Odayil Ninnu (film)

Odayil Ninnu
Directed by	K. S. Sethumadhavan
Produced by	P. Ramaswami
Written by	P. Kesavadev
Based on	Odayil Ninnu by P. Kesavadev
Starring	Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R. Vijaya, Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Music by	Devarajan
Cinematography	P. Ramaswami
Studio	Thirumurukan Pictures
Distributed by	Thirumeni Release
Release date(s)	March 5, 1965 (1965-03-05)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Odayil Ninnu or Odeyil Ninnu is a 1965 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on the novel of the same name written by P. Kesavadev. The film deals with the life and struggles of a rickshaw puller. It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R. Vijaya and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in the lead roles with Master Dasarath playing the younger version of the protagonist.Suresh Gopi, who was only six years old, appeared in a blink-and-you-miss-role as the feudal lord's timid son, who also becomes the root cause for the main protagonist running away from home.

The title of the film has been translated as From the Gutter. The film was a commercial success and also received critical acclaim for its raw energy and Sathyan's performance in the lead role.^[1] It received a certificate of merit at the National Film Awards. It was remade in Tamil as Babu (1971) with Sivaji Ganesan playing the lead role.^[2]

Plot

Pappu is a relentless fighter for justice and equality from early childhood. He organises protest against his teacher who discriminates between the landlord's son and other children. The landlord is provoked to wrath, and Pappu is obliged to leave home. From now on, he has to lead a hard, tough life, fighting at every step to uphold his ideals.

He takes odd jobs but had to give them up as he cannot stand the iniquity meted out by his employers. Ultimately, he settles down as a rickshaw-puller. He takes care of a child from the gutter. That child became so arrogant and proud when she grew up. She did not even want Pappu's presence. Pappu became a patient due to hard work. The subsequent developments reveal him as an extremely affectionate human being, seeking pleasure in doing good to others and demanding nothing for himself. The film ends with the girl realising her mistakes.

Cast

• Sathyan as Pappu
• Prem Nazir as Gopi
• K. R. Vijaya as Lakshmi
• Kaviyoor Ponnamma
• Adoor Bhasi
• Adoor Pankajam
• S. P. Pillai
• Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
• Master Dasarath as Young Pappu
• Baby Padmini as Young Lakshmi
• Kalaikkal Kumaran
• Cheriya Udeswaram
• Kottayam Chellappan

References

1. ^ C. S. Venkiteswaran. (18 June 2006). "Auteur par excellence". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
2. ^ Film world: Volume 7. Film World. 1971. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=YOdOQRACrrkC&q=odayil+ninnu&dq=odayil+ninnu&hl=en&ei=zC0CTuH4Ls7irAetp8yGAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg. 

External links

• Odeyil Ninnu at the Internet Movie Database
• Odayil Ninnu at the Malayalam Movie Database
• Suresh Gopi in Odayil Ninnu at the Old Malayalam Cinema Blog