Desingu Raja

Desingu Raja
Promotional poster
Directed by	Ezhil
Produced by	Madhan
Written by	Ezhil N. Rajasekhar (dialogues)
Starring	Vimal Bindu Madhavi
Music by	D. Imman
Cinematography	Sooraj Nallusami
Edited by	Gopi Krishna
Production company	Escape Artists Motion Pictures
Distributed by	Olympia Movies
Release date	23 August 2013 (2013-08-23)
Country	India
Language	Tamil
Box office	₹ 30 crore

Desingu Raja (Tamil: தேசிங்கு ராஜா; English: King Desingu) is a 2013 Indian Tamil film directed by Ezhil starring Vimal and Bindu Madhavi.^[1] The film is a full-length comedy set in two villages which are perpetually at conflict with one another.^[2] The film has been extensively shot in Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Chennai.^[3] The film was released on 23 August 2013 to highly positive reviews and was an block buster at the box office.^[4][5]

Plot

Idhayakkani (Vimal), who hails from the village of Killioru, is a firm believer in non-violence. The ongoing feud between his family and the family of Seena Thana from the neighbouring village of Pulioru is a source of constant worry for him.

Though their rivalry began on a minor issue, many lives were sacrificed over the years.

Idhayakkani’s father is killed by Seena Thana. Angered by the death of his son, Idhayakkani’s grandfather retaliates by killing Seena Thana’s son.

So Seena Thana vows to kill Idhayakkani.

Meanwhile, Idhayakkani meets Thamarai (Bindu Madhavi), Seena Thana’s daughter, at a temple festival and falls deeply in love. Chaos ensues when both realise who their families are and the respective sets of parents and villagers object to their romance. Idhayakani marries Thamarai at a temple and Seenathana gets killed by henchmen of Idhayakani's grandfather. Thus Thamarai develops hatred towards Idhayakani for her father's death.

According to Panchayat, Thamarai goes to Idhayakani's home with her family in order to kill Idhayakani but they fail in their attempts.

When Chittappa hears that Thamarai is pregnant he is determine to kill her child. But Surya (Soori), Thamarai's uncle tries to give honey instead of poison to Thamarai which makes her safe.

In the climax, Killiooru organises Kabaddi match in Puliooru. Chittappa arrives at the place by kidnapping Thamarai and her mother but Kaushik, Idhayakani's uncle, was kidnapped instead of Thamarai. It turns out that Surya had saved her. Chitappa arrives to kill Idhayakani but the presence of Cheergirls makes him undergo a change of heart.He then dances to the tune of Gangnam Style and accepts Idhayakani wholeheartedly.

Cast

• Vimal as Idhayakani
• Bindu Madhavi as Thamarai
• Soori as Suriya
• Singampuli as Koushik
• Ravi Mariya as Chitappa
• Charle
• Aadukalam Naren as Idhayakani's father
• Vinu Chakravarthy as Idhayakani's grandfather
• Vanitha Krishnachandran as Thamarai's mother
• Vadivukkarasi
• Susan George
• Singamuthu
• Chaams
• Gnanavel as Cheena Thaana
• Muktha Bhanu : special appearance in song "Nelavattam"
• Venniradai Moorthy : special appearance in song "Pom Pom"
• Lollu Sabha Swaminathan : special appearance in song "Pom Pom"

Production

After a fairly successful outing with Manam Kothi Paravai, director Ezhil started his next titled Desingu Raja, which was in a similar genre rural comedy. He roped in Vimal to play the lead Idhayakani, who has been named so by his parents and is a diehard MGR fan.^[2] Bindu Madhavi was signed to play the female lead as a Rajini fanatic in the movie, thus pairing with Vimal for second time after Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga.^[6] She said "I play a cheerful, naughty village girl".^[7] Muktha Bhanu danced for one song along with Vimal and the group dancers which was shot in Thiruvarur.^[8]

Sify reported that the film was nearly 50% complete in December 2012.^[9] In April 2013 a song sequence featuring Vimal and Bindu Madhavi was shot for almost ten days in a set worth 15 lakhs.^[10] In May 2013 the crew shot a song sequence for 10 days with Vimal and Bindu Madhavi in a set resembling a fruit godown.^[11]

Soundtrack

After Manam Kothi Paravai, D. Imman collaborates with Ezhil for second time and his first collaboration with Vimal. The soundtrack contains 5 songs which was written by Yugabharathi. Single track "Ammadi Ammadi" was released on 25 May 2013.^[12] The audio was released on 19 June 2013 at Suryan FM Radio station.^[13][14] Behindwoods wrote:"Folksy and well produced".^[15] Yaarume Kekkave Illa was not included in the film.

Track list

All lyrics written by Yugabharathi.

Release

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Zee Thamizh. The film was given a "U" certificate by the Indian Censor Board. The film was supposed to release on 15 July and got postponed to 9 August but due to release of Thalaivaa, it got postponed and finally released on 23 August.^[16][17] The film released in 300+ screens across TN.^[18]

Box Office

The film grossed ₹ 8+ crore at the box office.

Critical reception

The film opened to generally positive reviews from critics. Rediff gave it a 2.5/5 & wrote: "The unconvincing storyline may not hold your attention, also some unfunny comic elements in the film will not certainly keep you entertained throughout".^[19] Behindwoods gave it a 1.5/5 & wrote: "On the whole, Desingu Raja doesn’t have much going for it as this blend of comedy, romance and family drama is one that has been done to death many times".^[20] Deccan Herald also gave it a 1.5/5 wrote: "It's an unambitious film on a mission to entertain its viewers with full-length comedy. Honestly, it doesn't succeed in its mission because the forced humour does not even works for a few minutes, but after a while it really tests your patience".^[21] The Times of India gave it a 2.5/5 and wrote: "You will not like this film if you are looking for a rural comedy that feels fresh and funny".^[22] The Hindu wrote: "Desingu Raja is about the union of a couple from feuding villages, but it’s really a cautionary tale about making movies with no jokes and no script".^[23]

References

External links

• Desingu Raja on IMDb