Jambhavan

Jambhavan
Poster
Directed byA. M. Nandakumar
Written byA. M. Nandakumar
Produced byT. T. Raja
S. Sathya Narayanan
StarringPrashanth
Nila
Meghna Naidu
CinematographyRamesh Babu
Edited byShankar
Music byBharadwaj
Production
company
ESK Frames Rajalakshmi Kalaikudam
Release date
  • 8 September 2006 (2006-09-08)
Running time
158 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Jambhavan (/ɑːmbəvɑːn/) is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by A. M. Nandakumar. The film stars Prashanth, Nila and Meghna Naidu, while Vivek, Vijayan and Vijayakumar play other pivotal roles. Featuring music composed by Bharadwaj, the film was released on 8 September 2006.

Plot

Velan is a responsible son of a village landlord. Adored by the villagers for his good deeds, Velan gets a shock when the landlord informs him that he is his foster son. A shocked Velan sets out on a mission to learn about his past. He reaches Chennai and learns that his family members were killed by the dreaded gangster Deva. He then vows to kill him and his gang. In the name of Jambhavan, he starts to kill rowdies in the society. Suffering a head injury, Velan loses his memory and is later adopted by the landlord. He realises that his job was just half-done. The remainder of the movie is how he puts an end to Deva and his men.

Cast

Production

The film was announced in December 2005 and began production shortly after a launch event held in Tirupathi.[1] Directed by Nandakumar who earlier directed Vijayakanth starrer Thennavan (2003), it was reported that actor Prashanth would sport three different appearances in the movie and a special make-up man and physical instructors were brought in from Mumbai for the movie.[2] Nila and Meghna Naidu were signed to portray the film's lead heroines, while Carnatic vocalist T. N. Seshagopalan was also selected to play a pivotal role, in his second film.[3] A third leading female role was considered, but later dropped after actresses had refused the offer.[4] The team then began shoot with a thirty-day schedule in Tenkasi in Southern Tamil Nadu.[5]

The making of the film was disrupted in January 2006, when actress Nila walked out of the film after falling out with the producers. It was revealed that for a bathing scene in Courtallam she had asked for the tub to be filled with mineral water and when the team could not satisfy that demand, she had a difference of opinion with the producers.[6][7] Nila revealed that she was an asthma sufferer and was unable to get into the tub of water that the team had provided.[8] During a press meet in late March 2006, Nila announced that she re-joined the team and shot for scenes in Taramani, Chennai and had put aside her differences after the producers apologised.[6][9] The team then also went on to film song sequences in Thailand with the lead pair.[10]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Bharadwaj.[11]

Song Singer(s) Lyrics
"Pana Marathuley" Ranjith, Janani Bharadwaj Na. Muthukumar
"Velan Vetri Velan" Karthik Kabilan
"Sandhakaram" T. N. Seshagopalan Andal Priyadarshini
"Pen Alaiye" Kavitha Kabilan
"Halwa Ponnu" Roshni, Tippu Pa. Vijay
"Jambavaan Theme" Instrumental
"Ethanai Varusham" Janani Bharadwaj, Vijay Yesudas Muthu Vijayan

Release and reception

The film opened on 8 September 2006 alongside Sillunu Oru Kaadhal and Em Magan.[12] A critic from Sify noted "this film is a slapdash enterprise that will make you groan", adding "it caters strictly to B and C class audiences and leaves you cold".[13] S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu wrote, "Prasanth's acting and Shankar's editing act as the saving graces of ESK Frames' Rajalakshmi Kalaikoodam "Jaambavan." The director Nandakumar, also in charge of screenplay and dialogue, falls short in his effort to make the film a wholesome entertainer".[14]

References

  1. ^ "Prashanth's Jambavan will be launched in Tirupathi". Behindwoods.com. 10 December 2005. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Prashanth's luck changes". IndiaGlitz.com. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Prashanth's Jambavan has high glamour index". Behindwoods.com. 15 December 2005. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Heroines refusing Prashanth?". Behindwoods.com. 13 December 2005. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  5. ^ "My kind of place -- PRASANTH". The Hindu. 17 April 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b "'Jambavan' Press Meet". IndiaGlitz.com. 31 March 2006. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Nila pulls a surprise". IndiaGlitz.com. 1 March 2006. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  8. ^ "SJ Suryah, Kollywood, Asthma and handy medicines – Nila opens up!!". Behindwoods.com. 23 August 2006. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Nila is still adamant". IndiaGlitz.com. 17 March 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Jambhavan ready for release". IndiaGlitz.com. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Jambavan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 9 August 2006. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Box Office – Flurry of films this weekend". IndiaGlitz.com. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Jambavan". Sify. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  14. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (15 September 2006). "Story is its weak link - Jaambavan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2024.