Kollywood has a long-standing affair with Mumbai – the most densely populated, vibrant and colourful coastal metro city.
While the latest is Mani Ratnam’s Oh Kadhal Kanmani – set to release tomorrow – it all began with Kalidasa, the first sound film made in Tamil. The 1931 film was shot in Mumbai, on the sets made for Alam Ara.
mumbai-Okk
As for Oh Kadhal Kanmani, we must say, every single frame in the trailer looks beautiful. PC Sreeram’s camera has brilliantly captured the bubbly youthfulness of Mumbai. The lead pair – Dulquer Salman and Nithya Menen – are seen bumping into each other, entering the friend zone and gradually falling in love during their life in the city. The film, according to the makers, narrates a new-age love story.
A look at five Tamil films, which were shot partially or fully in Mumbai:
Nayakan
nayakan
This 1987 gangster movie, directed by Mani Ratnam, had Kamal Hassan in the lead role. Hailed as one of the best-ever gangster movies made in India, Nayakan is loosely based on the life of Varadaraja Mudaliar, an underworld don in Mumbai. Mani Ratnam rose to nation-wide fame with the success of Nayakan. The film also portrayed the struggles of south Indians living in Mumbai. The film perfectly captured the violent, criminal side of the city – the slums, red streets, police stations and the dark underbelly.
Baasha
The 1995 action-thriller had Rajinikanth in the title role. In the film, the superstar plays an auto-driver, Manickam. who, at one point, opens up about his past – when he was an underworld don in Mumbai. The film had Raghuvaran playing the antagonist and Nagma playing Rajini’s love interest. The flashback portion was shot in Mumbai and the rest, in Chennai.
Bombay
This was Mani Ratnam’s second outing in Mumbai, after Nayakan. Released in 1995, this film had Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in the lead roles. The film was centered on a Tamil family living in Mumbai, who get caught in the communal riots that break out in 1992, soon after the Babri Masjid demolition. The film had a number of scenes portraying the cultural diversity and the secular heart of Mumbai. The popular song, Antha Arabikadaloram, depict the vibrant nightlife of the city.
Rhythm
rhythm
This 2000 romantic-drama, directed by Vasant, narrated the story of two Tamilians – Karthik (Arjun) and Chitra (Meena), who live in Mumbai. They are dealing with a tragic past and at one point, they fall in love with each other. The film, mostly shot in Mumbai, captured the daily life of middle-class people in Mumbai.
Thuppakki
thuppakki
AR Murugadoss’s action-thriller Thuppakki, which was shot entirely in Mumbai, had Vijay and Kajal Agarwal in lead roles. Vijay plays an army officer from a Mumbai-based Tamil family. The film had Kajal Agarwal playing a gutsy college girl in Mumbai, who loves boxing and football. The thrilling action sequences in the film were shot in various localities in the city.
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Image credit: torrentbutler.eu
