Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan

Balaji,

To a certain extent what you told about NT's films after 1975 is true and whatever good films happened could not be compared to the classics of 50's,60's & early 70's. The main reason behind this development was the remake culture that set into Tamil Filmdom. Earlier there were story writers and directors who were straining every nerve to write stories for NT and his acting talent. But during the mid 70's, the trend in Tamil began to change and NT accordingly had to do films which catered to the taste of the audience of that period. Even before this NT had a strategic change in the late 60's as for as his roles were concerned. Before going into this, let me tell that point also.

From 1952 to 1965/66, NT's fans were considered to be of soft nature consisting mainly of educated,middle class people. But slowely a group from the fans was emerging aggressively and they wanted NT to give a fitting reply to his detractors. That was about the criticism that NT can't fight,do action roles etc. The fight between the two Thilagams was growing and since both happened to be on the opposite side of each other in political camps too, the rivalry between the two fans' grew manifold. After a certain stage this group became vociferous and since it consisted of mainly youngsters, NT had to give in. There comes Balajee and his Sujatha cine arts.NT having not done stunt scenes till that time (barring a few),though he was 112 films old, tried his hand with "Thangai" (1967). Since there were not many writers to script an action film for NT, Balajee bought the rights of a Telugu movie and ACT (his first film with NT) directed the same. It went on to become a hit and with Balajee coming out with more action oriented films like En Thambi & Thirudan, other producer/directors also started making movies of NT in that genre.

So coming back to 1975, when again he needed continious hits to suit the changing trend, the writer/directors choose the safe path (ie) remake. So when you borrow something to suit the giant, there were many hitches and it showed in the quality.

Regards

Let us discuss films after 1975 yearwise.

Murali,
Many thanks for your valuable posts!

Dear Murali,

You are awesome. Your statistics about NT's performanace is simply mindblowing. I bet in this forum, no other actor fans can beat you in this respect. Please continue this work.

You forgot to add one nice NT's action-type movie Raja, made by Balajee. I simply love that movie.

More later

I happened to watch VCD of a function'Imayathirkku Inthiya Anjali' tribute to Nadigar Thilagam sivaji after his death ..Malayala superstar Mohanlal came to the stage and said "There are seven wonders in this world .Let us add one more to it and make it eight .Nadigar Thilagam sivaji is always the celluloid wonder"

1975

1. Picture: Manithanum Deivamagalam
Banner: Vijayavel Films
Director: P.Madhavan
MD : K.Vaidyanathan
Starring: NT(Double Role),UNandini,Sowcar,Nambiar etc
Release: 11.01.1975

Chinna Annamalai, nagaichuvai writer in journals and magazines eventually became the President of All-India Sivaji Ganeasan Rasikar Mandram and he was the producer of this movie. First it was named as “Itho Endhan Deivam” and then it was changed to “Thangathilae Vairam” and finally became “Manithanum Deivamagalam”.( A movie by the name of I.E.Deivam got released later *ing KRV &Major). The story plot had an interesting subject (ie) fight between belief and non-belief. The elder brother NT is a temple priest in a village & is a staunch believer in God and the younger brother educated in Chennai is an atheist. When the younger brother returns home, a clash starts between the two ideologies and the village big head, who wants to loot the temple property makes use of this split. UNandini the daughter of Nambiar is the lady in love with the younger NT. A novel plot, which was pregnant with interesting twists, unfortunately fell short of expectations. The introduction scene of younger NT, when he saves a child in the train from falling thro’ the open door itself will give a glimpse of his character.He will call the child’s father and scold him. Child’s father will look heavenwards and say “Murugan Kappathitan”. NT will turn furious and ask “ Murugan Kappathinana? Un kuzhathayai kizhe vizhame naan kappathinen. Murugan kappathinanmila, Murugan” endru munumunuthukonde povaar. In the same manner tension will mount when Palkudam oorvalam for Murugan will be coming , the younger NT with the batch of deprived kids will also march to the temple demanding milk for the children. Both the NTs will be singing and a wordy duel will take place in front of the temple. Such interesting scenes were few and far. KV used Sirkazhi for the elder and TMS for the younger NT. Though he again used some of his earlier Bakthi Paadal tunes (like he did in RRChozhan) like “Muthuvel Rathinavel—“ , two songs “ Vaazkaiye Bodhai Nadagam” and “Paal Pongum Paruvam” (meter-ikku adangatha pattu?) were hits. Overall a movie, which should have been good, became average, but cannot be said as mediocre.

2. Picture: Avanthan Manidhan
Banner: Rasi Enterprises
Director:ACT
MD : MSV
Starring: NT,JJ,Manjula,Muthuraman & Major.
Release: 11.04.1975

I have already posted many scenes regarding this movie, which happened to be the 175th movie of NT. A class act in both style wise and acting wise, this will remain in memory forever. One thing to be noted is the music of MSV. Songs like Oonjalukku Poochooti, Anbu Nadamadum Kalaikoodame, Engiruntho oru kural vanthathu, Attuvithal yaar oruvar, Manithan Ninaaipathundu ellame ondrai ondru minjakoodiyathu. Normally ACT prefers Vaali for his films right from Anbe Vaa.
When he could not demand like when Balajee or Sivaji productions were involved (see Thangai, En Thambi,Thirudan & Deiva Magan [Shanthi Films]) where Kannadasan ruled, otherwise he used Vaali for Babu, Bharatha Vilas &Dr.Siva (all produced by ACT’s Cine Bharath).He also used Vaali for Enga Mama & Anbe Aruyire. Why I am writing all these because, ACT wanted Vaali for AM, but KNSubbu, the producer of AM was the cousin of Panchu Arunachalam (Panchu was the dialogue writer for AM) and their proximity to Kannadasan decided the issue in favour of KD. And what gems did KD and MSV gave us.The songs will continue to be immortal. One example for the same is in Attuvithal song there will be a saranam

Panjali Unnidathil Selai Kettal; Andha
Parthanavan Unnidathil Geethai Kettan
Naan Irukkum Nilayil Unnai Enna Ketpen; Innum
Nanmai Seithu Thunbam Vaangum Ullam Ketpen.

Forget about this scene and NT’s acting. These 4 lines will be used in the film “Ponmanam” (1998), where Prabhu is forced to lie to the heroine that he is not in love with her. She will shout at him, accuse him and challenge him that she will find a better groom than him. When she leaves, these 4 lines will echo in the background and Prabhu will silently suffer. I saw this movie in Kerala and you will not believe the applause it drew from the audience. That shows the popularity of the song and it’s impact.

Overall, AM was an unforgettable movie. The only part that stood like a sore thumb was the comedy track.

3. Picture: Mannavan Vanthanadi
Banner: JR Movies
Director:P.Madhavan
MD : MSV
Starring : NT,Manjula,Nambiar etc
Release: 02.08.1975

JR movies had two partners PKV Sankaran &PKV Arumugam,who hailed from Tenkasi. Their first movie was Puthiya Bhoomi in 1968. ( People used to say that JR itself implied Janaki Ramachandran). Then they switched sides and produced Enga Mama in 1970 and Gnana Oli in 1972 with NT. With the success of both, they immediately announced Mannavan and Manjula was paired for the first time with NT. Though this was the first movie of Manjula started with NT, because of the delay happened in release, En Magan(1974) & AM(1975 April) came before this. Again a rich vs poor story which had shades of Taming of the shrewd, The Nadodi NT in the first half will come as the rich man in the second half and how he defeats the evil design of Nambiar formed the story. NT will have a sister who will be wronged and will give birth to a child. An entertainer that was targeted at the mass and it served its purpose by celebrating 100 days. Again another musical with hit songs like Kaadhal Rajjiyam Enathu , Sorgathil Kattapatta Thottil were chart busters. The first song in the film Naan Naatai Thirutha Poren andha Kottayai pidikka poren will probably be the only Kolgai Parappu song of NT, which came in handy when he founded Tamizhga Munnetra Munnani.

Overall a mass entertainer not up to NT’s standard, but still was watchable.

(To be contd)

1975 Review Contd

4. Picture: Anbe Aruyire
Banner: Amutham Pictures
Director:ACT
MD : MSV
Starring: NT, Manjula and a host of comedy actors.
Release: 27.09.1975

As I had mentioned in comedy films of NT post, an avoidable movie. We were unable to understand why NT gave his nod to such a story, probably because of ACT?, we are not sure. But ACT was in equal measures to be blamed for this fiasco. Some good songs like Malligai Mullai Poopanthal & Raja veedhi Bhavani vandhathu were the only saving graces.

Overall, one more movie added to the list of NT. Nothing else.

5. Picture:Dr.Siva
Banner:Cine Bharath
Director: ACT
MD : MSV
Starring: NT, Manjula, Jayamalini etc.
Release: 02.11.1975 ( Deepavali)

Again another NT-ACT combo which promised much, but somewhere in execution it failed to make the cash registers ring. NT will come as a Dr. who will want to devote his life to eradication of Leprosy. He will choose a village inhabited by Tribal people where leprosy will be prevalent. His wife Manjula will initially help him in all aspects. But slowely his 24 hour devotion will start driving a wedge between them and a suspicion about NT’s character will make her seek separation which will be fanned by Major (Father/Brother? Of Manju). Ofcourse it’s a happy ending and rather a timid climax (rather anticlimax) was rather responsible for people not appreciating the same. 1975 for NT can safely be said, as a musical year for his films and Dr.Siva was no exception. Malare Kurinji Malarae, Thaja Panninathan intha Roja, Nallavr Kuralukku, Kaadhal – were all hits at that time and Malarae (First time KJY sang for NT) is an all time hit.
As I had mentioned earlier, at this point of time (to be precise, Oct 2nd), Perunthalaivar Kamaraj had passed away and a pale of gloom set in the Congress camp. There were two opinions emerging. One group wanted to continue as Congress (Organisation) and another wanted to join Congress (Indira). The fans were anxiously waiting for NT to officially react and there were mixed signals. This was one of the outside factors that adversely affected the movie.
Overall, another that promised much but failed to deliver.


6. Picture: Vaira Nenjam
Banner: Chithralaya
Director: Sridhar
MD : MSV
Starring : NT, Padmapriya, Muthuraman etc.
Release: 02.11.1975 (Deepavali)

Sridhar seeing the Super success of NT in 1972 announced Hero-72 and the movie stared with much fun fare. Padmapriya was drafted as the heroine but for her also, her first movie that happened to release was Carotti Kannan with Thengai (a sequel to Kaliyuga Kannan but which bit the dust). A crime detective subject formed the story and NT came as a police officer. NT was as usual stylish, but a subject that was slightly alien to Tamil was a drawback. The movie itself was of a short duration (just 2hrs 15 mins) compared to the trend of that period and out of this NT will get introduced only after 35 mins and this was not liked by fans. Another factor that went against was, Sridhar supposed to be a NT camper switched sides and made Urimaikural with MGR that got released in 1974.He was supposed to have made some remarks regarding both Thilagams and this was not taken well by NT fans who felt that Sri deliberately downplayed VN. Here again MSV came out with great nos like Neeradum Neram Nalla Neram and En Priyathirkuriyavalae that were regulars in Pongum Poompunal of Radio Ceylon.

Overall, a movie (rather a stylish one) went unnoticed.

7. Picture: Pattum Bharathamum
Banner: Arun Prasad Movies
Director:P.Madhavan
MD : MSV
Starring: NT (double role),JJ, Sripriya, Vkumar &Major.
Release: 05.12.1975

A classical that was to be in the lines of Thillana was not to be. NT the rich business tycoon reluctantly agrees to preside over a dance performance of JJ ( a simple scene where he will establish his character is, on entering the auditorium, NT will ask his PA, VK” Ithukku evvalavu Vaadagai irukkum “ atharkku VK “En ketkeereeinga” , NT will reply “ Ille, ippadi oru 4 hall kattipottuta vadagai varumile” enbar. A typical business man) and after a series of meeting each other, both will fall in love and NT will start learning Bharatham and as usual opposition comes in the form of NT’s father (Major). With the help of VK, he will make NT believe that her character is suspicious. JJ will be asked to come to a hotel to meet NT and NT will be told that she is there with somebody. NT will shout at her and she will go away. She would be carrying NT’s child. NT meanwhile realizing his mistake will search for her. JJ will return with his grown up son (again NT) and finally all ends well. Though NT cannot be said to have mastered dance, did an earnest attempt at the age of 47, but too much of pathos had also gone against the movie. When this movie was hardly 15-20 days old, news came out on the political front that NT is going to join Congress (I) and for many hardcore Perunthalaivar loyalists cum NT fans, this was unacceptable and ultimately the movie suffered. Again MSV gave gems like Manthorana Veethiyil, Deivathin Ther eduthu etc. There was one Mayil dance in the movie that was worth mentioning.

Overall, an above average movie.

So that was the score card of NT in 1975. Expecting all your views

Regards

Murali,

Lot of info. One thing puzzling me, was NT forced to do these many movies in 1975 or after? In the movies listed here, except AM, I don't think I will be able to watch any other movies completely. I love NT so much that none of other movies can meet his own standards. I got a chance to watch Dr. Siva recently and I was not able to complete it because the movie completely lacked NT stamp. One cannot believe, ACT made an unbelievable movie Deivamagan with NT and a crappy movie Anbe Aruyire.

I want to ask you this: I always felt Sivaji-Sridhar combo lacked some substance and they did not make classics. Sridhar made hit movies like UVUravu and Sivandha Mann with Sivaji. Compare these movies with Sridhar classics such as Nenjam marappathillai, nenjil oor aalyam, Kadhalikka nermillai and NT-Sridhar combination do not stand in front of them. In fact, Sridhar-Gemini combination produced evergreen hits and classics such as Then Nilavu, sumaithangi and Kalyana Parisu. In my view, Sivaji and Sridhar were individually so talented, but their combination did not produce expected results. If it had worked out well, then we would have got classics in the grand scale of VPKattabomman and Uththama Puthiran. Any reason why NT-sridhar combo missed substance?

Thanks for info. Please continue your good work on this forum

tacinema,
I agree with you..I am not impressed with 'Sivantha man'..Such a great director sridhar was..But unlike balachandar who made movies without compromising for the actors ,I think Sridhar off late made movies for actors ,not just follow his own ..Eg :He did movies for MGR ,Urimai kural and Meenava nanban which are more MGR movies than shreedar movies ..Both are pakka commercial movies with political propaganda..I beleive sridhar also did 'Thudikkum karangal' for rajini and crap movie 'Naanum oru thozhilaali' to kamal.

The following is the remebrance of Manorama on Shivaji. This interview was taken 3 days after the death of Shivaji.



It was in 1955 that I first met 'Nadigar Thilakam' Sivaji Ganesan. I was acting in a drama company in Thindivanam, and Sivaji had come to watch a performance of ours.

The play was Neethipathi.

I can’t say how excited all of us were when we came to know that he would be coming to watch the play. We had seen his films like Parasakthi and were great fans of his. On that day, all I could think of was Anna’s visit. I could not even think of what I was going to say on stage.

I had a double role in the play; I was the heroine and also the villain. Anna watched the whole drama intently and then spoke.

He said, "The girl who played a double role in the drama acted superbly. She enacted both the roles so differently that it is difficult to find that it was the same person. I am amazed. It is not at all easy to do a double role in a drama. I can only compare her acting talent to that of Anjali Devi."

I was in the seventh heaven. Anjali Devi was the topmost heroine those days. When Anna compared me to her, I could not control my tears.

After the function, he came to me and said, “I am certain you will come up in life. You have a great future.”

That was my first meeting with Sivaji Ganesan -- an unforgettable one.

Later, I came to Madras and started acting in Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s dramas.

Anna would watch them and tell others that I acted very well. Not once did he tell me directly that I was good. Even when I gave a good shot, he would say, "It was good but you can do better."

He said so because he wanted me to excel.

But he would tell others, "There is no one who can beat Mano in emoting," and those people would come and tell me.

It was only after I did Thillana Mohanambal with Anna that people started accepting me as an actress. I was very frightened before the shoot began. The very thought of me acting opposite Sivaji made me a nervous wreck.

There was a scene in the film where I had to listen to him play the nadaswaram, and then play the same ragam. We had to compete with each other; it was a memorable experience.

Another scene will be etched in my mind always -- his line was: “We should be brother and sister not only in this birth but in all the other births too.” Then, I was to reply: “Anna, even now, I am your sister and that will never change.”

I can't forget these dialogues and the way he delivered them. You had to be there near him to enjoy his skill. I was one of those fortunate people.

Only once did he tell me that I acted well -- that was on May 26 this year. It was my birthday. And, as usual, I had gone to take blessings from my Anna. He blessed me and gave a Rs 100 note as a gift.

We started talking about various things, and his wife happened to comment about somebody else who made a mess while delivering dialogues in the Madurai dialect.

Immediately, Anna looked at me and said, "Come on, is there anybody else here who can talk in different dialects like Mano? She is the only person and she is an expert."

Those words still resonate in my ear; they transported me to heaven. That was the first time he directly praised me.

I don't want to say how good an actor he was -- everybody knows how good he was. All those who came after became famous because of his dialogues.

Even Kamal Haasan as a little boy got attention in Kalathoor Kannamma by repeating the dialogues that Anna said in Veerapandiya Katta Bomman. Why? Because Anna was the authority in acting.

He was an acting encyclopaedia.

Have you seen his introductory scene in Parasakthi?

S S Rajendran was trying to wake him up but he was not supposed to. When he did, you should see the way he threw away the sheet and looked at the camera! It was like a lion getting up from his sleep.

The lion which woke up from his sleep, nearly 50 years ago, never slept after that; he was roaring ever since.

Have you heard of any other actor who rose to such heights with one film? There is only one -- Sivaji Ganesan. No one else has such talent, ability and good luck.

God has given him such luck that it never left him till the last moment. I am witness to it.

After the day’s shooting at a casino in Kathmandu, we decided to try our luck out.

Anna put in a 50 paise coin and turned the knob. You should have seen the number of coins that poured out! He put one more coin. Again, there was a flood of coins.

That is why I say he was born with the luck of a king, and he remained a king even after his death.

One of my dreams was to act in a film directed by him. Unfortunately that was never fulfilled.

In real life too, he was my brother. I would enter his house and run upstairs, where he would be resting.

I shared everything, both happiness and sorrow, with Anna. He would console me whenever I was down.

He was not like my own brother; he was my own brother. When my mother passed away at 5:45 hrs one morning; Anna was at my home in fifteen minutes. He wanted me to inform my brothers and sisters. When I said, I had none, he pacified me by saying, ‘You have me, your Anna’. He immediately took charge just as my own brother would and sat outside till the body was taken to the crematorium.

How could I repay him?

He knew to act only before the camera; he never acted in front of people. He was genuine.

The moment I came to know of his death, I ran to his house and sat there near the body. I didn’t get up till his body was taken out. I refused to even to drink a drop of water.

Later on, I stood in the lorry for three hours and accompanied his body to the crematorium. The others told me to eat; but I refused. I wanted to punish my body and show my gratitude to my Anna. How else could I show my love for my own brother?

In October, he would complete 74. We wanted to have a huge celebration for his 75th birthday, but that was not to be.

I have lost my own brother. My only wish is to be born as his own sister in the next birth.

-- Source rediff

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joe

tacinema,
I agree with you..I am not impressed with 'Sivantha man'..Such a great director sridhar was..But unlike balachandar who made movies without compromising for the actors ,I think Sridhar off late made movies for actors ,not just follow his own ..Eg :He did movies for MGR ,Urimai kural and Meenava nanban which are more MGR movies than shreedar movies ..Both are pakka commercial movies with political propaganda..I beleive sridhar also did 'Thudikkum karangal' for rajini and crap movie 'Naanum oru thozhilaali' to kamal.

---

Joe dear

I think Nenjirukkum varai ( without make up for all ) was a Sridhar - NT combination other than Ooti varai ......

Also, he is one director who is very difficult to judge . we cant classify him under any particular type of director as he did all type of movies..

but in the 70s he lost direction and did movies for the sake of survival like :

1. Ilamai unjalaadugiradhu ( by no means a sridhar movie )
2. azagay unnai aaradhikiren
3. Urimai kural
4. Meenava nanban
5. Thenralay ennai thodu
6. Thandhu viten yennai ( vikram's first )

etc etc

any creative director, his creativity lasts for a maximum of 15 to 20 movies and after that he become stale... the only exception was KB