Gopurangal Saivathillai (transl. Gopurams do not tilt) is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Manivannan and produced by P. Kalaimani. The film stars Mohan, Suhasini and Radha, while S. Ve. Shekher and Vinu Chakravarthy play supporting roles. It revolves around a man who is forcibly married to a woman he deems unattractive, and later begins a relationship with another woman.
| Gopurangal Saivathillai | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Manivannan |
| Screenplay by | Manivannan |
| Story by | P. Kalaimani |
| Produced by | P. Kalaimani |
| Starring | Mohan Suhasini Radha |
| Cinematography | A. Sabapathy |
| Edited by | L. Kesavan |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Everest Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Gopurangal Saivathillai is the directorial debut of Manivannan who wrote the screenplay from Kalaimani's story. It was released on 15 October 1982. The film was remade in Telugu as Mukku Pudaka (1983) with Suhasini reprising her role; in Kannada as Brahma Gantu (1985); and in Hindi as Naseeb Apna Apna (1986). The film was also the inspiration behind two Tamil TV series: Kasthuri (2006) and Sundari (2021).
Plot edit
Arukkani is an illiterate village girl, and her father is upset at having not been able to find her a suitable groom. One day, her father meets his old friend Bhoothalingam and shares his sadness with him; Bhoothalingam proposes that his son Murali marry her, and Arukkani's father accepts. Murali is a handsome, educated man and a successful sales manager. On hearing of his father's plans, he is excited to meet his future bride. However, on his wedding day, he is shocked to see Arukkani, whom he considers ugly. He only begrudgingly marries her. Murali continues to resent her deeply for the way she looks.
Later, Murali takes a transfer through work to Bangalore, leaving behind his father and wife. In Bangalore, he becomes friendly with his modern and stylish colleague, Julie. They fall in love, marry, and start their life. Two months later, Murali gets a telegram that his mother is sick and rushes home to find that it was a ruse. His dad forces him to take Arukkani with him to Bangalore. Grudgingly, Murali brings her to Bangalore and purposefully loses her in the railway station. However, as a twist of fate, Julie's elder brother Stanley meets Arukkani and brings her to their house that night. Arukkani is shocked upon discovering the truth but keeps quiet on her husband's name to save Murali. Julie hires Arukkani as a stay-in maid until her supposed husband returns. She eventually transforms Arukkani into a brown-skinned beauty and somewhat civilized girl.
A month later, both Arukkani and Murali's fathers make a visit to them. Arukkani's father discovers the truth and is shocked to the core, but Arukkani convinces him to not to reveal the truth to Murali's father, fearing for her husband's safety. Arukkani's father agrees with a heavy heart. He convinces Murali's father to leave at midnight so as to leave the couple at privacy. Both Murali and Stanley start to like Arukkani. Finally, Julie learns the truth and sends Murali away with Arukkani, keeping her own pregnancy a secret.
Cast edit
- Mohan as Murali[1]
- Suhasini as Arukkani[2]
- Radha as Julie[1]
- S. Ve. Shekher as Stanley, Julie's brother
- Vinu Chakravarthy as Bhoothalingam
- Manobala as Pathani Bhai
- Loose Mohan
- Senthil
- Sabitha Anand
- T. K. S. Chandran
- Kamala Kamesh
- Vellai Subbaiah
- Sundar
- Nalini
- Master Haja Sheriff
Production edit
Gopurangal Saivathillai is the directorial debut of Manivannan,[3] and was initially titled Arukkani.[4]
Soundtrack edit
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5][6]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "En Purushanthan" | Muthulingam | S. P. Sailaja, B. S. Sasirekha | 4:05 |
| 2. | "Oorengum" | Gangai Amaran | Ilaiyaraaja | 3:58 |
| 3. | "Poo Vaadaikatru" | Vairamuthu | S. Janaki, Krishnachandran | 3:57 |
| 4. | "Pudhichalum Pudichen" | Avinashi Mani | Krishnachandran | 4:14 |
| 5. | "Vaadi Samanja" | Vaali | P. Susheela | 4:08 |
| Total length: | 20:22 | |||
Release and reception edit
Gopurangal Saivathillai was released on 15 October 1982.[7] Kalki appreciated the film for its story, Manivannan's direction and Suhasini's performance.[8]
Other versions edit
Gopurangal Saivathillai was remade in Telugu as Mukku Pudaka (1983) with Suhasini reprising her role;[9] in Kannada as Brahma Gantu (1985);[10] and in Hindi as Naseeb Apna Apna (1986).[11] The film was also the inspiration behind two Tamil TV series: Kasthuri (2006) and Sundari (2021).[12]
References edit
- ^ a b Sangeetha, P (18 September 2018). "Manivannan is the only director who excelled in all kinds of cinema: Karu Palaniappan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (24 January 2014). "Racism in Kollywood & the 'Kumar Vishwas' uproar". Sify. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "நட்சத்திரங்களுடன் ஒரு வண்ணத்துப்பூச்சி: 32- இயக்குநர் ராசி அழகப்பன் எழுதும் தொடர்". Andhimazhai (in Tamil). 24 February 2020. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ சாருஹாசன் (8 June 2015). "அழியாத கோலங்கள்". Kungumam (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Gopurangal Saivathillai Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraaja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Gopurangal Saivathilai (1982)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (17 October 2019). "பாக்யராஜுக்கும் மணிவண்ணனுக்கும் கத்திச்சண்டை; 'கோபுரங்கள் சாய்வதில்லை' - அப்பவே அப்படி கதை". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "கோபுரங்கள் சாய்வதில்லை". Kalki (in Tamil). 5 December 1982. p. 40. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "భార్య రూపం కన్నా హృదయం ముఖ్యమని చెప్పే". Sakshi (in Telugu). 21 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Arunachalam, Param (14 April 2020). BollySwar: 1981–1990. Mavrix Infotech. p. 784. ISBN 9788193848227.
- ^ "Bollywood has an offensive history of using blackface – and it's still doing it". Scroll.in. 5 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "டாப் கியரில் செல்லும் சன் டிவி சுந்தரி சீரியல்.. கதையில் அப்படி ஒரு ட்விஸ்ட்!". News18 (in Tamil). 5 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
