| File:Meenava Nanban.jpg
| |
| Directed by | Sridhar |
|---|---|
| Written by | Sridhar |
| Produced by | K. R. Sadayappa Chettiar |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran Latha Vennira Aadai Nirmala |
| Cinematography | N. Balakrishnan |
| Edited by | M. Umanath |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil
|
Meenava Nanban (Template:Translation) is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Sridhar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Latha, with Vennira Aadai Nirmala, M. N. Nambiar, Nagesh among others enacting supporting roles. It was released on 14 August 1977.[1]
Plot
Template:More plot Kumaran, an adventurer comes to a fishing enclave who help him. He meets the arrogant daughter of Nagaraj, Kamali, who treats them with disrespect and reforms her as they fall in love with each other in the process. He then takes it upon himself to defend the fishermen exploited by Nagaraj. Together with Kamali, they reform Nagaraj while saving him from the bad guys, Arun and Selvaraj, he associates with who turn on him.
Cast
Production
After the success of Urimaikural (1974), Sridhar decided to make another film with M. G. Ramachandran titled Naanum Oru Thozhilali (Template:Translation); however it got dropped after Sridhar felt it lacked a strong plot.[2] Sadayappa Chettiar approached Sridhar expressing interest to produce a film with Ramachandran as lead actor and Sridhar directing. Sridhar named the film as Latchiya Kanavu (Template:Translation) while simultaneously making another film with Ramachandran titled Anna Nee En Deivam. Sridhar later changed the title from Latchiya Kanavu to Meenava Nanban as per Ramachandran's suggestion.[3] Meenava Nanban was the second and final collaboration of Ramachandran with Sridhar, after Urimaikural. Santhana Bharathi, who worked as assistant director, recalled that another famous director P. Vasu joined as assistant in the film's unit.[4][5] Angamuthu took care of art direction while Shyam Sunder handled the stunt choreography.[6]
Ramachandran performed his own stunt in a scene by jumping from a Template:Convert building, but sustained no injuries.[7] A few scenes of Meenava Nanban were shot at Manipal. The filming was stopped for a few months because Sridhar met with an accident, damaging his left eye.[3] After the operation, Sridhar restarted both films – Meenava Nanban and Anna Nee En Deivam – at the same time. During that time, Ramachandran won the 1977 elections and became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, due to which Anna Nee En Deivam was shelved after canning few scenes but Sridhar completed Meenava Nanban with climax was shot in a set of a boat resembling flood in studio.[8] Ramachandran wore a wig to portray his character, and ensured it remained consistent throughout the course of production to preserve continuity.[9]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[10][11] Muthulingam recalled that Ramachandran discovered that he did not write any song despite production being near completion, so he insisted him to write the song "Thangathil Mugam Eduthu".[12] The song "Pongum Kadalosai" is based on Valaji raga.[13]
Critical reception
Anna reviewed the film in two halves; the first was published on 21 August 1977,[14] and the second the following day.[15]
References
- ↑ MGR Remembered – Part 54 | An Overview of the Final 31 movies of 1970s, Sri Kantha, Sachi. Ilankai Tamil Sangam(27 December 2019). Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ This character artist's first love is direction. The Hindu(16 November 2006). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ புரட்சித்தலைவரின் 'மீனவ நண்பன்'. Anna(31 July 1977). Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ↑ When Sivaji Ganesan said 'MGR does better stunts'. The Hindu(15 June 2019). Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Kollywood's make-up specialists of the 1960s, Kannan, Uma. The New Indian Express(27 June 2011). Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ↑ Meenava Nanban Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan. Macsendisk. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ↑ Meenava Nanban. Gaana. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ Evergreen and universal appeal. The Hindu(22 March 2008). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ↑ Wake up to Valaji. The Hindu(16 August 2013). Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ↑ மீனவ நண்பன். Anna(21 August 1977). Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ↑ மீனவ நண்பன். Anna(22 August 1977). Retrieved 2 March 2025.
