Pasa Malar vs Raktha Sambandham
Pasa Malar is considered to be a cult classic in Tamil cinema by any average movie buff. It is one of my all time fav movie. I don’t think the movie had the most flawless screenplay. It indeed dragged unnecessarily at parts. But the movie had towering performances by Savitri and Sivaji Ganesan. Its a must watch film if you are a fan of either of the two. I recently bought a bunch of Telugu classics of Savitri and I got Raktha Sambandham as well. My expectations for the movie were pretty high before watching it. So did the film manage to meet my expectations? I would say yes and no. I heard ANR was the initial choice for the lead role. But he turned down the role as he was skeptical about whether the audience would accept him and Savitri as brother and sister. It was then offered to NTR and he promptly accepted it. I wish ANR could have at least played the husband role of Savitri. Because they both are known for their extremely good onscreen chemistry. Even though the movie capitalized on the brother – sister affection. Gemini played a significant role in the original. His character had slight shades of Grey and he played it to perfection. I would rate it as one of his career best performance. Just watch out the scene where he confronts Sivaji defending his co-workers when they get expelled from the factory or the scene where he argues with Sivaji that he cannot keep his ego at stake before the latter leaves the house. Class acting! I honestly could not digest an actor like Kanta Rao enacting the part. As the role demanded an actor of better caliber. He was a total miscast. NTR’s performance was over-the-top in the first half. But he was way better in the second half. Savitri was good. She is always a complete natural. I liked the minor changes made in the script. The screenplay was definitely better handled in Telugu. I liked the fact that M.N.Rajam’s character(Devika) was made to die in the middle which was a good relief. தேவையே இல்லாமால் ஜவ்வு மாதிரி இழுத்து கொண்டே போவாங்க தமிழ்ல அந்த காரக்டரை. In Tamil, she would be sent to foreign country to pursue her higher studies in medicine abruptly. She would then be seen only towards the end of climax mouthing some extremely lame and cliched dialogues “Athaan ungalukku naan paadha sevai seyalangruthukka enakku ivalavu periya dhandanaya neenga kodukkanum” LMAO! Gemini will be holding a permanent grudge against Sivaji and both would not meet until the end. But in Telugu after Devika’s demise Kanta Rao would go to offer his condolences immediately after coming to know about it. Also Sivaji after leaving the house would never try to visit Savitri. NTR will go to meet Savitri and her child and after seeing how she is getting abused by Suryakantham with his own eyes, he would write the entire property on her name. Kanta Rao and Savitri will run to NTR’s house to see him after knowing about it immediately, but it would rather be too late as he would have left the city without letting them know. The music was by Ghantasala. He retained most of the tunes for the songs in Telugu which were composed by Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy for Pasa Malar. “Evaro Nanu Kavvinchi Poyedevaro“(Yaar yaar yaar aval yaro) and “Oho Vayyari Vadina“(Mayangugiral oru madhu) were the only two songs which deviated from the original, both the songs did not impress me much. I think the song “Malargalai Pol Thangai Urangukiraal” where Sivaji dreams of his sister marriage was cut in both Telugu and Hindi. I was quite glad that it got cut! It was most likely done to reduce the length of the movie. Although, I like the song it could have easily been avoided. The picturization was a letdown. I found Sivaji’s look in particular to be so cheesy. All these minor changes made the Telugu version seem more realistic. When Bhimsingh remade the film in Hindi as Rakhi which featured Ashok Kumar and Waheeda Rehman in lead roles he smartly infused all these minor changes in the Hindi screenplay. I personally did not like the Hindi version much. I thought Ashok Kumar was way too old to play the role. But he won the Best Actor Award from Filmfare for Rakhi. Dilip Kumar should have been the ideal choice for the role IMHO!
Pradeep Kumar filled the place of Gemini. I wish Bhimsingh roped someone like Sunil Dutt who has both star appeal and acting skills for the role. The casting was awful again!
I think the budget should have probably been an obstacle. The movie was made in a shoestring budget. When Amaradeepam (not necessarily my fav movie) got remade in hindi as Amardeep by Sivaji productions. It featured a host of stars with the likes of Dev Anand, Padmini, Ragini, Vyjayanthimala and Pran enacting the key roles… I bet all of them were highly paid actors of their time. இந்த படம் எடுக்கும் போது மட்டும் ஏன் அவ்வளவு கருமித்தனம்னு உண்மையாகவே விளங்கவில்லை.
Overall in terms of performances I conclude Pasa Malar is by far the best out of the three versions. Sivaji and Savitri literally lived their roles. Savitri apparently underwent a crash diet and lost weight to look convincing in the climax. She used to have only one meal a day for two months. அவ்வளவு சிரமம் எடுத்து அவங்க நடித்த படம். But if you notice the climax she would be having perfectly manicured nails. lol. Wish Bhimsingh had paid attention to such trivial things. I thought Aroor Das’s dialogues could have been a tad more pragmatic.
I think the first time I watched the movie I was so young… I was just 14 or 15 years old. I wept like no tomorrow after watching the climax. இந்த படத்தை பார்த்து அநேகமாக அழாதவர்களே இருக்க முடியாது. It may seem extremely ludicrous, but I rather felt unfortunate for not having any siblings for first time in my life. அப்படி ஒரு தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்திய திரைப்படம் பாசமலர் !
[Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri] Malarnthu malaratha – Pasa Malar
[NTR and Savitri] Chandurini Minchu – Raktha Sambandham
[Ashok Kumar and Waheeda Rehman] Ya Meri Manzil Bata – Rakhi
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பிடித்த பிடிக்காத சிவாஜி படங்கள்
இதை ஒரு மறுமொழியாக ஒரு நண்பரின் விமர்சனத்தில் கூறியிருந்தேன். ஆனால் அதில் எனக்குப் பிடித்த சிவாஜி படங்கள் பற்றி எழுதவில்லை. ரொம்ப நீண்ட பதிவாக போனதால். I decided to post it as an individual post in my blog.
நான் கொஞ்சம் வேறு பட்ட சிவாஜி fan என்று சொல்லலாம். எனக்குப் பிடிச்ச சிவாஜி படத்தோட பிடிக்காத சிவாஜி படங்கள் தான் அதிகம்.
I don’t tend to like the Sivaji movies that are usually appreciated by masses. Yes, that includes Navarathri, Vietnam Veedu, Gauravam, Vasantha Maligai, Deiva Magan, Amaradeepam, Rajapart Rangathurai, Sumathi En Sundari et al.
Also I can’t stand majority of his 70s flicks. I don’t know how many of you would have watched the Tamil remake of Gulzar’s Mausam. I can’t seem to recall the name of movie. The original was a true masterpiece. ஸ்ரீபிரியாவும் அவரும் சேர்ந்து படு கொலை செஞ்சுருப்பாங்க அந்தப் படத்தை. குல்ஸாரைப் பிடித்து உதைக்கணும் ரீமேக் ரைட் கொடுத்ததற்கு! =]
Navarathiri – இந்தப் படத்தில் உண்மையிலேயே எனக்குப் பிடிச்ச ஒரே விஷயம் சாவித்திரியோட எதார்த்தமான நடிப்பு மட்டும் தான். She effortlessly stole the show. Sivaji tried way too hard in my opinion. I won’t really rate it as one of his best. As I personally believe he has churned out far better performances than Navarathri.
Vietnam Veedu – தாங்க முடியாத கொடுமையான overacting. I really end up with a headache whenever I attempt to watch this movie. No kidding.
I found him loud and OTT. His body language, articulation, expressions – everything spelled exaggeration. I’m a Brahmin myself. Iyengar to be precise. But I have a huge circle of family friends who are iyers. Nobody talks like the way Sivaji does in the movie in real life. His dialogue delivery just did not come across very natural. Padmini seemed relatively comfortable with the Brahmin dialect. After her I think it was sridevi who spoke the accent so perfectly. She did a good job in Meendum Kokila. (Both the actresses were not brahmins)
Gauravam – Ditto! வியட்நாம் வீடு அளவுக்கு கொடுமையில்லை; இருந்தாலும் கொடுமை தான். Heard Gemini was the first choice for the role. But since he was already getting ridiculed as Sambhar he chose to stay away from Brahmin subjects and suggested Sivaji for the role. I don’t know how far its true. He might have probably done a better job. The story was not anything extraordinary though.
Paava Mannippu – பிடித்த படம். ஆனால் ஏனோ எம்.ஜி.ஆர் படம் பார்ப்பது போலவே இருக்கும். =P
Pathi Bhakthi – விதவை கோலத்தில் இருக்கும் சாவித்திரிதான் தன்னுடைய அக்கா மகள் என்று உணரும் காட்சி. புரண்டு அழுவாரே ! அப்பா height of overacting! கிளைமாக்ஸ் காட்சியைப் பற்றி சொல்லவே வேண்டாம்; unintentional காமெடிதான். இந்த படம் நிச்சயமா ஓடியிருக்க வாய்பே இல்லைனு நினைச்சேன். Bhimsingh launched his own production company Buddha pictures with Pathi Bhakthi and MSV was one of the partners. I read in the book “Mellisai mannar M.S.V” that it was an average hit. எப்படி இந்த மாதிரி படமெல்லாம் அந்த காலத்தில் ஓடிச்சுனு எனக்கு உண்மையாகவே வியப்பாக இருந்தது.
Pennin Perumai – Blah film! Sivaji played a negative character in the movie, but his performance failed to impress me. The original telugu version Ardhangi was better. Both ANR and Jagayya did a good job.
Sivagamiyin Selvan – I think is one of his worst too. I do not want to compare the movie with Aradhana. Because I did not like Aradhana in first place. I thought the scenes involving him and Lata especially were horrendous.
Also I’m personally no fan of Amitabh Bachchan ! But Sivaji should have seriously avoided starring in Tamil remakes of AB films. Big B did movies which suited his “Angry young man” image; there were very few stories that were an exception… either way Sivaji was way too old at that point of time to do those movies. He was pathetic in them.
He should have been choosier in accepting assignments after 1975 and should have done just two or three quality films that had ample scope to exhibit his talent.
Another major reason why I dislike his 70s films is.. சிவாஜி படத்தில் ஓவர்ஆக்டிங் பண்ணாருண்னா, TMS அவரை match செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று பாட்டுல ஓவர்ஆக்ட் பண்ணி கொல்லுவார். இந்த trend கிட்ட தட்ட late 60sலயே ஆரம்பித்து விட்டது. (யாரை நம்பி நான் பிறந்தேன், தெய்வமே தெய்வமே, யாருக்காக, அந்த நாள் ஞாபகம் சில உதாரணங்கள்)
But I still reckon Sivaji as the greatest actor to ever grace Tamil cinema. நடிகர்களைப் பொருத்த வரைக்கும் அவரையும் சஞ்சீவ் குமாரையும் தான் என்னுடய favourite என்று சொல்வேன்!
Well, I admire his work with B.R.Banthulu, Bhimsingh and APN.
The following are not necessarily my favorite movies, but which I rather enjoyed just for the performances.
Kappalotiya Thamizhan – He was brilliant. He was in fact the only saving grace of the movie. His performance was nearly flawless… there was no overacting whatsoever. அவர்க்குப் பதிலாக S.V.Subbiah, SVR, Asokan மற்றும் Balaji போட்டி போட்டு கொண்டு overact செஞ்சுருப்பாங்க. SVR எனக்கு ரொம்ப பிடித்த நடிகர், ஆனால் இந்த படத்தில் அவருடைய accent படு கொடுமை. The supporting cast were awful. SVR அசோகனையெல்லாம் ஆங்கிலேயர்களாக போட்டால், அந்த கொடுமையை என்னவென்று சொல்வது ! KT is not really that great of a classic as it is made out to be. The music by G.Ramanathan and Sivaji’s performance are the reason why it has withstood the test of time.
Sabash Meena, Arivali, Galatta Kalyanam etc – I thought he proved his mettle for comedy.
Paarthal Pasi Theerum – A lot of people feel he underplayed his character in the movie. அவர் ரொம்ப அடக்கி வாசிச்ச படம்னு சொல்வாங்க. என்னை கேட்டால் அவ்வளவு தான் தேவை. அதுக்கு மேல போச்சுன்னா கண்டிப்பா ஓவர் ஆக்டிங்காக தான் போயிருக்கும். Also I loved his look in the movie.
Deivapiravi – Performance-wise I think its one of the best film for both Padmini and Sivaji. கிளைமாக்ஸ் மட்டும் எதார்த்தமாகப் படவில்லை எனக்கு.
Karnan – Although the movie did not portray Karnan’s negative traits. He is not really a flawless human as portrayed in the movie. He is said to have supported Draupadi’s humiliation etc. But Karnan was undeniably a great epic. I quite liked his performance and the movie had a gem of a soundtrack. சிவாஜி, சாவித்திரி, தேவிகா மூவருமே சிறப்பாக நடித்திருந்தார்கள். In fact apart from Asokan and M.V.Rajamma, the actress who played Kunthi in the movie everyone’s performance was fairly good in the movie.
Thillana Mohanambal – பத்மினியும் சிவாஜியும் போட்டி போட்டு கொண்டு நடித்த படம். Its a timeless classic. Period. Both Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini excel in well-etched roles, they both were ‘equally’ top-notch. Its a must watch for anyone who loves quality cinema. A splendid blend of music and dance, supported by percussion. Each and every single character manages to leave an impact in their respective parts. The casting was just perfect! Its definitely one of the best wholesome entertainer ever made.
Kai Kodutha Deivam – If there are two actors who can make a KSG movie watchable, it has to be Sivaji and Savitri. (viz. Kai Kodutha Deivam and Karpagam)
He makes literally anyone overact. ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருத்தியம்மா பாடலில்லயே எஸ்.எஸ்.ஆரின் ‘மிகை நடிப்பு‘ சும்மா மின்னும்! 
Bhagapirivinai – I think is one of his most enduring performance. The songs were an absolute delight to listen.
Motor Sundaram Pillai – இந்த படத்தைப் பற்றி என்னுடைய கருத்துகள் இங்கே. மோட்டார் சுந்தரம் பிள்ளை மற்றும் பார் மகளே பார் ஆகிய திரைப்படங்கள், வயதுக்கு மீறிய கதாபாத்திரம் ஏற்று சிவாஜி நடித்த படங்கள். அதில் எனக்குப் பிடித்த படம் மோட்டார் சுந்தரம் பிள்ளை.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman – A pretty loud performance but the character demanded it.
Ambikapathy – He acted well. But Bhanumathy’s overacting ruined the movie for me.
Pasa Malar – Sivaji and Savitri’s performance is exactly what makes this movie worth a watch.
Padikkatha Methai – The movie was remake of a Telugu film Athma Bandhuvu. I generally detest remakes, but this is a rare exception. Great movie!(If you exclude the climax and the scene where Sivaji and Kannamba bawl together after SVR’s death!) I adored his performance in the movie.
Thiruvarutselvar - I loved his portrayal of Appar in particular. Sivaji said in an interview that he had just imitated Kanchi Shankaracharya for the role. அவர் சொல்லி தான் எனக்கே உண்மையாக தெரியும்!! I think there is a fine line between inspiration and imitation, one needs to watch this movie to understand it. =)
Thiruvilayadal – எனக்குப் பிடித்த இன்னொரு படம். I disliked Saraswathi Sabatham and Kandhan Karunai, both the films were so mediocre. I don’t think they deserve to be hits but both ironically ran well. Kulamagal Radhai, Vadivukku Valai kappu and Guru Dakshanai are other APN – Sivaji combo movies I did not like.
Paava Mannippu – நான் ஏற்கனவே சொன்ன மாதிரி எனக்குப் பிடித்த படம். ஆனா எம்.ஜி.ஆர் படம் பார்ப்பது போலவே இருக்கும். கதை அப்படி! I think the story was more suited for MGR. ஆனா சிவாஜியோட நடிப்பு ஒண்ணும் குறை சொல்லும்படி இருக்காது.
I don’t remember movies like Mangayar Thilagam well enough to comment on his performance. Haven’t watched them in ages.
Other movies…
Iru Malargal – Iru Malargal is hands-down my FAV Padmini – Sivaji starrer ever! Even though the first half of the movie has some extremely dumb scenes. Padmini got on my nerves. The romantic scenes were silly to say the least, they make you cringe. But she was impeccable in the second half. She excels in the intense scenes and her chemistry with Sivaji was so evident. They make such a perfect couple. *sigh* Her eyes truly speak volumes in her movies with Sivaji! Its definitely one of my all time fav performance of Padmini alongside Thillana Mohanambal, Deivapiravi and Poove Poochudava.
Pudhiya paravai – Remake of ‘Chase a crooked shadow’. He was not only style personified, but also acted damn well in the movie. The twist at the end was completely unpredictable.
Andavan Kattalai – The movie is noteworthy for its sublime songs and had good performances by Sivaji and Devika.
Andha Naal – Yet to watch it.
Pathi Bakthi, Bandha Pasam, Pazhani and Paadhukaapu – சிவாஜி பீம்ஸிங் இயக்கத்தில் நடித்த எனக்கு பிடிக்காத படங்கள்.
படித்தால் மட்டும் போதுமா சின்ன வயசில் பார்த்த போது ரொம்ப பிடித்திருந்தது. இப்போது பார்த்தால் அவ்வளவு பிடிக்கவில்லை. ஆரூர் தாசின் வசனங்கள் குறிப்பாக இயல்பாக அமையாதது இந்த படத்தின் மிக பெரிய குறை. I found them so corny.
பச்சை விளக்கு கூட கொஞ்சம் சுமார் தான். But the songs were wonderful.
Shanthi and Senthamarai – Have not watched them.
Mudhal Mariyadhai and Devar Magan – He gave a finely modulated performance in both the movies. Kudos to Bharathiraja for directing him so well. He should have done more such characters that suited his age.
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