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{{short description|2004 film by M. Raja}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| image = M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[M. Raja]]
| writer = Prasanna Kumar (dialogues)
| screenplay = M. Raja
| story = [[Puri Jagannadh]]
| producer = M. Raja
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[Ravi Mohan]]
*[[Asin]]
*[[Nadhiya]]
*[[Prakash Raj]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Balasubramaniem]]
| editing = S. Surajkavee
| music = [[Srikanth Deva]]
| studio = Jayam Productions
| released = {{Film date|2004|10|01|df=yes}}
| runtime = 168 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi''''' is a 2004 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[sports drama]] film co-written and directed by [[M. Raja]], starring [[Ravi Mohan]] (credited as Jayam Ravi), [[Asin]], [[Nadhiya]], and [[Prakash Raj]], while [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] and [[Subbaraju]] play supporting roles. This marks the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] debut of Asin and the return of Nadhiya after a hiatus. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by [[Srikanth Deva]]. It is a remake of the Telugu film ''[[Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi]]'', also starring Asin in her reprised role from the original version. The film became a blockbuster and one of the most profitable movies of 2004.

== Plot ==
For Kumaran, life revolves around his mother, Mahalakshmi, who is separated from his father, Easwar. Easwar pursued his passion for [[kickboxing]], becoming a world-renowned trainer based in [[Malaysia]]. Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi has remained in [[Chennai]], devoting her life to raising Kumaran. Kumaran is also passionate about kickboxing and shares a special relationship with his mother. However, her death shatters his world. On her deathbed, she asks him to meet his father, so he travels to Malaysia to do so. He finds work at his father's kickboxing academy, but he also discovers that his father has remarried and had a daughter named Swapna with his new wife, Shalini. Kumaran feels betrayed and angry, which causes plenty of friction between them. Meanwhile, Easwar is training a boxer named Anand, whom he believes will win the championship. He considers Anand his protégé and often shows favouritism towards him over Kumaran. However, Anand soon gets Swapna pregnant and leaves her. Kumaran finds out when he follows Swapna and Shalini to a pet shop, where they are buying insect repellent to kill themselves with. They attempt suicide, but Kumaran saves them. He then betrays Easwar by joining another team when they offer him a better contract. The rest of the story follows Easwar training Kumaran to compete against Anand in a kickboxing competition, while Kumaran helps his half-sister with matters of the heart. Kumaran wins the kickboxing championship. The film ends with Kumaran seeing a final apparition of his mother looking at him proudly and waving goodbye.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Ravi Mohan]] as M. Kumaran
* [[Asin]] as Mythili alias Malabar
* [[Nadhiya]] as Mahalakshmi, Kumaran's mother
* [[Prakash Raj]] as Easwar, Kumaran's father
* [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as Ganesh, Kumaran's friend
* [[Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran|Aishwarya]] as Shalini, Easwar’s second wife
* Deepu as Swapna, Easwar and Shalini’s daughter
* [[Subbaraju|Subburaj]] as Anand
* [[J. Livingston|Livingston]] as Sheikh Fakhrudeen
* [[Manobala]] as Ganesh's father
* [[Vennira Aadai Moorthy]] as Namboothri
* [[Vaiyapuri]] as Velu
* [[Janagaraj]] as the inspector
* [[R. S. Shivaji]] as Constable Sambandham
* [[Jyothi Lakshmi]] as Malabar's aunt
* [[O. A. K. Sundar]] as Kumaran's coach
* [[Bonda Mani]] as assistant priest
* [[Muthukaalai]] as a man at the mall
* [[Cool Suresh]] as a rowdy
* Nandha Saravanan as a rowdy
* Shanthi Anandraj as Mahalakshmi's colleague
* Vijay Ganesh as a devotee
* Master Chandrahasan as young Kumaran<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2006 |title=Chandrahasan acts in 'Vanjagan' with Suman – Sujibala |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/15052006-4.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826131455/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/15052006-4.shtml |archive-date=26 August 2006 |access-date=25 October 2023 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref>
* Freddy Odiyo as an emcee
*''Osthe'' J. Ram as henchman
* [[Kalyan (choreographer)|Kalyan]] (in the song "Tamizh Nattu Manava")
* [[Ragasya]] (in the song "Yaaru Yaaru Ivano")
* [[Vijay Sethupathi]] as a boxing student (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |first=Janani |date=17 December 2012 |title='I was rejected even for the role of a junior artist' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-was-rejected-even-for-the-role-of-a-junior-artist/articleshow/17646577.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324152247/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-was-rejected-even-for-the-role-of-a-junior-artist/articleshow/17646577.cms |archive-date=24 March 2016 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
}}

== Production ==
After the success of ''[[Jayam (2003 film)|Jayam]]'' (2003), Raja decided to remake the successful Telugu film ''[[Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi]]'' (2003).<ref name="R">{{cite news |date=12 October 2007 |title=Raja of remakes |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/raja-of-remakes/article3023879.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214085959/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/raja-of-remakes/article3023879.ece |archive-date=14 December 2019 |access-date=23 August 2018 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film was originally titled ''M. Kumaran S/O Bhagyalakshmi''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2004 |title='Remake' Ravi is back! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/remake-ravi-is-back-news-tamil-kkfvNLfjbeisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901202407/http://www.sify.com/movies/remake-ravi-is-back-news-tamil-kkfvNLfjbeisi.html |archive-date=1 September 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Raja made a few modifications to the film including adding a child episode to the film's introduction after his father [[Editor Mohan]] suggested it.<ref name="Interview">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wp-d1Ku6nA |title=Mohan Raja Emotional 🥺 "அப்பாதான் ரொம்ப கஷ்டப்பட்டாரு 😓படம் ஓடாதுன்னு சொன்னாங்க..காரணம்" | M.Kumaran |date=13 March 2025 |language=ta |publisher=Rednool |time=22:03-22:10; 23:00-23:11 |access-date=13 May 2025 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Unlike ''Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'' which featured both the mother and father characters living in India, ''M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi'' featured the father's character living in Malaysia.<ref name="Interview" />

[[Nadhiya]] made her acting comeback with this film portraying Ravi's mother as Raja felt that he wanted to portray her as a modern mother as opposed to the usual portrayal of mothers, and she was the right choice for the role.<ref name="R" /> Some of the comedy scenes were reused from ''[[Ishq (1997 film)|Ishq]]'' (1997).<ref name="S" /> This film marked [[Vijay Sethupathi]]'s first noticeable role and he was seen during Ravi Mohan's introduction sequence. He was paid ₹71 rupees for his role.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K89bFfXEa80 |title="அம்மா சாகுற Scene 🥺 Ravi தடுமாறி, அப்போ அண்ணன் சொல்லக்கூடாத வார்த்தைய சொன்னேன்" 😱 Mohan Raja |date=14 March 2025 |language=ta |publisher=Rednool |time=2:39-3:37 |access-date=13 May 2025 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Asin and Prakash Raj reprised their roles from original Telugu version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=8 March 2004 |title=M Kumaran son of Mahalakshmi |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Newlaunches/03kumaran.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040920024607/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Newlaunches/03kumaran.asp |archive-date=20 September 2004 |access-date=7 January 2026 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The songs and background score was done by [[Srikanth Deva]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2004 |title=M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/m.-kumaran-so-mahalakshmi/K94R0Y96DOg_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808232547/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/m.-kumaran-so-mahalakshmi/K94R0Y96DOg_ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=18 April 2023 |website=[[JioSaavn]] |language=en}}</ref> The song "Ayyo Ayyo" [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolated]] the Malaysian song "Hati Kama", composed by Pak Ngah.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2018 |title=Anirudh's Kalyana Vayasu song is not plagiarised, but these tracks are |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/tamil-copied-songs-tamil-music-copy-cats-1238775-2018-05-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719165516/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/tamil-copied-songs-tamil-music-copy-cats-1238775-2018-05-22 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> The song "Chennai Senthamizh" is based on "Chennai Chandrama" from the original, which in turn is based on "Mahaganapathim" by [[Muthuswami Dikshitar]], and is set in the raga [[Nata (raga)|Nattai]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vandhana |date=6 June 2016 |title=Song Of The Day – Chennai Senthamizh |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/song-of-the-day-chennai-senthamizh/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418133506/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/song-of-the-day-chennai-senthamizh/ |archive-date=18 April 2023 |access-date=18 April 2023 |website=Silverscreen India}}</ref> The original composers of both of these songs were not given credit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2004 |title=Borrowing tunes! |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13635848 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050326124246/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13635848 |archive-date=26 March 2005 |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 38:45
| title1 = Chennai Senthamizh
| extra1 = [[Harish Raghavendra]]
| lyrics1 = [[Na. Muthukumar]]
| length1 = 4:17
| title2 = Neeye Neeye
| extra2 = [[KK (singer)|KK]]
| lyrics2 = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| length2 = 6:19
| title3 = Ayyo Ayyo
| extra3 = [[Udit Narayan]], [[Pop Shalini|Shalini Singh]]
| lyrics3 = [[Yugabharathi]]
| length3 = 5:47
| title4 = Vacchuka Vacchukava
| lyrics4 = Srikanth Deva
| extra4 = KK, [[Srilekha Parthasarathy]]
| length4 = 5:25
| title5 = Yaaru Yaaru Ivano
| lyrics5 = [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
| extra5 = [[Devan Ekambaram|Devan]], [[Febi Mani]]
| length5 = 5:13
| title6 = Tamizh Nattu Maanava
| lyrics6 = [[Pa. Vijay]]
| extra6 = [[Shankar Mahadevan]], [[Premgi Amaren]]
| length6 = 5:22
| title7 = Neeye Neeye
| lyrics7 = Vaali
| extra7 = Srikanth Deva
| note7 = II
| length7 = 6:22
}}

==Reception==
=== Critical reception ===
Malathi Rangajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "casting is a main draw", praising the inclusion of Nadhiya.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=8 October 2004 |title=M. Kumaran Son of ... |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/10/08/stories/2004100802130301.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041122114949/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/10/08/stories/2004100802130301.htm |archive-date=22 November 2004 |access-date=28 December 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> A critic from ''[[Sify]]'' wrote "MKSM begins on a fresh note but peters off in the latter half into a mushy sentimental drama that is so predictable with no reason or logic".<ref name="S">{{Cite web |date=2 October 2004 |title=M.Kumaran son of Mahalakshmi |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/m-kumaran-son-of-mahalakshmi-review-tamil-pclv9ocjffice.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203224518/http://www.sify.com/movies/m-kumaran-son-of-mahalakshmi-review-tamil-pclv9ocjffice.html |archive-date=3 December 2017 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> G. Ulaganathan of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' felt Ravi looked "quite uncomfortable in the presence of actors like Prakash Raj" and that Vivek "tends to do an action replay of some of his earlier films" and Malaysia "could have been better used" but appreciated Nadhiya's acting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=2 January 2005 |title=M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan022005/mr4.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204170927/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan022005/mr4.asp |archive-date=4 February 2005 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> [[Rediff.com]] listed the film amongst the "best Tamil films of 2004", stating that the film was "a big success".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2004 |title=The Best Tamil Films, 2004 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/21sld8.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929194222/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/21sld8.htm |archive-date=29 September 2016 |access-date=28 December 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

The film went on to become a commercial success and a major leap in Jayam Ravi's career.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2004 |title=The family 'connection' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-family-connection/article28350960.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328154727/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-family-connection/article28350960.ece |archive-date=28 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Box-office ===
The film collected share of {{INR}}54 [[lakh]] in 40 days in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2004 |title='Jayam' Ravi is victorious second time! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/jayam-ravi-is-victorious-second-time-news-tamil-kkfvDWiaahbsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909131225/http://www.sify.com/movies/jayam-ravi-is-victorious-second-time-news-tamil-kkfvDWiaahbsi.html |archive-date=9 September 2014 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

{{M. Raja}}

[[Category:2000s sports drama films]]
[[Category:2004 sports films]]
[[Category:2004 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2004 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mohan Raja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Srikanth Deva]]
[[Category:Films shot in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Indian boxing films]]
[[Category:Indian sports drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Telugu films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language sports drama films]]

M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi - Revision history

CelestaWolf314 at 15:57, 10 March 2026