Arasa Kattalai

Arasa Kattalai (transl. King's Order) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language historical action film, written and directed by M. G. Chakrapani, starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with Jayalalithaa, M. N. Nambiar and S. A. Ashokan in supporting roles. It was released on 19 May 1967.

Arasa Kattalai
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. G. Chakrapani
Screenplay byR. M. Veerappan
Ve. Lakshmanan
S. K. T. Samy
Produced byM. C. Ramamoorthy
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
B. Saroja Devi
CinematographyA. Shanmugam
Edited byK. Narayanan
Music byK. V. Mahadevan
Production
company
Sathyaraja Pictures
Release date
  • 19 May 1967 (1967-05-19)
Running time
132 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

A monarch believes that he has committed a terrible fault and commits suicide to make amends, not without having indicated his successor: Vijayan, a man of the people, that one even, who had come punish him, a fearless knight, for an act of bravery. Before dying, the monarch orders Vijayan to protect his subjects and to put back the power into the hands of the people. By so acting, the deceased king had also just thwarted the Machiavellian intentions of its Minister. Indeed, this traitor intends to seize the throne. But it will be for another time, because this sinister dignitary is going to make every effort to sabotage the reforms of Vijayan. To begin with, by eliminating him.

Cast

Production

The film initially began under the title Bhavani, which was written by A. K. Velan and was to be directed by Masthan. M. G. Ramachandran's brother Chakrapani produced this film, which got shelved after some progress. Chakrapani later revived this film as Arasa Kattalai, with Ramachandran returning to star.[1] Apart from directing, Chakrapani made a cameo appearance in the film. Jayalalithaa earned the title "Kavarchi Kanni" through this film.[2]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics were written by Muthukoothan, Vaali and Alangudi Somu.[3] The songs "Aadi Vaa" and "Vettaiyadu Vilayaadu" became chartbusters.[2]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Aadiva Aadiva"N. M. MuthukkoothanT. M. Soundararajan3:29
2."Ennai Paadavaithavan"VaaliP. Susheela3:22
3."Mugathai Paarthathillai"Alangudi SomuT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:23
4."Pan Paadum"VaaliP. Susheela3:24
5."Putham Pudhiya"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:14
6."Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu"Alangudi SomuT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela5:47
7."Yethannai Kaalam"N. M. MuthukkoothanP. Susheela3:09
Total length:25:48

Release and reception

Arasa Kattalai was released on 19 May 1967.[4] The film ran for 10 weeks in theatres, and was not commercially successful.[2] Kalki said the film, despite its flaws, would satisfy Ramachandran's fans.[5]

The song "Vettaiyadu Vilayadu" inspired Gautham Vasudev Menon to title his 2006 film of the same name.[6]

References
  1. Guy, Randor (16 February 2012). "Fame eluded this sibling of an icon". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. Guy, Randor (23 April 2016). "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  3. "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  4. "Table: Chronological List of MGR's Movies released between 1960 and 1967" (PDF). Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  5. "அரச கட்டளை". Kalki (in Tamil). 11 June 1967. p. 24. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. "MGR to the rescue". The Hindu. 8 March 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
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