Meendum Kokila

Meendum Kokila (transl. Kokila, again) is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by G. N. Rangarajan from a screenplay written by Ananthu and story by Haasan Brothers. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Deepa, M. Krishnamoorthy, Thengai Srinivasan and Omakuchi Narasimhan are featured in supporting roles. The film's narrative follows a young woman who fights to win back her husband after his infatuation with an actress. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Chilipi Mogudu.[1]

Meendum Kokila
Theatrical poster
Directed byG. N. Rangarajan
Produced byT. R. Srinivasan
Screenplay byAnanthu
Story byHaasan Brothers
Starring
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyN. K. Viswanathan
Edited byK. R. Ramalingam
Production
company
Charuchitra Films
Distributed byAnadha
Release date
  • 14 January 1981 (1981-01-14)
Running time
139 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Meendum Kokila was released theatrically on 14 January 1981. The film upon its release was a critical and commercial success. Sridevi's performance in the titular role was widely praised and is considered by various critics and film historians as one of the finest and most authentic portrayals of an Indian Brahmin woman. For her performance, Sridevi received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress-Tamil.

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

Production

The film was originally directed by J. Mahendran with Sridevi, Kamal Haasan and Rekha—in her Tamil cinema debut—playing prominent roles.[2][3] Rekha was the original choice for actress' role, and scenes featuring her were shot till 3000 feet.[2] Initially Mahendran opted out of the film after a song sequence was shot. Later as the film progressed Rekha pulled out citing no reason.[2] It was Kamal Haasan who requested G. Rangarajan to take over the film as director.[2][4] Rekha was replaced by Deepa.[2]

Soundtrack

Tamil version

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5] The song "Radha Radha Nee" is based on the Shuddha Saveri raga.[6]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Chinna Chiru Vayathil"K. J. Yesudas, S. P. SailajaKannadasan04:32
2"Hey Oraiyiram"S. P. BalasubrahmanyamPanju Arunachalam03:55
3"Ponnana Meni"K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki04:30
4"Radha Radha Nee"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. JanakiKannadasan04:27

Telugu version

This film was dubbed into Telugu as Chilipi Mogudu.[1] Lyrics were written by Rajashri and Aarudhra.[7]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Ninna Sandhya Velalo"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. SailajaRajashri03:20
2"Radha Radha - Duet"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela03:26
3"Oh Chinna Maata"G. Anand, S. P. Sailaja03:22
4"Hey Oorinchaku"S. P. BalasubrahmanyamAarudhra02:56

Reception

Meendum Kokila opened to widespread success. Sridevi's portrayal of a Brahmin woman trying to get back her husband was widely acclaimed and is considered by various critics and film commentators as one of the finest film performances of all-time. Sridevi received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil;[8] the first of her four Filmfare Awards.[9] Just 17 years old, when released, the film's success consolidated Sridevi's position as the highest paid actress in South Indian Cinema.[10]

Re-release

The film's digitally restored version was also released in December, 2017.[11][12][13]

References
  1. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lau9C6juvCw
  2. "வரலாற்றுச்சுவடுகள் – திரைப்பட வரலாறு 944 – கமல்–ஸ்ரீதேவி நடித்த மீண்டும் கோகிலா". Daily Thanthi. 16 June 2008.
  3. Ramachandran, T.M., ed. (1980). "Rekha's first Tamil movie". Film World. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  4. Panicker, Prem (10 October 2003). "The magic that is Rekha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  5. "Meendum Kokila". raaga. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  6. Mani, Charulatha (3 August 2012). "A raga's journey: Joyful Suddha Saveri". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  7. "Chilipi Mogudu". Spotify. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  8. Sir Stanley Reed (1984). The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman. p. 234. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  9. "Hawa Hawai girl Sridevi turns 49". Sify. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  10. "Don't want Jhanvi in films at this age: Sridevi". The Indian Express. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  11. "Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in theatres again". Behindwoods.com. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  12. Subramanian, Anupama (18 November 2017). "An image makeover for Meendum Kokila". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  13. "Kamal Haasan's classic hits to be re-release on the big screen". Indian Express. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
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