Sirai (2025 film): Difference between revisions

 

Line 68: Line 68:

== Production ==

== Production ==

The film is directed by debutant Suresh Rajakumari for a story written by ”[[Taanakkaran]]” (2022) fame Tamizh, marking his second collaboration, reuniting with [[Vikram Prabhu|Vikram Prabhu]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj Unveils First Look Of ‘Sirai’ Starring Vikram Prabhu & LK Akshay Kumar |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/south-cinema/lokesh-kanagaraj-unveils-sirai-first-look-vikram-prabhu-lk-akshay-kumar-1793684 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=ABP Live |language=en |agency=IANS}}</ref> after his directorial debut film ”[[Taanakkaran]]”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-10 |title=Vikram Prabhu-starrer Sirai gets December release |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/10/vikram-prabhu-starrer-sirai-gets-december-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002925/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/10/vikram-prabhu-starrer-sirai-gets-december-release |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> Apart from the story, Tamizh has also contributed towards the screenplay along with Suresh Rajakumari, who earlier worked as an assistant director to [[Vetrimaaran]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-10 |title=We wanted to realistically show the life of a police officer with this film: Suresh Rajakumari |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/we-wanted-to-realistically-show-the-life-of-a-police-officer-with-this-film-suresh-rajakumari/articleshow/123216682.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/we-wanted-to-realistically-show-the-life-of-a-police-officer-with-this-film-suresh-rajakumari/articleshow/123216682.cms |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The film is produced by SS Lalit Kumar under his [[Seven Screen Studio]] banner.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=10 August 2025 |first1=Rsiva kumar Published |last2=Ist |first2=05:54 Pm |title=திரும்ப திரும்ப போலீஸ் கெட்டப் போடும் விக்ரம் பிரபு – சிறை ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் போஸ்டர் வெளியீடு! |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/cinema/vikram-prabhu-sirai-first-look-poster-released-in-tamil-articleshow-qfxd19b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909101151/https://tamil.asianetnews.com/cinema/vikram-prabhu-sirai-first-look-poster-released-in-tamil-articleshow-qfxd19b |archive-date=2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Asianet News Tamil |language=ta}}</ref> Apart from KathiravanPrabhu,<ref>{{Cite web |last=பிரிவு |first=இணையதளச் செய்திப் |date=2025-08-09 |title=லோகேஷ் கனகராஜ் வெளியிட்ட சிறை பட போஸ்டர்! |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhu-first-look-poster-of-sirai |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref> the film stars Anantha as the female lead,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sirai: Vikram Prabhu’s next film is based on a real incident involving a cop & suspect |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sirai-vikram-prabhus-next-film-is-based-on-a-real-incident-involving-a-cop-suspect/7ebe27f40439 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002654/https://www.ottplay.com/news/sirai-vikram-prabhus-next-film-is-based-on-a-real-incident-involving-a-cop-suspect/7ebe27f40439 |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> alongside ”[[I Am Kathalan]]” (2024) and ”[[Maranamass]]” (2025) fame Anishma Anilkumar, in the lead role in her Tamil debut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Vikram Prabhu’s next titled Sirai, first look poster out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhus-next-titled-sirai-first-look-poster-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909201659/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhus-next-titled-sirai-first-look-poster-out |archive-date=2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> KathiravanPrabhu is said to portray the role of a police officer,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj releases first look of Vikram Prabhu’s Sirai |url=https://www.dtnext.in/entertainment/cinema/lokesh-kanagaraj-releases-first-look-of-vikram-prabhus-sirai-842748 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en}}</ref> while the producer Lalit’s son LK Akshay Kumar will debut as an accused in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-08-11 |title=Suresh Rajakumari: Sirai protagonist is a cop with a conscience |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2025/Aug/11/tamilinterviews2025aug11suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907142304/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2025/Aug/11/tamilinterviews2025aug11suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |archive-date=2025-09-07 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The film is directed by debutant Suresh Rajakumari for a story written by ”[[Taanakkaran]]” (2022) fame Tamizh, marking his second collaboration, reuniting with [[Vikram Prabhu|Vikram Prabhu]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj Unveils First Look Of ‘Sirai’ Starring Vikram Prabhu & LK Akshay Kumar |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/south-cinema/lokesh-kanagaraj-unveils-sirai-first-look-vikram-prabhu-lk-akshay-kumar-1793684 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=ABP Live |language=en |agency=IANS}}</ref> after his directorial debut film ”[[Taanakkaran]]”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-10 |title=Vikram Prabhu-starrer Sirai gets December release |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/10/vikram-prabhu-starrer-sirai-gets-december-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002925/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Oct/10/vikram-prabhu-starrer-sirai-gets-december-release |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> Apart from the story, Tamizh has also contributed towards the screenplay along with Suresh Rajakumari, who earlier worked as an assistant director to [[Vetrimaaran]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-10 |title=We wanted to realistically show the life of a police officer with this film: Suresh Rajakumari |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/we-wanted-to-realistically-show-the-life-of-a-police-officer-with-this-film-suresh-rajakumari/articleshow/123216682.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/we-wanted-to-realistically-show-the-life-of-a-police-officer-with-this-film-suresh-rajakumari/articleshow/123216682.cms |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The film is produced by SS Lalit Kumar under his [[Seven Screen Studio]] banner.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=10 August 2025 |first1=Rsiva kumar Published |last2=Ist |first2=05:54 Pm |title=திரும்ப திரும்ப போலீஸ் கெட்டப் போடும் விக்ரம் பிரபு – சிறை ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் போஸ்டர் வெளியீடு! |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/cinema/vikram-prabhu-sirai-first-look-poster-released-in-tamil-articleshow-qfxd19b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909101151/https://tamil.asianetnews.com/cinema/vikram-prabhu-sirai-first-look-poster-released-in-tamil-articleshow-qfxd19b |archive-date=2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Asianet News Tamil |language=ta}}</ref> Apart from ,<ref>{{Cite web |last=பிரிவு |first=இணையதளச் செய்திப் |date=2025-08-09 |title=லோகேஷ் கனகராஜ் வெளியிட்ட சிறை பட போஸ்டர்! |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhu-first-look-poster-of-sirai |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref> the film stars Anantha as the female lead,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sirai: Vikram Prabhu’s next film is based on a real incident involving a cop & suspect |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sirai-vikram-prabhus-next-film-is-based-on-a-real-incident-involving-a-cop-suspect/7ebe27f40439 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012002654/https://www.ottplay.com/news/sirai-vikram-prabhus-next-film-is-based-on-a-real-incident-involving-a-cop-suspect/7ebe27f40439 |archive-date=2025-10-12 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> alongside ”[[I Am Kathalan]]” (2024) and ”[[Maranamass]]” (2025) fame Anishma Anilkumar, in the lead role in her Tamil debut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Vikram Prabhu’s next titled Sirai, first look poster out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhus-next-titled-sirai-first-look-poster-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909201659/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Aug/09/vikram-prabhus-next-titled-sirai-first-look-poster-out |archive-date=2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> is said to portray the role of a police officer,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj releases first look of Vikram Prabhu’s Sirai |url=https://www.dtnext.in/entertainment/cinema/lokesh-kanagaraj-releases-first-look-of-vikram-prabhus-sirai-842748 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en}}</ref> while the producer Lalit’s son LK Akshay Kumar will debut as an accused in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-08-11 |title=Suresh Rajakumari: Sirai protagonist is a cop with a conscience |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2025/Aug/11/tamilinterviews2025aug11suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907142304/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2025/Aug/11/tamilinterviews2025aug11suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |archive-date=2025-09-07 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Filming got [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] in May 2025, after shooting across [[Chennai]], [[Sivaganga]]i, and [[Vellore]], and the post-production work began during its announcement in early August 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tamil |first=Hindu |date=2025-08-09 |title=”சிறை” ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1372476-vikram-prabhu-and-lk-akshay-kumar-starrer-sirai-first-look-released.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826030841/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1372476-vikram-prabhu-and-lk-akshay-kumar-starrer-sirai-first-look-released.html |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}</ref> The technical team consists of [[Justin Prabhakaran]] as its music composer, Madhesh Manickam as its cinematographer, [[Philomin Raj]] as the editor, and Raghava Sanjivi as the production designer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=2025-08-11 |title=Suresh Rajakumari: Sirai protagonist is a cop with a conscience |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Aug/11/suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816161529/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Aug/11/suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |archive-date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>

Filming got [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] in May 2025, after shooting across [[Chennai]], [[Sivaganga]]i, and [[Vellore]], and the post-production work began during its announcement in early August 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tamil |first=Hindu |date=2025-08-09 |title=”சிறை” ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1372476-vikram-prabhu-and-lk-akshay-kumar-starrer-sirai-first-look-released.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826030841/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1372476-vikram-prabhu-and-lk-akshay-kumar-starrer-sirai-first-look-released.html |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2025-10-11 |work=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}</ref> The technical team consists of [[Justin Prabhakaran]] as its music composer, Madhesh Manickam as its cinematographer, [[Philomin Raj]] as the editor, and Raghava Sanjivi as the production designer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=2025-08-11 |title=Suresh Rajakumari: Sirai protagonist is a cop with a conscience |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Aug/11/suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816161529/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2025/Aug/11/suresh-rajakumari-sirai-protagonist-is-a-cop-with-a-conscience |archive-date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>

2025 Tamil film

Sirai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Suresh Rajakumari
Screenplay by
Story by	Tamizh
Produced by	S. S. Lalit Kumar
Starring	Vikram Prabhu LK Akshay Kumar Anishma Anilkumar Ananda Thambirajah
Cinematography	Madhesh Manickam
Edited by	Philomin Raj
Music by	Justin Prabhakaran
Production company
Release date	25 December 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time	124 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Tamil
Budget	₹3 crore
Box office	₹31.65 crore[2]

Sirai (transl. Prison) is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film directed by debutant Suresh Rajakumari from a screenplay he co-wrote with Tamizh, who wrote the story. Produced by S. S. Lalit Kumar under Seven Screen Studio, the film stars Vikram Prabhu, LK Akshay Kumar (in his feature film debut), Anishma Anilkumar (in her Tamil debut) and Abhie Thambirajah in the lead roles. It is Akshay Kumar’s acting debut, and the second collaboration of Prabhu and Thamizh after the latter’s directorial debut.

Sirai released in theatres on 25 December 2025. The film received critical acclaim and became a box-office success.

In 2003, in Vellore, Armed Reserve police constable Kathiravan is part of a team escorting a criminal on a bus. The bus is attacked by the criminal’s associates, who throw chilli liquid to disable the policemen. Kathiravan retaliates with gunfire, killing the attackers as they attempt to escape in an auto rickshaw. Following the incident, Kathiravan and his colleagues are instructed by their superiors to report the events accurately during the Revenue Inspector (RI) inquiry.

Kathiravan lives with his wife Mary, also a police constable at another station, their daughter, and his mother. Later, he replaces a colleague on a long-distance escort duty after the latter leaves to visit his ailing mother in Kanyakumari. Kathiravan is assigned to escort Abdul Rauf, a prisoner being transferred from Central Jail, Vellore, to Tiruchirappalli Court. At a bus stop, two accompanying policemen leave Abdul alone with Kathiravan while they drink at a bar. During the journey, Abdul recalls his tragic past, which forms the core of the story.

Abdul reveals that he has been imprisoned for five years. In 1997, in Sivaganga, he lived as a small shopkeeper with his mother and also ran a makeshift local theater, as televisions were rare in the village. Pandi, a local don’s son-in-law who was known to abuse his wife, demands that Abdul screen pornographic films, which Abdul refuses. When Pandi attacks his wife and her sister Kala, whom Abdul loves, Abdul retaliates and assaults him. Abdul’s mother later confronts Pandi at his house, leading to another violent altercation. That night, Kala meets Abdul, and he tearfully asks her to forget him, believing their relationship has no future due to the hostility between their families.

Back in the present, when the bus reaches Villupuram district, the two policemen accompanying Kathiravan get into a fight with locals and leave Abdul alone on the bus. Kathiravan returns to find the bus gone. They pursue it on another bus, only to discover that Abdul has escaped, taking advantage of the situation and seizing the policemen’s guns. The officers report the incident at a nearby police station, where they are surprised to find Abdul already present. Abdul takes responsibility for the escape, protecting the officers from punishment by Sub-Inspector Kathar Badshah. It is also revealed that the gun was loaded solely because Abdul is Muslim. Impressed by Abdul’s integrity, Kathar Badshah decides to help escort him to court.

During the journey, Kathiravan asks Abdul why he had requested the removal of his handcuffs at the court premises earlier. Abdul explains that he wanted to marry his lover there. He then continues his flashback.

Kala’s mother and Abdul’s mother separately discover their relationship and strongly oppose it. Pandi brutally attacks Abdul’s mother, nearly killing her. In retaliation, Abdul assaults Pandi and leaves him unconscious before taking his mother to the hospital. The next day, Abdul learns that Pandi died from his injuries the previous night. Overcome with guilt, Abdul surrenders to the police. While in prison, Kala informs him that his mother has also died.

In the present, Abdul explains that he was transferred from Madras Prison to Vellore Prison amid heightened security following the Vellore bomb blasts. Upon reaching the court, Kathiravan keeps his promise and removes Abdul’s handcuffs. Kala arrives, and the couple reunite. Kathiravan asks Kala why she did not engage another lawyer for Abdul’s defense; she explains that her family forbade her from doing so. Abdul also reveals that he had voluntarily surrendered to the police earlier when he escaped from the bus.

The judge allows only one person to accompany the accused into chambers, so Kathiravan permits Kala to enter with Abdul. They plead before the judge, who reviews the case files and assures them that he will try to acquit Abdul in the next hearing, apologizing for the delay in judgment. They later visit a nearby temple to give thanks and speak with Mary, who congratulates them. Abdul is taken back to Vellore, while Kala returns to her hometown. Kathiravan and his team take leave, and Abdul asks Kathiravan to escort him again for the next hearing.

On the day of the hearing, Kathiravan attempts to attend the escort duty, while Kala plans to elope with Abdul. However, the new escort officers bring Abdul to court, and Kala is caught while attempting to flee with her sister by her husband. Compounding matters, the original judge is absent, and a different judge presides. Despite a phone call from the escort officer to Kathiravan, the new judge refuses to consider the plea, and Kathiravan and his team are ordered to face an inquiry. When Kala does not arrive at court, a distraught Abdul escapes upon exiting the courtroom. As he is being forced into an auto to be taken back to Vellore, Kala arrives by bus but is struck by another speeding bus in front of everyone, leaving Abdul devastated.

A few years later, Kathiravan is shown teaching at a police academy, revealing that this entire case is a lesson he presents to trainee constables. He discloses that Kala survived the accident by sheltering beneath the bus, that he and Mary fought Abdul’s case in court, secured his release, and that Abdul later married Kala and lives a happy life. Kathiravan concludes by emphasizing how marginalized people often suffer due to systemic corruption and urges future officers to serve the public impartially, beyond caste or religion.

The film is directed by debutant Suresh Rajakumari for a story written by Taanakkaran (2022) fame Tamizh, marking his second collaboration, reuniting with Vikram Prabhu,^[3] after his directorial debut film Taanakkaran.^[4] Apart from the story, Tamizh has also contributed towards the screenplay along with Suresh Rajakumari, who earlier worked as an assistant director to Vetrimaaran.^[5] The film is produced by SS Lalit Kumar under his Seven Screen Studio banner.^[6] Apart from Vikram Prabhu,^[7] the film stars Anantha as the female lead,^[8] alongside I Am Kathalan (2024) and Maranamass (2025) fame Anishma Anilkumar, in the lead role in her Tamil debut.^[9] Vikram Prabhu is said to portray the role of a police officer,^[10] while the producer Lalit’s son LK Akshay Kumar will debut as an accused in the film.^[11]

Filming got wrapped in May 2025, after shooting across Chennai, Sivagangai, and Vellore, and the post-production work began during its announcement in early August 2025.^[12] The technical team consists of Justin Prabhakaran as its music composer, Madhesh Manickam as its cinematographer, Philomin Raj as the editor, and Raghava Sanjivi as the production designer.^[13]

The film has music composed by Justin Prabhakaran, with the lyrics written by him along with Karthik Netha and Sarathi. The first single titled “Mannichiru” was released on 29 November 2025.^[14] The second single titled “Minnu Vattaam Poochi” was released on 16 December 2025.^[15] The third single titled “Neelothi” was released on 22 December 2025.^[16]

Sirai released in theatres on 25 December 2025, coinciding with Christmas clashing with Retta Thala.^[17]

The post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Zee5.^[18] The film is set to begin streaming on the platform from 23 January 2026.^[19]

Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote “The film tugs hard at heartstrings, sometimes sacrificing character depth for emotional manipulation. You sense the story wants you to feel things more than it wants to develop these people beyond their narrative functions. […] Still, these missteps are outweighed by KathiravanPrabhu’s performance and the film’s procedural honesty.”^[20] Anusha Sundar of OTT Play gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote “Sirai is a tightly packaged, well-written and enacted story from the police files, that deserves credit for its scripting, execution and performances. […] Sirai, a must-watch, is heartening, hopeful, and rooted in reality.”^[21] Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote “Sirai is an important documentation of how it doesn’t take much to be a victim of systemic violence, and how it doesn’t take much to be a harbinger of change, either.”^[22] Janani K of India Today gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote “Director Suresh Rajakumari’s Sirai, starring KathiravanPrabhu, LK Akshay Kumar and Anishma, is a crisp procedural drama. With restrained performances and exceptional social commentary on minority oppression, the film serves as a fitting conclusion to 2025.”^[23]

Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote “Imbued with an atmosphere suitable for such a suspense thriller, Sirai holds your attention effortlessly. It’s a no-frills plotline that uses elements in its backdrop to their best, and what truly surprises one is its ambition.”^[24]