''Goli Soda'' () is a 2014
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
-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. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...
written and directed by
S.D. Vijay Milton, who handled the Cinematography as well. Produced by his brother Bharath Seeni under Roughnote Production, the film stars
Kishore,
Sree Raam,
Pakoda Pandi, and Murugesh of ''
Pasanga
''Pasanga'' () is an Indian Tamil-language children's film directed by Pandiraj. It stars debutant child actors like Kishore DS, Sree Raam and Pandian, along with newcomer Vimal and Vega Tamotia in supporting roles. The film is produced by S ...
'' fame. The film was distributed by
N. Lingusamy
Nammalvar Lingusamy, (born 14 November 1967), is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and film producer in Tamil cinema based in Chennai. Lingusamy made his directorial debut with ''Aanandham'' in 2001 and followed by '' Run'' (2002), '' S ...
's
Thirrupathi Brothers
Thirrupathi Brothers is an Indian Tamil film production company owned by brothers N. Subash Chandrabose and N. Lingusamy and was founded in 2006.
History
The first venture of Thirrupathi Brothers was ''Deepavali'', directed by Ezhil with Jay ...
and released on 24 January 2014 to critical acclaim. The film narrates the story of four boys who work and live together in a market. The film was remade in Kannada with the
same name and in Telugu as ''Evadu Thakkuva Kadu'' in 2019. ''
Goli Soda 2
''Goli Soda 2'' is a 2018 Indian Tamil language action drama film written and directed by Vijay Milton. Sequel to 2015 film ''Goli Soda'', the film stars Samuthirakani, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Barath Seeni, Vinoth, Esakki Barath, with Subiksha, ...
'', featuring an entirely distinct cast, was released in June 2018.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of
Koyambedu market, the film revolves around the lives of four young boys: Pulli, Saetu, Sithappa and Kuttimani. They work as coolies, and earn their bread by working as lifters. They lift and transport vegetable goods to various shops. One such shop is owned by Aachi, who treats the boys like her sons. The boys are carefree and do not worry about their future, and have fun by teasing and looking at schoolgirls who pass by. They befriend a girl named Vanmathi alias ATM, who assists them in finding a new friend, who turns out to be Aachi's daughter Yamini. They all become friends and hang out together. One day Aachi tells the boys that they do not have an identity and asks how long will they live like this. She advises them to do something that will give them an identity and let them earn some respect. They decide to start a mess in the market, where so many people will have access. Aachi helps them get an old godown from Naidu, a rich Dada who controls the market. Naidu lets them have the place for free for now and says he will collect the rent later. The boys start the mess and it becomes an instant hit, earning them money and respect. The boys feel that they have now got an identity as the owners of Aachi mess.
Things take a turn, when Mayil (R. K. Vijay Murugan), Naidu's cousin, starts using the mess for his own recreational purpose during the night. The boys allow him first due to their respect for Naidu, but later on, Mayil uses the mess for wrong purposes. One night, Mayil assaults a woman in the mess. Sithappa is upset with this and orders Mayil to get out of the mess immediately. Infuriated, Mayil beats him and sends him back. The other boys learn of this, and the next day, they come to the mess and find it still locked. Mayil is still in the mess with a hangover and has made a complete mess of the place. The boys get angry and ask him to go out. But as Mayil refuses and attacks them, the boys retaliate and Mayil is pushed down. Mayil starts to attack the boys, but the boys overpower and beat him. Angry and humiliated, Mayil leaves the place. When Naidu learns of this he is infuriated. Aachi goes to meet Naidu to apologise for the boys, but Naidu doesn't accept and keeps her hostage, till the boys get punished back. Naidu sends his group of men along with Mayil to beat the boys inside the mess, in front of everyone in the market, just like the boys did to him. The boys are forced, and they are targeted and mauled by Naidu's men. At one stage when Mayil tried to assault Yamini and Vanmathi, the boys start to retaliate and somehow get the upper hand. They then attack the men using weapons found in the market and drive them away. Unfortunately, Naidu gets further enraged. The boys take Mayil hostage and tells Naidu that if they release Aachi, they will release Mayil. All these incidents make Naidu angry on the boys, and he vows to take revenge on them. So he plans and attacks the boys once again, makes them unconscious, and separates them by sending them to different parts of the country.
The boys reunite after some struggles with the help of Vanmathi and decide to exact revenge on Naidu for making them lose their identities. They come back to the market and start their restaurant again. Naidu is surprised about this and goes to confront the boys, but they are saved by a cop. The boys decide to avenge their feelings by making Naidu lose the fear that people have on him and opposing him in the market elections. Naidu fears losing the election, and he decides to kill the boys and sends all his men to search for them. The boys hide, and since Naidu has sent all his men away, they realise that Naidu must be alone and they take him on. They see Naidu sleeping, and they cut off his hair and paste a coin his head, symbolising that he is dead. The next morning, Naidu sees this and is angered to the core. He directly goes to the mess and locks it from inside to kill the boys. The boys outpower him, tie him to a post, and strip him naked. They threaten to open the door, thus making his respect turn into shame. Naidu begs them not to do so and pleads them to kill him instead of showing him naked to the outside world. The boys then tell Naidu that the identity of a man is more important and he has finally learnt that. Naidu becomes guilt — ridden, and the boys are forgiven by him and vice versa. The boys continue to run the mess successfully. The movie emphasises that one's identity is important and worth fighting for and that forgiving and giving a chance to repent can permanently change lives. Then, it hints that Sithappa with Vanmathi and Puli with Yamini starting a romantic relationships.
Cast
*
Kishore DS
Kishore Shanthi Dhinakaran is an Indian actor, who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made a breakthrough appearing as a child actor, winning a National Film Award for his performance in Pandiraj's ''Pasanga'' (2009). He has since appear ...
as Pulli (Bruce Lee)
*
Sree Raam as Settu
*
Pandi as Sithappa
* Murugesh as Kuttimani
* Seetha as Vanmathi (ATM)
* Chandhini as Yaamini
*
Madhusudhan Rao as Naidu (voice dubbed by
Samuthirakani
Samuthirakani (born 26 April 1973) is an Indian actor and film director who predominantly works in Tamil films and Telugu films besides appearing in a number of Malayalam films. He worked as an assistant to director K Balachander. He won the N ...
)
*
Sujatha Sivakumar
Sujatha Sivakumar is an Born: (27 September 1973) Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil films. Sujatha rose to fame with her performance in Ameer's ''Paruthiveeran'' (2007), before appearing in several supporting roles as a mother in Tamil ...
as Aachi
* R. K. Vijay Murugan as Mayilu
*
Imman Annachi
Imman Annachi (born 13 may 1970) is an Indian actor, television presenter, politician and comedian who has appeared in character roles in various Tamil films.
Career
Imman Annachi made his debut hosting a show named ''Konjam Arattai Konjam Se ...
as Manthiravadhi
*
Senthi Kumari
Senthi Kumari 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's characters in ''Airaa
''Airaa'' () is ...
as Naidu's wife
*
Meenal
Meenal is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Tamil films. She has appeared in Cheran's ''Thavamai Thavamirundhu'', Vetrimaran's ''Aadukalam'', Thangar Bachan's ''Ammavin Kaipesi'' and Bharathiraja's ''Annakodi
''Annakodi'' is a 2013 ...
as Naidu's niece
* Pasanga Sivakumar as Inspector Perumal
* Flower A. Manoharan as S. K.
*
Sampath Ram
Sampath Ram is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil-language films. He is known for his villainous roles.
Career
Ram started his acting career with the television series '' Ethanai Manithargal'' that aired on Doordarshan as a thug. He ...
;Special appearance in trailer:
*
T. Rajendar
Thesingu Rajendar (born 9 May 1960), also known as Vijaya T. Rajendar or T. R., is an Indian actor, filmmaker, musician, cinematographer and distributor who works primarily in Tamil film industry. He is also a politician in Chennai, Tamil Nadu ...
* 'Powerstar'
Srinivasan Srinivasa (Sanskrit ) is a Hindus, Hindu name. The term Srinivasa is Vaishnavism, Vaishnava in origin, the combination of two Sanskrit words, ''Shri'' (श्री) and ''nivasa'' (निवास).
It is a name for males in India as well as a fa ...
*
Sam Anderson
Sam Anderson (born April 2, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his character roles such as Sam Gorpley on '' Perfect Strangers'', Holland Manners on ''Angel'', dentist Bernard Nadler on ''Lost'' and in film, as the principal in ''F ...
Production
Vijay Milton, who has been the cinematographer for films like ''
Priyamudan
''Priyamudan'' () is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film directed by Vincent Selva. The film stars Vijay in an antihero role and Kausalya as heroine, while Sujith Sagar plays a pivotal role. The story focuses on Vasanth, a yo ...
'', ''
Autograph
An autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature. The word ''autograph'' comes from Ancient Greek (, ''autós'', "self" and , ''gráphō'', "write"), and can mean more specifically: Gove, Philip B. (ed.), 1981. ''Webster's Third New Inter ...
'', ''
Kaadhal
''Kaadhal'' () is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film based on a true story, directed by Balaji Sakthivel, starring Bharath (in his first film as a main lead actor) and Sandhya. It was produced by S. Shankar and featured music c ...
'' and ''
Vazhakku Enn 18/9
''Vazhakku Enn 18/9'' () is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Balaji Sakthivel, starring newcomers Sri, Urmila Mahanta, Mithun Murali and Manisha Yadav. Pre-production of the film began in 2008, with th ...
'', turned director with ''
Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu
''Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu'' () also known by the initialism ''AIBI'', is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by cinematographer-turned-director S.D. Vijay Milton. It stars Bharath and Mallika Ka ...
''. ''Goli Soda'' is his second directorial venture. The inspiration for the story came during an early morning visit to Koyambedu market. "I was passing through Koyambedu Market one morning, when I witnessed hundreds of young boys sleeping in its attics. That triggered my curiosity and I started researching them. I learnt that their world revolves only around this 'market', they do not have any other identity. Even when they get old, they indulge in activities like selling ganja and putting up petty tea shops inside the market. I immediately decided to make a film on them."
Filming took place in
Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
's
Koyambedu market,
Alappuzha in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
and
Murudeshwara temple in
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
.
The film was shot entirely with Canon EOS 5D, a DSLR camera. Associate Director – Mr. Lenin
Release
Critical reception
''Goli Soda'' opened to critical acclaim.
Baradwaj Rangan
Baradwaj Rangan is an Indian film critic, writer, and formerly the deputy editor of ''The Hindu''. He later became a senior editor of Film Companion. Rangan won the National Film Award for Best Film Critic in 2006. Before joining ''The Hindu' ...
wrote "The signature achievement of ''Goli Soda'' is its ruthless unmasking of how hollow most of our masala movies are, and how, with a little imagination, just a little, you can make a film which does not insult the audience" and went on to state, "I will be very surprised if there's a more entertaining, more inventive, more well-acted masala movie this year".
The Times of India
''The Times of India'', also known by its abbreviation ''TOI'', is an Indian English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by The Times Group. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and largest ...
gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and said "''Goli Soda'' IS a masala movie. But what sets it apart and even makes it one-of-a-kind is that its protagonists aren't grown-up 20-somethings but adolescents, early teens to be specific. There have been Hollywood films that have transposed the sensibilities of a regular genre movie to ones that have kids as the principal characters...but this is probably a first in Tamil cinema".
Sify
Sify Technologies Limited (formerly Satyam Infoway) is an Indian information and communications technology company providing end-to-end ICT solutions including telecom services, data center services, cloud & managed services, transformation in ...
called it "a gutsy and outstanding film" and continued, "The film works due to the triumph of honest writing, freshness of its cast who does not have any star trappings, and the speed of the film. The backbone of the film is Pandiraj's script and Vijay Milton's directorial touches and the belief that everybody irrespective of his surroundings and upbringing has an identity". Cinemalead.com rated it with 4/5 stars and said "Overall if you prefer to watch a gutsy film which is different and unique from the routine Tamil cinema, go and watch Goli Soda which surely deserves a repeated viewing".
IANS
Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. It was founded in 1986 by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the "India Abroad News Service" and later renamed. Their main offices are located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The ser ...
gave it 4 out of 5 stars and said "''Goli Soda'' is a slap in the face of heroism. It proves that the story is the real star of a film and it's precisely because of it that the entertainer emerges as a winner". Behindwoods rated it 3.25 out of 5 and said "Though there are exaggerated cinematic moments, Milton tells a good story under an unusual premise with engaging screenplay, sharp dialogues, good camerawork and interesting moments.". Indiaglitz also gave it a 3.25 rating and stated, "Vijay Milton has done the best justice to an offbeat story, in a clean entertainer that would impress all sorts of audience".
Box office
The film opened poor response 30% - 45% occupancy on first day collected 60 lakhs at the box office.
['Goli Soda' creates a record – Tamil Movie News]
/ref> But later it got overwhelming improvement netted 2 crore on second day. The film grossed 4.33 crore in first weekend. The film collected 8 crore in first week at the box office. In chennai alone it collected 3 crore in its full run.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was composed by S. N. Arunagiri. The lyrics were penned by Mani Amudhavan, Priyan and Gaana Bala
Bala Murugan, better known by his stage name Gana Bala is an Indian playback singer in Tamil cinema. He rose to prominence after rendering the songs 'Aadi Pona Aavani' and 'Nadukadalula Kappala' from the soundtrack of ''Attakathi''. He has pred ...
. The background score was composed by Anoop Seelin
J Anoop Seelin (born 24 October 1979) is an Indian film music director and playback singer who works in the Kannada film industry. He has scored music for films including '' Gooli'', ''Eddelu Manjunatha'', ''Preethse Preethse,'' ''Yaksha'', '' I ...
, making his entry to Tamil cinema.
References
External links
*
{{Pandiraj
Films set in Chennai
Films shot in Chennai
Films shot in Alappuzha
Films shot in Karnataka
2014 films
2010s Tamil-language films
Films scored by S. N. Arunagiri
2014 action drama films
Indian action drama films
Tamil films remade in other languages