Aditya N
Aditya N
Manjummel Boys, the latest survival drama, is making waves at the box office. The film, directed by Chidambaram, is receiving an exceptional response in Tamil Nadu and has already become the highest-grossing Malayalam film in the state. The success of Manjummel Boys in Tamil Nadu brings back memories of the phenomenal run of Premam, starring Nivin Pauly. Interestingly, both films share a common factor: the iconic song ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ from Kamal Haasan’s timeless classic, Gunaa.
Tamil cinema music enthusiasts still hold the song ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ in high regard. This song, composed by the maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, continues to be a favorite among the audience. Sung by Kamal Haasan himself and S Janaki, the song significantly progresses the storyline in both Chidambaram’s Manjummel Boys and Alphonse Puthren’s Premam. Despite the drastically different contexts in which the iconic song is placed in both films, it is only possible to envision these blockbusters with the presence of the Gunaa song. Both Manjummel Boys and Premam left a lasting impression on Tamil Nadu audiences – from their production quality to the performances and technical elements. Nevertheless, the incorporation of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ song in the storyline has undeniably had a significant influence. This song has forged a stronger connection between the Tamil Nadu audiences and the films, enhancing their overall narrative experience.
The Chidambaram directorial, which focuses on friendship, cleverly incorporates Kamal Haasan’s words from the song ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ to emphasize the same sentiment. The legendary lines, “Manithar unarndhu kolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla… Athayum thaandi punithamaanathu” (This is not just human love… it is holier than that), are heard in the background as Soubin Shahir’s character Kuttettan accomplishes his goal of rescuing his close friend Subash (portrayed by Sreenath Bhasi). This truly captures the essence of lifelong friendships.
