Nila Kaalam

Nila Kaalam
Screenplay byGandhi Krishna
Story bySujatha
Directed byGandhi Krishna
StarringRoja
Master Dinesh
Master Udayaraj
Baby Ranjini Pradeep
Music byOriginal Songs:
Bharani
Background score:
Sangeetha Rajan
Country of originIndia
Original languageTamil
Production
ProducersMedia Dreams Limited
Sujatha
CinematographyM. V. Panneerselvam
EditorsB. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan
Production companyMedia Dreams
Original release
Release29 January 2001 (2001-01-29)

Nila Kaalam (transl. Lunar period) is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language television film directed by Gandhi Krishna. The film stars Roja and several child artists. It was also released at film festivals and child artiste Master Udayaraj went on to win National Film Award for Best Child Artist.[1][2] The film is based on Sujatha's novel Andru Un Arukil.[3]

Plot

The protagonists are three children — Nilaa (Baby Ranjini Pradeep), Amirdhalingam "Amar" (Master Dinesh) and Balasubramaniam "Pulli" (Master Udayaraj). The two boys work in a garage for the owner (Bala Singh) which is next to Nilaa's house.

Nilaa, daughter of a popular actress, Veni (Roja), who is estranged from her husband, has all the material comforts but yearns for company. Nilaa watches her mother shoot for a film with actor Ashok (Prabhu Deva). Soon, she strikes a friendship with the boys. The children `plan' a picnic and Nilaa provides the car, food and the works. Their excitement knows no bounds. But that day proves to be the last day of their carefree laughter, childish pranks and their innocence-filled childhood.

Cast

Source[4]

Release and reception

The film had a brief theatrical run after it was broadcast on television.[4] Savitha Padmanabhan from The Hindu wrote that "Udayaraj as Pulli hogs the limelight. As the eight-year-old orphan who only dreams of being with his non- existent mother and is completely ignorant about the ways of the mean world, Udayaraj would give the best actor a run for his money".[6] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "The director has been able to bring out some very natural and spontaneous performance from the three child artistes. But does a film targetted at children, and dealing with the story of lonely kids having innocent fun, deserve such a tragic ending?".[7] Go4i.com appreciated the direction, cast performances, and screenplay.[8]

References

  1. ^ "My first break". The Hindu. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  2. ^ "President Gives Away 48th National Film Awards". pibarchive.nic.in. 12 December 2001. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Meet the creator of Ananda Thandavam". Rediff.com. 23 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b Dhananjayan, G (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. p. 399. OCLC 898765509.
  5. ^ a b Joseph, Raveena; Ramanujam, Srinivasa (13 November 2015). "Child stars on the big screen". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  6. ^ Padmanabhan, Savitha (2 February 2001). "Film Review: Nilaa Kaalam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. ^ Mannath, Malini. "Film: Nilakaalam". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 19 August 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Nilaakalam". Go4i.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2001. Retrieved 22 December 2024.