Kani Nilam

1987 Indian film
  • 14 August 1987 (1987-08-14)
CountryIndiaLanguageTamil

Kani Nilam (pronounced [kaːɳi n̪ilam] transl. A Piece of Land)[1] is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language political satire film directed by Arunmozhi, starring Cho. It was released on 14 August 1987.

Plot

Cast

  • Cho as Arivarasan
  • Kutty Padmini as the reporter
  • Vathiyar Raman as Nagalingam

Production

The title of the film was originally Kani Nilam Vendum (transl. Wanted, a Piece of Land). The censor board initially refused to certify the film because of its negative portrayal of politicians (which the board believed would lead to anti-government beliefs), and many derogatory references to politicians based in Tamil Nadu. After the film faced three months of limbo, it was cleared by the board with a U certificate after 18 cuts. According to Cho, however, the film was not meant to defame or vilify anyone: "It only shows corruption at the political level seeping down to the grassroots".[2]

Release and reception

Kani Nilam was released on 14 August 1987.[3] Nandalala of The Indian Express wrote the film "proves to be somewhat of a letdown [...] the end product is a slipshod patchwork which will not cut ice either with the groundlings or with the more discerning".[4] Jayamanmadhan of Kalki also gave the film a negative review, saying innovative angles, neat editing and gripping direction were missing.[5] The film was later selected for screening at the Pan African Film Festival.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Kaani Nilam (1988)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  2. ^ Venkatramani, S.H. (15 December 1986). "Kani Nilam Vendum: Censor Board finally clears film on political corruption". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Kaani Nilam ( 1987 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 9 September 2004. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ Nandalala (21 August 1987). "Political satire". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 12 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ ஜெயமன்மதன் (13 September 1987). "காணி நிலம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 63. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ "Kaani Nilam for Africa". The Indian Express. 24 February 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 21 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.

External links

  • Kani Nilam at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata