Bale Pandiya (1962 film)

Bale Pandiya (transl. Bravo Pandiya) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language comedy film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. Starring Sivaji Ganesan, M. R. Radha and Devika in the lead roles, the music was scored by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. It features Ganesan in three distinct roles, and Radha in two. The film began production in early May 1962, ended in the middle of the month, and was released on the 26th of the same month.

For the 2010 film, see Bale Pandiya (2010 film).

Bale Pandiya
Poster
Directed byB. R. Panthulu
Produced byB. R. Panthulu
Screenplay byDada Mirasi
Story byMaa. Raa.
Joshi
StarringSivaji Ganesan
M. R. Radha
Devika
Music byViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
CinematographyV. Ramamoorthy
Edited byR. Devarajan
Production
company
Padmini Pictures
Release date
  • 26 May 1962 (26 May 1962)
Running time
156 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Pandiya, a young man, decides to commit suicide, as he has been driven out of his house by his sister-in-law. Kabali, the head of a robber gang, saves him and brings him to his house. Kabali and his accomplice Marudhu plot to kill Pandiya, who resembles Marudhu, and collect an insurance amount of ₹1 lakh (equivalent to ₹69 lakh or US$96,000 in 2019), which is in the name of Marudhu. The innocent Pandiya is not aware that he is being used as the sacrificial lamb. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Geetha, the daughter of a rich businessman Amirthalingam Pillai. When Pandiyan realises that his life is in danger, he escapes. He saves Vasanthi, the daughter of an estate owner, and is adopted by him as his own son.

On learning this, Kabali hatches another plan. He decides to kill Pandiya, and send Marudhu in his place as Pandiya, and thus enjoy the wealth. Kabali and Marudhu successfully toss Pandiya into the sea. But Pandiya's older brother, the scientist Shankar, dons Pandiya's role at the behest of his wife, making Kabali and Marudhu shocked to see "Pandiya" alive. Just then, the real Pandiya steps in, revealing that two fisherman saved him from drowning and all hell breaks loose. The two brothers battle the criminals and in the process, Kabali accidentally shoots Marudhu dead. Saddened by the death of his friend, he commits suicide.

Cast
Male cast
Female cast

Production

Shortly before his trip to the United States in May 1962,[3] Sivaji Ganesan had signed up for a film titled Bale Pandiya, produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu under Padmini Pictures.[4][2] He visited the studio on the second day of the month, and left on the twelfth after the film was completed. Ganesan believed himself to hold the "world record of completing a film in eleven days time." He played three distinct roles, while his co-star M. R. Radha played two roles.[4] Ganesan spoke in Madras Bashai to play his characters.[5] The story was written by Maa. Raa. and Joshi, while the screenplay was written by Dada Mirasi. Cinematography was handled by V. Ramamoorthy, and the editing by R. Devarajan.[2] According to Panthulu's son Ravishankar, the entire film was completed in 15 days, with shooting going on simultaneously in three places.[6]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[7][8] "Neeye Unaku" is set in the carnatic raga known as Suddha Dhanyasi,[9][10] and attained popularity.[11]

No.SongSingersLyricsDuration
1"Aadhi Manidhan"P. B. Sreenivas, Jamuna RaniKannadasan03:56
2"Athi Kai Kai"T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela, Jamuna Rani05:23
3"Naan Enna Solliviten"T. M. Soundararajan03:58
4"Neeye Unaku Endrum" (Mama Maple)T. M. Soundararajan, M. Raju06:32
5"Vaazha Ninaithaal"T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela04:45
6"Yaarai Enge Vaipadhendru"T. M. Soundararajan03:35

Release and reception

Bale Pandiya was released on 26 May 1962.[12] Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 11 June 1962, praised the film for its comedy and Ganesan's triple role performance.[13]

References
  1. Sundaram, Nandhu (2 December 2017). "'Bale Pandiya': With 3 Sivaji Ganesans, this classic set the trend for Tamil comedy". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  2. Bale Pandiya (motion picture) (in Tamil). Padmini Pictures. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 1:41.
  3. Kantha, Sachi Sri (7 May 2015). "MGR Remembered – Part 27". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  4. Ganesan, Sivaji; Narayana Swamy, T. S. (2007) [2002]. Autobiography of an Actor. Chennai: Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust. p. 132.
  5. Ramanujam, Srinivasa (28 August 2016). "The vathyaar dialect". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. Rangarajan, Malathi (2 February 2012). "A 100 goes unsung". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  7. பலே பாண்டியா (songbook). Padmini Pictures. 1962.
  8. "Balepandiya (1962)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  9. Srinivasan, Anil (26 June 2015). "How Tamil films took Carnatic music to mass audiences – and threw in a few social messages too". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  10. Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (19 August 2014). ""Supersinger Winner Diwakar, "Balaey Pandia" Film and the TMS-Raju Song"Neeyay Unakku Endrum Nigaraanavan"". dbsjeyaraj.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  11. Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (9 August 2018). ""Neeyay Unakku Endrum Nigaraanavan" ~ Sparkling Song by TM Soundararajan ~ MS Raju ♫". dbsjeyaraj.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  12. 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 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  13. Sekar; Sundar (15 September 2010) [11 June 1962]. "பலே பாண்டியா". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil).
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