Anjali (1990)The first Mani Ratnam film to be dubbed into Hindi, thereby making the director known beyond festival circles, Anjali is the story of a middle-class family suddenly thrown off-kilter by the introduction of a new member: a three-year old named Anjali (Baby Shamili), an autistic child with a terminal disease, whom the father (Raghuvaran) had concealed from the rest of his family.
His wife (Revathy) who had assumed that her third child had died at birth, and two children (Tarun and Shalini) have to come to terms with this revelation, and at the same time prepare themselves to lose the little girl.
The highpoint in Anjali is undoubtedly provided by the child artistes. The story is mostly told from the point of view of Anjali's two siblings, and the kids in the housing colony where the family lives.
To Ratnam's credit, he makes the children act without turning them into whiny brats or sugar-coated angels, the bane of child stars of the era. The choreography in the dance sequences are stunning, and the minimalist lighting makes the film an achievement in itself.
Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1991 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Child Artist - Shamili, Tarun, Shruthi
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography - Pandu Rangan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Tamil) - Anjali - Mani Ratnam
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features seven songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali.
Vaanam Nammuku
Motta Madi
Iravu Nillavu - S. Janaki
Anjali Anjali - Ila Arun
Something Something
Raathiri Nerathil - S. P. Bala
Vegam Vegam - Usha Uthup
Vaanam Nammuku
Motta Madi
Iravu Nillavu - S. Janaki
Anjali Anjali - Ila Arun
Something Something
Raathiri Nerathil - S. P. Bala
Vegam Vegam - Usha Uthup
Hat's off Mani Sir
No comments:
Post a Comment