Blue Star is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language sports drama film directed by S. Jayakumar in his directorial debut and jointly produced by Pa. Ranjith under his production banner Neelam Productions along with R. Ganesh Murthy and G. Soundarya under Lemon Leaf Creation Pvt Ltd. The film stars Ashok Selvan, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Prithvi Rajan and Keerthi Pandian, with Bagavathi Perumal, Elango Kumaravel and Lizzie Antony in supporting roles, and Saju Navodaya in an extended cameo. The film features music composed by Govind Vasantha with cinematography handled by Thamizh A. Azhagan and editing done by Selva R. K. It was released on 24 January 2024 to positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success.
| Blue Star | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | S. Jayakumar |
| Written by | S. Jayakumar Thamizh Prabha |
| Produced by | Pa. Ranjith R. Ganesh Murthy G. Soundarya |
| Starring | Ashok Selvan Shanthanu Bhagyaraj Keerthi Pandian |
| Cinematography | Thamizh A. Azhagan |
| Edited by | Selva R. K. |
| Music by | Govind Vasantha |
Production companies | Neelam Productions Lemon Leaf Creation Pvt Ltd |
| Distributed by | Sakthi Film Factory |
Release date | 24 January 2024 |
Running time | 166 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot edit
This article needs an improved plot summary. (January 2024) |
Set in the 1990s, the film is based in Arakkonam and follows the rivalry between two groups belonging to different castes against the backdrop of cricket. The plot follows the enemy to friendship trope between the different teams, while addressing the sport's segregation and inequalities.
Cast edit
- Ashok Selvan as Ranjith
- Shanthanu Bhagyaraj as Rajesh
- Prithvi Rajan as Sam
- Keerthi Pandian as Anandhi
- Bagavathi Perumal as Immanuel
- Elango Kumaravel as Ranjith and Sam's Father
- Lizzie Antony as Suseela, Ranjith and Sam's Mother
- Ranjit Surya as Sunil
- T.N.Arun Balaji as Gopalan, Rajesh's uncle
- Dhivya Duraisamy as Thenmozhi
- Raghav Parthiban as Nandagopal
- Goutham Raj Csv
- Tarun Srinivas as Varun
- Saju Navodaya in a cameo as Bullet Babu
- Mullai Arasi as Kaamatchi
Production edit
The film was announced on 15 August 2022 with the character of Ranjith based on Jayakumar's elder brother and Sam based on the director himself.[1][2] Filming commenced in the same month,[3] and concluded in January 2023.[4] The first look and title were revealed on 20 May 2023.[5]
Music edit
| Blue Star | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Think Music | |||
| Producer | Govind Vasantha | |||
| Govind Vasantha chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Blue Star | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack was composed by Govinda Vasantha.The first single ''Blue Star Anthem'' was released on 20 May 2023 with the first look and title reveal. The second single ''Railin Oligal'' was released on 13 September 2023.[6] The third single ''Arakkonam Style'' was released on 24 November 2023.[7]The soundtrack was released on 21 January 2024 with 2 additional songs in addition to the three singles.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blue Star Anthem" | Arivu | Arivu | 1:44 |
| 2. | "Railin Oligal" | Uma Devi | Pradeep Kumar, Shakthisree Gopalan | 2:37 |
| 3. | "Arakkonam Style" | Arivu | Arivu, Gana Balachander | 3:11 |
| 4. | "Railai Thallum Meghame" | Arivu, Govinda Vasantha | Arivu, Govinda Vasantha, Kareeshma | 3:15 |
| 5. | "Yaar Nee" | Arivu, Govinda Vasantha | Arivu, Govinda Vasantha, Vedan | 3:12 |
| Total length: | 14:04 | |||
Release edit
The film was released on 24 January 2024, on the eve of Republic Day.[8]
Home media edit
The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime Video.[citation needed] Satellite rights of the film were acquired by ZeeTamil.
Reception edit
Blue Star received positive critical reviews.[9]
Bhuvanesh Chander of The Hindu wrote, "Starring Ashok Selvan and Shanthnu Bhagyaraj as two angsty youngsters from rival communities locking horns on and off the cricket ground, Blue Star is a serious film telling a grounded tale that, for over 160 minutes, immerses you into a world so real, so familiar and so imperfect, that nothing shakes you off its spell."[10] Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India rated the film 3/5 praising the performances of the cast, the direction and music.[11] Akchayaa Rajkumar of The News Minute rated the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "Tamil cinema has seen a wave of anti-caste films over the past few years and almost all of them have explored the caste dynamics of and oppression enforced by intermediary castes on Dalits. Blue Star takes this one step forward and explores the discrimination doled out to both intermediary castes and Dalits by a privileged caste".[12]
References edit
- ^ "Ashok Selvan, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, and Keerthi Pandian in Pa Ranjith's cricket-based film". The Times of India. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (23 January 2024). "Actors Shanthnu and Prithvi Rajan on 'Blue Star' and learning to play the unorthodox cricket of the '90s". The Hindu.
- ^ "Pa Ranjith's Neelam presents new film based on cricket; Shooting commences". Cinema Express. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Selvan and Shantanu Bhagyaraj's sports drama titled 'Blue Star'". The Times of India. 21 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Pa Ranjith's next production, starring Ashok Selvan and Shanthnu, titled 'Blue Star'". The Hindu. 20 May 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Ashok Selvan and Keerthi Pandian's first song together from 'Blue Star' – Released on wedding day". IndiaGlitz.com. 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Arakkonam Style, second single from Blue Star, is out". Cinema Express. 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Blue Star: Ashok Selvan, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj's sports drama gears up for Republic day weekend release". Moviecrow. 6 January 2024. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Blue Star Vs Singapore Saloon Box Office Collection Day 4: Tamil Films Hold Steady On 1st Weekend, Add Rs 1 Crore". Times Now. 29 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (25 January 2024). "'Blue Star' movie review: Ashok Selvan, Shanthnu knock it out of the park in this powerful sports drama". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Radhakrishnan, Roopa (25 January 2024). "Blue Star Movie Review : A well-cast sports drama that's simplified, straightforward and splendid". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Rajkumar, Akchayaa (25 January 2024). "Blue Star review: Ashok Selvan's spirited anti-caste cricket film almost hits the right spots". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
