Nireekshana (transl. The Waiting) is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film co-written, directed, filmed, and edited by Balu Mahendra. Produced by Linga Raju, the film stars Bhanu Chander and Archana. Allu Ramalingaiah, P. L. Narayana and Rallapalli play supporting roles. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was later remade in Malayalam language named Yathra.[1][2] The film won two Nandi Awards. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil, under the title Kanne Kalaimane.[3]
| Nireekshana | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Balu Mahendra |
| Screenplay by | Balu Mahendra Jandhyala (dialogues) |
| Story by | Ahila Mahendra |
| Produced by | Linga Raju |
| Starring | Bhanu Chander Archana |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
| Edited by | Balu Mahendra |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Lakshmi Films Division |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
editThe story unfolds as Murali Krishna, a convict, now free from jail, tells his tragic love story to his fellow passengers in a school bus. An orphan and a forest officer by profession, he falls in love with a local tribal woman, Tulasi, during his stay at a forest area. They decided to get married, and he sets off to tell his best friend about his plans.
On his way back, the police inspector (Narra Venkateswara Rao) arrest him as a suspected naxalite criminal, who looks similar to Murali Krishna. There he accidentally kills a policeman and gets life imprisonment. During his early days at jail, he writes a letter to Tulasi asking her to forget him. When his prison term was about to complete, he writes a letter to see if she waits for him. After long years of torment in the jail he goes to meet Thulasi. Does she still wait for him? That's the question of his fellow passengers, too. At the end, she does wait for him, and welcomes him with lamps.
Cast
edit- Bhanu Chander as Murali Krishna (forest officer)
- Archana as Tulasi (tribal woman)
- P. L. Narayana as Tulasi's father
- Rallapalli
- Allu Ramalingaiah as Church Father
- Narra Venkateswara Rao as D. Arjun Rao (Inspector)
- Kaikala Satyanarayana as Jailer
- Nirmalamma
- P. J. Sarma
- B. Saroja Devi
- Ranjitha
- K. K. Sarma
- Anju
- Preethi
- Keerthy Meenakshi
- Sumathi
- Malleswari
- Seethalakshmi
Production
editArchana acted for most of the film without wearing a blouse.[4] The film was also inspired by the human rights violations that occurred during the Emergency period (1975–77).[3]
Soundtrack
editThe music and background score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5] The lyrics were written by Aatreya.[6] The audio was published digitally by Aditya Music and Mango Music.[7] The song "Aakasham Enatido" is adapted from Malayalam song "Thumbi Vaa" which Ilayaraja originally composed for Malayalam film Olangal (1982) also directed by Mahendra.[5][8]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thiyyani Danimma" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja | 4:23 |
| 2. | "Yamuna Theere" | S. Janaki | 4:17 |
| 3. | "Chukkalle Thochave" | K. J. Yesudas | 4:22 |
| 4. | "Aakasam Eenatidho" | S. Janaki | 3:55 |
| Total length: | 16:17 | ||
Reception
editReviewing the Tamil-dubbed version Kanne Kalaimaane, Jayamanmadhan of Kalki appreciated Balu Mahendra's cinematography, said Archana had incredible eyes, and Bhanu Chander was "o.k".[9]
Accolades
editBalu Mahendra won the Best Cinematographer, and Archana won the Special Jury Award.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ Saawariya, Meenu (5 November 2016). "Mammootty's Longest Running Movies Ever". MalayalamEmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Venkateswaran, N. (14 February 2014). "Balu Mahendra, who made his visuals speak, dies at 74". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ a b Shedde, Meenakshi (18 July 2015). "Risking life and liberty". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Yesteryear actress Archana on her role in Nireekshana: It cannot be said that it is a bold character". The Times of India. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Ilayaraja's 'Thumbi vaa' is hummed in 7 different ways!". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "ఇన్ని ఏల సుక్కల్లో నిన్ను నేనెతికానే". Sakshi (in Telugu). 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Nireekshana". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "Multiple Versions of a Single Tune". musicquencher.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
- ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (24 January 1988). "கண்ணே! கலைமானே!". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 7. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Venugopal, L. (7 January 2011). "తెలుగుసినిమా చరిత్ర: Andhra Pradesh State Film Awarda(1986–1996)". Telugu Cinema Charitra. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
External links
edit- Nireekshana at IMDb