Psycho (2020 film)

Last updated

Psycho
Psycho 2020 poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Mysskin
Written by Mysskin
Produced byArun Mozhi Manickam
Starring
CinematographyTanveer Mir
Edited byN. Arunkumar
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Production
company
Double Meaning Production
Distributed by Red Giant Movies
Release date
  • 24 January 2020 (2020-01-24)
Running time
144 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Psycho is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film written and directed by Mysskin. The film was produced by Arun Mozhi Manickam under Double Meaning Production. The film stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Nithya Menen, Aditi Rao Hydari and debutant Rajkumar Pitchumani as the main antagonist with an ensemble supporting cast. Ilaiyaraaja composed the soundtrack of the film, [1] [2] [3] with cinematography by Tanvir Mir and editing by N. Arunkumar. Production began in September 2018.

Contents

The film released worldwide on 24 January 2020.

Plot

Gautham is a blind musician, who is in love with a RJ named Dagini. After multiple attempts by Gautham, Dagini asks him to meet her at a place that she will be talking about in her radio session. Gautham listens to the radio all day and manages to find the place, which is a train station. Hopefully waiting for him, Dagini sees the psycho-killer and tries to escape, but the psycho manages to sedate her. Gautham reaches the place in time but cannot save her due to his blindness. However, using his sense of smell, he realizes that something is wrong. The next day, the police meet to Gautham and extract information from him. A total of 14 girls were abducted, 13 of whom got murdered, and the recently kidnapped Dagini.

Gautham realizes that the police cannot find anything, and decides to seek out and save Dagini on his own terms. The psycho is about to behead Dagini, but notices that there is no sense of fear in her. When asked for the reason, she replies that Gautham will find her within a week regardless of her death and that the psycho will be answering for his crimes soon. The psycho leaves her chained to a wall and accepts that as a challenge. On the way to visit Gautham, a prostitute meets him and asks for a ride. The psycho sedated her and abducts her, where he beheads the prostitute. Gautham uses various methods to find the killer with the help of Kamala, a handicapped ex-cop, who was previously dealing with the case. They deduce that the psycho must be a rich man who owns pig farms using the smell from the decayed bodies of the murdered girls. Realizing that Gautham is getting closer to him, the psycho goes on a killing spree.

Gautham, Kamala, and their associates all visit and enquire the owners of pig farms in the area, but they have failed in their attempts. Depressed, Gautham goes to his house and stays there alone. The psycho visits him, and Gautham acknowledges his presence and measure the car length and width through his stick. However, Gautham's friend Rajanayakam defends him and tries to chase down the psycho in his car. Unfortunately, the psycho hides himself in a dense area of tall grass and finally manages to kill Rajanayakam. The next day, Gautham mourns over the death of his friend and plans to drop his plan due to a large number of people's deaths. Later, Kamala reveals that she had prior notice that the killer had gone to a college function. With regained hope, they all go back to the college and look at the recordings during that day.

They manage to find someone suspicious, but his face got blurred. However, they notice a college staff sitting beside him. Using relevant information from him, they manage to find the killer. Kamala goes to a showroom and finds out that the killer name is Anguli Mali . In the meantime, Dagini manages to go around the psycho's lair and sees a jailed woman and a dead cop's corpse. She reveals to her that the psycho was her former student and used to masturbate, so she used to beat him 60 times every day, for all 365 days in a year for his mistake. Around 11:45 PM, Gautham reaches the psycho's lair. The psycho is about to behead Dagini, the intruder alarms get activated. The enraged psycho runs to kill Gautham, but eventually, Gautham manages to cuff the psycho's leg. Gautham later runs and rescues Dagini. They both manage to run away.

However, the psycho begs out to his teacher, where Dagini sees the light in him and places the keys to the cuff a few meters in front of him. Later, they both escape together with Kamala. The psycho is about to take the key, but the imprisoned teacher takes the key and swallows it, trying to punish him. The psycho gets infuriated and tears her stomach to get the key. He later releases himself and runs to find them both, but they escape. Later on, it is evident that Dagini has been affected by Stockholm Syndrome, as she sympathizes with the psychopath when questioned by the press and refuses to consider him a killer but understands his innocent heart filled with pain and she were his mother or sister, she would have cared for him so that he would not have become the killer that he was. The psycho sees the interview and realizes his mistakes after finally feeling loved by someone, where he jumps off the cliff with a smile on his face.

Cast

Production

Mysskin decided to cast Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead role. [4] [5] Under the banner of Arun Mozhi Manickam's Double Meaning Productions, Mysskin finalized a cast of Aditi Rao Hydari, Nithya Menon, Rajkumar Pitchumani, and Ram, while Ilaiyaraaja, who worked on the director's previous films Nandalala and Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum , was signed as music composer. [6] [7] [8] The shoot of the film began in early September 2018, with a first look promotional poster released later that month, revealing the title of the project to be Psycho. [9] A second schedule of the film was completed in early December 2018 after being shot in hill-towns across Tamil Nadu. [10]

In a turn of events, P. C. Sreeram was replaced by his assistant, Tanvir Mir as the film's cinematographer, while Sreeram further mentioning that Tanvir will be credited as the film's cinematographer. [11]

Music

Psycho
Soundtrack album by
Ilaiyaraaja
Released2019
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length14:18
Label Sony Music India
Producer Ilaiyaraaja
Singles from Psycho
  1. "Unna Nenachu"
    Released: 18 November 2019

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, collaborating with actor Udhayanidhi for the first time and director Mysskin for the third time. The audio rights were secured by Sony Music India. [12]

The film's first single, titled Unna Nenachu which is sung by Sid Sriram (on his first collaboration with Ilaiyaraaja) and lyrics by Kabilan, was released by director Vetrimaaran on 18 November 2019. [13] [14]

The songs received extremely positive response from both the audience and critics upon its release. [15] Film critics credited Ilaiyaraaja's music for its major contribution towards the film's success. [16] [17]

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Unna Nenachu" Kabilan Sid Sriram 4:36
2."Neenga Mudiyuma" Kabilan Sid Sriram 4:37
3."Thai Madiyil" Mysskin Kailash Kher 5:05
Total length:14:18

Release

The teaser was released on 25 October 2019 by director Mani Ratnam. The 70-second teaser reveals that the film is a murder mystery and Udhayanidhi plays a blind man in the film. [18] [19]

Earlier, the producer announced that the film will be releasing worldwide on 27 December 2019, but they decided to release the film on 24 January 2020 instead in order to increase screen counts and for wider pan-Indian reach of the film. [20]

Reception

The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Not a conventional serial killer film". [21] The Hindu wrote "Mysskin’s latest bears no similarity to the 1960 movie, apart from featuring a psychopath at the centre (who, oddly, looks like the terrifying Norman Bates) and the playful macabre tone". [22]

Related Research Articles

<i>Agni Natchathiram</i> 1987 film by Mani Ratnam

Agni Natchathiram is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language masala film that was written and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Prabhu, Karthik, Amala and newcomer Nirosha, with Vijayakumar, Jayachitra, Sumithra, Tara, S. N. Lakshmi and G. Umapathy in supporting roles. Its story revolves around two half-brothers who come into conflict with each other due to their claims for legitimacy as sons of a common father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. C. Sreeram</span> Indian cinematographer and film director

P. C. Sreeram ISC is an Indian cinematographer and film director who works in Indian films. He is also the president of Qube Cinemas, a digital cinema technology company. He is an alumnus of the Madras Film Institute. Apart from his work as a cinematographer, Sreeram was much appreciated for his directorial venture Kuruthipunal. The film was internationally acclaimed and was submitted by India as its official entry to the Oscars in 1996. Sreeram is known for his association with Bharathan, Mani Ratnam, R Balki, Vikram Kumar, and received critical acclaim for his work in films such as Thevar Magan, Mouna Ragam, Nayakan, Cheeni Kum, Agni Natchathiram, Paa, Geethanjali, Alaipayuthey, I, Pad Man, O Kadhal Kanmani, Thiruda Thiruda, Ishq, and Remo. He has worked as a cinematographer in over 30 films spanning across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi language, besides directing three films and a few TV commercials in Chennai and Mumbai. He is also one of the founding members of Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharwanand</span> Indian film actor

Sharwanand Myneni, known mononymously as Sharwanand, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Telugu films alongside a few Tamil films. He made his acting debut in 2004 with the film Aidho Tareekhu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mysskin</span> Indian filmmaker

Shanmugha Raja, known professionally as Mysskin, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, singer, producer and composer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aditi Rao Hydari</span> Indian actress

Aditi Rao Hydari is an Indian actress who works mainly in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films. Born into the Tyabji–Hydari family, she made her film debut with the Malayalam film Prajapathi (2006). She went on to have supporting roles in several Hindi films, including the dramas Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011) and Rockstar (2011), the horror film Murder 3 (2013), the thriller Wazir (2016), and the period drama Padmaavat (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Udhayanidhi Stalin</span> Indian producer, actor, politician (born 1977)

Udhayanidhi Stalin is an Indian film producer, politician and former actor who prominently worked in Tamil cinema. He was appointed as Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Special act implementation Department of Tamil Nadu in the ministry by his father the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin in December 2022. He is a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, representing the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nithya Menen</span> Indian actress, singer (born 1990)

Nithya Menen is an Indian actress and singer who works primarily in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. Having worked in more than fifty films, she is acknowledged for her acting versatility.

<i>Veppam</i> 2011 Indian film

Veppam (transl. Heat) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language crime action film written and directed by newcomer Anjana Ali Khan, starring Nani, Nithya Menen, Karthik Kumar, and Bindu Madhavi. The film marks Nani's Tamil debut. The story narrates events from the slum areas of Chennai, showcasing characters and their struggles. The film, jointly produced by Gautham Vasudev Menon's Photon Kathaas and R. S. Infotainment, had been in production for over one year. The film released on 29 July 2011, while a dubbed Telugu version, titled Sega, released simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh. Veppam received mixed reviews.

<i>Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu</i> 2012 Indian film

Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language musical romance film co written, co produced and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. It stars Nani and Samantha. The film features score and soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja and cinematography by M. S. Prabhu. It was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Neethaane En Ponvasantham with Jiiva replacing Nani. The film received five Nandi Awards.

<i>Neethaane En Ponvasantham</i> 2012 film by Gautham Menon

Neethaane En Ponvasantham is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film co written, co produced and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, starring Jiiva and Samantha. This film is shot simultaneously in Telugu, Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, with Nani replacing Jiiva, while the team also briefly filmed an incomplete Hindi version with Aditya Roy Kapoor, with Samantha playing the leading female role in all three versions. The film is based on a story written by Reshma Ghatala, who produced the film alongside Elred Kumar, Venkat Somasundaram and Menon. The cinematography was handled by M. S. Prabhu and Om Prakash. The film's background score and soundtrack were composed by Ilaiyaraaja which went on to become a chartbuster, and the soundtrack album sold a record 8.5 million units through various platforms on its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi</span> Indian film director

Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi is an Indian film director, and editor of the literary magazine Inbox 1305..She is married to Udhayanidhi Stalin

<i>O Kadhal Kanmani</i> 2015 film by Mani Ratnam

O Kadhal Kanmani, also known as OK Kanmani, is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written, directed and produced by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen, portraying a young couple in a live-in relationship in Mumbai. Prakash Raj and Leela Samson play supporting roles as an older couple in the film, portraying the younger couple's landlords. The film was said to be a "reflection of the modern mindset of urban India", dealing with issues such as marriage and traditional values. The film featured music composed by A. R. Rahman, cinematography by P. C. Sreeram and editing by Sreekar Prasad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanya Ravichandran</span> Indian actress (born 1996)

Tanya Ravichandran is an Indian actress who has worked in predominantly Tamil-language films. She had roles in Nenjukku Needhi (2022), Balle Vellaiyathevaa (2016), Brindavanam (2017) and Karuppan (2017).

<i>Nimir</i> 2018 film by Priyadarshan

Nimir (transl. Arise) is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Udhayanidhi Stalin, Namitha Pramod, and Parvati Nair. It is a remake of the 2016 Malayalam-language film Maheshinte Prathikaaram, with changes made to the screenplay to suit the cultural and regional tastes of Tamil audiences. The film was released on 26 January 2018.

<i>Kanne Kalaimaane</i> 2019 film by Seenu Ramasamy

Kanne Kalaimaane is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy. The film stars Udhayanidhi Stalin and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film is produced by Udhayanidhi under his Red Giant Movies. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, and the film released on 22 February 2019.

<i>Sammohanam</i> 2018 film directed by Mohan Krishna Indraganti

Sammohanam (transl. Enchantment) is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mohana Krishna Indraganti. Produced by Sivalenka Krishna Prasad, it features Sudheer Babu and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles. The music was composed by Vivek Sagar with cinematography by P. G. Vinda. Aditi made her Telugu debut through this film.

<i>Praana</i> 2019 India film

Praana (transl. Life) is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language psychological thriller film directed by V. K. Prakash and written by Rajesh Jayaraman. Nithya Menen is the only person appearing in the film, who plays an English writer named Tara Anuradha. Resul Pookutty and Amrit Pritam was the sound designers and P. C. Sreeram was the cinematographer. Louis Banks, Arun Vijay, and Ratheesh Vegha provided the music for the film. The film was released on 18 January 2019.

<i>Sufiyum Sujatayum</i> 2020 film by Naranipuzha Shanavas

Sufiyum Sujatayum is a 2020 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film written and directed by Naranipuzha Shanavas, and produced by Vijay Babu under his production company Friday Film House. The film stars Jayasurya, Aditi Rao Hydari and Dev Mohan in lead roles. It was released on Amazon Prime Video on 3 July 2020. Dev Mohan made his film debut through this film.

Eka Lakhani is an Indian fashion costume designer, who has worked in the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu film industries. After beginning her career as an intern on the sets of Raavan (2010), she has become director Mani Ratnam's costume designer for his films since 2013. She has also worked in projects by directors Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar and Gautham Menon.

<i>Thiruchitrambalam</i> 2022 film by Mithran R Jawahar

Thiruchitrambalam is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Mithran R. Jawahar and produced by Sun Pictures. The film stars Dhanush in the title role with Nithya Menen, Bharathiraja, Prakash Raj, Raashii Khanna and Priya Bhavani Shankar in supporting roles.

References

  1. ↑ Lakshmi, V (3 September 2018). "Udhayanidhi turns 'psycho' for Mysskin". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Psycho is Mysskin's next, stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Aditi Rao Hydari, Nithya Menen, Rajkumar". The Indian Express. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  3. ↑ "Udhayanidhi Stalin to play an intense role in his next with Mysskin". The News Minute. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Udhayanidhi Stalin replaces Shanthanu in Mysskin's next flick". India Today. Ist. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "'I Did Not Refuse The Project On Purpose,': Actor Shanthnu On Not Being A Part of Mysskin's Film". silverscreen.in. 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "Udhayanidhi turns 'psycho' for Mysskin". The Times of India. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "Nithya Menen explains what drew her to Mysskin's Psycho". in.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  8. ↑ "Psycho: Myskkin and Udhayanidhi Stalin film gets a name". India Today. Ist. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "PC Sreeram begins shooting for Mysskin's 'Psycho'". The Times of India. 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Second schedule of Udhayanidhi's 'Psycho' completed". The Times of India. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "P.C. Sreeram congratulates cinematographer of Udhayanidhi Stalin's Psycho Tanveer Mir ft. Mysskin". 9 September 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  12. ↑ ""Sony Music" clasps audio rights of Udhayanidhi Stalin's Psycho". 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  13. ↑ "Psycho Single Unna Nenachu From Monday!". Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  14. ↑ "Sid Sriram's Unna Nenachu song from Udhayanidhi Stalin's Psycho out now". 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Psycho Music review songs lyrics". Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  16. ↑ Archived 5 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine >
  17. ↑ "Psycho movie review: Mysskin's ode to Alfred Hitchcock is a compelling thriller, despite its shortcomings". 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "Udhayanidhi Myskkin and Ilayaraja's chilling Psycho teaser". 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  19. ↑ "Mysskin's 'Psycho' teaser". The Times of India . 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  20. ↑ "OUdhayanidhi Stalin and Mysskin's thriller Psycho postpones release date". 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Psycho Movie Review {3.5/5}: Not a regular serial killer film", The Times of India, retrieved 11 July 2022
  22. ↑ S, Srivatsan (24 January 2020). "'Psycho' movie review: A fascinating game of shadows". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.