Geethaiyin Raadhai
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Geethaiyin Raadhai
| image = Geethaiyin Raadhai.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = Shalini Balasundaram
| producer = Indradevi
| writer = Shalini Balasundaram
| starring = {{plainlist|
- G. Crak Karnan
- Shalini Balasundaram
}}
| music = Ztish
| cinematography = Sathish Natarajan
| editing =
| studio = Vikadakavi Production
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2016|09|22|df=y}}
| country = Malaysia
| language = Tamil
}}
Geethaiyin Raadhai ({{langx|ta|கீதையின் ராதை}}) ({{Translation|Gita's Radha}}) is a 2016 Malaysian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Shalini Balasundaram. The film stars G. Crak Karnan and herself and marks the film debuts of Shalini Balasundaram, G. Crak Karnan, and Ztish. It is considered a milestone in the history of Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Plot
Arthi, a carefree young woman is determined to find the perfect boyfriend. Eventually, through her clever tactics she finds and wins over that perfect boyfriend, Ajay, but their relationship falters when he feels controlled and voices his frustrations, leading to a breakup. After their separation, both realize that love is not a game to be dominated but a partnership built on mutual respect.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- G. Crak Karnan as Ajay
- Shalini Balasundaram as Arthi
- Vicran Elanggoven as Ajay's friend
- K. S. Maniam as Arthi's father
- Gunasekaran as Ajay's father
- Balanraj as Arthi's brother
- Divania as Arthi's friend
- Suvarna as Arthi's friend
- Kannan Rajamanickam as Ajay's college friend
}}
Production
This film marked the feature directorial debut of Shalini Balasundaram, who previously helmed the short film Inai (2015).{{Cite web|url=https://varnam.my/featured/2018/4049/exclusive-ztish-talks-about-his-latest-movie-future-plans-how-it-all-began/|title=Exclusive: Ztish Talks About His Latest Movie, Future Plans & How It All Began|last=Jackson|first=Amy|date=31 July 2018|work=Varnam|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418103623/https://varnam.my/featured/2018/4049/exclusive-ztish-talks-about-his-latest-movie-future-plans-how-it-all-began/|url-status=live}} Balasundaram wanted another actress to play the role of Arthi, but she ended up playing it herself.{{Cite web|url=https://varnam.my/82013/geethaiyin-raadhai-an-iconic-milestone-in-malaysian-tamil-cinema/|title=Geethaiyin Raadhai: An Iconic Milestone In Malaysian Tamil Cinema|date=1 October 2023|first=Tivyasruthi Nair Prem|last=Ananth|work=Varnam|access-date=26 February 2024|archive-date=11 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011222353/https://varnam.my/82013/geethaiyin-raadhai-an-iconic-milestone-in-malaysian-tamil-cinema/|url-status=live}} Parting from the norm, Balasundaram wanted to showcase a love story from the female perspective. Part of the film was shot in Malacca.
Soundtrack
Music by newcomer Ztish. The songs were released by Junglee Music.{{Cite web|url=https://selliyal.com/archives/132782|title='கீதையின் ராதை' – ஆர்ப்பாட்டமான காதல் பயணம்!|trans-title=‘Geethaiyin Radhai’ - Arousing love journey!|work=Selliyal|date=4 July 2016|language=ta|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418103621/https://selliyal.com/archives/132782|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://selliyal.com/archives/135373|work=Selliyal|date=20 August 2016|title='கீதையின் ராதை' – மனதை வருடும் பாடல்களோடு, ஆர்ப்பாட்டமான காதல் பயணம் ஆரம்பம்!|trans-title=Geethayin Raadhai - Arousing love journey begins with mind blowing songs!|language=ta|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418103621/https://selliyal.com/archives/135373|url-status=live}} To create the song "Ennai Kollathey", Ztish used a tune that he had trashed on his computer in 2010 or 2011. The song was well received and became a popular ringtone song.{{Cite web|url=https://varnam.my/music/2021/48163/ztishs-first-tamil-language-single-ennai-kollathey-hits-60-million-views/|title=Ztish's First Tamil Language Single 'Ennai Kollathey' Hits 60 Million Views|date=11 October 2021|last=Durai|first=Revathi|work=Varnam|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418103622/https://varnam.my/music/2021/48163/ztishs-first-tamil-language-single-ennai-kollathey-hits-60-million-views/|url-status=live}} The popularity of the song made people initially think that the song was an Indian Tamil song. The song has over a hundred million views on YouTube.
Regarding the film's soundtrack, a critic from Varnam wrote that "Ztish’s compositions for the film are filled with memorable melodies that linger in the hearts and minds of the audience. The lyrics of the songs are poignant, reflecting the themes of love, longing, and separation central to the film’s narrative".
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 24:08
| title1 = Mellisaye Nee
| lyrics1 = Kavi Nayagan Yuwaji
| extra1 = Samhitha Mira
| length1 = 4:38
| title2 = Un Kural
| lyrics2 = Kavi Nayagan Yuwaji
| extra2 = Kumaresh Kamalakannan, Swarna Deepan Chakkaravarty
| length2 = 5:50
| title3 = Un Vizhiyil Paarkiren
| lyrics3 = Kavi Nayagan Yuwaji
| extra3 = Jegathisan Nagarajah, Sindhihassne Arumugam
| length3 = 5:18
| title4 = Ennai Kollathey
| lyrics4 = Kavi Nayagan Yuwaji
| extra4 = Kumaresh Kamalakannan, Keshvini Saravanan
| length4 = 5:26
| title5 = Geethaiyin Raadhai Theme
| lyrics5 = Meroshana Thaiyalan, Queen
| extra5 = Meroshana Thaiyalan, Queen, Magendran Raman, Kumaresh, Ztish
| length5 = 4:56
}}
Reception
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=Right|quote="We were overwhelmed by the unexpected, massive global response to Geethaiyin Raadhai. The film resonated with audiences well beyond Malaysia, and this unexpected reach brought forth a significant sense of responsibility"|source= — Shalini Balasundaram on the film, 2023}}
Writing in 2023, a critic from Varnam wrote that "With all these, Geethaiyin Raadhai tends to stand as the memorable film of all time in the Malaysian Tamil cinema industry. This film distinguishes itself among Malaysian films with its unique blend of compelling storytelling, emotional depth, and a remarkable musical score. It resonates with audiences by addressing universal themes while celebrating local talent, cementing its place as a standout in Malaysian cinema". Phoenix Dasan of Selliyal praised the performances of the cast, the songs, the cinematography, and the choreography and called the film a must-watch.{{Cite web|url=https://selliyal.com/archives/137006|title='கீதையின் ராதை' – நவீன காதல் கவிதை! நாளை முதல் கொண்டாட்டம் ஆரம்பம்!|trans-title='Geethaiyin Raadhai' - Modern love poetry! The celebration starts tomorrow!|work=Selliyal|date=21 September 2016|language=ta|author=Phoenix Dasan|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418103620/https://selliyal.com/archives/137006|url-status=live}} Magen of Thendral Media praised the direction, acting, cinematography, and songs and praised the film for redefining Malaysian Tamil cinema.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Thendral-Media-892649504141143/photos/geethaiyin-raadhai-cinema-review%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AF%8D/1193455267393897|title=Geethaiyin Raadhai Cinema Review|author=Magen|work=Thendral Media|date=21 September 2016|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-date=26 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226095322/https://www.facebook.com/Thendral-Media-892649504141143/photos/geethaiyin-raadhai-cinema-review%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AF%8D/1193455267393897|url-status=live}}
Box office
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Event !Category !Recipient !{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| 2022
| {{ill|Anugerah MACP|ms|Badan Perlindungan Hakcipta Karyawan Malaysia}} | Most Played Tamil Song | Ztish and Kavi Nayagan Yuwaji for "Ennai Kollathey" |
References
{{reflist}}