Verithanam
{{short description|2019 song by A. R. Rahman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox song
|name = Verithanam
|cover = Verithanam Cover.jpg
|caption = Official single cover
|type = Single
|artist = A. R. Rahman and Vijay
|album = Bigil (soundtrack)
|language = Tamil
|released = 1 September 2019
|recorded = 2019
|studio = Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai
KM Music Conservatory, Chennai
|genre = Filmi, Indian folk, Indian pop, dance music|
length = 4:05
|label = Sony Music India
|composer = A. R. Rahman
|lyricist = Vivek
|producer = A. R. Rahman
|tracks =
|misc = {{Extra track listing
| album = Bigil
| type = single
| tracks = {{Hidden
| title = 7 tracks
| text =
- "Singappenney"
- "Verithanam"
- "Unakkaga"
- "Maathare"
- "Bigil Bigil Bigiluma"
; Bonus tracks
- "Kaalame"
- "Idharkuthan"
}}}}
{{External music video|type=single|{{YouTube|zsFYtBwtHCE|"Verithanam"}}
}}}}
"Verithanam" ({{Translation|Frenzy}}) is an Indian Tamil-language song from the 2019 sports action film Bigil directed by Atlee. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the song featured lyrics written by Vivek and sung by actor Vijay, who also played the protagonist in the film. It is the first song Vijay has recorded for Rahman. The song was released by Sony Music India on 1 September 2019,{{Citation|title=Bigil – Verithanam Lyric Video (Tamil) {{!}} Thalapathy Vijay, Nayanthara {{!}} A.R Rahman {{!}} Atlee {{!}} AGS|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsFYtBwtHCE|language=en|access-date=20 July 2021}} and its video version was unveiled on 1 November.{{Citation|title=Bigil – Verithanam Video {{!}} Thalapathy Vijay {{!}} A.R Rahman {{!}} Atlee|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtd_VveAEaI|language=en|access-date=20 July 2021}}
Background
In early 2019, media reports surfaced that Vijay may record one song for A. R. Rahman for Thalapathy 63 (Bigil), which will be his first collaboration as a singer with Rahman, although the composer worked with the actor's films in Udhaya (2004), Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007), Mersal (2017) and Sarkar (2018).{{Cite web|title=Intro song of 'Thalapathy63' to be shot with hundreds of kids|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/intro-song-of-thalapathy63-to-be-shot-with-hundreds-of-kids-news-tamil-tcpjK9ghggdji.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215061749/http://www.sify.com/movies/intro-song-of-thalapathy63-to-be-shot-with-hundreds-of-kids-news-tamil-tcpjK9ghggdji.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2019|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Sify|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=15 February 2019|title='Thalapathy 63' opening song to feature 100 kids|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/thalapathy-63-opening-song-feature-100-kids-96764|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}} Although, after his return to playback singing with "Google Google" from Thuppakki,{{cite news|title='Thamizhan' was hit because of Vijay: Imman|publisher=CNN IBN|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/thamizhan-was-hit-because-of-vijay-imman/303460-71.html?classic|url-status=dead|access-date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222012741/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/thamizhan-was-hit-because-of-vijay-imman/303460-71.html?classic|archive-date=22 February 2014}} and continuously sang for his upcoming projects until Bairavaa,{{Cite news|date=26 November 2016|title=Vijay has sung incredibly well, says Bairavaa composer Santhosh Narayanan|work=The Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijay-has-sung-incredibly-well-says-bairavaa-composer-santhosh-narayanan-4396272/|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916140844/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijay-has-sung-incredibly-well-says-bairavaa-composer-santhosh-narayanan-4396272/|archive-date=16 September 2017}} he did not record a song for Mersal,{{Cite web|date=1 August 2017|title=Vijay is not singing in Atlee directorial Mersal, which has music by A.R.Rahman|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vijay-is-not-singing-in-atlee-directorial-mersal-which-has-music-by-arrahman.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Behindwoods}} and eventually he was reported to sing for Sarkar, which was also composed by A. R. Rahman, which also failed to happen.{{Cite web|date=28 March 2018|title=Vijay to croon for AR Rahman?|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-croon-ar-rahman-78632|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}
On 8 July 2019, Archana Kalpathi, the creative producer of AGS Entertainment, which produced the film had shared a picture with Vijay, Rahman, Vivek and Atlee being present at Rahman's recording studio Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai for the song which was titled "Verithanam".{{Cite web|date=8 July 2019|title=Bigil: Vijay turns singer for AR Rahman song Verithanam|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/vijay-sings-ar-rahman-composition-bigil-5821311/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=8 July 2019|title=First song of Vijay's Bigil Thalapathy 63 is titled Verithanam|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/first-song-of-vijays-bigil-thalapathy-63-is-titled-verithanam.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Behindwoods}} With this, the producers confirmed Vijay singing for Rahman's composition for the very first time,{{Cite web|date=8 July 2019|title='Bigil' update: Thalapathy Vijay turns singer for AR Rahman's composition 'Verithanam'|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-bigil-update-thalapathy-vijay-turns-singer-for-ar-rahman-s-composition-verithanam-2769785|access-date=19 July 2021|website=DNA India|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Ramanujam|first=Srinivasa|date=2 August 2019|title=Vijay's voice made a lot of difference to 'Verithanam', says A.R Rahman|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vijays-voice-made-a-lot-of-difference-to-verithanam-says-ar-rahman/article28800504.ece|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}} although he sang for many leading composers.{{Cite magazine|date=July 8, 2019 |title=Bigil update: Vijay to sing Verithanam, his first AR Rahman number|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/bigil-update-vijay-to-sing-verithanam-his-first-ar-rahman-number-1564675-2019-07-08|access-date=19 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en}} Super Singer fame Poovaiyar was reported to act and provide additional vocals for one of the songs.{{Cite web|title=Super Singer sensation to act in Thalapathy 63|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/super-singer-sensation-to-act-in-thalapathy-63-news-tamil-tcvn1Vdfhjbfg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221090803/http://www.sify.com/movies/super-singer-sensation-to-act-in-thalapathy-63-news-tamil-tcvn1Vdfhjbfg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2019|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Sify|language=en}}{{Cite magazine|date=February 18, 2019 |title=Super Singer fame Poovaiyaar joins Thalapathy 63 as actor and singer|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/super-singer-fame-poovaiyaar-joins-thalapathy-63-as-an-actor-and-a-singer-1458869-2019-02-18|access-date=19 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en}}
Release
The song was initially reported to be released as the first single from the film.{{Cite web|date=19 July 2019|title=Vijay's BIGIL: Songs detail inside – Tamil News|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/thalapathy-vijay-bigil-exclusive-five-songs-album-a-r-rahman-verithanam-singa-penne-vivek-tamil-news-240658|access-date=19 July 2021|website=IndiaGlitz.com}} However, as another track "Singappenney" leaked onto the internet in mid-July 2019,{{Cite news|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=16 July 2019|title=Song from Vijay's 'Bigil' leaked online|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bigil-song-leaked-online/article28479628.ece|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|date=18 July 2019|title='Singa Penne' song from Vijay's 'Bigil' leaked|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/singa-penne-song-vijays-bigil-leaked-105658|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}} the makers released that song as the first single,{{Cite web|date=24 July 2019|title=Watch: 'Singappenney' from Vijay's 'Bigil' out, dedicated to women|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/watch-singappenney-vijays-bigil-out-dedicated-women-106003|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}} and planned to release "Verithanam" later.{{Cite web|date=24 July 2019|title=Bigil song Singappenney: AR Rahman delivers a punchy female anthem|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/bigil-song-singappenney-ar-rahman-vijay-5846782/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} In mid-August 2019, reports being surfaced that this song has been leaked into the internet,{{Cite web|title=Verithanam song from Vijay's 'Bigil' leaked online? Twitter abuzz with reports|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/aug/23/verithanam-song-from-vijays-bigil-leaked-online-twitter-abuzz-with-reports-2023270.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The New Indian Express}} and became a trending topic in Twitter, urging fans to release the original track sooner as possible.{{Cite web|title=Bigil: 'Verithanam' song from the Vijay starrer leaked online; fans urge makers to release original track|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/bigil-verithanam-song-vijay-starrer-leaked-online-fans-urge-makers-release-original-track-469557|access-date=19 July 2021|website=PINKVILLA|language=en}} However, few media handles claimed that the leak was not true.{{Cite web|last=Subramanian|first=Anupama|date=25 August 2019|title=Verithanam song leak is fake trend|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/250819/verithanam-song-leak-is-fake-trend.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}{{Cite news|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=23 August 2019|title=Fake versions of Vijay's 'Verithanam' from 'Bigil' do rounds online|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vijays-verithanam-song-from-bigil-leaked-online/article29234005.ece|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}
The official promo video for the song was released on 31 August 2019,{{Cite tweet|number=1167801167230799875|user=SonyMusicSouth|title=THE WAIT ENDS HERE! The much- awaited #Verithanam sung by our very own #ThalapathyVijay releases on 1st Sept at 6PM!! #BigilPodalamaa|author=Sony Music South|date=31 August 2019|author-link=Sony Music India|access-date=19 July 2021}} and a day later, the full song was released by Sony Music India through their streaming platforms and a lyrical video through YouTube.{{Cite web|date=1 September 2019|title=Bigil song Verithanam: A fast-paced dance number by Vijay|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/bigil-song-verithanam-a-fast-paced-dance-number-by-thalapathy-vijay-5956585/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=8 October 2019|title=The Telugu version of Verithanam from Vijay and Atlee's Bigil is here ft. AR Rahman|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/the-telugu-version-of-verithanam-from-vijay-and-atlees-bigil-is-here-ft-ar-rahman.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Behindwoods}} At the film's audio launch held at Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai on 27 September 2019, Vijay who participated at the event, sang a couple lines from the song while addressing his speech.{{Cite web|date=28 September 2019|title=Bigil Audio Launch: Atlee eyes October first week to launch trailer, Vijay croons his song Verithanam|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bigil-audio-launch-atlee-eyes-october-first-week-to-launch-trailer-vijay-croons-his-song-verithanam-7373271.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Firstpost}}{{Cite news|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=27 September 2019|title='Bigil' audio launch: Vijay makes veiled references to political climate in T.N.|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bigil-audio-launch-vijay-makes-veiled-references-to-political-climate-in-tn/article29462701.ece|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}
The video version of this song was exclusively premiered at the television channel Sun Music on 30 October 2019.{{Cite tweet|number=1189528352358449157|user=SunMusic|title=Namma aattam #Verithanam ah irrukum! 🥳 Watch the video song exclusively from today on #sunmusic|author=Sun Music|author-link=Sun Music|date=30 October 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}} Later the song was released through YouTube on 1 November 2019.{{Cite web|title=Verithanam Video song out: Time to see Vijay sing and dance his way into our hearts|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/nov/06/verithanam-video-song-out-time-to-see-vijay-sing-and-dance-his-way-into-our-hearts-atlee-ar-rahman-15345.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Cinema Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=David|date=1 November 2019|title=Vijay's Verithanam video song from Bigil is ready to set YouTube on fire|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/verithanam-video-song-vijays-hit-number-bigil-be-out-soon-808260|access-date=19 July 2021|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}
Reception
= Critical response =
Antara Chakraborty of The Indian Express wrote in its review, saying "The song is a fast-paced dance number, the kind of song that has become a staple in Vijay’s films. It is definitely fun, with a rustic feel." India Today called the song as "proper mass number"{{Cite magazine|date=September 2, 2019 |title=Verithanam song out: Vijay and AR Rahman go local for Bigil|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/verithanam-song-out-vijay-and-ar-rahman-go-local-for-bigil-1594304-2019-09-02|access-date=19 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en}} while The News Minute called that the song "has been delivered in Vijay's signature style".{{Cite web|date=1 September 2019|title=Watch: Vijay turns singer for 'Verithanam', second single drops from 'Bigil'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/watch-vijay-turns-singer-verithanam-second-single-drops-bigil-108196|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}} A critic from Behindwoods wrote "A completely dynamic song with the expressive voice of Vijay is the main highlight, as the lyrics, slang, and voice of the singer will overshadow the tune, but the orchestra doesn't let go easily."{{Cite web|date=28 September 2019|title=Bigil (aka) Vijay 63 songs review|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/bigil/bigil-songs-review.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Behindwoods}} International Business Times-based critic Prakash Upadhyaya called the song as a "fast-paced number with a local flavour" further saying "With Vijay himself lending voice for the number, it strikes the chord with the fans, instantly. The fans could not have expected a better mass number than this as Thalapathy's voice blends well with the tune and the lyrics."{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=27 September 2019|title=Bigil songs review: AR Rahman and Thalapathy Vijay have a winner in hand|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bigil-songs-review-ar-rahman-thalapathy-vijay-have-winner-hand-805712|access-date=19 July 2021|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}} Moviecrow called the number as "the most commercially accessible track of the album".{{Cite web|title=Bigil Songs – Music Review|url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/24529/bigil-songs-music-review/amp|access-date=19 July 2021|website=www.moviecrow.com|language=en}}
= Records =
The song crossed 1 million likes within the first five days of its release.{{Cite web|last=Staff|date=6 September 2019|title=Vijay's Verithanam Song Clocks 1 Million Likes; Gets Trolled With #PaidVerithanamLikesExposed|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2019/vijay-s-verithanam-song-clocks-1-million-likes-gets-trolled-with-paid-verithanam-likes-exposed-289427.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Filmibeat|language=en}} A year after its release, the video song crossed 100 million views in September 2020,{{Cite news|title=AR Rahman & Vijay's Verithanam video reaches 100 million views milestone on YouTube – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/ar-rahman-vijays-verithanam-video-reaches-100-million-views-milestone-on-youtube/articleshow/78078635.cms|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Times of India|date=12 September 2020 |language=en}} eventually becoming one of the most viewed songs of Vijay on the video-sharing platform YouTube.{{Cite web|date=17 February 2021|title='Aalaporan Tamizhan' to 'Vaathi Coming': Five most viewed video songs of Vijay on YouTube|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/aalaporan-tamizhan-to-vaathi-coming-five-most-viewed-video-songs-of-vijay-on-youtube/photostory/81059140.cms|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}} A January–September 2019 survey report from the music platform JioSaavn, stated "Verithanam" along with "Rowdy Baby" (a song from Dhanush's Maari 2), as one of the most streamed songs in this intermediate period.{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Pradeep|date=19 October 2019|title='Verithanam' and 'Rowdy Baby' most streamed songs by Tamil music fans|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/verithanam-and-rowdy-baby-most-streamed-songs-by-tamil-music-fans/article29744084.ece|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}
= Chart performance =
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; Weekly charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" |Chart (2019–20) ! scope="col" |Peak position !Reference(s) |
| scope="row" |Mirchi Top 20 (Tamil)
|1 |{{Cite web|title=Latest Tamil songs on Tamil Mirchi Top20 countdown.|url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/more/tamil-top-20/|access-date=5 August 2019|website=www.radiomirchi.com}}{{Cite web|last=South|first=Sony Music|date=14 September 2019|title=#Bigil yet again on the @RadioMirchi charts!|url=https://twitter.com/SonyMusicSouth/status/1173127274058539009|access-date=15 September 2019|website=@SonyMusicSouth|language=en}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |Wynk Music Top 20 (Tamil)
|2 |
| scope="row" |YouTube Trending
|2 |
| scope="row" |Spotify Top Hits (Tamil)
|3 |
| scope="row" |JioSaavn Weekly Top 15 (Tamil)
|3 |
{{col-2}}
; Year-end charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" |Chart (2019) ! scope="col" |Position !Reference(s) |
| scope="row" |BIG FM Radio (Tamil)
|1 |
|---|
| scope="row" |The Times of India
|5 |
| scope="row" |Moviecrow
|7 |
| scope="row" |Cinema Express
|20 |{{Cite web|title=CE Year in Review: Our top 20 Tamil songs of 2019|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2020/jan/02/ce-year-in-review-our-top-20-tamil-songs-of-2019-826.html|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Cinema Express|language=en}} |
{{col-end}}
= Criticism =
In September 2019, a video came up with connection to the number to strengthen the claims that the song has achieved records as a result of a paid campaign. Some of the fans started trending the hashtag #PaidVerithanamLikesExposed and trashed the film's producers allegedly opting for a paid campaign to create a new record.{{Cite web|title=BIGIL: காசு கொடுத்து கிடைத்ததா வெறித்தனம் லைக்ஸ்? – ட்விட்டரில் டிரெண்டாகும் #PaidVerithanamLikesExposed|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/viral-corner/tweets/paid-verithanam-likes-exposed-hashtag-trending-on-twitter/articleshow/71011925.cms|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Samayam Tamil|language=ta}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from A. R. Rahman's official website{{Cite web|title=A. R. Rahman – The Official Site|url=https://www.arrahman.com/discography_details.aspx?id=313|access-date=20 July 2021|website=www.arrahman.com}} and Sony Music South{{div col}}
- A. R. Rahman – Composer, arranger, producer
- Vijay – Playback singer
- Vivek – Lyricist
- Sangeeta – Additional vocals
- Poovaiyar – Additional vocals
- Ka Ka Balachander – Additional vocals
- KR Arjun – Additional vocals
- Rakthaksh – Additional vocals
- Veena Murali – Backing vocals
- Deepthi Suresh – Backing vocals
- Abinaya – Backing vocals
- Ala B Bala – Backing vocals
- Sowmya – Backing vocals
- Soundarya – Backing vocals
- Lavita Lobo – Backing vocals
- Riya K S – Kids vocals
- Nikhil P S – Kids vocals
- K R Arjun – Kids vocals
- Vidhya Rupini – Kids vocals
- K U Kokilapriya – Kids vocals
- Keba Jeremiah – Guitar
- Balesh – Shehnai
- T. R. Krishna Chetan – Sound Engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai), additional arrangements and programming, audio mixing
- Kumaran Sivamani – Additional arrangements and programming
- Santosh Dhayanidhi – Additional arrangements and programming
- Suresh Permal – Sound engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai), mastering (Studio mastering)
- Karthik Sekaran – Sound engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai)
- Suryansh – Sound engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai)
- Barath Dhanashekhar – Sound engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai)
- Riyasdeen Riyan – Sound engineer (Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai)
- S. Sivakumar – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai), mastering (Apple Digital Master)
- Kannan Ganpat – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
- Pradeep Menon – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
- Krishnan Subramaniyan – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
- Manoj Raman – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
- Aravind MS – Sound engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
- P. A. Deepak – Audio mixing
- R. Samidurai – Musician's fixer
- T. M. Faizuddin – Music co-ordinators
- Abdul Haiyum Siddique – Music co-ordinators
{{div col end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id=zsFYtBwtHCE|title=Verithanam (lyrical)}}
- {{YouTube|id=rtd_VveAEaI|title=Verithanam (Video)}}
Category:Songs written for Tamil films