Avana Ivan (Eng: Is that him?) is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language thriller film directed by S. Balachander. The film was an adaptation of the 1951 American film A Place in the Sun, itself adapted from the novel An American Tragedy written by Theodore Dreiser. The novel was inspired by the Gillette murder case that shook America in the early part of the 20th century. The original film, featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Shelley Winters, was a major success in India. S. Balachander was much impressed with the film and tried to remake the film in Tamil, thus making his production debut. He named his company S. B. Creations, the first time the word “Creations” was used in a south Indian film for a film production company.
Kumar (S. Balachandar) kills his wife played by Lakshmirajam Sadan in order to marry another woman, Vaasanthi. The murder is witnessed by two children (Kutty Padmini and Master Sridhar), who go for a picnic along with other children who later expose the truth. At the last the murderer is arrested and taken away by the police; he winks at the children who exposed him and says “tata”.
Directed by S. Balachander
Produced by S. Balachander
Written by S. Balachander & Viduvain K. Lakshmanan
Story by S. Balachander
Based on An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
Music by S. Balachander
Release date 31 August 1962
Country India
Language Tamil
