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{{short description|2001 film by Dharani}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Dhill
| image = Dhill poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Dharani (director)|Dharani]]
| screenplay = Dharani
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = {{Ubl |[[Bharathan]]}}
}}
| story = Dharani
| starring = [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]<br />[[Laila (actress)|Laila]]<br />[[Ashish Vidyarthi]]
| producer = T. Ajaykumar
| cinematography = S. Gopinath
| narrator = [[P. Ravi Shankar]] {{Small|'''(climax)'''}}
| editing = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| music = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| studio = Lakshmi Productions
| distributor = Omm Divya LTD [[Siddhanta Mahapatra]]
| country = India
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2001|07|13}}
| runtime = 158 minutes
| language = Tamil
| gross =
}}

'''''Dhill''''' ({{translation|Guts/Courage}}) is a 2001 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action film]] written and directed by [[Dharani (director)|Dharani]]. The film stars [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] in the lead role, alongside [[Laila (actress)|Laila]], [[Ashish Vidyarthi]], [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] and [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] in supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]], while cinematography and editing were handled by S. Gopinath and [[B. Lenin]] and [[V. T. Vijayan]].

''Dhill'' was released on 13 July 2001. It received positive reviews and became a commercial success. The film was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Sreeram]]'' (2002), [[Hindi]] as ''[[Dum (2003 Hindi film)|Dum]]'' (2003), [[Kannada]] as ''[[Sye (2005 film)|Sye]]'' (2005), Indian [[Bengali language|Bengali]] as ''Shotrur Mokabila'' (2002) and in [[Bangladesh]]I Bengali as ''Arman'' (2002). ''Dhill'' was the first film to credit Vikram with the title ''Chiyaan''.

==Plot==
Kanagavel an aspiring [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] trainee, succeeds in clearing the exams. After having dinner at a restaurant with his girlfriend Asha and while paying the bill, [[Inspector]] ''Encounter'' Shankar behaves indecently with Asha, but is severely beaten by Kanagavel. Upon learning this, the Chief of Police Training Academy tells Kanagavel that Shankar is an egoistic, corrupt police officer who uses his powers for illegal activities. The Chief reveals that Shankar, along with minister Vedhanayagam and goon Aadhi Bhagavan, alias Adi, were responsible for his daughter's death. His wife, Arathi, losing her sanity as she witnessed Aadhi Bhagavan killing his rival, and she had only came forward to testify in the court.

Learning this, Kanagavel decides to end Shankar's threat once and for all. However, Shankar already goes on the offensive by killing Kanagavel's friend Ashok with the help of Adi. Kanagavel retaliates by attacking Shankar, where he kills Adi with Shankar's gun stolen by him, making everybody believe that Shankar gunned Adi in retaliation. Shankar kills Vedanayagam and frames Kanagavel for the crime. However, it is revealed that Adi's death was faked and that he is actually in Kanagavel's captivity. Unaware of this, Shankar manages to launch a massive manhunt against Kanagavel. Upon learning that Adi is still alive, Shankar springs into action to track down Adi, Kanagavel and Asha.

Shankar traces the trio, and a shootout occurs, where Adi gets fatally injured. Taking advantage of the situation, Shankar tries to corner and kill Kanagavel. On his deathbed, Adi confesses all his crimes to Asha, who records the confession. The [[police commissioner]] arrives at the crime scene, where Asha gives him his dying confession. With Shankar's real face exposed, the commissioner orders Kanagavel and Shankar to surrender. Shankar tries to escape, but Kanagavel tracks him down and kills him. Kanagavel surrenders to the court, but he is released based on evidence and is made to join the IPS.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] as [[Assistant Commissioner of Police|ACP]] Kanagavel [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
* [[Laila (actress)|Laila]] as Asha (Voice dubbed by [[Sreeja Ravi]])
* [[Ashish Vidyarthi]] as [[Inspector]] "Encounter" Shankar (Voice dubbed by [[P. Ravi Shankar]])
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as R. Mahendran, Chief of Police Training Academy
* [[FEFSI Vijayan]] as Aadhi Bhagavan
* [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as "Chinnathirai Singam" Megaserial Mahadevan, Kanagavel's friend
* Rajasekhar as Subramaniam, Kanagavel's father
* [[Kalairani]] as Lakshmi, Kanagavel's mother
* [[Deepa Venkat]] as Selvi, Kanagavel's sister
* Akash as Sekhar, Kanagavel's brother-in-law & Asha's brother
* Vijaya Bharathi as Shanthi, R. Mahendran's wife
* Sukran as Ashok, Kanagavel's friend
* [[Mayilsamy]] as Ezhumalai, Kanagavel's friend
* [[Pandu (actor)|Pandu]] as Constable Sudalairaja
* [[Vaiyapuri]] as Udumalai, Kanagavel's friend
* [[Mohan Raj]] as Minister Vedhanayagam
* [[Charuhasan]] as Minister Subbaiya
* [[M. R. Krishnamurthy|MRK]] as Advocate Perumal
* [[R. N. R. Manohar]]
* [[Crane Manohar]] as Mani
* Karnaa Radha
* [[Manikka Vinayagam]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/paravai-muniyammas-innocence-turned-dhool-shoot-into-a-fun-experience-director-dharani/articleshow/74873364.cms|title=Paravai Muniyamma's innocence turned Dhool shoot into a fun experience: Director Dharani|work=The Times of India|author=M. Suganth|date=29 March 2020|access-date=11 July 2022|archive-date=11 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711215229/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/paravai-muniyammas-innocence-turned-dhool-shoot-into-a-fun-experience-director-dharani/articleshow/74873364.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Alphonsa (actress)|Alphonsa]] in an [[item number]] ("Machan Meesai")
* Priyanka Robo Shankar as Cooking show anchor (uncredited)
}}

==Production==
Vikram, after the success of the critically acclaimed ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'', chose to sign on to appear in an action film directed by his [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]] classmate Dharani. The director had previously worked under the name of Ramani and had made the [[Mammootty]] starrer ''[[Ethirum Pudhirum]]'' in 1999.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/apr/29ss.htm| title = rediff.com, Movies: Vasundhara's no glam doll| access-date = 23 March 2012| archive-date = 4 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131104165343/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/apr/29ss.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> The film was initially titled as ''Kanagavel'' after the lead character, before being renamed to ''Dhill''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2001/feb/radha.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306214255/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2001/feb/radha.htm|archive-date=6 March 2005|title=Dinakaran}}</ref> To appear trim in the role of the aspiring police officer, Vikram went on a strict diet eating only fruits and drinking juice.<ref name="starint">{{cite news|author=Selva, T|date=10 January 2005|title=Vikram's star rises|newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|access-date=2011-07-31|url=http://ecentral.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/1/10/movies/9803468&sec=movies|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609122941/http://ecentral.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2005%2F1%2F10%2Fmovies%2F9803468&sec=movies|archive-date=9 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He revealed that for the film when bulking, he was on 25 egg whites and one whole cooked chicken a day and also employed a body builder to train him.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/04/01/stories/2006040100220300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906014930/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/04/01/stories/2006040100220300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 September 2006 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=V for Vikram | date=1 April 2006}}</ref>

Vikram often helped out during the shooting of the film by helping suggest changes to scenes.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-27/news-interviews/28258661_1_blast-ramani-dharani | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710183027/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-27/news-interviews/28258661_1_blast-ramani-dharani | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 July 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Blast from the past | date=27 October 2010}}</ref> The film also marked the Tamil debut of Hindi actor [[Ashish Vidyarthi]], who has since gone on to appear in several other prominent films. The actor had to wear prosthetic make-up for the film, noting that it took over one hour to put on.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/%27DIL%27%20-%20%28Vikram%20-%20Laila%29.htm| title = Dil| access-date = 23 March 2012| archive-date = 31 May 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080531133718/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/%27DIL%27%20-%20%28Vikram%20-%20Laila%29.htm| url-status = live}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] and consists of 5 songs.

{{Infobox album
| name = Dhill
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2001
| recorded = 2001
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Soundtrack]]
| length = 24:01
| label = Hit Musics<br />[[Saregama]]
| producer = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| prev_title = [[Randam Bhavam]]
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = [[Alli Thandha Vaanam]]
| next_year = 2001
| misc = {{External media|audio1={{YouTube|Vz1_1HA7sq4|Dhill - Audio Jukebox}}}}
}}

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 24:01
| title1 = Dhill Dhill
| lyrics1 = [[Pa. Vijay]]
| extra1 = Timmy, [[Sriram Parthasarathy]], [[Ranjith (actor)|Ranjith]]
| length1 = 4:08
| title2 = Kannukulle
| lyrics2 = [[Arivumathi]]
| extra2 = [[Manikka Vinayagam]]
| length2 = 4:45
| title3 = Machan Meesai
| lyrics3 = Pa. Vijay
| extra3 = Pushpa Anand
| length3 = 4:51
| title4 = Oh Nanbane
| lyrics4 = Arivumathi
| extra4 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[K.S.Chithra]]
| length4 = 5:25
| title5 = Un Samayal Arayil
| lyrics5 = [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
| extra5 = [[P. Unnikrishnan]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length5 = 4:52
| all_writing =
| title6 =
| length6 =
| title7 =
| length7 =
| title8 =
| length8 =
| title9 =
| length9 =
| title10 =
| length10 =
}}

==Release==
''[[The Hindu]]'' stated that "Vikram has the ability and potential" and that "Vikram has once again proved that his success in ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'' was not a fluke".<ref name="dhillhindu">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok|date=27 July 2001|title=Film Review: Dhil|access-date=2011-07-31|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/07/27/stories/09270222.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030730150404/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/07/27/stories/09270222.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 July 2003|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Ayappa Prasad from Screen Magazine wrote that " ''Dhill ''stands out for its convincing storyline and a good performance by Vikram who has strained a lot to be a good action hero who can also emote".<ref>http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/C7C0176562FC0DAEE5256B170039A5C7 {{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Dhill'' became Vikram's first success in the [[masala (film genre)|masala film genre]] and led the way for more such films in the same genre for him.<ref name="dhillhit">{{cite news|author=Kumar, Ashok|date=9 August 2002|title=Raising expectations|access-date=2011-07-31|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/09/stories/2002080901030200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908024202/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/09/stories/2002080901030200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2003|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/kalki2001-08-05/page/16/mode/2up ''Kalki'' review]</ref>

''Dhill'' won six [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] for 2001 with Vidyasagar winning the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] award for his work in ''Dhill'' alongside ''[[Thavasi]]'' and ''[[Poovellam Un Vasam]]''. The film also won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback|Best Male Playback Singer]] for [[P. Unnikrishnan]], [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback|Best Female Playback Singer]] for [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]] and the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Make-up Artist|Best Make-up Artist]] award for Nageswar Rao. Furthermore, dubbing artistes [[Sai Ravi]] and [[Sreeja Ravi|Sreeja]] picked up the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist|Best Male Dubbing Artist]] and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist|Best Female Dubbing Artist]] respectively for their work in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024060415/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/10733.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2004|title = Tamil Cinema News | Tamil Movie Reviews | Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil}}</ref>

The success of ''Dhill'' prompted Vikram and Dharani to come together in 2002 for a project titled ''[[Dhool]]'', which also went on to do become a large commercial success.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/09/stories/2002080901030200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908024202/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/09/stories/2002080901030200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 September 2003 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Raising expectations | date=9 August 2002}}</ref> Furthermore, to capitulate on the hit pair of Vikram and Laila, a 1997 Malayalam film they had starred in together, ''Ithu Oru Snehagadha'' was dubbed and released in Tamil as ''Thrill''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/17/stories/2002051701380300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704161026/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/17/stories/2002051701380300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 July 2003 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=A shot in the arm | date=17 May 2002}}</ref>

== Dubbed versions and remakes ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!Language
!Main Cast
|-
| rowspan="3" |2002
|''[[Sreeram]]''
|Telugu
|[[Uday Kiran]], [[Natassha|Anita Hassanandani]]
|-
|''[[Arman (2002 film)|Arman]]''
|Bengali (Bangladesh)
| [[Manna (actor)|Manna]], [[Purnima (Bangladeshi actress)|Purnima]]
|-
|''[[Shotrur Mokabila]]''
|Bengali
| [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]], [[Rachna Banerjee]]
|-
|2003
|''[[Dum (2003 Hindi film)|Dum]]''
|Hindi
|[[Vivek Oberoi]], [[Diya Mirza]]
|-
|2005
|''[[Sye (2005 film)|Sye]]''
|Kannada
|[[Sudeep]], [[Kanika (actress)|Kanika]]
|}
Despite the remakes, the film was dubbed and released twice in Hindi as ''Meri Aan: Man In Work''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vikram-is-red-hot-in-andhra-news-telugu-kkfvHnjchci.html |title=Vikram is red hot in Andhra |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409004703/http://www.sify.com/movies/vikram-is-red-hot-in-andhra-news-telugu-kkfvHnjchci.html |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0375705|Dhill}}

{{Dharani (director)}}

[[Category:2001 films]]
[[Category:2000s masala films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:2001 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2001 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar (composer)]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Dharani (director)]]
[[Category:2001 action films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Dhill - Revision history

VanBoas1588 at 04:33, 3 March 2026