Muradan Muthu - right film at the wrong time
Dear Rakesh,
Your writing on Muradan Muthu, one of my all time favourites, is very apt and with full of substance. This one also falls under those umpteen number of NT's films which failed at the BO for no reason. But analysing the reasons if at all is there any, may be the time of its release. NT was very affectionate with Panthulu and sincerely advised him to wait for some time, but at the same time he did not make any problems with his call sheet (imagine if it was some other actor). While as a friend and well wisher, he advised Panthulu to wait for some time, as an actor, he did his duty with out causing any difficulty for the producer. Hence he did not interfer with the release of the film.
There is also another belief among the fans that the fate of the films at that time, depended on the status of the theatre in Mount Road area where it gets released. This would reflect among the fans throughout Tamil Nadu. If it was prominent theatres, like Shanthi, Midland, Wellington, Plaza, then it would have its impact. If it was some other theatre, it would be different. And Muradan Muthu was released at the Star Theatre in Triplicane and it did reflect in the decision of bo success. Many films which first got released at the Star Thatre, did not have much success at the bo, except Sivakumar's Rosappoo Ravikkaikkaari. MGR's films Kannan En Kadhalan, Petral Than Pillaiya, Vivasayee, NT's Muradan Muthu were among them. This might have had its psychological impact on the cinegoers of that time.
Coming to the film. These reasons in no way justify the failure of MM at BO. NT's superb performance, TG Lingappa's captivating music, were all there. And unlike histrionic and overgesturing villains of commercial films, the villain was one amongst us. Asokan gave another memorable performance in this film. Devika, MVR, Panthulu, had all played their part to perfection. Had this film clicked at the BO, may be we might not have got Ayirathil Oruvan from Panthulu (of course, this is my assumption). The scene where Muthu would invite his brother for the wedding of his sister, is a classic example of the relationship between affectionate brothers.
Muradan Muthu is one of those unfortunate films which did not get their due response from the audience.
Raghavendran.