Thenali

{{more plot|date=January 2022}}

Thenali Soman is a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee who has come to Chennai for psychiatric treatment. This is because of numerous phobias he has developed due to the Sri Lankan civil war. B. Pancha Bhootam and his assistant, the doctors treating Thenali, are jealous of a relatively junior doctor Kailash getting all the media attention. They send Thenali over to him, believing his failure to cure Thenali of his phobias will derail his success. Soon after their first appointment, Kailash heads to his home in Kodaikanal on a vacation with his wife Jalaja and his two children. Kailash tells Thenali to wait until after the vacation before his therapy can begin, but Panchabhootham asks for Thenali to go meet Kailash while on vacation.

Thenali reaches Kailash's house. He falls in love with Janaki, Kailash's younger sister, which is vehemently opposed by the latter. Kailash becomes increasingly mad with Thenali's antics and even begins to suspect that his wife has an affair with Thenali, as she has a soft corner for the latter. He even tries to kill Thenali by tying him to a tree with a time bomb. Thenali, thinking it is a fake bomb used only to relieve him from his fears, removes it and puts it in Kailash's house for future use where it explodes. Seeing this, Kailash suffers a paralytic attack. Thenali later marries Janaki, during which time he believes Kailash was duped into buying a real bomb.

While Thenali, Kailash, and family are at a picnic, Thenali's long-lost wife whose name is also Janaki shows up and reunites with him. Enraged, Kailash jumps out of his wheelchair and berates Thenali for ruining his sister Janaki's life, but soon realises this was all a set-up by Thenali to cure Kailash's paralysis; the woman was actually actress Meena, who Thenali hired to pose as his wife. Kailash realises his mistake and thanks Thenali.

{{cast listing|

• Kamal Haasan as Thenali Soman
• Jayaram as Dr. Kailash
• Devayani as Jalaja
• Jyothika as Janaki
• Delhi Ganesh as B. Pancha Bhootam
• Charle as Kanthaswamy
• Ramesh Khanna as Pancha Bhootam's assistant
• Madhan Bob as "Diamond" Babu
• Crane Manohar as the servant
• Lavanya as the Raj TV reporter
• Bayilvan Ranganathan as the inspector
• Meena as herself (cameo)
• Vijayakumari as the mental patient (cameo)
• B. H. Abdul Hameed as himself (cameo)
• K. S. Ravikumar as himself (cameo)

}}

After the success of K. S. Ravikumar's directorial Padayappa (1999), Kamal Haasan approached him, since production on Haasan's Marudhanayagam was delayed and he wanted to act in two films in a year. While Haasan planned to direct one himself (Hey Ram), he offered Ravikumar to direct the other, and Ravikumar agreed. Haasan later asked Ravikumar if he would also produce the film. Though Ravikumar was initially in a dilemma, with encouragement from Rajinikanth, who starred in Ravikumar's Muthu (1995) and Padayappa, he agreed. The film thus became the first one produced by Ravikumar's company R. K. Celluloids, with his wife Karpagam handling production duties.{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=4 August 2021 |title=Koogle Kuttapa to be a 'wholesome family entertainer' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2021/aug/04/koogle-kuttapato-be-a-wholesome-family-entertainer-2339711.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811050802/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2021/aug/04/koogle-kuttapato-be-a-wholesome-family-entertainer-2339711.html |archive-date=11 August 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}}

Due to Haasan's commitments to Hey Ram lasting almost a year, Ravikumar spent the time by "writ[ing] a few stories" for him. The title Thenali was suggested by Rajinikanth for the story that was finalised. The core premise, that of the lead character following his reluctant psychiatrist on vacation, was inspired by the American film What About Bob? (1991),{{Cite web |title=From 'Ghajini' to 'Yaan': Remake, inspiration or plagiarism? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/from-ghajini-to-yaan--remake-inspiration-or-plagiarism-imagegallery-4-kollywood-olzlcaadchibg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113010421/http://www.sify.com/movies/from-ghajini-to-yaan--remake-inspiration-or-plagiarism-imagegallery-4-kollywood-olzlcaadchibg.html |archive-date=13 November 2017 |access-date=26 July 2017 |website=Sify |at=slide 5}} but Ravikumar opted against making a shot-for-shot adaptation. Cinematography was handled by Priyan, art direction by Maniraj, dance choreography by Tarun Kumar and stunt choreography by Vikram Dharma.

To emphasise the film's comedy, Crazy Mohan was hired to write the dialogues.{{Cite web |title=Thenali |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/thenali.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324015108/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/thenali.htm |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Cinematoday2.itgo.com}} The Sri Lankan broadcaster B. H. Abdul Hameed subsequently convinced Mohan to change certain dialogue deliveries to incorporate the Jaffna Tamil dialects and as a result, Mohan had to trim the dialogues which he wrote beforehand, thinking that could well and truly set with the filmmaking. Hameed played a major role in penning dialogues for scenes involving issues related to Sri Lankan civil conflicts.

Kamal Haasan played the title character, Thenali Soman.{{Cite web |title=Kamal's Fab Five Comedies |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kamals-fab-five-comedies-imagegallery-movies-jdwmTsfgbdcsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110084005/https://www.sify.com/movies/kamals-fab-five-comedies-imagegallery-movies-jdwmTsfgbdcsi.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=Sify |at=slide 4}} He said he chose to do the film "mainly because it was a K. S. Ravikumar film. I knew his talent and was sure that he would spring a few surprises in the comedy".{{Cite news |date=30 December 2000 |title=Kamal Hassan concerned over Nepal incidents |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/kamal-hassan-concerned-over-nepal-incidents/article28063406.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111045729/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/kamal-hassan-concerned-over-nepal-incidents/article28063406.ece |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Hindu}} Ravikumar felt the film needed a unique selling point, and Haasan remembered the original script of Anbe Sivam (2003) he discussed with Ravikumar, in which Haasan's character was a Sri Lankan Tamil; hence the title character of Thenali was changed into one. To get the right accent, Haasan took lessons from B. H. Abdul Hameed, who made a cameo appearance in the film.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=21 September 2000 |title=Thenali: A Kisstory! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/sep/21tamil.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026132555/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/sep/21tamil.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Rediff.com}}{{Cite web |last=Rasika |year=2000 |title=Good Teacher, Good Pupil |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/oct402.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041103052620/http://www.chennaionline.com/reeltalk/oct402.asp |archive-date=3 November 2004 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Chennai Online}} It was Haasan who invited Hameed to assist him with the appropriate usage of the Jaffna Tamil dialogues and to make inroads with the correct usage of Jaffna Tamil dialects in order to sync with the plot of the film and to connect with the target audience. Hameed spent over a month in dubbing and production of the film project with the intention of assisting Haasan to train him speak in Jaffna Tamil.

Mohanlal and Simran were considered for playing the psychiatrist Kailash and his sister Janaki, before Jayaram and Jyothika were cast.{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=8 January 2001 |title='The fire is still in me after 22 years' |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/08lal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112052839/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/08lal.htm |archive-date=12 January 2022 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Rediff.com}}{{Cite web |title=Jothika: 'Critics have compared my acting to Savitri's' |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Interviews-jothika.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324015111/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Interviews-jothika.htm |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Cinematoday2.itgo.com}} Simran has stated that, though she liked the script, to her dismay the role required body exposure; she therefore demanded an exorbitant fee so that she would be rejected, and succeeded.{{Cite web |last=Kandasamy |first=R. |date=1 October 2000 |title=Simran: star with rare talent |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/001001/tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921082340/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/001001/tv.html |archive-date=21 September 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=The Sunday Times}} Ravikumar chose Jayaram because of his "ear for comedy", and Jyothika after seeing pictures of her from Poovellam Kettuppar (1999). Jyothika's casting caused widespread scepticism as she had acted only in a few films to that point, and was not yet an established star.{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=The " Thenaali" Surprise |url=http://www.tmcafe.com/hotnews.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000408164020/http://www.tmcafe.com/hotnews.htm |archive-date=8 April 2000 |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=Tamil Movie Cafe}} Devayani, who portrayed Kailash's wife Jalaja, accepted to act in the film at Ravikumar's request, without asking about details such as the story or the lead actor; she later realised that she would not be paired opposite Haasan, but did not mind being side-lined by Jyothika.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2001 |title=Devyani talks about Rambha and more... |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/devyani_talks_about_rambha_and_m.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224224722/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/devyani_talks_about_rambha_and_m.htm |archive-date=24 February 2007 |access-date=2 February 2022 |website=Cinematoday2.itgo.com}}

Vivek was offered the role of Diamond Babu and took an advance, but later left as he felt he "didn't have the best laugh lines";{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=7 June 2000 |title=Vivek turns down Tenali |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/07spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518112103/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/07spice.htm |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Rediff.com}} the role later went to Madhan Bob. Delhi Ganesh and Ramesh Khanna were cast as the psychiatrist Pancha Bhootam and his assistant at Haasan's insistence.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vqmkQ1ONd4 |title=Behind Comedy Classics of Avvai Shanmughi, Thenali {{!}} Delhi Ganesh |date=8 May 2018 |last=Sohail |language=ta |publisher=BehindwoodsTV |time=2:15 |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202051433/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vqmkQ1ONd4 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} Meena, who had been approached by Ravikumar to star in some of his earlier films but declined due to unavailability of dates, was asked to do at least a cameo in Thenali, and agreed. She portrays a fictional version of herself.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=4 August 2000 |title=No kiss for this miss |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/04ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003336/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/04ss.htm |archive-date=13 November 2017 |access-date=12 November 2017 |website=Rediff.com}}{{Cite web |date=9 February 2010 |title=Interview with Meena |url=http://www.kerals.com/kerala/interview-with-meena/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801112828/http://www.kerals.com/kerala/interview-with-meena/ |archive-date=1 August 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Kerals.com}} Yugi Sethu has stated that he was offered to act in the film by Haasan, but was unable to accept due to his commitment to the TV series Nayyandi Durbar.{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=10 July 2002 |title=Sheer will to succeed |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sheer-will-to-succeed/article28375243.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208053925/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sheer-will-to-succeed/article28375243.ece |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=The Hindu}}

The film was launched at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on 22 March 2000 with Y. G. Mahendran as compere and with Rajinikanth as chief guest. Scenes were shot predominantly in Ooty and Kodaikanal, while some song sequences were shot in New Zealand.{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=11 September 2000 |title="Crorepathi" spin-offs are here |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/09/11/stories/13110694.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223053623/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/09/11/stories/13110694.htm |archive-date=23 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |work=The Hindu}} A scene required Jyothika and Haasan to kiss; in contrast to other Tamil film actresses at that time, Jyothika agreed without hesitation.{{Cite web |last=Jeevi |date=26 October 2000 |title=Tenali |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-tenali.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018002951/http://idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-tenali.html |archive-date=18 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Idlebrain.com}} While filming the scene where Pancha Bhootam and his assistant jump into a lake, Ganesh and Ramesh Khanna did so despite the "freezing temperature". Haasan later gave them self-made kashayam to prevent illness. While filming other scenes, Haasan was the only one wearing a coat; the other cast members including Devayani and Jyothika had to "brave the temperature and get wet in the rain for a sequence".

Haasan would describe in detail on how to make his core audience of city-bred people laugh to Ravikumar, who would then add slapstick elements to make it applicable to rural audiences too.{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=30 October 2002 |title=Giving hits, his speciality |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/giving-hits-his-speciality/article28384981.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208054030/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/giving-hits-his-speciality/article28384981.ece |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=The Hindu}} For one part of the "Porkalam Ange" song sequence, Jyothika and Jayaram dressed like African tribal people. Jyothika sported dreadlocks, and Jayaram's attire took 20 minutes to wear. The background artists had white paint applied throughout their body and wore plastic leaves.{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=27 July 2000 |title=Captivated by the South |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/captivated-by-the-south/article28034734.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208052211/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/captivated-by-the-south/article28034734.ece |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news |date=28 July 2000 |title=Talk of the Town |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/talk-of-the-town/article28034951.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207155404/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/talk-of-the-town/article28034951.ece |archive-date=7 February 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=The Hindu}} During the filming of the climax where Kailash slaps Thenali, Jayaram had no issues since he was "quite comfortable" with Haasan, the two having previously appeared together in the Malayalam film Chanakyan (1989).{{Cite web |date=18 August 2000 |title=Slap in the face for Kamal |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/18tt.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615214324/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/18tt.htm |archive-date=15 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Rediff.com}} The shoot of the film was completed in 25 days.{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=29 June 2006 |title='I love watching Kamal Haasan' |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/29jayaram.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209232406/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/29jayaram.htm |archive-date=9 December 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |website=Rediff.com}}

Thenali was edited by K. Thanikachalam. It is the first film where Haasan was credited as "Ulaga Nayagan" (Universal Hero). The idea to create a graphic title card containing this honorific was Ravikumar's, and Haasan relented after initial reluctance. Although Haasan had by then undergone a body transformation for acting in Aalavandhan (2001), Ravikumar was unfazed since he only needed Haasan's eyes to be filmed for the Ulaga Nayagan title card. Ravikumar recalled how the card was created: "We shot in high speed, and at the count of five, asked him to wink and smile. I took that footage to the CG department and came up with the visuals – we show his Alwarpet office, pull back to show Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and then the world, which becomes a small, black circle, which is his eyeballs, and he winks. The terms Universal Hero and Ulaga Nayagan flash on the screen". Jyothika's voice was dubbed by Savitha Radhakrishnan.{{Cite news |date=27 January 2017 |title=Jyothika dubs for herself in Magalir Mattum |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jan/27/jyothika-dubs-for-herself-in-magalir-mattum-1564149.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110072504/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jan/27/jyothika-dubs-for-herself-in-magalir-mattum-1564149.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}} Thenali is the 49th film for visual effects supervisor Madhu Sudhanan.{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=2 November 2004 |title=Be prepared for disappointments |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2004/nov/02ga-slid2.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118073834/https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2004/nov/02ga-slid2.htm |archive-date=18 January 2005 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=Rediff.com}}

The soundtrack of the film was composed by A. R. Rahman, and released under the labels Saregama and RPG Music.{{Cite web |date=26 October 2000 |title=Thenali |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/thenali/-D63rtUVEsY_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216171503/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/thenali/-D63rtUVEsY_ |archive-date=16 December 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=JioSaavn}}{{Cite web |title=Thenali Tamil Film Audio CD by AR Rahman |url=https://mossymart.com/product/thenali-tamil-film-audio-cd-by-ar-rahman-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024165457/https://mossymart.com/product/thenali-tamil-film-audio-cd-by-ar-rahman-2/ |archive-date=24 October 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=Mossymart}}{{Cite news |last=Waheed |first=Sajahan |date=2 November 2000 |title=Mediocrity From Rahman |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9sgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TBQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5722%2C5775729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703080940/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9sgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TBQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5722%2C5775729 |archive-date=3 July 2024 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=New Straits Times |pages=Life Is... Music 4 |via=Google News Archive}} Rahman initially refused Ravikumar's offer to work on the film due to numerous Bollywood and international commitments. But after the Indo-Canadian film Water was delayed, he accepted Thenali. Due to a rift between Rahman and his then usual lyricist Vairamuthu, Rahman chose six different lyricists: Ilayakamban, Kalaikumar, Arivumathi, Piraisoodan, Pa. Vijay and Thamarai, all collaborating with Rahman for the first time.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2020 |title=#Throwback: Pa Vijay shares pic of Rahman with lyricists of Thenali |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/throwback-pa-vijay-shares-pic-of-rahman-with-lyricists-of-thenali/articleshow/77052311.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821032458/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/throwback-pa-vijay-shares-pic-of-rahman-with-lyricists-of-thenali/articleshow/77052311.cms |archive-date=21 August 2020 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Times of India}} The song "Alangatti Mazhai" marks the singing debut of Sharanya Srinivas, who sang only one line.{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=14 August 2012 |title=Dad doesnt spoonfeed me |url=http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=24§id=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=14-08-2012&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar02400&publabel=TOI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231003051/http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=24§id=edid=&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=14-08-2012&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Chennai&edname=&articleid=Ar02400&publabel=TOI |archive-date=31 December 2013 |access-date=13 January 2022 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=12 September 2016 |title=Message in a song |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Message-in-a-song/article14634836.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111130104/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Message-in-a-song/article14634836.ece |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Hindu}} The song "Injerungo", written by Thamarai, features Jaffna slang.{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=22 August 2008 |title=Grillmill |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/grillmill/article3023263.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110043603/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/grillmill/article3023263.ece |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=18 October 2012 |work=The Hindu}} The song "Swasame" is set in Hamir Kalyani raga,{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=13 September 2013 |title=The joy of Hamirkalyani |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-joy-of-hamirkalyani/article5124087.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326053503/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-joy-of-hamirkalyani/article5124087.ece |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=1 January 2019 |work=The Hindu}} and was re-used in the final scene of the 2009 American film The Accidental Husband.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Prashant |date=10 August 2013 |title=AR Rahman's Tere Bina song to feature in a Hollywood film |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/ar-rahman-s-tere-bina-song-to-feature-in-a-hollywood-film/story-ov9jGa4vOADDzERkUafQcL.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906161250/http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/ar-rahman-s-tere-bina-song-to-feature-in-a-hollywood-film/story-ov9jGa4vOADDzERkUafQcL.html |archive-date=6 September 2016 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}}

{{Track listing

| title_width = 20%

| headline = Track listing

| extra_width = 45%

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Alangatti Mazhai

| lyrics1 = Kalaikumar

| extra1 = Kamal Haasan, Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan, Baby Silono Rath, Sharanya Srinivas

| length1 = 5:34

| title2 = Athini Sithini

| lyrics2 = Arivumathi

| extra2 = Hariharan, Chitra Sivaraman, Kamal Haasan

| length2 = 5:35

| title3 = Injerungo

| lyrics3 = Thamarai

| extra3 = Kamal Haasan, K. S. Chithra, Clinton Cerejo

| length3 = 6:15

| title4 = Porkalam

| lyrics4 = Piraisoodan

| extra4 = Srinivas, Gopika Poornima

| length4 = 6:35

| title5 = Swasame

| lyrics5 = Pa. Vijay

| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam, Srinivas

| length5 = 5:48

| title6 = Thenali

| lyrics6 = Ilayakamban

| extra6 = Shankar Mahadevan, Clinton Cerejo

| length6 = 6:01

| total_length = 35:48

}}

Thenali was released on 26 October 2000, Diwali day.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=14 June 2000 |title=Kamal joins the rat race |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319223241/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/jun/14spice.htm |archive-date=19 March 2022 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Rediff.com}} Despite being released alongside other Diwali releases such as Seenu, Priyamaanavale, Vaanavil and Kannukku Kannaga,{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=20 October 2000 |title=Quite a few in the fray |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/quite-a-few-in-the-fray/article28049670.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111041527/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/quite-a-few-in-the-fray/article28049670.ece |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=27 October 2000 |title=Festive fare! |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/27tamil.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128173526/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/27tamil.htm |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=Rediff.com}} the film became a silver jubilee hit,{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |date=25 May 2001 |title=Artiste with endless dreams |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/artiste-with-endless-dreams/article27936545.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111051413/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/artiste-with-endless-dreams/article27936545.ece |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |title=Tenali Silver Jubilee Celebrations |url=http://www.oocities.org/siliconvalley/Pines/9480/rajni/rajnews.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003024529/http://www.oocities.org/siliconvalley/Pines/9480/rajni/rajnews.html |archive-date=3 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Oocities.org}} and grossed over {{INRConvert|300|m}}. In Malaysia, it was the most successful Tamil film of the year, grossing RM 1.35 million.{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. N. |date=30 December 2000 |title=Bleak future |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4g8WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5362%2C6034584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703081612/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4g8WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5362%2C6034584 |archive-date=3 July 2024 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=New Straits Times |via=Google News Archive}} The film also performed well in Sri Lanka.{{Cite news |date=7 January 2001 |title=Kamal Haasan: Hey (Thenali) Ram |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kamal-haasan-hey-thenali-ram/articleshow/26868821.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116203025/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kamal-haasan-hey-thenali-ram/articleshow/26868821.cms |archive-date=16 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2022 |work=The Times of India}}

Thenali received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web |last=Lakshmi |first=V |date=28 October 2020 |title=KS Ravikumar: Crazy Mohan would call me at 12.30am to discuss scenes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ks-ravikumar-crazy-mohan-would-call-me-at-12-30am-to-discuss-scenes/articleshow/78901181.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423215306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ks-ravikumar-crazy-mohan-would-call-me-at-12-30am-to-discuss-scenes/articleshow/78901181.cms |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=16 January 2022 |website=The Times of India}} Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu gave a verdict that the film was a "wholesome mix of rip-roaring action, witty dialogues and exotic locales". She was particularly appreciative of Jayaram's performance, Haasan's Sri Lankan diction and his comedic prowess, "both the physical and dialogue-oriented kind", adding, "Logic has no place in the story, which is only meant to make you laugh".{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=3 November 2000 |title=Film Review: Thenali |url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/11/03/stories/09030225.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220165741/http://www.hindu.com/2000/11/03/stories/09030225.htm |archive-date=20 February 2002 |access-date=18 October 2012 |work=The Hindu}} Rajitha of Rediff.com stated, "The comedy is on a single track in Thenali" and that "it is more tiresome than humorous". She appreciated the technical aspects of the film, but was critical of the music. Visual Dasan of Kalki lauded Haasan's delivery of Sri Lankan accented Tamil, but said the real show stealer with regards to acting was Jayaram. He also appreciated the dialogues written by Mohan, but felt Jyothika was underutilised.{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விசுவல் |date=12 November 2000 |title=தெனாலி |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/2000/nov/12-11-2000/p96.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220902045924/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/2000/nov/12-11-2000/p96.jpg |archive-date=2 September 2022 |access-date=13 January 2022 |magazine=Kalki |page=96 |language=ta}} Tamil Star wrote that Ravikumar, Mohan and Haasan "have offered an enjoyable comic fare", but criticised the music, though the reviewer said "it is to be commended that each lyricists has put in his best in his lyrics".{{Cite web |title=Movie: Thenali |url=http://www.tamilstar.com/reviews/thenali/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010630050437/http://www.tamilstar.com/reviews/thenali/ |archive-date=30 June 2001 |access-date=28 April 2022 |website=Tamil Star Online}}

Writing for Chennai Online, Malini Mannath said, "Kamal's perfect timing for comedy, matched equally by Jairam, the antics of Delhi Ganesh and Ramesh Khanna, the humour, some situational, some slapstick, and Crazy Mohan's lines sustain the film for sometime. But then how long can one fool around with a one-line story? The second half has its dragging moments and some forced humour. Rehman's tunes are not very inspiring, the song picturisation too leaving much to be desired".{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |title=Thenali |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov74.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001208034800/http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov74.asp |archive-date=8 December 2000 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Chennai Online}} Indiainfo lauded Haasan's "flawless" Sri Lankan accent, but felt the film had "nothing new to offer", criticised the music, dance choreography and cinematography. The critic added that Jayaram's performance "matches Kamal [Haasan] but otherwise the other artistes [Devayani] and Jyothika have nothing much to offer".{{Cite web |title=Thenali : Nothing new to offer |url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/tamil/reviews/thenali.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210010811/http://movies.indiainfo.com/tamil/reviews/thenali.html |archive-date=10 February 2001 |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=Indiainfo}}

Thenali was dubbed into Telugu as Tenali under the production of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.{{Cite web |date=11 September 2000 |title=Story of Tenali revealed |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news40.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108201058/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/news40.html |archive-date=8 November 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Idlebrain.com}} In 2006, a Kannada remake supposed to star Ramesh Aravind, Jaggesh, Deepu and Manasi was announced, but was later dropped.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2006 |title=Ramesh Arvind in Kamal's role |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/nov/03spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629035313/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/nov/03spice.htm |archive-date=29 June 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=Rediff.com}} A Bengali remake was reportedly being planned in the 2010s, but that did not materialise.{{Cite web |last=Haricharan |title=Mankatha goes to Bollywood |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/mankatha-thala-ajith-salman-khan-akshay-kumar/articleshow/46507184.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120033949/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/mankatha-thala-ajith-salman-khan-akshay-kumar/articleshow/46507184.cms |archive-date=20 November 2024 |access-date=20 November 2024 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en}}

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{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=V |date=26 October 2020 |title=#20YearsOfThenali: The film which made Kamal Haasan Ulaga Nayagan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/20yearsofthenali-the-film-which-made-kamal-haasan-ulaga-nayagan/articleshow/78876089.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028123344/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/20yearsofthenali-the-film-which-made-kamal-haasan-ulaga-nayagan/articleshow/78876089.cms |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |work=The Times of India}}

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{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=6 November 2000 |title=The comedy that wasn't |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/nov/06thenal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026132617/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/nov/06thenal.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Rediff.com}}

{{Cite web |last=Rasmin |first=M. C. |date=30 May 2023 |title=B.H. Abdul Hameed's Book: A Wayfarer On The Airwaves - An Anthropological Journey |url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/b-h-abdul-hameeds-book-a-wayfarer-on-the-airwaves-an-anthropological-journey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241025112345/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/b-h-abdul-hameeds-book-a-wayfarer-on-the-airwaves-an-anthropological-journey/ |archive-date=25 October 2024 |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=Colombo Telegraph |language=en}}

{{Cite web |date=15 August 2000 |title=thennali |url=http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~kailasan/news.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702015410/http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~kailasan/news.htm |archive-date=2 July 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012 |website=Tamil Star}}

}}

• {{IMDb title}}
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{{K. S. Ravikumar}}

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Category:2000 comedy films

Category:2000 films

Category:2000s Indian films

Category:2000s Tamil-language films

Category:Films about refugees

Category:Films about stalking

Category:Films about the Sri Lankan civil war

Category:Films directed by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman

Category:Films shot in Kodaikanal

Category:Films shot in New Zealand

Category:Films shot in Ooty

Category:Films with screenplays by Crazy Mohan

Category:Films with screenplays by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Indian comedy films

Category:Indian slapstick comedy films

Category:Tamil-language comedy films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films