Uyirullavarai Usha
| Uyirullavarai Usha | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | T. Rajendar |
| Written by | T. Rajendar |
| Produced by | Usha Rajendar |
| Starring | Saritha T. Rajendar Ganga Nalini |
| Cinematography | Soman |
| Edited by | R. Devarajan |
| Music by | T. Rajendar |
Production company | Thanjai Cini Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Uyirullavarai Usha (transl. Lifelong with Usha) is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language romantic action film written, directed and scored by T. Rajendar. The film stars Saritha, Rajendar, Ganga and Nalini. It is the debut for Rajendar and Nalini in leading roles. The film was released on 4 March 1983 and became a success. It was remade in Kannada as Premigala Saval (1984) and in Hindi as Aag Aur Shola (1986),[1] and dubbed in Telugu as Prema Sagaram.[2][3]
Plot
Cast
- Saritha
- T. Rajendar as Chain Jayapal
- Ganga as Raja
- Nalini as Usha
- Radha Ravi
- Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Professor
- Manoharan
- Goundamani
- S. S. Chandran
- Selvaraj
- Usilai Mani
- Gandhimathi
- Savithri
- Kalaichelvi
- Chandra
Production
The film was originally titled Chain Jayapal,[4] but was later retitled Uyirullavari Usha, paying homage to T. Rajendar's then wife Usha.[5] The lead role was originally offered to Rajinikanth, who decided not to do the role, resulting in Rajendar debuting as lead actor.[6][7] The film also marked the acting debut of Nalini as lead actress.[8] Rajendar decided to cast Ganga in another leading role, at a time when other producers were reluctant to cast him in their films.[9] The songs "Indiralogathu Sundari" and "Mogam Vandhu" were shot at Karpagam Studios.[10]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by T. Rajendar who also wrote the lyrics.[11][12] The song "Vaigai Karai Katre" was written by Rajendar to convey his grief when briefly separated from Usha, who went abroad for a dance event. The title references the Vaigai River, and Usha's Madurai roots.[13] For the dubbed Telugu version Prema Sagaram, all lyrics were written by Rajasri.[14] The song "Indiralogathu Sundari" was later sampled by Flying Lotus for "GNG BNG" from the album Los Angeles (2008).[15]
- Tamil
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Adi Ennadi" | Malaysia Vasudevan | 04:35 |
| "Unnaithane" | Kalayanam, S. Janaki | 05:56 |
| "Mogam Vanthu" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 04:43 |
| "Indiralogathu Sundari" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B.S. Sasireka | 04:43 |
| "Kat Adippom" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:22 |
| "Vaigai Karai Katre" | K. J. Yesudas | 04:44 |
| "Ithayamathai Kovil Enren" | T. M. Soundararajan | 04:10 |
- Telugu version
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Banthade Bangaaru" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:38 |
| "Chakkanaina O Chirugali" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 04:31 |
| "Naamam Pettu Naamam" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 03:53 |
| "Nee Thalape Maikam" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 05:47 |
| "Neelo Naalo" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | 04:46 |
| "Andhalolike Sundari" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja | 04:27 |
| "Hrudayamane Kovelalo" | Madhavapeddi Ramesh | 04:40 |
Release and reception
Uyirullavarai Usha was released on 4 March 1983.[16] Rajendar struggled to find a distributor for the film, with the trade blaming him of "going back to the M.G.R. era". Despite these criticisms, the film became successful at the box office.[8] Ananda Vikatan said the film's plus points were its songs and score.[17] Thiraignani of Kalki criticised the film for having a Oru Thalai Ragam (1980) hangover.[18]
Re-release
The film was re-released on 13 February 2026,[19] having been delayed from September 2025.[20]
References
- ^ Arunachalam, Param (2020). BollySwar: 1981–1990. Mavrix Infotech. p. 682. ISBN 9788193848227.
- ^ Anantharam, Chitra Deepa (27 March 2017). "I am the pioneer of kuthu: T Rajendherr". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "ఒక తరాన్ని ప్రేమలో ముంచెత్తిన ప్రేమసాగరం" [An ocean of love that engulfed a generation in love]. Sakshi (in Telugu). 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ "பிளாஷ்பேக் : டி.ராஜேந்தரை ஹீரோவாக்கிய ரஜினி" [Flashback: Rajini made T. Rajendar a hero]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 2 April 2025. Archived from the original on 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ "Exclusive | T Rajendar explains using 'Uyirullavarai Usha' title despite opposition". Cinema Express. 12 February 2026. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Prasad, Arun (4 February 2023). "டி.ராஜேந்தர் நடிகராவதற்கு காரணமாக இருந்த ரஜினிகாந்த்... இது என்னப்பா புது கதையா இருக்கு!!" [Rajinikanth was the reason T. Rajendar became an actor... What a new story this is!!]. CineReporters (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "When This Star Rejected Director T Rajendar's Debut Film Uyirullavarai Usha". News18. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ a b Shiva Kumar, S. (20 March 1983). "Super-hit". Mid-Day. p. 25. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ M, Ashwin; S, Rohini (17 February 2026). "T Rajendar: 'Uyirullavarai Usha was life or death for me'". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "இந்திர லோகத்து சுந்தரி கனவில் வந்தாளோ ராத்திரி". Anna (in Tamil). 2 January 1983. p. 4. Archived from the original on 1 November 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
- ^ "Uyirullavarai Usha". JioSaavn. January 1983. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ "Uyirullavarai Usha Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by T.Rajendar". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive | T Rajendar tells moving story behind Uyirullavarai Usha song". Cinema Express. 13 February 2026. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Premasagaram". Gaana. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ Patil, Adwait (13 December 2016). "10 Great Songs That Subtly Sample South Asian Sounds". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "ரஜினி படத்துடன் மோதி வெற்றி கண்ட டி.ராஜேந்தர் படம்" [The T. Rajendar film which competed with Rajini's film and succeeded]. News18 (in Tamil). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "உயிருள்ளவரை உஷா". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 1983. p. 9. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2022 – via Issuu.
- ^ திரைஞானி (20 March 1983). "உயிருள்ளவரை உஷா". Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 56–57. Archived from the original on 15 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ ""உயிருள்ளவரை உஷா" ரீ-ரிலீஸ் குறித்து சிம்புவின் பதிவு" [Simbu's post on the re-release of Uyirullavarai Usha]. Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 13 February 2026. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (21 August 2025). "T Rajendhar's Uyirullavarai Usha gets a re-release". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
