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Sri Raghavendrar

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Sri Raghavendrar
Theatrical release poster
Directed byS. P. Muthuraman
Written byA. L. Narayanan (dialogues)
StarringRajinikanth

Vishnuvardhan


Lakshmi
CinematographyT. S. Vinayagam
Edited byR. Vittal
S. B. Mohan
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Release date
  • 1 September 1985 (1985-09-01)
Running time
160 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Sri Raghavendrar is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language Hindu historical film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by Kavithalayaa Productions. The film stars Rajinikanth, portraying the title character, in his 100th film. Lakshmi, Vishnuvardhan, Delhi Ganesh and Nizhalgal Ravi play prominent roles. The film is based on the life of Hindu saint Raghavendra Tirtha. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics were written by Vaali. The dialogues for the film were written by A. L. Narayanan.

The cinematography was handled by T. S. Vinayagam while the editing was handled by the duo R. Vittal and S. B. Mohan. The film was released on 1 September 1985 to positive reception with Rajinikanth's performance as a saint receiving widespread praised, but failed at the box office.

Plot

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This film is the life of Raghavendra Tirtha, from Birth till his Mahasamadhi.

Cast

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Production

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Sri Raghavendra was Rajinikanth's 100th film (including his other language films).[1] The film featured him in the role of the saint Raghavendra Tirtha, different from the larger-than-life characters which he is known for and portrayed.[2] Rajinikanth, a fan of Kannada actor Rajkumar, had seen his film Mantralaya Mahatme where Rajkumar portrayed Raghavendra. Rajinikanth approached S. P. Muthuraman to direct the film. Muthuraman was initially reluctant to direct a devotional film as he hails from a family of Self-Respect Movement, but Balachander encouraged and convinced him to take up the film.[3] To prepare himself to direct the film, Muthuraman watched various devotional films directed by A. P. Nagarajan who was known for such films. In order to portray the scenes of saint authentically, few people from Raghavendra Mutt were invited to the shoot to provide their guidance.[4] Prior to the start of the film, the team took the script first to the Swami's abode in Mantralayam, and got it blessed. They did the same thing with the first copy, post-completion.[2] Muthuraman said that during the 90-day schedule, all the cast and crew of the film undergone the ritual of fasting on Thursday in reverence to lord's presence considering it was the mythological film.[5] The introduction song with Sathyaraj was shot for the film; however Balachander felt this song was glamourous and felt out of place in a devotional film, hence Muthuraman removed the song from the film.[4]

Soundtrack

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Soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics for all songs were written by Vaali. The song "Parthale Theriyadha" is based on Anandabhairavi raga.[6] The song "Aadal Kalaiye" is based on Charukesi raga.[7] The song "Azhaikiran Madhavan" is based on Subhapantuvarali raga.[8] The song "Ramanamam" is based on Mayamalavagowla raga.[9] The song "Mazhaikkoru" is based on Amruthavarshini raga.[10] The song "Unakum Enakum" was later reused by American Musical group Black Eyed Peas's bonus track "The Elephunk Theme" from their 2003 album Elephunk.[11]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Aadal Kalaiye"K. J. Yesudas 
2."Azhaikiraan Maathavan"K. J. Yesudas, Malaysia Vasudevan, C. Dinesh 
3."Kathiravan Ezhunthaan"Malaysia Vasudevan 
4."Mazhaikku Oru Devaney"K. J. Yesudas 
5."Paarthale Theriyaatha"Manorama, Vani Jairam 
6."Raama Naamam"K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jayaram, Madurai Srinivasan 
7."Unakkum Enakkum"S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan 

Reception

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The film received tax exemption from Tamil Nadu government,[5][12] and received positive reviews, primarily for Rajinikanth's performance, but became a box-office bomb.[13] Despite this Rajinikanth won three awards for his performance: the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor, Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil and Filmalaya Award for Best Actor.[14] The film itself frequently features on lists compiling Rajinikanth's best movies,[15][16] and he considers it a personal favourite film.[17] Jayamanmadhan of Kalki praised Rajinikanth for scoring a century and choosing a role which is one of the hundred for his 100th film something that will make proud.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Rajinikanth's top 10 avatars". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Muthuraman, S P; Rajitha (22 December 1999). "Rajini acts in front of the camera, never behind it". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  3. ^ "ரஜினி காட்டிய பிடிவாதம்!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 2 December 2007. pp. 4–7. Retrieved 1 June 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ a b "கட்டபொம்மனுக்கு சிவாஜி; ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திரருக்கு ரஜினி!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 9 December 2007. pp. 68–71. Retrieved 2 June 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ a b "ரஜினியின் 100 வது படம் 'ஸ்ரீராகவேந்திரர்': ஸ்டைல்களை ஒதுக்கி விட்டு, மகானாகவே வாழ்ந்து காட்டினார்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. ^ Mani, Charulatha (28 October 2011). "A Raga's Journey — The allure of Anandabhairavi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  7. ^ Mani, Charulatha (3 February 2012). "A Raga's Journey — The charm of Charukesi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. ^ Mani, Charulatha (17 February 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Sorrowful Subhapantuvarali". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  9. ^ Mani, Charulatha (11 November 2011). "A Raga's Journey — The magic of Mayamalavagowla". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  10. ^ Mani, Charulatha (30 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Appealing Amritavarshini". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  11. ^ Parasuraman, Prathyush (12 August 2020). "Black Eyed Peas' (Odd) Ode To Indian Cinema's Romance With Exaggerated Action That Is As Much Meme As Mass". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  12. ^ Kesavan, N. (14 May 2016). "100th film jinx grips the mighty sans 'Captain'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  13. ^ Saraswathi, S. (27 August 2015). "Best films of Rajinikanth". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  14. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2014) [2012]. Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography. New Delhi: Penguin Books. p. 268. ISBN 978-0-14-342111-5.
  15. ^ Balamurugan, K. (22 May 2007). "Rajni's Tamil Top 10". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  16. ^ "Top 12 Rajinikanth movies". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  17. ^ Suganth, M. (26 July 2015). "Panchu Arunachalam is the man who invented Rajinikanth as an actor". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  18. ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (22 September 1985). "ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திரர்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 53. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
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