Kudiyirundha Koyil

Kudiyirundha Koyil (transl. The Sacred Dwelling), is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language spy film directed by K. Shankar, starring M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Rajasree, with L. Vijayalakshmi, Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar, Major Sundarrajan and Nagesh in supporting roles. A remake of the 1962 Hindi film China Town, it revolves around twins who become separated as children: one who grows up to be a criminal, and the other who is tasked with apprehending him. The film was released on 15 March 1968 and became a box office success. (1968-03-15)

Kudiyirundha Koyil
Poster
Directed byK. Shankar
Produced byT. S. Raja Sunderasan
Screenplay bySwornam
Starring
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
CinematographyV. Ramamoorthy
Edited byK. Shankar
K. Narayanan
Production
company
Saravana Screens
Release date
  • 15 March 1968 (1968-03-15)
Running time
166 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Twins Sekhar and Anand, along with their mother Mangalam, witness their father Ramnadhan being murdered by Nagappan, an escaped convict who Ramnadhan had testified against. This prompts the family to leave to Madras to pursue a new life. But when Sekhar gets down from the train to fetch some water, it leaves without him. Nagappan arrives and kidnaps Sekhar, who is raised by him as a criminal. Sekhar remains unaware that the same man killed his father.

Years later, Sekhar who now calls himself "Babu", is an established criminal and is the most wanted man in the city. Meanwhile, Anand is a club-dancer and neither he nor Babu are aware of each other's existence. During a police encounter, Babu is grievously wounded and seeks shelter in Mangalam's house, although he does not recognise her as his mother. He develops a soft corner for her, but when Nagappan (now known as Boopathy, the owner of a cabaret and employer of Babu) learns about this, he tries to eradicate the kind-self out of Babu.

During another police encounter, Babu is again wounded, but becomes insane this time, also becoming amnesiac. D. I. G. Mogan comes across Anand, and after seeing the striking resemblance between him and Babu, advises him to act as Babu to get all the secrets of the gang and have them arrested. Anand agrees, but later realises Babu is his brother. Anand's girlfriend Jaya sees him having lot of money in a briefcase, and the police chase him. Unaware of the truth, she thinks he has turned into a criminal, and refuses to speak to him. Mangalam also comes to know of this, and becomes heartbroken. However, Mangalam and Jaya soon reconcile with Anand after learning of the truth, and they also learn that Babu is his brother.

Babu's girlfriend Asha discovers that Anand is impersonating Babu, but he surrenders to her and explains about Babu's medical condition, subsequently revealing himself as Babu's brother. Asha forgives him and the duo subsequently team up to defeat Nagappan and his men. Babu later escapes from the prison to kill Anand when learning about him, but is cornered by Jaya, who tells him that Anand is his brother. Babu does not believe this, and kidnaps Jaya. He is later stopped by Mangalam, who makes him realise that he is her son and Anand is his brother. Remembering that Nagappan killed his father, he teams up with Anand to defeat Nagappan, who is later arrested. Subsequently, Babu returns to being "Sekhar", and reunites with his family.

Cast

Award

1968 Tamil Nadu State Film Award

Production

Kudiyirundha Koyil was adapted from the 1962 Hindi film China Town.[1] It was the first Tamil film to feature a Bangra dance sequence in the song "Aadaludan Padalai...", which became an instant hit among audiences. Ramachandran had to practice for one month to dance in the song.[2] According to Jump Cut, Ramachandran portraying a dark-skinned character in the film was meant to showcase him as the criminal doppelgänger of a fair-skinned character, also played by him.[3]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song "Ennai Theriyuma" was later remixed by Achu for a film with the same name,[4] and "Aadaludan Paadalai" was remixed by Amresh Ganesh for Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017).[5]

Track list[6]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Un Vizhiyum En Vaalum"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan & L. R. Eswari3.17
2."Ennai Theriyuma"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan & chorus3.38
3."Neeyethan Enakku"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela3.35
4."Naan Yaar? Nee Yaar?"PulamaipithanT. M. Soundararajan3.19
5."Thuluvadho Ilamai"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari & chorus3.37
6."Aadaludan Paadalai"Alangudi SomuT. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela6.07
7."Kunguma Pottin Mangalam"Roshanara BegumT. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela3.42
8."Thaaiyai (Kovilum Deivam)" M. S. Viswanathan0.32

Release and reception

Kudiyirundha Koyil was released on 15 March 1968.[7] The film was a box office success, and ran more than 100 days in Chennai, Madurai, Kovai, Trichi and other major cities.[8]

References
  1. "FOREVER YOUNG". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  2. "MGR learnt Bangra for month to dance with L. Vijayalakshmi". The Hindu. 24 December 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  3. "Rage against the state: historicizing the "angry young man" in Tamil cinema by Kumuthan Maderya, text version". www.ejumpcut.org. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. "Music Review: Yennai Theriyuma?". Rediff. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  5. "After Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva release, is Raghava Lawrence planning to enter politics?". Firstpost. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  6. "Kudiyirundha koyil songs". Raaga.com. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  7. "ஜெயலலிதா நடித்த திரைப்படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Dinamani. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  8. "Kudiyirundha Kovil Records". mgr blog. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
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