Enkitta Mothathe (2017 film)

Enkitta Mothathe (transl. Don't mess with me) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, written and directed by Ramu Chellappa. The film features Natraj, Rajaji, Parvathy Nair and Sanchita Shetty in the leading roles. Co-produced by Eros International with RV Films, the film tells the story of two fan club leaders of the actors Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth in Tirunelveli during 1988. The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 24 March 2017.[1][2][3]

Enkitta Mothathe
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRamu Chellappa
Written byRamu Chellappa
Produced bySunil Lulla
StarringNatraj
Rajaji
Parvathy Nair
Sanchita Shetty
Radha Ravi
CinematographyGaneshchandhrra
Edited byAthiyappan Shiva
Music byNatarajan Sankaran
Production
companies
Distributed byKR Films
Release date
  • 24 March 2017 (2017-03-24)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Cast edit

Production edit

In May 2015, Eros International revealed that they would produce two Tamil language films in the forthcoming year — an action drama titled Enkitta Mothathe by Ramu Chellappa starring Natraj and Rajaj, along with Pirai Thaediya Naatkal by Abraham Prabhu featuring Ashok Selvan.[2] The title is derived from the song of the same name from Rajadhi Raja (1989).[4] Director Ramu had earlier assisted director Pandiraj in Pasanga & Vamsam and Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga (2013) and worked as an assistant to director Selvaraghavan in Mayakkam Enna (2011).[5] He had wanted to make a film set in the 1980s after being inspired by Sasikumar's Subramaniapuram (2008) and had successfully narrated the script to Soundarya Rajinikanth, who had been on Eros's board at the time.[6] While writing the script, Ramu travelled to Nagercoil and Madurai and interviewed several cutout artists, while Natraj was given training by cutout artist Sada for his role in the film.[7] Production began in mid 2015, with the film revealed to be about opposing fan groups of actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan from the 1980s.[8] Parvathy Nair was picked for a lead role, after the director was impressed with her performances in Yennai Arindhaal (2015) and Uttama Villain (2015).[9][10] Sanchita Shetty was also cast in the film to portray a village belle and a Rajinikanth fan, who would be the love interest of Natraj.[11]

Soundtrack edit

Enkitta Mothathe
Soundtrack album by
Released10 November 2016
Recorded2016
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length20:43
LabelEros Music
ProducerNatarajan Sankaran
Natarajan Sankaran chronology
Kappal
(2014)
Enkitta Mothathe
(2016)
Evanukku Engeyo Matcham Irukku
(2018)

Natarajan Sankaran composed both songs and background score for this film, with Yugabharathi penning all the lyrics.

Tracklist
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Paayum Puli"YugabharathiHariharasudhan, Velmurugan03:56
2."Onna Paathen Raasathi"YugabharathiD. Imman, Vandana Srinivasan04:34
3."Payya Payya"YugabharathiV. V. Prasanna, Vandana Srinivasan04:12
4."Othha Ruva Pottu Vechu Oppari"YugabharathiPrabhu04:33
5."Lifea Fightu Da"YugabharathiNatraj03:28

Release edit

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Zee Tamil.[12] The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 24 March 2017, with the Deccan Chronicle giving the film a positive review. The critic stated "Enkitta Mothathey brims of life and enthusiasm and the cutouts bring this to the fore" and "Ramu Chellappa has done a good job in not the portraying the era in a frantic manner, but instead has used the fervent energy of the fans to its advantage".[13] Likewise, The Hindu stated "Enkitta Mothathe can hope to reach for the stars" and that the film "aptly reflects the times and lives of the cut-out artists of the 80s".[14] The Times of India wrote "a slew of characters, their unexpected plans to check the growth of the mandrams, a tale of friendship and two romantic tracks which run in parallel, keep the film engaging" but that "Ramu Chellappa doesn’t generate enough drama, and also fails to provide a satisfying conclusion".[15] Srivatsan from India Today stated "Despite a very very generic story, Ramu Chellappa has wonderfully captured the aura surrounding a Rajini-Kamal release" and "for the same, Engitta Modhathey is nothing short of a nostalgia trip".[16] Despite the favourable reviews, the film was removed from most screens by its second week owing to extended competition at the box office.[17] Baradwaj Rangan wrote for Film Companion, "Slowly, Enkitta Mothathe begins to turn into one of those dramas where friends are manipulated by ruthless politicians and their henchmen. Even here, the director brings in Kamal-Rajini shadings."[18]

References edit

  1. ^ "Eros Announces Two New Tamil Projects". Eros International. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Eros International announces two new Tamil projects". The Indian Express. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Eros International announces two new Tamil projects Perai Thedia Natkal & Enkitta Mothathe". Business Line. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  4. ^ "STICKING TO THE SUPERSTAR MANTRA…". Behindwoods. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Ramu Chellappa excited about his maiden release". The Times of India. 16 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  6. ^ "This Kovai director's film is a tribute to Thalaivar". The Times of India. 16 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  7. ^ Jeshi, K. (23 November 2016). "An ode to the fans". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Details about 'Puli' Natraj's New Movie". IndiaGlitz.com. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  9. ^ Vasudevan, K. V. (28 January 2017). "An actor without borders". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Parvathy Nair bags a big Tamil film". The Times of India. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Sanchita plays Rajinikanth fan in Enkitta Mothathe". Deccan Chronicle. 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  12. ^ "'Enkitta Mothathe' to be aired on Zee Tamil". The Times of India. 7 February 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Enkitta Mothathey movie review: Refreshing and very energising". Deccan Chronicle. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  14. ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (25 March 2017). "Brush with fame". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Engitta Modhathey Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  16. ^ Srivatsan (25 March 2017). "Engitta Modhathey movie review: Reliving Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan era". India Today. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  17. ^ "3. Engitta Modhathey". Behindwoods. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  18. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (25 March 2017). "Enkitta Mothathe Movie Review". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.

External links edit