Aniyathi (1955)
Younger Sister
Release date : 24 December 1955
Merry Land’s “Aniyathi” followed the stock template of the popular ‘brother-sister’ online sagas of sacrifice that had tasted success in other languages. Of the four movies of Miss Kumari released in 1955, 3 were from Merry Land. Aimed for a X’mas release, this was also the debut of TK Balachander in Malayalam. Kumari played Ammini, the sibling to Prem Nazir’s Appu, who loses his eyesight in an accident. Ammini becomes the support for Appu, and the sole bread-winner of the family. Villany and love soon enters at appropriate points of the narrative, making it a wholesome treat for the families during festive season. Needless to say, it was a smash box-office success.
Movie Handbill
Publicity Still from Aniyathi (1955)
More about the Movie
| Prem Nazir | Miss Kumari |
| TK Balachandran | Kumari Thankam |
| TS Muthaiah | Aranmula Ponnamma |
| Jose Prakash | Bahadoor |
| SP Pillai | Vanakutty Raman Pillai |
| Kottayam Shantha | Kuttan Pillai |
| Mavelikkara L Ponnamma | Thiruvananthapuram Lalitha |
| Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair | Vijayam |
| Indira | Vasundhara |
| Director | M Krishnan Nair |
| Producer | P Subramaniam |
| Story | TN Gopinathan Nair |
| Screenplay | TN Gopinathan Nair |
| Dialogues | TN Gopinathan Nair |
| Banner | Neela Productions |
| Distribution | Kumaraswamy & Co |
| Art Direction | MV Kochappu |
| Audiography | VC Issac |
| Cinematography | NS Mani |
| Lyrics | Thirunayinarkurichi Madhavan Nair |
| Music | Brother Lakshman |
| Playback Singers | Kamukara Purushothaman Nair, P Leela, Shantha P Nair, Rajalakshmi, Cochin Abdul Khader, CS Radha Devi |
| Choreography | G Keshav Das |
| Editing | KD George |
Copyrights & Courtesy : The Hindu ( B Vijayakumar’s MetroPlus Kochi Column)
The unusual success of Hindi, Tamil & Telugu contemporary films that were based on brother-sister relationships prompted P. Subramaniam to produce the Malayalam film Aniyathi that told the story of a sister and her sacrifices.
Released in 1955, on Christmas Eve, the film went to become a huge hit. Produced under the banner of Neela Productions and directed by M. Krishnan Nair, the film was shot at Merryland Studios. The script and dialogues were by T. N. Gopinathan Nair.
Shekhara Pillai (T. N. Gopinathan Nair), once a rich landlord, now depends heavily on his son Appu (Prem Nazir), who is employed in Bangalore, to take care of the family. Appu’s sister Ammini (Miss Kumari) is a college student and his father is plagued by ill health. Appu loses his eyesight and returns home. Ammini hides this fact from Pillai.
On his journey back home Appu meets Pachu Kurup (Kottarakara) who worked in Burma but had now returned home. His brother Bhargavan (Muthiah) runs a restaurant, which is fully financed by his brother Kurup. Soon, Kurup takes possession of the restaurant throwing Bhargavan and his wife out.
Kurup’s evil eye falls on Ammini. When Shekhara Pillai comes to know that his son Appu is blind, he dies heart-broken. Pillai’s house is confiscated. Appu and Ammini move to a small hut. Ammini is forced to sell flowers and garlands for a living. Appu accompanies her. One day Babu (T. K. Balachandran), a police constable, saves Appu from being run over. He falls in love with Ammini.
Kurup befriends Appu and supports him financially. He then spreads scandals about Babu and Ammini and Appu believes them. Babu proposes marriage to Ammini. She tells him that he will have to wait till her brother regains his eyesight. Babu suspects Ammini when he comes to know about Kurup’s frequent visits to her house. One night Kurup attempts to molest Ammini. Babu reaches in time to save her. He comes to know of Kurup’s evil designs and misunderstandings are cleared. Appu regains his eyesight; Babu weds Ammini. There is sub-plot to this film involving Jayanthi (Kumari Thankam), Ammini’s college mate, and SP (S. P. Pillai). Jayanthi is mentally challenged. Doctors suggest that a marriage will help her get over this. She gets married to SP. This leads to some hilarious comic scenes.
Prem Nazir and Miss Kumari impressed. This was one of those rare occasions where Prem Nazir was not paired with a heroine.
Songs from the Movie
“Aniyathi”, my next film after “CID” also brought me the Best Actress Award from Film Fans Association Madras. Its story & dialogues were by the legendary TN Gopinathan Nair.
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In the Media
Publicity Still of Aniyathi (1955)
