Punnagai Mannan

Punnagai Manan is undoubtedly one of the finest love stories set against a musical backdrop to emerge in Indian cinema. Directed by the veteran of Tamil cinema K. Balachandar, he once again paints the celluloid with a touching story about the immortality of love. The film opens as Sethu (Kamal Haasan) and Ranjini (Rekha) count their moments before plunging to death as they're communion is opposed by her parents. Since Sethu belongs to a low class and his father being a cook, Ranjini's father strongly dismisses him from being his prospective son-in-law. In the fateful event, Ranjini dies but Sethu survives. He's sentenced to one-year imprisonment much to his own surprise, as he doesn't wish to live. His uncle, Chaplin Chellapa (Kamal Haasan) a man who dedicated his life to make people laugh, instils hope and sense into him. Upon his return from prison he heads home, but finds new additions to his father's growing collection of wife's. Not wanting to be a part of the herd, he takes up a job as a dance instructor in an arts centre offered by Padmini (Srividya), who runs the institute. He spots Malini (Revathi) on the verge of committing suicide at the very place he plunged with Ranjani, which he now considers as his 'monument of love'. He succeeds in persuading her to change her mind, giving a few insights on the values of life to which she humbly submits. Malini develops a liking towards Sethu, and enrols in his dance class, but his hostile rude attitude towards her makes things difficult. Her love increases even more when she learns about his past from Chaplin Chellapa, who also provides her with ample ideas to woo him. Despite his best attempts to stay away from Malini, Sethu is drawn to her and confesses his secret admiration towards her ever since they met. Life brings upon a sea of change as Sethu begins to reinvent himself through Malini's immense love. All's well until he meets Malini's parents, as they humiliate him for being a cook's son, whereas Malini hails from a wealthy Sri Lankan family. Sethu's past misfortunes continue to chase him as Malini's parents firmly reject their love. Will history repeat itself…

The musical sequence just before Sethu proposes Malini is regarded as one of the most cherished moments on screen of Tamil cinema. Kamal deserves applause for bringing back to life cinema's most loved character of all time as homage to Charlie Chaplin. An evergreen love story that has stood the test of time, and a classic that is not to be missed.

Punnagai Mannan (1986) : Brief Review -

One the Finest Musical Rom-Com Tragedy Ever Made in India which has its own experimental theories in Mainstream Features. How the hell it has remained Underrated? Whatever Romantic Comedies and Tragedies you have have seen before 90s, try and remember all the theories and forget them all at once. Because Punnagai Mannan is new experiment in Mainstream cinema that has more than expected and more than demanded in every aspect. The film begins on different note from other romantic movies. While all the regular tragedies had death factor saved for the climax, this film starts its engine with that tragic note. And how. Totally different, experimental, something that we haven't seen before. A failed suicide attempt also explores a disowned life formula when Kamal Haasan asks Court to hang him instead of 1 year sentence. At the same time we meet Kamal Haasan's 2nd role where he is seen in Charlie Chaplin's shoes. Then another suicide attempt but for childish mistake and new Love story begins. Now tell me how many Indian Films have had so much in store just for the basic plotting? Kamal Haasan is a terrific as an actor in both the roles. His Chaplin acts are stunning, one of them also inspired his own 'Apoora Sarodharagal' and additionally we are blessed to see his Dancing skills. In Sagara Sangmam he ruled in Classical dance form but here it was completely opposite, a modern form of Dance and he has nailed it. Revathi looks so beautiful as Malini and her dancing skills are absolutely top notch. Ilaiyaraaja's Music is Fine but the songs have made this film little longer. Otherwise, the screenplay is very engaging. I enjoyed it thoroughly and didn't feel bored even for a moment which i felt somewhat for other high rated comedies of Kamal Haasan. This is an Evergreen Classic by K. Balachander, some stuff like one of its own kind in this Rom-Com genre.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This movie is definitely one of the best movies made in Tamil. You can give anything for Kamal's performance as Sedhu and Ilayaraja's music. The story is beautifully told with some hilarious and touching side tracks as well - that of Chaplin Chellapa (Kamal again) and Sri Vidhya. Revathi proves her skill with her dancing and acting. The movie is a delight to watch an is not just another romantic flick.The romance on screen is poetry brought to screen..........

The songs are mesmerizing and each frame a treat to the eyes. The dance sequence of Kamal and Revathi just before the wonderful scene in which Kamal tells Revathi of his love are top-notch !! There may be different views on the ending. But I felt it was just very different and gave a touch of poignancy to the whole movie. Lastly, I'll bet anything that you simply cannot resist falling in love with Kamal after watching this movie. I did !!!

The crew of the movie itself a great one to list down. K.B, Kamal Hassan, Sri Vidya, Revathy, Delhi Ganesh. Again, K.B proved he is a good screenplay writer than a director. I would call the movie to be a hit because of its screeplay. Second comes the performance of the actors.

Yet again, this film is a major hit in music. I would call this movie released in the golden period of Tamil cinema, where what ever Ilayaraja composed came out to be a music, rhythm what ever you call it as.

The plot is all about Sedhu (Kamal Hassan) and his couple of love stories. One with Rekha who is dead in a suicide attempt with Sedhu (ofcourse Sedhu escapes in a tragic way. You people should watch this scene. OMG... its out standing performance... Kamal Hassan brings out the real expression when his beloved is dead infront of him.. and he cant even die...). Then comes the love of Revathy. She is real cute and acted well.

And another character named Chaplin Chellappaa (played by Kamal again) is also good and comic. The scenes where he tries to make kids laugh are so nice. Simple and neat performance by Sri vidya.

Overall, the film is so enjoyable till the climax. Watch the unexpected climax. I would have given only 6.5/10 if the climax is 'subam'

This is another one of Kamal Hassan's great movies. The on screen combination of Revathi and Kamal really worked. Kamal, in the role of Chaplin Chellappa, gave us a hint of what was to come in his "Aboorva Sagodharargal"; where he acts as a midget. The music is the movie is mind blowing and was ahead of time during those days. The songs are great and loved by a lot of people even today. The cinematography was excellent. The movie is out on DVD and certainly was worth buying.