Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949 film): Difference between revisions

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| caption        = Film Poster
| caption        = Film Poster
| native_name      = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| native_name      = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} -->
| director      = Acharya
| director      = [[T. G. Raghavachari|Acharya]]
| producer      = K. J. Mahadevan<br />[[S. S. Vasan]]
| producer      = K. J. Mahadevan<br />[[S. S. Vasan]]
| writer        =  
| writer        =  
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| studio        = [[Gemini Studios|Gemini]]
| studio        = [[Gemini Studios|Gemini]]
| distributor    = Gemini Pictures Circuit Ltd.
| distributor    = Gemini Pictures Circuit Ltd.
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1949|October|21|India}}{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=81}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1949|10|21|Tamil/Hindi|ref1={{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=81}}|1950|01|14|Telugu|ref2=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiancine.ma/AKBD|title=Apoorva Sahodarulu (1950)|website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>}}
| runtime        =  
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| country        =  
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'''''Apoorva Sagodharargal''''' ({{lang-en|italic=yes|Strange Brothers}}) is a 1949 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] [[action film]] directed by Acharya. The film which was adapted from [[Alexandre Dumas]]' 1844 novella ''[[The Corsican Brothers]]'' stars [[M. K. Radha]] and [[P. Bhanumathi]], with Nagendra Rao and Suryaprabha playing supporting roles. It revolves around the two lookalike brothers who were separated during childhood by their cruel uncle who murdered his parents, rest of the film shows how two brothers join together in avenging the death of their parents.
'''''Apoorva Sagodharargal''''' ({{langx|en|italic=yes|Strange Brothers}}) is a 1949 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action film]] directed by [[T. G. Raghavachari|Acharya]]. The film which was adapted from [[Alexandre Dumas]]' 1844 novella ''[[The Corsican Brothers]]'' stars [[M. K. Radha]] and [[P. Bhanumathi]], with Nagendra Rao and Suryaprabha playing supporting roles. It revolves around the two lookalike brothers who were separated during childhood by their cruel uncle who murdered his parents, rest of the film shows how two brothers join in avenging the death of their parents.


''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was simultaneously produced in Tamil, [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] languages by [[Gemini Studios]]. The Telugu version '''''Apoorva Sahodarulu''''' ({{lang-en|italic=yes|Strange Brothers}}) was directed by C. Pullaiah, and the Hindi version '''''Nishan''''' ({{lang-en|italic=yes|Mark}}) by [[S. S. Vasan]].
''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was simultaneously produced in Tamil, [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] languages by [[Gemini Studios]]. The Telugu version '''''Apoorva Sahodarulu''''' ({{langx|en|italic=yes|Strange Brothers}}) was directed by [[C. Pullayya]], and the Hindi version '''''Nishan''''' ({{langx|en|italic=yes|Mark}}) by [[S. S. Vasan]]. While the Telugu version had the same cast as the Tamil version, the Hindi version had [[Ranjan (actor)|Ranjan]] replacing Radha and a slightly different supporting cast.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 37: Line 37:


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
<!--Cast according to the opening credits of the film and the song book. Not IMDb or any other sources-->
Cast according to the opening credits of the Tamil version and the respective songbooks:<ref name="songbook">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/sok.AboorvaSagothirargal_Acharya_1949 |title=அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள் |publisher=[[Gemini Studios]] |year=1949 |language=ta |type=[[song book]]}}</ref><ref name=Telugusongbook>{{Cite book|url=https://indiancine.ma/documents/AHF/2|title=అపూర్వ సహోదరులు|publisher=Gemini Studios|year=1951|language=te|type=[[song book]]|access-date=22 February 2020|archive-date=22 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222163440/https://indiancine.ma/documents/AHF/2|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cast according to the opening credits of the film and the songbook:<ref name="songbook">{{Cite book |url=https://ia600903.us.archive.org/5/items/sok.AboorvaSagothirargal_Acharya_1949/32.%20AboorvaSagothirargal_Acharya_1949.pdf |title=அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள் |publisher=[[Gemini Studios]] |year=1949 |language=ta |type=[[song book]]}}</ref>
<!--Not IMDb or any other sources-->
{{Col-begin|width=60%}}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{{col-break|width=50%}}
|+
* [[P. Bhanumathi]] as Kanchana
|-
* [[M. K. Radha]] as Vijayasimhan, Vikramasimhan
! Cast (Tamil)
* [[R. Nagendra Rao|Nagendra Rao]] as Marthandan
!Cast (Telugu)
* Narayana Rao as Atappakkaran
! Cast (Hindi)
* G. Pattu as Doctor Nanjappa
! Role (Tamil)
* V. P. S. Mani as Jambu
! Role (Telugu)
* [[D. Balasubramaniam|D. Balasubramanian]] as Mahendra Bhoopathi
! Role (Hindi)
* Suryaprabha as Maragatham
|-
* Lakshmiprabha as Neelaveni
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | [[P. Bhanumathi]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Kanchana || style="text-align:center;"|Ranjana
* Venkumamba as Rajeswari Devi
|-
{{col-break|width=50%}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[M. K. Radha]] || style="text-align:center;"| [[Ranjan (actor)|Ranjan]] || style="text-align:center;"| Vijayasimhan, Vikramasimhan ||  style="text-align:center;"| Vijaya, Vikrama || style="text-align:center;"|  Vijay Singh, Vikram Singh
* Krishna Bai as Doctor's Sister
|-
* Shyam Sunder as Doctor's Relative
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | [[R. Nagendra Rao|Nagendra Rao]] || style="text-align:center;"| Marthandan || style="text-align:center;"|  Marthandavarma  || style="text-align:center;"|  Zorawar Singh
* G. V. Sharma as Shop Servant
|-
* Stunt Somu as Maruthappa
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Narayana Rao || style="text-align:center;"|Marthandan's servant || Marthandavarma's servant || style="text-align:center;"| Zorawar's servant 
* J. S. Casshyap as Rajasekharar
|-
* Ramakrishna Rao as Servant
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | G. Pattu Iyer || style="text-align:center;"| J. S. Casshyap || style="text-align:center;"| Doctor Nanjappa || style="text-align:center;"| Doctor Gaurinath  || style="text-align:center;"|  Doctor Shanker
* Velayutham as Mayanti
|-
* Vijaya Rao, Balaram, Anand,<br />T. S. B. Rao, Sampathkumar as Soldiers
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | V. P. S. Mani || style="text-align:center;"| Jambu || style="text-align:center;"| Shambhu || style="text-align:center;"| Himmat
* Gemini Boys and Girls
|-
{{col-end}}
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | [[D. Balasubramaniam|D. Balasubramanian]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Mahendra Bhoopathi|| style="text-align:center;"| Mahendra Singh
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Suryaprabha ||style="text-align:center;"|  Maragatham ||style="text-align:center;"|  Manikyam || style="text-align:center;"| Al Beli
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Lakshmiprabha || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Neelaveni || style="text-align:center;"|  Neelam
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Venkumamba || style="text-align:center;"|Rajeswari Devi || style="text-align:center;"| Rani  || style="text-align:center;"|Mahendra Singh's Wife
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |  Krishna Bai || colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Doctor's sister
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |  Shyam Sunder || colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Doctor's brother-in-law
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Stunt Somu || style="text-align:center;"| Balkrishna Kalla || style="text-align:center;"| Maruthappa || style="text-align:center;"|  Madhav Singh  || style="text-align:center;"|  Madho Singh
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | J. S. Casshyap || style="text-align:center;"| G. Pattu Iyer || style="text-align:center;"| Rajasekharar || style="text-align:center;"|  Rajasekharam || style="text-align:center;"|  Raj Sekhar
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |  Ramakrishna Rao || colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Messenger
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Velayutham || style="text-align:center;"| K. S. Sengar || style="text-align:center;"| Mayanti || style="text-align:center;"|  Maraiah || style="text-align:center;"|  Chandan
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Vijaya Rao || rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | Marthandan's soldiers || rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | Marthandavarma's soldiers  || rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Zorawar Singh's soldiers
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Sampath Kumar
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| Anand
| style="text-align:center;" | G. V. Sharma|| style="text-align:center;" | Anand
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Balaram || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Mahendra Singh's soldiers
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | T. S. B. Rao  
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| G. V. Sharma
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| — || colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |Shop servant
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Gemini Boys and Girls || colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|}


==Production==
==Production==
''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was adapted from Alexandra Duma's novel ''The Corsican Brothers''. Gregory Ratoff adapted the film and Douglas Fairbanks Jr played the dual role of the conjoined twins Lucien and Mario Franchi.<ref name="hindu2">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=27 June 2008 |title=Apoorva Sagodharargal |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/article3023062.ece |access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref> The film became successful which inspired Vasan to adapt the film in Tamil. T. G. Raghavachari alias Acharya lawyer turned film maker was selected to direct the film. M. K. Radha was selected to play the lead characters with Bhanumathi playing the lead actress.<ref name = hindu2/> For the negative character, Vasan approached P. U. Chinnappa who refused fearing his image with Kannada actor Nagendra Rao being finalised for the role.<ref name = hindu2/> "Stunt" Somu who did the stunt choreography appeared in the role of Marudhu, close associate of Bhoopathi.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=82}} This film was often considered an unofficial sequel to ''Chandralekha''.<ref name="indolink">{{Cite web |last=Film News Anandan |author-link=Film News Anandan |year=1998 |title=Tamil Cinema History&nbsp;— The Early Days: 1945–1953 |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712005710/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |archive-date=12 July 2012 |access-date=27 June 2013 |website=Indolink}}</ref>
''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was adapted from Alexandra Duma's novel ''The Corsican Brothers''. Gregory Ratoff adapted the film and Douglas Fairbanks Jr played the dual role of the conjoined twins Lucien and Mario Franchi.<ref name="hindu2">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=27 June 2008 |title=Apoorva Sagodharargal |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/article3023062.ece |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207080119/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/apoorva-sahodarargal-1949/article3023062.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film became successful which inspired Vasan to adapt the film in Tamil. [[T. G. Raghavachari]] alias Acharya lawyer turned film maker was selected to direct the film. M. K. Radha was selected to play the lead characters with Bhanumathi playing the lead actress.<ref name = hindu2/> For the negative character, Vasan approached P. U. Chinnappa who refused fearing his image with Kannada actor Nagendra Rao being finalised for the role.<ref name = hindu2/> "Stunt" Somu who did the stunt choreography appeared in the role of Marudhu, close associate of Bhoopathi.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=82}} This film was often considered an unofficial sequel to ''Chandralekha''.<ref name="indolink">{{Cite web |last=Film News Anandan |author-link=Film News Anandan |year=1998 |title=Tamil Cinema History&nbsp;— The Early Days: 1945–1953 |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712005710/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |archive-date=12 July 2012 |access-date=27 June 2013 |website=Indolink}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
Line 79: Line 115:
| 3 || "Maya Vinthaiyethane"|| T. A. Mothi & P. Leela || 3:54
| 3 || "Maya Vinthaiyethane"|| T. A. Mothi & P. Leela || 3:54
|-
|-
| 4 || "Manum Mayilum Adum Solai" || [[Bhanumathi Ramakrishna|P. Bhanumathi]] || 2:55
| 4 || "Manum Mayilum Adum Solai" || [[P. Bhanumathi]] || 2:55
|-
|-
| 5 || "Laddu Laddu Mittai Venumaa" || P. Bhanumathi || 06:02
| 5 || "Laddu Laddu Mittai Venumaa" || P. Bhanumathi || 06:02
Line 88: Line 124:
|-
|-
| 10 || "Paradhesame Pogaadhe" || T. A. Mothi  || 05:39
| 10 || "Paradhesame Pogaadhe" || T. A. Mothi  || 05:39
|}
==Remakes==
Table of Apoorva Sagodharargal and its other versions:
{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! ''Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949)'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]])
! ''Nishan (1949)'' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]])
! ''Apoorva Sahodarulu  (1950)'' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]])<ref name=Telugusongbook>{{Cite book |url=https://indiancine.ma/documents/AHF/2|title=అపూర్వ సహోదరులు|publisher=Gemini Studios |year=1951 |language=te |type=[[song book]]}}</ref>
|-
| Kanchana ([[P. Bhanumathi]])
| Ranjana ([[P. Bhanumathi|Bhanumati]])
| Kanchana ([[P. Bhanumathi]])
|-
| Vijayasimhan, Vikramasimhan ([[M. K. Radha]])
| Vijay Singh, Vikram Singh ([[Ranjan (actor)|Ranjan]])
| Vijaya, Vikrama ([[M. K. Radha]])
|-
| Marthandan ([[R. Nagendra Rao|Nagendra Rao]])
| Zorawar Singh ([[R. Nagendra Rao|Nagendra Rao]])
| Marthandavarma ([[R. Nagendra Rao|Nagendra Rao]])
|-
| Atappakkaran (Narayana Rao)
| Zorawar's Valet (Narayan Rao)
| Servant (Narayana Rao)
|-
| Doctor Nanjappa (G. Pattu)
| Doctor Shanker (J. S. Casshyap)
| Doctor Gaurinath (G. Pattu Iyer)
|-
| Jambu (V. P. S. Mani)
| Himmat (V. P. S. Mani)
| Shambhu (V. P. S. Mani)
|-
| Mahendra Bhoopathi ([[D. Balasubramaniam|D. Balasubramanian]])
| Mahendra Singh ([[D. Balasubramaniam|D. Bal Subramaniam]])
| Bhoopathi ([[D. Balasubramaniam]])
|-
| Maragatham (Suryaprabha)
| Al Beli (Suryaprabha)
| Manikyam (Suryaprabha)
|-
| Neelaveni (Lakshmiprabha)
| Neelam (Mayabanerji)
| Neelaveni (Lakshmiprabha)
|-
| Rajeswari Devi (Venkumamba)
| Mahendra Singh's Wife (Venkumamba)
| Rani (Venkumamba)
|-
| Doctor's Sister (Krishna Bai)
| Doctor's Sister (Krishna Bai)
| Doctor's Sister (Krishna Bai)
|-
| Doctor's Relative (Shyam Sunder)
| Doctor's Brother in Law (Shyam Sunder)
| Doctor's Brother in Law (Shyam Sunder)
|-
| Shop Keeper (G. V. Sharma)
|
|
|-
| Maruthappa (Stunt Somu)
| Madho Singh (Balkrishna Kalla)
| Madhav Singh (Stunt Somu)
|-
| Rajasekharar (J. S. Casshyap)
| Raj Sekhar (G. Pattu Iyer)
| Rajasekharam (J. S. Casshyap)
|-
| Servant (Ramakrishna Rao)
| Messenger (Ram Krishna Rao)
| Messenger (Ramakrishna Rao)
|-
| Mayanti (Velayutham)
| Chandan (K. S. Sengar)
| Maraiah (Velayutham)
|-
| Soldiers (Vijaya Rao, Balaram, Anand,<br />T. S. B. Rao, Sampathkumar)
| Mahendra Singh's Soldiers (Balram, T. S. B. Rao)<br />Zorawar's Soldiers (Vijay Rao, Anand, Sampat Kumar)
| G. V. Sharma, Vijaya Rao, Balaram, T. S. B. Rao,<br />Sampath Kumar as Marthandavarma's Soldiers 
|-
| Gemini Boys and Girls
| Gemini Boys and Girls
| Gemini Boys and Girls
|}
|}


==Release and reception ==
==Release and reception ==
<!-- https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491223&printsec=frontpage&hl=en -->
<!-- https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491223&printsec=frontpage&hl=en -->
''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was released on 21 October 1949.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 1949 |title=Strange Brothers |page=1 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491021&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}</ref> The film was a major success both at the box-office and with the critics.<ref name = hindu2/> Dhananjayan praised M. K. Radha's acting as "finest and best in his career" and appreciated director Acharya for "bringing out the best performance from everyone and presenting an entertaining and engaging film".{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}} Randor Guy of ''The Hindu'' wrote that the film "is remembered for the excellent performances of Bhanumathi and Nagendra Rao, and for the music".<ref name = hindu2/> The film was remade in Telugu as ''Apoorva Sahodarulu'', with Radha reprising the character. It was also remade in Hindi as ''Nishan'' with Ranjan. Bhanumathi was the lead actress for all the three versions.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}}
''Apoorva Sagodharargal'' was released on 21 October 1949.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 1949 |title=Strange Brothers |page=1 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491021&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=16 March 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207080117/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491021&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a major success both at the box-office and with the critics.<ref name = hindu2/> Dhananjayan praised M. K. Radha's acting as "finest and best in his career" and appreciated director Acharya for "bringing out the best performance from everyone and presenting an entertaining and engaging film".{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}} Randor Guy of ''The Hindu'' wrote that the film "is remembered for the excellent performances of Bhanumathi and Nagendra Rao, and for the music".<ref name = hindu2/> The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu as ''Apoorva Sahodarulu'', with Radha reprising the character. It was also remade in Hindi as ''Nishan'' with Ranjan replacing Radha. Bhanumathi was the lead actress for all the three versions.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}}


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
The film introduced the concept of identical twins and their feelings and eventually became a trendsetter for similar themes.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Trailblazer|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=Randor Guy|author-link=Randor Guy|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article1546580.ece|date=17 March 2011|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref> Later, the 1999 film ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaali]]'', starring [[Ajithkumar]] also had a similar concept.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}}
The film introduced the concept of identical twins and their feelings and eventually became a trendsetter for similar themes.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Trailblazer|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=Randor Guy|author-link=Randor Guy|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article1546580.ece|date=17 March 2011|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-date=20 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320220347/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article1546580.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the 1999 film ''[[Vaalee (1999 film)|Vaalee]]'', starring [[Ajith Kumar]] also had a similar concept.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=83}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book|last=Dhananjayan |first=G.|title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013|year=2014|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ|isbn=978-93-84301-05-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509 |author-link=G. Dhananjayan}}
 
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0254966}}


{{The Corsican Brothers}}
{{The Corsican Brothers}}
Line 192: Line 146:
{{Gemini Studios}}
{{Gemini Studios}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Apoorva Sagodharargal}}
[[Category:1949 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1949 Indian films]]
[[Category:1949 films]]
[[Category:1949 films]]
[[Category:Films based on The Corsican Brothers]]
[[Category:Films based on The Corsican Brothers]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films scored by S. Rajeswara Rao]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Twins in Indian films]]
[[Category:1940s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Saluri Rajeswara Rao]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Kothamangalam Subbu]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Kothamangalam Subbu]]
[[Category:Gemini Studios films]]
[[Category:Gemini Studios films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Twins in Indian films]]

Latest revision as of 09:07, 6 March 2026

This article is about the 1949 film. For the 1989 film, see Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989 film).

Apoorva Sagodharargal
Film Poster
Directed byAcharya
Produced byK. J. Mahadevan
S. S. Vasan
Screenplay byAcharya, Sangu,
Kittu, Naina,
Subbu, Ki. Ra.
StarringM. K. Radha
P. Bhanumathi
Music byRajeswara Rao
M. D. Parthasarathy
R. Vaidyanathan
CinematographyKamal Ghosh
Edited byChandru
Production
company
Distributed byGemini Pictures Circuit Ltd.
Release date
  • 21 October 1949 (1949-10-21) (Tamil/Hindi)[1]
  • 14 January 1950 (1950-01-14) (Telugu)[2]
LanguageTamil
Hindi
Telugu

Apoorva Sagodharargal (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Acharya. The film which was adapted from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novella The Corsican Brothers stars M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, with Nagendra Rao and Suryaprabha playing supporting roles. It revolves around the two lookalike brothers who were separated during childhood by their cruel uncle who murdered his parents, rest of the film shows how two brothers join in avenging the death of their parents.

Apoorva Sagodharargal was simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages by Gemini Studios. The Telugu version Apoorva Sahodarulu (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) was directed by C. Pullayya, and the Hindi version Nishan (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) by S. S. Vasan. While the Telugu version had the same cast as the Tamil version, the Hindi version had Ranjan replacing Radha and a slightly different supporting cast.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Mahendra Bhoopathi and Marthandan are rival kings. When Bhoopathi's wife gives birth to conjoined twins, Dr. Nanjappa separates them skillfully. In a surprise attack, Marthandan and his men set fire to Bhoopathi's fort thinking that the entire Bhoopathi clan perishes. But the good doctor has taken the babies to the safety of his house. And thereafter the elder twin Vijayan grows up in the city, while the younger twin Vikraman is brought up in the forest by the loyal Marudhu. When they are 25 years old, the doctor sends for them and introduces them to each other and makes them aware of their history. The twins swear to avenge the dastardly killing of their father and restore the glory of their kingdom. Meanwhile, Vijayan saves the beautiful Kanchana from the aging yet lust-filled Marthandan and his men. Vijayan and Kanchana fall in love in due course. Problems arise between the brothers in the forest, as Vikraman too falls for Kanchana. And being the younger of the conjoined twins, Vikraman aches with frustrating feelings of physical desire whenever Vijayan and Kanchana are together. Not wanting to be the cause for the brothers turning against each other and in order to enable them to reach their avowed objective without further distraction, Kanchana leaves Vijayan in the forest, only to fall straight into the clutches of Marthandan. The rescue of Kanchana, and Marthandan getting his retribution forms the rest of the exciting tale.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Cast according to the opening credits of the Tamil version and the respective songbooks:[3][4]

Cast (Tamil) Cast (Telugu) Cast (Hindi) Role (Tamil) Role (Telugu) Role (Hindi)
P. Bhanumathi Kanchana Ranjana
M. K. Radha Ranjan Vijayasimhan, Vikramasimhan Vijaya, Vikrama Vijay Singh, Vikram Singh
Nagendra Rao Marthandan Marthandavarma Zorawar Singh
Narayana Rao Marthandan's servant Marthandavarma's servant Zorawar's servant
G. Pattu Iyer J. S. Casshyap Doctor Nanjappa Doctor Gaurinath Doctor Shanker
V. P. S. Mani Jambu Shambhu Himmat
D. Balasubramanian Mahendra Bhoopathi Mahendra Singh
Suryaprabha Maragatham Manikyam Al Beli
Lakshmiprabha Neelaveni Neelam
Venkumamba Rajeswari Devi Rani Mahendra Singh's Wife
Krishna Bai Doctor's sister
Shyam Sunder Doctor's brother-in-law
Stunt Somu Balkrishna Kalla Maruthappa Madhav Singh Madho Singh
J. S. Casshyap G. Pattu Iyer Rajasekharar Rajasekharam Raj Sekhar
Ramakrishna Rao Messenger
Velayutham K. S. Sengar Mayanti Maraiah Chandan
Vijaya Rao Marthandan's soldiers Marthandavarma's soldiers Zorawar Singh's soldiers
Sampath Kumar
Anand G. V. Sharma Anand
Balaram Mahendra Singh's soldiers
T. S. B. Rao
G. V. Sharma — Shop servant
Gemini Boys and Girls

Production[edit | edit source]

Apoorva Sagodharargal was adapted from Alexandra Duma's novel The Corsican Brothers. Gregory Ratoff adapted the film and Douglas Fairbanks Jr played the dual role of the conjoined twins Lucien and Mario Franchi.[5] The film became successful which inspired Vasan to adapt the film in Tamil. T. G. Raghavachari alias Acharya lawyer turned film maker was selected to direct the film. M. K. Radha was selected to play the lead characters with Bhanumathi playing the lead actress.[5] For the negative character, Vasan approached P. U. Chinnappa who refused fearing his image with Kannada actor Nagendra Rao being finalised for the role.[5] "Stunt" Somu who did the stunt choreography appeared in the role of Marudhu, close associate of Bhoopathi.[6] This film was often considered an unofficial sequel to Chandralekha.[7]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The music was composed by Rajeswara Rao, M. D. Parthasarathy and R. Vaidyanathan and lyrics were written by Kothamangalam Subbu and V. Seetharaman. The song "Laddu Laddu" sung by Bhanumathi was well received.[6][5] A duet meant for the Hindi version was composed on the piano by Rajeswara Rao, and Vasan liked it so much he wanted it for the Tamil version too. This song was added after the shoot was over.[5] Malayalam lyrics written by P Baskaran

No. Song Singer/s Lyricist Duration(m:ss)
1 "Enga Rasa Vanthan" Chorus Kothamangalam Subbu 00:32
2 "Thalelo Rajakumarargale" Chorus 03:09
3 "Maya Vinthaiyethane" T. A. Mothi & P. Leela 3:54
4 "Manum Mayilum Adum Solai" P. Bhanumathi 2:55
5 "Laddu Laddu Mittai Venumaa" P. Bhanumathi 06:02
8 "Manamohaname Vanavaasame" P. Bhanumathi 02:31
9 "Aaha Aaduvene Geetham Paduvene" P. Bhanumathi & T. A. Mothi 03:30
10 "Paradhesame Pogaadhe" T. A. Mothi 05:39

Release and reception[edit | edit source]

Apoorva Sagodharargal was released on 21 October 1949.[8] The film was a major success both at the box-office and with the critics.[5] Dhananjayan praised M. K. Radha's acting as "finest and best in his career" and appreciated director Acharya for "bringing out the best performance from everyone and presenting an entertaining and engaging film".[9] Randor Guy of The Hindu wrote that the film "is remembered for the excellent performances of Bhanumathi and Nagendra Rao, and for the music".[5] The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Apoorva Sahodarulu, with Radha reprising the character. It was also remade in Hindi as Nishan with Ranjan replacing Radha. Bhanumathi was the lead actress for all the three versions.[9]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The film introduced the concept of identical twins and their feelings and eventually became a trendsetter for similar themes.[10] Later, the 1999 film Vaalee, starring Ajith Kumar also had a similar concept.[9]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 81.
  2. ↑ "Apoorva Sahodarulu (1950)". Indiancine.ma.
  3. ↑ அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள் (song book) (in தமிழ்). Gemini Studios. 1949.
  4. ↑ అపూర్వ సహోదరులు (song book) (in తెలుగు). Gemini Studios. 1951. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Guy, Randor (27 June 2008). "Apoorva Sagodharargal". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 82.
  7. ↑ "Strange Brothers". The Indian Express. 21 October 1949. p. 1. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  8. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 83.
  9. ↑ Randor Guy (17 March 2011). "A Trailblazer". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2019.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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