A. C. Tirulokchandar earlier wrote the screenplay for the hit film, Vijayapuri Veeran, an adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He was introduced by actor S. A. Ashokan to M. Saravanan of AVM Productions, and became very close to the AVM clan, he made his directorial debut with Veera Thirumagan.[1][2] Former child artist Sachu made her debut as lead actress with this film.[3] While AVM was generally known for producing drama films with contemporary settings, Veera Thirumagan differed from them by being an "action oriented costume drama".[4] Saravanan and Kumaran wanted to make an historical film on the lines of Vijayapuri Veeran and Hollywood films.[5] Meiyappan refused to produce a historical film on their banner as he felt they need to learn a lot; however after his wife persuaded him to encourage them, he agreed but on the condition that they should produce the film on a new banner called "Murugan Brothers".[6] The budget of the film was ₹1,300,000 (equivalent to ₹110 million or US$1.3 million in 2023).[7] According to Saravanan, it was the first film using zoom lens.[8] The song "Roja Magale Rajakumari" was the first song to be recorded before the team went to shoot. That song was shot at Hogenakkal Falls.[9] For the song "Neela Pattadai Katti", Tirulokachander wanted a large lotus flower in the middle of the water surrounded by twenty four lotus leaves with heroine standing in the flower. Aarumuga Aasari, who worked as a carpenter for AVM Studios, spotted a place with backwaters where he built a set with the film's art director Shantaram with two barrels to fill leaves and four barrels with lotus flowers then filling it with water and was shot for 10 days.[10][11][a] After seeing the song, Meiyappan felt the same song can be shot in colour too hence it was reshot in colour.[11] The outdoor shoot was held at Chandragiri Fort at Andhra Pradesh.[11]
To promote the film, S. S. Balan of the magazine Ananda Vikatan suggested the makers to promote the film in the magazine as a four-half page advertisement to which they agreed. Similarly, they published six advertisements and four-page advertisements in the form of check at the same time in the magazine Kumudam. It became the first Tamil film whose banner was put up in Mount Road, Madras using neon sign.[8]
Release and reception
Veera Thirumagan was released on 3 May 1962.[4] Kanthan of Kalki said Ashokan was the only actor who performed well, and criticised the film's other aspects, including the cinematography, art direction and music.[16] According to Saravanan, the film was a moderate success.[8]
Notes
^S. P. Muthuraman claimed the song was shot at Thuraipakkam[9] while A. V. M. Kumaran claimed it was shot around Mahabalipuram[11]
