Annabelle Sethupathi
{{Short description|2021 film by Deepak Sundarrajan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Annabelle Sethupathi film poster.jpg
| caption = Official release poster
| director = Deepak Sundarrajan
| producer = Sudhan Sundaram
G Jayaram
| writer = Deepak Sundarrajan
| starring = Vijay Sethupathi
Taapsee Pannu
| music = Krishna Kishor
| cinematography = Goutham George
| editing = Pradeep E. Ragav
| studio = Passion Studios
| distributor = Disney+ Hotstar
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2021|09|17}}
| runtime = 135 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
Annabelle Sethupathi is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film directed by Deepak Sundarrajan and produced by Sudhan Sundaram and G Jayaram under the banner of Passion Studios. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi in a dual role alongside Taapsee Pannu, Jagapathi Babu and Yogi Babu.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi: Taapsee Pannu, Vijay Sethupathi starrer's first look unveiled |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/annabelle-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-starrer-s-first-look-unveiled-101630043012298.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827063831/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/annabelle-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-starrer-s-first-look-unveiled-101630043012298.html |archive-date=27 August 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=Hindustan Times}} The film was released worldwide on Disney+ Hotstar on 17 September 2021 to unfavorable reviews from critics.
Plot
In 1948, Kadhiresan visited a magnificent palace built by King Veera Sethupathi and wished to own such a palace himself. In 1966, while cooking for her husband
& daughter, Kadhiresan's niece gets possessed. Afterward, the family dies in their sleep and reunites with other family members who died in the palace. With them is Kadhiresan's dead cook, Shanmugam, who claims that a mysterious force compels him to poison the inhabitants of the palace every full moon and that a person who survives the poisoning will set them free. Until then, the spirits, including Kadhiresan (who has become a recluse), are trapped in the palace.
In 2021, Rudra's family is a thief feuding with two other thieves. The dispute lands them in front of police Inspector Kadhir, the great-great-grandson of Kadhiresan. Kadhir and his grandfather, Vikram, wish to sell the palace but are stymied by rumors of its haunting. Kadhir supposedly hires Rudra's family to clean the palace. He wants them to live there until the full moon to prove that the palace is safe. Rudra's family agrees to clean the property, planning to loot the palace.
Suddenly, the ghosts feel mysterious energy and hope she can set them free when Rudra takes her first step. She enchantes the palace and plots with her family to fake a haunting so they can acquire the palace cheaply. Kadhiresan's ghost, spooked after seeing Rudra, secretly follows her around. On the day of the full moon, Rudra's family goes to the temple, leaving Rudra behind. Shanmugam possesses Rudra's mother to cook for her. Rudra eats and falls asleep. Though she survives, she can see the ghosts when she wakes up. After hearing their story, Rudra promises to free them in return for them helping with her plan.
Shanmugam later takes Rudra to a secret room in the palace, which holds pictures from the 1940s of a woman resembling her. Shanmugam tells Rudra the story of Veera Sethupathi, who built the castle for his beloved queen, Annabelle. The two live happily, but Kadhiresan begins to covet their home. After Veera Sethupathi refuses to sell the palace, Kadhiresan poisons the couple. A pregnant Annabelle dies after swearing vengeance, which is secretly spotted by the couple's cook, Shanmugam. After Kadhiresan and his extended family move into the palace, Shanmugam poisons their food. Kadhiresan suspects Shanmugam and forces him to eat first, which Shanmugam does without hesitation. By the following day, Shanmugam, Kadhiresan, and his family were all dead, except for Kadhiresan's grandson, Vikram, who had missed the meal. Since then, Shanmugam has been killing Kadhiresan's relatives who move into the palace. The only survivors of the family are Vikram and Kadhir.
Thus, Kadhir attempts to kick Rudra's family out of the palace when a mysterious force throws Kadhir and his goons out, surprising the ghosts who couldn't interfere. Shanmugam fails to convince Rudra that she is the reincarnation of Annabelle. The ghosts overhear their conversation and are angry at Shanmugam's deceit. Kadhir and his goons return with Vikram, who believes that Rudra is Annabelle. He decides to kill her to satisfy his grandfather's ghost. The ghosts of Kadhiresan's family acknowledge Rudra as the rightful owner of the palace and combine their powers to stop Vikram from hurting her. When a new arrival enters the palace, they again feel the energy accompanying Rudra's arrival and, finally, at peace, disappear.
The new arrival, a government official resembling Veera Sethupathi's identical twin brother Soora Sethupathi , tells the assembled parties that the government will seize the palace as a heritage-listed tourism site. Rudra and her family depart in a huff. Having fallen in love with Rudra at first sight, the official proposes to her. Rudra accepts with a smile. Shanmugam, watching their reunion, is finally at peace and disappears. Alone in the palace, Kadhiresan's ghost attempts to leave but is shocked that he is still trapped. The film then returns to the scene where Kadhir and his goons are pushed out of the palace, hinting at a sequel to the story.
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Vijay Sethupathi in dual roles as
- King Veera Sethupathi
- Soora Sethupathi{{Cite web |date=26 August 2021 |title=Vijay Sethupathi, Taapsee Pannu-Starrer Annabelle Sethupathi Gets Release Date |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/annebelle-sethupathi-release-date-poster-look-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathiq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827113316/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/annebelle-sethupathi-release-date-poster-look-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathiq |archive-date=27 August 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Quint}}
- Taapsee Pannu in dual roles as
- Annabelle Sethupathi
- Rudra (Voice over by Deepa Venkat){{Cite news |date=27 August 2021 |title=Taapsee Pannu and Vijay Sethupathi's multi-lingual film 'Annabelle Sethupathi' to stream on Disney+ Hotstar |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/taapsee-pannu-and-vijay-sethupathis-multi-lingual-film-annabelle-sethupathi-to-stream-on-disney-hotstar/articleshow/85677112.cms |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709040232/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/taapsee-pannu-and-vijay-sethupathis-multi-lingual-film-annabelle-sethupathi-to-stream-on-disney-hotstar/articleshow/85677112.cms |archive-date=9 July 2022}}
- Jagapathi Babu as Zamindar Kadhiresan
- Rajendra Prasad as Sivabalan
- Radhika Sarathkumar as Aryamala
- Sunil Reddy as Rudra's brother
- Yogi Babu as Shanmugam
- Vennela Kishore as Christian train passenger
- Subbu Panchu as Sundar Raman
- Suresh Chandra Menon as Vikram
- Linga as Kathir
- Harshadaa Vijay as Geetha
- George Maryan as Bhaktavatsalam
- Rajkumar as Train passenger
- Jangiri Madhumitha as Thendral
- Chetan as Sundhar Pandiyan
- Devadarshini as Kumari
- Surekha Vani as Raghavi
}}
Production
Deepak Sundarrajan, son of director-actor R. Sundarrajan, who worked under the assistance of A. L. Vijay was reported to make his directorial debut with a film starring Remya Nambeesan and Natty Subramaniam, was announced in June 2017.{{Cite news |date=26 June 2017 |title=Remya and Natty come together for a movie |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/remya-and-natty-come-together-for-a-movie/articleshow/59310228.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/remya-and-natty-come-together-for-a-movie/articleshow/59310228.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}} But the project did not materialise due to various reasons. Three years later, in August 2020, he was reported to direct a horror comedy film, starring Taapsee Pannu and Vijay Sethupathi.{{Cite web |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=27 August 2020 |title=Vijay Sethupathi and Taapsee Pannu to star in Deepak Sundarajan debut film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsee-pannu-to-star-in-deepak-sundarajan-debut-film-1715763-2020-08-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181646/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsee-pannu-to-star-in-deepak-sundarajan-debut-film-1715763-2020-08-27 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=India Today}} It was her third Tamil film she signed after her prior commitments to Bollywood films, she made her return to Tamil cinema with Game Over (2019) and also signed Jana Gana Mana, which went on floors during late-2019.{{Cite news |date=27 August 2020 |title=Taapsee's new Tamil film will see her playing a street-smart woman |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/taapsees-new-tamil-film-will-see-her-playing-a-street-smart-woman/articleshow/77771512.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181647/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/taapsees-new-tamil-film-will-see-her-playing-a-street-smart-woman/articleshow/77771512.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}} She was reported to play a "street-smart woman", and the film featured an ensemble cast with popular comedians from South Indian cinema acting in pivotal roles. Yogi Babu and Radhika Sarathkumar reported to play pivotal roles in September 2020.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2020 |title=Yogi Babu in Vijay Sethupathi & Taapsee's comedy film |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-in-vijay-sethupathi-taapsees-comedy-film/articleshow/77886702.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181646/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-in-vijay-sethupathi-taapsees-comedy-film/articleshow/77886702.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}}{{Cite news |date=5 September 2020 |title=Radikaa Sarathkumar joins Taapsee & Vijay Sethupathi comedy film |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-joins-taapsee-vijay-sethupathi-comedy-film/articleshow/77946118.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181647/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-joins-taapsee-vijay-sethupathi-comedy-film/articleshow/77946118.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}} Both the characters play dual roles in the film — one being featured in the period portion, and the other in the present timeline.{{Cite news |date=18 September 2020 |title=Double roles for Vijay Sethupathi, Taapsee in this fantasy |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/double-roles-for-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-in-this-fantasy/articleshow/78175128.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181644/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/double-roles-for-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-in-this-fantasy/articleshow/78175128.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}}
The film was initially titled as Annabelle Subramaniam{{Cite news |date=19 September 2020 |title=Vijay Sethupathi-Tapsee film titled 'Annabelle Subramaniam'? |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathi-tapsee-film-titled-annabelle-subramaniam/articleshow/78202093.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026040735/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathi-tapsee-film-titled-annabelle-subramaniam/articleshow/78202093.cms |archive-date=26 October 2020}} and the principal photography began on 28 August 2020 in Jaipur. The film was entirely shot in a single schedule, following COVID-19 restrictions,{{Cite news |date=13 September 2020 |title=Radikaa Sarathkumar shares BTS pictures from Vijay Sethupathi and Taapsee's next |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-shares-bts-pictures-from-vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsees-next/articleshow/78087006.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318110852/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-shares-bts-pictures-from-vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsees-next/articleshow/78087006.cms |archive-date=18 March 2022}} and had also shot in City Palace, Rambagh Palace and Samode Palace for the past 20 days. It is the first Tamil film to be shot after 50 years, since Adimai Penn (1969), as other production teams found difficult to obtain permission to shoot the films in the palace.{{Cite news |date=15 September 2020 |title=Taapsee and Vijay Sethupathi on a heritage trail in Jaipur |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/taapsee-and-vijay-sethupathi-on-a-heritage-trail-in-jaipur/articleshow/78114344.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922045809/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/taapsee-and-vijay-sethupathi-on-a-heritage-trail-in-jaipur/articleshow/78114344.cms |archive-date=22 September 2021}} The team managed to complete the entire shoot, following the co-operation of the Rajasthan government and the authorities had provided hospitalities for the cast and crew members working in the film. The filmmakers wrapped the shoot within October 2020, and subsequently began post-production with the team had supervised extensive computer graphic works in the film.{{Cite news |date=3 October 2020 |title=Taapsee Pannu's last-day-shoot picture from Jaipur creates a buzz |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/taapsee-pannus-last-day-shoot-picture-from-jaipur-creates-a-buzz/articleshow/78462072.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/taapsee-pannus-last-day-shoot-picture-from-jaipur-creates-a-buzz/articleshow/78462072.cms |archive-date=9 September 2021}} In August 2021, the makers announced the title changed as Annabelle Sethupathi, for the Tamil version, whilst the Hindi dubbed version was titled Annabelle Rathore.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2021 |title=Taapsee Pannu, Vijay Sethupathi film to release on Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-film-to-release-on-disney-hotstar-multiplex-9917011.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181644/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-film-to-release-on-disney-hotstar-multiplex-9917011.html |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=Firstpost}}
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = Annabelle Sethupathi
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Krishna Kishor
| released = 6–10 September 2021
| recorded = 2021
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length = 21:54
| language = Tamil
| label = Think Music
| producer = Krishna Kishor
| next_title = Mughizh
| next_year = 2021
}}
The film's soundtrack and score is composed by newcomer Krishna Kishor.{{Cite web |title=Annabelle Sethupathi: Krishna Kishor debuts as film composer! |url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/28977/annabelle-sethupathi-krishna-kishor-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181645/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/28977/annabelle-sethupathi-krishna-kishor-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=Moviecrow}} Before his debut as film music composer, Kishor worked as a percussionist for leading music composers including A. R. Rahman, Anirudh Ravichander, Hiphop Tamizha and Bollywood musicians.{{Cite web |last=Nandi |first=Debanjoli |date=22 November 2019 |title=Just beat it |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/music/211119/just-beat-it.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181644/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/music/211119/just-beat-it.html |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}{{Cite web |last=Parthiban |first=Vivanesh |date=19 November 2019 |title=I want people to know me by my beats: Kishor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/i-want-people-to-know-me-by-my-beats-kishor/articleshow/72120376.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906113355/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/i-want-people-to-know-me-by-my-beats-kishor/articleshow/72120376.cms |archive-date=6 September 2020 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=The Times of India}} It was his second film he signed before Mughizh, a web-film which also starred and produced by Vijay Sethupathi and his first to be released.
The soundtrack album featured five songs written by Uma Devi, Vivek and Ku. Karthik. Singers Asees Kaur, Sanam Puri and Yashitha Sharma made their Tamil debut in playback singing, by providing vocals to one of the songs. The audio rights were acquired by Think Music.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssdkncg3LaY |title=We Welcome Krishna Kishor to Think Music Family {{!}} Annabella Sethupathi |publisher=Think Music India |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909181646/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssdkncg3LaY |archive-date=9 September 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} All the songs in the film were released as singles starting from 6 September 2021, with one song being released per day.{{Cite web |title=Annabelle Sethupathi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/annabelle-sethupathi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1586283150 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921070739/https://music.apple.com/us/album/annabelle-sethupathi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1586283150 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |access-date=21 September 2021 |website=Apple Music}} The full album was unveiled along with the fifth song and two theme tracks in addition on 10 September 2021.
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| title1 = Vaanil Pogum Megham
| title4 = Ginger Soda
| length5 = 3:03
| extra5 = Sanam Puri
| lyrics5 = Vivek
| note5 = Reprise
| title5 = Anange
| length4 = 3:42
| extra4 = Anirudh Ravichander, Yashita Sharma
| lyrics4 = Ku. Karthik
| length3 = 3:34
| lyrics1 = Uma Devi
| extra3 = Pradeep Kumar, Asees Kaur
| lyrics3 = Vivek
| title3 = Anange
| length2 = 3:31
| extra2 = Jonita Gandhi, Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam, Yashita Sharma
| lyrics2 = Ku. Karthik
| title2 = Ghost Party
| length1 = 3:32
| extra1 = Armaan Malik, Chinmayi
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title7 = Circle of Fifths
| title6 = Palace Theme
| length6 = 2:12
| lyrics6 = –
| extra6 = Instrumental
| length7 = 2:12
| lyrics7 = –
| extra7 = Instrumental
| total_length = 21:54
}}
Release
The film was released on Disney+ Hotstar on 17 September 2021 along with the Hindi dubbed version titled Annabelle Rathore.{{Cite web |date=26 August 2021 |title=Vijay Sethupathi and Taapsee Pannu's Annabelle Sethupathi to stream on OTT |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsee-pannu-s-annabelle-sethupathi-stream-ott-154427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826230141/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-and-taapsee-pannu-s-annabelle-sethupathi-stream-ott-154427 |archive-date=26 August 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The News Minute}}{{Cite web |date=18 September 2021 |title=Anabelle Rathore Review: Taapsee & Sethupathi Stuck in a Dull, Unfunny Film |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/anabelle-sethupathi-review-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-deepak-sundarrajan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702022347/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/anabelle-sethupathi-review-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-deepak-sundarrajan |archive-date=2 July 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=The Quint}}
Reception
{{Film and game ratings
| rev1 = Firstpost
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}
| rev2 = The Times of India
| rev2score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| rev3 = The Indian Express
| rev3score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| rev4 = India Today
| rev4score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}
}}
Ranjani Krishnakumar of Firstpost rated the film with 3/5 stars, stating that, "Annabelle Sethupathi could have been a lot more. With a little more complexity in screenplay and some wit in dialogue, the film could have been an absolute feast. Instead, Annabelle Sethupathi settles for being the lukewarm, saccharine tea that you politely drink because the host has made it with love."{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi movie review: Clever, entertaining, but rarely complex |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-clever-entertaining-but-rarely-complex-9972311.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918060015/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-clever-entertaining-but-rarely-complex-9972311.html |archive-date=18 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=Firstpost}} The Times of India gave a rating of 2.5 out on 5 and wrote, "A comedy with an interesting premise, but flat execution."{{Cite news |title=Annabelle Sethupathi Review: A comedy with an interesting premise, but flat execution |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/tamil/annabelle-sethupathi/ottmoviereview/85893088.cms |url-status=live |access-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918060353/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/tamil/annabelle-sethupathi/ottmoviereview/85893088.cms |archive-date=18 September 2021}} Manoj Kumar of Indian Express rated the film with 2.5/5 stars, stating that, "Annabelle Sethupathi feels tolerable because of its self-aware nature and the way it subverts horror-comedy tropes."{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi review: Vijay Sethupathi, Taapsee Pannu in a tolerable horror-comedy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-in-tolerable-horror-comedy-7515344/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918131632/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-in-tolerable-horror-comedy-7515344/ |archive-date=18 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |website=The Indian Express}} Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote, "Annabelle Sethupathi doesn’t try to stand out and there’s no need for it. It’s a film in which the influences are quite evident. It works better as a fantasy comedy and barely as a horror flick."{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi review: Taapsee, Vijay Sethupathi bring a quirky horror comedy to life |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/annabelle-sethupathi-review-taapsee-vijay-sethupathi-bring-a-quirky-horror-comedy-to-life-101631858914121.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917075151/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/annabelle-sethupathi-review-taapsee-vijay-sethupathi-bring-a-quirky-horror-comedy-to-life-101631858914121.html |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=Hindustan Times}} Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express stated that, "The premise is interesting, but the pain is real."{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=18 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi' movie review: The premise is interesting, but the pain is real |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/sep/18/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-the-premise-is-interesting-but-the-pain-is-real-2360252.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921011353/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/sep/18/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-the-premise-is-interesting-but-the-pain-is-real-2360252.html |archive-date=21 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}} Praveen Sudevan of The Hindu wrote, "Vijay Sethupathi’s performance is the sole saving grace in Deepak Sundarrajan’s supernatural comedy."{{Cite news |last=Sudevan |first=Praveen |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi' movie review: A comedy in which only the uncomic portions work |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-a-comedy-in-which-only-the-uncomic-portions-work/article36510558.ece |url-status=live |access-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082308/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-a-comedy-in-which-only-the-uncomic-portions-work/article36510558.ece |archive-date=17 September 2021}} Bohni Bandyopadhyay of News18 stated that, "Vijay Sethupathi and Taapsee Pannu starrer Annabelle Sethupathi will leave you baffled with its lack in logic and insane scripting."{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi Review: Vijay Sethupathi and Taapsee Pannu Film is a Frustrating Watch |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/annabelle-sethupathi-review-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-film-is-a-frustrating-watch-4212596.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917103415/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/annabelle-sethupathi-review-vijay-sethupathi-taapsee-pannu-film-is-a-frustrating-watch-4212596.html |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=News18}} Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute said, "Annabelle Sethupathi is neither funny nor scary. But the most horrifying fact comes at the end. Apparently, there is a Part 2 planned for this. Oh dear."{{Cite web |date=17 September 2021 |title=Annabelle Sethupathi review: Why did Taapsee and Vijay Sethupathi sign this mess? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/annabelle-sethupathi-review-why-did-taapsee-and-vijay-sethupathi-sign-mess-155421 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918155857/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/annabelle-sethupathi-review-why-did-taapsee-and-vijay-sethupathi-sign-mess-155421 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |website=The News Minute}} Janani of India Today rated the film with 1.5/5 stars, and criticised "Many suggested that Annabelle Sethupathi could appeal to kids. But, when you have body-shaming jokes and outdated ideas, even kids won't be able to endure the film."{{Cite web |title=Annabelle Sethupathi Movie Review: Taapsee Pannu, Vijay Sethupathi's film is neither funny nor scary |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-s-film-is-neither-funny-nor-scary-1853839-2021-09-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917081836/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/annabelle-sethupathi-movie-review-taapsee-pannu-vijay-sethupathi-s-film-is-neither-funny-nor-scary-1853839-2021-09-17 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=India Today|date=17 September 2021 }}
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