Rickshawkaran
Rickshawkaran is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by R. M. Veerappan, who also wrote the screenplay and story.[1][2] The film stars M. G. Ramachandran as Selvam, a rickshaw puller who discovers an orphaned child after the boy's father is murdered and endeavors to secure justice amid opposition from a corrupt lawyer and judicial system.[3][4] It features supporting performances by Manjula Vijayakumar as Uma, S. A. Asokan as Kailasam, and Padmini as Parvathi, with the narrative emphasizing themes of personal justice, corruption, and resilience through action sequences and musical numbers.[5][6] Released on 21 May 1971, the movie exemplifies the formulaic yet popular vigilante storytelling prevalent in Tamil cinema during the era, particularly in films led by Ramachandran.[7][8]
Synopsis and Characters
Plot Summary
Rickshawkaran follows Rangan, a dedicated rickshaw puller in Tamil Nadu who supplements his livelihood by participating in informal rickshaw races with fellow pullers.[2] One day, he discovers a young child left orphaned after the boy's father is murdered.[3] [9] Taking the child under his wing, Rangan resolves to investigate the killing and secure justice for the victim, adopting a paternal role amid his own modest circumstances.[4] As Rangan delves into the circumstances of the father's death—reported in some accounts as involving burning of the body—he encounters fierce resistance from entrenched corruption within the legal system.[9] A powerful and dishonest lawyer manipulates proceedings to obstruct the truth, exemplifying broader judicial failings that hinder the protagonist's quest.[3] Despite repeated setbacks, Rangan's perseverance highlights themes of individual resilience against institutional malfeasance, culminating in efforts to expose the perpetrators and safeguard the child's future.[2]Principal Cast and Performances
M. G. Ramachandran portrayed Selvam, a rickshaw puller who discovers an orphaned child and embarks on a quest for justice against corrupt elements, delivering a performance noted for its heroic intensity and moral resolve that aligned with his established screen persona.[10][5] Manjula Vijayakumar played Uma, the female lead providing emotional support to Selvam's journey, while S. A. Ashokan enacted Kailasam, the antagonist lawyer embodying systemic corruption.[1][6] Supporting roles included Cho Ramaswamy as Pitchumani, Padmini as Parvathi, and Major Sundarrajan in a key antagonistic capacity, contributing to the film's dramatic confrontations.[11][12] Ramachandran's depiction of Selvam was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1972, recognizing his portrayal of an underdog fighting injustice, a role that highlighted his physical vigor and commitment to upright character archetypes typical of his films.[13] This marked the first National Award for Best Actor bestowed upon a South Indian performer, underscoring the impact of his earnest, action-infused acting style amid the narrative's themes of perseverance.[13] Other cast members, including Ashokan and Padmini, received praise in contemporary accounts for effectively contrasting Ramachandran's heroism through villainous and maternal roles, though critical reception emphasized the lead's dominance in driving the film's emotional and dramatic arcs.[14] Performances overall adhered to the conventions of 1970s Tamil commercial cinema, prioritizing moral clarity over nuanced psychology.Production Background
Development and Scripting
R. M. Veerappan produced Rickshawkaran under his Sathya Movies banner and wrote the screenplay, drawing on his extensive collaboration with lead actor M. G. Ramachandran to emphasize themes of vigilantism and social justice central to MGR's filmography.[15] Veerappan, known for scripting narratives that bolstered MGR's image as a protector of the downtrodden, tailored the story around a rickshaw puller uncovering corruption after witnessing a murder.[15] The project was directed by M. Krishnan Nair, with development reflecting the era's Tamil cinema trends where MGR's vehicles often blended action, moral righteousness, and subtle political undertones to resonate with mass audiences.[14] The screenplay's structure incorporated high-stakes confrontations and heroic feats, culminating in the film's release on May 29, 1971, which earned MGR the National Film Award for Best Actor.[16][17] This recognition underscored the script's effectiveness in portraying MGR's character as an embodiment of resilience against systemic injustice, a motif Veerappan refined across multiple productions.[15]Casting Decisions
M. G. Ramachandran was cast in the central role of Selvam, the impoverished rickshaw puller seeking justice, a character that aligned with his established screen persona as a champion against corruption and for the underprivileged; as a key figure in Sathya Movies production, Ramachandran's involvement ensured his starring position in what became his 109th film.[17] Manjula Vijayakumar, aged 17 at the time, was selected for the role of Uma, the protagonist's love interest, marking an early prominent appearance for her as one of Ramachandran's "third muses" in his films, emphasizing youth and freshness in the romantic subplot.[16] Padmini was chosen to portray Parvathi, the maternal figure, after the original actress was replaced following the filming of approximately 3,000 feet of footage, which the production team found unsatisfactory; this mid-production switch aimed to elevate the role's emotional depth but sparked public backlash, as audiences questioned the pairing of the veteran Padmini with Ramachandran, both seen as belonging to an earlier generation of Tamil cinema stars.[18] Supporting roles, including S. A. Ashokan as the antagonist Kailasam and Major Sundarrajan as Dharmaraj, were filled by seasoned character actors known for portraying authority figures and villains, contributing to the film's thematic focus on systemic injustice without noted controversies in their selections.[11] These choices reflected producer R. M. Veerappan's strategy to blend Ramachandran's mass appeal with reliable ensemble performers, despite pre-release skepticism about the overall cast's suitability for the gritty narrative.[17]Filming and Technical Aspects
Rickshawkaran was directed by M. Krishnan Nair, with principal photography occurring prior to its release on May 29, 1971.[16] The production incorporated traditional Tamil martial arts elements, including silambam fencing sequences that highlighted lead actor M. G. Ramachandran's expertise in the discipline.[16] Post-production editing was handled by C. P. Jambulingam, ensuring the film's vigilante action and dramatic sequences aligned with its narrative pacing.[19] Specific filming locations, such as urban settings reflecting the rickshaw puller's life in Madras, were typical for Tamil cinema of the era but remain undocumented in available records. The technical execution emphasized practical stunts and choreography to portray the protagonist's physical struggles and confrontations realistically.[16]Music and Audio Elements
Soundtrack Composition
The soundtrack of Rickshawkaran was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, a leading figure in Tamil film music during the 1960s and 1970s, with primary lyrics by Vaali and additional contributions from Avinashi Mani.[20] Released in 1971 as an original motion picture soundtrack, it consists of five songs tailored to the film's vigilante narrative, emphasizing rhythmic folk elements and melodic hooks suited for mass appeal in Tamil cinema.[21] The compositions feature prominent playback singers such as T. M. Soundararajan for male leads and P. Susheela for female vocals, reflecting Viswanathan's standard approach of integrating Carnatic ragas with accessible rhythms for M. G. Ramachandran-starring vehicles.| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angae Sirippavargal | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:42 |
| 2 | Kadaloram Vangiya Katru | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:23 |
| 3 | Pambai Udukkai Katti | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 6:45 |
| 4 | Ponnazhagu Penmai | Avinashi Mani | P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari | 3:22 |
| 5 | Kattruvaanga Ponen | Vaali | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:24 |