Merlin (2018 film)

Merlin is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language horror film written and directed by Keera. The film features Vishnupriyan and Ashwini Chandrashekar in the lead roles, while Jeeva, Singampuli and Aadukalam Murugadoss play other pivotal roles. Featuring music by Ganesh Raghavendra, the venture began production in early 2016 and was released on 23 February 2018.

Merlin
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Keera
Produced by	J. S. B. Sathish Kumar
Starring	Vishnupriyan Ashwini Chandrashekar Lollu Sabha Jeeva
Cinematography	Muthukumaran
Edited by	Samuel
Music by	Ganesh Raghavendra
Production company	JSB Film Studios
Release date	23 February 2018 (2018-02-23)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Cast

• Vishnupriyan as Vetri
• Ashwini Chandrasekhar as Merlin
• Lollu Sabha Jeeva
• Aadukalam Murugadoss
• Singampuli
• Powerstar Srinivasan
• Manobala
• Ramachandran Durairaj
• Thangar Bachan
• Dinesh as himself (guest appearance)

Special appearances in the song "Ain't No Sunshine" in order of appearance

• Chaams
• Guru Somasundaram
• Ma Ka Pa Anand
• Shakthi Vasudevan
• Priyamani
• Aadhi
• Vimal
• Vijay Sethupathi
• Aadukalam Naren

Production

Director Keera announced that Merlin would be his second film after Pachai Engira Kaathu during late 2015, with production beginning thereafter. Vishnupriyan was signed as the lead actor, while Kannada actress Ashwini Chandrashekar joined the cast to play the lead actress. Though it was the first Tamil film she signed up for, two other Tamil films ended up releasing earlier. Supporting actors including Lollu Sabha Jeeva, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Singampuli and Powerstar Srinivasan also worked on the film, while prominent cinematographer Thangar Bachan also worked as an actor.^{[citation needed]}

At the film's audio launch in September 2016, Keera announced that Attakathi Dinesh would portray himself in the film in a guest appearance. The event was attended by directors including Pa. Ranjith, Vasanthabalan and Thangar Bachan.^[1][2]

Soundtrack

The film's music was composed by Ganesh Raghavendra. The soundtrack was released on 28 June 2017 through TrendMusic. A version of the English song "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just As I Am was included in the soundtrack of Merlin, with Aadukalam Murugadoss rendering the version. The song was used as a promotional track for the film, with actors such as Chaams, Aadukalam Naren, Aadhi, Vemal, Guru Somasundaram, Ma Ka Pa Anand, Shakthi Vasu, Priyamani and Vijay Sethupathi appearing in the making video.^[3]

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Onna Jaal"	Keera	Guru	2:38
2.	"Vandhanam Vandhanam"	Ku. Karthick	Marana Gana Viji	4:38
3.	"Aagaya Nilave"	Yugabharathi	Saindhavi	4:14
4.	"Neerum Neruppum"	Saavee	Ganesh Raghavendra, Priyanka	4:12
5.	"Ain't No Sunshine"	Bill Withers, Keera	Aadukalam Murugadoss	3:23
Total length:				19:05

Critical reception

Navein Darshan of Cinema Express felt that film lacked realism and the editing is completely abrupt.^[4] Dina Thanthi reviewed the film more positively, praising the cinematography and music.^[5]

Controversy

Praveena Charumathi Sampathkumar filed a case and sought to stop the film from being screened as she felt that film contains dialogue which degrades women.^[6][7]