Chitthi
Chitthi (transl. Stepmother) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Padmini and Gemini Ganesan. It is based on the play Dayanidhi written by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki. The film was remade in Hindi as Aurat (1967),[1] in Malayalam as Achante Bharya, in Telugu as Pinni and in Kannada as Chikkamma.
| Chitthi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Screenplay by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Based on | Dayanidhi by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki |
| Starring | Padmini Gemini Ganesan |
| Cinematography | R. Sampath |
| Edited by | R. Devarajan |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Chitra Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 170 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Cast
- Padmini as Meenakshi
- Gemini Ganesan as Muthaiyya
- Muthuraman as Balu
- Nagesh as Mani
- M. R. Radha as Periyasamy
- V. K. Ramasamy
- V. R. Rajagopal
- V. S. Raghavan
- Vijaya Nirmala as Saroja
- Vijayasree
- Sundari Bai as Periyasamy's mother
- S. D. Subbulakshmi
- Radha Bai
Production
Chitthi is an adaptation of the play Dayanidhi written by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki.[2] Cinematography was handled by R. Sampath, and editing by R. Devarajan.[3]
Themes
According to the book Beyond Bollywood, Chitthi subverts the wicked stepmother trope by making her a figure of suffering and sacrifice, protecting her stepchildren from her callous and irresponsible husband.[4]
Soundtrack
Music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics were written by Kannadasan and Udumalai Narayana Kavi.[5]
| No. | Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Thaneer Suduvathenna" | T. M. Soundararajan P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 4:02 |
| 2 | "Kalamithu Kalamithu" | P. Susheela | 6:09 | |
| 3 | "Ingey Deivam Pathi" | A. L. Raghavan Mothi | 4:23 | |
| 4 | "Sathipoma Indru" | P. B. Srinivas L. R. Eswari | 3:48 | |
| 5 | "Santhipoma Indru" (Sad) | 3:06 | ||
| 6 | "Maarum Kanni Manam" | P. Susheela | 1:42 | |
| 7 | "Cycle Vandi Mele" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 3:49 |
Reception
T. M. Ramachandran of Sport and Pastime positively reviewed the film praising Gopalakrishnan's direction and also praised the cast and crew members of the film.[6] Kalki criticised the film for lack of originality, felt Gemini Ganesan was underutilised and M. R. Radha's acting lacked newness.[7]
References
- Malhotra, Aps (24 May 2012). "Blast From The Past: Aurat (1967)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- Muthiah, S. (31 December 2001). "A forgotten author and patriot". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 April 2002. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- "சித்தி". Kalki (in Tamil). 16 January 1966. p. 44. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- Raghavendra, M. K., ed. (2017). Beyond Bollywood: The Cinemas of South India. HarperCollins. p. 43.
- "Chithi (1966)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- Ramachandran, T. M. (19 February 1966). "Padmini Stages Come-Back!". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 20. p. 42.
- "சித்தி". Kalki (in Tamil). 6 February 1966. p. 25. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
