Class differences, feudal patriarchy, the tyranny of landlords, exploitation of the labour class, corruption and the black market have been favourite subjects of Indian cinema from its beginning. In the 1960s and 70s South Indian cinema became an arena of ‘family dramas’. Successful Tamil films with such storylines remade in Hindi also were box office hits . For example T.R. Ramanna’s Periya Idathu Penn (1963) and B.R. Panthalu’s Muradan Muthu (1964) were remade in Hindi as Jawab (1970) and Gopi (1970) respectively. The story of Malayalam film Themmadi Velappan , released on November 12, 1976, was based on melodramatic situations from these two films and Malliyam Rajagopal’s super hit Tamil film Savaaley Samaali (1971).
A box office hit, Themmadi Velappan was produced by G.P. Balan under the banner of Chandhamani Films and was shot at Satyam, AVM and Arunachalam Studios. The film was directed by T. Hariharan, and dialogues were written by S.L. Puram Sadanandan for the story developed by the production team. T.N. Krishnankutty cranked the camera and editing by was handled by V.P. Krishnan. The film had music composed by M.S. Viswanathan.
Popular artistes like Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jose Prakash, Paravoor Bharathan, P.K. Abraham, Bahadur, Jayabharathi, Kanakadurga and T.R. Omana acted in the film.
Gopalan (P.K. Abraham) and Balakrishnan (Jose Prakash) are business partners. Rapacious Balakrishnan deceives Gopalan. Gopalan’s house and property is confiscated and he commits suicide.
Gopalan’s wife Bhavani Amma (T.R. Omana), struggles to bring up her sons Raghavan (Madhu) and Velappan (Prem Nazir). Velappan is aware of the deceitful tricks played by Balakrishnan that ended in Gopalan’s death. Velappan revolts against Balakrishnan’s treachery towards the villagers and earns the name ‘Themmadi’ (rogue) from him. Velappan and his men block Balakrishnan’s black market trade of rice. Raghavan is employed by Balakrishnan in his business concern. The only hospital in the village is also owned by Balakrishnan, who uses it for his own profit. Velappan succeeds in getting a sanction for a hospital in the village.
Balakrishnan tries to turn Raghavan against Velappan by spreading false stories about him. Raghavan is married to Radha (Kanakadurga), who loves Velappan like her own brother. Balakrishnan’s daughter Sindhu (Jayabharathi) returns to the village after her studies. A wealthy spoiled brat, Sindhu humiliates Velappan and her rude behavior towards the villagers annoys him. Balakrishnan decides to conduct Sindhu’s marriage with his nephew Vijayan (Sudheer). But Sindhu does not like him and rejects the marriage proposal.
Balakrishnan then falsely alleges that Velappan molested Sindhu and her marriage with Vijayan was called off because of this shameful incident. Even Velappan’s mother believes this allegation and he is expelled from the house. Sindhu is ashamed of her father’s deeds. She realises the nobility of Velappan’s character, how he always stands up for the welfare of the villagers and always honours the womenfolk. Sindhu leaves her home and takes refuge in Velappan’s hut.
Raghavan is led to believe that Sindhu has been taken into captivity for revenge against Balakrishnan is sent to retrieve her from Velappan’s hut. He is given a loaded pistol and told it is unloaded and to be used to intimidate Velappan; a ploy by Balakrishnan to kill Velappan. Raghavan fires the pistol aiming at Velappan, but Radha who comes in between is shot and seriously injured. Raghavan now understands his brother’s innocence and Balakrishnan’s cruelty towards his family. The social melodrama comes to a happy end with Bhavani Amma forgiving Balakrishnan, who falls at her feet. Sindhu and Velappan get married.
Prem Nazir impressed the audience in his ‘revolutionary’ role, with Paravoor Bharathan and Bahadur providing comic relief.
Some of the songs written by Mankombu Gopalakrishnan and set to tune by M.S. Viswanathan became popular. An instant hit was Indradhanussu kondu ….. (K.J. Yesudas). Other hits include Thrishanku
swargathe …, Dharmasamaram vijayichu …. (Both by Yesudas, chorus) and Vayanadan kaavile …
(P. Susheela).
Will be remembered:
As a good social film and for the music, especially the song Indradhanussu kondu… .
