Muharasi (/muhərɑːsi/ transl. Luck of Face) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam. Based on G. Balasubramaniam's play Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum, itself inspired by the 1964 film The Pitiless Three, the film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan in their only film together. The film, produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under his Thevar Films banner, was released on 18 February 1966 and ran for 100 days.[1]
| Muharasi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. A. Thirumugam |
| Story by | G. Balasubramaniam |
| Produced by | Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran Gemini Ganesan Jayalalitha Jayanthi |
| Cinematography | N. S. Varma |
| Edited by | M. A. Thirumugam M. G. Balu Rao |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Emgeeyar Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 145 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (August 2021) |
Because she refused to cooperate, Mangalam, a fair mother, pays with her life. She is cruelly stabbed by Duraiswamy, a notable, who put himself up to spirit away the colossal fortune of his deceased brother. He acts so meanly in front of little Somu, (Mangalam's elder son), the terrorised child who memorises the face of Duraiswamy.
15 years later, Somu is living only for one thing: to take revenge. He settled in his purpose of finding the murderer and killing him with his own hands. His young brother Ramu, a police officer of a formidable efficiency, big in integrity and whose reputation precedes him, is moved into the same direction as Duraiswamy!
Ramu is in love with Jaya, who turns out that to be one of the two girls of Duraiswamy, the criminal whom Somu has looks for desperately for years. Ramu tried vainly to tear away from his older brother Somu, the truth on the identity of the murderer of their mother. It is there that their opinion on justice diverges. Somu wants death, whereas Ramu demands a judgment (sentence) in front of a court for the murderer of their mother!
Cast
edit- Lead actors
- M. G. Ramachandran as Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramu
- Gemini Ganesan as Somu
- Male supporting actors
- M. N. Nambiar as Duraisamy
- S. A. Ashokan as Jambhu
- Nagesh as Police Constable 501
- V. K. Ramasamy as Senior Police Constable 777, Singaram
- Sriram as A good-for-nothing corrected by Ramu
- Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar as Sangili
- Lead actresses
- Jayalalitha as Jaya
- Jayanthi as Malliga
- Supporting actresses
- Manorama as Alangaram (Thandhaiyar Paithai)
- P. K. Saraswathi as Meenatchi
Production
editMuharasi, adapted from G. Balasubramaniam's play Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum,[2] itself inspired by the 1964 film The Pitiless Three, was the only film where M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan acted together.[3][4] Though actors like S. A. Ashokan, K. Balaji or M. G. Chakrapani were considered, Ramachandran chose Ganesan.[5] Filming was completed within 18 days.[6]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[7]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Thanner" | P. Susheela | 02:59 |
| "Enakkum Unakkumtham" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 03:44 |
| "Undaakki Vittavargal" | T. M. Soundararajan | 04:19 |
| "Enna Enna" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 03:16 |
| "Mugathai Kaatti" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 03:05 |
Release and reception
editMuharasi was released on 18 February 1966,[8] and distributed by Emgeeyar Pictures.[9] Writing for Sport and Pastime, T. M. Ramachandran gave a negative review citing "There is nothing much to write home about the direction by M. A. Thirumugam". He said M. G. Ramachandran gave a "consummate performance" while Ganesan was "almost an unsympathetic role [..] he tends to overdo" and Jayalalithaa "tries hard to make presence felt".[6] Kalki said Nambiar's performance lacked newness, and none of the songs were memorable.[10]
References
edit- ^ சாதனை நாயகன் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் [MGR, the man of achievements] (in Tamil). Arulmozhi Publications. 1997. p. 28.
- ^ Majordasan. "Potpourri of tidbits about Tamil cinema – V. C. Guhanathan". Kalyanamalai. Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (4 December 2013). "Gemini Ganesan ♥ Romance King of Tamil Films ♫". DBSJeyaraj.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "எம்ஜிஆர், ஜெமினி கணேசன் இணைந்து நடித்த ஒரே திரைப்படம் எது தெரியுமா?". News18 (in Tamil). 7 June 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ "பிளாஷ்பேக்: எம்.ஜி.ஆர், ஜெமினி இணைந்து நடித்த ஒரே படம்" [Flashback: The only film where MGR and Gemini acted together]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ a b Ramachandran, T. M. (2 April 1966). "Some Recent Releases". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 20. p. 52. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Muharasi (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ "Muharasi". The Indian Express. 18 February 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 13 July 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Muharasi". The Indian Express. 13 February 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 26 August 2021 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "முகராசி". Kalki (in Tamil). 13 March 1966. p. 9. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
