Bale Pandiya (1962 film)

Pandiya, a young man, decides to commit suicide, as he has been driven out of his house by his sister-in-law. Kabali, the head of a robber gang, saves him and brings him to his house. Kabali and his accomplice Marudhu plot to kill Pandiya, who resembles Marudhu, and collect an insurance amount of ₹1 lakh (equivalent to ₹69 lakh or US$96,000 in 2019), which is in the name of Marudhu. The innocent Pandiya is not aware that he is being used as the sacrificial lamb. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Geetha, the daughter of a rich businessman Amirthalingam Pillai. When Pandiyan realises that his life is in danger, he escapes. He saves Vasanthi, the daughter of an estate owner, and is adopted by him as his own son.

On learning this, Kabali hatches another plan. He decides to kill Pandiya, and send Marudhu in his place as Pandiya, and thus enjoy the wealth. Kabali and Marudhu successfully toss Pandiya into the sea. But Pandiya's older brother, the scientist Shankar, dons Pandiya's role at the behest of his wife, making Kabali and Marudhu shocked to see "Pandiya" alive. Just then, the real Pandiya steps in, revealing that two fisherman saved him from drowning and all hell breaks loose. The two brothers battle the criminals and in the process, Kabali accidentally shoots Marudhu dead. Saddened by the death of his friend, he commits suicide.

Male cast

• Sivaji Ganesan as Pandiya, Marudhu and Shankar[1]
• M. R. Radha as Kabali and Amirthalingam Pillai[1]
• K. Balaji as Ravi[1]

Female cast

• Devika as Geetha[1]
• Vasanthi as Vasanthi (Pandiya's adopted sister)[1]
• Sandhya as Shankar's wife[2]

Shortly before his trip to the United States in May 1962,[3] Sivaji Ganesan had signed up for a film titled Bale Pandiya, produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu under Padmini Pictures.[4][2] 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.[4] Ganesan spoke in Madras Bashai to play his characters.[5] 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.[2] According to Panthulu's son Ravishankar, the entire film was completed in 15 days, with shooting going on simultaneously in three places.[6]

Music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[7][8] "Neeye Unaku" is set in the carnatic raga known as Suddha Dhanyasi,[9][10] and attained popularity.[11]

Bale Pandiya was released on 26 May 1962.[12] Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 11 June 1962, praised the film for its comedy and Ganesan's triple role performance.[13]

• Bale Pandiya at IMDb