Singam II
Singam II is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Hari, serving as a direct sequel to the 2010 blockbuster Singam. The story follows the protagonist Durai Singam, an upright police officer portrayed by Suriya, who resigns from his position following a confrontation with corrupt officials and subsequently goes undercover as an NCC instructor at a Tuticorin college to investigate and dismantle a sophisticated arms smuggling operation linked to international traffickers.[1] The film emphasizes themes of vigilantism, patriotism, and anti-corruption, with Singam battling a network of villains including a coastal smuggling kingpin and a powerful tycoon.[3] The cast includes Anushka Shetty as Kavya, Singam's supportive wife, and Hansika Motwani as Sathya, a spirited college student who becomes romantically interested in the disguised officer, adding layers of interpersonal drama to the high-octane narrative. Supporting roles are played by Vivek as the comedic Yettu Erimalai, Santhanam as the bumbling Sussa, and Rahman as the antagonist Thangaraj, alongside other notable actors like Mukesh Rishi and Danny Sapani.[4][5] The screenplay, written by Hari, builds on the original film's formula of relentless action sequences, moral diatribes, and family-oriented sentiment, while expanding the scope to international waters and multiple foes.[6] Produced by S. Lakshman Kumar under Prince Pictures, Singam II features cinematography by Priyan, editing by V. T. Vijayan and T. S. Jay, and a score by Devi Sri Prasad, whose soundtrack—including hits like "Vaale Vaale" and "Achchamillai"—contributed to its mass appeal.[7][8][9] The film was released worldwide on 5 July 2013 across approximately 1,500 screens, marking one of the widest releases for a Tamil film at the time.[7][8] It achieved blockbuster status, grossing over ₹136 crore globally against a budget of ₹45 crore, driven by strong performance in Tamil Nadu (₹61 crore net) and overseas markets, surpassing its predecessor's collections and solidifying Suriya's action-hero image.[10][11] Critically, Singam II received mixed reviews for its formulaic plot and excessive length (running 169 minutes), with praise for the adrenaline-fueled stunts and Suriya's commanding performance but criticism for underdeveloped characters and endorsement of extrajudicial violence.[3][6] Nonetheless, it resonated strongly with audiences for its unapologetic masala entertainment, high-energy action, and patriotic undertones, paving the way for further sequels in the franchise.Overview
Plot
Durai Singam, having returned to his hometown in Nagercoil after resigning from the police force, is secretly approached by the Home Minister and tasked with going undercover in Tuticorin as an NCC teacher to probe illegal activities along the coast.[1] Upon arriving, Singam integrates into the local community, including fishermen, and quickly busts a kidnapping racket targeting vulnerable individuals.[12] This incident draws him into the investigation of Sathya's abduction, a local girl with a crush on him, which uncovers a vast network of drug smuggling orchestrated by international smugglers.[6] As Singam delves deeper, he exposes the smuggling operation's ties to a cartel, led by the ruthless Danny, whose base in Sri Lanka supplies drugs to local smugglers in India.[3] Singam's associates, Sub-Inspector Yettu Erimalai and Sussa, provide comic relief and unwavering support throughout the probe, assisting in gathering intelligence and evading local corrupt officials who protect the smugglers.[13] The plot intensifies when Singam's fiancée Kavya becomes a target of the gang, heightening his personal stake and fueling his determination to dismantle the network.[14] The narrative builds to a high-stakes confrontation, with Singam coordinating with Indian naval forces for a daring incursion into Sri Lanka to raid Danny's stronghold.[15] In the climactic battle, Singam single-handedly takes down Danny and his henchmen, including the local smugglers Thangaraj and Bhai, effectively ending the drug smuggling threat while reaffirming themes of anti-corruption, patriotism, and the unyielding heroism of law enforcement.[6] Singam's arc culminates in his reinstatement to the police force, solidifying his role as a relentless guardian of justice.[1]Cast
Suriya portrays DCP Durai Singam IPS, an honest deputy superintendent of police dedicated to combating crime, reprising his role from the first film as an upright cop.[15] Anushka Shetty plays Kavya Durai Singam, Singam's wife who provides emotional support.[15] Hansika Motwani appears as Sathya, a kidnapped woman central to the initial investigation.[15] Vivek acts as Sub-Inspector Yettu Erimalai, Singam's associate offering comic relief.[15] Santhanam is cast as Sussa, Singam's friend who assists in investigations.[15] Danny Sapani plays Danny (Michael Kong), the main antagonist and ruthless terrorist leader orchestrating arms smuggling from Sri Lanka.[15][16] Rahman portrays Thangaraj, a key antagonist involved in nefarious coastal activities.[15] Mukesh Rishi plays Bhai, another antagonist controlling smuggling operations.[15] Sumithra plays Kalyani, Singam's mother.[17] Supporting roles include Radha Ravi as Singam's father, Nassar as Mahalingam, and Vijayakumar as the Home Minister.[15]Production
Development
Following the commercial success of the 2010 Tamil action film Singam, director Hari conceived Singam II as a direct sequel, aiming to continue the narrative of the protagonist, an upright police officer named Durai Singam. The project stemmed from Hari's established collaboration with lead actor Suriya, marking their fourth joint venture after films like Aaru (2005), Vel (2007), and the original Singam.[18] The sequel was announced in late 2011, with initial reports emerging in November indicating that Hari and Suriya were eager to proceed after Suriya wrapped up Maatraan (2012). Suriya confirmed his starring role in early 2012, with official details shared post-Pongal celebrations in January. Produced by S. Lakshman Kumar under Prince Pictures, the budget was estimated at ₹45 crore.[19][18][20] In terms of creative decisions, Hari expanded Durai Singam's challenges beyond local crime to confront international smuggling networks involving illegal arms and drugs, escalating the stakes with elements of terrorism. To enrich the character's personal dimension, the script introduced dual female leads for intertwined romantic subplots, retaining Anushka Shetty from the original while adding Hansika Motwani as a new interest. Building on Suriya's portrayal in the first film, these elements aimed to deepen the supercop archetype while maintaining the high-octane action core.[21][18][22]Casting
Director Hari aimed to maintain continuity from the first film by retaining key members of the original cast, including Suriya as the lead DSP Duraisingam and Anushka Shetty as his fiancée Kavya.[23] This decision was part of Hari's vision to present Singam II as a direct extension of its predecessor, with the returning actors reprising their established roles without major alterations. Vivek was also brought back to repeat his comedic supporting role as Sub-Inspector Yettu Erimalai, a character that had been well-received in the original.[24] To enhance the comedic elements, Hari added Santhanam to the ensemble alongside Vivek, marking a deliberate pairing of two prominent Tamil comedy actors to amplify the humor in the sequel.[25] For the new female lead, Sathya, Hansika Motwani was selected after Hari reviewed her previous performances, praising her as a "one-take artist" who brought significant energy to the set and could quickly grasp the required character nuances.[26] No extensive auditions were reported for her role, as Hari incorporated her based on her established screen presence in other projects. The antagonist lineup featured Rahman as Thangaraj, chosen for his ability to portray intense characters, complementing the film's action-driven narrative. Supporting roles were filled by Tamil industry veterans such as Anandaraj, ensuring a blend of familiarity and authority in the ensemble. The casting process faced minor delays due to Suriya's commitments to his prior film Maattrraan, pushing the start of principal photography until he completed that schedule. Overall, no significant recasts occurred, allowing the production to assemble the team efficiently following the sequel's announcement.Filming
Principal photography for Singam II commenced on 2 October 2012 in locations across Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Karaikudi, to capture the coastal and rural authenticity central to the story.[27] The production, directed by Hari, proceeded in multiple schedules, with the first two completed by early 2013 in Chennai, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Hyderabad.[28] Cinematographer Priyan handled the visuals, employing a mix of film and digital formats for approximately 30-40% of the sequences to enhance the dynamic action portrayal.[29] Filming extended to international locations for key action and song sequences, marking director Hari's first overseas shoot, with portions captured in Kenya and South Africa to depict the narrative's global elements.[28] The climax and high-octane stunts were filmed in Kenya, emphasizing perilous sea-based confrontations.[30] Suriya performed several risky stunts himself, including sequences set in the open sea, contributing to the film's intense physical demands.[31] Interior scenes were shot in Chennai studios to facilitate controlled environments for dialogue and transitional shots. The production wrapped on 30 April 2013 after approximately seven months of shooting, allowing immediate transition to post-production.[32] Editor V. T. Vijayan commenced work on the footage shortly after, focusing on pacing the rapid action sequences to maintain the film's high-energy rhythm.[6] The stunt coordination highlighted challenging vehicular and aquatic pursuits, with Priyan's cinematography capturing the raw intensity of these moments across diverse terrains.[29]Soundtrack
Composition
The music for Singam II was composed by Devi Sri Prasad, in his second collaboration with director Hari after their successful partnership on the 2010 film Singam.[33] The soundtrack features six songs, all recorded during 2013 in Chennai.[34] Hari contributed situational inputs during the composition phase to ensure high-energy action tracks suited the film's intense narrative, with early sessions involving lyricist Viveka to align the music with key sequences.[33] Lyrics were primarily written by Viveka. Recording involved prominent vocalists including Benny Dayal, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Mohan, and Baba Sehgal, with Devi Sri Prasad emphasizing pulsating, mass-appeal rhythms and electronic beats to complement the action-oriented theme.[9] Notable among the creations was the title track "Vaale Vaale," designed to recapture and amplify the high-octane energy of the original Singam's promotional music through its upbeat tempo and chorus hooks. The item song "Singam Dance" was specifically crafted for Hansika Motwani's introductory dance sequence, incorporating rap verses and fusion elements for a celebratory, crowd-pleasing vibe.[9] The score was finalized in tandem with principal photography, wrapping up ahead of the film's July 2013 release.Track listing
The soundtrack album for Singam II was launched on 2 June 2013 by Sony Music.[35] Composed by Devi Sri Prasad, it consists of six tracks in Tamil, featuring energetic, percussion-heavy arrangements.[36]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Puriyavillai" | Shweta Mohan | 4:28 |
| 2 | "Vaale Vaale" | Shankar Mahadevan, Nakash Aziz | 4:32 |
| 3 | "Achchamillai" | Devi Sri Prasad, Benny Dayal | 4:46 |
| 4 | "Singam Dance" | Devi Sri Prasad, Baba Sehgal, Sharmila | 3:09 |
| 5 | "Vithai Pola" | Hariharan | 4:17 |
| 6 | "Kannukkulle" | Javed Ali, Priya Himesh, Kunal Ganjawala | 4:19 |