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Isai

Isai (transl. ) is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language musical film written, directed and scored by . Suryah stars in the lead role alongside and . The film was released on 30 January . The story revolves around the intense rivalry between a music composer Vetriselvan () and his ambitious assistant A. K. (Suryah), whose success sparks jealousy and leads to and . The narrative culminates in a twist revealing much of the events as Shiva's dream.

Synopsis

Plot

Isai centers on Vetriselvan, a once-celebrated whose career has begun to falter after decades of dominance in the , and his ambitious assistant A. K. , a talented young musician eager to make his mark. starts as Vetriselvan's subordinate in the , idolizing his mentor's work, but seizes an opportunity to compose independently for a project when Vetriselvan struggles with creative block. His innovative score, incorporating modern keyboard techniques and everyday sounds, becomes a massive , propelling to stardom as the new "Isai Kadal" and eclipsing Vetriselvan's legacy. Vetriselvan, overwhelmed by and unable to compose himself due to his rage-fueled breakdown—including the of the director who launched —initiates a series of attempts to dismantle Shiva's rising . He spreads damaging rumors about Shiva's abilities, manipulates industry contacts to blacklist him, and sends his daughter Jeni, posing as Shiva's girlfriend, to aid in the sabotage, including actions that lead to a and isolate him emotionally. serves as a key plot driver throughout, with Vetriselvan composing rival tracks to undermine Shiva's work and employing psychological tactics, like staged hallucinations and orchestrated doubts, to erode Shiva's confidence and drive him toward professional ruin. As Shiva records ambient nature sounds for his next album, Vetriselvan's schemes intensify, turning the narrative into a tense psycho-thriller where blurs for the . The climax reveals that the entire rivalry and events were a dream originating from Shiva's mind. Upon waking, Shiva returns to his actual successful life as a renowned , married to , with fans eagerly awaiting his next album, and decides to use the dream as inspiration for a story, thus resolving the imagined conflicts.

Cast

The film Isai features an ensemble led by , who portrays the protagonist A. K. , a talented navigating the competitive . Suryah also appears in a as himself, adding a layer to his multifaceted involvement as , , and . plays Vetriselvan, an aging and established whose legacy shapes the central dynamics. makes her debut as Jeni, Shiva's love interest and secretly Vetriselvan's daughter, bringing a fresh presence to the ensemble. Supporting roles enrich the narrative's exploration of professional rivalries and personal relationships. Nila portrays , A. K. Shiva's wife in reality, providing emotional depth in the resolution. Other notable supporting actors include as the Church Priest, a figure of moral guidance; as Karuppu, a comic sidekick; and N. Azhagamperumal as , representing industry figures like producers and rivals. and Gibran Osman appear in key secondary roles that highlight the cutthroat world of music production. The casting emphasizes Suryah's vision, with his self-insertion across creative roles underscoring the film's autobiographical undertones in the music domain.

Production

Development

S. J. Suryah announced the project Isai in 2004 as his directorial comeback following a after New, with the story inspired by his personal experiences in the music industry. The project faced delays and was shelved after initial announcements, partly due to Suryah's other commitments and changes in music composition plans. Initially, was approached for the music, but he suggested Suryah compose it himself. Suryah wrote the script solo, iterating on multiple versions from 2004 to 2011, before reviving the project in November 2011 with a sharpened focus on elements centered on rivalry among . The revival involved budget adjustments to accommodate Suryah's debut as and the addition of India as co-producer for the soundtrack. The official launch took place in May 2012, marking the start of pre-production.

Casting and filming

The casting for Isai featured S. J. Suryah in the lead role of A. K. Shiva, a young music composer, alongside veteran actor Sathyaraj as the established music director Vetriselvan. Sulagna Panigrahi was chosen for the female lead role of Jenny after Suryah auditioned over 200 new faces, marking her debut in Tamil cinema where she was credited as Savithri. The technical crew included cinematographer S. Soundar Rajan, known for his work in capturing the film's musical sequences with dynamic visuals, and editor K. M. Riyas, who handled the pacing of the thriller elements. Principal photography commenced in May 2012 in , with key sequences shot at studios like Binny Mills, where elaborate sets including artificial waterfalls were constructed for dramatic scenes. Outdoor filming occurred in locations such as to enhance the film's atmospheric musical interludes. The production adopted sync-sound techniques to ensure authenticity in the music-heavy dialogues and songs. The shoot extended from May 2012 to January 2014, facing delays partly due to Suryah's dual responsibilities in directing and composing the score, which led to reshoots for refining the narrative twist in the ending and contributed to budget challenges.

Artistic aspects

Themes and influences

Isai explores the rivalry between generations in the film , where an established composer's dominance is challenged by a rising , leading to intense interpersonal conflicts. The narrative delves into the psychological toll of , portraying how professional erodes personal stability and drives destructive behavior, as seen in the protagonist's descent into and . Ultimately, the film posits through artistic expression, suggesting that true fulfillment arises from reconnecting with one's creative roots amid industry pressures. Music serves as a central for and in the film, representing not only professional achievement but also the characters' internal battles for recognition and immortality in the . Compositions symbolize the clash between and stagnation, with the older musician's reliance on past glories underscoring themes of and self-importance. This symbolic use highlights how artistic creation can both inflate egos and offer a path to preservation. The film's influences draw from real-life composer feuds within the Tamil music scene, alluding to dynamics such as those between and , where generational shifts sparked insecurities and rivalries. Director has cited these as inspirations for depicting the rise and fall of composers, emphasizing the universal struggle for relevance without targeting individuals. Through its storyline, Isai critiques the prioritization of commercial success over artistic integrity, illustrating how market demands can compromise creative authenticity and exacerbate envy among artists. Suryah intended to shed light on the unsung aspects of the industry, such as the hidden battles for survival faced by musicians beyond the spotlight, paying tribute to their overlooked contributions.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album for Isai features eight tracks, including five songs and three instrumentals, released on 2 2014 by Divo. All compositions were created by in his debut as a full-time music director, with lyrics primarily penned by and additional contributions from Pop Shalini and Georgina Singh for select tracks; Suryah also directed the singing performances. Among the key tracks, "Isai Veesi," a laid-back number sung by Chinmayi with influences, stands out as a melodic duet-style piece. "Nee Poiyyaa," rendered by , delivers a melancholic vibe infused with Carnatic elements. The three instrumentals—"Lip Lock (Theme)," "She Is His Piano (Theme)," and "Baby (Theme)"—emphasize classical fusion through subtle ragas and atmospheric layering.) Suryah's composition process marked his first complete soundtrack effort, drawing from years of preparation starting as early as , and blending traditional Carnatic ragas such as Nata Bhairavi with electronic beats, Western classical touches, and contemporary genres like and ; recording took place in studios between 2013 and 2014. The album generated positive initial buzz for its innovative fusion of styles, earning a 3/5 rating from critics who praised Suryah's bold experimentation, and it performed well on radio stations, contributing to steady digital streams and airplay in the weeks following release.

Release and distribution

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Isai began with the release of its official trailer on , 2014, coinciding with Vinayagar Chathurthi, which showcased the film's musical elements and S. J. Suryah's multifaceted involvement as , , and . Promotional posters featured Suryah in intense, music-centric poses alongside co-stars and Savithri, emphasizing the narrative's focus on professional rivalry in the film industry without revealing key twists. A key partnership with Sun TV facilitated the audio launch event on November 8, 2014, held at a TV studio and telecast on November 16, 2014, to maximize reach among music enthusiasts. The event drew high-profile guests including and , who delivered speeches praising Suryah's vision and past collaborations, such as Kushi, thereby generating significant buzz through celebrity endorsements and live audience engagement. Suryah leveraged his presence, particularly on , to share teaser clips and behind-the-scenes content targeting fans of and music, amplifying pre-release excitement. Promotional strategies highlighted Suryah's triple role to underscore the film's authenticity in depicting a composer's world, with press interactions focusing on the mentor-protégé rivalry central to the story while avoiding spoilers. Limited previews were screened for select critics to foster positive word-of-mouth, positioning Isai as a fresh take on musical intrigue. The served as a core tool, with songs like "Isai Veesi" released alongside the audio event to build anticipation through radio and digital platforms.

Theatrical release

Isai was theatrically released on 30 January 2015 in the . The film received a U/A certification from the (CBFC). Its initial runtime was 190 minutes, which was later trimmed by 7 minutes to 183 minutes following audience feedback after the initial screenings. The release was handled by distributor across more than 300 screens in . The film's release was delayed from its planned 2014 slot due to extended work, with final CBFC certification obtained in January 2015. Although initially considered for production as a bilingual in and , it was ultimately released solely in , with no dubbed versions pursued. A limited international release occurred in and alongside the domestic rollout. The premiere featured a special screening in prior to the wide release.

Box office

Isai opened in second position at the box office during its debut weekend, grossing approximately ₹0.26 across 96 shows. The film's performance declined sharply in the second week, dropping to third position in with total collections of about ₹0.22 , including a weekend gross of ₹0.045 that represented an over 80% decrease from the opening weekend. By the third week, collections further diminished to ₹0.05 , leading to an overall average verdict for the release, which was limited in scale and primarily driven by urban multiplex screenings such as Sathyam Cinemas. The film saw no significant overseas earnings, with just $8,461 reported from . Compared to contemporaries, Isai underperformed relative to major 2015 releases like I, which dominated the that year.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its release, Isai received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its ambitious storytelling and strong performances while critiquing its excessive runtime and occasional melodrama. The film holds an average rating of 3 out of 5 from The Times of India, which described it as "fairly engaging" despite its length, and a user score of 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb based on over 700 ratings. Critics lauded S. J. Suryah's direction for effectively integrating music into the , creating emotional depth in the central between the mentor and protégé, particularly in scenes exploring and . Sathyaraj's portrayal of the aging Vetrichelvan was a standout, with reviewers highlighting his hammy yet charismatic that anchored the film's psychological elements and delivered a shocking in the climax. The and also drew praise for their spectacular execution, enhancing the thriller's musical atmosphere. However, the film's overlong runtime exceeding three hours was a frequent point of , with lengthy dialogue-heavy scenes slowing the pacing, especially in the first half. Some reviewers found parts of the plot predictable and overly melodramatic, while the female characters were underdeveloped, relegated to cheesy romantic subplots that felt out of place. Notable reviews included , which acknowledged the "lots of problems" but noted that the "preposterous plot pulls you through," crediting its bizarre twists for maintaining engagement. Rediff awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it an "ambitious" and "compelling musical thriller" for its blend of visuals and performances. rated the film 43 out of 100.

Accolades

The film Isai garnered no major awards. Ananda Vikatan rated it 43 out of 100.

Cultural impact

Isai contributed to interest in composer-centric narratives within , emphasizing the personal and professional rivalries in the music industry. The film's original soundtrack, composed by , has maintained a legacy, with retrospectives lauding the score's innovative fusion of traditional Carnatic elements with modern orchestration, highlighting its role in advancing experimental film music. Isai's depiction of psychological turmoil, including intense jealousy and its effects on mental well-being within the high-stakes world of music composition, has fueled discussions in Tamil media about the portrayal of mental health issues. Following its theatrical run, Isai received a DVD release and debuted on the OTT platform Sun NXT in 2018, broadening its accessibility to global audiences; streaming metrics for the title saw a marked increase during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, aligning with a broader surge in viewership for regional Tamil content as viewers sought home-based entertainment options.

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