Dhoni is a 2012 Indian drama film co-written, directed and produced by Prakash Raj. Simultaneously made in Tamil and Telugu languages, it stars Raj alongside Akash and Radhika Apte.[1] The plot illustrates the conflicting interests of a father and his son; the father wants his son to study MBA, but his son is more interested in sports and wants to become a famous cricketer like Mahendra Singh Dhoni.[2][3] Based on the 2010 Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, Dhoni released on 10 February 2012 to positive reviews.
| Dhoni | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster in Tamil | |
| Directed by | Prakash Raj |
| Screenplay by | Prakash Raj T. J. Gnanavel |
| Based on | Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho |
| Produced by | Prakash Raj |
| Starring | Prakash Raj Akash Radhika Apte |
| Cinematography | K. V. Guhan |
| Edited by | Praveen K. L. N. B. Srikanth |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Duet Movies (Tamil) Sri Venkateswara Creations (Telugu) |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Languages |
|
Plot
editSubramaniam is a lower-middle-class widower with his two kids. He works from dawn to dusk to bring up his son Karthik and his daughter Kaveri. He wishes to give them a good education. He wants to see his son become an MBA graduate. But his son not interested in studies. Fourteen-year-old Karthik wants to become a good cricketer. His inspiration is Mahendra Singh Dhoni and he like him, he wants to be an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman.
While Subramaniam enrolls him in a good school, Karthik fails in most of the subjects. However, his Cricket Coach is in all praise, as Karthik played a major role in winning a Cricket Tournament. Kaveri often spends time with Nalini. Subramaniam learns that Nalini earns her living through prostitution and he strictly orders his daughter to stay away from her. As Karthik is poor in studies, The Principal tells Subramaniam to take his son out.
Immediately Subramaniam takes Karthik away from cricket coaching and makes him to go a series of tuition classes. Karthik fails to cope with his studies even after leaving cricket, which makes Subramaniam lose his patience. Subramaniam beats Karthik and injures his head by mistake for which Subramaniam is arrested. As Karthik goes into a coma, Subramaniam is very upset. He thanks Nalini for helping him pay the hospital bill.
When Subramaniam goes to Karthik's school to collect things from Karthik's locker, he finds many trophies and certificates which makes him argue with the teacher that if his son is not good at studies it does not mean that he is good for nothing. Soon Subramaniam goes for TV shows to debate. As he is working in a government office they ban him from going to the office and cancel the loan for his son's operation. Subramaniam cannot bear it anymore and he goes to a function where the Chief Minister comes, Subramaniam talks with the Chief Minister about all this. The Chief Minister promises Subramaniam that there will be changes and he will get the money for his son's operation. Karthik's operation is successfully done. Karthik plays the final Cricket Tournament in his school he hits the last ball which goes for a six and Karthik wins the Cricket Match. The movie ends as Karthik's Cricket coach and Subramaniam carry him.
Cast
edit- Prakash Raj as Subramaniam
- Radhika Apte as Nalini
- Akash Puri as Karthik Subramaniam
- Sriteja as Kaveri Subramaniam
- Brahmanandam as Subramaniam's boss
- Nassar as Karthik's Cricket Coach
- Hema as History Teacher
- Tanikella Bharani as Karthik's School Principal
- Murali Sharma as Ghani Bhai
- Sarath Babu as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh
- Thalaivasal Vijay as Neurosurgeon
- Chaams as Subramaniam's coworker
- Ananth Babu as Subramaniam's coworker
- Vishwanath as Subramaniam's neighbor
- Gollapudi Maruti Rao as Samudram
- Pragathi as Subramaniam's wife (Photo only)
- Sri Lakshmi as Subramaniam's coworker
- Singamuthu as Office peon
- Shankar Melkote as Subramaniam's neighbour
- Pasanga Sivakumar as Subramaniam's neighbour
- Gundu Hanumantha Rao as Sri Kumaran Silks worker
- 'Thadi' Balaji as Vegetable vendor
- Kotesh Manava as Police officer
- Muthukaalai as School peon
- Prabhu Deva in a guest appearance in song "Vaangum Panathukkum"/"Mattiloni Chettu"
- C. Gopinath in a special appearance as a host of Neeya Naana
Production
editPrakash Raj announced that he would direct a bilingual named Dhoni. He said: "The film deals with the pressure that children undergo these days in schools".[4]
Hindi film actress Mugdha Godse was reported to have been signed on to essay the opposite lead role, while Ilaiyaraaja was roped in to do the musical honors.[4] Radhika Apte confirmed that she was playing a pivotal role in the film.[5] Telugu film director Puri Jagannadh's son Aakash was selected to portray Prakash Raj's son.[3]
The first look of the film was unveiled in August 2011.[6]
In November 2011, choreographer-actor Prabhu Deva shot for five days for a cameo role.[7]
Reception
editCritical response
editDhoni received a positive response from critics. The Times of India rated it 3.5 out of 5, saying, "...thanks to a combination of inspired acting, stimulating writing, a stirring background score and fine camera work, the film rises above the ordinary to make for a compelling cinema experience."[8] Oneindia praised Prakash Raj's "electrifying performance", as well as his directorial abilities.[9] Rohit Ramachandran of Nowrunning.com gave the movie 2.5 stars out of 5, stating, "Instead of reaching the potent climax that the film had set itself up for or giving its characters the opportunity to evolve, Dhoni becomes a social statement we've heard before."[10] Sify wrote "On the whole, don?t miss Dhoni. The beauty of the narration is that the message applies to everyone and it might change your life".[11]
fullhyd.com praised Dhoni's middle-class touches, and said it has "Prakash Raj written all over it — the man coats his film with the intensity and integrity we're used to seeing in his performances". It also said that some of the film's outrage is off-topic.[12] Sunita Chowdary of Cinegoer.com, said that Dhoni is "a perfect picture of hope and redemption", but added that the film is predictable.[13]
Soundtrack
edit| Dhoni | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 2012 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Label | Sony Music | |||
| Producer | Ilaiyaraaja | |||
| Ilaiyaraaja chronology | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The album was released on 28 January 2012 with a special live performance by Ilaiyaraaja.[14] Behindwoods reported that the music was a "treat for Raja fanatics" and that the emphasis on melody was "there all through".[15]
- Tamil version
All lyrics were written by Na. Muthukumar.
| Song | Singers |
|---|---|
| "Chinna Kanniley" | Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal |
| "Vaangum Panathukkum" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Thaavi Thaavi Pogum" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Vilayaattaa Padagotty (Female)" | Shreya Ghoshal |
| "Vilayaattaa Padagotty (Male)" | Hariharan |
- Telugu version
All the songs were written by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry.
| Song | Singers |
|---|---|
| "Chitti Chitti Adugaa" | Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal |
| "Mattiloni Chettu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| "Endhaaka Nee Payanam (Female)" | Surmukhi Raman |
| "Gayam Thagili" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Endhaaka Nee Payanam (Male)" | Sathyan |
Awards
edit| Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Prakash Raj | Nominated |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Radhika Apte | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback | Shreya Ghoshal for China Kanniley and Vilayaattaa Padagotty (Female) | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Prakash Raj bats for Dhoni Sify.com, 23 August 2011.
- ^ INN (3 January 2012). "Audio release of Dhoni this month". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ a b "Dhoni is a thought provoking film". The Times of India. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Prakash Raj bats for Dhoni". Sify. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ Chowdhary, Y Sunita (1 October 2011). "Straight from the heart". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- ^ "Prakash Raj's 'Dhoni' - First Look — IG Exclusive — Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ "Prabhu Deva shoots for Dhoni". The Times of India. 7 November 2011. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013.
- ^ Times Of India (11 February 2012). "Dhoni Review". Times Of India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
- ^ Oneindia.com. "Dhoni Review". Oneindia Entertainment.
- ^ Rohit Ramachandran. "Dhoni Review". Nowrunning.com.
- ^ "Review: Dhoni (2012)". Sify. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ Deepa Garimella. "Dhoni Review". fullhyderabad.com.
- ^ Y Sunita Chowdary. "Dhoni Review". Cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ Shankar (25 January 2012). "மேடையில் இளையராஜாவின் லைவ் ஷோவுடன் டோணி இசை வெளியீடு!- dhoni audio release with ilayaraja — Oneindia Tamil". Tamil.oneindia.in. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ "Dhoni Music Review — Dhoni Music Review". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.