Murattu Kaalai (English: Raging Bull) is a 1980Tamil film, produced by AVM Productions. Directed by S. P. Muthuraman, the film stars Rajinikanth, Jaishankar, Rati Agnihotri and Sumalatha in the prominent roles. This was the first film for Rajinikanth with AVM Productions. AVM had stopped producing films by 1970 and Murattukaalai was their re-entry into Tamil films. It was dubbed in Telugu as Oorikokkadu.^[1] The film was a major commercial success, and was instrumental in establishing Rajinikanth as both an action hero and superstar.

Cast[edit]

• Rajinikanth as Kaalaiyan
• Jaishankar as Pannaiyar
• Rati Agnihotri as Kannamma
• Sumalatha as Soundarya
• Y. Gee. Mahendra as Kaalaiyan's brother
• Suruli Rajan as Samipillai
• S. A. Asokan (Guest Appearance)
• Thengai Srinivasan (Guest Appearance)
• Ramesh as Kaalaiyan's younger brother

Production[edit]

Murattu Kaalai was the fourth collaboration between S. P. Muthuraman and Rajinikanth. It was Rajini's first collaboration with AVM Productions.^[2] The film marked the comeback of AVM Productions to films after a long sabbatical.^[3] This was the first film where Jaishankar, who was generally known for playing heroic roles, played an antagonist.^[4] Jaishankar was initially reluctant to play the negative role, but agreed after the insistence of his friends.^[5] 'Given Jaishankar's past record, Rajinikant wanted us to ensure that Jaishankar too gets his fair due in the film's publicity. That's his greatness', says AVM Saravanan.^[6][7] The climax fight sequence at the top of a train was choreographed by Judo. K. K. Rathnam.^[3]

Soundtrack[edit]

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and the lyrics were written by Panju Arunachalam.^[8] The song 'Entha Poovilum' was inspired by George Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite Number one, 4th Movement, called 'Carillon'.^[9] The song 'Pothuvaaga En Manasu' remains one of the famous songs of Rajini among his fans.^[10]

• 'Entha Poovilum' - S. Janaki
• 'Maaman Machchan' - S. P. Sailaja
• 'Pothuvaka En Manasu Thangam' - Malaysia Vasudevan
• 'Puthu Vannankal' - S. Janaki
• 'Kaalai Adakuthal' (Theme Music)
• 'Kodanu Kodi Konda Selvanai Padunga' - Malaysia Vasudevan & S. Janaki

Release[edit]

Murattu Kaalai was released on 20 December 1980.^[11]Ananda Vikatan gave the film a B rating (equal to 40 or 45 marks out of 100).^[12]

Legacy[edit]

The film introduced the trend of introduction songs which went on to become a trademark in Rajinikanth's films.^[13][14] As film historian G. Dhananjayan noted, 'With [Murattu Kaalai], Rajinikanth went from being an acting hero to an action hero. He became a larger-than-life hero and superstar after this film.'^[15] The climax fight sequence and the bull fight scene remain as landmark fight sequences in Tamil cinema.^[16][17] Rajini went on to do similar stunts in Endhiran (2010) and Lingaa (2014).^[18] The dialogue 'Seeviduven' (English: I’ll chop off your head) became one of the popular dialogues from the film.^[19] In Enthiran (2010), Kalabhavan Mani utters the dialogue by threatening Rajinikanth.^[20] In Muthu (1995), Muthu (Rajinikanth) is seen performing the song 'Podhuvaga En Manasu' on the stage.^[21]Annanukku Jai (1989), directed by Gangai Amaran and starring Arjun was inspired from the line of the song 'Podhuvaaga'.^[22] The title of the film has inspired a song 'Kaalai, Kaalai' for another Rajini starrer Manithan (1987).^[23] In Subramaniapuram (2008), Azhagar (Jai) and Paraman (Sasikumar) is seen watching 'Murattukaalai' at a theatre.^[24][25] Similar to Murattukaalai, Veeram (2014) also featured Ajith's relationship with four younger brothers, though the story line was different, Veeram also featured a fight scene on a train, but with a different context.^[26][27]

Remake[edit]

In September 2008, it was revealed that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's grandson Gunanidhi was set to produce a remake of the film.^[28]Murattukaalai was remade with Sundar C. and Sneha playing the lead roles. Jaishankar's character was played by Suman and Surulirajan's character was played by Vivek, his character was changed as transgender in the remake. The remake version was released in 2012 after a long delay to negative reviews and failed to repeat the success of the original.^[29]

References[edit]

1. ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ4mhwHZkaA
2. ^Ramachandran, Naman (2014) [2012]. Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography. Penguin Books. ISBN978-81-8475-796-5.
3. ^ ^abhttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/290817/action-heroes-are-in-demand-worldwide-rajinikanth.html
4. ^Sreekanth, Gayathri (2008). The Name Is Rajinikanth. Om Books International. p. 352. ISBN978-81-87108-44-3.
5. ^http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Sep_21_30/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Jaishankar_page2.html
6. ^https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/only-rajini-can/articleshow/756523.cms
7. ^http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/james-bond-of-tamil-cinema/article4911904.ece
8. ^https://www.discogs.com/Ilaiyaraaja-Murattu-Kaalai/release/11434909
9. ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o6kXi44Coo
10. ^https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/columns/2017/aug/13/hero-worship-1594.html
11. ^Saravanan 2013, p. 237.
12. ^'முரட்டு காலை'. Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 18 January 1981.
13. ^http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/dec/22muthu.htm
14. ^https://www.thehindu.com/thread/arts-culture-society/article8560629.ece
15. ^'Who's the Boss?'. The Indian Express. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
16. ^https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/jallikattu-matters-it-s-a-symbol-of-self-assertion-people-power-in-tamil-nadu/story-d93ESvkMTrYNd8mw7nZfQP.html
17. ^http://cms.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/sep/26/All-aboard-the-Kollywood-express-1522992--1.html
18. ^http://tamilcinema24.com/news-id-rajinikanth-endhiran-28-06-147696.htm
19. ^http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/rajinikanths-punchnama/article5453063.ece
20. ^Endhiran (DVD): clip from 1:48:57 to 1:49:00
21. ^Muthu (DVD): clip from 27:31 to 28:10
22. ^http://play.raaga.com/tamil/album/Annanukku-Jey-T0002645
23. ^http://play.raaga.com/tamil/album/manithan-t0000577
24. ^http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/flashbacks-of-a-filmcrazed-town/article2495168.ece
25. ^Subramaniapuram (DVD): clip from 47:12 to 51:54
26. ^http://www.indiaglitz.com/ajith-plays-murattu-kaalai-rajni--tamilfont-news-90723
27. ^http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/ajith-reprises-rajinis-murattu-kaalai-role-ajith-rajini-06-02-13.html
28. ^http://www.sify.com/movies/now-kalaignar-tv-too-gets-into-production-news-tamil-kkfsPBcifee.html
29. ^http://www.sify.com/movies/murattu-kaalai-review-tamil-15001045.html

Bibliography[edit]

• Saravanan, M. (2013) [2005]. AVM 60 Cinema (in Tamil). Rajarajan Pathippagam.

External links[edit]

• Murattu Kaalai on IMDb