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'{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox film | name = Biriyani<br>A Venkat Prabhu Diet | image = Biriyani (film) poster.jpg | caption = Poster | director = [[Venkat Prabhu]] | producer = K. E. Gnanavel Raja | writer = Venkat Prabhu | starring = [[Karthi]] <br/> [[Hansika Motwani]]<br/>[[Ramki (actor)|Ramki]]<br/>[[Premgi Amaren]]<br/>[[Prem (actor)|Prem]]<br/>[[Sampath Raj]]<br/>[[Nassar]]<br/>[[Uma Riyaz Khan]] | music = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] | cinematography = [[Sakthi Saravanan]] | editing = [[Praveen K. L.]]<br />[[N. B. Srikanth]] | studio = [[Studio Green]] | distributor = | released = {{Film date|df=y|2013|12|20}} | runtime = 150 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = <!-- Must be attributed to a reliable published source --> | gross = <!-- Must be attributed to a reliable published source --> }} '''''Biriyani''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[crime film|crime]]-[[comedy]] film written and directed by [[Venkat Prabhu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.sulekha.com/tamil/biriyani/news/biriyani-served-by-karthi-venkat-prabhu.htm |title=Biriyani Directed by Venkat Prabhu |publisher=Suleka Movies |date=30 May 2012 |accessdate=30 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-01/news-interviews/31958330_1_telugu-film-tamil-film-industry-karthi |title=Biriyani Directed by Venkat Prabhu |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> Produced by [[Studio Green]], it features [[Karthi]] and [[Hansika Motwani]] in the lead roles alongside [[Ramki]], [[Premgi Amaren]], [[Nithin Sathya]], [[Madhumitha]] and [[Mandy Takhar]]. [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] composed the score and soundtrack of ''Biriyani'', which marks his 100th film, while [[Sakthi Saravanan]] and [[Praveen K. L.|Praveen]]-[[N. B. Srikanth|Srikanth]] handled cinematography and editing, respectively. Filming started in November 2012, lasted for over nine months and took place primarily at [[Chennai]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and [[Ambur]]. The film was released on 20 December 2013. The film was dubbed in Hindi as ''Dum Biryani'' by Goldmines Telefilms in 2016.The fim received mixed to positive reviews and declared as decent hit ==Plot== The movie starts with Sugan([[Karthi]]) and his friend Parasuram([[Premgi Amaren]] ) being chased by cops. The flashback shows Sugan as a playboy who has a weakness for Biryani and Parasuram who is his childhood friend. Sugans playboy attitude always gets him into a fight with his girlfriend Priyanka([[Hansika Motwani]]). Sugan and Parasuram attending a function for branch opening of one of their offices where they meet Varadharajan([[Nassar]]), who is the chief guest for the ceremony. In the meantime, its shown that a CBI officer Riyaz Khan ([[Sampath Raj]]) has been deputed to track Vardharajan's illegal activities. Varadharajan gets impressed with Sugan and decides later to make him his son-in law and this decision gets him into an argument with his other son in law Vijayakrishna(Ramki). Varadharajan later hosts a cocktail party and also invites Sugan and Parasuram where they get drunk. Sugan who has a weakness for Biriyani after getting drunk searches for a biriyani shop. There they both get to meet Maya. The very next day they find police cars searching for Varadharajan, who is missing. Meanwhile, Sugan and Parasuram find Varadharajan's dead body in their car trunk.They are blamed for Varadharajan's death and are chased by police which is the starting scene of the movie. Sugan and Parasu go to their friend's house and Parasu sends a picture of Maya to his friends. The next day, one of their friend finds Maya at Egmore Railway Station. Sugan comes there and Maya tells the truth, that she put drugs in their drinks and a police officer is responsible. As Sugan tries to get more information, a female cop stops Maya from telling the truth and later kills her on the train tracks. Back at home, Sugan gets a message from the female cop which makes him realize that she is not even a police officer but an assassin. Her next victim is no one other than Varalakshmi, Sugan's sister. At the temple Sugan's friend, his brother-in-law and Varalakshmi are in a car accident and the female assassin captures Varalakshmi. Sugan gets a call from Vijayakrishna that he needs Varadharajan alive so that he can give Varalakshmi back to Sugan. Sugan decides that Parasu should impersonate Varadharajan alive since the real Varadharajan is dead. He comes there with Parasu, but finds the assassin trying to kill Sugan. Vijayakrishna wants Varadharajan back but it was not him who called Sugan. Sugan and Vijaykrishna get into a fight along with Sampath who gets in a fight with the hit-woman. Another police officer ACP Vikram kills the female assassin and returns Varalakshmi safe. Three days later at Varadharajan's funeral Sugan tells the truth about Varadharajan's death. Avinash was in love with Varadharajan's daughter for money only but Sugan and Parasu stopped their love on the way to the new branch opening. Avinash uses his brother to get his love back by bringing Sugan and Parasu using Maya and that Maya used drugs to make Sugan and Parasu very drunk. Then the assassin comes by killing Maya so that she does not tell the truth to Sugan. Sugan figures out that it was no one other than ACP Vikram, Avinash's brother who had behind everything. Even Riyaz and Vijaykrishna also finds out the truth. Riyaz tells Sugan to kill ACP Vikram and Sugan fights with him and they both fall from the first floor to the ground. ==Cast== {{colbegin}} * [[Karthi]] as Sugan, worker at tractor company * [[Premgi Amaren]] as Parasuram (Parasu), Sugan's best friend * [[Hansika Motwani]] as Priyanka, Sugan's love interest * [[Nassar]] as Varadharajan, a businessman * [[Ramki]] as Vijay Krishna, Varadharajan's son-in-law * [[Sampath Raj]] as Riyaz Ahmed, CBI * [[Subbu Panchu]] as Subbhu, Sugan's brother-in-law * [[Jayaprakash]] as AC Sampath, Varadharajan's family police officer * [[Madhumitha]] as Varalakshmi, Sugan's sister * [[Mandy Takhar]] as Maya, a prostitute * [[Nithin Sathya]] as Hari, Sugan's friend * [[Prem (actor)|Prem]] as Vikram, a police officer and main antagonist * [[Uma Riyaz Khan]] as Hitwoman, unnamed lady, who worked for Vikram * Shanmugasundaram as Kasi Vishwanathan, Sugan's father * [[Vijayalakshmi (Tamil actress)|Vijayalakshmi]] as Rohini * Ravikanth as Sugan's Boss * [[Tharika|Nisha]] as Kalpana * [[Rethika Srinivas]] as Radhika * [[Badava Gopi]] as Gopi * [[Sam Anderson (Tamil actor)|Sam Anderson]] as Sam, Sugan's friend * [[Haanii Shivraj]] as Shwetha * Leena Maria Paul as Sree Devi * Sangeetha Gopal as Shanthi ; Special appearances by: * [[Jai (actor)|Jai]] as Jai Kanth * [[Aravind Akash]] as himself * [[Ashwin Kakumanu]] as himself * [[Mahat Raghavendra]] as himself * [[Vaibhav Reddy]] as himself * [[Vijay Vasanth]] as himself * [[Sakthi Saravanan]] as doctor {{colend}} ==Production== ===Development=== Following the release of ''[[Mankatha]]'', Venkat Prabhu was reported to be writing a script for [[Suriya]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/venkat-prabhu-meets-kamal-haasan-news-tamil-lkwqlecbeba.html |title=Venkat Prabhu meets Kamal Haasan |publisher=Sify |date=2011-10-23 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> In December 2011, he was signed up by Studio Green, the production company owned by Suriya's cousin K. E. Gnanavelraja, while later the month the director informed that Suriya had agreed to be part of his next film,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-15/news-interviews/30520216_1_suriya-script-ravi-teja |title=Suriya to start a new genre in Kollywood|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2011-12-15 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> which he was planning to shoot in [[3D film|3D]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/venkat-prabhus-next-film-suriya-be-shot-3d-style-432 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109064856/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/venkat-prabhus-next-film-suriya-be-shot-3d-style-432 |archivedate=2012-01-09 |title=Venkat Prabhu's next film with Suriya to be shot in 3D style &#124; Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2012-01-09 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Further more, the media carried reports that it would be a [[bilingual]], made simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, and feature Telugu actor [[Ravi Teja]], [[Sonam Kapoor]] and [[Taapsee Pannu]] in other lead roles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/25/20120223201202232042228925c1e80a7/Suriya-Teja-to-sizzle-together.html |title=Suriya, Teja to sizzle together |publisher=Bangalore Mirror |date=2012-02-23 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103070307/http://bangaloremirror.com/article/25/20120223201202232042228925c1e80a7/Suriya-Teja-to-sizzle-together.html |archivedate=3 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In April 2012, while Venkat Prabhu was still working on the script, giving it the final touch,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/venkat-prabhu-holidays-in-dubai-news-tamil-meyleCbbaci.html |title=Venkat Prabhu holidays in Dubai! |publisher=Sify |date=2012-04-24 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Suriya chose to work with director [[Hari (director)|Hari]] on [[Singam II|the sequel]] to his ''[[Singam]]'' first after completing ''[[Maattrraan]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/suriya-to-roar-once-again-with-singam-2-news-tamil-meznPDfejcb.html |title=Suriya to roar once again with Singam 2 |publisher=Sify |date=2012-04-25 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/81381.html |title='Singam 2' to roll after 'Maatraan'|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2012-04-25 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> which prompted Venkat Prabhu to make another film for Studio Green instead with Suriya's brother Karthi in the lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-12-04/karthi-suriya-28-04-12.html |title=Venkat Chooses Karthi Over Suriya |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2012-04-28 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> The film was named ''Biriyani'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/82511.html |title='Biriyani': Venkat Prabhu&nbsp;— Karthi's next!|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2012-05-28 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> and the director stated that the same team of his previous four films, comprising music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematographer Sakthi Saravanan, editors Praveen K. L. and N. B. Srikanth and costume designer [[Vasuki Bhaskar]], would work on ''Biriyani''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/venkat-prabhu-starts-cooking-biriyani-news-tamil-mhfkaubdebe.html |title=Venkat Prabhu starts cooking Biriyani! |publisher=Sify |date=2012-07-05 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> The film was launched on 16 July 2012 after a small [[Puja (Hinduism)|pooja]],<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/120719/entertainment-kollywood/article/biriyani-kicks-style |title=Biriyani kicks off in style |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2012-07-19 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224115424/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/120719/entertainment-kollywood/article/biriyani-kicks-style |archivedate=24 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> but filming did not start until November 2012, since Venkat Prabhu was reworking his script and the casting was not finished yet.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-18/news-interviews/32729594_1_venkat-prabhu-studio-green-biryani |title=Venkat Prabhu reworks Biryani script|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-07-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> He made it clear that the film planned with Suriya earlier was an "entirely different script",<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/120719/entertainment-kollywood/article/venkat-prabhus-suriya-film-still |title=Venkat Prabhu's Suriya film is still on |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2012-07-19 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112306/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/120719/entertainment-kollywood/article/venkat-prabhus-suriya-film-still |archivedate=24 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and that he would work on that project later,<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130715/entertainment-tollywood/article/%E2%80%98it%E2%80%99s-school-reunion%E2%80%99-venkat-prabhu |title=‘it's a school reunion’: Venkat Prabhu |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2013-07-15 |accessdate=2013-08-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718111131/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130715/entertainment-tollywood/article/%E2%80%98it%E2%80%99s-school-reunion%E2%80%99-venkat-prabhu |archivedate=18 July 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> while revealing that ''Biriyani'''s script was initially intended for actor [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-26/news-interviews/39537714_1_biriyani-ajith-and-vijay-venkat-prabhu |title=Ajith and Vijay have a Biryani connection|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-05-26 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> ===Casting=== Venkat Prabhu's brother Premgi Amaren, who had been part of all his brother's ventures, was given an "almost parallel role" as the lead character's best friend in ''Biriyani''.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samantha-to-share-biriyani-with-karthi-news-tamil-mggivkaebfj.html |title=Samantha to share Biriyani with Karthi ? |publisher=Sify |date=2012-06-06 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> For the lead female role, the production team first approached [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu|Samantha]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Bollywood actresses [[Parineeti Chopra]] and [[Ileana D'Cruz]] were also considered for the role,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/parineeti-chopra-opposite-karthi-217 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610042048/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/parineeti-chopra-opposite-karthi-217 |archivedate=2012-06-10 |title=Parineeti Chopra opposite Karthi &#124; Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2012-06-10 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> but in early July 2012, Bengali actress [[Richa Gangopadhyay]] was selected for the role, who said that she played "a typical girl in it; someone who's mischievous and not-so innocent".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-06/news-interviews/32552478_1_richa-gangopadhyay-mankatha-parineeti-chopra |title=Richa in Venkat Prabhu's Biriyani!|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-07-06 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> However, she left the project by mid-October 2012 due to "changes in the role and script".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/richa-out-of-venkat-prabhu-s-biriyani-news-tamil-mk3msCabggf.html |title=Richa out of Venkat Prabhu's 'Biriyani'! |publisher=Sify |date=2012-10-29 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> After Gangopadhyay's exit, Venkat Prabhu expressed interest in casting [[Nayantara]] for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/will-ileana-or-nayanthara-share-biriyani-with-karthi-news-tamil-mkljcSiehec.html |title=Will Ileana or Nayanthara share 'Biriyani' with Karthi ? |publisher=Sify |date=11 October 2012 |accessdate=11 October 2012}}</ref> while later the month Hansika Motwani was finalized to play the leading lady of the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Venkat Prabhu finally chooses his Biriyani girl |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/oct-12-04/venkat-prabhu-biriyani-28-10-12.html |publisher=Behindwoods |date=28 October 2012 |accessdate=28 October 2012}}</ref> Motwani told that she played a journalist named Priyanka, while classifying the film as a "black comedy thriller".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/marriage-not-in-near-future-hansika-news-tamil-nhykV0ifidg.html |title=Marriage, not in near future: Hansika |publisher=Sify |date=2013-07-24 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Sources reported that the film had two female leads and that [[Neetu Chandra]] had been approached to play the other lead.<ref name="indiatimes2">{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-30/news-interviews/34816578_1_richa-gangopadhyay-neetu-chandra-hansika |title=Richa opts out; Neetu in Biryani?|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Venkat Prabhu was also keen on casting Bollywood actress [[Diana Penty]] for the role,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/news-interviews/32731357_1_venkat-prabhu-diana-penty-biriyani |title=Diana Penty in Biriyani?|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-07-19 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> which finally went to British Indian model and actress in Punjabi films, Mandy Takhar,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mandy Takhar joins 'Biriyani' gang!|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mandy-takhar-joins-biriyani-gang-news-tamil-mlfknIbeeba.html|publisher=Sify|accessdate=7 November 2012}}</ref> who said that she played a "strong, modern girl", describing her character as "sexy and sensous", that she said was "not what I am".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-18/news-interviews/36414434_1_venkat-prabhu-s-biriyani-karthi-punjabi-films |title=I'm sexy and sensuous: Mandy Thakar|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-01-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Takhar, who Venkat Prabhu zeroed in after seeing her photos from her Hindi film ''[[Bumboo]]'', added that she had allotted 20 days of shooting for the film, had to put on weight for the role and had done a [[pole dance]] in the song "Mississippi".<ref>{{cite web|last=Gupta |first=Rinku |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/article1439766.ece |title='I put on weight for Biriyani' |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2013-01-29 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Further more, sources indicated that the newly married couple [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]] and [[Prasanna (actor)|Prasanna]] had been roped in for the film,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sneha and Prasanna for Venkat Prabhu|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-12-02/venkat-prabhu-sneha-09-07-12.html|publisher=Behindwoods|date=8 July 2012 |accessdate=8 July 2012}}</ref> although Venkat Prabhu refused to comment about this.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/sneha-and-prasanna-venkat-prabhus-biryani-757 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714044052/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/sneha-and-prasanna-venkat-prabhus-biryani-757 |archivedate=2012-07-14 |title=Sneha and Prasanna in Venkat Prabhu's Biryani &#124; Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2012-07-14 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Later, in an interview to ''[[The Hindu]]'', Prasanna stated that he played an important role in it.<ref>{{cite web|author=K. R. Manigandan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-day-to-remember/article3948820.ece |title=A day to remember |publisher=The Hindu |date=2012-09-29 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Ramki was recruited in November 2012 for an important role.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ramki, Venkat Prabhu's new ingredient |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-23/news-interviews/35317897_1_venkat-prabhu-biriyani-sakthi-saravanan |publisher=Times of India |date=23 November 2012 |accessdate=23 November 2012}}</ref> [[Meena (actress)|Meena]] was also approached by the director to play a pivotal role, but she declined the offer.<ref name="indiatimes2"/> Nithin Sathya and Sampath Raj, two regulars in Venkat Prabhu's films, joined the cast in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/89094.html |title=Nithin Sathya and Sampath join Biriyani team|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2012-12-12 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Later additions to the cast included Prem, television actor and mimic Badava Gopi, playing the role of a cameraman,<ref>{{cite web|author=Nikhil Raghavan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/shotcuts-the-south-connect/article4711425.ece |title=Shotcuts: The South connect |publisher=The Hindu |date=2013-05-13 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Uma Riyaz Khan,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130530/entertainment-kollywood/article/mommy-rocks |title=This mommy rocks! |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2013-05-30 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Madhumitha,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-22/news-interviews/40726562_1_wedding-reception-nandha-biriyani |title=Madhumitha wishes Nandha|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-07-22 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> [[Bangalore]] socialite Sangeetha Gopal,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-02/news-interviews/35530258_1_sangeetha-second-film-tamil-film-industry |title=Sangeetha gets busy in Kollywood|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-12-02 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> and [[Sam Anderson (Tamil actor)|Sam Anderson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sam-anderson-joins-biriyani-team/301237-71.html |title=Sam Anderson joins 'Biriyani' team |publisher=CNN IBN |date= 2012-10-19|accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Reports suggested that Canadian film critic [[Review Raja]] had done a dance number choreographed by Shobhi during his visit in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raja shakes a leg at DC|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130216/entertainment-kollywood/article/raja-shakes-leg-dc|publisher=Deccan Chronicle|accessdate=20 February 2013}}</ref> ===Filming=== The film's [[principal photography]] was to start in August 2012,<ref name="indiatimes1"/> but was delayed because of changes in the script and the cast. It was then supposed to begin by early October 2012 in Ambur,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news-interviews/34164412_1_biriyani-100th-film-director-venkat-prabhu |title=Biriyani to kickstart in Ambur|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-09-30 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> but was officially commenced on 5 November 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-shoots-biriyani-with-premgi-news-tamil-mlhnxRdfcdc.html |title=Karthi shoots 'Biriyani' with Premgi |publisher=Sify |date=2012-11-07 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> following a test shoot on 1 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/87804.html |title=Hansika confirmed for Biriyani, test shoot begins|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2012-11-01 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> The first day of shoot involved scenes between Karthi and Premji, which was carried out on a set inside a house near the [[Kodambakkam]] railway station in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karthi and Permgi start cooking 'Biriyani'|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-07/news-interviews/34971877_1_studio-green-karthi-venkat-prabhu-s-biriyani|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=7 November 2012}}</ref> The short Chennai schedule was followed by schedules in [[Gingee Fort|Senji]], Ambur and Pondicherry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/biriyani-unit-off-to-ambur-news-tamil-mlpjUOfjiac.html |title=Biriyani unit off to Ambur |publisher=Sify |date=2012-11-15 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> A set of a hotel worth {{INR}} 1 crore was erected in Chennai,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/1-crore-hotel-to-serve-biriyani-news-tamil-mmil8cigcgi.html |title=1 crore hotel to serve Biriyani ! |publisher=Sify |date=2012-12-08 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> where action scenes and songs were shot for the film.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-08/news-interviews/35688297_1_venkat-prabhu-s-biriyani-hansika-and-premji-100th-film |title='Biriyani' in a costly hotel|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-12-08 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> [[Motion capture]] technology was used to film a fight sequence involving Karthi, Nitin Sathya, Murugadas and [[Panchu Subbu]] which was shot with a multiple camera setup at [[Puducherry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/90572.html |title='Biriyani' uses motion capture |publisher=Indiaglitz |date=2013-02-02 |accessdate=2013-02-08}}</ref> The unit then took a break as Karthi moved on to shoot his other film ''[[All in All Azhagu Raja]]'' simultaneously,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-03/news-interviews/37409380_1_biriyani-karthi-sivakumar-venkat-prabhu |title=Karthi to simultaneously shoot two films|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-03-03 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> and filming was continued on 30 March 2013 in Hyderabad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthis-biriyani-to-be-re-heated-from-march-31-news-tamil-nd2whqgddea.html |title=Karthi's Biriyani to be re-heated from March 31 |publisher=Sify |date=2013-03-28 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> 60% of the film had been completed at that time, according to the director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/92357.html |title=Karthi Busy with 'Biriyani'|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2013-04-01 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Vijay Vasanth, Vaibhav Reddy, Ashwin Kakumanu, Aravind Akash and Mahat Raghavendra, who had all been part of Venkat Prabhu's ''Mankatha'', dropped by Hyderabad for a day to take part in the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/cameos-continue-for-venkat-prabhu-venkat-prabhu-biryani-09-04-13.html |title=Cameos continue for Venkat Prabhu, Venkat Prabhu, Biryani |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2013-04-09 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Although a 14-day schedule was planned in Hyderabad, the unit returned within three days to Chennai, after facing with opposition from the stunt union of Andhra Pradesh. The crew was allowed to shoot a fight sequence on a train, for which {{INR}} 40 lakh had been paid in advance, after which they returned to Chennai and resume the shoot there, where new sets had been created at the AVM studios, the [[Buckingham and Carnatic Mills|Binny Mills]] and the [[Rajiv Gandhi Salai]] (OMR).<ref>{{cite web|last=Gupta |first=Rinku |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Biriyani-climax-fight-caught-in-stuntmen-row/2013/04/20/article1552549.ece |title=Biriyani climax fight caught in stuntmen row |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2013-04-20 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Venkat Prabhu further said that the crew would be heading to [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]] in May to shoot two songs involving Karthi and Hansika.<ref name="newindianexpress1">{{cite web|last=Gupta |first=Rinku |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1518349.ece |title=Biriyani heads to Spain and Portugal |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2013-03-27 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> By mid-June, the entire talkie portion had been canned.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-21/news-interviews/40708097_1_biriyani-venkat-prabhu-laugh-riot |title=Biriyani ready, hot and piping|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-07-21 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> The final song, choreographed by Kalyan, was shot in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/biriyani-venkat-prabhu-21-07-13.html |title=Biriyani, Venkat Prabhu |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2013-07-21 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Although the team had planned to shoot the song in a foreign country,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/venkat-prabhu-decides-on-chennai-600027-venkat-prabhu-biriyani-11-07-13.html |title=Venkat Prabhu decides on Chennai 600027, Venkat Prabhu, Biriyani |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2013-07-11 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> it was eventually filmed in [[Meenambakkam]], Chennai,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-12/news-interviews/40535698_1_venkat-prabhu-biriyani-pin-code |title=Venkat Prabhu to shoot in Chennai 600027|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-07-12 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> where two sets had been created,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-hansika-song-picturisation-in-chennai-news-tamil-nhsjBkbjhfb.html |title=Karthi & Hansika song picturisation in Chennai |publisher=Sify |date=2013-07-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> with Venkat Prabhu intending to shoot the song in the style of a [[Broadway musical]], who went on to add that "the backgrounds in the song will keep changing throughout".<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Its-Broadway-style-for-Karthi-and-Hansika/articleshow/21121491.cms |title=It's Broadway style for Karthi and Hansika |publisher=The Times of India |date=2013-07-18 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> ==Soundtrack== {{Main article|Biriyani (soundtrack)}} Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the soundtrack and film score for ''Biriyani'', continuing his association with Venkat Prabhu, which will be his 100th film.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/news-interviews/32663199_1_venkat-prabhu-yuvan-shankar-raja-biriyani |title=Yuvan to hit century with Biriyani|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-07-13 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/yuvan-hits-century-with-biriyani-news-tamil-mhooqPgahcb.html |title=Yuvan hits century with 'Biriyani' |publisher=Sify |date=2012-07-14 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Prabhu has stated that the soundtrack album will have "at least 8 to 9 songs".<ref name="issuu1">{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/ssritzweb/docs/march_2013_issue_check_6 |title=Southscope march2013 by Southscope and Ritz Magazine |publisher=ISSUU |date= |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Besides poet [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] and the director's father [[Gangai Amaren]], who regularly work in Prabhu's films, Niranjan Bharathi, who penned the song "Nee Naan" in the director's previous venture ''[[Mankatha (soundtrack)|Mankatha]]'', and [[Madhan Karky]] were brought on board to write the lyrics, the latter collaborating the first time with Yuvan Shankar Raja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top10cinema.com/article/20817/one-more-ingredient-to-karthis-biriyani |title=One More Ingredient to Karthi's Biriyani |publisher=Top10 Cinema |date=2013-05-27 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> After being convinced by the director, film's lead actor Karthi agreed to sing a song titled "Mississippi" for the soundtrack, making his debut in [[playback singing]],<ref name="issuu1"/> which was recorded in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/karthi-croons-for-biriyani-under-yuvan-news-tamil-mmekG6fejga.html |title=Karthi croons for 'Biriyani' under Yuvan |publisher=Sify |date=2012-12-04 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> In late July 2013, four leading contemporary music directors, [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]], [[S. Thaman]], [[Vijay Antony]] and [[D. Imman]], were roped in to sing the number "Thirumbi Vaa", which was termed as a "motivational song" by the director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-31/news-interviews/40914125_1_yuvan-shankar-raja-imman-vijay-antony |title=GV, Thaman, Imman and Vijay Antony sing for Yuvan|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-07-31 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> Two remixes were produced by Yuvan Shankar Raja himself, for the first time remixing his own composition, and Premgi Amaren, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/yuvans-debut-in-his-100th-yuvan-shankar-raja-biriyani-01-08-13.html |title=Yuvan's first remix effort for Biriyani |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2013-08-01 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> The audio rights of the soundtrack were acquired by [[Sony Music India|Sony Music]] in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-21/news-interviews/39417543_1_sony-music-biriyani-starring-karthi-uk-beauty-mandy-tahkar |title=Sony Music to celebrate Yuvan's record!|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-05-21 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> On 16 August, the audio tracks were leaked online causing an uproar from the team.<ref>{{cite news|agency=TNN|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-17/news-interviews/41420314_1_biriyani-audio-piracy-leak|title=Yuvan's Biriyani audio leaked|publisher=The Times of India|date=2013-08-17|accessdate=2013-08-18}}</ref> It was later announced that, due to the leak, the planned audio launch was subsequently cancelled and that the album would be directly released to stores on 21 August 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130821/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-am-not-any-social-media-karthi |title=I am not on any social media: Karthi |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130821085508/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130821/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-am-not-any-social-media-karthi |archive-date=21 August 2013 |dead-url=yes |access-date=21 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> But the audio launch eventually happened at an undisclosed [[FM station]] on 21 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/500537/20130821/biriyani-yuvan-audio-launch-music-karthi-venkatprabhu.htm |title='Biriyani': Yuvan's 100th Music Album Officially Launched&nbsp;– International Business Times |publisher=Ibtimes.co.in |date=2013-08-21 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> The audio received positive response from critics as well as audience.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biriyani Songs Review|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/biriyani/biriyani-songs-review.html|work=Behindwoods.com|accessdate=21 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biriyani&nbsp;– is served...!|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/musicreview/17353.html|work=IndiaGlitz|accessdate=28 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biriyani Music Review|url=http://www.musicperk.com/biriyani/|work=Musicperk.com|accessdate=28 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biriyani Music Review|url=http://tamil.way2movies.com/reviewssingle_tamil/Biriyani-Music-Review-16279-247098.html|work=way2movies.com|accessdate=2 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biriyani (Music review), Tamil&nbsp;– Yuvan Shankar Raja|url=http://itwofs.com/milliblog/2013/08/21/biriyani-music-review-tamil-yuvan-shankar-raja/|work=Milliblog|accessdate=21 August 2013}}</ref> ==Marketing== Although costume designer Vasuki Baskar wrote on her social media account that the first look of the film would be released on 13 November, during the [[Diwali]] festival,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/article1331979.ece |title='Biriyani's first look on Deepavali |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2012-11-11 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> it was unveiled on 15 December 2012 at Yuvan Shankar Raja's concert in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-28/news-interviews/35410527_1_venkat-prabhu-s-briyani-yuvan-shankar-raja-100th-film |title=Biriyani first look at Yuvan's concert|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2012-11-28 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> A 75-second teaser of the film was released on 25 May 2013, on the occasion of Karthi's birthday.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-25/news-interviews/39520832_1_biriyani-sakthi-saravanan-much-awaited-teaser |title=Check out 'Biriyani' teaser|publisher=The Times Of India |date=2013-05-25 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> ==Release== The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]. [[Studio Green]] initially finalised 6 September 2013 as the release date, to be coinciding with the 2013 [[Vinayagar Chaturthi]] festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/95744.html |title='Biriyani' is Vinayaga Chathurthi Special|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2013-07-23 |accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> But the date was changed to January 2014, and later to 20 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author=: Ramchander |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/news/2013/karthi-biriyani-december-124805.html |title=Karthi's Biriyani In December|publisher=OneIndia |date=2013-11-14 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> In early August 2013, ATMUS Entertainment announced that it had acquired the US theatrical screening rights for the film. The film was given "U/A" certificate by the [[Indian Censor Board]]. The film's producer initially went to the revision committee to get a "U" certificate to enjoy the benefit of entertainment tax exemption, but the committee rejected the appeal and awarded the film with a "U/A" certificate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/530226/20131215/dhoom-3-biriyani-d-dopidi-christmas2013-releases.htm |title=Christmas 2013 Releases: 'Dhoom 3', 'Biriyani', 'D for Dopidi', 'Oru Indian Pranayakatha' and Other Films – International Business Times |publisher=Ibtimes.co.in |date= |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/531097/20131219/biriyani-endrendrum-punnagai-dhoom3-box-office-trailer.htm |title='Biriyani' vs 'Endrendrum Punnagai' vs 'Dhoom 3': Big Box Office Battle from 20 December [WATCH TRAILERS&#93; – International Business Times |publisher=Ibtimes.co.in |date=2013-12-19 |accessdate=2013-12-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225060819/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/531097/20131219/biriyani-endrendrum-punnagai-dhoom3-box-office-trailer.htm |archivedate=25 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ''Biriyani'' released in 1050 screens worldwide on 20 December 2013 with tough competition from ''[[Dhoom 3]]'' and ''[[Endrendrum Punnagai]]''. The Telugu version of the film releasing on the same day in Andhra Pradesh. ==Critical reception== ''Biriyani'' received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Among the positive reviews were from ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Venkat Prabhu definitely knows how to have a cake and eat it too. Fun is certainly the core of all his movies even when the genres are varied. That is the case with ''Biriyani'' as well. It is essentially a murder mystery but Venkat seasons it with his brand of wink wink nudge nudge filmmaking, and turns it into an engaging entertainer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/biriyani/movie-review/27708728.cms |title=Biriyani movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer|publisher=The Times of India|date= |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> Behindwoods gave 3.25 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Venkat Prabhu's ''Biriyani'' while adhering to the director's recipe, has humor, suspense, music, action and glamour in delectable portions resulting in a delicious product".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/biriyani/biriyani-review.html |title=Biriyani (aka) Biriyani review |publisher=Behindwoods |date=2013-12-20 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> [[Rediff]] gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Though the film takes its own sweet time to get a move on, once it gathers momentum, there is no stopping till the end, where there is an exciting climax, as well as an anticlimax, in typical Venkat Prabhu style", calling it "a fun-filled thriller".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-this-biriyani-is-well-made/20131220.htm |title=Review: This Biriyani is well-made|publisher=Rediff|date=2013-12-20 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> Indiaglitz gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Through the first half the ingredients make up a commercial pot boiler and the build up to the story is slow and steady. The last 20 minutes serves the twist in the tale, and round of applause to the director to have correlated the events of 2 hours in the final climax".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/17353.html |title=Biriyani Tamil Movie Review |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2013-12-20 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> The Hindu wrote, "Intelligent line, sensible humour, particularly at the most unexpected moments, Sakthi Saravanan's contribution with the lens, Silva's noteworthy action choreography and Karthi's energy are scoring points of this Venkat Prabhu offering. Youth should find the ''Biriyani'' quite tasty".<ref>{{cite web|author=Malathi Rangarajan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/biriyani-tasty-fare/article5486864.ece |title=Biriyani: Tasty fare |publisher=The Hindu |date=2013-12-21 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> [[hindustantimes]] wrote, "this Biriyani is hard to digest." [[Sify]] wrote, "''Biriyani'' is the blandest one you must have had in recent times. The larger problem here is that this film doesn't have the crackle and pop of a rom-com, a thriller or even cleverly written comic lines".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/biriyani-review-tamil-15045656.html |title=Movie Review : Biriyani|publisher=Sify |date= |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> [[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]] gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Venkat Prabhu's ''Biriyani'' despite being fairly satisfying is not excellent because it gets too starchy due to unwanted ingredients. While the use of situational comedy works to some extent but what we see in some scenes is not humorous but downright awful and the double entendres directed at women are uncalled for".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-review-this-biriyani-looks-sumptuous-but-is-starchy/article1-1164970.aspx |title=Movie review: this Biriyani is hard to digest |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2013-12-21 |accessdate=2013-12-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225162846/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Regional/Movie-review-this-Biriyani-looks-sumptuous-but-is-starchy/Article1-1164970.aspx |archivedate=25 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Another reviewer from The Hindu wrote, "It's (the) irreverent fun that makes this film different from regular thrillers. Despite some good ingredients and reasonably good cooking methods, there's something that doesn’t come together and stops this from being a delectable meal".<ref>{{cite web|author=Sangeetha Devi Dundoo |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/biriyani-almost-delectable/article5482837.ece?homepage=true |title=Biriyani: Almost delectable |publisher=The Hindu |date=2013-12-20 |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> [[The New Indian Express]] wrote, "Venkat Prabhu's ''Biriyani'' falls flat and struggles to make an impact with the audience with a nonsensical love story and even worse thriller plot. The director's attempt at infusing some comedy as well, fails, with crass jokes on women that are almost nauseating to watch".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yellapantula |first=Suhas |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Karthis-Biriyani-Served-Cold-to-the-Audience/2013/12/21/article1956361.ece |title=Karthi's 'Biriyani' Served Cold to the Audience |publisher=The New Indian Express |date= |accessdate=2013-12-28}}</ref> == Box office == the movie gained mixed to positive reviews and made bad box office collection of 20crs .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-review-this-biriyani-is-hard-to-digest/article1-1164970.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2015-01-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027134248/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-review-this-biriyani-is-hard-to-digest/article1-1164970.aspx |archivedate=2014-10-27 |df= }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{IMDb title|tt2638104}} {{Venkat Prabhu}} [[Category:2013 films]] [[Category:Indian comedy films]] [[Category:Indian films]] [[Category:Indian black comedy films]] [[Category:Films shot in India]] [[Category:Films shot in Andhra Pradesh]] [[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]] [[Category:Films directed by Venkat Prabhu]] [[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]] [[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]] [[Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu]] [[Category:Tamil-language films dubbed in Telugu]] [[Category:Tamil-language films dubbed in Hindi]]'