Murattu Kaalai (1980 film)

Cast

Production

The film became the fourth collaboration between SP. Muthuraman and Rajinikanth. It was Rajini's first collaboration with AVM Productions. The film marked the comeback of AVM Productions to films after 8 years. Vijayakanth was initially approached for negative role but he declined since he did not want to play a negative role alongside Rajinikanth who is his favourite actor. Jaishankar was selected thus featuring him in such a role for the first time. Jaishankar was initially reluctant to play the negative role but agreed after the insistence of his friends. "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. The climax fight sequence at the top of train was choreographed by Judo. K. K. Rathnam and was taken near Tenkasi Junction railway station using a hired train. The fight scene was shot in 3 days by the crew at a high cost.

Soundtrack

The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Panju Arunachalam. "Entha Poovilum" song was inspired from George Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite Number one, 4th Movement called 'Carillon'. In Oct 2015, "Entha Poovilum" song tune has been adopted for the Oreo Cadbury advertisement. The song "Pothuvaaga En Manasu" remains one of the famous songs of Rajini among his fans.

Release

The film was screened alongside other Rajini films - Pokkiri Raja, Paayum Puli and Manithan at Albert theatre as a part of film festival during Rajinikanth's birthday on 12 December 2013.

Legacy

The film introduced the trend of introduction songs which went on to become a trademark in Rajini's films. The climax fight sequence and the bull fight scene remains one of the landmark fight sequences in Tamil cinema. Rajini went on to do similar stunts in Endhiran (2010) and Lingaa (2014). The dialogue "Seeviduven" (English: I’ll chop off your head) became one of the popular dialogues from the film. In Enthiran (2010), Kalabhavan Mani utters the dialogue by threatening Rajinikanth. In Muthu (1995), Muthu (Rajinikanth) is seen performing the song "Podhuvaga En Manasu" in the stage. Annanukku Jai (1989) directed by Gangai Amaran and starring Arjun was inspired from the line from the song "Podhuvaaga". Title of the film has inspired a song "Kaalai, Kaalai" for another Rajini starrer Manithan (1987). After Mullum Malarum and Murattukaalai, the lead character's name Kali soon became the name most often used by Rajinikanth onscreen; his characters in subsequent films such as Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984), Kaali (1980) and Athisaya Piravi (1990) were named Kali. In Subramaniapuram (2008), Azhagar (Jai) and Paraman (Sasikumar) is seen watching "Murattukaalai" at a theatre. Similar to Murattukaalai, Veeram (2014) also featured Ajith's relationship with four younger brothers though the storyline was different, Veeram also featured a fight scene in train but with different context.

Remake

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. 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.