Komban

Production

Studio Green announced that their next production would start from June 2014 with M. Muthaiah of Kutti Puli (2013) fame taking charge of the direction and that the film would feature Karthi in a rural based role for the second time following his debut film Paruthiveeran (2007). Yuvan Shankar Raja was initially reported to be composing the film's score and soundtrack, but he was replaced with G. V. Prakash Kumar in July 2014. Velraj handled the film's cinematography. Praveen K. L. was selected to be the film's editor. Sri Divya was first reported to be the female lead, but the role went to Lakshmi Menon, who also was the maker's first choice, while Rajkiran was selected to play a pivotal role. Stunt choreographer Super Subbarayan was cast for an antagonistic role. Malayalam actor and former footballer I. M. Vijayan was chosen to portray another villain in the film. Comedian Karunas and character artist Thambi Ramaiah were added to the cast as well.

The team announced that the film would be a start-to-finish affair and the film's shoots would be wrapped up in 70 days' time. Principal photography took place on 18 June 2014. Karthi's father, actor Sivakumar attended the event. Karthi was reported to have grown a handlebar moustache and beard for his character. He also put on weight for the role. Most of the scenes were also shot at Mudukulathur. 50% of the film was completed by early October 2014.

Soundtrack

G. V. Prakash Kumar composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film, the third time he collaborated with Karthi, after Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) and Saguni (2012). Shreya Ghoshal recorded a song in the film. The lyrics were written by Ra. Thanikodi and Mahalingam.

Release

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Sun TV.

Criticism

The movie was heavily criticized by K. Krishnasamy the leader of the Puthiya Tamilagam party and many dalit political leaders for it's glorification of caste and was accused of fomenting intercaste violence in the state of Tamilnadu.

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics.

M. Suganth of The Times of India gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "The problem, though, is not the similarity of the characters or predictability of the plot, but the lack of real excitement in most of the scenes…The film hums along, moving from one scene to the next, without really making much of an impact in the viewer". Gautaman Bhaskaran of The Hindustan Times rated 2 out of 5 and wrote, "Komban is an endless roll of flashing knives and gritting teeth…Komban is hardly worth the time or money". Baradwaj Rangan of The Hindu wrote, "Komban: So dull...that's the real controversy". Asokan Nirmalarajah on letterboxd agreed with Rangan's sentiment and rated the film 1.5 stars out of 5, claiming that "a tiring emphasis on fights over a proper care in characterisation and storytelling becomes the undoing of this handsome, if dull production". Filmibeat rated the film 3 stars out of 5, writing, "Packed with all the elements required for a successful commercial entertainer, Komban delivers the goods." Indiaglitz rated the film 3.25 stars out of 5, calling it "a raging bull".