Mudhal Mariyathai (1985)

Interesting facts

Muthal Mariyathai is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film produced, directed and co-written by Bharathiraja. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Radha, with Vadivukkarasi, newcomers Deepan and Ranjini, Janagaraj, Sathyaraj, Aruna, Veerasamy and Ramanathan in supporting roles. It revolves around the relationship between an unhappily married village chief and a young boatwoman.

Production

The story of Muthal Mariyathai was developed by Bharathiraja from two sources: an English-language film about "an old painter and a young girl who is attracted to his paintings. Gradually, she becomes attracted to the person as well", and a story in Jayakanthan's novel Samoogam Enbadhu Naalu Paer about "the relationship that develops between a young teacher who comes to a place and a local administrator who is in a bad marriage.

Bharathiraja and Selvaraj initially wanted Rajesh for the role of Malaichami, but distributors objected. Selvaraj later considered S. P. Balasubrahmanyam but realised it would not be possible due to Balasubrahmanyam's playback singing commitments, so Bharathiraja suggested Sivaji Ganesan. Though unwell at the time, Ganesan accepted Bharathiraja's request.

Bharathiraja cast Vadivukkarasi as Malaichami's wife Ponnatha because of her "large eyes". Since the actress, who was then in her early 20s, was not as old as the character she plays, the makers "smeared ash" on her face. According to Vadivukkarasi, "They glued tubes to my ears to make them look different.

The film was launched at Prasad Studios. Filming was entirely held at Talakadu, a village near Mysore in Karnataka. Though Ganesan was known mainly for his melodramatic performances and powerful dialogue delivery, Bharathiraja asked him to tone them down for playing Malaichami and "just be himself". On the sets, Ganesan insisted on seeing what Bharathiraja wanted first before performing a scene.

While filming a scene where Ponnatha walks angrily across a street and strikes Kuyil with a broom, Vadivukkarasi fainted due to exertion from long-distance walking. A chapter from Ki. Rajanarayanan's novel Gopalla Grammam was used by Bharathiraja in the film with permission from the author. Filming did not conclude within two weeks as Ranjini hoped; she attributed it to "Bharathiraja being a perfectionist". According to historian G.

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