BHARATHI KANNAMAA
A film by Cheran
Bharathi Kannamma is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Cheran, starring R. Parthiban and Meena. The film marks Cheran's debut as a director and screenwriter. It was released on 15 January 1997 and emerged a success. Prabhu Solomon remade the film in Kannada as Usire (2001).
RELEASE AND RECEPTION
Bharathi Kannamma was released on 15 January 1997. Upon release, the film was almost banned due to accusations of caste-subversive content. As a result, some releases had deleted scenes, and in Rajapalayam the film was not immediately released. R. P. R. of Kalki praised Cheran for treating the same old plot differently from other directors while also showing the mental flow of characters poetically while praising the acting of Parthiban and Meena but felt director falls flat in Vijayakumar's character. He also praised Cheran for having anti-climax in his debut film but concluded saying its little tough for audience to accept lovers becoming immortal for creating immortal love stories. Ananda Vikatan rated the film 48 out of 100.