King (2002 film)

King
VCD Cover
Directed by	Prabhu Solomon
Produced by	Krishnakanth
Written by	Prabhu Solomon
Starring	Vikram Sneha Nassar
Music by	Dhina
Cinematography	G. Ramesh
Editing by	Lancy Mohan
Release dates	6 September 2002 (2002-09-06)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

King is a 2002 Tamil language film directed by Prabhu Solomon and produced by Krishnakanth. The film featured Vikram in the title role, while Sneha, Vadivelu and Nassar played supporting roles. Dhina scored the film's music, while Rameshhandled cinematography. It released in September 2002.^[1] The film was later dubbed and released in Telugu as Remo.

Plot

The story evolves around Raja (Vikram), a business management student and professional magician living in Hong Kong with his single-father, Shanmugam (Nassar), who he loves a lot. Then one day, they end up in a car accident, and when Shanmugam is in need of blood, he is given an unanalyzed amount of blood which was infected with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Cheenu suggests to Raja that he take his father to his old home in India, and to keep him happy for the last 2 months of his life. It is then that Raja finds out that Shanmugam was exiled from his home 25 years ago because he had a love marriage. But all that changes when the family meets him again, and when they meet Raja for the first time. However, Shanmmugam's father still doesn't talk to his son until Raja threatens him by attempting suicide. It is around then that Raja meets his crush, named Tamil (Sneha). It is revealed that Tamil's father and Shanmugam were good friends, and he gives her a picture of him with her father. Shanmugam also says that Tamil is the ideal daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, Raja is doing a countdown of his father's life, trying to express his love to Tamil, and entertaining his cousins.

It is then revealed in the film that it was Raja who was infected with multiple sclerosis, and Shanmugam persuaded Dr. Cheenu, who is also a good friend of his to lie to Raja, and the doctor has been trying his level best to find some form of treatment for this incurable disease. A month after he was diagnosed, Dr. Cheenu called saying the symptoms will start arising within Raja, which consist of headaches, colour blindness, and a hole appearing in his vision. Raja realizes something is wrong and his doubts are cleared in a telephone conversation with Dr. Cheenu, and using his ventriloquist abilities, he talks to the doctor while imitating his father's voice, but Shanmugam and Dr. Cheenu don't know that the secret is out.

The movie concludes with an open ending where Raja goes for his treatment silently promising Tamil to be bonded with her forever.

Cast

• Vikram as Raja
• Sneha as Tamil
• Nassar as Shanmugam
• Janagaraj
• Vadivelu
• Santhana Bharathi as Dr. Cheenu

Production

King was the first production venture of S. K. Krishnakant, who had earlier worked as the production executive for Lakshmi Movie Makers. The film was written and directed by A. X. Solomon who had directed the Arjun-Sonali Bendre starrer Kannodu Kanbathellam in 1999, under the name Prabhu. However as that film did not perform to expectations at the box office, the director wanted to be credited as A. X. Solomon for his second Tamil film. He has since gone on to make a career under the name of Prabhu Solomon.^[2]

The film was initially titled as Vikadan with Suvalakshmi being the first choice lead actress.^[3] During the period Vikram had accepted another film titled King where he was set to play dual roles, but the film eventually was shelved, hence the title King was chosen to replace Vikadan in this project. Vikram took up magic lessons and learnt how to roller-blade for his role in the film.^[4]

References