Printable View
Balaji,
sure,we will continue to post in english and I agree with your point .That is why I am still making posts in english ,though my english is poor..But that particular post I just reproduced charan's writing in vikatan..Actually I didn't just copied since It was not unicode..I retyped for everybody here.
Balaji, thanks...I do sincerely try to visit...but both work and laziness are extremely possessive mistresses.Joe,my friend your english is A OK.Communication is more than Language, it is the "unarvugal"...that is clearly evident in this thread more than anywhere else in the forum.....Here we praise NT, we do not trash the others, we share statistical info on his films, words of songs, details of what we appreciate in him, and the greats who acted with him,ever remembering that,he alone could not have scaled those dizzying heights...it was a Savithri,A Ranga Rao,An M R Radaha,a Balaiah,a chandrababu, a TMS,an MSV, a Kannadasan and a whole host of others
who helped NT.....SO THIS THREAD IS POSITIVE....WE ARE THEREFORE THE BEST...KEEP IT UP. :clap: :thumbsup:
Dear Mohanram Sir,
Thanks for your compliments. I have sent a pm to you.
Dear Balaji,
Thanks. Ettrukonden. Yes you are right. In 1977, RV contested against Maran from South Madras and won by around 20000 votes. It was the only constituency in Chennai that retuned ADMK -Congress alliance candidate in 1977 P.elections. Asaithambi of DMK won against Nanjil Manoharan of ADMK from North Madras & P.Ramachandran (Paa Raa) of Janata won against Raja Mohamed of ADMK from Central Madras.
Joe.
Thanks for Clarification.
Regards
I think only NT got the privlilege of acting MAYOR for a day. This was happened when he got the award in cairo for VEERAPANDIYA KATTABOMMAN. :thumbsup:
ramesh
Before proceeding further with NT’s political career, let me answer the questions raised by Kalanayak. Of course it is true that some people left NT and switched over to opposite camp but NT did not force the reasons.
Let us take BRBandhulu first. He started making movies with NT from School Master (Guest role), Sabash Meena, VBK, KTamizhan, Bale Pandiya & finally went on to make Karnan. By any standards it was an excellent movie and NT was all flesh and blood as Karnan. Padmini Pictures (BRB’s production company name) had taken up the distribution also for Karnan that was released on 14.01.1964. It was a big budget movie and in those days there will be maximum of 50 prints that will be getting released, unlike today where 200 prints are the order of the day. The ticket rates were very low and you cannot charge a flat rate. So any investment on cinema will have to be recovered slowly. For Karnan also, the recovery was slow and coupled with the interest factor, BRB was feeling the pinch. Based on these factors, people say that Karnan was not successful. On the contrary, it ran well and in our Madurai, it ran for 100 days in Thangam Theatre, the biggest in Asia. One small digression here is NT was the only actor who had given three 100 days movies in Thangam. They are
1.Parasakthi 112 Days
2.Padikatha Medhai 112 Days
3.Karnan 108 Days.
No other actor has this credit. (Digression ends).
So BRB went to NT and explained to him the situation and NT immediately gave call sheet and started Muradan Muthu and he acted in that movie FREE OF COST. The movie was progressing. At this time BRB came up with another demand. Karnan was NT’s 94th movie and Pachai Vilakku, Andavan Kattalai & Kai Kodutha Deivam were on the floors and was scheduled to release in that order. APN at that point of time came up with an interesting project and NT immediately gave the nod after hearing the story. That was none other than Navarathiri. NT sensing the novelty had agreed that it would be his 100th movie. Now BRB wanted MM to be the 100th movie. Here again NT’s magnanimity comes to the fore. His own production house Sivaji Films had been launched and the first movie under that banner Puthiya Paravai was on the floors. If he had wanted he could have easily made PP as his 100th movie. But he went on to release it as his 98th movie in Sep, 1964. Now both MM & Navarathiri were nearing completion and BRB was bent upon in releasing that as 100th movie. Any amount of persuasion will not desist him and he announced the release date as Deepavali (i.e.) Nov 3rd. Navarathiri was also charted for Deepavali. NT the ever gentleman he is did not put any hurdles and he completed dubbing for MM, unlike modern day heroes who stop dubbing at the drop of a hat. BRB went ahead but NT & VCShanmugam decided to honour the commitment given to APN. To avoid confusion at a future date (which will you consider as 100th movie, if both got released on the same date), they advised APN and accordingly APN released it on the next day (i.e.) 4th Nov. This estranged BRB who switched over. But as pointed out here, except A.Oruvan, others failed to strike it rich. In fact BRB was in deep trouble when MMSP was dragging and he died as a heart broken person deep in debts and movie just half complete. A magazine had brought out a booklet in 1970, (during the conference that I had mentioned earlier) listing from Parasakthi to Raman Ethanai Ramandi. Each page will have a still from that movie and below NT’s comments will appear about the movies. There were 139 movies and some of the comments by NT are still fresh in my mind. For Nenjirikkum Varai, he would have said Ninaivirukkum, For Thanga Surangam, the comment was Naan James Bond-am, Ha! Ha! Ha! . For MM, he would have said “Nanbargal Pirinthanar”.
Sridhar started his career as a screenplay writer and for NT, he wrote Ethirparathathu, an anti sentiment film in 50s and Uthama Puthiran also had Sridhar’s screenplay. Sridhar & NT had another unforgettable movie and that was Amara Depam. NT-Sridhar combo went on to give Vidi Velli (the film was produced under Prabhu Ram pictures, does it sound a bell?) & Punar Jenmam in the early 60s. After a break (during which Sridhar did N.O.Aalayam, N.Marapathilai, Then Nilavu, K.Neramillai & Vennira Adai), NT & Sridhar came back with 3 films in succession. Nenjirikkum Varai, O.V.Uravu & Sivantha Mann all came in that order and if you include Dharthi (the Hindi version of S.Mann, where NT played the role done by Muthuraman in Tamil. It had Rajendra Kumar & Waheeda Rahman in the lead) it was 4 in a row. An interesting info about SM was Sridhar had announced this movie in 1965 with MGR in the lead and the name was Andru Sinthiya Ratham. A day’s shoot was done and Sridhar could not proceed as MGR’s tantrums started and eventually Sridhar shelved the project. SM was a big budget movie and since it was made in 2 languages simultaneously, the production cost was very high. It was also the first Tamil movie to be shot in foreign locales & the pre release hype was huge. Sridhar’s Chithralaya Pictures did the same mistake done by BRB and they released SM directly on Nov 9th, 1969. The same reasons that plagued Karnan affected SM also. But SM like Karnan did run for more than 100 days in many centres. But may be a mega hit eluded it. Still Sridhar announced Hero-72 in 1973 with NT and the production was delayed. Mean while Sridhar & MGR patched up and Urimai Kural was launched and Sridhar encountered problems during shooting but the movie made it to theatres in 1974. Hero-72 became Vaira Nenjam and got released in 1975, but it didn’t do well. Sridhar & MGR again launched Meenava Nanban & Anna Nee En Deivam. MN was completed and released in 1977 but ANED was not completed. MGR became CM and that was cited as the reason. But when MGR had 4 months at his disposal in 1980, when his Government was dismissed, the producers approached him but he was not game for the shooting. It is another sad irony that the producers JR movies after producing 3 successful movies with NT (Enga Mama, Gnana Oli & Mannavan Vanthanadi) switched camps along with Sridhar and suffered eventually. NT even after all these happenings gladly accepted the name of Sridhar as director when Stills Sarathy wanted to make a movie with NT in the lead and Mohana Punnagai was born.
APN’s case was the most pathetic of the three. He having given great hits with NT had no reason to switch over. His series of Bakthi films were all Super hits except say Thirumal Perumai but even this was made up with the Super Duper success of Thillana (1968), a film that was also critically acclaimed. After this he did Guru Dhakshinai (* ing NT, JJ & Padmini) in 1969. This movie promised much in the first half, but fell flat in the second half and eventually failed at the BO. After this there was a hiatus in the sense that NT- APN combo films were not there for a while. But when Anand Theatre Umapathy wanted to do Raja Raja Chozhan with NT, only one name was considered and that was APN. RRC as you know was the first Tamil movie in Cinemascope and again it was a big budget movie with huge expectations. APN who had written a beautiful screenplay for Thillana from Kothamangalam Subbu’s novel unfortunately failed to recreate that magic when he was asked to do it from TKShanmugam’s play. Though a mega hit eluded RRC, it still had a decent run (I don’t know whether it was a cruel coincidence, here also Anand movies released it directly throughout TN). That was to be the last NT-APN movie. But here APN did not loose anything, as he was only the Director. But as fate would have its way, he started Navarathinam with MGR and his worst days started. He could not cope with the whims and fancies of MGR and the shooting was just going on. Then once it was completed MGR put a break on rerecording and dubbing. When APN was almost pleading with MGR, the final condition came up and that was APN should launch his next movie with MGR. APN had no other go and announced Pilot Raju with MGR in the lead. A day’s shooting on the Pooja day with MGR in Pilot’s attire took place and finally Navarathinam saw the light of the day on Mar 5th, 1977. Alas, APN neck deep in debts breathed his last on April 5th, 1977 just a month later. NT was the first to arrive and paid his last respects and his condolence message gave a glimpse of NT’s love for him and APN’s misunderstanding.
So if you see, all the three who left NT suffered and it is another irony that PMadhavan & ACT who left MGR after a single movie (PM after Deiva Thai & ACT after Anbe Vaa) joined with NT to give superb movies and they never suffered.
Regards
Murali ACT was AVM's aasthana dir for sometime and he directed Anbe vaa.
so it cant be treated as ACT-MGR combination
and above All AnbeVaa is the superb movie in all aspects and AVM is proud of producing it
Murali Srinivas,
Your write up is great to answer the questions I raised. As Tacinema told, ego clash between great persons brings misunderstanding and stops the continuation of the good work done by them. There are many examples for this in the Tamil Cinema industry itself.
In these directors cases, not only we, the fans are unfortunate but themselves. I feel if BRB and APN had continued with NT, they would have brought some more great films.
Murali,
Excellent write up. You have an amazing and sharp memory power, remembering event dates so accurately.
On behalf of Sivaji fans, I appreciate your great work. Please continue.
You are right about Madurai Thangam theater and NT's history of running 3 movies over 100 days here. My uncle used to say that this NT's record at Thangam theater was beaten not by MGR, but by Gemini. It looks like one of Gemini's movie ran over 125 days there. You can confirm this news.
Dear kalnayak, tac
Thanks.
tac,
Your uncle is right.Gemini's (or rather KSG's) Panama? Paasama? ran for 140 days in Thangam and grossed Rs 4.40 Lakhs, which was the bench mark for highest collected movie in Madurai, till Pattikaada Pattanama broke the same when it went past this gross in 115 days, in Madurai-Central, a smaller one compared to Thangam.
Rajesh,
You have a point there. But what I meant was directors who came from that side to this, did not undergo the ordeals faced by the other three.
Regards
Murali,
Your posts need to be preserved.Keep up the great work..I amazed with your knowledge and memory.Expecting your next post in politics.
Murali,
Expecting your next episode..Ottu pottutu vanthu soottoda ezuthunga!
Murali Srinivas
Pls also cover the reasons why NT never contested in any elections ( apart from the one he stood repg his own party )
Looking forward to your next episode
Joe & Balaji,
I am compiling the happenings and I am on a trip down the memory lane to see if I have missed out anything. Work had kept me tied up. As Joe had said probably election happenings also are partly responsible for the delay.I will post it asap.
Regards
No problem..... we will wait.....
Ok friends.....lets digress a bit from politics and look at some memorable songs of NT movies........
When you are entrusted with a task to handle a mentally retarded man , you will have to become another like personality . then only one can understand the emotions, feelings that run through them…….
Sometimes, you will have to scream ……
At times, you will have to be tough…..
Also at times you will have to cry ……..
Most of the times, you will have to cajole ……..
Also one will have to laugh and evoke laughter so that the person understands you and obey your command…….
What Bagyaraj did with Banupriya in Aararo aariraro was with a comical touch ( but Banupriya was pretending to be insane )
But what JJ did to Nadigar thilagam was something different in ENGIRUNDHO VANDHAAL This movie arguably is the best of JJ incidentally………( ofcourse Suryaganthi was another IMHO )
The fact that the great Sanjivkumar tried his best in Kilona , the hindi version but himself admitted / surrendered with modesty that he could not match with Nadigar thilagam is another story ( not only this character, SK acted in the hindi version of Navarathri as well but once again , he conceded his limitations though he did well )
JJ is entrusted with the responsibility to take care of NT who becomes mentally retarded on seeing his lover die right before his eyes for the failed love affair …….
Typically , NT gets the rough treatment from all the members of the family , Balaji ( elder brother ) and others…….gets beaten, chided for his insanity …..
As they found NT to be a big headache, they hire the services of JJ ………
JJ gradually gets into the positive mind frame of NT and he starts liking her as he finds her the only person in the world who could understand / appreciate his state of mind……
There is no proven science as to when or how a retarded person gets back to sanity …….
Eventhough JJ herself finds the task herculian , soon she studies him and changes her approach and successfully convinces him that she is one to give solace and comfort
GENERAL THEORY IS THAT A RETARDED PERSON LAUGHS MOST OF THE TIMES………
This was aptly used by the Director to bring in a song sequence wherein JJ and NT go out to a water falls area and start exchanging notes through laughter….
It’s a funny situation and a bit tricky also for, a Music director to break his head to get an appropriate tune …..
But if the MD happens to be Mellisai Mannar , do we need to say anything further about his credentials ??
SO WHAT HE DOES HERE IS TO COIN THE SWARAS AND MERGE WITH THE LAUGHTER…….
Whatever JJ laughs, NT responds by churning out swaras ………
And a lovely worded beginning to a song…. SIRIPPIL UNDAAGUM RAGATHILAY ….PIRAKKUM SANGEETHAMAY ….. ADHU VADIKKUM KAVIDHAI AAYIRAM AVAI ELLAM UN ENNAMAY ….KANNAY POO VANNAMAY !!
Captivating lyrics ……perfect understanding of the situation and what a melody this song ultimately turned out to be….
During the laughter , swara exchange, it will look as if TMS and PS are in for a big challenge to out perform ! such will be the intensity
The melody king MSV didn’t miss the opportunity ….and its yet again a classic from his repertoire
MSV had also given a thought provoking song for MGR in Naan yaar naan yaar nee yaar in Kudiyirundha kovil , a song sequence during which MG will be briefly insane…..
Though the body language and expression of NT will be funny, the sweet melody makes up and acts as nice balancing factor to give glory to the song situation……
The prelude comes in the form of a sweet humming from TMS followed by MSV’s customary sitar …….( but this humming was edited by Chennai vanoli nilayam )
The flute interludes before the first charanam will take us to a dream world
I have observed MSV switching over to tabla support often during the charanam ( umpteen number of songs …..list is exhaustive ) this could be his style of structuring a song ……
The second interludes are a mix of group violin and sitar ( with drums support )…..and finally PS resumes with NILAVENA VALARATTUM KAVITHAI VELLAM….
Its yet another TMS-PS wonder !! another song wherein TMS breathes like Shivaji
This movie had other memorable songs :
1.Oray paadal unnai azaikkum – NT during the marriage reception of his lover had to sing this
2.Naan unnai azaika villai – A stage when NT pleads to JJ not to ignore him but treat him with all kindness that’s being to a kid ….MSV’s usage of Shenoy during the interludes will be nice…..
3.Kalidasa mahakavi kaviyam – a song needed to show that the 2 have understood each other and the resultant love making …. Its Seerkazi Govindarajan who sings this time…..any idea how he was roped in ?? briefly JJ also sings in between…
Finally NT comes out of the insanity but a rude shock for JJ as he could not recollect his past days …besides no other member of the family comes to her rescue….what further adds fuel to the fire was that JJ gets conceived which creates further mess but all ends well with another brother Muthuraman reveals the truth ( though he loves her initially, on realizing the extent of care she takes over NT , forgets and forgives ) comes to the rescue and ultimately NT accepts JJ…..
Makkal thilagam supporters used to comment about Nadigar thilagam :
MATRA NADIGARGALLUKKU ORU LATCHAM RUBAAI KODUTHAAL …AVARGAL AAYIRAM RUBAAKKU THAAN NADIPAARGAL ANAAL….. SHIVAJIKKU LATCHAM RUBAAI KODUTHAAL …….KODI RUBAAIKKU NADIPPAAR…..
And this movie was another example …..
Nadigar thilagam had to portray his character in three ways …. From a normal man to a retarded person and finally back to the normal ways…..
We have seen many such characters being portrayed by various actors ….some have gone overdrive and overacted also but here is a perfect portrayal by Shivaji who excels in his own customary manner…..
You will be stunned to see his facial expression after getting back to normalcy……when JJ appears before him , he will gently ask her ….WHO ARE YOU ??!!! with all the old maturity and graceful looks
Shocked by his response, JJ takes him to all parts of the house and shows him the various things and events happened earlier but Shivaji POLITELY says , SORRY I AM NOT ABLE TO RECOLLECT ANY SUCH INCIDENT …..
Its another splendid performance from Nadigar thilagam but IMHO, it was JJ who stole the show…….
JJ did well in Sumathi yen sundari and Savalay samaali . IMO, whenever she paired with NT, she was given some qualitative roles……
JJ had all the talent to become a good character actress but was used mostly as a glamour girl only ……its sad….. the last movie for JJ in tamil films should be Nadhiyai thedi vandha kadal
Engirundho vandhaal was directed by A.C.Thirulokchander
For Mellisai Master, its another success story of the early 70s………….
NT’s political phase 1967-1971 continuation
When the results had come out it was heart breaking for NT fans and Congressmen and to the general public. The NT fans had worked so hard that it was natural. But slowly they started recouping and again tried to come to terms with reality. Though PT refused to give excuses for the dismal performance, it was a fact that bogus voting had taken place on a large scale. If you ask to what an extent, then the answer is to the extent of bogus voting even NT’s vote. Yes friends. It is true. NT after the hectic campaigning came back to Madras on the morning of elections and after a much-needed rest went to the polling booth in the afternoon along with Kamala Ammal. On entering the booth, NT found to his dismay that his vote has already been cast. You know how? His name in the electoral rolls was listed as V.C.Ganesan and some body cleverly impersonating had cast the bogus vote. In those days no ID proof was required and the electoral officer was not shrewd enough to know (or maybe he was a co conspirator) that this V.C.Ganesan is the world famous NT. But making use of the protest vote NT cast his vote and came back. If this can happen to NT, imagine the plight of ordinary people. Another logical question that went unanswered was how come Congress that could manage to win 49 seats in 1967 at the height of anti-Congress wave could win only 16 seats when the conditions were more favourable in 1971?
As elections were over, the concentration again turned to movies. As I said earlier, Arunodhayam released on election day (05.03.1971) didn’t do well but within 3 weeks, NT’s Kulama Gunama came on 26.03.1971 and the fans & family audience lapped it up. A typical KSG movie, it also had Jai, Padmini & Vanishree. Then within another 3 weeks, 2 films of NT hit the screen. They were Sumathi En Sundari & Praptham and both got released on 14.04.1971. Here one should think about NT’s self-confidence. While every star worth his salt (this refers to every star, whether he was active at that time or now) releases just 1 or 2 movies per year and is afraid of competition, NT had no such fears. As I have pointed out exclusively in 2 of my earlier posts, he released 2 of his movies on the same day on so many occasions. Here in this year (i.e.) 1971, he had Iru Dhruvam on 14.01.1971, Thangaikaga on 06.02.1971 before the above-mentioned films. That means he had six releases before April 15th. SES a full-length comedy entertainer was a super hit while Praptham a remake of Milan, which dealt with the Poorva Jenma Ninaivugal (a la Nenjam Marapathilai) was not well received. Thus the film in which NT and Nadigayar Thilagam joined together for one last time went down as a flop. In May, MGR came out with Rickshawkaran and it became a super hit. Again the cine war started between the two fans’. On this side NT had his release on 03.07.1971 and that was Savale Samali, the 150th movie of NT. It was a big hit and war of words started. I remember a poster from NT rasikar mandram, which proclaimed
Kaalathai Vendravar Irukkalam; Anal
Ganesanai Vendravar Illai.
The words itself was enough to provoke (as it made fun of Adimai Penn’s song) and there were skirmishes & clashes.
While this was happening on the cine front, MuKa was embarking upon a course of action, which would permanently alter the face of TN. Yes he was contemplating a change in prohibition policy. TN was the only state other than Gujarat that had prohibition in force from 1946 onwards. Drinking was looked down as an evil habit and the ladies of TN (I think still some percentage retain this notion) was so allergic to it and it was a shame to them that if their husband is a drunkard. Annadurai when he was alive refused to tamper with this policy (His famous quote was “ Madhuvilakkai ratthu seyvathan moolam kidaikkum panam, kustarogiyin kayil irukkum vennaikkku samamanathu”), though he was the one who introduced lottery in TN. MuKa was putting up an argument that TN is like a camphor surrounded by fire on all sides that is Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka & Pondicherry and it cannot remain long like that. MGR opposed this policy and the DMK’s General council and executive (Podhukuzhu & Seyarkuzhu) were convened at Coimbatore and after a long debate it was decided to scrap prohibition. It was announced that liquor shops would be opened in TN from August 30th, 1971. (If you remember Raja, there will be a scene where Manohar will be arrested for drinking. Chandrababu will ask him “ Permit Irrukka? “ for which Manohar will reply “athan aug 30th thirakka porangale”)
This was opposed tooth and nail by PT & Rajaji. Rajaji was so upset because he was the one who enforced prohibition in 1946 when he was the Premier of then Madras Presidency. He appealed to MuKa, and one evening Kottum Mazhaiyil Gopalapuram sendrar. But MuKa did not heed his appeal and liquor shops were thrown open to TN public on Aug 30th, 1971. Thus TN, where 2 generations of citizens were unaware of what liquor is, became a liquor hub.
If scrapping of prohibition was an assault on the social fabric, MuKa played more dangerous games that would tear it to pieces. DK’s Veeramani by this time had assumed leadership because EVR was bedridden. DK used to conduct Ravana Leela as an answer to Ram Leela conducted in North. They would carry pictures of Hindu Gods garlanded with slippers and depict Hindu mythologies in obscene manner. Such a procession used to create tension and one such thing was done at Salem. In spite of protests, Govt was giving permission and police protection to DK. Cho’s Thuglak took photographs of the procession and published it. You know what MuKa did? He seized the copies of the Thuglak saying it was creating problems. According to him, what DK did was not wrong but publishing the same is wrong. People who speak of Press freedom now from rooftops were the first (ithilum avar than munnodi) to trample it when they ruled. Same way Kumudam office was attacked when they critisised DMK.
Another assault was on unions. DMK now firmly entrenched in power wanted to control union activities. Their target was TVS groups at Padi & Simpson. Marxist union was the main one at Simpson and DMK tried its level best to gain foothold there. But it could not get much of a break through. When it failed, Kuselar of Marxist union was hacked to death and so also Kattur Gopal. Having taken over TVS buses in Madurai and Raman & Raman buses of Kumbakonam, the DMK wanted them to dance to their tunes but the industries were not game to them. So a sort of autocratic behaviour was beginning to emerge from the rulers. The people were beginning to realize that they had done a mistake.
Oct 1st was fast approaching and NT decided to go for the Mahanadu again like that of previous year and this time venue was Coimbatore. If Salem witnessed huge crowds then Coimbatore out did it. The atmosphere was electric and again it was a grand success. By this time NT’s cinema graph was again starting to peak. Savalae Samali was followed by Thenum Paalum (the only film of NT that didn’t do well at that time) and Moondru Deivangal (a remake of Hindi Teen Chor) where NT acted sans makeup & jodi and the latter made a profit to its buyers. Deepavali came and Babu was released. It was ACT’s first venture into production and his Cini Bhaarath produced the movie. Babu was a remake of Malayalam movie Odayil Ninnu done by Sathyan. Here people got to see the original Rickshawkaran, the man hand pulling the rickshaw. It clashed with Neerum Neruppum, which was a remake of MKRadha’s earlier movie produced by Gemini. Babu a black and white movie defeated Neerum Neruppum a colour movie. MGR’s Oru Thai Makkal released in Dec 1971 also fell flat at the BO.
Meanwhile unlike MuKa, Indira at the centre was gaining and scoring over her opponents. During the middle and later part of 1971, people from the East Pakistan had started coming to India as refugees because of the atrocities of Pakistan Army. The East Pakistan people now wanted to come out of the tyrannical rule of Yahiya Khan who was the military ruler at that time. The EP people under the leadership of Sheik Mujibur Rahman were fighting for freedom and Mukti Bahini, the people’s army was engaged in Guerilla warfare. When the exodus of refugees reached a flash point, India warned Pakistan and when nothing concrete came out, India declared war on Dec 3rd 1971 and on 17th Dec, Pak army surrendered in front of Manekshaw at Dakka and Bangladesh was liberated. This gave a huge platform for Indira and she was described as the Goddess Durga in Bengal and this helped her to decimate her political opponents in the assembly elections that followed. TN was in the forefront of war donation when it gave 6 crores to the PM relief fund.
MuKa was now indulging in self-ornamentary and TN was introduced to Alyura Maalai, Malar Kireedom & Sengol and with TN information bureau having started to produce Tamiziga Arasin Seithi Madal which would be shown in every theatre and people had to sit through 10 minutes of all these when the visuals of MuKa with Maalai, Kireedom & Sengol would beam at you in every function they used to show. But luckily during the first 20 days of new NT movie, we would be spared this ordeal for the simple reason this will generate an adverse reaction from the audience and theatre owners avoided it. At one point of time after the Bangladesh war, the DMK sycophants put up a poster, which proclaimed him as Thennagathin Mujibur Rahman.
Now PT having seen all that’s happening in Delhi decided to concentrate more on TN. That was good for TN as DMK was committing many mistakes. At this point of time the rulers influenced Annamalai University and news came that this varsity is going to confer an honorary Doctorate on MuKa. Unlike today when all these things have become a farce, in those days’ people protested. The Manavar Congress of Annamalai University opposed it tooth and nail and when the varsity showed no signs of retracting it’s steps, it decided to arrange a Black flag demonstration when MuKa would arrive at Chidhambaram. This was not to the liking of the rulers and the day before the function the Manavar Congress President Udayakumar’s body was found in the lake. He had been brutally murdered. The entire student community was shocked and rose as one. Worse was to follow. The parents of Udayakumar were threatened and they were forced to say that the deceased was not their son. Under big protests the convocation passed off. Once the CM left the university, the parents came out crying that indeed it was their son Udayakumar. Congress leaders consoled the family and NT gave monetary assistance to the family. People were watching all these things and the mood against the government was building up.
As all these things were happening in, it was 1972 and NT’s glorious year in cinema was there in centre stage with all majesty. Followed by Babu in late 1971, 1972 opened with Raja (100 days) then Gnana Oli (100 days) followed by Pattikada Pattanama (182 days) till May. On the other side MGR’s disastrous run at the BO continued. If Neerum Neruppum & Oru Thai Makkal in 1971 failed to make the cash registers ring, worse was to follow when the first 3 movies in 1972 namely Sangae Muzhangu, Nalla Neram & Raman Thedia Seethai failed to bring cheers to the fans. In June Naan En Piraenthen was released and again fans were disappointed when they saw their hero being a father of a 10-year-old son in the very second scene itself. In July NT’s Dharmam Engae (inspired from an English movie) was released and it was the only movie of NT in 1972 that did not run for 100 days and could do only 50 days. In July, the farmers of TN were on the protest path, as they have been demanding a wage revision for quite a long time. You know how much they demanded? Just 1 paise and the rulers could not digest even this and there was firing against the farmers. The Government justified the police firing and there was a comment “ Policeaar Thuppakkiyal Suttal Gundu varamal Poomariya Peyyum?” You know who said this? It was none other than MGR. Such was DMK’s autocratic behaviour.
Meanwhile all was not well with MGR & MuKa. MGR having seen his movies continuously bombing at the BO wanted to do something that could arrest this trend and he thought about some Puratchi. He hit upon the idea of becoming a minister. When he broached this subject to MuKa, he was taken aback. But the shrewd politician he was, he said it can be done but MGR has to stop acting, for which MGR was not ready. He wanted to simultaneously do both. To pacify MGR for the time being MuKa again used his clout in Delhi and his lobbying got MGR the best actor award (Bharath award) for Rickshawkaran. It raised a hue and cry since NT’s Savalae Samali was in the race. (Imagine Rickshawkaran’s MGR getting award over Savalae Samali NT). But MGR was not satisfied and he was pressing his demand. He had other reasons too. MuKa by this time had readied his eldest son MuKa Muthu and he produced (Anjukam Pictures) a movie Pillayo Pillai with Muthu in the lead. Muthu did a double role and the movie was released in June 1972. MGR was called for the premier show and when he arrived at Devi Paradise, he saw a banner, which welcomed all, and it was in the name of Akila Ulaga MuKa Muthu Rasikar Mandram. (Two interesting side info’ s, are again it is MuKa who was the first to start the practice of putting up Mandrams for actors even before their first film is released. As you know this practice is widely prevalent now. The second info is in the subsequent Congress conferences and meetings the slogan “Magan Nadippathu Pillayo Pillai, Appan adippathu Kollayo Kollai “ was very famous). MGR noticing all these things was putting up some calculations, which nobody was aware of. But word was fast spreading that he was not happy. At this point of time DMK organized their state conference at Madurai in August 1972. The conference was arranged on a very big scale and money was flowing like water with the strong man of Madurai DMK, Madurai Muthu in charge. I remember we 7th Std students at that time speaking with wonder about the lights, fancy globes etc that were on show on the 4 Masi streets of Madurai. There was a procession on the first day and MGR was supposed to lead it. He didn’t turn up and in his place MuKa Muthu led the procession. MGR came on the last day of the conference and he had come with a specific plan. He wanted people to believe that he will continue in DMK (of course it was a lie) and he spoke with vigour and thundered at last “ Manila Suyatchi kidaikavillai endral Ranuvathai Santhipen” a theme, which DMK spoke often. MGR had come with a definite plan and he wanted to demonstrate his strength. After his speech, he said he has to leave for Madras urgently and left. When he left, the entire crowd left the Manattu Panthal. MuKa on seeing empty chairs in front of him swooned. Later on it was described as tiredness.
While all these things were taking up the centre stage, there were behind the scene activities that were originating from Delhi and were TN centric. Of course at that point of time (i.e.) in the second half of 1972, no body was aware of it. Indira Gandhi smarting under the insult meted out to her by MuKa during 1971 elections wanted to take revenge and she wanted to make MuKa weak and vulnerable. For this she decided that breaking the DMK was the best option and she wanted it to be broken for good. In whatever ways the Central Govt scanner revolved it was pointing to only one person and that was MGR. He came under their scrutiny and people were sent to talk to him. The IT Dept and Forex Department (obviously he had overspent the amount he got for shooting abroad for USV and additional money was arranged by Idhayam Pesugirathu Manian who was the liaison officer for the entire foreign location shooting) now was putting pressure on him to come out of DMK or face charges. MGR was now in a dilemma. On the one side his archrival was scaling peaks and he couldn’t match him. He desperately wanted a hit for which even his own party was not helping him. On the contrary the party chief was promoting his son in a big manner and again his place was being threatened. On the other hand the most powerful person of India was pressurizing him to break his present political party. Though MGR was sure of his mass support, he was hesitant to openly revolt. But due to the pressure from Delhi he started arranging public meetings through his fans association and there subtle hints were thrown. He started questioning his party leaders. But again he was not ready to spill the beans because he was not sure how this would help his sagging career. To his worst discomfort, NT’s Thava Pudhalavan released in August last of 1972 was also turning out to be a hit and his own Annamitta Kai released on Sep 15th 1972 sank without a trace. To rub salt on the wound, NT’s Vasantha Maaligai released on Sep 29th 1972 was instantly declared as a Super Hit. NT, for Oct 1st this year thought of the Mandram conference and Madurai was chosen as the venue. But PT called NT and told him that Congress itself wants to do a state level conference and the venue was Madurai and they had planned it on the same dates. NT the ever-obedient soldier immediately cancelled his conference and asked his fans to work for Congress conference. Congress in fact wanted to show the DMK that it could also conduct a conference of such magnitude sans ugly expenditure and cheap frills. People witness to all tamasha of DMK gave a rousing reception to Congress & PT. The rousing welcome that NT got was the icing on the cake of continuous hits and MGR decided it is now or never.
He arranged meetings in the first week of October and he openly started asking about the assets of DMK leaders (Ella Thalivarkalum Sothu Kannakkai Katta Vendum). He said he is demanding the same, as he was the treasurer of the party. He spoke furiously in Tirukazhukundram on Oct 8th 1972 and that was the last straw on the DMK camel’s back. Their executive (Seyarkuzhu) met urgently on 10.10.1972 and the decision that was to change the face of TN politics forever was taken. Yes MGR was suspended from DMK.
Friends again sorry, this is becoming too big even for 2 installments. So with your permission again I am stopping here but will post the remaining episode (1972-1975) very shortly.
Regards
Dear Murali,
Very informative posting. It is very clear that due to self-centred politics, the dravidian parties have been destroying the very base of our society. MuKa is back again, with a very fractured mandate. Let us see how he implements his "socialistics" poll promises like Color TV and Rs2/kg rice. In my recollection, even communists in WB did not make these kinds of manifesto. MuKa wants us to move away from capitalism, though whole india goes towards it.
I am afraid that this thread is moving more towards politics, though the original purpose is only about NT's films. But again, NT's film life is linked to politics, so you cannot escape from it.
Coming to movie, this shows our NT has clearly beaten MGR in BO records and quality movies. Look at the fascinating record of NT movies in 1970s, I am proud of him.
Again, beautiful narration of NT's records. A big salute to you. Please continue
Regards
DMK ,in their election manifesto ,they promised they will take steps to build the monument for NT as soon as possible..I hope they will keep their promise.
Hopes are our only HOPE !
Muka's association with NT is since the first movie. Definitely he will do it :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by joe
Sometime back I saw a song from karnan.........
"manjaL mugam niram maari
mangai udal uru maari"
in the song, shivaji as karna, peeps in from the balcony to see the fest.
The look in his face
a mingling of
aggressive pride, greatness for his friend,
feasting the beauty of his wife,
calculating with his shrude eyes every detail
of the occasion......,
minute emotion and sentiment, which would
be well hidden by his smile.
all in a matter of 3 seconds.
VizhigaL pesa koodiya orEEEEEEE nadigar
engaL shivaji.
shivaji devotee,
sp.
Dear Prabha
That one was fantastic scene. I bet no one in the universe will be able to show SUCH EXPRESSION . Even today I feel very bad that KARNAN failed against VETTAIKARAN. What kind of people.
ramesh
hi Uma/Ramesh,
Thanks for replying.
Actually lets think this way.
This 'vettaikaran' movie is unheard by many belonging
to younger gen. I dont think the movie was a hit at all.
It must have run in couple of theatres and there it ended.
Nobody praises about the movie, or talks about
mgr's performance in the movie, till today.
Whereas KARNAN might not have been a b.o hit, but
it brought fame for shivaji. Even today it makes us
talk about this movie, and shivaji's performance in the movie.
Victory sometimes flashes like a lightening and vanishes quickly
Sometimes victory...... is like an eternal fame, which is spoken about for eras. :)
Shivaji has won as karna.
I am sure many of us would think of only shivaji
when we wanna picturise karna as mythological char.
:)
regards,
Prabha.
Dear Prabha
Thanks. :clap:
ramesh
Dear Prabha,
A superb scene aptly described by you and seconded by Ramesh. When there is that closeup shot on the screen, the varigal will be
Karnan Petra Pillai Endral Karmegam Allava
Ethirkalathil Indha Deshathil Avan Karunai Seyvan Allava
Great lyrics.
Ramesh,
What you have told about Karnan- Vettaikaran dual is not correct. Karnan was a 100 day movie in many major centres and in fact as I have already mentioned, it ran for 100 days in our Madurai-Thangam theatre, the biggest in Asia and remember that less than 10 movies have run 100 days in that theatre in it's entire history of 42 years of existence and again NT's contribution is 3 films out of that less than 10.
Regards
Murali Srinivas
the general impression is Karnan was not that successful commercially. Is it true ?l
That impression is because Karnan was a very high budget movie .Though it ran 100 days in many centres ,it was not a good profit for the producer as expected.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nakeeran
Murali
Thanks for the clarification. We have so many scenes like this in this movie.
I think in between lyrics will be MALARGAL CHOOTI THILAGAM THETTI .superb song.
ramesh
Good News!
NT monument works will start soon -CM kalainjar assured.
http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/2006/may/17/2_2.jpg
Thank you Kalainjar karunanithi!
I guessed it . Mukaa and NT have been thick friends ( despite political diffrences ) for long. I wish they do a proper planning and put all the best pictures right from his first movie to lastQuote:
Originally Posted by joe
besides, the makeup things that he used, the dresses he wore
Dear Nakkeran,
As Joe had clarified, it was a hit movie but a mega hit eluded it. I have stated this in one of my earlier posts where I was putting forth the reasons for the split between NT & BRBanthulu.
Then again all the BO info about Karnan that I am putting up here is the collection of what all I have read and what all I gathered from old NT fans because when Karnan was released on 14.01.1964, I was hardly 4 years old.
Regards
one humble request to all,
Please donot degrade other actors while praising NT.
I'm an ardent fan of NT at the same time other actors had certain skills too
for eg gemini had the nack of subtle expressions , others had their own style but shivaji being the top among all no doubt abt that..
it's just a suggestion
CM kalainjar viewed NT statue by Pondichery Govt.
http://www.dinakaran.com/epaper/2006...disp.asp?i=7_5
Joe,
Great news. It sounds like our CM is interested to commence Sivaji Mandapam work.
I would like to see NT's Mandapam coming up in a grand scale, as grand as his screen personality.
Regards
:clap: Good News!
Dear Rajesh,
It is not anybody’s intention to down ride any other actor while discussing about NT. If something had appeared it is because the circumstances had warranted it. Starting from 3rd generation stars (i.e.) Kamal, Rajini it is easy not to bring in Rajini if you are discussing Kamal or vice versa and actors after that. But when a discussion is on NT, you cannot avoid MGR and in the same manner when you talk about MGR, NT’s name will definitely crop up. While putting up posts on NT under different headings in this forum, I have criticized MGR but let me tell you the reasons for the same.
The first point was NT’s BO success is not given the due recognition. There is a general impression that MGR always had BO success and NT excelled only in acting. This is sustained till today because of the fact MGR and his party are still in the larger picture of TN and NT has no such cushion. That was the reason that prompted me to document the true facts where NT had a clear edge even in BO. It pains when you read a person of Kamal’s caliber stating that Uthama Puthiran was a flop. Lest anybody challenge him, he says that NT himself had told this to him (Kamal). Is it possible to cross check with NT when he is no more? This is clearly an attempt by him to place himself on par with NT and to convince the people that even NT’s good films were flops, which is totally false. To equate his BO flops with NT’s films itself is condemnable. Even if you send a letter to the magazine, which published this interview, it will be confined to their dustbins. When we are unable to correct these type of wrongs, we are forced to defend our NT with statistics and if not the entire TN, I thought let me state at least some BO records set by NT in our Madurai. When such a document is posted, comparison becomes inevitable.
Again it pains when the present day media goes ga ga over some actors and their getups. I had put up a specific post regarding the makeup. The media correspondents in their 20’s don’t know anything about the history of Tamil cinema nor do they care to read about it. They simply use all sorts of Superlatives while describing about some actors and it applies to Vikram to a larger extent. I am surprised by the amount of praise that is heaped on him. Let me make it clear that I do agree that he is a good actor, but definitely not a great actor. Not yet. In my opinion till date he has done only 3 good films (i.e.) Sethu, Pitha Magan & Anniyan. (Don’t tell Kasi, because Kalabhavan Mani, basically a mimicry/comedy artist to start with, had done a much better job in the Malayalam original “Vaasanthiyum, Lakshmiyum Pinne Nzanum”) and if you could see, all the 3 are directors’ movies. Let him prove his mettle in a lesser-known director’s movie. Even his Dhil, Dhool, Gemini are commercials. He could not sustain his movie Maja in spite of media boosting, whereas Mammootty whom people thought could not deliver comedy did a great job in Maja’s original Thommanum Makkalum and the film was a runaway success. See the build up for his next film Bhima. He is playing a Don and for that the medias are going overboard. To describe Vikram as the next torchbearer by the media is taking things too far. To express my opinion on this and to tell people that how much had NT suffered for difficult makeups and that too in a period where the modern day make up materials were unheard of, I posted a topic on makeup.
Then again while documenting the events that led to the parting of ways between NT and some famous yesteryear directors, I had put up something against MGR because it was a fact and it had to be told. I had explained how APN suffered because of Navarathinam. There is an article, which is serialized in Dinamalar Vaaramalar called MGR oru Sagaptham written by one Mr.Ramalingam, a one time stunt man who doubled as a dupe for MGR and also acted as his body guard when he became the CM. Last week, he had written that MGR helped APN and he goes on to say that Navarathinam ran for 100 days. A brazen attempt to hide the truth and so since we don’t have access to mass media to deny such falsehood, at least these things can be documented here.
Another major factor that makes mentioning of MGR and his deeds unavoidable while discussing about NT is, as everybody knows NT & MGR were not only rivals in cinema but also in politics since they represented two diametrically opposite parties. When we discussed about NT’s political career, TN’s political situation took centre stage and when it came to parting of ways between DMK & MGR, one major factor that weighed heavily in favour of MGR’s decision was NT’s continuous BO success at that time and his (MGR’s) continuous failures and MGR’s step itself was to arrest the failure trend and revive his sagging career with the help of politics. So this had to be told.
So when facts are documented we cannot avoid some things. If you personally ask me whether I derived happiness when NT’s movies succeeded and MGR’s movies flopped, my frank answer would be yes till 1978, when MGR’s last movie came out because those were my school days and beginning of College and it was natural. But now the question loses its relevance. I think it is applicable to all fan fights and fans of all generation.
In future too, if somebody is faulted in this thread, please understand that it will not be wanton one. Sorry Rajesh if I had bored you by my lengthy talk.
Regards
Mr. Murali Srinivas
Though I am not an active participant in this great thread, I have been closely watching it and your contribution has been immense & also of Joe's and others.
You have clearly summarised your views .
Pls continue your good work.
Your postings are very informative for novices like me
murali thanks for the lengthy explanation
i didnt mean you it was a generic suggestion
Murali,
That is really informative and interesting post..Pls continue your great work here.
hi..joe anna.... :|Quote:
Originally Posted by joe