Gentleman (1993 film)

Gentleman
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShankar
Screenplay byShankar
Story byShankar
Dialogues by
Produced byK. T. Kunjumon
StarringArjun
Madhubala
CinematographyJeeva
Edited byB. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
company
A. R. S. Film International
Distributed byA. R. S. Film International
Release date
  • 30 July 1993 (1993-07-30)
Running time
160 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Gentleman is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language heist action film written and directed by Shankar in his directorial debut, and produced by K. T. Kunjumon. The film stars Arjun Sarja and Madhubala while Subhashri, M. N. Nambiar, Manorama, Goundamani, Senthil, Charan Raj, Vineeth, and Rajan P. Dev play supporting roles. In the film, a respected Madras-based businessman moonlights as a thief to steal from the rich and give to the poor for their education.

Gentleman was released on 30 July 1993 and became a major commercial success, running for over 175 days in theatres. It won three South Filmfare Awards (including Best Film – Tamil and Best Director – Tamil), four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (including Best Actor and Best Director) and five Cinema Express Awards. The film was a breakthrough for Arjun and Shankar and established them as among the top actors and directors, respectively, in Tamil cinema. It was remade in Hindi as The Gentleman (1994).

Plot

In Ooty, Krishnamoorthy alias Kicha and his partner-in-crime, Mani, execute a high-profile multi-crore heist. Utilizing elaborate disguises to misdirect the police force, they escape aboard the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, deeply frustrating Inspector Ratnam. Publicly, Kicha is a highly respected, law-abiding citizen running a successful papadam business in Madras alongside Mani. Susheela, one of his many female employees, harbors a deep romantic fixation on him and persistently demands his attention. Her situation complicates with the arrival of her jovial cousin, Sugandhi, whose playful presence brings a lively dynamic to the household, underscored by petty rivalries between Mani and another employee, Babloo.

Sugandhi later develops romantic feelings for Kicha after he rescues her from a group of local thugs attempting to molest her. However, Kicha gently rejects her advances, explaining that he does not reciprocate her feelings and urging her to seek a suitable husband. Before returning home, Sugandhi covertly steals Kicha's unique signet ring as a sentimental souvenir. Concurrently, DIG Azhagar Nambi, a disgraced police officer tasked with capturing the elusive thief, suffers a humiliating scuffle with Kicha during a botched sting. Left with a distinct ring-shaped bruise on his face, Nambi obsessively investigates the imprint. He initially deduces the mark originated from a ceremonial ring worn by Brahmin priests, only to discover the design is actually a customized motif resembling a mangala sutra.

Nambi's parents soon pressure him into an arranged marriage with Sugandhi. During their interactions, Nambi notices Kicha's ring in her possession and learns of its true owner. Orchestrating a trap, Nambi attends a wedding dinner hosted at Kicha's residence and attempts an arrest. He shoots Kicha, but the latter narrowly escapes with a non-fatal hand injury. Kicha and Mani retreat to their secret headquarters, pursued covertly by Susheela. Confronting him over his illegal double life, an emotional Susheela threatens suicide, prompting Kicha to disclose his tragic motivations.

Years prior, Kicha and his friend Ramesh were district-level academic toppers. Despite their marks, both were denied admission to medical college, the places going to applicants whose families paids bribes. Kicha's mother and Ramesh subsequently died by suicide. Kicha then turned to stealing from the wealthy, with the aim of accumulating enough money to build a college offering free medical education to students selected on merit, regardless of income, caste, or religion.

In the present, requiring a final influx of capital to complete the university's construction, Kicha plans a high-stakes heist targeting the state's Chief Minister, who was the corrupt education minister responsible for soliciting the bribe years earlier. Despite knowing Nambi has established a heavy police dragnet, Kicha successfully steals the funds but is ultimately cornered and arrested by Nambi.

During his highly publicized trial, Kicha uses the courtroom as a platform to expose the deeply entrenched political corruption within the education system, demanding the Chief Minister be summoned to face cross-examination. Although Kicha's testimony successfully exposes his historical crimes to the public, legal technicalities allow the politician to walk free. Outraged by this miscarriage of justice, a radicalized youth in the gallery, triggered by Kicha's emotional speech, assassinates the Chief Minister in a suicide bombing outside the court.

Six years later, having fully served their prison sentences, Kicha and Mani inaugurate the medical college, with Nambi, Sugandhi, their child, and Susheela present.

Cast

Uncredited

Production

Development

After scoring back-to-back successes like Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) and Surieyan (1992), producer K. T. Kunjumon of A. R. S. Film International wanted to collaborate again with director Pavithran and actor R. Sarathkumar; however since they went on to do other projects, the collaboration did not happen. Photographer Stills Ravi and editor V. T. Vijayan suggested the name of S. Shankar who worked as an assistant in these two films. Shankar had prepared a story, but it was rejected by many producers. After listening to the story, an impressed Kunjumon decided to produce the film which would later be titled Gentleman, but on the condition that Shankar accept any changes he suggest, to which Shankar agreed,[12] making his directorial debut.[13] While Shankar also wrote the screenplay, Kunjumon selected Balakumaran to write the dialogues.[12] Cinematography was handled by Jeeva, editing by Vijayan and B. Lenin, and art direction by Maghi,[1] while Vikram Dharma was the action choreographer.[2]

Casting and filming

The initial story revolved the militancy of a Brahmin youth. Shankar wanted Kamal Haasan to play the lead at this stage, but he refused because he felt the story was too similar to Guru (1980) in which he acted and did not like Shankar's take on the concept.[14][15] When Arjun was approached, he was reluctant. According to him, at a time when he was struggling no directors wanted to cast him in their films until the success of Sevagan (1992) which was directed by Arjun himself. Therefore, when Shankar approached him with the script of Gentleman, he decided to decline without listening to the script just as he did to a few other directors. But he listened to the script after much persuasion and, impressed by the story, decided to do it.[16][17] Madhubala was cast after Shankar was impressed with her performance in Roja (1992).[18]

The song "Chikku Bukku Rayile" was mostly shot at Egmore railway station.[9][19] The climax scene where a student kills the antagonist in a suicide bombing was inspired from the assassination of the then President of Sri Lanka, Ranasinghe Premadasa.[12][20] Kunjumon insisted that Shankar rewrite the climax by adding this element, much to the dissatisfaction of Arjun, who felt that his heroism would be diluted. However, Kunjumon remained adamant and it was shot as per his wish.[12] The filming took seven months to be completed.[21]

Themes

Critics have noted the film's resemblance to Ore Oru Gramathiley (1987) due to caste-based reservation being a mutual theme in both and the protagonist being a Brahmin who rebels against this,[22] and Karuppu Panam (1964).[23]

Soundtrack

Gentleman
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released1993
RecordedPanchathan Record Inn
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length23:42
LabelsPyramid
Aditya Music
Lahari Music
T-Series
ProducerA.R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman chronology
Pudhiya Mugam
(1993)		 Gentleman
(1993)		 Kizhakku Cheemayile
(1993)
External audio
audio icon Audio Jukebox (Tamil) on YouTube
audio icon Audio Jukebox (Telugu) on YouTube

The score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman. Initially Shankar wanted Ilaiyaraaja to compose for the film later he was sceptical about the choice.[24][25] Vairamuthu wrote the lyrics for all songs except "Chikku Bukku Rayile", which was written by Vaali.[12] The songs were recorded at Panchathan Record Inn, and the soundtrack was released under the Pyramid label.[26] The film and soundtrack were dubbed and released in Telugu with the same name. The lyrics were penned by Rajasri for this version.[27] The original Tamil soundtrack sold over 300,000 cassettes.[28]

The opening of the song "Ottagathai Kattiko" is often thought to have been inspired from the 1991 Telugu song, "Eddem Ante Teddam Antav", composed by Raj–Koti and sung by Malgudi Subha from the album Chik Pak Chik Bam; in reality, Rahman, who was an arranger in Raj–Koti's team, helped them in composing the original song.[29] Once when Rahman went to visit a friend whose house was near a railway station, the sound of trains frequently disturbed their conversation; nonetheless, the train sounds inspired Rahman to compose "Chikku Bukku Rayile".[30] "Ottagathai Kattiko" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Dharmavati,[31][32] "En Veetu Thotathil" has shades of Chenchurutti and Neelambari,[33] "Parkathey" is set in Mohanam,[34][32] "Usalampatti Penkutti" is also set in Dharmavati.[35]

The songs from Gentleman were reused in the Hindi remake The Gentleman (1994), though only Anu Malik was credited for the music.[36][37] "Ottagathai Kattiko" was later remixed by the French rap group La Caution as "Pilotes Automatique".[38]

Tamil
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Chikku Bukku Rayile"VaaliSuresh Peters, G. V. Prakash Kumar5:24
2."Usalampatti Penkutti"VairamuthuShahul Hameed, Swarnalatha4:41
3."Parkathey"VairamuthuMinmini, Srinivas, Noel James4:29
4."En Veetu Thotathil" VairamuthuS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan3:56
5."Ottagathai Kattiko"VairamuthuS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Sujatha Mohan, Minmini5:15
Total length:23:45
Telugu
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Chikubuku Raile"Suresh Peters, G. V. Prakash Kumar5:24
2."Mudinepalli"Shahul Hameed, Malgudi Subha, Swarnalatha4:40
3."Maavele Maavele"Minmini, Srinivas, Noel James4:29
4."Naa Inti Mundunna"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan3:51
5."Kontegaadni Kattuko"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki5:15
Total length:23:39

Release

Gentleman was released on 30 July 1993.[39] Kunjumon promoted the film by playing trailers on television sets situated on suburban railway stations.[40] He had to distribute the film on his own since no distributors were willing to buy this film as they felt it "looked like a dubbed film".[12] Despite this, it became a major success, running for over 175 days in theatres.[41]

Critical reception

Writing for The Indian Express on 6 August 1993, Malini Mannath said, "Shankar makes a promising debut infusing his script with action, sentiment, comedy and even some titillating scenes for added measure and tries to give something different within the parameters of commercial cinema. Jeeva's camera is effective in capturing the well choreographed stunt scenes (Vikram Dharma)."[2] K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote on 14 August 1993, "Sankar .. has provided thought-provoking story [..] build up the story well, making us eager to find out why the hero is committing all those robberies."[42] On 22 August 1993, Ananda Vikatan rated the film 50 out of 100.[43]

Accolades

Event Category Recipient Ref.
41st Filmfare Awards South Best Film – Tamil K. T. Kunjumon [44]
Best Director – Tamil Shankar
Best Music Director – Tamil A. R. Rahman
1993 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actor Arjun [45]
[46]
Best Director Shankar
Best Music Director A. R. Rahman
Best Female Playback Singer Sujatha (for "En Veetu Thotathil")
14th Cinema Express Awards Best Picture (Special Award) K. T. Kunjumon [47]
Best Actor (Special Award) Arjun
Best New Face Director Shankar
Best Music Director A. R. Rahman
Best Stunt Master Vikram Dharma

Legacy

In the 2019 Tamil film Hero, Arjun portrays Sathyamoorthy (whose name is similar to Krishnamoorthy), a man who steals money from the rich to build a school that is free for everyone.[48] The 2021 film Dikkiloona was titled after the word used by Goundamani and Senthil in Gentleman.[49] In June 2022, a sequel was announced with Kunjumon returning as the producer, and Gokul Krishna directing.[50]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dhananjayan 2011, p. 153.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mannath, Malini (6 August 1993). "Daring and caring". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 4 May 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  3. ↑ Srinivasan, Pavithra (27 September 2010). "Shankar's landmark films before Endhiran/Robot". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Yamunan, Sruthisagar (12 October 2015). "When the camera rolled, she lived the character'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 Mohan, Ashutosh (24 March 2020). "Top 10 Tamil Films Where Senthil Got The Better Of Goundamani". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. ↑ Kumar, Pradeep (3 April 2020). "Prabhudheva's best dance sequences: From 'Chikku Bukku' to 'Guleba'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Raju Sundaram talks about Chal Maar on Kings of Dance". The Times of India. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "Gentleman Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  9. 1 2 Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (2 August 2023). "'Chikku Bukku Rayile': An Oral History of Shankar & AR Rahman's Megahit Song". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Haven't you watched Raghava Lawrence's amazing dances yet?". Onmanorama. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ Sudha (29 December 2020). "ஜென்டில்மேன் திரைப்படத்தில் மொட்டை ராஜேந்திரன் நடித்துள்ளார் தெரியுமா தெரியுமா.? அதுவும் இந்தக் காட்சியில்தான் எப்படி இருக்கிறார் பார்த்தீர்களா.!". Tamil 360 Newz (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Menon, Vishal (21 July 2018). "KT Kunjumon and 25 years of 'Gentleman'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  13. ↑ "Tamil Films". Gentleman Film KTK. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  14. ↑ நவநீதகிருஷ்ணன், பா ஸ்டாலின் (2 September 2021). "Flashback: நடிக்க மறுத்த கமல்... டிஸ்கஷனில் வாக்குவாதம்... ட்ரெண்ட் உருவாக்கிய 'ஜென்டில்மேன்'" [Flashback: Kamal refused to act... an argument during discussions... the trendsetting Gentleman]. ABP Nadu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  15. ↑ இந்தியன் படத்திலே எனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட கருத்து வேறுபாடு | Kamal Haasan Interview | பொக்கிஷம் 25 [The disagreement I had during the making of the film Indian | Kamal Haasan Interview | Treasure 25] (in Tamil). Touring Talkies. 18 June 2019. Event occurs at 1:50. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Kumar, S. Shiva (20 January 2012). "Silver screen's valiant hero". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  17. ↑ Suganth, M. (22 June 2017). "I've completed 150 films; let me experiment at least now". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "ஜென்டில்மேனுக்கு வயது 33 : முதலில் நடிக்க இருந்தவர் யார் தெரியுமா?". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 30 July 2026. Archived from the original on 31 July 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Srikanth, R. (18 August 2025). "Madras Day 2025: When Tamil cinema and railways cross tracks in Chennai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Tuesday Trivia: Assassination of Sri Lanka President inspired the climax of Shankar's Gentleman". India Today. 12 May 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  21. ↑ "Take it easy? Not for Me!". Kalki (in Tamil). 4 December 1994. pp. 58–59. Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ↑ Thirumurthy, Priyanka (2 September 2019). "'Orey Oru Gramathiley' to 'Pariyerum Perumal': Caste-based reservation in Tamil films". The News Minute. Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ Chellappa (16 December 2022). "Kamal still comes out all guns blazing". Inmathi. Archived from the original on 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  24. ↑ "This is why 2.0 director Shankar did not work with Ilaiyaraaja". India Today. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  25. ↑ "Gentleman". JioSaavn. 16 November 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "Gentleman Tamil Audio Cassettes By A.R Rahman". Banumass. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  27. ↑ "Gentleman". JioSaavn. 30 July 1993. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  28. ↑ "Audio tape producers ride crest of Bollywood's music boom, composers become stars". India Today. 30 November 1993. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  29. ↑ Anand, S. (3 August 2009). "Medley Messiah". Outlook. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  30. ↑ Mathai 2009, p. 62.
  31. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (9 November 2012). "Twice as nice". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  32. 1 2 Sundararaman 2007, p. 151.
  33. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (23 November 2012). "Folksy flavours". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  34. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (16 September 2011). "A Raga's Journey – Magical Mohanam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  35. ↑ Sundararaman 2007, p. 164.
  36. ↑ "Indian Idol judge Neha Kakkar's brother scores big with Kevin Pietersen days after Oscar-winner AR Rahman found himself in awe of former England cricketer". Janta Ka Reporter. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  37. ↑ Mathai 2009, p. 124.
  38. ↑ "Urvasi Urvasi ripped off by Will.i.am & Cody Wise!". Sify. p. 8. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  39. ↑ "Gentleman". The Indian Express. 30 July 1993. p. 3. Retrieved 13 April 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  40. ↑ Vijaya Kumar, K C (27 August 2024). "A movie that pulled out all stops for promotion". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  41. ↑ Selvaraj, N. (20 March 2017). "வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள்" [Tamil films that completed silver jubilees]. Thinnai (in Tamil). Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  42. ↑ Vijiyan, K. (14 August 1993). "Catchy songs pep up Gentleman's story". New Straits Times. p. 25. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2016 – via Google News Archive.
  43. ↑ "சினிமா விமர்சனம்: ஜென்டில்மேன்" [Movie Review: Gentleman]. Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 22 August 1993. Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  44. ↑ "The Prized People". Filmfare. November 1994 – via Internet Archive.
  45. ↑ Dhananjayan 2011, pp. 154–155.
  46. ↑ "1993-ஆம் ஆண்டிற்கான திரைப்பட விருதுகள்" [Film awards for the year 1993]. Tamil Arasu (in Tamil). 1 December 1995. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 20 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  47. ↑ "Kizhakku Cheemayile adjudged best film". The Indian Express. Express News Service. 13 March 1994. p. 3. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  48. ↑ Suganth, M (20 December 2019). "Hero Movie Review : Fairly good vigilante film, middling superhero movie". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 August 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  49. ↑ "Santhanam's triple action film titled Dikkilona". The Times of India. 7 September 2019. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  50. ↑ "Gokul Krishna to direct KT Kunjumon's Gentleman 2". Cinema Express. 6 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.

Bibliography

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