Rajakumari (1947 film)

Rajakumari
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. S. A. Sami
Written byA. S. A. Sami
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
K. Malathi
CinematographyW. R. Subba Rao
U. Krishnan
Edited byD. Durairaj
Music byS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Production
company
Distributed byJupiter Pictures[1]
Release date
  • 11 April 1947 (1947-04-11)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Box office₹40 Lakhs

Rajakumari (transl. Princess) is a 1947 Indian Tamil language film directed by A. S. A. Sami, starring M. G. Ramachandran (credited as Ramachandar) and K. Malathi.[2] It was released on 11 April 1947.[3]

Plot

Cast

Production

Jupiter Pictures partner Somu asked A. S. A. Sami to create a screenplay that he himself could direct with artistes on the payroll of the company. However, when he read Sami's screenplay, he suggested that P. U. Chinnappa and T. R. Rajakumari, who were in the forefront at that time, play the lead roles. But Sami requested Somu to stick to the original decision. M. G. Ramachandran (then credited as Ramachandar) and Malathi were asked to play the lead roles. After more than half the film was shot, the company's other partner S. K. Mohideen felt the project be abandoned. Somu weighed the consequences in the light of future career of Sami and Ramachandar. He told his partner that a decision could be taken on completion of the film.[2]

Rajakumari was Ramachandar's 15th film and first film as leading actor. Sami arranged for a wrestler called Kamaludeen to participate in a fight sequence for the film. But Ramachandar insisted to have Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar who had been acting in small roles to do the role. At first director was not interested to have him in the film, but later agreed.[5] K. Thavamani Devi who was a talented dancer and singer played the role of a vamp. At one point she came for shooting wearing a dress with a plunging neckline (something unseen those days).[6] It caused ripples on the set.[2] For a scene, where Nambiar who becomes invisible and follows Swaminathan, Sami revealed it was inspired from The Invisible Man.[6]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, while the lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi.[4]

No. Song Singer/s Length
1 "Vaazhvom Vaazhvom" 02:12
2 "Kannara Kaanpadhenro" M. M. Mariyappa 02:09
3 "Maaran Avadhaaram" M. M. Mariyappa 03:15
4 "Maamayilena Nadamaaduraal" M. M. Mariyappa 03:06
5 "Neyramithe Nalla .. Sukumaaran" K. V. Janaki 02:13
6 "Paampaatti Chiththanaye" 02:59
7 "Paattil Enna Solven Paangi" T. V. Rathnam & K. V. Janaki 03:27
8 "Thirumuga Ezhilai Thirudi Kondathu" M. M. Mariyappa & K. Malathi 02:53
9 "Kaattinile Naangal Vazhvadhe" Thiruchi Loganathan & K. V. Janaki 03:27
10 "Anbin Perumai" M. M. Mariyappa & K. V. Janaki 03:11

Reception

Rajakumari turned out to be a blockbuster with huge profits, and was the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year.[7] In 2008, film historian Randor Guy, an ardent fan of Ramachandran himself said it would be "Remembered for: the debut of M. G. Ramachandran as hero and A. S. A. Sami as director.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Rajakumari". The Indian Express. 11 April 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Rajakumari 1947". The Hindu. 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  3. ^ "1947 – ராஜகுமாரி – ஜூபிடர்" [1947 – Rajakumari – Jupiter] (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b c ராஜகுமாரி (in Tamil). Jupiter Pictures. 1947. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Artistes & Achievements | M.G.R." Dinakaran. 21 January 2001. Archived from the original on 21 January 2001. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  6. ^ a b "இன்றைய ஸ்டில்-அன்றைய நினைவு!". Kalki (in Tamil). 27 February 1983. pp. 7–8. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Highest Grossing Tamil Films By Year". IMDb. Retrieved 19 July 2024.