Raja Rishi

Raja Rishi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. Shankar
Screenplay byK. Shankar
Based onViswamithran
by A. S. Prakasam
Produced byN. Sakunthala
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Prabhu
K. R. Vijaya
Nalini
CinematographyM. C. Sekar
Edited byK. Shankar
V. Jayapal
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Bhairavi Films
Release date
  • 20 September 1985 (1985-09-20)
Running time
136 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Raja Rishi is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film directed by K. Shankar and produced by N. Sakunthala. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu, M. N. Nambiar and Nalini. It is based on the play Viswamithran by A. S. Prakasam, which is about the sage Vishvamitra.[1] The film was released on 20 September 1985,[2] and failed at the box office.[3]

Plot

The film narrates the story of Vishwamitra in a linear manner right from him being the King, his run-in with Vashista over Kamadenu cow leading him to take a vow that he too would become a brahmarishi like Vashista. He faces hurdle after hurdle placed in his path by Devendran. In the process, he falls in love, impregnates and abandons Menaka. Their daughter Shakuntala is brought up by another rishi. She falls in love with Dushyanta who is cursed to forget her by Durvasa. When Vishwamitra finds out about this, he goes on to fix her life and in the process learns humility. In the end, with the blessing of Vashista. who mentions that that was the only thing stopping Vishwamitra from becoming Brahmarishi, he is acknowledged and accredited as one.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[4][5] The song "Maan Kanden" is set in Vasantha raga.[6]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Aadaiyil Aadum" S. Janaki Pulamaipithan 04:21
"Maan Kanden" K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam Pulamaipithan 04:32
"Maathavam Yaen" S. Janaki Pulamaipithan 06:16
"Poda Munivaney" Malaysia Vasudevan Vaali 04:48
"Shankara Shiva" Malaysia Vasudevan Vaali 04:27
"Karunai Kadale" (Azhagiya Kalai Nilave) Vani Jairam Muthulingam 04:27

Reception

Jayamanmandhan (a duo) of Kalki praised the acting of Sivaji Ganesan, Ilayaraja's music and film's first half but panned the humour and concluded saying as Vishwamitra gained name from Vashishta, let's see if he gets the same from audience.[7]

References

  1. ^ Manian, Aranthai (2020). திரைப்படங்களான இலக்கியங்களும் நாடகங்களும் (in Tamil). Pustaka Digital Media. p. 1985.
  2. ^ "நடிகர் திலகம் சிவாஜி கணேசன் அவர்கள் நடித்த படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  3. ^ arunachalam, Abiram (1 September 2023). "இளையராஜா இசை, பிரமாண்டம் பல சிறப்புகள் இருந்தும் ஓடாத ராஜரிஷி திரைப்படம்". Cinemakaaramcoffee (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  4. ^ "ராஜ ரிஷி (1985)". Raaga.com (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Rajarishi Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  6. ^ Mani, Charulatha (6 January 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Hopeful, festive, vibrant Vasantha". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  7. ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (6 October 1985). "ராஜரிஷி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 63. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023 – via Internet Archive.