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Ulagam Sutrum Valiban

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Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. G. Ramachandran
Story byR. M. Veerappan
S. K. T. Sami
Ve. Lakshmanan
Produced byM. G. Ramachandran
R. M. Veerappan
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
Chandrakala
Manjula
Latha
CinematographyV. Ramamoorthy
Edited byM. Umanath
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
Production
company
Emgeeyaar Pictures
Release date
  • 11 May 1973 (1973-05-11)
Running time
178 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (transl. Globetrotting Youngster) is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language science fiction film[2] directed and co-produced by M. G. Ramachandran. The film stars Ramachandran, Chandrakala, Manjula and Latha. It revolves around a scientist who discovers an energy harnessing formula, and seeks to keep his research from being abused by a rival scientist.

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban was released on 11 May 1973. It emerged as a major box office success, with a theatrical run lasting over 200 days. Ramachandran won the Filmfare Special Award for Excellent Production Values.

Plot

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Murugan is an Indian scientist who has recently discovered how to store a part of the energy unleashed by lightning. He reports this at a Hong Kong scientists' conference. He subsequently announces that he will not reveal his discovery, since the world is on the brink of World War III and his research may be used for destructive purposes.

Another scientist, Bairavan, claims Murugan is falsely claiming that his research is successful. Murugan thus conducts a demonstration and destroys the vital research notes, which upsets other scientists. Bairavan offers $100 million to persuade him to sell the research to a foreign country, which Murugan refuses.

Murugan then departs with his girlfriend, Vimala, for a world tour. He discloses to Vimala that he only pretended to destroy the research notes, and has actually kept them in a safe place. He indeed had plans to use them, to ensure that his research was used for productive purposes. Bairavan, who has been following them, overhears this and plans to steal the research notes. While in Singapore, Bairavan shoots Murugan with a special gun (not killing him). Vimala faints after witnessing the attack.

Murugan, who seemingly suffers from a mental disorder, is subsequently taken into Bairavan's custody.

Shortly after, Vimala is also abducted by Bairavan. He expects her to cure Murugan, so that he can get information on the whereabouts of the research documents.

Raju, a CBCID officer and Murugan's younger brother, arrives in Singapore in search of his brother. How he finds his brother and what happens to others form the rest of the story.

Cast

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Male cast
Female cast

Production

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Ulagam Sutrum Valiban is the second film directed by M. G. Ramachandran,[5] and was originally titled Mele Aagaayam Kizhe Bhoomi.[6] It was co-produced by R. M. Veerappan.[3] J. Jayalalithaa, in an interview with the media, said that Ramachandran owed his popularity to her; irked by this, Ramachandran fired her from Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, and replaced her with Manjula.[7] Filming began in 1970.[8] The climax scene was shot at Expo '70.[9] Ramachandran's brother M. G. Chakrapani served as production consultant.[10]

Soundtrack

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The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[11][12] The first choice of Ramachandran for the soundtrack was Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.[13] Two songs, "Aval Oru Navarasa" and "Nilavu Oru", were originally intended for a shelved film of Ramachandran titled Inaindha Kaigal.[14] The song "Aval Oru Navarasa" is set in Harikambhoji raga.[15]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Aval Oru Navarasa" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Kannadasan 03:32
"Bansaayee" (ten thousand years) T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari Vaali 04:44
"Lilly Malarukku" T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela Kannadasan 05:20
"Nilavu Oru" T. M. Soundararajan Vaali 04:22
"Oh My Darling" (In the album) T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela 04:03
"Pachchaikili" T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela Vaali 04:37
"Sirithu Vaazhavendum" T. M. Soundararajan, chorus Pulamaipithan 04:29
"Thangath Thoniyile" K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela Vaali 03:24
"Ulagam Ulagam" T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki Kannadasan 03:39
"Namadhu Vetriyai Naalai" Seerkazhi Govindarajan Pulavar Vedha 02:57
"Ninaikkum Pothu" (In the album) P. Susheela Vaali 03:34
"Chimasa"² (Japanese song) Female singer and male singer Unknown 00:57
"Sayonara"² (Japanese song) Male singer Unknown 02:58
Instrumental piece Chorus No lyrics 04:46
Instrumental piece Chorus No lyrics 02:29
Instrumental piece Chorus No lyrics

Release and reception

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Ulagam Sutrum Valiban was released on 11 May 1973.[8] The film was a major commercial success, and ran for over 200 days in theatres.[16] Ananda Vikatan wrote Ramachandran had already produced great films like Nadodi Mannan and Adimai Penn, but he surpassed them and rose to an unattainable height through this film; viewers could give as many kudos as they want to Ramachandran, who had achieved a great achievement that the Tamil film world could be proud of.[17] In 2005, Mohanlal listed Ulagam Sutrum Valiban in his list of top ten best Indian films of all time, stating "I was a kid when I first saw this Tamil film, and I simply loved it. It has all the ingredients needed to entertain people."[18]

Accolades

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Cancelled sequels

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Ramachandran intended to make a sequel to this film titled Kizhakku Africavil Raju, but the project never came to fruition when he was alive. An animated sequel with the same title was planned by Ishari K. Ganesh in the late 2010s, with a new script directed by M. Arulmoorthy. Sayyeshaa and Akshara Gowda were signed on to star opposite a computer-generated Ramachandran. Despite a trailer being launched, the film did not complete production.[20][21]

References

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  1. ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 419.
  2. ^ "Tamil science fiction cinema and the cultural unconscious: a 'visionary' jungian reading of 7aum Arivu (2011) and 24 (2016)". Journal of Advanced Research in Dynamical and Control Systems. 2017. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (30 April 2016). "Blast from the Past: Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban (1973)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  4. ^ Shekar, Anjana (19 October 2020). "Goundamani in Singapore, Yogi Babu in London: 7 hilarious Tamil scenes in foreign lands". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 188.
  6. ^ "பொன் விழா ஆண்டில் உலகம் சுற்றும் வாலிபன்". Dinamani (in Tamil). 22 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  7. ^ Ram, Arun (19 October 2010). "Jayalalithaa: Her hero's rival". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  8. ^ a b Sri Kantha, Sachi (17 March 2020). "MGR Remembered – Part 55 | Ulagam Suttru Vaaliban [The Globe Trotting Youth]". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  9. ^ Shekar, Anjana (21 February 2021). "'Germaniyin senthen malare' to 'Kadhala kadhala': Around the world in 8 Tamil songs". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  10. ^ Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (motion picture) (in Tamil). Emgeeyaar Pictures. 1973. Opening credits, at 6:40.
  11. ^ "Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban (1973)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Ulagam Sutrum Valiban Tamil film LP vinyl Record by M.S. Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  13. ^ "அன்பு நடமாடும் கலைக்கூடமே... என்றென்றும் கண்ணதாசன் (6)". Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  14. ^ "கலைமாமணி வாமனனின் 'நிழலல்ல நிஜம்' – 49 | வசந்தம் வரும்போது அதை வரவழைக்க முடியுமா?". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  15. ^ "ஏழிசை எம்எஸ்வி | பயோகிராபி". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  16. ^ Selvaraj, N. (20 March 2017). "வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள்" [Tamil films that completed silver jubilees]. Thinnai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  17. ^ "உலகம் சுற்றும் வாலிபன் விமர்சனம்". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 27 May 1973. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  18. ^ "India's Best Films: Mohanlal". Rediff.com. 7 June 2005. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  19. ^ The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman & Company. 1974. p. 155. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Akshara Gowda in MGR animation film". The Times of India. 1 May 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  21. ^ V, Sankaran (16 February 2022). "எம்ஜிஆர் நடித்து பாதியில் நின்று போன படங்கள் – ஓர் பார்வை". CineReporters (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

Bibliography

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