Directed by K. Shankar Music by A. M. Rajah | Produced by K. Madhanagopal Cinematography Thambu | |
Written by Makkalanban
Javar Seetharaman Starring Gemini Ganesan
B. Saroja Devi
Devika
M. V. Rajamma | ||
Aadi Perukku (also spelt Aadiperukku) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language romance film edited and directed by K. Shankar. Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi play the lead roles, while J. P. Chandrababu, Devika and others play supporting roles.
Contents
Plot
Padma (B. Saroja Devi) lives with her widowed mother (M. V. Rajamma) and her brother who works in the harbour. The family finds refuge in the house of Raja (Gemini Ganesan), a poet. Padma's brother dies in an accident. With help from a well-wisher (C. V. V. Panthulu), Raja goes to Madras and meets a publisher (K. D. Santhanam) who helps him to become a bestselling writer. The publisher’s daughter, Latha (Devika), falls in love with Raja. Heartbroken, Padma marries a man who later dies of a mysterious disease. When Raja and Latha are all set to marry, Padma shows up at the scene, causing a confused Raja to leave the wedding hall. Traumatised, Latha's father becomes sick and a doctor says he will survive only if Latha's marriage happens. In gratitude, Raja marries Latha and soon after, she gives birth to a baby who goes into a coma. Padma offers to sacrifice her life for the sake of the baby and the film ends with the baby recovering.
Cast
Production
The film shares its name with Aadi Perukku, a festival in Tamil Nadu which pays tribute to water's life-sustaining properties. Despite that, the festival is not referenced anywhere onscreen except the song "Annaiyin Arule Vaa", near the end of which Gemini Ganesan is shown singing the last two lines as a tribute to the festival.
Shooting took place at the now non-existent Majestic Studios.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack featured nine songs composed by A. M. Rajah and written by Kothamangalam Subbu, Kannadasan, K. D. Santhanam and Suratha.
Reception
According to film historian Randor Guy, the film did not succeed commercially because of the "somewhat predictable storyline, the many deaths and the lack of significance of the title". He did, however, praise the performances of Saroja Devi and Ganesan.