Swarnamukhi (film)

Swarnamukhi is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. S. Adhiyaman. The film stars R. Parthiban, Prakash Raj and Devayani, while Jai Ganesh, Fathima Babu and Manivannan play supporting roles. It was released on 20 February 1998. The film was remade in Telugu with the same name.[1]

Swarnamukhi
DVD cover
Directed byK. S. Adhiyaman
Written byK. S. Adhiyaman
Produced byK. Sethu Rajeswaran
Starring
CinematographyT. Anandakumar
Edited byGokula Chezhian
Music bySwararaj
Production
company
Muthu Movies
Release date
  • 20 February 1998 (1998-02-20)
Running time
160 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Vanaja is full of gratitude when Varadarajan, a scheming politician, generously helps her daughter Swarnamukhi perform her arangetram in a local temple, but she does not know the man whom she is being grateful to and is forced to become his mistress to safeguard her daughter's future. Akash, a Voltas representative, falls in love with Swarnamukhi and proposes marriage. She tries to keep him at arm's length by revealing her love affair with Pandian, who had left her at the altar. When Akash is still willing, they decide to get married, but then Pandian turns up. In the end, however, Swarnamukhi is triumphant.

Cast

Production

When the film was still under production, Adhiyaman published the story as a serial in the magazine Ananda Vikatan.[2]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Swararaj, with lyrics written by Agathiyan, Arivumathi, Thenmozhiyan and Adhiyaman.[3][4]

SongSinger(s)Duration
"Kammakkarai"Arunmozhi, Swarnalatha5:40
"Neeyaga Pirinthayae"R. Janani2:51
"Olivalar"R. Janani2:40
"Paavaadaiyaa"Swarnalatha, Subha6:00
"Pollatha"Gajendran, K. S. Chithra5:09
"Poovum Malarnthida"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha4:54
"Unnaithane Vizhiengu"R. Janani2:52

Release and reception

Swarnamukhi was released on 20 February 1998.[5] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote that the director "draws the best of the three lead artistes, Parthipan, Prakashraj and Devyanai, each trying to outscore the other, the honours being even in the end". He also appreciated the cinematography.[6] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times lauded Adhiyaman's dialogue, the performances of Prakash Raj and Parthiban, but criticised Fathima Babu's performance and felt the cinematography by Anandakumar was "brilliant and at times shoddy and exasperating".[7]

Ji of Kalki wrote Devayani struggled while dancing Bharatanatyam but her acting becomes better in second half, he also praised Parthiban's presence as relief in first half, but felt his character's domination in second half reduces the scope of Prakash Raj's character and also found Parthiban's character uttering dialogues demeaning women and the reason for his behaviour were unnecessary and absurd. Ji concluded that since the film had too many dialogues having "naai" (dog), it gave a feeling of sitting in a corporation dog vehicle for two hours.[8] Two years after release, the producers were given a ₹5 lakh (equivalent to ₹21 lakh or US$26,000 in 2023) subsidy by the Tamil Nadu government along with several other films.[9]

References
  1. Ramesh, Kala Krishnan (31 January 1999). "Swarnamukhi". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  2. "A-Z Continues..." Indolink. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. "Swarnamukhi". Gaana. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  4. "Swarnamugi Tamil Film Audio Cassette by Swaraaaj". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  5. "Sornamugi ( 1998 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  6. Ramanujam, D. S. (27 February 1998). "Film Reviews: It Takes Two \ Sornamukhi". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 19 August 1999. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  7. Vijiyan, K. (13 March 1998). "'Sornamugi' springs a surprise". New Straits Times. pp. Arts 4. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  8. ஜி. (15 March 1998). "சொர்ணமுகி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 96. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  9. Mass Media in India. Publications Division. 2001. p. 181. ISBN 9788123009421. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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