Kannathil Muthamittal

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Kannathil Muthamittal
Directed by Mani Ratnam
Produced by Mani Ratnam
G. Srinivasan
Written by Mani Ratnam
Sujatha
Starring R. Madhavan
Simran Bagga
J.D. Chakravarthy
Nandita Das
P. S. Keerthana
Prakash Raj
Music by A. R. Rahman
Cinematography Ravi K. Chandran
Distributed by Madras Talkies
Release date(s) February 14, 2002
Running time 130 mins
Language Tamil
IMDb profile

Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek, கன்னத்தில் முத்தமிட்டால்) (2002) is an award-winning Tamil feature film directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars P. S. Keerthana, Madhavan, Simran, Nandita Das and Prakash Raj. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman. The film's title is a famous phrase from a poem written by Subramanya Bharathy, which literally means a peck on the cheek. Mani Ratnam presents a glimpse of the Island of Sri Lanka at civil war, through the eyes of a child of Sri Lankan Tamil parentage, who desires to meet her biological mother.

The film premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, and was selected as India's official entry to the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It also received a strong reception when screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2003.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Thiruchelvan (Madhavan), an engineer and writer by occupation, and Indra (Simran), a TV Newsreader, live in Chennai, Tamil Nadu with their three children, the eldest of whom is Amudha (P. S. Keerthana). Amudha is surrounded by love, a secure family and many friends. On her ninth birthday, Amudha learns from her father that she is an adopted child. Her parents came across her as a baby at a Red Cross camp in Rameshwaram. She further learns that her biological mother was displaced by the war in Sri Lanka just before giving birth, and the current whereabouts of her mother Shyama (Nandita Das) and her father Dileepan (J.D Chakravarthy) are unknown. Amudha intent on finding her biological parents, eventually convinces her adopted parents to take her on a search mission. Amudha and her parents arrive in a war-torn Sri Lanka. Dr. Wikramesinghe, (Prakash Raj), a friendly host, guides their quest to the North East, where they witness the brutal conditions and harsh realities of an ongoing civil strife on the island.

[edit] Awards

The film has won the following awards[1] since its release:

2003 Jerusalem Film Festival (Jerusalem)

  • Won - In Spirit for Freedom Award - Best Feature - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

2003 Los Angeles Indian Film Festival (USA)

  • Won - Audience Award - Best Feature Film - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

2003 National Film Awards (India)

2002 Filmfare Awards South (India)

  • Won - Filmfare Best Actress Award (Tamil) - Simran Bagga
  • Won - Filmfare Best Director Award (Tamil) - Mani Ratnam

2004 RiverRun International Film Festival (USA)

  • Won - Audience Award - Best Feature - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

2004 Film Fest New Haven (USA)

  • Won - Special Award - Achievement Award - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
  • Won - Jury Award - Features (International) - First Place Winner - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
  • Won - Audience Award - Feature (International) - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

2004 Westchester Film Festival (USA)

  • Won - Best International Film - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

2003 Zimbabwe International Film Festival (Zimbabwe)

  • Won - Best Picture - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

[edit] Critical reception

Kannathil Muthamittal met with acclaim upon release, with Ratnam and P. S. Keerthana's performance as the young Amudha particularly gaining praise. Channel 4 Films described the film as "stunning...thought provoking,"[2] and Time Out Chicago declared, "Ratnam has a ravishing eye."[2] The Chicago Reader observed "[Ratnam's] passionate conviction fortifies the tragic and inspirational aspects of the story"[2] and the Chicago Tribune wrote "Realistic, intelligently written and often quite moving."[2]

[edit] Soundtrack

Kannathil Muthamittal:
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Kannathil Muthamittal:The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack cover
Soundtrack by A. R. Rahman
Released February 4, 2002
Genre Soundtrack
Length 32:14
Label TIPS
Producer A. R. Rahman

Kannathil Muthamittal: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The film soundtrack features score and 6 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Track listing:

  1. "Vellai Pookal" (5:05) – A. R. Rahman
  2. "Sundari" (4:39) – Hariharan, Tippu, Sujatha, Karthik, Madhumitha
  3. "Kannathil Muthamittal" (6:24) – Chinmayi, P. Jayachandran
  4. "Signore Signore" (3:22) – Raafique, Noel, Anupama, Swarnalatha
  5. "Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae" (6:16) – M. S. Viswanathan, Balram, Febi, A. R. Rehana
  6. "Kannathil Muthamittal" (6:28) – P. Jayachandran, Chinmayi

The soundtrack was released in 2002 along with the release of the film to acclaim, and quickly became popular. The score and soundtrack of the film fetched A. R. Rahman his fourth National Film Award for Best Music Direction and another National Film Award for Best Lyrics for lyricist Vairamuthu.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kannathil Muthamittal Awards. Awards for Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek). Retrieved on 19 November 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d Facets Cinematheque: Kannathil Muthamittal. Facets Cinematheque: Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek). Retrieved on 19 November 2007.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Films directed by Mani Ratnam
Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) • Unaru (1985) • Pagal Nilavu (1985) • Idaya Kovil (1985) • Mouna Raagam (1986) • Nayagan (1987) • Agni Natchathiram (1988) • Geethanjali (1989) • Anjali (1990) • Thalapathi (1991) • Roja (1992) • Thiruda Thiruda (1993) • Bombay (1995) • Iruvar (1997) • Dil Se (1998) • Alaipayuthey (2000) • Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) • Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) • Yuva (2004) • Guru (2007)