Kallazhagar

Kallazhagar is a 1999 Tamil drama film directed by Bharathi featuring Vijaykanth and Laila in the lead roles. Nassar, Sonu Sood and Manivannan play other supporting roles, while Deva composed the score and soundtrack for the film.^[1] The film released on 6 February 1999 to average reviews.^[2] It was later dubbed in Telegu as Mathrudesham.^[3]

Cast

Production

Laila, who had appeared in other regional Indian films, opted to make her debut in Tamil films with Kallazhagar after she had famously rejected a string of other Tamil offers including VIP (1997).^[4] The actress also turned down a role in Ajith Kumar's Unnaithedi (1999), insistent that Kallazhagar should be her first release.^[5] An elephant called Appu was brought in from Thrissur in Kerala, where the elephant formed one of a stable maintained by the famed Paaramekaavu temple, which forms the venue of the yearly Thrissur Pooram festival.^[6] A few scenes from the film were filmed at the Kallazhagar temple in Madhurai, but crowd trouble meant that the makers chose to finish the shoot in sets. For a particular song in the film, Russian dancers imported to dance alongside Laila. As the film marked music composer Deva's 250th album, the film industry felicitated him with a cermeony at the Kamarajar Arangam.^[7]

Release

The film was initially scheduled to release on 14 January 1999 coinciding with the festival of Thai Pongal though became delayed due to problems at the censor. The film was rejected by Indian censors, because of its potential to spark religious conflicts - with particularly a scene in which some Muslim extremists masquerade themselves as religious Hindus and join in the celebration of a major festival in a temple - being highlighted as a concern. The team subsequently had to adapt the concept partially.^[8]

The success of the film prompted the producer Henry to sign Vijayakanth for his next film. The film also created demand for Laila as a lead heroine and she shortly after signed on to appear in a role in Mudhalvan (2000).^[9]

References