Mugaraasi is a 1966Tamil languagedrama film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam. Based on G. Balasubramaniam's play Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum, the film features M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan in lead roles. The film, produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under his Devar Films banner, had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan. The film ran for 100 days.
Plot
Because she refused to cooperate, Mangalam, a fair mother, pays with her life. She is cruelly stabbed by Duraiswamy, a notable, who put himself up to spirit away the colossal fortune of his deceased brother. He acts so meanly in front of little Somu,, the terrorised child who memorises the face of Duraiswamy. 15 years later, Somu is living only for one thing: to take revenge. He settled in his purpose of finding the murderer and killing him with his own hands. His young brother Ramu, a police officer of a formidable efficiency, big in integrity and whose reputation precedes him, is moved into the same direction as Duraiswamy! Ramu is in love with Jaya, who turns out that to be one of the two girls of Duraiswamy, the criminal whom Somu has looks for desperately for years. Ramu tried vainly to tear away from his older brother Somu, the truth on the identity of the murderer of their mother. It is there that their opinion on justice diverges. Somu wants death, whereas Ramu demands a judgment in front of a court for the murderer of their mother!
Mugaraasi, adapted from G. Balasubramaniam's play Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum, was the only film where M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan acted together. Though actors like S. A. Ashokan, K. Balaji or M. G. Chakrapani were considered, Ramachandran chose Ganesan. The film is said to be inspired from English filmPitiless Three and the filming is completed within 18 days.
Mugaraasi was released on 18 February 1966. Writing for Sport and Pastime, T. M. Ramachandran gave a negative review citing "There is nothing much to write home about the direction by M. A. Thirumugam". In terms of performances, he calls Ramachandran "consummate performance" while Gemini "almost an unsympathetic role he tends to overdo" and Jayalalithaa "tries hard to make presence felt".
