''Baana Kaathadi'' () is a 2010 Indian
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
-language
romance film
Romance films or movies involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their journey ...
written and directed by Badri Venkatesh. The film stars newcomer
Atharvaa
Atharvaa Murali is an Indian actor who works in Tamil cinema. The son of actor Murali and grandson of director S. Siddalingaiah, Atharvaa began his acting career with ''Baana Kaathadi'' (2010). He then garnered critical acclaim for his perform ...
, son of Tamil actor
Murali, makes his debut in the film, and
Samantha
Samantha (or the alternatively Samanta) is primarily used as a feminine given name. It was recorded in England in 1633 in Newton Regis, Warwickshire. It was also recorded in the 18th century in New England, but its etymology is uncertain.
Specu ...
. Featuring music scored by
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja or Abdul Haliq (born 31 August 1979) is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He mainly scores music for Tamil films. Considered a versatile composer, he is particularly known for his use of Wes ...
, cinematography by
Richard M. Nathan and editing by
Suresh Urs
Suresh Urs is an Indian film editor who works predominantly in the South Indian cinema. He has edited over 700 films and 40 documentaries and television shows. Urs is well known for his association with directors like Girish Karnad, Mani Ratnam ...
, the film, which was launched in March 2009, released on 6 August 2010. It is the last movie of
Murali, who made a special appearance in this movie, before his death in September 2010. The movie received critical acclaim and an above average success at the box office . The music of the film was a major hit .
Plot
One day, in his rush to grab hold of a falling
kite
A kite is a tethered heavier than air flight, heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create Lift (force), lift and Drag (physics), drag forces. A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. ...
, Ramesh (
Atharvaa
Atharvaa Murali is an Indian actor who works in Tamil cinema. The son of actor Murali and grandson of director S. Siddalingaiah, Atharvaa began his acting career with ''Baana Kaathadi'' (2010). He then garnered critical acclaim for his perform ...
) bumps into Priya (
Samantha
Samantha (or the alternatively Samanta) is primarily used as a feminine given name. It was recorded in England in 1633 in Newton Regis, Warwickshire. It was also recorded in the 18th century in New England, but its etymology is uncertain.
Specu ...
), a
fashion
Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fashion in ...
technology
Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, science, ...
student. In the process, her
pendrive
A USB flash drive (also called a thumb drive) is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated USB interface. It is typically removable, rewritable and much smaller than an optical disc. Most weigh less than . Since first ...
falls into his pocket, without either of them realising. The pendrive consists of six months' worth of Priya's project work, and she needed to submit it. Asking the principal for an extension, Priya searches for Ramesh and manages to find him. She humiliates him, while he denies that the pendrive is with him. After college one day, Ramesh and his friends see Priya on the road. They tease and infuriate her, eventually leading to her slapping him.
A few days later, while Ramesh's mother (
Mounika
Vijaya Rekha known by her stage name Mounika is an Indian film and television actress who appeared in South Indian cinema, South Indian films and Tamil television drama, Tamil television serials. She was the third wife of director Balu Mahendr ...
) is washing his pants, she finds the pendrive. Ramesh realizes that the fault is his and immediately goes to return the pendrive. Priya is impressed with his attitude, as she had expected him to keep the pendrive because she slapped him. This marks the beginning of their friendship. As time passes, Priya and Ramesh become closer. Urged by his friends, Ramesh goes to tell Priya that he loves her. However, while asking for money from his friend Kumar (
Karunas
Karunas (born 21 February 1970 as Karunanidhi Sethu) is an Indian actor, politician and comedian in the Tamil film industry. Appearing mostly in supporting roles, he has also played lead roles in films including ''Dindigul Sarathy'' (2008) an ...
), he accidentally takes the
condom from Kumar's pocket. When Ramesh sees the condom, he tries to hide it from Priya. However, just then, the police arrives, and he is forced to drop it. Priya sees the condom and is shocked. She denies knowing Ramesh, resulting in him being taken to the police station.
Ramesh is finally brought home and refuses to talk to Priya. His friends try to talk to her, but she does not listen. However, when her friend tells her how much Ramesh actually loves her, she is finally convinced. Ramesh had actually bought Priya a grain of
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima
''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...
with her name written on it. Priya thus realizes that she also loves Ramesh and begins trying to get him to accept her. However, he refuses to accept her as he believes that she thinks of him as lower-class.
In a subplot, Ramesh witnesses a murder committed by the local gangster "Maanja" Ravi (
Prasanna). In shock, Ramesh runs away and eventually trips over an elderly man. The next day, Ravi sends Ramesh to
Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
, as he fears for his safety. A few days later, the deceased's son appears in the commissioner's office with the elderly man, who claims that he can identify the boy who ran into him. Apparently, the deceased is an ex-MLA, and the commissioner decides to deal with the matter himself. The inspector warns Ravi and his gang, implying to them that the witness should be killed.
Meanwhile, Priya receives a call from her mother telling her that her father is going for surgery and asks her to return to the US. Priya tells Ramesh that she will be waiting at the bus stop the next day, at the same place where they first met. If he loves her, he would come. The next day, eventually being coaxed by Kumar, Ramesh goes to see her. On the way, Ravi tries to kill him, but his conscience gets the better of him. However, he also knows that there is another goon in the same bus as Priya waiting to kill Ramesh. Ramesh manages to stand in front of Priya, and they hold hands for a while. Ramesh then slips off the steps and is run over by the bus. His mother, friends, and Priya mourn his death, while the goon who was supposed to kill him slips away.
The movie ends with Priya in a car, looking at the grain of rice that has her name on it which Ramesh presented to her for her birthday.
Cast
*
Atharvaa
Atharvaa Murali is an Indian actor who works in Tamil cinema. The son of actor Murali and grandson of director S. Siddalingaiah, Atharvaa began his acting career with ''Baana Kaathadi'' (2010). He then garnered critical acclaim for his perform ...
as Ramesh
*
Samantha
Samantha (or the alternatively Samanta) is primarily used as a feminine given name. It was recorded in England in 1633 in Newton Regis, Warwickshire. It was also recorded in the 18th century in New England, but its etymology is uncertain.
Specu ...
as Priya
*
Karunas
Karunas (born 21 February 1970 as Karunanidhi Sethu) is an Indian actor, politician and comedian in the Tamil film industry. Appearing mostly in supporting roles, he has also played lead roles in films including ''Dindigul Sarathy'' (2008) an ...
as Kumar
*
Mounika
Vijaya Rekha known by her stage name Mounika is an Indian film and television actress who appeared in South Indian cinema, South Indian films and Tamil television drama, Tamil television serials. She was the third wife of director Balu Mahendr ...
as Ramesh's mother
*
Rajendran
A. Rajendran,(born 1 June 1957) credited as Motta Rajendran or ''Naan Kadavul'' Rajendran, is an Indian stunt double and actor working mainly in Tamil cinema. He debuted in 2003 with the Tamil film '' Pithamagan'' and has worked as a stunt doub ...
as Gang Leader
*
Manobala as Conductor
*
T. P. Gajendran as Kumar's father
*
Udayaraj as Ramesh's friend
*
Alex
*
Imman Annachi
Imman Annachi (born 13 may 1970) is an Indian actor, television presenter, politician and comedian who has appeared in character roles in various Tamil films.
Career
Imman Annachi made his debut hosting a show named ''Konjam Arattai Konjam Se ...
*
Prasanna as "Maanja" Ravi (cameo appearance)
*
Murali as '
Idhayam' Raja (guest appearance)
*
Debi Dutta in an
item number
In Indian cinema, an item number or item song is a musical number inserted into a film that may or may not have any relevance to the plot. The term is commonly used within Indian films (Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, and ...
Production
On 9 March 2009, the film's launch took place at
AVM Studios in
Vadapalani
Vadapalani is a neighbourhood in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its film studios and the Vadapalani Andavar Temple, which is an important pilgrimage centre. Situated in the western part of Chennai, Vadapalani is an i ...
in
Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
, which was attended by the entire cast and crew and other prominent film personalities actor
Murali and producer
S. A. Chandrasekhar. A major portion of the film is said to have been shot at the International Kites Festival of Gujarat, which would be the first time in the history of Tamil cinema.
Soundtrack
''Baanas soundtrack is composed by
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja or Abdul Haliq (born 31 August 1979) is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He mainly scores music for Tamil films. Considered a versatile composer, he is particularly known for his use of Wes ...
. The soundtrack album, which was released on 30 April'10 at
Sathyam Cinemas
SPI Cinemas is an Indian multiplex chain originally owned by the SPI Group, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The company is often lauded for its premium quality and inexpensive pricing. Its theatres, primarily Sathyam, are often used by ...
in Chennai, features 5 songs, 4 of which being
solo numbers. However, contrary to earlier reports, the album didn't feature a remix of the
Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan, 3 June 1943) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, instrumentalist, lyricist and singer, popular for his works in Indian Cinema, prominently in Tamil films. Reputed to be one of ...
song "Aathadi Paavadai" from the film ''Poovilangu'' that starred Adharva's father
Murali.
Na. Muthukumar
Nagarajan Muthukumar (12 July 1975 – 14 August 2016) was a Tamil poet, lyricist, and author. Best known for his Tamil language film songs, he received the most Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist in Tamil and was a two-time recipient of the Nat ...
wrote the lyrics for two songs, while
Vaali,
Snehan
Snehan (born Sivaselvam) is a Tamil poet, politician, lyricist, and actor who has worked in the Tamil film industry. In the year 2018 he entered politics with Makkal Needhi Maiam and contested in the Lok Sabha election. In 2021 Tamil Nadu Legi ...
and
Gangai Amaran
Gangai Amaran is an Indian music composer, singer, lyricist, writer, film director and actor in Tamil films.
Personal life
Gangai Amaran was born in Pannaipuram in Theni district, Tamil Nadu in December 1947, as the youngest son of Daniel Ram ...
each penned one song. All songs received positive comments and became hit instantly.
Reception
''Times of India'' wrote "Clearly the screenplay hasn’t played out all that smoothly. The kite could have soared, but falters and dips too often". ''Behindwoods'' wrote "Director Badri Venkatesh could have handled the script a lot better. With a powerful production house and lots of talent at his disposal, he could easily have given much more powerful presentation. The screenplay does not demand attention at all and hence it is hard to hide a feeling of saturation when you are watching the movie".
References
External links
*
{{Sathya Jyothi Films
2010 films
2010s Tamil-language films
Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja
2010 directorial debut films