Veetla Vishesham

Veetla Vishesham is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by RJ Balaji and NJ Saravanan. It is a remake of the 2018 Hindi film Badhaai Ho. The film is being produced by Boney Kapoor in association with Zee Studios, Bayview Projects LLP and Romeo pictures.

The film was released in theatres by 17 June 2022. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences and became commercial success with praise for the performances of the cast, story and comic timing of main leads.

Plot
Ilango is 26 years old, working as a biology teacher at a school. He is in a stable relationship with Sowmya, who is the school owner’s daughter. Her mother likes him and approves of their relationship. His father Unnikrishnan ‘Unni’, is a middle-aged man working in the railways. His mother Krishnaveni is a typical housewife. His younger brother, Anirudh ‘Ani’ is a high-school student. His family resides in the railway quarters, near the train station. Ilango’s grandmother always quarrels with Krishnaveni and dominates over her son, Unni. One day, she taunts Krishnaveni, who gets hurt by her comments. Unni consoles his wife and gets intimate.

17 weeks later, Krishnaveni realises she is pregnant after visiting the doctor. She decides not to abort the child. So Unni announces Krishnaveni’s third pregnancy to the family. The two sons are embarrassed and start to avoid their parents, friends, and society, over the fear of being ridiculed. Unni also tells his mother about Krishnaveni's pregnancy and his mother responds that they must deal with whatever God's desires are. The next day, Unni's mother makes a big scene and asks Krishnaveni to do some tedious work because she was not wearing her hearing aids the night before when Unni broke the news to her.

The news of the pregnancy goes viral and they are made fun of by family, friends, relatives, and society. Ilango begins to avoid Sowmya. Eventually, he reveals the news of his mum’s pregnancy to Sowmya. Unni and Krishnaveni ask Ilango and Anirudh to go to Kerala for their cousin’s wedding. Both of them refuse by making excuses. This makes Unni angry at them and he leaves them with Krishnaveni and his mother. Meanwhile, Sowmya offers a room date to cheer Ilango up. But he is unable to get intimate with her as it reminds him of his mum’s pregnancy. Sowmya’s mother learns about Krishnaveni’s pregnancy from Sowmya. She is shocked and speaks badly about Ilango’s family. Ilango eavesdrops on their conversation and talks harshly with Sowmya’s mum, and breaks up with Sowmya.

At home, Anirudh reveals to Ilango that some boys made fun of him at school and when he responded to them, one of the boys hit him on the face. Ilango and Anirudh then realise their love for their mum and dad. While in Kerala, Unni’s elder sister-in-law and sister tease Krishnaveni for her late pregnancy. For the first time, Unni’s mother defends her daughter-in-law for her dutifulness and makes them realise their selfishness and harsh attitude towards her.

Ilango then reconciles with his parents after their return and begins to fulfil his duties as a son. Krishnaveni realises that Ilango has broken up with Sowmya, and she tells him to apologise to Sowmya’s mother. Ilango reluctantly agrees, for his mother’s sake, and tells her that he misses Sowmya, and that the reason he accepted his mum’s pregnancy was because of Sowmya.

After the baby shower, Krishnaveni experiences labour pain and is immediately taken to the hospital where Chief Minister LKG is also admitted due to heart pain. Sowmya’s mother tells her daughter about Ilango’s visit and apology as well as saying that she has forgiven Ilango. Sowmya visits Ilango at the hospital. After the comical/strenuous delivery, the doctor announces the birth of a baby girl.

The family is delighted at the announcement. Later, the family gathers around Krishnaveni in joy and takes a group selfie with the baby girl.

Production
The project, a remake of the Hindi film Badhaai Ho, was first reported in March 2021 under the title Veetla Vishesham. Principal photography began in August 2021 at Coimbatore, and wrapped the following month after 40 working days. The actual title Veetla Visheshanga was announced on 18 March 2022.

Music
The music of the film was composed by Girishh Gopalakrishnan and lyrics written by Pa. Vijay.

Promotion
The cast members RJ Balaji and Aparna Balamurali appeared as a guests in the Zee Tamil series Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal for promoting the film.

Theatrical
The film was released in theatres 17 June 2022.

Home media
The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were bought by ZEE5 and the satellite rights by Zee Tamil and Zee Thirai. The film began streaming on ZEE5 from 15 July 2022.

Critical response
Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu said, "Beyond comparisons with the original, Veetla Vishesham manages to stand on its own as a well-written drama that takes its theme seriously and as an entertainer that leaves the audience in splits during regular intervals". M. Suganth of The Times of India who gave 3.5 stars out of 5 stars after reviewing the film stated that "Remakes are tricky, especially when the original happens to be a National Award-winning film with a subject that can be touchy for many in the audience. But with Veetla Vishesham, RJ Balaji and NJ Saravanan have managed to capture the spirit of Badhaai Ho and come up with an entertaining film that makes us laugh out loud and get emotional in equal measure". Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times said, "The Tamil remake of Badhaai Ho is a well-made entertaining film that manages to not just be good on its own but even stands up to the National Award-winning original".

Sudhir Srinivasan of Cinema Express who gave 3 stars out of 5 stars after reviewing the film stated that "When a film shows heart, you can excuse a loss of finesse, I think". Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint who gave 3.5 stars out of 5 stars after reviewing the film stated that "Veetla Vishesham works both as an improvised remake if you already saw the Hindi original, and as a stand-alone film when watched with a pair of fresh eyes". Maalai Malar gave 3.75 rating out of 5 and noted that Balaji, who is playing the lead role in the film, has given a comedy and sarcasm performance in his own style. Especially in the film, he has attracted more attention in the sentimental scenes. However, Nakkheeran stated that if people who have not seen Hindi films watch this film, it will be an enjoyable film with a good concept. Dinamalar gave 3.25 rating out of 5.

Box office
Overall, the film has collected approximately Rs 13 crore at the box office.