Sri MGR Year 97, 14th January, Wednesday
Today 14.1.2015 is the Golden Jubilee year of Vijaya Vauhini productions and our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR super duper hit movie “Enga Veetu Pillai”. Released on Pongal day in 1965 had a mammoth collection and created unparallel records.
The movie crossed silver jubilee in 7 theatres all over Tamil Nadu. The list of theatres which had 175 days run are:
1.Casino – Chennai (210 days)
2.Broadway – Chennai (176 days)
3.Mekala – Chennai (176 days)
4.Central – Madurai (176 days)
5.Royal – Coimbatore (190 days)
6.Jupiter – Trichy (236 days)
7.Yagappa – Thanjavur (176 days)
Cast and Character
| Artist Name | Character Name |
| MGR | Ramu & Elango |
| Sarojadevi | Leela |
| Rathna | Santha |
| Pandari Bai | Susila |
| M.N.Nambiyar | Gajendran |
| Thangavel | Malaiappan |
| Nagesh | Govindan |
| Ranga Rao | Ranganathan |
Story:
Zamindar of Poonjolai had twin sons and a daughter, but one of his son was kidnapped and lost as a child and he grows up as Elango (MGR) in a village. Unfortunately the zamindar wife dies and he re-marries to look after his children. His daughter Susila (Pandaribai) and the son Ramu (MGR) grow up in the estate. Susila marries Gajendran (Nambiyar) the brother of Zamindar’s second wife after zamindar’s death Gajendran takes up the charge of the estate and treats all others as his slaves. Ramu is ill treated and grows up as a coward often whipped by Gajendran as a punishment.
As per the Will written by the Zamindar when his son Ramu reaches adulthood the whole property will be attained by him and if he dies prematurely the property will be donated to poor. As Gajendran knows the verses in the Will, he tries to amaze as much money as possible.
In the mean time a suitable bride was selected for Ramu, but the bride Leela (Sarojadevi) wants to meet Ramu in person. Arrangement is made for the meeting but it goes all wrong as Gajendran dominates the scene. Gajendran tells his plans to his sister which Ramu over hears and escapes from the Zamin.
Kumari Pennin Ullathilae song scene.
At the same time Elango who was locked by his mother escapes from his house and reaches the town. Both Ramu and Elango crosses over unknowingly. Elango helps Leela in getting her purse from a burglar she mistakes Elango as Ramu and takes him to her house. Ranganathan (Rangarao) informs Gajendran that Ramu is staying with them. Gajendran takes Elango to his house, there Elango understands who is Ramu and what has happened to him. He also feels pity for Ramu’s sister and her daughter and continues to act as Ramu.
The famous pose of MGR for the song “Naan Aanai Ittal”.
Ramu fells unconsious and is saved by Santha (Rathna) she takes him to Elango’s house. In the Zamin Gajendran asks Elango to sign the documents so as to transfer the property to his name. For which Elango refuse to sign, Gajendran tries to harm Elango but he returns the whipping to Gajendran this time.
Elango takes charge of the house and the business. He asks Govindan (Nagesh) to search and find out Ramu. One day Santha takes Ramu to her house and her Grand Mother who is mentally distrubed by her loss of daughter (MGR’s mother) and grandson understands that Ramu is her grandson at this point Ramu does not know about this fact.
Ranganathan happened to see Ramu and Santha together and informs this to his daughter Leela and his men brings Santha to their house. They all misunderstands that Ramu and Elango are the same person.
While inspecting the Mill, Elango orders his workers to take the injured to the hospital and Gajendran comes in between, Gajendran feels he is humiliated in front of the workers he now beats Susila and Elango stops his act. Gajendran takes his daughter and sister with him to a separate house. Susila feels bad that his brother has done wrong by fighting with Gajendran. She asks Elango to apologize, Elango goes to Gajendran but he is not willing to return.
Then Elango writes a letter stating that he is not Ramu the letter reaches Gajendran and he orders his men to grab Elango. Elango returns to Leela and tells her everything and she takes him to Santha where the mystery gets solved that Elango and Ramu are twin brothers. Unfortunately Gajendran’s men holds Ramu thinking that he is Elango.
Now Elango returns to the Mill and saves Ramu from the clutches of Gajendran, after seeing both the twins Gajendran changes his mind. Ramu marries Santha and Elango marries Leela. The story ends in a happy note.
Songs: The movie has six scintillating songs, penned by Vali and Alangudi Somu, music by the duo Viswanathan and Ramamurthy.
1. Kangalum Kavadi – song for Vijayalakshmi and others (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)
2. Kumari Pennin – duet song for MGR and Saroja Devi (lyrics – Vali)
3. Naan Aanai Ittal – the prophetic and philosophical song of MGR (lyrics – Vali)
4. Penn Ponal – duet song for MGR and Saroja Devi (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)
5. Naan Manthoppil – duet song for MGR and Rathna (lyrics – Vali)
6. Malaruku Thendral – sad song for Saroja Devi and Rathna (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)
Character of Ramu and Elango in the next post.
