Vettaikkaran (1964 film)

Vettaikkaran is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Savitri Ganesh, with M. R. Radha, M. N. Nambiar, S. A. Ashokan, Thai Nagesh, M. V. Rajamma, Manorama and Baby Shakila in supporting roles. It revolves around an estate hunter whose penchant for hunting displeases his family, and a plunderer who lusts for his wealth.

Vettaikkaran was released on 14 January 1964, Pongal day. The film was a commercial success, running for 25 weeks in theatres.

Plot
Babu is a wealthy estate owner, who lives with his single mother. He is also a carefree hunter, whose passion for killing animals often displeases his mother. Mayavan, a plunderer who leads a double life himself as Babu's estate manager, lusts for his wealth. Babu meets a woman named Latha, while roaming the forests as per his usual. The duo later fall in love and get married. Eventually Latha gives birth to their son Raja. Much to her dismay, she finds out that she is diagnosed with tuberculosis. She is heartbroken as she is unable nurture her baby until she completely recovers. Babu tries to manage the situation by taking care of both the ill wife and the baby. Due to this, Raja develops a deeply affectionate attachment with his father, but refuses to acknowledge his mother's love. He also shares his father's passion for hunting, which Latha disapproves of. Meanwhile, Mayavan plots miseries to the family. He tricks Raja and Latha into the forest and threatens their lives, demanding the estate papers. Babu arrives at the right time to kill Mayavan, rescuing his wife and son. The film ends with Raja expressing that he now loves both his parents equally.

Production
Vettaikkaran was directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under Devar Films. A real leopard was brought for filming.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack is composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by Kannadasan. According to Sachi Sri Kantha, the song "Unnai Arinthaal", through its lyrics which go "Unnai arinthaal – Nee unnai arinthaal, Ulagathil pooradalam" (Know yourself – You, know yourself, then you can fight the world) serves as an "MGR self-praise song, equating his 'good traits' to that of a living God" and Kannadasan "incorporates the Socratic wisdom of 'Know thyself' in the beginning lines".

Release
Vettaikkaran was released on 14 January 1964, Pongal day, and distributed by Ramachandran's Emgeeyar Pictures. To promote the film, the Madras-based Chitra theatre had a jungle set to welcome audiences. After much deliberation, they also managed to get a caged tiger inside the theatre premises. Despite facing competition from another Pongal release Karnan, the film became a box office success, running for 25 weeks in theatres. It was dubbed Telugu-language as Inti Donga and released on 4 September 1964.

Reception
The Indian Express wrote on 17 January 1964, "Loaded with fun and frolic with a substantial sprinkling of spicy scenes and intriguing drama told in a fascinating manner, [Vettaikkaran] is designed to please the filmgoer." T. M. Ramachandran of Sport and Pastime wrote on 22 February, "One would presume that Vettaikkaran, to justify the title, would provide all the thrills and excitement of big game hunting. But there is nothing of that sort in the film [...] The story is of course a hotchpotch of various ideas and punches freely borrowed from foreign films. The swift tempo with which the latter half of the film moves covers up a major portion of its deficiencies". On 26 January, Kanthan of Kalki said the film could be watched for the leopard, the scenery and the acting of Shakila.