Nattamai
Nattamai (transl. Village Chief) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. S. Ravikumar. It starred Sarathkumar, Meena and Khushbu. The film was released on 2 November 1994, during Diwali, and completed a 175-day run at the box office. It is considered to be one of the most popular Tamil films of the 1990s and in general. It became a trendsetter for many films in later years. The Goundamani-Senthil comic duo was one of the most popular aspects of the film.
Nattamai | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | K. S. Ravikumar |
Written by | Erode Soundar (dialogue) |
Screenplay by | K. S. Ravikumar |
Story by | Erode Sounder |
Produced by | R. B. Choudary |
Starring | Sarathkumar Meena Khushbu |
Cinematography | Ashok Rajan |
Edited by | K. Thanikachalam |
Music by | Sirpy |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Budget | ₹55 lakh[1] |
Sarathkumar earned both the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the film. The film was later remade in Telugu as Pedarayudu, in Hindi as Bulandi and in Kannada as Simhadriya Simha (2000).
Plot
Shanmugam is the village head, fondly called Nattamai. He is widely respected by everyone for his genuineness. He lives with his wife Lakshmi and brother Pasupathi, who is married to Meena. There is a long-standing enmity between Nattamai and his paternal cousin (Ponnambalam). A flashback is shown where Ponnambalam's father kills Shanmugam's father, following which Ponnambalam's family is expelled from the village. Ponnambalam waits for the right time to attack Nattamai's family. Ponnambalam's mother is Nattamai's paternal aunt. A new teacher (Rani), comes to the village and everyone suspects an illegitimate relationship between her and Pasupathi. One day, the teacher gets killed along with a death note mentioning Pasupathi as the reason behind her death, following which Nattamai expels Pasupathi out of the village. The teacher was actually killed by Ponnambalam, with plans of trapping Pasupathi in the murder. Manorama overhears the truth but gets locked by Ponnambalam at her home. Ponnambalam tries to kill Nattamai but gets killed by Manorama. Finally, Manorama informs the truth to Nattamai, which shocks him. Nattamai dies at the spot due to the guilt of giving a wrong judgment, and Pasupathi becomes the next Nattamai.
Cast
- Sarathkumar as Nattamai (Shanmugam) and Pasupathy (dual role)
- Meena as Meena
- Khushbu as Lakshmi
- Sanghavi as Kanmani
- Vijayakumar as Periya Nattamai (Shanmugam, Pasupathy, Selvaraj Father)
- Raja Ravindra as Selvaraj
- Manorama as Nattamai's paternal aunt
- Goundamani as Nattamai's paternal cousin/ Mangalam
- Senthil as Nattamai's paternal uncle
- Ponnambalam as Nattamai's paternal cousin
- Pandu as Nattamai's assistant
- Vinu Chakravarthy as Meena's Father
- Vaishnavi as Ponnambalam's wife
- Rani as the teacher
- Erode Soundar as Nattamai's paternal aunt's husband
- S. P. Rajkumar as deaf man
- Kovai Senthil
- Master Mahendran
- Crane Manohar
- Kanal Kannan as Silambam player (special appearance)
Production
Director K. S. Ravikumar initially approached Mammootty to play the lead role.[2] For reasons unknown, he declined the offer. Sarathkumar was then signed for as the lead. The film became the fourth collaboration between Ravikumar and Sarathkumar. When Ravikumar approached Khushbu for Nattamai's wife role, she hesitated as in most part of the film she had to look old, except in a brief flashback. She asked him whom he will cast if she denies, Ravikumar said he will approach veteran actress Lakshmi; this made Kusbhoo to take up this role.[3] Mahendran was introduced as child artist through this film.[4] Vijayakumar was initially cast as the elder brother, but a few days before shooting began, Ravikumar decided to have Sarathkumar play both brothers and Bharathiraja was Ravikumar's initial choice for the character of Vijayakumar.[5][6]
Controversy
In his early days as an actor, Sarathkumar was considered to be close to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa.[7] However, Sarath's proximity to Jayalalithaa landed him in deep trouble when Nattamai, which was still running in Tamil Nadu theatres, was aired by Jayalalithaa's television channel JJ TV, using a U-matic tape, which Sarathkumar gave her for personal viewing at her residence. What the understanding between Jayalalithaa and Sarathkumar was not clear. However, this caused a furore in the film industry as the producer R. B. Choudary threatened action against Sarathkumar for misusing a tape given to him for personal viewing. An embarrassed Sarathkumar explained that he was taken by surprise and that he never expected Jayalalithaa to give it to the channel for telecast. He sought an explanation from both Jayalalitha and JJ TV, but without success. The ruling party reacted predictably, using every forum to attack Sarathkumar.[8]
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by Sirpy and lyrics were written by Vairamuthu.[9][10]
No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics |
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1 | "Kambeduthu Vantha Singam" | Mano, K. S. Chithra | Vairamuthu |
2 | "Kotta Paakkum" | S. Janaki, Mano | |
3 | "Kozhi Kari Kulambu" | K. S. Chithra | |
4 | "Meena Ponnu" | Mano, Sujatha | |
5 | "Naan Uravukkaaran" | Mohammed Aslam, Sujatha | |
6 | "Naattamai" | Malaysia Vasudevan, Sindhu |
Release
Nattamai was released on 2 November 1994, during Diwali.[11] The Indian Express wrote that there was "never a dull moment" in the film.[12] It became a blockbuster and completed a 175-day run at the box office.[13]
Legacy
The success of the film prompted Super Good Films, K. S. Ravikumar, Erode Soundar and Sarathkumar to announce a film titled Paamaran soon after. However, the project was later stalled owing to a fallout between the actor and the director. Despite discussions for director Vikraman to take over the film, the project was stalled.[14]
Owing to its success, Nattamai was remade in Telugu as Pedarayudu (1995),[15] It was remade in Kannada as Simhadriya Simha (2001). It was also remade in Hindi as Bulandi (2000).[16]
The tagline Nattamai, theerpa maathi sollu (Chieftain, change your judgement) became popular after release.[17] It became a trendsetter for many films in later years. The success of the film inspired similar themes about village chieftain. Vijayakumar's portrayal of village chieftain received critical acclaim and he went on to be typecasted with similar characters in later films. The film gave breakthrough in the career of Sarathkumar and the actor did similar films – Suryavamsam (1997), Natpukkaga (1998), Maayi (2000), Diwan (2003) and Ayyaa (2005) which featured him in double roles in the backdrop of village.[18][19]
In popular culture
Nattamai has been parodied and referenced many times.[20] In a comedy scene from Aahaa Enna Porutham (1998), Goundamani mocks at the superstitions of village panchayat saying that chieftain should have assistant tagging along with him and should have a pot of water.[21] Comedian Vivek has parodied this aspect in many films. He did a similar spoof in Sandai (2008) and Thoondil (2008) and made fun of village rituals in Kadhal Sadugudu (2003). Scenes from the film was parodied in Shiva starrer Thamizh Padam (2010), Ponnambalam who did the negative role in the original film had appeared as village chieftain in this film.[22]
References
- "ரஜினி சொன்ன ஒன்லைன்; கமல் காட்டிய 'இந்தியன்' ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக்..! - கே.எஸ்.ரவிக்குமார்". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 21 May 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- Shruti TV (15 July 2018). "கெட்டதா இருந்தாலும் Commercial படமும் வேண்டும்! - K. S. Ravikumar – Peranbu Audio Launch". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- "'நாட்டாமை' படத்தில் குஷ்பூ கேரக்டரில் முதலில் நடிக்க இருந்தது லஷ்மியா..?". Tamil Cine Talk (in Tamil). 9 February 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- Kumar, S. R. Ashok (10 November 2013). "Audio Beat: Vizha – Tunes that will touch a chord". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- "DID YOU KNOW ?". The Times of India. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- IndiaGlitz Tamil Movies (15 April 2017). "Bharathiraja was my first choice for Nattamai, Nattpukaga : K S Ravikumar at Film Institute Launch". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- "Star wars". India Today. 31 October 1995. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- Shekhar, G. C. (31 December 1995). "Jayalalitha's unlucky stars". India Today. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- "Aanazhagan - Nattamai Tamil Audio Cassettes". Banumass. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- "Nattamai". JioSaavn. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- "Nattamai". The Indian Express. 2 November 1994.
- Mannath, Malini (11 November 1994). "Just end". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- "வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள் - திண்ணை". puthu.thinnai.com.
- "Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition 2".
- "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cine News". cinema.maalaimalar.com.
- "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Bulandi review". www.rediff.com.
- "Top 7 Village Panchayat Presidents of Tamil cinema | Sarath Kumar – Nattamai". Behindwoods.
- "- தமிழ் Movie News – IndiaGlitz.com".
- "Telugu Cinema News – Telugu Movie Reviews – Telugu Movie Trailers – IndiaGlitz Telugu".
- Kamath, Sudhish (28 July 2013). "Getting it right". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- Aaha Enna Porutham (DVD).
- "Tamil Padam Movie Review (2.5/5): Critic Review of Tamil Padam by Times of India". The Times of India.