Arignar Anna Birth Anniversary: The thespian's contribution to Tamil cinema
Kickstarting the trend of cinema-related people becoming the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, CN Annadurai or Arignar Anna not only had a fruitful run in cinema, but was also a politician nonpareil
Anna's first script. Nallathambi (1948) which starred N. S. Krishnan, promoted cooperative farming and abolition of zamindari system.
Annadurai's friend M.Nallathambi saw the 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and convinced Annadurai to watch the movie and adapt the film to a Tamil rural setting. The film was titled as Nallathambi.
Anna's next film, Velaikaari (1949), which was based on his own novel, carried the hallmarks of propaganda for Dravidian politics.
Velaikaari was a socially themed story based on class conflicts and a critique of existing social customs. It made direct references against the suppressive landlords.
Working on Velaikaari's script fetched Annadurai a fee of Rs 12,000, a considerable sum at that time.
Or Iravu was based on the play of the same name written by Annadurai. When AVM productions decided to make a film based on the play. Annadurai was paid 10,000 Rupees for writing the script.
Annadurai went to AVM studios in 1951 and wrote the entire script and dialogues of Or Iravu, totalling 300 pages, in a single night. P. Neelakantan made his debut as director with this film.
Or iravu, Anna's third script. tells the story of a thief who breaks into a rich man's house without knowing that the rich man is his own father who had abandoned him and his mother long ago.
Sorgavasal (1954) directed by A. Kasilingam, had story and dialogues by Annadurai.
For the first time, Anna was credited as Arignar Anna in Sorgavasal, instead of his hitherto stage name, Annadurai.
Rangoon Radha (1956) was a story written by C. N. Annadurai, with the main plot inspired from the 1944 Hollywood film, Gaslight,starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman and directed by George Cukor.
The film is about a scoundrel (played bu Sivaji Ganesan) trying to steal his wife's fortune. Anna, amazed by Bhanumathi's histrionics in the film, conferred upon her the title Nadippukku Ilakkanam.
Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali (1959) was based on a story written by C. N. Annadurai and brought to the screen by cinematographer-filmmaker RR Chandran.
In spite of Anna’s reformist story and the cast (MGR, Kannamba and others), people remember the film only for its puzzling title. MG Chakrapani, MGR's brother, as the villain was excellent.
Ethayum Thangum Ithayam (1962), wriiten by Annadurai, was directed by P. Neelakantan.
The film, featuring S. S. Rajendran and Vijayakumari in the lead roles, is a family drama, with elements of Dravidian political ideologies.
Nallavan Vazhvan (1961), written by Annadurai and directed by Neelakantan, was the 50th film for MGR.
The film, also starring Rajasulochana, marked the debut of A.Jaganadhan as Neelakandhan's assistant, who would then go on to direct MGR's famous film, Idhaykkani.
Kaadhal Jyothi (1970), one of Annadurai's scripts, was again a socio=political drama, directed by Thirumalai-Mahalingam.
Kaadhal Jyothi, starring Jaishankar, Ravichandran, and Kanchana, got a release one year after Anna's demise.
Vandikaaran magan (1978), based on a novel by Arignar Anna, was the only movie for Annadurai in Eastman colour.
The film, directed by Amirtham, stars Jaishankar, Jayachitra, and Aachi Manorama.
