Gemini is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language gangster film written and directed by Saran and produced by AVM Productions. The film features Vikram in the title role of a small-time criminal and aspiring don who, after falling in love, decides to refrain from crime; Kiran Rathod plays his love interest. Murali stars as Singaperumal, a police officer who inspires and guides Gemini in his attempts to reform. The cast includes Kalabhavan Mani as the principal antagonist while Vinu Chakravarthy, Manorama and Thennavan portray significant roles. Based on gang wars in Chennai, the film delves into the lives of outlaws and the roles the police and society play in their rehabilitation and acceptance.
Teja (Kalabhavan Mani) is a high-profile gangster in North Madras, who often imitates the behaviour characteristic of different animals for sarcastic effect. Accompanied by his gang, he arrives at a magistrate’s court for a hearing. His animal antics are mocked at by “Chintai” Jeeva, another accused. Teja and his gang retaliate and kill Jeeva within the court premises. Jeeva was a member of a rival gang headed by Gemini (Vikram), an aspiring goon from Chintadripet who aspires to dethrone Teja and take his place. To avenge Jeeva’s death, Gemini hunts down the murderer Pandian while Isaac, one of Gemini’s men, kills him. This incident leads to a feud between him and Teja, and a fight for supremacy ensues. Pandian’s mother Annamma (Manorama), a destitute woman, locates the whereabouts of her son’s murderers. She approaches him, becomes the gang’s cook and awaits a chance to poison them.
Gemini meets and falls in love with Manisha (Kiran Rathod), a free-spirited college girl. To pursue her, he joins an evening class at her college and she falls in love with him, unaware of his true identity. Two businessmen approach him to evict traders from a market so that a shopping complex can be built in its place. As the market is in his control, he refuses the offer and the businessmen hire Teja to execute the job. Feigning an altercation with him, his sidekick Kai (Thennavan) joins Teja’s gang, acts as the inside man and foils the plan. Teja becomes enraged at being outsmarted by Gemini.
Singaperumal (Murali), an astute police officer, is promoted to the position of Director General of Police (DGP). Keen on eradicating crime, he arrests both Gemini and Teja and the arrests are made “off the record” owing to their political influence. Aware of the rivalry between them, Singaperumal puts them in a private cell so they can beat each other to death. While Teja tries to exact revenge for the market issue, Gemini does not fight back but persuades Teja to trick Singaperumal by pleading guilty and requesting a chance to reform. His’s trick works and they are released.
Since he was arrested at the college, Manisha discovers his identity and resents him. To regain her attention, he reforms his ways. Though his gang initially disapprove of it, they relent. As he and his gang regret their actions, Annamma reveals her true identity and forgives them. Singaperumal helps him to get back into college and reunite with Manisha. Teja returns to his gang and continues his illegal activities. He pesters Gemini to help him in his business. Gemini informs Singaperumal of Teja’s activities; Teja is caught smuggling narcotics, is prosecuted and serves a term in prison.
A few months later, Singaperumal is transferred and a corrupt officer (Vinu Chakravarthy) takes his place. The current DGP releases Teja and together, they urge him to work for them and repay for the losses they incurred but he refuses. To force him to return to his old ways, Teja persuades Isaac to conspire against Gemini. With Isaac’s help, Teja plots and kills Kai. He is infuriated and confronts Teja to settle the issue. During the fight, Gemini beats up Teja and swaps their clothes, leaving Teja bound and gagged. The new DGP arrives and shoots him dead; he later realises that he had actually shot Teja who was in Gemini’s clothes. While the DGP grieves over Teja’s death, he receives news that he has been transferred to the Sewage Control Board.
Directed by Saran
Produced by B Gurunath, M Balasubramanian, M Saravanan & MS Guhan
Written by Saran
Starring Vikram, Kiran Rathod
Music by Bharathwaj
Cinematography A. Venkatesh
Edited by Suresh Urs
Production AVM Productions
Distributed by Royal Film Company
Release date 12 April 2002 (India)
Running time 157 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
Visitor Rating: 1 Stars