Vietnam Veedu
Vietnam Veedu (transl. Vietnam House) is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by P. Madhavan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, with Srikanth and Nagesh in supporting roles. The film, produced by Sivaji Productions, had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was based on the play of the same name by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram, who was also writer of the film. The film was a super hit at the box office and received cult status. The film was remade in Telugu as Vintha Samsaram, and in Kannada as Shanti Nivaasa.
| Vietnam Veedu | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | P. Madhavan |
| Produced by | Sivaji Ganesan |
| Screenplay by | Sundaram |
| Based on | Vietnam Veedu by Sundaram |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Padmini |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
| Cinematography | P. N. Sundaram |
| Edited by | R. Devarajan |
Production company | |
Release date | 11 April 1970 |
Running time | 146 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Padmanabha Iyer, the general manager of a reputed company, lives with his wife Savithri, sons Sridhar and Murali, and a daughter. He is famous for living with prestige and is a keen observer of status in all matters; hence he is called "Prestige" Padmanabha Iyer by one and all, and is proud of the title. Sridhar is married while Murali is looking for a job. With his hard earned money, Padmanabha constructs a new house and names it "Vietnam Veedu" (Vietnam House) because of the constant tiffs and disagreements among the family members, similar to the Vietnam War. His major problem is that he is unable to come to terms with his children's behaviour. He retires from his job, is unable to accept the situation, and gets worried about how his sons will manage the family. Added to this, they spoil his "Prestige" image.
Sridhar, who accepts bribes at his work place, is arrested by the police after a search of their home and subsequently loses his job. Murali takes a loan from a moneylender and does not repay it. Hence, the moneylender lands up at Vietnam Veedu and demands repayment from Padmanabha. The neighbours come to know of these happenings and mock him for living with false prestige. Padmanabha feels dejected; only Savithri empathises with him. He fears that after his death, his children will not take good care of their mother.
Padmanabha's constant worry leads to a serious medical problem; his family doctor advises him not to get overexcited. Padmanabha undergoes a surgery after which the doctor says that though he is fine now, he may not be able to take any exciting news, as his heart is weak. Now all the family members are reconciled with each other and take good care of him. Padmanabha soon receives a letter from his previous employer offering him the post of director, for which he would be required to go abroad for training. Reading this, he is overjoyed that he is still revered by many for his ethics and honesty, but due to the resultant excitement he dies.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Prestige Padmanabhan Iyer
- Padmini as Savithri (Padmanabhan's wife)
- Srikanth as Sridhar (Padmanabhan's First son)
- Rama Prabha as Mala (Sridhar's wife)
- V. S. Raghavan as Justic Ranganathan Iyer (High Court Judge, Mala Father)
- V. Gopalakrishnan as Balaji (Bank Manager, Sridhar Friend, Enemy role)
- S. V. Ramadas as Nandagopal (Padmanabhan Company Manager, Enemy role)
- K. A. Thangavelu as Panjabi Iyer (Padmanabhan Family Friend)
- Nagesh as Murali (Padmanabhan's Second Son)
- M. Bhanumathi as Sumathi (Murali Lover)
- K. Vijayan as Swaminathan (Vigilance Officer)
- Kathadi Ramamurthy as Akila's College Mate
- T. V. Kumudhini
- Padma as Akila (Padmanabhan's Daughter)
- S.A.Kannan
- Gemini Maali as (Balaji assistant)
- Senthamarai as (Church Father, Padmanabhan's Wellwisher and Family Doctor)
- Karuppu Subbiah as Muruga (Padmanabhan Home Servant)
- Pakoda Kadhar as Soda Supplyer
Production
Vietnam Veedu was based on the stage play of same name written by Sundaram, who earned the title of the film as the prefix to his name.[1][2] After being impressed with the play's script, particularly its dialogues, Sivaji Ganesan bought the rights to adapt the play for the screen.[3] According to Venkatesh Chakravarthy, Regional Director and HOD-Direction at the LV Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai, the plot is based on Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman.[4]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan.[5] The song "Palakkattu Pakkathile" was remixed in Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008).[6] The song "Un Kannil Neer Vazhindhaal" is set in Kapi raga.[7]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Paalakkaattu Pakkathile" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:53 |
| 2 | "Un Kannil Neer Vazhindhaal" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:59 | |
| 3 | "Oh My Lady" | A. L. Raghavan, L. R. Eswari | 03:29 | |
| 4 | "Endrum Pudhidhaaga...." Ulagatthile Oruvan Ena | P. Suseela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, A. L. Raghavan | 06:29 |
Release
Vietnam Veedu was released on 11 April 1970.[8]
References
- Saqaf, Syed Muthahar (10 May 2012). "Recalling an artistic association". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- "A veteran reminisces ..." The Hindu. 11 March 2005. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- Bhatt, Karthik (7 April 2017). "Vietnam Veedu : From Stage to Celluloid". The Cinema Resource Centre. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- Kolappan, B. (6 August 2016). "'Vietnam Veedu' Sundaram passes away". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- "Vietnam Veedu Songs". raaga. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- "Looking for meaty roles". The Times of India. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- "திரையில் மிளிரும் வரிகள் 8 - காதல் கீதமா, குழந்தைப் பாடலா?". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- Rangan, Baradwaj (11 April 2020). "Sivaji Ganesan's 'Vietnam Veedu' Turns 50: A Rewind To The Film, Its Time, And Its Leading Man". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.