Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai, who was associated with Malayalam cinema from the first sound film Balan (1938) as actor and lyricist, has also scripted several Malayalam films in the 1950s and 60s. Some of his films followed the Tamil and Telugu ‘social movies’ track with its unusual twists and turns.
Vidhi Thanna Vilakku , released on October 5, 1962, produced under the banner of Guruvayoorappan Pictures and directed by S. S. Rajan was a hit.
The film opens with a dance drama Subhadraharanam , presented by popular actresses noted for their dancing talents like Ragini, Sukumari, Chithra. Though this dance sequence, like in such films, had no relevance to the plot it was simple following a trend popular in Tamil and Telugu movies of the time.
Pappussar (Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar) lives in a village with his daughters Bhavani (Ragini) and Subhadra (Chandni). They live in utter poverty. Their only source of support is Sasi (Sathyan), a bank employee and their neighbour. Bhavani is in love with Sasi. Raman Thampi (G. K. Pillai), a landlord wishes to marry Bhavani and puts up this proposal through his manager and Bhavani’s uncle Kittu Kurup (Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai). Thampi resorts to all kinds of mischief to break the relationship between Sasi and Bhavani but fails; they get married.
Thampi takes vengeance on them. He manages to have Sasi evicted from his job, forcing him to seek employment in an insurance company in Madras. Thampi wins over Subhadra and marries her. She transforms Thampi to a righteous and a family-loving man. But fate intervenes. Subhadra dies at childbirth. Bhavani now takes care of the little boy.
Sasi comes home on leave. He reaches at midnight and sees Thampi and his son at his house. Bhavani was caring for the boy who was sick. Sasi becomes suspicious of his wife and leaves even without seeing her. On his way back to Madras, he drops a letter to Bhavani in which he accuses her of having a relationship with Thampi. Taken aback Thampi leaves to Madras to explain things to Sasi but Sasi does not listen to Thampi and drives him away.
Meanwhile, Sasi’s colleague and bank manager visits Bhavani to help her in Thampi’s absence. A few villagers led by Pappunni, a wastrel and Kittu Kurup’s friend manhandle the bank manager. They even spread rumours about Bhavani’s relationship with the bank manager. Shamed, Bhavani leaves the village with Thampi’s son.
On his return from Madras, Thampi becomes furious when he comes to know about the happenings in his absence. He picks up an argument with the bank manager and in the ensuing fight the manager is killed. Thampi is sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Bhavani finds refuge in the neighbouring village in a colony of coir workers. She also finds work here.
Years roll by. Thampi is released from jail and he wanders in search of Bhavani and his son. Accidently he reaches the colony of coir workers when Bhavani’s hut catches fire. Thampi saves the life of Bhavani, but both of them suffer severe burns. Bhavani sends Subhadra’s son to sell her wedding ring to meet their medical expenses. Suspecting the boy of robbery, the police take him into custody. Sasi reaches the spot, identifies his wedding ring and comes to know about Bhavani. All misunderstandings are cleared; Thampi dies after entrusting his son to the care of Sasi and Bhavani.
Ragini and Sathyan excelled in their roles. The comic scenes involving S. P. Pillai as a Kathakaalakshepa (musical discourse) artiste was impressive.
Songs written by P. Bhaskaran and Abhayadev were set to tune by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Chandanakkinnam thatti marichittu … (P. B. Sreenivas- P. Susheela), Kannadachaalum kanaka kinaakkal … ( P. Leela-K. J. Yesudas), Chundil mandahasam … (Yesudas), Vaanin madithattil … (Susheela) were instant hits . The other popular songs included Guruvayoor puresha …. ( as duet – P. Leela, A. P. Komala & as solo by Leela), Karakku Company Karakku Company … (P. B. Sreenivas) and Kandaalum Kandaalum Vendakka Chundakka … (Dakshinamoorthy-Santha).
Will be remembered : As a successful social movie and for some of the songs.
