Koyil Kaalai
Koyil Kaalai (transl. Temple Bull) is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, co-produced and directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Vijayakanth, Kanaka, Sujatha and Veera Pandiyan. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja who co-produced the film. It was released on 14 January 1993.[1]
| Koyil Kaalai | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Gangai Amaran |
| Screenplay by | Gangai Amaran |
| Story by | R. Selvaraj |
| Produced by | Gangai Amaran Ilaiyaraaja |
| Starring | Vijayakanth Kanaka Sujatha Veerapandiyan |
| Cinematography | A. Sabapathy |
| Edited by | B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Amma's Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Abandoned on the temple doorstep, Uppili grows up to be a sort of caretaker of the temple premises, doing odd jobs. His attitude often brings him into conflict with a moneyed-man Sundaralingam who tries to misuse temple lands leased out to him. Enters Arasayi, the fire-spitting lass who ends up marrying Uppili. She is daughter of the very man Murugesan whom Uppili caught red-handed stealing temple jewels. While facts distorted, Arasayi believes Uppili to be the culprit and had come with the intention of having her revenge. However, matters get sorted out and all ends well with the villain getting his due. There is also thrack of Maragathammal who looks after three temple accounts, her dumb daughter Usha, her scraps with Sundaralingam, and Uppili timely help.
Cast
- Vijayakanth as Uppili
- Kanaka as Arasayi
- Sujatha as Maragathammal
- Veera Pandiyan as Sundaralingam
- Yuvarani as Usha
- Mahima
- Valarmathi
- Shanmugasundaram as Murugesan
- Goundamani as Ramasamy
- Senthil
- Vadivelu as Vadivelu
- Periya Karuppu Thevar
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[2][3]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Thavamirunthu" | Chorus | Gangai Amaran | 04:19 |
| "Vanna Chintu" | Mano, S. Janaki | 05:01 | |
| "Aariraaro" | Mano | 01:33 | |
| "Thaayundu Thanthai" | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja | 05:00 |
| "Pallikoodam" | S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Gangai Amaran | 00:48 |
| "Pallikoodam" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:56 | |
| "Sola Kiligal" | S. Janaki, Mano | 04:59 | |
| "Thaayundu Thantai" | Gangai Amaran | Ilaiyaraaja | 05:00 |
| "Adi Maana Madhuraiyile" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | Gangai Amaran | 05:00 |
Reception
The Indian Express wrote, "The film with screenplay-direction by Gangai Amaran has nothing new by way of story or narration".[4] R. P. R. of Kalki criticised the film for its tiring plot, rotten sequences, lack of thrilling twists and three-to-four endings, adding that had the director applied his mind he would have at least made a perfect devotional film.[5]
References
- Sundaram, Nandhu (27 June 2018). "From 'Gentleman' to 'Amaravathi' : Revisiting popular films which released 25 years ago". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- "Koyil Kaalai". JioSaavn. 14 January 1993. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- "Koyil Kaalai Tamil FIlm Audio Cassette by Ilayaraaja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- Mannath, Malini (17 January 1993). "Old stuff". The Indian Express. p. 7. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ஆர்.பி.ஆர். (14 February 1993). "கோயில் காலை". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 30. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
External links
- Koyil Kaalai at IMDb