Poottaatha Poottukkal
| Poottaatha Poottukkal | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Mahendran |
| Screenplay by | Mahendran |
| Based on | Uravugal by Ponneelan |
| Produced by | K. N. Lakshmanan |
| Starring | Jayan Charulata |
| Cinematography | Ashok Kumar |
| Edited by | B. Lenin |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Release date |
|
Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Poottaatha Poottukkal (transl. Unlocked locks) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Mahendran. It is an adaptation of the novel Uravugal by Ponneelan. The film's stars Jayan and Charulata. It was released on 9 May 1980,[1] and failed at the box-office.
Plot
 | This article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2021) |
Fissures occur in a married couple's relationship when they are unable to conceive a child. The wife is later enamoured by a young man who gives her attention. What happens next forms the rest of the story.
Cast
- Jayan as Uppuli
- Charulata/Jayanthi Vijay as Kanniyamma
- Sunder Raj as Thyagu
- Archana as Velamma
- Idichapuli Selvaraj
- Kumarimuthu
- Master Haja Sheriff
- Samikannu as Kanniyamma's father
- Rajasekhar as Uppuli's brother
- G. Srinivasan
- Baby Anju
- Annadurai Kannadhasan as the village drunkard
- Anbalaya Prabhakaran as Moorthy
Production
Poottaatha Poottukkal is based on the novel Uravugal by writer Ponneelan.[2] Panchu Arunachalam approached Mahendran to make a film based on this novel, despite initial reservations to direct due to its concept; he agreed after reading the end of the novel.[3]
Mahendran felt Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil would be the perfect choice for this story, but Arunachalam felt Smita would create confusions in call sheets and insisted Mahendran to use local actors.[4] Charulatha who earlier acted in Mahendran's previous film Uthiripookkal portraying Vijayan's second wife was chosen as the lead actress while Arunachalam wanted Malayalam actor Jayan for husband's character; he was eventually chosen.[5] The filming was primarily held at Nagercoil.[6]
Themes
According to Ram Chander of Film Companion, the film is a "subtle meditation on the invisible forces of societal expectations that weigh on married couples".[7]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam.[8]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Vanna Vanna Poove" | S. Janaki | 4:27 |
| "Aanandam Aanandam" | 4:16 | |
| "Andipatti" | 4:31 | |
| "Nenjukkulle" | 4:25 | |
| "Soorai Kaatril" | Ilaiyaraaja | ___ |
Release and reception
According to Mahendran, Bharathiraja and Ilaiyaraaja bought the distribution rights and released the film in Madurai and Ramanathapuram. However the film ran only for three weeks and failed at the box-office.[9] Mahendran felt the film's failure made him learn a lesson that he should not make films on such stories.[6] Ponneelan said, "When an artist's work is translated into a film or drama, it is important that the spirit be maintained. Though a lamp is beautiful, it is the flame which is its spirit. If you can't bring it out, better not venture into that arena".[10]
References
- ^ Mahendran 2013, p. 344.
- ^ பொன்னீலன் (28 October 2017). "பொன்னீலனின் உலகம்: என் படைப்புகளும் எனக்குப் பிடித்த படைப்புகளும்." [The World of Ponneelan: My Works and My Favorite Works]. Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ Mahendran 2013, p. 158.
- ^ Mahendran 2013, pp. 159–161.
- ^ Mahendran 2013, pp. 161–162.
- ^ a b Mahendran 2013, p. 162.
- ^ Chander, Ram (19 June 2017). "5 Filmmaking Tropes of Mahendran". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Poottaatha Poottukkal Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Mahendran 2013, p. 163.
- ^ Sivasankari (1998). Knit India Through Literature: The South. Eastwest Books. p. 373. ISBN 9788186852118. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
Bibliography
- Mahendran (2013) [2004]. சினிமாவும் நானும் [Cinema and I] (in Tamil). Karpagam Publications. OCLC 54777094.