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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Taj Mahal
| image = Taj Mahal (1999 film).jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Bharathiraja]]
| screenplay = [[Mani Ratnam]]
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = [[R. Selvaraj (screenwriter)|R. Selvaraj]]
}}
| story = Mani Ratnam R. Selvaraj
| producer = Janani Ishwarya
| starring = [[Manoj Bharathiraja|Manoj]] [[Riya Sen]]
| cinematography = [[B. Kannan]] [[Madhu Ambat]]
| editing = K. K. Pazhanivel
| music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| studio = Janani Cine Arts
| released = {{film date|1999|11|7|df=y}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Taj Mahal''''' ({{IPAc-en|θ|ɑː|dʒ|_|m|ə|ˈ|h|ɑː|l}}) is a 1999 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[Bharathiraja]]. The film stars his son, [[Manoj Bharathiraja|Manoj]], and [[Riya Sen]] in their debut as lead actors, with a supporting [[ensemble cast]] including [[Revathi]], [[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]], and [[Ranjitha]]. The film was written by [[Mani Ratnam]] while the music was composed by [[A. R. Rahman]] and [[B. Kannan]] handled the camera. The story of the film revolved around two clashing communities and two lovers caught in the vortex of their rivalry. The film was released during [[Diwali]] in 1999 and fared poorly at the box office.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Renuka |first=Methil |date=8 November 1999 |title=Curtain Raiser |url=http://cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/2AF780924CB40BDE65256940004B7BAC?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014050909/http://cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/2AF780924CB40BDE65256940004B7BAC?OpenDocument |archive-date=14 October 2007 |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{more plot|section|date=June 2023}}
Thiruppaachi and Sengulam are neighbouring villages with a history of enmity between them. Maayan and Machakanni meet on the day of her engagement and it is [[love at first sight]]. Her marriage itself gets called off when the groom and his family insult Machakanni's family and her romance with Maayan continues. However, when her brother finds out about him, all hell breaks loose. The turned-down bridegroom is still itching for revenge and figuring out that the only way to extract it is to marry Machakanni. He pleads for forgiveness and succeeds in melting her brother's heart. The marriage is finalised but Maayan's friends swear to unite the star-crossed lovers. There is also a subplot of Maayan's aunt trying to get her daughter married off to Maayan.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Manoj Bharathiraja|Manoj]] as Maayan
*[[Riya Sen]] as Machakanni
*[[Revathi]] as Maayan's mother
*[[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] as Maayan's aunt
*[[Ranjitha]] as Machakanni's sister in law
*[[Manivannan]]
*[[Manobala]]
*[[Raj Kapoor (Tamil film director)|Raj Kapoor]] as Machakanni's brother
*[[Theni Kunjarammal]]
*Theni K. Murugan
*Balakrishnan
*Minnal Deepa as Machakanni's friend
}}

== Production ==
[[Bharathiraja]] introduced his son Manoj as an actor with the film, stating that his son should appear as an actor before fulfilling his dreams of working as a part of the crew.<ref name="fascination">{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=12 November 1999 |title=Fascination for the pastoral |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/C63CD5757AEEAAD765256940004C8A7E?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224174240/http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/C63CD5757AEEAAD765256940004C8A7E?OpenDocument |archive-date=24 December 2008 |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Riya Sen]], daughter of Hindi actress [[Moon Moon Sen]] was signed on to play the leading female role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 1998 |title=Southern sojourn |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325145635/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |archive-date=25 March 2018 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Leading film-maker [[Mani Ratnam]] wrote the story for the film, while [[Rajiv Menon]] was also involved in initial script discussions but opted out after the film became a village-centric project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 1998 |title=Three movie moguls from south India team up for film 'Taj Mahal' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19980406-three-movie-moguls-from-south-india-team-up-for-film-taj-mahal-826050-1998-04-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619041045/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19980406-three-movie-moguls-from-south-india-team-up-for-film-taj-mahal-826050-1998-04-05 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Potti Tamil Movie News (A.R.R. News and more!) |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/99/February/pnews_20150.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609215317/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/99/February/pnews_20150.html |archive-date=9 June 2012 |access-date=15 February 2012 |website=Indolink}}</ref> [[A. R. Rahman]] was signed to score the music while veteran cinematographers [[B. Kannan]] and [[Madhu Ambat]] also signed the project, ending a long hiatus in Tamil films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=V S |date=31 January 1998 |title=Through the looking glass |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jan/31amb.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718144602/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jan/31amb.htm |archive-date=18 July 2018 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

The team started pre-production work in late 1997 and shooting began in 1998, with the project becoming Janani Cine Arts' most expensive production to date.<ref name="fascination" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sandya |title=Best of 1997 |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/98/Jan/winners/best1997.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119102008/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/98/Jan/winners/best1997.htm |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=14 October 2016 |website=Indolink}}</ref> During production, Bharathiraja considered giving his son a stage name of Manibharathi, but ultimately opted against doing so.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 November 1999 |title=Mumtaz's magical eyes |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/58C92B713509E5D165256940004C8A7C?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408084932/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/58C92B713509E5D165256940004C8A7C?OpenDocument |archive-date=8 April 2008 |access-date=25 March 2022 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> An exact replica of the [[Taj Mahal]] was created on [[Marina Beach]] in Chennai for a song sequence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=7 June 1999 |title=Star spawn aim high |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/07ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226045726/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/07ss.htm |archive-date=26 December 2014 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The film was shot across areas including Kulu Manali, Badhami, Hampi, Bellari and Poomparai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=old news |url=http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~kailasan/old_news.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414202603/http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~kailasan/old_news.htm |archive-date=14 April 2012 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=Pvv.ntnu.no}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack features 10 songs composed by A. R. Rahman and lyrics by [[Vairamuthu]]. The album marked Rahman's fourth collaboration with Bharathiraja. The songs were noted for the extensive use of traditional instruments. Rahman introduced several singers into the Tamil music scene, the most notable being [[Palakkad Sreeram]]. He sang a [[dappankuthu]] style song "Thirupaachi".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradeep |first=K. |date=8 September 2007 |title=Musical notes |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/09/08/stories/2007090851230300.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317132901/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/09/08/stories/2007090851230300.htm |archive-date=17 March 2008 |access-date=8 September 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Suchitra Lata of ''The Music Magazine'' wrote "Rahman's music is aptly bare for the village setting; it has energy and is warmly stylised by an orchestra of the cello, violins and drums."<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's raining on the Tajmahal |url=http://www.themusicmagazine.com/tajmahal.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021112155215/http://www.themusicmagazine.com/tajmahal.html |archive-date=12 November 2002 |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=The Music Magazine}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Thirupaachi
| extra1 = [[Kalpana Raghavendar]], [[Clinton Cerejo]], [[Palakkad Sreeram]], Chandran
| length1 = 6:55
| title2 = Chotta Chotta
| extra2 = [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| note2 = female
| length2 = 5:45
| title3 = Adi Manjakelange
| extra3 = [[Ganga Sitharasu]], [[Febi Mani]], [[Theni Kunjarammal]], Kanchana
| length3 = 2:52
| title4 = Kizhakke Nandavanam
| extra4 = Ganga Sitharasu, Febi Mani, Theni Kunjarammal, Kanchana
| length4 = 2:47
| title5 = Eechi Elemichhi
| extra5 = [[Manoj Bharathiraja]], [[B. Arundhathi]], Raqueeb Alam, Parthasarathy ([[Veena]] in first interlude), [[Naveen_Kumar_(musician)|Naveen]] ([[Flute]] in second interlude)
| length5 = 6:45
| title6 = Chotta Chotta
| extra6 = [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| note6 = male
| length6 = 5:32
| title7 = Kulirudhu Kulirudhu
| extra7 = [[Unni Krishnan]], [[Swarnalatha]], [[R. Visweswaran]] ([[Santoor (Persian instrument)|Iranian Santoor]] in second interlude)
| length7 = 4:44
| title8 = Sengaathey (Sengatrae)
| extra8 = [[T. K. Kala]], [[Richa Sharma (singer)|Richa Sharma]] (Punjabi Version 'Rabba Ve' in the background)
| length8 = 4:54
| title9 = Eechi Elemichhi
| extra9 = Krishnaraj, [[B. Arundhathi]], Raqueeb Alam
| length9 = 6:45
| title10 = Karisal Tharasil
| extra10 = [[M. G. Sreekumar]], [[K. S. Chithra]], Srinivas (Humming)
| length10 = 5:54
}}

== Release ==
The film was initially slated to face a box office battle with several other big films, notably ''[[Hey Ram]]'', ''[[Alai Payuthey]]'', ''[[Kandukondain Kandukondain]]'', and ''[[Mudhalvan]]'', but the delay of the first three gave ''Taj Mahal'' a possible leeway to become a success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 1999 |title=Love makes the filmi world go round |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/nov/04spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518113054/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/nov/04spice.htm |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Despite this, the film became a box office failure and Manoj's career failed to take off despite a high-profile launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=31 May 2000 |title=Bharatiraja's son gets a second chance |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/31spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518112805/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/31spice.htm |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Journalists attributed the film's failure to the use of artificial sets to depict villages, in contrast to Bharathiraja's penchant for authenticity and realism, while Bharathiraja blamed it on Rahman's music.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 1999 |title=Bharathi Raja is hard hit |url=http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/november1999.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306122616/http://www.newtamilfilms.com/news/archive/november1999.html |archive-date=6 March 2001 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=New Tamil Films Online}}</ref> Irrespective of the film's performance, in 2004 Riya Sen regarded ''Taj Mahal'' as showcasing the best role in her career to that point.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 2004 |title=My best role is from my Tamil film Taj Mahal: Riya Sen |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/my-best-role-is-from-my-tamil-film-taj-mahal-riya-sen/story-GgeT2wOLhv12XEuzxqTm4I.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618091419/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/my-best-role-is-from-my-tamil-film-taj-mahal-riya-sen/story-GgeT2wOLhv12XEuzxqTm4I.html |archive-date=18 June 2023 |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> The film was set to be dubbed and released in Telugu, but the financial losses suffered had deterred the version.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2000 |title=A.R. Rahman Facts!! [long article] |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.movies.local.indian/c/Crpzd12yYiQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515065103/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.movies.local.indian/c/Crpzd12yYiQ |archive-date=15 May 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=[[Google Groups]]}}</ref> Manoj won the Dinakaran Cinema Award for Best Newface Actor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards: "Dinakaran Cinema Awards"--1999 |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625100834/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/28-1.htm |archive-date=25 June 2008 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=[[Dinakaran]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
G. Ulaganathan of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' said that ''Taj Mahal'' was "vintage Bharatiraja at his best", while also adding that Riya Sen "shines in spite of an alien language and the totally strange cultural milieu in which she is placed". Ulaganathan added that "song picturisation is brilliant and Revathy and Radhika, both favourite ex-heroines of the director, put up an impressive show." He also said the "only eyesore is hero Manoj" and that Bharathiraja "has been a little over-ambitious here and could have edited at least 20% of the film, including many unnecessary action scenes."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=22 November 1999 |title=Over-ambitious venture |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/16B7A49AEC224CE265256941003DC8AB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003174653/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/16B7A49AEC224CE265256941003DC8AB?OpenDocument |archive-date=3 October 2011 |access-date=15 February 2012 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Aurangazeb of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' panned the acting of the lead pair but praised the acting of other actors, Rahman's music, Kannan's cinematography and felt the film lacked the realism of Bharathiraja's previous films and concluded saying this film is not an eternal love, it is a love that chases away.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஒளரங்கசீப் |date=21 November 1999 |title=தாஜ்மஹால் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1999-11-21/page/n17/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230615153935/https://archive.org/details/kalki1999-11-21/page/n17/mode/2up |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=16 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> K. N. Vijiyan of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' wrote, "Though the story may not be new, it should be a treat for young lovers and Bharathiraaja fans".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. N. |date=27 November 1999 |title=The same old love theme |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vFRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633%2C5624474 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122259/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vFRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633%2C5624474 |archive-date=20 June 2024 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=Reel Stuff 4 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' lauded Kannan's cinematography, Bharathiraja's screenplay and Rahman's music but criticised the story for lacking novelty.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=19 November 1999 |title=Cinema: The Sixth Sense \ Tajmahal |url=http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/11/19/stories/09190222.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010604234129/http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/11/19/stories/09190222.htm |archive-date=4 June 2001 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Bharathiraja}}
{{Mani Ratnam}}

[[Category:1999 Indian films]]
[[Category:1999 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1999 films]]
[[Category:1999 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bharathiraja]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kollam]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Bharathiraja]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

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Taj Mahal (1999 film) - Revision history

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