Then Nilavu (1961)

Interesting facts

• Filmed in: Jammu and Kashmir

Thennilavu is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Sridhar. It stars Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala, with K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Nambiar, M. Saroja and Vasanthi in supporting roles. The film's plot is about a man who, due to mistaken identity, is appointed as a manager by a young woman for her father's honeymoon in Kashmir. The man and the woman fall in love but things go awry when the real manager arrives in Kashmir.

Production

In the early 1960s, Sridhar founded the production company Chithralaya after making films for Venus Studios. When discussing with his associates what should be the company's first film, Sridhar devised the story of Nenjil Or Aalayam but later decided the company's first film should not be a tragedy and devised the lighter Thennilavu. A. Vincent was the cinematographer, Ganga was the art director and T. R. Srinivasulu was the editor.

Thennilavu is the South Indian film to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir, unlike most Tamil films of that period, which were mostly filmed in studios. The first scene was filmed during an India-Pakistan cricket match in Madras (now Chennai) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, then known as the Corporation Stadium. This scene was also used as the background for the film's opening credits.

Principal photography lasted about two months. In retrospect, Sridhar noted he was determined to ensure all scenes in Kashmir were filmed well because returning to re-film them would be impossible. Because Kashmir did not have facilities, film rolls had to be sent to Vijaya Laboratory in Madras for processing.

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