Vietnam Colony (1994 film)
| Vietnam Colony | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Santhana Bharathi |
| Screenplay by | Santhana Bharathi |
| Story by | Siddique–Lal |
| Produced by | C. V. Rajendran |
| Starring | Prabhu Vineetha Goundamani |
| Cinematography | M. S. Prabhu |
| Edited by | N. Chandran |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Sree Ganesh Vision |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Vietnam Colony is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed and co-written by Santhana Bharathi. It is a remake of the 1992 Malayalam film of the same name which itself was based on the 1983 Scottish film Local Hero. The film stars Prabhu, Vineetha and Goundamani. It revolves around two men trying to persuade some colony residents to relocate to another location for the sake of a corporate project, but the residents, and some goons, oppose them. Vietnam Colony was released on 15 July 1994.
Plot
[edit] | This article needs an improved plot summary. (March 2022) |
Venkatakrishnan, hailing from an orthodox Brahmin community, gets a job with Calcutta Constructions as its supervisor. The company has been in efforts to restructure their land by vacating an illegal colony lying adjacent to its premises. Popularly known as Vietnam Colony, it is inhabited by daily labourers. The company has been in efforts to demolish the colony for long time, but failed to do so. The colony is now under the rule a few hardcore criminals to whom the residents have to pay specific amount every week. Now, Venkatakrishnan is appointed by the company to evacuate the colony by dealing with these criminals. He is assisted by Joseph. Both arrive in the colony disguised as professional writers who are planning to write a story on the life of colony residents.
Upon arrival, both enter the house of a woman in search of a house, but she mistakes them to have come to see her daughter Gayathri and calls her to bring tea and snacks. But after knowing that the goof happened, she lets them stay on the top floor of her house. Upon the advice of the house broker, Gayathri's mother believes that with time, her daughter might fall in love with Venkatakrishnan and marry him. In the coming days, Venkatakrishnan befriends with various members of the colony and tries to read out their idea about vacating the colony. But he realises it is not an easy task to evacuate the people and thinks about different plans to be operated. From Gayathri's mother, Venkatakrishnan learns that the entire colony was owned by Sulaiman, a millionaire who gave up his mother for money. What happens next is the rest of story.
Cast
[edit]- Prabhu as Venkatakrishnan
- Vineetha as Gayathri [1]
- Goundamani as Joseph
- Nassar as Sulaiman Seth[2]
- Vijaya Rangaraj as Rauther
- Manorama as Janaki
- S. N. Lakshmi
- Kaka Radhakrishnan
- Uday Prakash as advocate Thomas
- Ashok Rao
- R. S. Shivaji as Broker Paramasivam
- Delhi Ganesh
- Thyagu as Pattabhiraman
Production
[edit]Vietnam Colony is a remake of the 1994 Malayalam film of the same name,[3] which itself was based on the 1983 Scottish film Local Hero.[4] The film was initially titled Indru Mudhal (transl. From today) before it was changed to match the Malayalam original. Gautami was initially cast as the lead actress but she was replaced by Vineetha.[5] Crazy Mohan wrote the dialogues.[6]
Soundtrack
[edit]The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[7][8]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Kaiyil Veenai" | Bombay Jayashri | Vaali | 4:58 |
| "Margazhi Masam" | Mano, Swarnalatha | Pulamaipithan | 4:41 |
| "Samikku Nan Poo" | Mano | Vaali | 4:53 |
| "Tham Thadhikida" | Mano | 4:52 | |
| "Yenakku Ullathellam" | Swarnalatha | Panchu Arunachalam | 5:05 |
| "Yennamo Solla" | Mano, Swarnalatha | Pulamaipithan | 5:08 |
Release and reception
[edit]Vietnam Colony was released on 15 July 1994.[9] On 22 July 1994, The Indian Express wrote, "An unusual story by Siddiq-Lal keeps the proceedings alive for the most part."[10] On 6 August 1994, New Straits Times wrote, "This is a serious story but what we get are comic situations which Santhana Bharathi manages very well".[5] R. P. R. of Kalki wrote that those who want to have fun can wake up at interval, and if viewers want to shed tears, they can sit until the end.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Mohan is gone, but the craziness will go on". Deccan Herald. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Nair, Vinod (20 September 2017). "In M'wood, everyone behaves like actors, not stars: Nassar". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்..." [Mohanlal and Tamil remakes]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 5 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ Saju, Kuriakose (18 December 2022). "Avatar 2: James Cameron's genius is in deploying technology for storytelling". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ a b Vijiyan, K. (6 August 1994). "Tale pits settlers against developer". New Straits Times. p. 26. Retrieved 17 August 2020 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "When 'Crazy' Mohan made us laugh..." The Hindu. 20 October 2016. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Vietnam Colony". JioSaavn. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Vietnam Colony Tamil Film Audio Cassette by Ilaiyaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Vietnam Colony". The Indian Express. 15 July 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 18 May 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (22 July 1994). "Rib-tickling". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 18 May 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ ஆர்.பி.ஆர். (14 August 1994). "சினிமாவுக்குப் போறீங்களா..?" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 24–26. Retrieved 12 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.