History
In 1981 Kavithalayaa Productions was founded by the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke awardee K.Balachander. Having produced over 50+ films, many of them being huge hits, they also have provided 3500+ hours of television content entertaining people to the max.
Having successfully mastered the art of storytelling for the big and small screen over three decades, Kavithalayaa has entered the digital media. [2] Keeping in mind the current trends in an endeavour to keep pace witnessed in entertainment consumption patterns, both globally and in India, they've released their maiden digital series Harmony with A. R. Rahman on Prime video India.
The failure of Kuselan (2008) directly impacted the progress of the studio's other films, which were in production. Two films which they were producing by director Selva, Nootrukku Nooru with Vinay, Sneha and Sandhya, and Muriyadi with Sathyaraj, Ganesh Venkatraman and Remya Nambeesan were shelved, despite commencing production. Likewise, Shelvan's Krishnaleelai featuring Jeevan and Meghana Raj, was also cancelled. The director of the film threatened to hold an indefinite fast against the production house's reluctance to release the film in 2011, but to no avail. [3] [4]
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in international cinema. He is a winner of six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, fifteen Filmfare Awards and seventeen Filmfare Awards South. In 2010, the Indian government conferred him with the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award.
Kailasam Balachandar was an Indian filmmaker and playwright who worked mainly in the Tamil cinema. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the Indian film industry knew him as a master of unconventional themes and hard-hitting contemporary subject matter. Balachander's films are well known for their portrayal of women as bold personalities and central characters. Popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sigaram, his films are usually centred on unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He started his film career in 1964 as a screenwriter and graduated to a director with Neerkumizhi (1965).
Roja (transl. Rose) is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars Arvind Swami and Madhoo, with the latter in the title role. It follows a simple girl from a village in Tamil Nadu, making desperate efforts to find her husband after he is kidnapped by militants during a secret undercover mission in Jammu and Kashmir.
Paarthale Paravasam is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Balachander, for whom this was his 100th film. It was produced by Balachander's home banner Kavithalayaa Productions and stars Madhavan Simran, Raghava Lawrence and Sneha. The film's music was composed by A. R. Rahman, whilst A. Venkatesh was cinematographer. It tells the story of a couple going through a breakup after the husband is exposed for having had a child from a juvenile relationship. It also shows the introduction of love interests for the couple, and if they reconcile, forms the crux of the plot.
Rudraveena is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language musical-drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. Produced by Nagendra Babu's Anjana Productions, the film stars Chiranjeevi and Shobana alongside Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan which his only appearance in Telugu cinema. It also marked the acting debut of Kannada actor and filmmaker Ramesh Aravind in Telugu cinema. P. L. Narayana, Prasad Babu, Sumithra, Devilalitha, and Brahmanandam play supporting roles.
Netrikkan is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by Kavithalayaa Productions. The film stars Rajinikanth in a double role as father and son with Saritha and Menaka, while Goundamani, Lakshmi and Sarath Babu play supporting roles. It revolves around Chakravarthy, a middle-aged businessman who is a womaniser. In the process, he rapes a girl Radha. The rest of the film revolves around Chakravarthy's son and Radha teaching a lesson to his father to mend his ways.
Arun Vijay, formerly known as Arun Kumar, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He also starred in a few films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.
Selva is an Indian director active in Tamil film. He often specializes in film remakes and directed a series of hits the 1990s. His first film Thalaivasal launched the career of many. His noted film are Amaravathi, Karnaa, Pooveli, James Pandu, Unnaruge Naan Irundhal, Student Number 1 and Naan Avanillai. He introduced Ajith Kumar through his second film Amaravathi.
Roja is the debut soundtrack album of music composer A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu. It is the soundtrack to the 1992 Tamil film of the same name, directed by Mani Ratnam, and starring Aravind Swamy and Madhoo. The album features seven tracks in Tamil and Hindi, and six tracks in Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi and five tracks in the instrumental adaptation album.
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Rahman and Geetha, with Sowcar Janaki, Jayachitra, Janagaraj and Sithara in supporting roles. It was released on 28 October 1989. The film won a Filmfare Award South, and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Achamillai Achamillai is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language political drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It stars Rajesh and Saritha, with Pavithra, Jeyagopi, Delhi Ganesh, Charle and Delhi Nayakar in supporting roles. It revolves around an selfless idealist whose morality declines when he takes to politics, alienating his wife in the process.
Prashant Pillai is a music producer and composer from India.
Aarohanam (transl. Crescendo) is a 2012 Tamil-language drama film directed by actress-turned-director Lakshmy Ramakrishnan. It stars Viji Chandrasekhar, Jayaprakash, Uma and Rajie Vijay Sarathy among others. According to the director, the film revolves around a missing mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder. The film received mostly positive reviews, with some critics calling it the best Tamil film of the year.
T. Krishnan, popularly known as Kavithalayaa Krishnan, is an Indian actor known for playing supporting roles in Tamil film and television. He is a regular artist in many K. Balachander's films and television serials produced by Kavithalayaa Productions and Kavithalayaa got along as his name.
99 Songs is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language musical romance film directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, and co-written and produced by A. R. Rahman originally in Hindi, who thus makes his debut in both roles, apart from composing the original score and songs. The film co-produced by Ideal Entertainment and distributed by Jio Studios, stars debutants Ehan Bhat and Edilsy Vargas in lead roles, alongside Aditya Seal, Lisa Ray and Manisha Koirala among others in supporting characters. The film is a sensual story about art and self-discovery of a struggling singer who wants to be a successful music composer.
Rajkamal is an Indian actor who has worked on Tamil films and television series. After making a breakthrough as an actor through television serials, he has worked on films including Sandikuthirai (2016) and Melnaattu Marumagan (2018).
99 Songs is the soundtrack album composed by A. R. Rahman for the 2021 Indian film of the same name, directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy and produced by Rahman's YM Movies, along with Jio Studios and Ideal Entertainment. The film which stars newcomers Ehan Bhat and Edilsy Vargas, also marked Rahman's maiden stint as a scriptwriter and producer respectively.
Mersal is the soundtrack of the 2017 Tamil action film of the same name directed by Atlee, which stars Vijay in a triple role with Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha as the female leads. The film, which marked the 100th production of Thenandal Studio Limited, has a soundtrack album features four tracks composed by A. R. Rahman, in his first collaboration with Atlee and his third collaboration with Vijay after composing for Udhaya (2004) and Azhagiya Tamizh Magan (2007), whilst Vivek penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film's soundtrack, also in his first association with Rahman.
"Verithanam" (transl. Frenzy) is an Indian Tamil-language song from the 2019 sports action film Bigil directed by Atlee. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the song featured lyrics written by Vivek and sung by actor Vijay, who also played the protagonist in the film. It is the first song Vijay has recorded for Rahman. The song was released by Sony Music on 1 September 2019, and its video version was unveiled on 1 November.
