Poottaatha Poottukkal

Poottaatha Poottukkal (transl. Unlocked locks) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Mahendran. It is an adaptation of the novel Uravugal by Ponneelan. The film stars Jayan and Charulata. It was released on 9 May 1980, and failed at the box-office.

Poottaatha Poottukkal
Title card
Directed by	Mahendran
Screenplay by	Mahendran
Based on	Uravugal by Ponneelan
Produced by	K. N. Lakshmanan
Starring	Jayan Charulata
Cinematography	Ashok Kumar
Edited by	B. Lenin
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Release date	9 May 1980 (1980-05-09)
Running time	122 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Fissures occur in a married couple's relationship when they are unable to conceive a child. The wife is later enamoured by a young man who gives her attention. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

Cast

• Jayan as Uppuli
• Charulata/Jayanthi Vijay as Kanniyamma
• Sunder Raj as Thyagu
• Archana as Velamma
• Selvaraj
• Kumarimuthu
• Master Haja Sheriff
• Samikannu as Kanniyamma's father
• Rajasekhar as Uppuli's brother
• G. Srinivasan
• Baby Anju
• Annadurai Kannadhasan as the village drunkard
• Anbalaya Prabhakaran as Moorthy

Production

Poottaatha Poottukkal is based on the novel Uravugal by writer Ponneelan.^[1] Panchu Arunachalam approached Mahendran to make a film based on this novel; despite initial reservations to direct due to its concept, he agreed after reading the end of the novel.^[2] Mahendran felt Bollywood actors Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil would be the perfect choice for this story, but Arunachalam felt Patil would create confusions in call sheets and insisted Mahendran to use local actors.^[3] Rajinikanth was featured in initial publicity material but did not appear in the finished film; he had reportedly been offered to act but declined.^[4] Charulatha who earlier acted in Mahendran's previous film Uthiripookkal portraying Vijayan's second wife was chosen as the lead actress while Arunachalam wanted Malayalam actor Jayan for husband's character; he was eventually chosen.^[5] The filming was primarily held at Nagercoil.^[6]

Themes

According to Ram Chander of Film Companion, the film is a "subtle meditation on the invisible forces of societal expectations that weigh on married couples".^[7]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam.^[8][9]

Song	Singers	Length
"Vanna Vanna Poove"	S. Janaki	4:27
"Aanandam Aanandam"		4:16
"Andipatti"		4:31
"Nenjukkulle"		4:25
"Soorai Kaatril"	Ilaiyaraaja	___

Release and reception

Poottaatha Poottukkal was released on 9 May 1980.^[10] According to Mahendran, Bharathiraja and Ilaiyaraaja bought the distribution rights and released the film in Madurai and Ramanathapuram. However the film ran only for three weeks and failed at the box-office.^[11] Mahendran said the film's failure made him learn a lesson that he should not make films on such stories.^[6] Ponneelan said, "When an artist's work is translated into a film or drama, it is important that the spirit be maintained. Though a lamp is beautiful, it is the flame which is its spirit. If you can't bring it out, better not venture into that arena".^[12]