Varusham 16

The story deals with an immature teenage love story between Kannan and Radhika who are cousins (marriage within cross-cousins was common in India). The annual festival for the village deity is conducted by the patriarch with pomp.

Kannan is the apple of the large joint family's eye and is spoiled by all. Radhika comes to join the family for the village festival and suddenly, Kannan's position is usurped. He first antagonises and humiliates her going so far as to hide in her bathroom while she goes to take bath which backfires with him becoming hated in the household and being thrown out of the house forcing him to stay with his friends.

Radhika apologises for exposing him in his bathroom stunt revealing that she is in love with him since childhood and came here explicitly to see him. Their love blossoms much to the ire of Radhika's paternal grandmother who has other plans for her, to get her married to her US based cross-cousin and settle there.

Things get ugly and culminates in the festival leading to the death of Radhika, her US based cousin, his grandfather and Kannan going to prison coming out after 16 years taking the mantle of the grandfather as the oldest surviving male.

{{Cast listing|

• Karthik as Kannan
• Khushbu as Radhika
• V. K. Ramasamy as Sundaramoorthy
• Poornam Viswanathan as Ramamoorthy
• Janagaraj as Rajamani
• Charle as Narayana
• Tinku as Tabu
• Baby Shalini
• Vijay Menon as Moorthy
• Sukumari as Parvathi
• Vadivukkarasi as Maheshwari
• Jayabharathi as Sundari

}}

Varusham 16 is a remake of director Fazil's own Malayalam film Ennennum Kannettante.{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Neelima |date=18 January 2018 |title=Telling the tales of lonesome souls: Fazil's filmography in retrospect |url=http://fullpicture.in/talking-detail/139/telling-the-tales-of.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213110257/http://fullpicture.in/talking-detail/139/telling-the-tales-of.html |archive-date=13 February 2018 |access-date=27 October 2021 |website=fullpicture.in}}{{Cite news |last=Umashanker |first=Sudha |date=2 May 1998 |title=Penchant for riveting romances |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/5B14521EB99AB01765256940004C8B0E?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427180437/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/5B14521EB99AB01765256940004C8B0E?OpenDocument |archive-date=27 April 2008 |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Hindu}} The role of the lead actress was offered to Nirosha; due to her clash of dates, the director choose to cast Khushbu.{{Cite web |last=ஆனந்தராஜ் |first=கு. |date=24 December 2019 |title=80'ஸ் எவர்கிரீன் நாயகிகள் - 10 - காதல் கொடுத்த துணிச்சலால் தப்பிச்சு வந்தேன்! |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/1980s-evergreen-heroins-actress-nirosha |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103044914/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/1980s-evergreen-heroins-actress-nirosha#bypass-sw |archive-date=3 November 2021 |access-date=3 November 2021 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} According to Khushbu, the song "Poo Pookum" was shot at a studio in Porur, Madras.{{cite web |last=Kushboo |author-link=Khushbu Sundar |date=24 August 2015 |title=Bring back Madras in our movies |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20150824-bring-back-madras-in-our-movies-820259-2015-08-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715132333/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20150824-bring-back-madras-in-our-movies-820259-2015-08-12 |archive-date=15 July 2024 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=India Today}} The filming was primarily held at Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari.{{cite web |date=14 March 2018 |title=வருஷம் 16 அரண்மணை, ஒரு ஃபோட்டோ டூர் |url=https://tamil.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/padmanabhapuram-palace-000766-pg1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715143227/https://tamil.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/padmanabhapuram-palace-000766-pg1.html |archive-date=15 July 2024 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=Native Planet |language=ta}} The song "Pazhamuthircholai" was shot at Mathur Aqueduct, Kanyakumari.{{cite web |title=Varusham 16 |url=https://wherewasitshot.com/movie/1675 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=WhereWasItShot |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715143227/https://wherewasitshot.com/movie/1675 |url-status=live }}

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali.{{Cite web |title=Varusham 16 (1989) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000192 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223053358/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000192 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=12 February 2014 |website=Raaga.com}}{{Cite web |title=Varusham 16 Tamil Film LP VInyl Record by Ilayaraaja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/varusham-16-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027073807/https://mossymart.com/product/varusham-16-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |archive-date=27 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |website=Mossymart}} The song "Gangai Karai Mannanadi" is set in Todi, a Hindustani raga,{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=21 December 2012 |title=Towering Todi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/towering-todi/article4225921.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128143212/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/towering-todi/article4225921.ece |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=The Hindu}} "Hey Aiyasamy" is set in Dharmavati, a Carnatic raga,{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=131}} "Karayatha Manamum" is set to Hema Bhushani,{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=137}} "Pazhamuthir Cholai" is set in Harikambhoji,{{Cite news |date=7 December 2013 |title=Positively tranquil |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027103938/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece |archive-date=27 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=The Hindu}}{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=153}} and "Poo Pookum Masam" is set in Keeravani.{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=154}} For the Telugu-dubbed version Premanjali, all lyrics were written by Rajasri.{{Cite web |title=Premanjali |url=https://indiancine.ma/BJZA/info |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230220091536/https://indiancine.ma/BJZA/info |archive-date=20 February 2023 |access-date=16 November 2021 |website=Indiancine.ma}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Tamil track list

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Pazhamuthir Cholai

| extra1 = K. J. Yesudas

| length1 = 4:36

| title2 = Hey Aiyasamy

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra

| length2 = 4:31

| title3 = Poo Pookum Masam

| extra3 = P. Susheela

| length3 = 4:45

| title4 = Gangai Karai Mannanadi

| extra4 = K. J. Yesudas

| length4 = 5:40

| title5 = Karayatha Manamum

| extra5 = K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra

| length5 = 4:29

| total_length = 24:01

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Telugu track list (Premanjali)

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 17:45

| title1 = Brundaavaname Naakosame

| extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| length1 = 4:31

| title2 = Hey Chitti Naannaa

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela

| length2 = 4:29

| title3 = Koothaku Vacchenu

| extra3 = P. Susheela

| length3 = 4:34

| title4 = Raagaale Paadedhane

| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| length4 = 4:11

}}

Varusham 16 was released on 18 February 1989.{{Cite news |date=18 February 1989 |title=வருஷம்.16 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19890218&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=The Indian Express |pages=3 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}} N. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote that Karthik "puts much life and energy into his role", Khushbu "looks just out of school" and Viswanathan was "great as the head of the family", while also appreciating Jayabharathi, Vadivukkarasi and Charle's performances.{{Cite news |last=Krishnaswamy |first=N. |date=17 March 1989 |title=Varusham 16 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19890317&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=10 May 2019 |work=The Indian Express |pages=5 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}} P. S. S. of Kalki said the film could be watched for the cast performances.{{Cite magazine |last=பி.எஸ்.எஸ். |date=12 March 1989 |title=வருஷம்.16 |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1989/mar/12-03-1989/p17.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220731051830/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1989/mar/12-03-1989/p17.jpg |archive-date=31 July 2022 |access-date=28 October 2021 |magazine=Kalki |page=17 |language=ta}} Karthik won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil,{{Cite news |date=14 June 1990 |title=Double honour for Kamal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19900614&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=15 May 2021 |work=The Indian Express |pages=3 |via=Google News Archive |agency=Express News Service}}{{cbignore}} and Fazil won the Cinema Express Award for Best Director.{{Cite news |date=1 March 1990 |title=தமிழ் |work=Cinema Express |pages=7 |language=ta}} Sekar was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Editor.{{Cite web |date=22 March 2018 |title=Legendary editor Sekhar passes away at 81 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/legendary-editor-sekar-passed-away-at-81/articleshow/63411730.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525224109/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/legendary-editor-sekar-passed-away-at-81/articleshow/63411730.cms |archive-date=25 May 2023 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=The Times of India}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Fazil (director)}}

Category:1980s Indian films

Category:1980s Tamil-language films

Category:1989 films

Category:Films directed by Fazil

Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja

Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films