Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)
Encyclopedia
Sathi Leelavathi is a 1936 Tamil film
directed by Ellis R. Dungan. This was the first film for M. G. Ramachandran
and for Dungan as director. This was one of the first Tamil films to become the subject of court case involving copyright
violations.
and serialized in Ananda Vikatan
. Mudaliar's son M. K. Radha was cast as hero and an unknown (then) 19 year old M. G. Ramachandran
was cast as Police Inspector Rangayya Naidu. The film was produced by Marudachalam Chettiar of Coimbatore. Chettiar wanted Manik Lal Tandon to direct the movie and went to Calcutta to hire him. Tandon who was busy directing Nandanar
, introduced Chettiar to Dungan and recommended Dungan be given the chance instead. Dungan was hired as director and the film was made. Some scenes were shot in location at Ceylon. The completed film was 18,000 feet in length.
, admitted in court that both Pathi Bhakthi (written by Krishnasamy Paavalar) and Sathi Leelavathi had been plagiarized from Mrs. Henry Wood's
story Danesbury House. The film was a modest success. The art magazine Aadal paadal in its January 1937 issue appreciated the film for its social setting and praised it for its high quality acting.
Several new techniques introduced by Dungan were not understood by the audience and went unappreciated. Writing in the Silver Screen magazine on 1 August 1936, Pe. Ko. Sundararajan (journalist and writer of Manikodi movement) complained:
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
directed by Ellis R. Dungan. This was the first film for M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
and for Dungan as director. This was one of the first Tamil films to become the subject of court case involving copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
violations.
Production
Sathi Leelavathi (lit. Leelavathi the wife) was based on a Tamil play named Pathi Bhakthi (lit. Devotion to the Husband) written by A. Krishnaswami Pavalar and starring K. P. Kesavan. It was staged by the Madurai Original Boys Company. M. Kandasamy Mudaliar wanted to make a film based on the play. Production started but soon stalled due to differences and K. P. Kesavan canceled his contract. Mudaliar walked out of the production and started a new film titled Sathi leelavathi based on a novel written by S. S. VasanS. S. Vasan
Subramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
and serialized in Ananda Vikatan
Ananda Vikatan
Ananda Vikatan ஆனந்த விகடன் is the leading Tamil language weekly magazine published from Chennai, India. It is part of the Vikatan group which also publishes Junior Vikatan , Chutti Vikatan , Aval Vikatan , Naanayam Vikatan , Sakthi Vikatan , Motor Vikatan and Pasumai Vikatan Ananda Vikatan ஆனந்த...
. Mudaliar's son M. K. Radha was cast as hero and an unknown (then) 19 year old M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
was cast as Police Inspector Rangayya Naidu. The film was produced by Marudachalam Chettiar of Coimbatore. Chettiar wanted Manik Lal Tandon to direct the movie and went to Calcutta to hire him. Tandon who was busy directing Nandanar
Nandanar (1935 film)
Nandanar or Bhakta Nandanar is a 1935 Tamil film directed by Manik Lal Tandon. It marked the film debut of the carnatic singer and stage artist K. B. Sundarambal. She was paid a then unprecedented One lakh Rupees as salary for this film. This was also the first film for Ellis R....
, introduced Chettiar to Dungan and recommended Dungan be given the chance instead. Dungan was hired as director and the film was made. Some scenes were shot in location at Ceylon. The completed film was 18,000 feet in length.
Plot
Sathi Leelavathi dealt with the evils of alcoholism and promoted prohibition. It also depicted the plight of plantation workers in Ceylon. It is the story of a young man who becomes an alcoholic and runs away to Ceylon and the difficulties he faces there.Cast and crew
- M. K. Radha
- M. S. Gnanambal
- M. G. RamachandranM. G. RamachandranMaruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
- N. S. KrishnanN. S. KrishnanNagerkoyil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan , popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as 'NSK' was a leading Tamil film comedian, drama artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry - in the 1940s and 1950s....
- T. S. BalaiyaT. S. BalaiyaTirunelveli S. Balaiah is a Tamil film actor who is best known for the supporting roles in the Tamil film industry. He was one of the very few actors who excelled both in character roles and comic roles....
- Ellis R. Dungan - Director
- M. Kandasamy Mudaliar - Dialogue
- S. S. VasanS. S. VasanSubramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
- Story - Sundara Vadhyar - Lyrics
Reception
The film was released on 28 March 1936. Its release was delayed as it became the subject of a court case. Another film - Pathi Bhakthi - had been released in the same year based on the play of same name and starring K. P. Kesavan. The makers of Pathi Bhakthi sued Marudachalam Chettiar and Kandasamy Mudaliar for plagiarizing their story. The case was resolved when S. S. VasanS. S. Vasan
Subramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
, admitted in court that both Pathi Bhakthi (written by Krishnasamy Paavalar) and Sathi Leelavathi had been plagiarized from Mrs. Henry Wood's
Ellen Wood (author)
Ellen Wood , was an English novelist, better known as "Mrs. Henry Wood". She is best known for her 1861 novel East Lynne.-Life:...
story Danesbury House. The film was a modest success. The art magazine Aadal paadal in its January 1937 issue appreciated the film for its social setting and praised it for its high quality acting.
Several new techniques introduced by Dungan were not understood by the audience and went unappreciated. Writing in the Silver Screen magazine on 1 August 1936, Pe. Ko. Sundararajan (journalist and writer of Manikodi movement) complained: