There used to time when many Tamil Films will be released during important festivals. Good old days of unassuming movie making and watching, no 'boycott' campaigns. Fortunately no Social Media hence we were able to enjoy movies as movies and nothing beyond that. There were good music which enhanced the movie experience.
Likewise we have seen earlier about Movies released on Republic Day as K Balaji used to churn out continously for many years. You can read that again if you have missed (shameless self plug)
https://venky-alaymanlostinmusic.blogspot.com/2021/01/k-balaji-and-republic-day.html
In this context let us see in this part, some of the movies released during Independence Day eve in probably 70s, 80, 90s, considered to be complete movie watching experiences of Tamil Cinema goers.
Let us first see movies released on eve of Independence day :
There were 2 movies released in 70s eve of Independence, both MGR and Ganesan shared the honors.
The Darbari Kanada which is ringing in years even now and beyond 'Vasanthathil Or Naal' - Moondru Dheivangal released on this day 1971. What a ripper of an album from MSV. Right from 'Thirupathi Sendru Thirumbi Vandhaal' 'Thai Ennum Selvangal' and all the legendary singers of TFM has sung in this.
1977 saw both CVSridhar and MGR come together for Meenava Nanban. MGR's penultimate movie before he become CM. Meenava Nanban is another lovely album from MSV, the Valaji of Vani Jayaram (Pongum Kadalosai), Amruthavarshini (Neram Pournami Neram) or the KJY's beautiful Sivaranjani (Thangathil mugameduthu).
1980s :
80s saw IR making waves.
1981 saw another failed attempt of Writer Sujatha's story in Celluloid. But for the spectacular BGM this movie is seriously forgettable. 'Karaiellam Shenbagapoo' released on this day in 1981. Go and hear the title card score.
1982 saw the biggest of the hit of commercial cinema of KH which opened floodgates for many such flicks churned for years to come. 'Sakalakala Vallavan' released on this day. I could watch this movie almost after 70+ days only :-). The New Year song has become cult immediately and being played out for more than 40+ years on every new year eve in Television.
On the same day, Rajini, cutting down his antics, style, mannerisms gave an more matured performance in 'Engeyo Ketta Kural' which was critcally acclaimed.
'Kanne Radha' came after Karthik-Radha successful pairing of Alaigal Oivadhillai in 1981.
Raja on top of all it in these 3 movies. Jency's 'Aaathoram Kaathaada' what a beautiful number. 'Maalai Sooda Kanne Radha' was a peppy one and Sakalakala Vallavan was mass album with all the songs were super duper hit across all class.
Cut to 1990s :
Dynamics changed in movie industry with slowly corporate culture creeping in and everyone become competitive saw the releases on important festivals days trimming slowly.
Whole of 90's saw only around 10 movies released on Independence Day Eve.
'Sooriyan' one of Sarath's biggest commercial hit and placed him top rung came in 1992. Deva's songs has raised the bar of the movie.
Adityan's 'Nalaya Seidhi has released on the same day which had Malgudi Subha's "Manmadha Konjavaa' catchy number.
In the Music front, TFM saw ARR's entry with a bang, Deva upping the tempo but Raja didnt lagged behind to give one of most underrated album 'Endrum Anbudan' which released on this day. Though 'Thulli Thirindhoru Kaalam' was famous but the most under rated one is the slow melody 'Manjal Veyil'.
1998 Independence Eve had two notable movies with Vikraman after giving few hits of 'Feel Good movie's teamed up with Karthik, Roja and Ajith to give 'Unnidhathil Ennai Koduthen'. SA Rajukumar, though predictable at times, didnt disappoint to give album of the year. The movie ran successfully so the music captured chart busters of the year.
Vijay had his share of 'Nilave Vaa' on this day with Vidyasagar composing his favorite Darbari Kanada (Nee Kaatru Naan Maram). This album had few other good songs too. The 'Chandira Mandalathai' by Harini, SPBCharan, real catchy.
