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Naan Kadavul

  • 2009
  • 2h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Arya and Pooja Umashankar in Naan Kadavul (2009)
Watch Naan Kadavul (2009) Trailer
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
1 Photo
TamilActionDrama

After Rudran's father leaves him in Kashi, he grows up to be an Aghori. However, when his family gets him back home, he faces problems adjusting to the city lifestyle.After Rudran's father leaves him in Kashi, he grows up to be an Aghori. However, when his family gets him back home, he faces problems adjusting to the city lifestyle.After Rudran's father leaves him in Kashi, he grows up to be an Aghori. However, when his family gets him back home, he faces problems adjusting to the city lifestyle.

  • Director
    • Bala
  • Writers
    • Bala
    • Jayamohan
    • Swaroop Sreenivas
  • Stars
    • Arya
    • Pooja Umashankar
    • Motta Rajendran
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bala
    • Writers
      • Bala
      • Jayamohan
      • Swaroop Sreenivas
    • Stars
      • Arya
      • Pooja Umashankar
      • Motta Rajendran
    • 21User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos1

    Naan Kadavul (2009) Trailer
    Trailer 2:44
    Naan Kadavul (2009) Trailer

    Photos

    Top Cast7

    Edit
    Arya
    Arya
    • Aghori
    • (as Rudra)
    Pooja Umashankar
    Pooja Umashankar
    • Blind woman
    Motta Rajendran
    Motta Rajendran
    • Thandavan
    • (as Rajendran)
    Krishnamoorthy
    • Murugan
    Azhagan Tamizhmani
    • Rudhran's Father
    Singampuli
    • Beggar
    Rajendranath
    • Police Officer
    • Director
      • Bala
    • Writers
      • Bala
      • Jayamohan
      • Swaroop Sreenivas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    7.72.4K
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    Featured reviews

    10genius-madhavan

    This is possibly the most original and astounding Tamil film ever made...

    This is possibly the most original and astounding Tamil film ever made...Absolute gem of a film...Bala has taken Tamil cinema and its viewers to the next level with this film.

    Arya has Rudra has lived in the character,and so is Puja..Every Time you see Arya there is the kind of extra ordinary emotions running through you right from his intro to the last scene in Kasi..Absolutely Mind blowing... No body in Tamil cinema has the guts and clarity like Bala sir,and his directorial abilities would match the best in the world...Raja sir has given the most lively music even after 35 years and has showed what is re-recording...absolutely mid blowing,path breaking movie.
    9ethical_egoist

    Truly Inspiring

    Naan Kadavul may not have had the box office run of its commercial stereotype counterparts but it has every aspect that exemplifies a great movie. Bala has the tendency to bring out the best of every actor he directs and Naan Kadavul is no exception in this regard. Every member of the acting crew has lived their characters. Arya's impact, while short, is majestic and adds an aura yet unseen in Tamil cinema. Every scene has been brilliantly crafted and Bala's attention to detail is second to none. Illayaraja music adds vibrancy to what is already a magnificent piece of art and takes its beauty to an entirely different level. The directorial standard set by Bala will hold as a benchmark for many a generations to come.
    9royalstuffer

    A well told 'insensate' film

    Director Bala is notorious for his unique choice of disturbing subjects and Naan kadavul is no different. This time around he comes up with a story down under the hells of reality.

    Aarya plays the lead role of an Aghori devotee named 'Rudra' which probably is the least humane character that any actor would dare to do. Shiva is the lord of elimination in Hindu texts, and an Aghori who is an ardent follower of Shiva believes in 'Dushta nigraha' or elimination of the evil. Aarya has done fair justice to the role and Bala has exploited him in his looks and acting potentials. Bala seems to have spent enough time in studying the life style of the Aghori sects and beggars. That reflects in the eventual realism that results.

    Cold blooded action and shocking pragmatism may disturb the audience. So you have to prepared for 'anything' and 'everything'. Cinematography is a chilling package of the movie and every face that comes along in the movie appears real and original to the plot. Music by ilayaraja is definitely fitting to the scheme.

    Violent imagery is objectionable to minors and women. So it's not any family 'go-watch'. But the movie is well told, and questions the true nature of Kadavul- the God and repeating statements made by Rudra-'Aham brahmasmi' surely keeps you thinking.

    If you can appreciate the alternate thinking that the director has convincingly achieved in the movie then go and give it a try.
    8BhagavathyPadmanabhan

    Excellent

    Have no words to describe this masterpiece. "Naan Kadavul" may offer different kind of feeling to everybody -am sure. But all I want to say is that "This Is A true Indian Movie". This movie must be nominated for Oscars and wish that the world takes note of it. This is good for the world at large and since this was created in India, it will have to follow the same fate of every other immortal classic that was done in India Viz..."No recognition at large" unless the world gives the recognition. It created in me the same sorry feeling when I knew - Vedanta, Mahabharata or any other immortal spiritual classics was produced in India. They will never be acknowledged great unless world looks at it. ...

    About this movie - what happens when an enlightened man living all his life with his guru and as a complete recluse and practicing the teachings taught; is suddenly taken by providence to his birth place. There is this sudden clash...A man beyond the world impacted with not just the world but with the harsh and depraved part of the world. Bala explains thereafter with extreme fragility and immense knowledge of spirituality. Thanks to you Bala...you have proved once again.
    9rxarty

    It kept me shocked for days!

    1 extra star for Arya's acting! Throughout the movie i was convinced i was watching an Aghori baba and not Arya. I think he deserved a National Award for this movie. Anyways, coming to the movie it's disturbing, shocking and at the same time it's a naked truth. A truth that we all choose to not look at because it disturbs our lives.

    The climax is not something i had expected and it kept me horrified for days. This movie is the reason why i explored Hindu spirituality in more detail and the concepts of Aghoris...it's transformed my way of looking at life.

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    Related interests

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    Tamil
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    Action
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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      'Ajith Kumar' was selected for the role, but, eventually walked out due to disputes with Bala. Furhtermore Suriya and 'Narain' were also approached for the lead role, before Arya took the role. Similarly for the role of the heroine, Poorna, Gopika, Meera Jasmine, Reema Sen, Parvathi Melton, Neetu Chandra and Meenakshi were all approached and Bhavana and Karthika had started then left the project, before Pooja accepted the controversial role.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Boss Engira Baskaran (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Om Siva Om
      Written by Vaali

      Performed by Vijay Prakash

      Music by Ilaiyaraaja

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 19, 2009 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Tamil
    • Also known as
      • The Himalayan Aghori
    • Filming locations
      • Benares, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India(opening sequence)
    • Production companies
      • Pyramid Saimira Group
      • Vasan Visual Ventures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ₹140,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $413,051
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 45m(165 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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