Manathodu Mazhaikalam (transl. The mind with the rainy season) is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language buddy drama film directed by Arputhan, that stars Shaam, Nithya Das, Jayasurya, and Sameksha. This marked Arputhan's final directorial venture before his death on 7 November 2023.
| Manathodu Mazhaikalam | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Arputhan |
| Written by | Arputhan |
| Produced by | Antony |
| Starring | Shaam Nithya Das Jayasurya Sameksha |
| Cinematography | Raghav |
| Edited by | Raja Mohammad |
| Music by | Karthik Raja |
Production company | ELK Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 145 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editSiva (Shaam) and Sathya (Nithya Das) are college mates and good friends who always look out for each other. Their friendship continues even after their college days. Siva's and Sathya's parents mistake their friendship for an affair. The two refuse and make it clear that they are platonic friends with oneness in their thoughts. In the course of time, Siva marries Sruthi (Sameksha) and Sathya marries Karthik (Jayasurya). Sruthi soon becomes pregnant but dies of childbirth complications. Siva is left to raise his son on his own. Many years pass, and Siva's son begins to treat him badly, leaving him destitute. At the same time, Karthik informs Siva that Sathya is on her deathbed due to heart problems. In due course of time, Sathya dies. The film ends as Karthik and Siva, both widowers, walk together, vowing to remain good friends for the remainder of their lives.
Cast
edit- Shaam as Siva
- Nithya Dass as Sathya
- Jaisurya as Karthik
- Shamiksha as Sruthi
- T. P. Gajendran as Narayanan
- Vinod Raj as Siva's father
- Boys Rajan as Sathya's father
- Shyam Ganesh as Siva's son
- Malavika as Hemalatha
- Rindhiya as Siva's daughter-in-law
- Ganesh Babu as Jegan
- Akhila Prakash as Sathya's friend
- Marina as Marina
- Chaams as Employee (uncredited)
Production
editThe film is directed by Arputhan, who previously directed Arputham (2002).[1] The film was launched on 24 October 2005 at Prasad Studios.[2] Shaam veered away from his chocolate boy looks and portrayed an old man at the beginning and end of this film.[3] The film was shot at Christ College, Irinjalakuda. Karthik Raja reportedly composed music for the film in a houseboat in Kerala.[4] A song featuring Shaam and Samiksha was shot at Athirapalli falls.[5]
Soundtrack
editSoundtrack was composed by Karthik Raja.[6] The lyrics are written by Na. Muthukumar.[7]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Welcome To" | Sukhwinder Singh, Rahul Seth | |
| 2. | "Unakkum Enakkum" | Ranjith, Bobby, Priya, Saravanan | |
| 3. | "Kangal Theduthey" | Sadhana Sargam, Jassie Gift | |
| 4. | "Pani Vizhum Kaalam" | Karthik Raja, Madhushree, Premji Amaren | |
| 5. | "Aayiram Vanavil" | Sadhana Sargam, Madhu Balakrishnan | |
| 6. | "Kangal Theduthey" | Sadhana Sargam, Jassie Gift |
Reception
editA critic from Ananda Vikatan criticised the film's story but praised the background score.[8] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online opined that "It's a feel-good film, which would have felt better, and more engaging, with a tighter script and a firmer grip on the narration".[9] Lajjavathi of Kalki praised the performance of Shaam however he couldn't able to carry off old man's role while also appreciating the acting of Samiksha and Nithya Das, she noted that flashback was familiar, calling screenplay as predictable and panned the director for dragging the film.[10] A critic from Cinesouth wrote that "The film is without obscenity and irritating moments. The whole story has been beautifully conceived as a poem on celluloid by director Arpudhan, but he seems to have lost it in the screenplay and direction. So Manadhodu Mazhaikalam is like an umbrella with holes".[11]
References
edit- ^ "Behind the scenes of "En Peyar Enna"". The Hindu. 18 May 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ "'Manadhodu Mazhaikalam' - pooja pics". Cinesouth. 24 October 2005. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Dream boy in new avatar". The Hindu. 28 May 2006. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ "Manadodu Mazhaikalam". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Manathodu Mazhaikalam". Chennai Online. 15 October 2006. Archived from the original on 18 November 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Manathodu Mazhaikalam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Apple Music. 13 August 2006. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Manathodu Mazhaikalam". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "சினிமா விமர்சனம்: மனதோடு மழைக்காலம்" [Film Review: Manathodu Mazhaikalam]. Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 15 October 2006. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (27 September 2006). "Manathodu Mazhaikkalam". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 1 November 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ லஜ்ஜாவதி (8 October 2006). "மனதோடு மழைக்காலம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Manadhodu Mazhaikalam". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 12 November 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2024.