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{{Short description|2004 film by Mani Ratnam}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Aayutha Ezhuthu.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Mani Ratnam]]
| producer = Mani Ratnam G. Srinivasan
| writer = '''Story''' & '''Screenplay''': Mani Ratnam '''Dialogues''': [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]]
| starring = [[Suriya]] [[R. Madhavan|Madhavan]] [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]] [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]] [[Meera Jasmine]] [[Esha Deol]]
| music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| cinematography = [[Ravi K. Chandran]]
| editing = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| studio = [[Madras Talkies]]
| released = {{Film date|2004|5|21||df=y}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Aayutha Ezhuthu''''' is a 2004 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[political fiction|political]] [[action film]] directed by [[Mani Ratnam]]. The film, loosely based on the life of [[George Reddy]], a scholar from [[Osmania University]] of [[Hyderabad]], stars [[Suriya]], [[R. Madhavan]], [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]], [[Trisha (actress)|Trisha]], [[Meera Jasmine]], and [[Esha Deol]], with [[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]], [[Janagaraj]] and [[Bharathiraja]] appear in pivotal roles. Notably, this film is the only Tamil film Deol has ever acted in. The film's title was taken from the name of the [[Tamil script|Tamil letter]] [[ஃ]] – three dots corresponding to the film's three different personalities from completely different strata of society.

The score and soundtrack were composed by [[A. R. Rahman]], while [[Ravi K. Chandran]] and [[Sreekar Prasad]] handled the cinematography and editing of the film. The film was simultaneously shot in Hindi as ''[[Yuva]]'' with an entirely different cast retaining Deol. ''Aayutha Ezhuthu'' was released on 21 May 2004, the same day as its Hindi version, and became a commercial success at the box office.

== Plot ==
The film opens with Inbasekar (“Inba”) shooting Michael “Mike” Vasanth while he is riding his motorcycle across the [[Napier Bridge]]. Michael falls into the [[Cooum River]], an incident witnessed by Arjun Balakrishnan. The narrative then shifts into a flashback, detailing the events leading up to the shooting.

Inba grows up to become a hired thug after being abandoned by his elder brother, Gunasekaran (“Guna”), and having limited means of livelihood. He marries Sashi, but their relationship is marked by [[domestic abuse]]. On Guna’s recommendation, Inba begins working as a [[contract killer]] and errand-runner for Selvanayagam, a powerful politician.

Michael is an influential student leader who actively opposes political interference in college elections, particularly from figures such as Selvanayagam. He is romantically involved with his neighbour Geetha, who lives with her aunt and uncle. Alarmed by the prospect of independent student candidates, Selvanayagam attempts to neutralise Michael by offering him a scholarship to study at a prestigious foreign university. When Michael rejects the offer, Selvanayagam orders Guna and Inba to intimidate the students. Although Inba assaults several students, he is met with strong resistance from Michael and his supporters. A direct confrontation follows between Michael, Inba, and Inba’s associate Dilli.

Arjun Balakrishnan is the carefree and privileged son of an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer, aspiring to settle in the United States. He falls in love with Meera shortly after meeting her. During a playful exchange, Meera challenges Arjun to prove his love, prompting him to hitch a ride with Michael, who is travelling in the same direction. While crossing the Napier Bridge, Michael is shot multiple times by Inba and falls into the river. Despite Arjun’s initial hesitation, Meera insists on rescuing him. Michael is critically injured but survives after being rushed to hospital.

Arjun later follows Inba after learning of Michael’s survival, but is severely beaten and left with a broken arm. During his recovery, Arjun undergoes a transformation and decides to support Michael by contesting in the student elections. Meanwhile, Inba kills Guna after discovering that Selvanayagam had ordered Guna to have him eliminated for leaving behind an eyewitness to the bridge shooting. Selvanayagam manipulates Inba into continuing to work for him and instructs him to kidnap Arjun, Suchi, and Trilok. They manage to escape with the help of Dilli, who has a change of heart after realising the destructive impact of their criminal activities on their personal lives.

Sashi, hoping for Inba’s reform, waits for him at a railway station, but leaves for her hometown when he fails to arrive. Dilli later attempts to help Arjun escape, but is killed by Inba. Arjun contacts Michael for help while fleeing, but Inba catches up with him and attacks him. Michael intervenes at the Napier Bridge, leading to a final confrontation. Michael ultimately overpowers Inba but spares his life, leaving him to be arrested by the police.

Inba is imprisoned, while Michael, Arjun, Suchi, and Trilok successfully win the four seats they contest, marking their entry into the legislature.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Suriya]] as Michael Vasanth
* [[R. Madhavan]] as Inbasekar
* [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]] as Arjun Balakrishnan
* [[Meera Jasmine]] as Sashi
* [[Trisha Krishnan|Trisha]] as Meera
* [[Esha Deol]] as Professor Geetanjali
* [[Bharathiraja]] as Selvanayagam
* [[Sriman (actor)|Sriman]] as Dilli
* [[Janagaraj]] as Dr. Vishwanath
* [[Suchitra]] as Suchitra
* Praveen as Gunasekaran
* Kamala Krishnasamy as Leela
* [[Five Star Krishna|Krishna]] as Trilok
* Shankar Sundaram as [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] Avinash Balakrishnan
* [[Viji Chandrasekhar]] as Angamma
* [[R. S. Shivaji]] as Swaminathan
* [[Janaki Sabesh]] as Gowri
* [[P. Shwetha|Shwetha]] as Jo
* Raj as Raj
* Sai Prabhu as Sai
* Vishwa as Vishwa
* [[Shanthi Williams]] as Shenbagam
* [[Muthukaalai]] as a villager

;Uncredited appearances
* [[Karthi]] as Michael's friend<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajkumar |date=22 April 2020 |title=கார்த்தியை சூர்யாவின் இந்த படத்தில் கவனித்துள்ளீர்களா ? வைரல் புகைப்படம். |url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/actor-karthi-first-ever-movie-apperance-in-suryas-aaytha-ezhuthu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250308092818/https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/actor-karthi-first-ever-movie-apperance-in-suryas-aaytha-ezhuthu/ |archive-date=8 March 2025 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Behind Talkies |language=ta}}</ref>
* [[R. Sundaramoorthy]] as a press reporter<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCLUiO0FJw |title=ரஜினிக்கு எப்படி முடி போச்சுனு தெரியுமா? - மேக்கப் மேன் சுந்தரமூர்த்தி |language=ta |publisher=[[Cinema Vikatan]] |time=15:53 |access-date=12 March 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/cinema-vikatan-sundaramoorthy-interview |archive-date=13 March 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[R. Kannan]] as a villager
* [[Cool Suresh]] as Inba's friend
* S. Ramana Girivasan as [[Inspector]]
* Prakash Chandra as Michael's friend
}}

== Production ==

=== Development ===
The film began pre-production in April 2003 in a typical manner adapted by the director, [[Mani Ratnam]], who keeps his projects under wraps until completion.<ref name="geocities.ws">{{Cite web |title=Interviews of Director Mani Ratnam |url=http://www.geocities.ws/dirmanirathnam/mrinterviews.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204055126/http://www.geocities.ws/dirmanirathnam/mrinterviews.htm |archive-date=4 February 2014 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=Geocities.ws}}</ref> The director chose to make two different versions of the film as he did not want the film to be dubbed, explaining that the essence of the script would be lost if they had done so.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2004 |title=Double shooting |url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/01/02/stories/2004010200880200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219073756/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/01/02/stories/2004010200880200.htm |archive-date=19 December 2013 |access-date=30 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The project was named ''Aayutha Ezhuthu'' after the [[ஃ|last letter]] of the [[Tamil script]], which is denoted by three dots in a triangle and the director revealed that the film was about three individuals.<ref name="geocities.ws" /> Early reports indicated that the film would be based on the 2000 neorealist [[Mexico|Mexican]] film, ''[[Amores perros]]'' by [[Alejandro González Iñárritu]], but eventually only the idea of [[hyperlink cinema]] was common in both films.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. Shiva |date=5 October 2018 |title=Mani is the matter: on Chekka Chivantha Vaanam – The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mani-is-the-matter-on-chekka-chivantha-vaanam/article25130855.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200310041826/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mani-is-the-matter-on-chekka-chivantha-vaanam/article25130855.ece |archive-date=10 March 2020 |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |date=16 November 2013 |title=Was 'Nayakan' inspired by 'The Godfather'? |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-was-nayakan-inspired-by-the-godfather-1920072 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020142154/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-was-nayakan-inspired-by-the-godfather-1920072 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=[[DNA India]]}}</ref> However, Ratnam revealed that the film was closer to [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s 1950 Japanese film ''[[Rashomon]]'' as both films dealt with a cause-effect and a third-view called [[Rashomon effect]].<ref name="geocities.ws" />

=== Casting ===
[[Suriya]], who made his debut in the 1997 Mani Ratnam production ''[[Nerrukku Ner]]'', revealed that he agreed "blindly" to star in the film without even listening to the story or his character. The actor revealed in an interview about Ratnam's choice that "when the master calls for the student you just say “yes”."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surya |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6006638&cid=2408 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050120065834/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=6006638&cid=2408 |archive-date=2005-01-20 |access-date=2012-08-04 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Suriya stated that his character was based on a real person [[George Reddy]] from [[Andhra Pradesh]] and to prepare, he read a lot of books and collected a lot of information before the shoot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Siddhu |date=May 19, 2004 |title=Why Surya wants to watch Ajay Devgan in Yuva |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19surya.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116022737/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19surya.htm |archive-date=16 January 2012 |access-date=2012-08-04 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> [[R. Madhavan]] was signed on to appear in Ratnam's fourth successive project after playing the lead roles in his ''[[Alai Payuthey]]'' (2000) and ''[[Kannathil Muthamittal]]'' (2002) as well as his 2001 production, ''[[Dumm Dumm Dumm]]''. The actor bulked up and sported a shaven look for the first time in his career to resemble his character of a ruffian. For a third lead role, Mani Ratnam called [[Srikanth (actor, born 1979)|Srikanth]] and requested him to audition for the project in December 2002. The actor had scored back-to-back successes in his first two films, ''[[Roja Kootam]]'' and ''[[April Maadhathil]]'', and was subsequently selected to be a part of the film. However, the actor soon after suffered an injury and was unable to commit to the dates Ratnam suggested.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=18 June 2011 |title=Three cheers |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2115546.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102084345/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2115546.ece |archive-date=2 November 2012 |access-date=30 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=2004-12-31 |title=Mani Ratnam signs upcoming hero Srikkant |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/11srikkant.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829124851/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/11srikkant.htm |archive-date=29 August 2011 |access-date=2012-08-04 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> [[Karthi]], the brother of Suriya, was then offered the role but declined the offer to make his debut and worked as an assistant director on the film because he wanted to become a film director and preferred directing to acting.<ref name="toiinterview">{{Cite news |last=Daithota |first=Madhu |date=23 July 2008 |title=I want to look nice shirtless: Karthi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-want-to-look-nice-shirtless-Karthi/articleshow/3264584.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811040837/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-23/news-interviews/27904044_1_paruthi-veeran-first-film-second-film |archive-date=11 August 2011 |access-date=1 June 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]], who had previously apprenticed as an assistant director under Mani Ratnam in ''[[Kannathil Muthamittal]]'' before his making his acting debut in [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]'s ''[[Boys (2003 film)|Boys]]'', was subsequently signed on for the film. Prior to release, Siddharth felt he was cast as he "looked, talked and behaved like Arjun" and mentioned that the sync sound technique used worked in favour of him as he was an experienced theatre actor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Siddhu |date=20 May 2004 |title='Vivek and I have given our hearts to our roles' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/20sid.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116022741/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/20sid.htm |archive-date=16 January 2012 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Kannada actor [[Sudeep]] was also initially slated to form a part of the cast after meeting Mani Ratnam for the script discussion, but was ultimately discarded from the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 March 2009 |title=Think time |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/03/27/stories/2009032750900200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927234943/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/03/27/stories/2009032750900200.htm |archive-date=27 September 2013 |access-date=30 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

Malayalam actress [[Meera Jasmine]] was signed on to play a slum dweller in the film portraying Madhavan's wife and it was reported that she spent hours perfecting her Tamil for the film, trying to get rid of her native [[Malayalam]] accent to adapt to the sound sync technique used.<ref name="geocities.ws" /> Relatively newcomer [[Trisha Krishnan|Trisha]] was also signed on to play a youngster in the film and dubbed for her own voice for the first time.<ref name="geocities.ws" /> Initially [[Simran (actress)|Simran]] was signed on to play the roles of Geetanjali in both versions, but opted out after she began to have problems speaking Tamil as the sound for the film was recorded live.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2003 |title=Bhoot, now in Tamil |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/29bhoot.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517172031/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/29bhoot.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2004 |title=What you should know about Mani Ratnam's latest film |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/17sld8.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517155805/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/17sld8.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> [[Esha Deol]], daughter of actress [[Hema Malini]], was then selected to play the role in the Tamil version of the film after [[Suhasini (Telugu actress)|Suhasini]] enquired whether she could speak Tamil. After finishing her work in ''Aaytha Ezhuthu'', Deol was signed on for the Hindi version of the film too after Simran also opted out of that role and thus Deol became the only common leading actor between the versions. To prepare for her role, Deol worked on certain pronunciations of Iyer Tamil with Mani Ratnam's assistant [[R. Kannan|Kannan]] mentoring her progress.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashraf |first=Syed Firdaus |date=19 May 2004 |title=I am today's woman: Esha Deol |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19esha.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517163616/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19esha.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> It was also reported that actress [[Nadhiya]] had signed the film and would make a comeback to films after a ten-year sabbatical but did not eventually form a part of the final cast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasika |date=29 January 2004 |title=Nadhiya back to acting |url=http://chennaionline.com/reeltalk/01reeltalk29th.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702154359/http://chennaionline.com/reeltalk/01reeltalk29th.asp |archive-date=2 July 2004 |access-date=13 April 2014 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>

The director initially opted against using songs in the film but wanted to create an album with [[A. R. Rahman]] for the project. However, after the songs were recorded, Mani Ratnam had a change of heart and chose to include them. For the art direction in the film, [[Sabu Cyril]] studied each character in-depth, giving them a distinct colour, mood, and background to suit their temperament. For Michael's house in the film, Cyril followed the arrangement in his own house and used some of his own photographs for decorations. He also expressed that he had great difficulty in re-creating the streets of [[Kolkata]] for the Hindi version of the film in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2004 |title=Sabu Cyril created cities for Mani Ratnam |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19sabu.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517173450/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19sabu.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> G. Ramesh was selected to be the hairdresser for the three lead actors in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deepa |first=A. Chithraa |date=22 October 2003 |title=Head for style |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/22/stories/2003102200110200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040101085051/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/22/stories/2003102200110200.htm |archive-date=1 January 2004 |access-date=30 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
The scene filmed at [[Napier Bridge]] in [[Chennai]] was canned in early December 2003, the same time during which Suriya changed his getup and started filming for his another 2004 release, ''[[Perazhagan]]'', but the schedule caused severe traffic and congestion in that area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 December 2003 |title=Film shooting hits traffic on Kamarajar Salai |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/07/stories/2003120709260300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031230192132/http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/07/stories/2003120709260300.htm |archive-date=30 December 2003 |access-date=30 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Mani Ratnam began the Tamil version after [[Vivek Oberoi]] suffered an injury during the making of ''[[Yuva]]'', giving him time to extract more out his actors in the Tamil version.<ref name="geocities.ws" /> Production work for the film began in September 2003, with the technical crew who were mostly from the Tamil film industry including the production house were part of the Hindi version and were retained for the Tamil scenes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ravi.K.Chandran, India's finest cameraman |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=13233175&cid=2408 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031024162622/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/interview.php?id=13233175&cid=2408 |archive-date=24 October 2003 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The Tamil version finished subsequently much earlier than the Hindi version. Some scenes featuring Suriya were also shot at the [[University of Madras]], Mani Ratnam's [[alma mater]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2004 |title=Mani Ratnam's unique experiment: will it work? |url=https://www.glamsham.com/en/mani-ratnams-unique-experiment-will-it-work |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213111310/https://www.glamsham.com/en/mani-ratnams-unique-experiment-will-it-work |archive-date=13 February 2020 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=Glamsham |agency=[[Indo Asian News Service]]}}</ref> The scene where Suriya and Madhavan confront each other was shot at [[Broken Bridge, Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mira S. |first=Sahana |date=21 August 2025 |title=Broken bridge in Chennai: A bridge with no destination, until Tamil cinema stepped in |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/broken-bridge-in-chennai-a-bridge-with-no-destination-until-tamil-cinema-stepped-in/article69946194.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250820065841/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-bridge-with-no-destination-until-cinema-stepped-in/article69946194.ece |archive-date=20 August 2025 |access-date=2 September 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[A. R. Rahman]].{{cn|date=March 2025}}

{{track listing
| headline = Tamil Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_lyrics = [[Vairamuthu]], except where noted
| title1 = Hey Goodbye Nanba
| extra1 = [[Lucky Ali]], [[Sunitha Sarathy]], [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| lyrics1 =
| length1 = 5:02
| title2 = Sandakozhi
| extra2 = [[Madhushree]]
| note2 = lyrics by [[Mani Ratnam]]
| length2 = 4:50
| title3 = Nenjam Ellam
| extra3 = [[Adnan Sami]], [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[A. R. Rahman]]
| lyrics3 =
| length3 = 5:21
| title4 = Dol Dol
| extra4 = Blaaze, [[Shahin Badar]] (Ethnic Vocals)
| note4 = lyrics:[[Blaaze]]
| length4 = 3:55
| title5 = Yaakai Thiri
| extra5 = A. R. Rahman, Sunitha Sarathy, [[Pop Shalini]], [[Tanvi Shah]]
| length5 = 4:39
| title6 = Jana Gana Mana
| extra6 = A. R. Rahman, [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| lyrics6 =
| length6 = 4:56
| title7 = Nee Mazhai
| extra7 = Sunitha Sarathy, Karthik
| note7 = No lyrics, just score
| length7 = 1:09
| title8 = En Jeevane
| extra8 = [[Manicka Vinayagam]]
| note8 = No lyrics, just score
| length8 = 2:25
| total_length = 32:17
}}

{{tracklist
| headline = Telugu Track listing<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2004 |title=Yuva |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/yuva/-X8HqCDauoo_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008194834/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/yuva/-X8HqCDauoo_ |archive-date=8 October 2024 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref>
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_lyrics = [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]], except where noted
| title1 = Hey Goodbye Priya
| extra1 = [[Sunitha Sarathy]], [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Lucky Ali]], [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
| lyrics1 =
| length1 = 5:01

| title2 = Sankurathri Kodi
| extra2 = [[Madhushree]], [[A. R. Rahman]]
| lyrics2 =
| length2 = 4:55

| title3 = Dol Dol
| extra3 = Blaaze, [[Shahin Badar]] (Ethnic Vocals)
| note3 = lyrics:[[Blaaze]]
| length3 = 4:01

| title4 = Vachinda Megham
| extra4 = [[Adnan Sami]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| lyrics4 =
| length4 = 5:24

| title5 = Deham Thiri
| extra5 = Sunitha Sarathy, A. R. Rahman, [[Tanvi Shah]]
| lyrics5 =
| length5 = 4:35

| title6 = Jana Gana Mana
| extra6 = A. R. Rahman, Karthik
| lyrics6 =
| length6 = 4:59
| total_length = 28:55
}}

== Release ==
''Aayutha Ezhuthu'' was released in theatres on 21 May 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aayutha Ezhuthu |url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=moviereview.php%3Fmovid%3D323 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030130714/http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=moviereview.php%3Fmovid%3D323 |archive-date=30 October 2017 |access-date=14 March 2022 |website=[[Ayngaran International]]}}</ref> It had its television premiere on 16 September 2007 on [[Kalaignar TV]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 September 2007 |title=DMK-backed Kalaignar TV goes on air; news channel on the cards |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/TV/DMK-backed-Kalaignar-TV-goes-on-air;-news-channel-on-the-cards_27787.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421163240/https://www.exchange4media.com/TV/DMK-backed-Kalaignar-TV-goes-on-air;-news-channel-on-the-cards_27787.html |archive-date=21 April 2018 |access-date=21 April 2018 |website=Exchange4media}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
''[[Sify]]'' wrote "Aayitha Ezhuthu is a bold and daring move by Mani Ratnam to change the staid style of our commercial cinema."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aayitha Eluthu |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/aayitha-ezhuthu-review-tamil-13480221.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926184147/http://www.sify.com/movies/aayitha-ezhuthu-review-tamil-13480221.html |archive-date=26 September 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "Every frame of Madras Talkies' "Aayudha Ezhuthu" bears the Mani Ratnam stamp and that's what matters. Tamil cinema is in dire need of more such makers as Mani Ratnam."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=28 May 2004 |title=Aayudha Eluthu |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/05/28/stories/2004052801670300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622142208/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/05/28/stories/2004052801670300.htm |archive-date=22 June 2004 |access-date=15 May 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Visual Dasan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote that the usual exuberance that permeates Mani Ratnam's films is also present in the film, but there is no intensity in the flood; only the murmur of the stream.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=6 June 2004 |title=ஆய்த எழுத்து |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-06-06/page/n81/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230326121019/https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-06-06/page/n81/mode/2up |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=80 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> G. Ulaganathan of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' wrote "Mani etches his characters well and deglamourises his heroines all of whom resemble the girl next door. Though the screenplay is taut and slick with brilliant camera by Ravi K Chandran, the meticulously crafted sets of Sabu Cyril, background score of A R Rahman, a major part of the credit should go to two heroes — Madhavan and Surya. The overdose of politics in the climax is a handicap. Nevertheless, Ayutha Ezhuthu is a film worth going miles to watch".<ref>{{cite web|first=G.|last=Ulaganathan|website=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=21 March 2025|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may232004/mr2.asp|date=23 May 2004|title=Ayutha Ezhuthu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226195824/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may232004/mr2.asp|archive-date=26 December 2004}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Madras Talkies}}
{{Mani Ratnam}}
{{A. R. Rahman}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Sujatha}}

[[Category:2004 Indian films]]
[[Category:2000s political action films]]
[[Category:2004 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2004 multilingual films]]
[[Category:Films about contract killing in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mani Ratnam]]
[[Category:Films produced by Mani Ratnam]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films set in universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pollachi]]
[[Category:Hyperlink films]]
[[Category:Indian multilingual films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Student politics in India]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language political films]]
[[Category:Madras Talkies films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language political thriller films]]

Aayutha Ezhuthu - Revision history

Sandy Saha at 15:33, 5 May 2026