Vanakkam Da Mappilei

Aravind and Swaminathan, childhood friends, vow to get married on the same stage. Aravind works on a ship, spending half the year away, while Swami runs a travel agency. Swami’s wedding is arranged with his cousin, but sensing Aravind’s longing for companionship, he agrees to postpone the wedding for six months, hoping both friends will find suitable brides.

As the months pass, Aravind struggles to attract interest due to his job. Each rejection weighs on him, amplifying his insecurities about being unworthy of love. One day, he meets Thulasi, a vibrant and spirited woman who, despite her initial hesitations, finds herself drawn to Aravind’s charm and sincerity.

Thulasi is deeply connected to her father, Ramachandran, a widower who has raised her alone since her mother’s passing. Their bond is strong, and Thulasi fears the prospect of leaving him behind after marriage. When she introduces Aravind to Ramachandran, both men hit it off, but Ramachandran expresses a heartfelt condition: he wants Aravind to find a bride for himself first, believing it will bring him happiness in his twilight years.

Determined, Aravind and Swami embark on a quest to find a bride for Ramachandran. They consider their yoga master, Maya, but the match fails. In a twist of fate, Ramachandran visits a spiritual center where he unexpectedly meets a foreigner. They share an instant connection and eventually marry, lifting a burden from Aravind's shoulders.

However, when Aravind proposes to have their weddings on the same stage, Thulasi refuses, feeling it undermines her father’s journey to find love. Her rejection leaves Aravind feeling betrayed and angry, leading to a painful breakup. Swami, seeing his friend’s despair, suggests marrying another cousin, but when they visit Swami’s uncle, they discover both cousins are already wed, deepening Swami’s frustration and heartbreak.

Feeling lost, Swami decides to pursue a spiritual path, journeying toward Varanasi in search of meaning. Meanwhile, Aravind, grappling with his own heartache, is haunted by memories of Thulasi. Just as hope seems dim, he runs into Thulasi at a pre-wedding reception he organizes for himself and Swami. They confront their feelings and misunderstandings, realizing their love remains strong.

At the same event, Swami unexpectedly reconnects with Preeti, his college ex-lover, reigniting their old flame. With renewed purpose, both couples agree to marry on the same stage as originally planned. The day arrives, filled with joy and celebration, as Aravind and Thulasi, along with Swami and Preeti, affirm their love and friendship in a heartwarming culmination of their intertwined journeys.

{{cast listing|

• G. V. Prakash Kumar as Aravind
• Amritha Aiyer as Thulasi
• Daniel Annie Pope as Swaminathan, Aravind's friend
• Anandaraj as Ramachandran (Rams / Adyar "Undertaker"), Thulasi's father
• M. S. Bhaskar as Councillor Puniyakotti
• Jayaprakash as Natraj, Aravind's father
• Pragathi as Shanthi, Aravind's mother
• Reshma Pasupuleti as Maya
• Shiv Aditya as Aakash
• R. S. Shivaji as Swaminathan's grandfather
• Soundarya Bala Nandakumar as Preeti
• Deepa Balu as Divya, Thulasi's friend
• Gowthami Vembunathan as Kannamma
• Guru Ramesh as Madhushudhan
• A. Revathy as Swaminathan's grandmother's
• Poorni as Receptionist
• Yogi Babu as himself (Guest appearance)

}}

The film marked the second collaboration between director M. Rajesh and G. V. Prakash Kumar after Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru (2016).{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=GV Prakash-Rajesh film titled Vanakkam Da Mappilei |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/feb/22/gv-prakash-rajesh-film-titled-vanakkam-da-mappilei-22965.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416101408/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/feb/22/gv-prakash-rajesh-film-titled-vanakkam-da-mappilei-22965.html |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=16 April 2021 |website=Cinema Express}} The film was titled as Vanakkam Da Mappillai based on the popular TikTok meme created by a netizen which became viral during the COVID-19 lockdown in Tamil Nadu.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=ராஜேஷ் - ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் இணையும் 'வணக்கம்டா மாப்ள' |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/636785-vanakkam-da-mapla-first-look.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416101410/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/636785-vanakkam-da-mapla-first-look.html |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=16 April 2021 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}} Filming was 60% complete as of January 2021,{{Cite web |date=2021-01-26 |title=GV Prakash, director Rajesh team up once again |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/Jan/26/gv-prakashdirector-rajesh-team-up-once-again-22467.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} and wrapped the following month.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2021 |title=G V Prakash Starrer Vanakkam Da Mappilei Shoot Wrapped Up |url=https://www.spotboye.com/south/tamil/g-v-prakash-starrer-vanakkam-da-mappilei-shoot-wrapped-up/603cce4a2cedbe782656d636 |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=SpotboyE |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209121418/https://www.spotboye.com/south/tamil/g-v-prakash-starrer-vanakkam-da-mappilei-shoot-wrapped-up/603cce4a2cedbe782656d636 |url-status=live }}

The soundtrack was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, collaborating with Rajesh for the second time after Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru (2016). The first single of the film titled Tata Bye Bye was sung by actor Dhanush, and the lyrics were penned by Gana Vinoth.

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Tata Bye Bye

| note1 =

| lyrics1 = Gana Vinoth

| music1 =

| extra1 = Dhanush

| length1 = 4:01

| title2 = Nanban Mattum Pothum Da||

| note2 =

| lyrics2 = Saravedi Saran

| music2 =

| extra2 = Arivu, Saravedi Saran

| length2 = 3:24

| title3 = Hey Penne

| note3 =

| lyrics3 = Pa. Vijay

| music3 =

| extra3 = G. V. Prakash Kumar

| length3 = 4:29

| title4 = Ithana Naala Yaarum

| note4 =

| lyrics4 = Snehan

| music4 =

| extra4 = G. V. Prakash Kumar, Prathima Dinesh

| length4 = 3:15

}}

It was originally planned that the film would be having its direct-to-television premiere on Sun TV on 14 April 2021, Puthandu (Tamil New Year).{{Cite web |date=24 February 2021 |title=Vanakkam da Mappilei' is the title of GV Prakash – Rajesh's next! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/vanakkam-da-mappilei-is-the-title-of-gv-prakash---rajeshs-next-news-tamil-vcyd7iajhabbj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416101410/https://www.sify.com/movies/vanakkam-da-mappilei-is-the-title-of-gv-prakash---rajeshs-next-news-tamil-vcyd7iajhabbj.html |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=16 April 2021 |website=Sify}} However, the filmmakers later pushed the release date to 1 May 2021, May Day.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2021 |title='வணக்கம்டா மாப்ள' வெளியீட்டில் மாற்றம் |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/658488-change-in-vanakkam-da-mapla-release.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416101408/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/658488-change-in-vanakkam-da-mapla-release.html |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=16 April 2021 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}} Later this plan was dropped; instead the film directly released via Sun NXT on 16 April 2021.{{Cite web |date=12 May 2021 |title=7 unmissable hot photos of Bigg Boss Tamil fame Reshma Pasupuleti |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/7-unmissable-hot-photos-of-bigg-boss-tamil-fame-reshma-pasupuleti/756081 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824050210/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/7-unmissable-hot-photos-of-bigg-boss-tamil-fame-reshma-pasupuleti/756081 |archive-date=24 August 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |website=Zoom}} The film had its television premiere on 12 May 2021 on the eve of Ramzan.{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Aman |date=14 May 2021 |title=Vanakkam Da Mappilei World Television Premiere WTP On TV Check Channel Name, Date & Time |url=https://socialtelecast.com/vanakkam-da-mappilei-world-television-premiere-wtp-on-tv-check-channel-name-date-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824050212/https://socialtelecast.com/vanakkam-da-mappilei-world-television-premiere-wtp-on-tv-check-channel-name-date-time/ |archive-date=24 August 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |website=Social Telecast}}

Ashutosh Mohan of Film Companion wrote, "Imagine all the good fun Rajesh can whip up, if only he was not so obsessed with soup boys and rich girls. But if you find it amusing that the hero and his friend are called Aravind and Swami, then Vannakkamda Mappilei is your fix."{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Ashutosh |date=20 April 2021 |title=Vannakkamda Mappilei, On SunNXT, Is Another Misogynistic Rajesh Comedy That Works When It's Not Trying To Be Funny |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/vanakkam-da-mappilei-review-sunnxt-tamil-movies-another-misogynistic-rajesh-comedy-that-works-when-its-not-trying-to-be-funny-gv-prakash-kumar-daniel-annie-pope-yogi-babu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425152907/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/vanakkam-da-mappilei-review-sunnxt-tamil-movies-another-misogynistic-rajesh-comedy-that-works-when-its-not-trying-to-be-funny-gv-prakash-kumar-daniel-annie-pope-yogi-babu/ |archive-date=25 April 2021 |access-date=24 April 2021 |website=Film Companion}} Bhuvanesh Chandar of Cinema Express wrote, "With too many issues and no takeaways, Vanakkam Da Mappilei has nothing worth rooting for".{{Cite web |last=Chandar |first=Bhuvanesh |date=16 April 2021 |title=Vanakkam Da Mappilei Movie Review: Uninspiring and problematic |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/apr/16/vanakkam-da-mappilei-movie-review-a-tata-bye-bye-film-23982.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530141645/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2021/apr/16/vanakkam-da-mappilei-movie-review-a-tata-bye-bye-film-23982.html |archive-date=30 May 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |website=Cinema Express}} Ananda Vikatan rated the film 38 out of 100.{{Cite web |date=22 April 2021 |title=வணக்கம்டா மாப்ள - சினிமா விமர்சனம் |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/vanakkam-da-mapla-cinema-review |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230925053215/https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/vanakkam-da-mapla-cinema-review |archive-date=25 September 2023 |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}

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Category:2020s Indian films

Category:2020s Tamil-language films

Category:2021 direct-to-video films

Category:2021 films

Category:2021 romantic comedy films

Category:Films directed by M. Rajesh

Category:Films scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar

Category:Indian direct-to-video films

Category:Indian romantic comedy films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films