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{{Short description|2011 Indian film directed by Siddique}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Kaavalan poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical poster
| director = [[Siddique (director)|Siddique]]
| producer = C. Romesh Babu
| writer = Siddique
| screenplay =
| based_on = ''[[Body Guard (2010 film)|Body Guard]]'' (Malayalam)
| starring = [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]<br/> [[Asin]]<br/>[[Mithra Kurian]]
| music = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| cinematography = [[N. K. Ekambaram]]
| editing = K. R. Gowrishankar
| studio = Ekaveera Creations
| distributor = Cinema Paradise
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2011|1|14}}
| runtime = 153 minutes<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaavalan - The Bodyguard |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaavalan-the-bodyguard-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjy1nza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305050201/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaavalan-the-bodyguard-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjy1nza |archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = 
| gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|45–102 crore}}<ref name="news18">{{Cite news |last=Parmeshwaran |first=Pratibha |date=24 October 2011 |title=7am Arivu, Velayutham, RA.One: South's big Diwali |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/7am-arivu-velayutham-ra-one-souths-big-diwali-412587.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313192310/https://www.news18.com/news/india/7am-arivu-velayutham-ra-one-souths-big-diwali-412587.html |archive-date=13 March 2026 |work=[[News18]] |access-date=14 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="B World">{{cite news |last=John |first=Nevin |date=3 January 2013 |title=The South Side Story |url=http://www.businessworld.in/news/null/the-south-side-story/696844/page-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219173038/http://www.businessworld.in/news/null/the-south-side-story/696844/page-1.html |archive-date=19 February 2015 |access-date=19 February 2015 |work=[[Businessworld]]}}</ref>
}}
'''''Kaavalan''''' ({{translation|Bodyguard}}) is a 2011 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Romance film|romantic]] [[action comedy]] film written and directed by [[Siddique (director)|Siddique]]. A remake of Siddique's Malayalam film ''[[Body Guard (2010 film)|Body Guard]]'', the film stars [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], [[Asin]] and [[Mithra Kurian]] (who reprises her role from the original), while [[Rajkiran]], [[Roja Selvamani]] and [[Vadivelu]] appear in supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]], while cinematography and editing were handled by [[N. K. Ekambaram]] and K. R. Gowrishankar. In the film, Meera develops feelings for her bodyguard Bhoominathan and begins calling him as an anonymous caller Ammukutty.

The film's principal shoot commenced in April 2010<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bodyguard is Kaavalkaran in Tamil? |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/84595/Bodyguard-Kaavalan-in-Tamil.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829190532/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/84595/Bodyguard-Kaavalan-in-Tamil.html |archive-date=29 August 2010 |access-date=19 April 2021 |work=Yahoo Movies India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2010 |title=Vijay'S 'Kaavalkaran' Is Fast And Glorious |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/news/4071/vijays-bodyguard-is-fast-and-glorious |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423153647/http://www.top10cinema.com/news/4071/vijays-bodyguard-is-fast-and-glorious |archive-date=23 April 2010 |access-date=21 April 2010 |work=Top 10 Cinema}}</ref> and it was completed by November. Originally, it was scheduled to release on 17 December 2010, but the release was postponed to 14 January 2011. The film was selected to be screened at the [[Shanghai International Film Festival]]<ref name="Kaavalan completes 100 days">{{cite web |title=Kaavalan completes 100 days |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/16410/kollywood/kavalan-completes-100-days-news-details |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424035946/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/16410/kollywood/Kavalan-completes-100-days-News-Details |archive-date=24 April 2011 |access-date=21 April 2011 |publisher=supergoodmovies}}</ref> and received positive reviews from critics with praise for its cast performances (Vijay, Asin and Vadivelu), humour and action sequences. The film became a commercial success by grossing around {{INR}}45–102 crore worldwide.<ref name="news18" /><ref name="B World" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2 November 2011 |title='Velayudham' success celebrations begin! |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/02/velayudham-success-celebrations-begin-305924.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123024523/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/nov/02/velayudham-success-celebrations-begin-305924.html |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=11 February 2021 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> It also marked Asin's last Tamil film of her entire film career before marriage.

==Plot==
{{Long plot|date=May 2024}}
Bhoominathan idolises Muthuramalingam, a rich powerful landlord in Semmanur. At the request of his parents, Bhoomi accepts to work for Muthuramalingam as his [[bodyguard]]. Muthuramalingam's rival is baying for his blood as his daughter committed suicide after Muthuramalingam's son rejected her proposal. While Bhoomi protects Muthuramalingam, his rival threatens the life of his daughter Meera. No one accepts Bhoomi as he had attacked Meera's brother, thus getting him fired from the job, but Bhoomi saves Muthuramalingam from an attack and finally regains his job. Bhoomi is sent to college along with Meera and her friend Madhu to protect them from the threat.

Bhoomi joins the same class where Meera studies, as he has previously discontinued his education. Meera does not like Bhoomi following her as a bodyguard, and plans to divert him. Meera calls Bhoomi over his mobile phone from a [[Unlisted number|private number]] and introduces herself as Ammukutty. Initially, Bhoomi hates the mobile call as it will disturb him, but later develops a liking towards Ammukutty and slowly love blossoms for Bhoomi without knowing that it is Meera herself. He saves Meera from an attack from Muthuramalingam's rival. At one point, Meera too feels herself develop liking towards Bhoomi and expresses her desire to meet him in person without revealing her identity. Due to circumstances, they are not able to accomplish this, and she decides to elope with Bhoomi for which he agrees.

However, Muthuramalingam learns that Bhoomi and Meera are going to run away and sends his men to stop him. Bhoomi thrashes them up easily but Muthuramalingam thrashes Bhoomi. Meera overhears her father's plans and decides to save Bhoomi by lying that he is in love with some other girl and has planned to elope with her. Muthuramalingam spares Bhoomi, believing that Meera is not his lover, but sends his men to the railway station to find out Bhoomi's lover. He also instructs that Bhoomi should be killed if there is no one in the railway station. In a desperate attempt to save Bhoomi, Meera comes up with a plan and requests Madhu to go to the railway station and pretend to be Ammukutty, so that Muthuramalingam's men will spare Bhoomi believing Madhu to be his lover.

Meera also gives a mobile phone to Madhu and informs to give it to Bhoomi when she meets him (as Bhoomi's phone is broken) so that she can reveal the truth to Bhoomi. Madhu agrees and leaves to the station. At the station, Bhoomi gets surprised seeing Madhu in the station and believes that it is Madhu, who was pretending as Ammukutty so far and hugs her. Muthuramalingam's men see this and leave the place, believing that Meera is not Bhoomi's lover. Suddenly, Madhu gets a call in the mobile given by Meera. Madhu understands that the call is from Meera and she wants to speak to Bhoomi. However, Madhu throws away the phone from train, following which it is revealed that Madhu also likes Bhoomi, and she decides to marry him by betraying Meera.

10 years later, Bhoomi is now a high-ranking [[Indian Foreign Service|I.F.S.]] officer, who returns to Muthuramalingam's village for a short vacation before leaving to [[Australia]], along with his son Sidharth. Muthuramalingam's condition is ill and Madhu had died a few years back due to some medical ailments, but she has written all the truth in a diary and gives it to Sidharth to read it after her death. Sidharth has learnt all the truth. Madhu has also mentioned in the diary that this truth should never be disclosed to Bhoomi. Meera stays with her father, and Bhoomi gets shocked to know that Meera still remains unmarried.

When Bhoomi and Sidharth are about to return home, Sidharth asks Meera to come with them and expresses his wish to call her as his mother. Bhoomi berates Sidharth for his suggestion and apologises to Meera and Muthuramalingam, but Muthuramalingam also insists Meera to leave with Bhoomi. Bhoomi, Meera and Sidharth leave together from the village. Just before the train starts, Sidharth throws the diary containing the truth in a dust bin and comes back, but Bhoomi takes back the diary from the dust bin, without Sidharth's knowledge. Upon reading the diary, Bhoomi is shocked knowing it was Meera who loved him in the name of Ammukutty and wholeheartedly accepts Meera.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
*[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] as Bhoominathan alias Bhoomi
*[[Asin]] as Meera / Ammukutty, Muthuramalingam's daughter
*[[Mithra Kurian]] as Madhu, Meera's best friend and Bhoominathan's wife
*[[Rajkiran]] as Semmanur Muthuramalingam thevar, Meera's father
*[[Roja Selvamani|Roja]] as Devika, Meera's mother
*[[Vadivelu]] as Ammavasai
*[[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as college Principal
*[[Madhan Bob]] as college lecturer
*[[Mahadevan (actor)|Mahadevan]] as Devarajan
*[[Krishna Kumar (actor)|Krishna Kumar]] as Karthik
*[[M. S. Bhaskar]] as Sakkran, Madhu's father
*[[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Parthasarathy, Bhoomi's father
*Yuvasri as Bhoomi's mother
*[[Delhi Ganesh]] as Bhoomi's maternal uncle
*Neepa as Poongodi
*[[Guinness Pakru]] as Meera's friend and classmate
*Sharmilee as Hostel Warden
*[[Vaiyapuri]] as Bhoomi's friend at [[Bangkok]] (cameo appearance)
*[[Sathish Krishnan]] as college dance master (guest appearance)
}}

==Production==
===Development===
The film was initially referred to as ''Kaavalkaaran'', which literally means "bodyguard" in Tamil. After rumours of the title being changed to ''Kaaval Kaadhal'', the film was officially confirmed to be titled ''Kaavalan'' in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 August 2010 |title=''Kaaval Kathal'' becomes ''Kaavalan''! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/ikaaval-kathali-becomes-ikaavalani-news-tamil-kkguOJeijcasi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504053718/https://www.sify.com/movies/ikaaval-kathali-becomes-ikaavalani-news-tamil-kkguOJeijcasi.html |archive-date=4 May 2022 |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The reason for the name confusion and its eventual permanent change was due to complications in obtaining the rights to the title of ''[[Kaavalkaaran]]'' from [[M. G. Ramachandran]]'s producers. They refused to sell the title to Vijay, leading to the rechristening of the title to ''Kaavalan''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2010 |title=Finally, Vijay's film has a name |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/aug/20/finally-vijays-film-has-a-name-179742.html |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504054026/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2010/aug/20/finally-vijays-film-has-a-name-179742.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Casting===
With the announcement of the remake, Siddique had finalised Vijay to play the lead role, reminiscent of their previous venture ''[[Friends (2001 film)|Friends]]'' (2001), which was also a remake of [[Friends (1999 film)|Siddique's own Malayalam film]]. [[Asin]] was signed up to pair with Vijay for the third time after their previous pairings in ''[[Sivakasi (film)|Sivakasi]]'' (2005) and ''[[Pokkiri]]'' (2007), also giving Asin a comeback in [[Tamil cinema]] after her last appearance in ''[[Dasavathaaram]]'' (2008). This also marks Vijay’s comeback to [[Romance film|romance]] genre after ''[[Sachein]]'' (2005).{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

===Filming===
The film's principal shoot began in April at Kumbakonam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vijay's next Kaaval kaadhal |url=http://www.anytimechennai.com/Latest-Tamil-News/vijays-next-kaavalkaaran.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026090036/http://anytimechennai.com/Latest-Tamil-News/vijays-next-kaavalkaaran.html |archive-date=26 October 2010 |access-date=21 April 2010 |website=Anytime Chennai}}</ref> An incident occurred on set in April, where Asin, her father, and her makeup assistants fainted in their caravan after being exposed to a gas leak. They were treated in hospital the same day and were eventually discharged.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2010 |title=Asin hospitalized after gas leakage |url=http://movies.sulekha.com/tamil/kaavalkaaran/news/asin-hospitalized-after-gas-leakage.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713184926/http://movies.sulekha.com/tamil/kaavalkaaran/news/asin-hospitalized-after-gas-leakage.htm |archive-date=13 July 2012 |access-date=21 April 2010 |website=[[Sulekha]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 April 2010 |title=Asin's gassed out! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/asins-gassed-out/articleshow/5816152.cms |access-date=16 September 2025 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The second shoot schedule occurred in [[Vellore]]. Vijay and Asin, along with director Siddique and the rest of crew filmed at the [[Vellore Institute of Technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2010 |title=Asin's playing it cool |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/asin-s-playing-it-cool/story-yMDMYE1MNoDGI926CKIiEP.html |access-date=16 September 2025 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Asin: Kaavalan is not like Sivakasi or Pokri |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-asin-talks-about-her-new-film-kaavalan/20110114.htm |access-date=16 September 2025 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref> A song was shot at [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Kaavalan
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2010|12|8|df=y}}
| recorded = 2010
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 20:56
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| label = [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus]]
| producer = Vidyasagar
| prev_title = [[Mandhira Punnagai (2010 film)|Mandhira Punnagai]]
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = [[Ilaignan]]
| next_year = 2010
}}

The score and soundtrack were then composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]], collaborating with [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] for the 8th time, after ''[[Coimbatore Mappillai]]'', ''[[Nilaave Vaa]]'', ''[[Thirumalai]]'', ''[[Ghilli]]'', ''[[Madhurey]]'', ''[[Aathi]]'' and ''[[Kuruvi]]''. The audio launch was held on 8 December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaavalan songs, Audio Launch Event on December 8 |url=http://www.kaavalan.net/kaavalan-songs-audio-launch-event-on-december-8/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20101206094918/http://www.kaavalan.net/kaavalan-songs-audio-launch-event-on-december-8/ |archive-date=6 December 2010 |website=kaavalan.net}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| length1 = 4:30
| title1 = Vinnai Kaapan
| extra1 = [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Shweta Mohan]]
| lyrics1 = [[Pa. Vijay]]
| length2 = 4:27
| title2 = Step Step
| extra2 = [[Benny Dayal]], [[Megha (singer)|Megha]]
| lyrics2 = [[Viveka (lyricist)|Viveka]]
| length3 = 4:36
| title3 = Yaradu
| extra3 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Suchitra]]
| lyrics3 = [[Yugabharathi]]
| length4 = 4:15
| title4 = Sada Sada
| extra4 = Karthik
| lyrics4 = Yugabharathi
| length5 = 3:48
| title5 = Pattamboochi
| extra5 = [[Krishnakumar Kunnath|KK]], [[Rita (Indian singer)|Rita]]
| lyrics5 = [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
}}

MusicAloud.com rated the album 8 out of 10, stating "After a completely subdued soundtrack for ''Mandhira Punnagai'', he creates another out-and-out commercial score in ''Kaavalan''. A sureshot musical hit for Vijay!"<ref name="musicaloud">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaloud.com/2010/12/08/kaavalan-music-review/|title=Kaavalan – Music Review|author=Musicaloud|year=2010|access-date=11 February 2013|archive-date=4 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204112827/http://www.musicaloud.com/2010/12/08/kaavalan-music-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rediff rated the album 2.5 out of 5, stating that "''Kaavalan'' would be a throwback to the star's earlier, romance-heavy movies, notably ''Friends''. It looks like Vidhyasagar has followed the same mission directive. It's a relief to see less of hero-overtones and more soft numbers."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-music-review-kaavalan/20101221.htm|title=Kaavalan – Rediff Music Review|date=21 December 2010|publisher=Rediff|access-date=11 February 2013|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910193519/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-music-review-kaavalan/20101221.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Marketing==
The trailer was released worldwide on 16 December 2010 in Northern California, marking the first time a Vijay film trailer was launched outside India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-to-launch-kaavalan-trailer-in-us-news-tamil-kmqp99jdeag.html |title=Vijay to launch Kaavalan trailer in US |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=11 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220105333/http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-to-launch-kaavalan-trailer-in-us-news-tamil-kmqp99jdeag.html |archive-date=20 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Controversies ==
Due to the failure of ''[[Sura (film)|Sura]]'' (2010), theatre owners faced huge losses, and asked Vijay to compensate 35% of the loss amount.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/After-Sura-flops-theatre-owners-ask-Vijay-to-pay-up/articleshow/5964051.cms|title=After 'Sura' flops, theatre owners ask Vijay to pay up|date=23 May 2010|first=Bhama Devi|last=Ravi|work=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130043723/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/After-Sura-flops-theatre-owners-ask-Vijay-to-pay-up/articleshow/5964051.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Vijay did not give any response. A week before the film's release, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, had announced that they will not give any other co-operation to ''Kaavalan'', and the actor's other future projects.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Theatre-owners-against-Vijay-film/article15510279.ece|title=Theatre owners against Vijay film|date=6 January 2011|work=The Hindu|access-date=13 March 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712035549/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Theatre-owners-against-Vijay-film/article15510279.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, two shows were cancelled on the opening day, 14 January 2011, and went ahead with matinee shows.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thalaivaa-kaththi-puli-theri-mersal-sarkar-tracing-pre-post-release-controversies-that-haunt-vijays-career-5505171.html|title=Thalaivaa, Kaththi, Puli, Theri, Mersal, Sarkar: Tracing pre, post-release controversies that haunt Vijay's career|date=5 November 2018|work=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713165150/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thalaivaa-kaththi-puli-theri-mersal-sarkar-tracing-pre-post-release-controversies-that-haunt-vijays-career-5505171.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moreover, it was rumoured that significant industry stakeholders from [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] pressurised exhibitors to stall the film's release,<ref name=":0" /> since ''[[Aadukalam]]'', which was distributed by [[Sun Pictures]], was slated to release in January 2011, and also majority of the theatres were controlled by the party supremos. In order to have a smooth release, Vijay sought help from [[J. Jayalalithaa]], from [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]], which was the opposition party at that time, as a result the film opened to 450 screens, on 15 January 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/how-jayalalitha-helped-vijay-resurrect-his-career_104026.html|title=How Jayalalitha helped Vijay resurrect his career!|date=17 January 2012|work=Zee News|language=en|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712041055/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/how-jayalalitha-helped-vijay-resurrect-his-career_104026.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
Originally slated to release on 17 December 2010, ''Kaavalan'' was released on 15 January 2011. The film was selected at the 14th [[Shanghai International Film Festival]] in the panorama section. SIFF issued an invitation to Vijay as guest of honour.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

''Kaavalan'' re-released in Kerala after ten years in 10 February 2022 to celebrate 10 years of its release.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

== Reception ==
===Box office===
Kaavalan released over 600 screens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://south-cinemanews.blogspot.in/2010/11/kaavalan-release-trouble.html|title=More trouble ahead with Vijay's Kaavalan|access-date=14 January 2010|publisher=southcinemas|archive-date=1 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101084754/http://south-cinemanews.blogspot.in/2010/11/kaavalan-release-trouble.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaavalan released to generally positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/news-interviews/28249299_1_asin-hill-city-lavasa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419050036/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/news-interviews/28249299_1_asin-hill-city-lavasa|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Vijay & Asin's crackling chemistry|access-date=21 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/features/visitors-1/jan-11-03/vijay-asin-21-01-11.html|title=Kavalan Truly A Real Bodyguard|access-date=18 January 2011|website=Behindwoods|archive-date=24 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124074035/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/visitors-1/jan-11-03/vijay-asin-21-01-11.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film collected {{INR}}55 lakhs in Chennai during its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/half-yearly-report/kavalan.html|title=Kaavalan among 12 anticipated movies|website=Behindwoods|access-date=10 February 2013|archive-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121011707/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/half-yearly-report/kavalan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of six weeks it had grossed around {{INR|45–102}} crore at the worldwide box office.<ref name="news18" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-feb-28/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-kavalan.html |title=Tamil Top Ten Movies |access-date=11 February 2013 |archive-date=31 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031235525/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-4/top-ten-movies-feb-28/tamil-cinema-topten-movie-kavalan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film grossed {{USD}}75,000 in the United Kingdom<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=UK&id=_fKAAVALAN01|title=Kaavalan (2011)|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|access-date=27 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228004243/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=UK&id=_fKAAVALAN01|url-status=live}}</ref> The movie managed to complete a 100-day run in 2 theatres in Tamil Nadu <ref name="Kaavalan completes 100 days"/>

===Critical response===
Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com praised Vadivelu and Vijay's comedic performances, but criticised the Tamil version of the film, for being edited in such a way that scenes either lacked resolution or coherence, and some character dialogue was delivered "without continuity".<ref name="Vijay of yore is back as Kaavalan">{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Pavithra |date=15 January 2011 |title=Vijay of yore is back as Kaavalan |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-kaavalan-vijay-of-yore-is-back/20110115.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200929142237/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-kaavalan-vijay-of-yore-is-back/20110115.htm |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date=11 February 2021 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' rated the film 42 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite web |last=சார்லஸ் |first=தேவன் |date=22 June 2021 |title=பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100344/https://cinema.vikatan.com/amp/story/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> A critic from [[Rediff.com]], while giving the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, credited Vijay for "shedding his action/political persona" and "choosing a script that focuses on comedy and emotions".<ref name=rediff>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-kaavalan-vijay-of-yore-is-back/20110115.htm|title=Vijay of yore is back as Kaavalan|last=Srinivasan|first=Pavithra|work=Rediff|date=16 January 2011|access-date=17 February 2021|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200929142237/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-kaavalan-vijay-of-yore-is-back/20110115.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[The Times of India]] rated the film 3/5 and says "'Kaavalan' is vintage Vijay on display and is proof that if he keeps away from superhero mannerisms and sticks to the vision of the director".<ref>{{cite news |title=Kaavalan Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Kaavalan by Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/kaavalan/movie-review/7385414.cms |access-date=24 January 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> [[Sify.com]] described the film as "super fun" and a "perfect Pongal family entertainer" and rated it 4.5/5. The reviewer particularly praised Vijay's performance, observing that the film works "purely on his star charisma and larger-than-life image" and that "he carries the film on his shoulders and is one good reason to watch the film".<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2011 |title=Kaavalan - Review |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaavalan-review-review--pclxOPbgbfjig.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119213945/https://www.sify.com/movies/kaavalan-review-review--pclxOPbgbfjig.html |archive-date=19 January 2021 |access-date=17 February 2021 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2019}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient
! Result
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Vijay Awards]]
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Hero|Favourite Hero]]
|[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year|Entertainer of the Year]]
|[[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]
|{{Nom}}
|-
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine|Favourite Heroine]]
|[[Asin]]
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Film|Favourite Film]]
|''Kaavalan''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Favourite Song|Favourite Song]]
|''Pattamboochi''
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]]
|[[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Comedian|Best Comedian]]
|[[Vadivelu]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
|[[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Vijay Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]]
|[[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
|{{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA]]
|SIIMA Award for Best Actress|Best Actress
|[[Asin]]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil|Best Actress]]
|[[Asin]]
|{{nom}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

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

{{Bodyguard and its remakes}}
{{Siddique (director)}}

[[Category:2011 Indian films]]
[[Category:2010s romantic action films]]
[[Category:2011 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2011 action comedy films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about bodyguards]]
[[Category:Films directed by Siddique]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar (composer)]]
[[Category:Films shot at Varikkasseri Mana]]
[[Category:Films shot in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Indian action comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic comedy films]]

Kaavalan - Revision history

RowenaClune540 at 12:46, 14 March 2026