The film is set on the backdrop of a village panchayat election scenario between two political parties where a local barber's vote will determine the fate of the election.[1] The film was directly released via Star Vijay on 4 April 2021 and internationally through Netflix, the following day.[2] The film received widespread critical acclaim praising the script, performances and technical aspects of the film. It was shortlisted as one among the 14 Indian films to be nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 94th Academy Awards scheduled to be held in mid-2022.[3][4][5] At the 68th National Film Awards, it won 2 awards for Best Debut Film of a Director and Best Screenplay (Dialogues), both for Madonne Ashwin. The film was remade in Telugu as Martin Luther King (2023).[6]
Plot
In a small village named Soorangudi in Tamil Nadu, the population of around 1000 people are split into two caste-based factions, Northerners and Southerners. When the long unopposed Village President, a follower of caste indiscrimination, becomes paralyzed months before the local body election, his two sons Rathinam and Mathi decide to run for president. The election is divided along caste lines, as the elder son's mother is a Northerner and the mother of the younger son is a Southerner. Based on pre-polling, it turns out the vote is split. The tiebreaker vote falls upon a lower-caste local hairstylist named Smile alias Nelson Mandela, who recently joined the voter list. The rest of the movie is about who gets Mandela's vote to win. In the process, Mandela gets the two contenders to improve the village by laying a road, building a school, etc. with their wealth, due to there being a contract from a man wishing to establish a quartz factory, which is worth 300 million. The movie ends with a 'surprising' result to the election that is not disclosed who has won but points to the fact that the people of Soorangudi have unitedly won the election.
The film was announced by debutant director Madonne Ashwin in July 2019, and principal photography began the very same day.[7]Yogi Babu was chosen to play the lead role as a barber.[8] Director Balaji Mohan came on board as co-producer of the film which also marked his maiden feature film production venture for his Open Window Productions banner. Madonne who was a participant in the reality show Naalaya Iyakunar came up with the script to Balaji who expressed his interest in setting a production venture, but to have a wide reach, he approached S. Sashikanth to jointly produce the film. Talking about the script, Balaji stated, "It is a social satire, set against a rural backdrop. It talks about quite a few things that are relevant in today’s scenario. Though it will have humour, it will be more sensible and meaningful."[9] Principal photography wrapped in November 2019 with just a single schedule.[10]
"Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi" Released: 19 March 2021
The music is composed by Bharath Sankar of the Oorka band. The soundtrack album featured six tracks with lyrics written by Yugabharathi, Arivu, Mamiliva Randriamihajasoa, Pradeep Kumar and Bharath Sankar. One song "Oru Needhi Onbadhu Saadhi" was released as a single on 19 March 2021,[11] and the remaining tracks were released on 28 March 2021, through Sony Music label.[12]
In March 2021, YNOT Studios decided to release the film as a direct television premiere on Star Vijay on 4 April 2021 and the film would be globally streamed via Netflix from 9 April 2021.[13][14] However, the Netflix release was brought forward to 5 April 2021, as they wanted to release the film before the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections.[15][2] The film's theatrical premiere was held at PVR Cinemas, Chennai on 31 March 2021.[16]
Thinkal Menon from The Times of India praised the performances of the cast and technical aspects, and wrote that the film is "outright hilarious from the word go, though it deals with umpteen relevant, sensitive topics". Menon further gave three-and-a-half out of five stars for the film.[17] Ranjani Krishnakumar of Firstpost gave 4 stars (out of 5) for the film, further stating it as "Mandela is a film that will remind us of our priorities. It will encourage us to think about our rights as people and our power when we're together, and will also stand as a thoughtful and optimistic view of democracy, for one and all."[18] Giving three out of five stars, Behindwoods further added "A stellar Yogi Babu and some honest, nuanced writing makes Mandela entertaining."[19]
The Indian Express chief critic Manoj Kumar R, wrote "This political satire is direct and obvious in its messaging. And that adds to the movie's strengths and makes the narration more effective", and rated the film three out of five.[20] Srivatsan S of The Hindu wrote "‘Mandela’ is a first-rate political satire that shows how deep-seated caste is, by taking an unflinching yet unsentimental look."[21] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "The film allows Yogi Babu to truly showcase his potential and he plays the titular character with so much sincerity."[22] Navien Darshan of Cinema Express gave 3.5 stars (out of 5) stating it as "A hilarious and yet, hard hitting entertainer backed by strong writing and performances".[23]
People from Maruthuvar community and Barber's profession have condemned the film for poor portrayal of their profession and community. SK Raja, the president of Tamil Nadu Barbers Welfare Association, accused the filmmakers, stating that denigrates their community and profession and propagates prejudice and social injustice.[30] A petition was filed by R. Munusamy, the president of the Tamil Nadu Hair Dressers Union, on 21 April, alleged that the film contains several objectionable scenes that speak ill about the barber community.[31]
