Raman Thediya Seethai

Raman Thediya Seethai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. P. Jagannath
Produced by	Moser Baer Entertainment
Written by	K. P. Jegannath
Starring	Cheran Pasupathy Nithin Sathya Remya Nambeeshan Vimala Raman Karthika Navya Nair Gajala Manivannan
Music by	Vidyasagar
Cinematography	Rajesh Yadav
Edited by	Kola Bhaskar
Release dates	19 September 2008 (2008-09-19)
Running time	145 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Raman Thediya Seethai ( Tamil: ராமன் தேடிய சீதை ; English: The Sita whom Rama searched for) is a Tamil drama film written and directed by K. P. Jagannath, starring Cheran, Pasupathy, Nithin Sathya in the lead male roles whilst Vimala Raman, Remya Nambeeshan, Navya Nair, Gajala and Karthika play parallel female roles.

In 2012, it was remade in Kannada as Gowri Puthra with Akshay.

Plot

The movie starts with Venugopal (Cheran) meeting Ranjitha (Vimala Raman) whose parents want them to get married. During their conversation, Venugopal informs Ranjitha that he stammers if he gets stressed and he was also undergoing treatment for psychological problems while he was at school. Ranjitha gets scared hearing this and she turns down the proposal.

Venugopal manages his own wedding card business and is a kind hearted person. He remains clear that the girl he marries should know about his problem and he does not want to get married to someone by hiding his problem. Venu’s mother arranges to meet another girl Vidhya (Remya Nambeesan). Vidhya agrees for wedding despite knowing Venu’s problem. But on the day before the wedding, Vidhya’s lover with whom she has broken up comes and apologizes. Vidhya changes her mind and elopes with her lover which shocks her father Manickavel (Manivannan) and also Venu.

But Venu cancels the wedding saying that he is not interested in marrying Vidhya thereby hiding the truth that Vidhya has eloped with someone. Manickavel feels proud seeing Venu and also feels bad that his daughter has missed such a kind hearted person in her life. Also Manickavel apologizes to Venu for his daughter’s behaviour and he promises to find a suitable girl for Venu soon.

After so many girls rejecting Venu due to his stammering speech problem, Gayathri (Karthika) agrees to marry him. Venu also likes Gayathri but he meets Gunasekhar (Nithin Sathya), an auto driver who claims to be the lover of Gayathri. Guna describes his one side love towards Gayathri to Venu and Manickavel while travelling in his auto without knowing that Venu has come to see Gayathri. Venu meets Gayathri and tells her that Guna loves her sincerely and advises her to accept his love. Gayathri also understands and agrees to marry Guna.

On the other hand, there is a positive love story told between a visually challenged RJ Nedumaran (Pasupathy) and Thamizhisai (Gajala). Nedumaran anchors a program in radio about importance of facing life with a positive attitude and Thamizhisai is a very big fan of Nedumaran’s radio program. But Thamizhisai gets shocked knowing that Nedumaran is visually challenged and she feels proud of him seeing his positive attitude towards life. They become good friends and Thamizhisai proposes Nedumaran which he does not accept as he fears that her family members will not allow her marry him. But later realizes her true love and the both get married. Venu is a friend of Nedumaran and he gets inspired seeing his positive tone in life.

Venu and Manickavel travel to Nagercoil for a business visit. Venu gets shocked to see Vidhya there leading a below poverty life. Venu leaves without informing Manickavel to meet Vidhya and gets to know that she is pregnant and her husband is in jail for involving in a clash with the neighbour. Vidhya works in a small school and she struggles to lead a proper life without money. Venu feels bad seeing her condition and gives some money. He also takes her to a nearby private hospital for check-up. To his surprise, Ranjitha works as a receptionist in that hospital. Venu introduces Vidhya as his friend and requests Ranjitha to assist her during her further check-ups and he pays the hospital expenses.

As Vidhya’s delivery date approaches, Venu decides to stay in Nagercoil for a few more days until she gives birth to the child thereby assisting with the hospital formalities. Slowly Venu befriends Ranjitha and the two meet frequently. Vidhya gives birth to a baby and Venu informs this to Manickavel who gets furious hearing this. Manickavel gets emotional and scolds Venu for helping someone who ditched him on the day of wedding. But Venu convinces Manickavel and takes him to see his daughter. Ranjitha comes to know about Venu’s great character and slowly love blossoms in her.

Now Venu and Manickavel are set to meet a girl Senthamarai (Navya Nair) who is a sub-inspector in Nagercoil. Venu informs this to Ranjitha which shocks her. Ranjitha does not express her love towards Venu. Venu decides to secretly meet Senthamarai while she is on duty without informing her. But suddenly violence erupts in the location and Senthamarai to control the crowd, starts hitting the protestors. She hits Venu also without knowing that he has comes to visit her. Venu feels guilty now and decides to cancel the meeting. While going back, he sees Ranjitha’s house on the way. He decides to refresh there and then leave. But Ranjitha proposes her love to Venu and apologizes for rejecting him at the very beginning not understanding his true character which is more precious. Venu understands Ranjitha and decides to marry her.

Controversy

The unit was highly criticized, when it had used the vehicle registration number of a revenue department officer without obtaining proper permissions. A complaint was filed with the police against director Cheran, however no official complaint was later lodged.^[1]

In January 2008, the shooting of the film was in progress at Boothapandi in Kanyakumari district. During the shooting, 12 vehicles were involved, which were going to parade for a minister in the scene. Hundreds of people were gathered to watch this shoot in the village. The last vehicle, which was the jeep, hit an old woman Kuttralammal and she was thrown afar. She was admitted in a hospital, where she died the next day.^[1]

The local inspector registered a case against the driver of the jeep and the director. Shooting was cancelled.

Production

Casting

The film was announced in 2007 and the photo session was held at the time of launch.^[2] Gajala was selected as one of the leads^[3] and Remya nambeesan from Kerala was selected and she joined in second schedule.^[4] Vimala Raman of Poi,^[5] Karthika of Thoothukudi and Navya Nair were selected since the story needed five heroines Pasupathi^[6] and Nithin Sathya were selected to play important roles.

Filming

Director Jagan said that "There are 78 scenes whereas there are 94 locations in the film"^[7] and added that "in most of the scenes there would be a small flashback and if this is taken into consideration then there are more locations in the film rather than scenes".^[8]

Cast

• Cheran as Venugopal
• Pasupathy as Nedumaran
• Nithin Sathya as Gunasekhar
• Vimala Raman as Ranjitha
• Remya Nambeeshan as Vidhya Manikkavel
• Gajala as Thamizhisai Nedumaran
• Karthika as Gayathri
• Navya Nair as Senthamarai
• Manivannan as Manikkavel
• Karunas as Murali
• Vidharth as Vidhya's husband

Soundtrack

Soundtrack is composed by Vidyasagar and it was well received.^[9] Balu Mahendra and Bhagyaraj released the audio which was held in Sathyam cinemas at 30 July 2008.^[10] During audio release, cheran made controversial statements about reporters by publishing rumours about him.^[11][12]

Reviews

Rediff wrote:"There's a delicate balance between portraying a genuinely touching story and going overboard with emotions. And that's where Global One Studio Productions' Raman Thediya Seethai (Rama's Hunt for Seetha), directed by K P Jagannath, manages to be different".^[13] Behindwoods wrote:"The director needs to be appreciated for delivering a film without kissing or glamorous scenes. However, he could have tried to make the subject a bit more interesting".^[14] Sify wrote:"RTS is riveting cinema and exhibits emotional depth and is a clean feel-good family entertainer".^[15] Nowrunning wrote:"Minus violence and item numbers, 'Raman Thediya Seethai,' a feel good romance certainly entertains".^[16]

References