How an ancient Tamil song became viral due to a new Malayalam movie

"Manjummel Boys," a Malayalam film, has dominated the box office.

The Chidambaram-directed survival thriller is a hit not only in Kerala but also in Tamil Nadu and other southern states because of its catchy refrain and deft use of cinematography. The film employs the song "Kanmani anbodu kadhalan" from Kamal Haasan's "Gunaa" as a pivotal plot point.

The song, which is performed by Kamal Haasan and S Janaki under the direction of the brilliant musician Ilayaraaja, fits perfectly in this Sushin Shyam musical, flowing from the title card to the denouement. In "Manjummel Boys," a group of young people travel to Kodaikanal, where their trip takes an unexpected turn when they choose to explore the Gunaa cave—the famous setting where "Kanmani anbodu kadahalan" was filmed. The underlying core of the film is revealed when Subash, one of the lads, falls down a 900-foot pit, adding complexity to the story.

Powerful impact

In the film, the song is reinterpreted as a song of friendship rather than passion. It's not a novel cinematic device to use an iconic song. Malayalam films such as "Thattathin Marayathu" and "Tejabhai and Family" had previously included the classic hits "Aayiram kannumaayi" and "Oru Madhurakinavin," respectively. However, the song Manjummel Boys went popular on the Internet, demonstrating the explosive effect of Kanmani's use in the song. People are tweeting videos of themselves and their pals dancing to the music.

According to Vikas Chawla, co-founder of Social Beat, a digital marketing firm, this innovative decision increases box office receipts while drawing in a wider audience to theatres. Chawla observes that the younger generation is connecting with this iconic song by using it to create reels. According to him, the older generation's nostalgia for the movie plays a role in its popularity.

The return of community watching

The addition of this song, according to film reviewer and deputy editor Srinivasa Ramanujam of The Hindu (Metroplus), has given the film a more multicultural feel. He claims that the song's efficient deployment is the main reason for the film's enormous success in Tamil Nadu. While numerous films borrow great songs, Ramanujam points out that "Manjummel Boys" is a prime example of how to do it well. He notes that the movie has significantly restored the tradition of community cinema viewing after COVID-19, coupled with its usage of the song.

The film is still making waves, but Malayalam cinema in general is making history. Recently released films like "Bramayugam," "Anweshipin Kandethum," and "Premalu" have received amazing reviews and have done extremely well at the box office.

The film industry is anticipating the release of "Aadujeevitham" by Blessy and "Varshangalkku Shesham" by Vineeth Srinivasan, which promise more outstanding cinema in the upcoming months. With the focus firmly on Malayalam film, an exciting new chapter in its history has begun.

The return of community watching

The addition of this song, according to film reviewer and deputy editor Srinivasa Ramanujam of The Hindu (Metroplus), has given the film a more multicultural feel. He claims that the song's efficient deployment is the main reason for the film's enormous success in Tamil Nadu. While numerous films borrow great songs, Ramanujam points out that "Manjummel Boys" is a prime example of how to do it well. He notes that the movie has significantly restored the tradition of community cinema viewing after COVID-19, coupled with its usage of the song.

The film is still making waves, but Malayalam cinema in general is making history. Recently released films like "Bramayugam," "Anweshipin Kandethum," and "Premalu" have received amazing reviews and have done extremely well at the box office.

The film industry is anticipating the release of "Aadujeevitham" by Blessy and "Varshangalkku Shesham" by Vineeth Srinivasan, which promise more outstanding cinema in the upcoming months. With the focus firmly on Malayalam film, an exciting new chapter in its history has begun