Mettukudi

Mettukudi (/meɪttukudi/ transl. The House on the Hill) is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Sundar C, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Karthik, Gemini Ganesan, Goundamani, Nagma and Manivannan. The music was composed by Sirpy with cinematography by U. K. Senthil Kumar and editing by P. Sai Suresh. The film was released on 29 August 1996. It is a remake of the 1990 Malayalam film His Highness Abdullah.^[2]

Mettukudi
Poster
Directed by	Sundar C
Written by	K. Selva Bharathy (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Sundar C
Story by	Sundar C
Produced by	N. Prabhavathy N. Jyothi Lakshmi N. Vishnuram N. Raghuram
Starring	Karthik Gemini Ganesan Goundamani Nagma
Cinematography	U. K. Senthil Kumar
Edited by	P. Sai Suresh
Music by	Sirpy
Production company	Ganga Gowri Productions
Release date	29 August 1996 (1996-08-29)[1]
Running time	135 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

The story starts in the 9th century. King Raja Raja Chola presents his valuable sword to his commander-in-chief, for playing a vital role in winning a war. It is preserved by his family's descendants. In the present, an archaeologist plans to steal the sword due to its monetary value. Presently, a landlord Shanmugam is charged with the care of the sword.

The archaeologist plans to send Raja to steal the sword. He enters into the palace as the son (who ran off from the family in his childhood) of Kumarasamy, Shanmugam's son-in-law. Initially, everything goes smoothly. However, Indhu, Shanmugam's granddaughter, falls in love with Raja. The situation called for Raja to marry her. Later, Indhu discovers the truth and confronts him about stealing the sword.

In the meantime, Shanmugam, not knowing Raja for what he came there for, gives the sword to him and asks him to look after it. This makes Raja realise his mistake and promises him to protect it. The climax occurs when Raja manages to protect the sword from the archaeologist, and the family accepts Raja after learning the truth.

Cast

• Karthik as Rajasekhar
• Nagma as Indhu
• Gemini Ganesan as Shanmugam, Indhu's grandfather
• Goundamani as Kalingarayan
• Manivannan as Kumarasamy, Gemini Ganesan's son-in-law
• Thilakan as Deivathinam
• Rajeev as Archaeologist
• Uday Prakash as Deivathinam's son
• Vichu Viswanath as Archeologist's son-in-law
• Kumarimuthu as Rajasekhar's adoptive father
• Kazan Khan as Deivathinam's son
• Kalaranjini as Sivagaami
• Kavitha as Shanmugam's daughter
• Halwa Vasu as Servant
• Nizhalgal Ravi (Guest appearance)
• Viswanathan
• Rageena

Production

The film was predominantly shot at Lalitha Mahal, Mysore.^[3] Thilakan was the director's only choice for the role he played.^[4]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by Sirpy and lyrics were written by Palani Bharathi.^[5][6]

Track listing

No.	Title	Singers	Length
1.	"Anbulla Mannavane"	Mano, Swarnalatha	5:15
2.	"Velvetta Velvetta"	Mano, K. S. Chithra	4:59
3.	"Indha Poonthendral"	Mano, Sirpy, Israth	4:59
4.	"Adi Yaaradhu Yaaradhu"	Mano, K. S. Chithra	5:00
5.	"Mana Madurai Gundu Malliye"	Krishnachander, Swarnalatha	4:55
6.	"Saravanabava"	Mano	4:48
Total length:			29:56

Reception

R. P. R. of Kalki praised the performances of Gemini Ganesan and Thilakan but panned the editing for having kept the scenes lengthy and found the stuff revolving around sword unbelievable.^[7]