Avan Pithana?
Avan Pithana? (transl. Is He Mad?) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language comedy-drama film directed by P. Neelakantan, produced by P. Angamuthu and written by M. Karunanidhi. It is a remake of the Telugu film Dagudu Moothalu (1964). The film stars S. S. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari, S. V. Sahasranamam, T. S. Balaiah and T. P. Muthulakshmi. It was released on 29 April 1966.
Avan Pithana? | |
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Poster | |
Directed by | P. Neelakantan |
Produced by | R. Periyanayagam S. P. Karupaiah P. Angamuthu |
Screenplay by | M. Karunanidhi |
Based on | Dagudu Moothalu |
Starring | S. S. Rajendran C. R. Vijayakumari |
Music by | R. Parthasarathi |
Cinematography | T. M. Sundara Babu |
Production company | Umayal Productions |
Release date |
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Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Plot
Nallaiah, a wealthy industrialist, disowns his son after learning of the latter's desire to marry an impoverished woman. The son and wife die separately, leaving their son Kumar destitute. A couple running a tea shop adopt Kumar and raise him as their own. One day, a young woman named Gomathi runs into the shop after being chased by a man. Kumar gives her shelter, and some time later, takes her to Nallaiah to be his nurse. Kumar is not aware that he is Nallaiah's grandson. Nallaiah is ill and shows regret over his decision to disown his son. Gomathi wins Nallaiah's trust and is given the keys to his safe. When Nallaiah dies, this leads to a war for the property he has left behind. A group of miscreants forge Nallaiah's will by adding their own names to it. However, Kumar arrives and wins his claim to the inheritance after proving that he is Nallaiah's grandson.
Cast
- S. S. Rajendran as Kumar[1]
- C. R. Vijayakumari as Gomathi[1]
- S. V. Sahasranamam as Nallaiah[1]
- T. S. Balaiah and T. P. Muthulakshmi as miscreants[1]
- Nagesh as Chinnaya
- Sachu as Sasi
- Udaya Chandrika
- A. Karunanidhi
- Pakoda Kadhar
Production
Avan Pithana? was directed by P. Neelakantan and produced by R. Periyanayagam, S. P. Karupaiah and P. Angamuthu under Umayal Productions.[2] It was remade from the Telugu film Dagudu Moothalu (1964),[3][4] with M. Karunanidhi writing the remake, while T. M. Sundara Babu handled the cinematography.[1] The final length of the film was 4,379 metres (14,367 ft).[2]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the film was composed by R. Parthasarathi.[2]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Iraivan Irukkindrana" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 5:19 |
2. | "Kizhakku Veluthathadi" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3:31 |
3. | "Aayiram Mutham" | Trichy Thiyagarajan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3:11 |
4. | "Maapillai Manasukku" | Athmanathan |
Release and reception
Avan Pithana? was released on 29 April 1966.[2] Film historian Randor Guy praised it for the "excellent dialogues of [M. Karunanidhi] and the performances of Rajendran, Vijayakumari and Sahasranamam."[1]
References
- Guy, Randor (13 August 2016). "Avan Pithana? (1966)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- Narasimham, M. L. (3 June 2017). "Dagudu Moothalu (1964)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- Nadadhur, Srivathsan (20 August 2015). "Daagudu Moothalu: The 'hidden' treasures unveiled". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- "Avan Piththana". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.