 | |
| Type | Production Company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Rama Narayanan |
| Products | Film Production Film Distribution |
Thenandal Studios Limited (TSL), formerly known as Sri Thenandal Films and Sri Thenandal Pictures, is an Indian film production and distribution studio in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was founded by director Rama Narayanan.
Rama Narayanan set up Sri Thenandal Films in 1976 in Chennai, and the studio has gone on to distribute over 750 films across India. Sri Thenandal Films is one of the few producers in Tamil cinema to survive beyond 100 productions along with AVM, Modern Theatres, Gemini Studios, etc.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sri Thenandal Films produced and distributed a series of devotional films directed by Rama Narayanan. The quick spate of releases titled after goddesses such as Palayathu Amman (2000), Nageswari (2001), Kottai Mariamman (2001) and Annai Kaligambal (2003), saw the studio garner an image of focussing solely on Hindu devotional subjects. [1]
In the 2010s, Murali Ramaswamy made a decision to actively purchase and distribute horror films, and experienced immediate success after Aranmanai (2014), Kanchana 2 (2015), Demonte Colony (2015) and Maya (2015) all became profitable ventures. The success of the studio's investment in that particular genre prompted them to finance smaller budget horror films including Strawberry (2015) and Jackson Durai (2016), in attempt to capitalise on the popularity of the genre across Tamil Nadu. [2] [3] [4] The studio also ventured into the production of stage plays under the leadership of Murali's wife, Hema Rukmani, in 2015, and financed Chillu, a futuristic science fiction play, performed in Chennai. [5] Hema Rukmani is the current chief executive officer (CEO) of the production house.
Following the release of Atlee's Theri , Sri Thenandal Films signed Vijay and Atlee for another project together titled Mersal for their 100th movie in September 2016. [6] [7] It was a box office blockbuster.
Following the release of Mersal, the studio faced financial problems and cancelled several projects that they were associated with. A proposed high budget fantasy drama titled Sangamithra directed Sundar C entered pre-production and was promoted at the Cannes Film Festival as one of India's most expensive films. The film, which was set to star Jayam Ravi, Arya and Disha Patani, went through multiple changes in its cast and budget before later being scrapped. Director Rajesh's untitled film with Santhanam, Ananda Krishnan's Oxygen with Ashok Selvan and P. S. Mithran's 7 Kinaru with Udhayanidhi Stalin were suddenly dropped, while Sasi later chose to change producers to make his film Sivappu Manjal Pachai , which was earlier titled Rettai Kombu when Thenandal Studio were the makers. The film Vallavanukkum Vallavan was delayed for several years before another studio joined as co-producers to help release the venture. Furthermore, A. R. Rahman's virtual reality film Le Musk , Ashwin Saravanan's Iravaakaalam with S. J. Suryah and Dhanush's untitled directorial venture featuring himself alongside Nagarjuna and Aditi Rao Hydari, have continued to face significant production delays. [8] [9] A co-director of one of their productions and a magician, who worked on Mersal, also threatened legal action against the studio for their failure to pay dues. [10] [11]
The following films are a list of films which were distributed by Sri Thenandal Films throughout Tamil Nadu, apart from their own productions: [12]
Diana Mariam Kurian, known professionally as Nayanthara, is an Indian actress and film producer who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. One of the highest paid actresses in India, she was the only South Indian actress to be featured in the Forbes India "Celebrity 100" 2018 list, with her total annual earning credited at ₹15.17 crore. She has acted in more than 80 films in a career spanning over two decades and has won numerous awards. She is popularly addressed as the Lady Superstar of Indian cinema.
Santhanam is an Indian actor and producer who mainly works in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as a comedian on television, he rose to fame through his performances in STAR Vijay's Lollu Sabha enacting the lead role in spoofs of Tamil films. He was subsequently given a chance by actor Silambarasan to feature in a supporting role in Manmadhan (2004) and then was signed on to appear in a host of films, notably winning good reviews for his work in Sachien (2005) and Polladhavan (2007). He appeared in a one-off leading role in Shankar's production Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008) and became a staple feature as a comedian in successful Tamil films during the period, with his market popularity helping stuck films find distributors.
Lakshmi Rai, professionally credited as Raai Laxmi, is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages.
The Vijay Award for Favourite film is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films. In the first year of the awards, the all-time favourite film was chosen by viewers from any particular year, with the 1992 film Devar Magan emerging the winner. From 2007 onwards, viewers were asked to select their favourite film of the respective preceding year.
The Vijay Award for Favorite Director is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.
Kanchana is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film written, produced and directed by Raghava Lawrence. It is a sequel to his previous venture, Muni (2007) and the second installment in the Muni . The film stars Lawrence alongside Sarathkumar, Kovai Sarala and Lakshmi Rai while Devadarshini and Sriman play supporting roles.
Rama Narayanan was an Indian film director and producer. In the 1980s, he was known as a director who specialized in shooting commercial films in which animals played vital roles, while in the 1990s, several of his films were based on Hindu devotional subjects. He has also headed the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) for three consecutive elections, before resigning in 2011. He died on 22 June 2014 at a Singapore hospital due to kidney-related ailments.
Aranmanai is a 2014 Indian Tamil horror comedy film co-written and directed by Sundar C. The film stars Sundar C. alongside an ensemble cast including Hansika Motwani, Vinay Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Raai Laxmi, Santhanam, Kovai Sarala, Manobala, Chitra Lakshmanan and Nithin Sathya. This film was the first installment in Aranmanai film series. In the film, When a family returns to their hometown to sell their ancestral palace. However, their arrival is marred by supernatural events, and Ravi, a relative of the family, decides to uncover the truth.
Muni is an Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film series created and directed by Raghava Lawrence who also appeared in lead roles in all the films. The first film is Muni (2007) and the second is Muni 2: Kanchana (2011) with the third installment of the franchise titled Muni 3: Kanchana 2: Ganga (2015). The latest movie, the fourth instalment is Muni 4: Kanchana 3 (2019). and stars Raghava Lawrence and Kovai Sarala with Rajkiran, Sarathkumar, Devadarshini, Sriman, Vedhika, Vinu Chakravarthy, Raai Laxmi, Nithya Menon, Taapsee, Renuka, Oviya, Nikki Tamboli, Alexandra Ri Djavi. All films were successful at the box office, continuing the trend of the comedy-horror genre in Tamil cinema that began with Chandramukhi (2005).
Arun Kumar, known mononymously as Atlee, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer best known for his work in Tamil films.
Theri is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Atlee Kumar and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu under the banner V Creations. It is inspired from Mani Ratnam's film Chatriyan. The film stars Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson. The film's music is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, with cinematography handled by George C. Williams and editing done by Ruben. In the film, a former police officer is on a mission to protect his daughter from his past enemies.
Dhilluku Dhuddu is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film directed by Rambala and produced by Sri Thenandal Films. The film features starring Santhanam and Anchal Singh in the leading roles, while Saurabh Shukla appears in a pivotal role. Featuring music composed by S. Thaman, Dhilluku Dhuddu began production in November 2015 and released on 7 July 2016 to positive response and turned to be successful at box office. The film was later dubbed in Hindi as Raj Mahal 3 in 2017. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Dammunte Sommera in 2018. The film was remade in Kannada in 2019 as Gimmick starring Ganesh.
Singamuthu is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films as a comedian.
Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film written and directed by Ike, and produced by Fox Star Studios and Atlee under his production house 'A for Apple Productions'. The film stars Jiiva, Sri Divya, and Soori while Radha Ravi, Raadhika Sarathkumar, and Thambi Ramaiah play supporting roles. Featuring music composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar.
Mersal (transl. Zapped) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Atlee who co-wrote the film with V. Vijayendra Prasad and S. Ramana Girivasan. Produced by Thenandal Studio Limited in the studio's hundredth feature film production, the film stars Vijay in a triple role with S. J. Suryah while Sathyaraj, Vadivelu, Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Hareesh Peradi, Kovai Sarala and Sathyan appear in pivotal supporting roles. The story revolves around two brothers, who were separated at birth; one is a magician avenging his parents's deaths and medical crimes, and the other, a reputed doctor who charges meagre amounts from his patients.
"Aalaporaan Thamizhan"(transl. Tamizhan going to rule) is a 2017 Indian Tamil language song composed by A. R. Rahman, from the music album of Mersal. The song's lyrics were written by Vivek and sung by Kailash Kher, Sathyaprakash, Pooja AV, and Deepak. The song's music video is pictured upon actor Vijay. The song was released as first single track of the film on 10 August 2017. As of October 2020, the video song has grossed 155 million of views in YouTube. The song portrays about the popularity of Tamil speaking people all over the world. The song features Vijay as Vetrimaaran, praising Tamil heritage and pride following a wrestling match in Punjab.
Mersal is the soundtrack of the 2017 Tamil action film of the same name directed by Atlee, which stars Vijay in a triple role with Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha as the female leads. The film, which marked the 100th production of Thenandal Studio Limited, has a soundtrack album features four tracks composed by A. R. Rahman, in his first collaboration with Atlee and his third collaboration with Vijay after composing for Udhaya (2004) and Azhagiya Tamizh Magan (2007), whilst Vivek penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film's soundtrack, also in his first association with Rahman.
The 2017 Indian film Mersal was subjected to several controversial issues. The first of this kind was the title naming issue, where a lawsuit was filed against the producers for using the title for promotions. The release further faced complications following the Tamil Film Producers Council's strike following the double taxation issue; protesting against the 10% entertainment tax additionally over the 28% GST, with the last minute denial of censorship, after Animal Welfare Board of India denied NOC over the usage of few animals without their permission. Upon release, the film was criticised by several organisations including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the then ruling AIADMK government objected to scenes featuring Vijay criticising the recently introduced Goods and Services Tax, and another scene in which a character ridicules the Digital India initiative. The party demanded that those scenes must be removed from future viewership. The Indian Medical Association and several other medical associations called for a boycott on the film, following their criticism over the alleged cynical portrayal of doctors working in government-operated hospitals. Several opposition parties and the film fraternity of India condemned the actions instructed by political organisations as a critical attack on freedom of speech in India.
Rambhala is an Indian film director, who has directed Tamil films. He rose to fame through his work on the comedy television show Lollu Sabha, and has gone on to make feature films including Dhilluku Dhuddu (2016) and Idiot (2022).