Aathi

The film starts with Anjali sitting on a bench in Rameswaram feeding a white pigeon by a calm ocean. A retired police officer Shankar comes and sits on the bench by her side, and they exchange pleasantries. Suddenly, she whips out a knife and kills him with the help of her maternal uncle Ramachandran, while saying that she has been waiting for this moment for many years. She then returns to Chennai with Ramachandran to attend college.

After that, the scene shifts to Aathi, who lives in New Delhi with his family, consisting of his parents Mani and Lakshmi, who love him and his sister. He attends a course at a college in Chennai against his parents' wishes. Unable to be separated from Aathi, his family comes to Chennai with him.

It is revealed that Anjali is studying in the same college as Aathi, and she has an agenda to seek revenge on her family's killers, and Ramachandran assists her. Meanwhile, RDX, a local gangster, enters and is shown to have a dispute with Pattabhi. To exact their revenge, Ramachandran attempts to kill Sadha, one of RDX's henchmen but fails to do so since Aathi kills Sadha with a gun he was armed with. At first naturally, RDX assumes the killer can be none other than Pattabhi, so he kills him. However, Aathi arrives on the scene with help from Bullet, his college classmate who is a comical rowdy. Aathi threatens RDX saying that he was the one who killed Sadha and that he will also kill Abdullah. As typical and usual, Abdullah gets angry and goes to kill Aathi but fails, and Aathi beheads Abdullah, while his family witnesses this act with horror. Soon it is revealed that Aathi is their adopted son and he is there on a personal mission to eliminate the people behind the murder of his biological family. Aathi reveals his flashback to them.

Past: Aathi's biological father was an honest cop who arrested one of RDX's henchmen. It is revealed that Anjali and Aadhi are from the same family as Aathi's father is Anjali's maternal uncle. RDX visits Aathi's house and asks his grandfather to let his henchmen go. When Aathi's grandfather refuses, RDX threatens them, only to find knives being held at him by Aathi and his cousins. Aathi's father arrives and arrests RDX. Infuriated, he visits with some of his henchmen and Shankar. Together, they murder the whole extended family. Only Anjali, Ramachandran, and Aathi survived the blast that annihilated their family. After the house is blown up by RDX, Aadhi escapes and is taken in by a couple who later become his adopted parents.

Present: On finding out his past, Aathi's adoptive parents request him to come back to New Delhi, but he refuses. He then takes them to the railway station but is nearly ambushed by RDX's men. He defeats them in a fight and meets RDX, warning him to bring his brother Robert from Dubai, whom he promises to kill. Soon, Robert arrives, and in revenge, kills Ramachandran, while challenging Aathi to meet him at RDX's place. Aathi came after finding out that RDX kidnapped Anjali and held her hostage by his henchmen in the library of their college, which happens to be the old house that Aathi, Anjali, and their family lived in. Aathi escapes after killing Robert with his gun. RDX's men hold Anjali hostage, but Bullet and the other students in the college save her. In a thrilling climax, Aathi kills RDX and is shown to be leaving and reuniting with Anjali, the only one left in his family.

{{cast listing|

• Vijay as Aathikesavan (Aathi)
• Trisha as Anjali Krishnankutty
• Sai Kumar as RDX
• Prakash Raj as Aadhi's father
• Nassar as Ramachandran
• Vivek as Bullet
• Subbaraju as Robert
• Adithya as Abdullah
• Manivannan as Mani
• Seetha as Lakshmi
• Livingston as Anjali's father
• Amritha as Aadhi's mother
• Vijayakumar as Aadhi's grandfather
• Sneha Nambiar as Anjali's mother
• Malavika Avinash as Ramachandran's wife
• Karate Raja as Sadha
• Rajan P. Dev as Pattabhi
• Santhana Bharathi as Minister
• Devan as Shankar
• Madhan Bob as Taxi Driver
• Dhamu as Auto Driver
• Raj Kapoor as Corrupt Minister
• Five Star Krishna as Suicide Victim
• Sweatha Bharathi as Aathi's sister
• Sampath Ram
• Nandha Saravanan as Pattabhi's Henchman

}}

Chandrasekhar bought the remake rights of Telugu film Athanokkade (2005) to make it in Tamil with his son Vijay.{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/12aathi.asp |title=Aathi |website=chennaionline.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220095909/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/12aathi.asp |archive-date=20 February 2006 |url-status=dead}} The film was produced by him under Suriyan Arts.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/12122005-2.shtml|date=12 December 2005|access-date=15 July 2024|website=Cinesouth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018065957/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/12122005-2.shtml|archive-date=18 October 2006|title=SAC has still not left his teenage pranks behind him}} He was credited as S. A. Chandrasekhara in title credits.Aadhi (full movie): Sooriyan Arts: time from 0:24 to 0:28 Ramana, who earlier worked with Vijay in Thirumalai (2003) was selected to direct this film. Trisha was chosen to be the lead actress pairing with Vijay for third time after Ghilli (2004) and Thirupaachi (2005). Saikumar was chosen to portray the antagonist while Prakash Raj, Vivek, Nassar, Seetha and Manivannan were selected to portray supporting roles.

The song picturisation with a set costing {{INR}} 40 lakh was shot with around 50 dancers. The scenes with Trisha were the first to be filmed during the film's launch. The sets of police station, palatial house and hospital were built at Kushal Das gardens.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/13092005-6.shtml|date=13 September 2005|access-date=15 July 2024|website=Cinesouth|title=Vijay's 'Aadi' - some interesting tidbits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108010414/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/13092005-6.shtml|archive-date=8 January 2006}} The song "Durra durranu" was shot at Araku Valley.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/24122005-1.shtml|date=24 December 2005|website=Cinesouth|access-date=21 July 2024|title=Trisha and Vijay in Arakku Valley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018070439/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/24122005-1.shtml|archive-date=18 October 2006}} The climax was shot at Hyderabad.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/previews/new/aadi.shtml|title=Aadi|website=Cinesouth|access-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018082221/http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/previews/new/aadi.shtml|archive-date=18 October 2006|date=20 December 2005}} Another song was shot at Switzerland. Most of the filming was held at Chennai, Gingee, Vishakapatnam and Hyderabad.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News39/23-12-05/vijay.html|date=23 December 2005|title=Aadhi : Derelict temple comes into limelight|website=Behindwoods|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208162845/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News39/23-12-05/vijay.html|archive-date=8 February 2006}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Aadhi

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Vidyasagar

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 2006

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Soundtrack

| length =

| label = Five Star Audio

| producer = Vidyasagar

| prev_title = Paramasivan

| prev_year = 2006

| next_title = Mozhi

| next_year = 2007

}}

The film has five songs composed by Vidyasagar.{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/features/Musicreviews/aathi/tamil-movie-aathi-musicreview.html|title=MUSIC REVIEW : AATHI|work=Behindwoods|access-date=23 May 2023|archive-date=29 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029193029/https://www.behindwoods.com/features/Musicreviews/aathi/tamil-movie-aathi-musicreview.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/aathi/RITjXYHrcro_|title=Aathi|website=JioSaavn|date=20 December 2005 |access-date=21 July 2024}} The audio was launched at Green Park Hotel on 22 December 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23122005-6.shtml|date=23 December 2005|access-date=21 July 2024|title='Aathi' will enter Silver Jubilee, predicts Vikram - with pics|website=Cinesouth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127122103/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/23122005-6.shtml|archive-date=27 January 2007}}

The film includes two more songs not included in the audio soundtrack:

• "Varran Varran" sung by Tippu
• "Iruvar Vazhvum" sung by Karthik & Kalyani Nair

The film released on 15 January 2006. The satellite rights of the film were sold to Kalaignar TV for {{INR}} 11 crore. Theatrical rights for Tamil Nadu were sold for {{INR}}17 crore and it collected {{INR}}25 crore.{{cite web | last=Focus | first=Filmy | title=Aadhi made on a budget of 13 crore collected 25 crore at the box office | website=Filmy Focus | date=2022-08-24 | url=https://tamil.filmyfocus.com/vijays-aathi-movie-box-office-collection/amp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523200417/https://tamil.filmyfocus.com/vijays-aathi-movie-box-office-collection/amp | archive-date=2024-05-23 | url-status=live | access-date=2024-05-23}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002338/http://www.sify.com/movies/red-card-against-vijay-news-tamil-kkfvrjijegisi.html TN theatrical rights sold for 17 crore] The film didn't perform as well as expected, which Sify.com attributed to the film not being released on Pongal Day. The film released alongside Silambarasan's Saravana and Ajith Kumar's Paramasivan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/pongal-attractions/article3185590.ece|title=Pongal attractions|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 January 2006|access-date=5 December 2021|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205020215/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/pongal-attractions/article3185590.ece|url-status=live}}

Despite being remade from Telugu, Aathi was dubbed and released in Telugu as Nenera Aadhi.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/nenera-aadi/movie-review/19417309.cms|title=Nenera Aadi Movie Review {2.5/5}: Critic Review of Nenera Aadi by Times of India|work=The Times of India}} The film was dubbed in Hindi as Aadhi Narayan by Eagle Movies in YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AppJp7rBpA|title=Aadi Narayan Hindi Dubbed Full Movie || Vijay, Trisha || Eagle Movies|date=22 October 2016 |via=YouTube|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430125707/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AppJp7rBpA|url-status=live}}

Ananda Vikatan rated the film 38 out of 100.{{Cite web|url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/humoursatire/75954-|title=சினிமா விமர்சனம்: ஆதி [Movie Review: Aathi]|website=Vikatan|date=29 January 2006|language=ta|access-date=5 December 2021|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205020218/https://cinema.vikatan.com/humoursatire/75954-|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=சார்லஸ் |first=தேவன் |date=22 June 2021 |title=பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100344/https://cinema.vikatan.com/amp/story/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} Indiaglitz wrote "Director Ramana has faithfully stuck to the Telugu original and come up with a gritty entertainer".{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/aathi-review-tamil-movie-7752|title=Aathi review. Aathi Tamil movie review, story, rating|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503235600/https://www.indiaglitz.com/aathi-review-tamil-movie-7752|url-status=live}} Chennai Online wrote "It's yet another fight-dance-romance formula from Vijay, this one being the remake of the Telugu hit 'Athanokkade'. But unlike his earlier films, which were either enjoyable or at least tolerable, this one tries one's patience as one goes through the tiring, monotonous routine of watching the angst-ridden hero fight against yet another new set of enemies and impossible odds".{{cite web | url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2006/01aathi.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207050752/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2006/01aathi.asp | archive-date=7 February 2007 | title=Aathi }} Lajjavathi of Kalki wrote despite not having an intro song it was still an routine Vijay film and felt many characters spoke too slowly and Saikumar was referred as "almost Vijay's PRO" for praising him throughout the film and found Prakash Raj and Vivek to be criminally underused.{{cite magazine|magazine=Kalki|language=ta|access-date=5 March 2024|url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-01-29/page/n97/mode/2up|date=29 January 2006|page=96|title=ஆதி|last=லஜ்ஜாவதி}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0769499}}

Category:2000s Tamil-language films

Category:2000s Indian films

Category:2006 action films

Category:2006 films

Category:Films shot in Ooty

Category:Films shot in Chennai

Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India

Category:Indian action drama films

Category:Indian films about revenge

Category:2000s masala films

Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar (composer)

Category:Tamil remakes of Telugu films