9 Nelalu or Tommidi Nelalu (transl. 9 Months) is a 2000 Telugu-language drama film directed by Kranthi Kumar. It starred Soundarya and Vikram.[1] It opened to positive reviews from critics and was later re-shot and released in Tamil as Kanden Seethaiyai (transl. I saw Seetha), due to Vikram's newfound popularity post-Sethu.[2] The film was premiered retrospective at the Toronto International Film Festival; Kumar shot the film in a record 15 days.[3] Noted directors V. V. Vinayak and Surender Reddy worked as assistant directors on the film.[4] The film was a box office flop although Soundarya's performance was praised.[5][6]
| 9 Nelalu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Kranthi Kumar |
| Produced by | Kranthi Kumar |
| Starring | Soundarya Vikram |
| Cinematography | C. Ramprasad |
| Music by | V. S. Udhaya |
Production company | Sri Sai Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
editThe film revolves around Savitri (Soundarya), an innocent simple and loving orphan, and Surendra (Vikram), an intelligent computer programmer. When Savitri has a marriage arranged with a drunkard (M. S. Narayana), Surendra stops this alliance and graciously agreed to marry her.
However, trouble starts when Surendra's brainchild, a virtual reality program on temples of South India is sabotaged, and he is accused of selling out to a rival company. Disillusioned by the sudden turn of events, he crashes into a truck and sustains a serious head injury that requires a major operation.
Savitri finds herself deserted by all her well-wishers when it comes to financial help, and her husband's life hangs in the balance. A lady doctor suggests that she become pregnant through artificial insemination for a rich man, whose wife is impotent, in exchange for monetary remuneration. Savitri agrees and the rest of the film is based on the social stigma attached to artificial insemination and surrogate motherhood.
Cast
editAs per the film's opening credits:[7]
- Soundarya as Savitri
- Vikram as Surendra
- Nutan Prasad as Judge
- Tanikella Bharani as Lawyer
- Narra Venkateswara Rao as Surendra's father
- M. S. Narayana as Surendra's coworker
- Raghunatha Reddy as Doctor
- Dharmavarapu Subramanyam as Surendra's uncle
- Sudarshan as Savitri's family friend
- Uttej as Ice cream seller
- Sudha as Surendra's mother
- Madhavi Latha as Nurse
- Lakshmipati as News reporter for Popular TV (uncredited)[8]
- Tamil version
Production
editSoundarya dubbed her own voice for her character in the film.[10]
Soundtrack
editA. R. Rahman was initially signed on to score the film's music,[11] but he later opted out owing to budget constraints. Later V. S. Udhaya came in as themusic director.
All lyrics are written by Snehan.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Athi Kalai" | Srinivas | 5:02 |
| 2. | "Vingnanathai Nambi" | Vivek | 5:01 |
| 3. | "Yar Vanthu" | Harish Raghavendra | 5:56 |
| 4. | "Yar Vanthu" | Harini | 5:56 |
| 5. | "Americavil" | P. Unnikrishnan | 4:16 |
| 6. | "Alwana Alwada" | Harini | 5:01 |
| 7. | "Surian" | Pushpavanam Kuppusamy | 5:12 |
| Total length: | 35:24 | ||
Reception
editChristopher Domingo of Fullhyd.com noted that "in short, this is cinema at its best" and that "the script is smooth flowing and engrossing" and that "it leaves you with a thought and a sense of pride in Indian cinema. Whether it will go down well with the masses is doubtful as there are no songs, action or cheap comedy, which might be a bitter pill to swallow for most". In regard to performances, the critic notes that Soundarya "excels in her role and that her expressions, body language and dialogue delivery fit her role like a glove" and that "Vikram has given a controlled performance as the troubled, confused, yet loving husband".[14] C Vanaja of Indiainfo wrote, "The director has succeeded in dealing with the issue in a convincing manner though he resorts to melodrama in some scenes. Soundarya is extraordinary in her role, with Vikram lending able support".[15][16] The film was later re-shot and released in Tamil as Kanden Seethaiyai with a comedy track separately shot with Vivek and Mayilsamy added in.[2]
References
edit- ^ Veena. "10 Hit Telugu Movies Of 'Chiyaan Vikram'". Filmibeat.
- ^ a b Ashok Kumar, S. R. (22 December 2000). "Film Review: Kandaen Seethaiyai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015.
- ^ "Still the regular guy". The Hindu. 4 March 2005. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2022 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Interview with V. V. Vinayak about Alludu Sreenu". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Telugu cinema in 2000 - films list". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Analysis - Soundarya". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "9 Nelalu Full Length Movie | Vikram, Soundarya". Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "9 Nelalu Full Length Movie | Vikram, Soundarya". Event occurs at 1:11:17. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ a b Rajendran, Gopinath (19 February 2023). "'I am Venugopal, from Tidel Park': Remembering Mayilsamy's iconic roles". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ "Telugu cinema celebrity - Soundarya". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "The Complete Biography of A.R.Rahman – The A.R.Rahman Page". gopalhome.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ "Kanden Seethaiyai Songs Download, Kanden Seethaiyai Tamil MP3 Songs, Raaga.com Tamil Songs". www.raaga.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Kanden Seethaiyai - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn". 1 January 2002. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via www.jiosaavn.com.
- ^ Domingo, Christopher. "9 Nelalu Review". fullhyd.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ Vanaja, C. "9 Nelalu : Travails of a surrogate mother". Indiainfo. Archived from the original on 11 February 2001. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "9 Nelalu REVIEWS". www.andhratoday.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2002.