Manmadhan (film)

Madhan Kumar is an auditor by profession, who lives in Chennai and also learns music part-time in a college. Mythili, a naive woman, also learns music from the same college. She gets scared upon seeing Madhan one day because she happens to witness a dream of her getting raped by him. Later on, she realises his kind nature and they both become friends.

Madhan is secretly a serial killer under the pseudonym "Manmadhan", who hunts and kills seemingly immoral girls in the city by seducing them before rendering them unconscious using chloroform. He burns the girls' corpses and stores their ashes in bottles with their respective names. Whenever he intends to kill a girl by seducing her, he suffers a nosebleed. In similar way he kills a psychiatrist, a girl in cafe, a train passenger and few other immoral girls. The media attention turns towards the case of missing girls, and Chennai's new ACP Deva takes the charge to find the person behind the crimes.

One day, Mythili finds Madhan riding a bike with a girl as pillion. On the next day, Mythili gets shocked to see the news that the girl whom she spotted with Madhan has gone missing. Mythili thinks that Madhan is behind the crimes in the city and informs Deva about Madhan's whereabouts. Thus, Madhan gets arrested.

During interrogation, Madhan reveals that his younger twin brother Madhan Raj is responsible for killing erotic and corrupt girls under the pseudonym Manmadhan. The story then moves to a flashback. Madhan Raj and Madhan Kumar lived with their maternal uncle Puncture Pandiyan in Madhampatty in the outskirts of Coimbatore district, as both of their parents had died years ago. While Kumar was brave, intelligent and practical, Raj was innocent and sentimental. While Kumar went to study for auditorship in Chennai, Raj moved to Coimbatore to study in an engineering college. There, he became very close and friendly with his hostel roommate Bobby, and fell in love with his classmate Vaishnavi, who also reciprocated his feelings upon seeing his good nature. However, Raj's senior friend Ravi informed him that Vaishnavi was having an illicit affair with her relative Seenu, studying in the same college. He did not trust him and in anger he beat up Ravi. When Raj confronted Vaishnavi, she reprimanded him for not trusting her.

Raj realised his mistake and went to Vaishnavi's house to apologise, only to witness her having sex with Seenu and enjoying the moment. He realised that Ravi was correct all along. Raj also overheard Vaishnavi's conversation with Seenu that she pretended to love him and would like to marry him so that she could take advantage of his innocence and sincere love, which would help her lead life the way she wanted, and have Raj as her slave. Raj confronted Vaishnavi, who attempted to cover up the situation. Not fooled, Raj killed her and Seenu. He returned to Chennai and gloated about the whole incident to Kumar. Raj said he would set out in search of girls cheating in the name of love to kill them, and warned Kumar that if he informed the police, he would kill him too.

In the present, the police investigate further about Raj and get solid evidences against him. Kumar, with the help of Pandiyan, is released from the case. Mythili apologises to Kumar and also proposes to him, which he rejects, saying that he does not love her and had treated her as friend. Mythili leaves the place saying that she will wait for Kumar, believing that he will accept her love someday.

The story again moves to a flashback, where it is shown only to the audience that Raj was innocent of the crimes. After killing Vaishnavi and Seenu, he did meet Kumar but did not fight him. Instead he said he regretted killing them and he did it only because he was triggered due to what they were doing and committed suicide. Kumar hence decided to avenge Raj's death by killing girls who cheat in the name of love, under the pseudonym Manmadhan and developed his nosebleed from then on. Kumar has hidden Raj's death, thereby using his identity as a scapegoat so that he could escape if caught.

It is shown that Kumar indeed loves Mythili for her innocence and good demeanour, but cannot and will not express his feelings for her. He also declares that if his brother had loved a girl like her, he would also have lived happily and he would have married Mythili and be happy. Hence, Kumar concludes that avenging his brother's death is more important by killing immoral girls, and only God can judge his actions. The film ends with a message that even if Manmadhan has escaped the clutches of the police, he would answer for his actions before the law someday.

{{Cast listing|

• Silambarasan in a dual role as Madhan Kumar and Madhan Raj
• Jyothika as Mythili (voiced by Savitha)
• Goundamani as Puncture Pandiyan
• Sindhu Tolani as Vaishnavi
• Atul Kulkarni as ACP Deva IPS
• Mandira Bedi as the psychiatrist (special appearance){{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=9 June 2004 |title=Mandira Bedi says yes to Silambarasan! |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/08look.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011193206/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/08look.htm |archive-date=11 October 2017 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Rediff.com}}
• Yana Gupta (Item number)
• Brinda Parekh as a train passenger who was Manmadhan's target
• Arzoo Govitrikar as girl in cafe who was Manmadhan's target
• T. P. Gajendran as the village landlord
• Sathyan as Inspector Sakthi
• Santhanam as Bobby
• Crane Manohar as Puncture Pandiyan's worker

;Uncredited

• Balakrishna as Seenu{{Cite web |date=2 May 2024 |title=சிம்புவின் மன்மதன் பட இந்த நடிகரை நினைவிருக்கா.. இப்போ வழுக்கை தலையுடன் எப்படி இருக்காரு பாருங்க! |url=https://tamil.timesnownews.com/entertainment/simbus-manmadhan-actor-cheenu-aka-bala-krishnas-latest-pic-goes-viral-photo-gallery-109780480 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808044209/https://tamil.timesnownews.com/entertainment/simbus-manmadhan-actor-cheenu-aka-bala-krishnas-latest-pic-goes-viral-photo-gallery-109780480 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=Times Now |language=Ta}}
• Mayuri as Malathi
• Guhan Shanmugam as Madhan Kumar's college rival
• Dr. S. Suresh Kumar as Reporter

}}

Manmadhan is the directorial debut of A. J. Murugan. He said the script was initially pitched to Ajith Kumar in 1999, and Ajith, despite showing interest, asked Murugan to wait but never returned. In 2001, Murugan narrated the script to Silambarasan, who accepted. S. K. Krishnakanth, who agreed to produce the film, later told Murugan that Silambarasan wanted credit for the story and dialogues, and Silambarasan's mother Usha told Murugan he would only be allowed to continue as director if he credited her son for the story. Unwilling to jeopardise his career, Murugan complied.{{Cite web |last=Manikandan |first=Rajeshwari |date=31 December 2018 |title=Director AJ Murugan Says 'Manmadhan' Script Was His, Not Simbu's |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-aj-murugan-says-manmadhan-script-was-his-not-simbus/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906021629/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/director-aj-murugan-says-manmadhan-script-was-his-not-simbus/ |archive-date=6 September 2022 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Silverscreen India}}

Silambarasan experienced difficulties with Murugan during the making of the film, and was widely reported by the media to have "ghost-directed" the project.{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=R. S. |date=16 February 2011 |title=The games Simbu plays |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/the-games-simbu-plays/articleshow/21675453.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120113609/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/the-games-simbu-plays/articleshow/21675453.cms |archive-date=20 January 2023 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Bangalore Mirror}} Murugan was later critical of the actor allegedly interfering with the project. Separately, Goundamani was angered that Silambarasan edited out many of his scenes as he had signed on the film with the promise that his role was major.{{Cite web |last=Prabhanjani |date=4 August 2023 |title=இவனுக்கெல்லாம் எதுக்கு வாய்ப்பு கொடுக்குற!.. சிம்புவிடம் சீறிய கவுண்டமணி!.. |url=https://cinereporters.com/santhanam-and-simbu-fight-during-manmathan-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/XErF8 |archive-date=23 October 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Cinereporters.com |language=ta}}{{Cite web |last=Manikandan |date=24 August 2022 |title=கவுண்டமணியை நம்ப வைத்து ஏமாற்றிய சிம்பு.! அந்த சம்பவத்தால் சிவகார்த்திகேயனுக்கு சிக்கல்... |url=https://cinereporters.com/goundamani-will-be-act-with-sivakarthikeyan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415194559/https://cinereporters.com/goundamani-will-be-act-with-sivakarthikeyan/ |archive-date=15 April 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Cinereporters.com |language=ta}}

According to cinematographer R. D. Rajasekhar, Manmadhan was the first Tamil film to be colour corrected through digital technology which was done by Prasad EFX.{{Cite magazine |last=யுகந் |date=5 December 2004 |title=வானவில்லை நிறம் மாற்றலாம் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-12-05/page/16/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230122060852/https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-12-05/page/16/mode/2up |archive-date=22 January 2023 |access-date=19 January 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=16 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}}{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=2 December 2004 |title=New Tech in Tamil films |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/News/11prasadEFX.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015005346/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/News/11prasadEFX.asp |archive-date=15 October 2006 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Chennai Online}} Bollywood actress Mandira Bedi was chosen to appear in a cameo while Czech model Yana Gupta was recruited for a dance number with both making their debut in Tamil.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2004 |title=Mandira Bedi in 'Manmadan' |url=http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/20052004-5.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606215043/http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/20052004-5.shtml |archive-date=6 June 2004 |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=Cinesouth}}{{Cite web |date=22 May 2004 |title=Gang of actresses in 'Manmadan' |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/22052004-1.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040605173539/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/22052004-1.shtml |archive-date=5 June 2004 |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=Cinesouth}} The first schedule was college scenes which were shot at NIFT in Chennai with around 2000 students.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2004 |title=Manmadhan |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/previews/new/13042004.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604163608/http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/previews/new/13042004.shtml |archive-date=4 June 2004 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Cinesouth}}{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=27 May 2004 |title=Manmathan |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/manmathan.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006220716/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/manmathan.asp |archive-date=6 October 2006 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Chennai Online}}

The soundtrack was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.{{Cite web |title=Manmadhan Tamil Audio CDs By Yuvan Shankar Raja |url=https://www.vintageav.shop/product/manmadhan-tamil-audio-cds-by-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721084033/https://www.vintageav.shop/product/manmadhan-tamil-audio-cds-by-yuvan-shankar-raja/ |archive-date=21 July 2024 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=VintageAV.shop |language=en}} "En Aasai Mythiliye", sung by Silambarasan, is remixed from his father T. Rajendar's original song in Mythili Ennai Kaathali (1986), with new lyrics written by Pa. Vijay.{{Cite web |last=Ram |first=Vignesh |title=Manmadhan — Music Review |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/review/manmadhan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100112/http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/review/manmadhan.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Nilacharal}}{{Cite web |date=5 June 2021 |title=Kuththu, Manmadhan and more: Films that showed STR's rocking dance performances |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/kuththu-manmadhan-and-more-films-that-showed-strs-rocking-dance-performances/766292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527045247/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/kuththu-manmadhan-and-more-films-that-showed-strs-rocking-dance-performances/766292 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Zoom}}

;Telugu version

The lyrics were written by Veturi, Vennalakanti and Buvana Chandra.{{Cite web |date=28 April 2005 |title=Manmadha |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/manmadha/ThGM3jwbyKs_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120113610/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/manmadha/ThGM3jwbyKs_ |archive-date=20 January 2023 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=JioSaavn}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Bonus tracks (Second release)

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| all_music = Yuvan Shankar Raja

| total_length = 22:11

| title7 = Sedi Sedi Onnu

| extra7 = Silambarasan

| length7 = 1:34

| title8 = Sedi Sedi Onnu (Music)

| extra8 = Instrumental

| length8 = 0:35

| title9 = Kannale

| extra9 = Yuvan Shankar Raja

| length9 = 1:12

| title10 = Sedi Sedi Onnu 2

| extra10 = Silambarasan

| length10 = 0:49

| title11 = Fight Theme

| extra11 = Instrumental

| length11 = 0:47

| title12 = Pesamalae Mugam

| extra12 = Yuvan Shankar Raja

| length12 = 1:44

| title13 = Sedi Sedi Onnu 3

| extra13 = Silambarasan

| length13 = 1:19

| title14 = Thathai Thathai 2

| extra14 = Silambarasan, Clinton Cerejo, Blaaze, Vasundhara Das

| length14 = 5:52

| title15 = Manmadhan Theme 1

| extra15 = Instrumental

| length15 = 2:35

| title16 = Manmadhan Theme 2

| extra16 = Instrumental

| length16 = 1:34

| title17 = Manmadhan Theme 3

| extra17 = Instrumental

| length17 = 0:59

| title18 = Manmadhan Theme 4

| extra18 = Instrumental

| length18 = 1:02

| title19 = Manmadhan Theme 5

| extra19 = Instrumental

| length19 = 1:24

| title20 = Manmadhan Theme 6

| extra20 = Instrumental

| length20 = 0:45

}}

Manmadhan received an A (adults only) certificate from the censor board with some cuts.{{Cite web |date=6 November 2004 |title=Diwali films censored |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-films-censored-news-tamil-kkfvEFdedeasi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902180334/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-films-censored-news-tamil-kkfvEFdedeasi.html |archive-date=2 September 2017 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=Sify}} Though made on a high budget of {{INR}}5 crore, it was sold at a deficit to distributors. However, the film opened with 140 prints{{Cite web |date=10 November 2004 |title=Diwali- Pre-release trade buzz! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-pre-release-trade-buzz-news-tamil-kkfvEEbegjfsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902184255/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-pre-release-trade-buzz-news-tamil-kkfvEEbegjfsi.html |archive-date=2 September 2017 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=Sify}} and emerged successful despite facing competition from other Diwali releases such as Attahasam, Neranja Manasu and Chatrapathy.{{Cite web |date=4 November 2004 |title=Diwali waiting list! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-waiting-list-news-tamil-kkfvFjdbfgbsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902140506/http://www.sify.com/movies/diwali-waiting-list-news-tamil-kkfvFjdbfgbsi.html |archive-date=2 September 2017 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=Sify}}

Sify wrote, "Manmathan is a taut thriller which engrosses the viewers with an engaging [narration], presentation, and is technically top class. [Silambarasan] has taken the audience by surprise with a good performance and contrary to his loud image that he had in films so far, he is a revelation".{{Cite web |date=15 November 2004 |title=Manmathan |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/manmathan-review-tamil-pclvCJjjefcad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706224507/https://www.sify.com/movies/manmathan-review-tamil-pclvCJjjefcad.html |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=Sify}} Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote that Silambarasan's "impressive story telling skills find the right platform" in Manmadhan. She added, "The hero takes on the onus of story, screenplay and direction supervision for the first time and displays a reasonable level of maturity."{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=19 November 2004 |title=Manmadhan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/11/19/stories/2004111902260302.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215182353/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/11/19/stories/2004111902260302.htm |archive-date=15 December 2004 |access-date=2 January 2016 |website=The Hindu}} Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "Manmadhan is worth a watch, an engaging suspense thriller, a fare different from the routine romance-action flicks dished out to the audience."{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=27 November 2004 |title=Manmadhan |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/11manmadhan.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014120527/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/11manmadhan.asp |archive-date=14 October 2006 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=Chennai Online}} Visual Dasan of Kalki wrote that, though reminiscent of many American films including The Bone Collector, the plot was full of unpredictable twists and turns, and impresses without knives and without blood.{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=28 November 2004 |title=மன்மதன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-11-28/page/12/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230120161853/https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-11-28/page/12/mode/2up |archive-date=20 January 2023 |access-date=19 January 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=12 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}} Cinesouth wrote, "Though this movie is inspired by the films Sigappu Rojakkal and Manmadha Leelai, we can realize the efforts that had gone into the screenplay by Silambarasan to make it different. The film's richness is a tribute to the producer. The director Muruhan had used ultra modern equipments and technology in this film efficiently".{{Cite web |title=Manmadhan |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/reviews/new/man.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211200931/http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/reviews/new/man.shtml |archive-date=11 February 2005 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Cinesouth}} G. Ulaganathan of Deccan Herald wrote, "Though the film has shades of Kamal-Bharathi Raja's Sigappu Rojakkal, Manmadhan is Simbu's show all the way. [..] The major assets to the film are gripping narrative, good music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and Rajshekar's captivating camera".{{Cite web |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=5 December 2004 |title=Manmadhan |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec052004/mr4.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222155009/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec052004/mr4.asp |archive-date=22 February 2005 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Deccan Herald}}

According to Sify, the film's collection reports from Chennai, Coimbatore and Salem distribution territories indicated that it surged ahead of Attahasam in its second week due to "rave reviews in the media and word-of-mouth among the youth".{{Cite web |date=26 November 2004 |title='Manmathan' overtakes 'Attakasam'at BO? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/manmathan-overtakes-attakasam-at-bo-news-tamil-kkfvDLigigjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424195924/http://www.sify.com/movies/manmathan-overtakes-attakasam-at-bo-news-tamil-kkfvDLigigjsi.html |archive-date=24 April 2017 |access-date=3 September 2017 |website=Sify}}

A digitally remastered version of the film was released on 19 March 2021.{{Cite news |date=2021-04-12 |title='Billa' to 'Thuppakki': Five Tamil movies that are re-released in theaters in 2021 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/billa-to-thuppakki-five-tamil-movies-that-are-re-released-in-theaters-in-2021/photostory/82032664.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828154010/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/billa-to-thuppakki-five-tamil-movies-that-are-re-released-in-theaters-in-2021/photostory/82032664.cms |archive-date=28 August 2024 |access-date=28 August 2024 |work=The Times of India}}

The dialogue "Apo Puriyala Ipo Puriyudhu" ({{Translation|I didn't get it then, now I do}}) spoken by Silambarasan attained popularity, and has entered Tamil vernacular.{{Cite web |last=U |first=Saradha |date=15 February 2022 |title=Enna Koduma Saravanan Idhu: Tamil film dialogues that are part of everyday lingo |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/enna-koduma-saravanan-idhu-tamil-film-dialogues-are-part-everyday-lingo-160997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/ckJkd |archive-date=23 October 2024 |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}

{{noteslist}}

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