| Abhinandana | |
| Director: | Ashok Kumar |
| Producer: | R V Ramana Murthy |
| Starring: | Sarath Babu Karthik Shobana Rajya Lakshmi J. V. Somayajulu |
| Music: | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Cinematography: | Ashok Kumar |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Telugu |
Abhinandana is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language musical romance film written and directed by Ashok Kumar. Starring Sarath Babu, Karthik and Shobana and the film received positive reviews, and three state Nandi Awards, including the Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Kaadhal Geetham.[1] The film was remade in Kannada as Abhinandane, and the 2005 Bollywood film Bewafaa borrowed its main plot from the film.[2] The soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja became a chartbuster.[3]
Set in Kodaikanal, the story revolves around Rani (Shobhana), an aspiring dancer, who meets Raja (Karthik), an aspiring painter and singer. They fall in love with each other as their mutual love for art unfolds at an arts institute/college. Rani's father (J. V. Somayajulu) wishes to get his daughter married soon. Rani is certain about convincing her father to accept Raja as her future spouse. The drama unfolds when Rani's pregnant sister Kamala (Rajya Lakshmi) and her husband Srikanth (Sarath Babu), along with their two kids visit from Chennai. Kamala's husband, who owns a recording studio, leaves for Chennai after a short stay in Kodaikanal.
After Kamala's accidental death, her father wishes to get Rani married to her brother—in-law Srikanth (Sarath Babu)and take care of the two kids. Rani has to choose between Raja and looking after her sister's family. Raja cannot take this and takes to drinking as he loses hope of uniting with Rani. Unaware of Raja's connection to Rani, Srikanth meets Raja he notices Raja's artistic skills and offers him an opportunity to sing for an album at his recording studio. He introduces Raja to Rani at Rani's home before requesting Raja to live there until Raja's recording is complete.
Soon Rani's brother-in-law finds out that Rani is in love with Raja. How the individuals try to compromise and sacrifice for each other's aspirations and feelings forms the crux of the story.
As per the film's opening credits:[4]
Music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[5] The song "Ade Neevu" and was reused from "Ore Raagam" and "Rangulalo Kalavu" was reused from "Velli Nila Padhumai" both from Amudha Gaanam, "Manchu Kurise Velalo" was reused from "Andharangam Yaavume" from Aayiram Nilave Vaa, "Eduta Neeve" was reused from "Ilalo" from Anveshana (which itself was reused from "Uyire Urave" from Anbin Mugavari).[6] [7] The song "Manchu Kurise Velalo" inspired a 2018 film of the same name.[8]