Menaka (film)

Menaka is a 1935 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by P. K. Rajasandow and produced by Sri Shanmuganandha Talkie Company. The film stars T. K. Shanmugam and T. K. Bhagavathi in the lead roles with N. S. Krishnan (in his cinematic debut), S. V. Sahasranamam, K. R. Ramasami and T. K. Muthusamy playing supporting roles. The film was about a loving couple who get separated because of the evil designs of some envious persons and their re-union after much anguish and anxiety. The film was the adaptation of a stage play which itself was adapted from novel written by Vaduvoor K.Duraisamy Iyengar. The film's screenplay and dialogues were written by Kandhasamy Mudaliar. The film was released on April 6, 1935 became successful at the box-office and created a trendsetter for social themed films in Tamil.

Cast

• TK Shanmugam
• TK Bhagavathi
• SV Sahasranamam
• KR Ramasami

Production

M. Somasundaram who earlier worked as entrepreneur in Coimbatore decided to venture into film production along with partner S. K. Mohideen.^[2] For their debut film, they decided to produce a film adaptation of stage play Menaka which was staged by TKS Brothers for which Somasundaram bought the story rights for 16000.^[3] Male actors T. K. Muthusamy and P. K. Diwakar portrayed the roles of widowed sisters since no female was willing to shave their heads for the film.^[4]

N. S. Krishnan who portrayed a comic negative role in the play reprised the role in the film which also marked his acting debut.^[2][4] During the shoot, he was initially reluctant to be a part of a scene where he was supposed to be tied together with an actress. Krishnan jokingly remarked that "being a chaste man, only his wife should touch him".^[3] Rajasandow who understood the humour became friends with Krishnan. The film was entirely shot at Ranjith Studios, Bombay and was completed within 3 months with the cost of 80000.^[2][4]

Remake

The film was remade in 1955 by V. C. Subbaraman. K. R. Ramasami, who portrayed a comic role in the 1935 version played a leading role in this version. However this version failed to replicate the success of the 1935 version.^[5]

Legacy

Menaka was the first Tamil film where a novel was adapted into a feature film and the success of the film also triggered a series of social themed films in Tamil cinema. The film made N. s. Krishnan popular and he went on to become a famous comedian in Tamil.^[6]

References

Bibliography

• Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. ISBN 978-93-84301-05-7.