Podaa Podi

Arjun, an animation artist living in London with his uncle, meets Nisha in a pub and tries to impress her by showing his wallet full of fake currency. She is an aspiring dancer who is living with her aunt Veena. After going around together for a day, Nisha proposes a relationship, and Arjun agrees. Arjun hates Nisha attending salsa classes with her friend Mojo as her partner. However, Arjun agrees to marry Nisha.

After their marriage, Nisha makes it clear that she still wants to dance and enter the UK competition "Let's Dance" and make a career for herself. Arjun suddenly discovers that he believes that a woman's place is in the home. On the advice of his uncle, he impregnates her, so that she stays away from dancing.

The birth of their first child brings happiness to their family. They go to Hong Kong Disneyland for their babymoon. After they return, in a family conversation, Arjun's uncle mentions his "advice" of making Nisha pregnant so that she would not dance any more. Realising that the child was the result of Arjun's cheap plan and not love towards her, Nisha walks out. Arjun tries to console her but gets angry when she meets a friend who greets her with a hug. Arjun, who gets immediately jealous, goes and starts fighting with her friend, while she pleads him to stop. Nisha crosses the road with her baby, which is then suddenly killed by a car. Arjun and Nisha separate and live in sorrow.

Several months later, Arjun comes to Nisha and pleads her aunt to make her come back and says that if he ever has another child (which he definitely wants) it will be only with her. She comes back on the condition that she continues dancing. However, during her practices she becomes self-conscious due to the things Arjun said to her. Her partner, Mojo, refuses to work with her so Arjun tries to convince him to come back. Arjun then ends up beating Mojo, so that she will be left without a partner and leave the competition. She convinces Arjun to be her partner, but his steps fail in the first round. Impressed by Nisha dancing skills, judges give her another chance, provided she changes her partner. Arjun convinces her to do a dappankuthu dance, which impresses the judges. But she is not happy, because they have to clear 14 rounds to win the competition. Suddenly, Arjun decides to impregnate her again. The film ends with both of them living with their new child.

{{cast listing|

• Silambarasan as Arjun
• Varalakshmi as Nisha
• VTV Ganesh as Arjun's uncle
• Shobana as Veena, Nisha's aunt
• Jeffrey Warden as Mojo
• Samarth Suraj as Arjun and Nisha's son
• Santhanam in a special appearance in Love Panalama Venama
• Premji Amaren in a special appearance in Love Panalama Venama
• Vignesh Shivan in a special appearance in Love Panalama Venama
• Robert in a special appearance in Love Panalama Venama

}}

Vignesh Shivan made a short film and after getting Dharan Kumar to compose music for it; showed the film to producers, Gemini Film Circuit, and then to his childhood friend, actor Silambarasan and both parties agreed to collaborate to make it a feature film.{{Cite news |date=4 August 2010 |title=Poda Podi is a romantic musical: Dharan |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-04/news-and-interviews/28320434_1_songs-poda-podi-dharan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621144852/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-04/news-and-interviews/28320434_1_songs-poda-podi-dharan |archive-date=21 June 2012 |access-date=20 November 2011 |work=The Times of India}} The joint producers of the film, Shanaya Telefilms, released a series of posters in June 2008 publicising the film, while Silambarasan and Vignesh toured in Canada scouting for locations and agreeing a deal with Mayor Ron Stevens to film in Orillia and Toronto. The film was titled Mr Poda and Mrs Podi.{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Ajit |date=18 June 2008 |title=Another Rajnikanth in the making? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/18simbu.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116025009/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/18simbu.htm |archive-date=16 November 2012 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Rediff.com}} In June 2008, reports emerged that Varalakshmi, daughter of prominent actor R. Sarathkumar, would play the lead role of a ballet dancer in the film, now shortened to Poda Podi.{{Cite web |date=18 June 2008 |title=Sarath's daughter to debut with Simbu? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sarath-s-daughter-to-debut-with-simbu-news-tamil-kkftvkaahag.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202084805/http://www.sify.com/movies/sarath-s-daughter-to-debut-with-simbu-news-tamil-kkftvkaahag.html |archive-date=2 February 2013 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}} For his look in the film, Silambarasan worked with Toni & Guy salon and for the initial photoshoot of the film in Mumbai, the producers had stylists from the international brand fly down in August 2008 to give him a new haircut and styling for his hair.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2008 |title=Simbu gets a make-over from Toni&Guy |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/simbu-gets-a-make-over-from-toni-guy-news-tamil-kkftaWheifa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119152959/http://sify.com/movies/simbu-gets-a-make-over-from-toni-guy-news-tamil-kkftaWheifa.html |archive-date=19 November 2010 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=19 June 2010 |title=Simbu gets a bravo new look |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/simbu-gets-a-bravo-new-look-news-tamil-kkfqxPaachd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910033111/http://www.sify.com/movies/simbu-gets-a-bravo-new-look-news-tamil-kkfqxPaachd.html |archive-date=10 September 2012 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}} By December 2008, the film failed to start, and reports emerged that Silambarasan would restart Kettavan, a film which he had stalled before.{{Cite web |date=24 December 2008 |title=is Kettavan being resumed? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/is-kettavan-being-resumed-news-tamil-kkfs68gdhbg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924173650/http://www.sify.com/movies/is-kettavan-being-resumed-news-tamil-kkfs68gdhbg.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}} Poor weather in Canada initially delayed the production of the film, with Gemini Films making a statement in June 2009 that the film was not dropped, after media speculation.{{Cite web |date=26 June 2009 |title=Poda Podi is not dropped: Gemini Films |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/poda-podi-is-not-dropped-gemini-films-news-tamil-kkfrMgdccic.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191920/http://www.sify.com/movies/poda-podi-is-not-dropped-gemini-films-news-tamil-kkfrMgdccic.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}} The film's delays led to Varalaxmi opting out of the film, with her father stating that he would decide when to launch her in the film industry.{{Cite news |date=13 July 2009 |title=Varalakshmi opts out of Simbu starrer 'Poda Podi' |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200907131421.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125061500/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200907131421.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=20 November 2011 |work=The Hindu}} Subsequently, the film was temporarily put on hold with Silambarasan opting to prioritise other ventures.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2010 |title='Why can't I get an Oscar too?' |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-14/news-interviews/28115566_1_pazhassi-raja-film-special-jury-awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707111243/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-14/news-interviews/28115566_1_pazhassi-raja-film-special-jury-awards |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=20 November 2011 |work=The Times of India}}

The film resurfaced and finally began shoot in August 2010 in London and the team shot scenes in a 45-day schedule, with Silambarasan learning salsa for the film under the guidance of Jeffrey Vardon – other choreography was staged by Regan Shepherd.{{Cite web |date=12 May 2010 |title=Silambarasan learns salsa! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/silambarasan-learns-salsa-news-tamil-kkfq8Bfeeha.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202217/http://www.sify.com/movies/silambarasan-learns-salsa-news-tamil-kkfq8Bfeeha.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}}{{Cite web |date=11 August 2010 |title=Silambarasan off to London |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/silambarasan-off-to-london-news-tamil-kkguQ2fhebb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202226/http://www.sify.com/movies/silambarasan-off-to-london-news-tamil-kkguQ2fhebb.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2011 |website=Sify}} The team also shot further scenes in Spain in April 2011.{{Cite web |title=First Look: Simbu's Tamil film 'Podaa Podi' |url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/first-look-simbus-tamil-film-podaa-podi-853311.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316184338/https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/first-look-simbus-tamil-film-podaa-podi-853311.html |archive-date=16 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=News18 |language=en}} A song was filmed in Chennai in November 2011, with Santhanam and Premji Amaren making special appearances in the music video. The film went through further delays after Silambarasan committed schedules to finish Osthe and Vettai Mannan, with the film being touted as a Valentine's Day 2012 release. In January 2012, the actor left for the US to work on his studio album "The Love Anthem", resulting in his ongoing film projects getting postponed again.{{Cite news |date=5 March 2012 |title=Kollywood waits for Simbu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Kollywood-waits-for-Simbu/articleshow/12144559.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212170231/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Kollywood-waits-for-Simbu/articleshow/12144559.cms |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=The Times of India}} The final portion of the film was shot in a ten-day schedule in Macau, Hong Kong from 20 March 2012 onwards.{{Cite web |date=10 March 2012 |title='Podaa Podi' crew heads for Macau on March 20 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/Mar/10/podaa-podi-crew-heads-for-macau-on-march-20-347702.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311202902/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/Mar/10/podaa-podi-crew-heads-for-macau-on-march-20-347702.html |archive-date=11 March 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} Silambarasan's one-year-old nephew Samarth was revealed to play his son in the film. A song depicting the relationship between a father and son, was shot at Hong Kong Disneyland, making Podaa Podi the first Tamil film to be shot there.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2012 |title=STR's nephew Samarth debuts in Poda Podi |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/STR-s-nephew-Samarth-debuts-in-Poda-Podi-news-tamil-mexoSmiebdb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424234845/http://www.sify.com/movies/STR-s-nephew-Samarth-debuts-in-Poda-Podi-news-tamil-mexoSmiebdb.html |archive-date=24 April 2012 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=Sify |language=en}}

{{Main|Podaa Podi (soundtrack)}}

In April 2010, Dharan stated that the soundtrack album would consist of six tracks, further adding that the film's lead actor Silambarasan had sung two songs and that composer-singer Yuvan Shankar Raja would also sing one of the songs.{{Cite news |date=4 August 2010 |title=Poda Podi is a romantic musical: Dharan |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-04/news-and-interviews/28320434_1_songs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707200340/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-04/news-and-interviews/28320434_1_songs |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=20 November 2011 |work=The Times of India}} The album finally features eight tracks, including an instrumental, while Silambarasan has sung three songs, of which two were penned by him; a song by Yuvan Shankar Raja was not featured. The title track had been sung by Benny Dayal and actress-singer Andrea Jeremiah. Besides Silambarasan, director Vignesh Shivan had penned the lyrics for four songs, while Na. Muthukumar and Vaali had written each one song.

Podaa Podi was scheduled to be released on the occasion of Valentine's Day, 14 February 2012. But the film was delayed due to Silambarasan's commitments to other projects. In September 2012, the makers announced that the film will be released on the Diwali festival season, which falls on 13 November 2012, along with Thuppakki (2012).{{Cite web |date=16 October 2012 |title=Stellar show for Deepavali 2012 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/oct/16/stellar-show-for-deepavali-2012-415939.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712114426/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2012/oct/16/stellar-show-for-deepavali-2012-415939.html |archive-date=12 July 2020 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web |date=9 November 2012 |title='Thuppakki' and 'Podaa Podi' to clash on Diwali |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/thuppakki-and-podaa-podi-to-clash-on-diwali-521002.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712114426/https://www.news18.com/news/india/thuppakki-and-podaa-podi-to-clash-on-diwali-521002.html |archive-date=12 July 2020 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=News18}} The film released in United States and Canada on 16 November 2012, three days after the original release.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

The film opened to mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stating "Podaa Podi is strictly a movie for youngsters. The story is lopsided at most times, titling towards the man's point-of-view. It might win loud applause in the theatres, but it is doubtful as to how many viewers will support it otherwise."{{Cite news |title=Poda Podi Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/poda-podi/movie-review/17254485.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104065221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/poda-podi/movie-review/17254485.cms |archive-date=4 January 2025 |access-date=11 July 2020 |work=The Times of India}} Malathi Ranganathan of The Hindu stated "More than half a dozen times in the film, the hero says, 'Very good Ma!' But you can't say the same about PP."{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=17 November 2012 |title=Podaa Podi: In the name of love ... |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/podaa-podi-in-the-name-of-love/article4105487.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121220635/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/podaa-podi-in-the-name-of-love/article4105487.ece |archive-date=21 January 2022 |access-date=28 April 2020 |work=The Hindu}} Sify gave 3 out of 5 stars and stated "Podaa Podi is a lovely romantic ride with some peppy music."{{Cite web |date=13 November 2012 |title=Podaa Podi |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/podaa-podi--review-tamil-pcmaBpiffaeef.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224812/http://www.sify.com/movies/podaa-podi--review-tamil-pcmaBpiffaeef.html |archive-date=1 May 2018 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=Sify |language=en}} Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff gave 2.5 out of 5 reviewed "Despite Varu's great performance, Poda Podi ends in a disappointing fashion."{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=14 November 2012 |title=Review: Varalakhsmy shines in Poda Podi |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-varalakhsmy-shines-in-poda-podi/20121114.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404221221/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-varalakhsmy-shines-in-poda-podi/20121114.htm |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=Rediff.com |language=en}}

At the 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards, Varalakshmi was nominated for Best Debutant Female, and Ganesh for Best Comedian.{{Cite web |title=Nominees |url=http://www.siima.in/nominees.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620221418/http://www.siima.in/nominees.html |archive-date=20 June 2013 |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=South Indian International Movie Awards}}

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Category:2010s Indian films

Category:2010s romantic musical films

Category:2010s Tamil-language films

Category:2012 directorial debut films

Category:2012 films

Category:2012 romantic comedy films

Category:Films directed by Vignesh Shivan

Category:Films scored by Dharan Kumar

Category:Films set in Hong Kong

Category:Films set in London

Category:Films shot in Hong Kong

Category:Films shot in London

Category:Films shot in Macau

Category:Indian romantic comedy films

Category:Indian romantic musical films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films

Category:Tamil-language romantic comedy films