| Manasellam | |
| Director: | Santhosh |
| Producer: | V. Ravichandran |
| Starring: | Srikanth Trisha |
| Cinematography: | J. Sivakumar |
| Editing: | V. Jaishankar |
| Music: | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Studio: | Oscar Films P. Ltd |
| Runtime: | 165 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Manasellam is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Santhosh. Produced by V. Ravichandran, it stars Srikanth and Trisha, while Cochin Haneefa plays a major supporting role. The film was released on 20 March 2003 and failed at the box office.
On his way to Chennai, Bala's bag and certificates get stolen in the train. But he has a look about him that endears him to a petty shop owner Sundaram, who provides him accommodation along with a few bachelors in the top portion of his house. Malar stays opposite this house, and the bachelors are crazy about her. They are scared if the handsome and cheeky Bala will try to woo her, so they hatch a plot and frame him so that Malar's two brothers beat him up black and blue. Three strangers, who claim to be his true friends from Hyderabad, save an unconscious Bala. INTERMISSION.
Now, the true identity of Bala is told in a flashback by these friends, that he is a rich son of an industrialist. Malar saves Bala from an accident, and soon they are in love. But her brothers take her back to Chennai, as their sister had already eloped with someone. The brothers do not want her to commit the same mistake and make her promise that she will only marry someone of their choice. Also, it is revealed that Malar is suffering from some brain disease and will die soon. Knowing this only, Bala has come to stay opposite her house with the hope of seeing and making her happy till the end. Malar's health condition worsens, and she gets admitted to hospital with minimal chances of survival. Bala leaves the hospital crying as he does not want to see Malar die in front of him. The movie ends there.
The film marked the directorial debut of Santhosh who earlier assisted R. Parthiban, Ezhil and Sasi.[1] Vidya Balan was initially selected as the lead actress but was subsequently replaced by Trisha.[2] [3] Vidya was removed as the director was dissatisfied with her work.[4] Shooting took place at Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Chennai.[5] For a scene where Srikanth required to stand at a height of 60feet surrounded by fire, he got severely burnt. Despite doctor's advise to him to rest for three months, he proceeded working on the film after a month.[6]
Soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[7] Sajahan Waheed of New Straits Times wrote the "melodious music is definitely the saving grace in this otherwise much recycled and uninspiring love tale".[8]
| Song | Singer(s) | Lyrics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Chinna Kuyile" | Ra. Karunanidhi | ||
| "Kaiyil Deepam" | Sadhana Sargam, Chorus | Muthulingam | |
| "Ilaya Nadhi" | Srinivas, Sadhana Sargam | Vaali | |
| "Nee Thoongum Nerathil" | Palani Bharathi | ||
| "Nee Thoongum Nerathil" | Sadhana Sargam | ||
| "Highwasiley Ley Ley" | S. N. Surendar, Tippu, Karthik | ||
| "Midnightula" | Malgudi Subha, Karthik | ||
| "Nilavinile Oli" | Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam | ||
| "Oru Jodi Kuyil" | Mu. Metha |
NanjilOnline.com wrote: "On the whole Manasellam leaves you with a migraine".[9] BizHat.com praised the performances: "Trisha, snatches everyone's attention with her flashing smile. Srikanth has delivered his role very comfortably and carries the movie elegantly proving to find his hand over all type of roles and now rolling to reels".[10] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote: "Manasellam has the ingredients of an entertaining fare — but the worn-out storyline and trying sequences are stumbling blocks".[11] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "The first half moves at an interesting pace, and the twist just before the second half, leaves the audience in a state of suspense and curiosity. But then the second half falls short of expectations. There are quite a few cliches, co-incidences, and unanswered questions".[12] Krishna Chidambaram of Kalki praised the pairing and acting of Srikanth and Trisha but panned Vaiyapuri's humour and felt in the name of an unexpected twist, rubberizing the first half and forcing the entire story in the second half is new and called the film average.[13]