Friendship (2021 film)

Friendship is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy action film directed by John Paul Raj and Sham Surya. A remake of the 2018 Malayalam film Queen,^[1] the film stars Harbhajan Singh, Arjun, Losliya Mariyanesan and Sathish.^[2] It marks the acting debut of Harbajan Singh and Losliya Mariyanesan, after the latter's stint at Bigg Boss Tamil.^[3][4] The film was released on 17 September 2021.^[5]

Friendship
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Paul Raj Sham Surya
Produced by	JPR Stalin
Starring	Harbhajan Singh Arjun Losliya Mariyanesan
Cinematography	C. Santha Kumar
Edited by	Deepak S Dwaraknath
Music by	D. M. Udhayakumar
Production companies	Seantoaa Films Cinemass Studio
Release date	17 September 2021 (2021-09-17)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Cast

• Harbhajan Singh as Bhagat Singh aka Bhajji
• Arjun as Sylender
• Losliya Mariyanesan as Anitha
• Sathish as Jeeva
• Kuttikara Rajesh Saudi as Doctor
• M. S. Bhaskar as Advocate Chanakyan
• J. Satish Kumar as Politician^[6]
• Venkat Subha as Politician
• Monika Thomas Puthuran as Madhu
• Robin Prabhu as Prabu
• KPY Bala as Vettukili
• Pala. Karuppiah as Judge
• Badava Gopi as Professor

Production

The principal photography of the film began in March 2020.^[7]

Casting

Harbhajan was chosen to play the main lead role after becoming popular in the state of Tamil Nadu since playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. He often interacted with Tamil spectators while playing for CSK and apparently was offered the role to portray a college student from Punjab in the film.^[8] It is also the first time that an Indian high-profile cricketer is set to play the main lead role in an Indian film.

Sri Lankan news anchor Losliya Mariyanesan who rose to prominence after taking part in the Bigg Boss Tamil 3 reality television show aired on Star Vijay was signed on as the female lead role opposite Singh.^[9] In February 2020, Arjun Sarja signed on to play a role in the film while Satish was chosen to play the supporting role of the friend of Singh's character.^[10][11]

Release

The film was released on 17 September 2021 in theatres.^[12]

Soundtrack

#	Title	Singer(s)
1	"Superstar Anthem"	Silambarasan
2	"Friendship Folk"	Deva, Losliya
3	"Friendship Gaana"	Gaana Achu

The first single of the film, titled Superstar Anthem and sung by actor Silambarasan, was released^[13] on YouTube coinciding with the birthday of Harbhajan Singh on 3 July 2020.^[14] It was revealed that the single was crooned as a tribute to Rajnikanth.^[15]

References

1. . Sify. 17 October 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021.
2. "Harbhajan Singh's debut Tamil film 'Friendship' first look out". The Hindu. 5 June 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
3. "Cricketer Harbhajan Singh to Make Acting Debut with Tamil Film Friendship, See Poster". News18. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
4. "Harbhajan Singh to make his debut as a lead actor in Tamil movie Friendship". The Indian Express. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
5. "Friendship". Times of India. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
6. "JSK Corporation to produce three new films". dtNext. 14 June 2020.
7. "Harbhajan Singh on the sets of Friendship". The Times of India. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
8. Desk, India com Education (22 April 2020). "Harbhajan Singh on South Debut: 'Let Khans do Bollywood Films, I am Happy Doing Tamil, Punjabi Movies'". India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
9. "Bigg Boss Tamil 3 fame Losliya Mariyanesan to make her film debut with cricketer Harbhajan Singh; see post". The Times of India. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
10. "Action King Arjun joins Harbhajan Singh's 'Friendship'". The Times of India. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
11. Subramanian, Anupama (19 February 2020). "Arjun joins Harbhajan Singh in friendship". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
12. "Harbhajan Singh shares poster of his Tamil debut Friendship film set to release in August". Firstpost. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
13. "Superstar Anthem sung by Simbu for Harbhajan Singh's Friendship out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
14. Subramanian, Anupama (7 July 2020). "Simbu croons for Friendship". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
15. "Watch: 'Superstar Anthem' song from Harbhajan's 'Friendship' is a tribute to Rajnikanth". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 16 August 2020.