Ethir Neechal(2013)
Ethir Neechal is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy-drama film directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar in his directorial debut. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Anand, and Nandita Swetha. It follows a young man named Kunjithapadham who changes his name to Harish after facing constant humiliation. He falls in love with a schoolteacher and decides to win the Chennai Marathon to prove himself. The film was produced by Dhanush under Wunderbar Films. It received positive reviews for its humor, emotional depth, and performances. The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was released on 1 May 2013.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Hotstar
- Theatrical Release
- 1 May 2013
- Director
- Durai Senthil Kumar
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 30m
- Rating
- 6.9/10
Storyline
A young man named Kunjithapadham is embarrassed by his unusual name. He changes it to Harish and starts a new life. But his past catches up when his girlfriend discovers the truth. To win her back, he must train for and win the Chennai Marathon.
“Run against the tide.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ethir Neechal
Cast reunions in this film: Manobala & Sathish (12 films together), Jayaprakash & Manobala (11 films together), Manobala & Madhan Bob (9 films together), Sivakarthikeyan & Anirudh Ravichander (8 films together), Manobala & Aarthi (7 films together), and Jayaprakash & Sathish (6 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Ethir Neechal' is a phrase from a famous Tamil poem by Subramania Bharati, meaning 'against the tide' or 'swimming upstream'.
- Actor Sivakarthikeyan, who played the lead, was already a popular TV host, but this film helped establish him as a leading man in cinema.
- The song 'Local Boys' from the film became a massive hit and is often credited with boosting the popularity of the 'gaana' music style in mainstream Tamil films.
- Director R. S. Durai Senthilkumar made his directorial debut with this film, which was produced by actor Dhanush's production company, Wunderbar Films.
- A key portion of the film was shot in the coastal town of Karaikal, with its beach and local settings playing a significant role in the story's atmosphere.
- The film's plot about a name change was inspired by real-life social observations about how names can affect a person's confidence and opportunities.
- Composer Anirudh Ravichander, who scored the music, was relatively new at the time, and the soundtrack's success further solidified his career in the industry.