Master (2021)

Master (2021) is one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year, blending action, crime, drama, and thriller. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and starring Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi, this Tamil‑language film was theatrically released on January 13, 2021.

Movie Overview

Introduction

Master is a Tamil action-thriller that brought together two powerhouse actors—Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi—in an electrifying face-off. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj under the banner XB Film Creators and Seven Screen Studio, the film emerged as a commercial blockbuster in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crafted with a sharp screenplay and compelling direction, it revitalized Tamil cinema’s theatrical landscape in 2021. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Plot Summary

The film follows John Durairaj (“JD”, Vijay), an alcoholic professor who is sent to a juvenile correctional facility for a three-month assignment. There, he takes on Bhavani (Vijay Sethupathi), a ruthless gangster who manipulates and exploits the inmates for his criminal gains. Their clash becomes a gripping narrative of resistance, redemption, and retribution, with JD determined to dismantle Bhavani’s reign of terror. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Cast & Crew

• Director & Co-writer: Lokesh Kanagaraj
• Writers: Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pon Parthiban, Rathna Kumar :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Producer: S. Xavier Britto (XB Film Creators); co-production with Seven Screen Studio :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Starring: Vijay (JD), Vijay Sethupathi (Bhavani); with Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah, Arjun Das, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Gouri G. Kishan in supporting roles :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Music: Anirudh Ravichander :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Cinematography: Sathyan Sooryan; Editing: Philomin Raj :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Production Studios: XB Film Creators, Seven Screen Studio :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Production Insights

Originally announced under the tentative title “Thalapathy 64,” the project was officially revealed as *Master* on December 31, 2019. Lokesh Kanagaraj penned the story alongside Pon Parthiban and Rathna Kumar. Filming began in October 2019 across multiple locations including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Karnataka, and wrapped up in February 2020 after 129 working days. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Initially slated to release on April 9, 2020, the theatrical launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filmmakers emphasized a big-screen release, rejecting early OTT release rumors. Eventually, *Master* premiered in cinemas on January 13, 2021, with dubbed versions in Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi (titled *Vijay the Master*) released simultaneously. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Soundtrack & Technical Craft

The soundtrack and background score, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, gained massive popularity—especially the chartbusters “Kutti Story,” “Vaathi Coming,” and “Vaathi Raid.” The album released on March 15, 2020, and achieved multi-billion streams across platforms. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Sathyan Sooryan’s cinematography delivered crisp visuals that enhanced the film’s gritty tone, while Philomin Raj’s tight editing paced the narrative across its near 3-hour runtime of approximately 178–179 minutes. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Release & Box Office

Released on January 13, 2021, *Master* opened to packed theaters across Tamil Nadu and performed strongly in Telugu-speaking states and North India through dubbed versions. Opening day collections in Tamil Nadu alone were ₹25 crore, with India-wide opening reaching ₹40 crore. The film crossed ₹100 crore within three days and sustained momentum to become one of the highest-grossing Tamil films, closing in the ₹220–300 crore range worldwide. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Notably, *Master* became the first Indian film to top the global box office during its release. It also set records internationally—including becoming the highest-grossing film in the UAE at that time. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Critical Reception & Cultural Impact

Critics praised the dynamic rivalry between Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi, Anirudh’s vibrant score, and Lokesh’s fresh direction, though some noted pacing issues given the film’s length. Reviews highlighted the compelling performances and narrative energy, making *Master* a defining commercial and critical success. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

The film played a significant role in reviving theatrical attendance amid the pandemic, earning recognition for bringing audiences back to cinemas. It sparked fan trends, including the hugely popular #MasterSelfie tweeted by Vijay, which became the most-retweeted celebrity tweet in India in 2020. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Awards & Accolades

At award seasons, *Master* earned acclaim in technical and music categories. It won Best Choreography (Dinesh Kumar for “Vaathi Coming”) at the Filmfare Awards South, and received multiple nominations and wins across categories at the Edison Awards, South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA), and Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Legacy

*Master* cemented Lokesh Kanagaraj’s status as a mainstream action auteur by blending mass appeal with narrative complexity. It also elevated the modern Tamil action-thriller, inspiring future cinematic ventures. Its OTT debut on Amazon Prime Video just 16 days after theatrical run further highlighted changing distribution dynamics. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Conclusion

*Master (2021)* stands as a landmark in contemporary Tamil cinema—fuelled by star power, inventive direction, and memorable music. With its compelling storyline, strong characters, and box office triumph, the film became a defining moment in the pandemic era, restoring faith in theatrical storytelling in India.

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