Peechankai

Last updated

Peechaankai
Directed byAshok
Written byAshok
Produced by R. S. Karthik,
P. G. Muthiah
StarringR. S. Karthik
Anjali Rao
M. S. Bhaskar
Vivek Prasanna
K. S. G. Venkatesh
CinematographyGautham Rajendran
Edited byJomin Mathew
Music by Balamurali Balu
Production
companies
PG Media Works
KARSA Entertainment
Release date
  • 15 June 2017 (2017-06-15)
Running time
126 minutes
CountryIndia
Language Tamil
Budget1 crore (equivalent to 1.4 croreorUS$160,000 in 2023)

Peechaankai (transl.Left Hand) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film written and directed by Ashok. It became the first Indian film to deal with a rare disease called alien hand syndrome as its main plot point. It starred R. S. Karthik in the lead role, while Anjali Rao, M. S. Bhaskar, Vivek Prasanna, and K. S. G. Venkatesh played other pivotal roles. Featuring music composed by Balamurali Balu and cinematography by Gautham Rajendran, the film was co-produced by PG Media Works and had a theatrical release on 15 June 2017.

Contents

Plot

S. Muthu alias Smoothu is a famous left-handed pickpocket who operates along with his gang Reeta and Ravi in Chennai. He does have some ethics, but a sudden accident causes him to suffer a brain injury which results in alien hand syndrome (AHS). Smoothu's left hand stops obeying his command and gets a mind of its own. It becomes his moral self, stopping him from doing the wrong things. He needs 3 lakh (300,000) rupees to cure his condition, so he takes up an assignment from a team of gangsters to steal a politician's phone. What happens next is a series of mishap comedies caused by his alien hand, which at last triumphs over the evil forces (the politician and gangsters).

Cast

Production

Ashok, a software engineer-turned-filmmaker made a telefilm of the same name and due to creative differences, he could not get other producers on board. So R. S. Karthik, who played the lead in the telefilm, produced the Film Karthik was retained as lead in the feature film as well, and Anjali Rao, who played STR’s sister in Gautham Vasudev Menon's Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada , essayed Karthik's romantic interest. Peechaankai which was shot in and around Chennai, with the first look being unveiled by filmmakers Karthik Subbaraj and Samuthirakani in February 2017. Actor Arya and director Gautham Vasudev Menon each released a singles of the film, actor Vijay Sethupathi released the trailer, and it became instantly viral. [1] Stylist Sruthi Menon also made her acting debut in feature films through the project. [2]

Release

The film was released on 15 June 2017 across Tamil Nadu and earned a positive review from the critic at The Hindu. [3] A critic from Times of India noted Peechaankai is driven by its high-concept premise — what if our hand starts to have a mind of its own! Director Ashok sets his film based on this idea against a background that involves criminals and politicians, and gives us a black comedy that is certainly novel, mostly funny and somewhat overlong". [4] A reviewer from Behindwoods.com gave the film a positive review, stating "the writing has been a big strength for the film and debutant Ashok has also cleverly worked on the screenplay at most parts", while "the film works well in most parts, as the audience connect well with the characters, thanks to the humour and again, the writing". The critic added "however, the slow pace of the movie, especially in the second half, is worrying and it takes some time to keep you engaged". [5] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote "The film is hit-and-miss. The director can certainly think out of the box... A film with this premise should have been way funnier." [6]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by first-timer Balamurali Balu.

Peechankai
Soundtrack album by
Released2017
Length15:52
LanguageTamil
Label TrendMusic
Producer Balamurali Balu
Balamurali Balu chronology
Peechankai
(2017)
Hara Hara Mahadevaki
(2017)
No.TitleLyricsSingersLength
1."Peechaankai"Sugumar Ganesan Anthony Daasan, Sharanya Gopinath3:34
2."Smoodhu En Peru"Sugumar GanesanDeepak, Shanthini Sathiyanathan3:41
3."Loveu Songu"Balamurali BaluSantosh Hariharan, Yamini G3:36
4."Tom and Jerry"Sugumar Ganesan, Balamurali Balu, Sharmila, AshokBalamurali Balu, Sahana Muthaiya, Athira Balu, Janani Kabilan, Nilani Kabilan, Sharmila3:27
5."Gibberish" Balamurali Balu1:34
Total length:15:52

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References

  1. "Peechankai deals with alien hand syndrome". 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. "A dream debut for Sruthi Menon". 21 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  3. Ramanujam, Srinivasa (16 June 2017). "'Peechankai': the left comes to power". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2018 via www.thehindu.com.
  4. "Peechankai Review {3/5}: Ffter a point, the plot seems to be running in circles with no end in sight". The Times of India .
  5. "Peechaankai (aka) Peechankai review". 15 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)