Neengal Kettavai (pronounced [n̪iːŋɡaɭ keːʈʈaʋaɪ] transl. What you asked for) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language masala film[1] written and directed by Balu Mahendra. It stars Thiagarajan, Bhanu Chander, Archana and Silk Smitha in major roles, while Jaishankar had an extended cameo as the antagonist. The film was released on 28 June 1984, and was commercially successful.
| Neengal Kettavai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Balu Mahendra |
| Story by | Akila Mahendra |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
| Edited by | D. Vasu |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Filmco |
Release date |
|
Running time | 132 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (March 2022) |
A widow living in Ooty, leads a peaceful life with her two sons. Muthulingam, a tourist who visits the place rapes her. In the act, she dies leaving her two sons who witness the murder. The older son Ramu is raised by his maternal uncle while the younger brother Arun joins a blind music teacher as he has great interest in music. Years later, he becomes a great singer. Meanwhile, Ramu is trained effectively by his uncle learning martial arts with the intention of avenging the death of his mother as he very well remembers the culprit's face. With a turn of events leading to both sons joining and taking revenge for their mother's death forms the rest of the story.
Cast
edit- Thiagarajan as Arun
- Bhanu Chander as Ramu
- Archana as Radha
- Smitha as Arun's girlfriend
- Poornima Bhagyaraj as Ramu and Arun's mother
- Y. G. Mahendran as James
- Vanitha
- Somayajulu as music teacher
- Balan K. Nair as Stunt Master's friend./Uncle of Ramu and Arun
- Senthamarai as Stunt Master, Radha's father.
- Thengai Srinivasan as Director (cameo)
- Jaishankar as Muthulingam
Production
editArchana made her Tamil cinema debut with the film.[2] The film, unlike Balu Mahendra's previous offbeat ventures, was an "outright commercial picture". He later claimed that he made the film to prove his critics that he could make such films.[3] Hence he titled the film Neengal Kettavai (transl. What you asked for).[4] A few scenes were shot at the VGP golden beach.[2] The song "Oh Vasantha Raja" was shot at Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.[5]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[6][7] The song "Kanavu Kaanum" is based on "Kasme Vaade" from the Hindi film Upkar (1967).[8][9] For the dubbed Telugu version Kodama Simhalu, the lyrics were written by L. Aathma Rao and Rajasri.[10]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adiye Manam Nilluna" | Gangai Amaran | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 5:14 |
| 2. | "Kanavu Kaanum" | Vairamuthu | K. J. Yesudas | 5:18 |
| 3. | "Naane Raja" | Na. Kamarasan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Oh Vasantha Raaja" | Pulamaipithan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Pillai Nila" (female) | Vairamuthu | S. Janaki | 4:20 |
| 6. | "Pillai Nila" (male) | Vairamuthu | K. J. Yesudas | 4:51 |
| Total length: | 28:31 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nene Raja" | L. Aathma Rao | Ravichandra | 3:53 |
| 2. | "Edhi Paapam Edhi Shaapam" | Rajasri | Ramakrishna | 4:25 |
| 3. | "Edhi Bomma Muddula Gumma" | L. Aathma Rao | Chinna, Padma | 4:58 |
| 4. | "Poochendulo Viruyu" | Rajasri | P. Susheela | 4:13 |
| 5. | "O Vasantha Raagam" | L. Aathma Rao | P. Susheela, Radha Mohan | 4:06 |
| 6. | "Poochendulo Viruyu" (Sad) | Rajasri | Ramakrishna | 4:39 |
| Total length: | 26:14 | |||
Release and reception
editNeengal Kettavai was released on 28 June 1984.[11] Kalki caustically commented, "Balu Mahendra, idhaiyaa kettom?" (Balu Mahendra, is this what we asked for?).[1] Despite the film's box-office success, Mahendra opted to continue making offbeat films.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "நீங்கள் கேட்டவை". Kalki (in Tamil). 22 July 1984. p. 60. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b Kumar, S.R. Ashok (3 May 2007). "Good roles are hard to come by, says actor Archana". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ a b Prasad, G. (18 August 2007). "Off the beaten track". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ "Why Balu Mahendra made Neengal Kettavai?". The Times of India. 22 March 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ Krishna, Nithese (27 January 2021). An Angel's Story. Amazon Digital Services. pp. 77–78. ISBN 9788195000654.77-78&rft.pub=Amazon Digital Services&rft.date=2021-01-27&rft.isbn=9788195000654&rft.aulast=Krishna&rft.aufirst=Nithese&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Neengal Kettavai" class="Z3988">
- ^ "Neengal Kettavai Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraaja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Neengal Kettavai (1984)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ S, Karthik. "Ilayaraja [Tamil]". ItwoFS. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ Arunachalam, Param (2020). BollySwar: 1981–1990. Mavrix Infotech. p. 301. ISBN 9788193848227.
- ^ "Kodama Simhalu". Spotify. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ யுவராஜ், லாவண்யா (28 June 2023). "39 years Neengal Kettavai : இது தானே நீங்க கேட்டீங்க இந்தாங்க கேட்ச் இட்... பாலு மகேந்திராவின் கமர்ஷியல் ஹிட் 'நீங்கள் கேட்டவை' வந்த கதை". ABP Nadu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
