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{{Use Indian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Meendum Kokila.jpg
| caption = Theatrical poster
| director = [[G. N. Rangarajan]]
| screenplay = [[Ananthu (screenwriter)|Ananthu]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2018 |title=37 வருடத்துக்குப் பிறகு 'மீண்டும் கோகிலா' : இயக்குனர் நெகிழ்ச்சி |url=http://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/newsview/23257/Kamalhassan-s-Meendum-kokila-re-released |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191823/https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=24 March 2021 |website=[[Puthiya Thalaimurai]] |language=ta}}</ref>
| story = Haasan Brothers
| producer = T. R. Srinivasan
| starring = {{ubl|[[Kamal Haasan]]|[[Sridevi]]|[[Unni Mary|Deepa]]}}
| cinematography = [[N. K. Viswanathan]]
| editing = K. R. Ramalingam
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio = Charuchitra Films
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1981|1|14|ref1=}}
| runtime = 139 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Meendum Kokila''''' ({{translation|Kokila, again}}) is a 1981 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[G. N. Rangarajan]] from a screenplay written by [[Ananthu (screenwriter)|Ananthu]] and a story by Haasan Brothers. The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Sridevi]]. [[Unni Mary|Deepa]], [[Suruli Rajan]], [[Thengai Srinivasan]] and [[Omakuchi Narasimhan]] are featured in supporting roles. The narrative follows a young woman who fights to win back her husband after his infatuation with an actress.

''Meendum Kokila'' was released theatrically on 14 January 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meendum Kokila (1981) |url=https://screen4screen.com/movies/meendum-kokila |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191827/https://screen4screen.com/movies/meendum-kokila |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=24 March 2021 |website=Screen 4 Screen}}</ref> Upon its release, the film was a critical and commercial success. For her performance, Sridevi received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil]]. The film was dubbed in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Chilipi Mogudu'' and released on 4 September 1981.<ref name="Chilipi Mogudu">{{Cite web |title=Chilipi Mogudu |url=https://indiancine.ma/BINN/info |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230328025911/https://indiancine.ma/BINN/info |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=29 November 2021 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{more plot|date=March 2021}}
Subramaniam, a lawyer, is married to Kokila and has a daughter. Things go well until he meets Kamini, a movie star, at a party. He gets attracted to Kamini and becomes ready to sacrifice his own family for her. Kokila's efforts in bringing back her husband form the rest of the story.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Subramaniam
* [[Sridevi]] as Kokila
* [[Unni Mary|Deepa]] as Kamini
* [[Suruli Rajan]] as Film Director
* [[S. N. Parvathy]] as Neighbour
* [[A. R. Srinivasan]] as Auditor
* "Nagesh" Krishnamurthy as Moorthy
* [[Anju (actress)|Baby Anju]] as Manju Subramaniam
* [[Thengai Srinivasan]] as Nattuvanar
* [[T. K. S. Natarajan]] as Film Star
}}

== Production ==
The film was originally directed by [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]] with [[Sridevi]], [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Bollywood]] actress [[Rekha]]—in her [[Tamil cinema]] debut—playing the lead roles.<ref name="Dina Thanthi">{{Cite news |date=16 June 2008 |title=வரலாற்றுச்சுவடுகள் – திரைப்பட வரலாறு 944 – கமல்–ஸ்ரீதேவி நடித்த ''மீண்டும் கோகிலா'' |work=[[Dina Thanthi]] |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |year=1980 |editor-last=Ramachandran |editor-first=T.M. |title=Rekha's first Tamil movie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHpTAAAAYAAJ&q=Meendum+Kokila |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191823/https://books.google.com/books?id=WHpTAAAAYAAJ&q=Meendum+Kokila |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=7 June 2013 |magazine=Film World}}</ref> Rekha was the original choice for the role of Kamini, and scenes featuring her were shot till 3000 feet.<ref name="Dina Thanthi" /> Mahendran opted out of the film after a song sequence was shot. Later, as the film progressed, Rekha pulled out, citing no reason.<ref name="Dina Thanthi" /> It was Haasan who requested [[G. N. Rangarajan]] to take over the film as director.<ref name="Dina Thanthi" /> Rekha's father [[Gemini Ganesan]] claimed he told her not to play "second fiddle" to Sridevi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K.N. |date=18 August 1998 |title=Gemini speaks his mind |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tsBhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6754%2C4522934 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001181832/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tsBhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6754%2C4522934 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=23 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> Rekha was replaced by [[Unni Mary|Deepa]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panicker |first=Prem |date=10 October 2003 |title=The magic that is Rekha |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/10rekha.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919072830/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/oct/10rekha.htm |archive-date=19 September 2013 |access-date=7 June 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 1981 |title=Malayalam actress Deepa stumbles on a role that paves the way for a glittery future |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19810531-malayalam-actress-deepa-stumbles-on-a-role-that-paves-the-way-for-a-glittery-future-772921-2013-11-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191823/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19810531-malayalam-actress-deepa-stumbles-on-a-role-that-paves-the-way-for-a-glittery-future-772921-2013-11-22 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Haasan's character in the film twitches his eye, for which he took inspiration from cricketer [[Krishnamachari Srikkanth]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2020 |title=I was supposed to play Yugi Sethu's role in Panchathanthiram: Srikkanth |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/i-was-supposed-to-play-yugi-sethus-role-in-panchathanthiram-srikkanth/articleshow/73760558.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415090824/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/i-was-supposed-to-play-yugi-sethus-role-in-panchathanthiram-srikkanth/articleshow/73760558.cms |archive-date=15 April 2020 |access-date=24 March 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> After the film was screen for the [[Central Board of Film Certification]], Rangarajan feared it would be given an [[A certificate|A (adults only) certificate]], but to his relief it was given [[U certificate (India)|U (unrestricted)]] without any cuts.<ref name="kalki">{{Cite magazine |date=21 November 1982 |title=கமலை டா போட்டு அழைப்பவர் |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1982-11-21/kalki1982-11-21.pdf |access-date=12 April 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=52–53 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meendum Kokila |url=https://avdigital.in/products/meendum-kokila |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722024357/https://avdigital.in/products/meendum-kokila |archive-date=22 July 2020 |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=AVDigital}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meendum Kokilla (1981) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0000095 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005071402/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0000095 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |access-date=6 October 2013 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref> The song "Radha Radha Nee" is set in the raga [[Shuddha Saveri]] whereas "Chinnan Chiru Vayathil" is set in [[Abheri]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=3 August 2012 |title=A raga's journey: Joyful Suddha Saveri |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/joyful-suddha-saveri/article3722266.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607085030/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/joyful-suddha-saveri/article3722266.ece |archive-date=7 June 2015 |access-date=12 September 2016 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> For the dubbed [[Telugu language|Telugu]] version ''Chilipi Mogudu'', lyrics were written by [[Rajasri (writer)|Rajasri]] and [[Aarudra]].<ref name="Chilipi Mogudu" />

;Tamil
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
| "Chinna Chiru Vayathil" || [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[S. P. Sailaja]] || [[Kannadasan]] || 04:32
|-
| "Hey Oraiyiram" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] || rowspan=2|[[Panchu Arunachalam]] || 03:55
|-
| "Ponnana Meni" || K. J. Yesudas, [[S. Janaki]] || 04:30
|-
| "Radha Radha Nee" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki || Kannadasan || 04:27
|}
;Telugu
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
| "Ninna Sandhya Velalo" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[S. P. Sailaja]] || rowspan="3" | [[Rajasri (writer)|Rajasri]] || 03:20
|-
| "Radha Radha – Duet" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[P. Susheela]] || 03:26
|-
| "Oh Chinna Maata" || [[G. Anand]], S. P. Sailaja || 03:22
|-
| "Hey Oorinchaku" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam || [[Aarudhra]] || 02:56
|}

== Reception ==
Nalini Sastry of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' lauded Rangarajan's direction, Ananthu's dialogues, Viswanathan's cinematography and the performances of the main cast.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சாஸ்திரி |first=நளினி |date=8 February 1981 |title=மீண்டும் கோகிலா |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-02-08/page/n53/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230328025600/https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-02-08/page/n53/mode/2up |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=26 September 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=52–53 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Sridevi received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil]];<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sir Stanley Reed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xU3jAAAAMAAJ |title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who |publisher=Bennett, Coleman. |year=1984 |pages=234 |access-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729074809/https://books.google.com/books?id=xU3jAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=29 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> the first of her four [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2012 |title=Hawa Hawai girl Sridevi turns 49 |url=http://www.sify.com/news/hawa-hawai-girl-sridevi-turns-49-news-default-minpM8edfjb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330222712/http://www.sify.com/news/hawa-hawai-girl-sridevi-turns-49-news-default-minpM8edfjb.html |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=7 June 2013 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Just 17 years old, when released, the film's success consolidated Sridevi's position as the highest paid actress in [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2012 |title=Don't want Jhanvi in films at this age: Sridevi |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/dont-want-jhanvi-in-films-at-this-age-sridevi/1007086/0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191827/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/dont-want-jhanvi-in-films-at-this-age-sridevi/1007086/0 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=24 March 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Re-release ==
The film's digitally restored version was released on 15 December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharadan |date=17 November 2017 |title=Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in theatres again |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/kamal-haasan-sridevi-starrer-meendum-kokila-to-be-released-on-december-15.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065644/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/kamal-haasan-sridevi-starrer-meendum-kokila-to-be-released-on-december-15.html |archive-date=20 January 2018 |access-date=19 January 2018 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=18 November 2017 |title=An image makeover for Meendum Kokila |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/181117/an-image-makeover-for-meendum-kokila.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119181419/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/181117/an-image-makeover-for-meendum-kokila.html |archive-date=19 January 2018 |access-date=19 January 2018 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 April 2017 |title=Kamal Haasan's classic hits to be re-release on the big screen |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kamal-haasan-classic-hits-to-be-re-release-on-the-big-screen-4615632/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191827/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kamal-haasan-classic-hits-to-be-re-release-on-the-big-screen-4615632/ |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=19 January 2018 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

{{G. N. Rangarajan}}

[[Category:1981 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:1981 Indian films]]
[[Category:1981 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about adultery in India]]
[[Category:Films about lawyers]]
[[Category:Films directed by G. N. Rangarajan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Ananthu (screenwriter)]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic comedy films]]

Meendum Kokila - Revision history

Alicolours at 05:18, 3 March 2026