Annai (1962 film)


Annai is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju. The film features Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and Sowcar Janaki in the lead roles, with S. V. Ranga Rao, J. P. Chandra Babu and P. Raja playing supporting roles. The plot revolves around the theme that the love of a foster mother can be even stronger than that of a biological mother.
The film is a remake of the Bengali film Maya Mrigo. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by R. Sudarshanam while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Kothamangalam Subbu.
Annai was released on 15 December 1962 to positive reviews, with praise for the plot, the music and the performances from the lead actors. The film was also a commercial success, and had a theatrical run of 100 days. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Penchina Prema, and remade in Hindi in 1966 as Laadla.

Cast

Nihar Ranjan Gupta's Bengali play Maya Mrigo was adapted into a film of the same name in 1960. Impressed with the story, A. V. Meiyappan decided to adapt in Tamil as a film with the title Annai. Krishnan–Panju were selected as the film's directors with K. S. Gopalakrishnan writing the dialogues. Panju edited the film under the alias "Panjabi". The song "Azhagiya Mithilai" was shot at Marina Beach Road, Chennai.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album and background score were composed by R. Sudarshanam while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Kothamangalam Subbu. The songs particularly "Azhagiya Mithilai" and "Buddhiyulla Manithan" were well received and became famous. Randor Guy wrote "Music contributed to the impact of the film and some of the songs such as 'Azhagiya midhilai' became popular. Another hit song, 'Butthiulla manidharellam vetrikanbadhillai' by Chandrababu was a great success and is still popular".
Annai was released on 15 December 1962. The film was a commercial success and ran for 100 days. The Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan dated 6 January 1963 appreciated the film and mentioned the film stating that one does not get the feeling of watching a film instead a real life and empathise with characters. Randor Guy of The Hindu wrote that the film was remembered for "its emotion-drenched story, brilliant performances by Bhanumathi, Sowcar Janaki and Ranga Rao, pleasing music and deft direction".

Remake

AVM remade the film in Hindi as Laadla with Nirupa Roy playing Bhanumathi's character.