Joshiankit994: started bio

2026-03-03T05:23:09Z

started bio

New page

{{Short description|1980 film by Mahendran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Johnny 1980 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]
| producer = [[K. R. Gangadharan]]
| writer = Mahendran
| starring = [[Rajinikanth]]<br />[[Sridevi]]<br />[[Unni Mary|Deepa]]
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| editing = A. Paul Duraisingham{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
| cinematography = [[Ashok Kumar (cinematographer)|Ashok Kumar]]<ref name="kamadenu" />
| studio = K. R. G Productions
| distributor = 
| released = {{Film date|1980|08|15|df=y}}
| runtime = 139 minutes{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Johnny''''' is a 1980 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[crime thriller film]] written and directed by [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]. The film stars [[Rajinikanth]], [[Sridevi]] and [[Unni Mary|Deepa]]. Featuring Rajinikanth in a dual role, it revolves around the eponymous [[con artist]] who is implicated for a crime committed by Vidyasagar, a lookalike.

''Johnny'' is the first original script directed by Mahendran. It was released on 15 August 1980. Though the film disappointed audiences in the first two weeks of its run because its title gave the impression of an action entertainer, it picked up in the third week and became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

== Plot ==
Johnny, a [[con artist]], indulges in cons with his friend to settle his father's debts. Johnny was born out of wedlock; his mother never got the recognition and dignity of a wife. Though Johnny is upset on never getting recognised legally as a son, he decides to help his father by clearing his loans. Johnny, a fan of singer Archana, never misses her concerts, which is also noticed by Archana. A romance develops between the two, but neither expresses it.

Vidyasagar, a barber, lives in a bungalow away from the city. Once when he returns home after getting drunk and losing control, he is helped by Bhama, a homeless orphan. When Bhama requests him to employ her for domestic work, he relents. Bhama, slightly greedy and indecisive, always aspires for better things in life. However, her beauty and innocence makes Vidyasagar fall in love with her. He protects and cares for her and buys her new clothes.

Johnny cons a businessman, who files a police complaint. When he sees Vidyasagar at a salon, he mistakes him for Johnny and calls the police. The commissioner investigates the case along with the superintendent. Since Vidyasagar was in the salon when the con took place, the commissioner believes the thief is someone else. The police start hunting for Johnny and also monitor Vidyasagar. Johnny's friend visits the salon and mistakes Vidyasagar for Johnny. Upon realising Vidyasagar is another man, he brings Johnny to meet him.

Learning of the troubles Vidyasagar is facing because of his crimes, Johnny visits Vidyasagar and reveals himself as the culprit. To protect Vidyasagar from the police, Johnny tells him to remain home for 10 days so that he can resolve all issues and come clean. Archana expresses her love for Johnny, but he hesitates to reciprocate due to his background. When Archana misunderstands his hesitation, thinking he is doubting her integrity and character, Johnny confesses his love and seeks time to settle a few things before marrying her. Johnny eventually settles all his father's loans, only to witness his father die.

Vidyasagar notices Bhama with another man. When questioned, she says she shares a sibling-like relationship with him. Vidyasagar proposes to her and assures he will take good care of her. However, Bhama looks down at his profession and feels it would be embarrassing for her children. Though hurt, Vidyasagar tries to explain things to her and gives her time to decide. However, Bhama hurriedly tries to escape with the man at night. Vidyasagar stops and kills them. Witnesses inform the police, who assume it is Johnny's work and search for him, also for pending cases against him. Vidyasagar, aware that Johnny is wanted, tries to foist the murder charge on him, and Johnny goes into hiding.

When Vidyasagar learns from Johnny's friend about Archana's love and her affluence, he decides to impersonate Johnny and goes to Archana's house. When Archana explains that she compensated Johnny's victims at the cost of her wealth, Vidyasagar is disappointed. Archana, hurt by "Johnny's" curtness, is confused about his change in taste and behaviour. Though Vidyasagar had come with plans to win her and grab her wealth, her character and love for Johnny stop him, and he reveals his true identity. He assures her that Johnny will be back soon and advises her to perform one last concert (which she had cancelled after Johnny got into trouble) so that Johnny will return.

Johnny sees an advertisement for Archana's concert and decides to attend. On the scheduled day, heavy rain occurs and no one attends. However, Archana still comes to the venue and sings. The police suspect her decision and wait at the venue. Johnny arrives at the venue, accepts responsibility for all the frauds and murders, and is arrested by the police. But Archana realises that it is actually Vidyasagar posing as Johnny. Archana gets upset when the real Johnny does not arrive. Just before she leaves the venue, Johnny reaches, meets her and understands all that transpired. They reunite.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Rajinikanth]] as Johnny and Vidyasagar<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Sridevi]] as Archana<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Unni Mary|Deepa]] as Bhama{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
* [[K. Balaji|Balaji]] as a police officer<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Suruli Rajan]] as Johnny's friend<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Samikannu]] as Naidu{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
* [[M. Prabhakar Reddy|Prabhakar Reddy]] as Johnny's father{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
*[[Kumarimuthu]] as Saloon shop assistant
* [[V. Gopalakrishnan (actor)|Gopalakrishnan]] as a police officer<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Subhashini]] as a tribal woman<ref name="kamadenu" />
* [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]] as Johnny's mother{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}}
}}

== Production ==
[[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]] had a strong desire to make a film with [[Rajinikanth]]; hence he made this film simultaneously with ''[[Nenjathai Killathe]]''. As the producer could not provide the equipment and facilities for the climax scene with a song, Mahendran was forced to use stock shots and manage to shoot with the limited facilities offered, but managed to mix the close-up shots with stock shot, and the scene came properly. This was the first time for which popular artist Jayaraj designed the costumes. He first drew the illustrations of scenes with costumes and then got them stitched, bringing in newness and style in Rajinikanth's look, which attracted the masses.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}} It is Mahendran's first directorial based on an original concept.{{sfn|Mahendran|2013|pp=343–344}}

The scene where Archana ([[Sridevi]]) proposes to Johnny was shot in [[Ooty]] in a bungalow at midnight. When the scene was shot, the whole unit was silent, they saw only the characters of the film, not Rajinikanth and Sridevi. After the scene was shot, Rajinikanth appreciated Sridevi's acting and mentioned to Mahendran that though he tried, she overshadowed him in the scene.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=40}} Because Rajinikanth played two roles, he was billed twice in the opening credits, as "Rajinikanth and Rajinikanth".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shivakumar |first=Vivek |date=11 December 2018 |title=A Superstar Career Through Titles |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/a-superstar-career-through-titles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730225954/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/a-superstar-career-through-titles/ |archive-date=30 July 2020 |access-date=18 February 2019 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref> To play Vidyasagar, Rajinikanth sported a centre-parted hairstyle and wore box-framed glasses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shivakumar |first=Vivek |date=12 December 2019 |title=The many looks of Rajinikanth that impressed |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/rajinikanth-birthday-superstar-looks-popular-baasha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207035801/https://www.filmcompanion.in/rajinikanth-birthday-superstar-looks-popular-baasha |archive-date=7 February 2020 |access-date=7 February 2020 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref>

== Themes ==
Kavitha Muralidharan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote that most of Mahendran's films, including ''Johnny'', "offer a prismatic view of relationships". She contrasted ''Johnny'' with Mahendran's earlier film ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'' (1979), saying that while that film's protagonist was "rigid in his relationship with people", the title character of ''Johnny'' is "as vulnerable as a woman could be".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muralidharan |first=Kavitha |date=10 August 2013 |title=Second coming? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/second-coming/article5009772.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814015351/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/second-coming/article5009772.ece |archive-date=14 August 2013 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Mani Prabhu of ''[[Cinema Express]]'' described Johnny as an antithesis to the "lead man of those times – the macho guy, surrounded by drooling girls, bashing up villains and spouting pretentious advice" by being "vulnerable, loving and grounded".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prabhu |first=Mani |date=25 July 2019 |title=Director Mahendran 80th birth anniversary: The filmmaker who unearthed the actor in Rajinikanth |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/trends/2019/jul/25/director-mahendran-80th-birth-anniversary-the-filmmaker-who-unearthed-the-actor-in-rajinikanth-13209.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200321140529/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/trends/2019/jul/25/director-mahendran-80th-birth-anniversary-the-filmmaker-who-unearthed-the-actor-in-rajinikanth-13209.html |archive-date=21 March 2020 |access-date=21 March 2020 |work=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny (1980) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000065 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030132436/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000065 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref> The song "Oru Iniya Manathu" is erroneously credited to [[Jensy Gregory|Jency]] on the original LP record marketed by Inreco,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jhonny – Nenjathai Killaathe Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/jhonny-nenjathai-killaathe-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908065126/https://mossymart.com/product/jhonny-nenjathai-killaathe-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja-2/ |archive-date=8 September 2021 |access-date=8 September 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> but actually sung by [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1980 |title=Jhonny (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/jhonny-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/938105991 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200915073144/https://music.apple.com/in/album/jhonny-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/938105991 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |access-date=15 September 2020 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref> The song "Aasaiye Kaathule" is set in the [[Carnatic raga]] known as [[Sindhu Bhairavi (raga)|Sindhu Bhairavi]],{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=125}} and "Kaatril Enthan" is set in [[Keeravani]].{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=138}} "Aasaiye Kaathule" was reused as "Raathri" in the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[Gundello Godari]]'' (2013).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=22 October 2012 |title=Gundello Godari (Music review), Telugu – Ilayaraja |url=https://milliblog.com/2012/10/22/gundello-godari-music-review-telugu-ilayaraja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007062620/https://milliblog.com/2012/10/22/gundello-godari-music-review-telugu-ilayaraja/ |archive-date=7 October 2021 |access-date=7 October 2021 |website=[[Milliblog]]}}</ref> It was also reused twice in [[Hindi]]: as "Dil Mere Udaas" (composed by [[Anand–Milind]]) for ''[[Angrakshak]]'' (1995), and as "Sannata" (composed by Ilaiyaraaja) in ''[[Shamitabh]]'' (2015).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=16 January 2015 |title=Shamitabh (Music review), Hindi – Ilayaraja |url=http://milliblog.com/2015/01/16/shamitabh-music-review-hindi-ilayaraja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002083138/http://milliblog.com/2015/01/16/shamitabh-music-review-hindi-ilayaraja/ |archive-date=2 October 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |website=[[Milliblog]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Sankhayan |date=30 January 2015 |title=Shamitabh music review: Ilaiyaraaja's music makes it special |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/play/play-it-again-16/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050512/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/play/play-it-again-16/ |archive-date=25 June 2018 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> "Kaatril Endhan Geetham" was reused in Hindi as "Naina Bole" in ''[[Aur Ek Prem Kahani]]'' (1996),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murali |first=Aarthi |last2=Balu |first2=Aparajitha |date=14 May 2020 |title=The God Who Created New Tunes: Celebrating 44 Years of Ilaiyaraaja |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/the-god-who-created-new-tunes-44-years-of-ilaiyaraaja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425033350/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/the-god-who-created-new-tunes-44-years-of-ilaiyaraaja/ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Silverscreen India |language=en}}</ref> and the instrumental theme was sampled by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] for the theme of ''[[7G Rainbow Colony]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |title=Yuvan Shankar Raja [Tamil] |url=https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-yuvan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018082313/http://www.itwofs.com/tamil-yuvan.html |archive-date=18 October 2019 |access-date=7 March 2020 |website=[[ItwoFS]]}}</ref> The film was dubbed into Telugu as ''Naa Pere Johnny'' and lyrics were written by Rajashri.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naa Pere Johnny (1988) Telugu Super Hit Movie LP Vinyl Record by Ilaiyaraja - Disco Music Center |url=https://dmcvinyl.com/collection/naa-pere-johnny-by-ilaiyaraja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114080843/https://dmcvinyl.com/collection/naa-pere-johnny-by-ilaiyaraja/ |archive-date=14 November 2024 |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=Disco Music Center |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = En Vaanilay
| lyrics1 = [[Kannadasan]]
| extra1 = [[Jensy Gregory|Jency]]
| length1 = 4:48
| title2 = Kaatril Enthan
| lyrics2 = [[Gangai Amaran]]
| extra2 = [[S. Janaki]]
| length2 = 4:29
| title3 = Aasaiye Kaathule
| lyrics3 = Gangai Amaran
| extra3 = [[S. P. Sailaja]]
| length3 = 4:40
| title4 = Senorita, I Love You
| lyrics4 = Gangai Amaran
| extra4 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length4 = 4:21
| title5 = Oru Iniya Manathu
| lyrics5 = Gangai Amaran
| extra5 = [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]]
| length5 = 4:21
| title6 = Chasing Music
| note6 = instrumental
| lyrics6 =  —
| extra6 =  —
| length6 = 4:23
| total_length = 27:02 
}}

{{track listing
| headline = Telugu (dubbed) track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ee Velalo Oke Veduka
| extra1 = [[P. Susheela]]
| title2 = Chakkadanala Chinnadhira
| extra2 = [[S. P. Sailaja]]
| title3 = Okka Kanne Manasu Kalalu
| extra3 = [[P. Susheela]]
| title4 = Senorita I Love You
| extra4 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| title5 = Ragile Ee Naa Geetham
| extra5 = [[S. Janaki]]
}}

== Release ==
''Johnny'' was released on 15 August 1980.{{sfn|Mahendran|2013|p=344}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 January 2015 |title=சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் ரஜினிகாந்த் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு 27 |trans-title=Superstar Rajinikanth's life history |url=http://canadauthayan.ca/oldsite/epaper/Jan30_2015/files/assets/downloads/page0048.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626165835/http://canadauthayan.ca/oldsite/epaper/Jan30_2015/files/assets/downloads/page0048.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=Uthayan |location=Canada |pages=48 |language=ta}}</ref> The title ''Johnny'' gave the impression of an action entertainer, hence it disappointed audiences in the first two weeks. However, the emotionally moving story, intense acting by Rajinikanth and Sridevi and songs attracted the audience, so the film picked up in the third week and became a success,{{sfn|Mahendran|2013|p=233}} running for over 100 days in theatres.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=42}}

== Critical reception ==
Piousji of the magazine ''Sunday'' wrote, "Sridevi not only looked smart, but came out with a convincing performance and [Rajinikanth] too was quite impressive" in ''Johnny''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Piousji |date=7 September 1980 |title=Khaas Baat |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12230/page/n401/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240304051128/https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12230/page/n401/mode/2up |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024 |magazine=Sunday |page=49 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' gave the film a C+ rating, equal to around 35 to 40 marks.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=42}} Writing for ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'', Nalini Sastry appreciated the film for eschewing Tamil cinema conventions such as fight scenes, club dances and loose fitting clothes, noting that Mahendran's direction, Ilaiyaraaja's music and Ashok Kumar's cinematography gave them the feeling of watching an American film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சாஸ்திரி |first=நளினி |date=7 September 1980 |title=ஜானி |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1980/sep/07-09-1980/p32.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220808124815/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1980/sep/07-09-1980/p32.jpg |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=7 October 2021 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=32 |language=ta}}</ref> Naagai Dharuman of ''Anna'' lauded Rajinikanth's dual role performance, Ashok Kumar's cinematography and Ilaiyaraaja's music.<ref>{{Cite news |last=தருமன் |first=நாகை |date=24 August 1980 |title=ஜானி |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_4_284/4.jp2/full/1000,1370/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223060816/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_4_284/4.jp2/full/1000,1370/0/default.jpg |archive-date=23 December 2024 |access-date=23 December 2024 |work=Anna |pages=4 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref>
== References ==
<references>

<ref name="kamadenu">{{Cite web |last=ராம்ஜி |first=வி. |date=26 July 2018 |title=ஜானி – அப்பவே அப்படி கதை! |url=https://www.kamadenu.in/news/cinema/4310-johny-appave-appadi-kadhai-4.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325113234/https://www.kamadenu.in/news/cinema/4310-johny-appave-appadi-kadhai-4.html |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |website=[[Kamadenu (magazine)|Kamadenu]] |language=ta}}</ref>

</references>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mahendran |author-link=Mahendran (filmmaker) |title=சினிமாவும் நானும் |publisher=Karpagam Publications |year=2013 |language=ta |trans-title=Cinema and I |oclc=54777094 |orig-date=2004}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Mahendran (filmmaker)}}

[[Category:1980 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:1980 films]]
[[Category:1980 Indian films]]
[[Category:1980 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Films about con artists]]
[[Category:Films about fraud]]
[[Category:Films about infidelity]]
[[Category:Films about lookalikes]]
[[Category:Films about singers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mahendran (filmmaker)]]
[[Category:Films produced by K. R. Gangadharan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Mahendran (filmmaker)]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Johnny (1980 film) - Revision history

Joshiankit994: started bio