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Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 5 May 2026

Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013) Review

Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013) is a Tamil thriller film directed by Shaheed Kader, starring R. Sarathkumar, Cheran, Prakash Raj. A brain-dead youth's family agrees to donate his heart to a girl who needs an immediate heart transplant. A disparate group of people decide to complete this task by racing against time. Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 29 Mar 2013. Runtime: 1h 57m.

Chennaiyil Oru Naal
BELOW AVERAGE

Chennaiyil Oru Naal(2013)

Tamil · Thriller

1h 57m · 29 Mar 2013

ProducerRadikaa Sarathkumar, Listin Stephen

Music: Mejo Joseph | DOP: Shehnad Jalal | Writer: N/A

DramaThriller

Ratings

IMDbIMDb6.5
LetterboxdLetterboxd3.3
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB57
Rotten Tomatoes AudienceRotten Tomatoes Audience50

Our Rating

2.5

📖 Story

Chennaiyil Oru Naal is a thriller that revolves around a tense 24-hour period in a hospital where multiple lives hang in the balance. The story interweaves the lives of several characters, including a police officer, a doctor, and patients, as they navigate through a crisis involving a bomb threat and medical emergencies. The narrative explores themes of human resilience, sacrifice, and the urgency of time in life-and-death situations.

🔍 Analysis

Chennaiyil Oru Naal delivers a gripping narrative that effectively uses its confined hospital setting to build suspense and emotional intensity. The screenplay is tightly woven, maintaining a steady pace throughout the film, with the first half setting up the characters and the impending crisis, while the second half escalates the tension towards a climactic resolution.

The film’s pacing is commendable, balancing moments of high tension with emotional depth, ensuring the audience remains engaged. The songs are minimal and situational, complementing the narrative without disrupting the flow. Mejo Joseph's background score plays a crucial role in heightening the suspense and emotional stakes, effectively supporting the thriller elements.

Cinematography by Shehnad Jalal captures the claustrophobic hospital environment well, adding to the film's intense atmosphere. Overall, the movie is a well-crafted thriller that combines strong storytelling with technical finesse, though some viewers might find the narrative slightly predictable towards the end.

🎭 Performances

R. Sarathkumar: Delivers a solid and commanding performance as the police officer, anchoring the film with his presence.

Cheran: Portrays the doctor with sincerity and emotional depth, effectively conveying the pressures of the crisis.

Prakash Raj: Offers a nuanced performance that adds gravitas to the unfolding drama.

Prasanna: Provides a convincing portrayal of a supporting character caught in the chaos.

Radikaa Sarathkumar: Delivers a restrained yet impactful performance.

Parvathy Thiruvothu: Impresses with her emotive acting, adding layers to the narrative.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Tightly woven screenplay with effective pacing
  • ✓Strong performances by lead actors
  • ✓Suspenseful background score enhancing the thriller elements
  • ✓Realistic and intense hospital setting
  • ✓Emotional depth balanced with tension
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Predictability in the climax
  • ✕Minimal use of songs may not appeal to all audiences
  • ✕Some secondary characters underdeveloped

🎬 Direction & Writing

Shaheed Kader's direction is focused and efficient, successfully maintaining tension throughout the film. His writing ensures the narrative remains engaging, though it occasionally leans on familiar thriller tropes. The director's ability to extract strong performances and manage a multi-threaded storyline within a confined setting is commendable.

📰 Critic Reviews

No critic reviews found yet.

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
6.5
LetterboxdLetterboxd
3.3
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
57
Rotten Tomatoes AudienceRotten Tomatoes Audience
50

Our Rating

2.5/5
★★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive60%
Neutral25%
Negative15%

Critics

Critics appreciated the film's taut screenplay and performances, particularly praising the lead actors and the background score. However, some noted that the film's climax was somewhat predictable and that it lacked the novelty expected from a thriller. Overall, the critical reception was positive with minor reservations.

Final Box-Office Result

BELOW AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Chennaiyil Oru Naal release in theatres?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal released on 29 March 2013 (2013).

Is Chennaiyil Oru Naal a hit or flop?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch Chennaiyil Oru Naal online? OTT release date?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal is available on Sun NXT. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Chennaiyil Oru Naal?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal directed by Shaheed Kader. Produced by Radikaa Sarathkumar, Listin Stephen.

Who are the main cast members of Chennaiyil Oru Naal?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal stars R. Sarathkumar, Cheran, Prakash Raj, Prasanna, Radikaa Sarathkumar.

What is the Tollybo rating for Chennaiyil Oru Naal?▾

Tollybo rates Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.

Who composed the music for Chennaiyil Oru Naal?▾

Music for Chennaiyil Oru Naal composed by Mejo Joseph.

What is the genre and runtime of Chennaiyil Oru Naal?▾

Chennaiyil Oru Naal — Genre: Thriller, Runtime: 117 minutes, Language: Tamil.

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