Nandhini(1997)
Nandhini is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Manobala. The cast includes Prakash Raj, Suhasini, Keerthi Reddy, and Vineeth in lead roles. The story follows Raji, a college student who suspects her single mother Nandhini of having a secret affair with their paying guest Rangaswamy. Raji's confrontation with Rangaswamy leads to his death from a heart attack, triggering guilt and family turmoil. The film explores hidden pasts, false rumors, and the emotional distance between a mother and daughter. Suhasini agreed to play Nandhini after much persuasion from the director. The title is stylised with dots between letters to represent different people in Nandhini's life. The soundtrack was composed by Sirpy. The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the cast but noting weak direction. It was released on 11 July 1997.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 11 July 1997
- Director
- Manobala
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 23m
- Rating
- 1.0/10
Storyline
A college girl named Raji hears rumors that her single mother Nandhini is having an affair with their paying guest. She confronts the man, causing his sudden death. Guilt-ridden, she pushes away her boyfriend Suresh. Suresh investigates and uncovers a hidden love story from Nandhini's past that changes everything.
“Secrets tear a family apart.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Nandhini
Cast reunions in this film: Manivannan & Thalaivasal Vijay (16 films together), Prakash Raj & Manobala (14 films together), Manobala & Manivannan (14 films together), Manobala & Thalaivasal Vijay (11 films together), Manivannan & Sirpy (11 films together), and Prakash Raj & Manivannan (9 films together).
Trivia
- The film was directed by Manobala, who is better known as a popular character actor in Tamil cinema.
- It was one of the early films for actress Devayani, who played the dual role of mother Nandhini and daughter Raji.
- The movie's plot explores themes of past secrets affecting the present, a common motif in 1990s Tamil family dramas.
- The soundtrack was composed by Deva, a leading composer for romance films in the 90s.
- Despite the dramatic storyline, the film did not achieve major commercial success at the box office.
- Actor Vineeth, who played Suresh, was primarily known for his work in Malayalam cinema at the time.
- The title 'Nandhini' references the mother's character, making her past the central mystery of the story.