Aghathiyaa

Last updated

Aghathiyaa
Aghathiyaa poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Pa. Vijay
Written byPa. Vijay
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDeepak Kumar Padhy
Edited bySan Lokesh
Music by Yuvan Shankar Raja
Production
companies
  • Vels Film International
  • Wam India
Distributed by PVR Inox Pictures
Cinepolis
Release date
  • 28 February 2025 (2025-02-28)
Running time
135 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Box office₹2.15 crore[ citation needed ]

Aghathiyaa: Angels vs Devil is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language horror action thriller film written and directed Pa. Vijay. The film stars Jiiva in a dual role alongside Arjun and Raashii Khanna, while Edward Sonnenblick, Matylda, Redin Kingsley, Shah Ra, Senthil, Radha Ravi, Rohini, Charle, Indraja Shankar and others in supporting roles. [2] The film is produced by Ishari K. Ganesh under his Vels Film International banner and co-produced by Aneesh Arjun Dev under Wam India. The film music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with cinematography handled by Deepak Kumar Padhy, and film edited by San Lokesh. [3] The story revolves around a young art director (Jiiva) and his fiancee (Khanna) trapped into a haunted house, which leads them to uncover the old mysteries of 1940.

Contents

The project was announced on 2020, but eventually shelved by the production house due to multiple issues, later on 2023, the project was officially taken over by Vels Film International. After a delay of four years, Aghathiyaa was released by theatrically on 28 February 2025, and received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. The film emerged as a box office bomb. [4]

Plot

Aghathiyaa starts with an aspiring art director who is excited as he has landed an opportunity to unleash his talent for a movie. However, the film’s producer cancels the project due to reasons best known to him, leaving the former dejected and furious. His girlfriend suggests he convert the props and sets he created for the movie into a scary house to attract visitors. Little do they know that a special piano they come across at a garage which they later added to their props collection would change their fortune in different ways. The art director gets the shock of his life when he learns that he is connected to several incidents that happened 80 years ago in Puducherry.

Cast

Production

Development

In mid-May 2020, lyricist-turned-director Pa. Vijay announced his third directorial venture titled Methavi with Jiiva, Arjun Sarja, Raashii Khanna in the lead roles. [5] The film was said to be of horror thriller genre and bankrolled by S. Raja of Makkal Arasan Pictures. [6] Although, Pa. Vijay had worked with Yuvan Shankar Raja, Methavi [7] marked the maiden collaboration of Pa. Vijay with Yuvan Shankar Raja in the former's direction. [8] But the project got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the death a Russian girl playing a crucial role. [9] In late-March 2023, it was announced that Vels Film International have taken up the project and are planning to release, but was eventually shelved. [10]

In late-March 2023, director Pa. Vijay confirmed that he is associating again, thereby retaining most of the cast and crew for a new untitled period drama film. [11] On 7 October 2024, Vels Film International through a first look poster, revealed the titled of the film Aghathiyaa [12] starring Jiiva and Raashii Khanna [13] in the lead roles alongside, Arjun Sarja and Edward Sonnenblick in prominent roles [14] alongside Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, Redin Kingsley and others in supporting roles. [15]

The film is produced by Ishari K. Ganesh under his Vels Film International banner and co-produced by Aneesh Arjun Dev under Wam India. [16] The film has music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematography handled by Deepak Kumar Padhy, [17] editing by San Lokesh, stunt choreography by K Ganesh and dance choreography by Sridhar. [18]

Filming

Principal photography was planned to be shot on a set in Ramoji Film City, in Hyderabad and some portions in Ooty and Kodaikanal. [9]

Music

Aghathiyaa
Soundtrack album by
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Genre Feature film soundtrack
LanguageTamil
Label Divo Music
Producer Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja chronology
Nesippaya
(2025)		Aghathiyaa
(2025)		 Sweetheart!
(2025)
Singles from Aghathiyaa
  1. "Kaatrin Viral"
    Released: 6 January 2025
  2. "En Iniya Pon Nilave"
    Released: 10 January 2025
  3. "Semmannu Dhaane"
    Released: 24 January 2025

The soundtrack and background is scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja. [19] The first single, titled "Kaatrin Viral" was released on 5 January 2025. [20] [21] The second single in Tamil "En Iniya Pon Nilave" originally from Balu Mahendra's Moodu Pani (1980) composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas was remixed into a duet and released on 10 January 2025; [22] however, it does not appear in the final cut. [23] The third single "Semmannu Dhaane" released on 24 January 2025. [24]

Tamil
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Kaatrin Viral" Pa. Vijay Yuvan Shankar Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja 3:29
2."En Iniya Pon Nilave" Gangai Amaran Ilaiyaraaja, Yuvan Shankar Raja Vijay Yesudas, Priya Jearson4:22
3."Semmannu Dhaane"Pa. VijayYuvan Shankar Raja M. M. Manasi 3:46
Telugu
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Gaali Ooyalallo"Shashank Vennelakanti Yuvan Shankar Raja Sathyaprakash3:30
2."Naa Hrudayamantha Neevay"Shashank Vennelakanti Ilaiyaraaja, Yuvan Shankar RajaDeepesh Krishnamoorthy, Devu Mathew4:25
3."Nelamma Thalle"Shashank VennelakantiYuvan Shankar RajaDevu Mathew3:49

Release

Theatrical

Aghathiyaa released in theatres on 28 February 2025 in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu languages. [25] [14]

Home media

Aghathiyaa began streaming on Sun NXT from 28 March 2025. [26]

Reception

Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Jiiva continues his streak of timeline-hopping roles (following Black ) with sincere commitment, bringing vulnerability and determination to his character. [...]The film reaches its visual zenith in the climactic showdown between Siddha and Duplex—a ten-minute plus spectacle of motion-capture animation and 3D effects that impresses despite the increasingly outlandish plot developments." [27] Anusha Sundar of OTTPlay gave 2/5 stars and wrote "With done to death ideologies like going local is global, Aghathiyaa misses the mark by several miles when it chooses to work only on its visual marvel and easily forgets on script work." [28]

Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Outdated melodrama being integrated into scenes repeatedly acts as a constant distraction, instead of being the emotional hook.[...] And the big VFX fight at the end will certainly leave one impressed. And yet an afterthought will linger on: such a lost opportunity!" [29] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of News18 gave 2/5 stars and wrote "On top of such ideological confusion, the film also refuses to make up its mind about its genre. It kicks off as a horror, then moves on to become a period film, and then it ends up becoming a fantasy with a laughable fight sequence that will not hold water even against PS 2 games." [30] Jayabhuvaneshwari of Cinema Express gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "In its attempt to blend horror, fantasy, history, and action, Aghathiyaa ends up being neither thrilling nor entertaining—just exhausting." [31]

References

  1. ↑ "Aghathiyaa". Central Board of Film Certification . Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  2. ↑ Sundar, Anusha (3 January 2025). "Aghathiyaa teaser out: Jiiva and Pa Vijay's fantasy drama has magnificent visuals with mysterious conflict". OTTPlay . Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Jiiva's Aghathiyaa is battle between angels, devils". DT Next . 7 October 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "Aghathiyaa Box Office (Closing Collection): Here's How Much Loss Pa Vijay, Jiiva & Arjun Sarja's Horror Film Made!". Koimoi. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Jiiva and Arjun to co-star in 'Methavi'". The Hindu . 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "Methavi: Arjun, Jiiva and Raashi Khanna join hands for Pa Vijay's horror-thriller". India Today . 16 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "Jiiva and Arjun's role in Pa Vijay's debut directorial 'Medhavi' revealed?". The Times of India . 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  8. ↑ "For the first time this popular actor — lyricist to direct Jiiva... And it's an grandiose period drama with all-star cast!". The New Stuff. 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Jiiva, Raashii Khanna & Arjun to star in Pa Vijay's period drama". The Times of India . 25 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Menon, Thinkal (22 March 2023). "Medhavi: THIS leading production house takes over Pa Vijay's film starring Jiiva, Arjun and Raashi Khanna". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Jiiva-Arjun-Raashii Khanna join hands for a period film". DT Next . 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Jiiva's next with Pa Vijay titled 'Aghathiyaa'". The Times of India . 7 October 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  13. ↑ Raashii Khanna on Farzi, working with Sidharth Malhotra in Yodha and more | Samina Shaikh. Mirchi Plus. 23 February 2023. From 15:50 to 15:55. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Jiiva-Arjun join hands for Pa Vijay's Aghathiyaa". Cinema Express . 7 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  15. ↑ Sundar, Anusha (7 October 2024). "Aghathiyaa first look poster: Jiiva and Pa Vijay join hands; Arjun Sarja, Raashii Khanna to co-star". OTTPlay . Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  16. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (2 January 2025). "Jiiva's Aghathiyaa teaser to be out on this date". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  17. ↑ "Horror comedy is a very challenging genre to shoot, says Deepak Kumar Padhy". The Times of India . 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  18. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (23 December 2024). "Pa Vijay-Jiiva's Aghathiyaa makers share an update". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  19. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (3 January 2025). "Aghathiyaa Teaser: Jiiva on alert as history repeats". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  20. ↑ "ஜீவா நடித்த 'அகத்தியா' படத்தின் பர்ஸ்ட் சிங்கிள் அப்டேட்". Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 5 January 2025. Archived from the original on 9 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  21. ↑ "'Kaatrin Viral' song from Jiiva's Aghathiyaa is a romantic melody". Cinema Express . 7 January 2025. Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (11 January 2025). "Yuvan gives a modern makeover to 'En Iniya Pon Nilave' for Aghathiyaa". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 11 January 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "Ilaiyaraaja doesn't own copyright for Tamil song 'En Iniya Pon Nilave': Delhi High Court". CNBC TV18 . 31 January 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  24. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (25 January 2025). "'Semmannu Thaane' from Aghathiyaa is a call to return to roots". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  25. ↑ "Jiiva's Aghathiyaa to release on January 31". DT Next . 24 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  26. ↑ Kumar, Akshay (24 March 2025). "Jiiva's Aghathiyaa gets an OTT streaming date". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  27. ↑ Subramanian, Abhinav (28 February 2025). "Aghathiyaa Movie Review : Good enough to forgive its excesses". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  28. ↑ Sundar, Anusha (28 February 2025). "Aghathiyaa Review: Jiiva headlines a colourful film with underwhelming story". OTTPlay . Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  29. ↑ Ponnappa, Sanjay (28 February 2025). "Aghathiyaa review: Interesting concepts in Jiiva's film bogged down by melodrama". India Today . Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  30. ↑ Purushothaman, Kirubhakar. "Aghathiyaa Movie Review: Jivaa And Raashii Khanna's Film Is A Grand But Confusing Tale With Perilous Ideas". News18 . Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  31. ↑ B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (28 February 2025). "Aghathiyaa Movie Review: A disjointed horror film that falls flat". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
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