Tamizh Selvan
| Tamizh Selvan | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Bharathiraja |
| Screenplay by | Bharathiraja |
| Story by | M. Rathnakumar |
| Produced by | M. Ramanathan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | B. Kannan |
| Edited by | K. Pazhanivel |
| Music by | Deva |
Production company | Raaj Films International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 152 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Tamizh Selvan (pronounced [tamiɻselʋan]) is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language political drama film directed by Bharathiraja from a story by M. Rathnakumar. The films stars Vijayakanth and Roja. It was released on 2 August 1996,[1] and failed at the box office.[2]
Plot
 | This article needs an improved plot summary. (June 2022) |
Tamizh Selvan IAS starts as an assistant collector in Chennai. He is insulted by the corrupt collector because of his helpful and honest nature and skin colour, but he does not give a budge and within a span becomes the chief collector in the city. He marries a research scholar Fathima and is assisted by Manuneethi Chozhan. A rebellious group leader initially opposes Tamizh Selvan since he had helped the police arrest one of their members. The group protests against the unfair and undue treatment of them in politician Vedimuthu's illegal quarry but since he hears their problems and solves it he is heralded as a hero by masses. This irks Vedimuthu and other politicians who do not want Tamizh Selvan to prosper. How Tamizh Selvan resists the politicians' attempts to damage his reputation forms the crux of the story.
Cast
- Vijayakanth as Tamizh Selvan IAS
- Roja as Fathima
- Manivannan as Vedimuthu
- Vadivelu as Manuneethi Sozhan
- Santhana Bharathi
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Periyar Dasan
- Thalaivasal Vijay as the rebellious group leader
- Mohan Raman as the corrupt collector
- Madhan Bob
Production
R. Selvaraj wrote a story titled Vaakkapatta Bhoomi (transl. The promised land), with the intention of making it a film produced by himself, and Bharathiraja was assigned to direct, but the project did not materialise. Later, M. Ramanathan of Raaj Films International heard that Selvaraj had the call-sheets of Bharathiraja and Vijayakanth ready, and offered to produce any film with both involved. Bharathiraja and Vijayakanth agreed, and the film was Tamizh Selvan.[3] The first shot Bharathiraja directed was Vijayakanth smiling which he shot at Shivanasamudra Falls, Karnataka.[4] While filming at Kollegal, politician Vatal Nagaraj objected to the clapperboard used being in Tamil, but left after being intimidated by Vijayakanth. To avoid further trouble, Bharathiraja offered to remove the name Tamizh Selvan from the clapperboard, but Vijayakanth threatened to quit the film if that happened.[5] Another scene was shot at the T. Nagar Social Club, Chennai.[6]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Deva.[7][8]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Aasa Kepakali" | K. S. Chithra, P. Unnikrishnan | Vaali | 05:13 |
| "Hawa Hawa" | Mano | Vairamuthu | 04:26 |
| "Rajasthanu" | Swarnalatha, Mano | 04:33 | |
| "Rendu Kannu" | Krishnaraj, Swarnalatha | 05:25 | |
| "Unnal Mudiyum" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 05:02 |
Reception
R. P. R. of Kalki praised Vijayakanth's performance, Bharathiraja's direction and Deva's background score.[9] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote "Bharathirajaa takes the story along smoothly and maintains our interest until the end. But a few scenes were disjointed and I have a feeling this had something to do with our censors".[10] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "The role of bureaucrats in correcting and exposing corrupt and wayward politicians in power is the theme veteran director Bharathiraaja has handled with his known flourish". He added, "Rathnakumar's story base has already found exposure in earlier movies of this genre. But his dialogue is interestingly amusing particularly in areas".[11]
References
- ^ "நட்சத்திர படப் பட்டியல்". Cinema Express (in Tamil). 1 December 2002. pp. 41–43. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Waheed, Sajahan (12 October 2000). "Will 'Kadal Pookal' bloom?". New Straits Times. pp. Life Is... Music 2. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ செல்வராஜ், ஆர். (31 May 2017). "கடல் தொடாத நதி – 16 – ரஷ்யா மளிகைக் கடை!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "விஜயகாந்த் பற்றி வி.ஐ.பி!". Kalki (in Tamil). 8 January 2006. p. 79. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Balan, SG (30 September 2023). "ஒத்தையாக நின்று வாட்டாள் நாகராஜை ஓட விட்ட விஜயகாந்த்! சம்பவம் நடந்தது ஏன்? எப்போது?". Asianet News (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Raman, Mohan (25 August 2020). "#MadrasThroughTheMovies: Films that captured the 'sport'y Madras". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Tamizh Selvan". JioSaavn. August 2014. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Tamizh Selvan / Vennila". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ ஆர். பி. ஆர். (18 August 1996). "தமிழ்ச்செல்வன்". Kalki. p. 16. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Vijiyan, K. N. (12 August 1996). "A cry against corruption". New Straits Times. p. 53. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (16 August 1996). "En Aasai Thangachi/Tamizhselvan/Krishna/Poovarasan". The Hindu. p. 33. Archived from the original on 20 December 1996. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
External links
- Tamizh Selvan at IMDb
