Thayin Manikodi Explained

Thayin Manikodi
Director:Arjun
Producer:D. Sudhakar Raju
Starring:Arjun
Tabu
Nivedita Jain
Cinematography:K. S. Selvaraj
Editing:P. Sai Suresh
Music:Vidyasagar
Studio:Sree Lakshmi Devi Associates
Runtime:152 minutes
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Thayin Manikodi [1] is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Arjun, who also stars alongside Tabu and Nivedita Jain. Featuring music composed by Vidyasagar, the film began production in late 1996 and was released on 29 August 1998.[2]

Plot

Arjun is an honest IPS officer who sets out to save some highly confidential documents from falling into the hands of a terrorist, which would cause upcoming disasters in the country.

Production

The film was first announced in January 1996, with director and lead actor Arjun initially casting Vijayashanti in a leading role.[3] However the actress later left the project after she had creative differences with the film's producer, Sudhakar Raju. The film began production in late 1996 and took over a year to complete. Hindi actress Tabu and model Nivedita Jain were cast in key roles, with the latter subsequently making her debut in Tamil films.[4] The film was named after a song from Arjun's previous film, Jaihind (1994).[5]

The film was shot extensively in foreign locations, with scenes filmed in locations in Hong Kong and Switzerland, which the team had to settle for after their visas for Canada were rejected.[6] Further scenes were also shot in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, with art director Thota Tharani constructing sets for the film. Production was delayed as a result of the FEFSI strike of 1997.[7]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar.[8] [9]

Release and reception

The film was initially scheduled to release in November 1997 during the Diwali season, but was subsequently put on hold for several months. The film was later released in August 1998, with the title card of the film including a tribute to Nivedita Jain, who died before the film's release. The film became a commercial success at the box office.[10] [11] Ji of Kalki felt Tabu and Vijayakumar were wasted but praised the action sequences.[12] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote that Arjun "has spent much energy to present a plausible tale (story and screenplay are also his) with all the entertainment elements, including some family sentiments. But the fine blend the director tries to achieve does not materialise".[13]

Four years after the original release, the film was later dubbed and released in Telugu during November 2002 as Jaatiya Pattaakam.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 26 December 2021 . THOSE WERE THE DAYS: The Manikodi Movement . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603170315/https://www.dtnext.in/city/2021/12/26/those-were-the-days-the-manikodi-movement . 3 June 2023 . 3 June 2023 . DT Next.
  2. Web site: 16 November 1998 . Patriot games . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210806130008/https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/nov/16ss.htm . 6 August 2021 . 30 November 2019 . Rediff.com.
  3. Web site: Sitaraman . Sandya . 9 January 1996 . Tamil Movie News--1995 Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719063625/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/fwLpyN6aWTk/m/R4FfCjmQ3AsJ . 19 July 2021 . 7 June 2023 . Google Groups.
  4. Web site: 'Guess' List!!! . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234126/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Nov/deepavali/deepavali2.htm . 3 March 2016 . 30 November 2019 . Indolink.
  5. Web site: Karthi . Laxmi . February 1, 2024 . அர்ஜுன் இயக்கிய லாபமும் நஷ்டமும் அடைந்த படங்கள்.. 60 வயதிலும் லியோ சித்தப்பா செய்யும் அக்கப்போரு! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308092929/https://www.cinemapettai.com/action-king-arjuns-hit-and-flop-movies-in-tamil-cinema/ . 8 March 2024 . 8 March 2024 . Cinemapettai . Ta.
  6. Web site: Sitaraman . Sandya . 17 January 1997 . Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition 2 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211130190550/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/KXFgX-MCewI . 30 November 2021 . 7 June 2023 . Google Groups.
  7. Web site: 7 July 1997 . Madras film strike: Producers demand their pound of flesh . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210806132242/https://www.rediff.com/news/jul/07madras.htm . 6 August 2021 . 30 November 2019 . Rediff.com.
  8. Web site: December 1997 . Thayin Manikodi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210806130008/https://music.apple.com/us/album/thayin-manikodi-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1328761897 . 6 August 2021 . 30 November 2019 . Apple Music.
  9. Web site: Thaayin Manikodi Tamil Tape Cassettes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240313082122/https://www.vintageav.shop/product/thaayin-manikodi-tamil-tape-cassettes/ . 13 March 2024 . 13 March 2024 . VintageAV.shop . en.
  10. Web site: Rajendran . Sowmya . Sowmya Rajendran . 18 May 2018 . 'Irumbuthirai' takes on Aadhaar: How Tamil films are questioning the Centre . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200324155651/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/irumbuthirai-takes-aadhaar-how-tamil-films-are-questioning-centre-81526 . 24 March 2020 . 30 November 2019 . The News Minute.
  11. Web site: Aravind . CV . 23 August 2017 . Kollywood's 'Gentleman' and Action King: Arjun Sarja at his 150th film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210806134517/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kollywoods-gentleman-and-action-king-arjun-sarja-his-150th-film-67259 . 6 August 2021 . 30 November 2019 . The News Minute.
  12. ஜி. . 27 September 1998 . தாயின் மணிக்கொடி . live . https://archive.today/20230509135416/https://archive.org/details/kalki1998-09-27/page/n97/mode/2up . 9 May 2023 . 3 June 2023 . . 96 . ta . Internet Archive.
  13. News: Ramanujam . D. S. . 4 September 1998 . Film Reviews: Ellamae En Pondattithan / En Aaasai Raasavae / Thaayin Manikkodi . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010407071455/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/980904/09/09040223.htm . 7 April 2001 . 4 July 2023 . . 26.
  14. Web site: Movie review – Jaatiya Pataakam . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150314023502/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-jaatiyapataakam.html . 14 March 2015 . 30 November 2019 . Idlebrain.com.