Mallika (1957 film)

Kamala and Padma are the daughters of a businessman stationed in Burma. Due to losses, the businessman is forced to return to India with his wife and daughters. The plane crashes and the parents are killed. Padma, the younger daughter, loses her eyesight. Kamala joins a dance troupe for a living and to save for treatment of her sister. Kamala meets Mohan, a man from an affluent family, and falls in love with him. But Mohan's parents are against the marriage because Kamala is a dancer and they consider her as someone of low moral character. Mohan's father is murdered and Mohan is arrested. Kamala takes the blame on to herself in order to save Mohan. The truth is eventually revealed, Padma regains her sight and all ends well for everyone.[2]

Credits adapted from The Hindu:[2]

• R. Ganesh as Mohan
• Padmini as Kamala
• T. S. Balaiah
• K. A. Thangavelu
• M. N. Rajam
• T. V. Kumudhini
• Baby Rajakumari as Padma
• Lakshmirajam
• N. S. Narayana Pillai
• Peer Mohamed
• Sharma
• Ganapathi Bhat
• P. B. Vairam

This is the first film produced by the Citadel Films Corporation owned by Joseph Thaliath Jr, who also directed the film. Nanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa, who wrote the dialogues, also worked as the assistant director. Hiralal choreographed Padmini's dances, and was assisted by Chinni and Sampath. M. G. Naidu, who later founded the Naidu Hall, worked as the costume designer on the film.[2]

The music was composed by T. R. Pappa and the lyrics were written by A. Maruthakasi and M. K. Athmanathan. The playback singers were P. Susheela, A. M. Raja, Jikki, Mythili, S. C. Krishnan and R. Nageswara Rao.[2]

Film historian Randor Guy praised Mallika for its "fine music, scintillating dances by Padmini, and impressive performances by Gemini Ganesh and others". Despite this, the film was an average success, but was remade in Hindi as Payal the same year with Padmini returning.[2]