Meendum Kokila
| Meendum Kokila | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | G. N. Rangarajan |
| Produced by | T. R. Srinivasan |
| Written by | Ananthu |
| Screenplay by | Ananthu |
| Story by | Hassan Brothers |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Cinematography | N. K. Viswanathan |
| Edited by | K. R. Ramalingam |
Production company |
Charuchitra Films |
| Distributed by | Anadha |
Release dates | 14 January 1981 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Meendum Kokila is a 1981 Tamil film directed by G. N. Rangarajan, starring Kamal Hassan, Sridevi and Deepa in lead roles. The story is about a married lawyer's infatuation towards an actress and the trouble he faces with his wife. Through the film Sridevi established herself as one of the top actresses and fetched her a Filmfare Award. The film was initially launched with J. Mahendran as the director and Rekha playing a supporting role. However, both pulled out of the project for unknown reasons following which they were replaced by Rangarajan and Deepa respectively. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was box-office success.
Plot
Subramaniam, a lawyer is married to Kokila and has a daughter. Things go well until he meets Kamini, a movie star in a party. He gets attracted towards Kamini and becomes ready to sacrifice his own family for her. Kokila's efforts in bringing back her husband forms the rest of the story.
Cast
- Kamal Hassan as Subramaniam
- Sridevi as Kokila
- Deepa as Kamini
- Baby Anju
- Thengai Srinivasan
- Omakuchi Narasimhan
Production
The film was originally directed by J. Mahendran with Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Rekha—in her Tamil cinema debut—playing prominent roles.[1][2] Rekha was the original choice for actress' role, and scenes featuring her were shot till 3000 feet.[1] Initially Mahendran opted out of the film after a song sequence was shot. Later as the film progressed Rekha pulled out citing no reason.[1] It was Kamal Haasan who requested G. Rangarajan to take over the film as director.[1][3] Rekha was replaced by Deepa.[1]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[4] The song "Radha Radha Nee" is based on the Shuddha Saveri raga.[5]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | Chinna Chiru Vayathil | K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja | Kannadasan | 04:32 |
| 2 | Hey Oraiyiram | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Panju Arunachalam | 03:55 |
| 3 | Ponnana Meni | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki | 04:30 | |
| 4 | Radha Radha Nee | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | Kannadasan | 04:27 |
Reception and accolades
The film was a box-office success. Sridevi's portrayal as a Brahmin woman trying to get back her husband fetched her a Filmfare Award in the Best Actress category;[6] the first of her four Filmfare Awards.[7] The film established Sridevi as one of the top actress in South India.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "வரலாற்றுச்சுவடுகள் – திரைப்பட வரலாறு 944 – கமல்–ஸ்ரீதேவி நடித்த மீண்டும் கோகிலா". Daily Thanthi. 16 June 2008.
- ↑ Film World. T.M. Ramachandran. 1980. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ Panicker, Prem (10 October 2003). "The magic that is Rekha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ "Meendum Kokila". raaga. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ↑ Mani, Charulatha (3 August 2012). "A raga's journey: Joyful Suddha Saveri". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Sir Stanley Reed (1984). The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman. p. 234. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ "Hawa Hawai girl Sridevi turns 49". Sify. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ "Don't want Jhanvi in films at this age: Sridevi". The Indian Express. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2013.