Athisaya Penn

Athisaya Penn (transl. Wonder Woman) is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, produced and directed by M. V. Raman. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vyjayanthimala, with music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. It is a remake of the Hindi film Aasha (1957). The film was released on 6 March 1959.

Athisaya Penn
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	M. V. Raman
Written by	Javar Seetharaman[1]
Produced by	M. V. Raman
Starring	Akkineni Nageswara Rao Vyjayanthimala
Cinematography	T. Muthu Sami
Edited by	M. V. Raman
Music by	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Production company	Raman Productions
Release date	6 March 1959 (1959-03-06)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

The film opens with Muthuraja (Sarangapani), a wealthy man and a passionate lover of Carnatic music. Despite his affluence, he struggles to manage his estate. His son, Manivannan (Akkineni Nageswara Rao), is a kind-hearted individual who always assists the less fortunate, despite his privileged background and lack of interest in the family business.

Muthuraja's sister, Maragatham (M. S. Draupathi), takes charge of the business affairs, while her son Raju (Manohar), a wastrel residing in Madras, is entrusted with educating Manivannan. When Manivannan arrives in Madras, he encounters Lally (Madhuri Devi) at a hotel, who is unable to settle her bill. Moved by her plight, he generously pays off her debt.

Raju, responsible for Manivannan's training, neglects his duties and allows him to do as he pleases. One day, Manivannan attends a dance drama at a college hostel and meets a young dancer named Nirmala (Vyjayanthimala), with whom he falls deeply in love. As their relationship blossoms, Manivannan and Nirmala embark on a hunting expedition in the jungle.

Meanwhile, Raju encounters an elderly man who insists that Raju marry his jilted daughter. In a fit of rage, Raju murders the man, leading to a series of complications when Manivannan is falsely accused of the crime. However, through their perseverance and unwavering commitment to the truth, Manivannan and Nirmala manage to expose Raju's guilt.

The movie concludes with the joyous union of Manivannan and Nirmala in marriage, as justice prevails and their love triumphs.

Cast

• Vyjayanthimala as Nirmala
• A. Nageswara Rao as Manivannan
• Manohar as Raju
• Madhuri Devi as Lally
• K. Sarangapani as Muthuraja
• M. S. Draupathi as Maragatham
• Javert N. Seetharaman
• Kamini
• V. P. S. Mani
• M. S. Karuppaiah
• K. S. Angamuthu
• V. M. Ezhumalai
• Gajakarnam
• S. G. Eshwar
• Kalyanam
• V. Seetharaman
• Ashokan (Guest artiste)
• K. N. Kamalam
• E. V. Saroja

Production

Athisaya Penn is a remake of the 1957 Hindi-language film Aasha,^[2] and has both the lead actress Vyjayanthimala and director M. V. Raman returning. The film was shot in Gevacolor, with some portions in Technicolor.^[3]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.^[4] The song "Eena Meena Deeka" is based on the song of the same name from Aasha.^[3]

Song	Singers	Lyricist	Length
"Anipillai Tennampillai"	Seergazhi Govindarajan	V. Seetharaman	03:18
"Eena Meena Deeka" [Female]	P. Susheela	V. Seetharaman	03:19
"Eena Meena Deeka" [Male]	T. M. Soundararajan	V. Seetharaman	03:09
"Eppo Varuvaro"	P. Susheela	V. Seetharaman	03:05
"Makara Veenai"	A. P. Komala		02:30
"Sila Per Vazha"	T. M. Soundararajan	Subbu Arumugam	03:15
"Thanni Podura Pazhakam"	T. M. Soundararajan		03:14
"Unnai Ninaichale"	P. Susheela	V. Setharaman	03:13
"Unthan Jaalam"	P. Susheela	V. Seetharaman
"Kalangatha Ullamum"	P. Susheela	V. Seetharaman
"Angum Ingum Engum Niraindha"	T. M. Soundararajan	V. Seetharaman

Release and reception

Athisaya Penn was released on 6 March 1959.^[5] Kanthan of Kalki called the pre-interval portions better than the post-interval ones.^[6]