Mappillai (2011 film)

Plot

Saravanan (Dhanush) is a do-gooder, who is soft-spoken and admired by one and all. Another person named Child Chinna (Vivek) is the head of the Namitha Fan Club in his area. Chinna and Saravanan come across Gayathri (Hansika Motwani), the daughter of an arrogant businesswoman Rajeshwari (Manisha Koirala). Chinna falls for her. He tries several plans to get close to her but in vain, and Gayathri falls for Saravanan after he saved her from an accident.

Coming to know of their affair, Rajeshwari decides to get them both married. The reason is that she is keen on getting a son-in-law, who will always do what she wants and be under her control.

However, she is in for a shock when she comes to know that Saravanan has a past. He is a ruffian and is feared by one and all. Now she plans to halt all plans, while Saravanan overcomes all her plans with ease. At last when he comes to know that Rajeshwari had humiliated his parents when they ask her to accompany them to their village festival. He makes a plan to take her whole family to his village and makes them stay there in his ancestral house with help of Rajeshwari's astrologer (Manobala) by blackmailing him, and further Saravanan plans to arrange for his sister's marriage with Rajeshwari's son. He tricks Chinna to act a wealthy business man James Pandian, and to which Chinna agrees. After some time, Rajeshwari knows the truth about James and insults him and his family in front of the whole village and leaves.

But she and Gayathri are caught by some goons so Saravanan saves them and reconciles with his family.

Cast

Reception

Rohit Ramachandran of nowrunning.com gave it 3/5 stating that the film was Good entertaining with mixed comedy and action." Behindwoods.com gave 2.75 out of 5 giving the verdict "this Mappillai entertains in parts" and stating "Mapillai suffers from weak characterization but still how manages to keep entertain." Rediff gave 2.5 out of 5 describing it a "gOOD copy of the original", further adding that it was "just spice, humour, and plenty of silliness thrown in for good entertainment", while Sify stated that "it was a Romcom remake BUT Still requires some moments". Times of India gave 3 out of 5 and stated that "If you are among those for whom 'Mappillai' holds a lot of nostalgia, give the latest version a miss."

Box office

The film was said to have taken a good opening at the box office. At the Mayajaal multiplex on the ECR, the film had 33 shows per day and had collected a net of Rs 15.35 lakhs, in its opening weekend. Its three-week collection in Chennai was Rs. 4.12 Crore with 56% occupancy at 90 theatres.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is scored by Mani Sharma. Audio was launched on 11 March 2011 at Kamarajar Arangam with Jayam Ravi and Bharath participating as guests, telecasted on Sun TV on 27 March 2011. The audio was marketed by Sony Music.