Annakodi Explained

Annakodi
Director:Bharathiraja
Producer:Sathish Anu
Starring:Lakshman Narayan
Karthika Nair
Manoj Bharathiraja
Music:Songs:
G. V. Prakash KumarScore:
Sabesh–Murali
Cinematography:Saalai Sahaadevan
Editing:K. Pazhanivel
Studio:Manoj Creations
Distributor:Manoj Creations
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Annakodi is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language film directed and written by Bharathiraja.[1] It stars Lakshman Narayan, Karthika Nair and Manoj Bharathiraja. The film has music by G. V. Prakash Kumar.[2] The film was earlier titled Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum.[3]

Plot

Goatherd Kodiveeran falls in love with Annakodi, a village beauty. Their romance faces opposition from Sadayan, the village moneylender's son, who also desires Annakodi. As love blossoms between Kodiveeran and Annakodi, societal pressures and caste differences lead to Kodiveeran's imprisonment and Annakodi's forced marriage to Sadayan after her mother's death.

Cast

Production

In August 2011, Bharathiraja revealed that the film would be titled Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum and would have a village centric theme similar to films such as Paruthiveeran and Subramaniyapuram. Parthiepan was signed on to play the title dual roles of father and son and subsequently completed a photo shoot for the film.[4] Priyamani, Parvathi Menon of Poo fame and Meenal were initially announced to play heroines, although the first two were later replaced in the film.[5] [6] Karthika Nair was then signed on to play the leading female role of Annakodi, more than two decades after Bharathiraja had cast her mother Radha in her debut film.[7] Iniya was selected to portray a character called Mallankinaru Mankatha after Bharathiraja was impressed with her performance in Vaagai Sooda Vaa. Reports also suggested that Vinay, who had previously appeared in Unnale Unnale and Jayamkondaan, was signed on to play a pivotal role although Bharathiraja's managers later dismissed the claim. In a turn of events, the day before the shoot began, Parthiepan was replaced by Ameer to portray the title roles, with Parthiepan admitting he was left in the dark about the decision.[8] [9] [10]

When the Mullaperiyar Dam issue precipitated, Bharathiraja suspended the shooting of the film and sent his Keralan-born heroines home until the issue had died down. The film ran into further trouble when the tussle between the producers and FEFSI created disputes between the lead actor and director. Ameer, made remarks against the producers council and backed the FEFSI, and reports suggested that a displeased Bharathiraja opted to replace him in the film with Cheran. However Bharathiraja went on to claim that the "script needed some changes" which would not suit Ameer and thus signed on his own son, Manoj, to play the lead role.[11] Iniya was also reported to have left the project due to the delay, but she denied such claims.[12] But her role wasn't eventually incorporated in the film.[13] Roja was selected to play the role of a wine seller and the mother of Karthika Nair.[14] But she opted out of the film and lack of facilities was speculated to be the reason behind her decision. Renuka stepped into the shoes of Roja.[15]

Filming began on 17 November 2011. As announced, the film's inaugural pooja took place in Theni and several biggies from the film industry participated in it. Directors K. Balachander, Mani Ratnam, Balu Mahendra were at this launch which made the event at the Veerappa Ayyanar Temple in Alli Nagaram, Theni.[16] [17]

Soundtrack

The film score was composed by Sabesh–Murali, while the songs were by G. V. Prakash Kumar, the latter collaborating with Bharathiraja for first time. After 21 years Gangai Amaran joined with Bharathiraja by writing lyrics for the film along with Vairamuthu, Egadesi and Kavingar Arivumathi.[18] The audio released on 20 January 2013 at Railway grounds, Arasaradi, Madurai.[19]

Release and reception

The film was released on 28 June 2013.[20] S. Saraswathi of Rediff.com wrote the film "lacks depth and fails to ignite the passion needed for such an emotionally compelling story".[21] Malini Mannath of The New Indian Express wrote, "Long and dreary, and testing one’s patience at times, it’s a disappointing fare from the ace director".[22] Behindwoods wrote, "To sum up, this melodramatic movie doesn't have a new story to tell and the closing message about love being beyond all such issues like caste, creed and religion is again a really dated thought".[23] Vivek Ramz of In.com wrote, "Overall, Annakodi is typical Bharathiraja style village story but it lacks the intensity and soul seen in the director's earlier ones".[24] Baradwaj Rangan wrote for The Hindu, "This material, stuffed with class and caste politics, is perfect for melodrama, with juicy twists and turns at every point. But, here, there’s no emotional core. The leads strike no sparks together – they could be siblings...and the drama doesn’t explode. A strange kind of listlessness settles over the proceedings, and we see a lot of things happening without being affected by any of it."[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 July 2011 . Bharathiraja's 'Annakodiyum Kodi Veeranum' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110703013213/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/68198.html . 3 July 2011 . 1 July 2011 . IndiaGlitz.
  2. Web site: 16 August 2011 . Bharathiraja picks GV Prakash . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220904053015/https://www.indiaglitz.com/tamil . 4 September 2022 . 16 August 2011 . IndiaGlitz.
  3. Web site: Bharathiraja's 'Annakodi' Gets U/A . IndiaGlitz . 18 June 2013 . 28 June 2013 . 22 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130622014009/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/94707.html . live .
  4. Web site: Parthepan out, Ameer in!. The Times of India. 12 November 2011. 17 January 2012. 2 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180702021708/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Parthepan-out-Ameer-in/articleshow/10702507.cms. live.
  5. Web site: 23 August 2011 . Parthiban, Priyamani in Bharathiraja's film . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120126183030/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/70058.html . 26 January 2012 . 17 January 2012 . IndiaGlitz.
  6. Web site: 22 October 2011 . Priyamani breathes a sigh of relief . dead . https://archive.today/20130127031341/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/72375.html . 27 January 2013 . 17 January 2012 . IndiaGlitz.
  7. Web site: Suganth . M . 5 November 2011 . Karthika is Annakodi! . dead . https://archive.today/20120711064121/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-05/news-interviews/30366750_1_karthika-bharathiraja-parthepan . 11 July 2012 . 17 January 2012 . The Times of India.
  8. Web site: 12 November 2011 . Ameer replaces Parthepan in AK . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111115001640/http://www.sify.com/movies/ameer-replaces-parthepan-in-ak-news-tamil-llmklobhjhf.html . 15 November 2011 . 17 January 2012 . Sify.
  9. Web site: 12 November 2011 . Parthipan irked with Bharathiraja? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111217014850/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/73884.html . 17 December 2011 . 17 January 2012 . IndiaGlitz.
  10. Web site: 19 November 2011 . I don't know anything about Bharathiraja's film: Ameer . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111224121536/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/74235.html . 24 December 2011 . 17 January 2012 . IndiaGlitz.
  11. Web site: Ameer Out, Manoj In . Behindwoods . 29 March 2012 . 28 June 2013 . 22 June 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120622001839/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-12-05/ameer-manoj-29-03-12.html . live .
  12. Web site: Iniya Walks Out of Bharathiraja's Film . Behindwoods . 16 February 2012 . 28 June 2013 . 5 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130905104254/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-12-03/iniya-anna-kodiyum-kodi-veeranum-16-02-12.html . live .
  13. Web site: Nayar . Parvathy S . 7 January 2013 . Ineya kick-starts the year with a women-centric film . dead . https://archive.today/20130216064133/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-07/news-and-interviews/36174280_1_actress-ineya-tamil-film-industry-annakodiyum-kodiveeranum . 16 February 2013 . 21 January 2013 . The Times of India.
  14. Web site: Roja as Karthika's mom . IndiaGlitz . 9 April 2012 . 28 June 2013 . 21 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131221053043/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/80614.html . live .
  15. Web site: Roja is not anymore the wine seller of Bharathiraja . Behindwoods . 8 September 2012 . 9 September 2012 . 11 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120911004525/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/sep-12-02/roja-annakodiyum-kodiveeranum-08-09-12.html . live .
  16. Web site: 18 November 2011 . Bharathiraja inspired everyone: Mani Ratnam . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111119180438/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/74177.html . 19 November 2011 . 18 November 2011 . IndiaGlitz.
  17. Web site: 18 November 2011 . Start, action, camera from Bharathiraja . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111120080652/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-11-03/bharathiraja-annakodiyum-kodi-veerananum-18-11-11.html . 20 November 2011 . 18 November 2011 . Behindwoods.
  18. Web site: 16 January 2012 . பாரதிராஜாவுடன் 21 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பிறகு இணையும் கங்கை அமரன் . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119212516/http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/music/2012/01/bharathiraja-joins-with-gangai-amaran-aid0180.html . 19 January 2012 . 17 January 2012 . . ta.
  19. Web site: 21 January 2013 . Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum Audio Launch Photos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130125073930/http://moviegalleri.net/2013/01/annakodiyum-kodiveeranum-audio-launch-photos-stills.html?pid=386639 . 25 January 2013 . 21 January 2013 . moviegalleri.net.
  20. Web site: 22 June 2013 . Annakodi Release Date Confirmed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230618092208/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/2411/annakodi-release-date-confirmed . 18 June 2023 . 18 June 2023 . Moviecrow.
  21. Web site: Saraswathi . S. . 28 June 2013 . Review: Annakodi is a disappointment . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701020122/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-annakodi-is-a-disappointment/20130628.htm . 1 July 2013 . 1 July 2013 . Rediff.com.
  22. Web site: Mannath . Malini . 30 June 2013 . 'Annakodi' (Tamil) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023133901/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Annakodi-Tamil/2013/06/30/article1659728.ece . 23 October 2013 . 1 July 2013 . The New Indian Express.
  23. Web site: Annakodi Movie Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701154822/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/annakodi/annakodi-review.html . 1 July 2013 . 1 July 2013 . Behindwoods.
  24. Web site: Ramz . Vivek . 28 June 2013 . Annakodi is not worth watching! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130702045045/http://www.in.com/news/regional/annakodi-is-not-worth-watching-50231638-in-1.html . 2 July 2013 . 17 January 2022 . in.com.
  25. News: Rangan . Baradwaj . 29 June 2013 . Annakodi: Old standard . . live . 4 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410113129/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/annakodi-old-standard/article4863272.ece . 10 April 2021.