Baghdad Thirudan

Baghdad Thirudan (lit. 'The Thief of Baghdad') is a 1960 Tamil-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film starred M. G. Ramachandran and Vyjayanthimala in the lead with M. N. Nambiar, T. S. Balaiah, T. R. Ramachandran, S. A. Ashokan, M. N. Rajam, A. Sandhya and S. N. Lakshmi forms an ensemble cast.[3] The film was a remake of 1924 silent film The Thief of Bagdad and was inspired by 1951 Tony Curtis-starrer, The Prince Who Was a Thief.[4]

Baghdad Thirudan
Tamilபாக்தாத் திருடன்
Directed byT. P. Sundaram
Produced byT. P. Sundaram
Harilal Patoviya
Written byA. S. Muthu
Story byA. S. Muthu
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
Vyjayanthimala
M. N. Nambiar
T. S. Balaiah
T. R. Ramachandran
M. N. Rajam
Music byG. Govindarajulu Naidu
CinematographyM. Krishnaswamy
Edited byG. D. Joshi
Production
company
Southern Movies
Distributed bySouthern Movies
Release date
  • 6 May 1960 (1960-05-06)
[1]
Running time
185 mins[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Following the betrayal of the Prime Minister, the Maharaja and the Maharani of the kingdom are murdered and their son, Abu, is hidden in a herd of cows. Abu is found by robbers, who hidden in the forest and eventually grows up to become their leader. The two impostors who sit on the throne have a daughter and a child servant who poses as the son who survived the death of the former royal couple. Abu robs the rich to give to the poor and strives to reconquer his kingdom.

Cast

Crew
  • Producer: T. P. Sundaram & Harilal Batavia
  • Production Company: Southern Movies
  • Director: T. P. Sundaram
  • Music: G. Govindarajulu Naidu
  • Lyrics: A. Maruthakasi
  • Story: A. S. Muthu
  • Dialogues: A. S. Muthu
  • Art Direction: Raju
  • Editing: G. D. Joshi
  • Choreography: R. Krishnaraj, B. Sohanlal, Jayashankar & V. S. Muthusami Pillai
  • Cinematography: M. Krishnaswamy
  • Stunt: R. N. Nambiar
  • Audiography: C. P. Kanniyappan
  • Songs Recording: T. S. Rangasamy & C. P. Kanniyappan
  • Dialogues Recording: M. S. Nageswaran
  • Dance: Gopi Krishna, Helen, Padmini, Lalitha & Ragini

Production

Baghdad Thirudan was financed by Krishnaswamy Naidu, the former owner of Golden Studios. A single set in the film cost ₹30,000 (US$420), yet Ramachandran always wanted new sets. By this type of over-expenditure, it was believed that the film would ultimately cost ₹500,000 (US$7,000). Ramachandran demanded that an additional ₹200,000 (US$2,800) be spent to complete the film, much to Naidu's horror.[5] Baghdad Thirudan was also the only film that featured Ramachandran opposite Vyjayanthimala.[6] Ramachandran briefly served as the film's editor. He said, "I was at the editing table, and it was so easy to join the cuts, because the movements just flowed into each other".[7] S. N. Lakshmi had to fight a leopard in one scene without the use of a stunt double.[8] She later remarked that she feared cats.[9][10]

Soundtrack

The music composed by G. Govindarajulu Naidu.[11] All lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Jikki, P. Suseela, A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani.[12]

No.SongSingersLength (m:ss)
1Azhagu LailaA. P. Komala02:28
2Enthan Kathai IdhanaP. Suseela02:51
3Vetri Kollum Vaalendhi05:24
4Kanneerin Vellam03:16
5Pothukulunguthey .. Sokkudhe Manam03:30
6Bul Bul PaarvaiyileK. Jamuna Rani02:12
7Siricha PothumJikki & group02:44
8Unmai AnbinT. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela02:18
9Yaarukku DimikkiT. M. Soundararajan02:34

Release

The film was released in India on 6 May 1960. Later it was dubbed in Hindi and released as Baghdad in 1962[13]

Reception

Kalyanamalai Magazine labelled Baghdad Thirudan as one of Vyjayanthimala's "memorable films."[14]

Box office

The film ran for over 100 days in theatres.[15][16]

gollark: Hmm, it appears that I have 0.1 banano, exciting.
gollark: They lack coherent memory.
gollark: I do not think this is possible.
gollark: Oh, because they're bad.
gollark: Better than basically any *other* GPU right now.

References
  1. "Baghdad Thirudan". mgrblog. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  2. http://www.hervedumont.ch/page.php?id=fr10&idv=2&idc=700
  3. Karan Bali. "Vyjayanthimala". Upperstall.com. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  4. Randor Guy (17 February 2011). "Superstar of the silent era". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  5. Kantha, Sachi Sri (17 October 2011). "Kannadasan's Minor Book(let) on MGR: Random Notes". Sangam.org. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  6. "MGR Remembered – Part 26". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  7. "Screen, stage and beyond". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 January 2007.
  8. Raman, Mohan V (20 February 2012). "An actor par excellence". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  9. "Courage goaded her on …". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 May 2010.
  10. Anusha Parthasarathy (2 March 2011). "'Plays were crowd pullers'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  11. "Baghdad Thirudan Songs". friendstamilmp3. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  12. Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam – Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers 044 25361039. p. 204.
  13. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers.
  14. Kalyanamalai Magazine – Serial story, Thiraichuvai – Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, Vyjayanthimalai
  15. 100 Days Theaters in Madurai | Mgrroop's Blog
  16. "Baghdad Thirudan Records". srimgr. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
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