The film follows Saravanan, a scientist who returns to India after studying overseas, who tries to find a cure to diabetes after his friend dies from it.
Dr. Saravanan is a world-famous scientist and a pan-world dancer who returns to India permanently to serve the people in his village and takes up the position of principal in his family's educational institution and also teaches students to dance.
VJ has a personal grudge on Saravanan as the latter's invention of antibiotic diagnostic test had caused considerable loss for his company, leading to his older brother's (then-chairman) suicide.
During a hearing, Saravanan manages to convince the scientists as well as VJ that he will do the trial on another person and if it doesn't work Formula J can be banned.
VJ, Desikan, Gopi, and Madhu asks Saravanan to give his research to Ojo so that they can develop and sell Formula J for huge amounts of money, failing which they will kill Velan.
Madhu turns out to be VJ's niece and the heiress to the Ojo empire who joined with Saravanan to develop Formula J in revenge for her father's death.
Ojo Pharmaceuticals is shut down for illegally testing medicines on humans, while Formula J is approved by the WHO, making its sale and use legal.
It was also reported that SS Moorthy was bought in as the art director, while Raju Sundaram, Brindha, and Dinesh have been roped in as choreographers of the film.
Legend Saravanan was reported to play the role of a scientist,[8] while Urvashi Rautela who appeared predominantly in Hindi films, was cast as the female lead, marking her debut in Tamil cinema.
[7] Suman is also playing a negative role in this film called VJ a filthy medical mafia who is very evil and cruel.
[9] The film also has an ensemble cast of actors including Nassar, Vivek, Vijayakumar, Prabhu, Livingston, Yogi Babu, Robo Shankar, Sachu, Vamsi Krishna, Latha, Deepa Shankar, Hareesh Peradi, Singampuli, Mayilswamy, Besant Ravi and Mansoor Ali Khan in other pivotal roles.
Actresses Raai Laxmi and Yashika Aannand were signed on to make special appearances in the songs "Vaadi Vaasal" and "Mosalo Mosalu" respectively.
From the slick-looking trailer, it is evident that the film boasts of an excellent technical team, rich production values and a stellar ensemble.
[31] The film started streaming in the Disney+ Hotstar on 3 March 2023, where it went on to collect more than ₹65 crores in total revenue with its theatrical and OTT releases combined.
[36] M Suganth of The Times of India gave the film 1.5 out of 5 and stated that "The one thing that JD-Jery get right is in glossing their product to hide its two major shortcomings - writing and lead performances.
The film is mounted on a scale that reminds us of big-star movies from the 2000s, and even the plastic visual tone (R Velraj is the cinematographer), and grand but empty score (by Harris Jayaraj) are from that time.
Forget a wannabe star like Saravanan, even a bona fide superstar like Rajinikanth wouldn't have managed to save this vanity project".
[37] Bharathy Singaravel of The News Minute rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Such as putting on display every possible stunt sequence Kollywood has conceived of over the years.
On top of it all, this is also a film that ridiculously uses Vivekh, even making one feel guilty for disliking the role of the late legendary actor".
[39] Kirubhakar Prabhakaran of The Indian Express gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and wrote "The innate problem of The Legend is that it’s not a movie but a set piece to propel Saravanan into stardom.
JD and Jerry have made much better ad films, and The Legend ends up as an elaborate and expensive addition to their stable.
[40] Jayadeep Jayesh of Deccan Herald rated the film 1 out of 5 and wrote "Haris Jayaraj’s music does not reflect his best work.