| Rajakumari | |
| Director: | A. S. A. Sami |
| Starring: | M. G. Ramachandran K. Malathi |
| Cinematography: | W. R. Subba Rao U. Krishnan |
| Editing: | D. Durairaj |
| Music: | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| Studio: | Jupiter Pictures |
| Distributor: | Jupiter Pictures[1] |
| Runtime: | 134 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
| Gross: | 40 Lakhs |
Rajakumari is a 1947 Indian Tamil language film directed by A. S. A. Sami, starring M. G. Ramachandran (credited as Ramachandar) and K. Malathi. It was released on 11 April 1947.[2]
Jupiter Pictures partner Somu asked A. S. A. Sami to create a screenplay that he himself could direct with artistes on the payroll of the company. However, when he read Sami's screenplay, he suggested that P. U. Chinnappa and T. R. Rajakumari, who were in the forefront at that time, play the lead roles. But Sami requested Somu to stick to the original decision. M. G. Ramachandran (then credited as Ramachandar) and Malathi were asked to play the lead roles. After more than half the film was shot, the company's other partner S. K. Mohideen felt the project be abandoned. Somu weighed the consequences in the light of future career of Sami and Ramachandar. He told his partner that a decision could be taken on completion of the film.
Rajakumari was Ramachandar's 15th film and first film as leading actor. Sami arranged for a wrestler called Kamaludeen to participate in a fight sequence for the film. But Ramachandar insisted to have Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar who had been acting in small roles to do the role. At first director was not interested to have him in the film, but later agreed.[3] K. Thavamani Devi who was a talented dancer and singer played the role of a vamp. At one point she came for shooting wearing a dress with a plunging neckline (something unseen those days).[4] It caused ripples on the set. For a scene, where Nambiar who becomes invisible and follows Swaminathan, Sami revealed it was inspired from The Invisible Man.
Music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, while the lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi.
| No. | Song | Singer/s | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Vaazhvom Vaazhvom" | 02:12 | ||
| 2 | "Kannara Kaanpadhenro" | M. M. Mariyappa | 02:09 | |
| 3 | "Maaran Avadhaaram" | M. M. Mariyappa | 03:15 | |
| 4 | "Maamayilena Nadamaaduraal" | M. M. Mariyappa | 03:06 | |
| 5 | "Neyramithe Nalla .. Sukumaaran" | K. V. Janaki | 02:13 | |
| 6 | "Paampaatti Chiththanaye" | 02:59 | ||
| 7 | "Paattil Enna Solven Paangi" | T. V. Rathnam & K. V. Janaki | 03:27 | |
| 8 | "Thirumuga Ezhilai Thirudi Kondathu" | M. M. Mariyappa & K. Malathi | 02:53 | |
| 9 | "Kaattinile Naangal Vazhvadhe" | Thiruchi Loganathan & K. V. Janaki | 03:27 | |
| 10 | "Anbin Perumai" | M. M. Mariyappa & K. V. Janaki | 03:11 |
Rajakumari turned out to be a blockbuster with huge profits, and was the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year.[5] In 2008, film historian Randor Guy, an ardent fan of Ramachandran himself said it would be "Remembered for: the debut of M. G. Ramachandran as hero and A. S. A. Sami as director.