Thotta Chinungi

Thotta Chinungi
Title card
Directed byK. S. Adhiyaman
Written byK. S. Adhiyaman
StarringKarthik
Raghuvaran
Revathi
Nagendra Prasad
Devayani
CinematographyNagendran
Edited byGokula Chezhan
Music byPhilip–Jerry
Production
company
Span Vision
Release date
  • 15 December 1995 (1995-12-15)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Thotta Chinungi (transl. Touch-me-not) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by K. S. Adhiyaman, starring Karthik, Raghuvaran, Revathi, Nagendra Prasad and Devayani (in her Tamil debut). It was released on 15 December 1995.[1] The film was remade in Hindi as Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) by the same director.

Plot

Gopal has been in love with Bhuvana since their childhood. As they grow older, they eventually get married.

Soon, problems start to arise. Gopal disapproves of Bhuvana's unemployed younger brother Prasad who lives with them, and throws him out. He also grows suspicious of Mano, Bhuvana's childhood friend, a famous singer whom Bhuvana is very fond of.

Eventually, Gopal suspects them of having an affair and throws Bhuvana out of their house.

Bhuvana, who loves Gopal equally, doesn't understand the reason behind his jealousy. She is devastated upon learning that Gopal wants a divorce. Prasad and Mano try talking sense into Gopal, but Bhuvana forbids them. Mano arranges a meeting with Gopal, but it does not end well.

Mano is shocked upon learning that his relationship with Bhuvana has caused problems with Gopal. Mano talks to Bhuvana, who believes that she is at fault. She realizes that Gopal had disapproved of her relationship with Mano, and had tried restricting her from seeing him.

Mano promises to never see her again. He explains to his girlfriend Amlu about the incident and Amlu confronts Gopal. Gopal learns that Bhuvana is pregnant and is in labour. He realises that his wrondoings and the love Bhuvana has for him and they reconcile.

Cast

Production

Thotta Chinungi is the first Tamil film for Devayani.[2] It is also the debut for Priyan (then known as Nagendran) as the lead cinematographer.[3]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by the duo Philip–Jerry with lyrics by Vaali.[4][5] It is Philip–Jerry's debut Indian film.[6]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Maname Thotta Chinungi" (male)Hariharan 
2."Maname Thotta Chinungi" (female)K. S. Chithra 
3."Ramya Ramya"Mano 
4."Rajni Vara Bhavani"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 
5."Coke Pepsi"Suresh Peters 
6."Illanthendral Veesum"K. J. Yesudas 
7."Nammoda Thalaivar Ennalum"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 

Reception

K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times said the film "proved easy to watch despite running two hours and 45 minutes".[7] Kalki wrote the film flows like a river without the rush of a commercial film and like an art film without the speed of a turtle.[8] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "The mental conflict of a husband suspecting the platonic relationship of his wife with a male friend, known to her for long, attains glorious proportions, thanks to the wonderful performances of Raghuvaran (husband), Karthik (friend) and Revathi". He also appreciated the writing and direction of Adhiyaman.[9]

Remake

Adhiyaman chose to direct his first Hindi film and began remaking Thotta Chinungi in Hindi as Aap Mere Hai Sanam in early 1998.[10] The film languished in production hell and was eventually released in 2002 as Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "Thotta Chinungi ( 1995 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 13 August 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  2. ^ Praveenkumar, K (25 May 2022). "#UnforgettableOnes: Actress Devayani". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Tamil cinematographer Priyan passes away, celebrities pour in condolences". The Indian Express. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Thotta Chinungi". JioSaavn. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Mettukudi / Gokulathil Seethai / Thotta Chinungi". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  6. ^ Bai, D. Devika (13 August 1998). "Phil and Jerry on a musical high". New Straits Times. pp. Arts 3. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  7. ^ Vijiyan, K. (1 January 1996). "Love after marriage". New Straits Times. p. 41. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2020 – via Google News Archive.
  8. ^ "தொட்டா சிணுங்கி". Kalki (in Tamil). 31 December 1995. p. 9. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (22 December 1995). "Cinema: Thotta Sinungi/Murai Maapillai/Varaar Chandiar". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 1996. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  10. ^ Chandra, Anupama (2 March 1998). "After successive flops and press obits, Madhuri Dixit returns to the top". India Today. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  11. ^ Singh, Kuljinder (31 May 2002). "Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002)". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  12. ^ Bora, Anita (24 May 2002). "Two's company, three's jealousy". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2018.