Annai (1962 film)

Annai
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKrishnan–Panju
Screenplay byK. S. Gopalakrishnan
Story byNihar Ranjan Gupta
Produced byA. V. Meiyappan
Starring
CinematographyS. Maruti Rao
Edited byPanjabi–Vittal
Music byR. Sudarsanam
Production
company
Release date
  • 15 December 1962 (1962-12-15)
Running time
150 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Annai (/ənnaɪ/ transl. Mother) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju. The film stars P. Bhanumathi and Sowcar Janaki, with S. V. Ranga Rao, J. P. Chandrababu and P. Raja playing supporting roles. The plot revolves around the theme that the love of a foster mother can be even stronger than that of a biological mother.

The film is a remake of the Bengali film Maya Mriga (1960), itself based on a play by Nihar Ranjan Gupta. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by R. Sudarshanam while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Kothamangalam Subbu.

Annai was released on 15 December 1962 to positive reviews, with praise for the plot, the music and the performances from the lead actors. The film was also a commercial success, and had a theatrical run of 100 days. It was remade in Hindi by the same directors as Laadla (1966).

Plot

Cast

Production

Nihar Ranjan Gupta's Bengali play Maya Mruga was adapted into a film of the same name in 1960.[1][2] Impressed with the story, A. V. Meiyappan decided to adapt it in Tamil as a film with the title Annai.[1][3] Krishnan–Panju were selected as the film's directors with K. S. Gopalakrishnan writing the dialogues.[4] Panju edited the film under the alias "Panjabi". The song "Azhagiya Mithilai" was shot at Marina Beach Road, Chennai.[2]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album and background score were composed by R. Sudarsanam while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Kothamangalam Subbu.[5] The song "O Bak Bak" is based on "O Bok Bok" from the original film.[6] The songs particularly "Azhagiya Mithilai" and "Buddhiyulla Manithan" were well received and became famous.[3][2]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Buddhiyulla"Chandrababu 
2."Azhagiya Mithilai"P. B. Srinivas, Susheela 
3."Poovagi"Bhanumathi 
4."O Pakk Pakkum"  
5."Oru Oorile"  
6."Annai Enbaval"  

Release and reception

Annai was released on 15 December 1962.[4] The film was a commercial success and S. S. Vasan presided the silver jubilee event as guest.[3] The Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan dated 6 January 1963 appreciated the film and mentioned the film stating that one does not get the feeling of watching a film instead a real life and empathise with characters.[7] Kanthan of Kalki said it was refreshing to watch a different kind of film after many repetitive, identical ones.[8] Annai won the Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature film at the 10th National Film Awards.[9][10] Bhanumathi won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress.[11]

Remakes

AVM remade the film in Hindi as Laadla (1966).[12][13] They had also planned a Telugu remake; distributors wanted Bhanumathi to reprise her role, but as she had retired from acting by then and was unable to commit, the project was dropped.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b Saravanan 2013, p. 118.
  2. ^ a b c Guy, Randor (16 January 2009). "Annai 1962". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c சரவணன், ஏவி.எம். (13 February 2005). "ரோஜா மகளே ராஜகுமாரி..!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 44–47. Retrieved 7 July 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ a b "Annai". The Indian Express. 15 December 1962. p. 1. Retrieved 9 February 2019 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ "Annai". JioSaavn. January 1962. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  6. ^ Sriram, V (24 July 2023). "O Bak Bak Bak in Annai and Maya Mriga – Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music". Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ "அன்னை". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 6 January 1963.
  8. ^ காந்தன் (30 December 1962). "அன்னை". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 64. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ "State Awards for Films". International Film Festival of India. 20 April 1963. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Award for Tamil film". The Indian Express. 25 March 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 3 March 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  11. ^ "Tit-Bit". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. 5 October 1963. p. 50. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ^ NFAI [@NFAIOfficial] (18 December 2019). "#Remake Filmmaker Krishnan-Panju remade their acclaimed #Tamil drama #Annai (1962) in #Hindi as #Laadla (1966)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Saravanan 2013, p. 125.
  14. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (28 December 2005). "Remembering Bhanumathi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

Bibliography