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Motor Sundaram Pillai
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Wikipedia article
'Motor Sundaram Pillai' is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. S. Balan and written by Veppathur Kittoo. A remake of the Hindi film 'Grahasti' (1963), itself based on the American film 'The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker' (1959), the film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Ravichandran, Sowcar Janaki and Jayalalithaa. It revolves around a man who leads a double life, having two sets of families.
'Motor Sundaram Pillai' is the directorial debut of Balan, whose father Vasan produced the film under Gemini Studios. After Kittoo completed the screenplay, Ganesan was approached to star but declined; Vasan then produced Kittu's screenplay as 'Grahasti'. When Ganesan saw this film, he offered to act if Kittu made a Tamil version, and was cast.
'Motor Sundaram Pillai' was released on 26 January 1966. The film was commercially successful, running for over 100 days in theatres.
Plot
Motor Sundaram Pillai, a man known for being virtuous, leads a double life, having two sets of families.
Cast
;Male cast
* Sivaji Ganesan as Motor Sundaram Pillai
* Ravichandran as Mohan
* Sooryakumar as Vimala's boyfriend
* Sivakumar as Gopal
* Nagaiah as Mohan's father
* Sundararajan as Gopal's father
* S. Rama Rao as Station Master
* T. S. Muthaiah
* Deviprasad
* Master S. Kumar
* Nagesh as Shambu
* C. R. Parthiban as Police
* Master C. P. Kumaran as Babu
;Female cast
* Sowcar Janaki as Meenakshi
* Jayalalithaa as Mala
* Pandari Bai as Sundaram Pillai's sister
* Kanchana as Kamala
* Rajakokila as elder daughter of Maragadham and Sundaram
* Shylashri as Vimala
* Manimala as Maragadham
* Baby Savithri
* Baby Avandhi
* M. S. Sundari Bai
* Baby Padmini as Rajee
* Baby Kausalya
* Sachu as Revathy
Production
The 1959 American film 'The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker', adapted from a play written by Liam O'Brien, which was inspired by a real life incident, was a global success, especially in Madras (now Chennai). Veppatthur Kittu of Gemini Studios wrote a screenplay based on this film (with changes made to suit regional tastes) and approached Sivaji Ganesan to act. He refused, and Gemini Studios proprietor S. S. Vasan produced Kittu's screenplay in Hindi as 'Grahasti' (1963). When Ganesan saw this film, he offered to act if Kittu made a Tamil version. Vasan later announced the Tamil version, titled 'Motor Sundaram Pillai'. Like 'Grahasti', this too featured some changes from the American film. It marked the directorial debut of Vasan's son Balan. Cinematography was handled by P. Ellappa.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The lyrics were penned by Kothamangalam Subbu and Vaali. In the song "Gubu Gubu Naan Engine", singer L. R. Eswari imitated engine sounds while A. L. Raghavan imitated train car sounds. The song "Maname Muruganin" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Hindolam. Subbu initially wanted it to be in Atana, but as Viswanathan wanted it to be in Hindolam, Subbu assented. The song was re-used in 'Motor Sundaram Pillai's Telugu remake 'Manchi Kutumbam' (1968) as "Manase Andhala Brindavanam".
Release and reception
'Motor Sundaram Pillai' was released on 26 January 1966. T. M. Ramachandran of 'Sport and Pastime' wrote, "Though, up to the interval, it contains the usual quota of songs, dances, romantic chases of the young lovers and comedy [...] it grips the audience with a clever and logical twist in the story." The film was commercially successful, running for over 100 days in theatres.
References
Bibliography
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