Naadodi is based on the theme of communal hatred. The story was by noted screenwriter G. Balasubramaniam, who was aided by the story department of Padmini Pictures (owned by B. R. Panthulu, the producer-director of the film) and the dialogue was by R. K. Shanmugam, who worked on many MGR movies.
Dharmalingam (V. K. Ramasami) is a rich man, and a hypocrite who lectures about equality, but does the opposite. His eldest daughter Meena (Bharathi) falls in love with Thyagu (MGR), and when he objects to her marriage as Thyagu belongs to a lower caste, she commits suicide. Meanwhile, Nambiar (Jambu) is ill-treated by Dharmalingam, who kills his wife and leaves his daughter blind. Jambu, who is bent on taking revenge on the rich man, kidnaps Radha (Dharmalingam’s second daughter), uses poison to blind her, and leaves her begging on the streets for a living. Singing on the streets for a living, Radha meets MGR, and both of them go around the streets singing together, with MGR playing the harmonium.
In the meantime, an eye specialist (K. R. Ramasami), who was benefited by MGR’s father, helps Radha get her eyesight. How the families get united and how the villain is forced to change his views forms the rest of the film.
Bharathi, who went on to be a successful star in other languages too, was introduced in the film by B. R. Panthulu. Saroja Devi, also from Karnataka, was paired with MGR, and soon, they became a much sought-after pair in Tamil cinema.
The performance of both MGR and Saroja Devi was impressive. M. N. Nambiar excelled as the villain. One of the main reasons for the reasonable success (ran only for 70 days) of the film was the music of maestro M. S. Viswanathan. The film has eight songs, with lyrics by Kannadasan and Vaali, and were all sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Two songs, ‘Ulagamengum orey mozhi’ (lyrics: Kannadasan), and ‘Naadu adhai naadu’ (lyrics: Vaali) became hits.
Cinematography was by V. Ramamurthi and the film was edited by R. Devarajan.
Remembered for: Impressive performances by MGR, Saroja Devi, M.N. Nambiar, V.K. Ramasami and also by Nagesh, a thief who pretends to be epileptic
