Sivakasi (film)

Sivakasi is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Perarasu. The film stars Vijay, in the main lead role, while Asin and Prakash Raj in the supporting roles. The film's music is composed by Srikanth Deva, while the background score was composed by his father, Deva.

Sivakasi was released on 1 November 2005, coinciding with Diwali and received positive reviews from the critics. It ran for 150 days in theatres and performed commercially well.

Plot
Sivakasi is a welder who meets Hema, and they fall in love after multiple incidents. Hema's father approves of the marriage, but her brothers remark that Sivakasi's current income is not enough to support Hema, causing him to throw them out of the house. Hema confronts Sivakasi, who remarks that he couldn't understand his siblings as he was an orphan. Sivakasi reveals his real name as Muthappa and was falsely blamed for setting off crackers near a possessed dancer 15 years earlier, which was actually done by his brother, Udayappa. Hema berates him for ignoring his parents' love and declares they will marry only at his family's request. Sivakasi returns to his village and discovers Udhayappa is now a MLA due to his mother-in-law, Moolimungaari's influence.

Sivakasi's mother, Thangam, works as a servant in her own house and his sister Vairam operates a roadside stall in a nearby village in utter poverty with her husband Ramalingam and daughter Divya. Sivakasi decided to improve their lot anonymously. One of his few confidants tells how his father, Meiyappa, died when Udhayappa claimed that Thangam had affairs. Enraged, Sivakasi beats up Udayappa and his men, using a fake identity. Udayappa tries to sell off the ancestral property, but Sivakasi reminds the buyers that without Muthappa's signature, the sale is illegal. To avoid this, Udhayappa dresses a false body to look like Muthappa, but Sivakasi inserts a note saying his share of the property should be donated. The note is found to be valid and Udhayappa reveals his deception. Later, Udhayappa registers his MLA candidacy but finds Vairam contesting, supported by Sivakasi's money.

Furious about Sivakasi, Udayappa is visited by Hema and Sivakasi's friends who are looking for him. Udayappa goes to Sivakasi's house thinking that he knows his identity. It is revealed that Hema lied, saying that Muthappa and Sivakasi are friends. Udayappa threatens to kill Thangam and although Sivakasi burns his palms, he and Vairam decide to leave. At night, Vairam sees Ramalingam getting kidnapped by someone assuming that he is Udayappa, but is actually Sivakasi. When Vairam confronts her Udayappa, he hits her which gains her sympathy votes. Sivakasi fakes a threat by Udhayappa towards Vairam, resulting in Udayappa's men attacking the villagers. The people turn against him and Moolimungari, who is covered in cow dung for making Udayappa an MLA.

Moolimungari threatens Udayappa with dire consequences, Udayappa plans to kill his wife, Kayalvizhi, and frame Sivakasi to gain votes, but Sivakasi saves her. Sivakasi secretly burns a body with Ramalingam's chain, making everyone think Udayappa killed him. The people rioted outside his house. Sivakasi calls him, saying he can have Ramalingam back, but must hand over all his ancestral property to her. Udayappa signs it, thinking Muthappa cannot sign and finds one of his men. Vairam wins the election and property, where she and her mother regain their old state. Sivakasi released Ramalingam and Kayalvizhi. Udayappa hears that Muthappa has arrived, who is revealed to Vairam and her mother to be Sivakasi. An angry Moolimungari decides to kill Udayappa, who decides to kill his brother. Moolimungari's men arrive and are about to kill Udayappa. When Thangam asks Sivakasi/Muthappa to save him, Sivakasi/Muthappa rescues Udhayappa, who later begs for forgiveness for his actions and reunites with Kayalvizhi. Muthappa and Hema get married.

Production
After the success of Thirupaachi, A. M. Rathnam called Perarasu to make a film with Vijay re-uniting with him for second time. Sivakasi was Perarasu's second collaboration with Vijay after Thirupaachi and producer Rathnam's third film with Vijay after Kushi (2000) and Ghilli (2004).

Jyothika was reported to be heroine instead role went to Asin. Sridevika was originally offered the role of Vijay's sister but later went to Malayalam actress Lakshana. Simran was initially approached for item number after her rejection, Nayanthara agreed to replace Simran due to the persuasion of Vijay. Geetha was selected to play as Vijay's mother.

Art director G. K. created the sets of Ranganathan Street, T. Nagar with the sum of Rs. 12.0 million, one of the traditional Mylapore look complete with tall temple gopurams and Teppakulam and another of vintage Triplicane aura with mosques. There were reports that Vijay would perform dual roles but later proved false. 120,000 feet of rolls has been used to shoot the film. The first schedule was completed in Chennai and the crew camped at Karaikudi for the second schedule, the third schedule was shot at Kushaldas Gardens with Vijay and Asin. The filming was primarily held at Chennai, Karaikudi and Sivakasi while a song was picturised on Karaikudi and another at Australia. Rocky Rajesh was doing the Stunt Master's job for Vijay's film Sivakasi. As Dharani wanted Rocky Rajesh to work for his Telugu film, he requested the director of Sivakasi, Perarasu to release him. Hence the climactic fight sequences were composed and finished in a short time by Thalapathy Dinesh of Chandramuki fame. Dubbing was held at Kalasa studios.

Music
The soundtrack was composed by Srikanth Deva. But Srikanth Deva was only able to composed the songs as he was composing for his ongoing project, Aacharya. Hence, the background score was composed by his father, Deva. All lyrics were penned by Perarasu. The song “Ada Ennaatha” is partially inspired by the song “Andhamaina Bhamalu” from the Telugu film Manmadhudu. The song "Idhu Enna" is based on Hindi song "Dil To Pagal Hai" from the Hindi film of same name.

Release and reception
The film released on 1 November 2005. The satellite rights of the film were secured by Jaya TV. The film was given a U certificate by the Censor Board, with "three dialogue cuts".

Ananda Vikatan rated the film 42 out of 100. Indiaglitz wrote: "Sivakasi is one among the long line of formulaic masala mass entertainers that Vijay is now known to dish out. In Perarasu, Vijay has got a director who understands the hero as well as his fans". Behindwoods wrote: "The movie is worth seeing as it includes sentiment and entertainment. It is an action paired entertainer and worth considering". Sify wrote: "This FORMULA had worked well for director Perarasu and Vijay in Tirupachi and now the team has re-worked it. This time, however, it will test your patience as it is not meant for the class audience or those seeking quality entertainment. Perarasu and Vijay believe only in catering to the mass audience who want their dose of unpretentious masala mix". A critic from Kungumam wrote that "Milk tastes better with a little water. Perarasu exchanged water for raw alcohol. Even though there are a thousand confusions, the truth is you get the feeling of lighting ten thousand fire crackers. Lajjavathi of Kalki wrote even though Vijay perfectly fits into a story which M. G. R. and Rajini has acted a lot, it is questionable whether mass films like this can take Tamil cinema and the fan's taste to new heights.

Remakes
Sivakasi was remade into Telugu as Vijayadasami in the year 2007. It was also remade into Bengali as Aamar Pratigya in the year 2008. And Remade in Bhojpuri as Karz Virasat ke in the year 2015.