Achan (1952 film)

Achan (transl. Father) is a 1952 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. R. S. Mani and produced by M. Kunchacko.^[1] The film stars Prem Nazir and B. S. Saroja in lead roles.^[2] The film had musical score by P. S. Divakar. This was the only film in which veteran actor Sesbastian Kunjukunju Bhagavatahar did a comic role. It is one of the major box office hits of early Malayalam cinema. It will be remembered as the debut of Boban Kunchacko, the maiden venture of XL Productions, and first film of Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi.^[3] The film was remade in Tamil as Thanthai, again with Prem Nazir.^[4] Kambadasan wrote the dialogues and lyrics. The film was released in April 1953.^[5]

Achan
Directed by	M. R. S. Mani
Written by	Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Screenplay by	Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Produced by	M. Kunchacko
Starring	Prem Nazir, B. S. Saroja
Cinematography	P. Balasubramaniam
Edited by	Mrs. Rajagopal
Music by	P. S. Divakar
Production company	Excel Productions
Release date	24 December 1952 (1952-12-24)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Malayalam cast

Female cast B. S. Saroja as Usha, an artiste in Nanukkuttan's drama troupe Baby Girija T. Jaya Shree Pankajavalli Adoor Pankajam C. R. Lakshmi Vanakkutty Male cast Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair Prem Nazir Boban Kunjakko C. L. Anandan Kunjukunju Bhagavathar as Nanukkuttan, a drama troupe owner S. P. Pillai as Mathu, leader of a group of rogues Mathappan

Dance B. S. Saroja C. R. Rajakumari Madura Devi Ramani Gopal Baby Girija

Tamil cast

Cast adapted from the song book^[6]

Main cast B. S. Saroja as Usha (Heroine) Baby Girija as Young Usha Jaya Shree as Aunt Pankajavalli as Lady Musician Adoor Pankajam as Usha's Friend Sukumaran as Father Boban Kunjakko as Young Chandran & Chandran (1) Master Pinay as Chandran (2) Prem Nazir as Chandran & (Hero 3) Kunjukunju Bhagavathar as Nanukkuttan S. P. Pillai as Lady Mathappan as Koman

Dance B. S. Saroja C. R. Rajakumari Madura Devi Ramani Gopal Baby Girija

Soundtrack

P. S. Divakar composed the music for both Malayalam and Tamil versions.

Malayalam songs (Achan)

Lyrics were written by Abhayadev. Playback singers are A. M. Rajah, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Kozhikode Abdul Kader, P. Leela, Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi & Kaviyoor Revamma.^[7]

No.	Song	Singer/s	Duration (m:ss)
1	"Naame Muthalali"	P. Leela
2	"Panicheyyaathe Vayar"	Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi
3	"Ghorakarmmamitharuthe"
4	"Madhumaasa Chandrikayaay"	A. M. Rajah & P. Leela	03:05
5	"Daivame Karuna Saagarame"	Kozhikode Abdul Kader & Kaviyoor Revamma
6	"Ambiliyammaava"	Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi	02:11
7	"Varumo Varumo"	P. Leela	03:18
8	"Jeevithaanandam"	Kaviyoor Revamma
9	"En Makane"	A. M. Rajah	02:57
10	"Theliyoo Nee Ponvilakke"	Kaviyoor Revamma	02:49
11	"Kaalachakram Ithu"
12	"Madhuramadhuramee"	P. Leela
13	"Aariro Kanmaniye"
14	"Lokare Ithu Kettu Chintha"
15	"Maara manam Kolla Cheytha"
16	"Pon Makane"	A. M. Rajah, Madhavapeddi Satyam & Kaviyoor Revamma
17	"Poovanchumee"
18	"Vanithakalaa Kanimele"

Tamil songs (Thanthai)

Lyrics were written by Kambadasan. Playback singers are A. M. Rajah, P. Leela, V. J. Varma, Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi and Kaviyoor Revamma.^[8]

No.	Song	Singer/s	Duration (m:ss)
1	"Naame Mudalaali Namakkini"
2	"Thozhil Seyyaamal"	Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi
3	"Kelungo Idhai"
4	"Ilavenil Chandrikaiyaai"	A. M. Rajah & P. Leela	03:05
5	"Devaney Dheena Thayaaparaney"	V. J. Varma & P. Leela
6	"Ambuli Maamaa Vaa"	Thiruvananthapuram V. Lakshmi	02:11
7	"Paaraayi Kalaimaanin"	P. Leela	03:18
8	"Ninaive Ninaive Nenjam"	Kaviyoor Revamma
9	"Chinnagnchiru Paingiliye"	A. M. Rajah	02:57
10	"Chudar Vidu Pon Vilakke"	Kaviyoor Revamma	02:49
11	"Sutrich Chendridum"
12	"Inbam Inbame"	P. Leela

Reception

B. Vijaykumar of The Hindu wrote, "Thikkurissi's outstanding performance was one of the highpoints of the film."^[9]