Madras

Madras is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language political drama film written and directed by Pa. Ranjith. The film stars Karthi, Catherine Tresa (marking her debut in Tamil cinema) and Kalaiyarasan while Charles Vinoth, Riythvika, V. I. S. Jayapalan, Poster Nandakumar and Mime Gopi play supporting roles. Set in the backdrop of North Madras, Kaali (Karthi) and his friend Anbu (Kalaiyarasan), gets embroiled in a brutal political rivalry, between two factions of a political party after laying claim to a wall. Madras is the second directorial venture of Ranjith after Attakathi. Before the film's announcement, Karthi and Ranjith decided to collaborate for a different project in December 2012, which failed to materialise. Later Ranjith announced this project in July 2013. Principal photography commenced on 11 October 2013 at Vyasarpadi in Chennai. Most of the film's shooting was done in localities in and around the northern part of the city, namely Kasimedu, a locality in the Royapuram area of north Chennai, Otteri and Perambur. After multiple title changes, the film's final title was announced in May 2014. Filming was wrapped up by June 2014. The film was produced and distributed by Studio Green in association with Dream Factory. Santhosh Narayanan composed the soundtrack and score, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Murali G. and Praveen K. L. respectively. After multiple delays, the film released on 26 September 2014. The film received critical acclaim, praising the technical aspects, direction, screenwriting and cast performances (particularly Karthi and Kalaiyarasan). At the 62nd Filmfare Awards South, Madras was nominated in eleven categories, winning four. At the 9th Vijay Awards, it received fifteen nominations and won three awards. The film won six 4th South Indian International Movie Awards, seven Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards and four Edison Awards. Plot Kaali is an impulsive and short-tempered working-class man who works in an IT company and enjoys playing football during his free time. His best friend is Anbu, a young political aspirant. They live in the dilapidated flats of a housing board in Vyasarpadi, North Chennai, along with their friends. In a long-standing bloody feud, two factions of a political party have been laying claim to a wall on which they can paint the portraits of their respective political leaders. Anbu, under the local leader of one of the parties Maari, is determined to claim that wall for their own party.