Kudiyirundha Koyil, is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language spy film directed by K. Shankar, starring M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Rajasree, with L. Vijayalakshmi, Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar, Major Sundarrajan and Nagesh in supporting roles. A remake of the 1962 Hindi filmChina Town, it revolves around twins who become separated as children: one who grows up to be a criminal, and the other who is tasked with apprehending him. The film was released on 15 March 1968 and became a box office success.
Plot
Twins Sekhar and Anand, along with their mother Mangalam, witness their father Ramnadhan being murdered by Nagappan, an escaped convict who Ramnadhan had testified against. This prompts the family to leave to Madras to pursue a new life. But when Sekhar gets down from the train to fetch some water, it leaves without him. Nagappan arrives and kidnaps Sekhar, who is raised by him as a criminal. Sekhar remains unaware that the same man killed his father. Years later, Sekhar who now calls himself "Babu", is an established criminal and is the most wanted man in the city. Meanwhile, Anand is a club-dancer and neither he nor Babu are aware of each other's existence. During a police encounter, Babu is grievously wounded and seeks shelter in Mangalam's house, although he does not recognise her as his mother. He develops a soft corner for her, but when Nagappan learns about this, he tries to eradicate the kind-self out of Babu. During another police encounter, Babu is again wounded, but becomes insane this time, also becoming amnesiac. D. I. G. Mogan comes across Anand, and after seeing the striking resemblance between him and Babu, advises him to act as Babu to get all the secrets of the gang and have them arrested. Anand agrees, but later realises Babu is his brother. Anand's girlfriend Jaya sees him having lot of money in a briefcase, and the police chase him. Unaware of the truth, she thinks he has turned into a criminal, and refuses to speak to him. Mangalam also comes to know of this, and becomes heartbroken. However, Mangalam and Jaya soon reconcile with Anand after learning of the truth, and they also learn that Babu is his brother. Babu's girlfriend Asha discovers that Anand is impersonating Babu, but he surrenders to her and explains about Babu's medical condition, subsequently revealing himself as Babu's brother. Asha forgives him and the duo subsequently team up to defeat Nagappan and his men. Babu later escapes from the prison to kill Anand when learning about him, but is cornered by Jaya, who tells him that Anand is his brother. Babu does not believe this, and kidnaps Jaya. He is later stopped by Mangalam, who makes him realise that he is her son and Anand is his brother. Remembering that Nagappan killed his father, he teams up with Anand to defeat Nagappan, who is later arrested. Subsequently, Babu returns to being "Sekhar", and reunites with his family.
Kudiyirundha Koyil was adapted from the 1962 Hindi film China Town. It was the first Tamil film to feature a Bangra dance sequence in the song "Aadaludan Padalai...", which became an instant hit among audiences. Ramachandran had to practice for one month to dance in the song. According to Jump Cut, Ramachandran portraying a dark-skinned character in the film was meant to showcase him as the criminal doppelgänger of a fair-skinned character, also played by him.
Soundtrack
Music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song "Ennai Theriyuma" was later remixed by Achu for a film with the same name, and "Aadaludan Paadalai" was remixed by Amresh Ganesh for Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva.
Release and reception
Kudiyirundha Koyil was released on 15 March 1968. The film was a box office success, and ran more than 100 days in Chennai, Madurai, Kovai, Trichi and other major cities.
