Ponni (1953 film)

Production

Ponni was based on Sami’s screen story, with dialogue by Sami, star Tamil screenwriter Elangovan and Balasubramaniam. For some reason, Sami opted out of the project midway, and C. S. Rao (C. Srinivasa Rao). The film was shot at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. An additional attraction in the film was the real-life wrestling sequence between King Kong (Hungarian Worlds Champion) and Dara Singh along with referee Alireza Bey (Champion of Turkey). Such fights were a major attraction in Madras those days and they were performed in Park Town near Central Station.

A dance drama, Bhama Vijayam, the popular story of Lord Krishna, Sathyabhama and Rukmini was added to the film. It featured Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari, with dances composed by noted choreographer B. Hiralal.

Plot

The story is about a less privileged woman (P. Santha Kumari) left with two daughters. She loses one girl (‘Baby’ Chandrakumari, later Padmini) who is found by a wealthy man (D. Balasubramaniam). He changes her name to Kanmani and brings her up in luxury. She becomes proud. The struggling mother sends the other girl Ponni (‘Baby’ Asha, later Lalitha) to work in Kanmani’s house. Kanmani ill treats her and once pushes her down the staircase, which injures Ponni badly, and she lands in hospital. The rich man has an adopted son Sundaram (Kaushik). His brother, a never-do-well (Sriram), misbehaves with both Ponni and Kanmani. In the process, Ponni tries to save her sister, and lands in prison, accused of murder! However, the truth comes out and they all live happily thereafter.

Crew

Production

A. S. A. Sami was directing the film but for unknown reason he left half-way. C. Srinivasa Rao, (son of filmmaker C. Pullaiah) took over.
A dance drama with the popular story of Lord Krishna and was titled Bhama Vijayam was performed by Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari.

Trivia

A real life wrestling contest between Dara Singh and King Kong was added in the film for attraction.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. Lyrics were by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam & Makkalanban. Playback singers are C. S. Jayaraman, Thiruchi Loganathan, M. M. Mariyappa, P. A. Periyanayaki, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, C. B. Radha and & A. P. Komala.