Aasai Mugam
Aasai Mugam (transl. Face of Desire) is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. G. Ramachandran, inspired by The Man Who Knew too Much. The film was released on 10 December 1965.
| Aasai Mugam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | P. Pullaiah |
| Produced by | P. L. Mohan Ram |
| Screenplay by | Aaroor Dass "Thuraiyoor" K. Murthy |
| Story by | T. N. Balu |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran B. Saroja Devi M. N. Nambiar Nagesh |
| Music by | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| Cinematography | P. L. Roy W. R. Subba Rao T. M. Sundar Babu |
| Edited by | C. P. Jambulingam P. K. Krishnan S. R. Das K. R. Krishnan |
Production company | Mohan Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 145 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Because Ponniyam Kodhi, a marriage broker feels deceived on his commission by Bhavani Amma (C. K. Saraswathy), the mother of Selvy (B. Saroja Devi), whom she is soon going to marry to a strong good match, attractive Manogaran (MGR), only son of big family, that of Siva Shankaran Pulai (K. D. Santhanam), an immense landowner, the matchmaker, out of revenge, damages the engagement!
At the same moment, somewhere else, a gang led by Varada (M. N. Nambiar), the ex-manager of Siva Shankaran Pulai's domains plans with his walk-on Vadjaravel (S. V. Ramadoss), to appropriate all the fortune of his former boss, by usurping the identity of his son and more exactly, the beautiful face of Manogaran!
The affair is facilitated by a mysterious doctor and by a machine of his invention!
Entranced by greed, Vadjaravel volunteers to undergo an operation of plastic surgery to look like his victim (Manogaran).
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as Manohar
- B. Saroja Devi as Selvi T. C. (Telephone Cleaner)
- M. N. Nambiar as Varatha, alias Varathan
- Nagesh as Subban (Manohar's personal secretary)
- K. D. Santhanam as Sivasankaran Pillai, (Manohar's father)
- Senthamarai as Doctor
- S. V. Ramadas as Vajravel
- "Loose" Aarumugham
- K. R. Ramsingh as Plastic surgeon
- Geethanjali as Kamala, (Vajravel 's wife)
- Lakshmi Prabha as Maragatham, (Manohar's mother)
- C. K. Saraswathi as Bhavani (Selvi's mother)
- Karikol Raju as Varatha's henchman
Production
The film was inspired by the 1934 and 1956 film versions of the novel The Man Who Knew Too Much. It was initially titled Ellam Arintha Manithan (All Knowing Man), but Ramachandran objected as it was "too pompous" and "big". He suggested Aasai Mugam, and that was chosen.[1] K. P. Ramakrishnan served as Ramachandran's body double.[2]
Songs
The music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, while lyrics written by Vaali.[3]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Neeya Illai Naana" (x2) | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | Vaali | 03:21 / 04:23 (film version) |
| 2 | "Yaarukku Yaar Endru Theriyaadha" | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 02:52 / 03:05 (film version) | |
| 3 | "Ennai Kadhalithal Mattum Pothuma" | T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela | 03:37 / 03:49 (film version) | |
| 4 | "Ethanai Periya" (Innoruvar Vaedhanai) | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:41 / 04:24 (film version) | |
| 5 | "Naal Oru Medai Pozhudhoru Nadippu" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:26 / 03:12 (film version) |
Reception
Aasai Mugam was released on 10 December 1965.[4] T. M. Ramachandran of Sport and Pastime wrote "The film moves in such a fast manner that it sustains the interest of the audience throughout. The deft hand of veteran P. Pulliah can be seen in every foot of the film".[5]
References
- Kantha, Sachi Sri (10 December 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 23". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Ramanujam, Srinivasa (24 December 2018). "Meet KP Ramakrishnan: MGR's bodyguard and body double". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "Aasai Mugam". Gaana.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- "Aasai Mugam". The Indian Express. 10 December 1965. p. 3.
- Ramachandran, T. M. (8 January 1966). "Mohan Productions Latest". Sport and Pastime. p. 51. Retrieved 26 February 2019.