Simmarasi (transl. Leo) is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language film directed and written by Erode Soundar. The film stars Sarathkumar and Khushbu. Kanaka, Manorama, Anandaraj and Vineeth play supporting roles. It was released on 19 October 1998, during Diwali,[1] and became a success. Sarathkumar won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. A sub-plot of the film went on to be used in the Telugu film Siva Rama Raju and the Kannada film Paramashiva, both of which were remakes of another Sarathkumar film Samudhiram.[citation needed]
| Simmarasi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Erode Soundar |
| Written by | Erode Soundar |
| Produced by | R. B. Choudary |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | G. Kicha |
| Edited by | V. Jaishankar |
| Music by | S. A. Rajkumar |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (July 2023) |
A man named Manickavasagam happens to stop a caste fight in a village. The villagers ask him to remain and help with their conflicts, thus inciting the wrath of Maragatham. Maragatham is the biggest badman in the village, and he even killed his own brother for marrying into a different caste. Lakshmi's son Kathir wants to build a factory, which Manickavasagam will not allow. This makes Kathir ally with Maragatham. Finally Manickavasagam kills Maragatham.
Cast
edit- Sarathkumar as Manickavasagam
- Khushbu as Sivagami, Manickavasagam's wife
- Kanaka as Lakshmi
- Manorama as Manickavasagam's mother
- Anandaraj as Maragatham
- Vineeth as Kathir, Lakshmi's son
- Ponnambalam as Police Inspector
- Thalaivasal Vijay as Lakshmi's husband
- Fathima Babu as Maragatham's wife
- Easwari Rao as Rasathi
- Manivannan
- R. Sundarrajan
- Bala Singh
- Singamuthu
- Thalapathy Dinesh
Production
editKanaka replaced Nagma in the film during July 1998 after her relationship with Sarathkumar ended.[2]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar.[3]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thaayae Thirisooli" | S. A. Rajkumar | Krishnaraj, S. A. Rajkumar | 6:09 |
| 2. | "Vanathu Nilaveduthu" | Kalai Kumar | P. Unni Krishnan, Swarnalatha | 4:16 |
| 3. | "Kumbakonam Santhayile" | Vasan | Arunmozhi, Sujatha | 4:30 |
| 4. | "Paru Thambi Paru" | Erode Soundar | Mano | 4:02 |
| 5. | "Pacha Manna Thottu" | Mu. Metha | Mano, Sujatha | 4:05 |
| Total length: | 23:02 | |||
Reception
editA critic from Dinakaran noted that "some of the scenes have come out good. But there is very, very long flash back scenes that among them some of the scenes really don't have that much relevance to the story line".[4] Kala Krishnan-Ramesh of Deccan Herald wrote "Simmarasi deserves a response because its themes, its emotions, its sounds and colours are grander than those we are accustomed to."[5] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "Good performance by the principal players and the dialogue and screenplay of director Erode Sounder sustain the momentum in Supergood Films', Simmaraasi. The emotional content of the human drama, told in two parts, one taking place in the city and the other in a village, has been adequately supported by situations".[6]
Accolades
editSarathkumar won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor (also for his role in Natpukkaga), and Mohan Rajendran won for Best Art Director.[7]
References
edit- ^ "தீபாவளிக்கு வெளியான தமிழ் படங்கள் - 2". Screen 4 Screen (in Tamil). 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Gobichetipal, Chandra. "Love's labor lost". Minnoviyam. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Simmarasi". JioSaavn. 1 January 1998. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Film Review "Simma Raasi"". Dinakaran. 27 November 1998. Archived from the original on 4 August 2003. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Simha Rasi (Tamil)". Deccan Herald. 20 December 1998. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (6 November 1998). "Film Reviews: Simmaraasi \ Kuch Kuch Hota Hai \ Prem Aggan". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 7 April 2001. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu state film awards announced; "Natpukkaga" bags best film award". The Hindu. 17 July 2000. Archived from the original on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
