Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 Film)
“Sakalakala Vallavan,” translated as “The Master of All Arts,” is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language romantic action comedy film. Written and directed by Suraj, the film features prominent actors such as Ravi Mohan, credited as Jayam Ravi, alongside Trisha Krishnan and Anjali. Supporting roles include notable performances from Prabhu, Soori, and Vivek. The music for the film was composed by Thaman S, while U. K. Senthil Kumar handled the cinematography and Selva RK managed the editing. Originally titled “Appatakkar,” the film was shot between July 2014 and June 2015 and eventually released on July 31, 2015. Despite its high expectations, “Sakalakala Vallavan” failed to impress at the box office.
Plot Summary
The narrative of “Sakalakala Vallavan” revolves around two feuding families engaged in a political rivalry. At the center of this conflict are Shakthi and Chinnasamy, who are embroiled in a bitter struggle over an election. During this tumultuous period, Shakthi falls in love with Anjali, only to later discover that she is Chinnasamy’s cousin. Faced with familial pressures and obligations, Shakthi finds himself compelled to marry Divya under unfortunate circumstances.
As their marriage unfolds, Divya insists that they must get to know each other before embarking on their life together. However, Shakthi’s attempts to make a good impression continuously backfire, leading to misunderstandings and tension between the couple. Feeling discontented with their relationship, Divya requests a divorce; yet Shakthi suggests that she stay with his parents for a month to spare them any emotional distress regarding her feelings about their marriage.
The situation escalates when Shakthi’s father encourages Divya to stand for election as a female candidate. Divya agrees but ultimately loses the election, resulting in frustration from Shakthi’s father directed at Shakthi himself. This moment becomes pivotal for Shakthi as he opens up about his past failures in love and life. As Divya observes Shakthi’s genuine affection for his family and his struggles, her feelings towards him begin to change.
By the conclusion of the film, Divya and Shakthi embrace their marital bond filled with love despite their frequent arguments over trivial matters. The story wraps up with a light-hearted lesson from Chinnasamy, emphasizing that couples’ disputes should be viewed playfully and not taken too seriously.
Main Cast
The film features a talented ensemble cast that includes:
- Jayam Ravi as Shakthi
- Trisha Krishnan as Divya
- Anjali as Anjali
- Prabhu in a supporting role
- Soori in a supporting role
- Vivek in a comedic role
Production Insights
The production of “Sakalakala Vallavan” began in early June 2014 as a collaboration between director Suraj and Lakshmi Movie Makers. Initially signed on for the lead role was Ravi Mohan (Jayam Ravi), who played an influential part in casting Anjali after her hiatus from Tamil cinema. Notably, Dhanush was originally considered for the lead role before Ravi was confirmed.
Shooting commenced in Chennai in July 2014, featuring elaborate sets designed to replicate a Tenkasi market at a cost of ₹40 lakh (approximately ₹67,000). Trisha Krishnan joined the cast later that summer after discussions revealed that Kajal Aggarwal had requested an unfeasibly high salary for her involvement.
The filming process concluded in June 2015 with several changes along the way. The initial title “Appatakkar,” inspired by a famous line from Santhanam’s performance in “Boss Engira Bhaskaran,” was changed to “Sakalakala Vallavan” following permission from M. Saravanan, producer of the original film by the same name released in 1982.
Soundtrack Details
The soundtrack for “Sakalakala Vallavan” was composed by Thaman S., adding musical depth to the cinematic experience. A notable highlight from the soundtrack is Jayam Ravi’s debut as a singer with the song “Bulbu Vangittaen,” showcasing another facet of his artistic talent.
Release and Reception
<p"Sakalakala Vallavan" premiered on July 31, 2015. However, it faced significant criticism from audiences and critics alike upon its release. Sudhir Srinivasan of The Hindu remarked that despite aiming for comedic effect, the film resulted in an experience that felt more somber than entertaining. S. Saraswathi from Rediff.com rated it poorly at 1 out of 5 stars due to what she described as an absurd script coupled with ineffectively executed comedic elements.
M. Suganth from The Times of India delivered an even harsher critique, rating it just 0.5 out of 5 stars and labeling it as a significant misstep in every contributor’s career involved in its production. The consensus among reviewers pointed toward miscasting—specifically highlighting Ravi’s role—as a primary factor contributing to its commercial failure at the box office.
Conclusion
In summary, “Sakalakala Vallavan” serves as an example of how high expectations can sometimes lead to disappointing outcomes within Indian cinema. While it features notable talents both in front of and behind the camera, including strong performances from its leading cast members and an ambitious storyline centered around familial conflict and romance, its execution fell short of audience anticipation.
The film highlights challenges related to character development and narrative coherence that can arise during production processes in filmmaking. Ultimately, while “Sakalakala Vallavan” sought to entertain through humor and romance amidst action elements, it did not achieve its intended impact on viewers or at the box office.
Artykuł sporządzony na podstawie: Wikipedia (EN).