Aayudham (2005 film)

Aayudham ("Weapon") is a 2005 Indian Tamil action film directed by Murugesh. It features Prashanth and Sneha in the lead roles, while Vadivelu, Subbaraju, Rajesh, and Janagaraj play supporting roles. Featuring music composed by Dhina, the film released on 14 January 2005 to average reviews from film critics.
Plot.
Siva (Prashanth) is admitted to a medical college in Chennai. His father (Rajesh), a police constable, gets a transfer to Chennai, as well, so that he can keep an eye on his son. Siva soon develops a liking towards Mahalakshmi (Sneha), his collegemate. However, Naga (Subbaraju), Maha’s servant-maid’s son, is obsessed with making Maha his own.
Production.
The film was directed by Murugesh, who had previously directed the film, "Indru Mudhal" (2003). Sneha was selected to play the lead female role and began work on the film in May 2004. A major portion of the film was shot at Chennai Trade Center at Nandambakkam near Chennai, while few songs were filmed in London. The first schedule of the film commenced in Chennai, where a dance number was shot at a lavish set costing Rs 40 lakh at the AVM Studios, where Prashanth and fifty dancers took part. The second schedule of forty days was held at locations in Madurai, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Nagercoil. Dance choreographer Dinesh choreographed two dance numbers - one in which Prashanth and Mumbai's Minal took part, the other where he danced with Rasna, a Mumbai model. Fifty girls from the musical, Bombay Dreams, were selected to feature in Sungadi saris during a song shoot at Trafalgar Square.
Release.
The film opened to mixed reviews in January 2005 alongside three other Tamil films. Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noted that "it's all very fine if you are not looking for anything innovative in the entertainment offered", adding that "Prashanth is too experienced an actor to goof up the role. He plays Siva with ease. And as always he is more at home in action" and that "Sneha makes proper use of the couple of scenes that offer her a little scope to perform." Sify.com noted that film was "below average" and added "The film looks like a poor man’s "Ghilli" and the story is as old as the hills with no semblance of either style or substance."
The film performed poorly at the box office. The film's release was hampered by the Boxing Day Tsunami which also hit Chennai.
Soundtrack.
The film score and the soundtrack were composed by film composer Dhina. The soundtrack was released on 17 December 2004 and received a positive response, with a critic labelling the album as "enjoyable".