12B

One morning, Shakti leaves his house for a job interview when he sees a woman, Jho, walking down the street. Shakti is distracted by Jho and begins to follow her. He misses his bus and gets mugged. The film then pauses as a voice-over tells the audience they are about to examine the impact of missing the bus on Shakti's life.

Shakti who catches the bus arrives on time for the job interview and is offered the job of a bank manager, and a beautiful young colleague Priya falls in love with him. Shakti, however, is still in love with Jho but something repeatedly prevents him from meeting her. The obstacle turns out to be his alternate self (the mechanic). Shakti the bank manager is well-off in life but is miserable because he cannot win the affections of Jo.

The Shakti who missed the bus arrives late at the interview and is thrown out. On his way home, he passes by a junkyard, where he meets his friend Madhan, who gives him a job as a mechanic. The next day, while crossing the street, he sees Jho and again follows her. He gains her attention and they begin a relationship. One day, Jo's uncle Arvind visits, and it is revealed he too is in love with Jho and wants to marry her, much to Jo's dismay.

Due to a misunderstanding, Jho and Shakti the mechanic separate. Priya expresses her love for the Shakti the bank manager who, while reciprocating his love for Priya, has an accident. At the same moment, Shakti the mechanic is also seriously hurt in the same accident while he tries to repair his relationship with Jo. Both Shaktis are admitted to the hospital. While Priya is crying over the death of Shakti the bank manager, she glimpses Shakti the mechanic making up with Jo. The film ends with a voice-over concluding the film.

Parthiban provided the voice-over at the beginning of the film.[1]

12B marked the directorial debut of cinematographer Jeeva and is narrated in a dual narrative format, one if Shakthi (the main hero) catches the 12B bus to his job interview and one if he misses the same bus.[11][12] Jeeva said the film would be titled 12B after a bus he used to take during his college days.[lower-alpha 1][10][13] The basic premise of the film was taken from the 1998 English film Sliding Doors by Peter Howitt, which also follows the lead character's alternate timelines.[10] Film producer Vikram Singh opted to make his first foray into Tamil film production after being encouraged to by director Priyadarshan.[14]

Madhavan was initially considered for the lead role, but the actor was busy with other projects.[14] Newcomer Srikanth also auditioned for the role, but fellow rookie actor Shaam was selected to play the lead role.[15] Shaam had worked as a model in Bangalore for four years before model coordinator Biju Jayadevan introduced him to director Jeeva, who was auditioning a debutant actor for his debut venture, 12B.[16] Shaam had unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in Kadhalar Dhinam (1999);[16] he said during his first meeting with Jeeva, he handed over his portfolio and introduced himself in English. Jeeva said: "Repeat what you just said, in Tamil". Shaam did so and was signed on next day after a meeting with producer Vikram Singh.[17][18] Since Shaam was looking for film offers for four years, Jeeva did not treat Shaam as a newcomer.[19]

Simran and Jyothika, two of the leading Tamil female actors at the time, were cast in the other lead roles; Jyothika got more screen time.[10] Simran called her role a "special appearance".[20] Thota Tharani worked as the art director for the film.[10] The promos of the film were critically praised; Shaam signed on to appear in several projects before 12B was released.[12] The film also featured Jeeva's assistant director, Srinath, in a supporting role.[7] After the first filming schedule, another actor tried to fill the lead role but Jeeva insisted on retaining Shaam.[21] Parthiban provided a voiceover for the film.[1]

A leading Hindi actor was revealed to play a cameo in the film.[10] The actor was later revealed to be Sunil Shetty, who was cast to play Jyothika's uncle.[2] Bengali actor Moon Moon Sen, mother of Riya Sen, was signed on to play Jyothika's mother in the film.[22] In 12B, Shaam's voice was dubbed; an uncommon practice for male actors in Tamil cinema at that time.[23][24] The appearance of Sunil Shetty in a prominent role led the filmmakers to release it in Hindi.[22] Shiva, who later starred in Chennai 600028 (2007), made his acting debut with this film in a minor role.[8] Chennai-based model Manish Borundia played a background actor in the film.[9] Deepak Bhojraj, edited the trailer in four days, which was the fastest trailer editing in Tamil cinema at the time.[25]

The soundtrack of 12B was composed by Harris Jayaraj.[26] The soundtrack gained recognition upon release particularly the song "Oru Punnagai Poove".[26][27][28] The songs became popular before the film was released.[1] A critic from New Straits Times said; "Since [Jeeva] is also the cameraman of this movie, all of the songs are colourful". He also said Jothi Niranjava is the best song but criticised the placement of songs in the film.[22] A critic from The Hindu stated "'Poovae Vai Pesum...' is a melodious number that has traces of a couple of songs you've heard before".[1]

All lyrics are written by Vairamuthu except where noted.

All tracks are written by Kulasekhar.

12B received pre-release publicity because it brought together Simran and Jyothika, two of the Tamil film industry's leading actresses of the period.[31][32][33] It performed modestly at the box office with average collections reported.[34][16] Producer Vikram Singh revealed that he lost money producing the film although he felt it was worth it due to the film's unique script.[35] Jeeva later stating he felt the film had not been properly promoted and could have done better business if it had been.[36] The film was dubbed and released in Hindi as Do Raaste 12B and in Telugu under the same name in October 2005.[37][38]

A critic from The Hindu said the film is like "moving through a maze, because for many it could be confusion confounded, at least for the most part of the first half". The critic added; "Shyam in the hero's garb is an apt choice and looks more like a Madhavan clone and for a newcomer, Shyam is absolutely at ease in dance and fights" and "Simran does a commendable job in the climax".[1] New Straits Times wrote; "The presence of Jyotika, Simran and Shyam saves this movie from boredom".[22] Rediff concluded its review; "full marks to the intention – considerably less for the execution", praised the film's performances and technical aspects and said a "drawback would be the languid pace—there is not enough tension built into the film and, for large chunks of time, the story remains static, with the result that you do not empathise with the characters". The reviewer said Simran's portrayal "continues with her policy of shifting gradually from glam roles to the more sedate, serious ones and proves to have what it takes".[39]

Sify wrote; "Ultimately it is very difficult for the audience to understand this superficial tale, as they cannot follow the thin line between reality and imagination. It is total confusion". The reviewer praised the Jayaraj's music for the film.[2] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online opined that "But Jeeva steers his script deftly, and offers a film that is different, giving enough food for thought and room for discussion even after the film is over".[40] Visual Dasan of Kalki criticised the film's story (which he felt was similar to the Hollywood film Sliding Doors and the German film Run Lola Run), called both roles of Shaam confusing and felt bad for Simran taking up such a role. He praised Vivek's comedy, Harris Jayaraj songs and the director for trying to take up a unique subject for his debut film.[41]

12B introduced the concept of dual narrative to Tamil cinema.[42][43] The film also helped establish Shaam as a chocolate boy;[lower-alpha 2][23] he acquired a fan following after the film's release.[44] Shaam was cast in the lead role in S. P. Jananathan's debut film Iyarkai (2003) before 12B was released and later received further film offers including Vasanth's Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukey! (2002) and Priyadarshan's Lesa Lesa (2003).[45][23][12] Jeeva went on to make Ullam Ketkumae (2005) with Shaam as one of the leads.[46][43][47]

In a scene in Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukey! (2002), Subbu (Vivek) tells Hari (Shaam) to take any bus but 12B.[48] In Thirumalai (2003), Palani (Vivek) en route to his interview falls in a drain and tells a man that he is waiting for the 12B bus.[49] In 2009, a film titled Sariya Thavara based on the song of the same name with Faisal Saif as the director and starring Shaam was announced but the film was later dropped.[50][51] The storyline of the film Oh My Kadavule (2020) contains an alternative version of the story that is similar to that of 12B.[52][53]

• 12B at IMDb