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{{Short description|1991 film by Vasanth}}
{{redirect|Keladi Kanmani|the TV series|Keladi Kanmani (TV series)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Keladi Kannmanii.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Vasanth]]
| screenplay = Vasanth
| story = [[Ananthu (screenwriter)|Ananthu]]
| producer = A. Sundaram
| starring = {{plainlist|
*[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
*[[Radikaa Sarathkumar|Radikaa]]
*[[Ramesh Aravind]]
*[[Anju (actress)|Anju]]
}}
| cinematography = R. Raghunatha Reddy
| editing = Ganesh–Kumar
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio = Vivek Chithra Productions
| distributor = 
| released = {{film date|1990|7|27|df=y}}
| runtime = 140 minutes{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=132}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Keladi Kannmanii''''' ({{Translation|Listen, sweetheart}}; also spelt '''''Keladi Kanmani''''') is a 1990 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]] that marked the directorial debut of [[Vasanth]]. The film stars [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Radikaa Sarathkumar|Radikaa]], [[Ramesh Aravind]] and [[Anju (actress)|Anju]]. It revolves around a terminally ill woman who seeks to make amends for a past mistake before she dies.

Producer A. Sundaram approached Vasanth to make a film for his production company, Vivek Chithra Productions, but Vasanth did not have a story. [[Ananthu (screenwriter)|Ananthu]] created the story of ''Keladi Kannmanii'', which Vasanth developed into a screenplay. Cinematography was handled by R. Raghunatha Reddy, editing was by the duo Ganesh–Kumar, and Maghi made his debut as art director.

''Keladi Kannmanii'' was released on 27 July 1990 and became a commercial success, running for over 285 days at theatres. It won three [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] (including [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Second Best Film]]) and Radikaa won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil]].

== Plot ==
Anu is a college student; her fellow student Sasi desperately tries to win her affection. Sasi and Anu play various pranks on each other. Anu eventually admits her affection for Sasi and they begin a courtship. All seems to be well, but Anu is strangely sad from time to time; she repeats to Sasi that she senses an imminent danger to their relationship, but she is unable to pinpoint what the threat is or describe why it may materialise soon.

Anu begins to get frequent sharp headaches. Her father, A. R. Rangaraj (ARR), a widower, tries to help her, but is not able to get to the bottom of the matter. ARR is a gentle old man who has devoted most of his life to his daughter. On her 18th birthday, Anu visits her doctor who determines that she has bilateral [[renal artery stenosis]] and is almost certain to succumb within a year. She may require an operation within that time, but the likelihood of her coming through it alive is minimal.

Anu asks the doctor to keep her illness a secret between them. Unknown to Anu, her father accidentally discovers it when the local pharmacist sends some prescription drugs through him. When Anu discusses the matter with Sasi, he expresses his support despite his grave sadness out of his love for her. Anu reveals a thread from her past that may explain her melancholic mood.

The film flashes back to several years before, when ARR had a happy family. Anu, then five or six, attended school; ARR worked and his wife managed the home. When ARR lost his wife to an illness, Anu took this particularly hard. ARR tried to help her cope with it and move on. Later, ARR met Sarada at a wedding. When ARR sought a tutor for Anu, Sarada took the position. The friendship evolved into a courtship, and ARR was about to propose marriage.

As time went on, Sarada realised her own responsibilities. Both her parents were [[deaf-mute]], and she was the only way they could communicate with others; this left her torn between her filial duty and her personal aspirations. Things worsened when Anu missed her mother and was unable to accept Sarada (or anyone else) as a replacement. Sarada was bewildered and ultimately frustrated by all this. Despite ARR's assurances that they could work it out, she refused his proposal and decided to move to another city; her parents committed suicide as they felt they were a hindrance to their daughter. Since then, Anu has been plagued by guilt for her part in the breakup.

The doctors schedule the surgery. Anu takes this with stoic grief, and asks Sasi for one last thing: to find Sarada and attempt to reunite her with ARR. They find an old picture of Sarada, and Sasi recognises her as a woman he had met in [[Bangalore]] a few weeks before. He sets off on a frantic hunt for Sarada. On the day of the operation, Sarada happens to be in Chennai ''en route'' to a training event in the United States. After a series of near-misses, Sasi locates her in the nick of time and brings her to Anu and ARR moments before Anu gets anaesthetised. Anu later goes for one last ride with Sasi on his motorbike and, right before they leave, she says that she has gained faith in surviving the surgery.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] as A. R. Rangaraj (ARR)<ref name="TNM">{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |author-link=Sowmya Rajendran |date=30 September 2020 |title='Keladi Kanmani': When SPB and Radikaa brought to life an unforgettable romance |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keladi-kanmani-when-spb-and-radikaa-brought-life-unforgettable-romance-134225 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002051925/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keladi-kanmani-when-spb-and-radikaa-brought-life-unforgettable-romance-134225 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |access-date=2 October 2020 |website=[[The News Minute]] |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Radikaa Sarathkumar|Radikaa]] as Sarada<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Ramesh Aravind]] as Sasi<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Anju (actress)|Anju]] as Anu<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Janagaraj]] as Adaikkalam<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Poornam Viswanathan]] as Sarada's father<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Srividya]] as Sarada's mother<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Neena (Tamil actress)|Baby Neena]] as young Anu<ref name="TNM" />
* [[Charle]] as Sasi's friend<ref name="thefederal" />
* [[Chinni Jayanth]] as Adaikkalam's friend<ref name="thefederal" />
* [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as Adaikkalam's friend<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2020 |title=Vivekh recalls fond memories of working in Keladi Kanmani |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vivekh-recalls-fond-memories-of-working-in-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/77219637.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731172419/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vivekh-recalls-fond-memories-of-working-in-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/77219637.cms |archive-date=31 July 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
* [[Kavithalayaa Krishnan|Krishnan]] as Mahadevan<ref name="thefederal" />

* [[Geetha (actress)|Geetha]] as Charulatha (ARR's wife)<ref name="TNM" />
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
When film producer A. Sundaram approached [[Vasanth]], an assistant to [[K. Balachander]], to make a film for his production company, Vivek Chithra Productions, Vasanth was sceptical; he recalled, "Maybe he thought that just like how he was making [''[[Pudhea Paadhai]]''] with [[K. Bhagyaraj|Bhagyaraj's]] assistant [[R. Parthiban|Parthiban]] at that time, he should make one with KB sir's assistant. I said I'd get back to him." Vasanth's family scolded him that he "should be thankful that I’m getting a producer without me getting a story ready and approaching many producers to produce it".<ref name="to">{{Cite web |last1=Suganth |first1=M |last2=CR |first2=Sharanya |date=27 July 2020 |title=30 Years of Keladi Kanmani: Raaja sir's music gave life to the climax: Vasanth |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/30-Years-of-Keladi-Kanmani-Raaja-sirs-music-gave-life-to-the-climax-Vasanth/articleshow/77187894.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817162013/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/30-Years-of-Keladi-Kanmani-Raaja-sirs-music-gave-life-to-the-climax-Vasanth/articleshow/77187894.cms |archive-date=17 August 2020 |access-date=12 August 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> Sundaram told him to return once he had a story ready.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=M. |date=28 January 2017 |title=Young guns |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Young-guns/article17107898.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412170446/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Young-guns/article17107898.ece |archive-date=12 April 2018 |access-date=11 August 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

Vasanth wanted to make films like his mentor Balachander, [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]] and [[Balu Mahendra]], so he decided to make one "that was mature for my age. So, a romance between two mature people was the starting point".<ref name="to" /> The story was created by [[Ananthu (screenwriter)|Ananthu]], another assistant to Balachander, and Vasanth developed it into a screenplay.<ref name="thefederal">{{Cite web |last=Vinoth Kumar |first=N |date=22 August 2020 |title=30 years of Keladi Kanmani, a film that established SPB as an actor |url=https://thefederal.com/features/30-years-of-keladi-kanmani-a-film-that-established-spb-as-an-actor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004120511/https://thefederal.com/features/30-years-of-keladi-kanmani-a-film-that-established-spb-as-an-actor/ |archive-date=4 October 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020 |website=[[The Federal]] |language=en}}</ref> ''Keladi Kannmanii'' was Vasanth's directorial debut,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerald |first=Olympia Shilpa |date=21 September 2010 |title=A fine balance |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/A-fine-balance/article16010380.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124052133/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/A-fine-balance/article16010380.ece |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> and was named after the song of the same name from Balachander's ''[[Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal]]'' (1989).<ref name="dinamalarnellai">{{Cite web |last=கணேஷ் |first=எஸ். |date=19 March 2016 |title=பாடகர் எஸ்.பி.பி. கதையின் நாயகனாக நடித்த முதல் படம்! |trans-title=The first film where singer S.P.B. played the protagonist! |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/5029 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003193518/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/5029 |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |place=Nellai |language=ta}}</ref> Cinematography was handled by R. Raghunatha Reddy, editing by the duo Ganesh–Kumar, and Maghi made his debut as art director.<ref name="hindutamil">{{Cite news |last=ராம்ஜி |first=வி. |date=26 July 2019 |title=''சுந்தரம் சார் தந்த இன்ப அதிர்ச்சி, எஸ்.பி.பி. சாரின் ரெண்டுமணி நேரம், ராதிகா ராட்சஷி, ஜனகராஜ் கலகல.. எல்லாத்துக்கும் மேல இளையராஜா சார்'' – 'கேளடி கண்மணி' அனுபவங்கள்... இயக்குநர் வஸந்த் எஸ்.சாய் பேட்டி |trans-title="The pleasant surprise delivered by Sundaram sir; the two hours spent with S.P.B. Sir; Radhika demoness; Janagaraj the bundle of fun... and above all else, Ilaiyaraaja sir." – Experiences from ''Keladi Kannmanii''... An interview with Director Vasanth S. Sai. |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/508802-keladi-kanmani-29-years.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702063530/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/508802-keladi-kanmani-29-years.html |archive-date=2 July 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
Vasanth approached [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] to portray A. R. Rangaraj (ARR).<ref name="thefederal" /> The pair had earlier worked on ''[[Manathil Urudhi Vendum]]'' (1987), for which Vasanth was an assistant director. Vasanth was impressed with his realistic acting style and felt a "strong impression of him as a good actor, so we roped him in as an acting coup". Balasubrahmanyam was initially hesitant to accept the offer as he did not want Vasanth to take a risk by making a film with him as the lead actor. Vasanth remained firm with his selection because he wanted ARR "to be a character, which would not be possible with a popular face".<ref name="to" />

[[Suhasini Maniratnam|Suhasini]] was Vasanth's first choice for the role of Sarada, but she could not accept the offer due to her busy schedule; [[Radikaa Sarathkumar|Radikaa]] was chosen instead. [[Ramesh Aravind]] was cast as Sasi because Vasanth worked with him in the [[Kannada]] film ''[[Sundara Swapnagalu]]'' (1986).<ref name="to" /> According to Aravind, Vasanth approached him because the actor who was his original choice for the role could not accept.<ref name="Ramesh">{{Cite web |last=CR |first=Sharanya |date=27 July 2020 |title=Ramesh Arvind: I signed 12 Tamil films because of Keladi Kanmani |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ramesh-arvind-i-signed-12-tamil-films-because-of-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/77199047.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728082849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ramesh-arvind-i-signed-12-tamil-films-because-of-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/77199047.cms |archive-date=28 July 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]] and [[Ramya Krishnan]] were initial choices for the role of Anu, but could not accept due to other commitments; [[Anju (actress)|Anju]] was finally chosen by Vasanth, despite the scepticism of the crew since she was a relative newcomer. [[Neena (Tamil actress)|Neena]] played the character as a child after Vasanth saw her in ''Idhayathai Thirudathe'', the Tamil-dubbed version of the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[Geethanjali (1989 film)|Geethanjali]]'' (1989).<ref name="to" />

=== Filming ===
While scouting for filming locations, Vasanth came across an old house which was available for filming only for two days; he decided this would be the original house of Sarada.<ref name="house">{{Cite news |date=14 May 2020 |title='கேளடி கண்மணி' முதல் நாள் படப்பிடிப்பில் நடந்த சுவாரசியம்: இயக்குநர் வஸந்த் பகிர்வு |trans-title=An anecdote from the first day of filming for ''Keladi Kannmanii'': Director Vasanth shares |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/554526-vasanth-interview-about-keladi-kanmani.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610042715/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/554526-vasanth-interview-about-keladi-kanmani.html |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=2 July 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> The first shot Vasanth directed was the scene where Sarada cries over the death of her parents.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasanth |author-link=Vasanth |date=13 July 2011 |title='I'm 100% religious' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article418353.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809054144/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article418353.ece |archive-date=9 August 2016 |access-date=11 August 2017 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="KK25">{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=Subha J |date=22 August 2015 |title=Keladi Kanmani turns 25 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/keladi-kanmani-turns-25/article7569458.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322101117/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/keladi-kanmani-turns-25/article7569458.ece |archive-date=22 March 2020 |access-date=24 August 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Before filming the scene, Radikaa asked for some time to prepare; she came much later and finished filming the scene in one take.<ref name="house" /> Aravind's first scenes to be filmed were those with Radikaa; he had only three days to film those scenes as Radikaa was due to leave for London soon after. His other scenes, including those with Anju, were filmed after he reworked his [[Daily call sheet|call-sheet dates]].<ref name="Ramesh" />

Due to Balasubrahmanyam's playback singing commitments, he could only shoot for two hours each day.<ref name="hindutamil" /> The scooter that Balasubrahmanyam drove as ARR was a [[Bajaj Chetak]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Balasubrahmanyam |first1=S. P. |author-link=S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |last2=Shrikumar |first2=A |date=5 February 2019 |title=Love bloomed on the Lambretta, recalls S.P. Balasubrahmanyam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/motoring/love-bloomed-on-the-lambretta/article26184458.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103004804/https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/motoring/love-bloomed-on-the-lambretta/article26184458.ece |archive-date=3 November 2020 |access-date=18 August 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The song "Mannil Indha Kaadhal" was filmed at a beach off [[East Coast Road]], [[Mamallapuram|Mahabalipuram]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Poorvaja |first=S. |date=25 September 2020 |title=SPB was an enthusiastic actor, full of warmth |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/an-enthusiastic-actor-full-of-warmth-spb-the-actor/article32695749.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202191242/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/an-enthusiastic-actor-full-of-warmth-spb-the-actor/article32695749.ece |archive-date=2 February 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CR |first=Sharanya |date=25 September 2020 |title=Radikaa Sarathkumar: I told SPB his songs kept me sane in the lockdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-i-told-spb-his-songs-kept-me-sane-in-the-lockdown/articleshow/78319639.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528001852/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/radikaa-sarathkumar-i-told-spb-his-songs-kept-me-sane-in-the-lockdown/articleshow/78319639.cms |archive-date=28 May 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

== Music ==
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]], and the soundtrack album was released by Echo Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keladi Kanmani Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraaja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/keladi-kanmani-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816062751/https://mossymart.com/product/keladi-kanmani-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |archive-date=16 August 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=Mossymart |language=ta}}</ref> Ilaiyaraaja was Vasanth's only choice for composing the music; despite his busy schedule, he accepted the offer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2021 |title=Vasanth and Ilaiyaraaja reunite 30 years after Keladi Kanmani |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vasanth-and-ilaiyaraaja-reunite-30-years-after-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/80066384.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305084606/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vasanth-and-ilaiyaraaja-reunite-30-years-after-keladi-kanmani/articleshow/80066384.cms |archive-date=5 March 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> The song "Nee Pathi Naan Pathi" is set in [[Chakravakam (raga)|Chakravakam]], a [[Carnatic raga]],{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=147}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=26 May 2012 |title=Charming Chakravaham |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-charming-chakravaham/article3455687.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519160810/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-charming-chakravaham/article3455687.ece |archive-date=19 May 2017 |access-date=11 August 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> and "Mannil Indha Kaadhal" is set in [[Keeravani]].{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=143}} The song "Varanam Aayiram" is a [[ragamalika]], a song set in multiple ragas; one stanza is set in Nayaki.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=27 September 2013 |title=The royal Durbar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-royal-durbar/article5175111.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807162020/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-royal-durbar/article5175111.ece |archive-date=7 August 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=166}}

"Mannil Indha Kaadhal" was not originally planned to appear in the film. Vasanth wanted to showcase Balasubrahmanyam's singing prowess in a scene, but did not know how to do it. The idea of "breathless singing" eventually struck Vasanth; and Balasubrahmanyam agreed.<ref name="to" /> The song has Balasubrahmanyam singing two stanzas seemingly without taking a single breath in between the lines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S. |date=9 June 2014 |title=The Top 10 songs of S P Balasubrahmanyam |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-the-top-10-songs-of-s-p-balasubrahmanyam/20140707.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612134305/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-the-top-10-songs-of-s-p-balasubrahmanyam/20140707.htm |archive-date=12 June 2025 |access-date=14 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Vasanth initially proposed that the entire song be sung in one breath, but Ilaiyaraaja said to limit that to specific stanzas. Balasubrahmanyam took 40 seconds to sing the second breathless stanza; he sang breathlessly for the first 25 seconds, and the last 15 seconds after briefly inhaling. It was then edited to look like he sang the entire stanza without taking breath.<ref name="thefederal" /> While the lyrics are credited to Ilaiyaraaja's elder brother [[Pavalar Varadharajan]], the song was actually written by their younger brother [[Gangai Amaran]] who sought to honour Varadharajan who had died long before.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2024 |title=5 Timeless Songs Penned By Tamil Musician Gangai Amaran |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/5-timeless-songs-penned-by-tamil-musician-gangai-amaran-9089427.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106181711/https://www.news18.com/movies/5-timeless-songs-penned-by-tamil-musician-gangai-amaran-9089427.html |archive-date=6 January 2025 |access-date=6 January 2025 |website=[[News18]] |language=en}}</ref>

When Ilaiyaraaja asked if the song "Karpoora Bommai Ondru" could be played in bits throughout the film, rather than all at once, Vasanth agreed because "it would be like something that haunts the characters, and make audiences expect for the moment when we would play it in its entirety".<ref name="to" /> The entire soundtrack (except for "Mannil Indha Kaadhal") was completed in 45 minutes.<ref name="to" /><ref name="KK25" /> Ilaiyaraaja took three days to compose the background music for the two reels forming the climax.<ref name="to" /> For the Telugu-dubbed version ''O Papa Lali'', all lyrics were written by [[Rajasri (writer)|Rajasri]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=O Papa Lali (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/o-papa-lali-original-motion/928769247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/dyd9C |archive-date=24 April 2026 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=[[Apple Music]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Tamil
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 30:28
| title1 = Enna Paduvathu
| lyrics1 = [[Gangai Amaran]]
| extra1 = [[Ilaiyaraaja]], [[Arunmozhi]], Saibaba
| length1 = 4:43
| title2 = Karpoora Bommai
| lyrics2 = [[Mu. Metha]]
| extra2 = [[P. Susheela]]
| length2 = 4:45
| title3 = Mannil Indha Kaadhal
| lyrics3 = Gangai Amaran{{efn|Credited exclusively to [[Pavalar Varadharajan]], who provided no creative input.}}
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length3 = 4:13
| title4 = Nee Pathi Naan Pathi
| lyrics4 = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| extra4 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[Uma Ramanan]]
| length4 = 4:40
| title5 = Thanniyile Nenanja
| lyrics5 = Vaali
| extra5 = Uma Ramanan
| length5 = 4:41
| title6 = Thenral Thaan
| lyrics6 = [[Piraisoodan]]
| extra6 = K. J. Yesudas, [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length6 = 4:41
| title7 = Varanam Aayiram
| lyrics7 = Aandal
| extra7 = [[S. Janaki]]
| length7 = 2:45
}}

{{track listing
| headline = Telugu
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 26:44
| title1 = Yemi Paadedi
| extra1 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| length1 = 4:52
| title2 = Karpoora Bomma
| extra2 = [[P. Susheela]]
| length2 = 4:55
| title3 = Maate Raani
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length3 = 4:20
| title4 = Neevega Na Pranam
| extra4 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length4 = 4:54
| title5 = Segali Sandela
| extra5 = K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
| length5 = 4:41
| title6 = Jeevana Mangala
| extra6 = K. S. Chithra
| length6 = 2:50
}}

== Release ==
''Keladi Kannmanii'' was released on 27 July 1990.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 July 1990 |title=Keladi Kannmanii |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19900727&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=11 August 2017 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=16 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The film was a commercial success, running for over 285 days in theatres,<ref name="KK25" /> becoming a [[silver jubilee film]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=செல்வராஜ் |first=என். |date=20 March 2017 |title=வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள் |trans-title=Tamil films that completed silver jubilees |url=http://puthu.thinnai.com/?p=34587 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009042903/http://puthu.thinnai.com/2017/03/20/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF/ |archive-date=9 October 2023 |access-date=14 July 2018 |work=Thinnai |language=ta}}</ref> The success of the film enabled Ramesh Aravind to obtain roles in other Tamil films.<ref name="Ramesh" />

=== Critical reception ===
N. Krishnaswamy of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "Class photography by Raghunatha Reddy, brilliant decors created by debutant art director Maghi along with choice of new-look locales, rich music by [Ilaiyaraaja] and excellent staging of action by director Vasanth – even in his first film, this protégé of K. Balachander shows a great deal of competence – put Vivek Chitra's [''Keladi Kannmanii''] in the top bracket."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnaswamy |first=N. |date=10 August 1990 |title=Keladi Kanmani |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19900810&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=11 August 2017 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=7 |language=en |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' said that Vasanth had taken a weighty script in his first attempt and told it very clearly without any confusion for the audience, that he demonstrated self-confidence by choosing Balasubrahmanyam for the male lead and Anju for the role of his daughter, and that he made his [[guru]] (Balachander) proud with the film, rating it 55 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 1990 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம் : ''கேளடி கண்மணி'' |trans-title=Movie Review: ''Keladi Kannmanii'' |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/42488--2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205102903/https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/42488--2 |archive-date=5 December 2021 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Event
!Category
!Awardee
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil|Best Actress – Tamil]]
|[[Radikaa Sarathkumar|Radikaa]]
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="dinamalarnellai" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Second Best Film]]
|''Keladi Kannmanii''
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=133}}<br /><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 1992 |title=Chinnathambi bags six awards |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19921030&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=3 |language=en |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]]
|[[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Vasanth}}
{{TamilNaduStateFilmAwardBestFilm}}

[[Category:1990 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990 Indian films]]
[[Category:1990 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1990 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films about father–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:Films directed by Vasanth]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

{{Improve categories|date=October 2024}}

Keladi Kannmanii - Revision history

Killerhazard at 04:08, 24 April 2026