Malaikkallan

Last updated

Malaikkallan
Malaikkallan poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu
Screenplay by M. Karunanidhi
Story by Namakkal Kavignar
Produced byS. M. Sriramulu Naidu
Starring P. Bhanumathi
M. G. Ramachandran
CinematographySailen Bose
Edited byVeluswamy
Music by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Production
company
Release date
  • 22 July 1954 (1954-07-22)
Running time
186 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Malaikkallan (transl. Thief of The Hills) is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language action film starring P. Bhanumathi and M. G. Ramachandran. The film was released on 22 July 1954, and was an astounding success and highest collection of the year. It ran more than 140 days in Chennai and all other major cities. [1] It was the first Tamil film to win a President's Silver Medal. [2] It was the first Indian movie to be remade in five other languages.

Contents

Plot

Vijayapuri, a beautiful hillside hamlet appears serene and restful to a casual passerby. But the happenings there are far from tranquil. Dacoities, burglaries and even kidnappings seem to be commonplace occurrences. One established perpetrator of at least some of the crimes is Kaathavarayan, his secret accomplices being some well-known public figures like the rich young wastrel Veerarajan and the Kuttipatti Zamindar.

The other dacoit is apparently the mysterious Malaikkallan. Legends are galore on his fabulous wealth, awe-inspiring exploits, contempt for the unprincipled rich, concern for the poor and needy indeed he seems to be running a veritable empire in some hidden hillock; no one has actually seen him.

There is also the wealthy merchant Abdul Raheem, who seems to disappear at regular intervals from Vijayapuri, claiming business calls at far-off places. In this hotbed of intrigue and suspicion blooms an innocent rose Poonkothai, daughter of the upright Sokkesa Mudaliar. Veerarajan is the cousin of Poonkothai and desires to marry her, but his evil reputation ensures the impossibility of such an alliance. Having lost her mother at an early age, Poonkothai is brought up by her widowed aunt Kamakshi Ammal. Kamakshi Ammal's only son Kumaraveeran went missing many years back.

Faced by stringent public criticism for their failure to tackle the audacious crimes, Sub-Inspector Arumugam arrives in Vijayapuram. But his assistant Constable Karuppiah is a bungling coward and is more a hindrance than a help in his investigations. It is at this juncture that one night when Mudaliar is away, Poonkothai is kidnapped. The happenings of that eerie night keep the village tongues wagging for many days thereafter. Two sidekicks of Kathavarayan are found tied and hanging upside down, and a piece of Poonkothai's jewellery is recovered from them. Kamakshi Ammal is found tied-up and unconscious, and a mysterious errand-boy hands over to the attending doctor a forest herb that revives her at once. Poonkothai is said to be in the custody of Malaikkallan, who has cleverly waylaid Kathavarayan's men and taken away Poonkothai. Kathavarayan faces the ire and ridicule of Veerarajan at the behest of whom he had engineered Poonkothai's kidnapping. Goaded by this humiliation, he now sends his men far and wide in search of Poonkothai. Meanwhile, Poonkothai is safe in the magnificent hideout of Malaikkallan, perceiving his genuine concern for the downtrodden and the reverence with which he is held by his people, her contempt and mistrust turn gradually into admiration and leads to love.

Several confounding twists and turns later the truant pieces of the puzzle fall in place. Kathavarayan and Veerarajan get their well-deserved comeuppance. Malaikkallan and Abdul Raheem both turn out to be the same person who is the long-missing Kumaraveeran. All is well that ends with the happy marriage of Poonkothai and Kumaraveeran.

Cast

Cast according to the opening credits of the film [3]

Production

A blend of Robin Hood and The Mark of Zorro , written by Namakkal Kavignar Va. Ramalingam Pillai (Namakkal Kavignar). [4] Malaikkallan had been prescribed as the non-detailed text for the high school curriculum in the early 50s, and the story had become very popular. [5]

A. P. Nagarajan was cast as a police inspector; however, after shooting some scenes with him, Naidu chose to replace him with M. G. Chakrapani. [6] [7]

Soundtrack

S. M. Subbiah Naidu scored the music, while the lyrics were penned by Namakkal Kavignar Ve. Ramalingam Pillai, Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Makkalanban. The song "Eththanai Kaalam Thaan Yemaatruvaar" became so popular that MGR then decided to insert at least one such philosophical song in his future projects. It was the first song that T. M. Soundararajan had sung for M. G. Ramachandran, after the success he sang many songs for him. [4] The song was remixed by Leon James for the film LKG (2019). [8]

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Yethanai Kaalamthan Yematruvar" Soundararajan  
2."Neeli Magan Nee Allava" Periyanayaki  
3."O Amma O Ayya"Periyanayaki 
4."Unnai Azhaithathu Yaaro" P. Bhanumathi  
5."Pengale Ulangalile"P. Bhanumathi 
6."Nalla Sagunam Nokki"P. Bhanumathi 
7."Naane Inba Roja"P. Bhanumathi 
8."Naalai"P. Bhanumathi 
9."Thamizhan Endroru Inam"Soundararajan 

Release

Malaikkallan was released on 22 July 1954. [9] It emerged as the top grosser of the year. [5] Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan in its review dated 12 September 1954 mentioned that film "has several amazing moments which increase the heartbeats of the audience... Various fight scenes, dances and comedy scenes make the film a mass entertainer". [10] The Indian Express wrote, "Obviously with an eye on the box office the picture has been plentifully interspersed with fist and sword fights and fencing displays, etc". [11]

Remakes

S. M. Sriramulu Naidu of Pakshiraja Studio in Coimbatore secured the rights to the story and decided to produce and direct a movie based on it, in 5 languages apart from the original version – Tamil (Malaikkallan), Telugu ( Aggi Ramudu ), [12] Malayalam (Thaskaraveeran), Kannada ( Bettada Kalla ), Hindi (Azaad) and Sinhalese (Surasena). [6]

Legacy

The film created the trend of the concept of "Robin Hood" and inspired various films like Neelamalai Thirudan (1957), Malaiyoor Mambattiyan (1983), Gentleman (1993) and Sivaji: The Boss (2007). [10] The film also created the trend of philosophical songs and introduction songs for the lead actors. [13]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<i>Karakattakkaran</i> 1989 film by Gangai Amaran

Karakattakkaran is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy dance film written and directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Ramarajan and debutant Kanaka, while Santhana Bharathi, Chandrasekhar, Goundamani, Senthil, Shanmugasundaram, Raja Bahadur, Ganthimathi and Kovai Sarala play supporting roles. It revolves around two karakattam dancers who fall in love with each other, but circumstances prevent them from confessing their love for one another. How they overcome these forms the rest of the story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Studios</span>

Central Studios was an Indian film studio in the neighbourhood of Singanallur, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, started by B.Rangaswamy Naidu and other prominent industrialists like Swamikannu Vincent of Coimbatore in 1935 to make Tamil and other South Indian language movies. The studio was a major hub of Tamil movie production and notable for its association with many early day Tamil Movie Superstars, directors and script writers etc. and many making their career debuts here. The studio is best remembered for movies like Sivakavi, Velaikari and Haridas.

<i>Haridas</i> (1944 film) 1944 Indian film

Haridas is a 1944 Tamil language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Rajakumari and N. C. Vasanthakokilam.

<i>Enga Veettu Pillai</i> 1965 film by Tapi Chanakya

Enga Veettu Pillai is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language masala film written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy and directed by Chanakya. A remake of his own 1964 Telugu film Ramudu Bheemudu, it stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with S. V. Ranga Rao, M. N. Nambiar, Rathna and Pandari Bai in supporting roles. The film is about two identical but contrasting twins who were separated at birth, and what happens when they cross paths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkatarama Ramalingam Pillai</span>

Venkatarama Ramalingam, or V. Ramalingam Pillai, was a Tamil poet from Tamil Nadu, India and independence fighter. He is well known for his poems about independence. He had 7 siblings apart from himself.

<i>Sivakavi</i> 1943 film by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu

Sivakavi is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film directed, initially, by P. K. Raja Sandow and later, S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. It starred M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, Serukalathur Sama, Thirupurambal, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film's screenplay was written by Thiru Muruga Kirubanandha Variyar. The film was shot at Central Studios and released by Pakshiraja Films in Coimbatore. The film was released on 10 April 1943.

<i>Paava Mannippu</i> 1961 film by A. Bhimsingh

Paava Mannippu is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and edited by A. Bhimsingh, who co-produced it under his banner Buddha Pictures, with AVM Productions. The film features an ensemble cast of Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, Devika and M. R. Radha. M. V. Rajamma, V. Nagayya, S. V. Subbaiah and T. S. Balaiah play supporting roles. It revolves around four children who are separated from their parents in childhood, then found and raised by foster parents of different religious backgrounds.

Subburayulu Munuswami Subbaiah Naidu was an Indian composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was one of the oldest music directors. He worked as an in-house music composer for Central Studios and Pakshiraja Studios and well associated with S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. SMS also worked with many films under Jupiter Pictures banner and a favorite of M. G. Ramachandran.

<i>Sathi Leelavathi</i> (1936 film) 1936 film by Ellis R. Dungan

Sathi Leelavathi is a 1936 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and written by Madras Kandaswamy Mudaliar. It is based on S. S. Vasan's novel of the same name, which had been serialised in 1934. M. K. Radha stars as Krishnamurthy, a man from Madras, who is lured into drinking alcohol by an acquaintance. Believing he murdered his friend in a drunken stupor, Krishnamurthy flees to Ceylon while his wife and daughter, played by M. R. Gnanambal and M. K. Mani respectively, are reduced to poverty. T. S. Balaiah, M. G. Ramachandran, M. V. Mani and P. Nammalvar appear in supporting roles.

<i>Marmayogi</i> 1951 film by K. Ramnoth

Marmayogi is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by M. Somasundaram. An adaptation of the novel Vengeance by Marie Corelli and William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the film was shot simultaneously in Hindi as Ek Tha Raja. It stars M. G. Ramachandar, Anjali Devi and Madhuri Devi, with S. V. Sahasranamam, Serukalathur Sama, N. Seetharaman, S. A. Natarajan, M. N. Nambiar and M. Pandari Bai in supporting roles.

<i>Velaikari</i> 1949 film by A. S. A. Sami

Velaikari is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by A. S. A. Sami and produced by M. Somasundaram under Jupiter Pictures. It was based on the play of the same name written by C. N. Annadurai, while incorporating plot details from the Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo (1844). The film stars K. R. Ramasamy, V. N. Janaki and M. V. Rajamma. It was released on 25 February 1949 and became a success. The film was remade in Telugu as Santhosham (1955), in Hindi as Naya Aadmi (1956), and in Kannada as Malli Maduve (1963).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakshiraja Studios</span>

Pakshiraja Studios was a motion picture movie studio in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, established by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu in 1945. The studio predominantly produced movies in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam languages, also having made one Kannada film. The studio had major releases in the 1950s and early 1960s and is well known for some blockbusters of the times.

Pakshiraja Films was an Indian Movie production company based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.It was owned and operated by Film Director S. M. Sriramulu Naidu.From 1937 to 1945 the company released movies from Central Studios, but later from 1945 the company had its own Movie studio under the name Pakshiraja Studios.

<i>Jagathalapratapan</i> 1944 Indian film

Jagathalapratapan is a 1944 Indian Tamil-language film starring P. U. Chinnappa and M. S. Sarojini. A film adaptation of a folk tale "12 Minister's Tale", the film also features P. B. Rangachari, M. R. Santhanalakshmi and N. S. Krishnan playing supporting roles. The film revolves around the theme of a prince who through his talents wins over several girls and marries them. The film was released on 13 April 1944 and became a box-office success and established Chinnappa as one of the top stars in Tamil cinema.

Subbarayalu Munuswami Sriramulu Naidu (1910-1976), also known as Sreeramulu Naidu, was an Indian businessman and movie producer from Coimbatore who founded the Pakshiraja Studios in 1945.

<i>Kathavarayan</i> (1958 film) 1958 film by T. R. Ramanna

Kathavarayan is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film produced and directed by T. R. Ramanna, and written by Thuraiyur K. Murthy. A remake of the 1941 film Aryamala, it stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The film was released on 7 November 1958.

<i>Manohara</i> (film) 1954 film by L. V. Prasad

Manohara is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film directed by L. V. Prasad and written by M. Karunanidhi. Starring Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Kannamba and Girija, the film was based on the play of the same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. It was released on 3 March 1954. The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Hindi under the same title. Those versions were released on 3 June 1954.

Namakkal Kavignar Maligai is an 11-storied building at the Fort St. George campus in Chennai, India, serving as the power centre of state secretariat of Tamil Nadu. It is the only skyscraper built within the Fort campus. As of 2014, there were about 6,000 staff at the secretariat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. V. Mani</span>

Mantri Vancheeswaran Mani (1904-1952) was an Indian freedom fighter and Conservationist. In 1938, he created the South Indian Film Artistes Association and served as Secretary under P.N. Velu Nair, the Association's President. Mani's contributions were described by Tamil actor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran in his autobiography Nan Yaean Piranthaen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Coimbatore</span>

This is a timeline list of major events in the history of Coimbatore, a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

References

  1. ↑ Pande, Ram (1985). Congress 100 Years. Jaipur Pub. House. p. 286. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  2. ↑ "History of Tamil Cinema". Indiancinemas.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  3. 1 2 Malaikallan (motion picture) (in Tamil). Pakshiraja Studios. 1954. Opening credits, from 1:37 to 2:08.
  4. 1 2 Dhananjayan 2014, pp. 111.
  5. 1 2 Dhananjayan 2014, pp. 110.
  6. 1 2 Guy, Randor (3 April 2011). "Malaikallan 1954". The Hindu . Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  7. ↑ Jeshi, K. (10 September 2012). "Blockbusters of Coimbatore". The Hindu . Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "First single from RJ Balaji's LKG out". Cinema Express . 2 January 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "Malaikkallan". The Indian Express . 22 July 1954. p. 1.
  10. 1 2 Dhananjayan 2014, pp. 112.
  11. ↑ "Malaikkallan". The Indian Express . 24 July 1954. p. 3.
  12. ↑ Narasimham, M. L. (2 May 2014). "Aggiramudu (1954)". The Hindu . Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  13. ↑ Jeshi, K. (20 March 2014). "Celluloid stories". The Hindu . Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "2nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals . Retrieved 23 August 2011.

Bibliography

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.