Koteeswaran

Not to be confused with the politician K. Kodeeswaran.

Koteeswaran (transl. Millionaire) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film^[2] co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play Haach Mulacha Baap, it revolves around two friends setting out to fight against the dowry system in their village. The film was released on 13 November 1955.

Koteeswaran
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sundar Rao Nadkarni
Screenplay by	Sundar Rao Nadkarni Kangeyan
Based on	Haach Mulacha Baap by B. V. Warerkar
Produced by	Sundar Rao Nadkarni B. Radhakrishna
Starring	Sivaji Ganesan Padmini S. Balachander Ragini
Cinematography	G. K. Ramu
Edited by	Sundar Rao Nadkarni
Music by	S. V. Venkatraman
Production company	Sri Ganesh Movietone
Distributed by	Bell Pictures[1]
Release date	13 November 1955 (1955-11-13)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Chandar and Kannan are friends. They return to their village after completing their studies, but are shocked by the prevalence of the dowry system. They both set out to fight against it.

Cast

Male cast[3] Sivaji Ganesan as Doctor Chandar S. Balachander as Pasupathy Sriram as Kannan K. A. Thangavelu as Rao Bahadur Ramasami Sirukalathur Sama as Jakamba Sattam Pillai Venkatraman as Rangu Pillai A. Ganesh Singh as Servant Karuppan

Female cast[3] Padmini as Neela Ragini as Kamala Rushyendramani as Parvathi Baby Saraswathi as Usha Baby Rajakumari as Rani Male support cast M. A. Ganapathi Bhat, S. V. Shanmugam, Vijaymani.

Production

Koteeswaran is based on Haach Mulacha Baap, a Marathi play written by B. V. Warerkar. It was directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni who also produced the film with B. Radhakrishna under Sri Ganesh Movietone, and wrote the screenplay alongside Kangeyan. The dialogues were written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Kangeyan. Cinematography was handled by G. K. Ramu, the art direction by D. S. Kotkavngar and the editing by Nadkarni.^[3] The final length of the film was 16,246 feet (4,952 m).^[4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman.^[5]

Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
"Ulaavum Thendral Nilaavai"	A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela	Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass	03:35
"Palikumaa, Kanavuthaan Palikumaa"	P. Susheela
"Vandhadu Yogam Vaazhvile"	P. Leela, Jikki
"Arullilaarkku...Bagavaane Kelaiiyaa Pachondhi"	P. Leela		03:21
"Madhu Nilai Maaraadha...Gaanatthaale Kaadhalaaginene"	Jikki		03:29
"Yaazhum Kuzhalum"	A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela	T. K. Sundara Vathiyar	03:50
"Kattikko Thaali Kattikko"	S. V. Venkatraman, P. Leela	Gemini Seetharaman	06:16
"Isai Amudham Pol Undo"	P. Leela	Papanasam Sivan	03:27
"Ennudalum Ullak Kaadhalum Unakke"	M. L. Vasanthakumari		02:27

Release and reception

Koteeswaran was released on 13 November 1955, Diwali day.^[4][6] The Indian Express wrote, "Crisp and spicy dialogue is the highlight" of the film.^[2]