Mudhalali (English: Proprietor) is a 1957 Tamil drama film directed by Muktha Srinivasan in his debut. The film was produced by M. A. Venu under M. A. V. Pictures and stars SS Rajendran and debutant Devika in the lead roles, while MN Rajam, A. Kannaiyan and T. P. Muthulakshmi play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff.

K. Ramachandran and T. Vijayarangam handled cinematography and editing respectively. The film is based on a stage play of same name by Venkat Ramanujam. Development of the film was started during the making of Sampoorna Ramayanam which was shelved for time. Venu who wanted to complete the film with the balance of 20 days approached Srinivasan to complete the film within a short span of time. The film was released on 22 October 1957 with a length of 4965 mts and became successful at the box office. The film was remade in Malayalam with same name in 1965 starring Prem Nazir.

Production

M. A. Venu who produced Sampoorna Ramayanam at that time had to shoot that film only 10 days in a month since many artists involved in that film were busy with other commitments. In order to make use of remaining 20 days, Venu bought the rights of stage play Mudhalali and chose Srinivasan to make his directorial debut.^[2] Unlike most films, this film's production was completed in four months and two days within the budget of 2 lakhs.^[2][3] Pramila who was given the screen name Devika made her acting debut.^[4] Rajendran was paid 7000, Both Devika wand Srinivasan were paid 5000.^[2] The film grossed 20 lakhs within first release itself.^[2]

Plot

Vasanthan(S. S. Rajendran) goes to America for higher studies. During his absence, his widowed mother Karpagam(C. T. Rajakantham) manages their glass factory at Salem with help of manager Balu(T. K. Ramachandran), who has a relationship with Vasanthan's niece Kokilam(M. N. Rajam). Since Vasnthan's mother does not understand the factory's working and management, Balu brings everything under his control and swindles the company by various means. Vasanthan returns to india after few years. He lands at Bombay en route to Madras to reach Salem. There he meets a hotel boy poongavanam(R. Pakkirisamy) and through him, he realises the need to understand the life of a worker before becoming the owner of factory. He informs his mother that he would be coming after two months as he to go on another tour, but lands in Salem as a worker named Varadhan. He joins the factory with the help of Valli(Devika), who works in the factory along with her father. Slowly, he understand all the misdeeds of balu in managing the factory and also his niece Kokilam's relationship with him. Meanwhile, he and Valli fall in love. Vasanthan's mother becomes desperate for her son and starts spending money to trace him.

Cast

• S. S. Rajendran as Vasanthan/Varathan
• Devika as Valli
• M. N. Rajam as Kokilam (Vasanthan's Cousin)
• T. K. Ramachandran as Balu (Kokilam's finance)
• S. S. Sivasooryan as Murugesan
• C. T. Rajakantham as Karpagam (Vasanthan's Mother)
• T. P. Muthulakshmi as Senthamarai, (Vasanthan's house maid)
• Lakshmi Rajyam as Cameo Appearance
• R. Pakkirisamy as Poongavanam (Valli's Brother)
• "Yenththa"Kannaiah as Gopal

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff. The Playback singers consists of T. M. Soundararajan, Jikki, A. G. Ratnamala, V. N. Sundaram, M. S. Rajeswari, G. Kasturi and Ponnusamy. The song "Aerikkaraiyin Mele" was well received and it was composed in Arabhi raga.^[5]

Awards

• National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil^[6]