Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)

Pokkiri Raja (transl. Rogue King) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language masala film written by the duo Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas and directed by Vysakh in his directorial debut. The film stars Mammootty and Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shriya Saran in the lead roles, alongside Siddique, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan, Salim Kumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Riyaz Khan. The score was composed by C. Rajamani with songs composed by Jassie Gift. The film marked the debut of Shriya Saran in Malayalam cinema.[1][2][3]

Pokkiri Raja
Promotional poster
Directed byVysakh
Written byUdaykrishna
Sibi K. Thomas
Produced byTomichan Mulakupadam
StarringMammootty
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Shriya Saran
CinematographyShaji Kumar
Edited byMahesh Narayanan
Music by
Production
company
Distributed byMulakuppadam Release
Release date
  • 7 May 2010 (2010-05-07) (India)
Running time
165 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Pokkiri Raja was released on 7 May 2010 worldwide and received positive reviews from critics, where it became the highest grossing Malayalam film of 2010.[4] It was remade in Hindi as Boss and partially in Telugu as Bhai. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Raja Pokkiri Raja. A spin-off titled Madhura Raja was released on 12 April 2019.[5]

Plot

Kunnath Madhavan Nair lives happily with his two sons Raja and Surya Narayanan. However, their happiness is short-lived when Raja is arrested for killing a boy named Gopi, who belongs to their opposite family, but the murder was actually committed by Madhavan accidentally, but Raja had taken the blame to save Madhavan. Even after Raja comes out of prison, Madhavan refuses to accept him not knowing about his innocence. Raja leaves for Madurai, where he saves the son of the village landlord named Maniannan. Due to this, Raja turns into his right hand and was named as Madurai Raja.

Years later, a grown Raja becomes a fearsome kingpin named called Pokkiri Raja, while Surya is now an energetic, educated and well known for his fights in the village. To change his character, Surya is sent to Ernakulam to his brother-in-law S.I. Sugunan, who is fearful. At Ernakulam, Surya falls in love with Aswathy, the daughter of city police commissioner Rajendranath Babu [I.P.S]. Sugunan takes advantage of Surya's character and sends him in his uniform to take care of some severe police cases. Meanwhile, Surya follows Ashwathy, but is unknown to the fact that Home Minister's son Mahendran is also behind her.

Aswathy shows hatred for Surya, thinking he is a cop, but she tells him that Rajendra Babu is not her real father but her step-father, who had killed her mother and have left her alive because Mahendran was having a liking to her. Rajendra and Mahendran learns of Surya's and Aswathy's relationship and arrests him for false charges of smuggling narcotics. The duo also plan to kill Surya and gives the contract to Raja. At this point, Madhavan leaves for Madurai in search of Raja and asks for his help to rescue Surya. After realizing that Surya is his brother, Raja rescues Surya and warns Rajendra. After many hurdles, Raja defeats Rajendra and Mahendran, but spares them and Surya reunites with Aswathy.

Cast

Production

The film was launched by Mammootty with the absence of Prithviraj and Shriya Saran at Changanassery on 30 December 2009. Veteran director Joshiy lighted the ceremonial lamp at the function.[7] Shooting of the film began on 11 January 2010 at various locations in Pollachi and Ernakulam.[8] Prithviraj's song 'Manikyakallin Mukkuticharhtum' song was first shot. The shooting completed within 50 days with a production cost around 5 crores and distribution works started in April. Audio was launched in April at Ernakulam. The dubbing of the film was happen at Kochi.[9] A song was planned to shoot at London featuring the lead pair Prithviraj and Shriya Saran but had to canceled because of volcanic ash from london has stopped the airport from fly in or out any flight.[10] While actress Shriya Saran get stranded with Tamil actor Arya at London while shooting for their film Chikku Bukku.[11]

Release

The film was released in 110 screens in India.

Reception

Box office

The film was made on a budget of ₹10 crore and collected around ₹16 crore and at the UAE box office.[12][13] The film became a major commercial success and was declared as the highest grossing Malayalam film of 2010.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Critical response

Indiaglitz.com reviewed it as a "masala fiesta" and commented that the cinematography and editing are the main highlights of the film, also said "Vysakh as a debutant director has made a decent entertainer and the young man is definitely destined to go places in mainstream Malayalam cinema".[22] Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Finally, Pokkiriraja may supposedly achieve the super hit status with the help of the fans. But, for the genuine viewer, it is a disappointment".[23] Sify called it "mass masala" and commented as it doesn't have a decent storyline but appreciating the visuals. And said the writers have succeeded in allotting equal importance to both the lead actors. But criticized the lack of logic in the script.[24] Veeyen of Nowrunning rated 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "After watching two brothers who have had to tackle with the twists of fate for God-alone-knows-what time, I just have one question to ask. Is it too much to ask for a simple, good story in films?".[25] Gayathry V. Pillai of One India wrote "The movie is somewhat similar to a Tamil film with lots of actions, songs and punch dialogues".[26]

Music

The music is composed by Jassie Gift and Theme music by Rajamani. The album contains 6 songs. The songs will be featured throughout the film except the other version of Ketile Kettile song. Kaithapram contributed the lyrics. This audio was released on 8 April 2010.[27]

All lyrics are written by Kaithapram

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Manikinavain"K. J. Yesudas, Sujatha Mohan3:12
2."Kettille, Kettille"Vijay Yesudas, Rijiya Riyas, Anwar Sadat3:25
3."Manickya Kallil"Jassie Gift, Malathy, Ananthu4:00
4."Chenthengil Ponnilaneeru"Ranjith, Anwar Sadat, Suchitra3:50
5."Pokkiri Raja Theme"  
6.UntitledRajamani, Chorus 

Spin-off

A spin-off titled Madhura Raja was released on 12 April 2019, which grossed over ₹100 crore at the box office.[28] The third installment of the film has been announced and titled as Minister Raja.[29]

Remake

The film was later remade into Hindi as Boss and partially in Telugu as Bhai.[30]

References
  1. Shreya debuts in malayalam. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  2. Pillai, Gayathry V (3 December 2009). "Shriya to step into Mollywood". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012.
  3. George, Vijay (17 February 2010) Sriya Saran makes her entry into Mollywood with Pokkiri Raja. The Hindu.
  4. Pokkiri Raja released. Sify.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  5. "Mainstream films cut a sorry figure - The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  6. "Friendspire: Stop Searching. Start Finding".
  7. "'Pokkiri Raja' Movie Launch". IndiaGlitz. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 January 2010.
  8. "Pokkiri Raja – A trendsetter in the cards". IndiaGlitz. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010.
  9. "Prithvi with Shreya in London for 'Pokkiri Raja' song shoot". nowrunning.com. 13 April 2010.
  10. Pillai, Sreedhar (20 April 2010). "Volcanic ash causes jitters in Kollywood!". The times of india.
  11. "Volcanic ash causes delay in Kollywood!Hindi version of the movie is Boss(Akshay Kumar)". Sifymovies. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
  12. Unni R. Nair (25 June 2010). "Pokkiri Raja rules box-office". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  13. "UAE first to get glimpse of Mammootty-starrer Madhura Raja". The Khaleej Times. 4 April 2019.
  14. "Kerala Box-office (May 7-31, 2010)". Sify. 31 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016.
  15. "Roar of the southern tigers". The New Indian Express. 5 November 2016.
  16. "Multistarrer era comes to Mollywood". The New Indian Express. 5 June 2011.
  17. "Akshay Kumar to remake Pokkiri Raja". The Times of India. 11 June 2012.
  18. "Mainstream films cut a sorry figure". The New Indian Express. 23 May 2011.
  19. "Top 10 Malayalam actors of 2010". Sify. 31 December 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017.
  20. Anu James (3 January 2017). "After Pulimurugan, Vysakh to helm Mammootty's Raja 2; Mohanlal, Dileep and Dulquer Salmaan movies lined up". International Business Times.
  21. "Kerala Box-Office (Aug 1-15)". Sify. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010.
  22. "Pokkiri Raja – Is a masala fiesta". IndiaGlitz. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010.
  23. Palicha, Paresh C (10 May 2010). "Pokkiriraja disappoints". rediff.com.
  24. "Pokkiri Raja". Sifymovies. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 12 May 2010.
  25. "Pokkiri Raja Review". nowrunning.com. 8 May 2010.
  26. Pillai, Gayathry V (10 May 2010). "Pokkiri Raja-Movie Review". oneindia.in.
  27. "Pokkiri Raja Music Review". IndiaGlitz. 3 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  28. "Is Mammootty planning to enter politics? Megastar clarifies". International Business Times. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  29. "Madhura Raja to have another sequel, Mammootty will be next seen as Minister Raja". International Business Times. 12 April 2019.
  30. "Pokkiri Raja beats T:20 record!". Sify. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016.
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