Bale Pandiya (1962 film)

Bale Pandiya is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language comedy film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, M. R. Radha and Devika, with K. Balaji, Vasanthi and Sandhya in supporting roles. It revolves around the title character having to evade a lookalike wanting to kill him for insurance money.

The story of Bale Pandiya was written by Maa. Raa. and Joshi, while the screenplay was written by Dada Mirasi. Cinematography was handled by V. Ramamoorthy, and the editing by R. Devarajan. The music was scored by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The features stars Ganesan in three distinct roles, and Radha in two. Production began in early May 1962, ended in the middle of the month, and the film was released on the 26th of the same month.

Plot
Bale Pandiya is a young innocent man who leads a troubled life. He is saved from his suicide attempt by Kabali who hatches a plan to get him killed under the false identity of his goon (Pandiya's look-alike) Marudhu and get all the insurance money on Marudu's head and share among themselves. Meanwhile, Pandiya falls for Geetha and her father Amritha Lingam accepts the romance. Ravi, Geeta's nephew helps her love to get approval from Amritha Lingam.

He is continuously being chased by Marudhu and Kabali. While being chased by them once, he gets into a runaway car being driven by an insane young girl. The car crashes, but the girl gets cured from her insanity. Her father as a token of gratitude for her daughter's cure, allows Pandiya, who is homeless, to stay with them. Parallelly, But Marudhu and Kabali's pursuit for Pandiya still continues. On one occasion, they successfully toss him into the sea. Meanwhile Ravi and Vasanthi fall in love. What happens next with all the look-alike identities and the comedy of errors forms the remaining story.

Cast

 * Male cast
 * Sivaji Ganesan as Pandiya, Marudhu and Shankar
 * M. R. Radha as Kabali and Amirthalingam Pillai
 * K. Balaji as Ravi


 * Female cast
 * Devika as Geetha
 * Vasanthi as Vasanthi
 * Sandhya as Shankar's wife

Production
Shortly before his trip to the United States in May 1962, Sivaji Ganesan had signed up for a film titled Bale Pandiya, produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu under Padmini Pictures. He visited the studio on the second day of the month, and left on the twelfth after the film was completed. Ganesan believed himself to hold the "world record of completing a film in eleven days time." He played three distinct roles, while his co-star M. R. Radha played two roles. Ganesan spoke in Madras Bashai to play his characters. The story was written by Maa. Raa. and Joshi, while the screenplay was written by Dada Mirasi. Cinematography was handled by V. Ramamoorthy, and the editing by R. Devarajan. According to Panthulu's son Ravishankar, the entire film was completed in 15 days, with shooting going on simultaneously in three places. The final length of the film was 4449 metres.

Soundtrack
Music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan. "Neeye Unaku" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Suddha Dhanyasi, and attained popularity. The song "Vaazha Ninaithal" was recreated as the theme song for the Sun TV series Ilakkiya.

Release and reception
Bale Pandiya was released on 26 May 1962. Sekar and Sundar of Ananda Vikatan praised the film for its comedy and Ganesan's triple role performance. Kanthan of Kalki, however, gave a less positive review, praising Ganesan and Radha's multiple role performances, but criticising the direction and cinematography.