Neengal Kettavai

Neengal Kettavai (pronounced [n̪iːŋɡaɭ keːʈʈaʋaɪ] transl. What you asked for) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language masala film^[1] written and directed by Balu Mahendra. It stars Thiagarajan, Bhanu Chander, Archana and Silk Smitha in major roles, while Jaishankar had an extended cameo. The film was released on 28 June 1984 and was commercially successful.

Neengal Kettavai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Balu Mahendra
Story by	Akila Mahendra
Starring	Thiagarajan Bhanu Chander Archana Silk Smitha
Cinematography	Balu Mahendra
Edited by	D. Vasu
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Production company	Filmco
Release date	28 June 1984 (1984-06-28)
Running time	132 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

A widow living in Ooty, leads a peaceful life with her two sons. Muthulingam, a tourist who visits the place rapes her. In the act, she dies leaving her two sons who witness the murder. The older son Ramu is raised by his maternal uncle while the younger brother Arun joins a blind music teacher as he has great interest in music. Years later, he becomes a great singer. Meanwhile, Ramu is trained effectively by his uncle learning martial arts with the intention of avenging the death of his mother as he very well remembers the culprit's face. With a turn of events leading to both sons joining and taking revenge for their mother's death forms the rest of the story.

Cast

• Thiagarajan as Arun
• Bhanu Chander as Ramu
• Archana as Radha
• Smitha as Arun's girlfriend
• Poornima Bhagyaraj as Ramu and Arun's mother
• Y. G. Mahendran as James
• Vanitha
• Somayajulu as music teacher
• Balan K. Nair as Stunt Master's friend./Uncle of Ramu and Arun
• Senthamarai as Stunt Master, Radha's father.
• Thengai Srinivasan as Director (cameo)
• Jaishankar as Muthulingam

Production

Archana made her Tamil cinema debut with the film.^[2] The film, unlike Balu Mahendra's previous offbeat ventures, was an "outright commercial picture". He claimed that he made the film to prove his critics that he could make such films.^[3] Hence he titled the film Neengal Kettavai (transl. What you asked for).^[4] The film was launched at Prasad Studios. Prabhu and Radha were reported to be initial cast members.^[5] The filming began at Mysore.^[6] A few scenes were shot at the VGP Golden Beach.^[2] The song "Oh Vasantha Raja" was shot at various locations including the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.^[7] It took nine days to finish filming the song.^[8] This film marked the debut of Madhan Bob, who was not credited.^[9]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.^[10][11] The song "Kanavu Kaanum" is based on "Kasme Vaade" from the Hindi film Upkar (1967).^[12][13] For the dubbed Telugu version Kodama Simhalu, the lyrics were written by L. Aathma Rao and Rajasri.^[14] The song "Adiye Manam Nilluna" was later interpolated by Ilaiyaraaja's son Yuvan Shankar Raja for Daas (2005) as "Vaa Vaa".^[15]

Tamil

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Adiye Manam Nilluna"	Gangai Amaran	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki	5:14
2.	"Kanavu Kaanum"	Vairamuthu	K. J. Yesudas	5:18
3.	"Naane Raja"	Na. Kamarasan	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki	4:25
4.	"Oh Vasantha Raaja"	Pulamaipithan	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki	4:23
5.	"Pillai Nila" (female)	Vairamuthu	S. Janaki	4:20
6.	"Pillai Nila" (male)	Vairamuthu	K. J. Yesudas	4:51
Total length:				28:31

Telugu

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Nene Raja"	L. Aathma Rao	Ravichandra	3:53
2.	"Edhi Paapam Edhi Shaapam"	Rajasri	Ramakrishna	4:25
3.	"Edhi Bomma Muddula Gumma"	L. Aathma Rao	Chinna, Padma	4:58
4.	"Poochendulo Viruyu"	Rajasri	P. Susheela	4:13
5.	"O Vasantha Raagam"	L. Aathma Rao	P. Susheela, Radha Mohan	4:06
6.	"Poochendulo Viruyu" (Sad)	Rajasri	Ramakrishna	4:39
Total length:				26:14

Release and reception

Neengal Kettavai was released on 28 June 1984.^[16] Kalki caustically commented, "Balu Mahendra, idhaiyaa kettom?" (Balu Mahendra, is this what we asked for?).^[1] Despite the film's box-office success, Mahendra opted to continue making offbeat films.^[3]