Nimirndhu Nil is a 2014 Indian Tamil-languageaction drama film written and directed by Samuthirakani featuring Jayam Ravi and Amala Paul in the lead roles. It was produced by KS Sreenivasan's Vaasan Visual Ventures. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. Ravi played a revolutionist for a social cause. This is the first time, Jayam Ravi played a double role in his career. The film, which was simultaneously made in Telugu as Janda Pai Kapiraju with Nani in place of Jayam Ravi, released on 8 March 2014 and received mostly positive reviews. The film was also dubbed into Hindi as Daring Mard in 2014 and later into Telugu as Pourudu in 2018 despite the simultaneously shot Telugu version.
Plot
Aravindan Sivasamy is a 26-year-old youth who was brought up in an ashram run by Harichandra. The atmosphere that he grew taught him high moral values, disciplines, dignity, devotion, etc. However, when he comes out of the place, his belief and learning is questioned by the cancerous system. It unsettles him and makes him fight against the immoral cultures of the society. Aravindan decides to take on corrupt bureaucrats. His friend Ramachandran, a lawyer named Raja Sendhoorapandian, a journalist named Gopinath, along with his girlfriend Poomaari Mariappan, join him in his mission to fight against the corruption. They form a plan and successfully expose 147 government officials, including a court judge and MP, and are caught taking bribes for an unknown person by the name of Hari Chandran, which was created by Aravindhan using his own picture but modified to look different. All of the corrupted officials team up to take on Aravindan and his team with a look-alike, who fits the image and description of Hari named Narasimha Reddy, a 42-year-old middle-aged man who does underground work for the Andhra Pradesh government with hints of him being a womanizer; to showcase that Hari is indeed a real person, as a method of thwarting Aravindan's battle. Narasimha, who resides in Andhra Pradesh, accepts the deal with the government officials with the condition of the corrupt officials giving him 14.7 crores to seal the deal. Fearing that all his efforts will go in vain, Aravindan heads to Andhra Pradesh to thwart Narasimha from claiming the false identity of Hari, leading to a fight between the two. As the case takes place in court, Aravindan and his team members are dejected due to Narasimha claiming himself as Hari. When the corrupt officials are happy that things are going as planned, the plot twist occurs where Narasimha states the truth, indicating that he was supporting Aravindan from the start after all. The court declares in favor of Aravindan, and Narasimha praises Aravindan for his effort. Narasimha further explains who exactly he is, as he is a person who runs orphanages and senior homes for female children and elders. He explains that he used the 14.7 crores to build orphanages in four separate states. As Aravindan and Narasimha embrace each other and step out of the court, Narasimha is stabbed multiple times, and a fight breaks out, as the henchmen are set up by the corrupt officials to kill Aravindan and Narasimha. Aravindan and Narasimha, with the help of the public, fight the battle, where Narasimha saves Aravindan from being stabbed. Narasimha dies to his injuries from further wounds, leaving Aravindan and his team devastated. The end credits showcase that Aravindan and his team become successful in their fight against corruption.
was signed for the lead role. He would be doing a dual role, a 26 years old young man and a 42-year-old man. Nayantara was the first choice for the role. Due to date issue Nayanthara turned down the offer and Amala Paul signed for the role, who would play the female lead in both the versions. Meghana Raj was said to have an important role in the film, but she said on Twitter that she was not acting in the film. Ragini Dwivedi was roped in to play an important role. The first schedule has been wrapped after it was shot in the scenic locales of Chalakudy and Goa. The team started a long and hectic schedule from 20 November 2012. The movie had many interesting sets like a cupboard opens up to a dummy printing press done by art director Jacki.
Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar uniting for the first time with both Jayam Ravi and Samuthirakani. The soundtrack was released on 11 December 2013. Directors Ameer, S P Jhananathan, Rajesh, Sasikumar, Gautham Menon, Pandiraj, Suseenthiran, Vetrimaaran and Cheran along with actors Arya, Nani were present at the launch. Two songs and a trailer were screened at the event. Indiaglitz called the album a "mixed package", Behindwoods described it as "tasteful blend of melodies", Cinemalead rated the album 2 stars out of 5, saying that it musically failed to stand up.
Release
The satellite rights of the film were sold to Sun TV. The film was given a "U" certificate by the Indian Censor Board. Producer KS Sreenivasan was initially planning to release the film by late January 2014. It was scheduled to release on 14 February 2014, but was postponed to 7 March 2014. However, it was again pushed by one day. The film had run into financial problems and after Jayam Ravi's father Editor Mohan sorted out the issues, theatres started screening the film from 8 March evening.
Critical reception
Nimirndhu Nil received highly positive reviews. Baradwaj Rangan wrote, "Movies usually end with messages, but director Samuthirakani begins with one — and thereon, the film is just one well-meaning exhortation after another. The screenplay, sometimes, feels less a collection of dialogues and emotional cues than a series of op-ed pieces sewn together in the most stentorian fashion". The Times of India gave 2 stars out of 5 and wrote, "The scenes have a swiftness that keeps things from turning dull while camouflaging the flaws. The dialogue too is witty and sharp...and strikes a chord, igniting righteous anger in us. Sadly, that is short-lived as the film soon does a spectacular nose-dive...And, the director sacrifices sense for scale and makes serious episodes seem like farce while turning the intended funny ones less amusing". Sify wrote "Nimirinthu Nil works in bits and pieces with a terrific first half which slows down post interval. The director had worked his script up to the interval point, but falters in the second half as he thrusts too many commercial elements. Still it is a watchable entertainer". Oneindia.in gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Nimirnthu Nil, which could have been an wonderful affair, turns out to be an average film in the end". Behindwoods.com gave 2.5 stars stating it as "a vigilante movie which could be given a shot".
