Captain Prabhakaran is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by R. K. Selvamani. It stars Vijayakanth in the lead role. It also features Mansoor Ali Khan, Rupini, Livingston and Ramya Krishnan, while R. Sarathkumar appears in a cameo role. It was Vijayakanth's 100th film, and popularised the sobriquet "captain" for him.[2]
| Captain Prabhakaran | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | R. K. Selvamani |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | R. K. Selvamani |
| Story by | R. K. Selvamani |
| Dialogues by | Liyakath Ali Khan |
| Starring | Vijayakanth |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | G. Jayachandran[1] V. Udhayashankar |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
The character of the antagonist Veerabhadran, played by Mansoor Ali Khan, is loosely based on the forest brigand Veerappan.[3] The title of the film was inspired from Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[4][5] Upon its release, the film became a blockbuster at the box office.[6]
Plot
editCaptain Prabhakaran is an IFS officer (Indian Forest Service) sent to Sathyamangalam to nab Veerabhadran, who tortures the people of that place. Prabhakaran is not only going to nab Veerabhadran, but also avenge the death of his friend Rajaraman IFS, who was a forest officer killed by Veerabhadran. The police commissioner and the district collector are corrupt and also support Veerabhadran. In the climax, Veerabhadran kidnaps Prabhakaran's wife and son. Prabhakaran arrives at the right time and saves his wife and son. He then nabs Veerabhadran. Poongkodi was Rajaraman's lover. She dies while giving birth to his child. Veerabhadran is shot dead by the corrupt inspector and collector. Prabhakaran kills both of them. He is then dragged to court for killing the police inspector and the collector. Prabhakaran tells the truth that they were corrupt, and the film ends with Prabhakaran being released from the court.
Cast
edit- Vijayakanth as Captain Prabhakaran IFS, District Forest Officer
- M. N. Nambiar as Commissioner S. Ramanathan
- Sarathkumar as Rajaraman IFS (Extended Guest Appearance)
- J. Livingston as Krishnamurthy (credited as Ranjan)
- Rupini as Gayathri
- Ramya Krishnan as Poongkodi
- Peeli Sivam as Raja
- Gandhimathi as Fathima Beevi
- Yuvasri as Lalitha, Rajaraman's Younger Sister
- John Amirtharaj as Minister Sabanayagam , Gayathri's Father
- Ponnambalam as Sub Inspector (uncredited)
- LIC Narasimhan as Police officer Sriram
- Mansoor Ali Khan as Veerabhadran
- Karikalan as Veerabhadran's henchman (uncredited)
- Kalabhavan Mani (Junior artist)
Production
editAfter the success of Pulan Visaranai, Rowther decided to make another project with Vijayakanth and R. K. Selvamani titled Captain Prabhakaran, the plotline of the film was based on the forest brigand Veerappan. The film also was the 100th project of Vijayakanth. The filming was held at Chalakudy for 60 days.[7][8] Many scenes were also filmed at Athirappilly Falls.[9] The film had Mansoor Ali Khan in his first major role,[10] for which Karikalan was the initial choice.[11] During the shoot, a rope to which Vijayakanth was bound snapped and his shoulder got dislocated. With both his hands tied he screamed in pain, but this was mistaken for acting, and as a result, there was a delay in getting medical assistance.[12] Saranya Ponvannan was originally cast as Poongudi, but left the film as the role was glamorous;[13] the role went to Ramya Krishnan.[9]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack has only two songs, both composed by Ilaiyaraaja while the lyrics were written by Gangai Amaran and Piraisoodan. The song "Aattama Therottama" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Sindhu Bhairavi.[14][15] It was later remixed by Prasanna Sekhar in Singakutty (2008).[16]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paasamulla Paandiyare" | Gangai Amaran | Mano, K. S. Chithra | 5:09 |
| 2. | "Aattama Therottama" | Piraisoodan | Swarnalatha | 5:12 |
| Total length: | 10:21 | |||
Reception
editOn 19 April 1991, The Indian Express wrote, "The strength of the film is its visual vibrancy and the narrative line too has a great measure of cohesion, despite it being an action film all the way".[17] On 26 April, The Hindu wrote, "Vijayakanth doing his rough stuff with his known felicity, particularly the fights on top of the moving train, the horse riding horde of Veerabadran's men in Sholay fashion trying to stop him".[18] Unlike other Tamil actors who did not face success with their 100th film, Vijayakanth was considered by N. Kesavan of The Hindu to have broken that jinx.[6] Rajarajan won the Cinema Express Award for Best Cameraman.[19]
References
edit- ^ "Film editor G. Jayachandran dead". The Hindu. 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "Vijayakanth vs 'Virumaandi'". The Hindu. 12 January 2004. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Quizzing with K-Circle". The Hindu. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
- ^ R. K. Selvamani in Toronto 16 Mar 2013 – Part 1. Tamils Business Connections. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ R. K. Selvamani in Toronto, Part 2. Tamils Business Connections. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Kesavan, N. (14 May 2016). "100th film jinx grips the mighty sans 'Captain'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "'புலன் விசாரணை' வெற்றி எதிரொலி: 'டைரக்ஷனுக்கு ரூ.25 லட்சம் தருகிறேன்!' செல்வமணிக்கு 'ஜீவி' அழைப்பு". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ "கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன் படப்பிடிப்பு பயங்கர காடுகளில் நடைபெற்ற மெய்சிலிர்க்கும் சம்பவங்கள்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ a b "ரம்யா கிருஷ்ணனின் ராசியை மீறி ஜெயித்த கேப்டன் பிரபாகரன்!". News18 (in Tamil). 15 April 2022. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (9 October 2010). "Grill Mill – Mansoor Ali Khan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "கரிகாலன் வரலாறு!". Kungumam (in Tamil). 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Shivakumar, S. (26 August 2005). "Playing a Captain's innings". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ பாலு, எஸ். (28 October 1990). "'அஞ்சு' பெரிய படங்களில் அஞ்சு!". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 28. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Chennai: Pichhamal Chintamani. p. 125. OCLC 295034757.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (10 May 2013). "Light and melodious". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Well picturised". The Hindu. 20 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Captain Prabhakaran". The Indian Express. 19 April 1991. p. 7. Retrieved 3 July 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (28 December 2023). "Why is Vijayakanth called 'Captain'? A throwback to the actor's 100th film". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "'Chinnathambi' Bags Cinema Express Award". The Indian Express. 25 February 1992. p. 3. Retrieved 16 February 2024 – via Google News Archive.
