Thread by @swaroopkaimal

Chemmeen was released this day in 1966. Here’s a small thread. Source : an old Mathrubhumi Weekly. 1/n

#Chemmeen #Malayalam #Film #thread

An ad that appeared in Mathrubhumi weekly during release days. 54 years now. 2/n

Chemmeen the novel was the first to be honoured with a Sahithya Akademi Award in Malayalam.

Chemmeen the movie was the first from South India to bag the National Award for Best Feature Film. 3/n

Though filming completed in 1965, theatre release happened later. On 19th Aug 1966 — amidst deserving hype and overflowing critical acclaims. 4/n

This man Ramu Kariat is to be thanked for executing everything. When it was practically very very tough to make something like this happen. 5/n

The man destined for financing it eventually was one Ismail Sait alias Babu Sait. A boy those days, he was not legally entitled to enter into contracts or sign a cheque. Ramu waited patiently till Babu turned 18.

Major development, literally? 6/n

Seen are C O Anto, Salil Chowdhury, Ramu Kariat, and that teenager. 7/n

Marcus Bartley (first pic) did camera. Hrishikesh Mukherji was roped in as editor. (Assisted by U. Rajagopal and K. D. George respectively). 8/n

Sunil Dutt had already bought film rights from Thakazhi. But somehow that didn’t take off. (Apparently some friends advised him it might trigger communal issues there). Ramu took all the pain to buy back the rights. 9/n

SL Puram was the one who wrote screenplay and dialogues. Unfortunately, Some confusions popped up later as to who wrote screenplay. Years later, same thing repeated with that unnecessary controversy regarding Yavanika too. (Yavanika is a good class in screen writing IMO). 10/n

Sheela and Mrs Gandhi during National Award ceremony. It’s said she was offered a film opposite MGR the same time but her mother strictly instructed to give priority to Karuthamma - whoever be the hero in any other film).
Pic courtesy - Manorama’s Sheela Exclusive - 2019). 11/n

Such roles happen as if it’s the gift of a lifetime. 12/n

He was chosen for this role when Nazir was in top form and demand. But then, it was destined for Madhu only. What else can we say? 13/n

Plenty, simply. 14/n

It’s said that in editing table and seeing the rushes, Hrishikesh Mukherjee excitedly said “his eyes...the way he expresses the agony and ecstasy...it’s terrific”

The best ever perhaps Malayalam had ever seen. At par with Mohanlal. 15/n #Kottarakkara

Ramu Kariat and Salil Chowdhury wanted ONV to write the songs. He (Ramu) had written twice to ONV, but since he could not take leave (at that time and go to Bombay) -- he was teaching at University College, Trivandrum those days -- he recommended Vayalar. 16/n

Vayalar apparently was much disappointed since he was to write according to an already set tune. He put forward two conditions. First, that composing will happen in Madras. And second, he would write only one song initially --> 17/n

--> once if all are convinced that it could shape up well, then only he'd think of writing the remaining ones.
First trial was Manasa Maine Varoo.  Everyone reportedly got floored by the almost spontaneous lyrical magic. Rest was three more songs, and history. 18/n @minutepoint

Kariat wanted a different voice this time t(than the already shining Yesudas) for Manasa Maine. Salil Da recommended one of his close friends Manna Dey. He refused the offer outrightly, citing that his rendering in an alien language would kill the soul of that song.  19/n

But Sulochana, who was from Kannur and wife of Manna Dey took up the challenge to teach him what and all was necessary. After a week's rigorous training and coaching with his wife, he recorded the song in Bombay Cine Lab.  20/n

Manna dey had sung just two songs in Malayalam. The other one was this . Chemba Chemba, from another salil Chowdhury classic Nellu. 21/n @cloudno07

Another story is that Kadalinakkare ponore was originally conceived as a female version, and Ramu wanted Lata Mangeshkar to sing it. But somehow that also didn't work out.
He fulfilled his wish after 7 years, when he made Lata sing Kadali chenkadali, again in Nellu. 22/n

Latha Raju played Panchami, the younger sister of Karuthamma. She later went on to become a noted singer herself. 23/n

That legendary lens Sivan Sir was the still photographer of the film. The pic ( where he's seen along with Salil Da during filming) was taken by him using a self-timer camera. @santoshsivan 24/n

Matrimony. 25/n

Matrimony and beyond..26/n

In a way, we can say we are lucky to be alive during the first 100 years of this cult classic. #Chemmeen is just eternal. #ThreadEnds