Aasai Mugam
Aasai Mugam (transl. Face of Desire) is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. G. Ramachandran, inspired by The Man Who Knew Too Much. The film was released on 10 December 1965.
| Aasai Mugam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | P. Pullaiah |
| Screenplay by | Aaroor Dass "Thuraiyoor" K. Murthy |
| Story by | T. N. Balu |
| Produced by | P. L. Mohan Ram |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran B. Saroja Devi M. N. Nambiar |
| Cinematography | P. L. Roy W. R. Subba Rao T. M. Sundar Babu |
| Edited by | C. P. Jambulingam P. K. Krishnan S. R. Das K. R. Krishnan |
| Music by | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
Production company | Mohan Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 145 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Because Ponniyam Kodhi, a marriage broker feels deceived on his commission by Bhavani Amma, the mother of Selvi, whom she is soon going to marry to a strong good match, attractive Manohar, the only son of big family, that of Siva Shankaran Pulai, an immense landowner, the matchmaker, out of revenge, damages the engagement. At the same moment, somewhere else, a gang led by Varada, the ex-manager of Siva Shankaran Pulai's domains plans with his walk-on a ruffian Vajravel, to appropriate all the fortune of his former boss, by usurping the identity of his son and more exactly, the face of Manohar. The affair is facilitated by a mysterious doctor and by a machine of his invention. Entranced by greed, Vajravel volunteers to undergo an operation of plastic surgery to look like his victim Manohar.
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as Manohar, Vajravel and Burma Chitappa Ramalingam
- B. Saroja Devi as Selvi
- M. N. Nambiar as Varatha, alias Varathan
- Nagesh as Sankara, Manohar's secretary
- K. D. Santhanam as Sivasankaran Pillai
- S. V. Ramadas as Vajravel
- K. R. Ramsingh as the plastic surgeon
- "Loose" Aarumugham
- Geethanjali as Kamala
- Lakshmi Prabha as Maragatham
- C. K. Saraswathi as Bhavani
- Karikol Raju as Varatha's henchman
Production
The film was inspired by the 1934 and 1956 film versions of the novel The Man Who Knew Too Much. It was initially titled Ellam Arintha Manithan (transl. All Knowing Man), but Ramachandran objected as he felt it was "too pompous" and "big". He suggested Aasai Mugam, and that was chosen.[1] K. P. Ramakrishnan served as Ramachandran's body double.[2]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with lyrics written by Vaali.[3][4]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Neeya Illai Naana" (x2) | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 03:21 / 04:23 (film version) |
| "Yaarukku Yaar Endru Theriyaadha" | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 02:52 / 03:05 (film version) |
| "Ennai Kadhalithal Mattum Pothuma" | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 03:37 / 03:49 (film version) |
| "Ethanai Periya" (Innoruvar Vaedhanai) | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:41 / 04:24 (film version) |
| "Naal Oru Medai Pozhudhoru Nadippu" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:26 / 03:12 (film version) |
Release and reception
Aasai Mugam was released on 10 December 1965.[5] T. M. Ramachandran of Sport and Pastime wrote "The film moves in such a fast manner that it sustains the interest of the audience throughout. The deft hand of veteran P. Pulliah can be seen in every foot of the film".[6] The Indian Express negatively reviewed the film, but praised the performances of Ramachandran and Saroja Devi, despite feeling their roles were not well written.[7] Kalki praised Ramachandran for showing diversity in the three roles he enacted.[8]
References
- Sri Kantha, Sachi (10 December 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 23 | Camera Lens and Charisma". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Ramanujam, Srinivasa (24 December 2018). "Meet KP Ramakrishnan: MGR's bodyguard and body double". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "Aasai Mugam". Gaana. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ஆசை முகம் (song book) (in Tamil). Mohan Productions. 1965. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- "Aasai Mugam". The Indian Express. 10 December 1965. p. 3. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Ramachandran, T. M. (8 January 1966). "Mohan Productions Latest". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 20. p. 51. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- "Aasai Mugam is mediocre". The Indian Express. 25 December 1965. p. 3. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- "ஆசை முகம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 26 December 1965. p. 37. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
External links
- Aasai Mugam at IMDb