Aasai
Encyclopedia
Aasai is a 1995 Tamil film
directed by Vasanth
and produced by Mani Ratnam
The film featured Ajith Kumar
and Suvalakshmi
, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj
in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva
and a popular soundtrack by Deva
. Upon release, the film won positive reviews from critics and went on to become a large success at the box office.
), one of the two daughters of an orthodox father, comes to Madras from finishing her studies. Major Madhavan (Prakashraj) is the husband of Yamuna's elder sister Ganga (Rohini
), who infatuates about Yamuna after seeing a photo in a letter sent by Yamuna. Meanwhile, Yamuna meets Jeeva (Ajithkumar
), in a city bus who gives his ticket to her as she had not taken her own. Later one day on the advice of his friends, Jeeva decides to express his love to Yamuna by writing 1 4 3(the number of letters in “I love you") in a letter and giving it to her. But he witnesses a group beating a boy who did the same thing. So he crumples the letter and it is found by Yamuna who realizes his love. One day when they were walking together Jeeva tries to remove the dirt from Yamuna's eyes and he kisses her. Yamuna is angry with him. Jeeva senses it and gets wet in the rain and gets a cold. Hearing this Yamuna meets him. Jeeva expresses that she is the only medicine to her and he needs her. Yamuna promises that she will marry him. On Yamuna's birthday, Jeeva jumps into her house and presents her a puppy. One day, fearing that Yamuna's father might not marry him to Yamuna, he decides to marry her in a register office on the advice of his friends. But Yamuna refuses and Jeeva leaves angrily.
Meanwhile Madhavan settles his father-in-law's debts and earns his trust. He also pays for connecting a landline to Yamuna's house and talks to her regularly. But his wife is unaware of this. One day Madhavan's wife finds it and starts to realize his true identity. Madhavan then expresses his love affair on Yamuna to his wife. This makes her so upset that she attempts to go and live with her father and Yamuna. Madhavan prisons her in home and one day he tells her that she can go to her father's house by flight and tricks her by putting a sleeping-pill in milk and makes her drink it. She falls unconscious. Audience then witnesses the cruel face of Madhavan. He murders his wife by suffocating her to death with a polythene cover and tying it around her head by his shoe-lace, and lies to everyone that she died from heart attack. He then makes Yamuna and her father stay with him in Delhi to look after his baby, but he has other plans.
Hearing this Jeeva comes to Delhi. One day he sees Yamuna who ignores him. Later he sees her carrying the puppy he presented and tells why she needs the puppy when she does not need him. Yamuna leaves the puppy in the middle of the road. Later that night Yamuna comes to take the puppy in the rain. Jeeva sees this and realizes that she really loves him. Couple of months later Yamuna's father (Poornam Vishwanathan
) decides to get Yamuna married to Jeeva. This shocks Madhavan and he decides to stop the marriage between Jeeva and Yamuna. Yamuna's family meets Jeeva in a restaurant. While Jeeva was talking to Madhavan, a Singh dashes against him. And in the confusion Madhavan steals Jeeva's purse. Later when Jeeva senses his purse missing, he argues with the Singh. Later he suspects Madhavan and wants to check him. This angers Yamuna's father as he blindly believes Madhavan.
Later Madhavan arranges some men to pour liquor into Jeeva's mouth and lay him in the middle of the road. Madhavan makes Yamuna and her father believe that Jeeva is a drunkard. Madhavan later gives Jeeva's flight ticket and wants to send him to Madras. But Jeeva makes a fool of Madhavan by tearing the ticket and spends the day with Yamuna. In a rage, Madhavan makes his baby to wet in the rain and calls Yamuna to look for his baby. Meanwhile Jeeva complains to Captain Hariharan (Nizhalgal Ravi
) who is a friend and higher officer to Madhavan, but he does not believe Jeeva. Later when celebrating Holi, Madhavan asks Jeeva the puppy he had presented to Yamuna. Jeeva gives it and Madhavan purposely throws it at a running car. The puppy dies and Madhavan makes everyone believe that Jeeva threw the puppy. An argument ensues between them and Madhavan tries to kill Jeeva with a rod but leaves him on behalf of Yamuna.
One day Hariharan finds the truth about Madhavan and questions him. An enraged Madhavan arranges men and kills Hariharan, faking it to be a car accident. Madhavan hides brown sugar in Jeeva's pillows and informs the police. Jeeva lands in Jail. One day while meeting Jeeva in jail, Madhavan tells him how he cruelly killed his own wife for getting Yamuna. Yamuna overhears this and informs her father. They plan to escape but Madhavan arrives and hits Yamuna's father with a lamp and holds her imprisoned in his house. Jeeva escapes from jail and arrives there. A fight ensues between Madhavan and Jeeva, in which Jeeva gains the upper hand. Yamuna and Jeeva take the baby to the hospital as it fainted. Yamuna's father locks the doors, opens the gas cylinder and lights a match stick in which they both die in the explosion. In the end, Jeeva is released from prison and is united with Yamuna and the baby.
to Suriya, son of actor Sivakumar
, to make his debut but he rejected the offer citing a lack of interest in an acting career. He was duly replaced by Ajith Kumar
, in his first major lead role.
The film secured a break and better career opportunities for the lead actor, Ajith Kumar
, becoming the first success of a successful career in films. The film went on to win three awards at the Tamil Nadu State Awards securing honours for the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
for Vasanth, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
for Deva and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback
Singer for Hariharan
.
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
directed by Vasanth
Vasanth
Vasanth is an Indian film director and screenwriter, working in the Tamil film industry. Following a stint as journalist and after assisting K. Balachander, he made his directorial debut with Keladi Kanmani in 1990, which along with the trendsetting Aasai and Rhythm , are considered his finest...
and produced by Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
The film featured Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
and Suvalakshmi
Suvalakshmi
Suvalakshmi is a Bengali actress who has acted in the female lead role in a number of Tamil films. She has also acted in a few Bengali and Malayalam films.- Filmography :- External links :...
, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva
Jeeva
Jeeva may refer to:* Jeeva, P. Jeevanandham , Indian politician* Jeeva , Tamil Movie Director* Jeeva , Indian* Jeeva , Indian Tamil actor* Jeeva, Lollu Sabha actor...
and a popular soundtrack by Deva
Deva (music director)
Deva is an Indian film composer and singer. He has composed songs and provided background music for Tamil films in a career spanning about 20 years. Many know his gaana songs, written mostly using Madras Tamil. He is known as the "Father of Gaana Genre" in the Tamil film industry.Deva has composed...
. Upon release, the film won positive reviews from critics and went on to become a large success at the box office.
Plot
Yamuna (SuvalakshmiSuvalakshmi
Suvalakshmi is a Bengali actress who has acted in the female lead role in a number of Tamil films. She has also acted in a few Bengali and Malayalam films.- Filmography :- External links :...
), one of the two daughters of an orthodox father, comes to Madras from finishing her studies. Major Madhavan (Prakashraj) is the husband of Yamuna's elder sister Ganga (Rohini
Rohini (actress)
Rohini is an actress in south Indian, notably Malayalam and Tamil, films. She started her career in 1976 as a child artist. She was married to actor late Raghuvaran from 1996 to 2003. She is also the most popular dubbing artist in Tamil industry. She lent her voice to actresses like Jyothika ,...
), who infatuates about Yamuna after seeing a photo in a letter sent by Yamuna. Meanwhile, Yamuna meets Jeeva (Ajithkumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
), in a city bus who gives his ticket to her as she had not taken her own. Later one day on the advice of his friends, Jeeva decides to express his love to Yamuna by writing 1 4 3(the number of letters in “I love you") in a letter and giving it to her. But he witnesses a group beating a boy who did the same thing. So he crumples the letter and it is found by Yamuna who realizes his love. One day when they were walking together Jeeva tries to remove the dirt from Yamuna's eyes and he kisses her. Yamuna is angry with him. Jeeva senses it and gets wet in the rain and gets a cold. Hearing this Yamuna meets him. Jeeva expresses that she is the only medicine to her and he needs her. Yamuna promises that she will marry him. On Yamuna's birthday, Jeeva jumps into her house and presents her a puppy. One day, fearing that Yamuna's father might not marry him to Yamuna, he decides to marry her in a register office on the advice of his friends. But Yamuna refuses and Jeeva leaves angrily.
Meanwhile Madhavan settles his father-in-law's debts and earns his trust. He also pays for connecting a landline to Yamuna's house and talks to her regularly. But his wife is unaware of this. One day Madhavan's wife finds it and starts to realize his true identity. Madhavan then expresses his love affair on Yamuna to his wife. This makes her so upset that she attempts to go and live with her father and Yamuna. Madhavan prisons her in home and one day he tells her that she can go to her father's house by flight and tricks her by putting a sleeping-pill in milk and makes her drink it. She falls unconscious. Audience then witnesses the cruel face of Madhavan. He murders his wife by suffocating her to death with a polythene cover and tying it around her head by his shoe-lace, and lies to everyone that she died from heart attack. He then makes Yamuna and her father stay with him in Delhi to look after his baby, but he has other plans.
Hearing this Jeeva comes to Delhi. One day he sees Yamuna who ignores him. Later he sees her carrying the puppy he presented and tells why she needs the puppy when she does not need him. Yamuna leaves the puppy in the middle of the road. Later that night Yamuna comes to take the puppy in the rain. Jeeva sees this and realizes that she really loves him. Couple of months later Yamuna's father (Poornam Vishwanathan
Poornam Vishwanathan
Poornam Viswanathan was a theater artist and film actor in the Tamil film industry. He started performing on stage at age 18. He worked as a reader for All India Radio. He acted in movies such as Chithram, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu, Keladi Kanmani, Moondram Pirai, Aasai, Mahanadi' and Varumaiyin...
) decides to get Yamuna married to Jeeva. This shocks Madhavan and he decides to stop the marriage between Jeeva and Yamuna. Yamuna's family meets Jeeva in a restaurant. While Jeeva was talking to Madhavan, a Singh dashes against him. And in the confusion Madhavan steals Jeeva's purse. Later when Jeeva senses his purse missing, he argues with the Singh. Later he suspects Madhavan and wants to check him. This angers Yamuna's father as he blindly believes Madhavan.
Later Madhavan arranges some men to pour liquor into Jeeva's mouth and lay him in the middle of the road. Madhavan makes Yamuna and her father believe that Jeeva is a drunkard. Madhavan later gives Jeeva's flight ticket and wants to send him to Madras. But Jeeva makes a fool of Madhavan by tearing the ticket and spends the day with Yamuna. In a rage, Madhavan makes his baby to wet in the rain and calls Yamuna to look for his baby. Meanwhile Jeeva complains to Captain Hariharan (Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal.-Career:...
) who is a friend and higher officer to Madhavan, but he does not believe Jeeva. Later when celebrating Holi, Madhavan asks Jeeva the puppy he had presented to Yamuna. Jeeva gives it and Madhavan purposely throws it at a running car. The puppy dies and Madhavan makes everyone believe that Jeeva threw the puppy. An argument ensues between them and Madhavan tries to kill Jeeva with a rod but leaves him on behalf of Yamuna.
One day Hariharan finds the truth about Madhavan and questions him. An enraged Madhavan arranges men and kills Hariharan, faking it to be a car accident. Madhavan hides brown sugar in Jeeva's pillows and informs the police. Jeeva lands in Jail. One day while meeting Jeeva in jail, Madhavan tells him how he cruelly killed his own wife for getting Yamuna. Yamuna overhears this and informs her father. They plan to escape but Madhavan arrives and hits Yamuna's father with a lamp and holds her imprisoned in his house. Jeeva escapes from jail and arrives there. A fight ensues between Madhavan and Jeeva, in which Jeeva gains the upper hand. Yamuna and Jeeva take the baby to the hospital as it fainted. Yamuna's father locks the doors, opens the gas cylinder and lights a match stick in which they both die in the explosion. In the end, Jeeva is released from prison and is united with Yamuna and the baby.
Cast
- Ajith KumarAjith KumarAjith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
as Jeeva - SuvalakshmiSuvalakshmiSuvalakshmi is a Bengali actress who has acted in the female lead role in a number of Tamil films. She has also acted in a few Bengali and Malayalam films.- Filmography :- External links :...
as Yamuna - Prakashraj as Major Madhavan
- RohiniRohini (actress)Rohini is an actress in south Indian, notably Malayalam and Tamil, films. She started her career in 1976 as a child artist. She was married to actor late Raghuvaran from 1996 to 2003. She is also the most popular dubbing artist in Tamil industry. She lent her voice to actresses like Jyothika ,...
as Ganga - Poornam VishwanathanPoornam VishwanathanPoornam Viswanathan was a theater artist and film actor in the Tamil film industry. He started performing on stage at age 18. He worked as a reader for All India Radio. He acted in movies such as Chithram, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu, Keladi Kanmani, Moondram Pirai, Aasai, Mahanadi' and Varumaiyin...
as father of Ganga and Yamuna - Nizhalgal RaviNizhalgal RaviNizhalgal Ravi is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal.-Career:...
as Captain Hariharan - VadiveluVadiveluVadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
as Jeeva's friend - Pooja BatraPooja BatraPooja Batra in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, is an Indian actress.-Early life and background:Pooja Batra was born to Ravi Batra, an army colonel who was wounded in the 1971 war between India and Pakistan. Her mother, Neelam Batra was a former Miss India participant in 1971...
in a special appearance - Raju SundaramRaju SundaramRaju Sundaram is a Kollywood cine artiste who acts, directs, and choreographs for films. He is an eldest son of dance master Mugur Sundar, and elder brother to Prabhu Deva and Nagendra Prasad.-Birth:...
in a special appearance
Production
The lead role was initially offered by VasanthVasanth
Vasanth is an Indian film director and screenwriter, working in the Tamil film industry. Following a stint as journalist and after assisting K. Balachander, he made his directorial debut with Keladi Kanmani in 1990, which along with the trendsetting Aasai and Rhythm , are considered his finest...
to Suriya, son of actor Sivakumar
Sivakumar
Sivakumar is a Tamil cinema actor who has portrayed a wide range of character roles onscreen. Sivakumar was introduced in the Tamil movie Kaakum karangal which was produced by AVM Productions....
, to make his debut but he rejected the offer citing a lack of interest in an acting career. He was duly replaced by Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
, in his first major lead role.
Release
Upon release, the film won predominantly positive reviews from critics.The film secured a break and better career opportunities for the lead actor, Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
, becoming the first success of a successful career in films. The film went on to win three awards at the Tamil Nadu State Awards securing honours for the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-Winners:...
for Vasanth, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil feature films.-The list:...
for Deva and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
Singer for Hariharan
Hariharan (singer)
Hariharan , born 3 April 1955) is an Indian playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Telugu movies, an established ghazal singer, and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. His melody is strongly appreciated by the film fraternity...
.
Soundtrack
- "Konja Naal Poru" - HariharanHariharan (singer)Hariharan , born 3 April 1955) is an Indian playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Telugu movies, an established ghazal singer, and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. His melody is strongly appreciated by the film fraternity...
- "Meenamma Adikalayilum" - P. Unni KrishnanP. Unni KrishnanP. Unnikrishnan is a Carnatic vocalist and a national award winning playback singer.-Early life and background:Unnikrishnan was born to K.Radhakrishnan and Dr.Harini Radhakrishnan, in Palakkad, Kerala....
, Anuradha SriramAnuradha SriramAnuradha Sriram is an Indian carnatic and playback singer who hails from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She has sung in many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films.- Personal life :... - "Pulveli Pulveli" - K. S. ChitraK. S. ChithraK. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
- "Pulveli Pulveli 2" - P. Unni KrishnanP. Unni KrishnanP. Unnikrishnan is a Carnatic vocalist and a national award winning playback singer.-Early life and background:Unnikrishnan was born to K.Radhakrishnan and Dr.Harini Radhakrishnan, in Palakkad, Kerala....
- "Shokkadikuthu Sona" - Suresh PetersSuresh PetersSuresh Peters is a music director and playback rapper/singer for films in India whose notable songs include Style from the film Sivaji: The Boss. Peters received his first break as a music director through the Malayalam movie Punjabi House in which he composed both melodies and folk songs...
- "Thiloththama" - SwarnalathaSwarnalathaSwarnalatha was a Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga....
, S. P. BalasubrahmanyamS. P. BalasubrahmanyamSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...