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{{short description|1978 film by A. C. Tirulokchandar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Pilot Premnath.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[A. C. Tirulokchandar]]
| screenplay = A. C. Tirulokchandar
| based_on = {{based on|''Mezhugu Bommaigal''|R. Venkat}}
| producer = D. M. Chandrasena<br />M. M. Saleem<br /> T Mukundan Menon
| starring = [[Sivaji Ganesan]]<br />[[Malini Fonseka]]
| cinematography = T. S. Vinayagam
| editing = B. Kanthasamy
| music = [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
| studio = Cine India Productions
| released = {{film date|df=y|1978|10|30}}
| country = India<br />Sri Lanka
| language = Tamil
}}
'''''Pilot Premnath''''' ({{IPAc-en|p|r|eɪ|m|n|ɑː|θ}}) is a 1978 [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film written and directed by [[A. C. Tirulokchandar]]. The film stars [[Sivaji Ganesan]] as the eponymous character. It is based on R. Venkat's play ''Mezhugu Bommaigal'' ({{Translation|Wax Figurines}}). The film, the first joint Indo-Sri Lankan [[Co-production (media)|co-production]] in history, was shot entirely in Sri Lanka, while post-production took place in India. It was released on 30 October 1978.

== Plot ==
{{more plot|date=March 2021}}
Pilot Premnath, devastated by the tragic loss of his wife in an accident, redirects his love and affection towards his two sons and a blind daughter. However, a significant shift occurs when he discovers an unsent letter written by his late wife.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Sivaji Ganesan]] as Premnath
* [[Malini Fonseka]] as Premnath's wife
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Premnath's son
* [[Jai Ganesh]] as Premnath's son
* [[Jayachitra]] as Vijayakumar's lover
* [[Sridevi]] as Kanchan
* [[Major Sundarrajan]] as Balu
* Prem Anand as Kanchan's lover
* [[Thengai Srinivasan]] as Premnath's co-pilot
* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Premnath's co-pilot's wife
* [[Sathyapriya]] as Premnath's son's lover
}}

== Production ==

''Pilot Premnath'' was directed by [[A. C. Tirulokchandar]], who also wrote the screenplay while [[Aaroor Dass]] wrote the dialogues. The film was produced by D. M. Chandrasena, Mukundan Menon and M. M. Saleem. The first joint Indo-Sri Lankan co-production in history, it was shot entirely in Sri Lanka, while post-production took place in [[Chennai|Madras]], India.<ref name="randor guy" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fernando |first=Susitha |date=10 July 2012 |title=Indo-Lanka film-production after four decades |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/220710/magazine/indo-lanka-film-production-after-four-decades-488180.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908102308/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/220710/magazine/indo-lanka-film-production-after-four-decades-488180.html |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]] |location=Sri Lanka}}</ref> The film was an adaptation of the play ''Mezhugu Bommaigal'' written by R. Venkat.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Venkatramanan |first=Geetha |date=30 March 2012 |title=Drama with dignity |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/drama-with-dignity/article3259629.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216164859/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/drama-with-dignity/article3259629.ece |archive-date=16 December 2018 |access-date=16 December 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Sivaji Ganesan portrayed the lead character originally played by [[A. R. Srinivasan]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=6 January 2012 |title=Showbitz – 'Kolaveri' rules! |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/showbitz-kolaveri-rules/article2780445.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327110530/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/showbitz-kolaveri-rules/article2780445.ece |archive-date=27 March 2021 |access-date=27 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> and Sridevi portrayed that character's blind daughter, reprising the role originally played by [[Sachu]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=13 April 2012 |title=Showbitz |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/showbitz/article3311063.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327104126/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/showbitz/article3311063.ece |archive-date=27 March 2021 |access-date=27 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2020 |title=ரோஜா மலரே! - 67: நடிகரால் ஏற்பட்ட காயம் - குமாரி சச்சு |url=https://www.dinamani.com/weekly-supplements/dinamani-kondattam/2020/dec/06/rose-flower-67-injury-by-actor-kumari-sachu-3517632.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908073036/https://www.dinamani.com/weekly-supplements/dinamani-kondattam/2020/dec/06/rose-flower-67-injury-by-actor-kumari-sachu-3517632.html |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=[[Dinamani]] |language=ta}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The songs were composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]], and written by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pilot Premnath Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan |url=https://mossymart.com/product/pilot-premnath-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-m-s-viswanathan-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610044413/https://mossymart.com/product/pilot-premnath-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-m-s-viswanathan-2/ |archive-date=10 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> The song "Azhagi Oruthi" belongs to [[Baila music|Baila]], a [[Music of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan]] genre.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vamanan |author-link=Vamanan |date=6 February 2018 |title=His Surangani ferried Baila tunes from Lankan shores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/his-surangani-ferried-baila-tunes-from-lankan-shores/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121020054/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/his-surangani-ferried-baila-tunes-from-lankan-shores/ |archive-date=21 November 2020 |access-date=27 March 2021 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ilangaiyin Ilam Kuyil
| extra1 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[Vani Jairam]]
| length1 =
| title2 = Azhagi Oruthi
| extra2 = [[P. Jayachandran]], [[L. R. Eswari]]
| length2 =
| title3 = Muruganendra Thirunaamam
| extra3 = T. M. Soundararajan
| length3 =
| title4 = Who Is The Black Sheep
| extra4 = T. M. Soundararajan
| length4 =
| title5 = Kopithootta Mudhalalikku
| extra5 = L. R. Eswari, [[Ceylon Manohar]]
| length5 =
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Pilot Premnath'' was released on 30 October 1978, [[Diwali]] day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2019 |title=கமலுக்கு 'சிகப்பு ரோஜாக்கள்' - ரஜினிக்கு 'தாய் மீது சத்தியம்' - மேலும் கமலுக்கு 4 ; ரஜினிக்கு 2 |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/523272-1978-kamal-rajini.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103074104/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/523272-1978-kamal-rajini.html |archive-date=3 November 2019 |access-date=27 March 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Excellent photography is the chief asset of ''Pilot Premnath''". ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "Captivating photography and M. S. Viswanathan's music. A few of the melodious numbers are bound to become hits".<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 1978 |title=பைலட் பிரேம்நாத் |url=https://ibb.co/M1W0PSh |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907060409/https://ibb.co/M1W0PSh |archive-date=7 September 2022 |access-date=7 September 2022 |work=[[Dina Thanthi]] |pages=12}}</ref> Kousigan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' appreciated the film for its music and cinematography, especially the capturing of Sri Lankan locales on camera.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=கெளசிகன் |date=12 November 1978 |title=பைலட் பிரேம்நாத் |url=https://ibb.co/mDPgBMD |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704081842/https://ibb.co/mDPgBMD |archive-date=4 July 2022 |access-date=4 July 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=57 |language=ta}}</ref> Naagai Dharuman of ''Anna'' praised the performances of cast, Aaroor Das's dialogues, Vinayagam's cinematography and Tirulokachander's direction.<ref>{{cite news |last=தருமன் |first=நாகை |date=19 November 1978 |title=பைலட் பிரேம்நாத் |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_3_34/4.jp2/full/1000,1365/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518032122/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_3_34/4.jp2/full/1000,1365/0/default.jpg |archive-date=18 May 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |newspaper=Anna |pages=4 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref> ''[[Kumudam]]'' described Tirulokchandar as an expert in making a rich story dramatic, the ending as delicious ending, and concluded it was a once-in-a-lifetime feat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=தீனதயாளன் |first=பா. |date=18 June 2016 |title='நட்சத்திர இயக்குநர்' திருலோகசந்தர்! |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/2016/jun/18/‘நட்சத்திர-இயக்குநர்’-திரு-2527155.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621152304/http://www.dinamani.com/cinema/2016/06/18/%E2%80%98%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E2%80%99-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81/article3488610.ece |archive-date=21 June 2016 |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=[[Dinamani]] |language=ta}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' rated the film 48 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2020 |title=விகடன் பொக்கிஷம்: ஒரு தீபாவளி... 11 படங்கள்! |url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/vikatan-pokkisham-11-pictures-to-a-diwali |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815135708/https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/vikatan-pokkisham-11-pictures-to-a-diwali |archive-date=15 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> Historian [[Randor Guy]] noted that the film was a "reasonable success" in both the countries it was produced.<ref name="randor guy" />

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="randor guy">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=19 April 2014 |title=Pilot Premnath 1978 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/pilot-premnath-1978/article5928817.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707102205/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/pilot-premnath-1978/article5928817.ece |archive-date=7 July 2018 |access-date=16 December 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

</references>

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{A. C. Tirulokchandar}}

[[Category:1978 Indian films]]
[[Category:1970s Sri Lankan films]]
[[Category:1978 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1978 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by A. C. Thirulokachandar]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Indian films based on plays]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan films based on plays]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Sri Lankan films]]

Pilot Premnath - Revision history

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