BLAST FROM THE PAST
Chella Pillai 1955
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K. R. Ramasami, Savithri, B. R. Panthulu, T. S.Balaiah, K. A. Thangavelu, P. Kannamba, `Javert'Seetharaman, Pandari Bai, P. D. Sambandam, `Kaka'Radhakrishnan, C. C. V. V. Panthulu and Vadhiraj
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unusual storyline Chella Pillai
Showering affection or enforcing
rigid discipline, which one is
necessary in bringing up a child,
especially if he is an orphan?
This was the theme of Chella
Pillai, produced by AV. Meiyappan
and directed by M. V. Raman.
The film was written by
`Javert' Seetharaman and the
in-house composer R. Sudarshanam
contributed the music
with lyrics by Udumalai Narayana
Kavi, K. P. Kamakshi,
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam and
V. Seetharaman.
Ramasami, a popular hero of
the day after his smashing success
in Velaikkari, is an orphan
brought up by his brother (B. R.
Panthulu) and his wife (Kannamba).
Fond of the growing
child, she covers for all his mischievous
deeds, even petty
crimes, without bothering to
correct him. Soon he grows into
an irresponsible young man addicted
to gambling.
He meets a young woman
(Savithri) who dreams of becoming
a movie star. He promises
to introduce her to movies.
Meanwhile, the family decides
to get him married to a modest
young woman (Pandari Bai) in
the hope that he would become
a better human being.
The hero leaves home to
make a movie with the young
woman. Needing money for the
production, he commits a theft
in the shop where his brother
works, resulting in the kind
man losing his job.
The hero gets involved in the
printing of fake notes and when
the brother seeks his help, he
gives him the counterfeit currency,
resulting in the poor
man getting arrested.
How the erring hero changes
his ways forms the rest of the
plot. A different kind of story
for the day, Chella Pillai had
good performances by Ramasami,
Kannamba and Panthulu
with Savithri as the aspiring
star exuding glamour.
Music played its role in the
film and some of the songs such
as `Podanum kulla podanum',
`Naadu nadakkira nadaiyiley
namakkey onnum puriyaley',
`Madanaa ezhil raja' and
`Ooooo nigarilladha star-aaguven
kalaiulagil naaney' became
popular.
Most of the tunes were
straight lifts from popular Hindi
movies and were rendered by
P. Susheela, Jikki, T. M. Soundararajan
and T. S. Bhagavathi.
Editor-turned-filmmaker M.
V. Raman directed the story in
an interesting manner, mixing
the sentimental sequences with
song and dance numbers by
Savithri and others.
Ramasami acquitted himself
well in the role of the vagabond
and excelled as usual in his
drama-drenched dialogue delivery.
Kannamba as the affectionate
sister-in-law was as
good as ever. Pandari Bai as the
naive rural woman was her
usual self with her soft looks.
T. S. Balaiah as the film director
Yaman and Thangavelu
as Avathaaram contributed to
the laughs.
Well known Kannada actor
and film producer Vadhiraj enjoyed
a brief innings in Tamil
cinema during the 1950s. His
dwarf-like appearance itself
raised laughs. `Stunt' Somu, one
of the earliest stunt composers
in Tamil cinema, played a double
role somewhat ironically as
a cop and a professional gambler.
The dance sequences were
choreographed by Hiralal and
K. N. Dhandayudhapani Pillai
with a dancer, Roopamala, also
taking part in them.
Remembered for: The different
storyline, impressive
performances of Ramasami and
Savithri and tuneful music.
RANDOR GUY
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