Kadamban

Kadamban is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by N. Ragavan. It stars Arya and Catherine Tresa in the lead roles. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, while the art direction and action choreography were handled by A. R. Mohan and Dhilip Subbarayan.

Kadamban was released on 14 April 2017. The movie was dubbed and released in Telugu as Gajendrudu. "The Hindi rights of the film were purchased by RK Duggal Studios for a record price. The Hindi trailer was launched on 6 May 2017, and the Hindi dubbed version was released under the same title by RKD studios.

Plot
Kadamban is a native of an isolated tribe at the Kadamba forest in Tamil Nadu, who lives a happy life as the protector of the forest. Mahendran is a powerful business magnate running a cement factory with his brothers who attempt to get tribe out of the forest as he learns that it is known for its immense amount of limestone and plans to extract the metals illegally, but Kadamban and his clan refuses and a battle ensues between them. Mahendran orchestrates shootouts and the cops in the forest, which leads to many deaths of tribe. With some of the villagers, Kadamban manage to finish Mahendran and his brothers, thus saving the forest and avenging the injustice.

Cast

 * Arya as Kadamban
 * Catherine Tresa as Radhi
 * Deepraj Rana as Mahendran
 * Super Subbarayan as Moopa
 * Madhusudhan Rao as Basil Raju
 * Amruth Kalam as Muthu
 * Aadukalam Murugadoss
 * Y. Gee. Mahendra
 * Madhuvanti Arun
 * Usha Elizabeth as Radhi's mother
 * Rajasimman as Radhi's brother
 * Ethiraj as Ranger Karuna
 * Kadhal Saravanan as Mahendran's assistant
 * Dr. Sabu Issac as Doctor
 * Madurai Saroja
 * Jayakumar

Production
In January 2015, Ragava and Vikram Prabhu announced that they would work on an action adventure film together, with Ilaiyaraaja signed on to compose the film's music. The film was reported to be titled as Thanni Kaattu Raja, but was postponed.

In December 2015, Ragava announced that he would make the action adventure film with Arya in the lead role, and that it would be set in the backdrop of a jungle. Catherine Tresa was signed on as heroine, while Yuvan Shankar Raja was soon after announced as the film's music composer. For his role in the film, Arya underwent a very rigorous training, he took charge of his lifestyle, underwent a complete makeover and sported a striking muscular physique. The film began shooting in March 2016 in the forests of Kodaikanal and the terrain was rough and challenging. The team realised this shoot was going to be like no other, they took on every challenge the jungle had to throw at them; even as simple as mobile network coverage was hard to find, the team requested local operators to put up four communications towers. In May 2016, the film's actual title was revealed to be Kadamban. For the shooting of the climax scene, 70 elephants were used. Catherine Tresa says that, Kadamban is a saga with a social message to love forest and the simple ways of nature; this is indeed an eye opener for the betterment of the country.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and released on TrendMusic.

Reception
Behindwoods rated the Music 2.5 /5 and noted it as "A passable adventure by Yuvan for Kadamban that is just about competent !"

Release
Kadamban became a success at the box office. Though the film wasn't a good profitable deal, but the makers enjoyed some revenue.

Critical response
Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote "Avatar meets Lagaan in the Ragava-directed Kadamban (Protector)...the result is long and a bit of a mishmash, but not entirely unwatchable."