Thodarum

1999 Indian film
  • 14 January 1999 (1999-01-14)
CountryIndiaLanguageTamil

Thodarum (transl. It will continue) is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ramesh Khanna, starring Ajith Kumar, Devayani and Heera. The supporting cast includes Manivannan, Vadivelu and Gemini Ganesan. It is a remake of the 1996 Telugu film Maavichiguru, and was released on 14 January 1999.

Plot

Seetha is a possessive wife who suspects that all the women are throwing themselves at her husband Jayaram. Things get a little interesting after Meera enters the picture and ends up hugging Jayaram right in front of Seetha's eyes. Seetha is diagnosed with a deadly heart condition and decides to have and Meera tie the knot for the sake of a good life for Jayaram and their young son. She even goes as far as getting a divorce from Jayaram to make him hate her. In the end, Seetha dies, Jayaram and Meera get married, and they name their baby Seetha.

Cast

  • Ajith Kumar as Jayaram
  • Devayani as Seetha
  • Heera as Meera
  • Manivannan
  • Vadivelu as "Peon" Mani
  • Gemini Ganesan as Seetha's grandfather
  • Sowcar Janaki as Seetha's grandmother
  • Delhi Ganesh as Seetha's uncle
  • Oru Viral Krishna Rao
  • Senthil as Gopi (guest appearance)
  • Balu Anand (guest appearance)
  • Vichithra as Radha (guest appearance)

Production

Actor Ramesh Khanna made his debut as a director with the film after working as an apprentice to K. S. Ravikumar.[1][2] Ravikumar was meant to remake the Telugu film Maavichiguru (1996) into Tamil for Sridevi Movie Makers, but his busy schedule meant that he recommended Ramesh Khanna to the producers.[3] The remake was initially titled as Maa Vilakku and was supposed to star Jayaram and Meena, but went through cast changes.[4] Jayaram's falling popularity meant that Ajith Kumar was signed to replace him, while the actor requested that a change of lead actress.[5] The film was revived under new title Thodarum with new cast involving Ajith, Heera and Devayani.[6]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[7]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Shock Adikkum" Hariharan, Gopika Poornima Palani Bharathi 05:00
"Naanthaan" Arunmozhi, Gangai Amaran, Malaysia Vasudevan, Sunandha Gangai Amaran 07:22
"Oru Thulir" Bhavatharini, P. Unnikrishnan Kamakodiyan 05:03
"Yamma Yamma" K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Mu. Metha 05:01
"Sernthu Vaazhum" Ilaiyaraaja Arivumathi 04:48
"Kanavanukkaga" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Pulamaipithan 05:03

Release and reception

The film released on 14 January 1999.[8] The New Indian Express gave the film a critical review citing that "the director tries hard to avoid small puddles of cliches, but unfortunately falls into an ocean instead" but claims that Devayani gives a "wonderfully controlled performance", while Heera and Ajith are just "adequate".[9] Deccan Herald wrote "Thodarum is a family melodrama, which on its own is not too bad, but [..] it falls completely flat."[10] Dinakaran wrote, "The storyline of the picture starts as a mirthful family comedy. But in the end it turns out to be a harsh affair with such developments like sudden sacrifice and deadly disease and so on".[11] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu gave the film a positive review, praising the cast performances, the comedy and cinematography.[12]

References

  1. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (17 October 2008). "My first break". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  2. ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (13 November 1998). "Domestic theme". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 15 December 2000. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  3. ^ Prasad, Ayyappa. "Ajith, Heera, Devyani teamed". Screen. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  4. ^ "I want to be like Sridevi". Screen. 14 November 1997. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Meena's losing spree". Minnoviyam. July 1998. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Ajith--Devayaani--Hera". Dinakaran. 31 May 1998. Archived from the original on 20 February 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Thodarum (1998)". Raaga.com (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Thodarum ( 1999 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  9. ^ S, Arul (25 April 1999). "Film Review". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Reviews". Deccan Herald. 18 April 1999. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Review: "Thodarum"". Dinakaran. 21 January 1999. Archived from the original on 1 May 1999. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  12. ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (15 January 1999). "Film reviews: Thodarum/Maya". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 14 December 2000. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  • Thodarum at IMDb