The film was officially announced in November 2017 under the tentative title Thala 58, as it is Ajith's 58th film as leading actor, and the official title was announced a few days later. Principal photography commenced in May 2018. It was predominantly shot in Chennai and Hyderabad before wrapping by mid-November 2018. The film has music composed by D. Imman, cinematography handled by Vetri Palanisamy and editing by Ruben.
Thookudurai is the well-respected businessman and chieftain of his village Koduvilarpatti in Theni. After ten years, a festival is set to occur at the village's temple.
Thookudurai's family and friends have been longing to see Thookudurai's wife and daughter. After much deliberation, Thookudurai decides to travel to Mumbai to meet them. During the journey, Thookudurai's uncles, Merit and Rosamani, are upset over Thookudurai's current life and reminisce about his life.
Past: Thooku Durai used to be a happy-go-lucky man and a rice mill owner in his village, who uses violent ways to deal with problems. While chasing a few goons, Thooku Durai stumbles across a doctor named Niranjana, who witnesses his antics and lodges a case against him. When Thooku Durai sees Niranjana, he immediately falls for her and he surrenders to the police. Niranjana is later forced to release Thookudurai after Aavudaiyappan threatens to close her medical camp unless she pays him. After fighting the goons, Thooku Durai relocates Niranjana's field to his rice mill. Niranjana realizes her love for Thooku Durai and she proposes to him, which he accepts after some consideration. Thookudurai and Niranjana marry and lead a happy life, but Niranjana is disturbed by Thookudurai's involvement in feuds. Soon, Niranjana gets pregnant and is accepted to one of the most exceptional pharmaceutical programs, which she refuses for Thookudurai.
After their daughter, Swetha, is born, Niranjana leaves out of town, after getting a promise from Thookudurai not to bring Swetha to any fights. On the way to pick up Niranjana from Railway Station, Aavudaiyappan, picks up a fight with Thookudurai. Thookudurai finds Niranjana at home, and Swetha passes due to the fight. After rushing to the emergency ward, Swetha survives but Niranjana gets infuriated at Thookudurai and tells him to stay away from her and her daughter. Niranjana and Swetha leave the village to the city.
Present: Thookudurai tries to meet up with Niranjana at her company Niranjana Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd at Mumbai, but to no avail. Thookudurai later sees his daughter Swetha, who is in contention for the Junior National 100 m title. Swetha travels home when attempts are made to kill her. Thookudurai arrives in the nick of time to save her. It is then revealed that the well-known entrepreneur Gautham Veer is behind this. Gautham Veer is the owner of Skyline Exports and owns a range of multinational companies. Gautham Veer expects the same of his daughter Neha, who is slower than Swetha by milliseconds. After Gautham Veer threatens Neha that she will find no affection in him if she loses, she resorts to doping, which helps her win the race. Unfortunately, Swetha finds out, who reports it to the authorities. Fearing that her father's reputation and affection would completely vanish, Neha attempts suicide but becomes paralyzed in the process.
Gautham Veer is distraught at seeing his daughter Neha's condition and vows to have Swetha killed at any cost. After saving her, Thookudurai requests Niranjana to appoint him as Swetha's driver for the next ten days, until her competition, on the condition that he does not reveal him as her father, to which she reluctantly agrees. Thookudurai enjoys being in the company of Swetha while saving her from goons on multiple occasions. Thookudurai later meets Gautham Veer and he challenges him. Unfortunately, Thookudurai is run over by a car before Swetha's competition and Thookudurai is in critical condition. Niranjana and Swetha are forced to leave for America, and Thookudurai recovers. Swetha also brings Gautham Veer's wife and Gautham Veer's daughter. Before the competition, Gautham Veer fights an already injured Thookudurai, at this point Niranjana reveals that Thookudurai is Swetha's father. Swetha lags during the race as she has no encouragement.
Thookudurai fights Gautham Veer back, and Durai reaches the track, and he encourages his daughter by whistling. Swetha wins the race. At the same time, Gautham Veer arrives on the road to attack Thookudurai, but after Gautham Veer sees his daughter's recovery, he realizes his mistake. Thookudurai tells Gautham Veer that children should grow up as they desire and not burden them with what their parents want. Swetha is announced as the winner, along with Thookudurai's name added to Swetha's name by Niranjana, and they reunite with Thookudurai.
The collaboration between Sathya Jyothi Films, director Siva, and actor Ajith Kumar was announced via the studio's official Twitter handle in late November 2017, after months of speculation on Ajith Kumar's next project. Nayanthara was announced as the lead actress in early February 2018.[8] D. Imman was signed on to work as the film's music composer, which marked his first collaboration with Ajith Kumar and Siva. This would be Yogi Babu's 100th film as an actor.[9]
Filming
Principal photography was supposed to begin on 23 March 2018[10] but was pushed back significantly to the Tamil Film Producers Council's strike.[11] It eventually began on 7 May at Hyderabad,[12] and wrapped in November 2018 and released for Pongal 2019.[13]The crew also filmed in Chennai and Mumbai.[14]
The film was released on digital platform Amazon Prime Video on 25 February 2019. The satellite rights were sold to Sun Network.[18]
Reception
Box office
The film collected more than ₹15 crore (US$2.34 million) in Tamil Nadu, ₹2 crore (US$311,760.06) in Kerala, more than ₹1.5 crore (US$233,820.04) in Karnataka, ₹1 crore (US$155,880.03) in Rest of India, more than ₹7 crore (US$1.09 million) in Overseas and with a total of ₹25.4 crore (US$3.96 million) in first day.[19] The film collected ₹33.50 crore (US$5.22 million) in India in 2 days.[20] The film collected ₹180 crore (US$28.06 million) worldwide in 3 weeks.[21]
Critical response
The film received mixed reviews praising the performances (particularly Ajith Kumar and Jagapathi Babu), action sequences, soundtrack, film's score and emotional quotient but criticism for the direction, screenplay, and predictable plot.[22]The Times of India rated 3/5, stating, "The film follows the regular template in its narration and changes track at a point keeping in mind to reach all sections of audience. The plot also becomes predictable once the real story unfolds. But the lack of evident flaws make it a one time watch entertainer".[23]Behind Woods rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam is packaged with right commercial elements to satisfy the family audience and Thala fans".[24]Film Companion rated 3/5 stating "A lot of mainstream filmmaking is about finding new ways to tell the same old story. With Viswasam, Siva does more. He justifies his star’s faith in (and perseverance with) him". First Post rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam has several moments worth paying a visit to the theatre. The bang for buck interval fight sequence in the rain is one of the highlights of the film. As a pair, Ajith and Siva make a strong comeback with the film, which has its issues but makes for quite an entertaining watch anyway".[25]India Glitz rated 3/5 stating "Viswasam is Siva – Ajith combo's emotional Pongal treat for families".[26]Sify rated 3/5 stating "Ajith is endearing and is in tremendous form that the actor looks super energetic as Thooku Durai. Viswasam is a pucca family entertainer for this Pongal festival. Go and enjoy with your family!".[27]India Today rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "After churning out an underwhelming spy thriller Vivegam, Ajith and director Siruthai Siva go back to the rural route with Viswasam. But the film does not do justice to expectations and is impressive only in parts, says our review".[28]The News Minute rated 2 out of 5 stars stating "After touring Eastern Europe in 'Vivegam', Siva brings Ajith back to Tamil Nadu and it proves to be a wise move".[29]The Hindu stated "The problem with the film is that it offers very little for Ajith, the star".[30]Hindustan Times rated 1.5 out of 5 stars stating "While the idea would have been to make audience feel the moment of sweet victory, all it does is ruin the palette for those who enjoy a good commercial film".[31]Deccan Chronicle stated "Though there’s nothing new by way of story, Siva has made a movie that is all about a mass star – Thala Ajith".[32]Cinema Express rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Director Siva's biggest achievement is giving us an Ajith who is having fun on screen after a long time, apart from which the film mainly works on surprise value".[33]
