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{{Short description|1992 film by R. V. Udayakumar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Singaravelan.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[R. V. Udayakumar]]
| screenplay = R. V. Udayakumar
| story = [[Panchu Arunachalam]]
| producer = R. D. Bhaskar
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Kamal Haasan]]
* [[Khushbu Sundar|Khushbu]]
}}
| cinematography = Abdul Rehman
| editing = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio = Pavalar Creations
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|1992|4|13|df=y}}
| runtime = 150 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |last=R |first=Manoj Kumar |date=30 March 2020 |title=Streaming Guide: Kamal Haasan's comedy movies you can stream right now |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kamal-haasan-comedy-movies-streaming-6333082/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402002356/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kamal-haasan-comedy-movies-streaming-6333082/ |archive-date=2 April 2020 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Singaravelan''''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɪ|ŋ|ɡ|ɑːr|ə|v|eɪ|l|ə|n}}) is a 1992 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic comedy]] film<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=7 November 2019 |title=60 years on, the 'Sakalakala Vallavan' is still going strong |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/60-years-on-the-sakalakala-vallavan-is-still-going-strong/article29903881.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108221052/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/60-years-on-the-sakalakala-vallavan-is-still-going-strong/article29903881.ece |archive-date=8 November 2019 |access-date=17 October 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> written and directed by [[R. V. Udayakumar]] from a story by [[Panchu Arunachalam]]. The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Khushbu Sundar|Khushbu]]. It revolves around a villager who is tasked with locating his urbanite cousin and marrying her, with the intention of reuniting their separated family.

''Singaravelan'' was produced by R. D. Bhaskar under the production company Pavalar Creations. The film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Abdul Rahman handled cinematography, while [[B. Lenin]] and [[V. T. Vijayan]] handled editing respectively.

''Singaravelan'' was released on 13 April 1992 and became a hit at the box office. Though the film attained cult status in [[Tamil cinema]], it received criticism in later years for glorifying misogyny, sexism and stalking.

== Plot ==
Singaravelan "Velan" lives with his widowed mother Parvathy in a village. Velan's father died heartbroken that his marriage with Velan's mother was not accepted by her sister-in-law and they had broken all links. Further, they believe that it was Parvathy's curse that killed her brother and sister-in-law in a car accident and they get a promise from the guardian that their daughter should not be married to Parvathy's son. Velan's mother reveals that it is Velan's duty to marry her brother's daughter Sumathi to reunite the separated family. Armed with only a picture of the girl when she was four, he leaves for Madras to fulfil his mother's wishes.

Velan arrives at his friend Mano's house to implement his mission. Mano lives with three roommates: Mani, Subha, and Ramasamy. Velan explains his mission, and all of them agree to help him. At a computer centre, the clerk generates an image of the adolescent Sumathi. While at the beach, Velan and friends recognise a woman playing tennis as Sumathi. When Sumathi goes to fetch a ball from the sea, Velan goes to help her. He accidentally submerges her but manages to pull her out of the water. After regaining consciousness, she berates Velan as she knows swimming. Despite his friends' advice to leave Sumathi due to her arrogance, Velan refuses.

Velan and his friends follow Sumathi to a 5-star restaurant, where a flautist is performing. Once the performance ends, Sumathi kisses his hand. Velan too offers his hand to be kissed, wherein he is asked whether he knows anything about music. To prove her wrong, Velan sings a song while adorned with various musical instruments, but Sumathi insults the performance. Velan teases with harmless intention, and earns Sumathi's dislike.

Velan attempts to attract Thaiyamma, Sumathi's guardian, by visiting her house daily. Thaiyamma is attracted by Velan's entertaining nature. Velan lies by saying his mother's name as Mahalakshmi. Though Thaiyamma certifies Velan as a good man, Sumathi continues to hate him. Sumathi's uncle Natesan, a retired [[Inspector-general of police|IG]], visits Velan to warn him to stop teasing his niece. There, he realizes his father is Kaliannan Gounder, an industrialist who disowned him due to his passion for music. Unfortunately, he manages to meet Kaliannan to verify Velan's family background and finds everything true via Kaliannan. However, Velan and his friends have already visited Kaliannan and convinced him to lie to the general to help them out.

Velan manages to attract Sumathi gradually through a series of events, which makes Sumathi realize her femininity. Their love becomes strong when Sumathi hears that Velan is very serious at a hospital as he was attacked by some men hired by Natesan as he lied about being the son of an industrialist. She finds Velan dressed up with full bandages on his body (a drama by Velan who counterattacked the men sent by the uncle and instructs them to convey that the men attacked Velan, to Sumathi as part of the love mission). Velan's mother is informed about her son's hospitalization and immediately rushes to see him. There, she realizes the truth and feels easy. Velan and Sumathi's love grows steadily, and they decide to get engaged.

On the engagement day, through 'Sincere' Sivamani, the manager at Sumathi's factory, Sumathi learns that Velan is, in fact, the son of Parvathy, cancels the engagement and shuns him. Later, Natesan discovers that Sivamani has been using Sumathi's premises to print [[Counterfeit money|counterfeit bills]]. Sivamani kills Natesan and frames Velan. Velan escapes the police and goes on the run. His friends, mother, and Kaliannan are arrested as accomplices. Sivamani decides to kill Velan and marry Sumathi for her wealth and tricks Thaiyamma into accepting his proposal to marry Sumathi. He also uses one of his men to bring Velan in and to kill him, but Velan beats all the thugs and calls the police. Together with the police, Sivamani's ally, mother, and friends, Velan reaches the wedding hall and exposes Sivamani, who is arrested. Sumathi realises Velan's love and requests his mother to marry them. Velan and Sumathi then marry.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Singaravelan a.k.a. Velan
* [[Khushbu Sundar|Khushbu]] as Sumathi<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |author-link=Sowmya Rajendran |date=26 January 2017 |title=Why blood, same blood: From politics to everyday life, the Vadivelu-isms TN loves |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-blood-same-blood-politics-everyday-life-vadivelu-isms-tn-loves-56336 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810001725/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-blood-same-blood-politics-everyday-life-vadivelu-isms-tn-loves-56336 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |access-date=17 October 2020 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref>
* [[Jaishankar (actor)|Jaishankar]] as Natesan
* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Thaiyamma<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yamunan |first=Sruthisagar |date=12 October 2015 |title=When the camera rolled, she lived the character' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-the-camera-rolled-she-lived-the-character/article7751052.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029074558/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-the-camera-rolled-she-lived-the-character/article7751052.ece |archive-date=29 October 2016 |access-date=20 April 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
* [[Goundamani]] as Drums Mani
* [[Sumithra (actress)|Sumithra]] as Parvathi<ref name="daddy dearest" />
* [[C. R. Saraswathi]] as Sumathi's mother (cameo)
* [[Charle]] as Flute Ramasamy
* [[Vadivelu]] as "Michael Jackson Thangachi" Subha
* [[Mano (singer)|Mano]] as Mano
* [[V. K. Ramasamy (actor)|V. K. Ramasamy]] as Kaliannan Gounder
* [[Vennira Aadai Moorthy]] as Doctor
* [[Sangili Murugan]] (cameo)
* [[Vinu Chakravarthy]] (cameo)
* [[Malaysia Vasudevan]] as Sumathi's father (cameo)
* [[Shanmugasundaram]] (cameo)
* [[Oru Viral Krishna Rao]] as marriage broker
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as "Sincere" Sivamani
* [[Ajay Rathnam|Ajay]] as a thug
* Veeraraghavan as Commissioner
* [[Peeli Sivam]] as inspector
* [[Swaminathan]] as one of the constables
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Velan's father (uncredited)<ref name="daddy dearest">{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=16 June 2017 |title=Daddy dearest |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jun/16/daddy-dearest-1617504.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409085903/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jun/16/daddy-dearest-1617504.html |archive-date=9 April 2019 |access-date=20 February 2021 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>
}}

== Production ==
A few scenes were shot at the [[Southern Railway Headquarters, Chennai|Southern Railway Headquarters]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srikanth |first=R. |date=August 18, 2025 |title=Madras Day 2025: When Tamil cinema and railways cross tracks in Chennai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-tamil-cinema-and-railways-cross-tracks-in-chennai/article69928044.ece/amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902054724/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-tamil-cinema-and-railways-cross-tracks-in-chennai/article69928044.ece/amp |archive-date=2025-09-02 |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singaravelan |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6tzNcu9zkuesvD1LEdlNPu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929145002/https://open.spotify.com/album/6tzNcu9zkuesvD1LEdlNPu |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=[[Spotify]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Singaravelan – Tamil Audio Cassette by Ilayaraaja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/singaravelan-tamil-audio-cassette-by-ilayaraaja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220065044/https://mossymart.com/product/singaravelan-tamil-audio-cassette-by-ilayaraaja/ |archive-date=20 February 2021 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> The song "Innum Ennai Enna" is set in the [[Carnatic raga]] [[Nata (raga)|Nata]],{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=133}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=20 December 2013 |title=Versatile Nattai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/versatile-nattai/article5482691.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221051732/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/versatile-nattai/article5482691.ece |archive-date=21 December 2019 |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> "Pudhu Cheri Katcheri" is set in [[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Sankarabharanam]],{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=155}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=22 November 2013 |title=Catchy and classical |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/catchy-and-classical/article5379858.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325071327/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/catchy-and-classical/article5379858.ece |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> and "Thoodhu Selvadharadi" is set in [[Charukesi]].{{sfn |Sundararaman |2007 |p=162}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=3 February 2012 |title=A Raga's Journey — The charm of Charukesi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-the-charm-of-charukesi/article2857091.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505180304/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-the-charm-of-charukesi/article2857091.ece |archive-date=5 May 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 31:05
| title1 = Sonnapadi Kelu
| lyrics1 = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| extra1 = [[Kamal Haasan]], Chorus
| length1 = 5:13
| title2 = O Ranga Sriranga
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Arunmozhi]], Saibaba, Chorus
| lyrics2 = [[Gangai Amaran]]
| length2 = 5:11
| title3 = Innum Ennai Enna
| lyrics3 = [[R. V. Udayakumar]]
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. Janaki]]
| length3 = 4:03
| title4 = Pudhu Cheri Katcheri
| lyrics4 = Vaali
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Yuvashankar, Pothirani, Harikrishna, Sathaya
| length4 = 6:22
| title5 = Thoodhu Selvadharadi
| lyrics5 = Ponnadiyan
| extra5 = S. Janaki
| length5 = 2:26
| title6 = Pudhu Cheri Katcheri
| note6 = Sad
| lyrics6 = Vaali
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length6 = 2:03
| title7 = Pottu Vaitha Kathal Thittam
| lyrics7 = Vaali
| extra7 = Kamal Haasan, [[Arunmozhi]], Saibaba
| length7 = 5:00
}}


== Release and reception ==
''Singaravelan'' was released on 13 April 1992, in the week of [[Puthandu]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sambandan |first=Aparanjeetha |date=9 August 2017 |title=Top 7 memorable Tamil New Year film releases |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/top-7-memorable-tamil-new-year-film-releases-news-tamil-reoqhSegehfag.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009212557/http://www.sify.com/movies/top-7-memorable-tamil-new-year-film-releases-news-tamil-reoqhSegehfag.html |archive-date=9 October 2018 |access-date=20 December 2019 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "The script betrays an episodic approach, but [Kamal Haasan] carries himself with poise in a role that does not make much demands on him, except for some spirited dancing and singing, and the pack of comedians made up of Goundamani, Charlie, Vadivelu and Manorama, despite some ridiculous attempts at humour off and on, make a generally good impression."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnaswamy |first=N. |date=17 April 1992 |title=Singaaravelan |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19920417&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=26 April 2018 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=7 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Sriram of ''Vannathirai'' appreciated Udayakumar for giving a different kind of [[masala film]] starring Haasan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஸ்ரீராம் |date=1992 |title=சிங்௧ாரவேலன் |url=https://ibb.co/zXGJnDY |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928043753/https://ibb.co/zXGJnDY |archive-date=28 September 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022 |magazine=Vannathirai |page=17 |language=ta}}</ref> C. R. K. of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' called it an entertaining masala, but criticised the story.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சி. ஆர். கே. |date=26 April 1992 |title=சிங்௧ாரவேலன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1992-04-26/page/n61/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231030120059/https://archive.org/details/kalki1992-04-26/page/n61/mode/2up |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=30 October 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=60 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> ''Singaravelan'' did well at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=12 October 2015 |title=Manorama, More Than Aachi |url=https://thewire.in/film/manorama-more-than-aachi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220065302/https://thewire.in/film/manorama-more-than-aachi |archive-date=20 February 2021 |access-date=17 October 2020 |website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''Singaravelan'' attained cult status in [[Tamil cinema]].<ref name="daddy dearest" /> The scene where the title character and his friends visits a computer centre to digitally visualise what Sumathi would look like in present-day gained popularity for its comedy.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ramanujam |first1=Srinivasa |last2=Menon |first2=Vishal |date=7 November 2016 |title=What did Kamal Haasan teach us? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/What-did-Kamal-Haasan-teach-us/article16439215.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105014954/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/What-did-Kamal-Haasan-teach-us/article16439215.ece |archive-date=5 January 2018 |access-date=13 April 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2013 |title=Computer Poche! The demise of Kollywood's funny & futuristic side |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/icomputer-pochei-the-demise-of-kollywoods-funny--futuristic-side-news-kollywood-nlgtBRacjchsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220065124/https://www.sify.com/movies/icomputer-pochei-the-demise-of-kollywoods-funny--futuristic-side-news-kollywood-nlgtBRacjchsi.html |archive-date=20 February 2021 |access-date=17 October 2020 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Despite its cult status, the film drew criticism in later years for glorifying misogyny, sexism and stalking.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manickavel |first=Kuzhali |date=26 September 2020 |title=Singaravelan: Was Kamal Haasan's 1992 film swashbuckling bucket of family fun, or sexist stalking saga? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/singaravelan-was-kamal-haasans-1992-film-swashbuckling-bucket-of-family-fun-or-sexist-stalking-saga-8825381.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127024159/https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/singaravelan-was-kamal-haasans-1992-film-swashbuckling-bucket-of-family-fun-or-sexist-stalking-saga-8825381.html |archive-date=27 November 2020 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Manickavel |first=Kuzhali |date=27 September 2020 |title=Revisiting Singaravelan: Nine thoughts on watching '90s Kamal Haasan-starrer |url=https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/revisiting-singaravelan-nine-thoughts-on-watching-90s-kamal-haasan-starrer-8825961.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115175211/https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/revisiting-singaravelan-nine-thoughts-on-watching-90s-kamal-haasan-starrer-8825961.html |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Prateek |date=29 October 2016 |title=Monsters as Romeos, encouraging mothers: The psychology behind stalking in cinema |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/monsters-romeos-encouraging-mothers-psychology-behind-stalking-cinema-52103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812154611/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/monsters-romeos-encouraging-mothers-psychology-behind-stalking-cinema-52103 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{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}}

{{R. V. Udayakumar}}

[[Category:1992 Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s masala films]]
[[Category:1992 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1992 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about counterfeit money]]
[[Category:Films directed by R. V. Udayakumar]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Panchu Arunachalam]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic comedy films]]

Singaravelan - Revision history

AAZAMAZEEM: Starting initial article from scratch