Suyamvaram (transl. Betrothal ceremony) is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film produced and co-written by Giridharilal Nagpal. The film is notable for its unique production process, in which 14 directors, 19 cinematographers, and over 30 prominent actors collaborated. Conceptualized by Nagpal, the film features an ensemble cast and was shot in a single day. Nagpal, who also wrote the story, brought together a diverse group of talent from the Tamil film industry for the project. Suyamvaram was later dubbed into Telugu as Pellante Idhera.
The film begins with Kuselan's 60th birthday celebrations, during which he suffers a heart attack. At the hospital, the family is informed that Kuselan's condition is critical, and he is expected to live only a short while. In his final days, Kuselan requests one last favour: that all his children be married before his death. The children agree, and an advertisement is placed offering family property and ₹1 crore in cash to anyone who marries one of Kuselan's children. The announcement attracts numerous potential brides and grooms, who are interviewed by Gnanapithan (K. Bhagyaraj) and Arivozhimangai (Urvashi), or by doctors Mithrabuthan (Janagaraj) and Panchabootham (Senthil).
Kuselan, Suseela, and Krishna are happy upon thinking that everything would happen as planned, but there is a major hitch that they did not know about: most of the children have already fallen in love. Arunachalam, Aavudaiappan, and Indiran have romantic relationships with Khushbu, Savithri (Ishwarya), and Heera, respectively. Easwari, Uma, Aishwarya, and Hema are in love with Kanna (Prabhu Deva), Pallavan (Pandiarajan), Gautham (Vineeth), and Kanthen (Livingston), respectively. With some effort and bribery, the lovers manage to be selected for the marriage interviews. Urvashi is paired with the absent-minded Dr. Ram Kumar (Karthik), who mistakenly believes the interview is for a medical position. Ezhilarasi is matched with Azhagappan.
The plot takes a twist when Kabilan (Mansoor Ali Khan), with his accomplice Vichitra (Vichithra), attempts to pose as a groom but fails. In retaliation, he kidnaps the nine brides for ransom. Kuselan's friend, ACP Sanjay IPS (Arjun Sarja), is called to handle the situation. Sanjay defeats Kabilan and his gang, diffuses a bomb planted by Kabilan at the wedding hall, and rescues the brides.
In the final revelation, Kuselan confesses that his heart attack was a ruse, and his true intention was to ensure that his children got married.
Cast
In order of appearance:
Vijayakumar as Kuselan, the patriarch of the family, Suseela's husband, and the father of three sons and six daughters. He feigns a heart attack to fulfill his wish of getting his children married.
Manjula Vijayakumar as Suseela, Kuselan's supportive wife and the mother of their nine children.
Cinematographers: Babu, Raghunatha Reddy, B. L. Rao, D. Shankar, K. S. Selvaraj, A. Karthik Raja, Ashokrajan, K. S. Udhayashankar, C Vijayasri, M. V. Panneerselvam, U. K. Senthil Kumar, R. B. Imayavaramban, Ram Gunasekharan, R. Rajarathnam, R. H. Ashok, K. B. Ahmed, G. Mohan, Victor S. Kumar
Editors: P. Sai Suresh, K. Thanikachalam, P. Madan Mohan, L. Kesavan
Art Director: GK (art director), Ashok Chockalingam (art associate)
Production
Producer Giridharilal Nagpal announced his intentions of making Suyamvaram, a film shot within 24 hours, in January 1999, stating it had been a fourteen-year dream. The film's launch event was held in the same month on 24 January 1999, with prominent actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan attending.[1][2] Initially, the filmmakers intended to complete the entire production in 24 hours on 24 March 1999. However, delays occurred, leading to significant changes in the cast and crew. As a result, actors Vijayakanth, Murali, Prashanth, and Prakash Raj, who had initially committed to the project, had to opt out. Additionally, actresses Simran, Devayani and Keerthi Reddy, along with directors R. K. Selvamani and S. A. Chandrasekhar, were no longer part of the film.[2] Siraj, one of the directors, wrote the screenplay and dialogues for the film.[3]
Despite the delays, Nagpal remained determined to complete the film within 24 hours. He scheduled the filming for 5 and 6 April 1999 across multiple studios in Chennai, bringing together a massive crew. The production involved 19 associate directors, 45 assistant directors, 19 cameramen, 36 assistant cameramen, nine steadicam operators, 14 lead actors, 12 lead actresses, villains, comedians, five dance masters, 16 assistants, 140 chorus dancers, stunt coordinators, and a large team of technicians, including makeup artists, costume designers, set designers, and a still photographer. In total, 1,483 extras were involved.[4]
The filmmakers were under constant pressure to complete the film in the allotted time. Despite months of preparation, many details were left to the last minute, and no script was available. Directors provided scenes to actors, who would rehearse briefly before filming.[5] Two representatives from the Guinness World Records were present to oversee the time-schedule,[6][7] accompanied by officials from the Limca Book of Records.[8]
Nagpal outlined his ambitious plan: the entire filmmaking process—including shooting, developing rushes, editing, dubbing, re-recording, and final mixing—was to be completed within 24 hours. The script was divided into 11 parts, with each director responsible for filming one part, and all directors worked simultaneously across different sets and venues.[9]
Filming commenced at 7:00 AM on 5 April at AVM Studios' sixth floor and AVM Gardens, directed by Sundar C.[3][10] At 9.30 AM scenes were shot at the Kamaraj Memorial with Prabhu Deva and Roja, followed by scenes at 11:00 AM involving Sathyaraj and Khushbu in a gypsy tent camp set.[4] At noon, a song sequence featuring Abbas and Heera was filmed at Film City, and scenes with Pandiarajan and Kasthuri were shot by Ramdoss at Guindy.[4] Filming continued throughout the day and into the night, with P. Vasu filming scenes with Prabhu and Aishwarya at 2:45 PM.[8] Karin Przygocki, an English teacher at the American International School Chennai, was recruited to play an American who marries into a traditional Indian family but her role was later changed to that of a jilted lover in Prabhu's office.[8]
A dance sequence at a discothèque in Abu Palace was filmed at 5:30 PM, featuring Vineeth and Maheswari. By 6:30 PM, the entire crew gathered at the Vijaya Vauhini Studios, which had been transformed to resemble a wedding hall, for the final scenes. However, by 3:00 AM on 6 April, the production had fallen two hours behind schedule. In response, four directors improvised and revised the storyline, merging two scenes into one to save time.[4] At the same time, Vineeth refused to shoot a scene in which his character was locked in a bathroom, causing additional delays as the directors attempted to convince him to continue. Despite these challenges, the team completed the filming of the kidnap scenes at Kushaldoss House by 6:25 AM. The final shot was completed at 6:50 AM, with just ten minutes left before the 24-hour deadline.[5]
Director Sundar C, who shot the opening scene of the film, noted that all the directors had several planning sessions to ensure smooth transitions between scenes,[10] while P. Vasu emphasised constant coordination to ensure continuity. Actor-director Arjun, who appeared as a cop in the film, also co-ordinated the action scenes in the climax.[10] Costume designer S. V. Kumar worked with forty assistants, and dance choreographer Lalita Mani contributed to the film's musical sequences.[11] Art director G. K. oversaw the set designs across 21 locations, managing the operations via mobile communication. Giridharilal's son Vinay played a key role in ensuring the smooth progression of the project across locations.[10]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack consists of five songs composed by four composers.[12][13] Actor Prabhu Deva featured as a singer in the soundtrack.[14]
The film was released on 16 July 1999.[16] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote, "The cast seems to have enjoyed themselves tremendously doing this movie. So will you, too".[17]Shobha Warrier of Rediff.com claimed the attempt "particularly praiseworthy if we take into consideration the time factor and the amount of co-ordination the film-makers had to do", whilst adding that the film was "slicker and better made than many churned out regularly by some film factories".[18] A critic from Sify noted, "it can be seen for its record achievement feat but entertainment it does not offer."[19] K. P. S. of Kalki praised the directors for covering every portion into a full length film and every scene seemed like watching a new film.[20] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote the film is "not only a fairly humorous entertainer but an example of how the artistes and technicians of Tamil filmdom can co-operate wholeheartedly, put their heart and soul, complete a movie in just 24 hours and earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records".[21]
Other versions
The film was dubbed into Telugu as Pellante Idera! by P. R. Kutumba Rao and released in October 2001. Kutumba Rao was persuaded to release the film in Telugu by Narasimha Rao of the Raasi Movies studio, while Vennelakanti worked on the Telugu dialogues and music was rearranged by G. Anand. The makers of the Telugu version opted to select a different voice artist for each character, rather than save costs by using individuals who can provide multiple voices.[22]
A Hindi remake of the film was pondered by the producer, but later shelved.[6]
Inspired by the film, the producers later announced their next project, which would feature five actors and actresses, to be shot within ten days, but the project did not proceed.[23]
