Neengal Kettavai

Neengal Kettavai (transl. What you asked for) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language masala film[1] written and directed by Balu Mahendra. It stars Thiagarajan, Bhanu Chander, Archana and Silk Smitha in major roles, while Jaishankar had an extended cameo as the antagonist. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was commercially successful at the time of release.

Neengal Kettavai
Title card
Directed byBalu Mahendra
Story byAkila Mahendra
Starring
CinematographyBalu Mahendra
Edited byD. Vasu
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Filmco
Release date
  • 28 June 1984 (1984-06-28)
Running time
132 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Poornima Bhagyaraj, a widow living in Ooty, leads a peaceful life with her two sons. Jaishankar, a tourist who visits the place rapes her. In the act, Poornima dies leaving her two sons who witness the murder. The eldest son (Bhanu Chander) is raised by his maternal uncle while the younger brother (Thiagarajan) joins a blind music teacher as he has great interest in music. Years later he becomes a great singer. Meanwhile, his brother is trained effectively by his uncle learning martial arts with the intention of avenging the death of his mother as he very well remembers the culprit's face. With a turn of events leading to both sons joining together and take revenge for their mother's death forms the rest of the story.

Cast

Production

Archana made her Tamil cinema debut with the film.[2] The film, unlike Balu Mahendra's previous ventures, was an "outright commercial picture". He later claimed that he made the film to prove his critics that he could make commercial films.[3] Hence he titled the film Neengal Kettavai (What you asked for).[4] A few scenes were shot at the VGP golden beach.[2] The song "Oh Vasantha Raja" was shot at Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram.[5]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[6] The song "Kanavu Kaanum" is based on "Kasme Vaade" from Upkar (1967).[7] For the dubbed Telugu version Kodama Simhalu, the lyrics were written by L. Aathma Rao and Rajashri.[8]

Tamil version
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Adiye Manam Nilluna"VaaliS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki5:14
2."Kanavu Kaanum"VairamuthuK. J. Yesudas5:18
3."Naane Raja"Na. KamarasanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:25
4."Oh Vasantha Raaja"PulamaipithanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:23
5."Pillai Nila" (female)VairamuthuS. Janaki4:20
6."Pillai Nila" (male)VairamuthuK. J. Yesudas4:51
Telugu version
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Nene Raja"L. Aathma RaoRavichandra3:53
2."Edhi Paapam Edhi Shaapam"RajashriRamakrishna4:25
3."Edhi Bomma Muddula Gumma"L. Aathma RaoChinna, Padma4:58
4."Poochendulo Viruyu"RajashriP. Susheela4:13
5."O Vasantha Raagam"L. Aathma RaoP. Susheela, Radha Mohan4:06
6."Poochendulo Viruyu" (Sad)RajashriRamakrishna4:39

Reception

Kalki caustically commented, "Balu Mahendra, idhaiyaa kettom?" (Balu Mahendra, did we ask for this?).[1] Despite the film's box-office success, Mahendra never opted to make more films of the same genre.[3]

References
  1. "நீங்கள் கேட்டவை". Kalki (in Tamil). 22 July 1984. p. 60. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  2. S.R., Ashok Kumar (3 May 2007). "Good roles are hard to come by, says actor Archana". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  3. Prasad, G. (18 August 2007). "Off the beaten track". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  4. "Why Balu Mahendra made Neengal Kettavai?". The Times of India. 22 March 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. Krishna, Nithese (27 January 2021). An Angel's Story. Amazon Digital Services. pp. 77–78. ISBN 9788195000654.
  6. "Neengal Kettavai (1984)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  7. Srinivasan, Karthik. "Ilayaraja [Tamil]". ItwoFS. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  8. "Kodama Simhalu". Spotify. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
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