Kudaikul Mazhai (transl. Rain in an umbrella) is a 2004 Tamil-language drama film written, directed and produced by Parthiban. He also stars in the lead role alongside Madhumitha, while Sriman portrayed a supporting role. The film released in September 2004 and was a box office bomb
| Kudaikul Mazhai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Parthiban |
| Written by | Parthiban |
| Produced by | Parthiban |
| Starring | Parthiban Madhumitha Sriman |
| Cinematography | B L Sanjay |
| Edited by | Ram Sudharsan Suresh Rajan |
| Music by | Karthik Raja |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editVenkat (Parthiban) finds himself in a spot when suddenly a young, modern, good-looking Madhumita (Madhumitha) follows him everywhere, proclaiming her love for him. He knows that she's too big a catch for him and even tells her so, but when she goes on in a romantic vein, he yields to the temptation. And that spells his doom for it has been a charade all along. The shock is too much for the mild mannered Venkat. The affected, cobwebbed mind begins to develop schizophrenic tendencies.
Cast
edit- Parthiban as Dixon Raj
- Madhumitha as Madhumitha
- Sriman
- Deepa Venkat
Production
editThe film was originally titled Nee + Naan, though Parthiban chose to rename it Kudaikul Mazhai (transl. Rain in an umbrella) as the story was about his character's first love and felt that the experience metaphors an experience of rain inside an umbrella.[1] The scenes were shot with a steady cam and 435 cameras, using sophisticated techniques, with scenes usually filmed at night.[2] Many of the scenes were shot at a huge set erected at Pallavaram by art director R K Vijaymurugan.[3] The film was completed with little publicity and promotion, with Parthiban noting he did not want his audience to come to the cinema halls with preconceived ideas about the film.[4]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Karthik Raja. The lyrics were written by Na. Muthukumar and Parthiban.[5]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Enga Poi Solluven" | Na. Muthukumar | S. P. Balasubramaniam | 05:20 |
| 2. | "Oru Kottaikkul" | Na. Muthukumar | Suchitra, Ranjith, Sujatha | 05:03 |
| 3. | "Adiye Kiliye" | Parthiban | Ilaiyaraaja | 02:41 |
| 4. | "Onnu Rendu Moonu" | Parthiban | Tippu | 05:13 |
| 5. | "Pada Pada Vena" | Na. Muthukumar | Karthik | 01:04 |
| 6. | "Theme Music" (Instrumental) | – | 02:40 | |
| 7. | "Adiye Kiliye (Violin Music)" (Instrumental) | – | 02:24 | |
| 8. | "Kudaikkul Mazhai (Thalattu)" (Instrumental) | – | 01:57 | |
| Total length: | 26:22 | |||
Release and reception
editMalathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said the film "is a marked deviation from formula fare. Parthiban the creator has slogged to provide a new menu for the audience. And he has, as far as the theme goes."[6] Sify's critic noted "within the commercial format and he has done his best to make a different film".[7] Visual Dasan of Kalki called the film a visual poem and praised Parthiban for breaking the cliches of Tamil cinema.[8] Chennai Online wrote "It's a novel experiment in scripting and narrative style as far as Tamil cinema is concerned. A daring attempt by Partibhan as a producer, script-writer-director-hero to experiment with an unusual, hitherto untouched concept by film-makers here: To make the scrip revolve around just two characters, and have just two artistes in the frames for the most part. And to plan the scenes in just two main locations".[9]
The film however met with a "cold response" at the box office, with Parthiban suggesting that the film was "far ahead of its time".[10] Madhumitha's performance in the film was well received and she was offered several Tamil films soon after the release of Kudaikul Mazhai.[11]
References
edit- ^ "'Kudaikkul Mazhai' will click: Parthipan". Sify. 1 September 2004. Archived from the original on 24 September 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Kudaikkul Mazhai". Sify. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (5 August 2004). "Kudaikkkul Mazhai". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "An interesting package". The Hindu. 18 June 2004. Archived from the original on 20 November 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Kudaikkhul Mazhai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 18 April 2013. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (10 September 2004). "Kudaikkul Mazhai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 December 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Kudaikkul Mazhai". Sify. 3 September 2004. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ தாசன், விஷுவல் (12 September 2004). "குடைக்குள் மழை". Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 72–73. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (10 September 2004). "Kudaikul Mazhai". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 4 February 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Jeshi, K. (24 March 2013). "On a journey". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Having a ball". The Hindu. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
