Maanagara Kaaval (transl. City Police) is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language political action thriller film directed by M. Thiyagarajan. The film stars Vijayakanth and Suma. It is the 150th film of AVM Productions. The film was released on 28 June 1991.[2]
| Maanagara Kaaval | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. Thiyagarajan |
| Written by | M. Thiyagarajan Liaquat Ali Khan (dialogues) |
| Produced by | M. Saravanan M. Balasubramaniam |
| Starring | Vijayakanth Suma |
| Cinematography | Shiva |
| Edited by | G. Jayachandran |
| Music by | Chandrabose |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editAshok Metha, a senior politician, is enraged when a junior Roopavathi is made the Prime Minister of India. Though he pretends to accept his party's decision, he secretly plots to eliminate her. Meanwhile, a high-profile officer is killed in Delhi by a professional killer, Robin and Vidya witnesses the murder.
Vidya arrives in Chennai for a dance event and falls in love with Subash, an honest IPS officer who is mourning the loss of his beloved sister. He manages to impress Roopavathi by arresting Vannai Varathan, an MP from her party, for creating social unrest. She gives him a green signal, and Varathan is arrested. Varathan swears revenge. As the story progresses, Subash begins to develop feelings for Vidya.
Robin, who arrives in Chennai, tries to murder Vidya. But Subash catches him, and under the orders of his superior, IG Jayaprakash, he accompanies Robin to Delhi so as to hand him over to the Delhi police. Vidya also joins them. Robin manages to escape with the help of his gang, who pretend to be the concerned police officers, and Subash is suspended. However, Subash swears to find the culprits and stays in Vidya's house in Delhi. He is confronted by Gowtham IPS who was supposed to have taken Robin from the airport and accuses him of aiding an anarchist. Subash, on the contrary, believes Gowtham to be a mole.
After spotting and chasing Robin, Subash, much to his horror, comes across his dead sister Seetha. She reveals the circumstances that forced her to land there and also says that Gowtham is her husband. Parallel to these incidents, it is shown that Robin was hired by Metha to assassinate Roopavathi. The person whom the latter murdered in the beginning of the movie was Roopavathi, Chief Security Officer. Metha is indirectly helped by Vannai Varathan, who is out of the prison.
Subash discovers that the Inspector General of the Delhi police is the actual mole. However, before he can extract more information, the IG is killed. With the help of Gowtham, Subash manages to inform Roopavathi about Metha's treachery. Still, she is unable to take action against him due to his support and clean image in the party. Robin and his associates kidnaps and imprisons Gowtham, Subash and Seetha. After a prolonged struggle, Subash frees himself and kills Robin and Metha while an attempt was made on the life of Roopavathi.
Cast
edit- Vijayakanth as ACP Subhash IPS
- Suman Ranganathan as Vidhya
- M. N. Nambiar as IG Jayaprakash
- Lakshmi as PM Roopavathi
- Nassar as Gowtham IPS
- Vaishnavi as Seetha
- Anandaraj as Robin
- P. J. Sarma as Ashok Metha
- Dubbing Janaki as Subhash & Seetha Mother
- Senthil as Alagappan
- Thiyagu as MP Vannai Varathan
- Chinni Jayanth as Seenu
- LIC Narasimhan as Sivasankar
- Ganga as Suresh
- Baby Vichitra as seetha's daughter
- Ponnambalam as Fighter
- Thalapathy Dinesh as Fighter
- Murali Kumar as Police Inspector
Production
editMaanagara Kaaval was partially filmed at Palam airport, New Delhi.[3] It was the 150th film produced by AVM.[4] The film became Thyagarajan's final film as director before his death in 2021.[5]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics by Vaali.[6][7]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Kaalai Neram" | K. J. Yesudas | 04:21 |
| "Thodi Raagam Paadava" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | 04:57 |
| "Thiruvarur Thanga Thear" | S. P. Sailaja | 03:59 |
| "Vandikkaran Sontha Ooru" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja | 05:03 |
| "Thalai Vari Poochudum" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:36 |
Reception
editN. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote, "Even a film that sheet anchors itself on thrilling action, [..] in credibility by neat characterisation [..] but Maanagara Kaaval doesnt waste time on these".[8] C. R. K. of Kalki appreciated the film primarily for the cast performances.[9]
References
edit- ^ Saravanan 2013, p. 327.
- ^ "Maanagara Kaval". The Indian Express. 28 June 1991. p. 5. Retrieved 7 January 2022 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Subramanian, Anupama (17 October 2017). "Hari shoots at Palam airport". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "ஏ.வி.எம்: 1–150" [AVM: 1–150] (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 21 July 1991. pp. 8–12. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "M Thyagarajan, the director of Vijaykant's 1991 blockbuster Maanagara Kaaval, found dead opposite AVM Studio". Cinema Express. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "Managara Kaval (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ "Maanagara Kaaval Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Chandrabose". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Krishnaswamy, N. (5 July 1991). "Maanagar Kaaval". The Indian Express. p. 7. Retrieved 8 January 2019 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ சி. ஆர். கே. (4 August 1991). "மாநகர காவல்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 51. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
Bibliography
edit- Saravanan, M. (2013) [2005]. AVM 60 Cinema (in Tamil) (3rd ed.). Rajarajan Pathippagam. OCLC 1158347612.