Alaipayuthey
Encyclopedia
Alaipayuthey (Pouncing Waves / compared to tempting or fickle mind in Tamil
) is a 2000
Tamil
romantic drama film directed by Mani Ratnam
, starring Madhavan
and Shalini, the film explores the tensions of married life and the maturing of love. The film's score
and soundtrack
are composed by A. R. Rahman
.
The film's story is mostly recollected in flashbacks by the character Karthik (Madhavan). Karthik and Shakti (Shalini) fall in love against the backdrop of Madras and its suburban trains, against the wishes of their parents. The film was well received by critics and it did well at the Tamil and Telugu box-offices primarily for its music and realistic portrayal of romance and married life. It was dubbed into Telugu as Sakhi
.
The film made its European premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
in 2001. It was shown at various film festivals nationally and internationally. It also carried a very popular soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman. Alaipayuthey was later remade in Hindi cinema as Saathiya, directed by Shaad Ali
in 2002, starring Rani Mukherjee and Vivek Oberoi
.
) is an engineering graduate who happens to lay eyes on Shakti (Shalini), a medical student, at a wedding. The two meet regularly after their that on suburban trains, to and from work and university. Karthik and Shakti eventually fall in love. Karthik's father Varadarajan, a lawyer, learns of the relationship and meets with Shakti's dad Selvaraj. He asks Selvaraj, a railways
employee, for his consent to a marriage between the two young lovers. However, upon meeting, the two parents disagree and the wedding is called off. Shakti decides not get married without her parents' consent, and the relationship is called off altogether.
Unable to stay separated for very long, coupled with chance meetings, Karthik and Shakti find themselves resuming their relationship, albeit secretly, without the knowledge of their respective families. They decide to get married, without telling anyone, but carry on living with their parents, hoping that a time will come when both families will see eye to eye and can be told of the development. With the help of their friends, and Shakti's older sister Poorni(Swarnamalya
), they marry legally, and they continue to meet without their parents' knowledge.
Poorni gets a engagement proposal
soon after. Poorni is willing to marry the suitor - Raghu. The prospective groom's father offers his second son's hand in marriage to Shakti. Shakti's mother Saroja urges her to accept the marriage proposal, unaware of the fact that Karthik and Shakti are already together. Shakti eventually tells the truth, and Poorni's engagement is called off. Karthik and Shakthi are thrown out of their homes.
With the help of friends, Shakti and Karthik move into an apartment
, in development. They cope for a while, however it's not too long before the couple start arguing over various issues that the two seemed so much more tolerant of before they got married. The tension escalates. Shakti learns that her father is seriously ill back home. She and Karthik decide it would be best to visit him. Upon arrival they get the news that her father has died. Wracked with guilt, the two return home, their relationship
taking a turn for the worse.
The two stop talking to each other. Meanwhile, Karthik takes it upon himself to sort out Poorni's adjourned marriage proposal to Raghu. He arranges a blind date between the two, which initially fails, backfiring on Karthik, however, with more meetings, Poorni and Raghu become closer. This development takes place without Shakti knowing. She and her husband have not spoken to each other for a long time. Karthik waits until Poorni and Raghu's marriage is confirmed before telling Shakti. Poorni is desperate to tell her sister the news herself. Whilst hugging Karthik, thanking him for his efforts, Shakti witnesses their close contact and misunderstands it, leading to an even bigger argument, and a trade of insults.
Shakti eventually learns of her husband's efforts in getting her sister married, and wants to thank him. Karthik sets off to the railway station to get his wife. She had left the hospital where she works and neither is on the train she usually takes. Karthik waits for his wife.
Meanwhile, in a hurry to rush home, Shakti meets with a car accident, which leaves her fighting for her life. She is hit by a car driven by a lady (Kushboo in a special appearance). The woman's husband (special appearance by Arvind Swamy
) ensures that Karthik is informed about the accident. Finally Karthik meets his wife in the hospital. In these turn of events Karthik understands the true meaning of love. The movie ends with Shakti coming out from coma and hugging Karthik on the hospital bed.This movie is loosely based on the holywood movie Barefoot in the Park
. It met widespread critical acclaim and is often considered to be one of Rahman's best soundtracks . Thus winning the Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
for 2000 .The soundtrack features 10 songs composed by Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu
, except for the title song "Alai Payuthey" (which was created by the 18th century Carnatic music
composer Oothukkadu Venkatasubramanya Iyer, who also set it to the raagam
Kaanada). The song "Yaro Yarodi" later appeared in the 2008 Hollywood film, The Accidental Husband
.
Songs and BGM in Alaipayuthey are considered today as one off AR Rahman finest work and are still very popular throughout Tamil Nadu.
where Arya tries to do the same with Nayanthara but fails. When Madhavan saw that film, he said "It was a plesant shock to see this clip feature in BEB. It was such a sweet tribute to me, After watching this sequence, I was quite amused to see how thin I was back then!"
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
) is a 2000
2000 in film
The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
romantic drama film directed 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...
, starring Madhavan
R. Madhavan
R. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
and Shalini, the film explores the tensions of married life and the maturing of love. The film's score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
and soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
are composed by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
.
The film's story is mostly recollected in flashbacks by the character Karthik (Madhavan). Karthik and Shakti (Shalini) fall in love against the backdrop of Madras and its suburban trains, against the wishes of their parents. The film was well received by critics and it did well at the Tamil and Telugu box-offices primarily for its music and realistic portrayal of romance and married life. It was dubbed into Telugu as Sakhi
Sakhi
Sakhi literally means "Historical Account" or Story.The term refers to the accounts of the historical events in Sikhism. It is a tale usually from the era during the times of the Gurus. However, many Sakhis do exist from the period before and after the times of the Ten Gurus...
.
The film made its European premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
in 2001. It was shown at various film festivals nationally and internationally. It also carried a very popular soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman. Alaipayuthey was later remade in Hindi cinema as Saathiya, directed by Shaad Ali
Shaad Ali
-Early life:Shaad Ali was born to Muzaffar Ali and Subhashini Ali née Sehgal, an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India ). He is thus the grandson of Azad Hind Fauj commander Lakshmi Sahgal...
in 2002, starring Rani Mukherjee and Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi is an Indian actor. He is the son of Bollywood actor Suresh Oberoi and Yashodhara Oberoi.- Early life :Vivek attended Mayo college in Ajmer. At an actors' workshop in London he was spotted by the director of New York University who took Vivek off to New York, where he completed his...
.
Plot
Karthik (MadhavanR. Madhavan
R. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
) is an engineering graduate who happens to lay eyes on Shakti (Shalini), a medical student, at a wedding. The two meet regularly after their that on suburban trains, to and from work and university. Karthik and Shakti eventually fall in love. Karthik's father Varadarajan, a lawyer, learns of the relationship and meets with Shakti's dad Selvaraj. He asks Selvaraj, a railways
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
employee, for his consent to a marriage between the two young lovers. However, upon meeting, the two parents disagree and the wedding is called off. Shakti decides not get married without her parents' consent, and the relationship is called off altogether.
Unable to stay separated for very long, coupled with chance meetings, Karthik and Shakti find themselves resuming their relationship, albeit secretly, without the knowledge of their respective families. They decide to get married, without telling anyone, but carry on living with their parents, hoping that a time will come when both families will see eye to eye and can be told of the development. With the help of their friends, and Shakti's older sister Poorni(Swarnamalya
Swarnamalya
Swarnamalya is a Tamil actress and TV anchor. She is also a bharathanatyam dancer. She is currently acting in a Kalaignar TV serial called Thekkathi Ponnu which is directed by Bharathiraja. She is a famous classical dancer. She received the award 'Yuvakala Bharat' at the age of 17...
), they marry legally, and they continue to meet without their parents' knowledge.
Poorni gets a engagement proposal
Proposal of marriage
A marriage proposal is an event where one person in a relationship asks for the other's hand in marriage. If accepted, it marks the initiation of engagement. It often has a ritual quality, sometimes involving the presentation of an engagement ring and a formalized asking of a question such as "Will...
soon after. Poorni is willing to marry the suitor - Raghu. The prospective groom's father offers his second son's hand in marriage to Shakti. Shakti's mother Saroja urges her to accept the marriage proposal, unaware of the fact that Karthik and Shakti are already together. Shakti eventually tells the truth, and Poorni's engagement is called off. Karthik and Shakthi are thrown out of their homes.
With the help of friends, Shakti and Karthik move into an apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
, in development. They cope for a while, however it's not too long before the couple start arguing over various issues that the two seemed so much more tolerant of before they got married. The tension escalates. Shakti learns that her father is seriously ill back home. She and Karthik decide it would be best to visit him. Upon arrival they get the news that her father has died. Wracked with guilt, the two return home, their relationship
Interpersonal relationship
An interpersonal relationship is an association between two or more people that may range from fleeting to enduring. This association may be based on limerence, love, solidarity, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. Interpersonal relationships are formed in the...
taking a turn for the worse.
The two stop talking to each other. Meanwhile, Karthik takes it upon himself to sort out Poorni's adjourned marriage proposal to Raghu. He arranges a blind date between the two, which initially fails, backfiring on Karthik, however, with more meetings, Poorni and Raghu become closer. This development takes place without Shakti knowing. She and her husband have not spoken to each other for a long time. Karthik waits until Poorni and Raghu's marriage is confirmed before telling Shakti. Poorni is desperate to tell her sister the news herself. Whilst hugging Karthik, thanking him for his efforts, Shakti witnesses their close contact and misunderstands it, leading to an even bigger argument, and a trade of insults.
Shakti eventually learns of her husband's efforts in getting her sister married, and wants to thank him. Karthik sets off to the railway station to get his wife. She had left the hospital where she works and neither is on the train she usually takes. Karthik waits for his wife.
Meanwhile, in a hurry to rush home, Shakti meets with a car accident, which leaves her fighting for her life. She is hit by a car driven by a lady (Kushboo in a special appearance). The woman's husband (special appearance by Arvind Swamy
Arvind Swamy
Arvind Swamy is a former Indian film actor. He has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi. Popular movies to his credit include Roja, Bombay, Minsaara Kanavu, Indira, Devaraagam, Alaipayuthey.- Early life :...
) ensures that Karthik is informed about the accident. Finally Karthik meets his wife in the hospital. In these turn of events Karthik understands the true meaning of love. The movie ends with Shakti coming out from coma and hugging Karthik on the hospital bed.This movie is loosely based on the holywood movie Barefoot in the Park
Barefoot in the Park
This article is about the Broadway production. For the film adaptation see Barefoot in the Park .Barefoot in the Park is a romantic comedy by Neil Simon. The original Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, opened October 23, 1963, with the four lead roles taken by actors Elizabeth Ashley ,...
Cast
- MadhavanR. MadhavanR. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
as Karthik: Madhavan plays Karthik, an engineering graduate falling in love with Shakti. Madhavan made his debut in Tamil cinema with this film. - Shalini as Shakti: Shalini plays Shakti, a medical student who falls in love with Karthik. The two get married. Shalini has worked in South Indian film industries since she was a child. This was her last film before she married actor 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...
. - SwarnamalyaSwarnamalyaSwarnamalya is a Tamil actress and TV anchor. She is also a bharathanatyam dancer. She is currently acting in a Kalaignar TV serial called Thekkathi Ponnu which is directed by Bharathiraja. She is a famous classical dancer. She received the award 'Yuvakala Bharat' at the age of 17...
as Shakti's elder sister. - VivekVivek (actor)Vivekananthan is an Indian film actor and comedian. He has won four Filmfare Best Comedian Awards for his performances in Run, Saamy, Perazhagan and Sivaji, respectively. In April 2009, Vivek received the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for his contribution to the arts. He was...
as Shakti's cousin. - Arvind SwamyArvind SwamyArvind Swamy is a former Indian film actor. He has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi. Popular movies to his credit include Roja, Bombay, Minsaara Kanavu, Indira, Devaraagam, Alaipayuthey.- Early life :...
as an IAS officer: Arvind Swamy plays an IAS office who is Kushboo's husband. This is the fourth time Arvind Swamy has worked with Mani Ratnam, after starring in the films Thalapathi, Roja and Bombay. This is also the last film that he has made an appearance in till date. - Kushboo as the Arvind Swamy's Wife: Kushboo plays the role of the wife of an IAS Officer - Kushboo runs down Shalini while she is driving.
- Lalitha K.P.A.C. as Karthik's mother.
- Karthik KumarKarthik KumarKarthik Kumar is a noted theatre and Kollywood actor. He is popularly known as 'Evam' Karthik, due to his theater connections.He studied chemical engineering in sri venkateshwara college of engineering,chennai.He is married to playback singer Suchitra Ramadurai.-Filmography:-External links:...
as Raghu
Music
The music score that accompanies the film was composed by A. R. RahmanA. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
. It met widespread critical acclaim and is often considered to be one of Rahman's best soundtracks . Thus winning the Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
The Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given to film composers by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films. The award was first given in 1992, A. R. Rahman being the first recipient of this award for his film score and soundtrack of Roja.There have been...
for 2000 .The soundtrack features 10 songs composed by Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu
Vairamuthu
Vairamuthu Ramaswamy Thevar is an award-winning Tamil poet and lyricist.Debuting in the film Nizhalgal with the lyrics for the song "Ponmalai Pozhudhu", he has now about 5800 songs to his credit as of January 2009. His partnership with the composers Ilaiyaraaja, and later A. R...
, except for the title song "Alai Payuthey" (which was created by the 18th century Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
composer Oothukkadu Venkatasubramanya Iyer, who also set it to the raagam
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
Kaanada). The song "Yaro Yarodi" later appeared in the 2008 Hollywood film, The Accidental Husband
The Accidental Husband
The Accidental Husband is a 2008 American/Irish romantic comedy film directed by Griffin Dunne and starring Uma Thurman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Colin Firth, Isabella Rossellini, and Sam Shepard. The film is written by Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor and Bonnie Sikowitz, and is produced by Jennifer Todd,...
.
Songs and BGM in Alaipayuthey are considered today as one off AR Rahman finest work and are still very popular throughout Tamil Nadu.
| Song | Artist(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| "Endendrum Punnagai" | Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo is known for his contributions in the music department for Indian films. His range of work includes playback singing, vocal arrangements, musical arrangements, background scores, music programming, production... , Srinivas Srinivas (singer) Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:... , Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar Ehsaan Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer.-Early life:... , A.R.Rahman |
4:00 |
| "Pachchai Nirame" | 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... , Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo is known for his contributions in the music department for Indian films. His range of work includes playback singing, vocal arrangements, musical arrangements, background scores, music programming, production... , Dominique Cerejo Dominique Cerejo Dominique Cerejo is an Indian female playback singer best known for the song "Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein" from Rock On!!. She has sung in over thirty bollywood soundtrack albums... |
5:58 |
| "Kadhal Sadugudu" | S.P.B. Charan S. P. B. Charan Charan Sripathi Panditharadhyula Balasubrahmanyam, better known and creditted as S. P. B. Charan , is an Indian actor, producer and a playback singer. Son of popular Indian singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, he first worked as a playback singer in the Tamil and Telugu film industries... |
4:35 |
| "Evano Oruvan" | Swarnalatha Swarnalatha Swarnalatha 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.... |
5:56 |
| "Alaipayuthey" | Harini Harini Harini is an Indian film playback singer and classical singer, who sings mainly in Tamil films. She has also sung in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam language films, whilst working with many leading film composers. She is married to another playback singer, Tippu.-Career:Harini learnt Carnatic... , Kalyani Menon, Neyveli Ramalaxmi |
3:34 |
| "Snehithane Snehithane" | Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam is an acclaimed Indian playback singer. She is a recipient of the prestigious National Film Award and Filmfare Awards.Sargam has sung in many Indian languages for films, television serials and music albums. She is well known for her 90s Hindi songs and recent South Indian songs. She... , Srinivas Srinivas (singer) Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:... |
6:05 |
| "Maangalyam" | Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo is known for his contributions in the music department for Indian films. His range of work includes playback singing, vocal arrangements, musical arrangements, background scores, music programming, production... , Srinivas Srinivas (singer) Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:... , A.R.Rahman |
1:41 |
| "Yaro Yarodi" | Mahalaxmi Iyer, Vaishali Vaishali Vaishali may refer to:* Vaishali , an ancient city located in current Vaishali District, Bihar, India* Vaishali district, a district in Bihar, India* Vaishali , a Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, India... , Richa Sharma |
5:46 |
| "September Madham" | Asha Bhonsle, Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar Ehsaan Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer.-Early life:... |
5:08 |
| "Snehithane Snehithane II" | Ustad Sultan Khan Ustad Sultan Khan Ustad Sultan Khan was an Indian sarangi player and singer who performed Hindustani classical music. He was one of the members of the Indian fusion group Tabla Beat Science, with Zakir Hussain and Bill Laswell... , Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam is an acclaimed Indian playback singer. She is a recipient of the prestigious National Film Award and Filmfare Awards.Sargam has sung in many Indian languages for films, television serials and music albums. She is well known for her 90s Hindi songs and recent South Indian songs. She... , Srinivas Srinivas (singer) Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:... |
6:05 |
| "Theem Thirana" | 3:33 | |
Production
Madhavan had done a sandalwood talc ad for Santosh Sivan. He didn't know who he was at that point of time because he was totally new to the industry. Santhosh told him, "You have got potential. Why don't you give me your photographs and I will give it to Mr Mani Ratnam." He gave the photographs to Mani Sir and Mani Sir saw it and said ok. So, in 1997, he called to his office for a screen test. It was for a senior role in Iruvar. Unfortunately, Mani Sir thought his eyes were too young. So he said they would work together some other time. Mani Sir suddenly called him in 1999 and said, "Come down and we will do a photo session. I am starting a film with you."Reviews
Hindu cited the film saying, "THE wavy movements are not restricted to the title card alone. Alaipayuthey goes backward and forward in time and the movement holds a thin thread of suspense too. The oscillation from joy and levity to seriousness and sorrow creates impressive waves", The lead pair performance was praised saying, "Shalini once again proves that she is a natural performer while Madhavan sails through the litmus test with ease".Cultural references
The scene where Madhavan proposes Shalini in the train was spoofed in Boss Engira BhaskaranBoss Engira Bhaskaran
Following the success of Siva Manasula Sakthi, Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the musical score and soundtrack of Boss Engira Bhaskaran, too. The soundtrack album, which was released on 27 August 2010 at Sathyam Cinemas, contains 5 tracks, featuring lyrics penned by Na...
where Arya tries to do the same with Nayanthara but fails. When Madhavan saw that film, he said "It was a plesant shock to see this clip feature in BEB. It was such a sweet tribute to me, After watching this sequence, I was quite amused to see how thin I was back then!"