Kovil (film)
Kovil (transl. Temple) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Hari and produced by A. M. Rathnam. It stars Silambarasan and Sonia Agarwal while Vadivelu, Rajkiran, Charle and Nassar play supporting roles. The music was composed by Harris Jayaraj, with editing done by V. T. Vijayan and cinematography by Priyan. The film released on 10 January 2004 and became a box office hit.[1]
Kovil | |
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Directed by | Hari |
Written by | Hari |
Produced by | A. M. Rathnam |
Starring | Silambarasan Sonia Agarwal |
Cinematography | Priyan |
Edited by | V. T. Vijayan |
Music by | Harris Jayaraj |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 148 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Plot
Puliyankulam and Veppankulam are nearby villages with an enmity lasting for a few generations. Periyasamy is a Hindu from Puliyankulam and is widely respected by the villagers. Michael Soosai is a devout Protestant from Veppankulam and does not trust other religions. Sakthivel is Periyasamy's son, who studies in a college in Nagercoil. Angel is Michael's daughter, who also attends the same college. Sakthivel and Angel meet in college and fall in love. Angel is afraid that her father will never allow her to marry a Hindu, especially from the rival village. Michael and Periyasamy learn about the relationship between Sakthivel and Angel. Michael gets enraged and scolds his daughter, while Periyasamy agrees for the wedding. Michael does not want an inter-religion marriage and decides to force his daughter to become a nun. Periyasamy arrives and tells the truth in front of everyone that Angel is Michael's adopted daughter who was born to Muslim parents. Michael realises his mistake and agrees for the wedding.
Cast
- Silambarasan as Shaktivel
- Sonia Agarwal as Angel Devi Soosai
- Vadivelu as 'Bullet' Pandi (Shaktivel's uncle)
- Rajkiran as Periyasamy, Shaktivel's father
- Nassar as Michael Soosai, Angel's father
- Rekha as Angel's mother
- Charle as Muruga
- Sathyan as Shakthivel's friend
- Ganeshkar as Shaktivel's friend
- Rajesh as Father
- Singamuthu as Astrologer
- Akash as Joseph, Angel's brother
- Bava Lakshmanan as Cycle Soosai
- S. Ramana Girivasan as Police Control Room Officer
- Paravai Muniyamma in a guest role
Production
Filming was held in locations including Tenkasi, Coutralam, Nagercoil and Munnar, and was completed within 59 days.[2]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Harris Jayaraj. All lyrics were written by Snehan, except for "Collegikku" (Na. Muthukumar).[3]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Arali Vidhaiyil" | Snehan | Palakkad Sreeram | 3:06 |
2. | "Collegikku" | Na. Muthukumar | Karthik | 5:16 |
3. | "Kadhal Panna" | Snehan | Kovai Kamala, Silambarasan, Vadivelu, Tippu | 4:33 |
4. | "Kokku Meena" | Snehan | Shankar Mahadevan, Srilekha Parthasarathy | 4:37 |
5. | "Puyalae Puyalae" | Snehan | Karthik , Mahathi | 4:59 |
6. | "Silu Silu" | Snehan | Tippu | 5:06 |
Total length: | 27:37 |
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ravika Leni" | Sahithi | Ranjith, Sumangali | 4:48 |
2. | "Kasi Kasiga" (Happy Version) | Sahithi | Harish Raghavendra | 5:05 |
3. | "Poovamma" | Sahithi | Murali, Sumangali | 5:00 |
4. | "Vishapu Vanilo" | Sahithi | Dr. Narayana | 2:06 |
5. | "Gunde Ninda Dhairyam" | Ponduri | Murali, Malgudi Subha | 4:33 |
6. | "Kasi Kasiga" (Sad Version) | Sahithi | Harish Raghavendra | 5:04 |
7. | "Collegeki Podam" | Ponduri | Ranjith | 5:20 |
Total length: | 31:56 |
Release and reception
Kovil was released on 10 January 2004.[6] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu praised Silambarasan's performance as being "restrained and mature", but criticised the story for lack of originality.[7] Sify reviewed the film more negatively, criticising its similarities to Alaigal Oivathillai (1981) and said, "Anyone who sees the film can find this out and is sure to compare it with the original". The reviewer appreciated Silambarasan because he was lacking "his usual mannerisms and style looks cool and is a relief to watch", although they criticised Aggarwal's performance and Harris Jayaraj's music.[8] Visual Dasan of Kalki praised Hari for handling a controversial subject while also appreciating Priyan's cinematography and Harris Jayaraj's music.[9] Malini Mannath wrote for Chennai Online, "The director's two earlier films Thamizh and Samy reveald him as a maker who thought differently. But this film is a routine, same romance, predictable and a little outdated".[10]
References
- Chandramouli, Rajesh (14 July 2004). "Tamil films under stress". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- Mannath, Malini (9 December 2003). "'Kovil'". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 26 April 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- "Kovil Tamil Film Audio CD by Harris Jayaraj". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- "Kovil". JioSaavn. 1 January 2003. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- "Rudrudu". JioSaavn. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- "Pongal Attractions". Sify. 12 January 2004. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- Rangarajan, Malathi (30 January 2004). ""Kovil"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- "Kovil". Sify. 12 January 2004. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- தாசன், விஷுவல் (25 January 2004). "கோவில்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 95. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- Mannath, Malini (17 January 2004). "Kovil". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 2 March 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2023.