Kalakalappu

Kalakalappu
Directed by	Sundar C.
Produced by	Ronnie Screwvala Siddharth Roy Kapur Khushboo Sundar Sundar C.
Written by	Badri (Dialogues)
Screenplay by	Sundar C.
Story by	Sundar C.
Starring	Vimal Shiva Anjali Oviya Santhanam John Vijay Ilavarasu
Music by	Vijay Ebenezer
Cinematography	U. K. Senthilkumar
Edited by	K. L. Praveen - N. B. Srikanth
Production company	Avni Cinemax UTV Motion Pictures
Distributed by	UTV Motion Pictures[1]
Release dates	11 May 2012 (2012-05-11)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Kalakalappu is a 2012 Indian Tamil comedy film co-written co-produced and directed by Sundar C. and produced by his wife Kushboo Sundar. It features Vimal, Shiva, Anjali, Oviya and Santhanam in lead roles and music composed by Vijay Ebenezer. It was originally titled Masala Cafe, but was later renamed to Kalakalappu. This movie is a Tamil adaptation of German comedy Soul Kitchen.^[2] The film released on 11 May 2012. The film is being remade in Telugu as Jump Jilani with Allari Naresh.

Plot

The setting is Kumbakonam, where Seenu (Vimal), tries to keep the fire burning in the kitchen of his famous ancestral restaurant Masala Café. It is tough job for Seenu to keep the place running, but with the help of the old chef and granddaughter, Maya (Oviya), he somehow manages it.

Seenu also borrows liberally from Anjuvatti Alagesan (Ilavarasu), and is in no position even to pay back his interest. Soon enough, there is Madhavi (Anjali), the new Health Inspector who wants the place to be sealed, but soon ends up falling in love with Seenu. Meanwhile, Seenu's brother Raghu (Shiva) a smooth talking con man enters the scene and creates more complications. He falls for Maya.

The brothers soon get entangled in a case of missing diamonds, the jewels dealer Manickam (Subbu Panchu), and a local corrupt cop Dharman (John Vijay). Madhavi soon reveals that her marriage has been forcibly arranged with her village-mate Vettupuli (Santhanam), and soon leaves for her village. But Seenu follows her, promising that he will help her escape. Dharman meanwhile cheats Raghu, and takes over the cafe while Seenu is away to Madhavi's village.

When Seenu is back, he comes to know about that incident and tries to arrange for the money. Meanwhile when Raghu arrives at their house, he sees Manickam and his henchmen who have kept Seenu and the constable under them. When, Raghu gives the phone which contains the diamonds, they try to kill all of them present there fearing that they'll complain to police. Dharmaraj soon arrives there in information of the diamonds. Vettupuli also arrives at the scene in search of Madhavi. After a comic fight between all these people, Manickam and his gang along with Dharmaraj are arrested. Finally, they resurrect their Masala Cafe.

Cast

Production

A report in December 2010 suggested that Sundar C. would quit acting, after his films successively bombed at the box office, and concentrate on directing only.^[3] Sources confirmed that he began working on his next directorial by mid-2011, with Vimal and Shiva being roped in for the lead male roles.^[4] Anjali, Bindu Madhavi and Piaa Bajpai were considered for the lead female roles,^[5] with the former two being roped in.^[6][7] Vadivelu was expected to get a pivotal role in the film and make a comeback,^[8] but was later replaced by Santhanam.^[9] The title of the film was announced in mid-October, which was reported to be completed in one schedule.^[10] Sources further revealed that a "top actor" would be seen in a cameo appearance which eventually proved false.^[11] It was earlier buzzed that Bindu Madhavi will play second female lead but it looks like Oviya has booked a berth in this film. Filming was started in Kumbakonam^[12] and first schedule was finished in 20 Nov 2011,^[13] Distribution rights has been given to UTV Motion Pictures.^[14] Majority of the filmwas shot in Gobichettipalayam. When the shooting was going in Gobichettipalayam it rained heavily but in spite of it, the shooting continued.^[15] The famous CKS bungalow in Gobichettipalayam was converted into Masala Cafe for the film.^[16] Sundar C said that idea of Kalakalappu struck him during the shooting of Murattukaalai.^[17]

Soundtrack

The music is composed by Vijay Ebenezer who earlier composed for Kanden and it was his first stint at providing commercial music. It was reported that director Sundar C. would turn lyricist,^[18] which later proved untrue. The Times of India had reported that Vimal had sung few lines for a song, but Vijay said "he did practice for the song, but due to time constraints, we could not record the final version with him".^[19]

All lyrics written by P. Vijay. 

Critical reception

Musicperk.com rated the album 6.5/10 quoting "The songs are good overall but not extraordinary".^[20] Behindwoods rated the album 3 out of 5 quoting "A nice collection of numbers. The focus is equally on masala and melody songs as well".^[21]

Release

The satellite rights of the film were secured by Sun TV. The film was given a "U" certificate by the Indian Censor Board.

Reception

Kalakalappu opened to mixed to positive reviews from critics. The Times of India claimed that "Kalakalappu remains true to its title and is jolly good fun throughout".^[22] Sify's critic desscribed the film as "good fun while it lasts, with the second half better than the first".^[23] Behindwoods termed Kalakalappu as "a jolly good time".^[24] Indiaglitz wrote: "Fun unlimited, Sundar C has shown his value as a director of commercial entertainers earlier and reinforces it again with a bang with 'Kalakalappu', which sure turns out to be a summer treat".^[25] Deccan Chronicle wrote: "It's fun and funny, unpretentious and yet quite nutty!".^[26]

Rediff's Pavithra Srinivasan gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars and stated that it did have "its funny moments but only a few of them work".^[27] In.com wrote: "Kalakalappu works only in bits and pieces!".^[28] Rohit Ramachandran of Nowrunning.com rated it 2 out of 5 stating that "Sundar C's Kalakalappu conforms to Kollywood film-making by being silly unfunny mediocre nonsense."^[29]

Box office

Kalakalappu took a big opening on release day and was declared a box office success.^[30] The film was released in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in 259 screens on 11 May. The film grossed 50 million (US$790,000) in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala in the first week.^[31]

Sequel

Precisely ten days after the release of 'Kalakalappu' the makers decided that the movie will have a sequel, thanks to massive response from audience from all centers. 'Kalakalappu' released on 11 May and has been declared a hit. The sequel will be produced by UTV Motion Pictures and will be feature the same actors with direction by Sundar C again. Kalakalappu - 2 is slated to go on floors from January 2014 with the same leading cast.^[32]

References

External links

• Kalakalappu at the Internet Movie Database