Phoenix (2025 film)

Phoenix is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language sports action drama film^[1] written and directed by Anl Arasu and produced by Rajalakshmy Anl Arasu under AK Braveman Picturess banner. The film stars debutant Surya Sethupathi in the lead role ^[2] alongside Varalaxmi Sarathkumar ,Varsha Viswanath , Devadarshini & J. Vignesh in an important roles. The films stars an ensemble cast consisting of Abi Nakshatra, Sampath Raj, Muthukumar, Dileepan, Ajay Ghosh, Harish Uthaman, Munnar Ramesh, Naveen, Rishi, Nandha Saravanan, Aadukalam Murugadoss, , Sreejith Ravi, Aadukalam Naren and others in supporting roles.^[3]

In mid-June 2023, it was reported that Vijay Sethupathi's son Surya Vijay Sethupathi who had earlier appeared as child artist in films such as Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015)^[4] and Sindhubaadh (2019)^[5] to debut as the lead actor in the directorial debut of the stunt choreographer Anl Arasu.^[6][7] The film stars Ayali (2023) fame Abinakshathra and Varsha as the female leads alongside, Kaaka Muttai (2015) fame J. Vignesh in an important role.^[1] The films stars an ensemble cast consisting of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sampath Raj, Devadarshini, Muthukumar, Dileepan, Ajay Ghosh, Harish Uthaman, Munnar Ramesh, Naveen, 'Atti' Rishi, Nandha Saravanan, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Sreejith Ravi, Aadukalam Naren, Sathya NJ, Poovaiyar and others in supporting roles.^[8] The film is produced by the director himself under his banner AK Braveman Picturess helmed by Rajalakshmy Anl Arasu.^[9] The technical team consists of R. Velraj as the cinematographer, Praveen K. L. as the editor, Sam C. S. as the music composer, and the director himself as the stunt choreographer.^[10] After a formal puja ceremony, the principal photography began on 24 November 2023 in AVM Studios, Chennai.^[11][12]

The soundtrack and background are composed by Sam C.S.^[13] The first single "Yaaraanda" was released on 25 October 2024.^[14]

On 24 November 2023, Anl Arasu through a first-look poster confirmed his debut directorial featuring Surya Vijay Sethupathi as the male lead in his sports action drama film.^[15] The film teaser was released by Sivakarthikeyan in X^[16] on 17 June 2024 after a teaser launch event at Le Magic, Nungambakkam, where Surya's father, Vijay Sethupathi was also present.^[17] The pre-release trailer cum audio launch event was conducted in Chennai on 27 June 2025 in the presence of Vijay Sethupathi^[18] and other prominent faces like H. Vinoth^[19] and T. Siva attending the event.^[20]

Phoenix released in theatres on 4 July 2025.^[21] It had been scheduled for 14 November 2024, clashing with Kanguva,^[22] but it was postponed without immediately announcing a date, due to the cuts issued by the Central Board of Film Certification.^[23]

Phoenix received some mixed initial reviews from critics, who praised its technical quality and the strength of its lead. Writing for The Times of India, Abhinav Subramanian gave the movie three out of five stars, saying that its "technical excellence elevate[d] the material considerably" and that it "succeed[ed] in establishing its young lead's action credentials," but lamented its predictability as its "biggest handicap."^[24] Cinema Express's Rohini M. also rated the movie three out of five, saying that "Surya Sethupathi impresse[d] in his debut" and that the movie "stood tall" in a technical and cinematographical sense.^[25]

• Phoenix at IMDb