Following the MGR-starrer Rickshawkaran (1971), yet another Tamil classic drama Suriyagandhi is all set to be digitised and re-released. Directed by Muktha Srinivasan, the film, released in 1973 had J Jayalalithaa, Muthuraman, Major Sundarrajan, Manorama, MRR Vasu and Cho Ramaswamy in important roles, and ran for about 150 days.
In fact, it fetched the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for the Best Actress for our Chief Minister. Gaja Lakshmi of AP Films is the woman behind this initiative.
A heroine-centric film, the script revolves around the life of a couple. Post marriage, how the heroine earns more, which makes the husband feel inferior and the ego clashes form the rest of the story.
Interestingly, the movie will be re-released in black and white with enhanced sound and digital intermediate. Not many know that Jayalalithaa has sung two songs — Oh Mere Dil Rooba in Hindi and Naan Endral Adhu Avalum in Tamil with SPB, which were huge hits when the film released then.
Sources say the makers wanted to re-release the film because it was an important film in Jaya’s career, and besides they felt the plot had solid relevance even today, as it dealt largely with relationships and ego.
“The film has a brand value that has lasted several decades and can draw a different set of audience. It is heartening to see how some of the old classics have been getting phenomenal response now. All the actors in the film bring in their own charm to the screen,” adds the source.