Nenjathai Killathe (1980 film)

Nenjathai Killathe
Directed by J. Mahendran
Produced by K. Rajagopal Chetty
Written by J. Mahendran
Starring
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography Ashok Kumar
Edited by A. Paul Duraisingh
Production
company
Devi Films (P) Ltd.
Distributed by Devi Films (P) Ltd.
Release dates
 12 December 1980
Country India
Language Tamil

Nenjathai Killathe (English: Don't Pinch the Heart) is a 1980 Tamil language film written and directed by J. Mahendran. The film stars Suhasini, in her debut film appearance as the central character along with Sarath Babu, Mohan and Pratap Pothan in prominent roles. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilaiyaraaja while cinematography was handled by Ashok Kumar. The film won three awards each at the 28th National Film Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in 1981. The performances of Suhasini and Sarath Babu received critical acclaim.[1] The movie was dubbed into Telugu as Mouna Geetham.

Plot

Viji, a young girl lives with an affectionate brother and her sister-in-law who constantly dislikes her. Viji happens to meet Ram, who keeps following her. Ram proposes Viji and she accepts his love in spite of him being poor. Meanwhile Pratap, Viji's relative, loves her without disclosing it to her. When the marriage between Viji and Ram is about to get fixed, Viji's sister-in-law spoils the entire plan by spoiling Viji's reputation. As things don't go well, she is forced by her brother to marry Pratap. Years later, Ram gets married to a rich girl and comes to live in a flat nearby Viji, which in turn makes her jealous. Largely ignored by Viji, Pratap decides to leave for Calcutta. Viji is invited by Ram to his flat only to find out he is not leading a happy life but is struggling with an ailing wife. She realises her mistake and runs to the airport.

Cast

Production

Mahendran actually wanted to cast new actors in the lead.[2] Mohan who had earlier acted in Balu Mahendra's Kokila (1977) was hand-picked by Mahendran to play the male lead,[2] while Suhasini who was working as a camera assistant to Ashok Kumar at the time was spotted by Mahendran during the filming of his previous venture Uthiripookkal.[3] During the making of Uthiripookal, she was spotted by Mahendran while visiting her father Charuhasan, who was a part of the film's cast.[2] Impressed by her speech and behaviour, Mahendran decided to make her the female lead in Nenjathai Killathe.[2] Suhasini was initially reluctant to acting as she always wanted to become a cinematographer.[2] However, she agreed to do the film after being convinced by her father.[2] The film saw Mohan playing a major role for the first time in Tamil.[4]

The film was shot in Bangalore, mostly around Cubbon Park.[5]

Soundtrack

The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[6]

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 Hey Thendralae P. Susheela Gangai Amaran 4:33
2 Mummy Peru S. Janaki 4:32
3 Paruvamae S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki Panju Arunachalam 4:16
4 Uravenum S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki Gangai Amaran 5:31

Reception

The film was released on 12 December 1980 and completed a 364-day run in Madras (now Chennai). Although Suhasini was hesitant, her performance in the film received rave reviews. V. Shantaram, the chairman of the 28th National Film Awards, appreciated the opening scene and climax of the film shown in "intercut", which shows Suhasini jogging and rushing to the airport to catch her husband respectively.[2] It was also screened at the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India.[7]

Awards

National Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

References

  1. ↑ "I am a director's actor, says Sarath Babu". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 5 October 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "மகேந்திரனின் நெஞ்சத்தைக் கிள்ளாதே: மோகன்- சுகாசினி அறிமுகம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 15 May 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  3. ↑ Indian Cinema. Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1996. p. 89. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  4. ↑ S. R. Ashok Kumar (28 December 2007). "Mr. Simple is back". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Returning to Kannada". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 8 March 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  6. ↑ "Nenjathai Killathe Songs". raaga. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  7. ↑ Bibekananda Ray; Naveen Joshi; India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division (1 January 2005). Conscience of the race: India's offbeat cinema. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 122. ISBN 978-81-230-1298-8. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "28th National Film Awards (1980)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 ‘Film News', Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and Its Achievements). Sivagami Publications. p. 738.

External links