Tamil director Bharathiraja’s masterpiece movie ‘Mudhal Mariyathai’: a Russian connection and initial misgivings

One of diretor Bharathiraja’s masterpieces,Mudhal Mariyathai, which portrayed the love between an ageing hero and a young woman, had its genesis in the love story of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and Anna Snitkina, who was 25 years younger than him. Thespian Sivaji Ganesan and Radha played the lead roles in the film adaptation of the story. The song Vettiveru Vaasam Vedalapullai Nesam, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, encapsulated the story in a nutshell.

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R. Selvaraj, Tamil film story writer and a close associate of Bharathiraja, recalls: “Initially, everyone was quick to write off the film as a flop. Producer and writer Panchu Arunachalam said the horse would lose the race. Music director Ilaiyaraaja also had reservations about the film’s success. But the movie proved everyone wrong and became a major hit,” said Selvaraj.

Ilaiyaraaja himself later recalled his initial misgivings about the project. Yet, all the songs — Andha Nilavathaan Naan Kaiyila Pudichen, Vettiveru Vaasam Vedalapullai Nesam and Poongaatru Thirumbuma En Paattai Virumbuma — remain among the finest compositions in Tamil cinema.

Mr. Selvaraj, who shared a 63-year friendship with Bharathiraja and wrote stories for films such as Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Puthiya Vaarpugal, Kadalora Kavithaigal and Mudhal Mariyathai, said their relationship began as a pen friendship.

“He had read my short story Inaikodugal, published in Maalai Murasu, and wrote me a letter. My association with the Communist movement — I am the nephew of N. Sankaraiah— and our friendship with Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers further strengthened my bond with Bharathiraja,” he said. It was Selvaraj’s idea to include the scene in which Radha receives a strand of Sivaji Ganesan’s silver hair as a memento.

Movie release after feedback from women

When many people had given up on Mudhal Mariyathai, Bharathiraja organised a special screening exclusively for women. “He handed each of them a sheet of paper and asked them to write their opinion. More than 40 women described it as a fantastic film. It was then that Bharathiraja decided to go ahead with the release,” recalled Mr. Selvaraj.

An elated Bharathiraja later took Selvaraj to the Taj Hotel for lunch and a couple of drinks.

“When he was about to settle the bill, he was told it had already been paid. Distributor Athadi Selvaraj, who had paid the amount, told him that he wanted to acquire the distribution rights for the film in all of Coimbatore. The success story of the film began there,” he said.

Bharathiraja’s love for literature

Selvaraj said Bharathiraja had a deep appreciation for literature, the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore and powerful dialogue. “When I wrote the line, ‘Unga kaala pidichalum pidippene thavira kaiya pidikka matten,’ (I may even touch your feet, but not your hand) delivered by actor Ranjani in Kadalora Kavithaigal, he simply embraced me,” he recalled.

Some time ago, Bharathiraja visited Selvaraj at his residence. “Before leaving, he paused for a moment and asked, ‘Who will die first — you or me?’ He is now no longer with us,” said Selvaraj.