Kanni Rasi

Not to be confused with Kanni Raasi.

1985 Indian film

Kanni Rasi

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Pandiarajan
Screenplay by| G. M. Kumar
Livingston
Story by| Pandiarajan
Produced by| S. Shanmugarajan
D. Manickavasagam
Starring|

* Prabhu
* Revathi

Cinematography| Ashok Kumar
Edited by| V. Rajagopal
Music by| Ilaiyaraaja

Production
company

Vigranth Creation

Release date

* 15 February 1985 (1985-02-15)

Running time

| 130 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Kanni Rasi (transl. Virgo Sign) is a 1985 Indian Tamil language film directed by Pandiarajan in his directorial debut. The film stars Prabhu and Revathi. It was released on 15 February 1985.[1][2] The film was remade in Telugu as Menamama (1988).[citation needed]

## Plot

[edit]

Lakshmipathi is a carefree youth in a village who searches for a job. His elder sister Kasthuri sends him a letter from Chennai, telling him to visit her and the villagers compel him to leave the village. He leaves the village to live with his sister. His brother-in-law Gopi Krishna finds him a job as a watchman. Kasthuri's daughter Dhanalakshmi falls in love with Lakshmipathi for which he reciprocates as well, as it was then common for a girl to be married to her mother's younger brother. Kasthuri also wants to get them married and meets an astrologer. But the astrologer informs that their horoscopes don't match and if Lakshmipathi marries Dhanalakshmi, it will lead to his death. Kasthuri is worried hearing this and decides to prevent them from getting married.

Kasthuri evicts Lakshmipathi from her house and Sivaraman, who is also in love with Dhanalakshmi, accommodates him without knowing his identity. Kasthuri convinces Dhanalakshmi to forget Lakshmipathi by letting her know the truth. Dhanalakshmi acts rude towards Lakshmipathi and criticises that he is not educated thinking that Lakshmipathi would develop hatred towards her. Sivaraman learns about the love between Dhanalakshmi and Lakshmipathi and decides to get them together. Dhanalakshmi meets Lakshmipathi and informs the truth about horoscopes. Lakshmipathi understands Dhanalakshmi's situation and convinces her not to believe on astrology. Lakshmipathi and Dhanalakshmi start meeting frequently without the knowledge of her mother. However, once when they are travelling together in a bike, they meet with an accident but luckily they are not injured. Kasthuri learns of this and becomes infuriated. She believes that the accident was a signal of threat for Lakshmipathi's life.

Heart broken, Lakshmipathi returns to his village to stay with his parents. Dhanalakshmi sends a letter mentioning that her wedding is fixed with another man. Lakshmipathi rushes to Chennai and on the day of Dhanalakshmi's wedding, he tries to convince Kasthuri to cancel the wedding and give her approval for his wedding with Dhanalakshmi. Lakshmipathi succeeds in convincing Kasthuri not to believe on horoscopes as he cites an example of their neighbour who lived happily despite an astrologer's warning. Kasthuri's agrees for the wedding and Lakshmipathi marries Dhanalakshmi, however Dhanalakshmi faints after wedding. She informs that she has already consumed poison as she was about to marry someone else. Dhanalakshmi dies in the hands of Lakshmipathi.

## Cast

[edit]

* Prabhu as Lakshmipathi
* Revathi as Dhanalakshmi
* Sumithra as Kasthuri
* Goundamani as Gopi Krishna
* Janagaraj as Sivaraman
* Vennira Aadai Moorthy as a professor
* Kallapetti Singaram as Lakshmipathi's father
* S. N. Lakshmi as Lakshmipathi's mother
* Master Haja Sheriff as Haja
* Senthil as Lakshmipathi's friend
* Mayilsamy as a Retailer's delivery boy
* Pandiarajan as a person praying (cameo)

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[3][4] The song "Sugaraagamae" is set in the Carnatic raga Manirangu.[5]

Song | Singer(s) | Lyrics | Duration

|
|
|

"Aala Asatthum" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam | Vaali | 4:37
"Sorunna Satti" | Ilaiyaraaja, T. K. S. Kalaivanan, Krishnachandar, Deepan Chakravarthy | Vairamuthu | 4:22
"Sugaraagame" | Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam | Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam | 4:51
"Kaathaliley Tholvi" | Malaysia Vasudevan, Gangai Amaran | Gangai Amaran | 4:15

## Reception

[edit]

Jayamanmadhan (a duo) of Kalki wrote Pandiarajan in his debut completely reminds of his mentor K. Bhagyaraj. The duo also praised the humour, performances of Prabhu and Revathi and Ilaiyaraaja's music but felt if the director had not slipped towards the end, the film would have been a hundred days.[6] Balumani of Anna praised acting, humour, cinematography, music and direction.[7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (16 February 2023). "'கன்னிராசி' : கன்னி முயற்சியிலேயே செவ்வாய் தோஷம் பேசிய பாண்டியராஜன்!". Kamadenu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
2. ^ "R Pandiarajan made his debut in direction at the age of 26 with Kanni Rasi". News18. 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
3. ^ "Kanni Rasi Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
4. ^ "Kanni Raasi (1985)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
5. ^ Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Pichhamal Chintamani. p. 159\. OCLC 295034757.
6. ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (3 March 1985). "கன்னிராசி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 53\. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
7. ^ பாலுமணி (17 February 1985). "கன்னிராசி". Anna (in Tamil). p. 4. Retrieved 28 June 2025 - via Endangered Archives Programme.

## External links

[edit]

* Kanni Rasi at IMDb
* Kanni Rasi at Rotten Tomatoes

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Pandiarajan

Films|

* Kanni Rasi (1985)
* Aan Paavam (1985)
* Manaivi Ready (1987)
* Nethiyadi (1988)
* Subramaniya Swamy (1994)
* Gopala Gopala (1996)
* Doubles (2000)
* Kabadi Kabadi (2001)
* Kai Vandha Kalai (2006)

Short films|

* Magan (2004)
* Iru Thuligal (2006)
* Azhagu (2009)
* Help (2011; English)
* Man Paanai (2013)

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