Mudiyanaaya Puthran (1961)
The Prodigal Son
Release date : 22 December 1961
The on-screen adaptation of KPACs hugely popular play of the same name, the film is now considered one of the classics of its era, both for its visual appeal, as well as for its successful transition from stage to screen, in aesthetics, grammar and style. This was also the debut of two legendary personalities in their own rights in Malayalam cinema, Ramu Kariat & Adoor Bhasi. Miss Kumari’s Chellamma would bookend the final in the trilogy of her celebrated roles onscreen of oppressed, resilient & resolute women, the others being Kidappadam(1955) & Randidengazhi (1958).
Movie Handbill
Movie Still from Mudiyanaaya Puthran (1961)
More about the Movie
| Miss Kumari | Sathyan |
| Ambika Sukumaran | Changanassery Natarajan |
| Adoor Bhasi | PJ Antony |
| PA Thomas | Prasannabala |
| Adoor Bhavani | Kambissery Karunakaran |
| Kottayam Chellappan | Thoppil Krishna Pillai |
| JAR Anand | Kedamangalam Ali |
| KS Parvathy |
| Director | Ramu Kariyat |
| Producer | TK Pareekutty |
| Banner | Chandrathara Productions |
| Story | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Screenplay | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Dialogues | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Lyrics | P Bhaskaran, G Sankara Kurup |
| Music | MS Baburaj |
| Playback Singers | P Leela, Kaviyoor CK Revamma, KP Udayabhanu, KS George, Mehboob, Shantha P Nair |
| Cinematography | A Vincent |
| Editing | G Venkittaraman |
| Art Direction | S Konnannattu |
| Distribution | Chandrathara Release |
Copyrights & Courtesy : The Hindu (B Vijayakumar’s MetroPlus Kochi Column)
Rajan (Sathyan) is a real terror in his village. Emotional setbacks in his life were responsible for his delinquent nature. Rajan was in love with Radha (Ambika) and they wished to get married. But their dream is not realised. Rajan’s brother Gopala Pillai (Kottayam Chellappan) marries Radha. Neglected and deceived by his own brother, lover and family members Rajan turns delinquent.
He is ordered out of his house by his mother (Adoor Bhavani). Gopala Pillai manipulates the situation and amasses a major portion of the ancestral property. He then breaks away from the family and settles to live along with his wife.
Rajan’s mother and sister are reduced to penury. Their only source of help is Vasu (P. J. Antony), a labourer. Gopala Pillai becomes a rich contractor and is involved in all sorts of activities against labourers. This turns Vasu against Gopala Pillai. Meanwhile, Rajan attempts to molest Chellamma (Miss Kumari), a Harijan girl. Chellamma manages to escape the attempt but the incident stuns her.
Gopala Pillai still nurses an enmity with his brother. He suspects that his wife Radha was still in love with Rajan. Gopala Pillai decides to do away with Rajan. He hires a few goons and has Rajan beaten up severely. The timely help given to Rajan by Chellamma, who offers to give him shelter in her hut, saves him. Gradually Rajan regains his health. The love and affection showered on him by Chellamma and Vasu Vasu brings about a change in his character. Rajan even falls in love with Chellamma.
Vasu organises a labour strike against the unjust activities of Gopala Pillai and his men. Karadi Kuttappan (P. A. Thomas), one of Gopala Pillai’s thugs is murdered in a conflict between the labourers and Gopala Pillai’s men. Vasu is arrested and the police launch a search for Rajan who goes into hiding.
Now Rajan thinks that the society and his family need Vasu more than him. Overcome by the affection that the people seem to have for Vasu, Rajan turns himself to the police. He entrusts Chellamma, whom he loves more than his life, to his mother.
Songs from the Movie
Movie Still
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