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''Yajaman'' () is a 1993 Indian
Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
-language
action drama film The action film is a film genre that predominantly features chase sequences, fights, shootouts, explosions, and stunt work. The specifics of what constitutes an action film has been in scholarly debate since the 1980s. While some scholars such as ...
written and directed by R. V. Udayakumar. The film stars
Rajinikanth Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 170 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, ...
,
Meena Meena () is a tribe from northern and western India which is sometimes considered a sub-group of the Bhil community. It used to be claimed they speak Mina language, a Spurious languages, spurious language. Its name is also transliterated as ' ...
and Aishwarya, with
M. N. Nambiar Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar (7 March 1919 – 19 November 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Tamil cinema, renowned for his portrayals of villainous characters. With a career spanning over eight decades, he became a notable fig ...
, Manorama, Vijayakumar and
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
in supporting roles. It was produced by M. Saravanan,
M. S. Guhan M. S. Guhan is an Indian film producer. He has been involved in hits, such as '' Sivaji: The Boss'', ''Thirupathi'', '' Minsara Kanavu'', ''Leader (2010 film)'', and recently Ayan. He is the son of noted producer M. Saravanan, who owns the AVM ...
and M. Subrahmaniam of
AVM Productions AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar. It is the oldest film studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, ...
. The film was released on 18 February 1993 and became commercially successful, with a 175-day theatrical run.


Plot

Kandhavelu Vaanavarayan is a feudal chieftain, adored and respected by the people of his village near
Pollachi Pollachi is a town and municipality in Coimbatore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Pollachi taluk. It is situated near the center of the South Indian Peninsula, surrounded by Western Gha ...
. He lives with his grandparents. Following his advice, they abstain from voting in the elections and instead, pool the money given by the candidates to get themselves some basic amenities. Vallavaraayan is his archenemy. Their enmity is further sharpened when Vaanavarayan wins the hand of Vaitheeswari, whom Vallavaraayan had also wished to wed. Vallavaraayan then convinces the priest of the village temple to mix poison in the holy water that Vaitheeswari drinks. As a result, she becomes incapable of conceiving a baby. But surprisingly, Vaitheeswari soon becomes pregnant, though she has pretended with the help of the mid-wife, to do so to uphold her husband's honour. However, she takes poison and kills herself during the
Seemantham Simantonnayana (, ) (literally: parting the hair) or ''Simantha'', is the third of the 16 Saṃskāras (sacraments, rites of passage) in the ancient texts of Hinduism. It is observed in the last trimester of pregnancy to wish for safe delivery and ...
celebration, unable to bear the grief of being incapable of giving her husband a child and on her deathbed makes Vaanavarayan swear to take Ponni as his wife. Vaanavarayan however refuses until Ponni agrees to marry Sembattai- Vallavarayan's henchman-who abandons her to Vallavarayan's vice. Infuriated, Vaanavarayan attacks Vallavarayan, but spares his life after giving him a sermon on how to win the hearts of people.


Cast


Production

After the success of ''
Chinna Gounder ''Chinna Gounder'' () is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. V. Udayakumar, starring Vijayakanth, Sukanya, Manorama, Salim Ghouse, Sathyapriya, Goundamani, Senthil and Vadivelu. It was released on 15 January 1992, during ...
'' (1992), director R. V. Udayakumar was approached by various producers but he was unsure as to who should play the part of the hero for his next film. Subsequently, he decided to cast
Rajinikanth Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 170 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, ...
as the hero for his next film. Rajinikanth agreed to act under the direction of Udayakumar. The director expressed his interest to make this film for
AVM Productions AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar. It is the oldest film studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, ...
. Initially, a different script titled ''Jilla Collector'' was narrated, but Udaykumar subsequently opted to film a different script altogether, which became ''Yajaman'', since M. Saravanan of AVM felt that the original script might go over budget. Rajinikanth was initially reluctant to have
Meena Meena () is a tribe from northern and western India which is sometimes considered a sub-group of the Bhil community. It used to be claimed they speak Mina language, a Spurious languages, spurious language. Its name is also transliterated as ' ...
as the heroine because she had appeared as a child artist for his film ''
Anbulla Rajinikanth ''Anbulla Rajinikanth'' () is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language children's drama film directed by K. Natraj in his debut. The film stars Rajinikanth as himself, Meena, and Ambika. It was released on 2 August 1984, and received positive reviews ...
'' (1984) and he felt that his fans might not readily accept this pairing. But he eventually agreed to have Meena play the part after she insisted. Rajinikanth also objected to
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
's casting as the antagonist due to him being younger than the character, but Udayakumar remained firm on casting him. ''Yajaman'' was Rajinikanth's 141st film and his 8th collaboration with AVM Productions. One of the filming locations was Samathur Jamindar Ramaraja Vanavarayar Palace at Pollachi while filming was also held at Andhra.


Soundtrack

The music was composed by
Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and playback singer popular for his works in Indian cinema, predominately in Tamil cinema, Tamil in addition ...
. Except for the song "Adi Raakumuthu" which was penned by Vaali, all other songs were penned by Udayakumar himself. Many of the songs are set in
Carnatic raga A Carnatic raga refers to ''ragas'' used in Carnatic music. It has several components: a primordial sound (''nāda''), tonal system (''swara''), pitch (''śruti''), scale, ornaments ('' gamaka''), and important tones. Origins and history Carnati ...
s; "Aalappol Velappol" is set in
Sankarabharanam Sankarabharanam may refer to: * ''Sankarabharanam'' (1980 film), an Indian Telugu-language musical drama film * ''Sankarabharanam'' (2015 film), an Indian Telugu-language crime comedy film * Sankarabharanam (raga), a rāga in Carnatic music ...
, "Yajaman Kaladi" is in
Madhyamavati Madhyamavati (madhyamāvati) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an ''audava'' rāga (or ''owdava'' rāga, meaning pentatonic scale), as it does not have all the seven musical notes (''swaras''). ...
, "Nilave Mugam Kaattu" and "Oru Naalum" are set in Sindhubhairavi.


Release and reception

''Yajaman'' was released on 18 February 1993. When the film was released, it initially received unfavourable reception and did not do well in some areas. When Saravanan saw a letter written by a woman named Thilagavathi who reviewed the film, he used this letter as an advertisement for the film which led to the increase in collection. According to Saravanan, despite fans of Rajinikanth not liking the film, it picked up due to the support of general public. Malini Mannath of ''
The Indian Express ''The Indian Express'' is an English-language Indian daily newspaper founded in 1932 by P. Varadarajulu Naidu. It is headquartered in Noida, owned by the ''Indian Express Group''. It was later taken over by Ramnath Goenka. In 1999, eight y ...
'' wrote, "''Yajaman'' is a well meant film from AVM and from director Udayakumar". K. Vijiyan of ''
New Straits Times The ''New Straits Times'' is an English-language newspaper published in Malaysia. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper still in print (though not the first), having been founded as a local offshoot of Singapore-based ''The Straits Ti ...
'' wrote, "The film begins well but gets bogged down after the interval and the large number of songs do not help matters". C. R. K. of ''
Kalki Kalki (), also called Kalkin, is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of the Hinduism, Hindu god Vishnu. According to Vaishnavism, Vaishnava cosmology, Kalki is destined to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga, the last of the four ages i ...
'' praised the performances of artistes. At the
14th Cinema Express Awards The 14th Cinema Express Awards Cinema Express Awards are presented annually by Indian Express Group on behalf of Cinema Express film magazine to honour artistic excellence of professionals in the south Indian film industry which comprises Ta ...
, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won the Best Playback Singer award.


Legacy

''Chinna Gounder'' and ''Yajaman'' started the trend of portrayals of village chieftain in Tamil films. Director Rajmohan directed a film titled ''
Vanavarayan Vallavarayan ''Vanavarayan Vallavarayan'' is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Rajamohan. It stars Krishna, Monal Gajjar, Ma Ka Pa Anand and Niharika Kareer. The film is set in the backdrop of rural Coimbatore. The fil ...
'' (2014) named after Rajinikanth and Napoleon's characters. Dhanapal Padmanabhan who directed ''
Krishnaveni Panjaalai ''Krishnaveni Panjaalai'' is a 2012 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language romance film written and directed by debutant Dhanapal Padmanabhan. The film has Hemachandran (actor), Hemachandran, Nandana, M. S. Bhaskar, Rajiv Krishna and Bala Singh ...
'' (2012), rated ''Yajaman'' "as the film that best captured the village flavour and beauty of Pollachi".


References


Bibliography

* *


External links

* {{Improve categories, date=February 2024 1990s Indian films 1990s Tamil-language films 1993 drama films 1993 films AVM Productions films Films directed by R. V. Udayakumar Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja Indian drama films Tamil-language Indian films