Ponni (1953 film)


Ponni is a Tamil film starring Sriram, Lalitha and Padmini. The film was released in 1953, and the Telugu version, Oka Talli Pillalu in the same year.

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 completed it. The film was shot at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. An additional attraction in the film was the real-life wrestling sequence between King Kong and Dara Singh along with referee Alireza Bey. 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 left with two daughters. She loses one girl, who is found by a wealthy man. He changes her name to Kanmani and brings her up in luxury. She becomes proud. The struggling mother sends the other girl Ponni 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. His brother, a ne'er-do-well, 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.

Cast

Cast adapted from the film titles
;Male Cast
;International Wrestling
;Female Cast
;Dance
was directing the film, but for an unknown reason he left half-way. C. Srinivasa Rao, took over.
A dance drama with the popular story of Lord Krishna which was titled Bhama Vijayam was performed by Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari. Choreography was handled by Hiralal.

Trivia

A real life wrestling contest between Dara Singh and King Kong was an added attraction.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Subbiah Naidu. Lyrics were by Narayanakavi, Ramaiah Dass, Balasubramaniam & Makkalanban. Playback singers are C. S. Jayaraman, Loganathan, Mariappa, Perianayaki, Jayalakshmi, Komala and Radha.