June R is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Revathy Varmha. The film stars Jyothika in the title role which was her 25th Tamil film along with the supporting cast Khushbu Sundar, Saritha and Biju Menon. The film's soundtracks are composed by Malayalam composer Sharreth, while Madhu Ambat was the cinematographer. The film was released in February 2006. The Hindi remake of the film, Aap Ke Liye Hum, remains unreleased.[1]
| June R | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Revathy S. Varmha |
| Produced by | A. Ansari |
| Starring | Jyothika Khushbu Saritha Biju Menon |
| Cinematography | Madhu Ambat |
| Edited by | Jyothi Jayamaruthi |
| Music by | Sharreth |
Production company | Ideawold 1 Celluloid Pvt Ltd |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editJune R (Jyotika), an orphan, was born in the month of June, for which she was named. She works in an advertising agency. One day she happens to come across a middle-aged woman (Saritha) hurt badly in an accident. She admits her in hospital and tells the doctor that it is her mother Rajalakshmi in order to save her life from the regular hierarchical rules of the hospital. Coming to Rajalakshmi (named by June) who happens to be Mrs. Raniammal, a widowed woman who strives to bring up her only son Arun (Biju Menon) whereas Arun smitten by his wife's words for the wealth and money of his mother, plans to send her away from his home to an orphanage in order to settle with his wife in New York City. Deeply hurt, Raniammal finds solace in June's company, who also longs for a motherly love since childhood. June decides to take Rajalakshmi to her house and calls her mother. Both together (June and Rajalakshmi) cherish life who once were starved for love. Later her son comes back again to take his mother back, Rajalakshmi realising her sons evil thoughts refuses to get back to him. Later on Rajalakshmi's refusal he visits June and quarrels with her to give back his mother, June baffles with his sudden love for his mother. This implies an emotional entangle between the both meanwhile Rajalakshmi falls sick and June on seeing Raniammal's pathetic condition brings her brother (Ravikumar) whom she wanted to meet before she dies. On visiting Rajalakshmi's home town she unveils the mystery behind his sudden love for his mother. Now entrant Amudha (Khushbu Sundar) a noted and leading lawyer aids June to get back her new mother legally, prostrating Arun's wicked thoughts in the law of court . At last the judgement favours June . Though June succeeds in her mission of getting back her mother, but fate has some storm in its store, June finds Rajalakshmi dead when she comes back. Now comes Raja (Suriya), a rich client of June's advertising agency falls in love with her who consoles her on this uncompensable loss and takes her along with him, just the way her mother Rajalakshmi wished.
Cast
edit- Jyothika as June R.
- Khushbu as Amudha
- Saritha as Raniammal / Rajalakshmi (fake name)
- Biju Menon as Arun
- Ravikumar as Rajalakshmi's brother
- Siddharth Venugopal as Sundar
- Suriya as Raja (guest appearance)
Production
editRevathy S. Varmha had published June R as a novelette in the English periodical Woman's Era and wanted to make the story into a feature film. She approached a Hindi film producer in Mumbai and decided that Jaya Bachchan, Tabu and Kareena Kapoor would play the lead roles in the film.[2] Jyothika suggested that the film should be made in Tamil first and production began and Khushbu was signed on for a key role. Saritha was selected over Urvashi for another senior role in the film.[3] Biju Menon, a Malayalam actor, was also picked to play a leading role in the film.[4]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack of the film was composed by Sharreth, being his second project in Tamil after Magic Magic 3D (2003). The audio of June R was launched at Green Park Hotel in Chennai on 10 September 2005 by Balamurali Krishna.[5][6]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mazhaye Mazhaye" | Hariharan | |
| 2. | "Puthu Puthu" | Usha Uthup, K. S. Chithra | |
| 3. | "Anbe Anbe" | Gayathri Varma | |
| 4. | "Eano Eano" | Sharreth | |
| 5. | "Mazhaye Mazhaye" | Sujatha | |
| 6. | "Puthu Puthu" (version 2) | Usha Uthup, K. S. Chithra |
Release and reception
editThe film was initially scheduled for release in June 2005 but was later pushed back to release in the Diwali season of 2005 so the film could be promoted more heavily.[7] The film was also caught up when Khushbu's films were temporarily banned after her comments on pre-marital sex angered Indian political parties.[8] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "It's a film on female bonding, of three women whose lives are interwoven, and who find moral support and succour in each other. But with the characters lacking depth, and the relationships not clearly defined or tackled, the story of female bonding fails to touch a chord".[9] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote, "Revathi Varma is the story, screenplay and dialogue writer and director of the film. Is sensitivity to issues alone enough for a maker, is the query that arises when watching June R. Logic or the lack of it (in certain sequences) irks".[10] Cinesouth wrote "Revathi Varma being a woman director, there was a lot of expectation to see something different. But it was like attending a feast where the banquet was not served".[11]
References
edit- ^ "I'm glad to make a comeback with Chaasni: Raveena". News18. 22 July 2009. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Ladies special!". Sify. 30 June 2005. Archived from the original on 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "June R a tale of three women: Revathy". IndiaGlitz. 1 August 2005. Archived from the original on 6 December 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
- ^ "It's Biju Menon in June R". IndiaGlitz. 20 September 2005. Archived from the original on 2 December 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
- ^ "'June R' audio launched!". Sify. 11 September 2005. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Music Review : June R". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "'June R' for Diwali". Sify. 16 September 2005. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Ban on Kushboo films to be lifted". Sify. 19 November 2005. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (22 February 2006). "June R". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (17 February 2006). "Going overboard with sentiment". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "June R". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2024.