Premaloka

Premaloka (transl.World of Love) is a 1987 romantic musical film, written and directed by Ravichandran in his directorial debut and produced by N. Veeraswamy under the banner Sri Eshwari Productions. The film was based on the 1982 film Grease 2.[1][2] The film was made simultaneously in Kannada and Tamil, the latter titled Paruva Ragam (transl.The Melody of Age). It stars Ravichandran in the lead role alongside Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla. Leelavathi and Lokesh play supportive roles in the Kannada version while Jaishankar and Manorama reprise their respective roles in the Tamil version. Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Prabhakar, Srinath, and Urvashi made guest appearances in the film. Thengai Srinivasan, Cho Ramaswamy and Delhi Ganesh portray the respective roles of Ambareesh, Prabhakar, and Srinath, in the Tamil version.[3][4][5][6]

Premaloka
DVD cover in Kannada
Directed byV. Ravichandran
Written by
Based onGrease 2
by Ken Finkleman
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyR. Madhusudan
Edited byK. Balu
Music byHamsalekha
Distributed bySri Eswari Productions
Release date
  • 1987 (1987)
Running time
  • 147 minutes (Premaloka)
  • 141 minutes (Paruva Ragam)
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Kannada
  • Tamil

Plot

Ravi is a happy-go-lucky young man attending a college with a strict, results-focused principal who conflicts with an easy-going professor named Manohar. After passing his exams with a first class result, a joyous Ravi engages in various mischievous acts and ends up coming home dirty; his parents dislike his appearance and are unimpressed by his results, leaving him to confide in the family maid Sharadamma that he has never felt loved by his biological parents and she is the only one he sees as family. Nevertheless, he happily goes to the college afterwards (Geleyare Nanna Gelathiyare). One day, Ravi accidentally meets Shashikala, a young woman who the male merchants at the market are struck by and harass, when she throws an egg at him while he skates, causing him to fall on her (Ee Nimbe Hanninantha). Shashikala is admitted to the same college as Ravi; on her first day, she is warned by the principal that he doesn't tolerate any sort of "fooling around" and has to deal with the unrequited attention of her male classmates, but ends up meeting Ravi again in Professor Manohar's class, who falls in love with her and nicknames her "Shashi" (Nodamma Hudugi).

On the occasion of the university's diamond jubilee, the director wishes to hold a ceremony to celebrate and get donations. The principal's suggestion of a small pooja is rebuked, and Manohar is instead chosen to plan a grand spectacle with the other students (Cheluve Ondu Kelthini). Some rowdies try to derail the planning, but they are held off and the stage is set up without a hitch. However, Shashikala is accosted by the gang and has to hide; unfortunately, she runs into Ravi, who is trying to give her a rose. Despite his obliviousness, they manages to escape. Preparations continue, with Ravi continuing to pursue Shashikala but failing to attract her. The rowdies again harass the students and all hope seems lost after they beat up the students who stand in their way. However, a mysterious biker rescues them and beats the rogues up; Shashikala falls in love with him (Yaarivanu Ee Manmathanu). He offers her a ride, but he has to leave when the police arrives, so he gives her his jacket.

Obsessed, Shashikala continues to reject Ravi's advances while fantasizing over the mysterious biker and clutching to his jacket, which confuses her mother and friends (Boy Friend Barthaanantha). Finally, one day the biker meets up with her and they romantically ride together. The night of the show comes around, and the students' musical performance is a big hit (Premalokadinda). However, the gang comes back to disrupt the afterparty, and Shashikala ends up fainting from the chaos. The biker again saves the students, Shashikala regains consciousness to see him. He takes off his helmet and reveals that he is actually Ravi; hesitant at first, Shashikala accepts his love. They roam together happily (E Gangu Ee Biku Kalisikodu) and her love for him deepens (Bathroominalli), but Ravi's parents have arranged his marriage to the Chief Minister's daughter, Rajini, as a way of gaining prestige. Rajini tries to find Ravi with the help of the principal and a cop who happens to be the father of Shashikala. Meanwhile, Shashikala and Ravi continue to roam the countryside, still madly in love (Idu Nanna Ninna Prema Geethe). However, this comes to an end when the principal informs her of Ravi's arranged marriage; thinking he cheated her, she runs away from him heartbroken.

Although he runs behind and tries to catch her, the rowdies from earlier slow him down and she ultimately gets in her father's police jeep. As she is driven away, Shashikala throws the newspaper announcing the arrangement; Ravi finally releases what has happened and goes home. where he is scolded for what he has done. Although his parents ask Sharadamma to convince him to accept the marriage, he instead becomes angrier and trashes his room in a fit of rage. Meanwhile, Shashikala is yelled at and slapped by her parents for daring to love. Finally, Ravi goes to Shashikala's house and angrily sings and yells his grievances while jumping around and breaking more things (Mosagaarana). Realizing her love for him, the two emotionally reunite and run away the next morning. In response, Shashikala's father claims that Ravi kidnapped Shashikala and sends the police, but they fail to catch them. Swapping positions with a couple in a wedding procession, they are about to tie the knot when the principal, Professor Manohar and their parents confront them. Ravi stirringly argues that love is a human right and they should be allowed to marry; after Professor Manohar, Rajini and the Chief Minister intervene to explain why the couple is right, the parents relent and bless their union. As soon as they are married, though, they escape to the countryside to continue their romantic activities.

Cast

Actor (Kannada)Actor (Tamil)Role
V. RavichandranRavi
Juhi ChawlaShashikala (Shashi)
LeelavathiManoramaSharadamma / Thayamma
LokeshJaishankarRavi's father
SrinathDelhi GaneshShashi's father
ThyaguRavi's friend
JayachitraKaveri
Mukhyamantri ChandruPoornam ViswanathanChief Minister
K. VijayaVadivukkarasiRavi's mother
Tiger PrabhakarCho RamaswamyCollege principal
Guest appearances:[lower-alpha 1]
VishnuvardhanProfessor Manohar
AmbareeshThengai SrinivasanHotel supplier
UrvashiRohini

Production

The film marked the directorial debut of V. Ravichandran.[9] For the lead actress, Ravichandran rejected 52 girls before choosing Juhi Chawla as the heroine.[10] Apart from composing music, Hamsalekha has also written lyrics for all songs and dialogues for the film.[11] When Ravichandran was mulling over the theme of the film, Hamsalekha suggested him to do a musical script on the lines of The Sound of Music and Grease 2.[12]

Jolly Bustin who went on to become a stunt master worked as a body double for Ravichandran.[13][14]

Soundtrack

Premaloka / Paruva Raagam
Soundtrack album by
Released7 May 1986
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length47:39
LabelLahari Music

Hamsalekha composed the music for the film (in his Tamil debut) and also penned the lyrics for the Kannada soundtrack while Vairamuthu penned the lyrics for the Tamil soundtrack. The soundtrack album consists of eleven tracks.[15] The distribution rights were bought by Lahari Music for a hitherto record price of 150,000.[16]

The music and the songs in the film were widely appreciated and created records in the audio cassette sales during the time.[17] Tulsiram Naidu (Lahari Velu) of Lahari Audio, says, "Premaloka continues to be the biggest hit among film music albums in Kannada cinema. Back then audio rights were sold for a pittance and nominally paid 100 or 1,000. With Premaloka things changed and rights began to be sold in lakhs".[18] The lyrics of the soundtrack also received acclaim from critics.[19]

The soundtrack sold 38 lakhs[20] (3.8 million) units, setting a record for South Indian soundtrack albums.[21]

The lyrics of two songs from Grease 2Back to School Again and Who's That Guy? were retained as Hogona Kaalejige and Yaarivanu, respectively. Another song Premalokadinda Banda was an adaptation of the 1986 Taiwanese Hokkien pop song Reflections In The Cup (also known as "Cup (in the) Shadow") (Chinese: ), composed by Taiwanese musician Chen Hong (Chinese: ) and sung by Taiwanese singer Chen Hsiao-yun (Chinese: ).[22][23][24][25][26][27]

Kannada version

All lyrics are written by Hamsalekha

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Premalokadinda"S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas4:34
2."Geleyare Nanna Gelathiyare"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:31
3."Ee Nimbe Hanninantha"Ramesh2:59
4."Nodamma Hudugi"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Latha Hamsalekha5:14
5."Cheluve Ondu Kelthini"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:19
6."Yaarivanu Ee Manmathanu"S. Janaki4:49
7."Boy Friend Barthaanantha"S. Janaki4:25
8."E Gangu Ee Biku Kalisikodu"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:44
9."Idu Nanna Ninna Prema Geethe"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:33
10."Mosagaarana"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:21
11."Bathroominalli"Vani Jayaram2:10
Total length:47:39

Tamil version

All lyrics are written by Vairamuthu

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Kadhal Illai"S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas4:34
2."Paadum ilam"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:31
3."Oru Minnal Pola"Ramesh2:59
4."Kelamma Kelamma"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki5:14
5."Poove Unnai Nesithen"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:19
6."Yaar Evano"S. Janaki4:49
7."Adea Amma Kannu"S. Janaki4:25
8."Hey Maama Vandi Otta"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:44
9."Oru Aanum Pennum"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:33
10."Mosakaarana Naan"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:21
11."Vanavillai Parthen"Vani Jayaram2:10
Total length:47:39

Telugu version

All lyrics are written by Rajasri[28]

Track list[28]
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Paruvam Needenani"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:57
2."Satileni Premalokam"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:35
3."Toli Aasalu Pongee"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:33
4."Boy Friend – Boy Friend"S. Janaki4:23
5."Nuvve Nenani Thalachaane"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:18
6."Chilakamma Chittemma"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela5:14
7."Oka Muddabanthi"M. Ramesh2:58
8."Evare Veedu"S. Janaki4:54
9."Eh Mama Biku Nerpava"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki4:45
10."Mosagaadina"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:22
11."Levandi Premikulu"P. Susheela2:09
Total length:48:14

Release and reception

Premaloka opened to an underwhelming response for "first few days" and was almost declared as failure "for the first three weeks". However, due to positive word-of-mouth, the film became successful a month after the release.[29] By contrast, Paruva Ragam underperformed due to competition from other bigger films.[6][30]

Reviewing Paruva Ragam, Jayamanmadhan of Kalki praised Ravichandran, who has shown a normal story in an awe-inspiring cinemascope size and requested him to tone down songs in his next film.[31]

Legacy

One of the songs, Nodamma Hudugi, was reused by Sundeep Malani for his Kanglish film SMS 6260 featuring Diganth, Kiran, Janu.[32] Hamsalekha would go on to compose music for many more Ravichandran films. This film established V. Ravichandran as new entry star in Kannada film industry.

Premaloka was dubbed in Telugu as Premalokam. Juhi Chawla recalling her experiences stated that "My 45-day shoot for Premaloka ensured that going on the set of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a cakewalk. The other good thing about Premaloka was that the team was young, so it was like college buddies hanging out. [..] Since the film was a musical, it was like a party on the set. The only senior person there was our cinematographer. I fondly look back at my stint in Kannada cinema during my early days as the foundation for my career in Bollywood".[9]

Notes

  1. Both versions credit the following actors as making guest appearances in the film. The Kannada version additionally credits Prabhakar, Srinath, and Lokesh as making guest appearances in the film[7] while the Tamil version does not credit their respective actors (namely Cho Ramaswamy, Delhi Ganesh, and Jai Shankar) as making guest appearances.[8]

References

  1. "Kanasugara dishes out a nightmare". The Hindu. 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. "Happy birthday Ravichandran: When Juhi Chawla spoke about working with the Sandalwood star in 'Premaloka'". Deccan Herald. 30 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  3. "Ranadheera may do a Premaloka". Bangalore Mirror. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  4. S, Shyamprasad (11 April 2014). "Movie review: Endendu Ninagaagi". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  5. Wagh, Nikita (13 November 2019). "Juhi Chawla: Photos from her younger days you may not have seen". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. Kumar, S. (2 September 1988). "Youngster with fresh ideas". The Hindu. p. 17. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  7. Prema Loka (motion picture). Opening credits from 0:05 to 5:03.
  8. Paruva Ragam (motion picture). Opening credits from 0:00 to 5:03.
  9. Suresh, Sunayana (5 June 2014). "Premaloka was my acting school: Juhi Chawla". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  10. S, Shyam Prasad (25 September 2014). "'You will be dumbstruck'". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. S, Shyam Prasad (9 March 2014). "Hamsalekha to don director's hat". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. "Musical Musings". Deccan Herald. 18 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015 via DailyHunt.
  13. Prasad, Shyam (13 October 2011). "Such a Jolly ride". Bangalore Mirror. p. 35. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  14. Ramesh, Kala Krishnan (17 March 2006). "He defies the law of gravity". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  15. "Premaloka (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  16. Riti, M. D. (14 April 2001). "The Nightingale to sing in Kannada!". rediff.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  17. "Hamsalekha at his ribald best". The Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  18. "Lahari and Eshwari together after 25 years". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  19. "The sparkling native pen". The Hindu. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  20. "Ravichandran: Big dreamer who sometimes lost his way". Deccan Herald. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  21. "Bahubali audio sold for Rs 3 cr, sets record". The Times of India. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  22. 杯中影 on YouTube
  23. "陳小雲 – 杯中影 (1986, Vinyl) – Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  24. "Cup Shadow ( 杯中影 ) Hokkian Song- Chen Xiao Yun". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  25. "黃文擇布袋戲-靈霄美人杯中影出場". YouTube. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  26. "028グラスの面影(台:杯中影) 134". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  27. "杯中影". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  28. "Prema Lokam". Spotify. August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  29. "Jatta – How To Support A Trend Setting Film". Chitraloka. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  30. NT (10 July 1987). "An ambitious filmmaker". The Indian Express. p. 12. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  31. ஜெயமன்மதன் (1 February 1987). "பருவ ராகம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 65. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  32. "From text to film". The Hindu. 3 June 2006. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
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