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The influence NT had over the film fraternity, whether it is the co-star,cameraman or Director was so great that the same got enshrined in their minds to reflect later. One such incident (I think some people might have heard about this) is like this.
Director K.Sankar(who passed away recently) was a very senior director and he commanded a lot of respect from all artists. As he was one of the "Guruswamys" (the other being Nambiar) he was held in respect. The incident I am referring to had happened in 1962, when Sankar was directing NT in "Alaya Mani" and MGR in "Panathottam". Alayamani's shooting will be in the daytime and as his wont MGR wil have Panathottam shooting in the night.
When this tight schedule was going on,people began to see a change in Sankar's attitude. In Panathottam set, he sarted asking for retakes, an act normally no people will dare to ask from MGR. As it is well known,MGR normally takes care of the camera angle,
direction etc and the director is there for namesake only.But with Sankar,it was different and even MGR handled him with respect.
So when the retake saga continued for 2-3 days,MGR was puzzeled and from one of the assistant directors he came to know about Alayamani's shooting. When Sankar ordered a retake for the next scene, MGR did it without objection and on completion of the shot took Sankar to a lonely spot and said " Neenga yaariyo manisile vachikittu enkitta retake ketkireenga.Intha Ramachandranalae enna midiyumo, athai mattum kelunga. Verai orutharai mathiri enkitta ethirparkatheenga".
When he heard this, Sankar realised his folly and acted accordingly afterwards.See how NT's capabilities had it's reflection on his contemporary too.
Regards
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I had wanted to talk about "Yaar intha Nilavu", but since Mohanram sir had asked us not to do it now, I am holding it back.There is a prelude to this song which I wanted to tell, but let me do it later.
When I wrote about Alayamani, I thought I can put in something here more for the reason "Split Personality" was a common word used recently to speak about a performance of a hero. For me Alayamani is just the best bet for analysing such a role. There are so many scenes which will bring out the split character,but here I just wanted to speak about only one scene.
In the second half, with NT in the wheel chair,Saroja Devi stays back to care of him in his house though the marriage has not taken place.SSR,NT's friend doubles up as his secretary also stays there. NT recieves an invitation for a marriage and since it is important, he asks S.Devi to go to the function and tells SSr to accompany her.
S.Devi,draped in Pattu Putavai and in all ornaments will emerge from the room. Sivaji will be sitting and SSR will be standing and discussing something, when SSR will notice S.Devi. Sarvalangarapoojithayaga varum S.Devi-yai paarthuvittu SSR appadiyae meimaranthu poi nirpar. Avarkallukul erkanavae iruthantha kathalai patri thriyatha NT, avarum S.Devi-yai santhosathudan paarthuvittu " Sekar" endru thirumpuvar. Ithai kavanikkamal SSR appadiyae paarthukondirukka, NT-in mugabhavam methuvaga maarum, marupadiyum lesaga kural uyarthi "Sekar" enbar.No response. Innamum mugam sivakka marupadiyum, konjam periya kuralil "Sekar" enbar.Appothum SSR gavanikkamal S.Devi-yae paarthukondu nirpar. Athuvarai atakki vaithiruntha antha mirugam (split personality) viswaroopam edukka
antha veedae idinthu vizhuvathupol "SekaR" endru oru kathu kathuvar, antha oru second-il avar mugathil maari maari theriyum antha bhavangal,nobody can even think of doing that. The immediate change to normalcy will also be beautifully done by NT.
What can we say except exclaiming, A born actor!
Regards
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Murali,
Sorry, after a long time visiting this forum.
Excellent narrations of several NT's wonderful films. While reading your colorful points, my memory goes back to different NT films that I have seen many years back. How I enjoyed them, how Sivaji's fans mesmerized them. Especially Aalyamani, a great film, a must see for every one. As you said in one of your postings, ONLY IN NT's FILMS, you will see minute details and his acting wonders. You must be his fan to enjoy those unbelievable moments. Excellent work, please continue.
My uncle, who is just like you, a fanatic of NT films. He was the president of his college Sivaji fans association. Since my family is also from Madurai, may be you know him.
I would recommend this forum administrators preserve this thread as a priceless treasure. This thread has got many wonderful points that should be preserved.
The following should be the befitting reply to NT's contribution to Indian cinema (not just Tamil cinema): NT is the one who defined what an acting is. NT should be recommended for Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his achievement in Indian cinema. So far, from Indian film world, I believe only Satyajit Ray has received that award. Like Satyajit Ray, our NT already received "Lègion d'Honneur", France award. With Indo-US realtionship looking up, it should not be tough to lobby for NT and make it happen.
High regards
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Entha padaithai endru solvathu.. ovvoru padathilum ovvoru paathirathilum vetrumai kaatiyirupparayya ivar..
oru paathirathin saayal innoru paathirathil theriyave theriyaadhu ...my god mind blowing...
Adhe Bhimsigh,AVM, Tirulogachander combinationil vandha Paarthal Pasi theerum padathil,
Kodi asaindhadhum, kaatru vandhadha paadal,
B'ful S.devi and Handsome shivaji . idhil kaalil adipattavar enbadhal avar andha padalil konjam izhuthu izhuthu nadappar, S.Devi odi,nadandhu paadikonde varuvar, adharku eedu koduthu avar nadakka vendum adhai evvalavu azhagaga seidhiruppaar - meednum sandharpam kidaithal paarungal..
arpudham...
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I am reminded of an incident that happened to Lord Lawrence Olivier, the great shakespearean actor,during the film marathon man.His co-star dustin hoffman was a "method" actor and for a scene hoffman starved for three days and ran several miles till he got that "look and feel"...when Olivier was told of this he went upto Hoffman and said ..."why dont you try acting it's easier".....In fact NT once told me that it was Olivier's death scene in Richard III that inspird him for the death scene of the "rowdy" in Navarathri..as well as the epileptic scene in Raman ethanai raamanadi.....these great actors did not have to resort to gimmicks....they just "acted". :clap:
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Dear tac,
Thanks for your comments and I am happy that you are also from Madurai. Hope we will be in touch.
Rajesh,
Just as you have mentioned,NT will be majestic in Kodi asainthathum song, but his unfaltering steps with a slight bend can be more prominently seen in " Yarukku Mapilai Yarro ", especially in the scene when NT and S.Devi will walk along the two sides of a pond. You can even set a time watch and you will end up finding that the slight bend because of the injury will repeat exactly in equal time frames. Another example for time frame shot I remember is the coming down of Appa Sivaji in Deiva Magan from a 20-25 step staircase. What a rhythematic steps.
In Kodi Asainthathum,my pick will be the lines in the second saranam
Penmai enpathal Naanam Vanthatha
Naanam Vanthathal Penmai Anatha
where SD will be lying down and NT, irandu kaalaiyum slight-aga agatri, thalayai leasaga thooki, irandu kaikalaiyum pant pocket-il vittu oru style kattuvar, applause allikondu pokum.
Regards
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murali naanum madurai than
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excellent Murali. What do you think about NT's comedy roles? Which one do you like most?
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Rajesh, Great that we Madurai people are meeting up here.
Tac, when you asked about comedy roles of NT, I just thought,is it not a fact that most of NT fans and public in general always went for story based, family oriented senti films of NT, where his histronic abilities will be in full view. But I have had a feeling that NT was very much fond of doing light hearted comedies. If you go thro' his list then some films spring to mind.
In the chronological order, I remember
1.Kalyanam Panniyum Brahamachari:
NT-TR Ramachandran combo, this was one of the early film of NT.I think it must have been a pleasant surprise for the public when it was released because of the fact that they had seen only the fiery,oratorical Sivaji who excelled in Social mileu(Parasakthi) and historical Manohara. A very casual looking NT who just breezed thro' his character.
2.Sabash Meena ( I think this was NT's 51st movie, while the 50th was Sarangathara).
Another comedy that rocked theatres at that time, I was told. NT as a rickshaw wallah was good.Unfortunately I could not watch the movie in theatres ( I was not born when it was released and somehow I missed even during it's re release) and I watched it only in TV (DD,I believe) and what remains in my mind are the 2 songs " Chithiram Pesuthadi" a beautiful solo by TMS (music I believe was by TG Lingappa), where NT would be charming and Malini will be trying to look at the drawing. The second song is the rain song between NT & Malini ( Kana Inbam kanithatheno).
3. Balae Pandiya - 1962.
Evergreen entertainer that many people will vouch as the best comedy film of NT. The amazing part of this movie is the entire movie was shot in 14 days because NT had to leave for US. NT finished the film, went to US and when he came back the movie was released. Not for nothing people praise this movie because NT
did 3 different roles and MRR had 2 roles. The unforgettable Mama! Mappilai song is a regular in TVs and it has been discussed in this thread also.
4. Ooty Varai Uravu -1967
Another evergreen comedy. But unlike the earlier mentioned films, NT infact would play a serious character who would be forced to act as Dr. for Muthuraman & L.Vijayalakshmi's love. And along with VKR,how lovely he would have done that. The scene where they will try to give a name to LV was the best. They will name her as Rathi and NT will ask "Rathi,eppadi?" MR will say "Rathi",but VKR will simply walk away with the honours by his cool comment" A-an Rathi Rathi". Balaiah,Nagesh and VKR were excellent in this movie.
5. Galatta Kalyanam- 1968
This time it was CVR who was behind this and this was the movie for which Ramkumar Films was created. A rollicking comedy of NT trying to find 4 bachelors for the 4 sisters where the efforts of NT to change the mind of sanyasini Manoramo with the help of a little kid and making B.A.Gopi(V.Gopalakrishnan) as Gopi B.A. so that the "Graduate" condition of the last girl is fulfilled were humourous and enjoyable.Thangavelu as the father and Cho as the cousin of JJ added fun. The song "Appappa Naan Appanalada" was a runaway hit.
6.Anjal Petti-520 -1969
The only film where NT and TN Balu joined together, this movie had a storyline of the hero on mistaken notions writes a fiery letter to his manager and realises his mistake after posting the letter.His efforts to trace the letter before it reaches the addressee forms the story. A promising story line suffered because of weak screen play and moreover NT's continious releases during that period (1969 Mar-Thanga Surangam, May-Kaaval Deivam[Samundi,what a cameo it was], Jun- Guru Dhakshinai, Jul- AP 520 & Aug-Niraikudam) also played havoc.
7.Sumathi En Sundari -1971
Again the same combo of NT-JJ-CVR- Ramkumar films,but this time it was in colour.For me this was a comedy film where NT as an innocent Estate manager unaware of the outside world,unaware of even cinema and it's stars played the part to perfection. He would be very casual and very naive to believe the "stories" of JJ. One scene in his home where he will casually remark "unakenna, Maman thollai, thappichitu vanthu enga sogama irrukka. En uyirthan poguthu" will bring out the character. The misunderstanding of Thangavelu that JJ is NT's wife and NT unable to explain to him the real situation since he had lied to Thangavelu about his " wife" (an imaginary character) and the Dharma sankadangal he has to encounter in the course of the decisions taken by Thangavelu were simply enjoyable.Nagesh again did a superb part.
8.Anbe Aryuire - 1975
A real let down by NT and we could not believe that ACT would take such a film. The saving grace were the songs.
Other than this you can include the initial portions of Mahakavi Kalidas, Raman Ethanai Ramanadi and Bharatha Vilas where NT had done a fabulous job (especially MKKalidas), not to forget the cameo in Dhavani Kanavukkal.
I don't know whether I have missed any movie, but overall I feel majority of the people will choose Bale Pandiya & OVU. For me Sumathi should be close second.
Regards
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Murali Srinivas
Wish to add SELVAM to this list of comedy movies of NT.....
I think SVR was hilarious as a doctor
Though the theme was serious, IMO, its full of comedy....
later in the 90s, he did Lakshmi vandhaachu with Revathy and Pappimaa ...
not sure whether you will consider this in your list ?
