Rani (1952 film)

Rani (transl. Queen) is a 1952 Indian film directed by L. V. Prasad, written by A. S. A. Sami and produced by Jupiter Pictures. The film, a Tamil-Hindi bilingual, stars P. Bhanumathi, S. Balachander in the Tamil version with Anoop Kumar replacing him in Hindi. Based on the 1948 American film The Loves of Carmen, it was released on 26 April 1952.^[1]

Rani
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	L. V. Prasad
Screenplay by	A. S. A. Sami
Based on	The Loves of Carmen (1948)
Produced by	M. Somasundaram
Starring	P. Bhanumathi S. Balachander
Cinematography	W. R. Subba Rao
Edited by	M. A. Thirumugam
Music by	C. R. Subburaman D. C. Dutt
Production company	Jupiter Pictures
Release date	26 April 1952 (1952-04-26)
Country	India
Languages	Tamil Hindi

Plot

A princess Ranjani is tattooed with the royal insignia as part of tradition, and on the same night, the child is kidnapped by one of the members of the tattoo gang who brings her up as a gypsy girl renaming her Rani. Unaware of her royal lineage, she grows up hawking things on the street and getting into brawls with no punches pulled. She falls in love with a soldier and the story progresses with twists. After several hardships, she realises the truth, and all is well that ends well.

Cast

• P. Bhanumathi as Rani/Ranjani
• S. Balachander (Tamil)
• Anoop Kumar (Hindi)
• S. V. Subbaiah
• M. Saroja
• Wahab Kashmiri
• M. K. Mustafa
• G. M. Basheer
• M. S. S. Bhagyam
• Lakshmiprabha
• C. S. D. Singh
• M. R. Santhanam
• K. S. Angamuthu
• Baby Sachu as Ranjani

Production

Rani, based on the 1948 American film The Loves of Carmen, was shot partly at Central Studios, Coimbatore, which Jupiter Pictures had taken on lease, and also at Neptune Studios, Madras. Over the course of production, there were numerous ego clashes that developed among the cast and crew. The film was simultaneously produced in Hindi. Screenwriter A. S. A. Sami was the initial director, but replaced by L. V. Prasad.^[2]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by C. R. Subburaman assisted by D. C. Dutt who conducted the orchestra.^[3]

Song	Singer/s	Lyricist	Duration (m:ss)
"Maamalar Thoovida"	C. R. Subburaman, Jikki & group	Ku. Sa. Krishnamurthy
"Poraadum Vanmai"	C. R. Subburaman, S. Balachander, Jikki & group
"Neela Kangalai"	D. C. Dutt, Jikki & group	K. D. Santhanam
"Ulle Onnu Veliye Onnu"	C. R. Subburaman, Thiruchi Loganathan, P. Susheela & group
"Needhiyillaa Ulagile"	D. C. Dutt & T. A. Mothi
"Ini Endrum Inbam Thaan"	D. C. Dutt, Jikki & group
"Thalo Thale Thalo"	Jikki		03:04
"Naane Gnaaniyar"	P. Bhanumathi
"Madhi Mayangum Malar Vanam"
"Karugi Pugaiyum Pugaiye"		T. K. Sundara Vathiyar
"Unmaiyillaadha Ulagile"
"Samayam Vaachchadhu"
"Cheeppu Chunukkani Chimini"		Udumalai Narayana Kavi
"Samarasam Nilaiperum"	C. R. Subburaman, P. Bhanumathi & group

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy wrote, "Bhanumathi excelled in the title role. Balachandar, slim and handsome, was somewhat miscast, and the romantic sequences between them raised laughs! Despite the impressive cast and pleasing music, Rani flopped in both languages".^[2]