Vettaikkaran (1964 film)

Babu is a wealthy estate owner, who lives with his single mother. He is also a carefree hunter, whose passion for killing animals often displeases his mother. Mayavan who cons himself as babu's estate manager is a plunderer who lusts for his wealth. Babu meets a woman named Latha, while roaming the forests as per his usual. The duo later fall in love and get married. Eventually Latha gives birth to their son Raja. Much to her dismay, she finds out that she is diagnosed with tuberculosis. She is heartbroken as she is unable nurture her baby until she completely recovers. Babu tries to manage the situation by taking care of both the ill wife and the baby. Due to this, Raja develops an deeply affectionate attachment with his father, but refuses to acknowledge his mother's love. He also shares his father's passion for hunting, which latha clearly disapproves. Meanwhile, Mayavan the plunderer plots miseries to the family. He tricks raja and latha into the forest and threatens their lives, demanding the estate papers. Babu arrives at the right time to kill mayavan, rescuing his wife and son. The film ends on a happy note with raja expressing that he, now loves both his parents equally.

• M. G. Ramachandran as Babu[1]
• Savitri Ganesh as Latha[2]
• M. R. Radha as Sundaram[2]
• M. N. Nambiar as Mayavan[2]
• S. A. Ashokan[2]
• Thai Nagesh as Jokkar[2]
• M. V. Rajamma as Babu's mother[3]
• Manorama as Jokkar's wife[2]
• Baby Shakila as Raja[3]

Vettaikkaran was directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under Devar Films.[4] A real leopard was brought for filming.[5]

The soundtrack is composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[6][7] According to Sachi Sri Kantha, the song "Unnai Arinthaal", through its lyrics which go "Unnai arinthaal – Nee unnai arinthaal, Ulagathil pooradalam" (Know yourself – You, know yourself, then you can fight the world) serves as an "MGR self-praise song, equating his 'good traits' to that of a living God" and Kannadasan "incorporates the Socratic wisdom of 'Know thyself' in the beginning lines".[8]

Vettaikkaran was released on 14 January 1964, Pongal day,[9][10] and distributed by Ramachandran's Emgeeyar Pictures.[11] To promote the film, the Madras-based Chitra theatre had a jungle set to welcome audiences. After much deliberation, they also managed to get a caged tiger inside the theatre premises.[12][13] Despite facing competition from another Pongal release Karnan,[14] the film became a box office success, running for 25 weeks in theatres.[3] It was dubbed Telugu-language as Inti Donga and released on 4 September 1964.[15]

The Indian Express wrote on 17 January 1964, "Loaded with fun and frolic with a substantial sprinkling of spicy scenes and intriguing drama told in a fascinating manner, [Vettaikkaran] is designed to please the filmgoer."[16] T. M. Ramachandran of Sport and Pastime wrote on 22 February, "One would presume that Vettaikkaran, to justify the title, would provide all the thrills and excitement of big game hunting. But there is nothing of that sort in the film [...] The story is of course a hotchpotch of various ideas and punches freely borrowed from foreign films. The swift tempo with which the latter half of the film moves covers up a major portion of its deficiencies".[2] On 26 January, Kanthan of Kalki said the film could be watched for the leopard, the scenery and the acting of Shakila.[1]

• Kannan, R. (28 June 2017). MGR: A Life. India: Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-93-86495-88-4.

• Vettaikkaran at IMDb