Abhimanyu is a 1948 Tamil film produced by Jupiter Pictures and starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in a supporting role. It was based on the Mahabharatha story of Abhimanyu. The screenplay was written by A. S. A. Sami and M. Karunanidhi. This was the second film for Karunanidhi as scriptwriter. The film also starred M. N. Nambiar in a supporting role.
Jupiter Pictures had more than one movie on the anvil at any given time, and, during 1948, this unit released another film besides Mohini, a mythological, Abhimanyu. This film introduced a new director A. Kasilingam, who was an editor at Jupiter. A new hero also made his debut as Abhimanyu. His name was S. M. Kumaresan. The success of this film brought him laurels but sadly he faded fast from the scene. In Abhimanyu, a young man, blessed with wit, brilliance, a facile pen and silver tongue, wrote the dialogue, then assisting A. S. A. Sami, who was credited for the script in the titles. This man who got no credit, was a man of destiny, who would create history not only as a script-writer but also as a political leader, a man of the masses, a person of rare charisma. His name was Muthuvel Karunanidhi!
MGR’s name appears fourth in the credits as ‘M. G. Ramachandar’. Indeed, he appears in the film only after the Kurukshetra war breaks out between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Handsome Narasimha Bharathi plays Lord Krishna with conviction, while Vatsala, Balaraman’s (M. G. Chakrapani) daughter, was played by the then popular heroine U. R. Jeevaratnam.
Directed by M Somasundaram & A Kasilingam
Produced by Jupiter Pictures
Written by A S A Sami & M Karunanidhi
Starring M G Ramachandran, S M Kumaresan, M R Santhanalakshmi, M G Chakrapani, P V Narasimma, M N Nambiar
Music by C R Subburaman & S M Subbaiah Naidu
Cinematography W R Subbarao
Edited by A Kasilingam
Release date 6 May 1948
Running time 180 min. (16,325 Feet)
Country India
Language Tamil
