of Diwali, clashing with Jigarthanda DoubleX.

Home media
The digital rights were sold to Netflix, while the satellite rights were sold to Star Vijay.

Reception
Japan received negative reviews from critics.

Deccan Herald gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Celebrating the silver jubilee in Karthi's filmography, 'Japan' stands as an indelible project. Despite a few shortcomings in providing closure to supporting characters, the overall narrative still manages to keep the audience engaged." M. Suganth of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Despite such an idea looking good at the script level, they never hold us as they unfold on screen." Goutham S of Pinkvilla gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Japan is far from director Raju Murugan's best work from both a directing and writing standpoint. The sluggish screenplay and haphazard placement of songs purely to prop up the film as a Karthi star project fall short of Karthi's usual caliber."

Navein Darshan of Cinema Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Japan is Rajumurugan's weakest writing to date. This is a rude shock as his recently celebrated directorial Lalagunda Bommaigal, for Modern Love Chennai is still fresh in our minds for its novelty and wholesomeness." P. Sangeetha of OTTplay gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Karthi's 25th film Japan barely entertains and ends up as a damp squib.The Raju Murugan film is a complete misfire on all aspects." Priyanka Sundar of Firstpost gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Japan is anything but a well-made film despite the stunning cast and some beautiful visuals." Janani K of India Today gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Japan' is a completely underwhelming watch and does not add any value to Karthi's filmography."

Srinivasa Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote "Director Raju Murugan's 'Japan' starring Karthi suffers from poor execution of its core ideas." Harshini S V of Film Companion wrote "The story is predictable and the characters remain one-dimensional, but if you buy into the film's silliness, there's some fun to be had."