Mark Antony
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAdhik Ravichandran
Screenplay byAdhik Ravichandran
S. J. Arjun
R. Savari Muthu
Story byAdhik Ravichandran
Produced byS. Vinod Kumar
StarringVishal
S. J. Suryah
Narrated byKarthi
CinematographyAbinandhan Ramanujam
Edited byVijay Velukutty
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
company
Mini Studio
Distributed byAyngaran International
Release date
  • 14 September 2023 (2023-09-14)
Running time
151 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Box officeest. ₹100 crore[2]

Mark Antony is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action comedy film directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by S. Vinod Kumar under Mini Studio. The film stars Vishal and S. J. Suryah in dual roles, alongside Ritu Varma, Sunil, Selvaraghavan and Abhinaya in the lead with an ensemble supporting cast. The music is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, while the cinematography and editing are handled by Abinandhan Ramanujam and Vijay Velukutty.

The film was officially announced in December 2021, under the tentative title Vishal 33, while the official title Mark Antony was revealed in January 2022. Principal photography began in May 2022 and wrapped by May 2023. The film was released on 14 September 2023 to positive reviews from critics and grossed ₹100 crore, thus becoming the highest-grossing film in Vishal's career.[2]

Plot

In 1975, Chiranjeevi, a scientist invents a telephone that enables its users to make calls to people in the past by selecting a past date, with a constraint that only one call can be made for each selected date. Meanwhile, Antony and Jackie Pandian are best friends and gangsters in Chennai, who have a common enemy named Ekambaram, also a gangster. Ekambaram decides to take revenge against Antony for killing his brother and he kills Antony in a club, also resulting in Chiranjeevi getting killed. Jackie soon becomes the solo kingpin and adopts Antony's son Mark as his own son.

In 1995, Mark is a mechanic in Royapuram who hates Antony for being responsible for his mother Vedhavalli's death. One day, Mark finds Chiranjeevi's telephone and realises that he can make calls to the past and alter the whole course of history. Mark soon finds that Antony was not a bad person and was made to believe that by Jackie, the actual mastermind behind Antony and Vedhavalli's deaths, as Antony refused Jackie's involvement in illegal activities like drug smuggling, arms trafficking and prostitution. Mark manages to change history by making calls to the past, where Jackie is killed.

Mark soon wakes up in the present to find that he is in Jackie's place as a gangster while Jackie's son Madhan is in Mark's place as a mechanic. Madhan soon learns about the telephone and Mark's involvement in changing the history previously, which he informs to Jackie. A cat-and-mouse game ensues where Jackie makes various attempts to kill Antony, but Antony survives all the attempts and learns about Jackie's true intentions. Jackie and his men surround Antony at the club and he is seemingly killed. Mark again wakes up in the present and find himself back as a mechanic while Jackie is still alive.

Madhan kidnaps Mark's girlfriend Ramya and asks him to come to the club godown. Mark arrives and is thrashed by Madhan and Jackie's men. However, Antony arrives at the godown, where it is revealed that Ekambaram saved Antony in the club shootout and had sent him to Colombia due to many encounter killings of gangsters by the police. Antony gained the partnership of the Colombian underworld as Jackie usually sent commission to the gangsters under Antony's name. Antony kills all of Jackie's henchmen at the godown by using his secret weapon called Anaconda, and finally kills Jackie and Madhan. Antony reunites with Mark and calls Vedhavalli in the past, who is held at gunpoint by Chiranjeevi wanting his phone back, but he is also held at gunpoint, by Jackie.

Cast

Production

Development

In September 2021, it was reported that Vishal would team with Adhik Ravichandran for a film and would be produced by S. Vinod Kumar under Mini Studio.[3] In December, it was officially confirmed by the team that they are teaming up for the tentatively titled project Vishal 33.[4] The same month, S. J. Suryah was reported to play the main antagonist role in the film,[5][6] and was confirmed on New Year's Day along with the title Mark Antony, named after Raghuvaran's character from Baashha (1995).[7] Later on, G. V. Prakash Kumar was added to the crew to compose the soundtrack and background scores.[8] In May 2022, the team announced Ritu Varma in female lead role, Sunil and Nizhalgal Ravi in prominent roles.[9] Social media influencer Vishnu Priya Gandhi was chosen by the makers to portray Silk Smitha due to her resemblance; make-up and visual effects were used to further enhance this.[10][11]

Filming

Principal photography started on 5 May 2022 with a muhurat puja in Chennai.[9] The first schedule took place in Chennai, with Ritu joining them in July.[12] The shooting was placed on hold because Vishal got injured during shooting in August, and resumed in October with the second schedule.[13] The final schedule started in January 2023 and was nearing shooting completion.[14] Suryah completed shooting his portions in April.[15] In May, Vishal and Sunil finished their portions, with a cake-cutting.[16]

Post-production

Vishal started dubbing for his portions in May.[17] In July, Vishal, via Twitter, stated that the dubbing was in the final stages.[18]

Music

The film's music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar in his second collaboration with Vishal after Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) and second with Adhik after Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) and first with S. J. Suryah.[19] The first single "Adhirudha" released on 15 July 2023,[20] and the second single "I Love You Di" on 23 August.[21]

Mark Antony
Soundtrack album by
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Released2023
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length11:52
LanguageTamil
LabelThink Music India
ProducerG. V. Prakash Kumar
G. V. Prakash Kumar chronology
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
(2023)		 Mark Antony
(2023)		 Tiger Nageswara Rao
(2023
Singles from Mark Antony
  1. "Adhirudha"
    Released: 15 July 2023
  2. "I Love You Di"
    Released: 23 August 2023

)

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Adhirudha"Asal KolaarT. Rajendar, Asal Kolaar4:00
2."I Love You Di"Rokesh, Adhik RavichandranAdhik Ravichandran3:07
3."Amma Ennum Mandhiramey"MadhurakaviSaindhavi2:11
4."Karuppana Saamy"MadhurakaviAnanthu2:34
Total length:11:52

Release

Mark Antony was released on 14 September 2023, coinciding with Vinayagar Chathurthi.[22]

Home media

The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were initially acquired by ZEE5, which eventually lost the rights to Amazon Prime Video.[23] The satellite rights were sold to Zee Network.[24] The film began streaming in Amazon Prime Video from 13 October 2023.[25]

Reception

Mark Antony received positive reviews from critics.[26]

Critical response

Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India gave it 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony is not a great film, but it's quite a refreshing entertainer that delivers what it promises."[27] Janani K of India Today gave it 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Mark Antony is a valiant effort and, with certain shortcomings, it still manages to engage the audience and leave them in splits."[28] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express gave it 2.5/5 stars and wrote "SJ Suryah single handedly saves Mark Antony from becoming a redundant mess."[29]

Gautaman Bhaskaran of News18 gave it 2/5 stars and wrote "Vishal and SJ Suryah are wasted in a whacky and crazy script."[30] Sangeetha of OTTPlay gave it 2.5/5 stars and noted that "Mark Antony, packed with many exciting and mass moments, and despite its many flaws, makes for an entertaining watch. While Vishal is back with a bang, SJ Suryah turns out to be the star of this commercial entertainer."[31]

Bharathy Singaravel of The News Minute gave 2/5 stars and wrote "While actor Vishal plays a predictable double role as Mark and Antony, director Adhik Ravichandran has thrown in a generous helping of sexualising trans women, and homophobia."[32] Krishna Selvaseelan of the Tamil Guardian awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "although oftentimes headache inducing and downright nonsensical, Ravichandran should be lauded for a unique and entertaining film".[33]

References

  1. ↑ "Vishal & SJ Suryah in 'Mark Antony': Censor certification, changes and runtime details revealed!". IndiaGlitz. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 "'Vishal joins the 100-crore club with 'Mark Antony'". The Times of India. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Vishal to team up with director Adhik Ravichandran". The Times of India. 25 September 2021. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Vishal and Adhik Ravichandran team up for Vishal 33". The Times of India. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "SJ Suryah to play the villain in Vishal's next". The Times of India. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "SJ Suryah joins Vishal's film with Adhik Ravichandran". The Times of India. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Vishal's film with Adhik Ravichandran titled Mark Antony". The Times of India. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "GV Prakash to compose music for Vishal's 'Mark Antony'". The Times of India. 12 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Vishal, SJ Suryah's 'Mark Antony' begins shoot; Ritu Varma plays the female lead". The Times of India. 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Recreation of late Silk Smitha; Vishal-starrer Mark Antony's trailer goes viral". Mathrubhumi. 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "Vishal Shares Recreating Silk Smitha in Mark Antony Cost a Bomb: 'Didn't Want to Misuse...' | Exclusive". News18. 6 September 2023. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Ritu Varma joins Vishal's 'Mark Antony' shoot in Chennai". The Times of India. 26 July 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "Next schedule of Vishal's 'Mark Antony' begins today". The Times of India. 1 October 2022. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "Vishal's 'Mark Antony' nearing completion". The Times of India. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "SJ Suryah's portions in 'Mark Antony' wrapped up". The Times of India. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  16. ↑ "Vishal and Sunil finish shooting for 'Mark Antony'; Check out the cake cutting video here!". The Times of India. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "Vishal dubs in 3 different languages for 'Mark Antony'; shares a BTS video". The Times of India. 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  18. ↑ "'Mark Antony' in final stages of dubbing; Vishal shares BTS video". The Times of India. 10 July 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "GV Prakash to compose music for Vishal's 'Mark Antony'". The Times of India. 12 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  20. ↑ Vishal [@VishalKOfficial] (12 July 2023). "#TR Sir, Man of energy always. Thank you for being a part of #WorldOfMarkAntony. Betting on it straight on that people are going to love it, GB. #AdhridhuMaame #BayankaramanaSambavam #MarkAntony" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ↑ "Second Single 'I Love U Di' from Mark Antony out". The Times of India. 23 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Vishal's 'Mark Antony' to release for Vinayagar Chaturthi". The Times of India. 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  23. ↑ "Mark Antony on OTT: Vishal's blockbuster gangster drama to drop on Amazon Prime on THIS date". OTTPlay. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "Digital rights of Mark Antony sold". Cinema Express. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Mark Antony sets OTT release date, to stream on Prime Video India from October 13". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  26. ↑ "Mark Antony: Retro references in the Vishal and SJ Suryah action entertainer". OTTPlay. 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  27. ↑ Balachandran, Logesh (15 September 2023). "Mark Antony Movie Review: SJ Suryah rules this quirky sci-fi gangster drama". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  28. ↑ K, Janani (15 September 2023). "'Mark Antony' Review: SJ Suryah is the heart and soul of this mindless time-travel film". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  29. ↑ Purushothaman, Kirubhakar (15 September 2023). "Mark Antony movie review: SJ Suryah elevates this middling sci-fi film". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  30. ↑ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (15 September 2023). "Mark Anthony Review: Vishal, SJ Suryah's Film Is A Hotch-Potch Of Ideas". News18. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  31. ↑ Sangeetha, P (15 September 2023). "Mark Antony Review: Vishal is back with a bang but SJ Suryah steals the show in this action-packed entertainer". OTT Play. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  32. ↑ Singaravel, Bharathy (15 September 2023). "Mark Antony review: This sci-fi action film simply fails to work". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 16 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  33. ↑ Selvaseelan, Krishna (16 September 2023). "Mark Antony - Impressively Stupid and Stupidly Impressive". Tamil Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
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