Muthal Mariyathai

This is one of cult classic of Tamil Cinema. Bharathiraja exploits the script for the best possible limits , added with Sivaji's , Vadikarasi and Radha's performance makes this rare combination. Taking a very unsual storyline for its times, handling with sensitivity in shoestring budget, Bharathiraja showed that he is master in this art . Story of Mid age man , unhappy with his marriage , seeks happiness in every small thing in the world, when a new firecracker enters the village, unknowingly he falls for her. Circumstances shows why line between right and wrong is always bleak. Nothing more can be said about the music of Illayaraja and Malayasia Vasudevan , that helped absorb every feeling the movie generated embed into your minds.

A very newbie Radha, who did typical dancing around Tree roles, was an exceptional with cute facial expression and boldness in ensuring she generates interest in the Old Man and shows the attraction in a natural and cute way also showing why such relationships are possible. Returning from retirement, Sivaji's acting and facial expression showed why he is considered the best actor of all times. His joyful Innocence in the initial playful scenes with Radha to the bold scenes where he shows his anger, Sivaji's verstality came out best in this movie. Man of verstalite There was so much that Sivaji had to offer which the Tamil Cinema never used. Last comes the best, the most underrated Actress of all times , Vadivukkarasi , though she was in her late 20s/early 30s probably during this movie, executed this role with so much rigor and passion with outstanding dialogue delivery ever by anyone. Something that probably came naturally to her, but her casting ensured, you cannot always define every circumstance between right and wrong, why life can be complicated. Bharathiraja showed how a movie can really move you emotionally , the pace of the movie builds up the emotion, however the everything falls in natural manner ,at the right pace, one could imagine how well this script was written. The Slang coupled with the Nativity of the villagers really takes you to the 80s setup of the movie. Showing his master touches, are many scenes, be it the one why Sivaji takes the Arwal angerily towards the end, and his bird cage drops , showing tradegy will happen. His love for his small bird Kuyil , also Radha's name. When kids run ,splashing water on Vadivukkarasi's face erasing her bindi , showing Satyaraj was her hidden lover. There are unlimited such mystery tied into the script. A masterpiece movie, one of best 10 movies in Tamil cinema.

Have watched it more than 100 times n tv but couldn't get enough of this most beautiful movie. Legend shivaji sir is easily one of the best actor in the world. His performace is pure magic and only he can do that. Radha's performance, music, cinematography, screenplay,everything is extraordinary and the beautiful village reminds me of my grandmother's place. Completely in love with this movie and it will stay in my heart forever.

I just finished viewing this movie and Iam all praises for this one. A great actor and a great director get together and the rest is history.

The movie is all about a middle aged man and a young beautiful girl, set in a village, and the romance that blossoms between them. This leads to trouble as the elderly man, played by Sivaji, is a big wig in the village and he is already married though unhappily. He carries a dark secret in his bosom which is revealed at the end of the movie.

The songs are great, set to folk tunes, the direction is excellent sensitive and portrays human emotions beautifully. The natural locales are very pleasing to the eyes. Kudos to the Raja duo - Bharathiraja and Ilayaraja. Now coming to the acting part and that is the essence of this movie. Sivaji carries this movie solely on his able shoulders. His acting makes up at least seven stars of the total ten. As to the criticism leveled against him that he "overacts", this movie is a smashing rebuttal. The adage that you are capable of 'overacting' only if you are capable of acting, is proved by his movie. Sivaji's histrionics are controlled and measured. Every scene explodes with his brilliance. No words to describe his talent. He arguably is India's greatest actor . This movie is a proof of the fact that how a great actor like Sivaji in the hands of a great director like Barathiraja can make movie-magic. The storyline is quite unique for its times, though there are some distracting sub plots. This is inevitable especially in those days where the director is forced to keep an eye on the box office jingle.

To summarize a great movie worth watching at least thrice !

This movie is a diamond in the hat of Indian Cinema. Music director Ilayaraja has done phenomenal work and his music composed in Tamil folk song style will transverse through your heart. The scenes shot in Talakadu, Mysore by epic director Bharathiraja will take you through the realistic life and scenery of village. Further, the acting by 'Nadigar Thilagam' Shivaji was equally challenged by his counterpart ' Radha' with her powerful eyes. The director has taken a very delicate subject showing the love between Village head old man and an young women who belonged to the so called lower caste. Vairamuthu's vaira lyrics and the dialects by Vadivukkarasi are amazingly beautiful.

Please watch this movie.

I first saw this movie when I was 7 or 8 years old. But had a chance to see this movie couple of times later in DD during Sunday Regional movies. This is one of the rare Indian films which makes you to watch again and again. Though I was not a big fan of Shivaji since I belonged to a different generation :) but the way he acted in this movie and how he had handled the delicate role made me take notice of his wonderful acting skills. And could understand why he is know as the King of Acting. The story & scenes were simple as it was village love story but with a different dimension. This is one of the best movies of the noted director Bharthyiraja. Finally this is one of the classic films of Tamil Film Industry and could probably say the director of Chenikum should have watched this movie 100 times before making his masterpiece.