Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar

''Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar'' is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language parody film .The movie was directed by Sajin Raaghavan in his directorial debut. The movie starred Sreenivasan in titular role with Vineeth Sreenivasan, Fahadh Faasil, Jagathy Sreekumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Mukesh and Mamta Mohandas. The film is a spin-off of popular 2005 film '' Udayananu Tharam''. Sreenivasan reprises the role of Saroj Kumar from the original. The director announced that this is not a sequel: Only some characters from ''Udayananu Tharam'' were used. In the film, Renowned actor Saroj Kumar is ousted from his film following a quarrel with a co-actor. He then goes on to try many tricks to sabotage the project but meets failure when the movie becomes a success.

The film was shot mainly in Chennai and Kochi.

Synopsis

Saroj Kumar is a Malayalam film superstar who loses his fandom and successful films due to his arrogance and vanity; his latest films, like ''Vekkada Vedi'' turns into a flop due to his over heroic performance and lack of story.

Alex Samuel and Pachalam Bhasi start their new film with Shyam a newcomer meanwhile Saroj bribes film associations and gets Samuel and Bhasi's film banned. He gets the rank of Colonel in the Army and brags about it. Meanwhile Babykuttan, another producer, helps Alex Samuel and Pachalam Bhasi to resume their project. Saroj Kumar tries to cancel the film in many ways but it is successfully completed and is well received by the audience.

Meanwhile, the income tax department raids his premises and starts prosecution proceedings for tax evasion. Saroj is tense about the matter and he drinks a lot acting in a different manner forms rest of the plot.

Cast

* Sreenivasan as Saroj Kumar / Rajappan Thengumoodu
* Vineeth Sreenivasan as Shyam
* Fahadh Faasil as Alex Samuel
* Mukesh as Babykkuttan
* Jagathy Sreekumar as Pachalam Bhasi
* Suraj Venjarammoodu as Muttathara Babu
* Salim Kumar as Rafeek
* Mamta Mohandas as Neelima
* Manikuttan as Rajesh
* Sandhya (special appearance)
* Meera Nandan (special appearance)
* Sarayu (special appearance)
* Roopa (special appearance)
* Nimisha Suresh (special appearance)
* Kollam Thulasi as Union Leader
* Liimal G Padath as Alex's Assistant
* Apoorva Bose as Lekha, Shyam's Love interest
* Sunil Sukhada as Mr. Kadalundi
* Sajitha Betti as Neelima's friend
* Ponnamma Babu as Neelima's friend
* Shari as Shyam's mother
* Manoj Kumar as Shyam's neighbour
* Cherthala Lalitha as Shyam's neighbour
* Deepika Mohan as Servant

Production

About the idea of making ''Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar'', Sreenivasan says:

The thought of the film came to us when we started thinking about what should be happening to a superstar like Saroj Kumar at this point of time. He is getting old and the most challenging aspect about stardom is that once you have got it, the next question is how long it will last. Some people can accept the changes in life in a mature way but for most others, it is never easy. This superstar is wary of new thoughts and new experiments because he knows he won't fit into the changing scheme of things. It is easy to be a hero in films as even a weak person can fight with any number of goons and get applause from viewers. But Dr Saroj Kumar forces the directors to cater to his thoughts. All this makes the character very exciting.

As the characters are already known to the viewers, the expectations could be huge. The film was mainly shot in Chennai and Kochi.

Reception

Critical reception

The film released on 14 January 2012 to mainly negative reviews from critics, although, the film's comedy scenes received praise. Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff.com concluded his review saying, "On the whole, ''Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar'' is disappointing, to say the least." Hari Prasad of Yentha.com said that "the film, despite having a good theme, suffers from a messy script." Sify.com and Oneindia.in also published negative reviews saying that it is "disappointing." Fahadh Faasil won the Asianet Youth Icon Award.

Controversies

Although Sreenivasan clarified that the characterisation of Saroj Kumar was not at all based on any existing superstars, it has been accused that Sreenivasan tried to mock actor Mohanlal. Many comments are made in the film about real happenings including Mohanlal's derogatory comments against Sukumar Azhikode, his Lieutenant Colonel honour, income tax raids and recovering of elephant tusks from his house, and his famous ad campaigns. S. Kumar, the cinematographer of the film, claimed live on television that he was threatened over phone by Antony Perumbavoor , a producer and close aide of Mohanlal.

Soundtrack

Music: Deepak Dev, Lyrics: Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri

See also

* '' Udayananu Tharam''

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 2138104, Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar

Times of India report

Metromatinee article

2010s Malayalam-language films
2012 comedy films
Indian comedy films
Indian satirical films
Films about films
2012 films
Indian sequel films
Rajappan2
Films shot in Kochi
Films shot in Chennai