Overview
Dheena is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss in his directorial debut. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Suresh Gopi and Laila in the lead roles, with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and cinematography by K. Aravind. Released on 14 January 2001, the film became a major commercial success and is widely regarded as a turning point in Ajith Kumar's career.
Key facts
| Title | Dheena |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Action |
| Director | A. R. Murugadoss (directorial debut) |
| Writer | A. R. Murugadoss |
| Lead cast | Ajith Kumar, Suresh Gopi, Laila |
| Music | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| Cinematography | K. Aravind |
| Release date | 14 January 2001 |
Cast and crew
The film features Ajith Kumar in the title role, alongside Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, for whom Dheena marked his Tamil cinema debut. Laila appears as the female lead. The technical team included Yuvan Shankar Raja, who composed both the soundtrack and background score, and K. Aravind, who handled the cinematography.
Production and release
Dheena was the first film directed by A. R. Murugadoss, who also wrote the screenplay. It was released theatrically on 14 January 2001, coinciding with the Pongal festive season, a traditionally lucrative window for Tamil cinema releases.
Significance
The film is considered a milestone in Tamil cinema for two principal reasons. First, it launched the directorial career of A. R. Murugadoss, who would go on to become a prominent filmmaker in Indian cinema. Second, it reshaped the on-screen image of Ajith Kumar, establishing him as an action hero. It was through Dheena that Ajith earned the nickname Thala (meaning "leader"), which has since become his enduring popular epithet among fans.
Related topics
References
- Dheena – English Wikipedia
- Wikidata item: Q3424187