Neela Kuyil (transl. The blue koel) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Alleppey Ashraf. The film stars Pandiarajan and Rajashree, with Manorama, Radha Ravi, Vennira Aadai Moorthy, Senthil, Vadivelu and Y. G. Mahendra playing supporting roles. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Ninnistham Ennishtam which itself was inspired by Charlie Chaplin's City Lights.[1] The film was released on 23 October 1995.
| Neela Kuyil | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Alleppey Ashraf |
| Written by | Priyadarshan K. N. Anand (dialogues) |
| Produced by | Harees |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | J. Williams |
| Edited by | L. Boominathan |
| Music by | Manikka Vinayagam |
Production company | Annu Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (May 2023) |
Muthusamy is a poor and not-too-good-looking man, he is roaming the streets. Kaattayi, an old woman and street astrologer, becomes his friend and she gives him money to eat every day. Muthusamy lost his parents at young age. One day, he meets Shalini a blind flower seller and Muthusamy befriends the innocent Shalini, he introduces himself as a rich business magnate. Shalini has a brother : Veerasamy, a dreaded rowdy. Muthusamy slowly falls in love with Shalini. He decides to pay for her surgery to repair Shalini's eyes : he worked day and night and sold his mother's gold pendant. The police suspect Muthusamy of stealing that gold pendant and arrests him, before being arrested he manages to give his money to Shalini. After the successful surgery, Shalini can see but Muthusamy is not there to see her happiness.
Shalini becomes friends with the doctor Raja who operated her eyes. Raja finds her voice sweet, and recommend her to his friend Raja, a music director. The first song Shalini sang becomes a chartbuster and she becomes the busiest singer of the cinema industry. After being released from jail, Muthusamy tries to meet Shalini. What transpires next forms the rest of the story.
Cast
edit- Pandiarajan as Muthusamy
- Rajashree as Shalini
- Manorama as Kaattayi
- Radha Ravi as Raja
- Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Kannayiram
- Senthil
- Vadivelu as Mambattiyan
- Y. G. Mahendra as Madhan
- Pasi Narayanan
- Vellai Subbaiah
- Karuppu Subbiah
- Joker Thulasi
Production
editThe climax scene was shot in an auditorium before 3,000 spectators.[2]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Manikka Vinayagam, with lyrics written by Vaali.[3]
| Song | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| "Oru Vanambadithan" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha | 4:38 |
| "Poo Malai Idhu" (duet) | K. J. Yesudas, Sujatha Mohan | 4:33 |
| "Poo Malai Idhu" (solo) | Sujatha Mohan | 4:46 |
| "Sruthilayam" | Sujatha Mohan | 5:23 |
| "Yar Nenjilea" | Swarnalatha | 5:00 |
Reception
editThulasi of Kalki wrote today everyone believes in grandeur and great heroes. The director of this film relies on story and poignant sentiment. More than that he relies on the screenplay, so hope is not wasted.[4] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote "A team of comedians keep the fun sometimes with `sickly' jokes, right through Anu Pictures' Neela Kuyil, a small budget movie set to catch the eye of the ordinary viewers of the mofussil. Priyadarshan's story and screenplay are not powerful enough to make director Ashraf draw something more from the artistes, Vadivelu and Senthil, both working in tandem as cheats and tricksters, cornering most frames. Hero Pandiyarajan is sidelined in a role not suited to him a lamenting hero ruing his misfortune".[5]
References
edit- ^ Sundaram, Nandhu (1 December 2020). "'Baasha' to 'Sathi Leelavathi': Why 1995 is an unforgettable year for Tamil cinema fans". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ Kummar, S. R. Ashok (21 October 1995). "Big screen bonanza". The Hindu. p. 41. Archived from the original on 22 December 1996. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "Neelakuyil (0)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ துளசி (26 November 1995). "நீலக்குயில்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 7. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (27 October 1995). "Cinema: Makkal Aatchi/Rakasia Police/Kuruthi Punal/Neela Kuyil". The Hindu. p. 27. Archived from the original on 22 December 1996. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
External links
edit- Neela Kuyil at IMDb