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{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Aasal
| image          = Aasal poster.JPG
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Saran (director)|Saran]]
| producer       = [[Prabhu Ganesan]]
| writer         = [[Yugi Sethu]]<br />Saran<br />[[Ajith Kumar]]
| screenplay     = 
| narrator       = [[Saran (director)|Saran]]
| story          = 
| based_on       = 
| starring       = [[Ajith Kumar]]<br />[[Prabhu Ganesan|Prabhu]]<br />[[Sameera Reddy]]<br />[[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]]<br />[[Suresh (actor)|Suresh]]<br />[[Sampath Raj]]<br />[[Rajiv Krishna]]
| music          = [[Bharathwaj]]
| cinematography = Prashanth D. Misale
| editing        = [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony Gonsalves]]
| studio         = [[Sivaji Productions]]
| distributor    = [[Sivaji Productions]]<br />[[Ayngaran International]]
| released       = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|2|5}}
| runtime        = 135 minutes
| country        = India
| language       = Tamil
| budget         = 21.7 crores<ref>https://indiankanoon.org/docfragment/40520131/?formInput=film%20ajith</ref>
| gross          = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
}}

'''''Aasal''''' ({{audio|Ta-அசல்.ogg|pronunciation}}) ({{lit|Original}}) is a 2010 Indian Tamil [[action thriller film]] directed by [[Saran (director)|Saran]]. The film stars [[Ajith Kumar]] in the lead role, who is also credited for the story, dialogues, screenplay and co-direction of the film, while [[Sameera Reddy]] and [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]] play the lead female roles. The film features an extensive cast, with [[Prabhu Ganesan|Prabhu]], [[Suresh (actor)|Suresh]], [[Sampath Raj]] and [[Rajiv Krishna]] playing prominent roles, among others. The film, produced by [[Prabhu Ganesan]] of [[Sivaji Productions]], features music primarily composed by [[Bharathwaj]], cinematography by Prashanth D. Misale and editing by [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony Gonsalves]].

The film revolves around the feud between the three brothers over property; two brothers, from their father's first wife on one side with their avarice for all the wealth with the righteous third, from his father's second marriage, trying to stop the family from breaking down. The feud that exists as an undercurrent in the presence of their father and turns ugly and personal after he passes away. It grows bigger with the two brothers joining in to elbow out the third, but he graciously steps aside, only wanting to keep cordial relations. But, the two brothers are just not able to handle the huge wealth and the responsibility that it brings. Their wealth attracts trouble, and it is up to the third to come back and save his brothers, against others who strive for the wealth, while the crux of the plot revolves around if wealth does disintegrate the family.

[[Pre-production]] for the project began in December 2007 when Sivaji Productions signed up Ajith for a film; however, because of a bevvy of changes in the technical crew, shooting only began in April 2009. The filming took place in various locations: notably locally in [[Chennai]], and abroad in Paris, [[Dubai]] and [[Kuala Lumpur]]. The film opened worldwide on 550 screens (including 350 screens in India)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/78742/Aasal-Asal-theatre-lisiting-in-North-India.html |title=Asal opened in 279 screens in north India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209032831/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/78742/Aasal-Asal-theatre-lisiting-in-North-India.html |date=9 February 2010|archive-date=9 February 2010|work=YahooMovies}}</ref> following its release on 5 February 2010.

== Plot ==
Jeevanandham ([[Ajith Kumar]]) is an international negotiator and arms dealer based in Paris. He has three sons: Sam ([[Sampath Raj]]) and Vicky ([[Rajiv Krishna]]) from his first wife, and Shiva (also Ajith) from his affair. Jeevanandham's favorite is Shiva, who is gutsy and righteous, while the other two are immature and controlled by their evil uncle Kali Mamma ([[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]]), and will do any shady deals.

Sarah ([[Sameera Reddy]]) is a cultural attaché at the Indian Embassy in Paris, and she has a soft spot for Shiva. A French police officer Daniel Dharmaraj ([[Suresh (actor)|Suresh]]), constantly hangs around with the family and is a partner in crime.

The bad sons want to deal in drugs and supply arms to terrorists; they work out a strategy to eliminate Shetty ([[Kelly Dorji]]), who controls the Mumbai underworld, but Jeevanandham and Shiva oppose it. After Jeevanandham's death, Vicky is kidnapped by Shetty and his gang, who brutally torture him. To save Vicky, Shiva goes to Mumbai. His local contact there is Mirasi ([[Prabhu Ganesan|Prabhu]]), his father's best friend. A local girl Sulabha ([[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]]), falls for our hero, who daringly rescues Vicky with the joker Don Samosa ([[Yugi Sethu]]).

Both brothers double-cross Shiva, shoot him, and drown him in the sea. They torture Sarah and make her to sign as a witness that Shiva dies naturally. As per Jeevanandam's will, the property rights belong to Shiva, hence Sam and Vicky attempted to kill Shiva. With the help of Mirasi, Sulabha, and Don Samosa, everyone moves to France to find the real enemies. Sarah, who is being given drugs to forget Shiva's death and is also tortured by Vicky every day to accept his love, is found by Shiva and confesses everything to him. Vicky walks in and brutally beats Sarah. Shiva shoots him and interrogates him to find out the reason behind why the two brothers shot him. After Vicky refuses to say, Shiva shoots him on the spot and saves Sarah. Sam finds out about Vicky's death and suspects Daniel, but is subdued by Kali Mamma. Shiva slowly uncovers what happened through forcing and threatening the allies of Sam and Kali Mamma. Eventually, a drunk Don Samosa accidentally spills Shiva being alive to Daniel, who kidnaps Mirasi, Sulabha, and Sarah and holds them captive in a storage facility. Shiva is forced to surrender Jeevanandham's will to Kali Mamma and Sam, but delivers an empty suitcase instead. An infuriated Kali Mamma shoots Mirasi and Daniel, and Sam throws Shiva out a glass window and ties him up. After Shiva tells Sam to give up his arrogance, Sam and Kali Mamma reveal why and how they killed Jeevanandham.

Sam wanted to deal weapons to foreign terrorists and asked Jeevananandham to give money to aid them. After Jeevanandham tries reasoning to little avail, Kali Mamma walks in. After he refuses everyone's request to deal weapons and give his money, Kali Mamma electrocutes, and Sam suffocates Jeevanandham, killing him in the process. They do the same with Shiva after explaining, electrocuting him multiple times, but eventually, an enraged Shiva breaks the ropes he is tied to and engages in combat with Sam and Kali Mamma, electrocuting and killing both of them. Daniel, now a reformed, honest cop, brings Mirasi to Shiva, and tells him that he will take the blame for Sam and Kali Mamma's deaths by saying that he killed them in self-defense.

The film ends several months later with Shiva and Sulabha, now married, waving goodbye to Don Samosa, Sarah, and Mirasi, and leaving for India from Paris together.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Ajith Kumar]] as Shiva and Jeevanantham
* [[Prabhu Ganesan|Prabhu]] as Mirasi
* [[Sameera Reddy]] as Sarah
* [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]] as Sulabha Pillai
* [[Suresh (actor)|Suresh]] as Daniel Dharmaraj
* [[Sampath Raj]] as Sam Jeevanandham
* [[Rajiv Krishna]] as Vicky Jeevanandham
* [[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] as Kalivardhan
* [[Yugi Sethu]] as Don Samosa
* [[Kelly Dorji]] as Brijesh Shetty
* Karmanya Sapru as Lee
* Badhra as Don Samosa's sidekick
* [[Koena Mitra]]
* [[Yog Japee]] as Advocate
* [[Surendra Pal]]
* Balaji K. Mohan
{{colend}}

== Production ==

=== Development ===
Following the success of ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]'' in December 2007, [[Ajith Kumar]] was signed for a record salary of {{INR}} 6 crore<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033319/http://www.sify.com/movies/ajit-red-hot-news-tamil-kkfuldijbfgsi.html Ajith salary soars to 6 crore for Asal]</ref> by [[Prabhu Ganesan|Prabhu]]'s [[Sivaji Productions]] for a project touted to be directed by [[K. S. Ravikumar]].<ref name="ravikumar">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2007|title=Ajit- Red Hot!|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=24 December 2007|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14580197| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071225115129/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14580197| archive-date= 25 December 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Three months later, the producers officially signed on [[Gautham Menon]] as the director; [[Sameera Reddy]], the female lead for Menon's last film, was also finalised for the project. Initially, the producer was considering [[Anushka Shetty]] as the female lead.<ref name="sameera">{{cite web|author=Shankar, Settu|year=2008|title=Sameera becomes Ajith's lady love|publisher=OneIndia.com|access-date=18 March 2008|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2008/sameera-reddy-ajith-goutham-menon-180308.html}}</ref> The film, which was due to start its first schedule during June 2008, had been built up as the final instalment in [[Gautham Menon]]'s police trilogy, following his two earlier ventures, ''[[Kaaka Kaaka]]'' and ''[[Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006 film)|Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu]]'', of which Ajith was originally meant to be a part.<ref name="Sura"/> However, other indications suggested that the film was set to be the remake of the classic, ''Pudhiya Paravai'' starring [[Sivaji Ganesan]], which Ganesan's son, Prabhu, denied. The film had been earlier titled by the media as ''Kanavugal Karpanaigal'' or ''Vaanam Kadandha Siragugal'', but the team then finalised the title of ''Surangani'', which was later abbreviated to ''Sura''.<ref name="Sura">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2008|title= Ajith & Gautham come together in Surangani|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=25 September 2008|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14766479| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080927135655/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14766479| archive-date= 27 September 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref> However, the film's production failed to take off, with repeated dates being announced by the directors for the film's first schedule throughout 2009. Subsequently, Menon was removed from the project by the producers due to the film's inactivity, with directors [[Dharani (director)|Dharani]], [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]] and [[Saran (director)|Saran]] leading the race to take over.<ref name="gauthamout">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2008|title=Breaking News- Gautham parts way with Ajit|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=10 November 2008|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14793682| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081207123740/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14793682| archive-date= 7 December 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

In January 2009, the film was reannounced by Prabhu and the story was subsequently changed with [[Saran (director)|Saran]] being signed up as the film's director. Ajith also underwent an appearance change during the early months of 2009 to prepare for his role. The film was eventually launched on 8 April 2009<ref name="Asal cast"/> at [[Sivaji Ganesan|Sivaji's]] family residence Annai Illam in [[Chennai]].<ref name="Starts">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2009|title= Ajith's Asal |publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=8 April 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14879557| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090411102302/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14879557| archive-date= 11 April 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> The film completed its production schedule by January 2010, and [[post-production]] and release works began soon after.

=== Casting ===
[[File:Art Director M. Prabhaharan with Mr. Ajith Kumar and Bhavana.jpg|thumb|The cast and crew at a song shoot]]
Following the announcement that [[Sivaji Productions]], [[Ajith Kumar]] and [[Gautham Menon]] would come together, other technicians were added to the film. Menon's usual collaborator, [[Harris Jayaraj]], was signed on as the music composer. However, after Menon's departure, Jayaraj also left the project due to his busy schedule with other films.<ref name="Harris out Yuvan in">{{cite web|year=2009|title= Quitting Asal is purely my own decision Harris |publisher=thatstamil.com|access-date=24 March 2009|url=http://thatstamil.oneindia.in/movies/specials/2009/03/24-quitting-asal-is-purely-my-own-decision-harris.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724023814/http://thatstamil.oneindia.in/movies/specials/2009/03/24-quitting-asal-is-purely-my-own-decision-harris.html| archive-date=24 July 2011| url-status= live}}</ref> After approaching [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] for the job, Saran finally confirmed [[Bharathwaj]] as music director.<ref name="Bharathwaj in Asal">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2009|title= Saran confirms Bharadwaj for Asal|publisher=[[Sify]] |access-date=29 March 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14876386&cid=2363|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814232912/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14876386&cid=2363|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 August 2009}}</ref> ''Asal'' was Bharathwaj's fiftieth film as composer; he had previously teamed up with Saran and Ajith on ''[[Kadhal Mannan]]'', ''[[Amarkalam]]'' and ''[[Attagasam]]''. Ajith was under contract to be paid a remuneration of $1.25 million in cash plus a 30 per cent share of the profit from sales of rights of the film.<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobscarreers/Kollywood-actors-pay-bigger/articleshow/4823953.cms Ajith get 30 per cent share in profit from rights' sales]. ''The Economic Times''. (27 July 2009). Retrieved 21 February 2014.</ref>

During the launch in April 2009, other film technicians were revealed. Y-Kinz, an international music group, were announced to be a part of the music album for the film headed with Bharathwaj. Ajith himself had recommended Prashanth D. Misale, an assistant to [[Nirav Shah]], to make his debut as a cinematographer.<ref name="Asal cast"/> [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]] was selected as editor; Prabakar was chosen to work as the art director and [[Vairamuthu]] as the chief lyricist. Vivek Karunakaran, a [[Chennai]]-based fashion designer, was selected to make his debut as the film's costume designer.<ref name="Asal cast">{{cite web|year=2009|title= Asal, the power of silence, from April 8 |publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=2 April 2009|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/45991.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090403234519/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/45991.html| archive-date= 3 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Soon after the launch, co-producer [[Prabhu Ganesan]] cast himself to play an important role in the film. Gautham Menon's original choice, [[Sameera Reddy]], was retained to star opposite Ajith in the film. Initially [[Anushka Shetty]] was considered for the role. Sameera appears alongside Ajith for the first time, despite previously being scheduled to appear opposite him in ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'', which eventually went ahead without her. [[Mamta Mohandas]] was initially confirmed as the second heroine in ''Asal'', but decided not to take the role.<ref name="mamtaout">{{cite web|author=Shankar, Settu|year=2009|title=Mamta walks out of Ajith's Asal ?|publisher=OneIndia.com|access-date=4 June 2009|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2009/mamta-ajith-asal-040609.html}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]], [[Shriya Saran]], newcomer [[Hansika Motwani]] and [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]] were also approached for the second heroine's role, however [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]] was unable to comply due to call sheet problems, so [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]] was finalised.<ref name="Bhavana">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2009|title=Bhavana confirmed for Asal|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=10 June 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14893080|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202135146/http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14893080|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> A plethora of antagonistic roles were handed out for the film, with the initial selection being Rajiv Krishna.<ref name="Asal cast2">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajith's new villain: Rajiv Krishna|publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=1 June 2009|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/47323.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090603045907/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/47323.html| archive-date= 3 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Other cast members are [[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]], Kelly Dorji, Karen Miao Sapru, [[Adithya (actor)|Adithya]], Suresh,<ref name="Asal casthalattt">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Suresh is Ajith's villain|publisher=Indiaglitz|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/50796.html}}</ref> [[Sampath Raj]],<ref name="SamCast">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Sampath is Asal's villain|publisher=By Moviebuzz|access-date=23 October 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14916450|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202051233/http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14916450|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> [[Surendra Pal]]<ref name="Spal">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajith's dad is one of the villains|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=24 November 2009|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-04/ajith-surendra-paul-asal-24-11-09.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091127002723/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-04/ajith-surendra-paul-asal-24-11-09.html| archive-date= 27 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> and [[Yugi Sethu]].

=== Filming ===

[[Principal photography]] of the film began in June 2009 at an undisclosed location in [[Malaysia]].<ref name="Filmphoto">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ultimate star Ajit in Malaysia!|publisher=Moviebuzz|access-date=29 June 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14896864|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608073451/http://www.sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14896864|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2015}}</ref> The first schedule was completed on 2 August 2009. After a hectic schedule from Malaysia, the shooting for the second schedule continued on 18 September 2009 at Paris and [[Lyon]], France.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title=Video clip about Asal's shooting shot by France3, national French TV channel|publisher=By France 3 – Rhône-Alpes|url=http://culturebox.france3.fr/all/15889/Des-histoires-de-cin%E9ma-N%B02-:-Lyon-savoure-l%27effet-Bollywood/#/asal/15889/Des_histoires_de_cin%E9ma_N%B02_%3A_Lyon_savoure_l%27effet_Bollywood}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 30% of the scenes, including fight sequences and two song sequences, were canned there, including a duet song of Ajith and Sameera as pictured against the moonlit Eiffel Tower in Paris.<ref name="Filmphoto2">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajit and Sameera in Eiffel Towers!|publisher=Moviebuzz|access-date=19 September 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14911175|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922221516/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14911175|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 September 2009}}</ref> After a 45-day shoot, the team returned to Chennai on 23 October 2009.<ref name="Filmphoto4">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajit back in Chennai|publisher=By Moviebuzz|access-date=30 October 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14917474| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091102011928/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14917474| archive-date= 2 November 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Additional shooting was held in Harrington Road on 2 November. Asal's team later shot some of the important shots in AVM Studios.<ref name="Filmphoto5">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajith and Sameera in a posh apartment|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=3 November 2009|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-01/ajith-sameera-reddy-asal-03-11-09.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091106062005/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-01/ajith-sameera-reddy-asal-03-11-09.html| archive-date= 6 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The film's dubbing schedule took off on 19 November at Four Frames Preview Theatre Chennai with a simple [[Puja (Hinduism)|pooja]] ceremony.<ref name="Filmphoto6">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Asal's sound in action|publisher=indiaglitz|access-date=21 November 2009|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/51910.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091123145705/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/51910.html| archive-date= 23 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Ajith, Saran, Arjun (Prabhu's son), Dushyanth (Ramkumar's son) and other members of the film were present there.<ref name="Filmphoto7">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajit's Asal gets ready!|publisher=Moviebuzz|access-date=22 November 2009|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14920721| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091125074218/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14920721| archive-date= 25 November 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> On 24 November 2009, an important scene for the film was shot at Sivaji Ganesan's house in T. Nagar, Chennai. A song sequence featuring Ajith and Bhavana was shot at the AVM Studios on 25 November 2009.<ref name="Filmphoto9">{{cite web|year=2009|title='Asal' team to meet the press|publisher=Indiaglitz|access-date=25 November 2009|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/52060.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091128002622/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/52060.html| archive-date= 28 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The shooting of the final song was held at Binny Mills (Tambaram). The cast and crew of Asal went to a Middle East country for the remaining song shoot. The Asal unit left Chennai on 26 December and returned after a week.<ref name="Filmphoto10">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Asal Unit Moves To Middle East|publisher=Starajith.com|access-date=22 December 2009|url=http://starajith.com/media_display.php?id=1519| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100113103203/http://starajith.com/media_display.php?id=1519| archive-date= 13 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Shooting was finished on 31 December 2009 at Dubai, where a song sequence was filmed at [[Zabeel Park]].

== Release ==

=== Reception ===
Made on a high budget, ''Asal'' opened to mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ranking based on Chennai Box Office Collections |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-asal.html |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310210146/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-asal.html |archive-date=10 March 2010 }}</ref>

Critics praised ajith's screen presence but criticized the movie's story screenplay bhartwaj's music hero built-up scenes dialogues, and the billa hangover and labelled that asal is a normal revenge story with poor dialogues and unnecessary build-up scenes. ''[[Billa (2007 film)|Billa]]''. [[Sify]] cited that the film, which "should have been called Billa-2", "falls flat due to lack of proper story and narration", adding, that the film "belongs to Ajith" and "it is a good ride if you keep your expectation meter low".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100208082206/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14930281&ctid=5&cid=2429 Movie Review : Aasal review]. Sify.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.</ref> A reviewer from Behindwoods gave the film 2 out of 5, claiming that this film "will gain no great interest". He adds that "Asal is a complete Ajith centric entertainer with lots of style and sophistication", that "the script is weak and there are other flaws too" and that "Ajith satisfies his fans, but Saran disappoints a lot ".<ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/asal-ajith-sameera-reddy-bhavana.html Asal – Tamil Movie Reviews – Asal Ajith Sameera Reddy Bhavana Saran Prabhu Sivaji Productions]. Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.</ref> Pavithra Srinivasan from [[Rediff]] gave the film 2 out of 5 as well, citing that the film is for "die-hard Ajith fans", who would have "plenty of reasons to rejoice", whilst the others should "leave their brains at home". The reviewer, like Sify, also adds that the film has a "''Billa'' hangover".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/05/south-tamil-movie-review-asal.htm |title=Review: Asal is for Ajith fans|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315214506/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/05/south-tamil-movie-review-asal.htm |archive-date=15 March 2016 |work=Rediff.com|date=5 February 2010}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Aasal
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Bharadwaj (music director)|Bharadwaj]]
| cover      =
| alt        = Album cover
| released   = {{Start date|df=yes|2010|01|04}}
| recorded   = Jay Jay Studios Chennai<ref name="music1">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Bharadwaj is the new neighbor of RK|publisher=IndiaGlitz|access-date=31 October 2009|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/51252.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091102065905/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/51252.html| archive-date= 2 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length     =
| label      = [[Ayngaran International|Ayngaran Music]]<br />An Ak Audio<br />[[Think Music India|Think Music]]<br/>[[AVM Productions|AVM Muzik]]
| producer   = Bharadwaj
| prev_title = [[Solla Solla Inikkum]]
| prev_year  = 2009
| next_title = [[Nandhi (2011 film)|Nandhi]]
| next_year  = 2011
}}
{{Album ratings
| noprose = yes
| rev1 = Behindwoods
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/asal-ajith-sameera-reddy-bhavana.html Behindwoods]. Behindwoods. Retrieved 21 February 2014.</ref>
| rev2 = Top 10 Cinema
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/2408/asal-music-review |title=Aasal music review|work=Top 10 Cinema|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009025453/http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/2408/asal-music-review |date=9 October 2011 |archive-date=9 October 2011}}</ref>
}}
The film's soundtrack was released on 4 January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asal Audio Release|publisher=Poochandi|access-date=2 January 2010 |url=http://www.poochandi.com/news/movies/tamil/asal-audio-releasing-tomorrow-6051.html}}</ref> The soundtrack has music by [[Bharadwaj (music director)|Bharadwaj]] & Y-Kinz with lyrics by [[Vairamuthu]]. The audio distribution rights were given to Ayngaran Music and An Ak Audio.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title=ANAK Audio Jointly With THINK Music Releases Asal Audio|publisher=starajith.com|access-date=28 November 2009|url=http://starajith.com/media_display.php?id=1464| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091201043152/http://www.starajith.com/media_display.php?id=1464| archive-date= 1 December 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Think Music India|Think Music]], an association of Sathyam Cinemas and Hungama Technology.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title=Think Music acquires 'ASAL' audio|publisher=ajithfans.com|access-date=24 November 2009|url=http://www.ajithfans.com/news/2009/11/24/think-music-acquires-asal-audio/| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091128060436/http://www.ajithfans.com/news/2009/11/24/think-music-acquires-asal-audio/| archive-date= 28 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The audio was launched at Sivaji Ganesan's house in T Nagar, Chennai by Prabhu, one of the producers, and was received by Ajith.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajith's Aasal audio arrives today!|publisher=indiaglitz|access-date=4 January 2010|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14925725&cid=2363|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719081009/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14925725&cid=2363|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title=Ajit's Aasal audio launched|publisher=moviebuzz|access-date=4 January 2010|url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14925884| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100108210424/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14925884| archive-date= 8 January 2010 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aasal | extra1 = Sunitha Menon | length1 = 04:50
| title2 = Kanava Ninaiva | extra2 = [[V. V. Prasanna]], [[Manjari (Indian singer)|Manjari]] | length2 = 04:06
| title3 = Kuthiraikku Theriyum | extra3 = [[Surmukhi Raman]], Sreecharan | length3 = 04:48
| title4 = Tottodaing | extra4 = Mukesh, Janani | length4 = 04:01
| title5 = Yengay Yengay | extra5 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] | length5 = 04:04
| title6 = Yea Dushyantha | extra6 = Kumaran, [[Surmukhi Raman]]| length6 = 05:05
| title7 = Em Thandhai | extra7 = Bharadwaj | length7 = 03:34
| title8 = Yengay Yengay | extra8 = MLR Karthikeyan & Chorus | length8 = 02:57
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{official website|http://aasalthefilm.com/}}
*{{IMDb title|1483821}}

{{Saran (director)}}

[[Category:2010 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Saran]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bharadwaj (music director)]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:2010 action thriller films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Dubai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Films set in Paris]]
[[Category:Films shot in Paris]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]