Last updated: 5 May 2026
Tamil · Thriller
1h 57m · 29 Mar 2013
Music: Mejo Joseph | DOP: Shehnad Jalal | Writer: N/A
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
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.
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.
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
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.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
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
Chennaiyil Oru Naal released on 29 March 2013 (2013).
Chennaiyil Oru Naal is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Chennaiyil Oru Naal is available on Sun NXT. OTT date will be updated soon.
Chennaiyil Oru Naal directed by Shaheed Kader. Produced by Radikaa Sarathkumar, Listin Stephen.
Chennaiyil Oru Naal stars R. Sarathkumar, Cheran, Prakash Raj, Prasanna, Radikaa Sarathkumar.
Tollybo rates Chennaiyil Oru Naal 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Chennaiyil Oru Naal composed by Mejo Joseph.
Chennaiyil Oru Naal — Genre: Thriller, Runtime: 117 minutes, Language: Tamil.
