Demonte Colony

Raghavan, Sajith, Vimal, and Srinivasan "Srini" are four friends and roommates in Chennai. One rainy night, out of bravado, they decide to visit a dilapidated mansion in Demonte Colony, rumoured to be haunted. They sneak into the mansion and get separated in the darkness, having a chilling experience. Despite this, all of them manage to come out seemingly unscathed.

The next day, the four friends go to an astrologer. Two of them get their thumbprints and future predictions done, whereas Sajith is told the astrologer will predict his future later, as he does not have the corresponding paraphernalia. They return home, and everything seems normal. Sajith goes to bed, but while Srini is driving his bike, he gets a phone call from the astrologer, who wants to discuss an important matter. However, Srini is unable to hear the details, and the call gets dropped. When Srini reaches the astrologer's residence, he finds him dead.

Some time later, the friends are curious to know the story behind Demonte Colony. Raghavan narrates the story: Years ago, the area was a colony of the Portuguese business tycoon John Demonte. He wishes to gift his wife a special necklace, but she becomes mentally ill. Demonte, depressed, travels to Calcutta to sell his properties in India before returning to Portugal.

Upon his return, Demonte discovers that someone in the mansion has raped his wife, leaving her pregnant. Fuelled by rage, he kills all his servants due to doubts over who raped his wife. The locals, angered by his actions, set fire to the mansion, resulting in an explosion that kills everyone, including Demonte. A curse is said to be set on the diamond necklace, ensuring that whoever tries to steal it will be killed.

Raghavan reveals that he had stolen the necklace to sell for money. Eerie things begin to happen in their flat – the TV does not switch off, playing their own conversations instead of the DVD they had inserted. The power goes off, and Srini contacts the electricity board for help. Srini adds what happened to the astrologer, playing the call recording in which the astrologer reveals that Sajith has already died the previous night. They all turn towards Sajith, who is still sleeping.

The windows and doors do not open; the friends' cries for help go unheard outside. They use a ouija board, asking dreadful questions, and realise that none of them will return alive. Srini asks to burn the ouija, and it starts burning. "Sajith" awakens, acts oblivious to the events, and goes back to sleep. They get scared upon seeing him. Srini tells them to go back and sit at the same place where they used the ouija board. They realise the arrow points at Raghavan, and Srini and Vimal could not hear what Raghavan is saying. They realise he is haunted by the spirit.

Raghavan writes on the TV that Demonte is going to kill them all and dies in the same way Vimal died in the TV. Srini tells Vimal they do not know much about Demonte's mansion and they will return alive. He reveals that if the same thing shown on TV happens now, he managed to escape before by opening the main door. Srini gets haunted by the spirit, kills Vimal, and feels sorry for it. His room starts to freeze.

When Srini sees a portion of the room where a god was present and did not freeze, he goes there and remembers the DVD. After crossing some point, Raghavan was haunted by the spirit. Srini discovers a window can be opened in that part of the room. "Sajith" tries to stop Srini from escaping, but he remembers what the astrologer said – Sajith died last night. He steps back, escapes, and runs to a nearby tea shop, only to find that no one can hear him. He realises he has become a ghost after dying while attempting to jump out of the flat. Later, he witnesses the necklace being carried by "Sajith," returning to the Demonte Colony mansion.

{{cast listing|

• Arulnithi as Srinivasan "Srini"
• Ramesh Thilak as Vimal
• Sananth as Raghavan
• Abishek Joseph George as Sajith
• Antti Jääskeläinen as John Demonte{{Cite web |last=Jyothsna |title=I learnt the nuances of script writing from A R Murugadoss-Demonte Colony director Ajay Gnanamuthu |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-director/ajay-gnanamuthu/interviews.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618193557/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-director/ajay-gnanamuthu/interviews.html |archive-date=18 June 2015 |access-date=18 June 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}
• Helen Taylor as Demonte's wife
• Singampuli as the film producer
• M. S. Bhaskar as the astrologer
• Kalaiyarasan as the astrologer's assistant
• Jangiri Madhumitha as Jillu
• Aranthai K. Rajagopal as Jillu's husband
• Yogi Babu as a man at the browsing centre
• Master Ray Paul as a rich kid
• Meena Vemuri as the rich kid's mother
• Inigo Marivalan as TV installation guy #1
• Devaprabhu as TV installation guy #2
• G. Arunpandian as Food delivery boy
• Viji Kannan as Indian caretaker

}}

Demonte Colony was named after, and set in, a locality by the same name in Chennai.{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Subha J |date=8 December 2014 |title=Mr. Pick and Choose |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/mr-pick-and-choose/article6673256.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201013030/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/mr-pick-and-choose/article6673256.ece |archive-date=1 December 2024 |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en}} Filming began in November 2014,{{Cite web |date=4 November 2014 |title=Arulnithi in horror film 'Demonte Colony' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Arulnithi-in-horror-film-Demonte-Colony/articleshow/45033629.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228085720/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Arulnithi-in-horror-film-Demonte-Colony/articleshow/45033629.cms |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=13 January 2015 |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |title='Demonte Colony' launched |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/demonte-colony-launched-imagegallery-kollywood-olgmyFfbadjhj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111095452/http://www.sify.com/movies/Demonte-Colony-launched-imagegallery-kollywood-olgmyFfbadjhj.html |archive-date=11 November 2014 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=Sify}} and ended by March 2015.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2015 |title=Shooting of Demonte Colony wraps up |url=https://behindframes.in/shooting-of-demonte-colony-wraps-up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929192543/https://behindframes.in/shooting-of-demonte-colony-wraps-up/ |archive-date=29 September 2024 |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=Behind Frames |language=en}}

The music was composed by Keba Jeremiah and released via Orange Music.{{Cite web |date=15 May 2015 |title=Demonte Colony |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/demonte-colony/y8ZmqAG9b4A_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218101851/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/demonte-colony/y8ZmqAG9b4A_ |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=JioSaavn}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 18:13

| title1 = Vaada Vaa Machi

| lyrics1 = Na. Muthukumar

| extra1 = Anirudh Ravichander

| length1 = 4:35

| title2 = Dummy Piece – U

| lyrics2 = Arunraja Kamaraj

| extra2 = D. Imman

| length2 = 3:11

| title3 = Trap of the Beast

| lyrics3 = Arunraja Kamaraj

| extra3 = Ranina Reddy, Arunraja Kamaraj

| length3 = 3:30

| title4 = The Mystery Unfolds

| note4 = Instrumental

| extra4 = Andrea Jeremiah

| length4 = 3:52

| lyrics4 = –

| title5 = The Curse of Demonte

| note5 = Instrumental

| length5 = 3:05

| lyrics5 = –

| extra5 = –

}}

Demonte Colony was released on 22 May 2015.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2015 |title=Friday Fury-May 22 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/friday-fury-may-22-news-tamil-pfwjLDdjififa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525024532/http://www.sify.com/movies/friday-fury-may-22-news-tamil-pfwjLDdjififa.html |archive-date=25 May 2015 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=Sify}} It was distributed by Sri Thenandal Films.{{Cite web |title='Demonte Colony' on May 22 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/demonte-colony-on-may-22-imagegallery-kollywood-pfvnN9daebhfj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524005853/http://www.sify.com/movies/Demonte-Colony-on-May-22-imagegallery-kollywood-pfvnN9daebhfj.html |archive-date=24 May 2015 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=Sify}}

Malini Mannath of The New Indian Express wrote, "Brilliantly written and executed, gripping and refreshing, Demonte Colony is a must watch for lovers of the genre".{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=24 May 2015 |title=Demonte Colony's Unadulterated Horror Will Surely Spook You Out |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Demonte-Colonys-Unadulterated-Horror-Will-Surely-Spook-You-Out/2015/05/24/article2830081.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527024947/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Demonte-Colonys-Unadulterated-Horror-Will-Surely-Spook-You-Out/2015/05/24/article2830081.ece |archive-date=27 May 2015 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=The New Indian Express}} Sify wrote, "Demonte Colony does sincere attempt to scare us and seriously it is one of the well written, superbly executed horror thrillers in recent times that keep us engaged throughout its crisp running time of 116 minutes".{{Cite web |date=22 May 2015 |title=Demonte Colony |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/demonte-colony-review-tamil-pfwqI8fehcdeh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424104843/http://www.sify.com/movies/demonte-colony-review-tamil-pfwqI8fehcdeh.html |archive-date=24 April 2018 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=Sify}} Anupama Subramanian of Deccan Chronicle wrote, "what really shines are the foundations and technical execution of the film: writing, narration, pacing (although first half drags a bit), lighting, cameras, and sound", calling the film "a scary and entertaining affair that promises to surprise and amuse you".{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=23 May 2015 |title=Movie review 'Demonte Colony': Strong foundation with brilliant technical execution |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150523/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-demonte-strong-foundation-brilliant-technical |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527004405/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150523/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-demonte-strong-foundation-brilliant-technical |archive-date=27 May 2015 |access-date=26 May 2015 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}

M. Suganth of The Times of India gave the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "R Ajay Gnanamuthu's Demonte Colony is a refreshing change – it is a pure horror film with no frills attached...and this alone makes us want to appreciate the director....But despite the visual flair, Demonte Colony at times gets bogged down by predictability and the lack of a genuine sense of dread".{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M |date=22 May 2015 |title=Demonte Colony Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Demonte-Colony/movie-review/47390492.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122102854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Demonte-Colony/movie-review/47390492.cms |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=The Times of India}} S. Saraswathi of Rediff.com gave the same rating, stating, "Almost entirely shot in a single room with no gruesome ghosts or unnecessary build up, the director has skilfully created the eerie atmosphere, with incessant rain, a subtle aura of menace, unsophisticated characters and underlying hint of truth. The film is undoubtedly a fine attempt by the debutant director".{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S |date=22 May 2015 |title=Review: Demonte Colony is a gripping tale of horror |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-demonte-colony-is-a-gripping-tale-of-horror-south/20150522.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525015507/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-demonte-colony-is-a-gripping-tale-of-horror-south/20150522.htm |archive-date=25 May 2015 |access-date=25 May 2015 |website=Rediff.com}} Sudhir Srinivasan of The Hindu wrote, "you could make a case for Demonte Colony being a brave debut for R Ajay Gnanamuthu...He wants to shake you up and leave you walking out nervously, petrified of the dark and the dead. But he needed something more: new ideas to show the horrors unleashed by the evil spirit. The ones he uses aren't enough".{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=23 May 2015 |title=Demonte Colony: Much promise, but... |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/demonte-colony-much-promise-but/article7238604.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107223448/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/demonte-colony-much-promise-but/article7238604.ece |archive-date=7 November 2017 |access-date=26 May 2015 |work=The Hindu}}

Demonte Colony opened at the number one position at the Chennai box office, with an opening weekend gross of {{INRConvert|64|l|year=2015}}.{{Cite web |date=6 October 2023 |title=2015 में इस हॉरर फिल्म ने मचाया था कोहराम, अकेले देखने की दर्शकों में नहीं थी हिम्मत, अब आएगा उसका पार्ट-2 |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/entertainment/south-cinema-demonte-colony-south-indian-horror-film-created-tsunami-at-box-office-in-2015-made-with-2-crore-budget-and-earned-65-crore-fans-waiting-for-second-part-7725474.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715134658/https://hindi.news18.com/news/entertainment/south-cinema-demonte-colony-south-indian-horror-film-created-tsunami-at-box-office-in-2015-made-with-2-crore-budget-and-earned-65-crore-fans-waiting-for-second-part-7725474.html |archive-date=15 July 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=News18 |language=hi}} Initially released in 250 screens in Tamil Nadu, this was increased to 280 after the film's opening.{{Cite web |last=L M |first=Kaushik |date=24 May 2015 |title=THE RESPONSE TO DEMONTE COLONY HAS BEEN TOTALLY UNEXPECTED |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/demonte-colony-director-ajay-gnanamuthu-speaks-about-the-splendid-response-to-the-film.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605080105/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/demonte-colony-director-ajay-gnanamuthu-speaks-about-the-splendid-response-to-the-film.html |archive-date=5 June 2015 |access-date=16 June 2015 |website=Behindwoods}} The film's closing collections were nearly {{INRConvert|17|c|year=2015}}.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2015 |title=Mid-year report card 2015: Southern films that have created a buzz so far this year |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ajith-kumars-yennai-arindhaal-to-allu-arjuns-so-satyamurthy-southern-films-that-have-created-quite-a-buzz-this-year-1015639.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121105107/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ajith-kumars-yennai-arindhaal-to-allu-arjuns-so-satyamurthy-southern-films-that-have-created-quite-a-buzz-this-year-1015639.html |archive-date=21 January 2022 |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=News18}}

A sequel titled Demonte Colony 2 was released in 2024, with Ajay Gnanamuthu returning as the director and Arulnithi reprising his role.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2022 |title=Director Ajay Gnanamuthu Confirms Demonte Colony 2 Is Happening But There's A Catch |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/director-ajay-gnanamuthu-confirms-demonte-colony-2-is-happening-but-theres-a-catch-5265241.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005165519/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/director-ajay-gnanamuthu-confirms-demonte-colony-2-is-happening-but-theres-a-catch-5265241.html |archive-date=5 October 2022 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=News18}}{{Cite news |date=8 January 2023 |title='Demonte Colony 2': Makers reveal the entire cast and crew of the sequel |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/demonte-colony-2-makers-reveal-the-entire-cast-and-crew-of-the-sequel/articleshow/96821378.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111172754/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/demonte-colony-2-makers-reveal-the-entire-cast-and-crew-of-the-sequel/articleshow/96821378.cms |archive-date=11 January 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=The Times of India}} Ajay also announced his plans for a third and fourth film in the series.{{Cite web |last=Rajaraman |first=Kaushik |date=23 May 2022 |title=Stories ready for next three parts of Demonte Colony: Ajay Gnanamuthu |url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/05/22/stories-ready-for-next-three-parts-of-demonte-colony-ajay-gnanamuthu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706001407/https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/05/22/stories-ready-for-next-three-parts-of-demonte-colony-ajay-gnanamuthu |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=DT Next}}

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Category:2015 directorial debut films

Category:2015 films

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Category:Films directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu

Category:Films set in Chennai

Category:Indian buddy films

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