Dear (stylized as DeAr) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Anand Ravichandran, and produced by Nutmeg Productions. The film stars G. V. Prakash Kumar and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead role, alongside Rohini, Kaali Venkat, Ilavarasu, and Thalaivasal Vijay.

Dear
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAnand Ravichandran
Written byAnand Ravichandran
Produced byVarun Tripuraneni
Abhishek Ramisetty
G. Pruthviraj
Starring
CinematographyJagadeesh Sundaramoorthy
Edited byRukesh
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
company
Nutmeg Productions
Distributed byRomeo Pictures
Release date
  • 11 April 2024 (2024-04-11)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

The film was officially announced in December 2022 under the tentative title Production No. 3, as it is the third production for the former house, and the official title was announced in May 2023. Principal photography commenced the same month as the former month, and wrapped by early August 2023. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by Jagadeesh Sundaramoorthy, and editing by Rukesh.

Dear was theatrically released on 11 April 2024.

Plot edit

Arun, a dedicated newsreader with aspirations of becoming a prominent journalist, leads a life driven by ambition and determination. His world takes a sudden turn when he meets Deepika, a charming woman with dreams of her own. Their whirlwind romance culminates in marriage, promising a lifetime of companionship.

However, their journey encounters an unexpected hurdle when Arun discovers Deepika's struggle with sleep apnea. Initially surprised by this revelation, Arun finds himself grappling with uncertainty and concern for their future. As Deepika's condition becomes more pronounced, Arun's commitment to their relationship is put to the test.

Despite the challenges they face, Arun is determined to stand by Deepika's side. He embarks on a journey of understanding and acceptance, delving into the intricacies of her condition and learning to provide the support she needs. Through countless nights and moments of difficulty, their bond deepens, strengthened by their mutual resolve.

As Arun witnesses Deepika's resilience and courage, he finds himself inspired by her spirit. Their love transcends conventional expectations, embracing each other's imperfections and cherishing their shared moments.

Together, they navigate life's ups and downs, finding solace in each other's presence. Arun's acceptance of Deepika's condition not only strengthens their bond but also reaffirms the power of love to overcome challenges.

In the end, Arun and Deepika emerge victorious, their love standing tall amidst the trials they've endured. Their journey serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.

Cast edit

  • G. V. Prakash Kumar as Arjun
  • Aishwarya Rajesh as Deepika
  • Thalaivasal Vijay as Shanmugam
  • Ilavarasu as Rangarajan
  • Kaali Venkat as Saravanan
  • Rohini as Lakshmi
  • Chitra Lakshmanan as Doctor
  • Badava Gopi as Advocate Adaikalasamy
  • Nandhini as Kalpana
  • Geetha Kailasam as Vasanthi
  • Abdool Lee as Panda
  • Rockstar Kamalesh as Santhosh
  • Mahalakshmi Sudarshanan as Jennifer
  • Dhanam as Judge Dhanam
  • Nivedhitha Rajappan as Advocate Nivedhitha
  • Nakkalites Chinnamuni as Neighbor
  • Aroul D. Shankar as Finance Minister
  • Arandhai Rajagopal as Finance Minister's assistant

Production edit

Development edit

On 11 December 2022, Nutmeg Productions officially announced their third production venture, which would be helmed by Sethum Aayiram Pon (2019) director Anand Ravichandran. The project would feature G. V. Prakash Kumar and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead role, pairing opposite each other in the film, in their maiden pairing. The technical crew consisting of Prakash (as the music composer), cinematographer Jagadeesh Sundaramoorthy and editor Kripakaran was revealed along with the official stills of the muhurat puja held the same day in Chennai.[1] The film's official title, Dear, was announced on 4 May 2023.[2]

On the similarities of the storyline between Dear and Good Night, Anand stated "I know Manikandan, who's playing the hero in that film, through a common friend. Before we went to shoot, we sat down and spoke. Except for the fact that the films are about snoring, they are vastly different in terms of treatment. Ours is more commercial, and even visually, the treatment is different." According to Anand, most of the film was shot with sync sound; as he found it too difficult to recreate "the beauty of drama" through dubbing.[3] On 5 April 2024, with the release of the film's trailer, Kripakaran was revealed to have been replaced by Rukesh due to reasons unknown.[4]

Filming edit

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 11 December 2022.[1] After being predominantly shot in Chennai, principal photography wrapped on 1 August 2023 with a cake-cutting celebration.[5]

Release edit

Dear was theatrically released on 11 April 2024.[6]

Home Media edit

The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were bought by Netflix.The film had its digital premiere on the streaming platform from 28 April 2024.[7]

Reception edit

123 Telugu rated the film 2.5/5 stars and stated that "The film's narrative lacks strength, its execution is mediocre, and it fails to evoke genuine emotional depth. Alternative entertainment options may provide a more satisfying viewing experience".[8]

Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India rated the film 2/5 stars and wrote that the "Film lackluster portrayal of marriage and underdeveloped characters, with missed opportunities for deeper exploration of gender dynamics".[9]

Bhuvanesh Chandar from The Hindu wrote "The tumultuous relationship drama necessitated meticulous storytelling and a concentrated examination of its core conflict".[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "GV Prakash and Aishwarya Rajesh team up for a film". The Times of India. 12 December 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ "GV Prakash & Aishwarya Rajesh's film titled 'Dear'". The Times of India. 4 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ Suganth, M (6 May 2023). "Snoring is always looked at as a male problem, but it isn't: Anand Ravichandran". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ "GV Prakash and Aishwarya Rajesh starrer 'DeAr' trailer promises a fresh husband and wife drama". The Times of India. 5 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ^ "GV Prakash and Aishwarya Rajesh' 'Dear' shooting wrapped up". The Times of India. 1 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ "GV Prakash starrer 'DeAr' to release on April 11". The Times of India. 25 March 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh's DeAr arrives on OTT space". 123telugu. 28 April 2024.
  8. ^ "DeAr Telugu Movie Review, GV Prakash Kumar, Aishwarya Rajesh". 123 Telugu. 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  9. ^ Radhakrishnan, Roopa (11 April 2024). "Dear Movie Review : A film that should have treated its women characters with more dignity". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  10. ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (11 April 2024). "'DeAr' movie review: A rushed, contrived relationship drama". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

External links edit