Saamy Square
Saamy Square (stylized as Saamy²) is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Hari and produced by Shibu Thameens under his banner Thameens Films.[1][2] The film stars Vikram in dual roles as Ramasaamy and a flashback appearance as his father Aarusaamy, alongside Keerthy Suresh and Aishwarya Rajesh as the female leads, Bobby Simha as the antagonist, and Soori in a supporting role.[1][3] Serving as a spiritual successor to the 2003 film Saamy, it follows the story of Aarusaamy's son, who grows up to become a police officer and seeks revenge against the criminals responsible for his parents' murder.[4][2] The screenplay, written by Hari, emphasizes themes of vigilantism and police heroism, with music composed by Devi Sri Prasad and cinematography handled by Priyan and Venkatesh Anguraj.[1][3] Released on 21 September 2018, the film received mixed reviews for its high-octane action sequences and Vikram's performance but was criticized for its formulaic plot and excessive length.[2][3]Synopsis and cast
Plot
The film opens with a flashback depicting the murder of Deputy Commissioner of Police Aarusaamy and his wife Bhuvana by the Pichai brothers—Raavana, Mahendra, and Devendra—as revenge for Aarusaamy having killed their father, the corrupt politician Perumal Pichai. While dying, Aarusaamy extracts a promise from Bhuvana to raise their unborn son as a police officer dedicated to upholding justice.[4] Twenty-eight years later, the son, Ramasaamy, has been raised in Delhi by his grandparents, who groom him to become an IAS officer; after topping the civil services examination, he instead joins the police force following a personal revelation about his parents' brutal killing, which ignites his sense of duty and rage.[5][6] As a rookie officer working initially as a front-office manager for a central minister, Ramasaamy investigates the assassination of the politician, tracing it back to the enduring criminal empire of the Pichai family, now headed by Raavana Pichai, whose operations involve extortion, smuggling, and political manipulation. This probe draws him into a web of corruption and vendettas, transforming him—especially when donning the police uniform—into a relentless enforcer echoing his father's unyielding style. Amid escalating confrontations, including high-octane chases, brutal hand-to-hand combats, and strategic takedowns of the brothers' henchmen, Ramasaamy pursues a budding romance with Diya, a strong-willed woman who supports him through the turmoil.[2][7][8] The narrative builds to a climactic revenge arc, with Ramasaamy systematically eliminating the Pichai brothers: he outmaneuvers and kills Mahendra and Devendra in intense action set pieces, before confronting Raavana in a desolate desert showdown. Ramasaamy strands Raavana without water or resources, leading to the villain's death after 17 grueling days of exposure. In resolution, Ramasaamy fully embodies his father's legacy as a formidable cop, marries Diya, and the story closes with an implication of ongoing pursuits against injustice.[5][4]Cast
Vikram leads the ensemble in dual roles as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aarusaamy, a tough cop serving as a father figure in the flashback sequences, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ramasaamy, his son who starts as a reluctant officer before turning aggressive in his duties.[9][10] Keerthy Suresh portrays Diya Viswanathan, Ramasaamy's love interest and the supportive daughter of a high-ranking official who has recently returned from abroad after completing her studies.[9][11] Aishwarya Rajesh plays Bhuvana, Aarusaamy's devoted wife and a maternal figure featured prominently in the flashback portions of the story.[9] Bobby Simha takes on the key antagonistic role of Raavana Pichai, a ruthless gang leader driven by a quest for family revenge against Aarusaamy.[9][12] The supporting cast includes Prabhu as G. Viswanathan, Diya's father and a union minister who influences key events.[9][13] Soori appears as Sakthi, providing comic relief as a loyal sidekick to Ramasaamy.[9] John Vijay is cast as Devendra Pichai, a corrupt politician aligned with the antagonist's operations.[13] Additional supporting performers feature Imman Annachi as Sub-Inspector Thangavelu, alongside others such as O.A.K. Sunder as Mahendra Pichai and Ramesh Khanna as 'Punctuality' Paramasivam.[9] Vikram's portrayal of Aarusaamy draws on elements from his original role in the 2003 film Saamy, adapted for this sequel.[10]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vikram | DCP Aarusaamy / ACP Ramasaamy | Dual roles: veteran tough cop and father in flashbacks; his initially reluctant but later aggressive son and protagonist cop.[9] |
| Keerthy Suresh | Diya Viswanathan | Ramasaamy's love interest and supportive figure, daughter of union minister G. Viswanathan.[9] |
| Aishwarya Rajesh | Bhuvana | Aarusaamy's wife, serving as a maternal presence in the flashback narrative.[9] |
| Bobby Simha | Raavana Pichai | Primary antagonist, a ruthless gang leader motivated by familial vengeance.[12] |
| Prabhu | G. Viswanathan | Diya's father, a union minister with significant influence.[13] |
| Soori | Sakthi | Comic relief sidekick offering levity and loyalty to the lead cop.[9] |
| John Vijay | Devendra Pichai | Corrupt politician and ally to the main antagonist.[13] |
| Imman Annachi | SI Thangavelu | Supporting police officer in key scenes.[9] |
Production
Development
In August 2016, during the audio launch event for the film Iru Mugan, director Hari officially announced his next project as a sequel to his 2003 action thriller Saamy, reuniting him with lead actor Vikram after over a decade.[14][15] The film was initially titled Saamy 2, but in October 2017, the title was changed to Saamy Square (stylized as Saamy²), reflecting an escalation in the narrative's scale and intensity.[16] Hari penned the script, which advances the story 28 years after the events of the original film, centering on the son of the protagonist Aarusaamy as he pursues themes of legacy and revenge against lingering adversaries from his father's past. The narrative incorporates a dual role for Vikram as both the father and son, emphasizing generational continuity in the fight against crime.[17] Producer Shibu Thameens acquired the rights to the project through his banner Thameens Films, establishing an initial budget of approximately ₹60 crore to support the sequel's ambitious action-oriented scope.[12][18] In a key creative shift, Hari opted to replace the original film's composer Harris Jayaraj with Devi Sri Prasad, aiming for a revitalized musical approach distinct from the predecessor.[19][20] This decision was announced in May 2017, with Prasad delivering a soundtrack featuring energetic tracks to complement the heightened action. Early planning included detailed conceptualization of the film's action sequences to ensure high-impact choreography.[21][22] The project's timeline encountered delays primarily due to Vikram's commitments to other films, such as Iru Mugan, pushing principal photography to October 2017.[23]Casting
Vikram was confirmed for a dual role in Saamy Square early in the project's development in 2016, driven by the enduring success of the original 2003 film Saamy, with reports indicating extensive discussions between the actor and director Hari on capturing the father-son dynamic central to the narrative.[24] Keerthy Suresh was cast as the lead heroine Diya.[25] Aishwarya Rajesh was cast as Bhuvana.[26] Bobby Simha was cast as the antagonist Raavana Pichai. Rumors of Trisha Krishnan reprising her role from the original Saamy were debunked when she opted out in October 2017 due to creative differences with the script, paving the way for Aishwarya Rajesh's inclusion.[27] Supporting cast members like Soori were added to provide comedic balance amid the action-heavy plot, while Prabhu was brought in to portray an authority figure, with both joining the production after the initial leads were finalized.[28]Filming
Principal photography for Saamy Square commenced in early October 2017 in Chennai, with the production team planning extensive shoots across multiple locations in India.[29] The film was shot in various sites including New Delhi, Noida, Agra, Jaipur, Nainital, and Karaikudi, capturing urban chase sequences, historical backdrops, and rural settings essential to the thriller's narrative.[30][31][32] Cinematography was initially handled by Priyan, a frequent collaborator with director Hari, who focused on dynamic visuals for the action sequences with high-contrast lighting to enhance the film's intensity.[33] Following Priyan's sudden death from a heart attack in November 2017, A. Venkatesh took over, ensuring continuity in the visual style while completing the remaining schedules.[34][35] The principal shoot wrapped up by late June 2018, spanning approximately eight months, with the final song sequence filmed in Palani featuring Vikram in a peppy number choreographed around the temple areas.[36][37] Vikram, portraying dual roles as father and son, underwent rigorous physical preparation for the demanding action scenes, including high-octane chases and confrontations that required precise stunt coordination.[1] Production faced significant hurdles, notably an industry-wide strike in mid-2018 that halted shooting when only 14 days of work remained, delaying the wrap.[12] Additionally, the transition in cinematographers midway posed logistical challenges, but the team adapted swiftly to maintain the schedule. Other sequences, such as the urban-themed song "Pudhu Metro Rail," were captured on constructed sets in Chennai to simulate metropolitan environments.[38] Post-production commenced immediately after principal photography, with editor V. T. Vijayan emphasizing rapid cuts and seamless transitions to amplify the thriller's pacing and tension during action and dual-role reveals.[39] The process concluded in time for the film's September 2018 release, integrating visual effects for enhanced stunt realism without major overruns.[10]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Saamy Square consists of five original songs composed by Devi Sri Prasad, with lyrics penned predominantly by Viveka. The album was released on 23 July 2018 by Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd., ahead of the film's theatrical debut. Devi Sri Prasad crafted the tracks to blend mass-appeal elements suitable for a commercial Tamil action entertainer, incorporating rhythmic beats and melodic hooks tailored to the film's high-energy narrative.[40] The songs were recorded at studios in Hyderabad, where Devi Sri Prasad, known for his work in Telugu and Tamil cinema, fused contemporary electronic rhythms with folk-inspired melodies to resonate with Tamil audiences. This approach aimed to deliver a mix of peppy, romantic, and mass numbers, reflecting the director Hari's vision for an engaging auditory experience.[41]| Track No. | Title | Singers | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adhiroobaney | M. M. Manasi | 4:32 | A lively peppy track serving as the film's introductory romantic number, featuring engaging orchestral interludes. |
| 2 | Molagapodiye | Sanjith Hegde, Rita | 4:23 | A melodic romantic duet highlighting playful chemistry between the leads. |
| 3 | Darnaka | Benny Dayal, Anthony Daasan | 4:15 | An upbeat mass action song with high-energy percussion, designed for action sequences. |
| 4 | Pudhu Metro Rail | Vikram, Keerthy Suresh | 4:18 | A fun, metro-themed celebratory track with catchy claps and duet vocals by the lead actors. |
| 5 | Amma Amma | Karthik | 4:25 | An emotional ballad evoking pathos, focusing on familial bonds. |