Kaavalkaaran (transl. Protector) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language spy action film, directed by P. Neelakantan and produced and co-written by R. M. Veerappan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with M. N. Nambiar, S. A. Ashokan, Sivakumar and Nagesh in supporting roles. It was released on 7 September 1967 and became a major success. The film was remade in Hindi as Rakhwala (1971).[1]
| Kaavalkaaran | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | P. Neelakantan |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | R. M. Veerappan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | V. Ramamoorthy |
| Edited by | C. P. Jambulingam |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Sathya Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (May 2022) |
Mani, stemming from a modest background, enters in the service of the billionaire Maruthachalam, as the driver. The charming daughter of this fantastically wealthy notable, Susila desperately falls in love with Mani and it is mutual. However, Mani seems to be very worried. He does not confine himself only to his driver's job. Indeed, upset by the terrible secret (that her mother reveals him at the bedside of her agony) on his young brother Chandra and intrigued by the strange behaviour and the actions of his boss, Maruthachalam, Manikkam looks actively for the answers! In spite of the categorical opposition of his father and contrary to all expectations, Susheela marries the man of her life, Manikkam. But does she believe and do they think all to know or to seize Manikkam, really? But who is thus, in reality, this Mani? What does he plot?
Cast
edit- M. G. Ramachandran as Mani alias Manickam
- Jayalalithaa as Susila
- Sivakumar as Chandra (alias Chandran)
- Nagesh as Gobi (alias Gobinath)
- V. K. Ramasamy as Vaithilingham
- Pandari Bai as Karpagam
- M. N. Nambiar as Maruthachalam
- S. A. Ashokan as Nagu
- Usilai Mani as Patient
- Karikol Raju as Patient
- Kallapetti Singaram as Patient
- Ennathe Kannaiah as Doctor
- Vijayarani as Gobi's lover
- Pusphamala as Pushpa
- Rangammal (uncredited role)
Production
editBefore Kaavalkaaran began production, Ramachandran's voice had been damaged due to a gunshot to his throat caused by M. R. Radha. Despite this, Ramachandran refused others' suggestion to use a dubbing artiste, and dubbed in his own voice.[2] The song "Ninaithen Vanthai" has him and Jayalalithaa dressed as Mark Antony and Cleopatra respectively, re-enacting the William Shakespeare play Antony and Cleopatra, and later Layla and Majnun.[3][4]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[5][6]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ninaithen Vanthai" | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 5:22 |
| 2. | "Mellappo Mellappo" | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 4:02 |
| 3. | "Adangoppuraane" | Alangudi Somu | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:00 |
| 4. | "Kaathu Koduthukettaen" | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan | 4:23 |
| 5. | "Kattazhagu Thangamagal" | Alangudi Somu | P. Susheela | 3:05 |
| Total length: | 19:52 | |||
Release and reception
editKaavalkaran was released on 7 September 1967.[7] The Indian Express wrote that Veerappan and Neelakantan "made the story gripping with well-punctuated romantic, dramatic and fighting scenes."[8] Kalki called the film a flawless, entertaining film.[9] The film became a major success, and Ramachandran considered it his ninth turning point.[10] It won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film.[11]
References
edit- ^ Rao, Gayatri (1 October 2016). "Mere dil ne jo manga mil gaya – Lata – Kalyanji-Anandji – Leena/Dharmendra | Rakhwala (1971)". LemonWire. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (19 December 2017). "MGR Remembered – Part 41 | Near Death Experience and its Aftermath". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Nathan, Archana (18 July 2017). "Picture the song: In 'Ninaithen Vandaai', MGR and Jayalalithaa are Antony and Cleopatra". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Narayanan, Sujatha (6 December 2016). "How Jayalalithaa's onscreen image helped establish her political one: From 'glam doll' to Amma". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Kaavalkaaran (1967)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
- ^ "Kavalkaran ( EP , 45 RPM )". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ "Table: Chronological List of MGR's Movies released between 1960 and 1967" (PDF). Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Kavalkaran is enjoyable". The Indian Express. 23 September 1967. p. 3. Retrieved 13 February 2021 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "காவல்காரன்". Kalki (in Tamil). 1 October 1967. p. 43. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (6 June 2015). "MGR Remembered – Part 28 | Heroines and Muses". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu State Awards". Film World. Vol. 14. 1978. p. 64. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
External links
edit- Kaavalkaaran at IMDb