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{{Short description|2012 Indian film by Aishwarya R. Dhanush}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| image = 3 (2012 Indian film).jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Aishwarya Rajinikanth]]
| producer = K. Vimalageetha<br />[[Dhanush]]
| writer = Aishwarya Rajinikanth
| starring = {{Plain list |
* Dhanush
* [[Shruti Haasan]]
* [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]]
* [[Sivakarthikeyan]]
* [[Sunder Ramu]]
* [[Gabriella Charlton]]
}}
| music = [[Anirudh Ravichander]]
| cinematography = [[Velraj]]
| editing = [[Kola Bhaskar]]
| studio = [[Kasthuri Raja|R. K. Productions Pvt. Ltd]]
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|df=y|2012|03|30}}
| runtime = 148 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}

'''''3''''' is a 2012 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romance film|romantic]] [[psychological thriller]] film written and directed by [[Aishwarya Rajinikanth]], in her directorial debut. Her then husband [[Dhanush]] played the lead role alongside [[Shruti Haasan]], whilst [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], [[Sivakarthikeyan]] and [[Sunder Ramu]] appear in prominent roles. The film follows Ram (Dhanush) and Janani (Haasan), two intermediate sweethearts who eventually get married. However, Ram suddenly commits suicide and she tries to unearth the truth behind his death.

The cinematography was handled by [[Velraj]] and editing was done by [[Kola Bhaskar]]. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Dhanush's cousin-in-law [[Anirudh Ravichander]], marking his debut as a composer with lyrics written by Dhanush, received positive reviews upon release. The song "[[Why This Kolaveri Di]]" penned and sung by Dhanush, became one of the most streamed songs of all time and was also listed as one of the "Recently Most Popular (Gold) Videos" on [[YouTube]].

The film was released worldwide on 30 March 2012, and mixed reviews, with most critics praising the performances of Dhanush and Shruti, Anirudh's soundtrack and score, but the narration of the film received some criticism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Birthday Special: The Top 10 Films of Dhanush |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-birthday-special-the-top-10-films-of-dhanush/20140728.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914193751/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-birthday-special-the-top-10-films-of-dhanush/20140728.htm |archive-date=14 September 2020 |access-date=2020-04-28 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref> The film won three [[Filmfare Awards]] for [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil|Best Actor]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil|Best Male Playback Singer]] for Dhanush, and [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil|Best Music Director]] for Anirudh Ravichander. Dhanush won three awards, [[SIIMA Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], Best Lyricist, and Best Male Playback Singer at the [[2nd South Indian International Movie Awards]]. Following the success of "Why This Kolaveri Di", Dhanush was invited by Former [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Dr. Manmohan Singh]] as a Guest of Honour.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Kolaveri" bags YouTube Gold Award |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kolaveri-bags-youtube-gold-award-news-news-lmhmfCidgif.html?scategory=tamil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208140712/http://www.sify.com/movies/kolaveri-bags-youtube-gold-award-news-news-lmhmfCidgif.html?scategory=tamil |archive-date=2011-12-08 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

==Plot==
At Ram's funeral, his wife Janani hallucinates about him running away, and the film flashes back to when Ram and Janani were 12th-grade students when Ram helps Janani fix her bicycle and tells his friends Senthil and Kumaran that he has a crush on her. He joins her tuition, to see her every day, in the hopes that she will reciprocate his love for her. As time goes by, she eventually reciprocates his love.

After Janani is awoken by her maid, she tries to hunt for Ram's friend, Senthil, to know the mystery behind Ram's death. Janani enquires about Senthil's parents but she doesn't find any clue. Later, Janani finds a suicide letter from Ram in his coat. She again requests Senthil's parents to convince Senthil to help Janani and she asks him to reveal what they were hiding from her. A distraught Senthil tells Janani that when she was leaving for the US, Kumaran got a job and moved to Singapore. Upon finding out that his two friends have moved on, Ram hallucinates and almost drowns when he tries to swim past a beach but is saved by Senthil. Senthil doesn't suspect anything strange and just thinks that this happened because Ram was drunk. Later on, one day when Ram took a 3.2 crore loss, he lost his control and accidentally killed Janani's pet dog, Tom. This leads Senthil to consult a doctor who notices him being strange having extreme emotions, the primary emotions being despair or anger. Senthil tells a doctor about Ram's actions, the doctor reveals it might be [[bipolar disorder]], and if bipolar disorder is not treated, It could lead to suicide. When Senthil tries to warn Ram by inviting him to spend nights out with him, Ram loses his sense of control and attacks Senthil with a bottle and chair, leaving the place. Later, Senthil finds Ram unconscious on the road.

The visit from the doctor confirms Ram has severe bipolar disorder, but Ram refuses to get admitted to the Hospital because of his love for Janani. To stay away from Janani, Ram goes on a pilgrimage, causing further anguish. Janani takes notice of Ram's absurd behavior and she asks Ram why he is acting weird. Later, at a club, Ram picks a fight with a drunkard who was misbehaving with Janani. Later, Ram and Senthil are beaten up by the gang of the drunkard's friends. When the drunkard tries to kill him, Ram beats them up and hinders them. That night, Ram and Senthil get back home with wounds. Janani becomes restless seeing Ram injured. After this incident, Ram decides not to reveal his condition to Janani. Ram spends time in the hospital as his condition worsens. Janani becomes frustrated with Ram for not telling her where he goes, and why. Janani suspects Ram of having an extramarital affair. Janani lashes out at Ram and she cries. After a while, Ram, in a [[manic state]], tries to kill Janani, unbeknownst to her (since she was in a deep sleep) but is stopped by Senthil. This makes Ram feel guilty.

Ram requests his father to transfer his company shares to Janani, and Ram wants Senthil to leave him to see Janani. Senthil refuses, and Ram suddenly bashes Senthil's head against a steering wheel, rendering him unconscious. Ram tearfully says goodbye to Senthil and he leaves the car. In the present, Senthil and Janani are crying profusely. As Ram goes to Janani's bedroom and he watches her sleep, he suddenly hallucinates seeing a young girl saying "Either kill her or you die." Terrified, Ram immediately gets away from her bed. Ram goes to his office and he writes a suicide note while the hallucinations continue. Ram grabs a knife and struggles to kill himself. In the present, Janani is wailing in grief as she learns her husband's fate. The film ends with Ram committing suicide by slitting his throat and saying his final words, "I love you, Janani".

The movie ends with a message that "Suicide is not a solution. Bipolar disorder can be treated with proper medical help."

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Dhanush]] as Ramachandran "Ram"
* [[Shruti Haasan]] as Janani Ramachandran, Ram's wife
* [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] as Ram's father
* [[Sivakarthikeyan]] as Kumaran, Ram's friend since school days
* [[Sunder Ramu]] as Senthil, Ram's friend since school days, the only one who knew Ram's condition
* [[Bhanupriya]] as Ram's mother
* [[Jeeva Ravi]] as Janani's father
* [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]] as Janani's mother
* [[Gabriella Charlton]] as Sumi, Janani's sister
* Sunita Gogoi as Priya, Janani's friend
* Sumathi Sree as Eshwari, Ram's and Janani's housemaid
* [[Badava Gopi]] as Teacher
* [[Manoj Kumar (Tamil director)|Manoj Kumar]] as Senthil's father
* Anuradha Krishnamoorthy as Senthil's mother
{{colend}}

==Production==
[[Aishwarya Rajinikanth]] stated that the script was written with [[Amala Paul]] in mind after being impressed by her work in ''[[Mynaa]]'', but the actress was unavailable to do the film. Aishwarya later signed [[Amala Paul]] to the role. However, Amala Paul was unavailable to start the film early and left the project, and [[Shruti Haasan]] joined the team after her Telugu film was delayed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Aug 4, 2011 |title=Shruti Haasan rejects Rajinikanth's film |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_shruti-haasan-rejects-rajinikanth-s-film_1572474 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423060325/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_shruti-haasan-rejects-rajinikanth-s-film_1572474 |archive-date=23 April 2012 |access-date=5 August 2011 |website=DNA India}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=17 August 2011 |title=My dates could not be reworked: Amala Paul |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/my-dates-could-not-be-reworked-amala-paul-news-tamil-lirlXUabejc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317020840/http://www.sify.com/movies/my-dates-could-not-be-reworked-amala-paul-news-tamil-lirlXUabejc.html |archive-date=17 March 2014 |access-date=21 November 2011 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-08-17 |title=Shruti Haasan replaces Amala Paul! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shruti-haasan-replaces-amala-paul-news-tamil-liroCIhbfef.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818030411/http://www.sify.com/movies/shruti-haasan-replaces-amala-paul-news-tamil-liroCIhbfef.html |archive-date=18 August 2011 |access-date=9 October 2011 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-08-18 |title=Shruti Haasan back in 3! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/shruti-haasan-back-in-3/articleshow/9645834.cms |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Filming began in late July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-07-29 |title=Aishwarya's gift to Dhanush on his birthday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/aishwaryas-gift-to-dhanush-on-his-birthday/articleshow/9396549.cms |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> A press meet was held at the Star City Hotel in early August 2011 in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmJWKL5nNSI |title=Number 3 Press Meet dhanush amala paul aishwarya |date=2011-08-05 |publisher=Behindwoods TV |access-date=2025-06-25 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Music==
{{Main|3 (soundtrack)}}

The soundtrack and score for this film are composed by [[Anirudh Ravichander]], marking his debut as a music composer. The song "[[Why This Kolaveri Di]]" was released as a single by [[Sony Music India|Sony Music]] on 16 November 2011. This song written and performed by [[Dhanush]], became one of the most streamed songs of all time. It also featured in the "Recently Most Popular (Gold) Videos" on YouTube. The full soundtrack album was released at a launch event on 23 December 2011 and gained extremely positive reviews.

==Release==
The film was released on 30 March 2012, with 400 prints in Tamil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2012 |title=Dhanush's '3' to hit the screens on March 30 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dhanushs-3-to-hit-the-screens-on-march-30/234493-8-68.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229103239/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dhanushs-3-to-hit-the-screens-on-march-30/234493-8-68.html |archive-date=29 February 2012 |access-date=6 April 2012 |website=[[IBNLive]]}}</ref>

Film producer and distributor Natti Kumar reportedly said that out of the Rs. 60  million (US$1.33 million approximately) he spent on distribution rights and publicity, he had been able to recover only Rs. 47.0 million (US$0.83 million approximately).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dhanush-Shruti's 3 fails at the box office |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Regional/Dhanush-Shruti-s-3-fails-at-the-box-office/Article1-842419.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021232047/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Regional/Dhanush-Shruti-s-3-fails-at-the-box-office/Article1-842419.aspx |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=2013-05-23 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

In September 2024, the film was re-released in theatres.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

==Reception==
The film received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday, Dhanush. The Extraordinary Journey of the Actor @36 |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/photos/happy-birthday-dhanush-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-actor-36-97739 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804035157/https://movies.ndtv.com/photos/happy-birthday-dhanush-the-extraordinary-journey-of-the-actor-36-97739 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |access-date=2020-04-28 |website=[[NDTV]] |language=en}}</ref> Vishnupriya Bhandaram of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "Aishwarya R. Dhanush takes a twisted look at love and its meaning – when you put someone before your own existence – comes across as profound, underlining theme in the film. It fades out as a moving and tragic ode to romance, to the grand idea called 'love'".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vishnupriya Bhandaram |title=3 Review by The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3265846.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630001112/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3265846.ece |archive-date=30 June 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> ''[[Sify]]'' called the film "poignant", quoting that "On the whole, ''3'' has its heart in the right place, though the second half seem scattered. Overlook these faults, and make it a point to watch 3".<ref>{{Cite web |title=3 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/3-review-tamil-14995392.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020033637/http://www.sify.com/movies/3-review-tamil-14995392.html |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Pavithra Srinivasan of ''[[Rediff]]'' rated the movie 3 out of 5, saying that "There are certain moments in ''3'' that defy logic at times, and sentiment rules the roost, but Aishwarya Dhanush has chosen to present a take on romance that is appealing in its freshness. The lead actors help as well. Her little thriller-twist aside, 3 is a movie that is an ode to romance, above all else."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pavithra Srinivasan |title=3 Review by Rediff |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-3-is-sincere/20120330.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152303/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-3-is-sincere/20120330.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=31 March 2012 |publisher=[[Rediff]]}}</ref>

L Romal M Singh of ''[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, commenting that "We do not think anyone would want to watch the movie again, only because it demands too much from you emotionally. We however, plan to watch this movie once more and walk out during the interval, we'd advise the romantics to do the same."<ref>{{Cite web |last=L Romal M Singh |title=Review: 3 (Tamil) |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-3-tamil_1669665 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525034300/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-3-tamil_1669665 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012 |website=DNA India |publisher=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA India]]}}</ref> ''[[In.com]]'' rated the film 3.5 out of 5, claiming that "3 is average and not worth watching in the theaters. Better wait for the DVD! It fails to meet the expectations and works only in parts, but Aishwarya had shown promise by taking a serious subject in her very first film".<ref>{{Cite web |title=3 Review:Makes you sulk in the second half |url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/3-makes-you-sulk-in-the-second-half-22651064-in-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401182849/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/3-makes-you-sulk-in-the-second-half-22651064-in-1.html |archive-date=1 April 2012 |access-date=2 April 2012 |publisher=[[In.com|In]]}}</ref>

==Awards==
;[[2nd South Indian International Movie Awards]]
* [[SIIMA Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Dhanush]]
* Best Lyricist - [[Dhanush]] for "Kannazhaga"
* Best Male Playback Singer - [[Dhanush]] for "[[Why This Kolaveri Di]]"
* Nominated—Best Actress - Shruti Haasan
* Nominated—Best Music Director - Anirudh Ravichander.
* Nominated—Best Male Playback Singer - [[Mohit Chauhan]] for "Po Nee Po"
* Nominated—Best Female Playback Singer - [[Shruti Haasan]] for "Kannazhaga"
* Nominated—Best Female Playback Singer - [[Shweta Mohan]] for "Nee Partha Vizhigal"
* Nominated—Best Debutant Producer - Dhanush
* Nominated—Best Debutant Director - Aishwarya Dhanush

;[[60th Filmfare Awards South]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil|Best Actor]] - Dhanush
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil|Best Male Playback Singer]] - Dhanush ("Why This Kolaveri Di")<ref>{{Cite web |title="South Indian movie stars honoured in run-up to awards ceremony"date=23 Oct 2012 |url=http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024028/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx |archive-date=10 November 2012 |website=[[The Gulf Today]]}}</ref>
* Nominated—[[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil|Best Actress]] - Shruti Haasan
* won—[[60th Filmfare Awards South|Best Music Director]] - Anirudh

;[[Asiavision Awards]]
* Excellence in Tamil - Shruti Hassan<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2012 |title=South Indian movie stars honoured in run-up to awards ceremony |url=http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024028/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx |archive-date=10 November 2012 |website=[[The Gulf Today]]}}</ref>

;[[Vijay Awards]]
* [[Vijay Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Dhanush
* [[Vijay Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - [[Mohit Chauhan]] for "Po Nee Po"
* [[Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year|Best Find of the Year]] - Anirudh
* Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] - Shruti Haasan
* Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - Anirudh
* Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Favourite Hero|Favourite Hero]] - Dhanush
* Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine|Favourite Heroine]] - Shruti Haasan
* Nominated—[[Vijay Award for Favourite Song|Favourite Song]] - "[[Why This Kolaveri Di]]"

==See also==
* [[Mental disorders in fiction]]
* [[List of mental disorders in film]]
* [[Bipolar disorder]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Wunderbar Films}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2012 films]]
[[Category:Films about suicide]]
[[Category:Films about bipolar disorder]]
[[Category:Indian romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2010s romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Anirudh Ravichander]]
[[Category:2012 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2012 Indian films]]
[[Category:2012 psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2012 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Dhanush]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]

3 2012 Indian film - Revision history

Ola22W86488 at 06:24, 23 April 2026