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  • Cast Kamal Hassan,
  • BannerSri Vigneshwara Cine Art Creations
  • Editor --
  • Cinematography --
  • Music Ilaiyaraaja
  • Producer S.V Subba Rao
  • Director Balu Mahendra
  • Audio release date NA

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Direction
Story
Cinematography
Music
Editing

Vasantha Kokila story at a glance

There are very few films in Indian Cinema which leave the audience in a stunning silence for the extremely poetic way in which it is made and the ending which gets even more in crescendo with it.  Having unconventional characterizations away from masala elements, simple pleasures in life, and visual beauty are some additional attractions which come with such films. One such amazing film which came in the early 80s was Balu Mahendra’s Vasantha Kokila (Dubbed from Moonram Pirai-Tamil) starring Kamal Hassan and Sridevi. Sridevi’s career as an actress took a quantum leap with her portrayal as a mentally challenged woman who behaves like a small child throughout the film.

Story Details:
The film begins with a racy song in which Lakshmi (Sridevi) is enjoying life with her friends in a picnic and sadly by the end of the song she meets with an accident. After her recovery, the doctors diagnose that she is suffering from amnesia and would behave like a kid from then. In shocking circumstances, she is sold to a madam (Gandhimathi) who disposes to brothel house. Meanwhile Seenu (Kamal Hassan) along with his friend arrive in the same brothel house out of compulsion of the latter. He understands the mental condition of Lakshmi and feels highly moved. He takes her out of the hell and takes her to his place in Ooty where he works as a school teacher. He renames her as Viji and they slowly bond together in a highly emotional manner. Meanwhile, the wife (Silk Smitha) of Seenu’s boss falls head over heels for him. Seenu takes Viji to an ayurvedic doctor (Ramamurthy) who heals her disease. But the sadness begins for Seenu when Viji forgets her relationship with him and remembers only her parents. The film ends on a saddest note when Seenu tries to make Viji remember the good moments they had in the railway station but falls in vain when she fails to understand who he is.

Performances:
Sridevi is fantastic as Lakshmi the modern woman and Viji the mentally challenged woman later. Her innocent histrionics, dialogue delivery and body language speaks millions. She shares a phenomenal chemistry with Kamal Hassan and he delivers a phenomenal performance towards the climax. His performance in the railway station trying to make Viji remember her past would make anyone tearful. Silk Smitha gets a role of substance and she does well. Ramamurthy suits well in his portrayal as Ayurveda Doctor.

Technical Aspects:
Cinematography by Balu Mahendra is the heart and soul of the film. His portrayal of Ooty as a place with life is amazing to the core.The beautiful locations with mist, and long pine trees were brilliantly shown. Direction by Balu Mahendra is crisp and fantastic. It is poetically written film with some great performances. Undoubtedly it won the national award for best cinematography. Music by Maestro Ilaiayaraaja speaks mountains about the artistic feel of the film. Songs like Ee Lokam and Kadhaga Kalpanaga became evergreen hits.

Cast and Crew:
Lakshmi/Viji- Sridevi
Seenu- Kamal Hassan
Seenu’s Boss Wife – Silk Smitha
Ayurveda Doctor- Rammurthy
Madam- Gandhmathi
Lyrics- Rajasri, Veturi
Music- Maestro Ilaiyaraaja
Written ,Cinematography and Direction- Balu Mahendra
Producer- S.V.Subba Rao, Ramakotaiah
Banner- Sri Vigneshwara Cine Art Creations
Release Year- 1982

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