May Maadham
{{Short description|1994 film directed by Venus Balu}}
{{No plot|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = May Maadham poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Balu
| producer = G. Venkateswaran
| writer = Balu
Crazy Mohan (dialogues)
| starring = Vineeth
Sonali Kulkarni
| music = A. R. Rahman
| cinematography = P. C. Sreeram
| editing = B. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan
| studio = GV Films
| released = {{Film date|1994|09|09|df=y}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
May Maadham ({{translation|The Month of May}}) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film directed by Balu and produced by G. Venkateswaran via GV Films. The film stars Vineeth and Sonali Kulkarni, and has music by A. R. Rahman. It is based on the 1953 American film Roman Holiday.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2016 |title=சுட்ட படம் |trans-title=Stolen film |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/116914-sutta-padam-roman-holiday-%E2%80%98may-madham |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210615120552/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/116914-sutta-padam-roman-holiday-%E2%80%98may-madham |archive-date=15 June 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} The film was released on 9 September 1994.
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Vineeth as Eeshwar{{Cite news |last=R |first=Aishwaryaa |date=11 June 2019 |title=Mohan is gone, but the craziness will go on |work=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/comment/mohan-is-gone-but-the-craziness-will-go-on-739529.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012112409/https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/comment/mohan-is-gone-but-the-craziness-will-go-on-739529.html |archive-date=12 October 2020}}
- Sonali Kulkarni as Sandhya{{Cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=19 July 2018 |title=Karuthamma, Nammavar, Kadhalan, Nattamai – Tamil cinema offered its best in the watershed year of 1994 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/karuthamma-nammavar-kadhalan-nattamai-tamil-cinema-offered-its-best-in-the-watershed-year-of-1994-4775931.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817212007/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/karuthamma-nammavar-kadhalan-nattamai-tamil-cinema-offered-its-best-in-the-watershed-year-of-1994-4775931.html |archive-date=17 August 2018 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=Firstpost}}
- Manorama as Aandal
- Kaka Radhakrishnan as Sadha Sivam
- Janagaraj as Captain
- R. Sundarrajan as All in All Ayyasamy
- P. C. Ramakrishna as Rangarajan, Sandhya's father
- Rajeshkumar as Rajeshkumar
- Pandu as Police constable
- Anand Krishnamoorthi as Thirugnana Sambanthan (Calcutta)
- Oru Viral Krishna Rao as Colony resident
- Madhan Bob as Ramasamy
- S. N. Lakshmi as Sandhya's grandmother
- C. R. Saraswathi
- Sathyapriya as Female pimp
- Pasi Sathya as Poongodi
- A. V. Ramanan
- Marthandan as Mad man
- Vellai Subbaiah as Customer
- Jaya Prahasam as Gurusamy
- Mounika in a special appearance in song "Aadipaaru Mangatha"
- Silk Smitha in a special appearance in song "Palakattu Machanukku"
}}
Production
Ajith Kumar was initially considered to play the lead role before Vineeth was cast.{{Cite web |last=யுவராஜ் |first=லாவண்யா |date=9 September 2022 |title=May Madham : 'அஜித் வேண்டாம்... வினித் போதும்...' மே மாதம் பிறந்தவரை புறக்கணித்து வந்த மே மாதம்! |url=https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/may-madham-movie-was-released-on-this-day-28-years-ago-ajith-kushboo-was-the-first-chosen-pair-for-this-film-72382 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/tvmav |archive-date=9 February 2025 |access-date=9 February 2025 |website=ABP Nadu |language=ta}} The film marks Sonali Kulkarni's only Tamil film to date.{{Cite news |last=Pawar |first=Yogesh |date=6 May 2018 |title=Smita Patil's tree has grown |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-smita-patil-s-tree-has-grown-2611999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823085740/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-smita-patil-s-tree-has-grown-2611999 |archive-date=23 August 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |work=Daily News and Analysis}} She was encouraged to audition for the film by Mani Ratnam.{{Cite news |last=Bhopatkar |first=Tejashree |date=11 July 2021 |title=#BigInterview: Sonali Kulkarni: I was told, 'Dark girls don't look good on camera' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/biginterview-sonali-kulkarni-i-was-told-dark-girls-dont-look-good-on-camera/articleshow/84300344.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511143712/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/biginterview-sonali-kulkarni-i-was-told-dark-girls-dont-look-good-on-camera/articleshow/84300344.cms |archive-date=11 May 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=The Times of India |language=en}} The song "Madrasa Suthi" was filmed in Marina Beach.{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=24 August 2020 |title=#MadrasThroughTheMovies: A stroll by the Marina Beach & its landmarks |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-a-stroll-by-the-marina-beach-its-landmarks/articleshow/77708724.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019213952/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-a-stroll-by-the-marina-beach-its-landmarks/articleshow/77708724.cms |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=The Times of India}}
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu.{{Cite web |title=May Madham (1994) |url=https://mio.to/album/May+Maadham+%281994%29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823085739/https://mio.to/album/May%2BMaadham%2B(1994) |archive-date=23 August 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=Music India Online}} The song "Margazhi Poove" is set in Hindolam raaga,{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=9 August 2011 |title=A Raga's Journey – Hindolam Highlights |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-ragas-journey-hindolam-highlights/article2373052.ece |access-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823073618/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-ragas-journey-hindolam-highlights/article2373052.ece |archive-date=23 August 2019}} while "Enmel Vizhundha Mazhaithuli" is set in Kapi.{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=7 December 2012 |title=Notes that intrigue |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/Notes-that-intrigue/article15616721.ece |access-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823073938/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/Notes-that-intrigue/article15616721.ece |archive-date=23 August 2019}} In a 2018 interview, Vairamuthu recalled that after he had written most of the lyrics for "Margazhi Poove", Rahman wanted him to write further lyrics for "a short tune that plays between the BGM". Vairamuthu felt it was impossible to fit words into the tune but Rahman remained adamant. Though irritated, Vairamuthu accepted the challenge and found the perfect lyrics: "Venba... Paadivarum Vandukku/ Senthaen... Thandhuvidum sempookkal/ Konjam... Paadavarum Pennukku/ Sandham... Thandhuvidum Mynahkkal".{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M |date=5 September 2018 |title=When Rahman gives me a tune, I'll have to find both the melody and the words: Vairamuthu |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/when-rahman-gives-me-a-tune-ill-have-to-find-both-the-melody-and-the-words-vairamuthu/articleshow/65670555.cms |url-status=live |access-date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190823085620/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/when-rahman-gives-me-a-tune-ill-have-to-find-both-the-melody-and-the-words-vairamuthu/articleshow/65670555.cms |archive-date=23 August 2019}} Rahman reused the songs in the Hindi film Love You Hamesha (2022).{{Cite news |last=Padmanabhan |first=Savitha |date=12 March 2001 |title=Chords & Notes |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/chords-notes/article27921560.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190823082819/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/chords-notes/article27921560.ece |archive-date=23 August 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |work=The Hindu}}
{{track listing
| headline = Tamil
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Adi Paru Mangatha
| extra1 = Suneeta Rao, T. K. Kala and G. V. Prakash Kumar
| length1 = 04:26
| title2 = Palakkattu Machanukku
| extra2 = G. V. Prakash Kumar, Noel James, A. R. Rahman (backing vocals)
| length2 = 04:37
| title3 = Marghazhi Poove
| extra3 = Shobha Shankar, Chorus
| length3 = 06:18
| title4 = En Mel Vizhunda
| extra4 = P. Jayachandran, K. S. Chithra
| length4 = 05:05
| title5 = Madrasai Suthi
| extra5 = Shahul Hameed, Swarnalatha, G. V. Prakash Kumar and Manorama
| length5 = 04:51
| title6 = Minnalae
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length6 = 05:37
}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Achampeta Mangatha
| extra1 = Anupama, Suneeta Rao, T. K. Kala and G. V. Prakash Kumar
| length1 = 04:26
| lyrics1 = Vennelakanti
| title2 = Madarasu Chuttivaste
| extra2 = Srinivas, Swarnalatha, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Noel David, Malgudi Subha
| length2 = 04:51
| lyrics2 = Ghantasala Ratnakumar
| title3 = Maanasa Veena
| extra3 = K. S. Chithra, chorus
| length3 = 06:18
| lyrics3 = Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
| title4 = Edapai Jarina
| extra4 = K. S. Chithra, Unnikrishnan
| length4 = 05:05
| lyrics4 = Bhuvana Chandra
| title5 = Palakollu Mavayya
| extra5 = G. V. Prakash Kumar, Gopal Rao
| length5 = 04:37
| lyrics5 = Bhuvana Chandra
}}
Release and reception
May Maadham was released on 9 September 1994.{{Cite news |date=9 September 1994 |title=May Madham |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=The Indian Express |pages=4 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}} Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote on the same day, "Despite its flaws, May Maadham is an engaging little film that is worth viewing".{{Cite news |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=9 September 1994 |title=Laugh-riot |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19940909&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=The Indian Express |pages=6 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}} Thulasi of Kalki appreciated the film for Sreeram's cinematography, Rahman's music, Mohan's dialogues and the cast performances.{{Cite magazine |last=துளசி |date=25 September 1994 |title=மே மாதம் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1994-09-25/page/n20/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230301020435/https://archive.org/details/kalki1994-09-25/page/n20/mode/2up |archive-date=1 March 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=19 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} The film was commercially successful, breaking GV Films' success streak that began in 1990.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=No One Helped G Venkateswaran in His Tough Times, Says Producer KT Kunjumon |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/no-one-helped-g-venkateswaran-in-his-tough-times-says-producer-kt-kunjumon-4823537.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327005435/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/no-one-helped-g-venkateswaran-in-his-tough-times-says-producer-kt-kunjumon-4823537.html |archive-date=27 March 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=News18}} The film was subsequently dubbed in Telugu under the title Hrudayanjali in 1998.{{Cite web |title=Hrudayanjali |url=https://indiancine.ma/BHNL/info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230301021841/https://indiancine.ma/BHNL/info |archive-date=1 March 2023 |access-date=14 December 2021 |website=indiancine.ma}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1990s romantic musical films
Category:1990s Tamil-language films
Category:1994 directorial debut films
Category:Films produced by G. Venkateswaran
Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman
Category:Films shot in Chennai
Category:Indian remakes of American films