Veerappan (2016 film)

Last updated

Veerappan
Veerappan (2016 film).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma
Written byR. D. Tailang
Screenplay byRam Gopal Varma
Story byRam Gopal Varma
Produced byRaina Sachin Joshi
Starring
CinematographyAniket Khandagale
Edited byAnwar Ali
Music bySongs:
Jeet Gannguli
Shaarib-Toshi
Background Score:
John Stewart Eduri
Production
company
Viking Media & Entertainment
Distributed by AA Films
Release date
  • 27 May 2016 (2016-05-27)(India)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Veerappan is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical action crime film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film is based on the real-life Indian bandit Veerappan and the events leading to Operation Cocoon, a mission to capture and kill him. [1] [2] [3] [4] The film is a remake of the Kannada film Killing Veerappan (2016) starring Shiva Rajkumar. [5] The film stars Sandeep Bharadwaj (who reprises his role from the original), Sachiin J Joshi, Lisa Ray and Usha Jadhav. [4] [6]

Contents

The film was released on May 27, 2016. [7] Veerappan received positive reviews with critics praising the narration, production design, direction and performances of Sandeep Bharadwaj, and Usha Jadav. [8]

Plot

Koose Muniswamy Veerappan, during his teenage years starts working as an assistant to his relative Sevi Gounder, a notorious poacher and sandalwood smuggler. His father and relatives, whose village lay in the forest area, were also known to be poachers and smugglers. Veerappan (Sandeep Bharadwaj), dominant in Sathyamangalam Forest in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, defies the governments, and Indian Border Security paramilitary forces, and maintains a small army. He is wanted for killing approximately 184 people, about half of whom were police officers, including senior police and forest officials. He was also wanted for poaching about 200 elephants and smuggling ivory worth US$2,600,000 and about 10,000 tonnes of sandalwood worth approximately US$22,000,000.

In 1991, Veerappan and his chief Intel Gandhi, beheaded IFS Officer P. Srinivas. Years later, Veerappan avenges the death of his close associate Gandhi by misleading Special Task Force (STF) personnel in their covert operation, through Gandhi's unnamed notorious informer. The covert mission led by T. Harikrishna S.P., and his informant S.I. Shakeel Ahmed to kill Veerappan fails miserably. Veerappan and his army brutally assassinate all the STF officers in the operation and snatch their arms.

The Tamil Nadu STF chief K. Vijay Kumar I.P.S. appoints his associate, an undercover I.P.S. spy in the Karnataka region, a master-strategist (Sachiin J Joshi), who puts in place Operation Cocoon through a network of tribals, and informers, such as a deputy spy, a woman STF spy and landlord (Lisa Ray), who befriends and rents out a house to Muthulakshmi-the wife of Veerappan (Usha Jadhav). On the other hand, a team of loyal undercover cops led by Rambo Krishna, leaves Palar base of STF, near M. M. Hills, 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Kollegal of Karnataka along with a team of 41 members which includes police from two states, forest officials, forest watchers and informers. The team travels in two vehicles, of which one is a bus carrying most of the team members, and a jeep carrying K. Gopalakrishnan, the IPS officer. Veerappan's gang plants landmines on the road in more than 14 places to halt their approach, and during the Palar blast, K. Gopalakrishnan, standing on the footboard of the jeep, is thrown out, and suffers severe injuries, leaving the police to retaliate and ultimately prevent the snatching of arms.

After a few failed attempts, including the one led by another undercover cop, disguised as a subordinate to Islamic underworld don - Kadaani, to negotiate an arms deal with Veerappan's gang, the STF team led by master-strategist, and an ex-spy turned timberyard owner-Kumar, finally succeeded on 18 October 2004. On that day, Veerappan is escorted out of the forest by Kumar, who earlier infiltrates Veerappan's gang in disguise to negotiate another arms deal with Velupillai Prabhakaran. Subsequently, Veerappan and his men board an ambulance stationed at Papparapatti village in Dharmapuri district. Veerappan and his men are first warned and then asked to surrender, which was denied, and the men start firing at the STF personnel. The STF retaliate by firing grenades and gunfire, subsequently, Veerappan and his men are killed on the spot.

Cast

Production

Pratik Vijay Redij is the production designer for the film. Following the success of Ram Gopal Varma's second docudrama, Killing Veerappan , Varma met with Sachiin J Joshi, and emphasized his interest in developing an international biopic version in Hindi language with a new cast and crew. The biopic depicts the dramatic rise of Veerappan. [9] [10] In an Interview with "Indian Express" Varma stated that “Making Veerappan is not about glorifying a criminal, but it is to put a mirror to how he was allowed to happen in the first place”. [11]

Reception

Upon its release, Veerappan received mixed reviews with critics praising narration, production design, direction and performances of Sandeep Bharadwaj, and Usha Jadav. [8] In an Interview with "Indian Express" Varma stated that “Making Veerappan is not about glorifying a criminal, but it is to put a mirror to how he was allowed to happen in the first place”. [11] The CBFC has cleared the film with a single cut. [7] The "Times of India" gave the film 3.5/5 for its visual appeal, and 3/5 for direction. [12] [13] The Song Khallas was directly lifted from Get Low, by DJ Snake.

Soundtrack

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Muchhi Re" Manoj Muntashir Jeet Gannguli Mohan Kanan 3:08
2."Veer Veer Veerappan" Manoj Yadav Shaarib-Toshi Payal Dev, Toshi Sabri, Vee3:51
3."Khallas"Manoj YadavShaarib-Toshi Jasmine Sandlas, Toshi Sabri 3:02
4."Veer Veer Veerappan (Rap Version)"Manoj YadavShaarib-ToshiPayal Dev, Toshi Sabri, Vee4:13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veerappan</span> Indian bandit (1952–2004)

Koose Munusamy Veerappan(Tamil-வீரப்பன்) was an Indian poacher, smuggler, domestic terrorist and bandit who was active for 36 years, and kidnapped major politicians for ransom. He was charged with sandalwood smuggling and poaching of elephants in the scrub lands and forests in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. He was wanted for killing approximately 184 people, about half of whom were police officers and forest officials. He was also responsible for poaching approximately 500 of the 2000 elephants killed in the peninsular region where he was active and for smuggling ivory worth US$2.6 million and about 65 tons of sandalwood worth approximately US$22 million.

Muthulakshmi was the wife of bandit Veerappan, who was killed by Special Task Force police in 2004. She lived in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. She was born in Neruppore village, Dharmapuri District to a farming family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ram Gopal Varma</span> Indian film director, screenwriter and producer

Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma, often referred to by his initials RGV, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema in addition to Hindi, Kannada language films, and television. Varma has directed films across multiple genres, including parallel cinema and docudrama noted for their gritty realism, technical finesse, and craft. Regarded as one of the pioneers of new age Indian cinema, he was featured in the BBC World series Bollywood Bosses in 2004. In 2006, Grady Hendrix of Film Comment, published by the Film at Lincoln Center cited Varma as "Bombay's Most Successful Maverick" for his works on experimental films.

<i>Company</i> (2002 film) 2002 film by Ram Gopal Varma

Company is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language crime film directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Jaideep Sahni. The film stars Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, Manisha Koirala, Antara Mali, and Seema Biswas. It marks Mohanlal's debut in Hindi cinema. It is the second film in the Indian Gangstertrilogy and a sequel to Satya (1998). Company follows Chandu, a henchman of a gangster named Malik, with whom he forms a rapport that eventually falls apart after tension arises between them.

Kempaiah is a police officer from Karnataka, India. He is famous for investigating the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

<i>Satya</i> (1998 film) 1998 film by Ram Gopal Varma

Satya (transl. Truth) is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language crime film, produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma; written by Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap. It stars J. D. Chakravarthy, Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpayee, alongside Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Shrivastava and Paresh Rawal. It is the first of Varma's Gangster trilogy about organised crime in India. The film follows Satya (Chakravarthy), an immigrant who comes to Mumbai looking for a job, befriends Bhiku Mhatre (Bajpayee) and is drawn into the Mumbai underworld.

<i>Ab Tak Chhappan</i> 2004 film by Shimit Amin

Ab Tak Chhappan is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language crime drama film directed by Shimit Amin. It was written by Sandeep Shrivastava and produced by Ram Gopal Varma. It stars Nana Patekar, Revathi, Yashpal Sharma, Mohan Agashe, Nakul Vaid, and Hrishitaa Bhatt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. Vijay Kumar</span> Indian police officer

K Vijay Kumar, IPS, is a retired IPS officer. He was the chief of the Special Task Force of Tamil Nadu that was involved in the death of the Veerappan during Operation Cocoon of 2004. He had also been the senior advisor to Home Ministry for the Left Wing Extremism areas. He served as the Advisor to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir with Home, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Health & Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Hospitality & Protocol, Civil Aviation, Estates and Information portfolios. Currently he has joined back as senior security adviser in Ministry of Home Affairs in December 2018.

<i>Not a Love Story</i> (2011 film) 2011 Indian film

Not A Love Story is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film inspired by the murder of Neeraj Grover in 2008 that led to the arrest of Emile Jerome Mathew and Maria Susairaj. Starring Mahie Gill, Deepak Dobriyal and Ajay Gehi and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, the film was released on 19 August 2011. Ram Gopal Varma has announced that the film is not a biopic but is inspired by the case.

<i>Attahasa</i> 2013 Indian film

Attahasa (transl. Defiance) is a 2013 Indian Kannada-language biographical film directed by A. M. R. Ramesh, based on the notorious forest brigand Veerappan. Kishore plays the role of Veerappan in the film, whilst featuring Arjun Sarja and Suresh Oberoi. After much delay in the theatrical release the film was opened to screens on 14 February 2013 all across the southern states of India to positive reviews. The film was partially reshot in Tamil as Vana Yuddham. The film was dubbed into Telugu as Veerappan.

Sare Jahan se Accha is a pencil sketch mural in Ahmednagar city in Maharashtra, India. It was created in the year 1997. The sketch was drawn by Pramod Kamble, who is a painter and sculptor. He created it as a tribute to the nation on the occasion of 50 years of independence. It was painted on the specially-prepared wall of Mahavir Art Gallery in Ahmednagar. Kamble has portrayed Bharat Mata and 500 great people born out of Indian culture. It is said to be the world's biggest pencil sketch. This is the only fixed asset in India which was made as a part of India's 50th Independence day celebration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Cocoon</span> Tamil Nadu Police operation to capture Veerappan

Operation Cocoon was an operation launched by the Special Task Force of Tamil Nadu Police to capture the forest brigand Veerappan and his associates, who were dominant in Sathyamangalam Forest in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The operation was headed by K. Vijay Kumar, and N. K. Senthamarai Kannan.

Prawaal Raman is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Hindi cinema. He has written and directed films like Darna Mana Hai (2003), Gayab (2004), Darna Zaroori hai (2006), 404 (2011) and Main Aur Charles (2015).

Yagna Shetty is an Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema. She made her debut in the 2007 film Ondu Preethiya Kathe, following which she appeared in Eddelu Manjunatha, a performance that won her a Filmfare Special Award. She got noticed for her performances in Sugreeva (2010) and Allide Nammane Illi Bande Summane (2011). Known for portraying deglamorous and serious roles, she went on to appear in other critical and commercial successes such as Love Guru (2009), Kalla Malla Sulla (2011) and Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014). She made her television debut in 2016 with Vaarasdaara.

<i>Killing Veerappan</i> 2016 Indian film

Killing Veerappan is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language biographical crime film directed by Ram Gopal Varma, who co-wrote the film with K. Balaji. The film is based on the events leading to Operation Cocoon to capture or kill Indian bandit Veerappan. Featuring Shiva Rajkumar in the central role touted to be based on N. K. Senthamarai Kannan, the then Superintendent of police, with the Indian Special Task Force, and the spy who masterminded Operation Cocoon.

<i>Vangaveeti</i> (film) 2016 film by Ram Gopal Varma

Vangaveeti is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language biographical action film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film is based on the life of politician Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, and his elder brother Vangaveeti Radha Krishna and their altercation with communist dominated Vijayawada of the 1970s-80s in Andhra Pradesh.

<i>Officer</i> (2018 film) 2018 film directed by Ram Gopal Varma

Officer is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language action film produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma on his R Company Production banner. The film stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Myra Sareen in the lead roles and music composed by Ravi Shankar. The Tamil dubbed version, Simtaangaran was released on 1 January 2021.

Sandeep Madhav is an Indian actor who works in Telugu language films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. Jaya Kumar</span> Indian filmmaker and author

P. Jaya Kumar is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and author working predominantly in Hindi and Telugu films. He debuted as the screenplay writer for Amitabh Bachchan's Bollywood film Sarkar 3 and Akkineni Nagarjuna's Telugu film Officer. He published multiple books of fiction which were later adapted by Ram Gopal Varma namely Meri Beti Sunny Leone Banna Chaahti Hain and God, Sex and Truth.

References

  1. ↑ "Veerappan first look: Ram Gopal Varma's Veerappan biopic looks dark and mysterious!". 12 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Ram Gopal Varma Unveils The First Look Of 'Veerappan'". movietalkies. 12 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Bollywood Hungama. "Lisa Ray to star in Ram Gopal Varma's Veerappan". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Check out the terrifying poster of Ram Gopal Varma's 'Veerappan'". dna. 12 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Shocking revelation in RGV's Veerappan". 18 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "'Veerappan' first look released; Ram Gopal Varma's film to clash with Anurag Kashyap's 'Raman Raghav'". International Business Times, India Edition. 12 April 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Censor board cuts dialogue on Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in RGV's 'Veerappan'". Firstpost. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 Ankita Mehta (26 May 2016). "'Veerappan' movie review roundup: Here is what critics have to say about Sandeep-starrer". Ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Killing Veerappan to be a Hollywood movie!". The Times of India. 12 January 2016.
  10. ↑ "Killing Veerappan review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - Sandeep Bharadwaj, Shivaraj Kumar, Rockline Venkatesh & Parul Yadav".
  11. 1 2 "Making Veerappan not about glorifying criminals: Ram Gopal Varma". The Indian Express. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Veerappan Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 18 October 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Veerappan movie review: Ram Gopal Varma has found his long-lost mojo". Deccanchronicle.com. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
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.