Vijay and Trisha in Kuruvi

Directed by Dharani

Kuruvi (Tamil: குருவி, English: Courier) is a 2008 Tamil musical and action film. Directed and co-written by Dharani and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin its stars Vijay, Trisha Krishnan and Suman in the lead roles. Vivek, Ashish Vidyarthi, Manivannan and Malavika played other roles in the movie.

The film revolves around a son who declares revenge on the villain, who betrayed and caused the mysterious disappearance of his father by stealing a diamond. The son in his attempt to recover his dues ends up stealing the villain's precious diamond and also wins the heart of his sister, who runs away with him to Chennai to avoid a marriage with her brother's henchman. How the son single handedly takes on the mining mafia and finally annihilates them, forms the crux of the story.

Prior to release, Kuruvi became high anticipated due to the combination of the director and the lead actors who had previously created the 2004-blockbuster Ghilli. The film opened to Indian audiences after several delays, on 3 May 2008 to mixed reviews.

Plot

Vetrivel (Vijay) is a fun-loving young man who takes care of his family in his father's, Singamuthu, (Manivannan) absence. Car racing is his favourite hobby. He and his inseparable comrade Ops (Vivek) make a deadly duo. Their carefree life is disturbed when the house-owner asks Vetrivel's family to vacate the house since their rent is overdue. On enquiry, a shocked Vetri learns that rent payments have been irregular since some months. Discomfited at the confusion and chaos, Vetri investigates why his father could not pay the rent; he unearths the devilish dealings of a don Koccha (Suman) and the functioning of his entire network.

Finding that Koccha is based in Malaysia, Vetrivel and Ops fly to Malaysia, as 'Kuruvi' (courier), the trade jargon for low-level contraband carriers. He steps into the group at a time when internal rivalry and problems are surfacing in Koccha's family. Koccha's darling sister Devi (Trisha Krishnan) has refused to marry her cousin, the boy approved by her family members. Irritated and preoccupied, nobody wants to devote any time or attention to resolve Vetrivel's problem. Vetrivel is abused, harassed, suffers more ill-treatment and is thrown out of Koccha's place without any help rendered. These callous actions enrage the young man. Totally enraged, with a do-or-die attitude, deciding to get his work done no matter who gets hurt, Vetri becomes a veritable suicide machine and launches into a terrific scuffle with the dangerous gang. Determined to return only after the issue is solved to his satisfaction, motivated by an urge to reveal the truth, Vetrivel conceals himself in Koccha's palace-like residence.

Outside, the whole world is ready to welcome yet another New Year. Festivities and a feeling of happiness and anticipation envelop everybody. For Vetrivel, it is a different feeling of celebration, one of achievement and victory. Armed with convincing proof to trap Koccha, he steps out of the dangerous dwelling and there, finds company in the form of Devi. With a quick change of plan, he adds Devi too in his plan; when the New Year begins, Vetri, Ops and Devi fly away from Malaysia.

The rest of the film is how Kuruvi goes to Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh and discovers a slave camp run by Kocha and his associate Konda Reddy (Ashish Vidyarthi), at the collieries and also finds his long lost father. Kuruvi single handedly takes on the mining mafia and finally annihilates them.

Cast

The cast from the film was minimal, mainly focused on the three lead actors. Furthermore several actors whom appeared, were a part of the director's previous Tamil venture, Ghilli.

Vijay as Vetrivel. Vetrivel alias Kuruvi, plays the lead character of the film, who fights to release the people captivated by Koccha at an illegal diamond quarry in Cuddapah including Vetrivel's father Singamuthu. Furthermore his love interest in the film is Devi, who happens to be the sister of Koccha
Trisha Krishnan as Devi. Devi plays the lead female protagonist in the film. She opts to migrate to Chennai with Vetrivel, following taunts that she would marry a henchmen of her brother, Koccha.
Suman as Koccha. Koccha imprisons Singamuthu for discovering the illegal diamond mining operation. Gocha also has a mafia business in Malaysia. His rule and occupation is under threat by the son of Singamuthu, Vetrivel, who also loves Kocha's sister.
Vivek as Ops. Ops is the hilarious sidekick to Vetrivel, who leads him to Malaysia.
Manivannan as Singamuthu. Singamuthu is Vetrivel's father who mysteriously disappears when he goes and meets Koccha for some money that he owes him and eventually imprisons him. His son, Vetrivel, decides to attack Singamuthu in avenge for what had happened to his father.
Ashish Vidyarthi as Konda Reddy. Konda Reddy is Koccha's business partner in Andhra Pradesh, and becomes another force, trying to stop Vetrivel from succeeding.
Nassar as Raj. Nassar plays the role of the general of the police encounter squad targeting the mafia businesses.
Malavika in a cameo appearance. Malavika appears in the song Dandaana Darna, making a guest appearance.

Box Office

The film managed to release worldwide with much hype,and became a silent hit movie.
The film, though considered an average success, is the 5th most successful Tamil film of 2008 after Dasavathaaram, Anjathe, Santhosh Subramaniam, and Yaaradi Nee Mohini.
The film had a 100 days run, though garnering mixed reviews, proving that Vijay is definitely a minimum-guranteed star.
The film is also marching forward towards its 150thday which will make it the 2nd most successful film this year after Dasavathaaram only.
This film is the second biggest overseas hit in this year with regard to Tamil movies next only to Dasavatharam.
This film also completed 40 days in 184 theaters globally.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack to Kuruvi were released internationally on April 16, 2008. The function was attended by the majority of the cast and crew involved as well, as Vikram, who had acted under the director previously. The soundtrack consisted of six songs composed by Vidyasagar, which received good reviews by many critics.[citation needed]

Happy New Year sung by Yogi B, Dr. Burn and Sunidhi Chauhan
Dandaana Darna sung by Sangeeth Althipur
Thaen Thaen Thaen sung by Udit Narayan and Shreya Goshal
Palaanadhu Palaanadhu sung by Vidyasagar and S. Rajalakshmi
Theme Music sung by Praveen Mani, Dr. Burn, Ranina and Suvi
Mozha Mozhannu sung by KK and Anuradha Sriram