''Ullaasam'' () is a 1997 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
romantic 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 ...
directed and co-written by the duo
J. D. and Jerry and produced by actor
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...
. The film featured
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil films. To date, he has starred in over 60 films. His awards include four Vijay Awards, three Cinema Express Awards, three Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil N ...
,
Vikram and
Maheswari
Maheswari is an Indian former actress, who appeared predominantly in Telugu and Tamil language films. She was one of the leading actresses in Telugu and Tamil films from 1994 to 2000. She appeared alongside major South Indian stars like J ...
with
Raghuvaran
Raghuvaran Velayutham (11 December 1958 – 19 March 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly acted in films made in South India. He has acted in more than 200 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. According to the ''Hindustan T ...
,
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and
Srividya
Srividya (24 July 1953 – 19 October 2006), also known as Sreevidya, was an Indian actress best known for her work predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films, along with few Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. In a career spanning for 40 years, ...
in other pivotal roles. Featuring music by
Karthik Raja
Karthik Raja is an India composer based in Chennai, India. He made his debut as film composer in the Tamil film ''Pandiyan'' (1992) and went on to score music for many critically and commercially acclaimed feature films.
Personal life
Karthik ...
, the film was released on 23 May 1997.
Plot
The plot revolves around two fathers and their sons. JK, Dev's father, is a smuggler who lives in a house near by Thangaiah, father of Guru. In his childhood days, Guru was attracted by JK's activities and follows his footsteps. While Thangaiah tries to convince his son, it is all in vain. He became vexed and started to raise Dev (JK's son), as a good man. In their college days, Dev becomes a singer. With the "lover boy" image, he is really popular among the ladies in the college. While Guru studying in the same college becomes a dancer and turns out to be a local dada, who helps JK in his business. Both Guru and Dev fall in love with the same girl, Megha, who is in love with Guru.
Thangaiah realises Dev's love for her and begs Guru to leave his love for Dev, since he won't be able to lead a peaceful life in the shape he is. Despite Guru having thoughts of leaving Megha. Dev steps aside knowing that Megha is in love with Guru. As Dev hides his feelings for Megha. He wishes the both of them by saying, that the love they have for each other will prevail. The film ends with Guru's choosing to stay with the dark world and with Megha, by his side.
Cast
Production
The film became
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...
's first Tamil language film production under his banner,
Amitabh Bachchan Corporation and as a result, he chose to select several leading actors for the project.
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar (born 1 May 1971) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil films. To date, he has starred in over 60 films. His awards include four Vijay Awards, three Cinema Express Awards, three Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil N ...
signed on after the success of ''
Kadhal Kottai
''Kadhal Kottai'' () is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language romance film directed by Agathiyan. It stars Ajith Kumar and Devayani, with Heera, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Karan in supporting roles.
The film was a major commercial success and also won th ...
'' (1996), whilst
Maheswari
Maheswari is an Indian former actress, who appeared predominantly in Telugu and Tamil language films. She was one of the leading actresses in Telugu and Tamil films from 1994 to 2000. She appeared alongside major South Indian stars like J ...
, the cousin of actress
Sridevi
Shree Amma Yanger Ayyappan (13 August 1963 – 24 February 2018), professionally credited with her stage name Sridevi, was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films. Cited as the "First Female ...
, was signed after enjoying success in Telugu films. The makers initially tried to cast
Arun Vijay
Arun Vijay (born 19 November 1977), formerly known as Arun Kumar, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He also starred in a few films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.
Born as Arun Kumar and being the only son of veteran actor ...
in a parallel lead role, but his reluctance to work on dual hero films meant that
Vikram was signed. Moreover, the film boasted of a strong supporting cast of
Raghuvaran
Raghuvaran Velayutham (11 December 1958 – 19 March 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly acted in films made in South India. He has acted in more than 200 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. According to the ''Hindustan T ...
,
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and
Srividya
Srividya (24 July 1953 – 19 October 2006), also known as Sreevidya, was an Indian actress best known for her work predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films, along with few Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. In a career spanning for 40 years, ...
, whilst
Jeeva as cinematographer and
Raju Sundaram
Basuva Raju Sundaram is an Indian dance choreographer, actor and director, who works primarily in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films. He appeared as an actor in films such as but not limited to: ''Jeans'' (1998), '' 123'' (2002), ''I Love You Da' ...
as choreographer were also amongst the most prolific options in the Tamil film industry at their respective occupations. The director duo were signed on after Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited had been a part of the marketing team in some of the serial episodes they had directed. Abdullah, actress
Khushbu
Khushbu Sundar (born Nakhat Khan; 29 September 1970) is an Indian actress, politician, film producer and television presenter. She is known for her works predominantly in Tamil, besides Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada films. She is a rec ...
's brother, and
Roshini Roshni or Roshini is a given name. Notable persons with that name include:
*Roshini (actress), Indian actress
*Roshini (singer), Indian singer
*Roshini Kempadoo (born 1959), British photographer, artist, and academic
*Roshini Thinakaran, Sri Lanka ...
, actress
Nagma
Nagma Arvind Morarji (born Nandita Arvind Morarji on 25 December 1974) is an Indian politician and former actress. She was a popular lead actress in the 1990s. She made her cinematic debut in the film '' Baaghi'' opposite Salman Khan in 1990. ...
's sister, were also reported to be a part of the initial cast but eventually did not feature.
Leading Tamil actor
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema and has also appeared in some Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali l ...
sung a song, "Muthe Muthamma" for the film under the composition of
Karthik Raja
Karthik Raja is an India composer based in Chennai, India. He made his debut as film composer in the Tamil film ''Pandiyan'' (1992) and went on to score music for many critically and commercially acclaimed feature films.
Personal life
Karthik ...
. The film was briefly delayed due to the FEFSI production strikes of 1997.
Furthermore, during production Ajith suffered due to the dancing and fighting involved which caused problems for his back, leading to a further round of corrective surgery.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was composed by
Karthik Raja
Karthik Raja is an India composer based in Chennai, India. He made his debut as film composer in the Tamil film ''Pandiyan'' (1992) and went on to score music for many critically and commercially acclaimed feature films.
Personal life
Karthik ...
with actor
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema and has also appeared in some Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali l ...
also singing a song in the album. The lyrics were written by
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 ...
, Arivumathi,
Palani Bharathi
Palani Bharathi is an Indian writer and lyricist who works in Tamil cinema.
Early life
Palani Bharathi was born in Karaikudi to Sami Palaniappan, a poet, and Kamala. He has a brother and four sisters. Palaniappan was an assistant of orator/w ...
, Paarthi Bhaskar and
Arunmozhi
Arunmozhi ( ta, அருண்மொழி) (also called Napoleon Selvaraj) (born 1951) is an Indian playback singer and well-known flutist. He has sung songs composed by leading Indian film industry music directors, including Ilaiyaraaja, Shanka ...
(Rap). The song "Cho Larey" was based on the 1977 Peruvian song "La Colegiala". The song "Veesum Kaatrukku" was well received upon release.
Release
A critic from ''Indolink'' said that "though boasting of impressive names in its credits, ''Ullaasam'' doesn't bring out the best in any of them". R. P. R. of ''Kalki'' called the film's screenplay as Pallavan bus which goes in a speed then faces sudden breakdown often. The film became a financial failure at the box office, and became one of the five consecutive failure films by Ajith in 1997.
Post-release, Vikram acknowledged the film for expanding his female fan base as a result of the soft-personality of his character. Talking about the theatrical run of the film, the directors felt that "overkill" of the subject may have turned audiences away, and stated the youth-centric feel was similar to two earlier releases during the same period, ''
Kadhal Desam
''Kadhal Desam'' () is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language action romance film written and directed by Kathir and produced by K. T. Kunjumon. The film starred Vineeth and debutant Abbas in the main leads, along with actress Tabu (in her Tamil debut ...
'' (1996) and ''
Minsaara Kanavu
''Minsara Kanavu'' () is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language musical romantic drama film that was co-written and directed by Rajiv Menon. The film stars Arvind Swamy, Prabhu Deva, and Kajol in her Tamil debut, and revolves around Priya (Kajol), a con ...
'' (1997).
Legacy
In October 2019,
J.D. & Jerry expressed an interest in remaking the film with
Vikram Prabhu
Vikram Prabhu is an Indian actor working in Tamil language films who made his debut in Prabhu Solomon's '' Kumki'' (2012). He also played the protagonist in ''Ivan Veramathiri'' (2013) and ''Vellaikaara Durai'' (2014). He is the son of actor Pr ...
in Ajith's role and
Dulquer Salmaan
Dulquer Salmaan (born 28 July 1986) is an Indian actor, playback singer and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films, in addition to Telugu and Hindi films. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management ...
in Vikram's role, with
Pattukkottai Prabakar
Pattukkottai Prabakar is an Indian Tamil writer. He is the ultimate King of Crime and Thriller novels, also a versatile writer. Apart from print media, He is also a screenwriter for movies as well as TV. Pattukkottai Prabakar was born to Shri. ...
also working on an early draft for the new version.
References
External links
*{{IMDb title, 2373662
1997 films
1990s Tamil-language films
Indian romantic thriller films
1997 directorial debut films
1990s romantic thriller films
Films scored by Karthik Raja
Films directed by J. D.–Jerry