Simla Special
title: "Simla Special" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1982-indian-films", "1980s-tamil-language-films", "1982-comedy-films", "1982-films", "films-about-actors", "films-about-theatre", "films-directed-by-muktha-srinivasan", "films-scored-by-m.-s.-viswanathan", "films-shot-in-himachal-pradesh", "films-with-screenplays-by-visu", "indian-comedy-films", "tamil-language-indian-films"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simla_Special" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox film"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Simla Special |
| image | Simla Special.jpg |
| caption | Theatrical release poster |
| director | Muktha Srinivasan |
| writer | Visu |
| producer | Muktha V. Ramaswamy |
| starring | {{plainlist |
| cinematography | M. Karnan |
| editing | V. P. Krishnan |
| C. R. Shanmugam | |
| music | M. S. Viswanathan |
| studio | Muktha Films |
| released | |
| country | India |
| language | Tamil |
| :: |
| name = Simla Special | image = Simla Special.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Muktha Srinivasan | writer = Visu | producer = Muktha V. Ramaswamy | starring = {{plainlist|
- Kamal Haasan
- Sripriya
- S. Ve. Shekher
- Y. G. Mahendran | cinematography = M. Karnan | editing = V. P. Krishnan C. R. Shanmugam | music = M. S. Viswanathan | studio = Muktha Films | released = | country = India | language = Tamil
Simla Special is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. S. V. Shekher, Sripriya, Thengai Srinivasan, Y. G. Mahendran and Manorama appear in supporting roles. It was released on 14 April 1982.
Plot
Gopu is a budding theatre artist. He and his close friend Babu own a popular troupe that performs low-budget comedy plays. To help Babu pay for his sister's wedding, they accept a commission to perform a set of plays for Tamils in Simla. One of the plays is titled Simla Special and is written by Mahalakshmi.
While Kamal is in Simla, Babu receives a telegram intended for Gopu informing him of Gopu's mother being seriously ill. Fearing the loss of the money if they renege on the Simla commission, Babu keeps the information from Gopu. Gopu subsequently finds out about his mother's illness when a friend calls to tell him that her situation has worsened. However, for the sake of his friend's sister, he decides to continue acting. He also keeps the information to himself, thinking that if Babu knew, he'd insist that Gopu go back to be by his mother's side.
On the last day of their engagement, Gopu finds the telegram in Babu's coat pocket and realises his friend's deception. He breaks off his friendship with Babu — but is forced to stay for one last encore before he leaves. While he is performing, Babu receives a call that Gopu's mother has recovered. All is forgiven and the friends reunite.
Cast
- Kamal Haasan as Gopu
- S. Ve. Shekher as Babu
- Sripriya as Mahalakshmi
- Thengai Srinivasan as Mahalakshmi's Father
- Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Sabha Secretary
- Manorama as Roja Devi
- Shanthi Krishna as Uma, Babu's sister
- Y. G. Mahendran as Vasu
- Vanitha as Sri Sri
- Delhi Ganesh as Sundaram
- Kamala Kamesh as Babu's Mother
- Pushpalatha as Gopu's Mother
- Sivachandran as Thief
- V. Gopalakrishnan as Rtd Judge R. Bhaskar's Father
- Kathadi Ramamurthy as Gurbani
- Hanumanthu as Simla Tamil Sangam Wise President
- Typist Gopu as Arthanaari
- Aisary Velan as Rikshaw Driver
- Gundu Kalyanam
- Usilai Mani as prospective bridegroom's father
- Loose Mohan as prospective bridegroom for Uma
- Oru Viral Krishna Rao
- Gandhimathi
- Vairam Krishnamoorthy
- R. Bhaskar as V. Gopalakrishnan's Son
Production
Kamal Haasan, besides acting as the male lead, also choreographed one song in the film: "Unakenna Mele Ninraai". The film was mainly shot in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Vaali. The song "Unakenna Mele Ninraai" is set in Sindhu Bhairavi raga.
| headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singers | total_length = 18:38 | title1 = Unakenna Mele Ninraai | extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | length1 = 4:48 | title2 = Thanjavur Melam | extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan | length2 = 4:55 | title3 = Look Love Me Dear | extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki | length3 = 4:35 | title4 = Kuthura Kuthulla | extra4 = Malaysia Vasudevan, Manorama | length4 = 4:20
Reception
Kalki gave the film a mixed review, criticising the story, cinematography for not perfectly capturing Shimla but praised Shekher's acting. Saavi praised the film's humour and cinematography.
References
References
- (30 May 2018). "Muktha Srinivasan was a people's person". [[Cinema Express]].
- (14 April 2021). "ஏப்ரல் 14ம் தேதியில் வெளியான திரைப்படங்கள்...".
- Rangan, Baradwaj. (16 October 2014). "Enriching cinema, Kamal style". [[The Hindu]].
- Das, Swairik. (6 September 2014). "How Does Indian Cinema Influence the Travel and Tourism Industry in India?".
- "Simla Special (1982)".
- (20 September 2013). "Ragas hit a high". [[The Hindu]].
- (10 May 2013). "Light and melodious". [[The Hindu]].
- (9 May 1982). "சிம்லா ஸ்பெஷல்".
- (1982). "சிம்லா ஸ்பெஷல்".
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