Harichandra (1998 film)

Harichandra is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Cheyyar Ravi. The film stars Karthik and Meena, while Priya Raman, Chinni Jayanth, Vivek, Delhi Ganesh, and Sathyapriya play supporting roles. It was released on 15 May 1998.^[1] The film was remade in Telugu as Harischandra (1999).^[2]

Harichandra
DVD cover
Directed by	Cheyyar Ravi
Screenplay by	Cheyyar Ravi G. Thyagarajan K. Jeevakumaaran
Story by	K. Jeevakumaaran
Produced by	G. Thyagarajan G. Saravanan
Starring	Karthik Meena
Cinematography	Ravi Yadav
Edited by	G. R. Anilmalnad
Music by	Agosh
Production company	Sathya Jyothi Films
Release date	15 May 1998 (1998-05-15)
Running time	150 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Harichandra, an ad filmmaker, has a habit of telling spontaneous lies for the Good of men around him, but has no intent to cheat. Only his three friends know this. Hari gained a good name in the society.

Hari meets a school principal Nandhini in a shooting spot, who happens to be a relative of his friend. Later, he falls in love with her, hides his true nature and lies to impress her.

Unfortunately for him, Nandhini was clever enough to identify all his lies, but no matter what, they still reunite after every quarrel and fight. Quarrels and fights lasted until their wedding moment.

Eventually in the end, everyone knew that even though Hari lies and cheats people, he is still a good human being. Thus, Hari and Nandhini got married and lived happily.

Cast

• Karthik as Harichandran
• Meena as Nandhini
• Priya Raman as Chitra
• Chinni Jayanth as Sundaram
• Vivek as Gopal
• Vaiyapuri as Muthu
• Delhi Ganesh as Harichandra's father
• Sathyapriya as Harichandra's mother
• Anand as Joseph Fernandez
• Thalaivasal Vijay as Raghu, Chitra's brother
• Janagaraj as Doctor
• Vinu Chakravarthy as Anthony
• Thyagu as General Manager
• Kaka Radhakrishnan as Raghu and Chitra's grandfather
• Mohan Raman as Nandhini's father
• Vichithra guest appearance in song "Kadhal Enbadhu"
• Kavithalaya Krishnan
• T. S. Raghavendra as fake church priest
• R. S. Shivaji as marriage broker
• Anusha as Harichandran's neighbour
• K. R. Vatsala as Nandhini's mother
• Oru Viral Krishna Rao as Ramayya
• Kovai Senthil as temple priest
• Dhadi Balaji as office staff (uncredited)
• Ganeshkar as hotel staff (uncredited)^{[3]: 1:49:54–1:50:08}
• R. Anandh as music director in recording (uncredited)^{[3]: 1:15:28–1:15:35}

Production

The film's title is an ironic reference to Harishchandra, a legendary king known for being truthful.^[4] Two of the songs were shot at Switzerland.^[5] The song "Mundhanai Selai" was shot at locations including Switzerland, Geneva, and London.^[6] The film's producer Thyagarajan co-wrote the screenplay with Cheyyar Ravi.^[7]

Soundtrack

Music is composed by a band named Agosh, consisting of three artists R. Anand, Gopal Rao and Shaleen.^[8][9][10]

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Harichandran Varraan"	Vaasan	Gopal Rao, Karthik
2.	"Mundhaanai Saelai"	Arivumathi	Mano, K. S. Chithra
3.	"Kaadhal Enbadhu"	Piraisoodan	Swarnalatha
4.	"Naadodi Paattu Paada"	Ravishankar	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
5.	"Enna Idhu Kanavaa"	Palani Bharathi	Mano, Sujatha

Reception

D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu praised Ravi's direction and said Karthik, "with his inimitable style of halting delivery, makes fine use of the part, his evasive tactics and lies being rich like his costume".^[7] Ji of Kalki praised Karthik's performance, climax humour, songs but panned the background score and felt the director who tried to surprise by hinting towards a different end falls into routine logicless pit.^[11] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times praised Karthik's performance, Ravi's direction, the cinematography and art direction.^[12]