Kani Nilam

Kani Nilam
Kani Nilam
Directed by	Arunmozhi
Screenplay by	Arunmozhi
Story by	Cho
Produced by	Palayamkottai Shanmugam
Starring	Cho
Cinematography	Arunmozhi
Edited by	R. T. Annadurai
Music by	Arunmozhi
Production; company	Latha Creations
Release date	14 August 1987;
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Kani Nilam (pronounced [kaːɳi n̪ilam] transl. A Piece of Land)^[1] is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language political satire film directed by Arunmozhi, starring Cho. It was released on 14 August 1987.

Plot

Cast

Cho as Arivarasan
Kutty Padmini as the reporter
Vathiyar Raman as Nagalingam

Production

The title of the film was originally Kani Nilam Vendum (transl. Wanted, a Piece of Land). The censor board initially refused to certify the film because of its negative portrayal of politicians (which the board believed would lead to anti-government beliefs), and many derogatory references to politicians based in Tamil Nadu. After the film faced three months of limbo, it was cleared by the board with a U certificate after 18 cuts. According to Cho, however, the film was not meant to defame or vilify anyone: "It only shows corruption at the political level seeping down to the grassroots".^[2]

Release and reception

Kani Nilam was released on 14 August 1987.^[3] Nandalala of The Indian Express wrote the film "proves to be somewhat of a letdown [...] the end product is a slipshod patchwork which will not cut ice either with the groundlings or with the more discerning".^[4] Jayamanmadhan of Kalki also gave the film a negative review, saying innovative angles, neat editing and gripping direction were missing.^[5] The film was later selected for screening at the Pan African Film Festival.^[6]

References

^ "Kaani Nilam (1988)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
^ Venkatramani, S.H. (15 December 1986). "Kani Nilam Vendum: Censor Board finally clears film on political corruption". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
^ "Kaani Nilam ( 1987 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 9 September 2004. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
^ Nandalala (21 August 1987). "Political satire". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 12 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.
^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (13 September 1987). "காணி நிலம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 63. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.
^ "Kaani Nilam for Africa". The Indian Express. 24 February 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 21 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.

External links

Kani Nilam at IMDb

[1] "Kaani Nilam (1988)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.

[2] Venkatramani, S.H. (15 December 1986). "Kani Nilam Vendum: Censor Board finally clears film on political corruption". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

[3] "Kaani Nilam ( 1987 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 9 September 2004. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

[4] Nandalala (21 August 1987). "Political satire". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 12 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.

[5] ஜெயமன்மதன் (13 September 1987). "காணி நிலம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 63. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.

[6] "Kaani Nilam for Africa". The Indian Express. 24 February 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 21 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.

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