| Akka Kuruvi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Samy |
| Screenplay by | Samy |
| Based on | Children of Heaven byMajid Majidi |
| Produced by | M. Muthukkaruppan Anitha Saminathan |
| Starring | Master Maheen Baby Davia Meenakshi Dinesh |
| Cinematography | Utpal V Nayanar |
| Edited by | Manigandan Sivakumar |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | PVR Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Akka Kuruvi (transl. Cuckoo)[1] is a 2022 IndianTamil-languagechildren'sdrama film directed bySamy and produced by Madurai Muthu Movies and Kanavu Thozhirsalai.[2] The film stars Master Maheen, Baby Davia and Meenakshi Dinesh (In herTamil debut) in the lead roles with a cameo appearance fromKathir andVarsha Bollamma.[3] The film's music was composed byIlaiyaraaja, with cinematography handled byUtpal V Nayanar and editing done by Manigandan Sivakumar. The film is a remake of the 1997Iranian filmChildren of Heaven. It was released in theatres on 6 May 2022.[4]
To not burden their impoverished parents, two siblings decide to share a pair of shoes after the brother loses the sister's. While this turns out to be more difficult than they imagined, fate offers a chance in the form of a marathon.
The soundtrack and score is composed byIlaiyaraaja and the album featured three songs. All the songs were written by Ilaiyaraaja himself. The song "Maanguyelum Kizhiyum" is based on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Maanguyelum Kizhiyum" | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, Vibhavari, Aishwarya | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Munnae Po" | Ilaiyaraaja | Anitha K, Dhivya S, Kavitha I, AS Namratha, C Sowmiya, Devu Treesa Mathew, Rasika V, Vaishnavi | 3:52 |
| 3. | "Poombarai Vazhbavane" | Ilaiyaraaja | Mukesh, Mahalinga VM,Velmurugan, Sellanguppan Mu Subramany, Anitha K,Chinnaponnu, Magizhini Manimaaran, A Dhanalakshmi | 3:43 |
M Suganth ofThe Times of India rated the film with 2/5 stars, stating that, "An underwhelming remake of a beloved Iranian film. The film largely banks on Ilaiyaraaja's background score to make us invested, and the maestro comes up with a suitably Insistent score that keeps nudging us towards the emotions that we are meant to feel. This and the inherent feel-goodness in the story are what keep the film afloat."[5] A critic fromNews Today said Akka Kuruvi is a film that deserves a good watch.[6]Dinamalar rated the film with 2.75/5 stars.[7] A reviewer fromMaalai Malar gave a rating of 5.5 out on 10 and called the film a summer feast.[8] Kirubhakar Purushothaman fromCinema Express noted that "Maybe, there is a third and unintentional use ofAkka Kuruvi – the film helps us learn how the same story can be made into a classic or, like this case, an embarrassment" and gave 1 star out of 5 stars.[9]Majid Majidi, director of the Iranian original, expressed appreciation for the remake, saying it did justice to the original and also highlighted Ilaiyaraaja's music.[10]
