Maari is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Balaji Mohan and produced by Dhanush under the banner Wunderbar Films. The film stars Dhanoush in a dual role as Maari, a charismatic local don, and his look‑alike, Maari 2, alongside actresses Kajal Aggarwal and Kovai Sarala. Music for the film was composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography by Gopi Amarnath and editing by Praveen K. L.
Plot
The narrative follows Maari, a flamboyant and ruthless local gangster who runs a thriving black‑market liquor business in Chennai. Despite his criminal activities, Maari is shown to have a soft spot for the underprivileged and follows his own code of honor. The film chronicles his rivalry with a rival gang, his romantic involvement with Radhika (Kajal Aggarwal), and the complications arising from his clandestine past, including a look‑alike who becomes entangled in his affairs.
Cast
- Dhanush as Maari / Maari 2 (dual role)
- Kajal Aggarwal as Radhika
- Vijay Sethupathi as Vetra (antagonist)
- Kovai Sarala as Maari’s mother
- Premgi Amaren as Sethu
- Santhanam as Sathyam
- Mohan Raman, Pandi, and others in supporting roles
Production
Development of Maari began in early 2014, with Balaji Mohan collaborating with Dhanush following the success of Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014). The script emphasizes a blend of action sequences and comedic elements, aiming to showcase Dhanush's versatility. Principal photography commenced in August 2014, primarily shot in and around Chennai, with additional scenes filmed in Goa. The film’s title, "Maari," references the Tamil colloquial term for a mischievous person.
Music
Anirudh Ravichander composed the soundtrack, which consists of five songs and a background score. The track "Don'u Don'u" became a chart‑topping single upon release. The music received positive reception for its energetic arrangements and integration with the film’s urban setting.
Release and Reception
Maari was released worldwide on 28 July 2015, coinciding with the Tamil New Year holiday. The film opened to mixed critical reviews. Critics praised Dhanush’s performance, the film’s energetic screenplay, and the music, while noting shortcomings in the plot's depth and pacing. Commercially, the film performed moderately well, grossing approximately ₹75 crore (Indian rupees) against a reported budget of ₹30 crore, thereby achieving profitability.
Sequel
A sequel titled Maari 2 was officially announced in 2018, with Dhanush and Balaji Mohan returning in lead and directorial capacities, respectively. The sequel entered production in 2020 and was released in 2020, continuing the storyline of the titular character.
Awards and Nominations
- Filmfare Awards South (2016): Nominated for Best Actor – Tamil (Dhanush) and Best Music Director – Tamil (Anirudh Ravichander).
- Vijay Awards (2016): Nominated for Best Entertainer (Dhanush) and Best Playback Singer (Male) for “Don'u Don'u”.
Home Media
The film became available for digital streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix within a year of its theatrical release. Television broadcast rights were acquired by Sun TV network for regional telecast.
References
- “Maari (2015) – Box Office Collection.” The Hindu, 5 August 2015.
- “Anirudh’s ‘Don’u Don’u’ becomes chartbuster.” Times of India, 15 July 2015.
- “Balaji Mohan on directing Maari.” Film Companion, 20 September 2015.
External Links
- Official trailer on YouTube
- Maari at IMDb
(This article adheres to a neutral point of view and summarizes verified information from reliable sources.)
