Calls (film)

2021 crime thriller film by J. Sabarish

Calls

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| J. Sabarish
Written by| J. Sabarish
Starring| V. J. Chitra
Vinodhini
Devadarshini
R. Sundarrajan
Cinematography| J.Sabarish
Edited by| J.Sabarish
Music by| Thameem Ansari

Production
company

Infinite Pictures

Distributed by| Rockfort Entertainment

Release date

* 26 February 2021 (2021-02-26)

Running time

| 151 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Calls is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by J. Sabarish. The film stars V. J. Chitra, Vinodhini, Devadarshini and R. Sundarrajan. The film also marks the posthumous release of Chitra who also made her first and only film appearance.[1] The film is loosely inspired by Aruvi.[2] The film had its theatrical release on 26 February 2021 and opened to negative reviews from critics.[3]

## Plot

[edit]

Nandhini takes a job at a call centre due to her family situation. Her manager challenges her with renewing the subscriptions of at least 20 customers in a day or she will be fired.

## Cast

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* V. J. Chitra as Nandhini
* Sriranjani as Bhagya Lakshmi, Nandhini's mother
* Jeeva Ravi as Govindhan, Nandhini's father
* Devadarshini as Sangeetha
* Thidiyan as Caesar/Srinivasan
* Nizhalgal Ravi as Nandhini's manager
* Vinodhini Vaidyanathan as Shailaja Deputy Director
* R. Sundarrajan as Security Alagar
* Delhi Ganesh as Karunakaran
* Monica as Yashika
* Pradeep as Yashika's father
* Malavika as Nivetha, Nandhini's friend
* Supergood Subramani as Azhagesan
* Hello Kandasamy as Lawyer
* Meesai Rajendran as SI Rajendran

## Production

[edit]

In September 2019, it was revealed that the television soap opera actress V. J. Chitra would make her film acting debut.[4] Chitra signed on to appear in her first Kollywood film role in mid-2019 through Calls. She was cast in the role of a business process outsourcing professional.[4] Principal photography commenced in mid-2019 and wrapped in March 2020.[5]

The filmmaker J. Sabarish initially planned to cast Riythvika in the lead role but he later changed his mind after noticing Riythvika taking part in the second edition of Bigg Boss Tamil. He then insisted to cast either Mahima Nambiar or Arthana Binu but both of them had reportedly turned down the offer.[5] Sabarish finalized on VJ Chitra, who rose to limelight and prominence following her breakthrough performance through Star Vijay's television soap opera Pandian Stores.[5]

## Release

[edit]

The film initially supposed to have its theatrical release in July 2020 but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The filmmakers later confirmed the theatrical release of the film on 26 February 2021 and unveiled the official trailer of the film on 29 January 2021.[2][6] It also marks the posthumous release of actress V. J. Chitra who died on 9 December 2020.[7]

## Reception

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A critic from The Times of India Samayam gave the film a rating of 1+1⁄2 out of 5.[8]

## References

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1. ^ "பிணவறையில் சித்ராவின் உடல், இயக்குனர் கூறும் காரணம்..!". Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
2. ^ a b c "Late actor VJ Chitra's movie 'Calls' to release in theatres". The News Minute. 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
3. ^ "Calls Movie Review: The movie turns out to be a hotchpotch of weak characters and unproductive sub-plots", The Times of India, archived from the original on 7 March 2021, retrieved 26 February 2021
4. ^ a b CR, Sharanya (18 September 2019). "Chithu to make her film debut". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
5. ^ a b c Suganth, M (14 December 2020). "VJ Chithu's debut film to release in Jan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
6. ^ "வி.ஜே.சித்ராவின் பட டீசர்: ஒரு மில்லியன் பார்வைகளைக் கடந்து சாதனை!". Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
7. ^ Selvaraj, A; Kannan, Sindhu (25 February 2021). "Tamil TV actress V J Chitra suicide: Police questioning her fiancé". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
8. ^ "கால்ஸ் விமர்சனம்". Samayam Tamil. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2024.

## External links

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* Calls at IMDb