Mouna Raagam (1986)

Cast : Mohan, Revathi, Karthik, V.K. Ramasamy

Plot and Storyline: 

Mouna Raagam is a Tamil romantic drama directed by Mani Ratnam. the film is about the relationship between newly weds Chandrakumar (Mohan) and Divya (Revathy) . The film starts with Revathy, a carefree teen who is studying in college, One fine day she she gets to know that she is going to get married and the grooms is going to her house that day. She tries to avoid the function by coming home very late but to her disappointment Chandrakumar, waits for her and tell her that her really likes her and the marriage is fixed. Though she tries to resist first, due to her father's heath condition she agrees, Chandrakumar and Divya move to Delhi and their life begins together.


The rest of the film is about them, how they try to adjust to each other. Chandrakumar is very excited to be with his wife, while Divya continues shuns him away, and hurts in in the process, at one point Divya askes for a divorse and they file the same(7 days after their marriage, when the film was released this created quite a flutter in the industry), but because of the judicial system they have to wait for one year for the divorce to get effected. In the end do they go their separate ways or not, thats the conclusion of the film.

Mohan plays Chandrakumar , a matured character, trying to earn the love of his newly wed wife. But he gets hurts every time he tries. In the end he gives up and becomes more practical and gives up. Divya on the other hand is a impulsive person, we learn of her initial love and separation from her lover - Manohar( Karthik) which is her reason for hating her husband. With time after many incidents  divya begins to love him. But Chandrakumar just sets his mind on the divorce and acts more practical. The relationship between them weakens then on and at on point Chandrakumar asks Divya to leave to Madras.

The film got release in 1980, at that time where commercial films and village based films where the trend. Mani Ratnam did a very bold move by releasing a film whose genre was quite un-heard of at that time. It took on many social issues to about what are the problems which people face in arranged marriages , though now the film might not seem a path breaking one. Even for the leads Mohan and Revathy , this film was really a boost in their career. One of the ever green love stories which will be remembered for a long time.

What is strikingly different about this film which sets it apart from all the love stories is that,the film as such is very relatable to real life , like all Mani ratnam's film. The characterisation also was very much real, More over the main high point of the film was that it was about finding love apart from their vast differences, rather than the usual stuff what we see in films.

Ilayaraja and Mani Ratnam were like the golden combo at that time, some of the work which they created together were like the Golden age of Kollywood. Mouna Raagam( incidentally the name of the film is also musical), can be considered one of the them . The Background score, the songs were well suited to the film, especially the songs - "Nilave Vaa" & " Mandram vatha" are evergreen hits. Mouna Ragam is what you can call a classic Love story. One which can be replaced or remade which could cause the same effect which it created.