Badri is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language sports drama film directed by P. A. Arun Prasad. The film stars Vijay in the main lead role as a college brat who turns into a kickboxer to prove himself. It is the Tamil remake of the director's own Telugu film Thammudu (1999) which was based on the 1992 Hindi movie Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar which in turn was inspired by the 1979 American movie Breaking Away.[1][2][3] Bhumika, Monal, Vivek, Riyaz Khan and Bhupinder Singh play supporting roles. The film marked Bhumika’s Tamil debut.[4] The film's soundtrack was composed by Ramana Gogula, while the background score was composed by Devi Sri Prasad.

Badri
Release poster
Directed byP. A. Arun Prasad
Written byN. Prasanna Kumar (dialogues)
Story byP. A. Arun Prasad
Based onThammudu (Telugu)
Produced byB. Sivarama Krishna
StarringVijay
Bhumika
Monal
CinematographyJayanan Vincent
Edited byN. Hari
Music byRamana Gogula (Soundtrack)
Devi Sri Prasad (Background Score)
Production
company
Sri Venkateswara Art Films
Distributed byOscar Films
Release date
  • 12 April 2001 (2001-04-12)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Filming began in September 2000 after Vijay finished shooting for his previous blockbuster films such as Priyamanavale (2000) and Friends (2001), and was completed by March 2001, a month before its release. The film had a theatrical release on 12 April 2001 and was a commercial successful venture at the box office, completing a 100-day theatrical run.[5] India Today listed the film under the top 10 films performed by Vijay.[4]

Plot

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Sri Badrinatha Moorthy aka "Badri" is a happy-go-lucky youth who spends his days roaming around with his friends Azhagu, Howrah, and Joot; ogling girls; and repeatedly failing his exams. His father, Viswanathan, a café owner, is disgusted with his irresponsibility and constantly chides him. His older brother Vetri, who is a college-level kickboxer and Viswanathan's favorite son, on the other hand, dotes on him. Janaki aka "Jaanu", Badri's neighbor and childhood friend, is in love with him, but the feeling is one-sided as Badri mainly considers her as a source of money and cars; Badri constantly borrows large amounts of money from Jaanu as well as expensive cars from her father's garage to impress girls.

One day, Badri meets Mamathi, who is a rich college girl, and poses as a wealthy industrialist's son in order to impress and love her. Mamathi falls for Badri's lies and soon expresses her love to him, but when she finds out the truth, she breaks up with him and insults him in front of his father. When Viswanathan further finds out that Badri has taken large amounts of money from Jaanu, he kicks out Badri, tired of his antics.

Badri, who is now homeless, finds support from Jaanu, who advises him to be more responsible and redeem himself in Viswanathan's eyes. He realises the love that Jaanu has for him and begins to reform himself. Meanwhile, Vetri is attacked and seriously injured by his kickboxing arch-rival Rohit, who happens to be Mamathi's new boyfriend and Badri's enemy as well, thus ruling him out for the final match of the inter-collegiate kickboxing championship against Rohit. Badri decides to fight for Vetri by taking his place in the final and trains hard for it. Finally, he defeats Rohit in the final, thus winning the kickboxing championship. He dedicates the trophy to Vetri, reconciles with Viswanathan, and reciprocates Jaanu's love.

Cast

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Production

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Badri, produced by Sri Venkateswara Art Films, was announced in September 2000 after Vijay finished shooting for his previous blockbuster films such as Priyamanavale (2000) and Friends (2001), and it was slated to be the Tamil remake of the Telugu film Thammudu (1999) starring Pawan Kalyan. Thammudu itself was inspired by the 1979 American film Breaking Away. 1992 Hindi film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was also inspired from the American film.[6][7][8]

P. A. Arun Prasad, who directed the original, reprises his role, as did the composer Ramana Gogula. Most of the other technicians were also taken from Tollywood. Art director G. K. hired 200 technicians to create a high tech complex in Vahini studios for the film.[9][10] When first announced, it was reported that Vijay would essay dual lead roles, although this claim later proved to be untrue.[11] Bhupinder Singh was also selected to reprise his role from the original version as Rohit, the antagonist.[12]

During the filming of a pivotal scene in the "Travelling Soldier" song, Vijay allowed a car to run over his fingers, and the shot was canned with three cameras, with the scene attracting media attention. Martial arts expert Shihan Hussaini helped with the production and features in the film in a guest appearance.[13] Other scenes were shot at Amir Mahal in Chennai.[14]

The film teamed up with Coca-Cola for their publicity campaign after Vijay had signed on to the soft drink company as a brand ambassador.[15][16]

Soundtrack

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Badri
Soundtrack album by
Released30 March 2001
Recorded2000–2001
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length38:31
LabelStar Music
Sa Re Ga Ma
ProducerRamana Gogula
Ramana Gogula chronology
Yuvaraju (Telugu film)
(2000)
Badri
(2001)
Yuvaraja (Kannada film)
(2001)

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Ramana Gogula who composed for the original film and notably remains his first and only Tamil film he had worked so far. The lyrics were penned by Palani Bharathi. Three tunes from the original version were retained. Indiainfo wrote "On the whole the songs of the movie are quite good and it is worth a buy".[17]

All lyrics are written by Palani Bharathi.

Tracklist
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Travelling Soldier" (based on "Travelling Soldier")Ramana Gogula04:05
2."Adi Jivunnu Jivunnu"Ramana Gogula, Devi Sri Prasad02:04
3."Salaam Maharasa"Devan Ekambaram, Priya Himesh02:21
4."Ennoda Laila" (based on "Vayyari Bhama")Vijay05:13
5."Kalakalakudhu"Mano05:04
6."Kalakalakudhu"Shankar Mahadevan05:04
7."Kadhal Solvadhu" (based on "Pedavi Datani")Srinivas, Sunitha Upadrashta04:34
8."Angel Vandhaaley"Devi Sri Prasad, Chithra04:45
9."King Of Chennai"Devi Sri Prasad04:17
10."Stella Maris Laara"Tippu, Vivek, Dhamu01:44
Total length:38:31

Release and reception

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Badri released on 12 April 2001 and ran for 100 days in theatres.[citation needed] The Hindu reported that the film Badri clearly reveals the diligence and sincerity of Vijay. But would these alone make a film wholesome?" and that Monal "needs to work on her expressions".[18][19] A reviewer from entertainment portal Ananda Vikatan rated the film 40 out of 100.[20] Tamil Movies Cafe wrote "Badri moves at a fairly neat pace in the earlier part, lags a little later, and then picks up speed towards the end."[21] Visual Dasan of Kalki panned certain humorous portions, Monal's acting, too many songs but praised the acting of Vijay and Bhoomika.[22] Chennai Online wrote "Bhadri' moves at a fairly neat pace in the earlier part, lags a little later, and then picks up speed towards the end."[23] Cinesouth wrote "[..] the director had played with the first half with no worthwhile move in the storyline. There is story value in the second half. But the director had not evinced any keen interest in forming the screenplay. But he has made Vijay to do some risky feats in which he excels. This way, Director Arun Prasad has escaped intelligently".[24]

The film became Vijay's fifth consecutive successful film, after Kannukkul Nilavu (2000), Kushi (2000), Priyamaanavale (2000) and Friends (2001).

References

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  1. ^ Dave, Kajol. "Copy cats". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ^ Srivastava, Abhishek (14 March 2018). "Aamir Khan's best films are inspired by Oscar nominees and winners – from Ghajini to Akele Hum Akele Tum". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  3. ^ "We list down 7 Bollywood films inspired from Hollywood".
  4. ^ a b "Happy Birthday Vijay: 10 best films of Ilayathalapathy as a performer". India Today. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  5. ^ Gurusamy, Pandeeswari (12 April 2024). "Vijay's Badri superhit film and completed 100 days box office run". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. ^ Dave, Kajol. "Copy cats". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  7. ^ Srivastava, Abhishek (14 March 2018). "Aamir Khan's best films are inspired by Oscar nominees and winners – from Ghajini to Akele Hum Akele Tum". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  8. ^ "We list down 7 Bollywood films inspired from Hollywood".
  9. ^ "Badri". Cinematoday2.itgo.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Badri". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 7 April 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry: Anil Kumble to act?!". Rediff. 31 March 2001. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Telugu Cinema Etc". Idlebrain.com. 28 August 2000. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Sheer daredevilry". The Hindu. 7 June 2002. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  14. ^ "Live Life. Mansion-Size. | S. Anand". Outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Interview – Coca Cola India". chennaibest.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Things go better for Coke with Vijay". The Hindu. 20 April 2001. Archived from the original on 14 January 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  17. ^ Swamy, A. "Badhri: worth a buy". Indiainfo. Archived from the original on 6 December 2001. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Film Review: Badri". The Hindu. 27 April 2001. Archived from the original on 6 May 2002. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  19. ^ HostOnNet.com. "BizHat.com – Badhri Review. Vijay, Bhoomika, Vivek, Sanjay, Dhamu". Movies.bizhat.com. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  20. ^ சார்லஸ், தேவன் (22 June 2021). "பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Tamil Movie Cafe". tmcafe.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  22. ^ சிதம்பரம், கிருஷ்ணா (6 May 2001). "பத்ரி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 96. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Bhadri". 19 August 2003. Archived from the original on 19 August 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  24. ^ "பத்ரி". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 24 June 2001. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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