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Saroja is a Tamil-language action-thriller film directed by Venkat Prabhu. The movie was released on 5th September 2008 and is known for its gripping storyline, engaging screenplay, and strong performances by the cast. The film falls under the thriller and adventure genre, with a mix of comedy and drama.
Inspired by the Hollywood movie Judgment Night, Saroja is a thrilling experience that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Venkat Prabhu, who previously directed Chennai 600028, brings in his signature style of storytelling, making the film an entertaining watch. With a well-knit screenplay and brilliant performances, Saroja stands out as one of the best thrillers in Tamil cinema of that time.
Plot Summary
Saroja revolves around four friends – Jagapathi Babu (SPB Charan), Ganesh (Premji Amaren), Ram (Vaibhav), and Ajay (Shiva) – who plan a road trip to Hyderabad to attend a cricket match. However, an unexpected traffic jam forces them to take an alternate route, leading them into deep trouble.
As they take a shortcut, they end up in a dangerous situation where they cross paths with a notorious gang led by Sampath (played by Sampath Raj). At the same time, a rich businessman’s daughter, Saroja (Vega Tamotia), gets kidnapped, and the four friends unknowingly get involved in the chaos. What follows is an intense cat-and-mouse chase where the friends try to escape the gang while saving Saroja. The rest of the film revolves around whether they manage to survive and rescue her.
What’s Good?
Engaging Storyline and Screenplay
Venkat Prabhu delivers a fast-paced and engaging script that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The screenplay is tightly packed with twists and turns, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Brilliant Performances
The entire cast delivers commendable performances.
- Shiva and Premji Amaren bring humor and light-heartedness to the film, balancing the tense moments with comic relief.
- Sampath Raj, as the antagonist, is menacing and intense, making him a perfect villain.
- Vega Tamotia as Saroja plays her role convincingly, making the audience empathize with her situation.
Music and Background Score
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music and background score elevate the film’s tension. Songs like “Cheeky Cheeky” and “Dosth Bada Dosth” became popular, but it’s the thrilling background music that steals the show.
Cinematography and Editing
Sakthi Saravanan’s cinematography perfectly captures the dark and intense moments, adding depth to the narrative. The sharp editing by Praveen K. L. and N. B. Srikanth ensures a smooth flow of events, making the film a gripping watch.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
✔ Unique storytelling: The film’s mix of humor, action, and thrill makes it unique in Tamil cinema.
✔ Brilliant Direction: Venkat Prabhu’s direction ensures every character has significance in the story.
✔ Strong Climax: The climax is well-executed, keeping the suspense alive till the end.
✔ Great dialogues: The dialogues are sharp, witty, and perfectly suit the situations.
Weaknesses
✖ Predictable in some parts: While the story is engaging, certain elements become predictable in the second half.
✖ Some forced comedy: Though the humor works well, a few comedy scenes seem out of place in an intense thriller.
✖ Supporting characters could have had more depth: Some side characters could have been better developed to add more emotional weight.
Target Audience
Saroja is a movie that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Here’s who might enjoy it:
- Thriller Lovers: If you enjoy gripping, edge-of-the-seat thrillers, this is a must-watch.
- Action Fans: The film has high-stakes action sequences that keep the adrenaline pumping.
- Comedy Enthusiasts: Despite being a thriller, the film has enough comedy to entertain fans of the genre.
- Venkat Prabhu Fans: If you liked Chennai 600028, you will appreciate Venkat Prabhu’s signature style in Saroja.
Box Office Details
Saroja performed well at the box office and was a commercial success. Below are the financial details:
| Category | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Total Budget | ₹5 crores |
| Worldwide Box Office Collection | ₹20 crores |
Day-wise Earnings (India & Overseas)
| Day | India (INR Crores) | Overseas (INR Crores) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2.5 | 0.8 |
| Day 2 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| Day 3 | 3.2 | 1.2 |
| Day 4 | 2.8 | 1.1 |
| Day 5 | 2.5 | 1.0 |
The film recovered its budget quickly and was declared a hit due to its unique storytelling and strong word-of-mouth.
Recommendation
Saroja is an exciting, fast-paced thriller that keeps viewers entertained with its well-executed screenplay, engaging performances, and gripping music. Despite some minor flaws, it remains one of Venkat Prabhu’s best films and a must-watch for fans of Tamil cinema.
Final Verdict: If you love thrillers with a mix of comedy and action, Saroja is highly recommended!
Genres:
Comedy, Thriller
Rating:
6.833/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Shiva | Ajay Raj |
| S.P.B. Charan | Jagapathi Babu |
| Premji Amaran | Ganesh Kumar |
| Vaibhav | Ram Babu |
| Prakash Raj | Viswanathan |
| Jayaram | V. Ravichandran |
| Sampath Raj | A. Sampath Kumar |
| Vega Tamotia | Saroja |
| Kajal Agarwal | Pooja (Cameo Appearance) |
| Nikita Thukral | Kalyani |
| Brahmanandam | |
| Nagendran | |
| Nalini | |
| Vijayalakshmi Agathiyan | (cameo) |
| Bose Venkat | R. Venkatraman |
| Dhivyadharshini | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Anandha Kannan | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Chetan | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Deepak Dinkar | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| George Vishnu | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| M. S. Bhaskar | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Rajkamal | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Ranjitha | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Subbu Panchu | Special Appearance in “Aaja Meri Soniye” Song |
| Srihari | V. Ravichandran (in Telugu version) |
| Shanmugasundaram |
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