Pushpaka Vimana (1987 film)

{{short description|1987 film by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox film | image = Pushpaka Vimana (1987).jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster in Kannada | director = Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | writer = Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | producer = {{plainlist| * Shringar Nagaraj * Singeetam Srinivasa Rao }} | starring = Kamal Haasan | cinematography = B. C. Gowrishankar | editing = D. Vasu | music = L. Vaidyanathan | studio = Mandakini Chitra | released = {{Film date|1987|11|27|df=yes}} | runtime = 131 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=481}} | country = India | language =  | budget = {{INR}} 35 lakh<ref name="budget" /> | gross = {{INR}} 1 crore{{sfn|Garga|1996|p=292}}<ref name="indiatoday" /> }} '''''Pushpaka Vimana''''' ({{Translation|The Flower Chariot}}) is a 1987 Indian black comedy film<ref name="economictimes" /> written and directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, who co-produced it with Shringar Nagaraj. The film, which has no dialogue, stars Kamal Haasan leading an ensemble cast that includes Samir Khakhar, Tinu Anand, K. S. Ramesh, Amala, Farida Jalal, Pratap Potan, Lokanath, P. L. Narayana and Ramya. It revolves around an unemployed graduate who encounters a drunk rich man unconscious and takes over his lifestyle after keeping him prisoner. However, he does not realise the dangers he has brought upon himself because a hired killer believes him to be his target.

Srinivasa Rao's desire to make a dialogue-less film came when he was working as an assistant director in a film where a character had to emote fear without dialogue in a scene. Once the idea for ''Pushpaka Vimana'' materialised, Srinivasa Rao wrote the screenplay within two weeks. The film was the only one produced by Nagaraj. Due to the lack of dialogue, Srinivasa Rao was able to cast actors from different parts of India. The cinematography was handled by B. C. Gowrishankar, editing by D. Vasu, art direction by Thota Tharani, and the background score was composed by L. Vaidyanathan. The film was shot in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The film was released on 27 November 1987 with different titles for different linguistic regions: its original title ''Pushpaka Vimana'' in Karnataka (Kannada), ''Pushpaka Vimanam'' in Andhra Pradesh (Telugu), ''Pushpak'' ({{Translation|Flower}}) in Hindi-speaking regions, ''Pesum Padam'' ({{Translation|Talking Picture}}) in Tamil Nadu (Tamil), and ''Pushpakvimanam'' in Kerala (Malayalam). It received critical acclaim and became a commercial success, with a 35-week theatrical run in Bengaluru. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment as a Kannada entry and in three categories at the 35th Filmfare Awards South in the Kannada branch: Best Film, Best Director (Srinivasa Rao) and Best Actor (Haasan).

== Plot == An unemployed graduate living in a ramshackle lodge called Anand Bhavan dreams of riches. He tries to show off his meagre wealth in front of a roadside beggar but is humbled to discover the beggar has accumulated more money than him. Once as he is window shopping, he drops in an emporium where he meets a young woman trying on earrings. He suggests her earrings without she asking him to do so. Then he sees her again while waiting in line to apply for job vacancies. She mistakes the expensive car he is leaning against to be his, and he happily pretends she is right. He finds that she is wearing the earrings suggested by him.

One night, the graduate finds a drunk rich man unconscious by the roadside. Finding in his pocket, a key to a suite in the plush "Pushpak" hotel, the graduate kidnaps and imprisons the rich man in his room at Anand Bhavan, while he moves into the rich man's suite at Pushpak and takes over his lifestyle.

The rich man's wife has an extramarital affair with his friend, who hires a contract killer to kill the rich man without her knowledge. The friend hands over some money and only the suite number (no name) to the killer. The killer stakes out the rich man's suite at Pushpak and mistakes the graduate as his target. The graduate discovers the same young woman in a suite opposite his balcony in the same hotel. She is the daughter of a magician performing at the hotel. One day, at a buffet counter, she slaps him after mistaking him for pulling a prank on her. But she is ashamed of her deed when she discovers that the prank was done by a young boy. They mend ways while paying tribute at the funeral of the hotel owner, and then they spend time together and develop a romantic relationship.

Meanwhile, the killer tries to kill the graduate with ice daggers, but he fails in every attempt, with the graduate unaware of the threat to his life. Eventually, the graduate realises the killer is in the hotel to kill someone but does not know who. The killer intrudes into his suite, and barely survives getting electrocuted while trying to stab the graduate. While the killer is still unconscious, the graduate drops him in his suite. Upon gaining consciousness, the frustrated and frightened killer travels to the extramarital lover's bungalow to report his failure, and the graduate follows him and learns the truth. The rich man's wife learns of her lover's treachery and leaves him.

In a montage shown about the hotel owner, the graduate realises that the owner was once a poor man similar to himself. Seeing what the hotel owner achieved by fair means, the graduate begins to question his actions. He sees the roadside beggar has died, and municipality workers arrive to take away the body. However, discovering the beggar's stash, they abandon his body and squabble over the money. The graduate decides to stop his deceit. He frees the rich man and explains the situation to him in a letter. The rich man and his wife reunite, and he stops drinking.

The graduate decides to come clean to the magician's daughter too. He learns the magician's family is about to leave Pushpak. He confesses the truth to the magician's daughter through a letter, and to his surprise she forgives him. As she is leaving the hotel, she tells graduate that her home is quite far away through signs. She writes down something on a paper and drops a rose wrapped in the paper from her car window as they depart Pushpak. The graduate picks up the rose, but the wind blows the paper into a gutter. Later, the graduate is shown standing in line again to apply for job vacancies.

== Cast ==  {{Cast listing| * Kamal Haasan as the unemployed graduate *Samir Khakhar as the rich man *Tinu Anand as the killer *K. S. Ramesh as the magician * Amala as the magician's daughter * Farida Jalal as the magician's wife * Pratap Potan as the lover * Lokanath as the hotel owner<ref name="telugucinema1" /> *P. L. Narayana as the beggar *Ramya as the rich man's wife }}

== Production == === Development === Singeetam Srinivasa Rao was assisting director K. V. Reddy in a film where there was a scene requiring a character to emote fear without dialogues.<ref name="Little John" /> Srinivasa Rao wondered if he could make an entire film that way for a long time, but did not have an idea for the story. The idea for the film that would become ''Pushpaka Vimana'' came to Srinivasa Rao when he was in a shower, after which he wrote the screenplay within two weeks. Kamal Haasan agreed to work on the film after being impressed by the script.<ref name="telugucinema1" /> According to him, the story was originally a tragedy, but after being inspired by Charlie Chaplin, he and Srinivasa Rao decided to change it to a tragicomedy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haasan |first=Kamal |author-link=Kamal Haasan |date=13 August 2017 |title=Bollywood blockbuster to Kollywood classic: Kamal Haasan picks his 70 favourite movies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/kamal-hassan-70-movies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170813134310/http://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/kamal-hassan-70-movies/ |archive-date=13 August 2017 |access-date=10 January 2021 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2022 |title=As Pushpak turns 35, Kamal Haasan pens heartfelt note for director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/pushpak-turns-35-kamal-haasan-pens-a-heartfelt-note-to-its-director-101669607583265.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208141915/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/pushpak-turns-35-kamal-haasan-pens-a-heartfelt-note-to-its-director-101669607583265.html |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> ''Pushpaka Vimana'' thus became the first full-length dialogue-less film in India after the "silent era" of cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 April 2014 |title=Pushpaka Vimanam was India's first silent film |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Pushpaka-Vimanam-was-Indias-first-silent-film/articleshow/34366731.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820080823/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know/Pushpaka-Vimanam-was-Indias-first-silent-film/articleshow/34366731.cms |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=29 April 2014 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

The film struggled to find a producer, prompting Srinivasa Rao to take over production himself.<ref name="telugucinema2" /> When Kannada actor Shringar Nagaraj, a relative of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar with whom Srinivasa Rao was working at that time, heard that Srinivasa Rao was producing a film on his own, he asked about the subject. Srinivasa Rao narrated ''Pushpaka Vimana'', Nagaraj showed excitement and joined as co-producer,<ref name="telugucinema2" /> with the film being produced under Mandakani Chitra,<ref name="sify" /> a company based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Cinema 1988 |url=https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/136_IPCatalogue1988.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131153025/https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/136_IPCatalogue1988.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2020 |access-date=3 February 2020 |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |pages=121–122}}</ref> ''Pushpaka Vimana'' was the only film Nagaraj had produced in his entire career.<ref name="silverscreen" /> Cinematography was handled by B. C. Gowrishankar, editing by D. Vasu,<ref name="dff" /> and art direction by Thota Tharani, who had worked with Srinivasa Rao on ''Raja Paarvai'' (1981).<ref name="telugucinema1" />

=== Casting ===  Since the film had no dialogue, Srinivasa Rao chose to cast actors from different parts of India.<ref name="telugucinema2" /> Haasan, a native of Tamil Nadu, was cast as the protagonist, an unemployed graduate.<ref name="scroll" /> He had to shave his signature moustache for the role.<ref name="sify" /> Srinivasa Rao initially wanted Neelam Kothari to be the female lead, but she wanted to wear "glittering costumes" like in Bollywood films; hence, Srinivasa Rao did not cast her. After seeing Amala compere an awards function in Madras, enquiring about her and getting to know about her Kalakshetra background, he approached her and she accepted.<ref name="telugucinema2" /> Srinivasa Rao decided to cast Samir Khakhar as the drunk rich man, inspired by his drunkard character Khopdi from the Hindi television series ''Nukkad''.<ref name="telugucinema2" />

Srinivasa Rao initially approached Amrish Puri to portray the contract killer, but he could not accept the offer due to unavailability of dates.{{sfn|Puri|Sabharwal|2006|p=242}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2 December 2019 |title=A short film revolving around Tinder in India |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/anil-kapoor-and-farah-khan-partake-in-a-panel-discussion-in-hyderabad-which-also-marked-the-unveiling-of-the-short-film-tinde/article30137763.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203143642/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/anil-kapoor-and-farah-khan-partake-in-a-panel-discussion-in-hyderabad-which-also-marked-the-unveiling-of-the-short-film-tinde/article30137763.ece |archive-date=3 December 2019 |access-date=7 December 2019 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Haasan's then-wife Sarika showed a photograph of Tinu Anand and successfully recommended him for the role.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2018 |title=A throwback to the '90s with Tinnu Anand |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/celebs/2018/jan/25/a-throwback-to-the-90s-with-tinnu-anand-5840.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209150621/https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/celebs/2018/jan/25/a-throwback-to-the-90s-with-tinnu-anand-5840.html |archive-date=9 December 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=Indulge Express}}</ref> Pratap Potan, then known mainly for portraying dark characters, played a comical character,<ref name="silverscreen" /> the illicit lover of Ramya's character.<ref name="telugucinema1" /> Srinivasa Rao initially wanted Bengali magician P. C. Sorcar Jr. to portray the female lead's magician father,<ref name="scroll" /> but ultimately chose K. S. Ramesh after seeing his performance in a magic show on television in Bengaluru, where the story is set.<ref name="telugucinema2" /> Farida Jalal, who was then visiting Bengaluru, was cast as the female lead's mother.<ref name="scroll" /> According to Srinivasa Rao, P. L. Narayana proved the "ideal choice" for playing the beggar.<ref name="telugucinema2" />

=== Filming ===  Thota Tharani constructed a street set for the film beside the Hyland Hotel in Bengaluru. The ramshackle room where the graduate lives, and the building itself, was constructed above the hotel. Most of the shooting was done in the Windsor Manor hotel in Bengaluru.<ref name="telugucinema2" /> The management of Windsor Manor were not initially willing to let the film be shot there, but after Nagaraj told them that "the entire world will know about this hotel after the film", they agreed. The scenes where the graduate meets the beggar were shot at a bridge near Windsor Manor.<ref name="scroll" /> According to Anand, Srinivasa Rao wanted the entire cast to be present at all times, regardless of whether they were filming scenes or not.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pal |first=Chandrima |date=18 February 2019 |title=Satyajit Ray, Amitabh Bachchan, 'Pushpak' and three days as Crime Master Gogo: Meet Tinnu Anand |url=https://scroll.in/reel/913462/satyajit-ray-amitabh-bachchan-pushpak-and-three-days-as-crime-master-gogo-meet-tinnu-anand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207200048/https://scroll.in/reel/913462/satyajit-ray-amitabh-bachchan-pushpak-and-three-days-as-crime-master-gogo-meet-tinnu-anand |archive-date=7 February 2021 |access-date=12 February 2021 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

As Ramesh was not as old as his character, Srinivasa Rao "made him look old".<ref name="scroll" /> The killer's signature weapon is an ice dagger. For this reason, every night, an ice mould in the shape of a dagger was kept in the freezer; however, the ice dagger would often melt soon by morning because of the strong density lights being used in the shooting. Srinivasa Rao ultimately decided to use an acrylic dagger, which looked like an ice dagger.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2014 |title=100 Filmfare Days: 65- Pushpak |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/100-filmfare-days-65-pushpak-6559.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707082526/http://www.filmfare.com/features/100-filmfare-days-65-pushpak-6559.html |archive-date=7 July 2014 |access-date=4 December 2019 |website=Filmfare}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes" /> To capture background and ambient noise accurately, sequences were shot twice.<ref>{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=6 December 2022 |title='Pushpak' at 35: A sit down with legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-on-pushpak/article66229766.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212064409/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-on-pushpak/article66229766.ece |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=30 December 2022 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> The entire budget of the film was {{INR}}35 lakh (worth {{INR}}13 crore in 2021 prices).<ref name="budget" />

=== Music === The film had no songs, only background score. Srinivasa Rao wanted a composer who could work as per his demands and requirements for the scenes, for this L. Vaidyanathan was chosen to compose the score.<ref name="silverscreen" /> Sitar exponent Janardhan Mitta contributed to the re-recording using two other instruments apart from minimal orchestration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swaminathan |first=G. |date=29 March 2018 |title=Pt. Janardhan Mitta on music, life in Chennai and more |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/even-his-speech-sounds-musical/article23381790.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820083628/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/even-his-speech-sounds-musical/article23381790.ece |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> L. V. Ganesan also worked on the film's re-recording.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=6 August 2011 |title=Whirlpool magic |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whirlpool-magic/article2330582.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715220543/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whirlpool-magic/article2330582.ece |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> Haasan has stated that filmmaker Satyajit Ray was considered to compose the background score, and regretted not approaching him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Tushar |date=2025-05-29 |title=Kamal Haasan regrets not getting Satyajit Ray to score Pushpak music: He would have |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kamal-haasan-regrets-not-approaching-satyajit-ray-score-music-pushpak-vimana-2732418-2025-05-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250904160923/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kamal-haasan-regrets-not-approaching-satyajit-ray-score-music-pushpak-vimana-2732418-2025-05-29 |archive-date=4 September 2025 |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=India Today |language=en }}</ref>

== Themes ==  Srinivasa Rao called ''Pushpaka Vimana'' a personal film because "that's the life I lead. I don't want to amass wealth. At the same time, I am not a person who romanticises poverty. Money is important, but that is not everything."<ref name="silverscreen" /> Anjana Shekar of ''The News Minute'' said the film satirises unemployment, an issue that was prevalent in India in the 1980s. She compared it to Mark Twain's novel ''The Prince and the Pauper'' because of the concept of identity switching, with the difference being that in ''Pushpaka Vimana'' the switching is not mutually agreed upon and the two men do not look alike. Anjana said that the climax in which the graduate is shown standing in a long queue of job seekers indicates that nothing has changed for him "except that now, he's willing to take the metaphorical stairs to succeed in life."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shekar |first=Anjana |date=12 April 2018 |title=When silence is golden: Revisiting the Kamal Haasan-Amala starrer 'Pesum Padam' |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/when-silence-golden-revisiting-kamal-haasan-amala-starrer-pesum-padam-79439 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191205055659/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/when-silence-golden-revisiting-kamal-haasan-amala-starrer-pesum-padam-79439 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=The News Minute}}</ref> Historian Bhagwan Das Garga noted similarities between the graduate and Walter Mitty, because of how the former "fantasises about riches".{{sfn|Garga|1996|p=292}} Srinivasa Rao named ''The Inspector General'' (1949), where a civil servant is mistaken for a high-ranking inspector, as an inspiration on ''Pushpaka Vimana'', and also took inspiration from his personal experiences in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shrikrishna |first=Aditya |date=26 November 2022 |title=Pushpak at 35: The silence of the clowns |url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/how-to-lounge/movies-tv/pushpak-at-35-the-silence-of-the-clowns-111669448767948.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126082143/https://lifestyle.livemint.com/how-to-lounge/movies-tv/pushpak-at-35-the-silence-of-the-clowns-111669448767948.html |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=28 November 2022 |work=Mint Lounge |pages=11}} [https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221128021109/https://scontent.fmaa2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/316957797_584229200368931_5236538910503654313_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=--5foG3wa94AX_HtgA1&_nc_ht=scontent.fmaa2-1.fna&oh=00_AfCtP_Wptt18L3LpNNhG-2LBZdZGaKrYDEuFTEWhvGkz8w&oe=63882129 Alt URL]</ref>

Writing for ''India Today'', Madhu Jain described ''Pushpaka Vimana'' as "the story of the modern Indian male Cinderella. But with a different end – and moral: Money is not everything though pursuing it is entertaining." She noted the contrast in the name of the graduate's lodge, Anand Bhavan (Abode of Bliss).<ref name="indiatoday" /> Film critic Naman Ramachandran said the film gives the message that "money is the root of much evil and honesty is the best policy".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=12 March 2012 |title=The Ice Dagger Was Sharp, And It Cut Deep |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-ice-dagger-was-sharp-and-it-cut-deep/280105 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205084701/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-ice-dagger-was-sharp-and-it-cut-deep/280105 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=Outlook}}</ref> Ravi Balakrishnan of ''The Economic Times'' said that though it eschews formulaic Indian cinema conventions like songs and dialogue, it has "all the elements that make a great mainstream entertainer – a love story, a crime caper, a thriller and a comedy – with plotlines blending together seamlessly", while comparing its primary narrative to Charlie Chaplin's ''City Lights'' (1931), and the graduate to Chaplin's character The Tramp.<ref name="economictimes" />

== Release == ''Pushpaka Vimana'' was released on 27 November 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 1987 |title=Pesum Padam |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Indian Express |pages=4 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The film was released under different titles for different linguistic regions: its original title ''Pushpaka Vimana'' in Karnataka (in the Kannada language), ''Pushpaka Vimanam'' in Andhra Pradesh (Telugu), ''Pushpak'' ({{Translation|Flower}}) in Hindi-speaking regions, ''Pesum Padam'' ({{Translation|Talking Picture}}) in Tamil Nadu (Tamil), and ''Pushpakvimanam'' in Kerala (Malayalam).<ref name="telugucinema2" />{{sfn |Ghose |2003 |p=114}} In Andhra Pradesh, it was distributed by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, in Mumbai by actor Rajendra Kumar,<ref name="telugucinema2" /> and in Madras by Editor Mohan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 2017 |title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 309– எஸ்.கணேஷ் |trans-title=Tamil films that achieved milestones – 309– S.Ganesh |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.in/web/news/33432 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200322044247/http://www.dinamalarnellai.in/web/news/33432 |archive-date=22 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |work=Dinamalar |language=ta}}</ref> The film was featured in the ''Indian Panorama'' section at the 12th International Film Festival of India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10–24 January 1989 |title=12th IFFI |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm12IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=12IIFA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231211420/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm12IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=12IIFA.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2017 |access-date=11 January 2018 |website=International Film Festival of India}}</ref> Retrospectively it was featured in the Shanghai International Film Festival, and Whistling Woods Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2013 |title=Pushpaka Vimana – Shanghai Fest |url=https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/pushpaka-vimanam-goes-to-shangai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809062032/https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/pushpaka-vimanam-goes-to-shangai/ |archive-date=9 August 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=Mirchi9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrate Cinema |url=http://whistlingwoods.net/Celebrate-Cinema/screening-schedule.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008212155/http://whistlingwoods.net/Celebrate-Cinema/screening-schedule.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014 |website=Whistling Woods}}</ref>

=== Reception === The film received critical acclaim for its creativity, making and the cast performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Nonika |date=9 December 2017 |title=Sound of silence |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sound-of-silence/510175.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191204093509/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sound-of-silence/510175.html |archive-date=4 December 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 December 2015 |title=New movie adapts Kamal Haasan's 'Pushpaka Vimana' title |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151230/entertainment-sandalwood/article/silence-making-noise |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205100405/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151230/entertainment-sandalwood/article/silence-making-noise |archive-date=5 December 2019 |access-date=5 December 2019 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Reviewing ''Pesum Padam'', the magazine ''Ananda Vikatan'' said that to make a silent film needs a lot of courage and the filmmaker needs to be congratulated for that, rating it 50 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=20 December 1987 |title=பேசும் படம் |magazine=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref> N. Krishnaswamy of ''The Indian Express'' said, "For [Kamal Haasan], the film is yet another achievement. For Singeetam, always the bold experimenter [...] ''Pesum Padam'' should provide both critical and commercial mileage. It is music director L. Vaidyanathan's task to provide the 'silent' film a worthy musical foil to match its varied moods and needs: this he does with panache."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnaswamy |first=N. |date=27 November 1987 |title=Worthwhile |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Indian Express |pages=5 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Jayamanmadhan of the magazine ''Kalki'' appreciated virtually every aspect of the film, calling it a must watch.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஜெயமன்மதன் |author-link=Subha (writers) |date=20 December 1987 |title=பேசும் படம் |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1987/dec/20-12-1987/p9.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220730041631/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1987/dec/20-12-1987/p9.jpg |archive-date=30 July 2022 |access-date=24 December 2021 |magazine=Kalki |page=9 |language=ta}}</ref>

Satyajit Ray applauded the film and told Srinivasa Rao, "You have created a love scene around a dead body", referring to the scene where the graduate and the magician's daughter walk around the hotel owner's dead body during his funeral several times just to spend some time together.<ref name="scroll" /> ''Bombay: The City Magazine''{{'}}s critic wrote, "''Pushpak'' is a bold and timely reminder that verbal diarrhoea drowns out meaning. Silence is not only golden but eloquent."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date= |title=Silence Speaks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CnX6-IsnXNcC&q=Pushpak |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225073801/https://books.google.com/books?id=CnX6-IsnXNcC&q=Pushpak |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=10 January 2021 |magazine=Bombay: The City Magazine |publisher=Living Media India |page=80 |volume=9}}</ref> Though no-one expected the film to succeed, it was a sleeper hit,<ref name="Little John" /> completing a 35-week theatrical run in Bengaluru,<ref name="hindustantimes" /> and grossing around {{INR}}1 crore according to estimates by Madhu Jain and Garga.{{sfn |Garga |1996 |p=292}}<ref name="indiatoday" />

==Accolades==  {| class="wikitable" !Event !Award !Recipient(s) !{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |35th National Film Awards |Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment |Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Shringar Nagaraj | style="text-align: center;" |<ref name="dff" /> |- | rowspan="3" |35th Filmfare Awards South |Best Film – Kannada | Shringar Nagaraj | rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=35th Annual Filmfare Awards {{!}} Regional Films |url=https://archive.org/details/35thAnnualFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners |access-date=30 November 2019 |magazine=Filmfare |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dave |first=Kajol |date=20 July 2013 |title=Filmfare trivia: Kamal Haasan |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/filmfare-trivia-kamal-haasan-3741.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724234611/http://www.filmfare.com/features/filmfare-trivia-kamal-haasan-3741.html |archive-date=24 July 2013 |access-date=26 July 2013 |website=Filmfare}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 1986 |title=Kamal bags Filmfare Award |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19880716&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=27 February 2026 |work=The Indian Express |pages=3 |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- |Best Director – Kannada | Singeetam Srinivasa Rao |- |Best Actor – Kannada |Kamal Haasan |- | rowspan="3" |1987–88 Karnataka State Film Awards |Best Editor |D. Vasu | rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2015 |title=Karnataka State Film Awards 1987–88 |url=https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/karnataka-state-film-awards-1987-88/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191213040950/https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/karnataka-state-film-awards-1987-88/ |archive-date=13 December 2019 |access-date=13 December 2019 |website=Kannada Movies Info}}</ref> |- |Best Music Director |L. Vaidyanathan |- |Karnataka State Jury's Special Award |Singeetam Srinivasa Rao |}

== Legacy == ''Pushpaka Vimana'' became a landmark of Indian cinema.<ref name="Little John" /> According to film theorists Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, it "opened up a new dimension in art-house entertainment",{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=196}} and "helped change [Kamal Haasan's] screen image".{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=481}} Srinivasa Rao has stated that after the film's success, many people wanted him to make more dialogue-less films, but he was uninterested.<ref name="Little John" /> Amala listed it along with ''Vedham Pudhithu'' (1987), ''Agni Natchathiram'' (1988), ''Siva'' (1989) and ''Karpoora Mullai'' (1991) as her most memorable films.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kannan |first=Uma |date=17 May 2010 |title='I'm strictly against authority' |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article271135.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421023846/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article271135.ece |archive-date=21 April 2016 |access-date=21 April 2016 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> The film is listed among News18's "hundred greatest Indian films of all time".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2013 |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 land mark Indian films of all time |url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/100-years-of-indian-cinema-the-100-greatest-indian-films-of-all-time-903065-12.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820082849/http://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/100-years-of-indian-cinema-the-100-greatest-indian-films-of-all-time-903065-13.html |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=20 August 2019 |website=News18}}</ref> It was also listed by Rediff.com in its list "Singeetham's gems before Christ".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=7 September 2010 |title=Singeetham Srinivasa Rao's gems before Christ |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-singeetham-srinivasa-rao/20100907.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828154533/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-singeetham-srinivasa-rao/20100907.htm |archive-date=28 August 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> On Haasan's birthday, 7 November 2015, Latha Srinivasan of ''Daily News and Analysis'' considered ''Pushpaka Vimanam'' to be one of the "films you must watch to grasp the breadth of Kamal Haasan's repertoire".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=7 November 2015 |title=Birthday special: Films you must watch to grasp the breadth of Kamal Haasan's repertoire |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-birthday-special-films-you-must-watch-to-grasp-the-breadth-of-kamal-haasan-s-repertoire-2143008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403103137/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-birthday-special-films-you-must-watch-to-grasp-the-breadth-of-kamal-haasan-s-repertoire-2143008 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019 |work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref>

== References == <references> <ref name="silverscreen">{{Cite web |last=Gopalakrishnan |first=Aswathy |date=29 October 2016 |title=Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Interview: "The Golden Rule Of Cinema Is That There Is No Golden Rule" |url=https://silverscreen.in/features/interviews/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-interview-golden-rule-cinema-no-golden-rule/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820081619/https://silverscreen.in/features/interviews/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-interview-golden-rule-cinema-no-golden-rule/ |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=20 August 2019 |website=Silverscreen.in}}</ref> <ref name="telugucinema2">{{Cite web |last=Sri |date=28 September 2009 |title=Retro : Pushpaka Vimaanam {{sic|(1988)|nolink=y}} |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_pushpakavimaanam_1988_2.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231015109/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_pushpakavimaanam_1988_2.php |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=Telugucinema.com |page=2}}</ref> <ref name="hindustantimes">{{Cite news |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=17 September 2012 |title=Pushpak completes 25 years: Tinnu Anand, Amala go down memory lane |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pushpak-completes-25-years-tinnu-anand-amala-go-down-memory-lane/story-e4kVfwqI8ts8JuKeBUdX9O.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191130130543/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pushpak-completes-25-years-tinnu-anand-amala-go-down-memory-lane/story-e4kVfwqI8ts8JuKeBUdX9O.html |archive-date=30 November 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> <ref name="scroll">{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |date=7 November 2017 |title=The film 'Pushpaka Vimana' is the one time Kamal Haasan said a lot without saying anything at all |url=https://thereel.scroll.in/856954/the-film-pushpaka-vimana-is-the-one-time-kamal-haasan-said-a-lot-without-saying-anything-at-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108061144/https://thereel.scroll.in/856954/the-film-pushpaka-vimana-is-the-one-time-kamal-haasan-said-a-lot-without-saying-anything-at-all |archive-date=8 November 2017 |access-date=8 November 2017 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref> <ref name="telugucinema1">{{Cite web |last=Sri |date=28 September 2009 |title=Retro : Pushpaka Vimaanam {{sic|(1988)|nolink=y}} |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_pushpakavimaanam_1988.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230173410/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_pushpakavimaanam_1988.php |archive-date=30 December 2010 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=Telugucinema.com |page=1}}</ref> <ref name="Little John">{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=19 April 2001 |title=Little John, lot of fun! |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/apr/19sing.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820081006/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/apr/19sing.htm |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=29 September 2017 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> <ref name="sify">{{Cite web |date=22 September 2009 |title=Malayalam film industry is the best we have: Singeetam Srini |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-film-industry-is-the-best-we-have-singeetam-srini-news-telugu-kkfr2jaedeasi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130181637/https://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-film-industry-is-the-best-we-have-singeetam-srini-news-telugu-kkfr2jaedeasi.html |archive-date=30 November 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=Sify}}</ref> <ref name="dff">{{Cite web |title=35th National Film Festival, 1988 |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/35th_nff_1988.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004082428/http://dff.nic.in/2011/35th_nff_1988.pdf |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=15 September 2012 |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals}}</ref> <ref name="indiatoday">{{Cite news |last=Jain |first=Madhu |date=15 January 1989 |title=12th International Film Festival: Commercial films dominate Indian Panorama |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/story/19890115-12th-international-film-festival-commercial-films-dominate-indian-panorama-815635-1989-01-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211071934/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/story/19890115-12th-international-film-festival-commercial-films-dominate-indian-panorama-815635-1989-01-15 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=India Today}}</ref> <ref name="economictimes">{{Cite news |last=Balakrishnan |first=Ravi |date=12 January 2008 |title=Pushpak: A speechless Indian classic |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/pushpak-a-speechless-indian-classic/articleshow/2694123.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180215142939/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/business-of-bollywood/pushpak-a-speechless-indian-classic/articleshow/2694123.cms |archive-date=15 February 2018 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> <ref name="budget">{{Cite news |last=Manigandan |first=K. R. |date=18 October 2012 |title=ShotCuts: What's worrying Kamal? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/shotcuts-whats-worrying-kamal/article4009218.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216024254/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/shotcuts-whats-worrying-kamal/article4009218.ece |archive-date=16 December 2013 |access-date=30 November 2019 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> </references>

== Bibliography == * {{Cite book |last=Garga |first=Bhagwan Das |author-link=Bhagwan Das Garga |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXRZAAAAMAAJ&q=pushpak |title=So many cinemas: the motion picture in India |publisher=Eminence Designs |year=1996 |isbn=9788190060219 |location=Mumbai |oclc=645262299}} * {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2jhRAQAAIAAJ&q=Pushpak |title=Limca Book of Records |publisher=Bisleri Beverages Limited |year=2003 |isbn=9788190114868 |editor-last=Ghose |editor-first=Vijaya |location=Gurgaon |oclc=449524954}} * {{Cite book |last1=Puri |first1=Amrish |author-link=Amrish Puri |title=The Act of Life |title-link=The Act of Life |last2=Sabharwal |first2=Jyoti |publisher=Stellar Publishers |year=2006 |isbn=9788190224741 |oclc=608443071}} * {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Willemen |publisher=British Film Institute and Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994}}

== External links == * {{Bollywood Hungama movie}} * {{IMDb title}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

Category:1980s avant-garde and experimental films Category:1987 Indian films Category:1980s satirical films Category:1987 black comedy films Category:1987 films Category:Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award winners Category:Fiction about unemployment Category:Films about adultery in India Category:Films about contract killing in India Category:Films about kidnapping in India Category:Films directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Category:Films scored by L. Vaidyanathan Category:Films set in Bengaluru Category:Films shot in Bengaluru Category:Films without speech Category:Indian avant-garde and experimental films Category:Indian black comedy films Category:Indian satirical films Category:Tragicomedy films