Johnny (1980 film)

Last updated

Johnny
Johnny 1980 poster.jpg
Theatrical
Written byMahendran (dialogues includes)
Produced by K. R. Gangadharan
Starring Rajinikanth
Sridevi
Deepa
Cinematography Ashok Kumar [1]
Edited byA. Paul Duraisingham [2]
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Production
company
K. R. G Productions
Release date
  • 15 August 1980 (1980-08-15)
Running time
139 minutes [2]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Johnny is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language [[crime thriller film]. The film stars Rajinikanth, Sridevi and . Featuring Rajinikanth in a dual role, it revolves around the eponymous con artist who is implicated for a crime committed by Vidyasagar, a lookalike barber.

Contents

Johnny is the first original script directed by Mahendran. It was released on 15 August 1980. Though the film disappointed audiences in the first two weeks of its run because its title gave the impression of an action entertainer, it picked up in the third week and became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

Plot

Johnny, a con artist, indulges in cons with his friend to settle his father's debts. Johnny was born out of wedlock; his mother never got the recognition and dignity of a wife. Though Johnny is upset on never getting recognised legally as a son, he decides to help his father by clearing his loans. Johnny, a fan of singer Archana, never misses her concerts, which is also noticed by Archana. A romance develops between the two, but neither expresses it.

Vidyasagar, a barber, lives in a bungalow away from the city. Once when he returns home after getting drunk and losing control, he is helped by Bhama, a homeless orphan. When Bhama requests him to employ her for domestic work, he relents. Bhama, slightly greedy and indecisive, always aspires for better things in life. However, her beauty and innocence makes Vidyasagar fall in love with her. He protects and cares for her and buys her new clothes.

Johnny cons a businessman, who files a police complaint. When he sees Vidyasagar at a salon, he mistakes him for Johnny and calls the police. The commissioner investigates the case along with the superintendent. Since Vidyasagar was in the salon when the con took place, the commissioner believes the thief is someone else. The police start hunting for Johnny and also monitor Vidyasagar. Johnny's friend visits the salon and mistakes Vidyasagar for Johnny. Upon realising Vidyasagar is another man, he brings Johnny to meet him.

Learning of the troubles Vidyasagar is facing because of his crimes, Johnny visits Vidyasagar and reveals himself as the culprit. To protect Vidyasagar from the police, Johnny tells him to remain home for 10 days so that he can resolve all issues and come clean. Archana expresses her love for Johnny, but he hesitates to reciprocate due to his background. When Archana misunderstands his hesitation, thinking he is doubting her integrity and character, Johnny confesses his love and seeks time to settle a few things before marrying her. Johnny eventually settles all his father's loans, but is shocked when his father dies after knowing his son settled his loans.

Vidyasagar notices Bhama with another man. When questioned, she says she shares a sibling-like relationship with him. Vidyasagar proposes to her and assures he will take good care of her. However, Bhama looks down at his profession and feels it would be embarrassing for her children. Though hurt, Vidyasagar tries to explain things to her and gives her time to decide. However, Bhama hurriedly tries to escape with the man at night. Vidyasagar stops and kills them. Witnesses inform the police, who assume it is Johnny's work and search for him, also for pending cases against him. Vidyasagar, aware that Johnny is wanted, tries to foist the murder charge on him, and Johnny goes into hiding.

When Vidyasagar learns from Johnny's friend about Archana's love and her affluence, he decides to impersonate Johnny and goes to Archana's house. When Archana explains that she compensated Johnny's victims at the cost of her wealth, Vidyasagar is disappointed. Archana, hurt by "Johnny's" curtness, is confused about his change in taste and behaviour. Though Vidyasagar had come with plans to win her and grab her wealth, her character and love for Johnny stop him, and he reveals his true identity. He assures her that Johnny will be back soon and advises her to perform one last concert (which she had cancelled after Johnny got into trouble) so that Johnny will return.

Johnny sees an advertisement for Archana's concert and decides to attend. On the scheduled day, heavy rain occurs and no one attends. However, Archana still comes to the venue and sings. The police suspect her decision and wait at the venue. Johnny arrives at the venue, accepts responsibility for all the frauds and murders, and is arrested by the police. But Archana realises that it is actually Vidyasagar posing as Johnny. Archana gets upset when the real Johnny does not arrive. Just before she leaves the venue, Johnny reaches, meets her and understands all that transpired. They reunite.

Cast

Production

Mahendran had a strong desire to make a film with Rajinikanth; hence he made this film simultaneously with Nenjathai Killathe . As the producer could not provide the equipment and facilities for the climax scene with a song, Mahendran was forced to use stock shots and manage to shoot with the limited facilities offered, but managed to mix the close-up shots with stock shot, and the scene came properly. This was the first time for which popular artist Jayaraj designed the costumes. He first drew the illustrations of scenes with costumes and then got them stitched, bringing in newness and style in Rajinikanth's look, which attracted the masses. [2] It is Mahendran's first directorial based on an original concept. [3]

The scene where Archana (Sridevi) proposes to Johnny was shot in Ooty in a bungalow at midnight. When the scene was shot, the whole unit was silent, they saw only the characters of the film, not Rajinikanth and Sridevi. After the scene was shot, Rajinikanth appreciated Sridevi's acting and mentioned to Mahendran that though he tried, she overshadowed him in the scene. [2] Because Rajinikanth played two roles, he was billed twice in the opening credits, as "Rajinikanth and Rajinikanth". [4] To play Vidyasagar, Rajinikanth sported a centre-parted hairstyle and wore box-framed glasses. [5]

Themes

Kavitha Muralidharan of The Hindu wrote that most of Mahendran's films, including Johnny, "offer a prismatic view of relationships". She contrasted Johnny with Mahendran's earlier film Uthiripookkal (1979), saying that while that film's protagonist was "rigid in his relationship with people", the title character of Johnny is "as vulnerable as a woman could be". [6] Mani Prabhu of Cinema Express described Johnny as an antithesis to the "lead man of those times – the macho guy, surrounded by drooling girls, bashing up villains and spouting pretentious advice" by being "vulnerable, loving and grounded". [7]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. [8] The song "Oru Iniya Manathu" is erroneously credited to Jency on the original LP record marketed by Inreco, [9] but actually sung by Sujatha. [10] The song "Aasaiye Kaathule" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Sindhu Bhairavi, [11] and "Kaatril Enthan" is set in Keeravani. [12] "Aasaiye Kaathule" was reused as "Raathri" in the Telugu film Gundello Godari (2013). [13] It was also reused twice in Hindi: as "Dil Mere Udaas" (composed by Anand–Milind) for Angrakshak (1995), and as "Sannata" (composed by Ilaiyaraaja) in Shamitabh (2015). [14] [15] "Kaatril Endhan Geetham" was reused in Hindi as "Naina Bole" in Aur Ek Prem Kahani (1996), [16] and the instrumental theme was sampled by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the theme of 7G Rainbow Colony (2004). [17] The film was dubbed into Telugu as Naa Pere Johnny and lyrics were written by Rajashri. [18]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."En Vaanilay" Kannadasan Jency 4:48
2."Kaatril Enthan" Gangai Amaran S. Janaki 4:29
3."Aasaiye Kaathule"Gangai Amaran S. P. Sailaja 4:40
4."Senorita, I Love You"Gangai Amaran S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:21
5."Oru Iniya Manathu"Gangai Amaran Sujatha 4:21
6."Chasing Music" (instrumental) — —4:23
Total length:27:02
Telugu (dubbed) track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Ee Velalo Oke Veduka" P. Susheela  
2."Chakkadanala Chinnadhira" S. P. Sailaja  
3."Okka Kanne Manasu Kalalu" P. Susheela  
4."Senorita I Love You" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam  
5."Ragile Ee Naa Geetham" S. Janaki  

Release

Johnny was released on 15 August 1980. [19] [20] The title Johnny gave the impression of an action entertainer, hence it disappointed audiences in the first two weeks. However, the emotionally moving story, intense acting by Rajinikanth and Sridevi and songs attracted the audience, so the film picked up in the third week and became a success, [21] running for over 100 days in theatres. [22]

Reception

Piousji of the magazine Sunday wrote, "Sridevi not only looked smart, but came out with a convincing performance and [Rajinikanth] too was quite impressive" in Johnny. [23] Ananda Vikatan gave the film a C+ rating, equal to around 35 to 40 marks. [22] Writing for Kalki , Nalini Sastry appreciated the film for eschewing Tamil cinema conventions such as fight scenes, club dances and loose fitting clothes, noting that Mahendran's direction, Ilaiyaraaja's music and Ashok Kumar's cinematography gave them the feeling of watching an American film. [24] Naagai Dharuman of Anna lauded Rajinikanth's dual role performance, Ashok Kumar's cinematography and Ilaiyaraaja's music. [25]

Related Research Articles

<i>Apoorva Raagangal</i> 1975 Indian Tamil-language film by K. Balachander

Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It stars Kamal Haasan, Sundarrajan, Srividya and Jayasudha, while Nagesh and Rajinikanth, in his feature film debut, play supporting roles. The film revolves around Prasanna (Haasan) who falls in love with the much older Bhairavi (Srividya) while Bhairavi's daughter Ranjani (Jayasudha) is drawn to Prasanna's father Mahendran (Sundarrajan).

<i>Veera</i> (1994 film) 1994 film by Suresh Krissna

Veera (transl. Valour) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Suresh Krissna and written by Panchu Arunachalam. It is a remake of the Telugu film Allari Mogudu (1992) and stars Rajinikanth, Meena and Roja with Janagaraj, Senthil, Vadivukkarasi, J. Livingston, Mahesh Anand, Vinu Chakravarthy, Ajay Rathnam, Vivek and Charuhasan in supporting roles. The film is about a man who marries twice because of circumstances beyond his control and is forced to live a double life to cover his tracks.

<i>Nallavanukku Nallavan</i> 1984 film by S. P. Muthuraman

Nallavanukku Nallavan is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by AVM Productions. A remake of the 1983 Telugu film Dharmaatmudu, it stars Rajinikanth and Radhika, with Karthik, Thulasi, V. K. Ramasamy, Major Sundarrajan, Y. G. Mahendran and Visu in supporting roles. The film revolves around a worker who is bequeathed his late boss's business, earning the wrath of the boss's son who believes he swindled his father's business.

<i>Kavikkuyil</i> 1977 Indian film

Kavikkuyil is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Devaraj–Mohan. The film stars Sivakumar, Sridevi and Fatafat Jayalaxmi, with S. V. Subbaiah, Rajinikanth and Senthamarai in supporting roles. It was released on 29 July 1977, and failed at the box office.

<i>Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri</i> 1977 film by S. P. Muthuraman

Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. It is based on the novel of the same name by Maharishi. The film stars Sivakumar, Rajinikanth and Sumithra. It focuses on two friends with conflicting characters and their conflicting lives.

<i>Gayathri</i> (1977 film) 1977 Indian film

Gayathri is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by R. Pattabhiraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. It stars Jaishankar, Sridevi and Rajinikanth. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Sujatha. It was released on 7 October 1977.

<i>Mullum Malarum</i> 1978 film by J. Mahendran

Mullum Malarum is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Mahendran. Produced by Venu Chettiar and V. Mohan, the film stars Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, Jayalaxmi and Shoba. It marks Mahendran's directorial debut and is partly based on Uma Chandran's novel of the same name, which was serialised in the Tamil magazine Kalki in 1966. Mullum Malarum tells the story of Kali (Rajinikanth), a winch operator of a cable trolley who dotes on his sister Valli (Shoba) since they were orphaned, and clashes with his boss Kumaran.

<i>Thanikattu Raja</i> 1982 Indian film

Thanikattu Raja is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by V. C. Guhanathan, and Produced by D. Ramanaidu. It stars Rajinikanth, Sridevi and Sripriya, with Jaishankar, Vijayakumar, Sathyakala and Y. G. Mahendran in supporting roles. The film had music by Ilaiyaraaja and cinematography handled by P. S. Nivas. This movie did not do well in the box office.

<i>Kai Kodukkum Kai</i> 1984 film by J. Mahendran

Kai Kodukkum Kai is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Mahendran, starring Rajinikanth and Revathi. It is an extended version of Munithayi written by Eeswarachandra – the third segment of the 1976 Kannada anthology film Katha Sangama. Rajnikanth, who played the antagonist in Munithayi, played the lead role in this film. The film was produced by Vijayakumar and R. Vijayachandran. It was released on 15 June 1984.

<i>Kalyanaraman</i> (1979 film) 1979 film by G. N. Rangarajan

Kalyanaraman is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language supernatural comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, while V. K. Ramasamy, Major Sundarrajan, Thengai Srinivasan, V. S. Raghavan, Senthamarai, Pushpalatha, Manorama and Master Japan Kuppu play supporting roles. It revolves around Kalyanam, a tea estate owner's son who is duped and murdered by a gang trying to seize the property. Kalyanam lives on as a ghost, his twin brother Raman learns the truth and returns for revenge.

<i>Karakattakkaran</i> 1989 film by Gangai Amaran

Karakattakkaran is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy dance film written and directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Ramarajan and debutant Kanaka, while Santhana Bharathi, Chandrasekhar, Goundamani, Senthil, Shanmugasundaram, Raja Bahadur, Gandhimathi and Kovai Sarala play supporting roles. It revolves around two karakattam dancers who fall in love with each other, but circumstances prevent them from confessing their love for one another. How they overcome these forms the rest of the story.

<i>Murattu Kaalai</i> (1980 film) 1980 film by S. P. Muthuraman

Murattu Kaalai is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by S. P. Muthuraman, and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Rajinikanth, Rati Agnihotri, Sumalatha and Jaishankar. It revolves around Kaalaiyan, an honourable villager who, despite being wealthy, chooses to live modestly while Sundaravelu, a less honourable man from the neighbouring village, tries to grab Kaalaiyan's land.

<i>Nenjathai Killathe</i> 1980 film by Mahendran

Nenjathai Killathe is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mahendran. The film stars Suhasini, Sarath Babu, Pratap and Mohan. It focuses on a girl who is torn between the man she loved, and the man she married.

<i>Moodu Pani</i> 1980 film by Balu Mahendra

Moodu Pani is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film written, directed and filmed by Balu Mahendra. Starring his then wife Shoba and Pratap, with N. Viswanathan, Gandhimathi, Mohan and Bhanu Chander in supporting roles, it is based on two novels: Idhuvum Oru Viduthalai Thaan (1978) by Rajendra Kumar, and The Collector (1963) by John Fowles. The film follows Chandru (Pratap), who has a strong hatred towards prostitutes and would kill any such woman he encounters. He falls in love with Rekha (Shoba) and believes marrying her will end his psychological distress.

<i>Thangappathakkam</i> 1974 film by P. Madhavan

Thangappathakkam is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by P. Madhavan and written by Mahendran. Based on Mahendran's play of the same name, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Srikanth and Prameela. It focuses on a disciplined police officer who is dedicated to his job, while his son, on the contrary, is rebellious by nature and resents his father. Ganesan reprises his role from the play.

<i>Poottaatha Poottukkal</i> 1980 film by Mahendran

Poottaatha Poottukkal 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.

<i>Azhagiya Kanne</i> 1982 Indian film

Azhagiya Kanne is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Mahendran. The film stars Sarath Babu, Baby Anju, Sumalatha and Suhasini. It was released on 17 December 1982.

<i>Sindhu Bhairavi</i> (soundtrack) 1985 soundtrack album by Ilaiyaraaja

Sindhu Bhairavi is the soundtrack to the 1985 Tamil-language musical drama film of the same name directed by K. Balachander. The film featured nine songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The soundtrack consists of classical music compositions, where most of the songs are set in Carnatic ragas; it ranges from melody to folk. Sindhu Bhairavi has been regarded as one of Ilaiyaraaja's best works in his career, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction.

<i>Payanangal Mudivathillai</i> (soundtrack) 1982 soundtrack album by Ilaiyaraaja

The soundtrack for the 1982 Tamil-language film Payanangal Mudivathillai featured seven songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, written by Vairamuthu, Gangai Amaran and Muthulingam and performed by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film, directed by R. Sundarrajan and produced by Kovaithambi of Motherland Pictures—marking their maiden film for Sundarrajan and Kovaithambi as director and producer—stars Mohan and Poornima Jayaram. It was released on Ilaiyaraaja's label Echo Records in LP records and cassettes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ராம்ஜி, வி. (26 July 2018). "ஜானி – அப்பவே அப்படி கதை!". Kamadenu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dhananjayan 2011, p. 40.
  3. ↑ Mahendran 2013, pp. 343–344.
  4. ↑ Shivakumar, Vivek (11 December 2018). "A Superstar Career Through Titles". Film Companion . Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  5. ↑ Shivakumar, Vivek (12 December 2019). "The many looks of Rajinikanth that impressed". Film Companion . Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  6. ↑ Muralidharan, Kavitha (10 August 2013). "Second coming?". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Prabhu, Mani (25 July 2019). "Director Mahendran 80th birth anniversary: The filmmaker who unearthed the actor in Rajinikanth". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "Johnny (1980)". Raaga.com . Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Jhonny – Nenjathai Killaathe Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Jhonny (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music . 1980. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  11. ↑ Sundararaman 2007, p. 125.
  12. ↑ Sundararaman 2007, p. 138.
  13. ↑ Karthik (22 October 2012). "Gundello Godari (Music review), Telugu – Ilayaraja". Milliblog . Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Karthik (16 January 2015). "Shamitabh (Music review), Hindi – Ilayaraja". Milliblog . Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  15. ↑ Ghosh, Sankhayan (30 January 2015). "Shamitabh music review: Ilaiyaraaja's music makes it special". The Indian Express . Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  16. ↑ Murali, Aarthi; Balu, Aparajitha (14 May 2020). "The God Who Created New Tunes: Celebrating 44 Years of Ilaiyaraaja". Silverscreen India. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  17. ↑ S, Karthik. "Yuvan Shankar Raja [Tamil]". ItwoFS . Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  18. ↑ "Naa Pere Johnny (1988) Telugu Super Hit Movie LP Vinyl Record by Ilaiyaraja - Disco Music Center". Disco Music Center. Archived from the original on 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  19. ↑ Mahendran 2013, p. 344.
  20. ↑ "சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் ரஜினிகாந்த் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு 27" [Superstar Rajinikanth's life history](PDF). Uthayan (in Tamil). Canada. 30 January 2015. p. 48. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  21. ↑ Mahendran 2013, p. 233.
  22. 1 2 Dhananjayan 2011, p. 42.
  23. ↑ Piousji (7 September 1980). "Khaas Baat". Sunday. p. 49. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024– via Internet Archive.
  24. ↑ சாஸ்திரி, நளினி (7 September 1980). "ஜானி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 32. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  25. ↑ தருமன், நாகை (24 August 1980). "ஜானி". Anna (in Tamil). p. 4. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024– via Endangered Archives Programme.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.