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Karumegangal Kalaigindrana

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Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
Theatrical release poster
Directed byThangar Bachan
Starring
CinematographyN. K. Ekambaram
Edited byB. Lenin
Music byG. V. Prakash Kumar
Production
company
Riota Media
Release date
  • 1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Karumegangal Kalaigindrana (transl. Dark clouds pass) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Thangar Bachan and starring Bharathiraja, Aditi Balan, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Yogi Babu in the lead roles. The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with cinematography by N. K. Ekambaram and editing by B. Lenin. The film was released on 1 September 2023.

Plot

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Komagan, a leading advocate in Madras High Court and retired justice Ramanathan's youngest son, is estranged from his father. Their rift began a decade back when Komagan defended a criminal his father had convicted, sparking a heated argument that ended with Ramanathan slapping Komagan. Years later Ramanathan publicly apologizes at his birthday party. Later, he discovers a 13-year-old letter from Amudhavalli, Ramanathan's former lover, revealing she has a daughter named Kanmani, who was imprisoned in Madurai. He sets out to find her without informing his family.

Upon reaching Manamadurai, Ramanathan realizes that he had sentenced his daughter, Kanmani who was then an inspector to life imprisonment for being involved in a shoot-out that killed three criminals. He also learns that Kanmani lived with her mother and an adopted father named Murugan and proceeds towards Rameswaram in search of Kanmani and Amudhavalli. Meanwhile, Ramanathan's family begins searching for him, and Komagan is blamed for Ramanathan's disappearance.

Veeramani, a hotel owner in Kumbakonam, is separated from his daughter, Saaral, who is being cared for in a juvenile home, in Rameswaram where Kanmani, now a social activist and warden, looks after her. Unbeknownst to Veeramani, Kanmani is the daughter of Ramanathan, he helps Ramanathan after he loses his wallet. At a conch factory, Ramanathan recognizes Kanmani and also meets Meena, Veeramani's acquaintance and mother of Saaral. Veeramani reunites with his daughter Saaral at the orphanage, but their attempt to leave together sparks an issue. The police intervene, but Ramanathan's timely arrival resolves the situation.

Veeramani shares his past with Ramanathan, explaining how he helped Meena when she was pregnant and fleeing her cheating ex-husband, Sethu. A few months later, Sethu, returned, so Veeramani had to send Meena and Saaral to Sivagangai. However, Sethu's abuse prompted Meena and Sethu's sister to seek refuge in the orphanage. Ramanathan, moved by Veeramani's kindness, helps reunite him with Saaral and ensures Sethu's arrest.

Ramanathan confesses his paternity to Kanmani, but she refuses to forgive him for abandoning her mother. Kanmani reveals that her mother took responsibility for the family, pretending to act like her father Murugan to protect their family. Komagan searches for Ramanathan through his friend Badri, discovers Amudhavalli's connection, and finally meets Kanmani at the orphanage. He asks for forgiveness on his father's behalf and acknowledges Kanmani's newfound family. However, Ramanathan who is overwhelmed by guilt, leaves the orphanage and is seen gazing at the ocean. Meanwhile unable to find his father Komagan regrets taking the case that drove him and his father apart for more than a decade.

Cast

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Production

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In May 2022, Thangar Bachan announced plans to make his 2003 short story Karumegangal Yaen Kalaiginrana? into a feature-length film. Bharathiraja, Yogi Babu and Gautham Vasudev Menon were signed on to play the lead roles, and production began in July 2022.[1] The title of the film was later changed to Karumegangal Kalaigindrana.[2] As a result of his work on the film, Thangar Bachan postponed post-production work on Takku Mukku Thikku Thalam starring his son Vijith.[3]

Mamta Mohandas was signed on to play the female lead of Kanmani, but later opted out owing to a delay in the shoot caused by a sudden illness to Bharathiraja.[4][5] Aditi Balan subsequently joined the film, citing her interest in working with Thangar Bachan. Several scenes from the film were shot on a schedule in Rameswaram.[6] The shoot for the film was completed by January 2023.[7]

Soundtrack

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Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
Soundtrack album by
Released2023
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length23:02
LanguageTamil
LabelSony Music South
ProducerG. V. Prakash Kumar
G. V. Prakash Kumar chronology
Aneethi
(2023)
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
(2023)
Mark Antony
(2023)

The music for the film was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Sevvandhi Poove"VairamuthuSathyaprakash5:41
2."Suththamulla Nenjam"VairamuthuSaindhavi4:56
3."Mannikka Sonnen" Haricharan4:55
4."Megangal"VairamuthuSaindhavi3:54
5."Niyayaththai Sonnen" Haricharan3:36
Total length:23:02

Reception

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The film was released on 1 September 2023 across theatres in Tamil Nadu. A reviewer from The Hindu noted "the ineffective screenwriting technique spoils this drama — starring Bharathiraja, Yogi Babu, Aditi Balan and Gautham Menon — but that doesn’t take away from the fact that filmmaker Thankar Bachan had an earnest and heart-wrenching story to tell."[8] Logesh Balachandran of Times of India wrote "The film could have been an impactful emotional drama, but ends up only being an average watch", while Navein Darshan of Cinema Express noted it was "a testing, emotionally-distant drama".[9][10][11]

References

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  1. ^ "Bharathirajaa, Gautham Menon and Yogi Babu come together for Thangar Bachan's film on relationships". The Times of India. 25 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ ""I figured this was my best chance!" Gautham Menon on Thangar Bachan's Karumegangal Kalaigindrana". The New Stuff. 29 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Looking forward to working with Bharathirajaa sir, says Aditi Balan". The Times of India. 19 December 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Mamta Mohandas joins Thankar Bachan's Karumegangal Kalaiginrana". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Shoot at Site: Bharathirajaa and Aditi Balan shoot for a courtroom scene". The Times of India. 23 January 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ^ "It's a wrap for Thangar Bachan's Karumegangal Kalaiginrana". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  8. ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (1 September 2023). "'Karumegangal Kalaigindrana' movie review: Screenwriting blues cloud Thankar Bachan's earnest story". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Karumegangal Kalaigindrana Movie Review: A testing, emotionally-distant drama". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Karumegangal Kalaigindrana Movie Review : An emotional drama that could have been better". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  11. ^ "'Karumegangal Kalaigindrana' movie review: A superficial film that lacks emotional heft". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
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