“College Road” is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Jai Amar Singh, featuring Lingesh, Monica Chinnakotla, and Ananth Nag in pivotal roles. Released on December 30, 2022, the film delves into the challenges faced by students, particularly focusing on the implications of educational loans.
Plot Overview
The narrative centers on Ajay (Lingesh), a college student who develops software aimed at apprehending cybercriminals. Simultaneously, a series of cybercrimes plague Chennai, intertwining Ajay’s personal and academic life with the city’s escalating digital threats.
Cast and Crew
- Lingesh as Ajay: Portrays the protagonist, a tech-savvy student committed to combating cybercrime.
- Monica Chinnakotla as Kiran: Plays the female lead, adding depth to the narrative.
- Ananth Nag as Arul: Features in a significant role, contributing to the film’s dynamic storyline.
- Bommu Lakshmi as Swetha: Adds to the ensemble with a noteworthy performance.
- Akshay Kamal as Rajesh: Completes the primary cast with a commendable portrayal.
The film’s music is composed by OfRo, with cinematography by Karthick Subramaniyam and editing by Ashok H. Anthony. Produced by Praveen and Sarath under the banner of MP Entertainment, “College Road” marks Jai Amar Singh’s directorial debut.
Production Insights
Jai Amar Singh, who previously assisted director I. Ahmed on “Endrendrum Punnagai” (2013), penned the script in 2016, drawing from his experiences during his education at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK. The title “College Road” is inspired by a notable road in Chennai that connects several colleges, including Loyola College and Stella Maris College. The film was shot in October 2020 in Chennai, wrapping up in just 25 days. Innovative techniques, such as shooting in an IT company and utilizing CGI, were employed to achieve the desired setting.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, “College Road” garnered mixed reviews. A reviewer from Dina Thanthi provided a middling assessment, while Maalai Malar described the film as “enjoyable.” Dinamani praised the storyline, highlighting its focus on educational rights. Critic Malini Mannath noted, “College Road is at its best a promising effort by a debutant director and his team.”
On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 8.3/10 based on 577 user reviews, indicating a generally positive audience reception.
Box Office Performance
Produced on an estimated budget of ₹10 crores, “College Road” was released across approximately 600 screens worldwide, with 500 in India and 100 overseas. On its opening day, the film collected an estimated ₹1-2 crores. To be considered a hit, it needed to gross around ₹15 crores overall. However, detailed box office figures beyond the opening day are not readily available, making it challenging to ascertain the film’s financial success.
“IMDb Rating,” a Tamil-language drama released on December 30, 2022, was produced with an estimated budget of ₹10 crores. The film was distributed across approximately 600 screens worldwide, with 500 in India and 100 overseas. On its opening day, it garnered an estimated collection between ₹1 to ₹2 crores. To achieve a ‘hit’ status, the film needed to gross around ₹15 crores overall. However, detailed box office figures beyond the opening day are not readily available, making it challenging to ascertain the film’s financial success.
Conclusion
“College Road” addresses pertinent issues related to the educational system, particularly the challenges surrounding educational loans. Despite being Jai Amar Singh’s directorial debut, the film offers a promising narrative enriched by commendable performances from its cast. While it received mixed critical responses, the audience’s positive reception, as reflected in its IMDb rating, underscores its impact. The film stands as a noteworthy addition to Tamil cinema, shedding light on the societal challenges faced by students in contemporary times.