Mersal (transl. Zapped) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Atlee who co-wrote the film with K. V. Vijayendra Prasad and S. Ramana Girivasan. Produced by Thenandal Studio Limited in their 100th production, the film stars Vijay, S. J. Surya, Sathyaraj, Vadivelu, Hareesh Peradi, Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen and Samantha. It was dubbed in Telugu as Adirindhi (transl. Shocked)
The film's concept was said to be partially similar to that of a 2018 American crime procedural drama television series which was titled "Deception".
The story revolves around two brothers; one is a magician avenging his parents' deaths and medical crimes, and the other, a reputed doctor who charges meagre amounts from his patients. The film's principal photography commenced on 1 February 2017, at Chennai and was completed that September, within 130 working days. Filming took place on Gdańsk, Poland and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The background score and soundtrack album were composed by A. R. Rahman, while the cinematography was done by G. K. Vishnu and edited by Ruben.
Mersal was released worldwide on 18 October 2017, coinciding with Diwali and opened to positive reviews with critics praising the performance of Vijay, A. R. Rahman's soundtrack, cinematography, social message and Atlee's direction, but criticised the cliched plot and excessive length. It is also a recipient of various accolades. The film was a commercial success, grossing ₹260 crore (US$35 million) worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil films. The film completed 100-day theatrical run on 25 January 2018. The film was released on 6 December 2018 in China by HGC Entertainment. Due to demand, the film was screened at the largest cinema theatre in Europe Grand Rex, France. The film was screened at the Hainan International Film Festival in Hainan, China and at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea
Cast
- Vijay in a triple role as
- Vetrimaaran, a village wrestler, commonly referred to by the people as "Thalapathy" who gets killed by Daniel. Maaran and Vetri's biological father (paired with Nithya Menen)
- Vetri, Vetrimaaran's younger son, a magician and Maaran's younger brother who gets arrested for the murders of the people involved in corruption in healthcare. He is younger than Maaran by 5 years (paired with Kajal Aggarwal)
- Dr. Maaran, Vetrimaaran's elder son, a doctor who serves people for just 5 rupees and gets conferred a statewide medical counselor post (paired with Samantha Ruth Prabhu)
- Akshath Das as Young Maaran
- S. J. Suryah as Daniel Arockiyaraj, a greedy and evil doctor turned dictator who killed Vetrimaaran and Aishwarya to grab power
- Sathyaraj as DCP Rathnavel "Randy", an investigating officer for the murders committed by Vetri
- Vadivelu as Vadivu, Vetri's assistant and Maaran's compounder (their paternal uncle) and Vetrimaaran's younger brother
- Hareesh Peradi as Arjun Zachariah, Daniel's friend and another corrupt doctor who gets killed by Vetri in a magic trick performance
- Nithya Menen as Aishwarya "Icy" Vetrimaaran, Vetrimaaran's wife, who dies in a hospital due to blood loss and overdose of anaesthesia. Maaran and Vetri's biological mother.
- Kajal Aggarwal as Anu Pallavi, Vetri's love interest, a doctor and assistant of Arjun Zachariah
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu as Tara, Maaran's fiancée and a media reporter
- Kovai Sarala as Sarala, Maaran's adoptive mother
- Sathyan as Maniya, Randy's assistant
- Rajendran as Health Minister
- Yogi Babu as Nolan
- Kaali Venkat as Poongodi's father, an auto driver
- Devadarshini as a nurse
- Surekha Vani as a nurse
- Misha Ghoshal as Tara's friend
- Shivani Murali as Paapu, Anu Pallavi's friend
- Bharath Raj as Sesha, Daniel Arokiyaraj's nephew
- Priya as Tara's mother
- Sangili Murugan as Salim Ghosh
- Senthi Kumari as Selvi
- Seeni Amma as Chitti Kuruvi, Vetrimaaran's mother
- M. Kamaraj as Kasi, Daniel's henchman whose arm was cut off by Vetrimaaran
- Abdool as Vetrimaaran's friend
- Thavasi as a priest
- Sai Dheena as a prisoner
- Pasanga Sivakumar as the hospital HR
- Pandian as a police officer
- Madras Central Gopi as a show host
- Madras Central Sudhakar as a show contestant
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