''Muthalali'' is a 1965

Malayalam language Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...

film directed by M. A. V. Rajendran. It stars

Prem Nazir Prem Nazir (born Abdul Khader; 6 April 1926 – 16 January 1989) was an Indian actor known as one of Malayalam cinema's definitive leading man, leading men of his generation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in the hist ...

Sheela Sheela Celine (born 24 March 1945) is an Indian actress and director who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema. Paired with Prem Nazir, they hold the Guinness World Record for acting in the largest number of films (130) together as heroine ...

T. S. Muthaiah T. S. Muthaiah (1923 – 12 February 1992) was a Malayalam and Tamil film actor. He was a popular actor in both film industries who usually played character and supporting roles in 1950s and 1960s. Background T. S. Muthaiah was born in 1923 to ...

and

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair (16 October 191611 March 1997) was an Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padma Shri fr ...

. Muthalali is inspired by the

Tamil language Tamil (, , , also written as ''Tamizhil'' according to linguistic pronunciation) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. It is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world,. "Tamil is one of ...

film of the

same name ''Same Name'' is an American reality television series in which an average person swaps lives with a celebrity of the same first and last name. It premiered on July 24, 2011 on CBS. The series received low ratings, and CBS pulled it after four-ep ...

. The Tamil film ''Muthalali'' (1957), produced by M. A. Venu and directed by "Muktha" Sreenivasan made on a small budget, was a huge hit. The film won the National Award for the best Feature Film in the regional language category. It was the screen version of a popular play by the same name, written by A. K. Venkataramanujam. The unprecedented success of the film was attributed to its good script combined with strong mass elements like songs and performances. The producers remade the film in Malayalam with the same title. It was released on 30 April 1965. Directed by M. A. V. Rajendran, the film was shot at Rathna Studios, Salem. Dance sequences choreographed by "Chinni" Sampath were an attraction of the film. Music director K. V. Mahadevan, who composed the music for the original recommended his assistant T. K. Pukazhenthi's name to compose for the remake. Playback singer B. Vasantha made her debut in Malayalam films through this film.

Plot

Venu who owns a glass factory in Ernakulam goes to America for higher studies. During Venu's absence his mother, Saraswathi Amma, manages the factory with the help of the manager Vikraman Nair. Gradually Vikraman brings everything under his control and swindles the company, taking advantage of Saraswathi Amma's trust in him. After a few years Venu returns after his studies. He lands in Bombay en route to Ernakulam where he meets Kesavan, a hotel employee. Through Kesavan he comprehends the hardships faced by labourers and the need to understand the life of a worker before becoming the owner of a factory. Venu sends telegram to his mother informing her that he has to go on a business tour and will reach home a month later. Venu reaches Ernakulam, in disguise as Velu, and gets himself a job in his own factory with the help of Devaki, a worker in the factory. Venu befriends her father, Raman Nair, and stays in their home. Venu gets a clear picture of what Vikraman Nair is up to and how he manipulates the factory's assets. Vikraman, in the meanwhile, is in love with Malathi who Venu was supposed to marry. Venu falls in love with Devaki. Within few days, Venu gets a clear picture of the crisis the factory is passing through. Vikraman's wicked eye falls on Devaki. Venu decides it is time to return as himself. He leaves after writing a letter to Devaki saying that he will come back soon. Devaki becomes suspicious of Venu's motives. Devaki is dismissed from her job in the factory. She leaves the city in search of Venu and reaches Thiruvananthapuram. There she meets her brother Kesavan, the hotel worker who Venu met in Bombay. Venu returns and takes charge of the factory. He is disappointed upon discovering that Devaki has been dismissed and that she has left the home. He meets the workers in his factory, tells them that he is aware of the manager's behaviour and assures them that there will be a change in how the factory is run. Unable to come to terms with being shown his place in the factory, Vikraman spreads a rumour that Venu is an impostor Velu. And now for the climax. Venu, in the meanwhile, sets out in search of Devaki and brings her back. He is arrested on charges of impersonation on a complaint by Vikraman. All misunderstandings are cleared. Venu reveals the purpose behind coming back under disguise and exposes Vikraman Nair. The police arrest Vikraman for swindling the factory. Venu marries Devaki. The workers of the factory are now under a "Muthalali" (owner), who understands the hardships they face and acknowledges their rights.

Cast

as Venu/Velu *

(credited as Sheeladevi) as Devaki *

as Vikraman Nair *

Kumari Padmini Kumari Padmini, born as Padmini (died 1980), was an actress who was active in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industry during the 1960s and 70s. Bio Kumari Padmini acted mainly in Tamil films. She was also popular in Telugu and Malayalam films. Sh ...

as Malathi *

Aranmula Ponnamma Aranmula Ponnamma (8 April 1914 – 21 February 2011) was an Indian actress known for her roles as mother of the protagonist in numerous films in a career spanning over five decades. She is widely described as a mother figure in Malayalam ...

as Saraswathi Amma *

as Raman Nair *

S. P. Pillai S. P. Pillai (28 November 1913 – 12 June 1985) was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films. Biography S. Pankajakshan Pillai alias S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in the temple town of Ettumanoor in K ...

as Paramu *

Kottayam Santha Kottayam Santha was an Indian actress and dubbing artist best known for her work in Malayalam cinema. She has acted in more than 300 films. She had also acted in several TV serials like Valayam, Krishnakripasagaram etc. She dubbed for almost ...

as Meenashi *

Pappukutty Bhagavathar Pappukutty Bhagavathar (29 March 1913 – 22 June 2020) was an Indian singer and actor in Malayalam cinema. Biography Pappukutty Bhagavathar was born as Joseph on 29 March 1913 to Michael and Anna, at Vypin in the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin. ...

as Kesavan * Panjabi as Sankaran *

Santo Krishnan Santo Krishnan, originally named Krishnan Nair, (12 May 1920 – 6 July 2013) born in Ottapalam was an Indian athlete and stuntsman. He appeared in more than 1000 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Sinhala, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English. He di ...

as Watchman

Soundtrack

The music was composed by

Pukazhenthi T. K. Velappan Nair (27 September 1929 – February 27, 2005), popularly known as Pukazhenthi (also credited as Puhalendi), was an Indian music director of Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. Biography Pukazhenthi was born on 27 September 1929, ...

and the lyrics were written by

P. Bhaskaran Pulloottupadathu Bhaskaran alias as P. Bhaskaran (21 April 1924 – 25 February 2007), was an Indian Malayalam language poet, lyricist of Malayalam film songs, and filmmaker. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed ...

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, id=0254591 1965 films 1960s Malayalam-language films Malayalam remakes of Tamil films Films set in Kerala Films shot in Kochi Films shot in Mumbai Films scored by Pukazhenthi