Meendum Kokila

Meendum Kokila
	Theatrical Release Poster
Directed by	G. N. Rangarajan
Produced by	T. R. Srinivasan
Screenplay by	Ananthu
Story by	Hassan Brothers
Starring	Sridevi; Kamal Haasan; Deepa;
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography	N. K. Viswanathan
Edited by	K. R. Ramalingam
Production; company	Charuchitra Films
Distributed by	Anadha
Release date	14 January 1981
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Meendum Kokila (lit.?Kokila, again) is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by G. N. Rangarajan from a screenplay written by Ananthu and story by Hassan Brothers. The film stars Sridevi and Kamal Hassan in the lead roles. Deepa, M. Krishnamoorthy, Thengai Srinivasan and Omakuchi Narasimhan are featured in supporting roles. The film's narrative follows a young woman who fights to win back her husband after his infatuation with an actress. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Meendum Kokila was released theatrically on 14 January 1981. The film upon it's releas was a critical and commercial success. Sridevi's performance in the titular role was widely praised and is considered by various critics and film historians as one of the finest and most authentic portrayals of an Indian Brahmin woman. For her performance, Sridevi received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress-Tamil.

Synopsis

Subramaniam, a lawyer is married to Kokila and has a daughter. Things go well until he meets Kamini, a movie star in a party. He gets attracted towards Kamini and becomes ready to sacrifice his own family for her. Kokila's efforts in bringing back her husband forms the rest of the story.

Cast

Kamal Hassan as Subramaniam
Sridevi as Kokila
Deepa as Kamini
M. Krishnamoorthy(Nagesh Krishnamoorthy)
Baby Anju
Thengai Srinivasan
Omakuchi Narasimhan

Production

The film was originally directed by J. Mahendran with Sridevi, Kamal Haasan and Rekha—in her Tamil cinema debut—playing prominent roles. Rekha was the original choice for actress' role, and scenes featuring her were shot till 3000 feet. Initially Mahendran opted out of the film after a song sequence was shot. Later as the film progressed Rekha pulled out citing no reason. It was Kamal Haasan who requested G. Rangarajan to take over the film as director. Rekha was replaced by Deepa.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Radha Radha Nee" is based on the Shuddha Saveri raga.^[5]

No.	Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length (m:ss)
1	Chinna Chiru Vayathil	K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja	Kannadasan	04:32
2	Hey Oraiyiram	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	Panju Arunachalam	03:55
3	Ponnana Meni	K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki	Panju Arunachalam	04:30
4	Radha Radha Nee	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki	Kannadasan	04:27

Reception and accolades

Meendum Kokila opened to widespread success. Sridevi's portrayal of a Brahmin woman trying to get back her husband was widely acclaimed and is considered by various critics and film commentators as one of the finest film performances of all-time. Sridevi received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress-Tamil;^[6] the first of her four Filmfare Awards.^[7] The film consolidated Sridevi's position as the biggest actress in South India.^[8]