Achchamundu! Achchamundu!


Achchamundu! Achchamundu! is a 2009 Indian-American Tamil language social thriller directed by Arun Vaidyanathan, starring Prasanna, Emmy Award–winning American actor John Shea and Sneha. It is the first film in Indian cinema to be shot with the Red One camera system. The music was composed by Karthik Raja with cinematography by Chris Freilich. The film was released worldwide on 17 July 2009.

Plot

Senthil Kumar and Malini are a happily married couple in New Jersey, living life like any other India-born immigrant couple in the USA. Senthil submerges himself in the office and eats sambar rice at home, and Malini never misses a bhajan at the temple and shops at Indian grocery stores. They have a 10-year-old daughter Rithika, the apple of their eye.
The family has just settled in a new, spacious home about which Malini, understandably, has fears. The couple squabbles amicably about everything from Malini's perpetual laundry and cooking; while Senthil argues with friends about the significance of viboothi and takes his family on weekend trips and birthday parties. It is a normal, happy life in the US until Robertson arrives, to paint the basement. Now, things are never the same at home again.
Robertson's unusually kind behavior towards children sets off warning bells, especially when he is shown to be a pedophile who exercises like mad within the confines of his home, always moving on towards his next target. How the couple saves their child forms the rest of the story.

Cast

Production

Title

The film's title is the negative of the phrase "Achamillai Achamillai" coined by poet Subramania Bharati, and later used as the title of a 1984 film directed by K. Balachander.

Filming

The film was made in 28 days on a budget of ₹3.25 crore. For the first time in Indian cinema, Red One camera was used for filming. The film was shot in New Jersey and New York during early 2008. Color correction and sound mixing were done in Los Angeles.

Release

The movie was released on 17 July 2009 in Tamil Nadu and select markets in the United States.

Reception

The film was officially selected for screening at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, the Digital Cinema Film Festival in Japan, the Cairo International Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India in Goa, and the Chennai International Film Festival.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Karthik Raja.
SongSingersLyricsLength
"U.S.A U.S.A"Rahul Nambiar, Anupama, KrishPalani Bharathi4.18
"Kannil Dhaagam"S. SowmyaAndal Priyadarshini3.42
"Parvai Vali Sumandhal"Rahul NambiarAndal Priyadarshini1.25
"Theme Music"Instrumental-3.35

Reception

Rediff wrote "For the guts in coming up with a unique, important theme that needs to be addressed sensitively, this movie works. A must-watch". The Times of India wrote "The average Indian may shy away from paedophilia, but director Vaidyanathan makes a compelling case to watch this film. Subtlety is the byword here rather than gory, knife-edge moments. The approach makes a deeper impression than a dramatic one could have." A critic from Deccan Herald opined that "Despite its shortcomings, ‘Achamundu Achamundu’ deserves a dekko".