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Poothali 1960

DOUBLE WHAMMY T. K. Balachandran, who did a double role, and Aranmula Ponnamma in the film

Neela Production’s commercial hit ‘Poothaali’ was enlivened mainly by the introduction of double role acting in Malayalam cinema. Tamil films like ‘Apoorva Sahodararkal’ (1949), ‘Mangamma Sapatham’ (1943) with M. K. Radha and Ranjan performing double roles as heroes had gained wide popularity. ‘Poothaali’ with T. K. Balachandran in double role, as hero and villain, was the first in Malayalam cinema. So, despite being just an average film, it hit the box offices simply because of the double role factor.

Script and dialogues by Muttathu Varkey was typical melodrama. The highpoint was the camera work by N. S. Mani. Scenes featuring the double role of the actor and the stunt scenes involving both hero and villain, played by the same actor, were filmed very well making use of the limited technology available those days.

T .K. Balachandran excelled in the double role. It was also his first lead role.

Sarojam (Miss Kumari ) the only daughter of the millionaire Madhavan Nair (Thikkurissi Sumumaran Nair) loses her ‘poothaali,’ while being engrosses in a folk dance by fishermen at a beach. She has a sentimental attachment to the ‘poothaali’, a golden chain which she inherited from her mother. Her search for the lost chain proves futile. Balu (T. K. Balachandran) managed to apprehend the thief who had very cleverly snatched the chain from Sarojam and returns it to her.

Sarojam and Balu become friends and meet frequently at the beach. This friendship blooms into love. Madhavan Nair approves of their love affair and decides to get them married.

But later Madhavan Nair comes to know from his driver and another friend that Balu is a city wastrel who leads an immoral life. Madhavan Nair now decides to cancel the marriage. But Sarojam strongly believes that the report is false. And she is right.

Balu has a twin brother Shekhar, who is very often mistaken for Balu. Madhava Menon tries to change the mind of his daughter telling her that Balu is after wealth and that he does not really love her. Sarojam does not agree to this. Balu meets Madhavan Menon and tells him that he does not need his money but only his daughter’s hand in marriage.

In the meanwhile, Sekhar kidnaps Sarojam. Balu follows them and saves Sarojam. All misunderstandings are cleared and Balu marries Sarojam.

T. K. Balachandran’s dual role was impressive. Aranmula Ponnamma, as the hero’s mother also came out with a commendable performance.

Comedians S. P. Pillai and Bahadur gave the film a lot of pep with their hilarious scenes. The film was dubbed to Tamil under the title ‘Yaar Manamakan’ and did quite well. The stunt and dance scenes were also impressive.

There were seven songs penned by Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair and set to tune by Brother Lakshmanan. One song, ‘Kaliyaadum poomala...’ (Kamukara-P. Leela), an imitation of the Hindi song ‘Tadpaoge tadapa lo…’ by Lata Mangeshkar in the film ‘Barkha’ (1959), became a huge hit. The film also had other popular songs like ‘Kadalamme kaniyuka nee...’ ( Leela- Kamukara) , ‘O! Babuji...’ (Kamukara) and ‘Karunathan mani deepamey...’ (Leela).

Will be remembered: As the first Malayalam film with double role. It will also be remembered for the super hit song, ‘Kaliyaadum poomala....’ and as one of the early box office hits produced by Neela Productions.

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