Raasukutti

''Rasukutty'' () is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film, written and directed by K. Bhagyaraj and produced by Meena Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Bhagyaraj and Aishwarya, with Manorama and Kalyan Kumar in supporting roles. It was released on 25 October 1992. The film was remade in Hindi as '' Raja Babu'' (1994), and in Telugu as ''Abbayigari Pelli''.

Plot

Rasukutty, the only son of wealthy landlord Periyapannai, dropped out of school at a young age. His mother, Eswari spoils him, but his father constantly urges him to become a responsible man. Rasukutty spends his father's wealth aimlessly, accompanied by his sidekick Sembuli. Periyapannai's brother, Chinnapannai, manages his brother's land and farm with his son, Sengodan. However, they misappropriate Periyapannai's wealth. Rasukutty falls for Rukmani's beauty after seeing her photograph in a studio. To find out who she is, Sembuli places an advertisement by the name of Soona Baana, to whom he owes money, in the newspaper, claiming she has gone missing. Rukmani, an agriculture graduate, is outraged by the newspaper advertisement and confronts Soona Baana. Chinnapannai orders the villagers to rescue Soona Baana from Rukmani.

Soona Baana tries to take Rukmani hostage, but Rasukutty, disguised as a North Indian, fights off Soona Baana's men and saves her. Rasukutty and Sembuli accompany Rukmani back to her village. When Rukmani discovers they were responsible for the newspaper advertisement, they escape. Eventually, Rasukutty and Rukmani get engaged. However, Rukmani learns that Rasukutty is illiterate, leading to a confrontation between Rukmani and Rasukutty's mother, Eswari. Rukmani tears up the wedding invitation, humiliating Periyapannai in front of the villagers. Rasukutty protests in front of Rukmani's house, trying to win her over. Rasukutty gains the villagers' support, but Rukmani hires goons to attack him. Rasukutty fights them off and finally accepts Rasukutty's love.

Periyapannai refuses to accept Rukmani citing the humiliation, but Rasukutty is determined to marry her, leading to a confrontation. In a fit of anger, Rasukutty's aunt reveals that Rasukutty is an adopted child. This revelation sparks a change in Rasukutty, and he becomes more responsible, starting to work on their land. Although Rasukutty learns that Rukmani loves him, fearing his father's wrath, he agrees to marry the woman his father has chosen, Poovatha, who turns out to be mentally challenged. Rukmani pleads with Periyapannai to allow Rasukutty to marry her, but he refuses. Rukmani with the help of the police, stops the marriage by falsely accusing Periyapannai of demanding dowry. Periyapannai sees this as another humiliation and blames Rasukutty for plotting to stop the marriage. Enraged, he kicks Rasukutty out of the house. Rasukutty's mother, Eswari, leaves with him.

Rukmani threatens to take her own life and demands that Eswari confirm her acceptance as Rasukutty's wife. Meanwhile, Chinnapannai and his son Sengodan manipulate Periyapannai and Eswari, creating a rift between them. Chinnapannai and Sengodan poison Poovatha and arrange for her to marry Ammavasai, Chinnapannai's younger son. They deceive Periyapannai into promising to adopt Ammavasai as his son, ensuring they gain a share of the property. Rasukutty emotionally manipulates Periyapannai, making him believe that Eswari and Rasukutty are leaving town. This reunites Periyapannai and Eswari emotionally.

Chinnapannai and Sengodan falsely accuse Rasukutty of planning to kill Periyapannai and Ammavasai for their wealth, leading to Rasukutty's arrest. Using this as an opportunity, Sengodan and Chinnapannai attempt to murder Periyapannai and Eswari but Ammavasai bravely fights his father and brother to protect his uncle Periyapannai and aunt Eswari. Rasukutty escapes from police custody and saves his parents from Chinnapannai's goons. The film concludes with Rukmani apologising to Periyapannai, Rasukutty welcoming Ammavasai as his adopted brother, and Ammavasai preparing to marry Poovatha.

Cast

Production

K. Bhagyaraj agreed to do a film for Panchu Arunachalam which eventually became ''Rasukutty''. The film saw Bhagyaraj and Ilaiyaraaja reuniting after a brief misunderstanding. The film was completely shot at Mettur.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Release and reception

''Rasukutty'' was released on 25 October 1992, Diwali day. Ayyappa Prasad of ''The Indian Express'' wrote the film "has a very interesting storyline with Bhagyaraj giving a very good performance". K. Vijiyan of ''New Straits Times'' wrote, "We see the old Bhagiaraj we used to love in ''Rasukutti''". C. R. K. of ''Kalki'' wrote that the humorous dialogues and fast paced screenplay prove the brand of Bhagyaraj but the sudden twists towards the end were exaggerated.

Legacy

Jagan, who portrayed a character named Sembuli, acquired the sobriquet "Sembuli Jagan" after acting in this film.

References

External links

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{{K. Bhagyaraj

1990s Indian films
1990s Tamil-language films
1992 comedy-drama films
1992 films
Films directed by K. Bhagyaraj
Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja
Indian comedy-drama films
Tamil films remade in other languages
Tamil-language comedy-drama films
Tamil-language Indian films