Achan (1952 film)

Achan is a 1952 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. R. S. Mani and produced by M. Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir and B. S. Saroja in lead roles. The film had musical score by P. S. Divakar. This was the only film in which veteran actor Sesbastian Kunjukunju Bhagavatahar did a comic role. It is one of the major box office hits of early Malayalam cinema. It will be remembered as the debut of Boban Kunchacko, the maiden venture of XL Productions, and first film of Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi. The film was remade in Tamil as Thanthai, again with Prem Nazir. Kambadasan wrote the dialogues and lyrics. The film was released in April 1953.

Malayalam cast

 * Female cast
 * B. S. Saroja as Usha, an artiste in Nanukkuttan's drama troupe
 * Baby Girija
 * T. Jaya Shree
 * Pankajavalli
 * Adoor Pankajam
 * C. R. Lakshmi
 * Vanakkutty


 * Male cast
 * Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
 * Prem Nazir
 * Boban Kunjakko
 * C. L. Anandan
 * Kunjukunju Bhagavathar as Nanukkuttan, a drama troupe owner
 * S. P. Pillai as Mathu, leader of a group of rogues
 * Mathappan


 * Dance
 * B. S. Saroja
 * C. R. Rajakumari
 * Madura Devi
 * Ramani Gopal
 * Baby Girija

Tamil cast
Cast adapted from the song book


 * Main cast
 * B. S. Saroja as Usha (Heroine)
 * Baby Girija as Young Usha
 * Jaya Shree as Aunt
 * Pankajavalli as Lady Musician
 * Adoor Pankajam as Usha's Friend
 * Sukumaran as Father
 * Boban Kunjakko as Young Chandran & Chandran (1)
 * Master Pinay as Chandran (2)
 * Prem Nazir as Chandran & (Hero 3)
 * Kunjukunju Bhagavathar as Nanukkuttan
 * S. P. Pillai as Lady
 * Mathappan as Koman


 * Dance
 * B. S. Saroja
 * C. R. Rajakumari
 * Madura Devi
 * Ramani Gopal
 * Baby Girija

Soundtrack
P. S. Divakar composed the music for both Malayalam and Tamil versions. Lyrics were written by Abhayadev. Playback singers are A. M. Rajah, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Kozhikode Abdul Kader, P. Leela, Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi & Kaviyoor Revamma.
 * Malayalam songs (Achan)

Lyrics were written by Kambadasan. Playback singers are A. M. Rajah, P. Leela, V. J. Varma, Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi and Kaviyoor Revamma.
 * Tamil songs (Thanthai)

Reception
B. Vijaykumar of The Hindu wrote, "Thikkurissi’s outstanding performance was one of the highpoints of the film."