Kasi Yathirai was a fairly successful comedy, featuring comedian, character actor and producer V.K. Ramasami, with a host of supporting actors. Interestingly, in the end credits, there is only a collage of faces of the comedians featuring in the film, without any names being mentioned.
The film was written by the noted writer of that period, V.C. Guhanathan, and directed by S.P. Muthuraman, one of the most successful filmmakers of Tamil cinema, who began his innings at AVM Studios and made his way to the top.
The director is known for his many super hits, and is often credited for creating the commercial star power of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in Tamil cinema.
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In this film, V. K Ramasami plays a dedicated and committed bachelor, and finds it difficult to keep up his bachelorhood with so many temptations around him.
He is also a rich man, with people like Suruli Rajan and M. R. R. Vasu going after his money. Cho plays an alcoholic in love with Manorama. So fond is he of his drink that when starved for alcohol, he doesn’t even mind pouring kerosene into his glass. Expectedly, his dialogues are littered with trademark comments on local politics.
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The film was produced under the banner of Sri Devi Cinetone and shot at Bharani and Karpagam Studios.
Bharani Studios was then promoted by top star P. Bhanumathi and her husband P.S. Ramakrishna, before it was eventually given away on lease to noted film personality A.L. Srinivasan.
Music was composed by the popular duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali and Panju Arunachalam. All four songs in the film are breezy, and sung by many artistes including, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam , Sasirekha, Ponnusamy, Manorama, and L.R. Easwari.
Cinematography was by Babu, and the editing was by Vittal. Art direction was by Radha, though not much is known about him today.
Choreography was by dance master Thangappan and Madurai Ramu. It is to be noted that Kamal Haasan worked under Thangappan as his dance assistant in this film.
The film did reasonably well, owing its reception mainly to Manorama’s splendid double role.
Remembered for: The comedy and fine acting by V.K. Ramasami, Cho, Suruli Rajan (as Sreekanth’s) assistant, Kumari Padmini, Jaya, ISR and others.
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