Iravum Pagalum

Plot

Rajasekar (Jaishankar) is a well-to-do college student who lives with his widowed mother Maragadhavalli (Pandari Bai) and leads a happy-go-lucky life; he is in love with Parimala (C. Vasantha), his classmate. One night the family is robbed of all its wealth by a gang and Maragadhavalli prevents Rajasekar from reporting it to the police. Realising that there is some mystery behind it, he sets out to unravel it. In disguise, Rajasekar infiltrates a gang of smugglers and robbers and unravels the mystery.

Cast

Production

Joseph Thaliath Jr. set up a production company named "Citadel Films", inspired by the A. J. Cronin novel The Citadel. He wanted to adapt that novel into a Tamil film, but Citadel Films co-founder F. Nagoor dissuaded him from doing so as he felt the subject was "risky". He instead suggested a crime thriller, which became Iravum Pagalum. Due to the film's low budget, Joseph chose to cast newcomers. Joseph cast theatre actor Subramaniam Shankar in the lead role, christening him Jaishankar and marking the actor's cinematic acting debut. C. Vasantha was cast as the female lead, also making her cinematic acting debut. Pandari Bai, an established actress, played the mother of Jaishankar's character. Thengai Srinivasan was also cast in what would have been his film debut, but was removed after distributors were not supportive of him.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album was composed by T. R. Pappa. The lyrics were written by Alangudi Somu.

Track list

Reception

Film historian and critic Randor Guy noted that the film will be "remembered for Jaishankar’s debut, taut onscreen narration and melodious music".