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Kadaisi Vivasayi

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Kadaisi Vivasayi
Theatrical release date poster
Directed byM. Manikandan
Written byM. Manikandan
Produced byM. Manikandan
StarringNallandi
CinematographyM. Manikandan
Edited byB. Ajithkumar
Music bySanthosh Narayanan
Richard Harvey
Production
company
Tribal Arts Production
Distributed byVijay Sethupathi Productions
7Cs Entertainment
Release date
  • 11 February 2022 (2022-02-11)
Running time
144 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Kadaisi Vivasayi (transl. The last farmer) is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language drama film by M. Manikandan. It stars an 85-year-old farmer named Nallandi and features Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu in supporting roles.[1] Besides writing and directing, Manikandan produced the film and helmed the cinematography as well.[2] Kadaisi Vivasayi was released on 11 February 2022 [3] and received widespread critical acclaim but ended up as a box office failure.[4] It won the Best Feature Film In Tamil, Special Mention for actor Nallandi at the 69th National Film Awards[5]

Plot

[edit]

Mayandi is an eighty-year-old farmer living a frugal lifestyle in a village near Usilampatti. He talks very little and displays very little emotion. As there are no farmers in the village, the village tasks him with providing the symbolic first grain for the village temple's annual ceremony. The village's other farmers have sold their lands to financiers for future developmental projects. Mayandi plants a new batch of paddy in his field, and one day he finds a peacock and two peahens dead in his cropland. He considers them vehicles of his favourite god, Murugan and buries them in his field. A fellow villager sees him burying the birds. Soon, the police arrest Mayandi for killing a peacock, India's national bird.

It reveals that some years before, someone killed peafowl in the village, and the villagers heckled the investigating police, and there were no witnesses. The police want to avenge their humiliation. They find a witness and file a case against Mayandi, who take him into judicial remand. He is then brought to court and states the facts to the magistrate. Mayandi explains that the witness only saw him bury the birds, not the act of killing them. She reprimands the police for filing a false case and orders them to submit a revised report. However, since the police filed a First Information Report(FIR) and filing a new FIR takes time, the judge orders Mayandi to spend 15 days in jail. Mayandi mentions his newly-planted crop that needs regular watering. The magistrate ordered the police constable to water the crop.

The police delay filing the changed report and neglect the field's care while Mayandi's stay in prison gets extended. Mayandi's relatives in the village take pity on the police constable (who is watering the cropland) and agree to take up that task themselves. When pests attack the crop, Mayandi advises them to control them with a traditional spray; however, it is laborious. An agrochemical dealer in Mayandi's village instead recommends that Mayandi's relative buy a pesticide. Mayandi escapes while waiting for his hearing and discovers the destroyed crop. The magistrate finds him in the field and tries to hasten a speedy release while ensuring support for a new crop to be planted and raised in time for the festival. The festival itself involves Ayyanar deities (including Karuppu Sami), who are appeased by a coming together of all the caste groups in the society, including the village potter, who has nearly lost his livelihood.

There are two side stories. One is that of a villager, Ramaiah. Ramaiah has gone insane following the death of his love. At several points in the movie, they hint that he is the sane one in a world gone mad. Another is that of Thadikozhanthai and the elephant he bought after selling his land to a financial institution. There are also commentaries on hybrid seeds, industrial animal feed, and other high-input practices destroying sustenance farmers.

Cast

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  • Nallandi as Mayandi, a farmer
  • Muneeshwaran as Karuppan
  • Kali Muthu as Suresh
  • Chaplin Sundar as Mookan
  • Dr. Raichal Rabecca Philip as Magistrate Mangaiyarkarasi
  • Vijay Sethupathi as Ramaiah
  • Yogi Babu as Thadikozhanthai
  • Kutty Sornakka as Raakayi

Production

[edit]

In mid-2016, it was first reported that Manikandan had started to write the script for his next project titled Kadaisi Vivasayi and that it would be produced by Eros International and commenced by the end of the year;[6] but due to unknown reasons the filming got delayed. Manikandan later told that he visited over 100 villages to check out filming locations, which itself took over a year.[7] It was revealed that the director had approached Rajinikanth to play the protagonist, but that the veteran actor had turned down the offer.[8] After auditioning several people, Manikandan then decided to cast a real farmer as he needed someone who knew farming and "coexists with nature" and chose eighty-five year old Nallandi, who he found in Perungamanallur, a village near Madurai;[9] Nallandi completed his portions but died shortly before the film's release.[10] In 2018, reports claimed that Vijay Sethupathi, who had previously collaborated with Manikandan on the film Aandavan Kattalai in 2016, was signed up,[11] with Manikandan clarifying that Sethupathi's role was small and that he would not promote the film as a Vijay Sethupathi film.[12] According to Manikandan, all the actors were from the villages. Except for Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu, who was selected for a small role, none of the other actors featured in the film had any prior acting experience.[9]

Filming of Kadaisi Vivasayi was officially confirmed during or about April 2018. The announcement said the plot centered on the importance of agriculture, and that Vijay Sethupathi would play a farmer in a cameo appearance .[13][14] It was also announced that Vijay Sethupathi had quietly completed his portions in the film in September 2018 while also busy with other films such as Junga and Maamanithan.[15] Vijay Sethupathi would later go on to claim that it was the most difficult role of his career.[16] The entire film was shot in 95 days [17] in and around Usilampatti.[18] Although reports suggested that the film may be released through the over-the-top media service platform SonyLIV,[19] it was later confirmed by the team that it would be theatrically released only.[20]

Music

[edit]

Kadaisi Vivasayi's score was composed by Santhosh Narayanan and English composer Richard Harvey. Initially Manikandan had signed Ilaiyaraaja as the music director, who had also composed few songs and the background score.[21] According to reports, Manikandan was not satisfied with the music provided by Ilaiyaraaja and had asked him to rework it, which the latter refused, leading to Ilaiyaraaja being replaced by Santhosh Narayanan.[22] Ilaiyaraaja then lodged a complaint against the director with the Music Composer's Association;[23] it was later reported to have been resolved amicably.[24]

Santhosh Narayanan also produced and sang two songs for the film's soundtrack.

All lyrics are written by Arivu

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Enniko Er Pudichane"Santhosh Narayanan04:15
2."Bambara Boomi"Santhosh Narayanan03:14
Total length:07:29

Critical reception

[edit]

Kadaisi Vivasayi released to critical acclaim. Sudhir Srinivasan of New Indian Express gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5 and wrote, "[...] at a time when farmer films are dime a dozen, Kadaisi Vivasaayi manages to stand out effortlessly".[25] Similarly The Indian Express gave it also 4 out of 5, saying, "Vijay Sethupathi, Nallandi shine in Manikandan's meditation on life".[26] Deccan Herald gave it 4 out of 5 as well, describing it as a "terrific film on simple living" that "gives a humbling experience and is easily one of the year's best".[27] In his review for IANS, Manigandan K.R., too, gave the film 4 stars out of 5, deeming it a "gem in a league of its own" and added that it "manages to make its point in the most powerful and compelling manner that one never thought was possible even for films boasting of a big budget and a huge star cast".[28] The Hindu called it "an engaging combination of realism and surrealism" and "perhaps the most poignant" of Manikandan's films.[26] Baradwaj Rangan stated: "We feel the film because Manikandan lets the emotions build slowly and enter us like air", naming it a "film with utmost dignity" and a "beautiful example of how to talk about important things without giving boring lectures".[29] Hindustan Times cited that Kadaisi Vivasayi stood "testimonial to the fact that even a simple story, when told with unparalleled sensitivity, can leave a lasting impact".[30] Ashameera Aiyappan writing for Firstpost noted that the film felt like "a deep breath of air -- wilful and refreshing", while giving it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.[31] Although M. Suganth of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5, too, he noted that "for all the filmmaking delights that the film offers, something seems to be missing in Kadaisi Vivasayi that stops it from being a truly great film", concluding that the film "never comes together as a whole".[32]

The film was widely considered as one of 2022's best Tamil films and listed in several top films' lists.[33][34][35][36] Other filmmakers including Mysskin,[37] Seeman[38] and H. Vinoth[39] have also appreciated the film. It was selected for the Big Screen Competition at the 2021 International Film Festival Rotterdam and was one of the ten films that were screened at the 2022 Chennai International Film Festival.[40]

Accolades

[edit]
List of Kadaisi Vivasayi accolades
Award Ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2023 Best Director M.Manikandan Won [citation needed]
Best Film Kadaisi Vivasayi Nominated
Best Production Tribal Arts Production
Best Cinematographer M.Manikandan
Best Character Artist – Female Raichal Rabecca
Critics' Choice Film Awards Best Writing M.Manikandan Won [41]
Best Director Won [42]
Best Feature Film Kadaisi Vivasayi Won [43]
69th National Film Awards Best Feature Film In Tamil Kadaisi Vivasayi Won [5]
Special Mention Nallandi Won [5]

References

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  1. ^ "கடைசி விவசாயி". Virakesari.lk. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Had approached Rajinikanth for Kadaisi vivasayi - Director Manikandan". thenewsminute.com. 6 July 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Kadaisi Vivasayi to release February 11". Orissa Post. 30 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Half-yearly report: Big hits and misses in Southern box office". 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "69th National Film Awards 2023: 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' wins the Best Tamil Film". The Times of India. 24 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  6. ^ K, Janani (23 August 2016). "Manikandan's next is Kadaisi Vivasayi". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  7. ^ Lakshmi, V. (6 January 2020). "The element of mass is in the story and not in the artistes: Manikandan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi wraps up 'Kadaisi Vivasayi'". The Times of India. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  9. ^ a b Suganth, M. "I felt the film would have a wider reach if Rajinikanth sir acted in it: Manikandan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Lights, camera, action, authenticity". The Hindu. 11 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi and Manikandan to reunite for their next". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi's screen presence in 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' revealed". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  13. ^ ஏப் 28, பதிவு செய்த நாள் (2018). "'கடைசி விவசாயி' படத்தில் விஜய் சேதுபதி". Dinamalar. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "விவாசாயியாகும் விஜய் சேதுபதி". Maalaimalar. 28 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi silently finished shooting for 'Kadaisi Vivasayi'". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi on Kadaisi Vivasayi: 'I had to become one with nature'". 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  17. ^ "A real farmer turns hero with Kadaisi Vivasayi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  18. ^ "The first look of Vijay Sethupathi's 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' unveiled!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi's Kadaisi Vivasayi to skip theatrical release?".
  20. ^ "Vijay Sethupathi's Kadaisi Vivasayi to release in theatres in September?". The Times of India.
  21. ^ "Manikandan's Kadaisi Vivasayi to Have Ilaiyaraaja's Music; Film in Theatres Soon". News18. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  22. ^ Lakshmi, V (4 May 2020). "Santhosh to compose for Kadaisi Vivasayi instead of Ilaiyaraaja?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Ilaiyaraaja lodges complaint against 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' director". The Times of India. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Makers of 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' and Ilaiyaraaja Sort Out Differences". 4 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  25. ^ "'Kadaisi Vivasayi' Review: A paean to simple living and self-sufficiency".
  26. ^ a b Ramani, Srinivasan (8 February 2022). "'Kadaisi Vivasayi' movie review: M Manikandan's poignant ode to the old-fashioned farmer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  27. ^ "'Kadaisi Vivasayi' review: A terrific film on simple living". 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  28. ^ "IANS Review: 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' is a gem in a league of its own". Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Manikandan's superb 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' is a profound meditation on not just farming but our very existence". 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Kadaisi Vivasayi review: M Manikandan's film about the last farmer is a moving satire". 11 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Kadaisi Vivasayi movie review: Vijay Sethupathi film is a nuanced plea to know our roots". 11 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Kadaisi Vivasayi Movie Review : Kadaisi Vivasayi is a genteel drama on farming and spirituality". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  33. ^ "The best Tamil movies of 2022: From 'Vikram' to 'Ponniyin Selvan: 1'". The Hindu. 20 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Gargi to Thiruchitrambalam and Vikram: Best of Tamil cinema in 2022". 28 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  35. ^ "From Ponniyin Selvan 1 to Vikram: Here's the list of best Tamil films of 2022". 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Top 10 Tamil Films of 2022!". Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Mysskin says Vijay Sethupathi's Kadaisi Vivasayi is the best Tamil cinema of all time". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  38. ^ "NMK's Seeman Praises Vijay Sethupathi and Team for Kadaisi Vivasayi". 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  39. ^ "What we learned in 'Valimai' helped us do better in 'Thunivu': Director H Vinoth".
  40. ^ "Iravin Nizhal and Kadaisi Vivasayi part of 100 films that will be screened at the Chennai International Film Festival". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Congratulations to the amazing team of the Feature Film 'Kadaisi Vivasayi' for winning the..." Critics Choice Film Awards (@CCFAwards). 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ "A big moment for ace creative mind M. Manikandan. He has won the Best Director Award at CCA 202..." Critics Choice Film Awards (@CCFAwards). 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ "An award that has been well deserved. Congratulations to M. Manikandan for winning the Best Writing..." Critics Choice Film Awards (@CCFAwards). 17 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023 – via Twitter.
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