Chennai 600028

<p>The story revolves around two local cricket league teams that compete against each other in local matches and consider each other as sworn enemies. Rockers are on top of the chain and keep bashing the Sharks year after year. The heroes of the movie are the Sharks’ team. The story begins when Raghu’s parents move from Royapuram to Visalakshi Thottam, Chennai . Raghu is a member of the Royapuram Rockers cricket team, and a college student living with his parents. He has no choice but to move with them, although he detests the area. He is not very excited at the prospect of living in the same area as his sworn enemies. Raghu is faithful to his teammates, but they ignore him because of the distance. Angered at being replaced by a new guy in the team in one of the matches, Raghu estranges himself from cricket and the Rockers. Raghu informs him of Pazhani’s sister Selvi’s love for Karthik. This incident initiates Raghu’s friendship with a few Sharks team players and eventually gets him induced into the team. Raghu practices with the Sharks to play against the Rockers in the upcoming Radio Mirchi trophy. Pazhani, who soon learns of his sister and Karthik’s love affair is disappointed and then there is a tiff amongst the friends. The team splits up for a while, but Karthik apologises to Pazhani and they make up. The team reunites and starts practising for the trophy once again. Unfortunately, Karthik is stabbed by his brother’s enemies and is rendered unfit to play the match. Pazhani replaces Karthik as the captain and the team heads for the match. Under tight pressure and with a nail-biting finish, the Sharks finally defeated the Rockers in the semi-finals of the tournament. In the finals, they meet their enemies, a group of school kids named Bad Boys-II who practice by shirking school to play cricket on the beach. The kids are really good, and the Sharks know it because they have lost badly to them once before. The movie ends with the team really struggling to keep up in the game. is the directorial debut of Venkat Prabhu. The film was initially (Do not enter our territory), but lyricist was critical of the idea, feeling that the title was “negative” sounding. Subsequently, the film was retitled , with the idea of including the postal code taken from the title of the American television series . Venkat Prabhu felt the new title was “more apt and universal”. The film’s score was composed by Prabhu’s brother, , while his cousin, composed the soundtrack, with lyrics written by Yuvan himself, along with and . The album, featuring 9 tracks, released on 19 February 2007 in India and four days later in Singapore and , on 23 February 2007. The album was both critically acclaimed and gained immense popularity upon its release. was released on 27 April 2007. in their review stated that “All the guys who acted in the film are candid and have let their hair down. RJ Shiva is the surprise packet in the film. Venkat Prabhu deserves a pat on his back for making a breezy fun movie which highlights the fact that cricket in India which is a religion for many is also won through team spirit and sacrifice. So go ahead, make your matinee and enjoy the match.” Baradwaj Rangan reviewed the film as “A street-cricket saga from a bunch of no-names comes out of nowhere and knocks your socks off.” Writing for , Sriram Iyer stated “The movie is a result of a perfect team effort in every sense. A perfect entertainer, not to be missed.” Malathi Rangarajan of wrote “Every city youngster would have experienced one or the other situation projected in `Chennai … ‘ And that’s the film’s USP. Venkat Prabhu has shown that without a glowing star cast or formulaic gibberish, enjoyable films can be made. Down-to-earth approach and levity are Prabhu’s strengths. `Chennai 600028’ is proof enough.” Malini Mannath of wrote, “It’s an interestingly scripted and narrated tale from producer-director duo of S P B Charan (his third production) and Venkat Prabhu. No doubt the takings at times are a bit amateurish. Also, the debutant director has done his bit of experimentation, breaking away from the grammar of conventional film-making. But all this has worked to the film’s advantage. For, there is a candid, realistic feel to the whole narrative. The unconventional camera movements and angles (debutant Shakti Saravanan), and the slick editing (Lenin) all add to the effect. Yuvan Shanker Raja’s songs too blend in well.” Lajjavathi of praised the acting of debutants, Venkat Prabhu’s direction, Sakthi saravanan’s cinematography and Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music and concluded calling it perfect jolly treatment for youth. The film emerged a at the box office, and also attained , in coming years. The film’s 100th day celebrations, took place in early August 2007 at , with and being the chief gu- The film was later dubbed in as in 2009. The film was remade in as (2009), and in as (2015). The film was also remade in as in 2012. A sequel to was released on 9 December 2016. It features several cast members from the earlier film including , , , and . Actors , , were chosen to play supporting roles in the film.</p>