Star (2024 film)

Star is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age romantic drama film written and directed by Elan. The film is jointly produced by B. V. S. N. Prasad and Sreenidhi Sagar under Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra and Rise East Entertainment. It stars Kavin in the lead role, alongside Lal, Aaditi Pohankar, Preity Mukhundhan and Geetha Kailasam. The film follows Kalai, a youngster, who pursues his dream of becoming an actor while facing various obstacles.

Initially, Harish Kalyan was cast in the lead role, but he was subsequently replaced by Kavin. The film was announced in August 2023 under the tentative title Kavin's Next, and the official title was announced a few days later. Principal photography commenced in June 2023. It was predominantly shot in Chennai, and filming wrapped by mid-February 2024. The film has music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematography handled by Ezhil Arasu K and editing by Pradeep E. Ragav.

Star was released worldwide on 10 May 2024 in theatres. It received mixed reviews from critics and audience, with praise for Kavin and Lal's performances, cinematography, Yuvan Shankar Raja's soundtrack and background score and criticism of Elan's screenplay.

Synopsis
Kalai is a boy from a middle-class family whose only aspiration is to make it into the film industry as an actor. His father Pandian, a still photographer, is a pillar of support for his dreams as Kalai goes to various lengths to achieve this. Will Kalai achieve his ambitions and see himself on the silver screen?

Development
In June 2019, Harish Kalyan, who had a successful collaboration with director Elan after Pyaar Prema Kaadhal (2018), was reported to collaborate with the latter for his next directorial. Amma Creations, headed by T. Siva, would reportedly produce the venture. On 5 December 2020, the project was confirmed by the director, during an interview. Yuvan Shankar Raja was revealed to have been brought on board to compose the score, in his second consecutive film with the director after Pyaar Prema Kaadhal. Yuvan was reportedly paid 6 crores for his involvement. The venture's production house, Screen Scene Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd, made a public announcement on 12 December. The official title, Star, was announced with a promotional poster that day. In July 2021, reports claimed that the venture was shelved, due to creative differences between Elan and Kalyan.

In August 2023, Kavin, who was praised for his performance in Dada (2023) and a long-time friend of the director, was reported to replace Kalyan for the lead role. On 27 August, B. V. S. N. Prasad, header of Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, who made his Tamil debut with Asvins (2023), and Rise East Entertainment announced that they would be jointly producing the film. On 10 September, Aaditi Pohankar and Preity Mukhundhan were announced both playing lead actress roles, with both pairing opposite Kavin, for the first time. The film marks as Aaditi's second Tamil film after the 2017 film Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum. She was announced to play the role of Jimikky, the love interest of Kavin's character, Kalai.

Filming
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 1 June 2023 in Chennai. Halfway of filming was completed by 30 January 2024. Principal photography wrapped by 17 February.

Music
The music and background score is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, in his maiden collaboration with Kavin; second with Elan after Pyaar Prema Kaadhal (2018). The audio rights were acquired by Sony Music India. The first single "College Superstars" was released on the occasion of Rajinikanth's birthday (12 December 2023). "Vintage Love", "Melody" and "Jimikky's Ghazal", the second, third and fourth single, released on 4, 20 and 25 April, respectively. The album, consisting of 10 songs, released on 4 May. The song "Oru Naalil" from Raja's Pudhupettai (2006) which did not feature in the film was re-used.

Theatrical
Star was released on 10 May 2024 in theatres.

Home media
The digital streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video and the satellite rights by Vijay TV. The film had its digital premiere on the streaming platform from 7 June 2024.

Critical response
Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "This quality of the film invariably leads to Star being lifelike, even when it's exaggerated". Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "However, it ended up as a showreel more than a emotional and inspiring documentation of his life". Manigandan KR of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "However, it refuses to rise up to that point and just ends being an entertainer". Ashwin Ram of Moviecrow gave 2.75/5 stars and wrote "Had all the potential to be a cracker of a flick if it had retained the same energy and empathy throughout as done till the halfway mark. Yet a fine flick to give a shot for the performances, music and loads of nice moments it offers in the first hour".

Anusha Sundar of OTTplay gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Star would have been undoubtedly that one film which could have broken Tamil cinema’s dry spell. Nevertheless, the film still creates some magic and belief". Bhuvanesh Sundar of The Hindu wrote that "It is only the memory of these few moments — and the inert good intentions of the film — that makes Star shine even when it falls".