Boss Engira Bhaskaran

Bhaskaran "Boss" is a happy-go-lucky youth in Kumbakonam who is yet to complete his B. A. Degree, writing arrear examinations for years. His only friend, Nallathambi, owns a saloon which he received as a dowry for marrying a woman who was two months pregnant. Boss, during an arrear examination, happens to meet Chandrika, a lecturer and instantly gets attracted to her, though she disapproves of him because he attempted to copy during an examination she was invigilating.

Boss lives with his widowed mother Sivakami, elder brother Saravanan, and younger sister Nithya, a college student. When Saravanan falls in love with, and marries Nandhini, Boss discovers that Nandhini's younger sister is Chandrika, and wishes to marry her. When he approaches his family for the alliance, his unemployment is repeatedly mentioned, rankling him, so he leaves his house to prove himself.

Boss faces many obstacles in his path to prove himself. He is insulted by Chandrika's father, Shanmugasundaram, and does not even have a place to live. After many difficulties, Boss, with the support of Nallathambi, establishes a tutorial centre for Class X students. Nallathambi gets money from Velpandi, a local don, who signs an agreement that if his son Paalpandi does not pass the examination, he will take Nallathambi's property and make him work in his cow dung place.

Velpandi reveals his family history: his father, in his Class X examination, forced his teacher to write the examination. Velpandi, during his exam, wrote only four words in his paper with an aruval symbol, blackmailing the teacher into making him pass or risk being killed. Paalpandi sleeps in the examination hall and if anybody tries to wake him, he will bite the teacher's hand. However, Paalpandi eventually starts to study and makes others listen in the class when Boss appoints a blind teacher. Despite early setbacks, Boss makes a very heavy profit on the deal, while his students top the examinations in the state and Paalpandi passes the exam with favourable marks. Velpandi tears the agreement, offers Nallathambi a huge amount of money with no interest, and appreciates him for making Paalpandi pass the exams. It also convinces Chandrika, who eventually reciprocates his love. However, Shanmugasundaram is against their marriage as he had once been insulted by Nallathambi and Boss as revenge for not having sanctioned a loan to Boss.

Shiva, a supposed teetotaller and the son of a businessman who is Shanmugasundram's friend is introduced as Chandrika's prospective groom. Boss then confronts Shiva, revealing to him that he loves Chandrika. The two get into a fight soon after, but when Shanmugasundaram arrives at the spot, he learns the truth: Shiva and Boss are now friends and the whole fight was just a drama set by Nallathambi. Shiva supports Boss and Chandrika. Under Shiva and Boss's orders, a disappointed Shanmugasundaram is forced to unite Boss and Chandrika. It is revealed that M. Rajesh called Shiva and told him to stop fighting and unite Boss and Chandrika.

{{cast listing|

• Arya as Bhaskaran "Boss"
• Nayanthara as Chandrika
• Santhanam as "Thala Thalapathy" Nallathambi
• Subbu Panchu as Saravanan
• Chitra Lakshmanan as Shanmugasundaram
• Rajendran as Velpandi
• Swaminathan as Venkat
• Ashvin Raja as Paalpandi
• Vijayalakshmi as Nandhini Saravanan
• Lakshmy Ramakrishnan as Sivakami
• Shakeela as Parimala (guest appearance)
• Monisha as Nithya
• Jiiva as Shiva (guest appearance)
• Annapoorani as the blind teacher (uncredited){{Cite web |last=Rajkumar |date=9 September 2021 |title=பாஸ் என்கிற பாஸ்கரன் படத்தில் வந்த Blind டீச்சர் இந்த நடிகை தானா - பாத்தா ஷாக்காகிடுவீங்க. |trans-title={{em|This}} actress played the blind teacher in the film Boss Engira Bhaskaran? – You will be shocked if you see her. |url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/boss-engira-baskaran-movie-blind-teacher-name-and-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328062737/https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/boss-engira-baskaran-movie-blind-teacher-name-and-details/ |archive-date=28 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=Tamil Behind Talkies |language=ta}}
• M. Rajesh as himself (voice; uncredited)

}}

M. Rajesh, after the release of his directorial debut Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009), decided to make his next film with Arya, who appeared in a cameo in Siva Manasula Sakthi, in the lead role. Rajesh said he chose the title Boss Engira Bhaskaran as he felt it was a "common practice to call everyone as Boss these days".{{Cite web |title=Hero and heroine don't fight in BEB |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/director-rajesh.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126120447/http://www.behindwoods.com/new-videos/videos-q1-09/director-interview/director-rajesh.html |archive-date=26 January 2025 |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Behindwoods.com}} Arya revealed that the script went through changes during production, with Rajesh eventually opting not to include portions where the lead character's brother gets killed. Instead of implementing a revenge script, Rajesh chose to make it a full-length comedy.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjzbu0-et-0 |title=BOFTA's Masterclass with Actor Arya – Part 2 – BW |date=6 July 2015 |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |language=ta |publisher=BehindwoodsTV |access-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216142132/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjzbu0-et-0 |archive-date=16 December 2024 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} Rajesh cast Nayanthara as the lead actress after being impressed with her performance in Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008),{{Cite news |date=6 August 2010 |title=Rajesh nervous for Boss Engira Baskaran |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajesh-nervous-for-boss-engira-baskaran/articleshow/6261600.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250327182827/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajesh-nervous-for-boss-engira-baskaran/articleshow/6261600.cms |archive-date=27 March 2025 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Times of India}} and Lakshmy Ramakrishnan as Arya's mother after being impressed with her performance in Naadodigal (2009). Subbu Panchu sought a role in the film, and was cast as the lead character's brother.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=12 February 2011 |title=My First Break: Subbu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/My-First-Break-Subbu/article15411774.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518190115/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/My-First-Break-Subbu/article15411774.ece |archive-date=18 May 2018 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}

The film was officially launched on 19 November 2009 at AVM Studios, with principal photography beginning in December first week.{{Cite web |date=20 November 2009 |title=Arya's Boss Engira Bhaskaran launched! |url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14920455 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716233553/http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14920455 |archive-date=16 July 2012 |access-date=4 August 2010 |website=Sify}} It was shot at various locations including Chennai, Kumbakonam, Mysore, Thanjavur and Trichy. Shooting also took place at the Swiss Alps, where some song sequences were picturised.{{Cite web |date=21 June 2010 |title=Arya & Nayan goes to Swiss Alps |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14946085 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713234701/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14946085 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |access-date=4 August 2010 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=25 June 2010 |title=Aarya and Nayantara to romance in Switzerland |url=http://chennaionline.com/movies/preview/Aarya-and-Nayantara-to-romance-in-Switzerland/20103925013912.col |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810144227/http://chennaionline.com/movies/preview/Aarya-and-Nayantara-to-romance-in-Switzerland/20103925013912.col |archive-date=10 August 2010 |access-date=4 August 2010 |website=Chennai Online}} Rajesh lauded Nayanthara's dedication to the film and punctuality, contrary to her reputation of being unruly during film shoots, and said the only issue he had with her was that she would often arrive too early, even before the shooting location was ready. Principal photography ended on 3 August 2010 with the completion of a song sequence that was canned at a set erected at Binny Mills near Chennai.{{Cite web |date=4 August 2010 |title=Boss Engira Bhaskaran shoot is complete |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boss-engira-bhaskaran-shoot-is-complete-news-tamil-kkguTvjcabh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008165915/http://www.sify.com/movies/boss-engira-bhaskaran-shoot-is-complete-news-tamil-kkguTvjcabh.html |archive-date=8 October 2012 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=4 August 2010 |title=Rajesh, the boss of 'Boss Engira Baskaran' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2010/Aug/04/rajesh-the-boss-of-boss-engira-baskaran-175509.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328104336/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2010/Aug/04/rajesh-the-boss-of-boss-engira-baskaran-175509.html |archive-date=28 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} While Vasan Visual Ventures that produced Arya's Naan Kadavul, produced this film as well,{{Cite news |date=21 October 2009 |title=Boss, Nayan's back in Tamil! |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-21/news-interviews/28090954_1_malayalam-film-arya-tamil-film |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025102148/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-21/news-interviews/28090954_1_malayalam-film-arya-tamil-film |archive-date=25 October 2012 |access-date=21 October 2009 |work=The Times of India}} Arya purchased the rights in the midst to release it under his own production banner The Show People.{{Cite web |date=19 December 2010 |title=Arya scores a century |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/arya-scores-a-century-news-tamil-kmrtuTgeefd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219023307/http://www.sify.com/movies/arya-scores-a-century-news-tamil-kmrtuTgeefd.html |archive-date=19 December 2010 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=7 May 2011 |title=Calculated moves |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/calculated-moves-2413999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327175632/https://www.deccanherald.com/features/calculated-moves-2413999 |archive-date=27 March 2025 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}} The film's distribution rights, however, were later acquired by Red Giant Movies, led by Udhayanidhi Stalin.{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=12 June 2015 |title=Son Rises on the Cinematic Screen |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Jun/13/son-rises-on-the-cinematic-screen-768749.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250327180341/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Jun/13/son-rises-on-the-cinematic-screen-768749.html |archive-date=27 March 2025 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}

The music of Boss Engira Bhaskaran was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with lyrics by Na. Muthukumar. The soundtrack album was released on 27 August 2010 at Sathyam Cinemas.{{Cite web |date=28 August 2010 |title=Suriya launches Boss Engira Baskaran audio |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14954826 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831011202/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14954826 |archive-date=31 August 2010 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Sify}} Karthik of Milliblog wrote, "Boss (A) Baskaran is one of those soundtracks where Yuvan sounds largely uninterested and churns out material that belies his true potential. That is unfortunate".{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=27 August 2010 |title=Boss (A) Baskaran (Music review), Tamil – Yuvan Shankar Raja |url=https://milliblog.com/2010/08/27/boss-a-baskaran-music-review-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210152832/https://milliblog.com/2010/08/27/boss-a-baskaran-music-review-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |archive-date=10 February 2025 |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Milliblog}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 23:03

| title1 = Ada Boss Boss

| extra1 = Sathyan

| length1 = 3:58

| title2 = Yaar Intha Penthan

| extra2 = Haricharan

| length2 = 5:01

| title3 = Thathi Thaavum Paper Naan

| extra3 = Karthik

| length3 = 4:44

| title4 = Iyley Iyley

| extra4 = Vijay Prakash

| length4 = 5:04

| title5 = Mama Mama

| extra5 = Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan

| length5 = 4:16

}}

Boss Engira Bhaskaran was released on 10 September 2010.{{Cite web |date=4 September 2010 |title=Before the superstar steals the show |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/Sep/04/before-the-superstar-steals-the-show-184087.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250328100354/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/Sep/04/before-the-superstar-steals-the-show-184087.html |archive-date=28 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} Despite not being eligible for entertainment tax exemption due to the presence of a non-Tamil word in the title, the makers still sought it, alleging that "Boss" was a diminutive of the lead character's name Bhaskaran.{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=28 September 2010 |title=Only films with Tamil names get tax waiver, says TN govt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/only-films-with-tamil-names-get-tax-waiver-says-tn-govt/articleshow/6639621.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126120405/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Only-films-with-Tamil-names-get-tax-waiver-says-TN-govt/articleshow/6639621.cms |archive-date=26 January 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=The Times of India}} In November 2011, it was shown at the International Tamil Film Festival held in Uglich, Russia, alongside Thillana Mohanambal (1968), Chandramukhi (2005), Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Angadi Theru (2010), Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010) and Ko (2011).{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=K. |date=5 October 2011 |title=Taste of Sivaji magic for Russian film buffs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/taste-of-sivaji-magic-for-russian-film-buffs/article2513543.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923041749/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/taste-of-sivaji-magic-for-russian-film-buffs/article2513543.ece |archive-date=23 September 2022 |access-date=25 September 2020 |work=The Hindu}}

Boss Engira Bhaskaran sold 7.3 million tickets worldwide. It released on Eid day, the end of Ramadan, opening across 240 screens in Tamil Nadu with reportedly 95.5% average theatre occupancy, which, according to trade sources, was the best ever first day opening for Arya then,{{Cite web |date=13 September 2010 |title=Boss Engira Baskaran- Super Opening |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14956576 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915085628/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14956576 |archive-date=15 September 2010 |access-date=8 November 2012 |website=Sify}} which resulted in an increase of the number of shows and screens.{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=13 September 2010 |title=A big fat K'wood opening |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/A-big-fat-Kwood-opening/articleshow/6541114.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105172316/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-13/news-interviews/28235592_1_screens-release-tamil-film |archive-date=5 November 2012 |access-date=15 September 2010 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=15 September 2010 |title=Chennai box office (Sep 10 – 12) |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14956894&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918094247/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14956894&cid=13525926 |archive-date=18 September 2010 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Sify}} In its opening weekend, the film was said to have earned {{INR}}65 lakh in Chennai, as reported by Sify. At the end of the second weekend, the film had netted {{INR}}10 crore from 275 screens.{{Cite web |date=22 September 2010 |title=Chennai Box-office (Sep 17-19) |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14957364&cid=13525926 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925053453/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14957364&cid=13525926 |archive-date=25 September 2010 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Sify}}

Sify stated that "Rajesh has pulled off the impossible, making a family comedy work a second time armed with nothing more than a few situational gaffes and couple of funny dialogues. It's pure escapist fare and will work big time, as there is paucity of healthy entertainment for the family audiences."{{Cite web |date=10 September 2010 |title=Boss Engira Bhaskaran |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boss-engira-bhaskaran-review-tamil-pclxGsciajfce.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215000520/http://www.sify.com/movies/boss-engira-bhaskaran-review-tamil-pclxGsciajfce.html |archive-date=15 December 2017 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=Sify}} Chennai Online specially pointed out the plus points of the film "The comic scenes aided by dialogues and the bonding between the two friends are a huge plus and reason enough to see the movie. The casting of each character has been aptly done with no room for excess anywhere making for one smooth ride all through. Nayan and Arya make an adequate pair though there are no great sparks of chemistry between them. However Nayan does make a pretty picture throughout".{{Cite web |date=10 September 2010 |title=Movie Review: 'Boss Engira Baskaran' |url=http://chennaionline.com/movies/movie-reviews/20105310055327/Movie-Review-Boss-Engira-Baskaran.col |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725004835/http://chennaionline.com/movies/movie-reviews/20105310055327/Movie-Review-Boss-Engira-Baskaran.col |archive-date=25 July 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Chennai Online}} Bhama Devi Ravi from The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 and said, "Director Rajesh has hit upon a surefire formula to get families audience tripping into theatres during the holiday weekend", and appreciated it for taking "a slight dig at the formulaic films [...] The tutorial college angle may be predictable, but soon humour is back on track, and it is enjoyable. You will also come away with some amazing performances".{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=10 September 2010 |title=Boss Engira Bhaskaran |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Boss-Engira-Bhaskaran/movie-review/6547029.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105171521/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Boss-Engira-Bhaskaran/movie-review/6547029.cms |archive-date=5 November 2012 |access-date=1 July 2013 |work=The Times of India}}

The dialogue "Nanbenda" (You are truly my friend) spoken by Santhanam in the film became famous and went viral after release. It inspired the title of a 2015 film. The film's director Jagadish was a former associate of Rajesh.{{Cite web |date=2 November 2014 |title=South follows Bollywood: Popular dialogues, songs inspire film titles |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/south-follows-bollywood-popular-dialogues-songs-inspire-film-titles/article1-1281682.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112182610/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/south-follows-bollywood-popular-dialogues-songs-inspire-film-titles/article1-1281682.aspx |archive-date=12 November 2014 |access-date=28 December 2014 |website=Hindustan Times |agency=IANS}} Another term used by Santhanam in the film, "Appatakkar" (know-all) also gained popularity.{{Cite news |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=14 October 2015 |title=Therikavidalama to Senjiduven: Quirky K'wood dialogues |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Therikavidalama-to-Senjiduven-Quirky-Kwood-dialogues/articleshow/49337190.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017043342/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Therikavidalama-to-Senjiduven-Quirky-Kwood-dialogues/articleshow/49337190.cms |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=3 September 2017 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=7 February 2016 |title='Tamil is semma gethu language machi' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-is-semma-gethu-language-machi/articleshow/50884605.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208081821/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-is-semma-gethu-language-machi/articleshow/50884605.cms |archive-date=8 February 2016 |access-date=3 September 2017 |work=The Times of India}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{M. Rajesh}}

{{The Show People}}

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