Motor Sundaram Pillai

Motor Sundaram Pillai is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language comedy-drama film, directed by S. S. Balan and written by Veppathur Kittoo. An adaptation of the 1959 American film "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker", the film features Sivaji Ganesan playing the title role leading an ensemble cast consisting of Ravichandran, Sooryakumar, Sivakumar, Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, Kanchana, Sowcar Janaki, Pandari Bai, Jayalalithaa, Shylashri, Manimala and Rajkokila.
"Motor Sundaram Pillai" is the directorial debut of Balan, whose father Vasan produced the film under Gemini Studios. After Kittoo completed the screenplay, Ganesan was approached to star but declined; Vasan then produced Kittu's screenplay in Hindi as "Grahasti" (1963). When Ganesan saw this film, he offered to act if Kittu made a Tamil version, and was cast.
"Motor Sundaram Pillai" was released on 26 January 1966. The film was commercially successful, running for over 100 days in theatres. It was remade in Telugu as "Manchi Kutumbam" (1968).
Production.
The 1959 American film "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker", adapted from a play written by Liam O'Brien, which was inspired by a real life incident, was a global success, especially in Madras (now Chennai). Veppatthur Kittu of Gemini Studios wrote a screenplay based on this film (with changes made to suit regional tastes) and approached Sivaji Ganesan to act. He refused, and Gemini Studios proprietor S. S. Vasan produced Kittu's screenplay in Hindi as "Grahasti" (1963). When Ganesan saw this film, he offered to act if Kittu made a Tamil version. Vasan later announced the Tamil version, titled "Motor Sundaram Pillai". Like "Grahasti", this too featured some changes from the American film. It marked the directorial debut of Vasan's son Balan. Cinematography was handled by P. Ellappa.
Soundtrack.
The soundtrack album was composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The lyrics were penned by Kothamangalam Subbu and Vaali. Playback singers are P. B. Srinivas, T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi and L. R. Eswari. The song "Maname Muruganin" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Hindolam. Subbu initially wanted it to be in Atana, but as Viswanathan wanted it to be in Hindolam, Subbu assented. The song was re-used in "Motor Sundaram Pillai"s Telugu remake "Manchi Kutumbam" (1968) as "Manase Andhala Brindavanam".
Release and reception.
"Motor Sundaram Pillai" was released on 26 January 1966. T. M. Ramachandran of "Sport and Pastime" wrote, "Though, up to the interval, it contains the usual quota of songs, dances, romantic chases of the young lovers and comedy [...] it grips the audience with a clever and logical twist in the story." The film was commercially successful, running for over 100 days in theatres.