Shahjahan is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language romantic film written & directed by Ravi and produced by R. B. Choudary. The film stars Vijay, Richa Pallod (in her Tamil debut) and Krishna in the lead roles while Vivek and Kovai Sarala portray supporting roles. The film, which had music was composed by Mani Sharma, was released on 14 November 2001. The story is about the love life of a love doctor and how his love life ends in a tragedy unknowingly. The film was a commercial success and it completed 125 days theatrical run.[1][2][3]
| Shahjahan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ravi |
| Written by | N. Prasanna Kumar |
| Screenplay by | Ravi |
| Story by | Ravi |
| Produced by | R. B. Choudary |
| Starring | Vijay Richa Pallod Krishna |
| Cinematography | Arthur A. Wilson S. Saravanan (1 Song) |
| Edited by | V. Jaishankar |
| Music by | Mani Sharma |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 156 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editAshok Ilango is a charismatic young man with a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics of love and relationships. He operates in a clandestine world where he assists star-crossed lovers in eloping, defying the stern opposition of their families. Supported by his loyal companions, Boopathi Ramaiyaa and Seenu, Ashok navigates the tumultuous waters of romance with finesse and empathy.
Amidst his endeavors, Ashok's own heart becomes entangled when he encounters Uma Maheshwari, affectionately known as Mahee, a brilliant engineering student whose presence captivates him deeply. Despite harboring a profound crush on Mahee, Ashok opts for silence, haunted by a haunting past incident involving his dear friend, Giri.
In a poignant flashback, the audience is confronted with Giri's tragic tale of unrequited love. Giri's affection for Aisha, a young Muslim woman, ended in heartbreak and tragedy when she tragically took her own life in the face of societal scorn and familial discord triggered by Giri's declaration of love. This in turn caused Giri to go insane and end up in a mental hospital.
When Ashok's friend Raja solicits his aid in winning over a mysterious lady, Ashok altruistically agrees, unaware that the enigmatic maiden is none other than Mahee herself. As Raja and Mahee's clandestine romance blossoms, Ashok remains blissfully oblivious to their burgeoning affection.
However, when Mahee's father discovers their relationship, the young couple turns to Ashok once more, seeking refuge in his expertise. Oblivious to Raja's intentions, Ashok pledges his assistance, unwittingly facilitating Raja's pursuit of Mahee. The revelation strikes Ashok with devastating force as Mahee stands before him, ready to elope with Raja.
Consumed by anguish and heartache, Ashok's world shatters as he realizes the depth of his sacrifice. Despite his torment, Ashok exhibits remarkable resilience and selflessness, orchestrating Raja and Mahee's union even as his own heart breaks.
As the newlyweds flee to Coimbatore to escape Mahee's father's wrath, tragedy strikes once more. In a harrowing confrontation, Mahee's father unleashes his fury upon the trio, culminating in a brutal assault on Ashok. Despite the searing pain of betrayal, Ashok valiantly shields his friends, sacrificing his own safety for their happiness.
The film culminates in a poignant tableau, with Ashok wounded and broken, yet undeterred in his mission to unite kindred souls. As a stranger beseeches him for aid in matters of the heart, Ashok, with a heavy heart, offers his unwavering assistance, embodying the timeless adage that true love knows no bounds, even in the face of personal anguish and sacrifice.
Cast
editAs per the film's opening and end credits:[4]
- Vijay as Ashok Ilango
- Richa Pallod as Uma Maheshwari "Mahee"
- Vivek as Boopathi Ramaiyaa
- Kovai Sarala as Jingili
- Krishna as Raja
- Meena in a special appearance in the song, "Sarakka Vachirukkan"
- Nizhalgal Ravi as Ilango, Ashok's father
- Devan as Mahee's father
- Ajay Rathnam as a Minister
- Thadi Balaji as Seenu
- Sashikumar as Giri
- Kovai Babu as Ashok's friend
- Shanmugasundaram as Aisha's father
- Pandu as Lawyer
- Mathrubootham as Dr. M. Das
- Ilavarasu as Police Inspector
- Scissor Manohar as College peon
- Chaplin Balu as Bhoopathi's friend
- Kaka Gopal
- Sirish as Sirish
- Pasi Sathya as Muniyamma
- Jaya Murali as Ashok's mother
- Janaki Sabesh as Mahee's mother
- Sona Heiden as Sujatha, Uma's friend
- Banu Balasubramaniam as Giri's mother
- Varsha as Aisha
- Vaani as Aisha's mother
- Padma Chowdary as Sirish's lover
- Sridhar as dancer
- Aruldoss as Bhoopathi's friend (uncredited)
- Marthandan as Family planning officer (uncredited)
Production
editR. B. Choudary, after the successes of Poove Unakkaga (1996), Love Today (1997) and Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), signed on Vijay for a project to be directed by Vikraman. However, Vijay opted against starring in Vikraman's venture and Ravi Appulu was roped in to make a film titled Sneha Jahan,[5] which later became Shahjahan, named after the fifth Mughal emperor with the same name.[6] The director had previously approached Vikram with the script of the film. Although the story takes place in Chennai, the movie was predominantly shot only in Vishakhapatnam but 50% of the film's portions were shot in Chennai as well.[7] Arthur A. Wilson was signed to handle the camera, Mani Sharma to compose the music, Vairamuthu to write lyrics while Prabhakaran did the art work and Prasanna Kumar has written the dialogue.[8]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack of the film was composed by Mani Sharma, and all lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu.[9] The song "Minnalai Pidithu" is based on the theme of The Ghost and the Darkness (1996).[10]
| Song | Singer | Lyrics | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Achchacho Punnagai" | Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy | Vairamuthu | based on "Ammaye Sannaga" from Kushi |
| "Kadhal Oru" | KK | Vairamuthu | based on "Ye Mera Jaha" from Kushi |
| "Manidha Manidha" | Srinivas | Vairamuthu | |
| "May Madham" | Devan Ekambaram, Sujatha Mohan | Vairamuthu | |
| "Mellinamae Mellinamae" | Harish Raghavendra | Vairamuthu | |
| "Minnalai Pidithu" | Unni Menon | Vairamuthu | |
| "Sarakku Vachirukken" | Shankar Mahadevan, Radhika Shashi | Vairamuthu | based on "Aata Kaavala" from Annayya |
Release and reception
editShahjahan was released on 14 November 2001.[11] Malathi Rangarajan from The Hindu gave the film a positive review claiming that "youth, romance and vibrant music seem to sell at a premium these days" and that Shahjahan "has all these in ample measure". She added that Richa "has little to do but look good" and Vijay "sparkles in the role of Ashok" while Krishna "fills the bill of a perfect non-action hero".[12] Ananda Vikatan rated the film 36 out of 100 and wrote that the makers have erected a puppet Taj Mahal with this Shahjahan as a succession of predictable scenes and weak incidents.[13][14] Visual Dasan of Kalki rated the film "above average".[15] Chennai Online wrote "The film opens promisingly enough, with a well choreographed stunt scene, giving hope of more thrills to follow. The story, of a youth who helps out lovers-in-distress, but falters when it comes to his own matters-of-the-heart, had potential to turn into an engaging entertainer. But the first-time director thrusts in a lot of contrived situations, and makes his hero a loser in the end".[16]
References
edit- ^ "Vijay's Shahjahan was reason for Directing a film after 16 years"- Director Ravi Abbulu | US 154 (in Tamil). BehindwoodsTV. 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "'Love Today' to 'Vettaikaran': Ten times when Vijay delivered a super hit film with a debutant director". The Times of India. 17 June 2020. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Title: THALAPATHY EPIC COLLECTIONS on X: "In 2001 #Thalapathy ..." www.google.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Thalapathy Vijay in Superhit Love Story Action Movie | Shahjahan | Vijay, Richa Pallod, Meena | HD" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "TAMIL CINEMA 2000". cinematoday2.itgo.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Tulika (7 December 2001). "Love's labour lost". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Srinivasan, Sudhir (17 October 2015). ""I like to reinvent myself constantly"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (9 November 2001). "A feast of films". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Shahjahan-Priyamanavale". Isaishop. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Superhit Tamil songs that were inspired from other songs". Suryan FM. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (9 November 2001). "A feast of films". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 June 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (23 November 2001). "Shahjahan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 June 2003. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ சார்லஸ், தேவன் (22 June 2021). "பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "ஷாஜஹான் #VikatanReview". Ananda Vikatan. 25 November 2001. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- ^ தாசன், விஷுவல் (16 December 2001). "ஷாஜகான்". Kalki (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ Mannath, Malini. "Shahjahan". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 11 December 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
