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''Kanavu Variyam'' () is a 2017 Indian
Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
-language
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
written and directed by Arun Chidambaram and produced by DCKAP cinemas. The film stars Chidambaram in the lead role alongside
Jiya Shankar Jiya Shankar is an Indian actress. She is known for playing Dr. Ira Pandey on &TV's comedy drama series ''Meri Hanikarak Biwi'' and Susheela Ruhail Solanki on SAB TV's comedy series ''Kaatelal & Sons''. She also appeared in the 2022 Marathi-lan ...
and revolves around power cuts and electricity deficit in the villages of
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. Featuring a predominantly new cast and crew, the film was distributed by
Warner Bros. Pictures Warner Bros. Pictures is an American film studio and distribution arm of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group division of Warner Bros., both of which are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex ...
as their first South Indian film. Prior to its theatrical release, the film was screened at several international film festivals and received a number of awards and recognition. Among its titles, ''Kanavu Variyam'' won the Platinum Remi for Best Independent Theatrical Feature Film (
Drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...
) and the same was awarded at the 49th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival. The film also won the Special Jury Award at National Science Film Festival and Competition in India. ''Kanavu Variyam'' was released across India on 24 February 2017.


Plot

Ezhil (Arun Chidambaram) is a brilliant school student. He excels in all subjects and is favorite among teachers. Ezhil grows up with his interest in
science Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...
. Days pass as Ezhil is now a teenager and an aspiring scientist. His father (
Ilavarasu Ilavarasu is an Indian cinematographer and actor, who works in the Tamil film industry. He started his career as a cinematographer and worked for 13 films, winning a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for one of them. He, however, became better known ...
) supports him in his dream, while his mother (
Senthi Kumari Senthikumari Rathinakumar is an Indian actress known for her role in the film ''Pasanga'' and the third season of '' Saravanan Meenatchi'' and ''Vanathai Pola'' as Chellathayi. She played the mother of one of Nayanthara Nayanthara (born ...
) does not. Their village often lands in electricity deficits and power cuts. Ezhil aspires to invent a machine to deal with it. Ezhil's crush Veena (
Jiya Shankar Jiya Shankar is an Indian actress. She is known for playing Dr. Ira Pandey on &TV's comedy drama series ''Meri Hanikarak Biwi'' and Susheela Ruhail Solanki on SAB TV's comedy series ''Kaatelal & Sons''. She also appeared in the 2022 Marathi-lan ...
) and friend Sakkarai (
Black Pandi Lingeswaran, known professionally as Pandi, is a comedy actor who has acted in Tamil films and television shows . He played minor roles in a few films before joining television. He is known for his role as "Pandi" in the popular Tamil soap oper ...
) help him in his research and ideas. Ezhil decides to do it through some waste materials and simple objects such as motors, batteries, etc. He studies the structure of windmills and their works. He then gets an idea about it. When Ezhil constructs a model of the windmill, he faces many obstacles from the villagers on the way, and how he manages to invent it forms the rest of the story.


Cast

*Arun Chidambaram as Ezhil *
Jiya Shankar Jiya Shankar is an Indian actress. She is known for playing Dr. Ira Pandey on &TV's comedy drama series ''Meri Hanikarak Biwi'' and Susheela Ruhail Solanki on SAB TV's comedy series ''Kaatelal & Sons''. She also appeared in the 2022 Marathi-lan ...
as Veena *
Ilavarasu Ilavarasu is an Indian cinematographer and actor, who works in the Tamil film industry. He started his career as a cinematographer and worked for 13 films, winning a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for one of them. He, however, became better known ...
as Ezhil's father *
Yog Japee Yog Japee is an Indian actor who has appeared in character roles in Tamil films. He has also acted in a few Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Career Yog Japee entered in the Tamil film industry in Gautham Menon's action drama '' Kaakha Ka ...
as Gopi *
Black Pandi Lingeswaran, known professionally as Pandi, is a comedy actor who has acted in Tamil films and television shows . He played minor roles in a few films before joining television. He is known for his role as "Pandi" in the popular Tamil soap oper ...
as Sakkarai *
Senthi Kumari Senthikumari Rathinakumar is an Indian actress known for her role in the film ''Pasanga'' and the third season of '' Saravanan Meenatchi'' and ''Vanathai Pola'' as Chellathayi. She played the mother of one of Nayanthara Nayanthara (born ...
as Ezhil's mother *
G. Gnanasambandam Gnanasambandan Gurunathan (born 19 October 1955), also known as G. Gnanasambandan, is an Indian professor, Tamil scholar, orator and an actor who appears in Tamil films. He frequently chairs Tamil debate shows (Pattimandrams). Dr G Gnanasamband ...
as Gnanasambandan *
T. P. Gajendran T. P. Gajendran (1955 – 5 February 2023) was an Indian film director and actor who played minor roles. He directed more than 15 films and acted in more than 100 films. He was the son of Tuticorin MR.Perumal. Actress T. P. Muthulakshmi, his s ...
*
Mayilsamy Mayilsamy (2 October 1965 – 19 February 2023) was an Indian actor and comedian who primarily played supporting roles. Appearing in many Tamil films, he was also a regular guest judge for ''Asathapovathu Yaaru'' on Sun TV in Chennai. He was ...
as Mahout *
Kavithalaya Krishnan T. Krishnan, popularly known as Kavithalayaa Krishnan, is an Indian actor known for playing supporting roles in Tamil film and television. He is a regular artist in many K. Balachander's films and television serials produced by Kavithalayaa Pro ...
as Teacher *
Crane Manohar Crane Manohar (born 4 October 1965) is an Indian actor who appears in Tamil films, mostly in comedy roles. He appeared in many Vadivelu and Vivek comedy tracks. Career Manohar initially worked as a crane technician for films and when he st ...
*
George Maryan George Maryan is an Indian actor and comedian, who has appeared in Tamil cinema. He started his career in theatre, before working in Tamil cinema and has often collaborated with film-makers A. L. Vijay, Siva, M. Manikandan, Lokesh Kanagaraj, ...
*Lollu Sabha Easter as
TNEB Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (abbreviated as TNEB) is a power generation and distribution company owned by Government of Tamil Nadu, India. It was created as a regulated monopoly under section 131 of the Electricity Act (2003) as a successor of ...
worker *
Ambani Shankar Ambani Shankar is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil films. He has appeared in films including '' Ji'' (2005) and '' Ambasamudram Ambani'' (2010), and garnered his stage name from the latter film. Career Shankar grew up in Tirumangala ...
*
Saravana Subbiah Saravana Subbiah is an Indian film director and actor, who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his directorial debut with ''Citizen'' (2001), before making the romantic drama '' ABCD'' (2005). Career Saravana Subbiah worked as an ass ...
as Gopi's boss *Arumugam *Vijay Ganesh as Azhagu *
R. S. G. Chelladurai R. S. G. Chelladurai (2 November 1936 – 29 April 2021), also known as Ayya Chelladurai, was an Indian actor, known for playing supporting roles in Tamil cinema, Tamil films as a father and as a grandfather. His breakthrough performance came i ...
as Doctor


Production

The film's writer, director and lead actor Arun Chidambaram returned to Chennai from his corporate job in
Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
to begin working on the film. Shot entirely in Tamil Nadu during late 2015, Arun Chidambaram revealed that ''Kanavu Variyam'' was about the shortage of electricity in the villages of India and would have a theatrical release following an extended circuit of international film festivals. The film was produced by Arun's brother Karthik, while Shyam Benjamin worked on the film's soundtrack and Selvakumar associated with the project as the cinematographer. Hindi television actress Jiya Shankar debuted in films as the lead actress, while
Ilavarasu Ilavarasu is an Indian cinematographer and actor, who works in the Tamil film industry. He started his career as a cinematographer and worked for 13 films, winning a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for one of them. He, however, became better known ...
,
Black Pandi Lingeswaran, known professionally as Pandi, is a comedy actor who has acted in Tamil films and television shows . He played minor roles in a few films before joining television. He is known for his role as "Pandi" in the popular Tamil soap oper ...
,
G. Gnanasambandam Gnanasambandan Gurunathan (born 19 October 1955), also known as G. Gnanasambandan, is an Indian professor, Tamil scholar, orator and an actor who appears in Tamil films. He frequently chairs Tamil debate shows (Pattimandrams). Dr G Gnanasamband ...
,
Yog Japee Yog Japee is an Indian actor who has appeared in character roles in Tamil films. He has also acted in a few Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Career Yog Japee entered in the Tamil film industry in Gautham Menon's action drama '' Kaakha Ka ...
, and
Senthi Kumari Senthikumari Rathinakumar is an Indian actress known for her role in the film ''Pasanga'' and the third season of '' Saravanan Meenatchi'' and ''Vanathai Pola'' as Chellathayi. She played the mother of one of Nayanthara Nayanthara (born ...
all enacted supporting roles. ''Kanavu Variyam'' received media attention within
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
, after it was announced that
Warner Bros. Pictures Warner Bros. Pictures is an American film studio and distribution arm of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group division of Warner Bros., both of which are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex ...
had associated with the project as a distributor, marking the first collaboration of the Hollywood studio with a South Indian film. The film's teaser was launched by music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja (born 31 August 1979), is an Indian composer and playback singer. He mainly scores music for Tamil films along with few Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films. Considered a versatile composer, he is particularly known for his use o ...
, and received attention from several film industry personalities. The launch of the soundtrack and trailer took place at Prasad Labs in Chennai in February 2017. Along with the whole film crew, it was attended by renowned personalities including film director
Bharathiraja Bharathiraja ( born 17 July 1941) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who works mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with ''16 Vayathinile'', he is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of ...
, space scientist
K. Sivan Kailasavadivu Sivan (born 14 April 1957) is an Indian aerospace engineer who served as the secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Space Commission. He has previously served as th ...
, Tamil Nadu meteorologist Pradeep John, and designer Udaya Kumar. During the event, in recognition of his scientific achievements,
K. Sivan Kailasavadivu Sivan (born 14 April 1957) is an Indian aerospace engineer who served as the secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Space Commission. He has previously served as th ...
, was conferred with the title "Inspiring Scientist of India" at the event, owing to theme of the film. Bharathiraja was conferred the title "Inspiring Director of India" for his achievements in the film industry, and Sirkazhi Sivachidambaram was conferred with the title "Inspiring Voice of India" award. Further awards were handed to the other chief attendees of the event.


Soundtrack

The music of ''Kanavu Variyam'' was composed by Shyam Benjamin. "Kalla/Manna", a song from the film which refers to 51 traditional games of rural India, won the Silver Remi for Best Children's Song and won the Best Youth Focus Music Video award at the Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival at Oklahoma, USA.


Release

The film's world premiere was at the 49th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival on 9 April 2016.


Critical reception

Prior to its theatrical release, ''Kanavu Variyam'' received critical acclaim in major film festivals across the globe. News portals including The Hindu, NDTV, Dina Thanthi highly appreciated the preview shows of the film and stated "Arun is a director to watch out for". The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 24 February 2017. The New Indian Express called the film a "feel-good entertainer", adding that "when many of our makers look towards the West for inspiration, it is heartwarming that the U.S. based-Chidambaram has turned to the rural scenario and the issues faced by the villagers as his debut work" and that "the film is inspiring and motivating, is worth a watch by both adults and children. It's a powerful debut by multi-faceted artist Arun Chidambaram'. Number 1 weekly in Tamil Nadu, "Ananda Vikatan" quoted the film to be a "powerful cinema which inspires the dreamer in you". Dina Thanthi, the highest read daily in the state quoted "A must-watch entertainer for families". Other critics gave the film a less welcoming review, with The Times of India stating "as a director, though his plot and intention is commendable, amateurish execution and slow screenplay spoil the flow of the narration". Sify.com wrote "on the whole, a weak script that lacks subtlety and nuance, the film is ultimately a bore" and that "though the intentions of director Arun Chidambaram is laudable, his bumbling execution is a spoiler". Sowmya Rajendran of TheNewsMinute also criticised the film stating "science can explain several phenomena, but I am still wondering what explains the film's success and the reputation it has built for itself", stating that she was "deeply puzzled" with the film's success on the international circuit.


Awards and recognitions

''Kanavu Variyam'' has received the following recognitions following its preview shows and participation in international film festivals: *'Platinum Remi Award' for "Best Independent Theatrical Feature Film" (Drama) at 49th WorldFest-Houston, USA 2016. "Kanavu Variyam" was chosen from over 4500 movies from 74 countries. *'Silver Remi Award' for 'Best Children's Song' at 49th WorldFest-Houston, USA 2016. *'Audience Favorite Movie' at 49th WorldFest-Houston 2016. *'Best Unique Film' at "International Motivational Film Festival" 2016 held at
Rostov Rostov-on-Don is a port city and the administrative centre of Rostov Oblast and the Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies in the southeastern part of the East European Plain on the Don River, from the Sea of Azov, directly north of t ...
,
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. *'Special Jury Award' at National Science Film Festival and Competition organized by the Government of India. *'Best Youth Focus Music Video' award for the song "Kalla Manna (Stone or Sand)" at Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival. held in USA. *'Best Music Video' for the song "Kalla Manna (Stone or Sand)" at Los Angeles Film and Script Festival, USA. *Official Selection at 19th
Shanghai International Film Festival The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF, , French: ''Festival international du film de Shanghai'') is the largest film festival in Asia and China's longest-running international cinema event. The first festival was established in Octobe ...
. held in China. *'Opening Film' at 15th Pyonyang International Film Festival' in North Korea scheduled from 16 to 23 September. * Nominated for "Best Feature Film" and "Best Cinematography" at "Asian New Media Festival" in Busan, South Korea - a film festival organized by General Association of Korean movies, Korean Film Critics Association, and the Shanghai Film Academy. *Official Selection at 'International Children's Film Festival' in Dytiatko, Ukraine scheduled from 21 to 24 September. *Official Selection at '67th Montecatini International Film Festival' in Italy scheduled from 6–9 October. *Official Selection at '11th Lola Kenya Screen Film Festival' in Kenya scheduled in December. *


References


External links

*{{IMDb title, 5254636 2010s Tamil-language films 2010s Indian films 2017 films Warner Bros. films Films set in Tamil Nadu 2017 directorial debut films