Kuzhanthaikkaga

Kuzhanthaikkaga (Tamil: குழந்தைக்காக, English: "For the Child's Sake") is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language crime-drama film directed by P. Madhavan and produced by D. Ramanaidu. The film script was written by Thuraiyur K. Moorthi, with music by M. S. Viswanathan. The film stars Baby Rani, Major Sundararajan, R. S. Manohar, S. V. Ramadoss and Padmini playing lead, with S. A. Ashokan S. V. Sahasranamam, Thengai Srinivasan and T. K. Bhagavathi in supporting roles. The film "Kuzhanthaikkaga" was the remake of Telugu super hit film "Papa Kosam". The film was remade in Hindi as "Nanha Farista" and in Malayalam as "Omanakkunju".
Plot.
A great train robbery takes place near Chennai and three robbers Jambu (Major Sundararajan), a Hindu, Joseph (R. S. Manohar) a Christian and Naseer (S. V. Ramadoss) a Muslim steal the jewels of the passengers at gunpoint. They continue stealing from various shops and hotels; their atrocities become the talk of the city. The three enter a rich man Prabhakar's (Krishna) house, kill everybody and steal the money. They see a young and loving child Geetha (Baby Rani) there and Jambu starts to like her. The other two do not show any affection, but Jambu decides to bring her along with him. The Police arrive but by then the three have escaped with the child. The police find that all the robberies and the killings were carried out by the same set of robbers and announce a reward of Rs.10,000 to anyone who can provide a clue to catch them.
At their hideout, Jambu gets attached to the child, whilst the other two believe the child has come to kill them. But the child, through her loving attitude and respect for their religions, makes the other two also like her. Now, all three believe that the child is God like and give her all the affection they can. Their problem begins when the child does not eat and demands the aaya (maid) to feed her. They try, but the child cries for Aaya Gowri (Padmini). Left with no choice, Jambu travels to bring her. A Police Inspector (S. A. Ashokan) is investigating the case and enquires to Gowri about why she, who usually spent every night with the child, left the child alone that specific night. They suspect that she was hand-in-glove with the robbers and keep her in their custody. Jambu comes to know Gowri's address from the two fellow passengers. He meets Gowri's mother as her brother Manickam, convinces everyone that he is their close relative including the police officers and then takes Gowri with him forcefully, jumps off the train and escapes from the police.
Gowri is happy to see the child, but is shaken about being with the robbers who killed her master. She takes care of the child and also cooks and attends to them. She tries to kill them by mixing poison with milk, but they find that out and beat her. She then plans to split them and escape with the child. She tries entice them and Joseph and Naseer fall for it. But Jambu understands her game and puts sense into the other two. Her plan fails again. The three decide that Gowri should be out of the life of the child. So they demand her to behave in a manner that the child shall hate her. She does not agree because she has brought up the child. Jambu gets more attached to the child and it is mutual. He starts believing that the child will live without Gowri and decides to kill her. Gowri overhears this and escapes with the child. However, they soon find out and chase her. The child starts shouting and to make her silent, Gowri shuts her mouth which leads to her wheezing and a heart problem. They catch them and she asks for their help to bring Dr. Ramanathan (T. K. Bhagavathi), who knows the child's health condition. Joseph goes in the disguise of sardar and visits Ramanathan who is at a wedding and convinces him to come with him. The police, who were at the marriage venue find it fishy and follow their car. The police try to shoot and stop them, but Joseph somehow escapes with the doctor.
Joseph and the doctor reach their hideout and Ramanathan understands the dire situation. He attends to the child and stops treating her saying that the child will die anyway. The three beat him, but he refuses to treat the child and says that they will become the reason for the death of the child. The three get emotionally disturbed and beg for his help. He puts up a demand that he will attend to the child only if they agree to surrender to the police for their crimes. The three express their fear of losing the love of the child if they surrender. For this, Ramanathan assures that he will fight for them in the court and also ensure that the child comes and meets them every day. The three agree to surrender and Ramanathan attends to the child. Naseer goes to the city to get medicine. The shopkeeper informs the police and they arrive to catch him, but he manages to escape. Ramanathan treats the child and the three pray for her recovery. Finally, the child recovers and asks for the three uncles instead of Gowri. The three get attached to the child and decide to leave all their wealth behind and move away with her. They get surrounded by a large number of police. The three attack the police courageously. Ramanathan and Gowri manage to escape with the child. Joseph is injured and when they realise that the child has been taken away, they decide to escape somewhere in order to get her back. They manage to escape and hide and police are unable to trace them. Ramanathan convinces the police about the love the three have for the child. The police assure that the child can meet them in jail and also not to shoot them when they surrender. Ramanathan now asks the child to speak in the mike and the child calls for the three uncles. They hear her and surrender to the police. Ramanathan assures to take care of the child and bring her to meet them regularly. The three are arrested by the police and the child follows calling them out.
Box office.
The film become a trend setter for best songs at the national level for Tamil film songs. Though a remake, the film was highly appreciated in Tamil also and ran for over 100 days in addition to earning two national awards.
Soundtrack.
Tamil track list.
Music was by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics were by Kannadasan. The playback singers consist of T. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. B. Srinivas, Tharapuram Soundararajan, A. Veeramani and P. Susheela.
Hindi track list.
Music was by Kalyanji-Anandji and lyrics were by Sahir Ludhianvi. The playback singers consist of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor and Manhar Udhas.
Releases.
The film was first made in Telugu as "Papa Kosam"(1968), in Hindi as "Nannha Farishta"(1969) and in Malayalam as "Omanakkunju". In Hindi, Padmini enacted in the same role. Popular Telugu hero Krishna acted in a guest role in the film.
Recognition and awards.
The film won the First ever Lyrics Writer of the Best Film Song on National Integration for Kavingnar Kannadasan song "Devan Vanthan Devan Vanthan Kuzhanthai Vadivilae". Baby Rani won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist of the year at the National Award for the Tamil version, though she acted even in the Telugu version released in the same year. The Hindi film "Nanha Farishta" won a Filmfare Award for Best Editing by B. S. Glaad in 17th Filmfare Awards in year 1970.