Baghdad Thirudan
| Baghdad Thirudan 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 dates |
|
Running time | 170 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Baghdad Thirudan (Tamil: பாக்தாத் திருடன்; English: The Thief of Bagdad) is a 1960 Black-and-white swashbuckler Tamil 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.[2] 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.[3]
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 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 Ali
- Vyjayanthimala as Zarina
- M. N. Nambiar
- T. S. Balaiah
- T. R. Ramachandran
- S. A. Ashokan
- M. N. Rajam
- A. Sandhya
- S. N. Lakshmi[4]
- M. S. S. Pakiyam
- K. S. Angamuthu
Crew
- Producer: T. P. Sundaram & Harilal Patoviya
- 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 Naidu, the former owner of Golden Studios. A single set in the film cost ₹30,000 (US$450), and MGR always wanted new sets. By this type of over-expenditure, it was believed that the film would ultimately cost ₹500,000 (US$7,400). MGR demanded that an additional ₹200,000 (US$3,000) be spent to complete the film, much to Naidu's horror.[5]
Baghdad Thirudan was also the first film that featured MGR opposite Vyjayanthimala. 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".[6] 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",[7] though she later remarked that she feared cats.[8]
Soundtrack
The music composed by G. Govindarajulu Naidu.[9]All lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Jikki, P. Suseela, & K. Jamuna Rani.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | Azhagu Laila | Jikki | A. Maruthakasi | 02:28 |
| 2 | Enthan Kathai Idhana | P. Suseela | 02:51 | |
| 3 | Indha Jagame En Kaiyile | K. Jamuna Rani | 05:24 | |
| 4 | Kanneeril Vellam | P.Susheela | 03:16 | |
| 5 | Oru Kul Kul Paarvaiyile | Jikki | 02:12 | |
| 6 | Pothukulunguthey | P. Suseela | 03:30 | |
| 7 | Siricha Pothum | P. Suseela | 02:44 | |
| 8 | Sokkudhe Manam | P. Susheela | 03:33 | |
| 9 | Unmai Anbil | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela | 02:18 | |
| 10 | Vinnil Yedho Vedhanai | Pendyala Nageswara Rao | 03:27 | |
| 11 | Yaarukku Dimikki | T. M. Soundararajan | 02:34 |
Release
Reception
Kalyanamalai Magazine labelled Baghdad Thirudan as one of Vyjayanthimala's "memorable films."[10]
Box office
The film ran for over 125 days in theatres, officially declared a blockbuster hit and highest grossing film of the year.[11][12]
References
- ↑ "Baghdad Thirudan". mgrblog. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
- ↑ Karan Bali. "Vyjayanthimala". Upperstall.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ Randor Guy (2011-02-17). "Superstar of the silent era". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ↑ Anusha Parthasarathy (02-03-2011). "'Plays were crowd pullers'". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-10-12. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Kannadasan’s Minor Book(let) on MGR: Random Notes
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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.