Thalapathy (1991)Dalapathy was Mani Ratnam's first star-studded release, featuring Rajnikanth, a man around whom it's difficult to create a character other than his on-screen persona, Malayalam superstar Mammooty, Arvind Swami in one of his early appearances, and Amrish Puri.
The film is about the thin line between relationships and loyalties; the storyline references the Mahabharata.
Rajnikanth is Surya, a reference to Karna. He is a foundling, as Karna was; if the warrior in the epic was Duryodhan's right hand man, here Surya is the enforcer for local don Devaraj (Mammooty).
Arjun (Arvind Swamy) is Surya's younger step-brother -- the character references the fabled Arjun of the Mahabharat. Epic confrontation scenes between the protagonists, clipped dialogues and well-rounded supporting characters made it a super-hit in South India.
Santosh Sivan's cinematography is a highlight of the movie; a gorgeous sunny glow permeates the frames, as a visual reminder of Surya. Illayaraja's foot-tapping numbers such as Rakamma, a slickly choreographed piece that rightly predestines the item numbers of the nineties, remain landmarks to this day.
The music score that accompanies the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The soundtrack features 7 songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
“Yamunai Aatrile” (1:22) – Mithaali
“Raakamma Kaiyathattu” (7:10) – S. P. Balas, Swarnalatha,
“Sundari Kannal” (7:14) – S. P. Balas, S. Janaki
“Kaatukuyilu” (5:32) – S. P. Bala, Yesudas
“Putham Puthu Poo” (5:00) – Yesudas, S. Janaki
“Chinna Thayaval” (3:23) – S. Janaki
“Margazhithan” (2:39) – Chorus
The background score and soundtrack for the movie were very well received upon release. The songs "Sundari Kannal" and "Yamunai Aatrile" were particularly popular, as was the song "Raakamma Kaiyathattu."
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