| Doctor Savithri | |
| Director: | R. M. Krishnaswamy |
| Screenplay: | Acharya A. K. Velan Elangovan |
| Story: | Acharya |
| Based On: | Savitri and Satyavan |
| Producer: | M. Radhakrishnan |
| Starring: | Anjali Devi S. Balachander M. N. Nambiar B. R. Panthulu |
| Cinematography: | R. M. Krishnaswamy |
| Editing: | R. M. Venugopal |
| Music: | G. Ramanathan |
| Studio: | Aruna Films |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Doctor Savithri is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language legal thriller film directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy and written by Acharya. A contemporary adaptation of the Hindu story of Savitri and Satyavan, the film stars Anjali Devi, S. Balachander, M. N. Nambiar and B. R. Panthulu. It revolves around the title character's (Anjali Devi) efforts to clear the name of her wrongfully convicted husband (Panthulu). The film was released on 25 November 1955 and became a success.
Savithri is a doctor who treats the poor for free. When she discovers that Vanaja, a young wealthy woman in their community is being harassed by Nagalingam, a crooked lawyer, she and her husband Somasundaram endeavour to help Vanaja. Later, Nagalingam is murdered by an unknown assailant and Somasundaram is wrongfully convicted of the crime. Savithri investigates the murder and identifies the true killer as Jagath Singh, a doctor who had been blackmailed by Nagalingam.
In 1941, a Tamil language film based on the Hindu story of Savitri and Satyavan, titled Savithri was released. More than a decade later, T. G. Raghavachari (Acharya) sought to create a new adaptation of the story but with a modern setting. Titled Doctor Savithri, the film's story and screenplay was written by Acharya and it was directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy and produced by M. Radhakrishnan under the banner Aruna Films. Krishnaswamy also served as the cinematographer, while Raghavan was the art director, and R. M. Venugopal was the editor. Acharya wrote the dialogues, along with A. K. Velan and Elangovan. Roy Chowdary, Muthuswamy Pillai (Sayee Subbulakshmi) and Gopalakrishnan were in charge of the choreography. The film was processed at AVM Studios.[1]
Music was composed by G. Ramanathan and lyrics by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, A. Maruthakasi and Mayavaram Vethanayagam Pillai.
| Song | Singer | Lyrics | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Thensuvai Mevum Sendhamizh" | P. Leela | A. Maruthakasi | 03:09 | |
| "Naayagar Pakshamadi" | P. A. Periyanayaki & A. P. Komala | Mayavaram Vethanayagam Pillai | 02:54 | |
| "Kasikku Pona Karu Undaagum" | N. S. Krishnan & T. A. Mathuram | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 02:33 | |
| "Vaadham Vambu Panna Koodadhu" | N. S. Krishnan | 02:25 | ||
| "Moolai Veettukulle Mudangi Kidakkira Muniyappa" | P. Leela | 02:57 | ||
| "Jegamengum Pugalongum Veera Dheera Singam" | N. S. Krishnan & Thiruchi Loganathan | 06:03 | ||
| "Maayi Mahamaayi.... Aadhi Parameswariye" | T. M. Soundararajan & A. G. Rathnamala | 06:24 | ||
| "Thenpazhani Malai Mel" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:24 | ||
| "Nilavodu Neelavanam Uravada" | Thiruchi Loganathan & Jikki | A. Maruthakasi |
Doctor Savithri was released on 25 November 1955,[2] delayed from Diwali.[3] On the same day The Indian Express wrote, "The atmosphere of mystery and suspense is well maintained to the last though the all-too-brief finale is a bit all-too-tame".[4] The film emerged a commercial success; this assisted in establishing Aruna Films as a leading production company in the 1950s Tamil film industry.