123 (film)

2002 Indian film

123

DVD cover

Directed by| K. Subash
Based on| All the Best
by Devendra Pem
Produced by| B. Kumar
Starring| Prabhu Deva
Jyothika
Raju Sundaram
Nagendra Prasad
Cinematography| Y. N. Murali
Edited by| Krishnamoorthy-Siva
Music by| Deva

Production
company

Sidhesh Films

Release date

* 1 June 2002 (2002-06-01)

Country| India
Language| Tamil

123 is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Subash. It was partially reshot in Telugu and Kannada.[1] The film stars real-life brothers Prabhu Deva, Raju Sundaram, and Nagendra Prasad alongside Jyothika as the female lead, while Deva composed the film's music. Based on the Marathi play All The Best by Devendra Pem, 123 was released on 1 June 2002.

## Plot

[edit]

Three men with physical disabilities lead dull and monotonous lives. However, when Narmada, a young woman, befriends them, they start incorporating many positive changes.

## Cast

[edit]

* Prabhu Deva as Tirupathi (1)
* Raju Sundaram as Pazhani (2)
* Nagendra Prasad as Chidambaram (3)
* Jyothika as Narmada
* Ishari K. Ganesh as Auto Driver
* Karunas as Thief Aalavandhan
* Uttej as Thief Rangarayudu (Telugu version)
* Komal Kumar as Thief Kotigobba (Kannada version)
* Sundeep Malani as Boss
* Pandu as Hotelier
* Mohan Raman as Ad film actor
* Abhinayashree as Jyothi
* Laxmi Ratten as Company MD
* Japan Kumar (Special appearance)

## Production

[edit]

In December 2001, the three sons of prominent dance choreographer Mugur Sundar were reported to be coming together to star in the Tamil film, and while Prabhu Deva was an established actor and Raju Sundaram had also appeared in films, it became the first substantial role for Nagendra Prasad.[2] Karunas was selected to play a key role, while Sundaram was reported to be a choreographer in the film, which would be based on the Marathi play All the Best by Devendra Pem.[3] The mouth freshener brand, Pass Pass, teamed up with the film to put product placement into the venture.[4][5][6] Uttej and Komal Kumar replaced Karunas in the partially reshot Telugu and Kannada versions, respectively.[7]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The soundtrack was composed by Deva.[8] Sandeep Chowta was initially expected to be the film's composer.[9]

TamilNo.| Title| Lyrics| Singer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Adada Nadandhu Varaa"| Victor| Shankar Mahadevan, Anuradha Sriram| 3:16
2.| "April Mazhai"| Thamarai| Anuradha Sriram| 5:42
3.| "Hey Penne"| Kalaikumar| Suresh Peters, Unni Menon, Karthik, Madhangi| 5:42
4.| "Kanchivaram Povom"| Deva| Mano, Baby Vaishali, Prabhu Deva, K. Subash, YSD Sekar| 5:24
5.| "Un Perai"| Kalaikumar| Karthik, Mathangi| 5:15
6.| "Konjum Konjum"| Kalaikumar| Suresh Peters, Anuradha Sriram| 5:42

KannadaNo.| Title| Lyrics| Singer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Tunturu Male Meghave"| V. Nagendra Prasad| Anuradha Sriram| 5:42
2.| "Bandalo Rubber Bombe"| K. Kalyan| Shankar Mahadevan, Anuradha Sriram| 3:16
3.| "Chamundi Bettakke"|  | Mano, Vaishali| 5:24
4.| "One Two Three"| V. Nagendra Prasad| A. R. Reihana| 3:30
5.| "Ninna Hesaru"| V. Nagendra Prasad| Suresh Peters, Mathangi, Unni Menon, Karthik| 5:15
6.| "Thabbikolli"| V. Nagendra Prasad| Suresh Peters, Anuradha Sriram| 5:42

## Release and reception

[edit]

The film opened on 1 June 2002.

Tamil version

A critic from BizHat.com noted, "Dilshad as the blind Tirupathy has done his role well but Raju Sundaram and Nagendra Prasad have to pick up the nuances of acting. Jyothika has very little to do. The comedy of Karnas is good. However, the highlight of the film are the dances and the choreography. The three brothers have tried to outbeat each other when it comes to dancing. Music by Deva is very average".[10] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noted "it is a tightrope walk for director K. Subhash because presenting physical impairment without hurting sentiments is not easy. And the director does come out unscathed. Much of it is situational humour and the dialogue, again by Subhash, accentuates the comic impact in some of the scenes".[11] Visual Dasan of Kalki called the film a torture.[12] Cinesouth called it "the best example for an average film".[13] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "Characters, each with a physical disability, the handicaps used as the basis of comedy. The audience knowing what's happening, but the characters oblivious to it, re-acting or talking at tangents. But unfortunately director Subhash misses out on taking full advantage of the scenario. The laughs are few and far between. And whenever the director tries to pep up his proceedings by a little diversion, like the comic capers of Karunas, or the antics of the enticing Abhinayasri, the scenes fall flat".[14]

Telugu version

Jeevi of Idlebrain.com gave the film two stars, stating "The only strength of the film is situation comedy based on the disabilities of three protagonists. Otherwise it's an avoidable film". The reviewer added that "The producers of this film tried to dupe Telugu audience by projecting '1-2-3' as the first Jyothika's Telugu straight film. But its yet another routine dubbing film rubbed on Telugu audience".[15] Gudipoodi Srihari of The Hindu cited "The film keeps grip on the audience, because of the curiosity the subject kicks up, regarding the survival of the handicapped using their sixth sense. The characters are difficult to portray, but the three main artistes do it convincingly".[16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The amazing dancer brothers". The Times of India. 28 November 2001. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
2. ^ "A shot in the arm". The Hindu. 17 May 2002. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
3. ^ Rajita (22 December 2001). "Band of Brothers". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
4. ^ Chakraborty, Sanghamitra (12 May 2002). "In-film ads light up silver screen". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
5. ^ ""Pass Pass" to the rescue". The Hindu. 5 June 2002. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
6. ^ "Family fare". The Hindu. 13 May 2002. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
7. ^ Dinesh, Chethana (13 April 2003). "Smile saar, smile". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 3 February 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
8. ^ "123 (2002)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
9. ^ "Sandeep Chowta to make Tamil debut". tfmpage.com. 1 September 2001. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
10. ^ "123". BizHat.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
11. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (7 June 2002). ""One Two Three"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 September 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
12. ^ தாசன், விஷுவல் (23 June 2002). "123". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 64\. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2022 - via Internet Archive.
13. ^ "123". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 4 August 2002. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
14. ^ Mannath, Malini (6 June 2002). "One-Two-Three". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 14 February 2004. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
15. ^ Jeevi. "Movie review – 123 (one two three)". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
16. ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi (4 June 2002). "Challenging portrayals". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012.

## External links

[edit]

* 123 at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by K. Subash

* Kaliyugam (1988)
* Uthama Purushan (1989)
* Chatriyan (1990)
* Vaaku Moolam (1991)
* Ayul Kaithi (1991)
* Bramma (1991)
* Pangali (1992)
* Pavithra (1994)
* Brahma (1994)
* Nesam (1997)
* Abhimanyu (1997)
* Ninaivirukkum Varai (1999)
* Suyamvaram (1999)
* Eazhaiyin Sirippil (2000)
* Sabhash (2000)
* Love Marriage (2001)
* 123 (2002)
* Insan (2005)

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