Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan - Part 5

[groucho070]

A quick short one on Muradhan Muthu.

As I have learned from this forum and through Murali-sar's excellent recording of NT's films' office performances, NT is indeed his own competitor. And that this film is less remembered can be solely blamed for the mega effort called Navarathiri.

This is Banthulu's smaller project (as opposed to VPK & KOT) and is full of heart.

NT plays a naive Hanuman devotee Muthu, whose brother (Banthulu, who is certainly a good character actor) is a sculptor...and not a rich one at that. They also have a sister, and Banthulu and his wife has a daughter. Devika is his lover, though our hero is a devoted Hanuman Bakthar and marriage would seem out of question.

As the story starts, we learn that NT is terribly attached to family, His brother and wife are like his parents, and he especially dotes on his niece. No thanks to his Hanuman devotion, tragedy befalls the family as the niece passes away. Muthu is now heartbroken, not to mention guilt stricken for causing the death.

His naiveness causes a lot more trouble to Banthulu, and soon it leads to spat between them, causing Muthu to leave the brother and drag his sister along. Reluctant as Banthulu was, he wanted it to to happen as it will teach Muthu some sense of responsibility.

Moving to his uncle (Karunanithi) place, Muthu seeks to rearrange his life, and most importantly find a suitable groom for his sister.

So, will he get the sister married? Get back to his family? Watch and you will find out.

Now, what makes this film remarkable? Good story? Check, it was adapted from a Benngali film, I think. Good direction? Check, Banthulu is a competent director. Good music? Of course, the highly underrated T.P. Lingappa delivered some gems, notably Tamara Poo Kolathula, Ponnaasai Kondoorkku & Kootaiyilee Oru Aalamaram.

The performance? As I said, the film has heart and it's the performance all around that makes this film to touch you. NT is in excellent form. He plays a man totally out of synch with responsibilities attached to a family. He loves the family unconditionally but is not world-wise enough to be a man on his own. Watch the scenes where he is in argument with his brother, there is lots of love, and love is only thing he knows and can fight for. And for that he has to leave his brother's family. Those scenes (first when leaving, the second when he comes back to inform of the sister's wedding) are gut wrenching when you know that they wouldn't dare to hurt each other, not even with words. Really moves you to tears. Such, as usual, is NT's power as an onscreen performer.

Also, note that humour comes easily just because NT mastered the character. There are funny lines, but his delivery, his action and reaction does not need comedic dialogues. Early scene of him in Tiger's costume, having fun, then dragged by his sister-in-law, by his ears will have you in stitches.

The rest of the cast justifies their role, including Asohan (the part he repents, though, felt a bit overcooked) who plays the Jameendar.

One of NT's film that I revisit time and time just to delight myself with NT's performance alone.

By the way, considering this was made the same time as Navarathiri, should we be surprised to note that NT played ten characters in short span of time?

Murali-sar's info on Muradhan Muthu here:
http://www.mayyam.com/hub/viewtopic.php?p=534675