Major Chandrakanth (1966 film): Difference between revisions

Major Chandrakanth
Major Chandrakanth
	File:Major Chandrakanth 1966 poster.jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. Balachander
Written by	K. Balachander
Produced by	A. V. Meiyappan
Starring	Major Sundarrajan; Nagesh; R. Muthuraman; A. V. M. Rajan; Jayalalithaa;
Cinematography	S. Maruti Rao
Edited by	R. G. Gopu
Music by	V. Kumar
Production; company	AVM Productions
Release date	11 November 1966
Running time	163 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

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Major Chandrakanth is a 1966 Tamil language drama film produced by A. V. Meiyappan and directed by K. Balachander. It is based on his play of the same name. The film stars Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, R. Muthuraman, A. V. M. Rajan and Jayalalithaa. Sundarrajan, who portrayed the title role of a retired blind army major, acquired the prefix Major and was more commonly known as Major Sundarrajan thereafter. The play was first made into a Hindi film Oonche Log in 1965. The film was remade in Kannada as Karune Illada Kanoonu (1983).^[2]

Plot

Mohan is a tailor who lives with his younger sister Vimala. Orphaned at a an early age, Mohan goes through a life of hardship and fulfill all his sister's wishes. Rajinikanth, a womaniser, lures Vimala and cheats on her. Unable to face her brother, she commits suicide. Mohan confronts Rajinikanth and kills him in revenge. Now a fugitive, Mohan hides in the house of Chandrakanth, a retired and blind major. Mohan is amused and fascinated by Chandrakanth's virtues and how he manages to live though he is blind. Mohan reveals why he is on the run from law and ironically the deceased happens to be Chandrakanth's youngest son. Chandrakanth feels humiliated for nurturing Rajinikanth and is sorry for Mohan's plight. Ultimately, Chandrakanth's elder son Srikanth, an inspector, arrests Mohan along with his father for his hospitality to a criminal.

Cast

Major Sundarrajan as Chandrakanth
Nagesh as Mohan
R. Muthuraman as Srikanth
A. V. M. Rajan as Rajinikanth
Jayalalithaa as Vimala

Production

When working in the Accountant General's office in Madras (now Chennai), K. Balachander wrote and starred as a blind major in a play titled Courage of Conviction. Since the new Accountant General was from Bengal, Balachander decided the play had to be in English so that the General would understand it.^[3]^[4] He later decided to expand the play into a full-length script for his friend P. R. Govindarajan's troupe Ragini Recreations, this time in Tamil and with the title Major Chandrakanth due to the limited scope for English plays in the city.^[3]^[5] This play earned critical acclaim,^[6] and was staged over a hundred times.^[7] It was first adapted into a Hindi film Oonche Log in 1965 and then it got made in Tamil, with A. V. Meiyappan producing the Tamil version under AVM Productions with the same title as the play.^[8]^[9]

Sundarrajan, who portrayed the blind major Chandrakanth in the Tamil play, reprised his role in the film.^[10]^[5] The character's sons Srikanth and Rajinikanth were played by R. Muthuraman and A. V. M. Rajan, respectively,^[1] reprising the roles played by Venky and Govindarajan on stage.^[3] Unlike the play, where the character Vimala was only referenced without being physically portrayed, the character was developed into a full-length role for the film, with Jayalalithaa playing the role.^[3]^[1] The film was the only collaboration between her and Balachander.^[11] Nagesh was cast as Mohan,^[1] reprising the role played by Gokulnath on stage.^[3] The role was a departure from the comedic roles Nagesh was then generally known for.^[12] Cinematography was handled by S. Maruti Rao,^[13] and the editing by R. G. Gopu.^[14] Meiyappan's sons Murugan, Kumaran and Saravanan were assistant producers.^[14] The final length measured 4,425 metres (14,518 ft).^[9]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by V. Kumar while the lyrics were written by Vaali and Suratha.^[15] The song "Oru Naal Yaaro", picturised on Mohan going to prove to the audience in his neighbourhood that his Vimala is singing on the radio, became a chartbuster.^[11]

No.	Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
1	Kalyana Sapadu Podava	T. M. Soundararajan	Vaali	04:12
2	Kalyana Sapadu Podava (Pathos)	T. M. Soundararajan		01:35
3	Naane Pani Nilavu	P. Susheela		04:06
4	Netrunee Chinnapappa	T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela		04:01
5	Oru Naal Yaaro	P. Susheela		03:35
6	Thuninthunil	Seerkazhi Govindarajan	Suratha	01:25

Release and reception

Major Chandrakanth was released on 11 November 1966.^[16] In a review dated 26 November 1966, The Indian Express said Sundarrajan brought not only "complete conviction and dignity" to his role but also "revels his rare characterisational depth and sensitivity." The reviewer also praised the performances of Nagesh, Jayalalithaa, Muthuraman and Rajan, the photography and the editing.^[17] In April 2016, Ajitanshu Ramji, writing for the website Medium, included Vimala's suicide in his list of "The Top 7 Suicide Scenes in Indian Movies".^[18] Writing for The Hindu that December, Venkatesh Ganapathy praised the performances of Jayalalithaa and Nagesh, noting that despite the former's limited screen time, "her acting prowess in Major Chandrakant continues to be a moment of truth."^[11]

Legacy

Following the film's commercial success, Sundarrajan became popularly known with the prefix "Major".^[19] During the making of Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Balachander rechristened newcomer Shivaji Rao Gaekwad as Rajinikanth, named after A. V. M. Rajan's character,^[20] and Rajinikanth went on to become one of the successful actors in Tamil cinema.^[21]^[22]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 388. ISBN 0-19-563579-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Karune Illada Kanoonu – ಕರುಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾನೂನು (1983/೧೯೮೩)". Kannada Movies Info. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bhatt, Karthik (13 April 2017). "Major Chandrakanth : From Stage to Celluloid". The Cinema Resource Centre. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Sivakumar, S. (24 June 2011). "Quality recreation". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b Guy, Randor (3 May 2011). "The KB school". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "K Balachander gets Dadasaheb Phalke award". Rediff.com. 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Mukherjee, Bimal; Kothari, Sunil; Lal, Ananda; Dasgupta, Chidananda (1995). Rasa: Theatre and cinema. Anamika Kala Sangam. p. 196.
^ Narayan, Hari (15 November 2016). "KB's continuum". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (27 August 2015). "Made a 'Major' impact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c Ganapathy, Venkatesh (20 December 2016). "The right balance in child-rearing". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Raman, Mohan (3 January 2015). "KB: Kollywood's Discovery Channel". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Saravanan 2013, p. 191.
^ ^a ^b Major Chandrakanth (motion picture) (in Tamil). AVM Productions. 1966. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 5:13.
^ "Major Chandrakanth (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Saravanan 2013, p. 189.
^ "Sundararajan excels in Major Chandrakanth". The Indian Express. 26 November 1966. p. 3.
^ Ramji, Ajitanshu (2 April 2016). "The Top 7 Suicide Scenes in Indian Movies". Medium. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Guy, Randor (7 March 2003). "Dialogue delivery set him apart". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Ramachandran, Naman (8 December 2012). "It was a small role, but people would remember him". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Narayan, Hari (23 July 2016). "The superstar and the man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (6 March 2015). "Holi: The day Rajinikanth was 'born'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Srinivasan, S. (11 July 2011). "K. Balachander: The Middle-Class Maestro". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Bibliography

Saravanan, M. (2013) [2005]. AVM 60 cinema (in Tamil) (3rd ed.). Rajarajan Pathippagam. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

External links

Template:CITWF title
Major Chandrakanth at IMDb
Major Chandrakanth at Rotten Tomatoes

[Encyclopedia-1] Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 388. ISBN 0-19-563579-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2] "Karune Illada Kanoonu – ಕರುಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾನೂನು (1983/೧೯೮೩)". Kannada Movies Info. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[TCRC-3] Bhatt, Karthik (13 April 2017). "Major Chandrakanth : From Stage to Celluloid". The Cinema Resource Centre. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[4] Sivakumar, S. (24 June 2011). "Quality recreation". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[KB_school-5] Guy, Randor (3 May 2011). "The KB school". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[6] "K Balachander gets Dadasaheb Phalke award". Rediff.com. 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[7] Mukherjee, Bimal; Kothari, Sunil; Lal, Ananda; Dasgupta, Chidananda (1995). Rasa: Theatre and cinema. Anamika Kala Sangam. p. 196.

[continuum-8] Narayan, Hari (15 November 2016). "KB's continuum". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[Anandan-9] Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[10] Krishnamachari, Suganthy (27 August 2015). "Made a 'Major' impact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[child-rearing-11] Ganapathy, Venkatesh (20 December 2016). "The right balance in child-rearing". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[12] Raman, Mohan (3 January 2015). "KB: Kollywood's Discovery Channel". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[FOOTNOTESaravanan2013191-13] Saravanan 2013, p. 191.

[movie-14] Major Chandrakanth (motion picture) (in Tamil). AVM Productions. 1966. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 5:13.

[15] "Major Chandrakanth (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[FOOTNOTESaravanan2013189-16] Saravanan 2013, p. 189.

[IE_review-17] "Sundararajan excels in Major Chandrakanth". The Indian Express. 26 November 1966. p. 3.

[18] Ramji, Ajitanshu (2 April 2016). "The Top 7 Suicide Scenes in Indian Movies". Medium. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[19] Guy, Randor (7 March 2003). "Dialogue delivery set him apart". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[20] Ramachandran, Naman (8 December 2012). "It was a small role, but people would remember him". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[21] Narayan, Hari (23 July 2016). "The superstar and the man". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[Holi-22] Ramanujam, Srinivasa (6 March 2015). "Holi: The day Rajinikanth was 'born'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[23] Srinivasan, S. (11 July 2011). "K. Balachander: The Middle-Class Maestro". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 | language       = Tamil
 }}
-'''''Major Chandrakanth''''' is a 1966 [[Tamil language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] produced by [[A. V. Meiyappan]] and directed by [[K. Balachander]]. It is based on his play of the same name. The film stars [[Major Sundarrajan]], [[Nagesh]], [[R. Muthuraman]],  [[A. V. M. Rajan]] and [[Jayalalithaa]]. Sundarrajan, who portrayed the [[title role]] of a retired blind army major, acquired the prefix ''Major'' and was more commonly known as Major Sundarrajan thereafter. The play was first made into a [[Hindi]] film ''[[Oonche Log (1965 film)|Oonche Log]]'' in 1965. The film was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Karune Illada Kanoonu]]'' (1983).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/karune-illada-kanoonu-1983/|title=Karune Illada Kanoonu&nbsp;– ಕರುಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾನೂನು (1983/೧೯೮೩)|last=|first=|date=21 March 2013|website=Kannada Movies Info|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173902/https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/karune-illada-kanoonu-1983/|archive-date=3 April 2018|dead-url=no|access-date=3 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+'''''Major Chandrakanth''''' is a 1966 [[Tamil language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] produced by [[A. V. Meiyappan]] and directed by [[K. Balachander]]. It is based on his play of the same name. The film stars [[Major Sundarrajan]], [[Nagesh]], [[R. Muthuraman]], [[A. V. M. Rajan]] and [[Jayalalithaa]]. Sundarrajan, who portrayed the [[title role]] of a retired blind army major, acquired the prefix ''Major'' and was more commonly known as Major Sundarrajan thereafter. The play was first made into a [[Hindi]] film ''[[Oonche Log (1965 film)|Oonche Log]]'' in 1965. The film was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Karune Illada Kanoonu]]'' (1983).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/karune-illada-kanoonu-1983/ |title=Karune Illada Kanoonu&nbsp;– ಕರುಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾನೂನು (1983/೧೯೮೩) |date=21 March 2013 |website=Kannada Movies Info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173902/https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/karune-illada-kanoonu-1983/ |archive-date=3 April 2018 |dead-url=no |access-date=3 April 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 == Plot ==
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 == Production ==
-''Major Chandrakanth'' was a Tamil play which [[K. Balachander]] had originally written and staged in English language under the title ''Courage of Conviction'' while he was working for the Accountant General's office.<ref name="TCRC">{{Cite web |url=https://tcrcindia.com/2017/04/13/major-chandrakanth-from-stage-to-celluloid/ |title=Major Chandrakanth : From Stage to Celluloid |last=Bhatt |first=Karthik |date=13 April 2017 |website=The Cinema Resource Centre |access-date=6 February 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206165027/https://tcrcindia.com/2017/04/13/major-chandrakanth-from-stage-to-celluloid/ |archivedate=6 February 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/24/stories/2011062451170400.htm |title=Quality recreation |last=Sivakumar |first=S. |date=24 June 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927232549/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/24/stories/2011062451170400.htm |archive-date=27 September 2013 |dead-url=bot: unknown |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The play earned critical acclaim,<ref>{{cite web|title=K Balachander gets Dadasaheb Phalke award|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachander-gets-phalke-award/20110429.htm|publisher=[[Rediff.com]]|accessdate=24 September 2013|date=29 April 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927220441/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachander-gets-phalke-award/20110429.htm|archivedate=27 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was staged over a hundred times.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=dfsLAQAAMAAJ&dq=major+chandrakanth+stage&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=major+chandrakanth |title=Rasa: Theatre and cinema |last=Mukherjee |first=Bimal |last2=Kothari |first2=Sunil |last3=Lal |first3=Ananda |last4=Dasgupta |first4=Chidananda |publisher=Anamika Kala Sangam |year=1995 |pages=196 |author-link=Bimal Mukherjee |author-link2=Sunil Kothari |author-link3=Ananda Lal |author-link4=Chidananda Dasgupta}}</ref> It was first adapted into a [[Hindi]] film ''[[Oonche Log (1965 film)|Oonche Log]]'' in 1965 and then it got made in Tamil, with [[A. V. Meiyappan]] producing the Tamil version under [[AVM Productions]] with the same title as the play.<ref name="continuum">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/KB%E2%80%99s-continuum/article16448445.ece |title=KB's continuum |last=Narayan |first=Hari |date=15 November 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123114238/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/KB%E2%80%99s-continuum/article16448445.ece |archive-date=23 November 2016 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Anandan">{{Cite book |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1966-cinedetails34.asp |title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru |last=Film News Anandan |publisher=Sivagami Publishers |year=2004 |location=Chennai |language=Tamil |trans-title=Tamil film history and its achievements |author-link=Film News Anandan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404090504/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1966-cinedetails34.asp |archive-date=4 April 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> [[Major Sundarrajan|Sundarrajan]], who portrayed Chandrakanth, a retired and blind [[major]] in the play, reprised his role in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/the-major-effect/article7586580.ece |title=Made a 'Major' impact |last=Krishnamachari |first=Suganthy |date=27 August 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 February 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223091227/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/the-major-effect/article7586580.ece |archivedate=23 December 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-kb-school/article1986770.ece |title=The KB school |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=3 May 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 February 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404085651/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-kb-school/article1986770.ece |archivedate=4 April 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The character's sons Srikanth and Rajinikanth were played by [[R. Muthuraman]] and [[A. V. M. Rajan]], respectively,<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> reprising the roles played by Venky and Govindarajan on stage.<ref name="TCRC" /> Unlike the play, where the character Vimala was only referenced without being physically portrayed, the character was developed into a full-length role for the film, with [[Jayalalithaa]] playing the role.<ref name="TCRC" /><ref name="Encyclopedia" /> The film was the only collaboration between her and Balachander.<ref name="child-rearing">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/The-right-balance-in-child-rearing/article16907501.ece |title=The right balance in child-rearing |last=Ganapathy |first=Venkatesh |date=20 December 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 April 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406060642/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/The-right-balance-in-child-rearing/article16907501.ece |archivedate=6 April 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Nagesh]] was cast as Mohan,<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> reprising the role played by Gokulnath on stage.<ref name="TCRC" /> The role was a departure from the comedic roles Nagesh was then generally known for.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kb-kollywoods-discovery-channel/article6751541.ece |title=KB: Kollywood’s Discovery Channel |last=Raman |first=Mohan |date=3 January 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501063135/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kb-kollywoods-discovery-channel/article6751541.ece |archive-date=1 May 2015 |dead-url=no |author-link=Mohan V. Raman |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Cinematography was handled by [[S. Maruti Rao]],{{sfn|Saravanan|2013|p=191}} and the editing by R. G. Gopu.<ref name="movie" /> Meiyappan's sons Murugan, Kumaran and [[M. Saravanan (film producer)|Saravanan]] were assistant producers.<ref name="movie" /> The final length measured {{convert|4425|metres|feet}}.<ref name="Anandan" />
+When working in the [[Accountant General]]'s office in Madras (now [[Chennai]]), [[K. Balachander]] wrote and starred as a blind [[major]] in a play titled ''Courage of Conviction''. Since the new Accountant General was from Bengal, Balachander decided the play had to be in English so that the General would understand it.<ref name="TCRC">{{Cite web |url=https://tcrcindia.com/2017/04/13/major-chandrakanth-from-stage-to-celluloid/ |title=Major Chandrakanth : From Stage to Celluloid |last=Bhatt |first=Karthik |date=13 April 2017 |website=The Cinema Resource Centre |access-date=6 February 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206165027/https://tcrcindia.com/2017/04/13/major-chandrakanth-from-stage-to-celluloid/ |archivedate=6 February 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/24/stories/2011062451170400.htm |title=Quality recreation |last=Sivakumar |first=S. |date=24 June 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927232549/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/24/stories/2011062451170400.htm |archive-date=27 September 2013 |dead-url=bot: unknown |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He later decided to expand the play into a full-length script for his friend P. R. Govindarajan's troupe Ragini Recreations, this time in Tamil and with the title ''Major Chandrakanth'' due to the limited scope for English plays in the city.<ref name="TCRC" /><ref name="KB school" /> This play earned critical acclaim,<ref>{{cite web|title=K Balachander gets Dadasaheb Phalke award|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachander-gets-phalke-award/20110429.htm|publisher=[[Rediff.com]]|accessdate=24 September 2013|date=29 April 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927220441/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachander-gets-phalke-award/20110429.htm|archivedate=27 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was staged over a hundred times.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=dfsLAQAAMAAJ&dq=major+chandrakanth+stage&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=major+chandrakanth |title=Rasa: Theatre and cinema |last=Mukherjee |first=Bimal |last2=Kothari |first2=Sunil |last3=Lal |first3=Ananda |last4=Dasgupta |first4=Chidananda |publisher=Anamika Kala Sangam |year=1995 |pages=196 |author-link=Bimal Mukherjee |author-link2=Sunil Kothari |author-link3=Ananda Lal |author-link4=Chidananda Dasgupta}}</ref> It was first adapted into a [[Hindi]] film ''[[Oonche Log (1965 film)|Oonche Log]]'' in 1965 and then it got made in Tamil, with [[A. V. Meiyappan]] producing the Tamil version under [[AVM Productions]] with the same title as the play.<ref name="continuum">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/KB%E2%80%99s-continuum/article16448445.ece |title=KB's continuum |last=Narayan |first=Hari |date=15 November 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123114238/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/KB%E2%80%99s-continuum/article16448445.ece |archive-date=23 November 2016 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Anandan">{{Cite book |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1966-cinedetails34.asp |title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru |last=Film News Anandan |publisher=Sivagami Publishers |year=2004 |location=Chennai |language=Tamil |trans-title=Tamil film history and its achievements |author-link=Film News Anandan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404090504/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1966-cinedetails34.asp |archive-date=4 April 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref>
+[[Major Sundarrajan|Sundarrajan]], who portrayed the blind major Chandrakanth in the Tamil play, reprised his role in the film.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/the-major-effect/article7586580.ece |title=Made a 'Major' impact |last=Krishnamachari |first=Suganthy |date=27 August 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 February 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223091227/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/the-major-effect/article7586580.ece |archivedate=23 December 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="KB school">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-kb-school/article1986770.ece |title=The KB school |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=3 May 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404085651/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-kb-school/article1986770.ece |archive-date=4 April 2018 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The character's sons Srikanth and Rajinikanth were played by [[R. Muthuraman]] and [[A. V. M. Rajan]], respectively,<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> reprising the roles played by Venky and Govindarajan on stage.<ref name="TCRC" /> Unlike the play, where the character Vimala was only referenced without being physically portrayed, the character was developed into a full-length role for the film, with [[Jayalalithaa]] playing the role.<ref name="TCRC" /><ref name="Encyclopedia" /> The film was the only collaboration between her and Balachander.<ref name="child-rearing">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/The-right-balance-in-child-rearing/article16907501.ece |title=The right balance in child-rearing |last=Ganapathy |first=Venkatesh |date=20 December 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 April 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406060642/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/The-right-balance-in-child-rearing/article16907501.ece |archivedate=6 April 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Nagesh]] was cast as Mohan,<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> reprising the role played by Gokulnath on stage.<ref name="TCRC" /> The role was a departure from the comedic roles Nagesh was then generally known for.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kb-kollywoods-discovery-channel/article6751541.ece |title=KB: Kollywood’s Discovery Channel |last=Raman |first=Mohan |date=3 January 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501063135/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kb-kollywoods-discovery-channel/article6751541.ece |archive-date=1 May 2015 |dead-url=no |author-link=Mohan V. Raman |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Cinematography was handled by [[S. Maruti Rao]],{{sfn|Saravanan|2013|p=191}} and the editing by R. G. Gopu.<ref name="movie" /> Meiyappan's sons Murugan, Kumaran and [[M. Saravanan (film producer)|Saravanan]] were assistant producers.<ref name="movie" /> The final length measured {{convert|4425|metres|feet}}.<ref name="Anandan" />
 == Soundtrack ==