Pothuraaju Cheppinattu (2004)
17 Sep 2004 ● Telugu ● 2 hrs 55 mins
A reporter (Rohini) researching the death penalty in India is recounted the story of a farm owner Virumandi (Kamal) whose role in a clan feud between Naicker (Napoleon) and Kothalla Devar (Pasupathi) leads him to death row.
As the story unfolds, there is a riot in the jail, and the only one who can get the reporter safely out of the prison is Virumandi.
Cast: Abhirami Gopikumar, Kamal Haasan
Crew: Kamal Haasan (Director), Keshav Prakash (Director of Photography), Ilaiyaraaja (Music Director)
Rating: A (India)
Genres: Action, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Release Dates: 17 Sep 2004 (India)
Telugu Name: పోతురాజు చెప్పినట్టు
Did you know? The film's narrative is based on the Rashomon effect. They express how they feel about the direction their lives have taken and how they have ended up where they are. Read More
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Actress
Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actress
Supporting Actor
Direction
Director
Distribution
Distributor
Camera and Electrical
Director of Photography
Music
Music Director
Lyricist
Playback Singer
Sound
Sound Designer
Art
Art Director
Film Type:
Feature
Language:
Telugu
Colour Info:
Color
Frame Rate:
24 fps
Aspect Ratio:
2.39:1 (Scope)
Stereoscopy:
No
Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja
Lyricist: Vennelakanti
Playback Singer: Sujatha Mohan, SP Balasubramaniam
Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja
Movie Connection(s):
Dubbed from: Virumaandi (Tamil)
Filming Locations:
Trivia:
Over 50 choicest rugged bulls known for its toughness were specially selected along with trainers and bull fighters. Not only the trainers, but the villagers who are familiar with the events were transported from the villages to the shooting spot to be part of the epoch-making event.
Art Director Prabhakaran's Kottala Devar home and Nallamma Naicker palace were artistically built with dexterity that is bound to take people down the memory lane. It was hard to believe that the sets were created in Chennai, be it "Virumaandi" temple, Central Prison or police station.
The Jalli Kattu Street was so natural that even people who took part in scores of Jalli Kattu competitions could not believe their eyes and felt that they were in their native village.
At the 2004 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival held in South Korea, the movie won the International Award for Best Asian Film.
This is perhaps for the first time two southern villages were transported live to the Campa Cola complex in Chennai. The complex was transformed into bustling Theni and Madurai villages with people speaking the local dialect. The sets were so authentic and beautiful that Kamal Haasan received requests not to abandon the sets for at least six months but to throw them open to the public for viewing before the release of the film.
Two special Kangeyam bulls ever ready to charge were carefully trained with great difficulties for the movie, again a first in the tinsel world. The bulls were kept at Sivaji Gardens and trained. The lead actress Abirami and hero Kamal Haasan did their home work daily and spent time with the bulls as part of the familiarization process.
In all, almost 1,000 persons were brought from Madurai district to give an authentic flavor to the sequences. Several technicians risked their lives to capture live the realism involved in the bull fight which is going to be among the highlights of the film.
Although "Jalli Kattu" is very popular in places like Alanganallur and Tiruchi during the Pongal season, perhaps for the first time it was recorded live with all the accompanying action and bravery of the men for the benefit of the movie goers and for posterity as well.
A constant learner and an experimenter himself, Kamal decided to learn how to drive a moped without using his hands.
Live sound recording system was used and for the first time, the Neuendo machine was kept at the shooting venue. There were special cameras for fight scenes as well. Vadipatti drummers were specially brought to give the local flavor for the movie. Not only Vadipatti drummers but Vadugapatti crackers were used too.
Cinematographer Kesav Prakash was trained in India and the United States was an assistant to Ravi K Chandran in "Marudanayagam" project and Kamal Haasan spotted him. Both Kamal Haasan and Keshav Prakash tried to make the film in high definition mode but had to abandon the project due to some technical snags.
The movie became a super hit performer at the Box Office; as a consequence it was later dubbed to Telugu as "Pothuraaju Cheppinattu".
One of the central concepts highlighted in the movie is the controversy surrounding the death penalty.
The film's narrative is based on the Rashomon effect. They express how they feel about the direction their lives have taken and how they have ended up where they are.
Extensive sets of rural tamilnadu and prison were erected in Chennai. Bulls from Madurai and nearby districts were transported to Chennai for the bull fight sequences .
The film was initially titled Sandiyar.
Art Director Prabhakaran's Kottala Devar home and Nallamma Naicker palace were artistically built with dexterity that is bound to take people down the memory lane. It was hard to believe that the sets were created in Chennai, be it "Virumaandi" temple, Central Prison or police station.
The Jalli Kattu Street was so natural that even people who took part in scores of Jalli Kattu competitions could not believe their eyes and felt that they were in their native village.
At the 2004 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival held in South Korea, the movie won the International Award for Best Asian Film.
This is perhaps for the first time two southern villages were transported live to the Campa Cola complex in Chennai. The complex was transformed into bustling Theni and Madurai villages with people speaking the local dialect. The sets were so authentic and beautiful that Kamal Haasan received requests not to abandon the sets for at least six months but to throw them open to the public for viewing before the release of the film.
Two special Kangeyam bulls ever ready to charge were carefully trained with great difficulties for the movie, again a first in the tinsel world. The bulls were kept at Sivaji Gardens and trained. The lead actress Abirami and hero Kamal Haasan did their home work daily and spent time with the bulls as part of the familiarization process.
In all, almost 1,000 persons were brought from Madurai district to give an authentic flavor to the sequences. Several technicians risked their lives to capture live the realism involved in the bull fight which is going to be among the highlights of the film.
Although "Jalli Kattu" is very popular in places like Alanganallur and Tiruchi during the Pongal season, perhaps for the first time it was recorded live with all the accompanying action and bravery of the men for the benefit of the movie goers and for posterity as well.
A constant learner and an experimenter himself, Kamal decided to learn how to drive a moped without using his hands.
Live sound recording system was used and for the first time, the Neuendo machine was kept at the shooting venue. There were special cameras for fight scenes as well. Vadipatti drummers were specially brought to give the local flavor for the movie. Not only Vadipatti drummers but Vadugapatti crackers were used too.
Cinematographer Kesav Prakash was trained in India and the United States was an assistant to Ravi K Chandran in "Marudanayagam" project and Kamal Haasan spotted him. Both Kamal Haasan and Keshav Prakash tried to make the film in high definition mode but had to abandon the project due to some technical snags.
The movie became a super hit performer at the Box Office; as a consequence it was later dubbed to Telugu as "Pothuraaju Cheppinattu".
One of the central concepts highlighted in the movie is the controversy surrounding the death penalty.
The film's narrative is based on the Rashomon effect. They express how they feel about the direction their lives have taken and how they have ended up where they are.
Extensive sets of rural tamilnadu and prison were erected in Chennai. Bulls from Madurai and nearby districts were transported to Chennai for the bull fight sequences .
The film was initially titled Sandiyar.
