Genre: Action/Sci-fi
Release Date: 2024
Language: Hindi
The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film directed by Venkat Prabhu and produced by AGS Entertainment. The film stars Vijay in dual roles, supported by an ensemble cast including Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, and Sneha. It follows Gandhi, a former anti-terrorist squad leader, as he faces personal and professional challenges linked to his past actions.
The film was announced in May 2023, with filming locations spanning Chennai, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, Russia, Thailand, and the U.S., concluding at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The movie features music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni, and editing by Venkat Raajen. It was released in standard and IMAX formats on September 5, 2024.
The plot involves Gandhi’s past coming back to haunt him when his son, believed dead, resurfaces as a villain. The film combines action with science fiction elements, including advanced de-aging technology for Vijay’s dual roles.
Marketing for the film included an innovative promotional poster launch and record-breaking trailer views. It was released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and distributed globally. The film has garnered mixed reviews, praised for Vijay’s performance but critiqued for its screenplay. Controversies included objections to the title and complaints about ticket pricing.
About The G.O.A.T. (The Greatest of All Time) Movie in Details
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Film Overview
Title: The Greatest of All Time (marketed as GOAT)
Language: Tamil
Release Date: September 5, 2024 (released in standard and IMAX formats)
Genre: Science Fiction Action
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Producer: AGS Entertainment
Main Cast: Vijay (dual roles), Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Ajmal Ameer, Mohan, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren, and Yugendran
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: Siddhartha Nuni
Editing: Venkat Raajen
Budget: ₹300-400 crore (approx. $36-48 million)
Production Company: AGS Entertainment
Plot Summary
The story spans two time periods — 2008 and 2024 — and follows Gandhi, a former leader of the Special Anti-Terrorism Squad (SATS), as he reconciles with his former team members to address problems rooted in their past actions.
2008:
- The SATS squad, including Gandhi, Sunil, Kalyan, and Ajay, intercepts their former chief, Menon, who has been charged with treason. They retrieve stolen uranium and destroy the train Menon is on, assuming everyone, including Menon, perished in the blast. The team lives undercover, with Gandhi hiding his true identity from his family.
- Gandhi is on a mission in Bangkok when his son, Jeevan, mysteriously disappears. After a tragic attack, the authorities believe Jeevan is dead, leaving Gandhi devastated. His wife, Anu, stops speaking to him out of grief, though she gives birth to their daughter, Jeevitha.
2024:
- Gandhi has left the SATS and now works at Chennai International Airport. His relationship with Anu is strained, and Jeevitha lives with her mother. Nazeer, his former boss, asks Gandhi to train new officers in Moscow. There, Gandhi is attacked by a gang, and he discovers that one of the attackers is his son, Jeevan, who was kidnapped by Menon and raised to hate Gandhi.
- Jeevan kills Gandhi’s former colleagues and seeks revenge on his father, believing Gandhi is responsible for the deaths of his family. The climactic battle takes place in a stadium, where Gandhi confronts Jeevan. Gandhi kills Jeevan, only to discover in a mid-credits scene that the Jeevan he killed was a clone, and the real Jeevan is alive and planning further attacks.
Cast and Characters
- Vijay: Plays dual roles, Gandhi and his younger self/son, Jeevan. The older Gandhi is a retired SATS officer dealing with personal loss and a strained family, while Jeevan is manipulated by Menon to seek revenge against his father.
- Prashanth: Plays an important supporting role as one of Gandhi’s former squad members.
- Prabhu Deva: A notable role in the film, his first acting collaboration with Vijay after previously directing him.
- Meenakshi Chaudhary: Plays the romantic interest of the younger version of Vijay’s character.
- Sneha: Cast opposite the older Vijay, marking a reunion after their previous film Vaseegara (2003).
- Ajmal Ameer, Jayaram, Laila, Mohan, Yogi Babu, and others: Fill out key supporting roles, playing various friends, family, and enemies of Gandhi.
Production Details
Development:
- Vijay’s 68th film was initially planned to be directed by Atlee but was later confirmed to be directed by Venkat Prabhu in May 2023. AGS Entertainment produced the film, which was made on a large budget of ₹300–400 crore.
- The official title The Greatest of All Time was revealed on December 31, 2023. Pre-production began earlier in 2023, with the film rumored to be a mix of action and science fiction.
Filming:
- Principal photography began on October 3, 2023, with locations including Chennai, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, Russia, Thailand, the United States, and Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
- A sequence with 3,000 background actors was shot in Kerala’s Greenfield Stadium, while a chase scene was filmed in Russia. Filming wrapped up by June 2024.
- The use of advanced VFX and de-aging technology was employed to create a younger version of Vijay. The de-aging process was handled by renowned VFX company Lola Visual Effects.
Post-Production:
- Extensive post-production, including CGI, VFX, and editing, began simultaneously with filming. The film used advanced de-aging techniques, particularly for a 10-minute sequence of the younger character. The VFX work was done by multiple companies, including five studios handling the film’s visual effects.
Music:
- Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the music for the film, his second collaboration with Vijay after Pudhiya Geethai (2003). The soundtrack consists of four songs: Whistle Podu, Chinna Chinna Kangal, Spark, and Matta.
- The soundtrack album was released on September 3, 2024, two days before the film’s release. The film’s audio launch event was canceled for unknown reasons.
Marketing and Promotions
- The film’s marketing campaign was extensive, beginning with the title reveal on December 31, 2023, followed by promotional posters and trailers. The teaser trailer was released on June 22, 2024, coinciding with Vijay’s 50th birthday.
- Promotional merchandise was launched in late August 2024, and a special poster was sent into the stratosphere from Malaysia, marking a first for an Indian film.
- The trailer, released on August 17, 2024, became the most-watched Tamil film trailer within 24 hours, with over 33 million views.
Release Information
- The Greatest of All Time was released theatrically on September 5, 2024, in both standard and IMAX formats. The film was released in Tamil, with dubbed versions in Telugu and Hindi.
- In the UK, the film received a 15 rating from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for strong violence and disturbing scenes.
- Initially, the film received a U/A certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with muted profanity, but it later underwent additional cuts and received a final runtime of 183 minutes.
Reception and Legacy
Though details of the box office and critical reception are not available yet, The Greatest of All Time is expected to have a significant impact due to its massive production scale, star power, and ambitious use of technology. With Vijay’s political entry on the horizon, this film is marked as one of his last major projects in the film industry, adding to its anticipation.
This should give you a comprehensive understanding of The Greatest of All Time, its plot, production journey, and the star-studded cast and crew involved!