Baghdad Thirudan

Baghdad Thirudan (transl. The Thief of Baghdad) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Vyjayanthimala, with M. N. Nambiar, T. S. Balaiah, T. R. Ramachandran, S. A. Ashokan, M. N. Rajam, A. Sandhya and S. N. Lakshmi in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1924 American film The Thief of Bagdad and was inspired by 1951 film The Prince Who Was a Thief.^[1] The film was released on 6 May 1960.

Baghdad Thirudan
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	T. P. Sundaram
Written by	A. S. Muthu (dialogues)
Produced by	T. P. Sundaram Harilal Patoviya
Starring	M. G. Ramachandran Vyjayanthimala
Cinematography	M. Krishnaswamy
Edited by	G. D. Joshi
Music by	G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Production company	Southern Movies
Release date	6 May 1960 (1960-05-06)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Following the betrayal of the Prime Minister, the Maharaja and the Maharani of the kingdom are murdered and their son, Abu, is hidden in a herd of cows. Abu is found by robbers, who were hidden in the forest and eventually grows up to become their leader. The two impostors who sit on the throne have a daughter and a child servant who poses as the son who survived the death of the former royal couple. Abu robs the rich to give to the poor and strives to reconquer his kingdom.

Cast

Male cast M. G. Ramachandran as Abu M. N. Nambiar as Hyder / Chinna Sarkar T. S. Balaiah as Periya Sarkar T. R. Ramachandran as Abu's friend S. A. Ashokan as Qayyum S. V. Sahasranamam K. Kannan as Bandit

Female cast Vyjayanthimala as Zarina M. N. Rajam as Princess Zubeida S. N. Lakshmi as Begum Sandhya as Gulshad M. S. S. Bhagyam K. S. Angamuthu as Princess Friend Helen as Dancer

Production

Baghdad Thirudan was financed by Krishnaswamy Naidu, the former owner of Golden Studios. A single set in the film cost ₹30,000 (equivalent to ₹2.7 million or US$31,000 in 2023), yet M. G. Ramachandran always wanted new sets. By this type of over-expenditure, it was believed that the film would ultimately cost ₹500,000 (equivalent to ₹45 million or US$520,000 in 2023). Ramachandran demanded that an additional ₹200,000 (equivalent to ₹18 million or US$210,000 in 2023) be spent to complete the film, much to Naidu's horror.^[2] Baghdad Thirudan was also the only film that featured Ramachandran opposite Vyjayanthimala.^[3] Ramachandran briefly served as the film's editor. He said, "I was at the editing table, and it was so easy to join the cuts, because the movements just flowed into each other".^[4] S. N. Lakshmi had to fight a leopard in one scene without the use of a stunt double.^[5] She later remarked that she feared cats.^[6][7]

Soundtrack

The music composed by G. Govindarajulu Naidu. All lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi.^[8]

Song	Singers	Length
"Azhagu Laila"	A. P. Komala	02:28
"Enthan Kathai Idhana"	P. Suseela	02:51
"Vetri Kollum Vaalendhi"		05:24
"Kanneerin Vellam"		03:16
"Pothukulunguthey...Sokkudhe Manam"		03:30
"Bul Bul Paarvaiyile"	K. Jamuna Rani	02:12
"Siricha Pothum"	Jikki & group	02:44
"Unmai Anbin"	T. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela	02:18
"Yaarukku Dimikki"	T. M. Soundararajan	02:34

Release and reception

Baghdad Thirudan was released on 6 May 1960,^[9] and had an average run.^[10] Kanthan of Kalki said there was nothing special about the film, but it could be watched for Ramachandran.^[11] Later it was dubbed in Hindi and released as Baghdad in 1962.^[12]

References

1. Guy, Randor (17 February 2011). "Superstar of the silent era". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
2. Sri Kantha, Sachi (17 October 2011). "Kannadasan's Minor Book(let) on MGR: Random Notes". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
3. Sri Kantha, Sachi (8 April 2015). "MGR Remembered – Part 26 | V.C. Ganesan: A reputable rival in Movies and Politics". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
4. Rajan, Anjana (15 January 2007). "Screen, stage and beyond". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
5. Raman, Mohan V (20 February 2012). "An actor par excellence". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
6. Rangarajan, Malathi (28 May 2010). "Courage goaded her on …". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
7. Parthasarathy, Anusha (2 March 2011). "Plays were crowd pullers". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
8. Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam – Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 204.
9. "Table: Chronological List of MGR's Movies released between 1960 and 1967" (PDF). Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
10. சாதனை நாயகன் எம்.ஜி.ஆர் [MGR, the man of achievements] (in Tamil). Arulmozhi Publications. 1997. p. 28.
11. காந்தன் (22 May 1960). "பாக்தாத் திருடன்". Kalki (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
12. "1960 – பாக்தாத் திருடன் – சதர்ன் மூவிஸ்" [1960 – Baghdad Thirudan – Southern Movies]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

External links

• Baghdad Thirudan at IMDb