Anbu (Eng: Kindness) is a 1953 Tamil language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and T. R. Rajakumari in the lead roles.
Anbu was based on a story by M. Natesan, who also produced and directed the film. The dialogue was by Vindhan. The music was composed by T. R. Paapa and the lyrics were by Papanasam Sivan, Ka. Mu. Sheriff, Kambadasan, Suratha, and Nanjil Rajappa. Anbu was shot at Newtone Studios and Citadel, both of which do not exist today. Noted cameraman G. Vittal Rao was in charge of cinematography. The dances were choreographed by Hiralal, Gopalakrishnan and Dhandapani. S.A. Murugesan, a close associate of Natesan, was in charge of editing.
Anbu was all about the emotional problems a woman faces when she becomes a young widow. Thangam (Rajakumari) is married to a man old enough to be her father, Rajamanickam Mudaliar (Duraiswami) who has two children from his deceased first wife. The daughter is Lakshmi (S. Padma), and son, Selvam (Sivaji Ganesan). Thangam’s husband dies when she is expecting her baby. Selvam falls in love with a rich girl Malathi (Padmini), while a playboy (T.S. Balaiah) does his best to separate them. When Thangam’s child is born, ugly rumours are spread by Lakshmi that the father of the child is Selvam and the two had an incestuous relationship. Malathi believes the rumours and starts tormenting Thangam. How the young widow surmounts the problems forms the rest of the story.
Directed by M Natesan
Produced by M Natesan
Written by Vindhan
Starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, T R Rajakumari, T S Balaiah, Lalitha, K A Thangavelu
Music by T R Pappa
Distributed by Natesh Art Pictures
Release date 24 July 1953
Running time 2hrs. 58mins. (16,097 feet)
Language Tamil
