Sethu (film)

Apr 23, 2026 - 07:39

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Sethu (film)

Release: #proveit

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	== Release ==		== Release ==
	The film struggled to find a distributor and only after sixty-seven screenings did the film manage to find a buyer, with most refusing the film due to its tragic climax.{{Cite web \|last=Kamath \|first=Sudhish \|author-link=Sudhish Kamath \|date=2 January 2003 \|title=Making films for the real world \|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2003/01/02/stories/2003010206620200.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607041653/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2003/01/02/stories/2003010206620200.htm \|archive-date=7 June 2013 \|access-date=31 July 2011 \|website=[[The Hindu]]}} At that time, Bala and Vikram used money from Vikram's wife, Shailaja, to organise press previews. Despite garnering good reviews, no one was interested in purchasing the film and it remained finished but unreleased. The film ultimately released on 10 December 1999,{{Cite web \|last=Karthik \|first=Janani \|date=4 August 2016 \|title=People expect me to do something spectacular: Vikram \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/People-expect-me-to-do-something-spectacular-Vikram/articleshow/53523195.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817134526/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/People-expect-me-to-do-something-spectacular-Vikram/articleshow/53523195.cms \|archive-date=17 August 2016 \|access-date=30 May 2023 \|website=[[The Times of India]]}} and initially began running at a single noon show in a suburban theatre, but gradually built up audiences through word-of-mouth publicity, becoming a [[sleeper hit]]. The film ran over 100 days at several cinema halls across [[Chennai]], with Vikram being mobbed by people on the streets as a result of the film's success.		The film struggled to find a distributor and only after sixty-seven screenings did the film manage to find a buyer, with most refusing the film due to its perceived tragic climax.{{Cite web \|last=Kamath \|first=Sudhish \|author-link=Sudhish Kamath \|date=2 January 2003 \|title=Making films for the real world \|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2003/01/02/stories/2003010206620200.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607041653/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2003/01/02/stories/2003010206620200.htm \|archive-date=7 June 2013 \|access-date=31 July 2011 \|website=[[The Hindu]] \|language=en}} At that time, Bala and Vikram used money from Vikram's wife, Shailaja, to organise press previews. Despite garnering good reviews, no one was interested in purchasing the film and it remained finished but unreleased. The film ultimately released on 10 December 1999,{{Cite web \|last=Karthik \|first=Janani \|date=4 August 2016 \|title=People expect me to do something spectacular: Vikram \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/People-expect-me-to-do-something-spectacular-Vikram/articleshow/53523195.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817134526/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/People-expect-me-to-do-something-spectacular-Vikram/articleshow/53523195.cms \|archive-date=17 August 2016 \|access-date=30 May 2023 \|website=[[The Times of India]] \|language=en}} and initially began running at a single noon show in a suburban theatre, but gradually built up audiences through word-of-mouth publicity, becoming a [[sleeper hit]]. The film ran over 100 days at several cinema halls across [[Chennai]], with Vikram being mobbed by people on the streets as a result of the film's success.

	=== Critical reception ===		=== Critical reception ===
	''Sethu'' received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web \|date=24 January 2000 \|title=Sethu director Bala \|url=http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/january2000.html \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306122124/http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/january2000.html \|archive-date=6 March 2001 \|access-date=30 January 2024 \|website=New Tamil Films Online}} Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "AN AWARD winning performance by Vikram, a clear storyline, taut screenplay, powerful dialogues, crisp direction, superb background score – ''Sethu'' offers all these and much more".{{Cite news \|last=Rangarajan \|first=Malathi \|date=17 December 1999 \|title=Film Reviews: The Haunting / Sethu \|url=http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/12/17/stories/09170222.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001117044500/http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/12/17/stories/09170222.htm \|archive-date=17 November 2000 \|access-date=27 July 2023 \|work=[[The Hindu]]}} K. N. Vijayan from the ''[[New Straits Times]]'' described the film as an "unforgettable experience" and described Vikram's performance as "praise-worthy".{{Cite news \|last=Vijayan \|first=K. N. \|date=12 February 2000 \|title=Laughs and tears galore in 'Sethu' \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9lRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lRQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4265%2C1960776 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421022532/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9lRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lRQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4265%2C1960776 \|archive-date=21 April 2024 \|access-date=30 May 2023 \|work=[[New Straits Times]] \|pages=28 \|via=[[Google News Archive]]}} Kanchana Prakash Rao of ''[[Kalki (magazine)\|Kalki]]'' praised the first half but felt the film loses credibility after Sethu gets hurt, panning the film's second half and the ending.{{Cite magazine \|last=பிரகாஷ்ராவ் \|first=காஞ்சனா \|date=16 January 2000 \|title=சேது \|url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2000-01-16/page/n131/mode/2up \|url-status=~~live~~ \|archive-url=~~https://archive.today/20230619132200/https://archive.org/details/kalki2000-01-16/page/n131/mode/2up \|archive-date=19 June 2023~~ \|access-date=19 June 2023 \|magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)\|Kalki]] \|page=130 \|language=ta \|via=[[Internet Archive]]}} Thamarai Manalan of ''[[Dinakaran]]'' wrote, "Bala, who has directed this film, having himself written the story, screenplay and dialogue, has given a complete, perhaps more than complete, film that throbs with poetic eloquence and thus has uniformly stunned the audiences".{{Cite web \|last=Manalan \|first=Thamarai \|title=Review: "Sethu" \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/reviews/2000/sethu.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230202021/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/reviews/2000/sethu.htm \|archive-date=30 December 2005 \|access-date=11 January 2025 \|website=[[Dinakaran]]}}		''Sethu'' received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web \|date=24 January 2000 \|title=Sethu director Bala \|url=http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/january2000.html \|url-status=usurped \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306122124/http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/january2000.html \|archive-date=6 March 2001 \|access-date=30 January 2024 \|website=New Tamil Films Online \|language=en}} Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "AN AWARD winning performance by Vikram, a clear storyline, taut screenplay, powerful dialogues, crisp direction, superb background score – ''Sethu'' offers all these and much more".{{Cite news \|last=Rangarajan \|first=Malathi \|date=17 December 1999 \|title=Film Reviews: The Haunting / Sethu \|url=http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/12/17/stories/09170222.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001117044500/http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/12/17/stories/09170222.htm \|archive-date=17 November 2000 \|access-date=27 July 2023 \|work=[[The Hindu]]}} K. N. Vijayan from the ''[[New Straits Times]]'' described the film as an "unforgettable experience" and described Vikram's performance as "praise-worthy".{{Cite news \|last=Vijayan \|first=K. N. \|date=12 February 2000 \|title=Laughs and tears galore in 'Sethu' \|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9lRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lRQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4265%2C1960776 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421022532/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9lRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lRQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4265%2C1960776 \|archive-date=21 April 2024 \|access-date=30 May 2023 \|work=[[New Straits Times]] \|pages=28 \|via=[[Google News Archive]]}} Kanchana Prakash Rao of ''[[Kalki (magazine)\|Kalki]]'' praised the first half but felt the film loses credibility after Sethu gets hurt, panning the film's second half and the ending.{{Cite magazine \|last=பிரகாஷ்ராவ் \|first=காஞ்சனா \|date=16 January 2000 \|title=சேது \|url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2000-01-16/page/n131/mode/2up \|url-status= \|archive-url= \|access-date=19 June 2023 \|magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)\|Kalki]] \|page=130 \|language=ta \|via=[[Internet Archive]]}} Thamarai Manalan of ''[[Dinakaran]]'' wrote, "Bala, who has directed this film, having himself written the story, screenplay and dialogue, has given a complete, perhaps more than complete, film that throbs with poetic eloquence and thus has uniformly stunned the audiences".{{Cite web \|last=Manalan \|first=Thamarai \|title=Review: "Sethu" \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/reviews/2000/sethu.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230202021/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/reviews/2000/sethu.htm \|archive-date=30 December 2005 \|access-date=11 January 2025 \|website=[[Dinakaran]]}}

	=== Accolades ===		=== Accolades ===
	''Sethu'' won the [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film]], while also securing wins in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil\|Best Film – Tamil]] category at [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil\|the Filmfare Awards]] and the [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil\|Cinema Express Awards]]. Bala won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]] and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]. The performance also drew accolades for Vikram who won the [[Filmfare Special Award – South]] and the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for his portrayal of the title character.{{sfn\|Dhananjayan\|2011\|p=213}}{{Cite web \|date=29 December 2000 \|title=Awards: Tamilnadu Government Announces Cinema State Awards -1999 \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/29-12-00/state.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622010121/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/29-12-00/state.htm \|archive-date=22 June 2008 \|access-date=15 August 2023 \|website=[[Dinakaran]]}}{{Cite news \|last=Ashok Kumar \|first=S. R. \|date=15 April 2000 \|title=Star-spangled show on cards \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/star-spangled-show-on-cards/article28011666.ece \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720053452/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/star-spangled-show-on-cards/article28011666.ece \|archive-date=20 July 2021 \|access-date=20 July 2021 \|work=[[The Hindu]]}}{{Cite web \|date=26 April 2000 \|title=Southern Filmfare awards presented at glittering ceremony \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/southern-filmfare-awards-presented-at-glittering-ceremony/articleshow/883089902.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.~~today~~/~~20241107135604~~/~~https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/southern-filmfare-awards-presented-at-glittering-ceremony/articleshow/883089902.cms~~ \|archive-date=7 ~~November~~ ~~2024~~ \|access-date=16 December 2024 \|website=[[The Times of India]]}} He was reportedly a strong contender for the [[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] but lost to [[Mohanlal]].{{Cite web \|last=Rajitha \|date=21 July 2000 \|title=Ajit backs off Nanda \|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/jul/21spice.htm \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026145436/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/jul/21spice.htm \|archive-date=26 October 2012 \|access-date=31 July 2011 \|website=[[Rediff.com]]}} Bala won the Dinakaran Cinema Award for Best Newface Director.{{Cite web \|title=Awards: "Dinakaran Cinema Awards"--1999 \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625100834/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm \|archive-date=25 June 2008 \|access-date=27 September 2024 \|website=[[Dinakaran]] \|language=en}}		''Sethu'' won the [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film]], while also securing wins in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil\|Best Film – Tamil]] category at [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil\|the Filmfare Awards]] and the [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil\|Cinema Express Awards]]. Bala won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]] and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]. The performance also drew accolades for Vikram who won the [[Filmfare Special Award – South]] and the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for his portrayal of the title character.{{sfn\|Dhananjayan\|2011\|p=213}}{{Cite web \|date=29 December 2000 \|title=Awards: Tamilnadu Government Announces Cinema State Awards -1999 \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/29-12-00/state.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622010121/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/29-12-00/state.htm \|archive-date=22 June 2008 \|access-date=15 August 2023 \|website=[[Dinakaran]] \|language=en}}{{Cite news \|last=Ashok Kumar \|first=S. R. \|date=15 April 2000 \|title=Star-spangled show on cards \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/star-spangled-show-on-cards/article28011666.ece \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720053452/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/star-spangled-show-on-cards/article28011666.ece \|archive-date=20 July 2021 \|access-date=20 July 2021 \|work=[[The Hindu]]}}{{Cite web \|date=26 April 2000 \|title=Southern Filmfare awards presented at glittering ceremony \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/southern-filmfare-awards-presented-at-glittering-ceremony/articleshow/883089902.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bJamT \|archive-date=23 April 2026 \|access-date=16 December 2024 \|website=[[The Times of India]] \|language=en}} He was reportedly a strong contender for the [[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] but lost to [[Mohanlal]].{{Cite web \|last=Rajitha \|date=21 July 2000 \|title=Ajit backs off Nanda \|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/jul/21spice.htm \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026145436/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/jul/21spice.htm \|archive-date=26 October 2012 \|access-date=31 July 2011 \|website=[[Rediff.com]]}} Bala won the Dinakaran Cinema Award for Best Newface Director.{{Cite web \|title=Awards: "Dinakaran Cinema Awards"--1999 \|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625100834/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm \|archive-date=25 June 2008 \|access-date=27 September 2024 \|website=[[Dinakaran]] \|language=en}}

	== Legacy ==		== Legacy ==

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