| Arasa Kattalai | |
|---|---|
| File:Arasa Kattalai poster.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. G. Chakrapani |
| Produced by | M. C. Ramamoorthy |
| Screenplay by | R. M. Veerappan Ve. Lakshmanan S. K. T. Samy |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran B. Saroja Devi |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
| Cinematography | A. Shanmugam |
| Edited by | K. Narayanan |
Production company | Sathyaraja Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 132 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Arasa Kattalai (transl. King's Order), is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film, written and directed by M. G. Chakrapani, starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with Jayalalithaa, M. N. Nambiar and S. A. Ashokan in supporting roles. It was released on 19 May 1967.
Plot[edit | edit source]
A monarch (P. S. Veerappa) believes that he has committed a terrible fault and commits suicide to make amends, not without having indicated his successor: Vijayan (MGR), a man of the people, that one even, who had come punish him, a fearless knight, for an act of bravery. Before dying, he (P. S. Veerappa) also orders him (MGR) to protect his subjects and to put back the power into the hands of the people. By so acting, the deceased king had also just thwarted the Machiavellian intentions of its Minister (R. S. Manohar). Indeed, this traitor intends to seize the throne. But it will be for another time, because this sinister dignitary (R. S. Manohar) is going to make every effort to sabotage the reforms of Vijayan. To begin with, by eliminating him...
Cast[edit | edit source]
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| M. G. Ramachandran | as Vijaya alias Vijayan, a common person, after the new king of the kingdom Kumari |
| B. Saroja Devi | as Amala, the revolutionary dancer alias the princess Amutha |
| Jayalalithaa | as Moghana |
| S. A. Ashokan | as the prince Vilavan |
| M. N. Nambiar | as the commander of the strengths, the princess Amudha's guardian |
| R. S. Manohar | as the perfidious minister |
| Nagesh | as the tribal leader |
| P. S. Veerappa (guest-star) | as the King of the kingdom of Kumari |
| K. R. Ramaswamy (guest-star) | as the patriot with the flag (an activist) |
| Brent Ramaswamy | as |
| M. A. G. Samy | as |
| N. S. Nadharajan | as a tribal |
| S. M. Thirupadhiswamy | as |
| Kundhumany | as a tribal |
| D. S. Raja | as |
| T. S. Manikkum | as |
| Ramsingh | as |
| Chandrakantha | as |
| Madhavi | as Jambha, the tribal girl |
| C. T. Rajakantham | as |
| Santha | as |
| G. Sakunthala | as |
| Rajeshwari | as |
Production[edit | edit source]
The film initially began under the title Bhavani, which was written by A. K. Velan and was to be directed by Masthan. Ramachandran's brother Chakrapani produced this film, which got shelved after some progress. Chakrapani later revived this film as Arasa Kattalai, with Ramachandran returning.[1] Apart from directing, Chakrapani made a cameo appearance in the film. Jayalalithaa earned the title "Kavarchi Kanni" through this film.[2]
Soundtrack[edit | edit source]
Soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics were written by Muthukoothan, Vaali and Alangudi Somu.[3] The songs "Aadi Vaa" and "Vettaiyadu Vilayaadu" became chartbusters.[2]
| Tracklist | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | ||||||
| 1. | "Aadiva Aadiva" | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:29 | ||||||
| 2. | "Ennai Paadavaithavan" | P. Susheela | 3:22 | ||||||
| 3. | "Mugathai Paarthathillai" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3:23 | ||||||
| 4. | "Pan Paadum" | P. Susheela | 3:24 | ||||||
| 5. | "Putham Pudhiya" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 3:14 | ||||||
| 6. | "Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 5:47 | ||||||
| 7. | "Yethannai Kaalam" | P. Susheela | 3:09 | ||||||
Total length: |
24:68 | ||||||||
Release[edit | edit source]
Arasa Kattalai was released on 19 May 1967.[4] The film ran for 10 weeks in theatres, and was not commercially successful.[2]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
The song "Vettaiyadu Vilayadu" inspired Gautham Menon to title his 2006 film of the same name.[5]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Guy, Randor (16 February 2012). "Fame eluded this sibling of an icon". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Guy, Randor (23 April 2016). "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". Raaga.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Table: Chronological List of MGR's Movies released between 1960 and 1967" (PDF). Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ↑ "MGR to the rescue". The Hindu. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2020.