Koteeswaran

Koteeswaran is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play Haach Mulacha Baap, it revolves around two friends setting out to fight against the dowry system in their village. The film was released on 13 November 1955.

Plot
Chandar and Kannan are two friends. They return to their village after completing their studies, but are shocked by the prevalence of the dowry system. They both set out to fight against it.

Cast

 * Male cast
 * Sivaji Ganesan as Doctor Chandar
 * S. Balachander as Pasupathy
 * Sriram as Kannan
 * K. A. Thangavelu as Rao Bahadur Ramasami
 * Sirukalathur Sama as Jakamba
 * Sattam Pillai Venkatraman as Rangu Pillai
 * A. Ganesh Singh as Servant Karuppan


 * Female cast
 * Padmini as Neela
 * Ragini as Kamala
 * Rushyendramani as Parvathi
 * Baby Saraswathi as Usha
 * Baby Rajakumari as Rani
 * Male support cast
 * M. A. Ganapathi Bhat, S. V. Shanmugam, Vijaymani.

Production
Koteeswaran is based on Haach Mulacha Baap, a Marathi play written by B. V. Warerkar. It was directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni who also produced the film with B. Radhakrishna under Sri Ganesh Movietone, and wrote the screenplay alongside Kangeyan. The dialogues were written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Kangeyan. Cinematography was handled by G. K. Ramu, the art direction by D. S. Kotkavngar and the editing by Nadkarni. The final length of the film was 16246 feet.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman. The lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Gemini Seetharaman and T. K. Sundhara Vathiyar.

Release and reception
Koteeswaran was released on 13 November 1955, Diwali day. The Indian Express wrote, "Crisp and spicy dialogue is the highlight" of the film.