Lingaa
Lingaa is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language action adventure film directed by K. S. Ravikumar and starring Rajinikanth in dual roles as a small-time thief and his grandfather, a selfless leader who builds a dam to save a drought-stricken village, alongside Anushka Shetty as Lakshmi and Sonakshi Sinha as Bharathi.[1][2] The film, produced by Rockline Venkatesh, features supporting performances by Jagapathi Babu and Karunakaran, with music composed by A. R. Rahman, and was released on 12 December 2014 to capitalize on Rajinikanth's stardom following his health-related hiatus.[3] It intertwines modern-day escapades with flashbacks to British colonial-era struggles, emphasizing themes of legacy and public service through the grandfather's engineering feat inspired by real dam constructions.[2] Despite a record-breaking opening day collection of approximately ₹37 crore worldwide, Lingaa ultimately underperformed commercially, grossing around ₹135-140 crore against a budget exceeding ₹100 crore, leading to significant losses for distributors and producers.[4] Rajinikanth personally repaid the deficits amid protests from exhibitors, highlighting the financial risks of high-stakes star vehicles in Tamil cinema.[4] Critically, the film received mixed to negative reviews, with praise for Rajinikanth's charismatic dual performance and Rahman's soundtrack but criticism for a convoluted script, dated action sequences, and uneven pacing, earning ratings around 2.5/5 from major outlets and lower averages on aggregate sites.[2][1] The production faced multiple controversies, including plagiarism allegations from an aspiring filmmaker claiming the script was stolen, which Rajinikanth publicly refuted, and later revelations by director Ravikumar that Rajinikanth's interventions in editing—such as altering the second half, removing a song featuring Anushka Shetty, and rushing CGI work—contributed to the film's shortcomings.[5][6] These issues underscored tensions in collaborative filmmaking under superstar influence, though the movie remains notable for its ambitious visuals and Rajinikanth's enduring appeal in dual-character portrayals.[7]Synopsis
Plot
The story of Lingaa is presented across dual timelines, centering on themes of legacy, sacrifice, and redemption. In the present day, the village of Solaiyur faces imminent disaster as the century-old dam, built by the revered Raja Lingeswaran, deteriorates and risks breaching, endangering the local water supply and livelihoods.[8] Public works representative Lakshmi Vilasam urgently seeks the signature of the royal heir on demolition orders to allow for reconstruction funded by the government, but corrupt local officials led by Nagabooshanam obstruct the process for personal gain.[9] Her search leads to Lingaa, the grandson of Raja Lingeswaran, a charismatic yet petty thief who lives hand-to-mouth and harbors deep resentment toward his grandfather, believing him responsible for the family's fall from prosperity by donating the kingdom's wealth to the British.[8] Lured by a substantial reward of 100 million rupees, Lingaa reluctantly agrees to impersonate his grandfather and return to Solaiyur, where he encounters skepticism from villagers and clashes with antagonists exploiting the crisis.[9] As he navigates temple rituals and uncovers inscribed clues within the structure—revealing a map to a legendary treasure hidden by Raja Lingeswaran—Lingaa grapples with moral dilemmas and forms alliances, including a romantic interest with Lakshmi.[8] The plot intensifies with pursuits involving the treasure, confrontations against betrayals, and efforts to avert the dam's failure without external aid.[2] Interwoven flashbacks depict the 1930s era, where Raja Lingeswaran, portrayed in dual roles by Rajinikanth, ascends as a progressive ruler determined to construct the dam for irrigation in drought-afflicted regions, defying British colonial denial of engineering support and local superstitions tying the project to divine curses.[10] Rallying villagers through persuasion, manual labor contributions, and innovative solutions against monsoons, wild animals, and elite opposition, the king secures gold from his treasury to fund the endeavor, embedding protective treasures and symbols within the dam and adjoining temple.[8] These historical sequences parallel Lingaa's journey, illuminating the grandfather's altruistic motives and engineering ingenuity, ultimately prompting the protagonist's transformation from self-serving opportunist to heroic guardian of his heritage.[2] The narrative culminates in the restoration of the dam, revelation of concealed assets, and affirmation of familial and communal bonds.[9]
Production
Development
The development of Lingaa began following Rajinikanth's animated film Kochadaiiyaan (2014), with director K. S. Ravikumar securing approval for the project from the actor.[11] The screenplay was developed by Ravikumar based on a basic storyline by Chennai-based writer S. Ponkumaran, which had been registered with the South Indian Film Writers' Association in 2010 under the title King Khan.[12] Pre-production work commenced in March 2014, including script finalization and planning for principal photography.[13] Rajinikanth proposed the title Lingaa, inspired by his grandson's name, after approving the script.[11] The title had originally been registered by director Ameer for a planned film starring Dhanush, but Ameer, an admirer of Rajinikanth, agreed to relinquish it upon request.[11] Rockline Venkatesh was announced as producer under his banner Rockline Entertainment, marking a collaboration aimed at a high-budget action comedy.[14] The project faced early controversy when aspiring filmmaker K. R. Ravi Rathinam alleged that the script plagiarized his unregistered idea, filing a petition in the Madras High Court in November 2014.[12] Ravikumar denied the claims, asserting that Ponkumaran's registered storyline formed the basis and that he had added original elements to the screenplay, dismissing the accusations as publicity-seeking.[12] Rajinikanth supported this in an affidavit, confirming Ponkumaran as the script's originator, though the court later directed production of the script for review in 2016.[15]Casting
Rajinikanth was cast in the dual lead roles of the grandfather Raja Lingeswaran, a colonial-era dewan and freedom fighter, and his grandson Lingaa, a small-time thief, after director K. S. Ravikumar narrated the script to him in late 2013.[11] The actor, recovering from health issues following his previous film Kochadaiiyaan (2014), committed to the project produced by Rockline Venkatesh to ensure a high-profile comeback vehicle.[16] Anushka Shetty was selected for the role of Lakshmi, the present-day archaeologist and romantic interest opposite the younger Lingaa character, leveraging her established presence in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Sonakshi Sinha, known from Bollywood films like Dabangg (2010), was chosen as Bharathi, the village girl in the 1930s flashback romance with Raja Lingeswaran, marking her Tamil debut to broaden the film's pan-Indian appeal. She commenced principal photography alongside Rajinikanth on May 2, 2014, in Mysore, completing her portions over approximately 60 days despite the demanding schedule.[17][18] Jagapati Babu was cast as the antagonist Nagabooshanam, a corrupt politician, drawing on his experience in negative shades from Telugu films. Comedic supporting roles went to Santhanam as Lingaa's sidekick and Karunakaran as Kothandam, with additional veteran actors like Brahmanandam, Radha Ravi, and K. Viswanath in key parts to enhance ensemble dynamics. No major casting controversies or replacements were reported during pre-production, though post-production edits later affected screen time for some actors, including a removed song sequence involving Shetty.[6]Filming
Principal photography for Lingaa commenced on 1 May 2014 in Mysore, Karnataka, with initial shoots conducted at various locations including Melkote, Manuvana, Pandavapura, Chamundi Hills, and the residential portion of Mysore Palace exteriors.[19] The production team faced challenges in securing permissions, as authorities denied access to film interiors of Mysore Palace despite efforts.[20] The muhurat shot occurred at Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore during this period.[21] A significant portion of the film was subsequently shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, following the Mysore schedule.[22] Climax sequences were filmed in August 2014 at Linganamakki Dam near Kargal in Shimoga district, Karnataka, marking the approach to the production's wrap-up.[23] After completing talkie portions and climax scenes in September 2014, the team traveled to Europe, including Scotland, to shoot two song sequences.[24][25] The overall filming schedule lasted approximately five months and was described as challenging by cinematographer R. Rathnavelu, who highlighted the demanding timeline while collaborating with Rajinikanth for the second time.[26] Additional scenes, including those set in the British era, were captured in front of period sets on 18 May 2014.[27] Some interior and Chennai-based shots rounded out the production before post-production began ahead of the film's December 2014 release.[25]Cast
Principal Cast
Rajinikanth played dual lead roles as Raja Lingeswaran, a 1930s engineer and freedom fighter who constructs a dam to save his village from drought, and Lingaa, his grandson, a circus performer and petty thief in the present day who uncovers family legacy amid a treasure hunt.[3][28] Anushka Shetty portrayed Lakshmi, the granddaughter of the village elder and a schoolteacher who aids Lingaa in protecting the dam from demolition.[3][28] Sonakshi Sinha enacted Bharathi, Lingaa's love interest and a character tied to the village's historical narrative.[3][28] Jagapati Babu appeared as Nagabooshanam, the primary antagonist scheming to exploit the village's resources.[3][29]Supporting Roles and Cameos
Santhanam portrayed Lingaa's sidekick, contributing comic relief through his character's antics alongside the protagonist's thieving escapades.[3] Karunakaran played Kothandam, a key supporting figure involved in the village's conflicts and the dam restoration efforts.[30] Dev Gill appeared as a freedom fighter in flashback sequences depicting historical resistance against British rule.[3] Brahmanandam took on a comedic supporting role, enhancing the film's humorous interludes.[31] Veteran actors Radha Ravi and Vijayakumar featured in authoritative elder roles, representing village leadership and tradition.[32] The film included cameo appearances to add star power and novelty. Kannada actor Sudeep made a brief guest appearance, reportedly in a pivotal scene that leveraged his action-hero persona for dramatic effect.[33] These supporting and cameo elements bolstered the narrative's ensemble dynamic without overshadowing the principal characters' arcs.Music
Soundtrack Composition
The soundtrack for Lingaa was composed by A. R. Rahman, resulting in five original songs designed to complement the film's adventure-driven plot and dual-era structure.[34] The compositions blend energetic percussion, orchestral swells, and melodic hooks, with tracks like "Indiane Vaa" featuring anthemic builds evoking nationalistic themes through layered vocals and rhythmic fusion.[35] Lyrics for the Tamil version were crafted by Vairamuthu, emphasizing poetic imagery tied to the narrative's historical and romantic elements, while Madhan Karky contributed to select songs with playful, rhythmic wordplay.[36] Recording involved collaboration with diverse vocalists to match the songs' stylistic demands, including S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam on the duet "Oh Nanba," which incorporates harmonious interplay and folk-infused orchestration.[36] Srinivas and Aditi Paul lent emotive depth to the romantic ballad "En Mannavaa," characterized by acoustic guitar riffs and subtle electronic undertones typical of Rahman's melodic layering.[37] For "Mona Gasolina," Rahman integrated Latin-inspired beats with Indian vocal harmonies, featuring Mano, Neeti Mohan, and Tanvi Shah to create a high-energy dance number.[38] The title track "Unmai Orunaal" employs contemplative strings and choral elements to underscore themes of truth and legacy.[37] Rahman himself provided vocals for "Indiane Vaa," a patriotic montage piece with expansive arrangements that draw on his signature fusion of Western symphonic influences and Carnatic rhythms, recorded to synchronize with the film's climactic sequences.[34] The overall process prioritized narrative integration, with compositions finalized to enhance Rajinikanth's dual roles as a modern thief and colonial-era engineer, though Rahman did not attend the audio launch event on 10 November 2014.[39]Release and Reception of Music
The soundtrack for Lingaa, composed by A. R. Rahman, was released on November 16, 2014, coinciding with its audio launch event held in Chennai.[40][41] The event featured appearances by principal cast members including Rajinikanth, Anushka Shetty, and Sonakshi Sinha, along with director K. S. Ravikumar, and was attended by industry figures, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the album due to Rahman's involvement and the film's star power.[41] The album comprises five tracks, available in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions to align with the film's multilingual release strategy.[42] Critical reception to the soundtrack was mixed, with reviewers praising select energetic tracks while critiquing the overall coherence and innovation relative to Rahman's prior works. Behindwoods highlighted the "powerful chorus, authoritative lyrics and groovy rhythm progression" in one number, deeming it addictive, but noted variability across songs.[43] Milliblog described the album as inventive yet less accessible and mass-appealing than Rahman's compositions for films like Enthiran, emphasizing its experimental elements over broad rabble-rousing appeal.[44] Bollywood Life observed that the music was "well received by the fans," attributing popularity to Rahman's fusion style and alignment with Rajinikanth's fanbase expectations, though it lacked the unanimous acclaim of his Oscar-winning efforts.[45] Only Kollywood rated it 3.6 out of 5, calling it "accessible and youthful" but not among Rahman's top-tier outputs.[46] No major commercial chart dominance or certification data emerged specifically for the tracks in Indian markets, though fan-driven streams and sales benefited from the film's pre-release hype.[47]Marketing and Promotion
Promotional Strategies
The promotional efforts for Lingaa emphasized star-centric events and multi-language outreach to capitalize on Rajinikanth's mass appeal. A pivotal component was the grand audio launch on November 16, 2014, at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai, where Rajinikanth, director K. S. Ravikumar, Sonakshi Sinha, and Anushka Shetty appeared to unveil the soundtrack composed by A. R. Rahman.[41] [40] This event, attended by industry figures and fans, generated significant media buzz through live performances and interactions, highlighting the film's blend of action and historical elements.[48] Simultaneously, trailers for the Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions were released during the audio function, showcasing Rajinikanth's dual roles and high-production visuals to build anticipation across regions.[40] [48] For the Telugu market, targeted promotions included Rajinikanth's personal appearances in Hyderabad, aimed at engaging local audiences ahead of the multilingual release.[49] The campaign leveraged Rajinikanth's birthday on December 12, 2014, as the theatrical release date, a deliberate strategy to align with fan celebrations and maximize opening-day footfalls. Eros International's acquisition of worldwide rights earlier that month supported global distribution and cross-promotional synergies, including digital teasers and theater tie-ins. Producers positioned the film as a script-driven narrative rather than effects-heavy spectacle, differentiating it in marketing materials to appeal to audiences seeking substantive storytelling.[50]Trailers and Events
The first teaser for Lingaa was unveiled on November 1, 2014, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi, and quickly garnered widespread attention on social media platforms, accumulating millions of views within hours due to Rajinikanth's star power.[51][52] Directed by K. S. Ravikumar, the 36-second clip highlighted Rajinikanth in dual roles, blending action sequences with glimpses of the film's dam-building narrative, setting expectations for a high-octane entertainer.[53] The official theatrical trailer, approximately two minutes long, was released online on November 15, 2014, in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions to target multilingual audiences across South India and beyond.[54][40] Featuring punchy dialogues, mass appeal action stunts, and musical snippets composed by A. R. Rahman, the trailer emphasized Rajinikanth's commanding presence and the film's period elements, contributing to pre-release hype amid competition from other major releases.[55] The trailer's formal launch occurred during the film's audio release event on November 16, 2014, held at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai, attended by Rajinikanth, director K. S. Ravikumar, co-stars Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty, and music composer A. R. Rahman.[41][40] The event drew thousands of fans, with live screenings and celebrity interactions amplifying promotional buzz; Rajinikanth's speeches and performances underscored themes of perseverance from the film's storyline, while the trailer's unveiling was met with enthusiastic cheers, reinforcing the superstar's enduring fanbase loyalty.[56] Additional fan meet-ups and screenings were organized in key cities like Hyderabad and overseas locations such as London and Dubai in the lead-up to the December 12, 2014, theatrical debut, fostering community engagement through organized viewings and celebrations.[57]Release
Theatrical Release
_Lingaa was released theatrically on 12 December 2014, coinciding with Rajinikanth's 64th birthday, in Tamil and Telugu versions across India and international markets.[1][58] The film opened on over 4,000 screens worldwide, including more than 3,000 in India and approximately 1,000 overseas, marking one of the largest releases for a South Indian film at the time.[59][60] In the United States, the film was distributed by Classics Entertainment Private Limited across more than 200 screens, capitalizing on the Tamil diaspora audience.[61] The release strategy emphasized Rajinikanth's mass appeal, with early morning shows and special fan events in key Tamil Nadu theaters to maximize initial footfall.[62] No Hindi dubbed version was part of the initial theatrical rollout, which focused solely on regional language markets to avoid dilution of the original content's cultural resonance.[59] The film's pan-Indian and global distribution was handled by Lyca Productions and other regional partners, ensuring simultaneous premieres in major cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and overseas hubs such as the UK and UAE.[60] This extensive screen count reflected high anticipation following Rajinikanth's post-health hiatus, though it faced competition from other regional releases during the festive season.[62]Home Media and Digital Rights
The home video distribution of Lingaa was managed under the worldwide rights acquired by Eros International prior to its theatrical debut.[63] DVD editions entered select markets shortly after the film's December 12, 2014, release, with a Singapore version available by January 14, 2015.[64] Blu-ray releases followed later in 2015, including a June 11 edition featuring high-definition specifications and supplementary materials such as trailers and deleted scenes.[65] Digital rights, also held by Eros International, enabled streaming availability on their platform Eros Now, where the film is offered in multiple languages including Tamil and Hindi with subtitles.[66] Additional digital access includes rental and purchase options on Amazon Prime Video, reflecting broader licensing agreements post-theatrical window.[67] These formats supported ancillary revenue amid reported distributor challenges from the film's box office performance.Commercial Performance
Box Office Collection
Lingaa recorded a strong opening at the box office, grossing approximately ₹100 crore worldwide over its first three days of release on November 14, 2014.[69] This included robust collections from Tamil Nadu and overseas markets, driven by Rajinikanth's star power and pre-release hype.[70] However, post-opening collections declined sharply due to mixed word-of-mouth, resulting in the film underperforming relative to expectations for a high-profile release.[4] The total India nett collection stood at around ₹100-110 crore, while the worldwide gross reached approximately ₹158 crore.[7] Produced on a budget exceeding ₹100 crore, the film failed to recover costs fully, leading to reported losses for distributors estimated at ₹33 crore.[4] In response, Rajinikanth refunded ₹10 crore to affected exhibitors and distributors to mitigate financial strain.[4]| Territory | Gross Collection (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 45.20 |
| Andhra Pradesh & Nizam | 21.80 |
| Karnataka | 11.15 |
| Kerala | 4.75 |
| Rest of India | 10.55 |
| Overseas | 42.00 |
| Worldwide Total | 135.45 |