Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara

''Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'' (), also referred to as ''iDhaaba'', is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, written and directed by Gokul. Produced by Leo Visions, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi, Ashwin, Swathi, Nandita, and Pasupathy. It was released on 2 October 2013, and became a success. The film was remade in Kannada as '' Jackson'' (2015).

Plot

Kumaravel is a lower middle class youth who mainly lives in TASMAC bars. His friends and neighbors have nicknamed him "Sumaar Moonji Kumar" () alias SMK. Kumar stalks Kumudha, the girl living opposite his flat. Kumudha's father has sought the help of Annachi, the local boss, to find a solution and teach SMK a lesson. On a parallel track, another alcoholic named Balakrishnan is a smart bank salesperson but is always under pressure from his boss Poochandi and possessive girlfriend Renu. One night, the life of the principal characters gets entangled, leading to the climax.

Cast

Production

In February 2013, the film was announced to be produced by Leo Visions and to feature Vijay Sethupathi, Nandita and Swathi. It was said to be based on the daily comical things that happen in our day-to-day life. Madhan Karky penned the dialogues for this film. Ashwin Kakumanu joined the cast a month later. The film's puja was held on 11 March 2013. The title of the film was inspired by a line in ''Thanga Padhumai'' (1959).

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album was composed by Siddharth Vipin who earlier composed background score for '' Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom'' and this is his full-fledged debut as music composer. The lyrics were penned by Madhan Karky and Lalithanand. The single, "Prayer Song" was released on 12 August 2013. It was an instant hit garnering lakhs of views. The song was believed to have been inspired by Jaron and the Long Road to Love's " Pray for You" which Madhan Karky denied, concluding that both songs only had the same concept. The chorus of the song "En Veetula" samples the '' Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai'' song "Sau Saal Pehle".

The complete album was released on 30 August 2013 at Sathyam Cinemas. The album was released by Jiiva in the presence of Balaji Sakthivel and received by the film cast. The album consists of three tracks composed by Siddharth Vipin and an additional track by Ved Shankar.

Release

''Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'' was released on 2 October 2013, in nearly 200 screens in Tamil Nadu.

Box office

The film had 100% occupancy on first day, collecting which was the biggest opening for a Sethupathi film to that point.

Critical reception

M. Suganth of ''The Times of India'' gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote the film "lacks the sophistication of a '' Soodhu Kavvum'' or '' Pizza'' but makes up for it in sheer likeability". Suganth added, "His debut '' Rowthiram'' was an uneven effort but in ''Idhaaba'', Gokul is more surefooted, deftly weaving plotlines and confidently untying the knots in his script". IANS gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote ''Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'' (IAB) doesn't merely entertain, but also addresses a domestic issue with a very strong dose of humour. It's undoubtedly one of the smartest yet funniest Tamil films in recent times. S. Saraswathi of '' Rediff.com'' gave 3 out of 5 stars, wrote "Director Gokul in his film, ''Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'' has created some weird, quirky and offbeat characters in hilarious situations who keep the audience entertained, writes" and called it a "laugh riot". In contrast, Baradwaj Rangan wrote for ''The Hindu'', "Gokul's ''Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara'' isn't a lazy movie. It is, in fact, the opposite. There's too much of everything — too much plot, too much mood, with three narrative strands infused with three unique sensibilities". He concluded that the film provided "Some mild laughs" and "Lots of tedium".

Legacy

The character of Sumar Moonji Kumar inspired a song titled "Sumar Moonji Kumaru" in ''Bruce Lee'' (2017). A spin-off titled ''Corona Kumar'' entered development in 2020 before being stalled. The dialogue "Kumudha happy, Annachi" was parodied in '' Test'' (2025) by R. Madhavan's character.

References

External links

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{{Gokul (director)

2010s Indian films
2010s Tamil-language films
2013 films
2013 romantic comedy films
Films about alcoholism
Films about stalking
Films directed by Gokul (director)
Films scored by Siddharth Vipin
Films scored by Ved Shankar
Films shot in Kobe
Films shot in Osaka Prefecture
Films shot in Osaka
Hyperlink films
Indian nonlinear narrative films
Indian romantic comedy films
Tamil films remade in other languages
Tamil-language Indian films
Tamil-language romantic comedy films