Pilot Premnath
| Pilot Premnath | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | A. C. Tirulokchandar |
| Produced by |
D.M Chandrasena, T. M. Menon, M. M. Saleem[1] |
| Written by | Aaroor Das (dialogues) |
| Story by | R. Venkat |
| Starring |
Sivaji Ganesan Malini Fonseka Thengai Srinivasan Major Sundararajan Sridevi |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
| Cinematography | Vinayagam |
| Edited by | B. Kandhasamy |
Production company |
Cine India Productions |
Release dates | 30 October 1978 |
| Country |
India Sri Lanka |
| Language | Tamil |
Pilot Premnath is a 1978 Tamil drama film directed by A. C. Thirulokachandar, starring Sivaji Ganesan as the eponymous character. It was an "Indo-Sri Lankan joint-venture" produced by D.M Chandrasena,[1] T. M. Menon and M. M. Saleem.[1]
Plot
Pilot Premnath (Sivaji Ganesan) has three children — two sons (Vijayakumar and JaiGanesh) and a blind daughter (Sridevi). He is closely attached to his children, especially his daughter. His wife (Malini) dies in an accident.
The deceased wife continues to live in Premnath's heart, and every time he returns from a flight journey, he goes to their room, and sees her in his mind’s eye. Once while talking about her in the room with his co-pilot (Thengai Srinivasan), he shows him the bundle of her letters. One letter is found, not posted. In it, the wife states that one of the three children was not born to her.
The world around him shatters and it is then he breaks into the song "Who Is The Black Sheep?" The suspense is revealed later. Premnath goes to America for training, leaving his pregnant wife behind. She delivers a stillborn child. Simultaneously, his friend Balu’s (Major Sundararajan) wife gives birth to a blind baby girl and to prevent tragedy in Premnath’s family, Balu substitutes his baby with Premnath’s.
The two sons find sweethearts (Jayachitra and Satyapriya) and the daughter falls in love with a young man (Prem Anand), who saves her from a thief near a shop. All get married and happiness is restored once more in the household.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Pilot Premnath
- Malini Fonseka as Premnath's wife
- Thengai Srinivasan as Premnath's co-pilot
- Major Sundararajan as Balu
- Vijayakumar and JaiGanesh as Premnath's sons
- Sridevi as Premnath's blind daughter
Soundtrack
The songs were composed by M.S. Viswanathan. Ilangaiyin Ilam Kuyil was the popular track of the album which topped the charts for many weeks.
| # | Song Title | Lyrics | Singers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Ilangaiyin Ilam Kuyil" | Vaali | T.M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam |
| 2 | "Azhagi Oruthi" | P. Jayachandran, L. R. Eswari | |
| 3 | "Muruganendra Thirunaamam" | T.M. Soundararajan | |
| 4 | "Who is the black sheep" | T.M. Soundararajan | |
Production
Pilot Premnath was shot entirely in Sri Lanka, while post-production took place in Chennai.[1]
Reception
Film historian Randor Guy praised the film for the "interesting storyline, the fine performances of Sivaji Ganesan, Malini Fonseca, Major Sundararajan, Sri Devi and others, the pleasing music, deft direction and impressive cinematography."[1]