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.

Good Movie. Everybody acted good in the movie. Songs and BGM in the movie were so good. The comedy scenes in the movie were so good. The movie lagged at 1st half. The movie was good at 2nd half. This movie is one of the Best Movie of Kamal Haasan and K. Balachander. Good Movie.

Punnagai mannan is an unimmitable love story, written and directed by K. Balachander, one of the greatest directors in Indian cinema. This story begins with the suicidal attempt of Sethu and Ranjani, in which Sethu is 'unfortunately' not dead. After a year in prison for the offense of attempting suicide, Sethu comes back and tries to lead a new life, but still in the memories of Ranjani. Meanwhile he meets Revathy, and saves her from attempting suicide and explains the stupidity of committing suicide as an experienced customer. This makes Revathy to fall in love with Sethu. The movie then moves on as a template love story except for the humor provided by Chaplin Chellappa. Chellapa is Sethu's uncle, also played by Kamal haasan. The movie then ends with a tragic note, unlike all the feel-good love stories of classic tamil cinema. The film has got exceptional music and background score by Maestro Illayaraja. The music for which kamal and revathy provide an outstanding dance performance was played by academy award winner, A.R.Rahman, when he was a keyboardist in Illayaraja's troop. This musical piece, though was not Rahman's own composition, was the first to be a part in a movie, originating from A.R.R's keyboard. This movie is backed by K.Balachander's excellent screenplay, and outstanding performances by all the people who've actually lived rather than acted in the movie. The movie also won Kamal haasan's third national award and proved the excellence of the living legend, yet again. This movie is surely a milestone in history of romance in tamil cinema.

Outstanding scenes in the movie: The first day of Sethu as a dance tutor and he counts 1....2.....3....

All the dance sequences.

And obviously, the unforgettable climax....!!

K.Balachander is one of the most intelligent film makers in Tamil Cinema, who is at present making his 100th film. So in his long, illustrious career, he's made several classics,"Punnagai Mannan" being one of his finest. It is interesting to note that he lets Kamal(the hero) and Illayaraja(Music) dominate the proceedings. The story is a beautifully written, well enacted one- that of a man struggling to face the bitter realities of life in trying to start a "second" life. The music, both the songs and the background score, is mind boggling-especially "Kaala Kaalamaaga," "Singalathu" and "Enna Satham" being great songs. The background score accompanied by the graceful dance of Kamal and Revathi (the heroine) is a highlight for the movie, so also Kamal's performance in another role-Chaplin Chellappa-the comic genius. All said and done, the climax is quite dissapointing and doesnt keep in line with the tone of the movie. The climax feels very contrived...other than that, a wonderful musical