Baghdad Thirudan
Baghdad Thirudan | |
---|---|
| |
Tamil | பாக்தாத் திருடன் |
Directed by | T. P. Sundaram |
Produced by |
T. P. Sundaram Harilal Patoviya |
Written by | A. S. Muthu |
Story by | A. S. Muthu |
Starring |
M. G. Ramachandran Vyjayanthimala M. N. Nambiar T. S. Balaiah T. R. Ramachandran M. N. Rajam |
Music by | G. Govindarajulu Naidu |
Cinematography | M. Krishnaswamy |
Edited by | G. D. Joshi |
Production company |
Southern Movies |
Distributed by | Southern Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 185 mins[2] |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Baghdad Thirudan (lit. The Thief of Baghdad) is a 1960 Tamil-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film starred M. G. Ramachandran and Vyjayanthimala in the lead with M. N. Nambiar, T. S. Balaiah, T. R. Ramachandran, S. A. Ashokan, M. N. Rajam, A. Sandhya and S. N. Lakshmi forms an ensemble cast.[3] The film was a remake of 1924 silent film The Thief of Bagdad and was inspired by 1951 Tony Curtis-starrer, The Prince Who Was a Thief.[4]
Plot
Following the betrayal of the Prime Minister, the Maharaja and the Maharani of the kingdom are murdered and their son, MGR, is hidden in a herd of cows. MGR is found by robbers, who hidden in the forest and eventually grows up to become their leader. The two impostors who sit on the throne have a daughter and a child servant who poses as the son who survived the death of the former royal couple. MGR, a sort of Robin Hood, robs the rich to give to the poor and strives to reconquer his kingdom.
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as Abu
- Vyjayanthimala as Zarina
- M. N. Nambiar
- T. S. Balaiah
- T. R. Ramachandran
- S. A. Ashokan
- M. N. Rajam
- A. Sandhya
- S. N. Lakshmi[5]
- M. S. S. Pakiyam
- K. S. Angamuthu
- T. A. Madhuram
Crew
- Producer: T. P. Sundaram & Harilal Batavia
- Production Company: Southern Movies
- Director: T. P. Sundaram
- Music: G. Govindarajulu Naidu
- Lyrics: A. Maruthakasi
- Story: A. S. Muthu
- Dialogues: A. S. Muthu
- Art Direction: Raju
- Editing: G. D. Joshi
- Choreography: R. Krishnaraj, B. Sohanlal, Jayashankar & V. S. Muthusami Pillai
- Cinematography: M. Krishnaswamy
- Stunt: R. N. Nambiar
- Audiography: C. P. Kanniyappan
- Songs Recording: T. S. Rangasamy & C. P. Kanniyappan
- Dialogues Recording: M. S. Nageswaran
- Dance: Gopi Krishna, Helen, Padmini, Lalitha & Ragini
Production
Baghdad Thirudan was financed by Krishnaswamy Naidu, the former owner of Golden Studios. A single set in the film cost ₹30,000 (US$420), and MGR always wanted new sets. By this type of over-expenditure, it was believed that the film would ultimately cost ₹500,000 (US$7,000). MGR demanded that an additional ₹200,000 (US$2,800) be spent to complete the film, much to Naidu's horror.[6]
Baghdad Thirudan was also the only film that featured MGR opposite Vyjayanthimala.[7] MGR briefly served as the film's editor. During the filming of Baghdad Thirudan, MGR said, "I was at the editing table, and it was so easy to join the cuts, because the movements just flowed into each other".[8] Actress S. N. Lakshmi, who played an important role in the film, had to fight a leopard in one scene without the use of a "dupe".[9] She later remarked that she feared cats.[10]
Soundtrack
The music composed by G. Govindarajulu Naidu.[11]All lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Jikki, P. Suseela, A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani.[12]
No. | Song | Singers | Length (m:ss) |
1 | Azhagu Laila | A. P. Komala | 02:28 |
2 | Enthan Kathai Idhana | P. Suseela | 02:51 |
3 | Vetri Kollum Vaalendhi | 05:24 | |
4 | Kanneerin Vellam | 03:16 | |
5 | Pothukulunguthey .. Sokkudhe Manam | 03:30 | |
6 | Bul Bul Paarvaiyile | K. Jamuna Rani | 02:12 |
7 | Siricha Pothum | Jikki & group | 02:44 |
8 | Unmai Anbin | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela | 02:18 |
9 | Yaarukku Dimikki | T. M. Soundararajan | 02:34 |
Release
The film was released in India on 6 May 1960.[13]
Reception
Kalyanamalai Magazine labelled Baghdad Thirudan as one of Vyjayanthimala's "memorable films."[14]
Box office
References
- ↑ "Baghdad Thirudan". mgrblog. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
- ↑ http://www.hervedumont.ch/page.php?id=fr10&idv=2&idc=700
- ↑ Karan Bali. "Vyjayanthimala". Upperstall.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ Randor Guy (2011-02-17). "Superstar of the silent era". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ Anusha Parthasarathy (2011-03-02). "'Plays were crowd pullers'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ Kantha, Sachi Sri (October 17, 2011). "Kannadasan's Minor Book(let) on MGR: Random Notes". Sangam.org. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ↑ "MGR Remembered – Part 26". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. 2015-04-08. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ↑ "Screen, stage and beyond". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2007-01-15.
- ↑ Raman, Mohan V (2012-02-20). "An actor par excellence". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- ↑ "Courage goaded her on …". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2010-05-28.
- ↑ "Baghdad Thirudan Songs". friendstamilmp3. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
- ↑ Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam – Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers 044 25361039. p. 204.
- ↑ Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers.
- ↑ Kalyanamalai Magazine – Serial story, Thiraichuvai – Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, Vyjayanthimalai
- ↑ 100 Days Theaters in Madurai | Mgrroop's Blog
- ↑ "Baghdad Thirudan Records". srimgr. Retrieved 2014-11-06.