Vettaikkaran (1964 film)
| Vettaikkaran | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. A. Thirumugam |
| Story by | Aaroor Dass |
| Produced by | Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | N. S. Varma |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
Production company | Devar Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 157 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Vettaikkaran (transl. Hunter) is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by M. A. Thirumugam. The film features M. G. Ramachandran and Savitri in lead roles. The film, produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar, had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan and was released on 14 January 1964. The film was a commercial success, running for 25 weeks in theatres.
Plot
Babu is a wealthy estate owner and hunter. He is always in the forest hunting animals, much to the annoyance of his mother. He meets Latha, a woman lost in the forest. He rescues her, they fall in love and marry. Latha gives birth to Babu's son Raja who develops an extreme attachment to his father. Meanwhile, a plunderer Mayavan lusts for Latha. To get her, he makes Babu undergo untold miseries. He tricks Latha and Raja into the forest, and demands the papers of the estate. Babu arrives on time and kills Mayavan, saving both Latha and Raja in the process.
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as Babu[1]
- Savitri as Latha[2]
- M. R. Radha as Sundaram[2]
- M. N. Nambiar as Mayavan[2]
- S. A. Ashokan
- Nagesh as Jokkar[2]
- Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
- S. S. Balan (credited as "Gemini Balu")
- S. M. Thirupathisamy
- M. V. Rajamma as Babu's mother[3]
- Manorama as Jokkar's wife[2]
- Baby Shakila as Raja[3]
Production
Vettaikaaran was directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under Devar Films.[4]
Soundtrack
Music is composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[5][6]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Methuva Methuva" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3.33 |
| 2. | "Unnai Arinthaal" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan | 3.30 |
| 3. | "Seettu Kattu Raja" | Kannadasan | L. R. Eswari, A. L. Raghavan | 3.11 |
| 4. | "Manchal Mugame" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | |
| 5. | "En Kannanukkethani" | Kannadasan | P. Susheela | |
| 6. | "Katha Naayagan" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | |
| 7. | "Velli Nila" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan |
Release and reception
Vettaikaaran was released on 14 January 1964, Thai Pongal day.[7][8] To promote the film, the Chennai-based Chitra theatre had a jungle set to welcome audiences. After much deliberation, they also managed to get a caged tiger inside the theatre premises.[9][10] The Indian Express wrote on 17 January, "Loaded with fun and frolic with a substantial sprinkling of spicy scenes and intriguing drama told in a fascinating manner, [Vettaikkaran] is designed to please the filmgoer."[11] Despite facing competition from another Pongal release Karnan,[12] the film became a box office success, running for 25 weeks in theatres.[3] It was dubbed Telugu-language as Inti Donga and released on 4 September 1964.[13]
References
- ^ Kaanthan (c. 1964). "வேட்டைக்காரன்" [Hunter]. Kalki (in Tamil). p. 28.
- ^ a b c d e Ramachandran, T. M. (22 February 1964). "Another in the Thevar Tradition". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 18. p. 50.
- ^ a b c Guy, Randor (20 February 2016). "Vettaikaaran (1964)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ 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 8 February 2019.
- ^ "Vettaikaaran (1964)". Raaga.com. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Vettaikkaran (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ Kannan 2017, p. 122.
- ^ "Vettaikkaran". The Indian Express. 14 January 1964. p. 3.
- ^ "Did you know?". The Times of India. 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ Viswanathan, Lakshmi (2 September 2012). "Growing up with the talkies". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ^ "'Vettaikkaran' is a good action drama". The Indian Express. 17 January 1964. p. 3.
- ^ Dheenadhayalan, Pa. (31 July 2015). "சாவித்ரி-13. நூறு நூறு பெருமைகள்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ^ "Inti Donga". Andhra Patrika. 4 September 1964. p. 6.
Bibliography
- Kannan, R. (28 June 2017). MGR: A Life. India: Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-93-86495-88-4.
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External links
- Vettaikkaran at IMDb