FerdinandGarden at 18:36, 9 April 2026

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{{Short description|2014 Indian film by Raghavan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Manjapai
| image = Manjapai poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = N. Ragavan
| writer = N. Ragavan
| producer = [[N. Linguswamy]] [[A. Sargunam]] '''(Presenters)''' [[N. Subash Chandrabose]] A. Nandha Kumar
| starring = [[Vimal (actor)|Vimal]] [[Rajkiran]] [[Lakshmi Menon (actress)|Lakshmi Menon]]
| cinematography = Masani
| editing = Deva
| music = [[N. R. Raghunanthan]]
| studio = A Sarkunam Cinemaz
| distributor = [[Thirupathi Brothers]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2013 |title=Suriya and Samantha for Thirupathi Brothers |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/91586.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310050846/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/91586.html |archive-date=10 March 2013 |access-date=18 August 2013 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|2014|06|06|df=y}}
| runtime = 136 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
'''''Manjapai''''' ({{Translation|Yellow Duffle}}) is a 2014 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[comedy drama]] film written and directed by N. Ragavan in his debut. Produced by [[Thirrupathi Brothers]] and [[A. Sarkunam|A Sarkunam Cinemaz]], it stars [[Vimal (actor)|Vimal]], [[Rajkiran]] and [[Lakshmi Menon (actress)|Lakshmi Menon]]. The film saw its worldwide release on 6 June 2014 and became a [[sleeper hit]]. The film was remade in Telugu as ''[[Erra Bus]]'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2014 |title=Manja Pai to be remade in three languages |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Manja-Pai-to-be-remade-in-three-languages/articleshow/37391377.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125112644/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Manja-Pai-to-be-remade-in-three-languages/articleshow/37391377.cms |archive-date=25 November 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and in Kannada by the same director as ''[[Mr. Mommaga]]'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2015 |title=Rangayana Raghu Plays a Grandfather in Mr Mommaga |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Feb/19/rangayana-raghu-plays-a-grandfather-in-mr-mommaga-719236.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219213713/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/feb/19/Rangayana-Raghu-Plays-a-Grandfather-in-Mr-Mommaga-719236.html |archive-date=19 December 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
The film starts with Tamil who is raised single-handedly by his grandfather, Venkatasamy in a village, as his parents had committed suicide after eloping and giving birth to him. 25 years later the boy is working in a Chennai-based IT company, staying in a modern upmarket apartment. Tamil meets Karthika, a medical student using tricks to get to the front of the traffic signal. They fall in love at first sight, and end up being so engrossed in each other that they don't realise that the signal had gone green. The way Karthika tricks the police officer and gets away with it endears Tamil to Karthika. He follows her and in no time she reciprocates.

Meanwhile, at work, Tamil is selected to go to US for a three-month project and he brings Venkatasamy to the city so that they can spend time together before he leaves for US. Venkatasamy, coming from a rustic background, is unfamiliar with the urban lifestyle of people in a modern city.

He bathes and washes his clothes at a fountain, causing much embarrassment to Tamil which he does not share with Venkatasamy. He causes further hardship by disturbing Tamil during his date with Karthika, causing a break-up between them. Venkatasamy infuriates Tamil further by slapping Karthika's father, an Inspector of Police, for allowing his daughter to wear short clothes in public. Tamil pleads with Karthika and finally she forgives him.

Tamil spends several nights working on a project on his laptop. Venkatasamy assumes the laptop to be a sandwich grill and without knowing how to use it, puts it on the stove causing the laptop to explode into pieces, destroying the project work. Tamil is sacked from his job as a result but hides his anger from Venkatasamy.

Karthika motivates Tamil to complete the project on her computer. The old man feels really guilty of destroying the laptop, and buys him a new one by selling his ancestral wedding ring. Tamil thanks his grandfather and starts working on the project. He finishes the project and gets his job back.

Meanwhile, the old man helps a couple elope and get them married the same way he did with Tamil's parents. While Tamil is leaving to attend an interview to go to the US, Venkatasamy mocks the US flag at the US consulate and thinks that the whites are conquering India again. He creates a nuisance and both of them are arrested. When they come out of the station, Tamil goes for a second interview but his visa is rejected; he scolds his grandfather amidst a large crowd.

A girl, Pooja, thinks that a piece of sweet laced with rat poison is a sweet that the old man gave her and faints after eating it. She was brought to the hospital and the old man is scolded in public for the second time by the girl's parents. The girl is cured thanks to the mixture of salt and tamarind water Venkatasamy gave Pooja before she was taken to the hospital, helping her to vomit and get rid of the poison.

When everyone wants to apologise and thank the old man, he goes missing and everyone starts to search for him. The old man is finally located but in a mentally challenged state. The film ends with Tamil regretting scolding his grandfather and crying while hugging him tightly.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Vimal (actor)|Vimal]] as Tamil
* [[Lakshmi Menon (actress)|Lakshmi Menon]] as Karthika
* [[Rajkiran]] as Venkatasamy
* [[Ashvin Raja]] as Tamil's friend
* [[Yuvina Parthavi]] as Pooja
* Ravi Venkatraman as Karthika's father
* Kadhal Saravanan as Saravana
* [[Thangadurai (actor)|Thangadurai]] as Traffic Inspector
* Uriyadi Suruli
}}

== Production ==
Initially, when first reported in June 2012, it was said that the film starring [[Vimal (actor)|Vimal]] would be directed by [[A. Sargunam]] simultaneously with his other project ''[[Naiyaandi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2012 |title=Sargunam's 'Manja Pye' with Vimal |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/82925.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618124047/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/82925.html |archive-date=18 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2013 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> Though he quickly denied reports, citing that his assistant Naveen Raghavan would make his directorial debut with the project, while he would co-produce the film with his brother Nandha Kumar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2012 |title=Sargunam's next is with Dhanush |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-12-03/sargunam-dhanush-16-06-12.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918143505/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-12-03/sargunam-dhanush-16-06-12.html |archive-date=18 September 2013 |access-date=18 August 2013 |website=Behindwoods.com}}</ref> In December 2012, [[Lakshmi Menon (actress)|Lakshmi Menon]] and [[Rajkiran]] were added to the cast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2012 |title="Manja Pai" for Vimal and Lakshmi Menon! |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/89652.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102132018/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/89652.html |archive-date=2 January 2013 |access-date=18 August 2013 |website=IndiaGlitz}}</ref> In January 2013, [[Thirupathi Brothers]] acquired the rights of the film to produce the film on "first copy basis".

The film began shooting schedules in March 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 December 2012 |title=Director Sarkunam turns producer for 'Manja Pai' |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1401094.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323002932/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1401094.ece |archive-date=23 March 2013 |access-date=18 August 2013 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> On 2 April 2014, the shooting was wrapped up by filming a song sequence in Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam.

== Soundtrack ==
[[M. Ghibran]] was first signed to compose the soundtrack and score for the film, but he opted out of the project due to conflicting schedules.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 January 2014 |title=Ghibran walks out of Manja Pai |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Ghibran-walks-out-of-Manja-Pai/articleshow/28587673.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217064440/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Ghibran-walks-out-of-Manja-Pai/articleshow/28587673.cms |archive-date=17 December 2023 |access-date=8 January 2014 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> He was replaced by [[N. R. Raghunanthan]]. All lyrics were written by [[Yugabharathi]]. He also scored the music for ''Mr. Mommaga'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite news |last=B. K. |date=15 April 2016 |title=Cinema Suddi: Mr. Mommaga audio out |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Cinema-Suddi-Mr.-Mommaga-audio-out/article14238807.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020152552/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Cinema-Suddi-Mr.-Mommaga-audio-out/article14238807.ece |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=8 July 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Singer !! Length
|-
| "Aagaasa Nilavu" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] || 04:24
|-
| "Anbu Dhaan" || Krishnaraj || 03:39
|-
| "Ayyo Ayyo" || Laxman, Rishi, Sailaxmi, Harish, Ayshwarya, Asvitha & Vaishali || 03:37
|-
| "Paathu Paathu" || Hariharasudhan & [[Vandana Srinivasan]] || 03:56
|-
| "Sattena" || [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]] || 04:21
|}

== Release ==
The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Zee Tamizh|Zee Thamizh]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=Zee Tamizh to premier Comedy special "Manjapai" on this Diwali |url=https://www.medianews4u.com/zee-tamizh-to-premier-comedy-special-manjapai-on-this-diwali/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328085951/https://www.medianews4u.com/zee-tamizh-to-premier-comedy-special-manjapai-on-this-diwali/ |archive-date=28 March 2024 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=MediaNews4U |language=en}}</ref>

=== Critical reception ===
[[Baradwaj Rangan]] from ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "We've heard of movies that push the audience's buttons. ''Manjapai'' grabs a live wire and gooses the audience's behind — so desperate is it to evoke a reaction that it even has a little girl munching on rat poison".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=7 June 2014 |title=Manjapai: Aging bull |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/manjapai-aging-bull/article6092736.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328053411/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/manjapai-aging-bull/article6092736.ece |archive-date=28 March 2024 |access-date=14 June 2014 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "''Manja Pai'' is a good film with a solid message but if you aren't in the mood for gyan, then this movie might not be to your liking".<ref>{{Cite news |last=KR |first=Manigandan |date=8 June 2014 |title=Manja Pai Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Manja-Pai/movie-review/36248478.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615004638/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Manja-Pai/movie-review/36248478.cms |archive-date=15 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> ''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "Simplistic and sincere, ''Manja Pai'' has an old-fashioned plot and characters. It's got its heart in the right place, but sometimes that's not enough entertainment for today's audience".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manja Pai |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/manja-pai-review-tamil-15057345.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203828/http://www.sify.com/movies/manja-pai-review-tamil-15057345.html |archive-date=6 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> ''[[Rediff.com]]'' gave it 2 stars out of 5 and wrote, "''Manjapai'', with its cliched plot, has absolutely nothing new to offer", calling it "a very predictable and overemotional tale".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S. |date=9 June 2014 |title=Review: Manjapai is cliched and predictable |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-manjapai-is-cliched-and-predictable-south/20140609.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609160329/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-manjapai-is-cliched-and-predictable-south/20140609.htm |archive-date=9 June 2014 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "The movie is watchable for its clean content and sincere effort by debutant director Raghavan".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=8 June 2014 |title=Movie review 'Manja Pai': Is watchable for its clean content and sincere efforts |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140607/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-manja-pai-watchable-its-clean-content-and |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609071330/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140607/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-manja-pai-watchable-its-clean-content-and |archive-date=9 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' gave the film 2.25 stars out of 5 saying "''Manja Pai'' is a crude term that refers to rural migrants arriving to take on the big city. While there was an opportunity for director N. Raghavan to present them as is, focusing on their ability to adapt, the director resorts to stereotypes instead, not just with these sons of the soil, but also with city dwellers. This may evoke sympathy but its certainly far from a confidence building measure for other 'old school' migrants".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manja Pai Review |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/manja-pai/manja-pai-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610211605/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/manja-pai/manja-pai-review.html |archive-date=10 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> ''Indiaglitz.com'' gave it a score of 2.25 out of 5 and wrote, "''Manjapai'' is definitely not on the lines of the previous films of the prestigious Thirrupathi Brothers banner. But it will not disappoint you if you go to the movie halls expecting some unadulterated entertainment filled with humor and sentiment".<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2014 |title=Manjapai Review |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/manjapai-tamil-movie-review-17903 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212015158/https://www.indiaglitz.com/manjapai-tamil-movie-review-17903 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
The film collected nett collection of {{INRConvert|15.5|m}} in first day and around {{INRConvert|75|m}} in [[Tamil Nadu]] in first weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seshagiri |first=Sangeetha |date=10 June 2014 |title=Box Office Collection: 'Manjapai', 'Kochadaiiyaan', 'Un Samayal Arayil' and 'Yaamirukka Bayamey' |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-manjapai-kochadaiiyaan-un-samayal-arayil-yaamirukka-bayamey-601932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215211049/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-manjapai-kochadaiiyaan-un-samayal-arayil-yaamirukka-bayamey-601932 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |access-date=19 May 2020 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref> The film collected {{INRConvert|16.6|m}} in [[Chennai]] in ten days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seshagiri |first=Sangeetha |date=16 June 2014 |title=Box Office Collection: 'Mundasupatti', 'Naan Thaan Bala', 'Kochadaiiyaan' and Other Tamil Films |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-mundasupatti-naan-thaan-bala-kochadaiiyaan-other-tamil-films-602364 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113210802/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-mundasupatti-naan-thaan-bala-kochadaiiyaan-other-tamil-films-602364 |archive-date=13 November 2017 |access-date=19 May 2020 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|3039362}}

{{N. Lingusamy}}

[[Category:2014 Indian films]]
[[Category:2014 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2014 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2014 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:Films scored by N. R. Raghunanthan]]
[[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]

Manjapai - Revision history

FerdinandGarden at 18:36, 9 April 2026