:Kannai Nambathey
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2022}}
{{No plot|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kannai Nambathey
| image = Kannai Nambathey.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = Mu. Maran
| producer = V. N. Ranjith Kumar
| writer = Mu. Maran
| starring = {{Ubl | Udhayanidhi Stalin | Prasanna | Srikanth | Aathmika|Bhumika}}
| music = Siddhu Kumar
| cinematography = Jalandhar Vasan
| editing = San Lokesh
| studio = Lipi Cine Crafts
| distributor = Red Giant Movies
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2023|3|17|ref1=}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Kannai Nambathey ({{Translation|Don't trust your eyes}}) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Mu. Maran. The film stars Udhayanidhi Stalin in his penultimate acting credit, Prasanna, Srikanth, and Aathmika, while Bhumika, Vasundhara Kashyap, and Sathish play supporting roles. The music was composed by Siddhu Kumar with cinematography by Jalandhar Vasan and editing by San Lokesh. The film released theatrically on 17 March 2023 and received mixed reviews from critics.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Udhayanidhi Stalin as Arun
- Prasanna as Somu
- Srikanth as Ilamaran
- Aathmika as Divya
- Bhumika as Savita and Kavita (dual role)
- Vasundhara Kashyap as Vasundhara "Vasu"
- Sathish as Jagan
- G. Marimuthu as Inspector Azhagar
- Pala. Karuppiah as Mu. Aalavanthaan, Health Minister
- Chithra Lakshmanan as Arun’s MD
- G. Gnanasambandam as Divya's father
- Subiksha Krishnan as Aparna
- Sendrayan as Simon
- Jeeva Ravi as Commissioner Rajendran
- Aadhira Pandilakshmi as Hemavathy
- Karate Karthi as the blackmailer
- Supergood Subramani as Inspector Paranthaman
- TSR Srinivasan as San Lokesh
- Bujji Babu as Raghu
- Leo Siva
- Tha. Muruganantham
- Madhesh
- Arulnithi as Bharath (voice only){{Cite web |last=Sundar |first=Anusha |date=16 March 2023 |title=We need more socio-political films’ |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/tamil/2023/mar/16/we-need-moresocio-political-films-2556345.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515135049/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/mar/16/we-need-moresocio-political-films-2556345.amp |archive-date=15 May 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023 |website=The New Indian Express}}
}}
Production
The film announcement made in around early 2019 about the making of the film casting Udhayanidhi Stalin titled Kannai Nambathey by director Mu. Maran.{{Cite web |date=4 February 2019 |title=Udhay's next, a crime thriller titled Kannai Nambathey |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/feb/04/udhays-next-a-crime-thriller-titled-kannai-nambathey-1933858.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222151855/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/feb/04/udhays-next-a-crime-thriller-titled-kannai-nambathey-1933858.html |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web |date=5 February 2019 |title=Udhay and Aathmika pair up for 'Kannai Nambathey' |url=http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/udhay-and-aathmika-pair-up-for-kannai-nambathey-news-tamil-tcfknJdagdadf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222044835/http://origin-www.sify.com/movies/udhay-and-aathmika-pair-up-for-kannai-nambathey-news-tamil-tcfknJdagdadf.html |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=5 February 2019 |title=உதயநிதி நடிக்கும் 'கண்ணை நம்பாதே' |url=https://www.thanthitv.com/News/Cinema/2019/02/05094404/1024233/Udhayanidhi-Stalin-new--movie-Kannai-Nambathey.vpf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222043637/https://www.thanthitv.com/News/Cinema/2019/02/05094404/1024233/Udhayanidhi-Stalin-new--movie-Kannai-Nambathey.vpf |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=ThanthiTV.com |language=ta}} The title of the film was taken from a song from the 1975 film Ninaithadhai Mudippavan.{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=5 February 2019 |title=Aathmika bags solid role opposite Udhay |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/050219/aathmika-bags-solid-role-opposite-udhay.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201112413/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/050219/aathmika-bags-solid-role-opposite-udhay.html |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle}} Maran announced that the film is set in the crime thriller genre, similar to his directorial debut Iravukku Aayiram Kangal.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2019 |title=Udhayanidhi Stalin's next is edge-of-the-seat thriller |url=https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2019/02/05/udhayanidhi-stalins-next-is-edge-of-the-seat-thriller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042122/https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2019/02/05/udhayanidhi-stalins-next-is-edge-of-the-seat-thriller/ |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=News Today}} He wanted an actress with a girl next door image to be the lead actress on decided on Aathmika, whose performance in Meesaya Murukku impressed him.{{Cite web |last=காந்தி |first=உ சுதர்சன் |date=25 August 2022 |title=நமக்குப் பெரிய பொறுப்பிருக்குன்னு உதயநிதி சொன்னார்! |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/director-m-maran-interview-about-kannai-nambathey-movie |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201115825/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/director-m-maran-interview-about-kannai-nambathey-movie |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} Principal photography commenced on 11 February 2019.{{Cite web |date=11 February 2019 |title=சஸ்பென்ஸ் நிறைந்த க்ரைம் திரைப்படம் "கண்ணை நம்பாதே" படப்பிடிப்பு தொடங்கியது….! |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/tamil/kollywood/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-shoot-kick-starts-1991595 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042157/http://movies.ndtv.com/tamil/kollywood/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-shoot-kick-starts-1991595 |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=NDTV |language=ta}}{{Cite web |date=11 February 2019 |title=உதயநிதியின் கண்ணை நம்பாதே படப்பிடிப்பு இன்று துவக்கம் |url=https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2019/02/11094946/1227180/Udhayanidhi-Stalins-Kannai-Nambathe-Shoot-Begins-Today.vpf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042015/https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2019/02/11094946/1227180/Udhayanidhi-Stalins-Kannai-Nambathe-Shoot-Begins-Today.vpf |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=Maalai Malar |language=Tamil}} The film experienced production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Udhayanidhi's political aspirations,{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=21 November 2022 |title=Udhayanidhi Stalin: I wanted to stop acting after OKOK |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2022/nov/21/i-wanted-to-stop-acting-after-okok-36880.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216094530/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2022/nov/21/i-wanted-to-stop-acting-after-okok-36880.html |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=15 April 2023 |website=Cinema Express}} with actress Subiksha Krishnan's portions only being completed by January 2022.{{Cite Instagram |postid=CYqwtnZF9JB |user=subikshaoffl |title=Gratitude 🙏🏽🤍 Wrapped up my portion for the shooting of my next Tamil movie 'Kannai nambadhey' 👁❤️ Feeling so blessed to work with this team 💝 Thank you God 🙏🏽🌸 |date=13 January 2022 |author-link=Subiksha Krishnan |access-date=7 March 2022 |url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/subikshaoffl/2750224763369017921_2750224758646074966 }}
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = Kannai Nambathey
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Siddhu Kumar
| cover =
| released = 2023
| genre = Soundtrack
| length = 8:20
| label = Saregama
| language = Tamil
| producer = Siddhu Kumar
| studio =
| prev_title = Anandham Vilayadum Veedu
| prev_year = 2021
| next_title = Theera Kaadhal
| next_year = 2023
| misc =
| audio1 =
}}
The soundtrack was composed by Siddhu Kumar.
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| title1 = Kaathiru
| lyrics1 = Kugai Ma Pugazhenthi
| extra1 = Lakshmikanth M
| length1 = 3:49
| title2 = Kuru Kuru
| lyrics2 = Vignesh Ramakrishna
| extra2 = Adithya RK
| length2 = 3:19
| title3 = Engu Pogirom
| lyrics3 = Vignesh Ramakrishna
| extra3 = Adithya RK
| length3 = 1:12
| extra_column = Singer(s)
}}
Release and reception
The film was released theatrically on 17 March 2023,{{Cite news |date=26 February 2023 |title=Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'Kannai Nambathey' trailer promises a gripping suspense thriller |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-trailer-promises-a-gripping-suspense-thriller/article66556396.ece |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228040156/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-trailer-promises-a-gripping-suspense-thriller/article66556396.ece |archive-date=28 February 2023}} delayed from February.{{Cite web |last=Muthu |first=Vignesh |date=27 November 2022 |title=Udhayanidhi Stalin's Kannai Nambathey set for February release |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/nov/27/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-set-for-february-release-37088.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208034647/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/nov/27/udhayanidhi-stalins-kannai-nambathey-set-for-february-release-37088.html |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=Cinema Express}}
Gopinath Rajendran, a critic from The Hindu, wrote, "Like an onion, Kannai Nambathey is a collection of layers that, when unravelled, have nothing at its core, apart from leaving us teary-eyed. Probably that also explains the title."{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=17 March 2023 |title='Kannai Nambathey' movie review: This convoluted thriller ends up being unintentionally funny |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kannai-nambathey-movie-review-this-convoluted-thriller-ends-up-being-unintentionally-funny/article66631261.ece |access-date=21 March 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321045539/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kannai-nambathey-movie-review-this-convoluted-thriller-ends-up-being-unintentionally-funny/article66631261.ece |url-status=live }} A critic from Maalai Malar gave 3.25 rating out of 5 and stated that although there are some questions about the script, it does not seem like a big deal; the director has given the film so much that it is impossible to guess what the next scenes will be.{{Cite web |last=maalaimalar |date=17 March 2023 |title=Kannai Nambathey |url=https://www.maalaimalar.com/movie-review/kannai-nambathey-25244 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=maalaimalar.com |language=ta |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151447/https://www.maalaimalar.com/movie-review/kannai-nambathey-25244 |url-status=live}} Logesh Balachandran critic from The Times of India wrote that "with better lighting techniques and staging, and tighter writing in the second half, the film might have created a greater impact on us" and gave 2.5 stars out of 5.{{Cite news |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=17 March 2023 |title=Kannai Nambathey Movie Review : Kannai Nambathey falters despite a thrilling setup |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/kannai-nambathey/movie-review/98723417.cms |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151454/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etmoviedetailshowtimes.cms?movieid=93208553&detailid=93208553&city_name=Mumbai&city_id=2 }} A Dinamalar critic gave a 2.75 rating out of 5.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2023 |title=கண்ணை நம்பாதே |url=https://m.dinamalar.com/vimar-detail.php?id=3269 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Dinamalar |language=ta |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151434/https://m.dinamalar.com/vimar-detail.php?id=3269 |url-status=dead}}
Dinamani wrote that the cinematics of the climax scene are not enjoyable.{{Cite web |title=அடுத்தடுத்த திருப்பங்கள்.. வென்றாரா உதயநிதி? கண்ணை நம்பாதே – திரைவிமர்சனம் |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/movie-reviews/2023/mar/16/kannai-nambathey-movie-review-4018050.html |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Dinamani |language=ta |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151444/https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/movie-reviews/2023/mar/16/kannai-nambathey-movie-review-4018050.html |url-status=live}} A Virakesari critic gave 3.5 out if 5 rating and stated that Srikanth as usual has lived up to the director's expectations.{{Cite web |title=கண்ணை நம்பாதே – விமர்சனம் |url=https://www.virakesari.lk/article/150727 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Virakesari |language=ta |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151440/https://www.virakesari.lk/article/150727 |url-status=live}} Murugadoss C critic from News18 stated that this film belongs to decent thriller category.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2023 |title=உதயநிதி நடித்த 'கண்ணை நம்பாதே'.. படம் எப்படி? இதோ விமர்சனம்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/entertainment/udhayanidhi-stalin-kannai-nambathey-movie-review-and-rating-911570.html |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=News18 |language=ta |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317151433/https://tamil.news18.com/entertainment/udhayanidhi-stalin-kannai-nambathey-movie-review-and-rating-911570.html |url-status=live}}
References
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