Mandela (2021 film)

In a small village named Soorangudi in Tamil Nadu, the population is around 840 people, and it is split into two caste-based factions, Northerners and Southerners. The long-unopposed village president, a follower of caste indiscrimination, has two wives, a Northerner and a Southerner. His elder son's mother is a Northerner, and the mother of the younger son is a Southerner. Both sides are led by their respective son. Both side have been at odds with each other, hampering any development of the village.

During an opening of a public toilet in the village, a feud breaks out between the Northerners and Southerners, and the neglected president becomes paralysed. Since village election is months away, and taking into account of the president's health, MLA suggests he appoint one of his sons, Rathinam or Mathi, as his successor. The MLA needs the president for a work contract of 3 crore. Unable to reach a conclusion, the two brothers decide to contest the election against each other. The election is divided along caste lines. Based on pre-polling, it turns out the vote is evenly split.

Smile is a homeless lower-caste local barber living in Soorangudi. He lives with his assistant Side Burn in a banyan tree. One day he visits a post office for a money deposit. Since he doesn't have an identification card yet, the postmaster helps him apply for a new identification card. The postmaster suggests he don a new name, 'Nelson Mandela', citing Nelson Mandela as an metaphor for the fact that Smile is not on any side in the election.

When Mandela's voter ID and list arrives, both of the brothers try to win his vote by continuously giving him gifts, fulfilling Mandela's wants. However, after many days when Mandela is still undecided, the MLA suggests that they auction off Mandela's vote. During the auction, Mandela's assistant reveals that the losing side plan to maim him. His assistant tricks the brothers into abandon the auction by falsely claiming that the president has died. When the brothers find out they have been lied to, they brutally thrash them and disallow them from leaving the village.

Both brothers give up hope on gaining Mandela's vote. However, when the MLA reveal the full amount of work contract is worth 30 crore, both the brothers have a renewed enthusiasm to win Mandela's vote and the election. They again try to win the favour of Mandela. However, this time Mandela demands the money they declare during auction be used for various development of the village, and that he will vote for the one who contributed most to the development of the village. Both of the brothers reluctantly yield to his demand, but are annoyed by all the trouble they have to go through for Mandela's vote. Both sides agree that the losing side will kill him.

On election day, the postmaster suggests that Mandela escape the village after casting his vote, but Mandela insists that he must carry on his father's legacy of running the barber shop. Mandela returns to his banyan tree after casting his vote, while thugs sent by the brothers wait for election results, ready to kill Mandela. The president, postmaster, and many villagers come to Mandela's aid on the pretext of getting a haircut. The ending scene shows a standoff between the two brothers, and Mandela with the villagers, all the while election result is being declared.

{{Cast listing|

• Yogi Babu as Nelson Mandela (Smile)
• Sheela Rajkumar as Thenmozhi
• Sangili Murugan as Periya Ayya
• Mukesh as Kirudha
• G. M. Sundar as Rathinam
• Kanna Ravi as Mathi
• Shankar Thas as Kaalai
• Douglas Kumaramoorthy as Bala
• Kalki as Isakki
• A. Gunaseelan as Marudhu
• Aaru Bala as Murugesan
• Prasanna Balachandran as Sudalai
• Pandiyammal as Devi
• Senthi Kumari as Valli
• Deepa Shankar as Rathinam's wife
• George Maryan as BDO Officer
• Saranya Ravichandran as Vairamuthu
• Subadhini Subramanian as Isakki's wife
• Semmalar Annam as Murugesan's wife
• Master Lingesh as Murugesan's son
• ARK as MLA
• V. Gopiraam as MLA's PA
• V. Vignesh as Pragatheesh
• Yazar as Mookayi's grandson
• Sai Shankar as Thenmozhi's father
• Allwin Ramaiah as Bus Conductor
• Sonaimuthu as Pichamuthu
• J. S. Manikuzhalan as Pichamuthu's son
• Panjavarnam as Bakkiyam
• Kasthuri as Kaalai's wife
• Balaji Ayya as Siruttu Thatha
• Oru Kodi Muthamma as Muthupatti
• Kumki Meenakshi as Mookayi
• Prakash as MLA's Driver

}}

The film was announced by debutant director Madonne Ashwin in July 2019, and principal photography began the very same day.{{Cite web |date=24 July 2019 |title=Yogi Babu's next titled 'Mandela', first-look out |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yogi-babus-next-titled-mandela-first-look-out-106057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606123004/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yogi-babus-next-titled-mandela-first-look-out-106057 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |access-date=27 March 2021 |website=The News Minute}} Yogi Babu was chosen to play the lead role as a barber.{{Cite news |date=24 July 2019 |title=Yogi Babu starts shooting for 'Mandela' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-starts-shooting-for-mandela/articleshow/70359294.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423174704/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babu-starts-shooting-for-mandela/articleshow/70359294.cms |archive-date=23 April 2021}} Director Balaji Mohan came on board as co-producer of the film which also marked his maiden feature film production venture for his Open Window Productions banner. Madonne who was a participant in the reality show Naalaya Iyakunar came up with the script to Balaji who expressed his interest in setting a production venture, but to have a wide reach, he approached S. Sashikanth to jointly produce the film. Talking about the script, Balaji stated, "It is a social satire, set against a rural backdrop. It talks about quite a few things that are relevant in today’s scenario. Though it will have humour, it will be more sensible and meaningful."{{Cite news |last=CR |first=Sharanya |date=27 July 2019 |title=Yogi Babu's next is a social satire |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babus-next-is-a-social-satire/articleshow/70396549.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423183547/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babus-next-is-a-social-satire/articleshow/70396549.cms |archive-date=23 April 2021}} Principal photography wrapped in November 2019 with just a single schedule.{{Cite news |date=19 November 2019 |title=Yogi Babu's 'Mandela' shooting wrapped up |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babus-mandela-shooting-wrapped-up/articleshow/72121962.cms |url-status=live |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423183549/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yogi-babus-mandela-shooting-wrapped-up/articleshow/72121962.cms |archive-date=23 April 2021}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Mandela

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Bharath Sankar

| released = {{Start date|2021|03|28|df=yes}}

| recorded = 2020

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| length = 23:20

| language = Tamil

| label = Sony Music

| producer = Bharath Sankar

| prev_title = Dharala Prabhu

| prev_year = 2020

| next_title = Ammu

| next_year = 2022

| misc = {{singles

| name = Mandela

| type = soundtrack

| single1 = Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi

| single1date = 19 March 2021

}}

}}

The music is composed by Bharath Sankar of the Oorka band. The soundtrack album featured six tracks with lyrics written by Yugabharathi, Arivu, Mamiliva Randriamihajasoa, Pradeep Kumar and Bharath Sankar. One song "Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi" was released as a single on 19 March 2021,{{Cite web |date=19 March 2021 |title=Video: கலக்கப்போவது யாரு பிரபலம் பாடியுள்ள யோகிபாபுவின் மண்டேலா பட FirstSingle வெளியீடு! |url=https://tamil.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-ta/yogi-babu-mandela-single-oru-needhi-onbathu-saathi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081623/https://tamil.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-ta/yogi-babu-mandela-single-oru-needhi-onbathu-saathi.html |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Behindwoods |language=ta}} and the remaining tracks were released on 28 March 2021, through Sony Music label.{{Cite news |date=31 March 2021 |title=Check Out Latest Tamil Music Audio Songs Jukebox Of 'Mandela' Starring Yogi Babu, Sangili Murugan, G.M. Sundar, Sheela Rajkumar And Kanna Ravi |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/tamil/check-out-latest-tamil-music-audio-songs-jukebox-of-mandela-starring-yogi-babu-sangili-murugan-g-m-sundar-sheela-rajkumar-and-kanna-ravi/videoshow/81765135.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430083123/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/tamil/check-out-latest-tamil-music-audio-songs-jukebox-of-mandela-starring-yogi-babu-sangili-murugan-g-m-sundar-sheela-rajkumar-and-kanna-ravi/videoshow/81765135.cms |archive-date=30 April 2021}}

{{track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| headline = Track listing

| title1 = Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi

| lyrics1 = Yugabharathi

| extra1 = Anthakudi Ilayaraja

| length1 = 4:42

| title2 = Yela Yelo

| lyrics2 = Arivu

| extra2 = Arivu

| length2 = 2:50

| title3 = Mic Testing

| lyrics3 = Arivu

| extra3 = Mano Eswaran, Dhanush

| length3 = 4:24

| title4 = Ela Mandela

| lyrics4 = Arivu

| extra4 = Anthony Daasan, Musa Mashiane

| length4 = 4:32

| title5 = Mandela Tribute

| lyrics5 = Bharath Sankar

| extra5 = Bharath Sankar

| length5 = 3:26

| title6 = Iaino – To Live

| lyrics6 = Mamiliva Randriamihajasoa, Pradeep Kumar

| extra6 = Bharath Sankar, Tsanta Randri, Vololona Randriamihajasoa

| length6 = 3:26

}}

In March 2021, YNOT Studios decided to release the film as a direct television premiere on Star Vijay on 4 April 2021 and the film would be globally streamed via Netflix from 9 April 2021.{{Cite web |date=26 March 2021 |title=Yogi Babu's political satire Mandela to premiere on April 4! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/yogi-babus-political-satire-mandela-to-premiere-on-april-4-news-tamil-vd0miofiechbg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326235940/https://www.sify.com/movies/yogi-babus-political-satire-mandela-to-premiere-on-april-4-news-tamil-vd0miofiechbg.html |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=29 April 2021 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=25 March 2021 |title=Mandela – Vijay TV premiere and Netflix release dates inside, read on! |url=https://www.letsott.com/mandela-vijay-tv-premiere-and-netflix-release-dates-inside-read-on |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430083124/https://www.letsott.com/mandela-vijay-tv-premiere-and-netflix-release-dates-inside-read-on |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=LetsOTT}} However, the Netflix release was brought forward to 5 April 2021.{{Cite web |date=1 April 2021 |title=Star Vijay to premiere Mandela on April 4 |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/industry-briefing-news/star-vijay-to-premiere-mandela-on-april-4-111996.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081622/https://www.exchange4media.com/industry-briefing-news/star-vijay-to-premiere-mandela-on-april-4-111996.html |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Exchange4media}}{{Cite web |date=2021-04-05 |title=8 New shows and movies releasing on Netflix this week that you can't miss |url=https://www.gqindia.com/binge-watch/collection/new-shows-movies-releasing-on-netflix-week-cant-miss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250405115312/https://www.gqindia.com/binge-watch/collection/new-shows-movies-releasing-on-netflix-week-cant-miss |archive-date=2025-04-05 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=GQ India |language=en}} The film's theatrical premiere was held at PVR Cinemas, Chennai on 31 March 2021.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoTQb8qVePQ |title=Mandela – Red Carpet Event |date=5 April 2021 |publisher=Y Not Studios |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081939/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoTQb8qVePQ |archive-date=30 April 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

Thinkal Menon from The Times of India praised the performances of the cast and technical aspects, and wrote that the film is "outright hilarious from the word go, though it deals with umpteen relevant, sensitive topics". Menon further gave three-and-a-half out of five stars for the film.{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Thinkal |date=2 April 2021 |title=Mandela Movie Review: The movie, which unarguably has the best performance of Yogi Babu till date, is also aided by beautiful visuals, sensible cuts, captivating music and engaging narration |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/mandela/movie-review/81860282.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507051613/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/mandela/movie-review/81860282.cms |archive-date=7 May 2021}} Ranjani Krishnakumar of Firstpost gave 4 stars (out of 5) for the film, further stating it as "Mandela is a film that will remind us of our priorities. It will encourage us to think about our rights as people and our power when we're together, and will also stand as a thoughtful and optimistic view of democracy, for one and all."{{Cite web |last=Krishnakumar |first=Ranjani |date=5 April 2021 |title=Mandela movie review: Madonne Ashwin's film is a balcony view of the darkly amusing times we live in |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mandela-movie-review-madonne-ashwins-film-is-a-balcony-view-of-the-darkly-amusing-times-we-live-in-9496651.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081622/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mandela-movie-review-madonne-ashwins-film-is-a-balcony-view-of-the-darkly-amusing-times-we-live-in-9496651.html |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Firstpost}} Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express, wrote "This political satire is direct and obvious in its messaging. And that adds to the movie's strengths and makes the narration more effective", and rated the film three out of five.{{Cite web |last=R |first=Manoj Kumar |date=7 April 2021 |title=Mandela review: The timely political satire is a must watch this election season |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/mandela-movie-review-the-timely-political-satire-is-a-must-watch-this-election-season-7260925/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081621/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/mandela-movie-review-the-timely-political-satire-is-a-must-watch-this-election-season-7260925/ |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=The Indian Express}} Srivatsan S of The Hindu wrote "‘Mandela’ is a first-rate political satire that shows how deep-seated caste is, by taking an unflinching yet unsentimental look."{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=3 April 2021 |title='Mandela' movie review: Yogi Babu excels in a film that understands caste structure and vote-bank politics |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/mandela-movie-review/article34229345.ece |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081621/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/mandela-movie-review/article34229345.ece |archive-date=30 April 2021}} Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "The film allows Yogi Babu to truly showcase his potential and he plays the titular character with so much sincerity."{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=5 April 2021 |title=Mandela movie review: The only film you need to watch before the next election |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/mandela-movie-review-the-only-film-you-need-to-watch-before-the-next-election-101617621671431.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081620/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/mandela-movie-review-the-only-film-you-need-to-watch-before-the-next-election-101617621671431.html |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Hindustan Times}} Navien Darshan of Cinema Express gave 3.5 stars (out of 5) stating it as "A hilarious and yet, hard hitting entertainer backed by strong writing and performances".{{Cite web |last=Darshan |first=Navien |date=4 April 2021 |title=Mandela Movie Review: A bold, no-nonsense and funny political satire |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/apr/04/mandela-movie-review-a-bold-no-nonsense-and-funny-political-satire-23769.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428082036/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/apr/04/mandela-movie-review-a-bold-no-nonsense-and-funny-political-satire-23769.html |archive-date=28 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Cinema Express}}

People from Maruthuvar community and the barber's profession have condemned the film for poor portrayal of their profession and community. SK Raja, the president of Tamil Nadu Barbers Welfare Association, accused the filmmakers of denigrating their community and profession, propagating prejudice and social injustice.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6teSRpCSOXA |title=Red Pix-Mandela Movie Protest by Barbers Association |date=8 April 2021 |language=ta |publisher=Red Pix 24x7 |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423174704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6teSRpCSOXA |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} A petition was filed by R. Munusamy, the president of the Tamil Nadu Hair Dressers Union, on 21 April, alleging that the film contains several objectionable scenes that speak ill of the barber community.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2021 |title=Producers of film 'Mandela' issued notice over 'derogatory' references to barber community |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2021/apr/21/producers-of-film-mandela-issued-notice-over-derogatory-references-to-barber-community-2292947.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430081621/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2021/apr/21/producers-of-film-mandela-issued-notice-over-derogatory-references-to-barber-community-2292947.html |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}

{{Reflist}}

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Category:2020s Indian films

Category:2020s political comedy films

Category:2020s political satire films

Category:2020s Tamil-language films

Category:2021 comedy-drama films

Category:2021 controversies

Category:2021 directorial debut films

Category:2021 films

Category:2021 television films

Category:Best Debut Feature Film of a Director National Film Award winners

Category:Comedy television films

Category:Drama television films

Category:Films about elections

Category:Films directed by Madonne Ashwin

Category:Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Indian comedy-drama films

Category:Indian political comedy films

Category:Indian political satire films

Category:Indian television films

Category:Race-related controversies in film

Category:Tamil films remade in other languages

Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films

Category:Tamil-language political comedy films

Category:Tamil-language political satire films